Where did this come from? The Blackhawks have scored seven goals in each of their last two games blasting the Coyotes, 7-4, and Ducks, 7-2.

Star rookie Connor Bedard is sparking the Blackhawks producing eight points during these past two games.

The Kings have allowed three or more goals in three of their last four games.

LA, though, should score a lot here. The Blackhawks rank 29th defensively surrendering 3.5 goals per game. They will have Arvid Soderblom in net. He's one of the worst goalies in the league.

The Bruins' defense and goaltending are down from the past couple of seasons. Boston also has injuries on defense.

The Bruins have surrendered three or more goals in 11 straight games. They've given up 13 goals in their past three games.

Toronto is the No. 1 scoring team in the NHL. The Maple Leafs have produced four or more goals in nine of their last 10 games.

Boston is a top-10 scoring team. Toronto has a below average defense.

So I find this total to be short.

The Predators have scored well during the first four games of their road trip. They've produced 18 goals in those four games and now draw the defensively-challenged Ducks. Anaheim ranks 30th defensively. 

If you discount a 5-1 win against the Senators, the Ducks are giving up an average of 5.3 goals during their last six games. 

The Ducks, though, have scored at least four goals in three of their last five games and draw the Predators playing the finale of a five-game road trip. 

Winnipeg's defense has slipped recently. But the Jets still have the No. 1 defense in the NHL. They are likely to have Connor Hellebuyck in net. The Blackhawks are averaging just 1.4 goals in their last 11 games. They have scored fewer than three goals in 13 of their last 17 games.

The Jets are averaging only two goals a game during their past 11 games. 

The Oilers beat the Ducks, 5-3, on Friday. The Kings last played on Jan. 31 - 10 days ago. So what we have here is a fatigue vs a huge rust situation. It's unique and sets up an Under given the high total for this game. 

It's easy to think of goals with the Oilers since they have the magnificent Connor McDavid. But Edmonton has had an unbelievable long run of excellent defense. The Oilers have given up fewer than three goals in 14 of their last 16 games. 

Calvin Pickard was in net for the Oilers against the Ducks on Friday night. So a fresh Stuart Skinner will get the start in goal today. He's been brilliant having not allowed more than two goals during his last 12 games. Skinner surrendered fewer than two goals in half of those games. 

Edmonton will be playing for the third time in five days and second in two nights. So the Oilers carry a fatigue rating. That usually means an increased emphasis on defense and slower pace. 

The Kings entered the weekend ranked sixth defensively with the top penalty kill unit in the NHL. This also is the Kings' first game under interim head coach Jim Hiller. He replaced the fired Todd McLellan. That should ensure a huge defensive effort from the Kings.

I find this total too short given the circumstances and current form of these two teams.

The Blue Jackets are the second-worst defensive team in the NHL. They have surrendered at least four goals in 14 of their last 19 games. Columbus also carries a huge fatigue factor playing for the fourth time in six days and without rest after losing, 5-4, in overtime at Vancouver last night. The Blue Jackets ran out of gas surrendering three goals in the third period to the Canucks. That doesn't bode well for this matchup.

Seattle has scored nine goals in its last two games.

Columbus, though, also has scored nine goals in its last two games and produced at least four goals in four of its last six games.

The Kraken have allowed three or more goals in six of their past seven games.

The teams met earlier this season. Colorado won, 7-4. While I'm not expecting 11 goals again, I do believe there will be more than six goals scored.

Colorado is the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL with one of the top lines in the league led by Nathan MacKinnon, who has scored at least one point in 19 straight home games.

The Islanders are 29th on the penalty kill. The Avalanche has a top-eight power play.

I expect the Islanders to contribute to this total going Over, too. They've scored three or more goals in 18 of their last 22 games.

I'm looking for the Panthers to break out of their two-game offensive funk against Ottawa, which has a below-average defense. The Senators have permitted 3 or more goals in nine of their last 12 games. 

The Senators can be counted on to score, though. They are averaging 3.7 goals in their last seven games. Florida has allowed 3 goals in each of its last three games.

The Over is 7-2-1 the last 10 times these teams have met. 

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are superstars. They are superstars because of their scoring abilities, not their defense. Both have negative plus/minus marks on the season.

Lack of defense and bad goaltending are serious problems for the Oilers. Washington has picked up its scoring in such a way that it renders its season statistics almost meaningless.

It's because of this that I believe these teams will combine for at least seven goals.

Edmonton ranks 30rd in the NHL defensively allowing 3.9 goals a game. The Oilers have permitted 4.6 goals a game during their past three games. The Capitals have come on to score at least three goals in eight of their last 10 games.

Despite their defensive woes, the Oilers are dangerous because of their high octane offense and deadly power play. They have produced three or more goals in each of their last five games, hitting the four-goal mark in four of those contests.

Note that the Over is 4-1-1 the past six times these teams have met.

The Kings are the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL. They have produced 3 or more goals in 11 of their last 13 games. The Kings should really be on the attack after losing their last game, 4-2, at home to the Flyers. That was back on Saturday so they'll have fresh legs.

Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to be in net for Florida. He's a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, but struggles against LA with a career mark of 3-9-2, an .898 save percentage and 3.04 goals-against average.

The Panthers should be fully adjusted to West Coast time after a flat performance in San Jose against the woeful Sharks two days ago. The Sharks rank last in the NHL in scoring at 1.3 goals, but they scored three times versus Florida. The Panthers scored five goals to pull out the victory. They know they have to play much better to beat the Kings.

Florida is averaging 4.6 goals in its last five games, while giving up an average of 3.3 goals in its last six games. The Over has cashed in Florida's past six games.

The two teams also have gone Over in six of their past eight meetings.

