Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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03-07-15 | Philadelphia Flyers v. Boston Bruins -155 | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 15 h 10 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Boston Bruins as my 8* Breakfast Club Saturday. |
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03-06-15 | Edmonton Oilers v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5.5 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 23 h 41 m | Show |
I’m playing on Under in Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks as my 10* Best Bet Friday. |
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03-05-15 | NY Islanders v. Nashville Predators -140 | 4-3 | Loss | -140 | 21 h 2 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Nashville Predators as my 8* Personal Favorite Thursday. |
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03-04-15 | Ottawa Senators v. Winnipeg Jets -160 | 3-1 | Loss | -160 | 25 h 12 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Winnipeg Jets as my 8* Personal Favorite Wednesday. |
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03-03-15 | Calgary Flames v. Philadelphia Flyers -135 | 3-2 | Loss | -135 | 24 h 33 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Philadelphia Flyers as my 9* Personal Favorite Tuesday. |
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03-02-15 | Carolina Hurricanes v. Chicago Blackhawks -208 | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 26 h 49 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Chicago Blackhawks as my 6* Personal Favorite Monday. |
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03-01-15 | Toronto Maple Leafs v. Washington Capitals UNDER 5.5 | Top | 0-4 | Win | 100 | 23 h 29 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Under in Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals as my 10* Blue Chip Sunday. |
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02-28-15 | Ottawa Senators v. San Jose Sharks -155 | 4-2 | Loss | -155 | 25 h 26 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the San Jose Sharks as my 8* Personal Favorite Saturday. |
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02-27-15 | Chicago Blackhawks v. Tampa Bay Lightning -137 | Top | 0-4 | Win | 100 | 13 h 11 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Tampa Bay Lightning as my 10* Personal Favorite Friday. |
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02-26-15 | St Louis Blues v. Winnipeg Jets UNDER 5.5 | Top | 2-1 | Win | 100 | 24 h 37 m | Show |
I am playing on the UNDER. After stinking up their own arena for three of the past four games, the Blues hit the road where I think we'll see a much better defensive effort from them. St. Louis allowed at least four goals in each of their three losses during their 1-3 home stand and that's the kind of thing that will make head coach Ken Hitchcock a little upset. "We're not paying any respect to defense, to managing the puck," Hitchcock said this week. "We're showing no respect for what matters in the National Hockey League at this time." I believe that all changes Thursday and we'll see a Blues team more committed to a defensive effort across the whole ice. I think part of the problem is that stalwart defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk has been out since early February and the Blues aren't used to having his steady presence back there. Hitchcock changed up the lines last game and it may take a couple of games before they jell and start to find the back of the net - another reason I like the under here. The Jets, meanwhile, are without Blake Wheeler and Matthieu Perrault. That removes their third and fourth top goal scorers from the lineup and goals will likely be a little harder to come by. One more interesting element to note is that the Jets see the fewest goals combined in their games as a home dog this season (4.86) compared to any other situation for them. The Blues also see their lowest combined average as a road fave (5.07) compared to any other situation. 10* Blue Chip |
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02-25-15 | Pittsburgh Penguins v. Washington Capitals OVER 5 | Top | 4-3 | Win | 100 | 22 h 46 m | Show |
I am playing on the OVER. The Pens made some key changes to their top two lines a couple of games ago and the result has been a quick explosion of scoring. That comes after a stagnant stretch of three games where the Pens only scored one goal in each of those. Pittsburgh outscored St. Louis and Florida 9-3 in their last two games and both contests went over the total. Sidney Crosby is now playing with David Perron and Patric Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz was moved to Malkin's line with Blake Comeau on the right wing there. The results are putting smiles on the faces of Pens fans and over bettors. Malkin and Hornqvist have four points over the last two games while Crosby and Comeau each have three. The power play also came alive, with a goal on the extra man attack in each game after the Penguins went 10 straight games without a PP marker. I think the Caps are in for a much different game than the one they saw last Tuesday when they beat the Pens 3-1. I think the Caps will get their goals too - they've scored at least three goals in five of their last seven games - but I think they'll see the red light go on at their end of the ice more often than the usual meetings with the Pens. (The last five went under.) The good thing about hockey is that oddsmakers are often a little slower to adjust to changes than in other sports and tonight we're seeing a total of just five goals at most books. I think we can take advantage after Pittsburgh's line changes that have injected a big boost of scoring into their games. 10* Blue Chip |
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02-24-15 | Florida Panthers v. Chicago Blackhawks -188 | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 25 h 60 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Chicago Blackhawks as my 7* Blue Marlin Tuesday. The Chicago Blackhawks’ three-game skid has opened up some value on one of the NHL’s elite teams as they host the Florida Panthers in the United Center Tuesday night. Chicago has been outscored 5-13 in losses to Boston, Colorado and Detroit – most recently a 6-2 defeat to the Bruins. Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville is remaining calm but put his players through a tough physical practice leading into this matchup with the Panthers, trying to ignite some of that grit that the Blackhawks have shown in past postseason runs. Quenneville wants light a fire under his players, namely forward Patrick Sharp who has had a tough time finding his role due to injuries. Sharp is expected to be on the second scoring line with Patrick Kane and Brad Richards, looking to generate some added chances and kick start an offense that hasn’t registered many quality shots on goal during this skid. Florida could be the perfect opponent for Chicago to turn up the intensity against. The Panthers are in lookahead mode at the end of a five-game road trip that has them playing three games in fourth nights Tuesday. Florida looked lethargic in losses to Pittsburgh and Ottawa the last two games, getting outscored 9-2 in that span. The Blackhawks have won five in a row versus the Panthers and are hungry for a victory Tuesday. The Blackhawks' desperation at home and the Panthers' letdown on the road are why I’m playing on Chicago as my 7* Blue Marlin Tuesday. |
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02-22-15 | Columbus Blue Jackets v. NY Rangers -205 | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 25 h 1 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the New York Rangers as my 6* Blue Marlin Sunday. The Rangers have won five of their last six games with the lone blemish in that span coming via an overtime loss to Vancouver. New York is making a run up the Metropolitan standings and takes plenty of momentum into this home stand against the Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday. The Rangers are pouring on the points during this winning run, netting a total of 29 goals in those six game – an average of 4.8 goals a night. New York has turned up the intensity on offense since star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist went down with an injury and should be able to take advantage of a fatigued Blue Jackets team traveling overnight for the second stop of back-to-back outings. Columbus was in Montreal Saturday and will hit the ice inside Madison Square Garden for its third game in four nights. The Blue Jackets rank among the bottom of the league in defense, allowing opponents to average 3.1 goals and pepper their net with 33.3 shots per game, and could be even slower to defend on short rest. New York won the last meeting between these two clubs, 2-1 on January 16 in Nationwide Arena, avenging a loss to Columbus at the start of the season. The Rangers are back home after five of the last six on the road, posting an impressive 17-7-1-4 record at MSG. The Rangers’ offensive explosion and the Blue Jackets' drained defense on the second night of back-to-backs are why I’m playing on New York as my 6* Blue Marlin Sunday. |
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02-21-15 | Florida Panthers v. Ottawa Senators UNDER 5.5 | Top | 1-4 | Win | 100 | 20 h 59 m | Show |
I am playing on the UNDER. The Florida Panthers have quietly become one of the best defensive teams in the NHL recently as they get into playoff drive mode and oddsmakers have been a little slow to adjust. The under is 4-0-1 in the Panthers' last five games and the team hasn't allowed more than two goals in regulation or overtime in its last eight games. Currently they sit just one point out of playoff position and we are seeing them tighten things up defensively. Roberto Luongo is expected to start in nets for Florida and he's looked razor sharp lately, not allowing more than two goals in his last seven. The Panthers aren't exactly sparking up fireworks on the offensive end either, another reason I like they under here. They have just seven goals in their last five contests not including the goal given for the shootout win over Montreal last game. What might make some a little nervous about taking the under here is that Ottawa is forced to play third string goalie Andrew Hammond due to injuries. But I think the Sens know they're not going to beat Florida by blowing up the scoreboard and often teams will play better defensive hockey when their top netminders aren't between the pipes. I believe we'll see Ottawa more committed to its own end of the ice tonight. The Sens have been trading wins and losses in their last six outings -- they allowed at least four goals against in the the three losses and held opponents to two goals or fewer in the three wins. I fully expect them to have picked up on that trend and to clamp down tonight. 10* Blue Chip |
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02-20-15 | NY Rangers -219 v. Buffalo Sabres | 3-1 | Win | 100 | 9 h 14 m | Show | |
I am taking the RANGERS. The Rangers are kind of on fire right now after going 10-3-2 in their last 15 games and 4-0-2 in their last six. Perhaps the most impressive part is they’ve been doing it lately without King Henrik, who has missed the last eight games after taking a puck to the throat. New York has been winning lately with something that resembles more mass production than trimming the excess fat and they’ve averaged 4.3 goals over their last 10 games and average 5.0 goals over their last five. The news gets worse for Buffalo here because Rick Nash is the hottest Ranger right now with 13 points in his last 10 games and he takes special pride in beating up on the Sabres. Nash has 11 goals and five helpers in 16 games against the Sabres. Buffalo is the worst defensive team in the NHL with 3.36 goals against and also owns the worst penalty kill in the league by a significant margin at just 73.8 percent. The Rangers have won the last five meetings with the Sabres and I think they’ll be a little on the angry side heading into tonight’s matchup. They dropped a 5-4 decision in a shootout to the Canucks last night and with the top of the East being such a tight battle for premium playoff position, they can’t afford to drop points to the worst team in the league. Buffalo has won just three of its last 22 games and even though one of those was a shootout win over Philly last night, the Sabres haven't won two in a row since mid-December. I don't think tonight is the night they turn that around and I'm surprised oddsmakers didn't set the chalk higher here. 7* Personal Favorite |
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02-19-15 | Columbus Blue Jackets v. Pittsburgh Penguins -215 | 2-1 | Loss | -215 | 25 h 2 m | Show | |
I am playing on PITTSBURGH. The Penguins are coming off a rough and tumble loss to the Washington Capitals and I think the Blue Jackets will catch them in a bad mood on Thursday. That is just one of the reasons I like the Pens here to bounce back with a win on home ice after dropping one to the rival Capitals at home on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets are just the right opponent for Pittsburgh as they enter with a pile of injuries and not much luck when it comes to playing the Pens. Columbus is 1-5 in the last six meetings in Pittsburgh and 3-10 in the last 13 meetings overall. The Jackets' biggest problem right now is they can't stop pucks from going in their net with an average of 3.00 goals against over their last 10 games with 15 goals against coming in their last four. The Jackets are getting plowed with shots on goal where they've been outshot in four of their last five and gave up a staggering 35 shots at least in each of those four games. That's especially bad news for the Blue Jackets when you consider they're without their top goalie right now, Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been out since late January. The Jackets have been without him for 10 games now, which is about the time pucks started going in a lot more frequently. Injuries on defense don't help Columbus either, especially against Sidney Crosby et al and especially with Pittsburgh on home ice. The Penguins are 18-9-1-2 at home this year. 6* Blue Marlin |
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02-18-15 | Detroit Red Wings v. Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5 | Top | 3-2 | Push | 0 | 22 h 58 m | Show |
I am playing on the OVER. Only one of the past six meetings has failed to see fewer than five goals scored in this series and I think oddsmakers have made a mistake in setting the total too low Wednesday night. Part of the reason is that the Red Wings got shut out 2-0 in their last game Monday night, but they just ran into the league's leader in save percentage, Montreal's ultra-sharp Carey Price. The Wings controlled the play and looked solid all game but couldn't figure out a way to solve the savvy netminder. Detroit is actually playing its best hockey of the season, however, and has managed to score at least three goals in seven of its last 10 games and at least four goals in five of its last 10. The club is seeing the payoff of developing its young stars with Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist leading the team in goals, giving the Wings more depth across all lines. That has led to more scoring as the season plays on, especially on the power play where Detroit has scored seven PP goals in its last six games. The Red Wings lead the league in the extra man attack, scoring an amazing 26 percent of the time. We all know about the weaponry the Blackhawks bring to any game and they rank eighth in the league in scoring with 2.89 goals per game. Five-goal totals have been an over bettor's best friend whenever these two teams see that number pop up on the betting board. The over/under is 11-5 this year in Red Wings games with a 5-goal total and 6-1 in Chicago games with that number this season. I think we'll see these two former divisional foes fill up the score sheet when they meet Wednesday, in part thanks to some power plays. I think oddsmakers have set the number too low and I'm looking to take advantage. 10* Blue Chip |
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02-17-15 | Washington Capitals v. Pittsburgh Penguins -145 | 3-1 | Loss | -145 | 23 h 34 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Pittsburgh Penguins as my 9* Personal Favorite Tuesday. The Penguins rekindle one of the great rivalries in the NHL, hosting the Washington Capitals. While this matchup always shines the spot light on the Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin battle, it may be the Capitals' defense – or lack thereof – that makes the difference Tuesday night. Washington has given up goals in bunches in recent outings, allowing a total of 13 goals in the last four games, including a 5-3 victory against the Anaheim Ducks Sunday. The Capitals have looked to their offense to bail out the bad work on the blueline, needing five-goal efforts in two of those four contests. Those goals could be hard to come by with the Penguins focusing on defense these days. Pittsburgh has given up two or fewer goals in five of its last eight outings, including two shutouts, and sits seventh in the NHL in average goal against (2.4 per game). The Penguins were edged in a low-scoring 2-1 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Sunday, with goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury turning away 31 of 32 shots. Washington, which has struggled against Pittsburgh in the past, has put it on its Eastern rivals this season. The Capitals have shut the door in both of those victories, outscoring the Pens 7-0 this year. However, Pittsburgh has won eight of the previous 10 meetings, including a 5-1 run inside Consol Energy Arena and those two one-sided losses to the Caps are giving the host team some added value on the NHL moneyline Tuesday. The Penguins' stingy defense and the Capitals' bad blueline are why I’m playing on Pittsburgh as my 9* Personal Favorite Tuesday. |
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02-16-15 | Arizona Coyotes v. Colorado Avalanche -175 | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 23 h 23 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Colorado Avalanche as my 7* Personal Favorite Monday. The Colorado Avalanche face the Arizona Coyotes in a battle of NHL basement teams Monday. The Avs snapped a four-game slide with a victory against Dallas Saturday, netting four goals versus the Stars. Colorado hasn’t had much trouble finding the back of the net in recent games, totaling 10 goals in their last three outings. That’s a major improvement from the Avalanche’s season scoring average of 2.4 goals per game. They should have more chances to pile on the points versus the Coyotes, who have given up nine goals in their two most recent efforts. Arizona was blasted in a 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers Saturday, following a 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks the night before. The Coyotes were seeing some improvements on the blueline over the past few weeks but we’re still talking about a team that allows 3.2 goals on 32 shots a night. Arizona has been exposed on defense, especially when down a man, boasting the NHL’s 27th ranked penalty kill (78.1 percent). That weakness could spark even the Avs ice-cold power play, which is 0 for 32 in their last 11 games. Despite its recent issues, Colorado is still a tough team to beat in the Pepsi Center, battling not only the Avs faithful but the altitude in the Mile High City - and Arizona playing its third game in four nights. The Avalanche have won five of their last seven at home and have taken four of the previous five head-to-head matchups with the Coyotes. The Avalanche’s offensive uptick and home-ice edge as well as the Coyotes' busted blueline are why I’m playing on Colorado as my 7* Personal Favorite Monday. |
