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NHL Archive
Date	Match Up	Rating	Score	Result	Profit	Lead Time	Analysis
12-05-18	Blackhawks v. Ducks OVER 5.5		2-4	Win	100	22 h 43 m	Show
The Ducks are the lowest-scoring team in the league. But lately they haven't played that way. Anaheim is coming off scoring five goals in the last two periods to beat Washington, 6-5, in its last game this past Sunday. The Ducks draw the Blackhawks, who have the worst defense in the NHL. Chicago has permitted an average of 4.8 goals in its last seven games. The Blackhawks, though, are averaging 3.4 goals during their last five games. Bottom line here is the Blackhawks can not have a total of less than 6 in their games.
12-04-18	Capitals v. Golden Knights -140		3-5	Win	100	21 h 25 m	Show
This price is higher than I normally like to lay when backing a favorite, but I want the Golden Knights in this spot. This is the first time the Capitals have returned to Vegas since beating the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup finals. Las Vegas also has strong revenge for a 5-2 road loss to Washington on Oct. 10. Sure the Capitals just may be the superior team. But the Golden Knights are playing well - 5-1 in their last six games - have been idle since Saturday and have been pointing to this home game all season. Las Vegas has yielded just 10 goals in its last six games, an average of 1.6. Washington is traveling to the West Coast following its Sunday home game against Anaheim. The Capitals haven't been on West Coast time since October.
12-04-18	Wild v. Canucks UNDER 6	Top	3-2	Win	100	21 h 26 m	Show
Vancouver has scored 22 goals in its last 11 games, an average of two a game. I'm not expecting the Canucks to score much here because their offense is cold and because I believe the Wild will have a serious defensive commitment. Minnesota has lost five of its last seven, including the past three. This is the start of a three-game Western Canada road swing for the Wild. Minnesota has a good goalie in Devan Dubnyk and its coach, Bruce Boudreau, was stressing shoring up his team's defense. The Wild lost 5-3 to the high-flying Maple Leafs in their last game this past Saturday. But they held Toronto to 23 shots on goal. The Maple Leafs scored two of their goals in flue fashion where shots deflected off Minnesota defenseman Nick Seeler. So the five goals scored by the Maple Leafs is deceiving.
12-02-18	Sharks -115 v. Canadiens		3-1	Win	100	8 h 45 m	Show
The Sharks are in stop-the-pain mode failing to post a victory in the first four games of their current five-game road trip, which ends after this matchup. San Jose isn't playing well. The Sharks are overdue to start turning things around. They should be fired up following a 6-2 loss to the Senators on Saturday. The Canadiens also played yesterday, beating the Rangers, 5-2, at home. Montreal has lost 21 of the last 28 times following a victory. San Jose has enjoyed good recent success at Montreal winning there in four its past five visits.
12-01-18	Golden Knights v. Oilers +106		1-2	Win	106	10 h 7 m	Show
Las Vegas is back playing well winning five in a row. But this is the tail end of the Golden Knights' three-game road trip. Up next for Las Vegas is its most anticipated home game - a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals against Washington. The Golden Knights were fortunate to get past Vancouver, 4-3, in their last game. This marks Las Vegas' fifth game in eight days and third in five days. The Oilers have won their past two home games. Their last home defeat occurred to Las Vegas two weeks ago so there is short revenge. Discounting a 5-2 loss to the Kings, the Oilers have allowed only four goals in their last three games. Connor McDavid always makes them worthy of respect offensively.
11-30-18	Devils v. Capitals OVER 6		3-6	Win	100	6 h 35 m	Show
Both teams have below average defenses and each has been on at least three days rest. So expect fresh legs and a lot of attacking. The expected return of Evgeny Kuznetsov to Washington's lineup is a plus, too, for the Over. The Capitals have gone Over 75 percent of the past 22 times they've been idle for at least three days. The Over has cashed in all three instances this season for Washington when that situation has come up. The Devils have been a strong Over road team going above the total in eight of their 11 road games. There has been six or more goals scored in each of the last five games between the two teams.
11-27-18	Sharks -120 v. Sabres		2-3	Loss	-120	10 h 7 m	Show
The Sabres are on an amazing nine-game win streak. Kudos to Buffalo on a great season so far. It must be noted, though, that eight of Buffalo's nine wins during its streak have been by one goal with six of those victories occurring either in overtime or in a shootout. I believe the Sabres' luck runs out today against the superior Sharks. San Jose is in a foul mood after its last game, a 6-0 road loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday. There is zero chance the Sharks take Buffalo lightly. The Sharks expect to have No. 1 netminder Martin Jones in goal. Jones is well rested having not played in the last two games. He is 4-1-1 lifetime versus Buffalo with a 1.98 GAA and .925 save percentage. Buffalo has lost the past four times to San Jose.
11-23-18	Canucks v. Sharks OVER 6		0-4	Loss	-100	5 h 32 m	Show
Vancouver's defense has really slipped. The Canucks are giving up an average of 35 shots per game during their last seven games. The Canucks have surrendered at least three goals in nine of their past 10 games. The Sharks should be able to take advantage. They have scored three or more goals in eight of their last nine games. The Over has cashed in 10 of San Jose's past 14 games. Note, too. Vancouver is going to start backup goalie Anders Nilsson.
11-21-18	Avalanche -115 v. Kings	Top	7-3	Win	100	28 h 11 m	Show
LA has the worst record in the NHL at 7-12. The Kings have dropped 10 of their last 14 home games going back to last season. Colorado is the superior team and in a better situational spot. The Avalanche last played on Sunday in Anaheim. They have been in Southern California ever since awaiting this matchup. They should be fresh, prepared and rested. Colorado has won three of its last four games. The Avalance are the third-highest scoring team in the league at 3.6 goals. The Kings are coming off a road underdog victory Monday night against the Blues. This marks their fourth game in six days and first home game in nearly a week coming a day before Thanksgiving after three road games in a row. So focus could be an issue for the Kings. LA ranks 31st in scoring and allows more goals per game than Colorado. The Kings also are down their first two goalies with Jonathan Quick and Jack Campbell injured. LA is 3-13 following a victory. The Kings also have lost 12 of the past 15 times versus Western Conference opponents.
11-19-18	Stars v. Rangers -104		1-2	Win	100	9 h 41 m	Show
This is a tough spot for Dallas. The Stars are playing for the third time in four days. They are coming off a 6-2 Sunday road victory against the Islanders. The Stars have lost 14 of their last 20 road games. They are 6-13 the past 19 times following a victory. Dallas is 0-2 this season when playing without rest losing each of those games by three goals each. The Rangers have won five in a row at Madison Square Garden. They are 7-2 in their last nine games overall.
11-17-18	Panthers v. Rangers +122		2-4	Win	122	17 h 55 m	Show
Both the Panthers and Rangers had winning streaks snapped in their last games. Florida had won five in a row. But the Panthers were outscored, 7-1, during the final two periods by the Blue Jackets on Thursday. I don't see the Panthers snapping back so fast against the Rangers, who are 6-2 in their last eight games. New York is 4-0 in its last four home games. The Panthers have lost during nine of their last 13 away games to the Rangers. Florida also carries a high fatigue rating as this marks its fifth game in eight days. So I'll go ahead and take a plus price with the Rangers.
11-16-18	Capitals +130 v. Avalanche		3-2	Win	130	9 h 16 m	Show
The Capitals are dealing with some injuries, but I like the defending Stanley Cup champions at this nice 'dog price in a rebound position following a 3-1 road loss to the Jets on Wednesday. There is no disputing Washington's talent and the Capitals showed their mental toughness in winning the Cup last season. Colorado is a bit fat and happy having won two in a row, including posting an impressive 6-3 victory against the Bruins at home this past Wednesday. Washington has defeated Colorado in seven of the past eight meetings. The Capitals also catch a break as the Avalanche have announced backup Phillpp Grubauer will be in net today. The Capitals know their former goalie well. Grubauer is not one of the better backups with a 3.55 GAA and .892 save percentage.
11-15-18	Devils v. Flyers -128		3-0	Loss	-128	16 h 24 m	Show
The Flyers had won three in a row until losing at home to the Panthers, 2-1, on Tuesday. Look for the Flyers to bounce back hosting the Devils, who are 1-7 on the road this season. Going back to last season, New Jersey is 3-13 in its past 16 away contests. Philadelphia had scored 3 or more goals in six straight games before losing to the Panthers. The Devils rank 29th defensively. The spot and matchup both favor the Flyers enough to lay this juice.
11-13-18	Maple Leafs -125 v. Kings		5-1	Win	100	20 h 12 m	Show
I'm not reluctant to lay this road price with the Maple Leafs. Toronto is 11-6 and proven on the road going 6-1 in its away matchups. The Maple Leafs just lost their first road game, 5-1, to the Bruins this past Saturday. I like their chances of rebounding against the Kings. The Maple Leafs rank sixth in scoring and also have the sixth-best power play. The Kings are 5-10-1. They are scoring a league-worst 2.06 goals per game. So the Kings must play effective defense. Unfortunately their first two goalies are hurt leaving either third-stringer Peter Budaj or just recalled Cal Petersen from the American Hockey League to be in net. Petersen's AHL numbers were a 4.29 goals against average and .881 save percentage. So not only will the Maple Leafs have a huge offensive edge, but also a strong goalie advantage, too, with Frederik Andersen in net.
11-11-18	Wild v. Blues -108		3-2	Loss	-108	4 h 49 m	Show
The Blues are in short revenge mode after the Wild beat them in St. Louis, 5-1, eight days ago. Minnesota is playing well. But so are the Blues and the spot sets up well for St. Louis. This marks the Wild's seventh road game in a row. Minnesota is in action for the third time in four days and fourth in six days. If it weren't for that loss to the Wild, the Blues would be riding a five-game win streak.