There were 10 goals scored when the teams met on Oct. 25 with the Capitals pulling out a 6-4 road victory. It marked the fifth time in the last seven games in the series the Over has cashed.

I doubt we'll see another combined 10-goal game, but I do envision each team producing at least three goals.

Washington has gotten its offense into gear more after a slow start scoring 3 or more goals in four of its last six games. New Jersey is the 29th-ranked defensive team in the league. The Devils have permitted 3 or more goals in 11 of their 12 games.

The Devils, though, rank No. 5 in scoring and have the best power-play in the league.

The Flames were a major disappointment in October, but they are coming around now. They have scored 13 goals in their last three games. I'm looking for a lot of offense from Calgary against the Maple Leafs, who are giving up an average of 4.8 goals in their last five games. Toronto ranks 28th defensively.

The Maple Leafs have explosive offensive talent, though. They've scored 3 or more goals in six of their last nine games, reaching at least 4 goals in five of those games.

The Over has cashed in five of Toronto's last seven home games.

Both teams are consistently scoring goals and going Over. I'm going to ride that again here.

Vancouver has scored 3 or more goals in 10 of its 12 games. The Canucks are averaging 4.8 goals in their last eight games.

Ottawa has produced 4 or more goals in seven of its last 10 games. The Senators are averaging 4.2 goals in their last four games.

The Over has cashed the last five times they have met.

Usually I give pause when I see a total this high. But there's only way to play this game - and it's not Under.

There have been at least seven goals scored in eight of Ottawa's 10 games this season. The Senators are the fourth-highest scoring team in the league, but rank 28th defensively.

Toronto has explosive offensive talent. The Maple Leafs are averaging five goals in their last two games. However, they've allowed 4.5 goals per game in their last four games. 

I'm expecting a big scoring effort from Colorado at home after it was blanked, 7-0, by the Golden Knights this past Saturday in Las Vegas. Colorado allowed two short-handed goals in that loss. The Avalanche had scored 4 or more goals in five of their last seven games before that shutout.

New Jersey ranks 23rd defensively allowing 3.5 goals a game. The Devils also are below average on the penalty kill. They've allowed at least 3 goals in eight of their 10 games.

The Devils, though, rank No. 3 in scoring. averaging 3.9 goals per game. They rank No. 1 on the power play, too. The Over has cashed in 80 percent of the Devils' games this season.

The Kings are in action. So think Over. There have been 7 or more goals scored in six of the Kings' eight games. The Kings have surrendered at least three goals in every game except one.

So it's no surprise the Over has cashed in seven of LA's eight games this season, including the past five.

The Kings lead the NHL in scoring at 4.4 goals per game. However, they rank 25th defensively. The Maple Leafs have been playing shorthanded on the blue line due to multiple injuries.

Toronto has scored four goals apiece in three of its last four games. The Maple Leafs rank 11th in scoring and fourth on the power play.

Expect both teams to come out skating at a fast tempo since each team last played this past Saturday.

It's not a huge surprise the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights are off to a 6-0 start. It is a surprise, though, to find the Flyers leading the Metro Division with a 3-1-1 record.

The Golden Knights won't be taking the Flyers lightly now, especially after the Flyers scored a pair of short-handed goals in their last game.

Las Vegas is the fourth-toughest team to score against with a 1.8 goals against average. The Golden Knights last played on Saturday. The Under is 6-1 the past seven times the Golden Knights have played on two days rest.

The Flyers also last played on Saturday when they suffered a 5-4 overtime defeat to the Stars. Prior to that game, though, the Flyers had surrendered just one goal in their last two games.

The total for Saturday's Game 1 of this Stanley Cup Finals also was 5 1/2. There were seven goals scored in Las Vegas' 5-2 victory.

I expect at least six goals to be produced in this Game 2. Here's why:

The Golden Knights have outscored their playoff opposition by 29 goals during the postseason. That's the highest amount in 12 years. There's never a letup when facing Las Vegas because the Golden Knights have four strong lines. The Golden Knights punctured some of Sergei Bobrovsky's mystique. The Florida goalie had been hot, not giving up more than three goals a game in his last 10 games.

Las Vegas fired 34 shots on goal of which 21 were high danger shots. The Panthers had 35 shots on net. The Panthers were denied more goals by goalie Adin Hill, who might have played the best game of his career. His stick save on Nick Cousins' chip shot may have been the stop of the year. Still, the Golden Knights had some luck. The Panthers hit the post three times.

Note, too, that five of the last six times the Golden Knights have hosted the Panthers the total has gone Over.

Dallas is down 3-0 to Las Vegas in these Western Conference Finals and totally frustrated. The Stars are averaging two goals during their last five games and now will be without their captain and second-leading points producer suspended Jamie Benn. Dallas also likely will be missing injured forward Evgenii Dadonov, who has accounted for 10 points during the Stars' 16 playoff game hurting the team's scoring depth.

The Golden Knights have stymied the Stars with their defensive depth - six solid blue-liners - and with backup goalie Adin Hill stepping up. Hill made 34 saves in Las Vegas' 4-0 Game 3 road win this past Tuesday. The Golden Knights have held their opponents to 1.7 goals during their last four games.

Clogging up the middle of the ice, leading the NHL in blocked shots and averaging 10.3 takeaways - best of the remaining playoff teams - have been keys for the Golden Knights in holding the Stars to two goals during the last seven periods.

How does Dallas respond?

Obviously the Stars are in a desperate position on the verge of elimination. I don't see them opening up their attack. It's not realistically possible minus Benn, who has been such an important figure in their offense. Instead, I see the Stars trying to be more careful with the puck and helping out their goalie either backup Scott Wedgewood, or a shaky Jake Oettinger. That means a conservative game plan trying to get that much-needed elusive first win to keep the series alive.

