Ice picks: Tuesday night's best NHL bets

[Raji]

Mon, Apr 30, 2007By Covers.com staff

Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Rangers (-120, 5 1/2)



One of the biggest stories heading into Sunday’s game at Madison Square Garden was the condition of the ice for Game 3. It was soft, choppy and the water dried slowly between periods. Rangers winger Brendan Shanahan admitted to NBC reporter Pierre McGuire that it was the worst the ice had been in New York all season.



It’s not uncommon this time of year at MSG. All you need is a circus, some warmer weather and a multitude of sporting events and concerts in a building so old it was first opened with a concert by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.



And the truth is, this couldn’t be playing into the Rangers’ hands any better. Softer ice means slower playing conditions and bouncier pucks. Seeing as how the Sabres’ whole game plan revolves around speed and moving the puck, this poses a bit of a challenge.



The Rangers, meanwhile, like to play with their forwards high in the offensive zone and they try to slow teams down as they come out of their own end. With slower ice – and a lively crowd on their side – New York was able to execute its game plan in a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 3. The Rangers outshot and outplayed the Sabres and didn’t allow Buffalo many quality scoring opportunities around the net.



The Rangers also had a controversial goal disallowed off the skate of Karel Rachunek in the third period that would have given them a 2-0 lead and a likely regulation time victory. Fortunately they scored in double-overtime and the goal didn’t matter.



The bottom line now is that the Rangers probably need another win Tuesday night to keep the series alive and prevent a 3-1 Sabres advantage. Don’t be shocked if the icemakers don’t find any magic cures to improve the ice in time for Game 4.



Pick: under 5 ½



Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks (+120, 4 ½)



The Ducks got a taste of what the playoff atmosphere is like north of the border Sunday afternoon when Vancouver flew out of a cannon in the first period and outshot Anaheim 13-2. Then everybody woke up and the Ducks outshot the Canucks 15-6 the next period.



In the end the Ducks won 3-2 and showed NHL bettors that even when they don’t play their best hockey they can find a way to win – even on the road. It helps when your power play can bail you out, which is one of the biggest differences in this series.



Anaheim has four power play goals so far in this series – two each in Games 1 and 3 – while Vancouver has just one. The Canucks also failed to capitalize on two 5-on-3 advantages in Game 3 and after a tough loss like that in this sport, that can be like your car breaking down right in front of the Bates Motel.



Said Canucks veteran forward Trevor Linden after the game: “When you don't capitalize on those opportunities it comes back to haunt you.”



Pick: Ducks -140

Raji