Saturday NHL Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their hockey playoffs picks and predictions for Saturday, April 18.
Calgary Flames at Chicago Blackhawks, 9:05PM ET
What’s Mike Keenan’s plan for getting the Calgary Flames even with the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference quarterfinals? No need to ask. It’s confidential.
The Calgary coach was tightlipped on strategy Friday but did offer opinions about some of the calls – or lack thereof – in Chicago’s 3-2 overtime victory Thursday night in Game 1.
Keenan didn’t back down on his contention that Martin Havlat’s winning goal 12 seconds into overtime was the result of interference by Chicago’s Andrew Ladd against Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff.
“It’s the same as it was last night. I think the rule – and correct me if I’m wrong – is to give the goaltender the ability to make a save. And in this instance Kipper (Kiprusoff) was not able to make the save because he was interfered with,” Keenan said.
As Havlat was shooting from between the circles, Ladd was bumped backward by Calgary’s Jordan Leopold and into Kiprusoff, who couldn’t stop Havlat’s shot.
NHL Free Pick: Chicago – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -155 SBG Global
Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings, 6:05PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings were expected to get knocked down a few pegs when the NHL created a salary cap four years ago.
Detroit didn’t get the memo.
The defending Stanley Cup champions got off to a good start in their quest to repeat, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1.
Detroit won its playoff-opening game in large part because of its knack for drafting and developing players to complement stars.
Columbus contained Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, but allowed the Red Wings’ third line of Jiri Hudler, Valtteri Filppula and Mikael Samuelsson to combine for a goal and four assists.
NHL Free Pick: Detroit – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -270 SBG Global
Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins, 8:05PM ET
There is already bad blood in the Bruins-Canadiens playoff series, some of it flowing from near the right eye of Boston rookie defenseman Matt Hunwick.
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said it appeared Mike Komisarek had gouged Hunwick’s eye after the final buzzer of Thursday night’s series opener, won 4-2 by Boston. Hunwick said he wasn’t sure. Komisarek dismissed the claim with a Three Stooges reference.
“It’s a bit of a ridiculous statement,” the Canadiens defenseman said Friday. “I’ve never been a guy who is Moe, Larry and Curley try to poke someone’s eye out. It’s playoff hockey.”
Komisarek and Hunwick clashed after the final buzzer of Game 1. Hunwick said they rubbed each other’s faces. But was his eye gouged?
“I couldn’t tell, to be honest with you,” Hunwick said after Friday’s practice. “I know he was face-washing me, I was face-washing him, so it’s one of those things where in the heat of the moment you can’t really tell and I’m not here to make any accusations, that’s for sure.”
NHL Free Pick: Montreal – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +190 SBG Global
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Posted: 4/18/09 10:52 AM ET