11-10-18	Senators v. Lightning OVER 6		6-4	Win	100	5 h 47 m	Show
Tampa Bay is the No. 1 scoring team in the NHL. The Lightning have scored four or more goals in each of their last four games. Ottawa gives up the most goals in the league. The Senators, though, are sixth in the NHL in scoring. They have produced 13 goals in their last three games. The Over has cashed in the Senators' last seven road games. The Over also has cashed the past five times these teams have met.
11-08-18	Oilers +118 v. Panthers		1-4	Loss	-100	18 h 16 m	Show
The wrong team opened as the favorite here. Yes, Florida is the home team. But the Panthers are 3-8 in their last 11 games. They are 0-3 at BB&T Center where they play their home games. The Oilers have dominated the Panthers in Florida winning in their last nine visits! Edmonton is off losses in its last two games. But those defeats came to the Capitals and Lightning. Now they are stepping down in class. It's a weird spot, too, for the Panthers. They were in Finland last week as part of the NHL Global Series. Their last game was on Friday. So there could be a jet lag and rust factor.
11-07-18	Predators v. Avalanche +104		4-1	Loss	-100	22 h 50 m	Show
Call it a due factor. But Nashville is due to lose a road game after winning its first six away matchups. The Predators won half of those games by one goal with a fourth road win coming by two goals due to an empty net score with less than a minute left. The Avalanche have been pointing to this matchup ever since the Predators eliminated them in six games during the playoffs last season. Colorado has had plenty of time to focus and prepare having been idle the last four days. Colorado ranks No. 2 behind Washington in goals per game. The Avalanche have won 22 of their past 31 home games. The Predators are likely to still be without their third-leading scorer, Viktor Arvidsson. He's missed the past two games with a lower body injury. Nashville hasn't been a team to go against this season, but this is the spot to do it.
11-06-18	Canadiens v. Rangers -110		3-5	Win	100	7 h 44 m	Show
The home team has won the past four times. I see that pattern continuing here. The Rangers have won three in a row, including knocking off a hot Sabres team, 3-1, at home this past Sunday. New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist is in excellent form going 4-0 with a 0.94 GAA and .967 save percentage during his past four games. This isn't just a play on the Rangers, but a fade on Montreal. The Canadiens just nipped the Islanders, 4-3, in a shootout on the road last night. Montreal came back from a 3-1 deficit to pull out the win. The Canadiens are 5-16 following a victory. This marks their third game in four days. They are 1-6 the past seven times under those circumstances.
11-05-18	Canadiens +105 v. Islanders		4-3	Win	105	9 h 6 m	Show
Montreal is improved this season and has shown an ability to win on the road going 2-3 with impressive victories against the Penguins and Bruins. All three of Montreal's road defeats were by one goal, with two occurring in overtime. The Canadiens won't lack motivation coming off a disappointing 1-2 homestand. They played tough competition, though, beating the Capitals and losing to the Stars and Lightning. The Islanders are fat and happy winning five in a row, including a rivalry winner against New Jersey this past Saturday. The Islanders head off to Florida for a pair of games following this matchup. So their focus might not be all there. The Canadiens have dominated the Islanders on the road winning seven of the last eight times.
11-03-18	Lightning -118 v. Canadiens		4-1	Win	100	18 h 11 m	Show
Montreal is much improved this season. Because of that this becomes a big early game that Tampa Bay is sure to be up for especially after losing 4-1 at home to Nashville on Thursday. The Lightning outshot the Predators, 43-24, in that frustrating loss. Tampa Bay leads Montreal by just one point for the top spot in the East. The Lightning still are superior to the Canadiens even if Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Victor Hedman has to miss another game due to an upper body injury. The Lightning have won eight of their last 11 road games. The Canadiens are coming off a huge 6-4 home victory against the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals on Thursday. Montreal is 2-9 the past 11 times following a victory and aren't likely to turn in another "A" game type of performance so soon.
11-01-18	Jets v. Panthers UNDER 6		4-2	Push	0	12 h 21 m	Show
Both the Jets and Panthers will be playing for the first time in five days. The reason is this game is being played in Helsinki, Finland as part of the 2018 NHL Global Series. Strange place, strange start time of 2 p.m. Florida time. All of this is a plus for the Under. So is the Jets failing to score more than two goals in each of their past three games. The Panthers haven't broken the three-goal barrier in any of their last four games.
10-30-18	Senators v. Coyotes OVER 5.5		1-5	Win	100	9 h 7 m	Show
Arizona is averaging five goals per game during its last last three games. The Coyotes get to face the league's worst defense as Ottawa ranks in the bottom-two in many of the major defensive categories. Ottawa also is shorthanded on the blue line with Mark Borowiecki suspended. The Senators, though, rank sixth in goals scored per game. They have gone Over in each of their last five road games.
10-29-18	Wild v. Canucks +135		2-5	Win	135	14 h 6 m	Show
The Canucks are far more dangerous when they have star goal scorers Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson in the lineup. Both are back healthy. Vancouver's power play is much more deadlier with those two on the ice. Minnesota is a road favorite based in part on a five-game win streak. Note, though, that four of those victories came at home for the Wild. They have a losing road record this season. Vancouver has an overall winning record. However, the Canucks are coming off a 5-0 home loss to Pittsburgh. The Canucks shouldn't lack for motivation here while the Wild is playing the first of seven away matchups. The Canucks will be minus goalie Andres Nilsson becaused of a broken finger. Luckily for the Canucks they have another solid goalie, Jacob Markstrom, who has been playing well.
10-27-18	Panthers v. Devils -129		2-3	Win	100	10 h 31 m	Show
The Devils are primed to halt their three-game losing streak after falling in overtime to the Predators on Thursday. New Jersey should have a lot of focus knowing they go on the road for seven straight away games following this one. The Devils have the better offense and goalie. They are 8-3 in their last 11 home games. The Panthers face a fatigue factor. Because of the very early start time, this is almost like playing a third game in four days for them. They also have a trip to Finland looming so their concentration may be off.
10-27-18	Panthers v. Devils UNDER 6		2-3	Win	100	10 h 30 m	Show
Given the Devils' offense and Panthers' lack of defense, the oddsmaker has to lable this matchup with a total of 6. But there are circumstances that point to an Under. Note the starting time: It's noon East Coast time. So this is an early start day game. That often means a sluggish performance for the offenses. It's a plus for the Under. The Devils have a cluster injury problem. Among those out are forwards Jesper Bratt and Drew Stafford with the possibility that Marcus Johansson also could be missing. He's questionable because of illness having missed Friday's practice. The two teams met three times last season. None of those games resulted in more than a combined five goals being scored. The Under, in fact, has cashed the past four times they've met.
10-25-18	Capitals v. Oilers +121		1-4	Win	121	21 h 59 m	Show
Washington has struggled in Edmonton losing in nine of its last 13 visits there. The Oilers are coming off a tough 6-5 home loss to the Penguins where they fired 46 shots on goal. Washington opened its current four-game road trip with a 5-2 victory against the Canucks. The Capitals are giving up an average of five goals per game during their last six six games. Edmonton has the offense to take advantage. Connor McDavid has scored nine points in his last five games. This is Edmonton's finale of a four-game homestand. Look for the Oilers to play with the greater sense of urgency and pull out the upset win.
10-25-18	Flyers v. Bruins OVER 5.5		0-3	Loss	-110	7 h 43 m	Show
Philadelphia is a strong Over road team. Boston is a strong Over home team. The Flyers have not gone below the total during their last eight away matchups. The Over is 14-4-2 in the Bruins' last 20 home contests. The Flyers are averaging 3.7 goals in their last four games. They have the worst defense in the league so offense is a priority for them. The Bruins have multiple injuries to their defensive units.
10-25-18	Canadiens +104 v. Sabres	Top	3-4	Loss	-100	19 h 58 m	Show
Both the Canadiens and Sabres appear much improved. This spot, though, sets up well for Montreal. Buffalo just went a surprising 3-2 on its five-game Western road trip that lasted for 10 days. The Sabres concluded their journey by beating the Kings, 5-1 on Saturday, and the Ducks, 4-2, on Sunday. This is their first game back home. Buffalo is 0-6 the past six times when not having played for three or more days. Montreal is playing well, too. Only once have the Canadiens lost in regulation in their eight games. Backup goalie Antti Niemi is scheduled to get the start. I'm fine with that. Montreal is 2-0 the two times Niemi has been in goal. The Canadiens swept all four meetings with the Sabres last season and are 4-1 during their last five visits to Buffalo.
10-24-18	Canucks v. Golden Knights -1.5		3-2	Loss	-100	13 h 47 m	Show
Now that the Golden Knights have settled in back home they are playing much better. Las Vegas had to go on a brutal five-game road trip early in the season. But the Knights have been back in Las Vegas for its past two games. They are riding a three-game winning streak where they have outscored their foes, 8-2. The Knights' power play has picked up, their fourth line remains solid and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has stopped 69 of 71 shots during the win streak. Vancouver has been missing its two best scorers with Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson both out. The rookie Pettersson was really providing a spark, but is doubtful to play here as he continues to rest from a concussion. The Canucks have managed only four goals in regulation during their last three games. Vegas swept all four meetings against Vancouver last season winning each of its two home games by three goals.
10-23-18	Penguins -121 v. Oilers		6-5	Win	100	19 h 40 m	Show
The Penguins are coming off their best defensive game of the year, a 3-0 road victory against Toronto. The Maple Leafs were averaging 5.4 goals a game during their previous five games going into that matchup against the Penguins. Pittsburgh defeated Toronto this past Thursday. The Penguins haven't played since. So they should have a lot of energy. Pittsburgh has won 78 percent of its games the past 27 times when playing on three or more days rest. The Penguins, and especially Sidney Crosby, get up to play the Oilers because of Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid. Pittsburgh has dominated the Oilers winning 16 of the past 21 meetings, including the past four in Edmonton. The Oilers have been held to two goals or fewer in four of their six games.
