Thursday Puck Picks Colorado vs. Minnesota (-125, 5)
The Avs broke a string of three straight 3-2 games in this series when they hammered the Wild 5-1 in Game 4 in Denver. And then things got ugly.
The Wild started gooning and gave up 13 power plays to the Avs. Derek Boogard got tossed in the third with a misconduct and Stephane Veilleux mucked it up with just about everybody. Veilleux also served Paul Stastny with a nasty hit from behind that easily could have caused some damage.
This is playoff hockey. You might win a game with ease on the scoreboard, but its tough to walk away from those ones unscathed.
The series now turns back to Minnesota where Colorado should have a tougher time putting up goals.
Pick: Wild -125
Anaheim vs. Stars (-125, 5)
The Ducks looked like a new team in Game 3 when they topped the Stars 4-2 as +108 underdogs.
The Stars looked a little sluggish in the loss, but a huge key for Anaheim was special teams. The power play has been the biggest factor in this series all season long and the Ducks managed to at least tie that battle with the Stars when both teams scored two power play goals in Game 3.
Dallas had outscored the Ducks 6-1 on the power play in the first two games when the Stars jumped to a 2-0 series lead.
Anaheims PP should get another boost tonight if Corey Perry returns. Their leading scorer (29 goals) has been out since early March after getting his a tendon in his leg sliced open by a skate.
Pick: Ducks +110
Raji |