It's worth noting, too, that the past seven games in Dallas between these two teams have all gone Under.

Each team is averaging 3.4 goals per game through the first five games of this series. I'm expecting a fast tempo, especially from the Oilers, with this Game 6 shifting back to Edmonton.

The Oilers played at a face pace when they scored four goals at home in Game 4. Their tempo was slower in their 4-3 Game 5 road loss this past Friday.

Edmonton's dynamic power play, perhaps the best in the last 25 years, has converted 40 percent of the time during the series. That's even better than its league-leading 32.4 percent it achieved during the regular season.

Las Vegas is the deeper team and has dominated 5-on-5 competition outscoring the Oilers, 13-8, at even strength during the series. The Golden Knights are live to score against the below average defensive Oilers when any of their four lines are on the ice.

Neither team is getting stellar goaltending. The Golden Knights are forced to go with backup Adin Hill as starter Laurent Brossoit remains out. The Oilers have a choice of sticking with rookie Stuart Skinner and his .890 save percentage in the playoffs, or go with Jack Campbell, who had an .888 save percentage in the regular season.

This is Game 6 in this Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff series between these two teams. Each of the first five games have gone Over the total with a minimum of six goals being scored in every game.

There have been nine goals produced in three of the five games.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. So I'm going to keep riding the Over in this series until proven otherwise.

The Kraken haven't been able to slow down Dallas' top line of Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson.

The Stars have scored four or more goals in six of their last seven games. They've tallied 11 goals in the last two games. This is a potential elimination game for the Kraken, who are down 3-2 in the series. So there could be empty-net goals coming Dallas' way if the Kraken trail in the later stages of the game.

Seattle was the fifth-highest scoring team in the league. The Kraken have a deep roster and fast skaters. They've proven resilient all season, including taking out the Avalanche in the first round. The Stars' goaltending has been largely disappointing in this series. So I see the Kraken certainly keeping up in the scoring column.

If it's not broken, why fix it? That's the way I feel about going Over in this Stars-Kraken Game 3 matchup. These teams have gone Over in each of their last five meetings. That includes the first two games of this Stanley Cup series. There were nine goals scored in Game 1 and six goals produced in Thursday's Game 2 matchup.

Seattle has to be pleased having split two games in Dallas. Now the Kraken has home ice, where they've averaged four goals a game during their last seven home contests. The Kraken were the No. 5 scoring team in the NHL.

Dallas ranked seventh in scoring and fifth in power play goals. Seattle has a below average penalty kill unit. The Stars have scored four goals in each of their last four games. They also have Joe Pavelski back to spark their attack. The 38-year-old Pavelski has scored five goals already in the series.

This one could get ugly. The Panthers are down 3-1 in the series, on the verge of elimination. They will hold nothing back. The Bruins are heavily favored. So if the Panthers find themselves trailing late in the game - a logical conclusion - they won't hesitate to pull their goalie even if they fall behind by two or three goals.

Florida certainly is capable offensively. The Panthers were the sixth-highest scoring team in the league. They also were No. 1 in shots on net.

The Bruins were the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL. Boston is averaging 4.4 goals during its past seven games, scoring at least three goals in each of these games.

The Bruins are expected to get back their second-leading goal scorer and team captain, Patrice Bergeron, today. He's missed the entire series after getting hurt during the Bruins' final regular-season game.

The Over has cashed six of the past eight times these teams have met.

The oddsmaker opened this Game 1 too short.

Each of the four regular-season games went Over the total. There was an average of eight goals scored per game in the four games.

Yes, this is the playoffs. But the Panthers aren't going to get into a grind-out battle with Boston. If you discount a 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs, the Panthers have averaged 4.8 goals in their last six games. Florida ranks first in shots on goal and sixth in goals scored.

The Bruins were the second-highest scoring team in the league. They are averaging five goals a game during their last three games and facing a below average Florida defense.

Congrats to the Bruins on setting the NHL single-season win record. Now the Bruins conclude their regular season with this road game. It means nothing to the Bruins. Their thoughts are all geared to next week's Stanley Cup action. As for Montreal, the Canadiens long ago checked out. They are 1-6 in their last seven games.

I'd compare this situation for the Bruins to an NFL team playing its final preseason game. The biggest concern is not having anybody get hurt. The Bruins are likely to be holding out players, just being content to just passing the puck around until this meaningless game is finished. Don't look for many penalties to be called. 

Montreal has scored two or fewer goals in six of its last seven games. If you discount a six-goal game against the Capitals, the Canadiens are averaging 1.1 goals in their last six games. 

These teams have a solid Under history even under normal conditions with the low side being 11-4-2 during the last 17 meetings. 

The season is mercifully coming to an end for these two bottom feeders. The formula is right for a high-scoring game here. Neither team has anything to gain and neither can play defense.

The Blue Jackets have given up 4 or more goals in 14 of their last 16 games. The Flyers have surrendered 4 or more goals in each of their last four games.

The Over is 12-4-1 in Columbus' last 17 games. The Over has cashed in seven of Philadelphia's past nine home games.

The Over has cashed in 11 of the last 15 meetings between the two teams, including all three games this season.

Defense and tight-checking will be stressed here with the Predators, Flames and Jets all trying to chase down the final wild-card playoff spot in the West.

The Predators, down Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene, are trying to hang in with defense and outstanding goaltending from Juuse Saros.

Nashville is averaging 1.7 goals in its last four games. The Predators have scored 3 or fewer goals in nine of their last 10 games. They tallied 2 or fewer goals in seven of those 10 games.

But if you discount the five goals they allowed to the Stars, the Predators have held their last six opponents to only eight goals.

