Free Picks for All Major Sports - October 19, 2007

Carolina (4-1-1-0) at Pittsburgh (2-3-0-0)
Fri, Oct 19, 2007 7:30 PM ET
Carolina +115
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The Pittsburgh Penguins are at home tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, at Melon Arena. The Hurricanes have won three in a row on the road while the Penguins are 0-3 at home. The Pittsburgh Penguins are a team that looks great on paper, but they’re a different team on the ice. The only thing going for the Pens is offense. They’re ranked in the Top 10 in goals scored, shots on net and most power play goals. Evgeni Malkin leads the Pens in points and shots on net. What about Sid the Kid you ask? Well he’s hardly been the player he was last year, he’s recorded 2 goals and 4 assists in 5 games. Pick it up Sid! The Pens Achilles heel is their defense. All categories of their defense are ranked above the Top 20. They suck in goals against, 4 per game, shots against, and their penalty kill stinks. The Pens goalie situation is no better than their defense. Marc-Andre Fleury is 2-3 with a 4.11 GAA. I don’t know why they kept this guy but that’s their problem.

The Carolina Hurricanes excel in just about every category you want your team to excel in. They’ve got great defense, a great power play, an excellent penalty kill, a great goalie along with a winning face off percentage. Their offense is ranked in the Top 10 in goals scored, shots on net, face offs won and power play. Eric Staal leads the Canes with 4 goals, 4 assists and leads with 25 shots on net. Justin Williams, Rod Brind’Amour, Erik Cole and Jeffery Hamilton are all chipping in with goals and assists. Goaltender Cam Ward is solid in net with a 4-0-1 record for a 1.79 GAA.

Bottom Line: I’m not sure what the oddsmakers were thinking when the picked the Pens as the favorite. The Hurricanes have won three straight road games over team’s way more talented than Pittsburgh, while the Pens haven’t won a home game since the 6th of October.

Pittsburgh better brace for a storm because the Hurricanes are blowing through Pittsburgh. Go Canes!

Vince Armstrong

Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks
Fri day October 19, 2007 8:35 PM (EST)
Avalanche -120
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Avalanche glide into the United Center off their 1st back to back wins of the season w a thrilling comeback vs Calgary on Tuesday night at Pepsi Center when they scored 4 unanswered goals to force an OT & Shootout which they won! On the flip side, Blackhawks in off home loss vs Blues Wed night in which their offense once again struggled to get much of anything going. Avalanche have had no problem scoring this year. They have struggled a bit defensively, but it does not take a "brain surgeon" to figure out who the better team will be tonight at the United Center.

Bottom Line: Avalance Goalie Peter Budaj is 3-0-1 with a 1.72 GAA (Goals Against Average) in 4 career starts vs Blackhawks. The Blackhawks offense has scored a Western Conference low of only 10 Goals this season. The two teams split 4 meetings in 06-07. However, Colorado is a stellar 11-3 with one tie in this series since the start of the 02-03 season!

Final Colorado 5 CHICAGO 2

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

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