10-22-18	Hurricanes v. Red Wings +150		3-1	Loss	-100	6 h 17 m	Show
The Red Wings opened the season with seven straight losses. Detroit ended its losing streak in its last game, beating Florida, 4-3, in overtime on the road. That should prove a confidence boost for the Red Wings. This is just their third home game of the season. They lost in overtime to the Blue Jackets in their home opener and lost by two goals to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs' last goal coming via an empty net, in their other home matchup. So I find value in taking Detroit as a home 'dog at this mid-sized price. Carolina isn't playing well. The Hurricanes are on a three-game losing streak, scoring only four goals during this span. The Red Wings are very familiar with Carolina's goalie, Petr Mrazek. He played for Detroit for six seasons before leaving last year. Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard has a .916 save percentage in nine all-time matchups against the Hurricanes. Carolina is 5-14-1 in its last 20 visits to Detroit.
10-18-18	Coyotes +130 v. Blackhawks		4-1	Win	130	18 h 13 m	Show
Defense matters. It's one factor why I like the Coyotes to upset the Blackhawks. Chicago has played five games. All five have gone into overtime. Arizona is a top-five defensive team. Yet the Coyotes are 1-4 because they've had problems putting the puck in the net. Their latest loss was 2-1 to the Wild at Minnesota on Tuesday. The Coyotes, though, had 32 shots on goal in that loss. They rank fourth in the NHL in shots per goal. So it's just a matter of time before the Coyotes get goals. I believe that time will come in this game. The Blackhawks have the second-worst defense in the NHL permitting 4.2 goals per game. Corey Crawford is set to make his season debut. Crawford figures to be rusty. He hasn't started in net since last December. Chicago also hasn't played since Saturday. That's too long to go between games.
10-17-18	Bruins -100 v. Flames		2-5	Loss	-100	21 h 37 m	Show
I'm going to ride the Bruins at this price. Boston has won four in a row averaging 5.5 goals a game during its win streak. No line in the NHL has been playing better than Boston's No. 1 line of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. The Flames have a below average defense and have broken the three-goal barrier just once in their first five games. Calgary has not enjoyed much of a home ice advantage either losing 13 of its last 19 at Saddledome. The Flames also have dropped four of their last five versus the Bruins.
10-13-18	Maple Leafs v. Capitals -115		4-2	Loss	-115	19 h 29 m	Show
The Maple Leafs just may be ready to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season. But this is the wrong spot for them. It's Toronto's fourth road game in seven days. The Maple Leafs also are catching the Capitals off an embarrassing 6-0 road loss to the Devils on Thursday. Before that loss, the defending Stanley Cup champions had just beaten Las Vegas, 5-2, at home on Wednesday in an emotional matchup of last season's Cup finalists. The Capitals were averaging six goals a game during their first three games until their flat spot loss to the Devils. Toronto is 1-5 in its last six games versus Washington. Maybe the Maple Leafs are ready to overtake the Capitals when they play in Toronto, but not on the road carrying a fatigue rating and drawing what is sure to be a fired-up Capitals group.
10-11-18	Avalanche -108 v. Sabres		6-1	Win	100	10 h 16 m	Show
Buffalo won just 11 home games last season, fewest in the NHL. The Sabres, though, are trying to make it three consecutive home wins today against Colorado off victories against the Rangers on Saturday and Las Vegas on Monday. I don't see the Sabres getting it. Colorado is the better team and won't lack motivation after skating poorly in a 5-2 loss to Columbus on Tuesday. The Avalanche are likely to have defenseman Patrik Nemeth back along with center Vladislav Kamenev making his season debut. The Avalanche had backup Philipp Grubauer in net against the Blue Jackets. Semyon Varlamov is expected to be back in goal for Colorado today. He has a strong history against the Sabres with a 6-2-1 record and 2.46 goals-against average in nine starts. Carter Hutton has started all three of Buffalo's games. Hutton has stopped 78 of 81 shots in the last two games. But I consider him more backup quality than starter. Colorado has defeated Buffalo in 12 of the past 15 meetings, including going 6-2 the past eight times in Buffalo.
10-10-18	Coyotes +145 v. Ducks	Top	3-2	Win	145	20 h 2 m	Show
Anaheim is flying high at 3-0. One of those victories was against Arizona. The Ducks beat the Coyotes, 1-0, this past Saturday in Phoenix. The Coyotes, though, outshot the Ducks, 41-20. Tremendous goalie play from John Gibson saved the Ducks. Gibson is hot. But the Ducks are due for a loss. They've been getting away with playing five rookie forwards due to injuries and nearly lost to the Red Wings at home in their last game prevailing in a shootout this past Monday. The Coyotes should have won the first meeting between the teams. This is short revenge for them. Their goalie, Antti Raanta, has a good history against Anaheim with a 1.66 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage in six starts.
10-09-18	Sharks -105 v. Flyers	Top	8-2	Win	100	17 h 9 m	Show
I want the better team going for me off a loss and at a very reasonable price. Yes, the Sharks are going through an adjustment period with new talent. But so are the Flyers, who just switched up their first and second lines only two games into the season. Philadelphia already has suffered a key injury with James van Riemsdyk out five-to-six weeks with a lower body injury suffered in a road loss to the Avalanche this past Saturday. The Sharks aren't going to lack motivation after an embarrassing 4-0 road loss to the Islanders on Monday. This is a back-to-back game for them, but it's so early in the season that fatigue won't factor. This is Philadelphia's first home game. That could prove a distraction, though, as the Flyers opened their season posting an upset road win against Las Vegas this past Thursday before losing to Colorado on Saturday. San Jose has dominated the Flyers, too, in Philadelphia winning nine of the past 10 meetings there.
10-06-18	Oilers v. Devils UNDER 6		2-5	Loss	-105	12 h 21 m	Show
It's easy to see why the oddsmaker put out a total this high when Connor McDavid and Taylor Hall are playing. But there are key circumstances to this matchup that point to an Under. This game is being played in Gothenberg, Sweden. It's part of the NHL Global Series. It is the season-opener for both teams. Edmonton last played a preseason game on Wednesday - and that was in Germany. New Jersey's last preseason game was back on Monday. So these teams figure to be rusty and out of sync. I'm expecting a sloppy game without crisp passing and stickhandling. That should favor the defense.
10-04-18	Bruins -125 v. Sabres		4-0	Win	100	18 h 30 m	Show
The Bruins were 50 points better than the Sabres last season. Boston has beaten the Sabres in seven of its last eight visits to Buffalo. The Bruins should do it again here especially off an embarrassing 7-0 humiliating opening loss to Washington on Wednesday. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy ripped his team with full justification saying they lacked competitive spirit. The Bruins' top line of David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand all had horrible games. They are one of the best lines in hockey. Expect the Bruins to be far more fired-up and to play a lot better in this game. The Sabres haven't reached the playoffs during the last seven years. Buffalo has lost 37 of its last 53 home games.
10-03-18	Canadiens v. Maple Leafs OVER 6		2-3	Loss	-106	5 h 46 m	Show
Despite high totals like this one, the Maple Leafs still are a strong Over team going 18-7-2 to the Over in their last 27 games heading into this season's opener. Expect more high-scoring games involving the Maple Leafs. Toronto's top-five offense of last season is even more potent with the addition of John Tavares. Toronto could easily exceed it's 3.3 goals per game average of last season. What makes Toronto such a great Over team is its defense remains a work in progress with a lot of youth. The Canadiens can take advantage because they have gotten faster and are switching to a more up-tempo style. The Canadiens are weak defensively. Their best defenseman. Shea Weber, is out indefinitely. Carey Price had a horrible season last year in goal. He's handicapped by a bad defense and his confidence could be lacking.
06-07-18	Capitals v. Golden Knights -126	Top	4-3	Loss	-126	54 h 10 m	Show
The Golden Knights have not lost four games in a row all season. I'm not expecting that to happen either in this must-win spot for Vegas, down 3-to-1 in this championship series. I express this opinion with the confidence that the Golden Knights will be revitalized returning home. Las Vegas had the fourth-best home mark during the regular season and is 7-2 at home during the Stanley Cup playoffs with the lone losses occurring to the Sharks in overtime and to the Capitals, 3-2, in Game 2. All together, the Golden Knights have won 73 percent of their past 48 games at T-Mobile Arena. Las Vegas beat Washington, 6-4, in Game 1 of this series at home. The Golden Knights were stopped, 3-2, in Game 2 when Braden Holtby made a miracle stick save that might have been the best save of the season. That save turned the series around. Washington outplayed Las Vegas, 3-1, at home in Game 3. The Capitals then defeated the Golden Knights, 6-2, at home in Game 4 this past Monday. That score was misleading, though. The Golden Knights attacked well, but didn't get breaks and just missed on their shots on goal. The Capitals took advanage of Las Vegas' aggressiveness to built an early insurmountable 3-0 lead. But I liked how well the Golden Knights attacked the Capitals' 1-1-3 neutral zone trap defense that had been so effective in Game 3. The Golden Knights are going to get their goals in Game 5. They go four lines deep and were the fifth-highest scoring team during the regular season. The Capitals have blown more 3-1 postseason leads than any team. The Capitals have led after four games in the Stanley Cup four times during the Alex Ovechkin era. They lost Game 5 on three of those occasions. I wouldn't trust the Capitals to close out the Golden Knights on the road. This matchup is Las Vegas' time to win.
06-02-18	Golden Knights +111 v. Capitals	Top	1-3	Loss	-100	25 h 12 m	Show
If anything these Stanley Cup playoffs have shown that home ice is overrated. The scene shifts to Washington's Capital One Arena for Game 3. But the Capitals are 4-5 at home during the playoffs. Las Vegas is 6-2 on the road in this postseason. The Capitals survived a 3-2 victory against the Golden Knights this past Wednesday. The Knights outshot Washington, 39-26. Braden Holtby made the save of the playoffs to keep the game from being tied. Las Vegas was the aggressor and nearly won despite not being overly sharp. Look for the Golden Knights to bounce back and for Marc-Andre Fleury to have his best game of the series. Las Vegas is 16-4 when Fleury has been in net following a loss, including 14-2 during the last 16 instances. I'm not sold on the Capitals. They have a history of not winning clutch games in their bid to win the Stanley Cup. The Capitals might also be without their leading scorer in the playoffs, Evgeny Kuznetsov. He's questionable due to an arm injury.
