NHL Betting Picks: San Jose Sharks vs. New York Islanders 2:05 EST

Jim Murphy - February 18th, 2008 .

Every boxing fan has heard the old axiom that “styles make fights”. They also make hockey games, particularly for those of us concerned with wagering on them. This is particularly true with NHL totals plays as certain head-to-head matchups show decided tendencies toward playing OVER or UNDER the posted number. Many casual sports bettors don’t like playing UNDER in the NHL, and particularly when a relatively low total like this is set. Perhaps they don’t like taking a position with virtually no margin for error, or perhaps its simple psychology—not wanting to watch a low scoring, close checking and defensively oriented game. That’s the difference between the recreational sports bettor and those of us who do it professionally—the professional sports bettor could care less about the “entertainment” quotient of his position. Profitable sports betting is all about “finding value” and if its “entertainment” is the goal I’ll read a book or watch a movie.

A Federal holiday here in the US (George Washington’s Birthday for those of you scoring at home) gives us an early start time on this NHL tilt between two defensively oriented teams. Both have gone through scoring droughts on several occasions this season, and both are better served by a tightly contested checking oriented game than a wide open offensive affair. This is evidenced not only by the fact that both teams have a bias toward the UNDER in their seasons to date, but in their head to head matchups: 10 of the L14 head to head and 5 of the L6 at this venue have gone UNDER. The last time these two teams met was last season and the Sharks won a 2-0 verdict at home. Don’t be surprised to see a similarly low score in this matchup.

With solid goaltending at both ends of the ice and a fair number of injuries further weakening these teams’ offensive production the UNDER looks to be the smart play here. The total is set at 5 OV -127 (Pinnacle) which gives us a nice +117 price on the other side.

SAN JOSE SHARKS/NEW YORK ISLANDERS UNDER 5 +117 (PINNACLE)

 

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