NHL teams do not get a break to reflect on what they are thankful for as the NHL schedule rolls right through Thanksgiving week. The sports betting enthusiasts are focused on NFL betting for Thanksgiving Day, but the Friday after Thanksgiving is all about NHL scores. There are some good pay per head games coming up on Black Friday with some teams that need to get back on the winning track.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Boston Bruins
The Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins got off to fast starts to the 2010-2011 season, but both teams have hit rough times lately. Both teams have a 4-4-2 record in their last 10 games, but the Bruins are desperately trying to hang on to second place in the Northeast division.
The Hurricanes have hit some bad luck with goaltending lately, and the Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas has also slipped a bit in the past couple of games. This will be a hard-fought game between two teams that are desperate to re-establish their winning ways and stay in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference.
Pick: Boston Bruins
New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders
The New Jersey Devils are about as unpredictable as a hockey team can get. They will go through stretches where they cannot buy a win and do not look like they are trying at all, and then they will turn around and blow out a team like the Washington Capitals in a 5-0 win. Legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur is having an up and down season, but he seems to be reacting to the play in front of him. When the Devils turn it on, they can win.
The Islanders are having all kinds of problems this season. They have not won a game in over three weeks as they are 0-8-2 in their last 10 games. They cannot score and their goaltending is less than adequate. Goaltender Rick DiPietro and his 15-year contract are definitely not living up to expectations.
Pick: New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres
When the Leafs come to Buffalo it is always a chaotic scene. There are just as many Leaf fans as Sabre fans in the building, and the roar from the crowd when the Leafs score rivals the boos. The Leafs had stumbled for a while with an eight-game losing streak, but they have found their way recently and have started putting wins on the board again. The thing that has carried the Leafs in their last few games is the goaltending of Jonas Gustavsson who took over when number one goalie J.S. Giguere was injured.
The Sabres cannot catch a break. Just when they get back goaltender Ryan Miller and start winning, Miller gets hurt again and Patrick Lalime takes over in net. Lalime gave away a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a really bad play in his own end which over-shadowed an otherwise excellent performance. The Sabres have won three of their last four at home, and this promises to be another classic battle.
Pick: Buffalo Sabres
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