NHL Betting Free Picks: Nashville @ Phoenix
Added on Apr 07, 2010 by Jack Thurman in
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Sportsbooks offering a short slate of online sports betting on Wednesday as the regular season winds down, but we’ll take a position in a Western Conference game between the Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes. With Colorado winning and Calgary losing on Tuesday night, all of the playoff teams are set in the West and both of these teams are in. Much of the motivational edge, however, could depend on the seedings within the conference.
Nashville Predators at Phoenix Coyotes
April 6, 7:05 PM Pacific
Phoenix has been the surprise team of the NHL this season, and the fact that they’re one of only 5 teams with 100+ points borders on amazing. This is a franchise that was in the news almost exclusively based on their chaotic off ice ownership and financial situation. For much of the summer, the fact that they’d actually put a team on the ice this season seemed like an afterthought. The Coyotes put together a team that won with nasty defense and excellent goaltending. In theory, they could use a ‘proven’ scorer but that notwitstanding they’re perfectly set up for a deep playoff run.
This is a tough motivational spot for the Coyotes, however, as for the past month or so they’d hoped to run down San Jose for their division title and the best overall record in the conference. The Sharks clinched the division last night, however, so under the NHL’s playoff format the Coyotes can do no better than fourth since the three division winners are seeded 1-3. Nashville has been in a similar situation, in the same division as the Chicago Blackhawks who have clinched that crown and are trying to catch the Sharks for the conference’s best record. Preds have been playing excellent hockey, winning 10 of their L13 and could sneak up and knock Phoenix down to 5th. In any case, we like the value with Nashville and will take them here in what could be a ‘letdown spot’ for the home team.
Bet Nashville +120 over Phoenix
