NHL Picks for Thursday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their hockey playoffs picks and predictions for Thursday, April 23
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:05PM ET
PITTSBURGH (AP) – No matter how many shots they take, how many hits they throw, how many chances they get against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia Flyers must find themselves wondering if they’re replaying last season’s playoff series all over again.
They get off to a slow start and they can’t catch up. They can’t find a way to get the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury consistently. They can’t slow down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Just like last year.
Because they can’t, the Flyers are down to what might be their last game of the season. On the road. In an arena where they are 0-5 during the playoffs the last two seasons.
“I don’t think any of us would deny it’s a big road in front of you now, a big hill to climb, being down 3-1,” the Flyers’ Mike Knuble said Wednesday.
NHL Free Pick: Pittsburgh – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -215 SBG Global
Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils, 7:35PM ET
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – The hockey world and even his family got to see a rare side of New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur in Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes – the livid Marty.
The NHL’s all-time winningest goaltender in the regular season had an outburst worthy of You Tube in the moments after the Devils dropped a 4-3 decision on a disputed goal by Jussi Jokinen with 0.2 of a second to play in regulation.
Jokinen and Brodeur bumped in front of the crease in the waning seconds and Carolina tied the best-of-7 series at 2 when defenseman Dennis Seidenberg’s point shot hit off Jokinen’s skate and went into the net.
Brodeur immediately turned to referee Eric Furlatt and claimed goaltender interference.
Once a review showed the goal was scored before time ran out, Brodeur confronted Furlatt again. He would not say what was said.
NHL Free Pick: New Jersey – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -150 SBG Global
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks, 10:35PM ET
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger provided the template two years ago. Dan Boyle and Rob Blake are just trying to fit it before time runs out for their San Jose Sharks.
There’s little argument that Niedermayer and Pronger carried the Anaheim Ducks to the Stanley Cup title in 2007. The star defensemen repeatedly scored timely goals, delivered countless hits and played enough grinding shifts to make sure the club had at least one of them on the ice at every important moment.
“They’ve always had that, and I think it’s been their anchor for this franchise,” Blake said of the Ducks’ defensive star power Wednesday while the Sharks prepared for the crucial Game 4 in their first-round playoff series against Anaheim.
“They’ve built the team around that,” Blake said. “They have two guys that can really play, that can shut you down (defensively), but also provide offense, and that’s where they get a lot of their game.”
NHL Free Pick: San Jose – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -145 SBG Global
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Posted: 4/23/09 2:00 AM ET