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02-15-15 | St Louis Blues v. Florida Panthers UNDER 5.5 | Top | 2-1 | Win | 100 | 20 h 45 m | Show |
I’m playing on Under in St. Louis Blues at Florida Panthers as my 10* Blue Chip Sunday. The Florida Panthers haven’t had much energy on offense in recent games, managing just one goal in their last two showings. That energy level could be even lower with the Panthers taking the ice for the third time in four days against the Blues Sunday. Florida is netting only 2.4 goals a night and leaning heavily on its defense and goaltending to keep it competitive. The Panthers continue to get solid work on the blueline, allowing just two goals in regulation in each of their last six contests. Unfortunately for the Panthers, their offense – or lack thereof – has blown those solid defensive efforts, which gives great value to the Under. The Blues are one of the elite defensive teams in the NHL, allowing just 2.4 goals on an average of only 27.6 shots a night. St. Louis has been a bit inconsistent on that end of the ice in recent matchups, giving up some bigger tallies to opponents. However, these teams have gone Under the total in 11 of their last 15 head-to-head meetings, including a 1-7 Over/Under record in their last eight inside BB&T Center. The Panthers’ feeble offense playing their third game in four nights and the Blues’ solid blueline are why I’m playing Under in St. Louis at Florida as my 10* Blue Chip Sunday. |
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02-15-15 | Pittsburgh Penguins v. Chicago Blackhawks -144 | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 15 h 17 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Chicago Blackhawks as my 9* Personal Favorite Sunday. The Blackhawks found their defensive footing in a 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils Friday. Chicago, which sits second in the NHL in goals allowed at 2.3 per game, had been blasted for eight total games in the two game prior. The Blackhawks will need that defensive toughness versus the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday. Pittsburgh has also been getting the job done with defense in recent outings but had to bring out the big guns to edge the Ottawa Senators 5-4 in their last outings. The Penguins can’t be so loose beyond the blueline against this explosive Chicago offense – especially with the way Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa is playing right now. Hossa has netted seven goals on his last 13 shots on net over the past four games. His hot stick could quickly turn this non-conference heavyweight bout into a high-scoring slugfest. Chicago is one of the few teams in the league that can match Pittsburgh’s scoring depth. The Blackhawks average 2.9 goals per game – seventh in the NHL – and are the busiest offense in the land, firing an average of 34.7 shots on goal. They took a 3-2 shootout win over the Penguins back in January and are a solid 79-33 in their last 112 games inside the United Center. We’re getting great value with them at home this Sunday. The Blackhawks' return to form on defense and their ability to counter the Penguins’ scoring depth is why I’m playing on Chicago as my 9* Personal Favorite Sunday. |
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02-14-15 | Washington Capitals +125 v. Los Angeles Kings | 1-3 | Loss | -100 | 23 h 16 m | Show | |
I successfully recommended a play on the Kings Thursday night and I feel like I have a pretty strong read on this team right now after watching a few of their games lately. And with that in mind, I'm going to fade the Kings here on Saturday. I think the Caps approached this current road trip with a new sense of determination after having not much success on Western trips in recent seasons. They had a great practice a day before hitting the road, their first in 10 days, and the two days they had off before flying to California were a bit of a Godsend. Washington was simply running out of gas during a tough schedule stretch when it lost to Philadelphia on Feb. 8 and managed just 14 shots. After a couple of days to catch their breath, the Caps looked like a completely different squad in a 5-4 win over San Jose on Wednesday night. I think they'll keep the momentum going Saturday against the Kings. The Caps are at their best when playing on one day of rest this season where they are 16-3-3 and their power play is just starting to heat up. Washington has a power play goal in each of its last two games and the club owns the fourth best power play in the league. That's especially a big advantage for the Caps here because even though the Kings have won three in a row, goaltender Jonathan Quick has been far from his sharpest lately. He was visibly frustrated against Calgary last game when he broke his stick over the cross bar after allowing a goal. In fact, Quick and the Kings are one of the shakiest defensive squads in the NHL right now. They haven't held an opponent to fewer than two goals since Dec. 27 and every opponent has scored at least three goals on the Kings except for one (Tampa Bay) in their last eight games. Only two opponents have failed to score at least three goals on L.A. in the Kings' last 14 games and I love a high flying Alex Ovechkin to take advantage on Saturday. Ovechkin has seven points in his last five games. 9* Personal Favorite |
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02-13-15 | San Jose Sharks -139 v. Arizona Coyotes | 4-2 | Win | 100 | 24 h 25 m | Show | |
I am playing on the SHARKS. The Sharks have been fighting lately, they just haven’t been getting the bounces it seems and I think their luck will change Friday night. That’s partly because the visiting team seems to have all the fun in this series where the club wearing the road jersey has won the last five meetings. The road should be a welcome site for San Jose, who struggled on its recent home stand, earning just one out of a possible six points. Arizona is especially a nice location for the Sharks, where they’ve won five of the last six clashes between these two teams. San Jose is having trouble with consistency but the good news - and a big reason why I like the Sharks Friday - is we saw their best game in a while Wednesday night against the Caps, even though they lost 5-4 in overtime. The Sharks managed to score their first power play goal in three games and they showed grit when they needed to, potting the tying goal late in the third. I think they’ll carry that momentum into Arizona on Friday against a Coyotes team that has lost three of its last four games. The Coyotes have been out-shot in their last five games and they’ve also struggled to score during that span, which is why the under has also cashed in five straight Arizona games. Zona has scored just nine goals (not including shootouts) in its last five outings, a good reason to take the visitors here who I fully expect to be starving for a win. 9* Personal Favorite |
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02-12-15 | Calgary Flames v. Los Angeles Kings -155 | 3-5 | Win | 100 | 28 h 5 m | Show | |
I am playing on the KINGS. I watched a bit of the last two Kings games and after seeing them claim two strong wins on the tail end of an Eastern road trip, L.A. is not a team I'd want to play right now. L.A. seemed to dominate both the Lightning and the Blue Jackets in five-on-five play and I believe we are starting to see the team take shape that won the Stanley Cup last year. Jeff Carter, who needs to be a key performer for L.A., had one of his best games of the year against Columbus with a goal, an assist and five shots while he stood out as one of the best players on the ice. I think it's a bit of an awakening for the Kings, who now find themselves needing a very strong finish to the season to ensure they make the playoffs. Besides their solid recent play, there are three other reasons I like Los Angeles in this Thursday night matchup: home ice, revenge and Calgary distractions. The Kings are just a much better hockey club on home ice this season, where they are 16-6-3-3 compared to 7-12-2-4 on the road. They have also lost all three meetings against the Flames this year and you know that can't be sitting well with them. I expect them to come out with a nasty edge for this game in search of some payback. I think the Flames also might be a little distracted for what is the second of two games on their annual 'Dads' road trip. The Flames had a nice feel good win over the Sharks on Monday with their fathers watching from box level and they all celebrated with a pleasant round on the links on Tuesday. We often see teams have a letdown on these types of trips with all the distractions going on and I think the Flames could be in for one Thursday against an L.A. team that would like nothing more than to ruin the fun. 8* Personal Favorite |
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02-11-15 | Washington Capitals v. San Jose Sharks -119 | Top | 5-4 | Loss | -119 | 26 h 2 m | Show |
I am playing on SAN JOSE. I think scheduling is going to play a big part in this game, which is why I like the Sharks to take this contest after opening as slight favorites. The Caps just generally don't like playing out West and they are 1-7 in their last seven meetings in San Jose. They are also 2-16 in the last 18 meetings and 1-5 in their last six road games. I think Washington is going to run up against a very surly Sharks squad that is coming off its third straight home defeat and is fighting for a playoff spot. They'll happily welcome a Washington team that has showed major signs of weariness lately after playing seven games in 11 days. The Capitals managed just 14 shots in a loss to the Flyers last game, their lowest shot total in almost four years. They needed 12 minutes just to get their first shot on net and I don't think a cross country trip three time zones away is going to help them find their legs. Washington's penalty kill has struggled its last two games also allowing two goals on three kills and that could be a key edge for San Jose. The Sharks are scoring at a clip of 21.6 percent on the PP at home and I think they'll use special teams to help them earn a much-needed win on home ice on Wednesday. 10* Personal Favorite |
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02-10-15 | Philadelphia Flyers v. Montreal Canadiens UNDER 5.5 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 22 h 49 m | Show |
I am playing on the UNDER. I had to look twice at this total when I saw it was set at 5.5 goals and even though the juice has the under favored here, I feel oddsmakers have made a mistake with this one. Throw out the previous two meetings between these teams this year where a combined 16 goals were scored - the Flyers are a much more buttoned down team lately and Carey Price looks as sharp as any goalie in the league right now after making 34 stops in a 3-1 win over the Bruins on Sunday. Price has allowed an ultra stingy nine goals in his past seven games and even though he didn't earn the shutout against the Bruins, that might have been his sharpest game during the stretch in a lightning paced, intense game. His worst game during the 7-game span was a 3-2 loss to Buffalo, but that's the Habs for you - they can play to the level of their competition so I’m not reading too much into that one. If they play to their competition at home on Tuesday, this should be a tight matchup against Philly where goals won’t squeeze by easily. The Flyers look like a new hockey club as they storm toward the playoffs and they've now won five of their last six games. Philly is finally taking care of both ends of the ice and is no longer looking like the club that ranks a careless 24th in the league in goals against. The Flyers are allowing just 1.66 goals per game (not including shootout goals) over their last six outings and they are visibly playing much more committed, tight checking hockey. Steve Mason, the No. 1 netminder for the Flyers, is injured which may make some 'under' bettors shy away. But No. 2 man Ray Emery has a way of stepping up when needed and with the way the Flyers are playing lately, he just needs to make the saves he is supposed to. 10* Blue Chip |
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02-09-15 | Calgary Flames v. San Jose Sharks -152 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -152 | 26 h 52 m | Show |
I am playing on SAN JOSE. This is one of those games that, for the casual hockey observer, it might just look like another contest. But for the Sharks, the stakes are high Monday night and they know it. Of the Sharks' 28 games remaining, only nine are against Pacific Division foes and this marks the last meeting of five meetings of the season against the Flames. In a division where the Sharks are in second place and Calgary is in fourth and only two points separate the two, that's big. And seeing has how Calgary has won three of the four meetings this year, if the Flames end up winning four of five, it makes a significant impact on playoff positioning come season's end. So home ice is a big reason I like the Sharks here Monday and I think the opponent will help them put out their best effort. Consistency has been perhaps the biggest problem for San Jose this season as we saw in the club's last so-so effort against Calgary just last week, a 3-1 defeat. We've seen much better efforts from the Sharks since then after coach Todd McLellan said he spoke to his team after the loss to Calgary about getting a better effort from all 19 players. I think the Sharks just happened to run into a Hurricanes team Saturday night that's playing tough hockey right now when they suffered a tight 5-4 loss. I believe we'll continue to see a strong effort from the Sharks on Monday and they'll grind out a ‘W’ however they need to. They have a better penalty kill and power play statistically than the Flames also, which should give a further edge on home ice. 10* Personal Favorite |
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02-08-15 | Chicago Blackhawks v. St Louis Blues -125 | 4-2 | Loss | -125 | 17 h 0 m | Show | |
I am playing on ST. LOUIS. The Blues are not a team you want to play at home at the best of times and this isn't exactly the best time for the Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon. The Blues own the best home record in the Western Conference at 20-4-1-1 and only the Tampa Bay Lightning have more wins at home. Chicago must also face their Central Division rival in the final game of a grueling seven-game road trip that began on Jan. 21. It's often harder to get your legs going for an afternoon game after a tough trip like that and the game time of 11:30 a.m. Central Time won’t help the Hawks any. Not only that, but the Blues are 6-1 in the last seven meetings at home against the Blackhawks and the home team has won nine of the last 10 clashes in this series. I know Chicago is a solid hockey club, but I was actually a bit surprised to see the Blues weren't set as bigger favorites when this line opened. Another reason I love the Blues here is they possess the hottest line in the NHL right now. Alexander Steen, T.J. Oshie and David Backes are just dominating the competition on what is already a deep Blues squad. That line has 65 points in its last 17 games heading into this one and unbelievably that unit held the opponents' top line to just two goals during that stretch. It's a bit mind blowing when you think about it. It's not often you can say the top lines of the Blackhawks may be out-gunned but on tired legs against this hot unit, I think that will be the case on Sunday. Throw in the fact that Brian Elliott owns the league's best goals against average (2.02) and we have ourselves a nice play here. 9* Breakfast Club |
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02-07-15 | Edmonton Oilers v. Toronto Maple Leafs -159 | 1-5 | Win | 100 | 23 h 59 m | Show | |
I am playing on TORONTO. Even though the Leafs have lost 11 straight games, there is some good news. The 1966-67 Maple Leafs - the last team that won the Cup for the franchise - also suffered a 10-game losing streak that season. I'm not saying the Leafs are about to win the Cup. But I do think a turnaround might be ahead and just like that '67 squad, it took a new coach to turn them around. Back then it was Punch Imlach. Today it could be Peter Horachek. Horachek has been working on a couple of key things that he believes will have the Leafs winning more games as the season wears on and the games get tougher: better defensive play from his centers and crashing to the net to score goals. It's left the Leafs in a bit of a discomfort zone but players are starting to buy in. The defensive commitment from the centers means less scoring - which has been the Leafs' biggest problem during the skid - but ultimately it's going to lead to more wins. I think we'll see that first win that snaps the Leafs out of their funk Saturday night. The Oilers neither want to get into a defensive game nor a physical game, which are big reasons why they are the worst in the Western Conference. The Oilers also rank 27th in five-on-five scoring (0.69 goals per game), 28th on the power play (13.2 per cent) and 23rd on the penalty kill (79.3 per cent). 8* Personal Favorite |
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02-06-15 | Pittsburgh Penguins v. Calgary Flames UNDER 5.5 | Top | 4-0 | Win | 100 | 25 h 38 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Under in Pittsburgh Penguins at Calgary Flame as my 10* Blue Chip Friday. The Flames are on fire offensively, netting a total of 12 goals in their last three games, topping the total in two of those contests. However, that brief offensive push is giving added value to the Under, which has cashed in seven of the last nine meetings between Calgary and Pittsburgh. Calgary runs into a Penguins team that is changing its stripes. The Penguins have gone from offensive juggernaut to a defensively-sound unit, coming off a shutout win over the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday. Pittsburgh has played Under the total in four straight games and is 1-6 Over/Under in its last seven contests. Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been dominant against the Flames with a career 1.50 GAA in his previous five starts against Calgary, including turning away 26 of 27 shots in a 3-1 win against the Flames on December 12. Fleury made 22 stops in the clean sheet over Edmonton. His counterpart, Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller, has been just as hot. Hiller has given up just eight total goals in his last six starts, including four one-goal performances. Hiller stopped 29 shots in a 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday. The Penguins' defensive switch and the Flames’ solid play between the pipes are why I’m playing on the Under in Pittsburgh at Calgary. |