The Flames have an above average defense, too. They rank No. 3 in fewest shots allowed.

The Under has cashed in four of the last five meetings between the two teams.

This game has strong playoff implications with the Predators and Jets battling the Flames for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. So I project a playoff-type intensity, which means tight checking and both teams not wanting to take chances.

None of the previous three games this season between the two teams resulted in more than five goals being scored. The scores were 3-2 in overtime and a pair of 2-1 games. That's how I see this one, too.

Each team has an elite goalie. Nashville's Juuse Saros has a 2.72 goals against average and .918 save percentage. He leads the NHL in goals saved above expectations. The Predators have allowed just 2.6 goals since March 3. The Jets have averaged 2.7 goals since March 3.

Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck has a 2.57 GAA and also a .918 save percentage. The Predators haven't scored more than two goals in regulation during 11 of their last 13 games.

The Over has cashed the past four times the teams have met in Anaheim. I expect it's going to be five in a row after this game.

The Oilers are No. 1 in the NHL in scoring and power play percentage. Edmonton has produced a minimum of three goals during 16 of its last 17 games.

The pathetic Ducks have lost eight in a row as they play the string out. They rank last defensively and have the second-worst penalty kill unit.

The Over is 39-18-1 the past 60 times the Oilers have gone against a below .500 foe.

The Ducks scored four goals against the Flames in their last game. So they are capable of scoring outbursts.

I find this total to be short. The Golden Knights have scored 3 or more goals in 14 of their last 16 games. They are averaging 4.1 goals during their last seven games.

Minnesota is going to be on the attack after suffering a 4-1 road loss to the Golden Knights two days ago. Wild coach Dean Evason thought his team was too passive in that game.

The Wild were averaging 4 goals a game during their previous four games before falling to Las Vegas. The Over is 8-3-1 in the Wild's last 12 games.

The Bruins have averaged just two goals in regulation during their last four games. This has coincided with their clinching the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Boston, however, continues to play great defense. The Bruins haven't given up more than two goals in eight of their past nine games. They are the No. 1 defensive team in the NHL.

The Penguins have held their last five opponents to an average of two goals per game if you don't count their giving up seven goals to the Red Wings. Star goalie Tristan Jarry is back for Pittsburgh and expected to get the start. Jarry shut out the Predators, 2-0, making 28 saves in the Penguins' last game two days ago. 

The Under has cashed five of the last six times the Penguins have hosted the Bruins. 

Not this is an early start time, which is another plus for the Under. 

Both teams have good reason to be stressing defense in this matchup. The teams just met eight days ago in LA and the Kings slaughtered the Flames, 8-2.

Calgary certainly doesn't want a repeat of that onslaught in which the Kings built a 4-0 first period lead. Since that loss, the Flames have played three games and given up an average of 2.3 goals.

The Kings will look to tighten their defense, too, having nearly blown a 5-1 lead against the Blues two days ago in a 7-6 victory. Prior to that contest, the Kings had gone 10 straight games without giving up more than two goals during regulation.

The Canadiens have a lot of confidence coming off an eight-goal game in their last matchup this past Saturday. Montreal has scored at least 3 goals in nine of its last 11 games. The Sabres rank 29th defensively giving up 3.7 goals per game and have the second-worst penalty kill unit in the league.

Buffalo, though, is the third-highest scoring team in the NHL. The Canadiens also give up an average of 3.7 goals per game. They've allowed 3 or more goals in 11 of their last 13 games.

The Over has cashed in nine of Buffalo's last 11 home games.

All hands on deck are needed to slow down the Oilers. The Golden Knights won't have that in this matchup missing All-Star goalie Logan Thompson and defenseman Alec Martinez.

Edmonton is the No. 1 scoring team in the NHL and a huge Over team. The Oilers have scored 4 or more goals in each of their last six games. They have produced 3 or more goals in 17 of their last 18 games. The Over has cashed in 71 percent of the Oilers' last 52 games.

The Golden Knights have been reliable in their scoring, too, ringing up at least three goals in 10 of their last 12 games. The Oilers have surrendered 3 or more goals in five of their last six games.

The Avalanche are back scoring. They've produced three or more goals in each of their last 10 games.

But until Colorado solves its recent defensive woes, the team can't be backed and the Over is an inviting way to go.

The Avalanche have surrendered seven goals each to the Stars and Devils during their last two games. Goalie is a concern for Colorado with Pavel Francouz out and Alexandar Georgiev not playing well. This could mean a start for third-stringer Keith Kinkaid.

Seattle has scored at least four goals in six of its last eight games.

It's easy to envision each team producing at least 3 goals in this game of bottom feeders. Chicago ranks 26th defensively. The Ducks are last defensively.

The Blackhawks have been playing well. They are averaging four goals a game during their last five games against better defenses than the Ducks.

Chicago, though, has allowed 3 or more goals in 10 of its last 11 games.

The Ducks have produced at least 3 goals in seven of their last nine games, including scoring 3 goals on the road against the Hurricanes in their last game.

The Over has cashed in seven of the Ducks' last eight home games.

I can easily envision each team scoring at least three goals here. The Flames enter this matchup desperate for a victory after a 4-3 home loss to the Flyers this past Monday.

The Coyotes are tough at home with a 13-8-2 record.

The Flames have scored 3 or more goals in eight of their last 11 games. They take the second-most shots in the NHL. Arizona gives up the second-most shots.

Arizona has produced at least 3 goals in six of its last seven games. The Flames have surrendered 3 or more goals in each of their last four games.

Going to ride the Canucks and their Over streak. Vancouver is 8-0-2 to the Over in its last 10 games.

The Canucks rank second-to-last defensively and have the worst penalty kill unit in the NHL. Vancouver, though, ranks 12th in scoring. The Canucks are averaging five goals during their last two games.