05-30-18	Capitals v. Golden Knights OVER 5.5	Top	3-2	Loss	-114	29 h 20 m	Show
I'm surprised to see that the oddsmakers didn't open this Game 2 with an over/under of 6 instead of 5 1/2. I liked going Over 5 1/2 in Game 1 and there's no reason to not play Over again in Game 2. There were 10 goals scored in Monday's Game 1. The total went Over before the middle of the second period. Both teams skated at a fast pace and there were many high-caliber shots on goals. Las Vegas plays fast and is relentless. One of its major strengths was on full display in Game 1 - its fourth line scoring three goals in the third period. A strong scoring fourth line is rare and a huge plus for the Over. The Capitals produced four goals. They accomplished this with superstars Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov combining for just two assists. Neither had a goal. I can't envision those two not scoring a goal for a second straight game. Marc-Andre Fleury has been brilliant in the playoffs, but he wasn't that sharp in Game 1. Probably a nine-day layoff between games made Fleury rusty. But he did not look invincible. Capitals goalie Braden Holtby has a history of playing better at home than on the road. There were plenty of scoring opportunities in Game 1 even with 10 goals scored. This was during 5-on-5 hockey, too, as each team only had one power play opportunity. There likley is going to be more penalties called in Game 2 leading to more power play chances especially after Tom Wilson decked Jonathan Marchessault with a blindsided hit that was late and cheap.
05-28-18	Capitals v. Golden Knights OVER 5.5	Top	4-6	Win	110	73 h 12 m	Show
It's not often teams receive such a long break before beginning the Stanley Cup Finals. But that's certainly the case for the Golden Knights, who haven't played in eight days. The Capitals last played this past Wednesday. Washington happens to be 10-1-1 to the Over when playing on three or more days rest. This extended layoff ensures fresh legs. That's a huge plus for the offense. Both teams are well above average in scoring. The Golden Knights ranked fifth in goals at 3.3 per game. The Capitals rated ninth at 3.1. They have the league's top goal scorer in Alex Ovechkin, who scored 49 goals. The Capitals also have Evgeny Kuznetsov, who is the playoff leader with 24 postseason points. Tom Wilson is back from suspension joining those two to give the Capitals a very dangerous first line that should play a lot due to the extra rest. The Capitals scored three, four and four goals during the first road game in each of their past three playoff series leading up to these finals. Washington is averaging four goals per game during its past four away matchups. Las Vegas is averaging four goals a game during its first home contest in each of its three playoff series. The Golden Knights have scored three or more goals in eight of their last 11 games. Yet the linesmaker didn't assign a total of 6 on this game because of the hot goalies. Braden Holtby is riding a scoreless streak of 159 minuts, 27 seconds. Marc-Andre Fleury has been absolutely brilliant. The long layoff, though, isn't going to help these goaltenders. Fleury had his worst game of the playoffs in Game 1 of the Golden Knights' last series against Winnipeg surrendering four goals, posting an 84.6 save percentage. The Golden Knights had been idle for six days leading into that game. Holtby entered this season without a strong reputation of being a great road goalie especially in the playoffs. The Golden Knights can't match the Capitals' superstars, but they go four lines deep and their speedy forwards and creative playmaking can cause problems for goalies. I think that will be the case here.
05-23-18	Capitals v. Lightning OVER 5.5		4-0	Loss	-100	6 h 28 m	Show
Now that we have the first total of less than 6 in this Eastern Conference Stanley Cup final, I'm going to get involved and go Over. The Capitals were a top-10 scoring team averaging 3.1 goals. The Lightning led the NHL in scoring at 3.5 goals per game. These two teams have gone Over 75 percent of the time during the past 17 games played in Tampa. So far Game 7's have been high scoring. There were 11 goals scored in the Maple Leafs-Bruins Game 7 and six goals scored in the Jets-Predators Game 7. Those are the two instances this season. I expect this Game 7 to produce at least six goals, too, because of the strong sense of urgency and aggressive play. The trailing team has nothing to lose and must go in full attack mode. This can offer the bonus of not one but two empty net goals. It's hard to believe that both goalies, Braden Holtby and Andrei Vasilevskiy, can continue to play at such high levels. Holtby normally is less effective on the road and Vasilevskiy can become vulnerable when overworked.
05-20-18	Golden Knights v. Jets -137		2-1	Loss	-137	6 h 6 m	Show
This isn't a play against the Golden Knights. They've proven too good for that. But it is a play on the Jets. Winnipeg should have beaten Las Vegas on the road in Game 4 on Friday and I see the Jets winning at home today. Winnipeg has won 78 percent of its last 55 home games. The Jets outshot the Golden Knights, 37-29, in Game 4 and dominated time possession with 26 more shot attempts. The Jets normally would win 90 percent of the time with those statistics especially since some of their shots on goal were tough to stop. But Marc-Andre Fleury continued his super human goaltending. Fleury was good for the Penguins, but never this great. It's hard to believe he can stay this magnificent now that he'll be on the road.
05-20-18	Golden Knights v. Jets OVER 5.5	Top	2-1	Loss	-122	6 h 5 m	Show
I have tremendous respect for Marc-Andre Fleury. He has kept the Jets from winning during each of the last two games by making great save after great save. But now the series shifts back to Winnipeg and I see the Jets producing more goals. They have the star power with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, both of whom are playing at high levels. There have been six combined goals scored in three of Winnipeg's last five games and there should have been at least six goals in Las Vegas' 3-2 home win this past Friday. The Jets had 37 shots on goal during Game 4 with Fleury making countless great saves. The Golden Knights have an easier task facing goalie Connor Hellebuyuck, who is not having a good series. The Golden Knights have a strong fourth line - unlike other teams - and third-leading scorer David Perron is back in action. Las Vegas' top line of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith are playing well, too.
05-18-18	Jets +100 v. Golden Knights	Top	2-3	Loss	-100	11 h 45 m	Show
The Golden Knights hold a 2-1 series lead on the Jets, but I'm not convinced Las Vegas is the better team. Winnipeg didn't play well early in Game 3 and couldn't recover. The Jets, though, did nearly tie the game while firing 33 shots on goal. It took super human goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury to hold off the Jets. Winnipeg is road tested having won seven of its last 10 away matchups. They Jets have a 7-0 record when playing on Friday. Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler give Winnipeg the two best offensive players on the ice. The Jets are fully capable of playing a better all-around game. They can take their game up a notch while Fleury can't continue to be this super human.
05-17-18	Lightning v. Capitals -110	Top	4-2	Loss	-110	13 h 54 m	Show
It's very hard to beat the Capitals at Capital One Arena. Washington has won 70 percent of its last 133 home games. The Lightning have lost in 37 of their past 54 visits to Washington. Sharp coaching by Jon Cooper in changing up his lines. The combination of that and the Capitals being flat helped the Lightning defeat Washington, 4-2, on the road in Game 3 two days ago. The Capitals may have let up and been overconfident returning home after winning the first two games of the series at Tampa Bay. Expect a much more focused and stronger effort from the Capitals. They will be better prepared and could get an additional boost with the strong possibility star center Nicklas Backstrom returns after missing the last four games with a hand injury. He practiced on Wednesday.
05-16-18	Jets +124 v. Golden Knights		2-4	Loss	-100	12 h 16 m	Show
The Golden Knights have thrived all season because they were playing on house money. The pressure always was on the other team knowing they were taking on an expansion club. But now all the pressure is on Las Vegas to win this home game. Expectations have never been higher. Winnipeg has more star power and is a strong road club going 4-1 in its five away playoff games. The lone loss occurred in overtime to the Predators. The Jets have solidly won on the road, too, outscoring their foes, 21-9, during their five away Stanley Cup matchups. Las Vegas upset Winnipeg at Bell MTS Centre, 3-1, two days ago. The Jets outshot the Golden Knights, but didn't play well. Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Dustin Byfuglien all had off-nights. That's not likely to happen again as these are all top-30 players. Las Vegas could be without underrated David Perron, its third-leading scorer. The past six times the Jets have lost they have come back to win in their following game. Look for that pattern to continue here.
05-14-18	Golden Knights +135 v. Jets		3-1	Win	135	11 h 60 m	Show
A combination of the Jets riding the adrenalin after winning their series against the Predators in seven games and the Golden Knights starting flat following being idle for five days helped result in Winnipeg winning the opening game of this Western Conference Finals, 4-2, this past Saturday. Fresh off eliminating the defending Western Conference champion Predators, the Jets scored 65 seconds into Game 1 against Las Vegas then scored a power play goal and another goal in which goalie interference was reversed after being initially ruled. The Golden Knights couldn't come back from a 3-0 deficit. It's more than obvious by now that Las Vegas isn't your typical expansion team, though. I believe the Golden Knights are nearly as good - if not just as good - as Winnipeg. So there's value taking this price with the Golden Knights, who should be more ready in Game 2. The Golden Knights are resilient and have proven themselves on the road going 30-18-3, including 4-2 in the postseason. They have underrated goal scorers, a solid defense and a big goalie edge with Marc-Andre Fleury against Connor Hellebuyck. The Golden Knights eliminated the Kings and Sharks as part of going 8-3 in the playoffs proving their regular-season success certainly wasn't a fluke. The Jets are strong at home. However, they had lost their prevous two games at Bell MTS Centre before defeating the Golden Knights. The Jets could subconsciously letdown, too, having won a Game 7 against Nashville and Game 1 against Las Vegas all in the span of three days.
