Johnny’s Quick Picks for Feb. 22, 2024

NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland–

JOHN FREDERICKS QUICK PICKS FOR February 22, 2024!
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Read below for John Fredericks Quick Picks for February 22, 2024

NHL!

Washington At Tampa (-198)

The Caps are a funny team. They have been up and down all season. But I subscribe to the Isaac Newton theory of sports: what goes up, must come down. Also, the Baker Mayfield hypothesis: what is down must come up. That leads me to tonight’s game.

Washington is riding an improbable two-game win streak, including a 6-2 drubbing of New Jersey- who decided to take the night off.

The Caps goalie stopped 37 shots on goal! What a feat! I bet he had a good night’s sleep! The Caps lost two key players to injury in back-to-back games, never a good sign for a veteran team. Defenseman Martin Fehervary suffered a lower body injury in the Montreal game and center Nic Dowd departed after the first period of the Devils win.

That’s the up that must come down. 

Now for the down that must come up: the theory of the inverse!

The Lightning got pummeled in their last two games, losing both and getting bombed 9-2 at home. This after an impressive three game win streak where Tampa beat Colorado and Boston. Yikes, like a yo-yo!

My hockey insider bloggers tell me tell me the Lightning coach had the team practice on their off days this week- not a standard operation. Punishment or improvement? I believe Tampa is sick of losing at home and they get an erratic Washington team tonight. The Caps are a nightly box of chocolates: you never know what you get! Tonight is the yucky chewy caramel one that no one wants.

Pick: Tampa (-198)