Nashville also is averaging five goals during its past two games. The Predators, though, are having defensive issues, too. They've allowed three goals or more in eight of their last 10 games.

The Over has cashed 11 of the last 14 times these teams have met.

First off, this is a very early start time. That's especially bad for the Senators, who played on Sunday beating the Blues at home, 7-2. Ottawa will be playing for the third time in four days and second time in less than 24 hours. So don't expect a fast-paced game from the Senators.

The Bruins should have their full intensity having gone 0-2 against Ottawa this season with the latest loss coming, 3-2, in a shootout on Dec. 27. Both of those games were played in Ottawa.

Oh, yes, the Bruins are the No. 1 defensive team in the NHL giving up 2.1 goals per game. Boston is in stellar defensive form, too, allowing just 1.6 goals per game during their last five games.

The Senators have a below average offense. They have a below average defense also, but haven't permitted more than three goals during any of their last four games.

The Over has cashed in 13 of Anaheim's last 16 games. Surprised? Not really since the Ducks are the worst defensive team in the NHL. They are in terrible form, too, giving up 20 goals during their last three games.

The Kings are in strong form offensively scoring four or more goals in five of their last six games. LA should have their skating legs, too, having last played on Monday when they beat the visiting Sabres, 5-2. The Kings have gone Over the past eight times following a victory.

The Ducks should contribute to this total going Over. The Kings have permitted at least three goals in nine of their last 12 games. LA ranks 22nd defensively.

Healthy again at forward and center, Colorado is on a scoring spree. The Avalanche have racked up 17 goals in their last three games. 
Now the Avalanche draw Vancouver, which ranks second-to-last defensively and has the worst penalty kill unit in the league. 

The Canucks have given up three or more goals in nine of their last 10 games with the opponent reaching at least four goals in seven of those games. 

Vancouver is in desperation mode. The Canucks can't win defensively so they should be going all out to outscore their foes. They could draw Colorado without superstar defenseman Cale Makar. He missed Colorado's last game. 

The Avalanche has surrendered three or more goals in eight of their last 11 games.

The Under hasn't won during the last seven times the teams have met in Vancouver. 

The Avalanche are still down defensemen Bowen Byram and Josh Manson. But their firepower has returned with superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in top offensive form. The Avalanche have scored 13 goals during their last two games. They also have back from injury forward Valeri Nichushkin.

The Flames should be primed for a big effort returning home from five games on the road. They were highly frustrated in a 2-1 loss to the Predators on Monday. They also ran into star goalie Juuse Saros.

Even with that result, Calgary still has scored 3 or more goals in 11 of its last 13 games. The Over has cashed eight of the past 10 times the Flames have played on one day's rest.

The Sharks have raised their offensive level averaging 4.3 goals during their last six games. Vancouver ranks 30th defensively and has the least effective penalty kill unit in the NHL.

The Canucks are a top-eight scoring team, though. They entered holiday break having scored six goals versus Seattle and five against Edmonton. The Sharks rank 26th defensively.

The Over is 5-0-1 the past six times the teams have met. 

This should be a loose game between two bottom-feeders.

The Canadiens go on the road having just allowed five goals each to the Lightning and Ducks in consecutive home games. They've allowed five power-play goals in 15 penalties during their last three games. Arizona also is having problems killing penalties. The Coyotes gave up two power-play goals during five short-handed situations in a 5-2 home loss to the Sabres this past Saturday.

The Coyotes are tough in their college stadium home ice. But they also don't play defense, permitting 3 or more goals in 11 consecutive games.

This should be an intense, tight-checking game with the Bruins in revenge mode from a 5-2 road loss suffered to the Panthers on Nov. 23. Florida should have its confidence up following a 4-2 road victory against the Devils this past Saturday.

The Panthers may be without their captain and fourth-leading points producer, Aleksander Barkov. He suffered a lower-body injury against the Devils.

Both teams have been getting outstanding goaltending. The Bruins rank No. 1 in fewest goals allowed and in penalty kill.

The Devils have been held to one goal in each of their last two games, losses to the Flyers and Stars. New Jersey, though, went up against exceptional goaltending in those defeats. The quality shots on goal were there for the Devils. Prior to those two games, the Devils had scored 3 or more goals in 19 of 20 games. 

Florida has allowed at least 4 goals in three of its past four games. The Over is 7-2-1 in the Panthers' last 10 games. 

Florida is 10th in scoring and No. 1 in the league in shots on goal. The Devils' defense isn't in good form giving up 16 goals during the last four games. 

The Over has cashed during six of the last seven meetings in the series. The Over has cashed each of the past four times the teams have played in New Jersey.

The Wild are back scoring averaging 4.2 goals during their last eight games. Vancouver ranks 30th defensively. The Canucks remain without their No. 1 goalie, Thatcher Demko.

Vancouver, though, is hot offensively scoring 16 goals in its last three games. Minnesota has permitted 3 or more goals in each of its last seven games, including five during the last three.

Idle since Saturday, the Maple Leafs should have their legs. They have produced at least 3 goals in each of their last five games. The Stars are the No. 2 scoring team in the league. They have scored 4 or more goals in five of their last six games. The Over has cashed four of the last five times the Stars have hosted Toronto. 

This is going to be an emotional game with Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy returning to Boston for the first time after being the Bruins coach for six seasons until being let go this past June.

I'm expecting a tight-checking matchup between two strong defensive clubs.

Boston gives up the fewest goals per game in the NHL. The Bruins have held 11 of their last 13 opponents to two goals or fewer. It's a break for the Under if Las Vegas' Jack Eichel can't play after suffering a lower-body injury in the Golden Knights' last game two days ago.

