Wed Puck Picks

[Raji]

Pittsburgh vs. Rangers (N/A)

The Penguins went up 3-0 in their series with the Rangers Tuesday night with a 5-3 win but don’t expect New York to hand over the fourth win easily.

“I have a very funny feeling about this series,” Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr told a group of reporters huddled around his locker after the game.

It’s a little reminiscent of Ben Crenshaw the day before the American Ryder Cup team made the most improbable comeback in golf history at Brookline in 1999. You could sort of see in Jagr's eyes that he believes something special is coming.

But maybe it's more the fact a veteran is seeing his final days as an NHLer come to an end and he's clinging to all hope.

It’s going to be tough to come back in this series, but it’s hard to think the Pens can get out of this series without at least one loss. The Rangers haven’t shown any quit despite the three losses and they badly outshot Pittsburgh 39-17 on Tuesday.

We don’t think Jagr’s funny feeling will result in a series win, but New York might grab Game 4 and make Pittsburgh sweat a little. The unfortunate part for New York bettors is the Rangers will likely have to do it without Chris Drury. He hurt himself in the second period of Game 3 and didn’t look good as he skated hunched over to the bench.

Pick: Pitt

Detroit vs. Colorado (N/A)

Some of you thought we were crazy when we took the Red Wings in five games to win this series in our Round 2 previews and picks. But the President’s Cup winning Red Wings are playing their best hockey of the season and it’s easy to see why they’re the Stanley Cup faves.

They now have five straight playoff victories and have rewarded bettors for taking the chalk (favorite action). What’s worse news for their opponents is their snipers are heating up.

In the first round, Detroit got scoring from a bunch of different sources from every line. Now Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are red hot after eight points combined over the past two games.

The loss of Ryan Smyth to a foot injury really bites the Avs, as does the fact Peter Forsberg isn’t at full strength with a groin injury. Colorado just doesn’t have the horses to keep up with the Wings here and Detroit will even this all-time playoff series at 3-3 Thursday night.

Pick: Avs