Computer Picks: November 13th, 2010 — No Average Week

Since Monday, November the 8th, a total of 30 games have been played on the NHL schedule, and many of these games were in fact not your everyday “3-2 plus an empty-netter” affairs. This past week has actually been both brutal and merciless towards unprepared teams and goaltenders on ‘off-nights’. Among the 30 games which took place between this past Monday and Friday, there were actually an astonishing 9 games which were decided by at least 4-goal margins, including one 7-1 and two 8-1 final scores. GAA numbers were also out of whack during the week, as a total of 14 of the 60 participating teams this week allowed 5 goals or more during the course of a single game.

What does this all of this mean towards this Saturday’s predictions then?

Well, if trends should continue, the actual scores for this Saturday might turn out to be just as wild as some of the scores which took place earlier in the week, and might not be anything close to the average score predictions posted here.  Nonetheless, the computer will do its best to sort through the riff-raff, and try to figure out how each team will play here in their upcoming game. As for whether or not the pucks will decide to take some more unfortunate bounces over the course of the night, that will have to be seen as the games play out. As of this moment though, there is at least one witness to the week’s events who is now thinking twice before betting any current NHL game to go under its posted total.

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INDEX:

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GAMES: Due to Vegas oddsmakers’ collective unwillingness to make it easier on us, this article is now written at night and then revised in the morning/afternoon, when the betting lines for ALL of the NHL games are finally sent out. Therefore, predictions for some games may not be posted until I wake up on Saturday morning (around 11:30AM Pacific Time). 

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Pittsburgh Penguins at Atlanta Thrashers

This will be the Pens’ 3rd game in 4 nights. Lay off the flightless birds, or fade away after the public pounds them. 

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Florida Panthers at Philadelphia Flyers

Could this be another blowout special, with the Panthers playing 3 games in 4 nights and back-to-backs? Surprisingly though, Florida has won the last 2 meetings. Them guys are scrappy.

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Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens

It’s a big bounce-back spot for the Canes after receiving an 8-1 whooping, and maybe a bit of a letdown spot for the Habs.

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Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings

There’s a pretty solid case for the Over 5.5 here.

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Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins

I don’t know about this one. This seems like it can be a lot more competitive than 65%-35%.

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Vancouver Canucks at Toronto Maple Leafs

How do I resist the temptation to fade the Leafs here? So far, I’m managing to do so with a little bit of discipline–now I’ve only got to keep that up for the next 14 hours.

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Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres

 All right, I’m sold. *Click”. I’m buying into the Capitals’ hype machine.

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St. Louis Blues at Phoenix Coyotes

Just how many teams exactly are playing their 3rd game in 4 nights tonight? Both of these teams will be.

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Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators

“No bet” is “no fun”, I know, but sometimes it’s just better to watch, and say, “I’m glad I didn’t bet this game” (or “damn those Computer Picks, I should have bet this game!”).

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Calgary Flames at San Jose Sharks

The Flames might actually show up for this one, knowing that they are a big road underdog–they’re 3-1 this season as road dogs of +115 or higher (the 45% mark). Also, San Jose is wicked overrated right now–they’re 7-7, people.

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New Yorks Islanders at Los Angeles Kings

Yeah, I don’t think the Islanders will win either. Dwayne Roloson is on a roll though. Wait–what was I saying earlier about playing Unders? Oh well, I can’t ‘unclick’ it now.

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Note: There are changes still to come for the betting section, so please be patient. There’s a 66.7% chance that it’ll be worth the wait (gotta like those odds).