Las Vegas gives up the seventh-fewest goals per game at 2.7. This is the finale of a four-game, eight-day road trip. So the Golden Knights aren't likely to push tempo.

The Under has cashed the past four times the teams have met in Boston.

The Coyotes have allowed 4 or more goals in seven of their last eight games as they play their 12th of 14 straight road games.

The Canucks have scored 4 or more goals in six of their last eight games, but aren't likely to have starting goalie Thatcher Demko, who suffered a leg injury in their last game.

Vancouver has surrendered 13 goals in its last three games.

The Over has cashed in five of the last seven games the Canucks have hosted the Coyotes.

The Kings hosted the Kraken two days ago. LA scored eight goals - and lost! Seattle's 9-8 overtime victory was the highest-scoring game of the season. 

So how did the Kings react? They called off Wednesday's practice. Didn't have media availability and cut goalie Cal Petersen, who was in the first season of a three-year, $15 million contract. 

I have to believe the Kings are primed to play the defensive game of their lives today. LA had given up an average of 3.3 goals per game during their previous three games before its insane game against Seattle. 

The Kings draw the nomadic Coyotes, who are in the 11th game of an NHL-record tying 14-game road trip. The Coyotes rank 26th in scoring, get off the fewest shots on net and have been idle since Sunday. The Coyotes figure to be out of rhythm and rusty. Their last three games had been spaced two days apart before this extended time off. The Under is 10-4 in Arizona's last 14 games. 

Both teams average only 2.5 goals a game. They rank 29th and 30th in scoring. 

The Under has cashed in seven of the Ducks' last nine games. This matchup has the makings of another Under. 

Nashville hasn't played in six days. That's because two of its games were postponed because of a water break that flooded Bridgestone Arena causing postponement of two games. 

That's too long of a break without playing. The Predators have been held to fewer than four goals in six of their last eight games. 

The Ducks have managed only five goals in their last three road games. They averaged just two goals a game in three games against Nashville last season. Anaheim is facing a hot goalie, too, in Juuse Saros. Not only are the Ducks 30th in scoring, but they are last in power play goal percentage. 

These two teams have gone Under during their last five meetings. I could see that happening again especially given the scheduling dynamics.

The Stars are playing for the fourth time in six days and third time in four days. The Blues also are in action for the fourth time in six days - all at a different venue. This also is the Blues' third game in four days.

So I'm not expecting a fast-skating up-tempo game.

The Stars could manage only one goal against the Avalanche this past Saturday. The Blues had scored just once with less than 12 minutes left against the Panthers this past Saturday before exploding to pull out a 5-4 overtime victory. I don't see the cautious Stars, who have a top 12 defense, letting the Blues go off like that.

St. Louis has given up just three goals in its last two home games. The Under has cashed seven of the past eight times the Blues have hosted the Stars.

The teams just met two weeks ago and the Islanders beat the Blue Jackets, 4-3, in overtime. There were 75 shots on goal in that game with 46 coming from the Islanders.

I'm expecting at least seven goals to be scored in this matchup, too.

The Islanders have scored 3 or more goals in 12 of their last 15 games. The Blue Jackets have given up at least 3 goals in 11 of their past 12 games, allowing 4 or more goals in nine of those games.

New York goalie Ilya Sorokin could face fatigue issues having made 79 saves during the last two game, which were played this Monday and Wednesday.

The Ducks are a low-scoring team once again. They have produced just six goals in regulation during their last 10 games, an average of 1.6 goals during this span.

This is the Ducks' first game back from three games on the road - all losses. They should be primed for a big effort and that means tight-checking and defensive intensity.

The Rangers are back to winning. They beat the Kings, 5-3, at LA last night for their second straight victory. I don't see the Rangers being up-tempo playing without rest. The Under is 12-5 in their last 17 road games. The Under also has cashed the last five times when the Rangers have scored 5 or more goals in their past game.

There's the possibility the Rangers start backup Jaroslav Halak in net instead of star Igor Shesterkin. I'm fine if that happens. The Rangers would be more defensive-oriented and take less chances if Halak were in goal. Halak has given up two goals in regulation during each of his last two starts facing the Predators and Red Wings.

I can see each of these teams reaching at least three goals. The Islanders have done this 10 times in their last 13 games. Toronto has scored three or more goals in seven of its last 10 games.

The Maple Leafs have been getting away with committing too many penalties and are expected to have Eric Kallgren in net. He's the least effective of their three goalies.

The Over is 10-3-1 the last 14 times these teams have played in Toronto.

The Blue Jackets are a strong Over team at home. The Over has cashed 73 percent of the time during their last 61 home contests.

I'm going to ride that trend here. Columbus is averaging 4.3 goals in its last three games. Montreal is a below average defensive team.

The Canadians have been playing more up-tempo. They are averaging 3.5 goals in their past eight games.

Both teams are on Over streaks. San Jose is 6-0-1 to the Over in its last seven games. The Over is 4-0-1 in the Stars' last five games. 

The Sharks have picked up their scoring pace, scoring 3 or more goals in each of their last six games. 

However, the Sharks are giving up 4.4 goals per game during their last seven games. The Stars can take advantage of San Jose's leaky defense being very productive this season.

Dallas is fifth in the NHL in scoring at 3.6 goals. The Stars have scored 5 or more goals in three of their last four games. 

The Over has cashed 15 of the last 21 times the teams have met in Dallas. 

Both of these teams have played more Overs than Unders this season. So I feel confident going Over in this matchup.

The Senators are 12th in scoring. They have scored 3 or more goals in eight of their last 10 games.

The Devils are a hot team with seven wins in a row. Their offense has produced 3 or more goals in seven of the last eight games.

