Week 1: +13 bananas
Week 2: -2 bananas
Week 3: +8 bananas
Week 4: -2 bananas
Total: +17 bananas

I see a pattern.  This should be a good week.  I’m going by gut feeling this week and I’ll give you my predictions in Pro-Line format also.

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

Pittsburgh Senators @ Ottawa Senators
Pittsburgh is rolling right now with Malkin and Crosby sitting 1 and 2 on top of the NHL scoring leaders list.  The Ottawa Senators have looked batter lately but they still seem to be lacking the secondary scoring from players not named Alfredsson, Heatley or Spezza.  The Penguins should keep right on rolling along and look for Crosby to pass Malkin soon.

-Bet-
1 banana on PIT to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V

Atlanta Thrashers @ New York Islanders
Atlanta can’t seem to get any consistency going.  They look good one night and then take a night off.  The Islanders seem to be coming down from their nice little run they had going.  I like Atlanta here as I really like the explosive offensive potential the Thrashers possess.  Bryan Little has really turned into a player and Kovalchuk should bust out with a 3 or 4 goal night soon.

-Bet-
1 banana on ATL to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V+

Philadelphia Flyers @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Flyers are another inconsistent team.  They can’t seem to get a string of wins together despite the potent offense they have with Gagne, Carter and Richards.  I like Carolina here because teams have a tendency to pick up their play when a new coach arrives.  Even though in this case the new coach is actually a former coach, I still like the “New Coach Theory.”  

-Bet-
1 banana on CAR to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

Boston Bruins @ Florida Panthers
Despite a few significant injuries, the Panthers have played reasonably well lately.  Unfortunately, they’re up against the NHL’s second best team right now and will probably be facing Tim Thomas.  I keep waiting for Boston to lose a few games but I wouldn’t bet on it happening tonight.

-Bet-
1 banana on BOS to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V+

Chicago Blackhawks @ Detroit Red Wings
Detroit has to be concerned with giving up 6 goals against the Canucks on Thursday night.  They managed to win the game but Mike Babcock can’t be happy about the Wings’ defensive game.  Chicago is one of the league’s highest scoring teams so Detroit better fix things fast or else they could be in trouble.  

-Bet-
1 banana on DET to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H+

Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto continues to give up a lot of goals, but they’re not scoring as many as they were earlier in the season.  That’s not a good thing when you’re facing a team with Ovechkin.  The Caps have a few key injuries but the role players and the youngsters (and #8) have picked it up.  I bet OV snipes two against the Leafs.

-Bet-
2 bananas on WAS to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V+

New Jersey Devils @ Montreal Canadiens
The Habs seem to be coming around lately.  The offense is clicking now and although the powerplay is not producing consistently yet, it is still generating some good chances.  I think the fact that Montreal is coming off a game against the Rangers will actually help them.  The Rangers play a similar game to the Devils in that they try to take away the neutral zone, but the Habs are skating better and using their speed through the middle.

-Bet-
2 bananas on MON to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

Buffalo Sabres @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Here’s a battle of “should be’s”.  Buffalo should be able to beat up Tampa rather easily with the depth they have and their ability to roll out 4 lines.  Tampa should be a much better team than they have shown so far this season.  This is a pick ‘em game in my opinion so I’ll give the slight edge to Tampa based simply on home-ice advantage.

-Bet-
1 banana on TAM to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

Minnesota Wild @ Nashville Predators
It really is amazing when you remember that the Wild are winning without Gaborik, who was considered their best player at the time of his injury.  Some would argue that Koivu is Minnesota’s best player.   The Predators are also a surprise as many preseason prognosticators had them penciled in for a lottery pick.  Arnott, Dumont and company have played well so far.  I think the country music played during breaks in the play will nauseate the Wild players so I’m going with Nashville.

-Bet-
1 banana on NAS to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

Phoenix Coyotes @ St. Louis Blues
The Phoenix offense was able to get going against the Leafs and while I don’t think they’ll be able to score 6 on the Blues, I do think the offense will carry over a little.  The Blues continue to surprise me.  I thought they would have trouble with all the injuries to key players like Kariya, Johnson, Oshie and MacDonald, but they continue to play reasonably well.  This is a game I can see going to a shootout.

-Bet-
1 banana on PHX to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: T

Edmonton Oilers @ San Jose Sharks
The Sharks just look too strong to bet against.  The Oilers seem to be skating better lately and MacTavish’s Penner-bashing seems to have worked but it’s going to be tough to play 60 solid minutes against the odds on favourite to win the Cup.

-Bet-
1 banana on SAN to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H+

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Los Angeles Kings
This is a battle of two teams that seem to be on the same time-line.  They are average at best right now but they will only get better in the coming years.  I look for Kopitar to break out soon.  He’s currently on pace for just over 60 points and he is a better player than that.  O’Sullivan is another player who is better than he’s playing right now.  I think the Kings will take this one.  By the way, Drew Doughty is the real deal and is my pick right now for the Calder Trophy.

-Bet-
1 banana on LOS to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

Don’t bet if you can’t afford to lose!