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02-05-15 | NY Islanders v. Philadelphia Flyers UNDER 6 | Top | 3-2 | Win | 100 | 24 h 43 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Under in the New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers as my 10* BLUE CHIP Thursday. The Islanders have had the plug pulled on their powerful offensive attack in recent games, netting just five total goals in their last three outings. New York is one of the most explosive teams in the NHL, averaging 3.1 goals a night on the season, but this scoring skid is opening up terrific value with the Under. It doesn’t help that the Islanders are without winger Kyle Okposo until next month after he suffered an eye injury on Jan. 19. Okposo was one of the top playermakers on the roster with 30 assists on the year so far. The Isles just haven’t had that same scoring depth since he went down and now face a Flyers team that is tightening its belt on defense. Philadelphia has won four in a row heading into Thursday on the back of its blueline. The Flyers have held opponents to two or fewer goals in three of those four games, including a 1-0 shutout victory over Toronto at home last Saturday. Philadelphia has had an extended break between games and will be well rested and prepared for shutting down the Isles’ offensive push. Goaltender Steve Mason has enjoyed the hiatus, keeping him fresh after turning away 30 shots in the win over the Leafs and posting a slim 1.01 GAA in his three appearance during that four-game winning streak. The Islanders’ offensive issues and the Flyers’ rested and improving defense are why I’m playing on the Under in New York at Philadelphia as my 10* Blue Chip Thursday. |
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02-03-15 | Winnipeg Jets v. Vancouver Canucks -150 | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 25 h 9 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Vancouver Canucks as my 9* Personal Favorite Tuesday. The Canucks hit home ice against the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday night. The Jets will be playing their second game of back-to-back outings after tangling with the Calgary Flames Monday evening. Vancouver, on the other hand, is hungry for a win after slow start left them behind on the scoreboard against the Minnesota Wild Sunday. Vancouver fell behind 3-0 to the Wild before making things interesting with two goals in the third, eventually losing 4-2 for its second home loss in the last three contests inside Rogers Arena. The Canucks are trying to jump start their offense, which has managed to score over two goals in just three of their last 10 outings. The Jets provide the perfect matchup to help Vancouver get on the board. Much like last week’s 5-2 drubbing of the Buffalo Sabres, the Canucks can take advantage of a team struggling to protect its goal. Heading into Monday’s game in Calgary, Winnipeg had allowed five goals in each of its previous three games. On top of that, the Jets will be fatigued on this short turnaround Tuesday. The Canucks have dominated their Western Canadian foes, winning five of their last six meeting with Winnipeg, including a perfect 4-0 record in their last four home games versus the Jets. The home team is also a solid 5-2 in the last seven between these teams. The Canucks’ desperate for a home win and the Jets’ road weary defense is why I’m playing on Vancouver as my 9* Personal Favorite Tuesday. |
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02-03-15 | Chicago Blackhawks v. Minnesota Wild UNDER 5.5 | Top | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 23 h 6 m | Show |
10* Blue Chips Hawks/Wild UNDER, analysis posted shortly ... |
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02-03-15 | Arizona Coyotes v. Columbus Blue Jackets -154 | 4-1 | Loss | -154 | 22 h 7 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Columbus Blue Jackets as my 8* Annihilator Tuesday. The Blue Jackets open the doors to Nationwide Arena, welcoming the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday night. Columbus is happy to be home after playing five of its last six games away from Ohio. The Blue Jackets did take care of business in that lone home stand during that span, dropping the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Jan. 27. Columbus will take advantage of a weak Arizona blueline, which has watched opponents net an average of 3.3 goals per night. This is drastic decline for the Coyotes of the past few seasons, which leaned on hard-nosed defense to keep them competitive. The Blue Jackets, who aren’t the most active offense in the NHL – averaging only 27.4 shots per game – will look to put a lot more on net, hoping they can overwhelm Arizona like other opponents. This is a tough spot for the Coyotes, who have been kicked out of Glendale for an extended road trip due to Super Bowl festivities taking over town. Arizona has been on the road since January 17, wrapping an unsuccessful eight-game road trip in Columbus Tuesday. With the Yotes going just 2-5 in the first seven games of this set, you can be sure they’ll be looking forward to heading home and sleeping in their own beds for a change – and not focusing on the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets' all-out assault on the Coyotes' weak defense and Arizona’s in a tough situational spot are why I’m playing on Columbus as my 8* Annihilator Tuesday. |
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02-02-15 | Edmonton Oilers v. San Jose Sharks UNDER 5.5 | Top | 5-4 | Loss | -125 | 28 h 8 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Under in Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks as my 10* Blue Chip Monday. The Oilers are on the road, capping a short two-game run in San Jose. Edmonton, for all its talent on offense, isn’t putting up the production it wants. The Oilers rank 27th in scoring and have netted two or fewer goals in six of their previous 10 games heading into Monday, going Under in four of their last six overall. Edmonton runs into a hot goalie Monday, in San Jose netminder Antti Niemi who is coming off a 31-save shutout victory against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday. Turning away Chicago’s deep offensive attack is a drastic comparison when sizing up the Oilers, who can’t even make the most of the man advantage, boasting a dismal 13.3 power-play percentage. Niemi owns a 1.67 GAA over the last three games. The Oilers offense away from Edmonton is ice cold. They’ve averaged only 2.04 goals per game as the visitor. But for all their issues, the Oilers are getting a solid effort from goaltender Ben Scrivens. He’s turned out some valiant efforts in recent games, allowing two or fewer goals in five of his last 10 starts despite Edmonton giving up an average of 29.5 shots per contests. The Sharks getting superior netminding and the Oilers’ struggles on the road are why I’m playing on Under in Edmonton at San Jose as my 10* Blue Chip Monday. |
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02-01-15 | Minnesota Wild v. Vancouver Canucks -140 | 4-2 | Loss | -140 | 18 h 45 m | Show | |
I’m playing on the Vancouver Canucks as my 9* Personal Favorite Sunday. The Canucks are building on a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres when they host the Minnesota Wild Sunday. While a victory over the lowly Sabres isn’t much to write home about, it did snap a two-game skid for Vancouver and helps the team find its form on offense after scoring just once in those losses to Anaheim and Tampa Bay. The Canucks had dropped three in a row on home ice before that one-sided win over Buffalo, giving the home fans just one goal to cheer for in that span. Vancouver does find Minnesota in a tough spot Sunday, wrapping up a four-game Western road trip and looking ahead to a home stand against the rival Chicago Blackhawks when they get back to Xcel Energy Center. The Wild have had success on the road but a closer look at that schedule reveals they’ve taken care of the bottom feeders, like Calgary, Edmonton, and Buffalo, but have come up short against quality clubs. Minnesota fell in Detroit, Pittsburgh and Chicago in recent weeks and have another strong test with the Canucks. For all their offensive woes, Vancouver remains one of the better defensive clubs in the NHL. The Canucks are limiting opponents to 28.6 shots per game – ninth fewest in the league – and boast a penalty kill percentage of 87.1 on the year. The Wild aren't the most offensively gifted team either, netting just 2.7 goals an outing and struggling to produce with the man advantage. The Canucks finding their form at home and the Wild’s misleading record is why I’m playing on Vancouver as my 9* Personal Favorite Sunday. |
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01-31-15 | Columbus Blue Jackets v. Tampa Bay Lightning -214 | 1-3 | Win | 100 | 25 h 23 m | Show | |
I am playing on TAMPA BAY 6* as my Blue Marlin Saturday. Tampa Bay has been dominant at home and I expect it to have its way with Columbus. It is worth laying the juice in this situation. Give credit to the Blue Jackets as they have been one of the few teams to come to Tampa and get a road win this season. Columbus is one of three teams to hold the Lightning to just one goal at home this season, winning 3-1 on Dec. 6 as Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 33 shots. The Blue Jackets, however, enter Saturday's contest having lost six of nine overall. Part of the reason for this losing streak is because they don’t have the services of Vezina trophy winning Sergei Bobrovsky due to injury. Curtis McElhinney has struggled in his replacement. McElhinney is 5-7-1 with a 2.99 GAA in 17 appearances this season, and has allowed three goals in each of his two starts since Bobrovsky's injury on Jan. 21. Tampa Bay bounced back from a loss in Carolina to manhandle the Red Wings 5-1 on Thursday night. Note I played on Tampa in that game as my “Personal Favorite.” Tampa bay’s Ben Bishop has been a rock at home this season. Bishop has a 1.90 goals-against average at home and a 3.02 mark on the road. The Lightning have averaged 3.40 goals in 25 games at Amalie Arena while allowing 1.96 per contest en route to a 20-4-1 record. Look for them to get some redemption against the Blue Jackets for that earlier loss this season. Lay the juice on TAMPA BAY 6*Blue Marlin. |
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01-29-15 | Detroit Red Wings v. Tampa Bay Lightning -147 | 1-5 | Win | 100 | 20 h 33 m | Show | |
I am playing on TAMPA BAY as my 9* Personal Favorite. The Lightning has been nearly unbeatable at home and I expect it to continue here, even with a strong team in Detroit in town. The Red Wings have won six in a row coming in and are one of the hottest teams in the NHL heading into the All-Star Break. Detroit has been able outscore its defensive and goaltending troubles of late. The Wings have allowed an average of four goals against per game over the last three games but still have come away with wins. Detroit has had to play without starting goalie Jimmy Howard. Peter Mrazek has taken over as the number one goalie and he has struggled after a good start. After posting a 1.63 goals-against average through three starts, the 22-year-old has surrendered 11 goals with a 4.76 GAA in three games since. Poor goaltending and defensive play will kill them in a game against Tampa Bay on the road. Tampa Bay is looking to bounce back after a rare loss at Carolina. The Lightning had won three in row before the loss. Tampa Bay is a strong 19-4-1 on home ice this season so this looks like a perfect opportunity for it to bounce back. Tampa Bay has had their trouble all all-time versus the Red Wings but has been dominant when hosting recently. The Lightning have taken five of the last six and two straight at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay is 7-3 after allowing four or more goals in its previous game. Take TAMPA BAY to bounce back and win this game straight up. 9* Personal favorite. |
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01-28-15 | Toronto Maple Leafs v. New Jersey Devils UNDER 5.5 | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 11 h 1 m | Show | |
I am playing the UNDER between New Jersey and Toronto 8* Best Bet. The last two games between these two teams held in the Meadowlands have seen the lower number hit and I expect it to be three in a row here with the number being too high. The visiting Toronto Maple Leafs limp into this game having lost six in row. The Leafs have been primarily unsuccessful because be they have been unable to score goals. Toronto scored more than one goal for the first time in six games last Wednesday but lost 4-3 at Ottawa. Toronto will come into this game looking to revenge a 5-3 loss to New Jersey the last time these teams met. New Jersey meanwhile has earned points in five of seven games. The Devils get by mostly on defensive play as they team is averaging 2.23 goals per game this season. Goaltender Cory Schneider is the star for the Devils and he has had good success versus the Leafs over his time in the NHL. Those last four meetings represent all of Schneider's career starts against the Leafs, and he's posted a 1.93 goals-against average. When the Devils play a team with a losing record the UNDER is 10-6 this season. Four of the last six meetings between these teams have seen the lower number fall and I believe the number is still too high here. These teams are both desperate for a win as each are looking for that much needed big playoff push before it is too late. Look for a tighter checking game. Take the UNDER 8* Best Bet |
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01-27-15 | Buffalo Sabres v. Calgary Flames UNDER 5.5 | Top | 1-4 | Win | 100 | 23 h 15 m | Show |
I am playing on the UNDER between Buffalo and Calgary. The Sabres beat the Flames in a high scoring game in Buffalo the last time these teams met. I think we see the opposite this time around. The Sabres are one desperate team as they head into Alberta losers of 11 straight. Buffalo has given up a total of 17 goals over the last three games heading into the break. With only one player at the all-star game festivities, the Sabres were likely spending extra practice time on the defensive side of the ice over the weekend. Buffalo don’t have a great offense and it has really showed in the past ten games where it has scored an average of 1.4 goals per game. The Sabres have scored just 1.8 goals per game this entire season so that is not something new. The Flames finished off a five game road trip on a sour note before the break, losing to Anaheim 6-3. Their starting goale Joni Ortio got the early hook and it was an embarrassing end to what was a largely successful first half for the team. Expect a better goaltending and defensive performance from Calgary here which is in a much better situation at home, refreshed and ready to face a far inferior opponent. Calgary has allowed just 2.6 goals per game to opponents this season so a return to the norm should be expected. The Flame likely won’t forget the 4-3 loss at Buffalo the last time these teams met just a little while back. Two of the last three meetings between these have seen the lower number fell below the posted number. The under is 10-8 in Calgary games where it is revenging a loss to an opponent. Play the UNDER 10* Blue Chip. |
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01-21-15 | Calgary Flames v. Anaheim Ducks -189 | 3-6 | Win | 100 | 14 h 13 m | Show | |
I am playing on ANAHEIM 6*. The Ducks are the big favorites at home for a good reason and I don’t mind laying the extra juice to see them win in easy fashion. The visiting Flames have gotten back on track nicely this January after a rough December. The Flames have won four in row after a comeback win in Monday at the Staples Center in LA. While they got the win in LA they may not have really deserved it as rookie goaltender Joni Ortio stole the show despite the Flames getting heavily out-shot and outplayed. I don’t they get quite as lucky in Anaheim. Calgary last won a regular-season game in Anaheim on Jan. 19, 2004, going 0-14-5 since for the NHL's longest active road losing streak in a series. Keep in mind that the Flames are still just 7-10 versus teams with a winning record this season. Anaheim sits atop the Western Conference and the entire NHL with 66 points thanks to consistent excellence. Anaheim's four-game winning streak is part of a 16-4-1 stretch since the start of December. The Ducks are also coming off a victory in Los Angeles, 3-2 in a shootout Saturday. Frederik Andersen who will likely be in net for this game got his fifth straight to improve to 15-2-1 with a 2.19 GAA in his last 18 games. Andersen is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA at home against Calgary. Keep an eye out for the Ducks’ captain and superstar Ryan Getzlaf who has eaten up the Flames over his career. Getzlaf has three goals and nine assists in his last seven home games against the Flames. The Ducks are arguably the hottest and best team in the NHL right now and I expect them to take care of business at home in a big way here against a road tripping Flames team. Play ANAHEIM 6* |
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01-19-15 | Calgary Flames v. Los Angeles Kings -167 | 2-1 | Loss | -167 | 22 h 12 m | Show | |
I am playing on the LA KINGS 7*. The Kings have struggled lately but that won’t last forever as the defending champs are just too talented to get held down this long. The Kings’ opponent in this game is the Calgary Flames which is coming off an impressive 4-3 OT win over San Jose on Saturday night. The Flames will be seeking a fourth straight road win in LA on this night but will meet a desperate Kings team looking for revenge. The Flames have won three straight against the Kings and now sit ahead of LA in the standings due to the tie-breaker. Calgary has succeeded lately despite going 4 for 49 with a man advantage in its last 15 games. The Kings are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to Anaheim on Saturday. Los Angeles' defeat dropped it to 2-3-4 in its last nine and 1-2-3 on a season-high seven-game homestand that ends Monday. Look for them to be extra motivated to end this home stand on a good note here. The Kings are 11-9 revenging a loss to an opponent this season. The Kings' Anze Kopitar has three goals and seven assists in his last 11 games against Calgary, and he's been one of the league's most prolific point producers since Dec. 15, totaling five goals and 17 assists in 14 games. The Kings have been a little unlucky as they have not been able to put all aspects to the game together of late but I think they get it here. The Flames prove to always be a tough challenge but the Kings will really know that coming in. Take LA 7* to win. |
