The Digital Monkey is back with his picks for January 3rd!

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins
Boston has been lights out at home this season and Buffalo is just above .500 on the road this season.  Evreyone keeps waiting for the Bruins to fall back to earth and it may eventually happen, but you’ll go broke betting on it.

-Bet-
2 bananas on BOS to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H+

Florida Panthers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have not performed up to expectations thus far and while injuries have almost assuredly played a part I think the biggest issue is the lack of production from players not named Malkin or Crosby.  The Penguins will need more from their 3rd and 4th lines if they hope to go deep this year.  Against the Panthers, Malkin and Crosby will probably be enough.  

-Bet-
2 bananas on PIT to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: H+

Calgary Flames @ Nashville Predators
The Predators are having difficulty scoring goals and while that’s never a good thing, it’s certainly a bigger problem when you’re facing a goalie of Kiprusoff’s caliber.   Nashville has been good at home but they’ll probably need Ellis or Rinne to put in a very solid game.

-Bet-
1 bananas on CAL
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V+

Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs
With the play of the Leafs and Senators the Battle of Ontario has deteriorated into something more like the Mild Disagreement of Ontario.  While the Leafs weren’t expected to be much better than they are the Senators have been a huge disappointment.  Just when it seems they may have turned things around they play a game where any Timbit team across Canada would give them a run for their money.  I keep expecting the big line to wake up from their funk and blow the bulb in the red light behind the opponent’s net but it’s just not happening.  I’m not sure if I like Ottawa because Toronto will probably have either Cujo or Pogge in net or if I’m a sucker for punishment.

-Bet-
1 banana on OTT to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: V

New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals
The Rangers are overrated in my opinion.  They stand second in the conference but they have more games played than anyone else.  It doesn’t seem like Lundqvist has found his groove yet and opponents have been taking advantage.  That’s a big problem for NY when  you’re playing Alexander Ovechkin and Co.

-Bet-
1 banana on WAS to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H

Carolina Hurricanes @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Here are two teams that are playing much better as of late and the main reason in both cases is the play of their big guns.  Both Eric Staal and Vincent Lecavalier have come alive and are showing why they will be considered for Team Canada’s entry in the 2010 Olympics.  I give Carolina the edge here because they have the better goalie (unless you count giveaways…then Mike Smith gets the nod) and play better team defense.

1 banana on CAR to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: V+

Detroit Red Wings @ Minnesota Wild
The Red Wings are in a league of their own and betting against them is a crapshoot.  Minnesota (surprise!) is having trouble scoring goals and is without (surprise!) Gaborik.  

2 bananas on DET to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V+

Columbus Blue Jackets @ St. Louis Blues
This will be the second end of back to back games for both teams.  The Blue Jackets played in Colorado on Friday night and the Blues played in Carolina.  I actually think this favours Columbus for two reasons.  Typically, there is a little letdown for some teams upon returning home for a roadtrip.  Also, the Columbus players may feel a little more energized after playing in the thin Colorado air the night before.  It may seem ridiculous to consider such things but many players have stated that the higher altitude definitely makes a difference.

1 banana on CLB to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: T

Dallas Stars @ Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are fighting for a playoff spot and the Stars are trying to continue their climb out of the basement.  Edmonton is only a .500 team at home and they may be ripe for the picking for players like Brad Richards and Mike Ribeiro, who seemed to have picked up their play a little as of late.

1 banana on DAL to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V

Philadelphia Flyers @ Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are only 2 games above .500 at home and the Flyers are 2 games above .500 on the road.  The Flyers will be without Gagne and Briere but they still have plenty of firepower with Richards, Carter, Lupul, Hartnell and Co.  I’m torn on this game, but I’m going to give LOS the slight edge based on the fact that Philly has been out west for awhile now so they may be already looking forward to returning home.  

1 banana on LOS to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: H

New York Islanders @ San Jose Sharks
Bet the farm, the wife and the kids on the Sharks.  The Sharks have yet to lose in regulation at home this season.  If these two teams played 100 games in San Jose I would estimate that the Islanders would win about 10 of them.  If you like those odds then by all means put your money down on NY.

-Bet-
2 bananas on SJ to win
2 bananas on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: H+