05-11-18	Capitals v. Lightning UNDER 6		4-2	Push	0	16 h 8 m	Show
It's difficult not to think offense with these two teams involved. But I'm projecting a lower-scoring game than anticipated in the opener of this Eastern Conference final. Tampa Bay hasn't played in five days. It's going to take a while for the Lightning to rev up their offense and they need to be careful given the offensive firepower of Washington defenseman John Carlson. The Lightning led the NHL in scoring averaging 3.5 goals per game. Tampa Bay, though, also has been playing outstanding defense giving up two goals or fewer in five of its last seven games. When having ample rest - which is the case here - Andrei Vasilevskiy may be the best goalie in hockey. Vasilevskiy has been sharp in the playoffs with a 2.2 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. He had a .930 save percentage against Washington in three regular season games this season. Vasilevskiy may not have to deal with Nicklas Backstrom either. The Capitals' star center is dealing with an upper body injury that prevented him from playing in the last game. Goalie Braden Holtby has stepped up in the postseason for the Capitals giving up 2.04 goals per game. The Capitals haven't surrendered more than three goals per game during their last 10 games.
05-10-18	Jets v. Predators OVER 5.5	Top	5-1	Win	125	14 h 41 m	Show
The Predators had their defensive game of the year in shutting out the Jets, 4-0, in Game 6 of their Western Conference Stanley Cup series this past Monday. I don't see it happening again. Pekka Rinne can't be that good again. He's been inconsistent in the series. The Jets are the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL because they have star scorers and play a speed, full-attack style. Only once in their last 23 games have the Jets failed to produce at least three goals in consecutive games. Discount that last game and the Jets are averaging 4.5 goals per game versus Nashville. The Jets aren't changing their method of operation either. That's according to their coach, Paul Maurice. He said, "There's no big speech or departure from our game. The important one (message) that was delivered all year is to enjoy what we do. Have the confidence that you're going to go out and perform at your best. You can't be on pins and needles." So if the Jets lose they are going to lose playing their aggressive game. The Over is 13-5-1 when the Jets have been in action following two days of rest. The extra day should ensure fresh legs and a strong resolve to break through. Nashville is no slouch offensively with excellent offensive-minded defensemen. The Predators are a top-seven scoring team. The Over has cashed in seven of their last nine home games. In the last 10 meetings between these two teams, there have been at least eight goals scored in six of the games. This being a Game 7, too, there exists the strong possibility of one or two open net goals being scored if the game is close.
05-07-18	Predators v. Jets -145		4-0	Loss	-145	11 h 32 m	Show
The Jets have looked better than the Predators for much of this series and I see them getting it done here at home where they have won 13 of the last 14 times at Bell MTS Palce. Long-term, the Jets have won won 81 percent of their last 52 home games. The Jets really took control scoring four goals in the second period on their way to blasting the Predators, 6-2, this past Saturday in Nashville. Winnipeg is healthy, which is huge at this late juncture. I like the way the Jets are clamping down defensively and the production they're getting from their first line of Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Scheifele has scored nine goals in 10 playoff games.
05-06-18	Bruins v. Lightning -1.5		1-3	Win	178	9 h 16 m	Show
I don't see the Bruins rallying from a 3-1 series deficit. I don't see them beating the Lightning in Tampa. So I'd rather go for the big payoff by laying 1 1/2 goals on the puck line instead of laying heavy juice on the money line. Boston surprised Tampa Bay by upsetting the Lightning on the road in Game 1. That served as a wake-up call for the Lightning. They've won the past three games since then outscoring the Burins by a combined 12-6 goals. The Bruins have lost in seven of their last nine away matchups. Tampa Bay has won 73 percent of its last 51 home contests. The Lightning's last six home victories all have been by more than one goal. Boston's task is made more difficult having lost defeseman Torey Krug for the series. He suffered an ankle injury in the last game. Not only is Krug huge defensively, but he was part of the Bruins' power-play unit. The Bruins' strength had been their power-play. They haven't scored an even-strength goal during the past two games. The Bruins have given up the first goal in each of the last three games. That's likely to prove fatal again. If the Bruins happen to be trailing by just one goal with several minutes left, it's likely they would pull their goalie giving the Lightning extra opportunities to score an open net goal and thus win by multiple goals.
05-05-18	Penguins v. Capitals -110		3-6	Win	100	13 h 58 m	Show
The Penguins took advantage of Tom Wilson serving the first of a three-game suspension to even this series at 2-2 folowing their 3-1 home win this past Thursday. Devante Smith-Pelley, replacing Wilson on the Captials' first line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, should fill more comfortable. So should T.J. Oshie, who ended a four-game scoring drought with the Capitals' lone goal in Game 4. The Captials are getting excellent offensive production from defensemen John Carlson and Brooks Orpik. So I see the Capitals making it 13 games out of their last 15 of scoring three or more goals. That should be enough to get it done at home against the Penguins. The Penguins had a losing road record during the regular season and are 5-19 in the playoffs under Mike Sullivan when giving up two or more goals. Braden Holtby is having an oustanding Stanley Cup with a 2.07 GAA and .924 save percentage and has a history of playing his best when home.
05-03-18	Predators v. Jets OVER 6		2-1	Loss	-106	19 h 25 m	Show
The oddsmaker finally has figured out that 6 is the right opening total for this series. However, that total still isn't high enough. The Over has cashed in six of the eight meetings the teams have had this season. This isn't a fluke There are a lot of shots on goal and aggressive, up-tempo play. Both teams are averaging four goals per game against each other. Winnipeg has scored 15 goals during the first three games of this series. The Jets play especially fast at home where they have notched three or more goals in 16 of their last 18 games at Bell MTS Centre. Nashville has scored three or more goals in 12 of its last 15 games. The Jets aren't going to change their style especially being home. It's up to the Predators to match it and I belive they will come out fast, too, just like last game when they scored three goals in the first period.
05-01-18	Predators v. Jets OVER 5.5	Top	4-7	Win	100	15 h 11 m	Show
The Jets just know one speed - and it's not slow. Winnipeg isn't going to change its style after splitting two road games against the Predators to open this series. Winnipeg has scored four goals in each of its first two games versus Nashville. Now the Jets are home where they have scored three or more goals in 15 of their past 17 games at Bell MTS Centre. The Predators knew they had to pick up the pace and play more aggressive following a 4-1 Game 1 home loss this past Friday. So they did just and were rewarded with a 5-4 double overtime victory in Game 2 this past Sunday. That was the 11th time in their last 14 games the Predators have scored at least three goals. These teams have a history of playing high scoring games. The Over has won in five of the seven meetings between Nashville and Winnipeg this season. Even the games that didn't get above the total featured a lot of shots on goal and scoring opportunities. The Predators are averaging 4.0 goals per game against the Jets this season while Winnipeg is averaging 3.8 goals per game versus Nashville.
04-28-18	Bruins v. Lightning UNDER 6.5		6-2	Loss	-146	4 h 15 m	Show
Under normal circumstances, I might look Over the total. But not here in this Game 1. Tampa Bay has been idle for a week since eliminating New Jersey. There was either a 6 or 6 1/2 total for each of those series games, but the Lightning beat the Devils by identical, 3-1, scores in the final two games of their first-round series to advance to this level. Boston could be in letdown mode after getting past the pesky Maple Leafs in seven games during its first-round series. These teams are well acquainted with each other. They met twice during the final 12 games of the regular season. The Over hasn't won during the last five get togethers between Boston and Tampa Bay. I liked what I saw of Andrei Vasilevskiy against the Devils. He finished that series with a .941 save percentage. The Lightning's penalty kill unit also looked good killing off 16 of 19 New Jersey power play attempts. I see the Bruins coming out in defensive mode and the Lightning starting slow as they get the rust off. Note an early day time start, which is a plus for the Under.
04-27-18	Jets v. Predators OVER 5.5		4-1	Loss	-110	16 h 24 m	Show
Some of it stems from rule changes and tweaks made before the season to increase scoring. The result has been more emphasis on offense and that has carried into these Stanley Cup playoffs as seven of the eight advancing teams averaged at least 3.2 goals per game during the first round. Las Vegas was the only opening-round winner that averaged fewer than 3.2 goals per game during their defensive-minded first-round series against the Kings. But the Golden Knights just put up seven goals Thursday night in their first game against the Sharks to start the second round of the playoffs. So I'm surprised this opening Jets-Predators series total wasn't lined at 6. Maybe it will be a 3-2 game. Both goalies, Connor Hellebuyck and Pekka Rinne, are playing well. I just think there's a much greater chance that more than five goals will be scored given the aggressive makeup of these two teams and their strong offenses. Winnipeg scored the second-most goals in the NHL. The Jets have scored three or more goals in 12 of their last 17 games. The Predators ranked seventh in scoring. They have scored three or more goals in 10 of their last 12 games. Neither team is going to change their style. It's going to be speed not dumping the puck. The scores of the five regular-season games between the Jets and Predators were 5-4 in a shootout, 3-1, 6-5, 6-4 and 5-3. That's an average of seven goals per game.
04-26-18	Sharks v. Golden Knights OVER 5	Top	0-7	Win	100	19 h 44 m	Show
San Jose last was in action eight days ago. Las Vegas hasn't played in nine days. So how does this factor for the total? I believe it's a plus for the Over on two key counts. Both teams obviously will be totally refreshed and will be able to skate at their fastest. Neither team has any weak lines. Each of four lines the Sharks and Golden Knights have are capable of attacking. Goalies Martin Jones and Marc-Andre Fleury enter this second-round series red-hot. The long layoff, though, can present a rust factor for them. The Golden Knights haven't had to deal with a defenseman with the offensive skills of Brent Burns. If Las Vegas pays extra attention to Burns, the Sharks other veterans can take advantage. Las Vegas was the fifth-highest scoring team in the league. San Jose is averaging 3.8 goals in its last six games. There were at least five goals scored in three of the four regular-season games between these two teams. If it weren't for an empy net goal in Las Vegas' 5-3 win against the Sharks on March 22, each of the matchups this season would have been decided by one goal. The expected closeness of this matchup not only sets up a strong possibility of overtime, but also an empty net goal.
