It’s been a tough ride since the All-Star break.  My whole family has been on the IR.  First it was the cough, runny nose, sore throat (inner body injury?) and then last night it was a cross between Linda Blair in The Exorcist and the pie-eating story in Stand By Me.  It was not good!  But as I've said before – if I'm feeling crappy, my picks are at their best… 

Philadelphia Flyers @ Boston Bruins
Boston continues to roll along.  Claude Julien has everyone on the team buying into the team concept and they have Tim Thomas flopping around behind them looking like he could stop bullets.  The Bruins have a better Goals For Average than the Flyers (3.42 to 3.14) and their Goals Against Average is much better (2.11 to 2.86)  I predict the Bruins continue to roll.

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

Edmonton Oilers @ Detroit Red Wings
Detroit has struggled over the last little while and the team has to be concerned with the mediocre defensive play and goaltending.  The Oilers took a big blow when Lubomir Visnovsky dislocated his shoulder.  The Wings are always strong at home and are 23-9 in their last 32 Saturday games.

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

Anaheim Ducks @ Calgary Flames
Calgary was rolling right along but now seem to have hit a bump in the road.  The Ducks are surprisingly mediocre and seem more like they will be sellers at the trade deadline.  The home team is 21-5-1 in the last 27 matchups.

-Bet-
1 banana on CAL
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montreal Canadiens
Montreal had been hit hard with the injury bug but the young guys seem to be picking up a lot of the slack.  Montreal leads the season series 2-1 and the winning team has put up 6 goals in every game.  The Leafs are 2-6 in their last 8 meetings in Montreal.

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

Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators
Buffalo are inconsistent and can’t seem to put a run together.  The Senators have lost 4 in a row but did show some grit and determination in fighting back to earn a point against the Bruins.  The Sens are in the Tavares sweepstakes right now and that has to be bittersweet considering the expectations at the beginning of the season.  My gut tells me Ottawa will take this one.

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

Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils
The Devils are coming off a loss to Washington but won 8 in a row prior to that loss.  They have been one of the hottest teams in the league.  This will be the Kings’ 4th game of their current 5-game eastern road trip.  They have played well so far having won 2 of the first 3 with the only loss coming very late in the game against the Canadiens.  The Kings still have hopes of making the playoffs but I think the Devils will prove too strong.

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

Florida Panthers @ Washington Capitals
Florida is fighting for the playoffs and have won 4 of their last 5.  The Caps have won 3 of their last 4 and look like they will win their division.  The only other matchup this season saw Florida win 5-3 however Alexander Ovechkin is scoring in bunches again and the Washington crowd is loving their Caps.  I think Washington will use the energy in the building to beat the Panthers.   

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

San Jose Sharks @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Steve Mason is battling mononucleosis.  San Jose is tough enough to beat but when you have to do it without your #1 goaltender I would have to believe it’s next to impossible.  Add in the fact that the Blue Jackets play in Pittsburgh on Friday night and this game looks like it could be a San Jose rout.

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

New York Islanders @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Islanders have won 4 of their last 5 games including a 3-1 win over the Lightning on February 3rd.  The Lightning have lost 4 in a row.  All signs point to a NY win, however the Lightning have played better at home as of late.  I think they will take this one.

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

Colorado Avalanche @ St. Louis Blues
After losing 4 in a row the Avalanche have now won back to back games.  The Blues can seem to get a run going…they win one then lose one then win one then lose one.   The teams have split the season series with 1 win each.

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

Carolina Hurricanes @ Phoenix Coyotes
Carolina is fighting for a playoff spot and have played well lately.  They have 5 wins in their last 7 games.  The Coyotes seem to have hit a wall of some sort.  They have lost 5 in a row.  Eric Staal, Rod Brind’Amour and Dennis Seidenberg are battling injuries for the Canes so Phoenix will look to take advantage.

-Bet-
1 banana on PHO to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: H

Chicago Blackhawks @ Vancouver Canucks
Chicago has beaten up on the NHL’s Canadian teams.  Sundin seems to be coming around and perhaps his “training camp” is over.  The Canucks have lost 8 of their last 9.

-Bet-
1 banana on CHI to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V