New Jersey should be good for another high-scoring night facing an Ottawa defense that ranks 27th and has permitted 4 or more goals in five of the last six games.

Vancouver has gone Over the total in its last four games. The Canucks are fifth in scoring, but 30th defensively. So it's easy to see why they've been an Over team. 

The Canucks are averaging 4.8 goals in their past six games. Montreal has a below average defense and is expected to start backup goalie Sam Montembeault. He's given up an average of 4.5 goals during his two starts this season. The Canadiens have permitted three or more goals in four of their last five games.

Montreal is averaging 3.4 goals in its last five games. The Canucks are expected to go with their starting goalie, Thatcher Demko. He hasn't played well, though, this season with a 3.90 goals-against-average. 

The Over is 8-3-1 during the past dozen meetings in this series. 

Two fully rested above average offenses square off here against bottom tier defenses.

Minnesota has scored three or more goals in nine of its 11 games. However, the Wild rank 25th defensively allowing 3.6 goals a game. Los Angeles has scored four goals in each of its last three home games.

The Kings rank 27th defensively, permitting 3.8 goals per game.

Both teams should have plenty of energy since they have been idle since Thursday.

Free Tuesday Play

Coyotes at Sabres Under 6 1/2 plus $1.05

The Under has cashed the last four times these teams have played in Buffalo. Only once in the last seven overall meetings between these teams has the total gone Over. I see that trend continuing here.

The Coyotes average 2.8 goals a game. They are last in shots. Arizona hasn't scored more than three goals in nine of its 11 games. The Sabres should be committed to a strong defensive effort after blowing a late lead in a 5-3 road loss to the Lightning this past Saturday. That was Buffalo's second consecutive defeat. The Sabres' intensity and concentration should be up.

The Sabres haven't allowed more than three goals during each of their past four home games.

This is the second of 14 straight road games for the Coyotes. They have games Thursday, Friday and Saturday. So there is no reason for them to push pace.

The Kings have scored four or more goals in seven of their last 10 games. Expect them to continue their hot-scoring ways against the Blackhawks.
Chicago has suspect goaltending right now. The Blackhawks have surrendered 17 goals in their last four games. 

The Blackhawks, though, have been hot offensively producing at least three goals in seven of their last eight games.

The Blackhawks also have gone Over in nine of their last 12 home games.

I'm expecting each team to tally at least three goals in a battle of two top-eight offenses.

Minnesota has scored three or more goals in all but one of its eight games. The Blackhawks have given up at least three goals in four of their last five games.

Chicago has scored three or more goals in each of its past six games, reaching four or more goals in five of those contests. Minnesota ranks 29th defensively.

The projected starting goalies don't look imposing either with Alex Stalock facing Marc-Andre Fleury, who is off to a terrible start.

These two teams just met at Edmonton Saturday and the Blues blanked the Oilers, 2-0, behind goalie Jordan Binnington. The Blues played a highly-conservative game bottling up Edmonton superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. 

There's no reason for the Blues to deviate from that strategy hosting the Oilers today especially off a bad 4-0 road loss to Winnipeg two days ago. Binnington is expected to be back in net for St. Louis after backup goalie Thomas Greiss faced the Jets. Binnington has had the Oilers' number with a 3-0 lifetime mark and a 1.65 goals against average and 94 percent save ratio. 
 
The Blues are averaging just 1.6 goals in regulation during their last three games. 

Note this a matinee game with a very early start time. So I'm not envisioning a wide open game.

The Panthers scored three goals in their 3-1 opening game win against the Islanders. One of their goals was an empty-netter. Florida averaged just two goals during its last five preseason games.

The Sabres scored just 11 goals during their last five preseason games. Buffalo held Ottawa to one goal in a 4-1 opening game win.

So I see a 7 total this early in the season between these two teams as being too large.

If you're expecting this Game 1 Eastern Conference Final to be similar to Colorado's 8-6 victory against Edmonton in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final Tuesday then we have totally opposite viewpoints.

Because I see a defensive matchup pitting the two best goalies in hockey, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin. Both goalies are hot, too.

Tampa Bay, behind Vasilevskiy, has surrendered just four goals in its last five games. That was a four-game sweep of the Panthers, the highest-scoring team in the NHL, and the final game of the series against the Maple Leafs, the second-highest scoring team in the NHL.

Backed by Shesterkin, the likely Vezina Trophy winner as the league's best goalie, the Rangers have not allowed more than two goals per game in six of their last seven games. The Rangers face a Lightning squad that should be extremely rusty, too, since it has been nine days since Tampa Bay last was in action.

The prideful Blues, who won the Stanley Cup three seasons ago, are on the verge of elimination down, 3-1, to the Avalanche. I don't see the Blues going down easily.

Yes, the game is in Colorado. But the Avalanche have been far from dominant during their last three home games, losing to the Blues by three goals and winning the other two in overtime. The Avalanche have scored four goals in regulation during their last three home games.

There's been a lot of bad blood in this series. So I see a lot of intensity and tight checking rather than a clean, fast skating up-tempo game.

There hasn't been more than six goals scored in any of the first three games of this Stanley Cup series. Each game has gone Under the posted 6 1/2 total. So now the oddsmaker has dropped the Over/Under to 6.

At this number, I'm going to get involved with the Over.

The Panthers led the NHL in scoring at 4.1 goals per game. But they've been totally held in check by Tampa Bay's defense and its star goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy. Down 3-0 in the series - and with nothing to lose at this impossible stage - I see the Panthers playing loose, taking chances and going all out to dent the Lightning's defense.

This could lead to multiple Tampa Bay goals if the Panthers should be trailing during the final few minutes of the third period.