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01-19-15 | Columbus Blue Jackets v. Minnesota Wild -160 | 3-1 | Loss | -160 | 20 h 44 m | Show | |
I am playing on MINNESOTA 7*. The Wild are finally starting to get it together after a rough stretch and should be able to keep it going here against Columbus. The Blue Jackets are coming off an impressive 3-1 win at Boston on Saturday night. Impressive win no doubt, but we should keep in mind that the Jackets have just the one win in their last five games. Columbus has had trouble scoring goals over this poor stretch as they have failed to score more than two goals in all but one game. This isn’t a huge surprise though as the Jackets are 24th in the league in for goals scored at 2.47 on the league. After a rough stretch the Wild have turns things around with some good hockey with two good wins and the confidence is up with the Wild. The Wild has been invigorated with the addition of new goalie Devan Dubnyk. Minnesota has struggled with net minding, that’s why the Wild acquired Dubnyk from Arizona on Wednesday. He made 18 saves in a 7-0 victory at Buffalo in his debut the next night and then stopped 25 shots to beat his former team in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Coyotes. Dubnyk is a healthy 6-1-1 with a 1.86 GAA in his last eight starts against the Blue Jackets. The Wild come in with revenge on their minds having lost the last four meetings with the Blue Jackets. Minnesota has still been a strong home team this season with 11 wins in their building. Look for it to be difficult for the Jackets in this game. Play MINNESOTA 7*. |
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01-19-15 | Carolina Hurricanes v. Toronto Maple Leafs -155 | 4-1 | Loss | -155 | 19 h 17 m | Show | |
I am playing on TORONTO 7*. The Leafs return home from an ugly western road trip but they return home to face a lesser opponent they should work over. Carolina comes in off a nice 3-2 win over Ottawa on the road. It was a rare win on the road for the Canes as they have one of the worst road records in the league with a 5-16-3 mark. They face a tough home in Toronto here. The biggest reason the Canes have struggled to win this season and especially on the road is because they can’t score goals. Carolina has averaged just 2.02 goals per game this season and that just won’t get it done. In fact, it is the second worst scoring clip in the league. The Maple Leafs meanwhile are coming off a very hard western road trip where they lost four straight. Other teams have seen this happen to them as it is not easy to win games against the California teams. This game however will be held in Toronto where the team has performed well this season. "I think it will be really good (to get back home)," Leafs’ interim coach Peter Horachek said. "We've been on the road a lot, but we can't make excuses. We're going to have to prop ourselves back up like we have before." Toronto has been solid at home where 15 of its’ 22 wins have come this season. Keep in mind that the Leafs are strong 3-1 after three consecutive road games this season. Look for Toronto to be desperate for a win here. Toronto is averaging 3.6 goals per game at home compared to just 2.2 on the road. The Hurricanes are a not a good but the Leafs are unlikely to take them lightly as Carolina has won two straight games in this series, outscoring Toronto 10-2 over that span. Revenge will be on the minds of the Leafs in this game. Play TORONTO 7* |
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01-18-15 | NY Rangers v. Pittsburgh Penguins -135 | 5-2 | Loss | -135 | 14 h 27 m | Show | |
I am playing on PITTSBURGH 8*. Yes the Rangers have been hot of late but they run into an ultra talented Penguins team looking to take out a recent loss on an opponent on someone else. The Rangers went on an incredible run that lasted over a month but with two losses in the last three games they look to be regressing a little bit. A game with the Penguins on the road is not a place where you can turn things around. Despite a massive win streak the Rangers are still just 11-11 versus teams with a winning record. The speed of the Rangers is a problem for most teams as the fore check us punishing on team’ with a slow puck moving defense. The Penguins are not one of those teams with Paul Martin and Kris Letang on the backend. Pittsburgh comes in “angry” after 6-3 loss to the division leading Islanders. It was a game where the Penguins allowed four third period goals to give up the lead. Look for the Penguins to take it out on the visiting Rangers. Pittsburgh hasn’t forgotten about a close 4-3 loss at MSG to the Rangers in early December. Keep in mind that the Penguins are a very strong 11-5 when revenging a loss to an opponent this season. Some good news for Pittsburgh in the loss to the Islanders was the play of mega star Sidney Crosby who collected three points and is starting to get on role at the same time as teammate Evgeni Malkin. When these two stars have it going at the same time it is always trouble for another team. The Penguins are the better team on paper and to get them on the money line at home at this fair price is a very strong opportunity to win. Take PITTSBURGH 8*. |
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01-17-15 | Anaheim Ducks v. Los Angeles Kings -143 | 3-2 | Loss | -143 | 13 h 53 m | Show | |
I am playing on the LA Kings 8*. This is a big rivalry game in California and I look for the defending Stanley Cup champs to show their metal and come out on top. The Anaheim Ducks are coming off a 5-1 blowout win over a road tripping New Jersey team last night. Corey Perry scored his team leading 19 goal of the year. The Ducks are no doubt a power house team but the Kings will be much tougher test on short rest. Anaheim is 4-3 when having to play on the second night of a back-to-back situation. While it seems logical that Ducks would have the upper hand on any team if you look at their record, that can’t be said in this matchup against the defending champs. While they may have the upper hand recently, the hungry talented Kings team is very dangerous in a revenge spot. Anaheim has taken five of its last six against the Kings, who still hold a slight edge since 2011-12 with nine victories over 17 meetings in that span. Despite some recent struggles, the Kings are still 15-6-4 at the Staples Center this season. The last two meetings between the teams were decided by one goal. This looks to be another close game but don’t be surprised if the Kings have more jump in the end. The Kings haven’t played since Wednesday night. Play the LA KINGS 8* |
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01-17-15 | Washington Capitals v. Dallas Stars -135 | 4-5 | Win | 100 | 11 h 54 m | Show | |
I am playing on DALLAS*. The Stars get the Capitals in a good spot here and I expect them to take advantage of it. The Washington Capitals come in off a 4-3 hard fought loss at Nashville last night. It was an emotional night for the Caps as new head coach Barry Trotz was making his return to Nashville where he had been a coach of a very long time. To get the high emotions up for another game the night after should be no easy task on the road. Keep in mind the Capitals were on a very nice stretch of winnings games before the loss in regulation and letdown could easily happen here. The Capitals had starting goalie Braden Holtby play in the game last night and he most likely will give way to backup Justin Peters in this game. Hotlby has been a big reason why the Capitals have been so hot. The Capitals are just 6-7 versus teams in the Western Conference. It is not a surprise as the West is wildly considered to be the best conference in the NHL this season. The Dallas Stars haven’t been a hot team of late but they the distinct advantage of an extra day off and are on a home stand that should have them very comfortable. The Stars didn’t get the win against the Jets but you could say they are knocking on the door of a nice winning streak. Five of the Stars' contests during a 1-3-2 stretch have been decided by one goal, including Thursday's 2-1 home loss to Winnipeg. They finished with season highs of 47 shots and seven power-play opportunities. Dallas has dominated the series with the Capitals over the years and it continued in the last meeting with a 5-0 Stars win last April. Dallas is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings with Washington. Take DALLAS 8* to take advantage of a weary road tripping Washington team. |
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01-17-15 | NY Islanders v. Montreal Canadiens -130 | 4-6 | Win | 100 | 10 h 54 m | Show | |
I am playing on MONTREAL. The Islanders are a good team but the Habs catch them in a tough spot here and I look for them lay the hammer down in a big Saturday prime time game. New York comes in red hot and off a 6-3 win at the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders have always seemed to play the Penguins hard and last night was no exception as Kyle Okposo scored four goals. But while we should give them respect, not too much as having to go to the Bell Centre the next night to play a rested Montreal team is going to be very hard task. Keep in mind that 10 of the Islanders’ 13 losses this season have been on the road. Montreal is in a 1-2-1 stretch after winning nine of 10 and is coming off Thursday's 4-1 loss at Ottawa. Max Pacioretty was again a bright spot, scoring a goal in a sixth straight game with seven total in that span. The Habs are 7-3 in games after they managed to score just one goal or more. This is a nice spot at home for them to start another winning streak. Montreal is 13-5-2 on home ice this season but will be hungry to put an end to an uncharacteristic two game losing streak at home right now. The Canadiens have won four of five against the Islanders and are 8-1-4 in the last 13 meetings at the Bell Centre. A big home meeting on Saturday means a lot to the fans of Montreal and the team feeds off the energy in the building. Expect that to play a factor in this game. Montreal dispatched the Islanders 3-1 in New York earlier this season and I look for the same sort of result in this game. Play MONTREAL *8. |
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01-16-15 | Winnipeg Jets v. Chicago Blackhawks -230 | 4-2 | Loss | -230 | 11 h 9 m | Show | |
I am playing on CHICAGO 6*. The Hawks are a big chalk favorite here but I don’t mind paying extra money to get them because I think they will easily take care of business in this spot. The Winnipeg Jets visit the United Center off a 2-1 win in Dallas last night. The weary legs should play a factor as that is a lot of miles to travel overnight to play a game against one of the league’s elite in the Blackhawks. The Jets were fortunate to get the win last night in Dallas as goalie Ondrej Pavelec made a season high 46 saves. Backup Michael Hutchinson will likely get the call in this one. Chicago meanwhile is rested and has had plenty of time to prepare for the Jets. The Blackhawks haven’t played since a 4-1 win over Minnesota on Sunday. In a very strange anomaly, the Jets have won three of the last four meetings between these two teams in Chicago and the last three meetings overall. Look for the Blackhawks to be extremely determined to end that streak this time around. Chicago is one of the best and most talented teams in the NHL and should pounce on an opponent in a situation like this. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said: "They get you disrupted, and I think that's what we saw here both times. I think we got outworked both times we played them, and you can't expect to beat them when you're just out there playing." Chicago is 13-7 revenging a home loss this season and will be extra “angry” after Winnipeg embarrassed it 5-1 at the United Center back in late December. Winnipeg is 2-3 on the backend of back-to-back games this season. Look for Chicago to exploit the situation here and get an easy win. Lay the wood on CHICAGO 6*. |
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01-15-15 | Calgary Flames v. Arizona Coyotes -105 | 4-1 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 24 m | Show | |
I am playing on ARIZONA 9*. The Coyotes are at a good price here and I like that they are knocking on the door of a hot streak. The visiting Calgary Flames have the disadvantage of trying to ramp things up again after having a full four days off. That is seems like almost an eternity in most professional sports and I think the layoff won’t be good for the Flames here as their last game was in Vancouver. It has been a bit of a struggle for the Flames of late as they are just 1-3 in the new calendar year. The lone win they got was against the Canucks on Saturday and they were thoroughly outplayed in the game but got the win thanks to surprise effort from AHL call-up Ron Ortio. Look for things to catch up to them there. The Arizona Coyotes meanwhile are playing their final game of a six game home stand and should be very determined to get the win in this matchup before heading out on the road. The Coyotes are 2-3 on this stretch of games and a win would tie it off in at least a .500 mark. Arizona will be looking for revenge as it has lost three straight to Calgary already this season. The Coyotes should have a strong effort here as they have played well versus the Flames in Glendale. Arizona is 4-1 versus the Calgary at home the last three seasons. The Coyotes are a great price here as they are almost even money at home. Take advantage of it and play ARIZONA 9*. |
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01-15-15 | Winnipeg Jets v. Dallas Stars -130 | 2-1 | Loss | -130 | 12 h 55 m | Show | |
I am playing on DALLAS 9*. The Stars got a much needed win over Ottawa on Tuesday and I think they ride the momentum into another win. The Winnipeg Jets come in off an impressive 8-2 win at home over Florida. Keep in mind that the Jets took advantage of a road tripping Panthers team in that blowout win. Now they themselves have to go south to Texas to try and get a win over the hot Stars. The Jets are primed for a letdown as they are just 3-8 following a win of two or more goals. Winnipeg is just 3-5 during a stretch of games where they have been lucky to score a lot of goals to make up for some poor defensive play. The Stars meanwhile are coming off a moral boosting 5-4 come from behind win over Ottawa on Tuesday. The win came despite having top players in Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn at less than 100 percent. I like them to be healthier for this game and the results will follow. Dallas will be playing the second game of a three game home stand that is very important as the team is trying desperately to get back into a playoff spot after a horrendous start. Dallas will be looking to revenge a 5-2 loss to the Jets in its’ only other meeting this season. Dallas won the last meeting between these two teams held in Texas which was held last season. Dallas still has not gotten a lot of respect from odds makers thanks to a poor start to the season and I think we should take advantage of while we still can with a decent home value here. Play DALLAS to win straight up 9*. |
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01-15-15 | Detroit Red Wings v. St Louis Blues UNDER 5.5 | 3-2 | Win | 100 | 11 h 27 m | Show | |
I am playing on the UNDER *9 between Detroit and St. Louis. The last two meetings between these teams totaled five goals or less in each game and I think it will again. The Red Wings are playing the last game of a five game road trip that started in Vancouver last week. The players will be looking forward to getting home and will quite likely have some tired legs to end the road trip. This should help our total play. The Red Wings have played in three straight games that have seen the lower total hit and that is no coincidence in my mind. Detroit is savvy team that is coached by one of the best in the league and know how keep games close on the road and that is to keep games low scoring. Keep in mind that the UNDER is 6-2 in Detroit games after three straight lower scoring games. Detroit will be tested in St. Louis where the Blues have scored four or more goals in five straight games. The Red Wings shutout the Blues 3-0 the last time it played the Blues in St. Louis. St. Louis has been on a goal scoring streak here and it has made for a ton of high scoring games. Four of those games were against poor teams in Arizona, Calgary, Carolina and Edmonton. The Red Wings will be tougher competition as these teams used to battle four-eight times a year in the old western central division. Play the UNDER 9* |
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01-13-15 | San Jose Sharks v. Arizona Coyotes UNDER 5.5 | 3-2 | Win | 100 | 12 h 19 m | Show | |
I am playing the UNDER between SAN JOSE and ARIZONA 8*. The last meeting between these teams was a higher scoring affair but I think we see a tighter checking one this time around. The San Jose Sharks have lost two in a row coming in and managed just three goals over that time span. Generating offense has been a problem for San Jose (22-16-5), which ranks 18th with 2.65 goals per game. San Jose come into this game with the Coyotes “mad” as they will try to break this streak as well as revenge a 4-3 loss to the Coyotes back in San Jose on November 22. Keep in mind that the UNDER is 14-5 in Sharks’ games where they are revenging a loss to an opponent this season. The Sharks have played in a lot of tight checking games versus teams in the Pacific division this season with 10 of 14 going to the lower side of the betting total. Good news for Sharks defense in this matchup as their goalie has played well against the Coyotes. Antti Niemi is 5-0-3 with a 1.55 GAA and two shutouts in his last eight against the Coyotes. For the third time in the past two weeks, the Coyotes were unable to build on a victory and fell 5-1 to Ottawa on Saturday. They will be looking to tighten things off defensively after allowing so many goals in that contest. Arizona has scored one goal or less in three of the last four games but giving their goalie more support will high on the priority meter for a Dave Tippet coached team. Take the UNDER 8* with two desperate teams. |
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01-13-15 | Ottawa Senators v. Dallas Stars -144 | 4-5 | Win | 100 | 12 h 50 m | Show | |
8* Dallas. Analysis to follow |
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01-13-15 | Minnesota Wild +1.5 v. Pittsburgh Penguins | 2-7 | Loss | -158 | 10 h 22 m | Show | |