04-25-18	Maple Leafs v. Bruins OVER 5.5	Top	4-7	Win	100	14 h 31 m	Show
These have been two big Over the total teams and that's been reflected in the series with four of the six games going Over. Toronto has scored at least three goals in four of its last five games in the series. The Over has cashed in 71 percent of the Maple Leafs' past 26 games. Only once in their last 10 away games have the Maple Leafs gone Under the total. Boston has scored three or more goals in 10 of its last 11 home games. The Over is 10-2-4 in the Bruins' past 16 home contests. Now we have the deciding Game 7 in this series. The bonus we have going is neither team has anything to lose if they are behind late in the game. That means an inviting empy net for maybe the final three minutes if one team should be up, 3-2. The Bruins have dropped the past two games. But it hasn't been for lack of shots. The Bruins are averaging 37 1/2 shots on goal during the last two games. Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen hasn't been that good on the road. He's allowed 11 goals during the three series games played in Boston. Boston's front line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak was outstanding during their first two home games of this series. They are well overdue to break out again. Boston goalie Tukka Rask has given up seven goals during his last two home games against Toronto.
04-23-18	Capitals v. Blue Jackets +100		6-3	Loss	-100	15 h 45 m	Show
I don't believe the Capitals can defeat the Blue Jackets three times on the road in this series. Washington leads this best-of-seven series three games to twon following a 4-3 overtime victory this past Saturday at home. But the Capitals were lucky to have won that game getting outshot, 16-1, in the third period. I thought the Blue Jackets outplayed the Capitals in that Game 5 road loss. Now they are back home where their effort should get fully rewarded. The Blue Jackets led the NHL in scoring during the final 28 regular season games. Braden Holtby has stepped up well after not starting the first two games, but I'll still take Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky especially at home.
04-21-18	Maple Leafs v. Bruins OVER 5.5		4-3	Win	100	3 h 41 m	Show
The Bruins have scored 17 goals in building up a 3-1 series lead on the Maple Leafs. I don't see the Maple Leafs slowing down the Bruins in Boston. The Bruins are averaging 4.8 goals during their last 10 home games. Facing elimination, the Maple Leafs won't hesistate to pull their goalie if trailing by one or two goals late in the game. They did this in Game 4 with more than three minutes left. Toronto is the fourth-highest scoring team in the league. The Maple Leafs have scored three or more goals in 14 of their last 19 games. They should play fast and loose. The Over is 14-3-1 the past 18 times the Maple Leafs have played an opponent with a winning mark.
04-20-18	Avalanche v. Predators -1.5	Top	2-1	Loss	-115	18 h 29 m	Show
Nice season for the Avalanche. They did well. But things end here for them. Colorado has played heavily favored Nashville tough in this opening-round Stanley Cup series, but a 3-2 home loss two days ago puts the Avalanche in a 3-1 hole that they aren't going to emerge from. I don't see Colorado having much left to fend off the Predators especially now going on the road. The Predators have been near unbeatable at home during the Stanley Cup going 15-2 in their last 17 playoff games at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators have outscored the Avalance, 10-6, in their two home playoff games during this series. And now the Avalanche are down to third-string goalie Andrew Hammond with both Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier out with injuries. Nashville has scored three or more goals in nine of its last 10 games, including all four games in this series. The Predators are playing well on special teams, too, and Pekka Rinne is at his best at home with a 2.10 GAA home playoff average for his career. The Predators have dominated the Avalanche winning 13 of the past 14 meetings.
04-19-18	Bruins v. Maple Leafs +104		3-1	Loss	-100	15 h 32 m	Show
The Maple Leafs aren't getting enough respect here opening as a home 'dog to the Bruins. Toronto has beaten Boston five consecutive times at home. The Bruins also have lost their last five road games while the Maple Leafs have won 67 percent of their past 52 games at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs lost the first two games of this Stanley Cup series at Boston. But I was encouraged by how the Maple Leafs played in Game 2. They then defeated the Bruins, 4-2, at home this past Monday. Now they can even the series. Three of the major takeaways from Toronto's Game 3 victory was the improved goaltending by Fredrik Andersen, who stopped 40 shots, the Maple Leafs' clamping down on Boston's No. 1 line and Auston Matthews taking the pressure off his back by scoring the tiebreaking goal. Matthews is an emerging superstar and he shouldn't play tight anymore. Tuukka Rask has been a more effective goalie at home. He's allowed 11 goals during his last three road games. Rask has also given up a combined eight goals in two road games this season against Toronto.
04-18-18	Ducks v. Sharks OVER 5		1-2	Loss	-130	19 h 22 m	Show
I'm surprised the total opened 5 here considering how hot the Sharks are. San Jose has scored at least three goals in each of its last five games. The Sharks are averaging 4.6 goals per game during the first three games of thes series in building a 3-0 series lead. The Ducks have had problems with each of the Sharks' four lines and goalie John Gibson is not playing well with a 4.17 GAA and .882 save percentage in the series. Anaheim is due to breakout offensively, though. The Ducks' talent is much better than the three goals they've managed in the series and the Sharks are a good but not great defensive team. Facing playoff elimination with a loss here, the Ducks have nothing to lose. So if they're down late they are vulnerable to not one but two open net goals.
04-18-18	Predators v. Avalanche UNDER 6		3-2	Win	100	19 h 53 m	Show
The first three games of this series all have gone Over with seven, nine and eight goals being scored. But I'm going to go against the grain and go Under in this Game 4. My handicapping key is Nashville. The Predators lacked intensity in giving up four goals during the first 25 minutes of Monday's 5-3 road loss to the Avalanche. Nashville surrendered the second-fewest goals during the regular season. The Predators are 9-1-1 to the Under after giving up five or more goals in a game. They've allowed three or fewer goals in seven of their past 10 road games. Pekka Rinne is an elite goalie who is out to redeem himself after a bad game Monday. The series has gotten very physical. The Predators aren't going to let Nathan MacKinnon go off on them like he did Monday. So I envision a tight-checking matchup with the Avalanche playing conservative, too, trying to even the series.
04-17-18	Capitals v. Blue Jackets UNDER 5.5		3-2	Win	100	11 h 29 m	Show
The Blue Jackets own a surprising 2-0 playoff series lead on the Capitals winning the first two games at Washington, 4-3 and 5-4. Both of those games sailed Over the 5 1/2 total. But with the series shifting to Columbus I see fewer goals in this Game 3. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is proving that he can be as good in the playoffs as during the regular season. He's been outstanding. The Blue Jackets got away with their victories despite being whistled for 13 penalties resulting in five power play goals for Washington. I don't see the Blue Jackets being called for so many penalties at home. The Capitals are going to be hard-pressed to score without a man advantage. But the veteran Capitals are not going to panic down 2-0. They forced seven games against the Stanley Cup champion Penguins after falling behind 2-0 in their second-round series last year. I envision the Capitals playing more conservative on the road and switching back to starting goalie Braden Holtby.
04-16-18	Predators v. Avalanche OVER 5.5		3-5	Win	100	15 h 24 m	Show
There have been seven and nine goals scored during the first two games of this series, I don't see a lower scorer with the teams coming to Colorado for Game 3. This has been an Over series for a long time with the Over winning 72 percent of the time during the past 31 meetings. Only once in the last eight get togethers in Colorado has the Under won between these two teams. The Predators have scored four or more goals in eight of their last 10 games. They've scored five goals in each of the first two games of this series. The Avalanche have notched 10 goals during their last two home games. If the Predators should be holding a late one-goal lead there is not just the possibility of one open net goal but two because the Avalanche can't fall behind 3-0 in the series. This is their season right here. So they are will be playing a high risk game here, which should lead to additional scoring chances both ways.
04-16-18	Bruins v. Maple Leafs OVER 5.5	Top	2-4	Win	100	17 h 19 m	Show
The Bruins are averaging six goals per game in running up a 2-0 series lead on the Maple Leafs. Boston's top line of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand are playing out of their minds. Frederik Andersen has looked shaky in goal. So I don't see the Bruins letting up. They are going to get their goals. But the Maple Leafs should be much better returning home especially their No. 1 line headed by emerging superstar Auston Matthews. I don't see the Bruins keeping Matthews in check with the series shifting to Toronto. Toronto has scored four or more goals in nine of its last 11 home games.
04-15-18	Blue Jackets v. Capitals OVER 5.5		5-4	Win	110	8 h 59 m	Show
These teams accounted for seven goals in the Blue Jackets' 4-3 overtime Game 1 victory and I don't see why they can't combine for at least six goals here. Washington has scored three or more goals in eight of its last nine games. The Capitals' fourth line should be bolstered by the return of center Jay Beagle, who has been out since the start of the month. Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has a history of being much better during the regular season than in the playoffs. The Blue Jackets finished the regular season scoring the most goals of any team during the last 28 games. The Capitals are sticking with backup goalie Phillipp Grubauer as their Game 2 starter. Grubauer is largely untested in Stanley Cup action.
04-14-18	Sharks v. Ducks -131		3-2	Loss	-131	19 h 45 m	Show
The Ducks picked a bad time to lay a stinker at home after finishing the regular season 10-1-1 in their last 12 games. San Jose rolled past Anaheim, 3-0, this past Thursday. Anaheim has won seven of the last eight times when coming off a loss of three or more goals. I believe the Ducks bounce back again at home in Game 2 today. The Ducks' top line of Rickard Rakell, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry can't play worse than they did in Game 1. I also don't see the Ducks committing as many foolish penalties even though their intensity level should be way up. Anaheim has won 20 of its last 27 home games, including seven of its past eight. The Sharks are past their prime.
