NHL Saturday odds & picks: Downie may turn Flyers around

So it’s back to where it all started for Steve Downie after he was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for veteran Max Talbot on Thursday.

The Flyers originally drafted Downie 29^th overall back in 2005, so they know exactly what they’re getting with him and what they’re getting might be exactly what they need to get back on track. Talbot is a strong role player and a Stanley Cup champion, so he should be a good fit with the young Avs. However, while Talbot will be counted on as a role player in Colorado, Downie will act as a sparkplug in Philadelphia.

Coming off knee surgery that limited him to just two games with Colorado, Downie was skating among the Avs’ top six forwards this year and had seven points in his first 11 games to go along with 36 penalty minutes. Now, Philadelphia is talking about playing him on the top line with Claude Giroux and Vinny Lecavalier.

Downie always plays on the edge – he has a 20-game NHL ban under his belt and was suspended another 20 games in the AHL – but also has the talent to play top-6 minutes. He’s the kind of player who will create a lot of space on the ice because he’ll throw his body into anyone. When he’s not taking stupid penalties, he’s a very effective player.

That’s why he could really get Giroux and Lecavalier going. Giroux, the team’s captain, hasn’t hit the back of the net this year and has just seven assists to go along with a minus-7 rating. Lecavalier is just coming back from a lower-body injury and could use a boost as well.

As for Downie, this is the last year on his contract and he’s looking to make an impact. Playing with the Flyers is the best match he could have possibly hoped for and he’ll make the most of it as long as he stays out of trouble with Brendan Shanahan.

We’ll see how it plays out Friday night when the Flyers host the Washington Capitals Friday night before Philly visits the Devils Saturday evening. Friday’s a tough call, but look for the Flyers to put one in the win column Saturday on the road.

Pick: Philadelphia 4, New Jersey 2.

Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers

Things are getting back to normal for the New York Rangers. They spent all of the exhibition season and their first nine regular season games on the road while trying to learn a new system with a new coach behind the bench. So their slow start shouldn’t have surprised anyone. Now they’re getting some key players back in the lineup and the new system is falling into place. If the Rangers are lower than -125 here, they’re worth a wager. Otherwise, play the under.

Pick: New York 3, Carolina 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Vancouver Canucks

The Maple Leafs outscored the Oilers and Flames 8-2 in the first two games of this western road trip and have some momentum going. But this is the last stop on the trip and the Canucks are clicking with John Tortorella behind the bench. This one could go either way. I’ll take the under with a slight lean to the home team.

Pick: Vancouver 3, Toronto 2.

Last week’s picks: 2-1.

Season picks to date: 6-3.