I am playing on MINNESOTA +1.5 (Puck-Line). The Wild are desperate for a victory and I expect them to find a way to at least make this close with a Pittsburgh team that is struggling to score as well. The Wild have lost five in row and there are now whispers of head coach Mike Yeo being on the hot seat. Look for the players to step up for the coach and have a good performance as a major underdog in this situation. The Wild will be looking to revenge a 4-1 loss to the Penguins the last time these two teams met back in November in Minny. The good news for the Wild is that that they are a solid 6-2 SU and 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings held in Pittsburgh in this matchup. Minnesota has shown some improvement on the power play which is so important in this game. The Wild have converted on 18.6 percent of their power-play opportunities over their last 11 -- a significant improvement over their 12.4-percent mark through 30 game. The Pittsburgh Penguins meanwhile come in on a bit of a cold streak as well. The Pens have lost two of three and have managed to score just five goals over the span of those games. Two of the last three wins by the Penguins have been just by one goal. As stated before in this write-up the Pens have had trouble with the Wild over the years in Pittsburgh. Surprisingly enough, the Penguins are just 10-9 ATS versus teams with a winning record this season. The Wild are a major underdog in this situation but to get them at this price on the puck-line is great value with a desperate team that is due for a good effort. Play MINNESOTA 8* (Puck-Line) |
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01-12-15 | Toronto Maple Leafs v. Los Angeles Kings UNDER 5.5 | 0-2 | Win | 100 | 14 h 35 m | Show | |
I am play on the UNDER 9* between Toronto and Los Angeles. These two teams have struggled on a whole lately and I think we see a tighter checking, low scoring game as a result of cautious play. The Leafs are coming off a big 5-2 win at home over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Note that the Leafs barely ever play in two high scoring games in a row as the UNDER is 12-8 after games in which the team has scored four or more goals. The lower number is also a profitable 9-6 in games after Toronto has won by two or more goals in the previous game. The Leafs have lost three of four coming in and will start this tough western road trip at the Staples Center versus the defending champs and a cautious defensive style would be considered smart playing in a tough environment on the west coast. Toronto beat LA back at home the first time these two teams met 4-3 in a shootout. While the Leafs got the win they had to come from behind to go to extra time. "We have to play better defensively than we played them (in Toronto)," Leaf’s coach Pete Horachek said. "In their building, it's going to be difficult." The Kings meanwhile have looked nothing like the defending champs with five losses in their last six games. The Kings have a minus-6 goal differential in the first period of their last six games, leaving them at minus-7 in the opening 20 minutes for the season -- among the worst marks in the league. These are problems that can be easily rectified though when you have great coaching and great players like the Kings have. Note that the lower number is 4-2 in Los Angeles Kings’ home games in which they have played three or more straight at the Staples Center. The Kings have allowed an average of 2.5 goals per game on a whole this season but have been shelled in their own end in three straight games. I think we see a return to norm here as the new week starts. Take the UNDER 9*. |
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01-11-15 | Winnipeg Jets v. Anaheim Ducks -200 | 4-5 | Win | 100 | 11 h 18 m | Show | |
I am playing on ANAHEIM 6*. The Ducks are worth laying the juice on in this spot against a Jets team that played just last night. The Winnipeg Jets got an impressive 5-4 shootout win last night in LA against the Kings. The bad news for them is that they have the play the back-end of a back-to-back in Anaheim against a very good Ducks team. Not only are the Jets tired, they are due for a letdown as they just 3-6 in games after scoring four goals or more previously. Winnipeg had lost four of five before beating Los Angeles 5-4 in a shootout Saturday in their second stop on a three-game road trip. A big reason for the Jets success this season has been the unexpected play of goalie Michael Hutchinson who got the win in LA last night. Being the back-end of a back-to-back however, means they will likely have to go with the struggling Ondrej Pavelec.. He's allowed four goals in each of his last three starts while going 0-2-1, and he's 1-1-2 with a 3.49 goals-against average in four career outings against the Ducks. The Ducks meanwhile are looking to get back on track after losing to the red hot New York Rangers on Friday. Anaheim has arguably been the best team in the NHL this season and has the roster of players who are just plain better than the Jets. Keep in mind that the Ducks are 7-2 in games following a loss in which they fell by two goals or more. Frederik Andersen, who is 5-1-1 with a 1.80 GAA in his last seven starts, should be in goal for Anaheim. Anaheim is 6-3 in Sunday games while the Jets are just 2-6 this season. The Ducks have won the last three meetings in this matchup and look for them to make a fourth on Teemu Selanne night . Play ANAHEIM 6*. |
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01-11-15 | Minnesota Wild v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5.5 | Top | 1-4 | Win | 100 | 10 h 31 m | Show |
I am playing the UNDER between Chicago and Minnesota 10* Blue Chip. These two teams have been struggling of late and I expect a tighter checking lower scoring game than we have seen the past. The Wild have lost four in a row and are falling further out of a wild card spot in the ultra competitive Western Conference. The Wild have had their struggles against the Blackhawks of late and will be determined to play them tighter than recent meetings. Minnesota has given up nine goals combined to the Hawks in two recent meetings that have taken place this season. Note that the UNDER is 8-6 in games where Minnesota is revenging a loss to an opponent. Saturday's 3-1 home loss to Nashville followed the loss to Chicago, and the Wild have been limited to seven goals in their last four. Chicago meanwhile has allowed just 2.21 goals against this season but has allowed a few more in recent games. The Hawks lost a bit of a shocker in Edmonton on Friday. Look for them to bounce back against a Wild team they have dominated at the United Center of late. Including the postseason, Crawford has a 1.94 GAA over a 14-5-2 span against Minnesota. Chicago now begins a four-game homestand, and the Wild head out on a three-game road trip in danger of their second five-game skid of the season. Both are looking for bounce backs. Take the UNDER 10* Blue Chip. |
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01-10-15 | Winnipeg Jets v. Los Angeles Kings -160 | 5-4 | Loss | -160 | 13 h 30 m | Show | |
I am playing on the LA KINGS 8*. The Kings have dominated this matchup with the Jets in recent memory and I expect that it continues in this spot. The Winnipeg Jets will be playing the first game of a back-to-back set with a contest in Anaheim tomorrow. While both games are tough, this is arguably the toughest with the problems they have had at the Staples Center of late. The Jets have lost two in row and did not look good in getting blown out by one of the worst teams in the west in Arizona on Thursday. The Jets are missing four defensemen and forward Evander Kane, though they got defenseman Zach Bogosian back from a lower-body injury Thursday. He had missed 14 games since Dec. 3. These are key contributors for a Jets team that doesn’t have the greatest depth. The Jets have dropped three in a row overall to the Kings and are 2-6-1 against the Pacific Division. The Kings are coming off an embarrassing loss to the New York Rangers and will be looking to take it out on someone. This could be a great spot as Winnipeg has been outscored 33-18 in losing six of seven visits to Los Angeles. The Kings are 7-2 overall versus the Jets the last three seasons combined. Keep an eye out for Kings’ superstar Anze Kopitar. Kopitar has scored three goals in the last two games against Winnipeg. He has four assists in his past two contests overall. Even with the recent losses at home, the Kings are still a strong 14-5-3 at the Staples Center this season. This is a big mis-match no matter where the game is played. While the Kings are indeed the favorites to win this game, laying the extra juice is well worth it here. Play LOS ANGELES 8*. |
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01-10-15 | NY Rangers v. San Jose Sharks -113 | Top | 3-1 | Loss | -113 | 13 h 34 m | Show |
I am playing on SAN JOSE 10*. The Sharks have returned home off a tough road trip and have had some time to recover enough to take down a road tripping Rangers team in this spot. The New York Rangers are arguably the hottest team in the NHL and have already won games at Anaheim and LA on this California road trip. As much as we want to give them credit for those wins, we should look for reality to set in here as they will not be able to sweep this trip. The Rangers were beat up 9-2 the last time they visited San Jose. While I don’t think we will see any kind of beat down that big, the Sharks will be tough competition. As noted earlier, the Sharks are coming off the win at Los Angeles. That game was huge for them as they were getting revenge from the Stanley Cup series loss to the Kings. Don’t be surprised if the team can’t get up to full gear in this game which means a lot less to them in the whole scheme of things. The Sharks meanwhile are coming off a road three-game road trip that saw it take two-of-three but did end sourly with a 7-2 loss at St. Louis. Look for the Sharks to play “angry” with a bounce back in mind. San Jose will be looking to revenge a 4-0 loss to the Rangers earlier this year at MSG in New York. The Sharks are a profitable 12-9 in games where they are revenging a loss this season. The Sharks have brought it versus good teams this season with a 13-9 record overall against teams with a winning record. Expect San Jose to take this big Saturday night home game. San Jose is 2-0-1 in the past three matchups at home versus the Sharks. Play SAN JOSE 10* |
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01-09-15 | Chicago Blackhawks v. Edmonton Oilers UNDER 5.5 | 2-5 | Loss | -115 | 12 h 25 m | Show | |
I am playing on the UNDER 9* in Chicago versus Edmonton game. I see a tighter checking game this time around between the two teams because the Oilers were embarrassed at home the last time. The Blackhawks come in off a hard fought 4-2 win over Minnesota last night. Corey Crawford had to make 42 saves in a narrow win. Look for the talented Hawks team to try and curb the scoring chances a night later as they are team that is allowing a league best 2.15 goals against this season. "That was a goalie win," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "They were the better team tonight, for sure, and we dodged a bullet." The good news for the lower bet is that the Blackhawks goaltending has been very good of late and Crawford himself is 3-0 with a 1.58 GAA against the Oilers should he get the nod. The Hawks as a team have allowed just five goals total to the Oilers in the last five meetings. The Edmonton Oilers meanwhile will be looking for revenge after the 7-1 beat down they took versus the Hawks. Keep in mind that the UNDER total is 7-4 when the Oilers are revenging a home loss to an opponent. The Oilers are scoring just 2.15 goals per game this season and it will be hard for them to post higher than this number against a strong Hawks defensive side. Ben Scrivens will get the start for the Oilers and he will be looking for redemption versus the Hawks after the blowout loss last time he faced them. More recently, Scrivens has been strong with a 2-0-2 record and a 1.99 GAA in five games. With a road weary Hawks squad and a revenge minded Oilers’ team look for a tighter lower scoring game and take the UNDER 9*. |
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01-09-15 | Florida Panthers v. Calgary Flames -141 | 6-5 | Loss | -141 | 12 h 56 m | Show | |
I am playing on CALGARY 9*. The Flames look to right the ship after two straight losses and I think this is the perfect spot for them to do it. The road tripping Florida Panthers’ team played just last night in Vancouver and will have be hard pressed to play again the night after in Alberta, Canada. Florida is just 1-3 in back-to-back situations this season. Full props to the Panthers for taking care of the Canucks on the road in an emotional Roberto Luongo return to Vancouver last night. It is highly likely the Oilers were watching the game and scouting out a game plan to beat the Panthers while they were resting idle. The 35-year-old Luongo has yet to play both ends of a back-to-back this season, and could cede the net Friday to backup Al Montoya. Montoya took the loss in Florida's previous meeting with Calgary, and is 0-4 with a 3.65 goals-against average in his last four games. After winning four in a row the Flames have lost two in row at home to some good teams in Detroit and the New York Islanders. They were knocking on the door in both games though as they lost each by just a single goal. Look for them to get back in the winner’s circle with a nice advantage here. Calgary is 11-8-2 at home and has taken the last three meetings versus the Panthers and seven of the last ten. The Flames are well rested and hungry for a win while the Panthers will be a little bit tired with likely their backup goalie in net. Take CALGARY 9* to win at a decent home price. |
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01-09-15 | Columbus Blue Jackets v. Toronto Maple Leafs -130 | Top | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 10 h 24 m | Show |
I am playing on TORONTO 10* Personal favorite. The Maple Leafs have finally had some time off at home after a rough road trip and I think that will do wonders for a struggling team looking to avoid a season high fourth straight loss. The visiting Blue Jackets will be playing the final game of a four game road trip that has seen them take two of three thus far but has taken them far out west in the process. After this game the Jackets will be playing a big high profile home game versus the New York Islanders the very next night. I wouldn’t be surprised if the players and coaches have this game on their minds as they are so close to returning home. Keep in mind that Columbus is 0-2 after three consecutive road games this season. The team is just 2-5 on Friday nights which is understandable as Saturday is the big night for hockey in the league and many teams get geared up for it. Toronto doesn’t have the luxury of wasting away a game on Friday night as it is desperate to snap a three game losing streak. The Leafs are 2-0 after three consecutive losses. Toronto is 8-7 after allowing four goals or more the previous game. The Leafs were embarrassed in Washington 6-2 on Wednesday night. The Leafs will come in with confidence after beating the Jackets 4-1 in Columbus the last time they met. With a few days off now they should be ready to explode at home. "I think guys are positive here," said star Phil Kessel, who has a team-leading 41 points but is mired in a season-high three-game drought. "We know we have a good team here." With a weary Columbus team on the road, Take TORONTO 10* Personal Favorite. |
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01-08-15 | NY Rangers v. Los Angeles Kings -150 | 4-3 | Loss | -150 | 14 h 6 m | Show | |
I am playing on LOS ANGELES *8. In a rematch of last season’s Stanley Cup final look for more of the same dominance from the Kings in this spot. We have to give full credit to a New York Rangers team that is playing their best hockey of the season during a much needed stretch here. However, playing back-to-back games in California is too much to ask when the Kings are on the backend of it waiting. New York won a 4-1 game in Anaheim last night. The Rangers lost in the Cup Finals of last season four games to one as they had trouble solving Kings’ goalie Jonathan Quick in overtime games. The Kings are 3-1 when hosting the Rangers the last three seasons and have the advantage of rest in this game after being idle since Saturday. Los Angeles has definitely not been the world beater we expect them to be with their roster of stars but getting them motivated and rested is something a bettor cannot pass up on. The Kings are one of the better teams on home ice this season as they are 14-4-3 at the Staples Center. Jonathan Quick is likely to be in net for the Kings after getting pulled half way through a loss to Nashville on Saturday. Quick went 4-1 with a 1.63 GAA in last season's Cup final. Play the rested LOS ANGELES team 8*. |
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01-08-15 | Ottawa Senators v. Colorado Avalanche -135 | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 13 h 35 m | Show | |
I am playing on COLORADO 8*. The Colorado Avalanche is starting to play some better hockey of late and I feel the value is good here as a lot of people haven’t quite taken notice. The Ottawa Senators hope to make a run at the playoffs, but it's headed in the other direction after losing five of seven. The Senators have scuffled offensively on the road, scoring six goals while going 1-2-1 in their past four. Not helping matters is the fact that Ottawa is just 8-10-4 on the road this season. Craig Anderson is expected to get the nod for the Senators. He was 0-2-1 with a 6.35 GAA against Colorado before making 28 saves in October. Colorado comes in looking for its fourth win in five games after a 2-0 win at Chicago on Tuesday. A big reason for the run that Colorado has made is the play of Vezina trophy finalist Semyon Varlamov who got the shut out in Chicago. Varlamov struggled to start this season but has made strides toward getting untracked by posting a 1.79 GAA in winning four of his last six outings. Colorado is 6-3-1 versus Ottawa and won the last meeting between these teams in the mile high city. The Avs will be looking to revenge a 5-3 loss in Ottawa earlier this season though. Colorado is 9-6 versus teams with a losing record. With a win here the Avalanche are inching closer to .500 mark on home ice. Take COLORADO 8* |
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01-08-15 | Chicago Blackhawks v. Minnesota Wild +1.5 | 4-2 | Loss | -220 | 12 h 33 m | Show | |