The Lightning were the eighth-highest scoring team in the league averaging 3.5 goals. They are coming off a five-goal game.

Never mind that the Avalanche and Blues are each top-four scoring teams, averaging 3.8 goals per game. It doesn't matter that the Avalanche have fired 85 shots on goal during the first two games of this series, or that the Over is 22-10-1 in St. Louis' last 33 games. Who cares that the Over is 6-1-1 the past eight times these two teams have played in St. Louis.

What matters is that the first two games of this series both went Under with the Avalanche winning, 3-2 in overtime, in Game 1 and the Blues upsetting Colorado, 4-1, in Game 2 this past Thursday. The important takeaway from those two games from a totals perspective is that the expected goals were much higher than what actually transpired.

I'm expecting the floodgates to finally open here with each team getting at least three goals.

The Avalanche were off their game in Game 2. They played too slow. Colorado is going to pick up the pace. The Avalanche wants a fast-paced game. They are going to force the action. The Blues remain without two veteran defensemen with Marco Scandella and Torey Krug both out. So there is some vulnerability.

The Blues are dangerous with all of their lines. They had nine players score 20 or more goals during the regular season. The Blues have scored four or more goals in nine of their last 11 home games.

Expect more than the five goals that were scored in Game 1 when the Avalanche nipped the Blues, 3-2, in overtime.

These teams tied for the third-most goals during the regular season, each averaging 3.8 goals per game.

Colorado peppered Blues goalie Jordan Binnington with 54 shots with three hitting the post and two the crossbar. I'm not counting on the inconsistent Binnington playing that well and being that lucky again. St. Louis is likely to still be missing defensemen Marco Scandella and Torey Krug. The Avalanche did their scoring damage with their supporting cast. Their superstars are due to step up now.

The offensive-minded Blues have excellent scoring depth, too. The Over is 13-3-1 in their last 17 road games.

Prior to Game 1, the teams had gone Over during their past six meetings.

After the Kings upset the Oilers in the series opener, 4-3, the Oilers came back with a vengeance destroying LA, 6-0, two days ago.

Now the scene shifts to LA. The Kings were manhandled in that Game 2 loss. They won't be at home.

I'm looking for a physical, Stanley Cup type of intense, defensive game. The change in venue also is a factor.

The Under has cashed in five of the Oilers' past six road games. The Under is 4-0-1 in the Kings' last five home contests.

The Jets are finishing the season playing great defense giving only two goals in their last three games. The Under has cashed in each of Winnipeg's last five games.

Seattle ranks 30th in scoring. The Kraken are defensive-minded. This is the final game of the regular season, a make-up from an April 13 game that was postponed due to a snowstorm.

So I doubt either team is too psyched up for this meaningless matchup. I believe the attitude will be let's just get this finished, not get anyone hurt and go on summer vacation.

Two losing teams who lack defense playing a meaningless late season game. That's a nice recipe for an Over especially when those teams are the Blackhawks and Coyotes.

Chicago has gone Over in its last five games. The Blackhawks have permitted 4.8 goals during this span.

Arizona has been even worse giving up an average of 6.1 goals during its last seven games. The Blackhawks have enough scoring talent and offensive-minded defensemen who can take advantage.

The youth-minded Coyotes should be excited to play the Blackhawks knowing this a winnable game for them and they can open their attack instead of trying to keep from being embarrassed.

There hasn't been a hotter scoring team than the Blues during the last 29 years in the NHL. St. Louis has scored at least four goals in each of its last 12 games. That's the longest NHL stretch since the 1992-93 season.

The Blues are averaging 5.1 goals during their past dozen games.

The Bruins are a strong defensive team. But the Blues can't be ignored especially playing at home and with Boston minus injured defenseman Hampus Lindholm and starting goalie Linus Ullmark. Boston has given up eight goals in its last two games.

The Bruins fire off the second-most shots in the NHL. The Over has cashed nine of the last 12 times the teams have played in St. Louis.

The Over is 11-5-1 in Chicago's last 17 games. The Over has cashed seven of the past eight times in this series. 

No way are the Sharks slowing down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. These two superstars are hot and so are the Oilers, who have scored 4 or more goals in 11 of their last 13 games and 5 or more goals in eight of their past 11 games. 

I fully expect each of these teams to register at least three goals. Las Vegas has scored 5 or more goals in four of its last six games, including producing 11 goals the past two games. Seattle ranks 27th defensively and 29th in penalty kill. 

Arizona has given up 3 or more goals in each of its last eight games. The Coyotes have permitted 4 goals in each of their last four games. I don't see their defense getting turned around on the road against the Jets.

Winnipeg has produced 4 or more goals in five of its last seven games.

Discounting a 4-0 shutout of Las Vegas, the Jets have given up an average of four goals during their last four games. They have surrendered at least 3 goals in 19 of their last 21 games. So the Coyotes should be in line, too, to help this total get Over.

These two teams just met two weeks ago in Chicago. There were 11 goals scored in the Blackhawks' 8-3 victory. This should be another loosely played game with both teams in full rebuild mode. The Blackhawks have permitted 3 or more goals in 11 of their last 12 games. They rank 25th defensively. Anaheim has scored three goals a game in three of its last four games. The Ducks, devoid of healthy defensemen, have surrendered an average of 4.1 goals in their last seven games.

The Avalanche has been getting outstanding goaltending in giving up just two goals in their last three games. The Sharks are 28th in scoring and 30th in shooting percentage and expected goals per game during the last 25 games.

Colorado remains without its leading goal scorer, injured Gabriel Landeskog. That's a factor why the Avalanche is averaging just 2.2 goals during their last four games. The Sharks have the second-best penalty kill unit in the league. The Sharks haven't given up more than 3 goals during any of their last five games.