Free Picks for All Major Sports - December 5, 2007

Scooter

Pittsburgh (12-12-1-1) at Edmonton (13-14-0-1)
Wed, Dec 5, 2007 9:30 PM ET
Pittsburgh -120
Bet this NHL game at Sportsbook.com

The Pittsburgh Penguins make their way into Western Canada for the first time to take on the Edmonton Oilers, at Rexall Place, for some NHL action. The Pittsburgh Penguins have four wins in five games after they recently beat the Phoenix Coyotes, 3-1, on the road. Maxime Talbot, Kristopher Letang and Tyler Kennedy each had a goal for the Pens. In their last five games the Pens have outscored their opponents 21-10. The Pens offense is averaging 2.9 GAG and they currently have the 9th best power play in the league. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has won four in a row for an 8-8-1 record with a 2.97 GAA, .902 SVPCT and 2 SHO. Back up Dany Sabourin has fared well in net for Fleury; he’s 4-4-1 with a 2.38 GAG and a .913 GAA. Defensively the Pens are average, they have the 15th best penalty kill and between their two goalies they’ve got 3 SHO. The Pens have been getting great production from their rookies but the top producer for the Pens is Sidney Crosby. He leads with 37pts, has a +6 rating and he leads his team with 87 shots on net. The Pens are 5-6 on the road and they sit at the bottom of the closely bunched Atlantic Standings. The Pens are (9-17 ATS, 11-14 O/U).

The Edmonton Oilers are looking for their fourth win in a row after beating the L.A. Kings, 4-3 (SO), on the road. In fact the two games before the Kings; they beat the Anaheim Ducks back to back. In their last six games they’ve outscored their opponents 21-11. The Oilers offense has been one of the worst in the NHL, but they have since found a spark. They’ve been in between goalies trying Dwayne Roloson and Mathieu Garon. Roloson was supposed to be their main man in net but he’s gone 6-10-1 with a 2.97 GAA. Garon has been their new man in net going 7-4 with a 2.41 GAA, a .914 SVPCT along with 2 SHO. The top producer for the Oilers is Shawn Horcoff with 27pts and Raffi Torres leads with 79 shots on net. The Oilers are 7-7 at home and they sit in 4th place in the Northwest Standings. The Oilers are (16-12 ATS, 14-13 O/U).

Bottom Line:  It’s going to be a fast paced game between two hot offensive teams. The Pens are on a roll with help from their rookies and goalie Fleury is playing well. The Oilers are still a little shaky with Garon in net.

Look for the Pens to get the win!

Vince Armstrong

Syracuse vs. Virginia
Wednesday, December 5 4:30 PM EST
Virginia -8
Bet on College basketball at Bodog Life

Cavaliers (6-1) look to keep their "mojo" working tonight at John Paul Jones Arena. They come in 4-0 at home. They are one of the hottest teams in the country in the early going of the 2007-2008 campaign. Led by senior guard Sean Singletary averaging 20 points per game, Virginia brings a well balanced attack. Singletary is complemented nicely by 6'5 junior guard/forward Mamadi Diane who comes in averaging 13 PPG and is shooting a stellar 57% from 3-pt land. 6'7 senior forward Adrian Joseph leads the way in the post averaging 10PPG and 8 rebounds per game. He can also step outside and nail a 3ptr when needed, shooting 45% from beyond the arc. Cavs look like they are ready to do some special things this year by going deeper into the Ncaa Tourney. Maybe Sweet 16??? Syracuse(5-2) come in off home win over Tulane. They did lose last wed at home to Umass 107-100 in regulation!

Bottom Line: They are led by junior guards Eric Devendorf averaging 17& amp; nbsp;PPG and freshman forward Donte Green averaging 18 PPG. The Orange are young and they don't play very well on the defensive end, which is very uncharacteristic for a Jim Boheim coached team. They like to play a slow down/half court game. They love to play alot of zone too. That spells trouble versus a Virginia team that loves to run & gun and shoot the 3-ball.

Orange travel to the wrong building for their 1st TRUE road game. Cavaliers keep their home "mojo" working at the Jones tonight!

Final: Virginia 91 Syracuse 76

For a list of all the other Sportsbook odds go to Totalodds.com

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