Reason: I am playing MINNESOTA on the PUCK-LINE (+1.5). The Wild have struggled against the Hawks in the recent past but this is a good spot for the team to exercise some demons and at least make this a close game. Chicago comes in scuffling of late on the road where it has lost three of four. The Blackhawks managed to score just two goals in those three games. A lot of road games for the Hawks have been one goal games where they are evidently a lot less potent than they are at the United Center in Chicago. Minnesota has indeed struggled to win games no matter where it has been of late. It should be smart to note even though the team has lost four of their last six games at home, those four games were all one goal difference. Despite struggles against the Blackhawks overall, the Wild are a strong 6-4 when hosting the Blackhawks the last three seasons. Two of the last three meetings between these teams have been one score differences. While it is never easy to beat the Blackhawks anywhere I think we get the Wild in a good spot looking for revenge for three straight losses in this series. The Hawks struggling of late should help us in this regard. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wild won straight up but to be on the safe side take MINNESOTA +1.5. |
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01-08-15 | San Jose Sharks v. St Louis Blues UNDER 5.5 | 2-7 | Loss | -130 | 12 h 32 m | Show | |
I am playing on the UNDER in San Jose versus St. Louis. Two of the west perennial powers are meeting in Missouri and I expect a tight checking playoff like type game to finish in a low scoring affair. The Sharks were embarrassed 7-2 in their last meeting with the Blues and will be looking for revenge in this game. Note that the lower number is a strong 13-4 in games where San Jose is looking to revenge a loss to an opponent this season. "The St. Louis game we didn't play. We played shinny hockey, basically," Sharks defensemen Marc-Andre Vlasic told reporters leading up to this game. "We weren't very good. We have a day off so we'll feel refreshed and go into St. Louis where we owe them a better game." Keep in mind that lower scoring games have been the norm for San Jose on the road this season. The UNDER is 9-3 in San Jose road games where the total is 5.5 this season. St. Louis is coming off a 6-0 beat down of Arizona on Tuesday night. Look for things to be a little bit tougher versus a stronger San Jose team. The UNDER is 7-5 in Blues’ games after it has scored four or more in the previous contest. Three of the last five meetings between these two teams have seen the lower number hit and I expect that to happen again. Play the UNDER 8*. |
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01-08-15 | Chicago Blackhawks v. Minnesota Wild UNDER 5.5 | 4-2 | Loss | -121 | 11 h 29 m | Show | |
I am playing on the UNDER 8* between Chicago and Minnesota. These teams are pretty familiar with each other and have played a lot of lower scoring games in recent past. I see that continuing here. The visiting Blackhawks are one of the strongest teams in the NHL but have struggled on the road of late. The Blackhawks have lost three of the last four games on the road. In those three games (all losses), Chicago has managed to score just two goals total. No surprise that all three games finished UNDER the total line. Chicago leads the league with a 2.15 goals-against average but struggle to score goals at times. Last game the Hawks lost a 2-0 decision at home to Minnesota despite firing 54 shots on the opposing net. The Hawks have oddly enough allowed a lot of goals in their own net of late but I think we see the adjustments made as the team is one of the best coached in the NHL. Minnesota meanwhile is trying to find some consistency as chases a wild card spot here. The Wild have scored an average of two goals per game over their last four outings. They have lost three of those four games. Looking further back, the Wild has managed 26 goals during a 2-4-4 slump. The Blackhawks have gotten the better of the Wild in 13 of the last 19 games so don’t be surprised if we see a desperate Wild team here looking to shut down the Blackhawks on their home ice. The Hawks have proven to be less potent on the road overall. Note that six of the last nine games between these two teams have been lower scoring games that saw the total number of goals fall short of the expected line. Take the UNDER 8* analysis. |
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01-07-15 | NY Rangers v. Anaheim Ducks -130 | 4-1 | Loss | -130 | 14 h 57 m | Show | |
I am playing on ANAHIEM *8 Personal Favorite. The Ducks have the NHL’s lead in points right now and I expect them to add to it here with a favourable matchup. The New York Rangers come in on a nice run but this will be arguably its’ toughest test of the season. The Rangers are 0-2-1 in their last three visits to the Honda Center. Last season a trip California proved to be too tough a test for the Rangers as they lost back-to-back games to Anaheim and San Jose by a combined 15-2 score over a span of three days. The Rangers will figure to start their standout goalie Henrik Lundqvist who is no doubt one of the best in the league. Lundqvist, though, is 0-2-1 with a 3.89 GAA in his last three road games against the Ducks The Ducks are 4-0-1 in the past five meetings with the Rangers, allowing only five goals during that span. Anaheim has won seven of eight home games coming in and has consistently the best hockey team in the NHL this season overall. At home the Ducks are a 14-4-3 and have saved their best hockey for teams who are good. The Ducks are 15-6 versus teams with a winning record this season. The Rangers are 9-9 against teams with a winning record. The Ducks have been consistently well this season without arguably their best player in Corey Perry but now Perry is back and they could be poised to go on a very good run. Anaheim will likely start Frederik Andersen for the seventh straight game. He's 7-1-0 with a 2.19 GAA in his last eight home contests. Anaheim has risen to the occasion versus the other top teams and I expect no difference here as the team has the distinct advantage of home ice over an Eastern conference team. 8* Personal Favorite. |
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01-06-15 | St Louis Blues v. Arizona Coyotes UNDER 5.5 | Top | 6-0 | Loss | -125 | 12 h 37 m | Show |
I am playing on the UNDER between Arizona and St. Louis 10* BEST BET. While the last game between these two teams in Glendale was a high scoring St. Louis blowout, look for a lower scoring game this time around. The Blues come into this contest on the final game of a four game western road trip. Look for the tired legs to be a factor as St. Louis could easily get caught looking forward to the plane trip home after the game. Granted the Blues have been scoring a lot of goals lately but the wins have not been coming in the same fashion. St. Louis has lost six of eight coming into this contest. St. Louis Head coach Ken Hitchcock is a defensive coach that always goes with tight-checking over fast paced end-to-end rushes. I think the Blues return to their identity in this final game of a tough road trip. St. Louis is one of the best defensive teams this season as it has allowed 2.49 goals against per game. The Blues finally got back starting goalie Brian Elliot this week and that should help to shore up some shoddy goaltending of late. Arizona comes into this game looking to revenge a 6-1 loss at home to the Blues the last meeting between these teams. Mike Smith will likely get the nod in net after getting a win the club’s most recent win over Columbus on Saturday. He has a lot to prove as he has recently lost starts to backup Devan Dubnyk. The Coyotes have quietly won four of five games while holding four of those opponents to two goals or less. This is a high scoring total number for a St. Louis game and we should take advantage of it. 10* UNDER BEST BET. |
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01-06-15 | Columbus Blue Jackets v. Dallas Stars UNDER 5.5 | 4-2 | Loss | -113 | 11 h 6 m | Show | |
I am playing the UNDER between DALLAS and COLUMBUS 9*. The Stars and the Blue Jackets have each been involved in high scoring games of late but I think we see the other shoe fall in this game. The Blue Jackets come in playing their third game in four nights on the road. This is extremely difficult to do in the NHL and we should look for tired legs to come into play for Columbus. A more conservative approach is highly likely in this spot for the Jackets. Columbus will look to revenge a 4-2 loss to the Stars back in October. The lower number is 6-5 in Columbus games where it is trying to revenge a home loss. Dallas is one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL but recently it has been playing strong defensive hockey which has led to a nice winning streak. The biggest reason for that has been the improved play of starting goalie Kari Lehtonen. Lehtonen's 1.92 GAA against the Blue Jackets is his lowest against any opponent, though he is only 6-5-1 in those 12 games. Dallas however did have its most recent four game losing streak come to an end in a 5-4 loss to Chicago. We will give them a pass here as the Blackhawks are one of the best in the league. The last two meetings between these two teams have easily gone lower than the total number posted as goaltending has been a large factor in those decisions. Play the UNDER 9*. |
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01-06-15 | Tampa Bay Lightning v. Montreal Canadiens UNDER 5.5 | 4-2 | Loss | -126 | 10 h 7 m | Show | |
I am playing on the UNDER between Montreal and Tampa Bay 9*. The last two meetings between these two teams saw high scoring games but I think we see a tighter checking, lower scoring game in this meeting. Tampa Bay comes in on the final game of a four game road trip that has already seen stops in Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Look for the Lightning to have some tired road legs in this game. The Lightning shut the Habs down in a 7-1 victory in the first meeting between these teams back in October. Tampa Bay is playing some good hockey with wins in five of six coming into this game and sit atop the Eastern Conference with these same Montreal Canadiens Montreal did of course get blown out by the Lightning in the first meeting of this game and will be looking to get revenge in this game. They have been playing well with five straight wins coming in. Montreal goalie Carey Price is 1-2-2 with a 2.04 GAA in his last five regular-season starts against the Lightning, who have held the Canadiens to one non-shootout goal in each contest in that stretch. Look for him to bounce back here though as he is playing some of his best hockey of the season. Carey Price made 30 saves in their most recent win on Saturday at Pittsburgh to improve to 8-1-0 with a 1.34 goals-against average over his last nine. The lower number is 7-5 in Montreal games where the team is looking to get revenge for a loss to an opponent. Also note that lower number has hit in two of three games between these two teams held in Montreal. This game will have playoff feel as both teams are at the top of the standings both in the division and conference. These games are usually very tight checking. Take the UNDER 9*. |
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01-04-15 | Nashville Predators v. Anaheim Ducks -151 | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 11 h 2 m | Show | |
I am playing on ANAHEIM 7*. This is a battle of two the best teams in the Western Conference this season and I expect the home side to be victorious. The Predators come in off a draining 7-6 overtime win in LA versus the defending cup champion Kings just yesterday. The Preds held a 5-1 lead before blowing it in the third period. It was the second times in three games the Preds have blown a three-goal lead to a western power in the last three games. The Ducks meanwhile have had full days rest since their last game against St. Louis. Playing against a road weary Predators team should help the home side even more in this contest. Anaheim is looking to get revenge over Nashville for a 5-2 loss at the Honda Center the last time these two teams met. Note that the Ducks have normally been at their best versus good teams this season. They are 14-6 versus teams with a winning record. Anaheim will likely see this game as a measuring stick and go all out to earn the respect as the top team. The Ducks are 20-11 in home meetings versus the Predators and have two of the last three overall. They are 13-4-3 at home this season overall. It is never easy to play good California teams in the NHL these days and to have to do it on back-to-back nights on the road is even tougher. Look for the Predators to struggle at multiple times in this game. Play ANAHIEM 7* |
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01-04-15 | Columbus Blue Jackets v. Colorado Avalanche -162 | 4-3 | Loss | -162 | 11 h 1 m | Show | |
I am playing on COLORADO 7*. The Avalanche team has looked a lot better of late and I expect them to continue this roll with a favorable matchup on home ice. The Columbus Blue Jackets have allowed a lot of goals of late. The 6-3 loss in Arizona has marked the second time in three games the Jackets have given up six goals in a game. Playing in the altitude of Denver will not help matters. Columbus is 7-9 SU on the road this season and has lost the last two meetings with the Avs in Colorado. Colorado has won two in a row and is trying desperately to turn the page from a tough end to the 2014 calendar year. The Avs won a close one in Edmonton but a win is a win and Colorado has now quietly won five of seven coming into this game. Colorado has dominated Columbus pretty much since the inception of the Blue Jackets. Avs hold a 19-5 edge in the last 21 meetings. The Avs have taken care of the weaker teams in the NHL this season with a 9-5 record against teams with a losing record. While Colorado has a losing record on the road, they have managed to pull more straight up wins at home than losses. Play COLORADO 7* |
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01-04-15 | Florida Panthers v. Washington Capitals -157 | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 6 h 2 m | Show | |
I am playing on WASHINGTON 7*. The Caps have dominated the Panthers on home ice of late and I expect that trend to continue. The Florida Panthers come in losers of two-of-three but did break the two game losing streak with a win over the Sabres. The Sabres are one of the weakest teams in the NHL this season so we can’t give them too much credit for that. The Panthers have scored just five goals in their last three games and now face a Capitals team this on serious fire defensively. The Capitals have given up just 2.00 goals per game in their last 13 contests. The last two meetings between these teams saw 2-1 shootout final scores with each team winning on home ice. Look for home ice to be eye again in this matchup. The Capitals come in off an impressive 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. Note that the team has had a full two days rest between these games and will be ready to get back at it in a big way here. Washington will seek a 10th consecutive home win over Florida when it returns to the Verizon Center. The Capitals have also won 10 of the last 12 overall meetings. A loss in the last meeting at Florida will have this team looking for revenge on this day. Keep an eye out for Capitals star Alex Ovechkin who showed his big game dominance at the Winter Classic. Ovechkin has six goals and five assists in his last 11 games, but has one assist in the two meetings with Florida this season. He had 11 goals and six assists in his previous nine matchups. The Capitals will look to extend their season high home winning streak and are primed to do it against a long time divisional foe. Play WASHINGTON 7*. |
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01-03-15 | Ottawa Senators v. Boston Bruins -180 | 3-2 | Loss | -180 | 6 h 41 m | Show | |
I am playing on BOSTON 6* Breakfast Club. The Bruins have had their way with the Senators at home recently and I think that will continue into this matchup. The Senators enter the new year having lost three of four but did get a new year’s eve win over Buffalo 5-2. Note that I did play on Ottawa in this game citing their matchup and home ice advantage. However I see the shoe falling on the other foot in this game at Boston. Ottawa is 2-5-2 on the road since Thanksgiving. Overall they are just 7-10-3 on the road this season. It has been a while between games for the Senators as they have had four days off since their win against Buffalo. While that could be constituted as an advantage, it has not for the Senators this season as the team is just 1-3 with three or more days rest this season. The Bruins enter the 2015 calendar in unfamiliar territory as it is two points out of a playoff spot. The Bruins have been one of the best teams in the NHL for quite some time and are the reigning President’s trophy winners. They have had awful injury troubles in the first half of the NHL season but are starting to get healthier and should see better results here pretty soon. Boston dominated the Red Wings on Monday but then lost in a shootout to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. It should be plenty motivated to get back on the winning track in this game. Boston is 10-2-3 at home since the beginning of November. I think that streak continues as they are 5-1 against the Senators at home the past three seasons and 7-3 overall in the last ten meetings. Tuukka Rask is 6-3-1 with a 1.99 GAA in 10 career starts versus Ottawa. It’s not always worth it to lay the extra juice in an NHL matchup but it is here on BOSTON *6 Breakfast Club. |
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01-02-15 | Toronto Maple Leafs v. Minnesota Wild -140 | Top | 1-3 | Win | 100 | 23 h 28 m | Show |
I am playing on MINNESOTA 10* Personal Favorite. The Wild need to get back on track I think this is a great spot for them to do so. The Toronto Maple Leafs come into this game off a big 4-3 shootout win over Boston. It would not be hard to see them have a letdown immediately afterwards. The Leafs are 8-11 after games they have scored four or more goals. The fact of the matter is that Toronto just has not been playing good hockey of late. Toronto is having some difficulty defensively, giving up 27 goals in a 2-5-0 stretch. Toronto will be playing the sixth game of a tough seven game road trip over a busy Christmas and New Year’s schedule. Making matters worse is that the Leafs are missing the services of key players in Joffrey Lupul and Peter Holland. The Wild have struggled get a streak of winning games together but the desperation should help us as they have been a pretty good home team over the past two years. In fact the Wild are 9-4-4 in home games on the campaign. Minnesota won the last meeting between these two teams last season in Minnesota 2-1. The Maple Leafs are 1-2-1 in their last four visits to Minnesota. The long road trip, poor defensive play and lack of depth due to injury are all reasons to not like the Leafs in this road game. The desperation and solid home play of the Wild make the home side a good bet. Play MINNESOTA 10* Personal Favorite. |
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01-02-15 | Tampa Bay Lightning v. Pittsburgh Penguins -128 | 3-6 | Win | 100 | 9 h 30 m | Show | |
