Tonight’s Picks: Can the Canucks Finally Do It?

5-5: Back up to .500! Killed Super Saturday, going 4-2 but could’ve been 5-1 if not for an epic Brodeur collapse! However, the game did show me that the Flyers are not just defensive powerhouses but also offensive threats. Looking good for the Flyers this year. I’m avoiding the Rangers vs. Devils today because I’m not quite sure which Brodeur will show up. To top it off, the Rangers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against New Jersey but I’m still not convinced the Rangers are a real offensive threat. Be warned!

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Columbus Blue Jackets +125 at Vancouver Canucks -155

The Canucks, and mainly Luongo, have been great disappointments thus far, going 0-2 with road losses against Colorado and Calgary. Columbus, however, kicked off their season with a grinding 2-1 victory against Minnesota. Steve Mason turned away 32 shots and looked brilliant, certainly posing a threat to Vancouver’s scoring hopes. Luongo is a premier goalie, struggling right now, but when looking at the starts for premier NHL goaltenders so far this year, only Emery and Nabokov have been able to produce a quality start when on the road. Home ice advantage will play its part in this game and Luongo should find his game. The lack of scoring for Columbus in their home opener will work favourably for Luongo as well as the fact that 4 of the last 6 games played between these two teams in Vancouver have been under the posted goal total. Vancouver is also 11-5 straight-up in their last 16 games at home (1-1 last season) against Columbus and a remarkable 16-4 in their last 20 games at home (against all teams). Vancouver and Captain Lou need the GM Place and should silence their critics in front of their home crowd against a resilient Columbus team.
Pick: Vancouver -155 and UNDER 5.5 goals -135

C’mon Lou, pressure’s now still on you!