04-13-18	Wild +175 v. Jets		1-4	Loss	-100	16 h 23 m	Show
The Jets got past the Wild, 3-2, in Wednesday's Game 1 playoff series opener. The Wild didn't play that well, yet still lost by just one goal. Minnesota is the more experienced playoff team and is capable of stepping up. I see that happening here. The Jets may not have Mathieu Perrault. They already are without center Matt Hendricks and defensemen Toby Enstrom and Dmitry Kulikov. At this huge plus price, the veteran Wild are worth backing.
04-13-18	Flyers v. Penguins OVER 6		5-1	Push	0	16 h 55 m	Show
The Penguins' offense and the Flyers' weak goaltending is an excellent formula for more than six goals to be produced. The Penguins took care of the Over just by themselves during Wednesday's Game 1 of this series scoring seven goals. That was the 19th time in their last 26 games, the Penguins have gone Over. Prior to Wednesday's game, the Flyers had scored 17 goals in their last four games. So I expect the Flyers to contribute more to their share of the offense today. They did actually fire off more shots than Pittsburgh in Game 1. The Penguins' offense, though, remains in high gear. Pittsburgh has produced four or more goals in five of its last six games. The Flyers lack the defense and goalies to keep Pittsburgh's high flying offense in check.
04-12-18	Blue Jackets v. Capitals OVER 5.5		4-3	Win	105	18 h 35 m	Show
The Capitals are a top-10 scoring team. They scored three or more goals in seven of their last eight games. Alex Ovechkin led the NHL with 49 goals, John Carlson was the top-point producing defeseman and Evgeny Kuznetsov piled up 28 points during the final 18 games. So I have full confidence the Capitals will hold up their offensive end. I'm not worried about the layoff as the Over has cashed nine of the last 10 times Washington has played with three or more days rest. I'm also not concerned about Sergei Bobrovsky in net for Columbus. He's been a lot better during the regular season than in the playoffs where he's 3-10 with a 3.63 GAA and .887 save percentage. The Blue Jackets should hold up their end, too. They led the NHL in scoring during the final 28 games averaging 3.6 goals during this span. Only three times in their last 17 games have the Blue Jackets failed to produce a minimum of three goals per game. In a bit of a surprise, the Capitals are going with Philipp Grubauer in net instead of Braden Holtby. Grubauer is untested in Stanley Cup action having played less than 80 minutes of playoff hockey.
04-12-18	Devils v. Lightning OVER 5.5	Top	2-5	Win	100	67 h 27 m	Show
Nice job by the Devils to make the Stanley Cup playoffs this season after finishing with the worst record in the NHL last year. The Devils are heavy underdogs here so they are playing on house money. New Jersey is young and has fast skaters. All four of Devils' lines possess speed. The Devils went 3-0 against Tampa Bay this season. So they aren't going to alter their game and become grinders. Taylor Hall is a major scoring threat. The Devils are going to play fast, which is excellent for the Over. The Over has cashed in eight of New Jersey's last 11 games with six of those Over games lined at 6 and the other Overs lined at 5 1/2. The Lightning's defense has become broken. Tampa Bay has allowed three or more goals in 17 of its past 22 games. The Lightning rank 28th in penalty killing, while the Devils rank among the top 10 in power play goals. Tampa Bay is about offense not defense. Not only were the Lightning the No. 1 scoring team in the NHL, but they scored the most 5-on-5 goals since the 2009-10 Capitals. Keith Kinkaid has emerged as the Devils' No. 1 goalie with Cory Schneider battling a groin injury. Kinkaid played well down the stretch, but has zero playoff experience.
04-07-18	Blue Jackets +106 v. Predators		2-4	Loss	-100	10 h 44 m	Show
This game really carries no weight for the Predators. They've clinched home ice throughout the playoffs so they can go on cruise control here. Not so with the Blue Jackets. This is an important matchup for them regarding playoff seeding. As added motivation, the Blue Jackets also have double revenge. The Blue Jackets have been a blazing 13-1-2 down the stretch. They have won six of their last seven road games and are near full strength.
04-06-18	Senators v. Penguins OVER 6		0-4	Loss	-110	6 h 46 m	Show
The Over has cashed in 74 percent of the Penguins' last 31 games. Pitt has gone Over in nine of its last 11 games. The Penguins are in full attack mode and I don't see the Senators, with their 30th-ranked defense, behind able to contain them. The key is can the Senators contribute on their end? I believe they can. Ottawa has scored three or more goals in four of their last five games. The Senators have scored nine goals in their last two games and expect to have Bobby Ryan back. The Senators will be playing loose. So this matchup should be wide open.
04-05-18	Bruins v. Panthers UNDER 6		2-3	Win	100	8 h 24 m	Show
Florida is trying its best to keep alive its playoff hopes. Thanks to stellar goaltending from Roberto Luongo, the Panthers held off Nashville, 2-1, at home on Tuesday. The Panthers are 12-4-1 to the Under in their last 17 home games. This marks the Panthers' third game in four days and fourth in six so look for a tight-checking, conservative game from Florida. Boston was shut out in its last two games by Tampa Bay two days ago. The Lightning had allowed at least three goals per game in six of its last seven games previous to that. Tuukka Rask has been on his game for Boston. He had surrendered two goals or fewer in four straight games before yielding four to the Lightning, the highest-scoring team in the league. Florida ranks 15th in scoring. The Panthers haven't broken the three-goal barrier in their last six games. I see Rask coming back with a strong performance against a much weaker offense than he last faced. The Under has cashed the past four times these teams have met in Florida. Boston and Florida play again Sunday in a make-up game from Jan. 4. So neither team likely will want to show too much with such a short turnaround before playing each other again, which is another plus for the Under.
04-04-18	Senators v. Sabres OVER 5.5		4-2	Win	100	4 h 57 m	Show
Ottawa is 1-8 in its last nine games. Buffalo is 3-8 in its last 11 games. Both teams are frustrated with nothing to play for so expect a wide-open game. The Sabres have permitted at least three goals in nine of their last 10 games. They are going with backup Chad Johnson in goal. He's given up an average of four goals during his past three starts. Buffalo, though, should do a lot of scoring damage against the Senators' 30th-ranked defense. The Sabres are averaging 3.7 goals in their last four games.
04-03-18	Golden Knights v. Canucks +160		5-4	Loss	-100	10 h 11 m	Show
The expansion Golden Knights have been the story of the year in the NHL becoming the first NHL expansion team to reach the playoffs. Las Vegas accomplished this in style clinching the Pacific Division in their last game, a home victory against San Jose this past Saturday. So not only is this a letdown spot for the Golden Knights, who could be resting players, but it's an emotional situation for the home 'dog Canucks. Vancouver is out of the playoffs. But to their credit, the Canucks continue to play hard. They've won three in a row - all at home. Now the Canucks should be super psyched for tonight's game because it's the first game following yesterday's announcement that Daniel and Henrik Sedin are going to retire at the end of the season. Vancouver's players should be highly-charged because of this with a large crowd expected in an electric type atmosphere for the much revered Sedin twins. Las Vegas hasn't been playing that well either going a mediocre 3-3 in its last six games. The Golden Knights have been without injured David Perron and Reilly Smith. Those are the Golden Knights' third and fourth-leading point producers, respectively.
04-02-18	Avalanche v. Kings -1.5		1-3	Win	167	12 h 21 m	Show
The Kings are trying to hold off the Avalanche for the first wild-card spot in the West. They are in a great spot to succeed. LA has been idle since losing a 2-1 road game to the Ducks this past Friday. The Avalanche carries a much higher fatigue rating in action for the third time in four days and second time in two days after suffering a tough 4-3 overtime road loss to the Ducks last night. Colorado relies on its power play unit a lot. However, the Kings have the highest percentage rating of killing penalties. They haven't allowed a power play goal during their last eight games spanning 20 power play attempts. The Avalanche has lost in five of their last six visits to LA.
03-31-18	Panthers v. Bruins UNDER 6		1-5	Push	0	5 h 12 m	Show
Look for an intense, defensive matchup as not only is this an important game for both teams, but it's the first of three times Florida and Boston will play during the final nine days of the regular season. So hard-hitting and tight forechecking should get established right away. The Panthers shut out the Bruins, 3-0, in the first meeting this season on March 15. The Panthers carry a fatigue rating playing for the third time in four days. So they are likely to keep the pace slow. This is a very early start time, too. The Under has cashed seven of the last nine times the Panthers have played in this type of situation. Boston has held four of its last five opponents to two goals or fewer. Florida has failed to score more than three goals in eight of its last 10 games. The series also has an Under bias in Boston with the Under only winning in three of the last 17 matchups played there between the two teams.
03-30-18	Kings v. Ducks UNDER 5.5		1-2	Win	100	12 h 6 m	Show
Kings at Ducks Under 5 1/2 minus $1.40 Not only is this a strong rivalry matchup, but it's critical to each team's playoff chances. So look for playoff-type intensity here with the loser giving up two points, which makes it critical that each team at least keep the game tied through regulation. I'm expecting a conservative, well-defended matchup with strong net play. The Kings defeated the Coyotes, 4-2, at home last night scoring a late empty net goal to make the final a two-goal difference. The Kings rested goalie Jonathan Quick in that game so Quick could be in peak condition for this more crucial matchup. LA hasn't given up more than three goals during its last eight games. The Kings aren't going to push the puck in up-tempo fashion after playing last night. The Under is 17-6-6 the past 29 times the Kings have played without rest. The Ducks are sure to be fired-up having had three days to stew about an embarrassing 4-1 loss to the Canucks.