I am playing on PITTSBURGH. The Penguins have owned the Lightning at home in recent seasons and I expect that to continue. The Tampa Bay Lightning is considered one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference when you look at their point totals for the season are hot coming in with four straight victories. However, aside from a recent 5-1 win at Buffalo, the Lightning have not played well on the road of late. Tampa Bay had gone 1-3-2 in its previous six road games before beating the Sabres. Tampa Bay has had its’ struggles with the Penguins on the road where it has not won since March of 2010. I do give the Lightning credit for a 4-3 home win over the Penguins the last time these teams met just earlier this season. It is very apparent the Lightning are a much different squad at home these days compared to the road where it is actually 9-10 when you add up all the overtime losses. Pittsburgh meanwhile is a fantastic home team with 14-5-1 record on the year. The Pens will likely get up for this game as the Lightning pose a serious threat to winning the East, a title they think they should win this season. Pittsburgh is 11-4 when facing a team with a winning record so history shows they get up for good teams this year. As mentioned before, Pittsburgh will look for revenge for that 4-3 loss in Florida. The Pens are 9-4 when revenging a loss to team this season. I like their chances at doing that even more in this matchup as they a perfect 4-0 when hosting the Lightning the last three seasons. The Penguins have been dealing with injuries like more NHL teams at this time of the year. They should get a boost with the expected return of Steve Downie in this contest. Marc Andre-Fleury will likely get the call for the Penguins in net and he has won his last seven starts versus Tampa Bay. Play PITTSBURGH 9* Eastern Conf. Annihilator |
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01-01-15 | Chicago Blackhawks v. Washington Capitals UNDER 5.5 | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 3 h 30 m | Show | |
I am playing on the UNDER between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Washington Capitals. The line has crept to 5.5 at most sports books for this game and I think it will prove to be too high in the end. The Blackhawks come into the big NHL showcase as one of the hottest teams in the NHL as their star players are healthy for this game. No one is more pleased than the NHL pundits that scheduled this game. Keep in mind that the Blackhawks come into this game not only looking to impress but to revenge a 3-2 loss to the Capitals back in December. This is important because in games where the Blackhawks are looking to revenge a home loss, the UNDER has gone a very profitable 14-3 this season. When Chicago has had two days rest between games the UNDER is a perfect 4-0 on the season. In the Hawks’ non-conference games this season the lower number is 10-3. Chicago has surprisingly allowed a lot of goals to opponents of late and that led to a lot of higher scoring games. A well coached team like Chicago with all these stars are bound to turn that around sooner rather than later and on the big stage is perfect spot for it. Washington is a completely different team that we have seen in the past Winter Classics with new head coach Barry Trotz behind the bench. Trotz preaches a two way game for more than any coach who has been a t the helm of this star laden Capitals team. Look for the new found approach to help the lower number in this game. Braden Holtby has been one of the best players for the Capitals this season and he will know he will have to be at his best if they are going to beat a strong Chicago side. Two of the last three games between these teams has seen the lower number fall. As always, the NHL’s Winter Classic over/under line has depended a lot on the weather. With sunny forecasts and now snow, many people would consider this be equal to indoor conditions and treated it as such. This is still and outdoor game and elements will include unfamiliarity and glare from the sun and we can’t forget that when making a play on this game. Play the UNDER 8* Breakfast Club. |
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12-31-14 | New Jersey Devils v. Detroit Red Wings -195 | 1-3 | Win | 100 | 11 h 38 m | Show | |
I am playing on DETROIT 6* Blue Marlin. The Red Wings are the obvious favorites here and I don’t mind laying some extra juice to get them in this spot. The New Jersey Devils come in stumbling with just two wins in its last ten games. The lengthy losing streak caused a change at the head coaching position as Peter DeBoer was let go. Lou Lammorillo the GM has been the acting head coach in a move that is pretty predictable for him knowing his track record. Corey Schneider is slated to make his NHL-leading 35th start. He owns a 2.45 goals against average and took the losses in two previous meetings with Detroit this season. While Peter DeBoer could take the blame for a poor stretch of games, a lot of people could easily turn to the roster that is quite make shift and has no real consistent offensive threats. New Jersey is 8-12-2 on the road this season and has lost its’ last two games in Detroit. Detroit has owned the Devils going back quite some time now. The Red Wings are 4-1 in all games versus the Devils the past three seasons. At home Detroit is 11-2 versus the Devils dating back to 1996. Detroit has won two of three coming into this game but will look to get back on track after a 5-2 blowout loss at Boston. At home Detroit is a solid 12-4-6. Playing a poor road team in New Jersey should help to continue that streak. Keep an eye out for Red Wings’ forward Johan Franzen who has five goals in his last five games with New Jersey. Play DETROIT 6* Blue Marlin Big Chalk Beatdown. |
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12-31-14 | NY Islanders v. Winnipeg Jets UNDER 5.5 | Top | 5-2 | Loss | -120 | 8 h 6 m | Show |
I am playing the UNDER between New York Islanders and the Winnipeg Jets. These teams have been involved in some higher scoring games of late but I look for that to end in this matchup. The Islanders will come in looking for revenge from a 4-3 loss to the Jets back in New York earlier in the season. Note the UNDER is 6-4 in games where New York is looking to revenge a home loss this season. New York has blown three goal leads in back-to-back games headed into this game so we should expect a group that is a lot tighter coming in. The Islanders are challenging for a top spot in the Eastern Conference this season. Even though the Islanders have played two straight games that have totaled seven goals, note that the previous five games all went UNDER the total and is more indicative to style of game it trying to play this season in a successful campaign thus far. The Winnipeg Jets have won four of six coming in despite suffering rash of injuries. The loss of key personnel has made head coach Paul Maurice simplify the game plan and rely more on the team’s strong goaltending. Michael Hutchinson had his three-game win streak snapped Monday. He could give way to Ondrej Pavelec, who is 3-0-3 in his last six starts and was in net for the Jets' 4-3 victory on Long Island on Oct. 28. Note the UNDER is 5-3 in Winnipeg home games this season. Two of the last three games between these two teams have seen the lower number fall. Take the UNDER 10* Blue Chip. |
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12-29-14 | Buffalo Sabres v. Ottawa Senators -200 | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 10 h 19 m | Show | |
I am playing on OTTAWA. The Sens are the big favorite for a reason in this matchup and I think it is well worth it to lay the extra juice. Ted Nolan’s Sabres have surprised a lot of people this season with their gritty play and bounce back ability. While I have great respect for this coaching style, I think his team is certainly overmatched in this spot and are due for a letdown. The Sabres are still just 4-11 on the road this season and have dropped five straight away from friendly confines. Buffalo has had troubles killing penalties on the road where it doing it a league worst 66.1 percent. It was very evident in its’ last game where the Sabres allowed four power play goals to the Red Wings. Ottawa meanwhile comes into this game looking to revenge a 5-4 loss to Buffalo the last time these teams met. The Senators are 10-7 in the “revenge spot” this season. I like their chances even more at home were they are a 7-4-4 this season. Craig Anderson will likely get the start in net for Ottawa as he has been great versus the Sabres of late. The netminder has won his last eight starts against them, posting a 1.36 goals-against average with two shutouts. Ottawa as a team has been great against the Sabres at home where it is a perfect 4-0 when hosting the last the last three seasons. Looking at it holistically, Ottawa is 6-3 in this matchup overall the past three seasons. Play OTTAWA 6* Blue Marlin Big Chalk Beatdown. |
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12-29-14 | Toronto Maple Leafs v. Tampa Bay Lightning UNDER 6 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 23 h 32 m | Show |
I am playing the UNDER between Toronto and Tampa Bay. The number is very high to start this game and with trends pointing to the contrary, I see the lower number cashing in for bettors. The last two games between these two teams held in Tampa Bay have seen the lower number hit in each. The average goal total was three goals a game over that span. Tampa Bay enters this game looking to revenge a 5-2 loss at Toronto the last time these two teams clashed. Keep in mind the lower number is 8-6 in Lightnng “revenge” games this season. Toronto meanwhile is a bit of tired team after playing last night in Florida. The Leafs got whipped 6-4 by the Panthers. James Reimer the backup goalie for the Leafs was in net for that game. The Leafs starter Jonathan Bernier should be back for this game as Tampa is the tougher of the two opponents. Head coach Randy Carlyle will preach defense the night after. The Leafs likely won’t have their full legs to run and gun with the Lightning in this contest. While many think that both these teams are usually involved in higher scoring affairs, recently that has not been the case. Four of the last five Tampa Bay games have been low scoring games while three of the last Toronto games have also been low scoring. With both goaltending and defense looking for better efforts on both sides of this contest we should expect a lower scoring game. Take the UNDER 10* Blue Chip Super Total. |
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12-27-14 | Winnipeg Jets v. Minnesota Wild -145 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -145 | 26 h 36 m | Show |
I am playing on MINNESOTA. The Wild have dominated the Jets of late and I expect it to continue in this post Christmas matchup that will be the first of a home and home series. The Winnipeg Jets come in hot having won three of four and off an impressive 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. I will certainly give them credit for that win but am not afraid to play against them when I see the value on the other shoe. The Jets are just 2-7 coming off a win of two goals or more in their previous game. Winnipeg is just 2-3 on Saturdays as well. This would be prime time for a letdown spot for the Jets. The Minnesota Wild have been cold of late and have had to sit over the Christmas break on a four game losing streak that has stretched itself on this four game home stand. The Wild will be as desperate as it comes to get a win in the final before heading out on the road again. Keep in mind the Wild is 5-1 over the Jets the past three seasons. Minnesota has won all three of the meetings where it hosted the game over that span of time. Even with the recent losing slide, the Wild is 9-4-3 on home ice where it has been dominant the past three years. Minnesota will know how important it is to get the win in this first game of a home and home series with the next game scheduled in Winnipeg. Play MINNESOTA 10* Personal Favorite. |
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12-23-14 | Philadelphia Flyers v. Minnesota Wild -185 | 5-2 | Loss | -185 | 11 h 44 m | Show | |
I am playing on MINNESOTA. The Wild come in very hungry for a win and will take advantage of a road tripping Philadelphia team in this spot. Give the Flyers credit for coming back and beating the Winnipeg Jets in a hostile environment two nights ago. They have been playing better of late but I think this spot will be too tough for them to get another win. The Flyers have lost the last three meetings with Minnesota and are just 2-4 against them overall in the last three years. They lost the first meeting this season 3-2 in Philadelphia. Even with the come from behind win in Winnipeg, Philadelphia has struggled on the road this season with a 5-9-3 record. It’s true the Wild have not played well of late but they are hungry and that can only help us in a bet where they are the favorites at home. "We can talk and say all the right things,’’ said Wild Captain Mikko Koivu. ""But at the end, it’s got to be happening on the ice.” The Wild are still a very strong 9-3-3 in front of the raucous crowd in Minnesota this season, continuing a trend of stellar home ice advantage it had last season. Minnesota has taken care of teams below it in the standings as it is 9-2 versus teams with a losing record this season. Philadelphia is just 6-10 versus teams with a winning record. The Flyers are essentially a one line scoring team and if you can stop the top line you can stop the team. The Wild have one of the top defensemen in the game in Ryan Suter who should be able to slow down the Flyers top unit. This is a rough road trip for the Flyers as they have to play eight games on the trip that ends on Jan. 3. Look for them to have conserve the energy of their top players. On a team that is not that deep, it will struggle at times versus good defensive teams. Lay the extra juice to get MINNESOTA 6* as it is worth it in this spot. |
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12-22-14 | Arizona Coyotes v. Vancouver Canucks -195 | 1-7 | Win | 100 | 13 h 2 m | Show | |
I am playing on VANCOUVER. The Canucks were able to finally end their losing streak on Saturday and I expect them to make it two wins in row with a nice situational spot here against Arizona. The Coyotes played and lost to the LA Kings 4-2 on the road last night. Arizona has not been good in the game after allowing four or more goals this season with a 4-10 mark in that situation. Arizona has not been a good road team all year with a 6-9-1 record away from the desert. It has struggled getting wins just about anywhere of late with a 2-6-2 run in the last 10 contests. A back-to-back situation on the road versus two good home teams in LA and Vancouver is not ideal at all. The Canucks meanwhile are coming off a day off and a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday night versus Calgary. The loss snapped a five-game losing streak for the club and will likely give them a lot of confidence to finally get the win. Vancouver has normally been very good against the Coyotes but will come into this game looking revenge an embarrassing 5-0 loss the last time these two teams played. Devan Dubnyk was in net for the Coyotes and shot them out while Ryan Miller was pulled for Vancouver. Keep in mind the Canucks are 5-2 when revenging a home loss this season. The Canucks are on a 22-11 run versus the Coyotes when hosting this game. Rogers Arena has been a safe haven for the most part for the Canucks this season as they have an 8-5-1 record at home. Furthermore, the Canucks are 2-0 when playing their fourth consecutive home game. The Coyotes are just 3-11 versus teams with a winning record while the Canucks have taken care of losing teams with a 10-6 record this season. Lay the extra juice to get VANCOUVER 6*. |
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12-21-14 | Philadelphia Flyers v. Winnipeg Jets -150 | 4-3 | Loss | -150 | 12 h 31 m | Show | |
I am playing on WINNIPEG. The Jets have the benefit of home ice and an extra days rest so I expect them to take care of business in this spot. The visiting Philadelphia Flyers played last night in Toronto where they won an explosive 7-4 game over the Maple Leafs in prime time Saturday hockey night action. To ask them to play again the next night in a hostile environment of Winnipeg may be asking a little too much. The 7-4 game was a track meet with many ups and downs as you can imagine. Not only could the Flyers be tired, they will likely suffer a letdown. Even with the win over Toronto last night, the Flyers are still just 4-9-3 on the road this season. Making matters even worse for the Flyers is that they are down to their backup goalie in Ray Emery who will be asked to play this back-to-back situation due to an injury to starter Steve Mason. The Jets meanwhile have been playing some good hockey with two straight wins and a 7-1-3 mark over their last 11 games. They will be playing the final game of a four game home stand that has already seen them earn big wins over Buffalo and most recently Boston. The Jets are likely to go back to Ondrej Pavelec in net after Michael Hutchinson stopped 30 shots Friday. Pavelec is 3-0-2 with a 2.16 GAA in his last five starts and 2-1-0 with a 1.64 GAA in his last three against the Flyers. These teams have split the last two contests against the other with home ice being the difference maker. The Jets are a strong 8-6-2 at home so far this season so I see no reason why this trend shouldn’t continue. Philadelphia is 1-5 in Sunday games and 6-10 versus teams with a winning record this season. Winnipeg is a strong 10-3 when playing teams with a losing record. Play WINNIPEG 9* |
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12-20-14 | Calgary Flames v. Vancouver Canucks -175 | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 12 h 29 m | Show | |
I am playing on VANCOUVER. These teams are both desperate for wins but the Canucks have had their way with the Flames for a long time and I think it continues here. The Flames played a tough game last night against the Dallas Stars where they were batting from behind the entire game. Calgary has lost seven straight and are struggling to score goals. The Flames now have to play a back-to-back scenario against an equally desperate Canucks team. Calgary has lost four straight on the road and will be unlikely to snap that streak in Vancouver. The Flames are 9-9 in road games. The Canucks will be licking their chops at this matchup. Vancouver is an outstanding 7-0 straight up versus the Flames at home the last three seasons. Even more impressively, the Canucks are 10-1 in the last three seasons versus their long time division rival. The Canucks are 7-5-1 at Rogers Arena this season. This team got embarrassed last Saturday night a nationally televised game versus the Rangers and I expect them to be looking for some redemption here. |
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12-20-14 | Nashville Predators v. Minnesota Wild -125 | 6-5 | Loss | -125 | 10 h 30 m | Show | |
