Premium NHL Picks: December 23rd

Before the Christmas break there are 13 games in the NHL. We have three premium NHL picks.

Vancouver Canucks @ Columbus Blue Jackets

2nd meeting between the teams this season. Canucks had won the first game last Wednesday in Vancouver. It was a pretty tight game which Canucks won 3-2. After losing to the Canucks, Jackets first lost in Edmonton and then lost in Dallas but they bounced with a 3-1 win over the Flames on home ice. Canucks played three games and lost one of them which was last night's game in Detroit. Despite scoring 2 powerplay goals on 3 attempts, Canucks lost the game 5-4. I will side with the Canucks in this one. Blue Jackets lost 4 of their last 5 games and they are also 1-5 SU in last 6 games against the Canucks. 

PICK: VANCOUVER CANUCKS TO WIN [ML]

2 Units @ 1.90

Atlanta Thrashers @ Boston Bruins

At TD Garden, Bruins will take on the Thrashers who had a surprising loss on home ice against the St Louis Blues. This is going to be the second matchup of these teams and Atlanta had won the first one back in November with a 4-1 score in Atlanta. 

Tim Thomas and Pavelec are two of the NHL's best goalies. They are both expected to start tonight. Bruins are 3rd in penalty killing in the NHL at 86.4% and they are also the toughest team to score on in the league. The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Boston's 14 home games and considering the performance of goaltenders, I will go with UNDER in this one.

PICK: UNDER 5.5 GOALS

2 units @ 1.77

Phoenix Coyotes @ SJ Sharks

Without Bryzgalov, Coyotes continue to depend on backup goalie Jason LaBarbera which went 1-2 in his last 3 games and allowed 11 goals. Sharks are coming into this game with a three game winning streak. They were able to edge the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 on Tuesday after beating the Stars and Blues on road.They are 9-3 in last 12 games against the Coyotes. Kurt Sauer and Bryzgalov are out for the Coyotes while Douglas Murray is listed as day to day for the San Jose Sharks. I will go with Sharks win in regulation. they are 9-4 in last 13 games on home ice and they are 10-4-2 overall. Coyotes are 0.500 on road but they have scored only 8 goals in last 4 games and they were very bad on powerplays as of late going 1 for 15 in last 2 games. Sharks should win this one in 60 mins.

PICK: SAN JOSE SHARKS TO WIN in regulation (3 way bet)

2 units @ 1.86 (best odds at Betfair)

Outcome: