Expect the Red Wings to persevere despite their injuries

Winning % on the season= 57%
Record of previous Week: 4-2

Last week if you followed my picks, you went 4-2, enough to make you a tidy profit, especially if you followed my advice on the two runline suggestions. (St.Louis and Boston to both win by more than one goal…which they did……and then some…on the road no less!)

This week I've provided a couple more bonus runline & Over/Under recommendations. Read on- Here we go!

(~~ Follow Anthony Lancione on Twitter @Anthisdaman)

Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh (1:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Penguins and Lightning, cumulatively, haven't performed all that differently in 2013-14, with the Pens having allowed just nine goals less and scored 11 goals more. In fact, it's been so close, Pittsburgh is only edging Tampa in shots on goal by 20 (2080 to 2060). Yet, Pittsburgh has been more decisive when it mattered most, translating the somewhat slim 'goals against' and 'goals for' leads into six more W's and 10 more points in one less game(hence the goals against per game is even a tad closer).  No doubt about it Bishop has been better than Fleury though this season, with their backups (Lindback and Zatkoff) accounting for the majority of the differential.

Stamkos is back and at his best notching a hatty versus the Leafs this week. This one is going the distance, but Pittsburgh should take it by an edge….as they have been all season (big picture)

Pick
Pittsburgh – Home Team Win– H(ProLine)

Detroit @ Minnesota (2:00pm ET)
By the Numbers -Frozen Pools

The Red Wings are now starting to build some momentum, winning two straight, over the tumbling Maple Leafs and juggernaut rival, Penguins. They are only a single point back of division counterparts Columbus with a game in hand. They have been making their latest annual playoff push despite a litany of regulars on the shelf; including  captain, Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel 'The Magician' Datsyuk, Jonathan Ericsson, Darren Helm, Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas Jurco, Stephen Weiss, et al. Very impressive indeed. You almost get the feeling they are thriving off the bad hands they've been dealt and motivated to pick up wins in spite of it all. Aside from a whitewashing of the terrible NY Islanders on Tuesday night, the Wild have had a March to forget thus far, losing three of their last four and six of their last eight. Detroit will continue to ride the wave against overachieving rookie, Darcy Kuemper.

* Jimmy Howard Firm @ 1:59pm EDT – Mar 21st 1:59pm Mar 21st Babcock confirms Howard is starting tomorrow. (Ansar Khan)

vs

* Darcy Kuemper Firm @ 2:03pm EDT – Mar 21st 2:03pm Mar 21st Darcy Kuemper starts tomorrow for #mnwild vs. #RedWings. (Michael Russo)

Pick
Detroit – Visiting Team Win – V+(ProLine)

Florida @ L.A. (4:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Kings have the NHL's No. 1 ranked defense (tied with Boston) thanks in large part to the brilliance seen between the pipes this season from Jonathan Quick, Martin Jones and the departed Ben Scrivens. However, surprisingly to some, Los Angeles continues to sit in third place in the Pacific division and sixth in the Western Conference. This shockingly (I don't care if their ineptness is well known..still shocking) is due to the fact that the Kings are the lowest scoring team in the entire Conference! Even the lowly annual laughing stock Oilers have scored seven times more than the cup contending Kings. This level of offensive challenges haven't stopped the Kings from glory in the past. However, with the addition of sniper, Marian Gaborik, the goals should starting seeing an uptick sooner than later.

Pick

L.A. – Home Team Win – H+ (ProLine)

Carolina @ Winnipeg (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Both the Jets and Canes are seeming as if though they will be on the outside looking in come postseason time, although the Jets have a glimmer of hope still, six points out of eighth in the West. However, it will be a mountain to climb as the two teams have been very mediocre lately and all season long for that matter, where Carolina is concerned. Winnipeg and Carolina have only won seven games combined over their past 20 (10 GP a piece).

However, the Jets have shown they can score in large bunches lately (7-2 win over Dallas last Sunday & a 5-4 victory over Colorado on Wednesday) so they may just take a classic shootout (high scoring firewagon style) win. Take the over folks if you want to double dip some nice value there.

Pick
Winnipeg – Home Team Win – H(ProLine)

Boston @ Phoenix (9:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Bruins have already hit the milestone, 100 point plateau, with a dozen contests still remaining. Their rise back to the top of the NHL has been aided immensely by their current unbelievable 11-game winning streak. There's no doubt they've been in the hottest team in the league for the past month. Even backup Chad Johnson has really got his foothold in the action, coming off a Friday night shutout, his second of the season, coming a month after his last one. In fact, he's only allowed six goals over his last five outings, and with 16 wins, despite backing up the best netminder on the planet, that just goes to show how awesome and dominating the Bruins have been.

The resurgence of future Hall-of-Famer, Jarome Iginla has really paid dividends on Chiarelli's summertime investment. The 36-year-old had scored a remarkable six times in his past four games heading into Friday, and seven in the previous six. Although, Phoenix haven't been too shabby themselves, winning three straight of their own and seven of their past 10 contests, they remain no match for the world beating Black, White and Yellow on this night.

Pick
Boston – Visiting Team Win – V(ProLine)

Calgary @ Edmonton (10:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

This latest installment of the Battle of Alberta should really be deemed the battle of the basement. Both teams have been dreadful this year, although I get the feeling out of pure gut, that the Oilers will take this one, as they've taken three of their past four home games (heading into Friday night), whereas the Flames have only won one road game in nearly three weeks, despite having a handful away from the Saddledome. Should be exciting nonetheless, due to the passion brought each time these two face off.

Pick
Edmonton – Home Team Win Plus– H+(ProLine)

Good luck everyone!

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