I am playing on MINNESOTA. The Wild are a great home team and to get them at a good price here is worth it in this spot. The Nashville Predators have certainly been a nice surprise this season and have been consistently good. However they are just 8-6 on the road this season compared to a nearly perfect home record. Nashville is in the middle of tough stretch of games where they are playing six of seven on the road. Nashville, fourth in the West with 42 points, ranks in the league's middle third with 2.6 goals per game and near the bottom with an 8.1 shooting percentage. It is highly likely they get outshot here in Minnesota where the Wild is so dominant. Nashville has lost five of its last eighth in Minnesota but did win a 7-3 blowout the last time it visited. Minnesota will come in looking for revenge and is already very motivated to snap a two game losing streak. Despite not playing great overall, the Wild is still a dominant 9-3-1 in home games which has been a staple of this squad for a couple years now. "We've got to stop losing," said Wild forward Zach Parise , who leads the team with 23 points. Parise has four goals and two assists in his last five meetings with Nashville. The Wild are a strong 6-1-1 in divisional games this season. Play MINNESOTA 8* |
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12-20-14 | Florida Panthers v. Pittsburgh Penguins -205 | 1-3 | Win | 100 | 10 h 31 m | Show | |
I am playing on PITTSBURGH. The Penguins are the big favorites here but I feel they are worth laying the juice on in a game that has blowout potential. The visiting Florida Panthers have been involved in four straight one goal games, winning three of four of them. All four of those games went beyond regulation time. The anomaly of that situation is very rare and a setback versus a very good team in Pittsburgh is very likely in this situation. The Panthers are just 3-7 versus teams with a winning record this season. They have been playing over their heads for a while now for the lineup that they have and are due for a letdown game. Pittsburgh comes in looking to win their fifth straight home game. They come in having won two straight overall. The Pens have finally started to get healthier despite being the latest team to come down with a case of the mumps in the NHL. Sidney Crosby returned to game action in the win over Colorado. Evgeni Malkin assisted on the winner and has three goals and five assists during a six-game point streak. He has four goals and 12 assists in his last 13 meetings with Florida. The Penguins had won eight straight home games against the Panthers prior to a 5-1 loss Jan. 20, their last meeting. The loss means the Penguins will be hungry for revenge in this spot. The Penguins are 8-2 in Saturday games and 3-1 after being held to one goal less in the previous game. Play PITTSBURGH 6*. |
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12-19-14 | Dallas Stars v. Calgary Flames -113 | 2-1 | Loss | -113 | 12 h 38 m | Show | |
I am playing on CALGARY. The Flames have lost six in a row but are primed to end that streak in this spot. The visiting Dallas Stars come in off a 2-0 win in Vancouver. The Stars got the win thanks to an enormous effort from goalie Kari Lehtonen who stopped numerous odd man rushes and breakaway attempts from the Canucks. It was maybe a win the Stars didn’t quite deserve, but got it. The Stars are still allowing a league worst 3.4 goals per game this season and a couple of great games from their goalie won’t not hide that fact that the team struggles to defend on most nights. Dallas is still just 7-9-4 in Conference games this season and 2-3 at the Saddledome the last two years. Caglary has indeed struggled during one of their worst losing streaks in recent memory. Note the Flames have outshot five of their last six games and maybe deserved a better fate in a few of those games. A meeting against a poor defensive team in Dallas at home is exactly what Calgary needs at this point. Despite recent setbacks, the Flames are still a strong 8-5-2 at home this season. I expect they add to the win total in this friendly matchup. The Flames likely don’t forget a 7-3 loss at home to the Stars last season and will be playing with revenge motivation. Keep an eye out for Calgary's Jiri Hudler. The red hot winger has a goal in two straight games and a point in each of the last four. Play on CALGARY. 9* |
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12-19-14 | NY Islanders v. Detroit Red Wings -130 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -130 | 10 h 6 m | Show |
I am playing on DETROIT. The Red Wings enter this game on a four game losing streak but are playing well enough that it could easily be a four game winning streak. The Islanders enter this game having lost back to back road games. New York has allowed 11 goals in those games. The Islanders have struggled to kill off penalties in their last six games, allowing eight goals in 18 times short-handed, and now have one of the worst percentages in the NHL at 71.1. The Red Wings have one of the league's top 10 power plays at 22.3 percent and have scored three times in their last seven opportunities.Detroit has a three game home losing streak versus the Islanders that they no doubt have been made aware of in the games leading up to this mark. Revenge will be a huge factor in this game. The Red Wings were on an 8-2 mark until getting killed by shootout losses. Note the Red Wings have out shot their opponents in three of the four games during this slide. Detroit is 5-1 in games on that takes place on Friday nights. Getting it here at a decent home price is sharp decision versus a sub par road team. Detroit has one of the best home records in the NHL at 11-3-5 and this should be a spot where they add to it. Play on DETROIT 10* personal favorite |
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12-18-14 | Florida Panthers v. Philadelphia Flyers -138 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -138 | 27 h 3 m | Show |
I am playing on PHILADELPHIA as my 10* NHL Game of the Week. The Flyers will be looking to wrap up a successful four game home stand and I expect them to do it in style with the win. The visiting Florida Panthers come in off a 2-1 shootout win over Washington on Tuesday. The Panthers were able to outlast the Capitals in the longest shootout in NHL history (20 rounds). A let down in the game immediately after would not be surprising. The Panthers are in tough stretch of games here as they have had just one home game sandwiched between five road games. Florida has a big Saturday night game in Pittsburgh up next on the schedule and might get caught looking a little forward to that game oppose to Flyers team that sits near the bottom of the Eastern conference standings. Despite sitting in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings and in relatively good position to challenge for a playoff spot, the Panthers have a -9 goal differential on the season. Advanced stats will tell you Florida is due for a regression at some point. A tough set in the state of Pennsylvania could easily be the start of it. Philadelphia is on a nice 3-1-2 stretch that saw blowout home wins over Carolina and New Jersey on this home stand. It should be noted that I played on the Flyers in those two wins citing how important it was for the Flyers to make up some ground on this current home stand. I think that same thinking should go into this situation. The Flyers are 8-5-2 at home this season. Philadelphia crushed the Panthers 4-1 the last time it hosted in this series. Note that Florida is just 8-11 in revenge games this season. Play on PHILADELPHIA 10* Game of the week. |
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12-17-14 | Dallas Stars v. Vancouver Canucks -152 | 2-0 | Loss | -152 | 20 h 21 m | Show | |
I am playing on VANCOUVER. The Canucks have lost five straight but this is an excellent spot for them to bump the losing streak. The visiting Stars come in off a 4-3 win at home over New Jersey. Note I successfully played on the Stars in that game citing their advantage of home ice and a struggling Devils team. Dallas is just 5-7 on the road this season. The Stars have struggled against good teams this campaign as they are just 5-10 versus teams with a winning record like the Canucks. While some may point to the great success the Stars have had against the Canucks of late, I think that works against them in this spot on the road. The Canucks come in looking for major revenge against a Stars team that has blown them out in the last three meetings between these teams. Note that two of those meetings were in Texas. The Canucks are heated after losing five in a row and being embarrassed by the Rangers on Saturday night. Keep in mind the Canucks are 6-3 in games after a loss of two goals or more the previous game. Vancouver is a strong 10-5 in games versus teams with a losing streak this season. Despite a few recent losses, the Canucks are still a solid 7-4-1 in home games this season. Play VANCOUVER 8* Personal Favorite. |
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12-16-14 | Buffalo Sabres v. Winnipeg Jets -215 | 1-5 | Win | 100 | 11 h 5 m | Show | |
I am playing on WINNIPEG. The Jets are a very hungry favorite in this spot and I expect them to roll over the outclassed Sabres. I will give full credit to the Sabres who are fighting their tails off during an unexpected winning streak. Note that the streak has included all home games. Buffalo is 4-9 on the road this season and Winnipeg will be a tough spot for them. It has been tough sledding against Winnipeg for Buffalo the past few years. Buffalo is 1-7-1 with 11 goals scored in the series since Jan. 7, 2012. It's been especially bad in Winnipeg, where the Sabres are 0-4-0 with three goals scored since the Jets relocated. Not helping matters for Buffalo is their 4-8 record versus non-conference teams. Winnipeg meanwhile is heated off a big conference showdown with Anaheim on Saturday and will be looking to take it out on the Sabres. The Jets will figure to have Ondrej Pavelec in net who has dominated the Sabres in this career and is hot in general. He hasn't lost in regulation since Nov. 23 and has a 2.44 GAA over the 2-0-2 stretch. Against Buffalo, he's got a 1.38 GAA during a 7-1-0 run. There have been a few teams that have underestimated the Sabres in their barn which has led to a nice winning streak for Buffalo. I don’t expect that to happen here with a well coached Jets team at home. Winnipeg is 9-3 versus teams with a losing record this season and 6-1 on Tuesday nights. Winnipeg is the big favorite for a reason here and I don’t mind laying the big juice to get the high percentage play. Play WINNIPEG straight up as my 6* Big Juice Personal Favorite. |
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12-13-14 | NY Rangers v. Vancouver Canucks -135 | 5-1 | Loss | -135 | 13 h 23 m | Show | |
I am playing on VANCOUVER. The home side is the smart money here as motivation is high on a Saturday night. The visiting New York Rangers have lost two of three coming into Vancouver. The Rangers haven’t had a lot of success against teams with a winning record this season at 6-9 overall. The Canucks will serve as stern test for the Rangers who start a four game road trip. The Rangers have been Jekyll and Hyde this season with a 9-5-3 home record versus a 3-5-1 mark on the road. Not helping matters for the Rangers of late has been the play of star goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist has posted a 3.48 goals-against average in his last four games in what's been a down season for him so far. The Canucks were arguably the hottest team in the NHL before they ran out of gas at the end of an Eastern conference road trip earlier this week. With three days off since their last game, the Canucks will be well rested and raring to go for this big Saturday night national TV game at home. Note that the Canucks are 10-4 versus teams with a losing record this season and 3-0 after games where they managed to score just one goal. The Canucks are 7-3-1 at Rogers Arena this season and will be looking for a third consecutive home win in this contest. Vancouver still owns a solid 8-5 record against non-conference opponents and I expect it to get better here. Play VANCOUVER 9* |
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12-13-14 | New Jersey Devils v. Dallas Stars -141 | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 12 h 54 m | Show | |
I am playing on DALLAS. There aren’t many teams the Stars should have confidence in beating right now but the Devils are one of them. The visiting Devils come in off a 4-1 loss at Philadelphia on Thursday. Note I successfully played against the Devils in that game, citing their inability to score and that hasn’t changed. New Jersey has scored 12 goals during a 2-4-1 stretch and has been one of the league's lowest-scoring teams with 2.3 goals per game. The Devils rely heavily on goaltender Cory Schneider who has made almost every start this season for New Jersey. The Stars have had trouble keeping the puck out of their net in a recent slide. However, a win here would move Dallas’ home record to a semi respectable 6-6-5. That should serve as some more motivation. The Stars come into this game knowing they broke a losing streak back in October with a road win over New Jersey and that should bring them confidence to break another tough stretch. Note that New Jersey is just 1-8 when trying to revenge a home loss to an opponent this season. The Devils are just 3-9 in non-conference games as well. Confidence is low on both sides of the ice in this game but I expect the home team to have more jump in their own building and in turn come away with the victory. Play DALLAS 8* |
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12-13-14 | Anaheim Ducks v. Winnipeg Jets -120 | 4-1 | Loss | -120 | 10 h 25 m | Show | |
I am playing on WINNIPEG. The Jets come into this game looking for revenge and I expect them to get it as they catch the league leading Anaheim Ducks in a tough spot. There’s no getting around the fact the Ducks are red hot right now. Anaheim has won six in row, including a 4-2 win in Edmonton last night. However the back-to-back situation here on the road is a killer of streaks and going to Manitoba in December time won’t thrill any California team. The Ducks have played well without top scorer Corey Perry which is impressive. Still, a spot like this is where the need for a supremely talented goal scorer is imperative and could make the difference. With Perry out, it also meant the Ducks had to lean more heavily on players like Devante Smith-Pelly and Kyle Palmeiri who are getting more ice-time than they are used too. A tough road trip is where little details like become important and make a difference. The Jets meanwhile have played fairly well themselves. Winnipeg claimed 13 of a possible 16 points during its’ last eight games (5-0-3). They seemed headed for their sixth win in that stretch Thursday, but wasted a two-goal, third-period lead before falling 4-3 in a shootout at Colorado. Note I successfully played against the Jets in that game since I thought they might get caught looking ahead to this meeting. Andrew Ladd has five goals and two assists in his last six meetings with Anaheim, with four and one, respectively, coming in three at MTS Center. Blake Wheeler has also enjoyed success against the Ducks, notching six points in five meetings. The Ducks won a 4-3 game last weekend in Winnipeg in a spirited affair at the MTS Center. That game should serve as motivation for this Jets team. Keep in mind that Winnipeg is 6-3 revenging a home loss to an opponent this season. This game is a big national event for most Canadians as Saturday night is hockey night and I think the Jets are the team that will come out with the most jump. Anaheim could be a little “fat” with all the accolades it has been getting recently. Play WINNIPEG 9*. |
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12-13-14 | Carolina Hurricanes v. Philadelphia Flyers -150 | 1-5 | Win | 100 | 5 h 57 m | Show | |
I am playing on PHILADELPHIA. The Flyers are worth the extra juice as the mid size favorite in this situation. The visiting Carolina Hurricanes come in on current four game losing streak. I don’t like the Canes chances of ending it here as the team is just 3-10-2 on the road this season. They have scored exactly one goal per game during this latest slide. The Hurricanes haven't scored a power-play goal in five straight games. Cam Ward's career 3.16 GAA versus Philadelphia is his worst against any East opponent, going 5-10-3 in 19 games. Backup Anton Khudobin is 0-6-2 this season so he isn’t much of a better option. The Flyers meanwhile are coming off a 4-1 win over New Jersey on Thursday. Note that I successfully on the Flyers in that game, citing their strong home record and motivation to start their home stand on a good note. I think they make it two in a row here as they face a team that has been very poor on the road this season. Also note that the Flyers are 4-1 after games where they won by two goals or more. That shows us that confidence is a big factor with a skilled offensive team like the Flyers. Despite a poor road record itself, Philadelphia is still a strong 7-4-2 on home ice this season. I expect them to add to that solid home record with a relatively easy home ice win here. Play PHILADELPHIA 7* Breakfast Club. |
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12-12-14 | Florida Panthers v. Detroit Red Wings -195 | 3-2 | Loss | -195 | 11 h 43 m | Show | |
I am playing on Detroit. The Red Wings are the big juice favorites here but I absolutely thing it’s worth it as I expect them to have their way with the Panthers. Florida got a rare win over Detroit just over a week ago as it held on to beat Detroit 4-3 at Joe Louis Arena. The Panthers will try and make it two in a row over the Red Wings here. Note that I successfully played against the Panthers in their last game, a loss to St. Louis on Monday. I noted that Florida was a playing a little over their heads and would probably give a few games back to even things out. This is another prime spot for them to lose a game to a quality opponent. The Red Wings are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was a game that Detroit out played its opponent by fair margin but were unlucky to not come away with the full two points. Detroit has been really hot of late with nine wins in its last 12 games. Just two of those losses came in regulation. Detroit will look to avenge that 4-3 loss to Florida, making it hungry in this spot. Note that the Red Wings are 2-0 when revenging a home loss this season and 9-6 when playing against a team with a losing record. Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and an assist in the latest meeting, and has seven goals and 12 assists in 14 career matchups. He has seven goals and four assists in his eight games since returning from a groin injury The Red Wings have one of the better home records in the NHL and are interestingly enough, 5-0 on Friday nights. Look for them to come away with the victory in this good spot. Play DETROIT 6* |