Ryan's Picks
Pick #1 San Jose Sharks
I like the San Jose Sharks to travel to Denver, and defeat the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. The Sharks are the much better team, and they are trying to end a two game losing streak. The Sharks played a good game last time out against the Blackhawks and lost a tough game in overtime after giving up a tying goal late. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are on a three game losing streak of their own, and are trending down. The sharks have won 10 out of the last 13 games against the Avalanche, and that trend should continue.
1. Minnesota Wild
The Wild have a) the best record in hockey and b) are on the longest current win streak, equaling 7 in a row. During this seven-game winning streak, the Wild have outscored their opponents by 13 goals and have had a GAA of 1.71. Also, 5 of the 7 games have been on the road including the last 4 which were against Phoenix, L.A., San Jose, and Anaheim; all capable hockey teams. Some notable injuries for the Wild are Devin Setoguchi, Marek Zidlicky, and Josh Harding. The only two injuries that will impact this game are Zidlicky and Setoguchi because Backstrom will be good to go in net and he will be backed by a very capable rookie in Hackett. Also, The Wild will be getting back Latendresse and Clutterbuck for this game as well. For the Jets, they may be without Dustin Byfuglien who, as we all know, is a hard-hitting enforcer vital to this Winnipeg team. The reason some may be skeptical about this game is because Winnipeg is a tough place to win and this same Jets team ended the Bruins' long-winning streak at home. This is most likely why the odds aren't very supportive of Minnesota. This is a good pick to take and there really is not a logical reason to take Winnipeg here. Wild win it!
Christian's pick
The Wild have a) the best record in hockey and b) are on the longest current win streak, equaling 7 in a row. During this seven-game winning streak, the Wild have outscored their opponents by 13 goals and have had a GAA of 1.71. Also, 5 of the 7 games have been on the road including the last 4 which were against Phoenix, L.A., San Jose, and Anaheim; all capable hockey teams. Some notable injuries for the Wild are Devin Setoguchi, Marek Zidlicky, and Josh Harding. The only two injuries that will impact this game are Zidlicky and Setoguchi because Backstrom will be good to go in net and he will be backed by a very capable rookie in Hackett. Also, The Wild will be getting back Latendresse and Clutterbuck for this game as well. For the Jets, they may be without Dustin Byfuglien who, as we all know, is a hard-hitting enforcer vital to this Winnipeg team. The reason some may be skeptical about this game is because Winnipeg is a tough place to win and this same Jets team ended the Bruins' long-winning streak at home. This is most likely why the odds aren't very supportive of Minnesota. This is a good pick to take and there really is not a logical reason to take Winnipeg here. Wild win it!