03-26-18	Coyotes v. Lightning OVER 6	Top	4-1	Loss	-100	10 h 41 m	Show
Tampa Bay is the top goal scoring team in the NHL. Lately, though, the Lightning have sprung leaks defensively allowing three or more goals in 11 of their last 16 games. Tampa Bay has surrendered six or more goals three times during this stretch. This conincides with Arizona getting hot offensively. The Coyotes are averaging four goals per game during their last four matchups. Arizona draws Tampa Bay baciup goalie Louis Domingue, too. Domingue started the season with the Coyotes and was terrible with a 4.33 GAA while going 0-6. His GAA is 2.84 in nine games with Tampa Bay compared to Lightning starter Andrei Vasilevskiy's 2.59 GAA. Tampa Bay has been a strong Over team at home with the Over winning 69 percent of the time during the past 29 games at Amalie Arena. The Over has cashed in eight of Arizona's last 11 road games, too. This series has an Over bias especially in Tampa where the Over has won nine of the last 11 times for 82 percent.
03-24-18	Blackhawks v. Islanders -120	Top	3-1	Loss	-120	10 h 3 m	Show
This is Chicago's first road game since officially being eliminated from the playoffs. The Blackhawks have lost 11 of their last 12 road contests. The Islanders are trying to keep their long-shot playoff hopes alive. So they are in must-win mode. While the Blackhawks lost 5-2 to the Canucks at home in their last game - a victory that halted a seven-game Vancouver losing skid - the Islanders nearly pulled off one of the top comebacks of the season. New York came from a 7-3 third period deficit against the Lightning, the team with the most points in the NHL, to lose 7-6. That shows the Islanders have some life, unlike the Blackhawks. New York also holds a goalie edge with Jaroslav Halak getting the start. Chicago is reduced to pair of ineffective backup goalies.
03-23-18	Canadiens v. Sabres OVER 5.5		3-0	Loss	-100	6 h 39 m	Show
Two non-playoff teams using backup goalies. It's a good combination for an Over. The Canadiens have given up three or more goals in seven of their last nine games. Carey Price is back for Montreal, but won't get the start here. Antti Niemi will and he's due for a regression. Third-string Linus Ullmark is set to make his second start for Buffalo. The Sabres haven't bee playing good defense in front of their goalies either allowing an average of four goals per game during their last four games. They've allowed three or more goals in eight of their last nine games. Montreal showed some offensive punch in its last game scoring three goals on the road against the Penguins. Buffalo's scoring attack is more respectable with its leading scorer, Jack Eichel, back from a long-term injury.
03-22-18	Canucks v. Blackhawks UNDER 6		5-2	Loss	-107	11 h 56 m	Show
The simple handicap here is that a total above 5 1/2 is too high when the Canucks are involved. Vancouver is averaging one per goal per game during its last seven games! This total lack of scoring is mainly a result of the Canucks losing their leading scorer and star, Brock Boeser, who hasn't played during this losing skid and likely won't play again this season due to injury. The Canucks rank 27th in scoring. They know they can't play wide open especially on the road. So it's not a surprise that the Under has cashed the past six times Vancouver has been away. The Blackhawks are playing for the first time since being officialy eliminated from the playoffs. That's a new experience for them so it remains to be seen how much effort and energy they'll produce here. The Blackhawks have a below offense. Chicago has been held to three goals or fewer in 12 of its last 15 games. The Blackhawks have been a huge Under team at home, too, with the Under going 19-5-2 in Chicago's last 26 games at United Center.
03-21-18	Canadiens v. Penguins -1.5		3-5	Win	130	9 h 1 m	Show
Montreal is playing the string out in the midst of another non playoff season. The Canadiens have been shut out in their last two games. But the big news here for the Canadiens is the expected return of Carey Price in net. That may sound good on the surface, but Price wasn't having a strong season when he suffered a concussion. This will be his first game since Feb. 20. Price figures to be very rusty. He also will be seeing a lot of young players in front of him and no stalwart defenseman Shea Weber, who is out for the year. Montreal has lost 22 of its last 28 games versus Eastern Conference foes. So I'm not expecting much from the dead Canadiens here. Neither is the oddsmaker with this large of a price. My strategy is to turn this into a plus profit by laying 1 1/2 goals on the puck line. The Penguins didn't play that well two games ago when they met the Canadiens in Montreal this past Thursday. Yet they still won by two goals. After that game the Penguins played the Islanders on the road. That was last night and the Islanders, a huge underdog, stunned the Penguins winning 4-1. I'm expecting a strong bouce back effort from Pittsburgh. There should not be a fatigue factor either as the Penguins' previous game before last night was back on Thursday against the Canadiens. The Penguins are 26-8-1 at home this season and Matt Murray is back in net for them after missing three weeks with a concussion. The Penguins usually crush weak foes going 8-1 the past nine times versus below .400 opponents.
03-20-18	Canucks v. Golden Knights -1.5		1-4	Win	104	8 h 38 m	Show
The buy sign is back on for the Golden Knights after a 4-0 victory against the Flames this past Sunday. That halted a four-game home losing streak for Las Vegas. The Golden Knights should be back on track as this concludes their four-game homestand. Vancouver has become the worst team in the league since losing its leading scorer and sparkplug, rookie Brock Boeser. Since Boeser suffered a possible season-ending back injury, the Canucks have gone 0-6 scoring six goals in those six games. Las Vegas is 2-0 versus Vancouver defeating the Canucks 5-2 on the road and 6-3 at home. A similar three-goal victory wouldn't be in the least bit surprising.
03-19-18	Panthers v. Canadiens UNDER 6		2-0	Win	100	13 h 31 m	Show
A total of six is too high on a Montreal game. The Canadiens, battered by injuries, rank third-from-the-bottom in scoring. They are averaging 1.8 goals during their last six games. The Canadiens have been shut out 11 times so far this season. That's a franchise record. Florida is averaging only two goals per game during its past three road games. The Under has won 71 percent of the time that these two teams have played in Montreal.
03-18-18	Stars v. Jets OVER 5.5		2-4	Win	100	4 h 34 m	Show
These teams have gone Over the total in five of their last six meetings. I see that trend continuing especially with Mark Scheifele returning to the Jets' lineup. He's missed the last five games. The Jets have scored at least three goals in the last 10 games Scheifele has played in. Winninpeg has scored 14 goals in three games versus Dallas this season with Scheifele scoring six goals. The over has cashed in Winnipeg's last seven home games. The Jets will draw Ben Bishop, who is having an inconsistent season in goal. Dallas is giving up an average of four goals per game during its last four games.
03-17-18	Senators v. Blue Jackets -1.5		1-2	Loss	-100	12 h 30 m	Show
Columbus is playing its best hockey down the strentch. The Blue Jackets have won six in a row. They also own a six-game home win streak. Columbus has won by more than one goal during five of its last seven victories and has been dominant at home versus opponents with a winning percentage of less than .400 going 22-6. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has returned to top form. The Blue Jackets have given up two goals or fewer in four of their last six games and not more than three during regulation in this time span. Ottawa has been playing well, too, post three straight upset victories defeating the Panthers and Lightning on the road and the Stars at home last night, 3-2 in overtime. But the Senators aren't a good team - with a below average offense and the league's 30th-ranked defense - and carry a heavy fatigue rating. This is Ottawa's fourth game in six days and second in two days. The Senators are 1-5 the past six times when playing without rest. So I don't see the Senators winning a fourth consecutive game, something they haven't achieved all season.
03-16-18	Wild v. Golden Knights OVER 5.5		4-2	Win	100	11 h 47 m	Show
Minnesota is a top-10 scoring team that has scored three or more goals in nine of its last 12 games. The Wild are likely to draw Las Vegas backup goalie Malcolm Subban. Golden Knights starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury clearly hit a wall after starting 18 of the past 19 games. He was the starter in Las Vegas' 8-3 home loss to the Devils this past Wednesday. The Golden Knights are the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL. They've been in scoring slump, which should end now that star forward James Neal is back playing. Neal is the Golden Knight's third-leading goal scorer. Minnesota has a key defensive injury with defenseman Jared Spurgeon out with a torn hamstring suffered this past Tuesday. The teams have met twice this season and there were six and seven goals, respectively, scored by the two teams.
03-15-18	Avalanche v. Blues OVER 5.5		4-1	Loss	-100	6 h 4 m	Show
Perhaps last week this total would have made sense given the Blues' scoring woes. But St. Louis' offense has come alive. The Blues scored a combined 11 goals in their last two games against the Ducks and Kings, a pair of top-five defenses, while averaging 33 shots on goal in those matchups. Colorado ranks 17th defensively. Colorado is the eighth-highest scoring team in the NHL. The Avalanche are averaging 4.2 goals during their last seven games. Nathan MacKinnon is one of the hottest players in the league with 17 points in his last nine games, including eight goals. Jake Allen will be making his fourth consecutive start in net with Carter Hutton still out for St. Louis. The last time Allen made this many starts in a row was back in December.
03-15-18	Bruins v. Panthers OVER 5.5		0-3	Loss	-120	2 h 7 m	Show
The Bruins are averaging 4.6 goals during their last eight games. The Panthers have scored at least three goals in 10 straight games. So I find this total low especially since both teams are expected to go with their backup goalies. Boston's Anton Khudobin is one of the better second-string goalies, but Florida backup James Reimer is bad. The Bruins could be down two key defensemen, too. Zdeno Chara isn't likley to play and Torey Krug is questionable. Both were injured in Boston's last game.
03-14-18	Penguins v. Rangers OVER 6		3-4	Win	100	6 h 30 m	Show
The Penguins have scored three or more goals in 14 of their last 16 games. They also are giving up an average of 3.75 goals during their last eight games. So it's not a surprise the Over has cashed in eight of Pittsburgh's past 11 games. New York has surrendered at least three goals in 12 of its last 14 games. The Rangers, though, have been scoring. If you discount a shutout loss to the Jets, the Rangers are averaging four goals per game during their last six games. Both teams are going to be using backup goalies. Matt Murry is still sidelined by a conussion so Casey DeSmith is expected to get the start while Alexandar Georgiev has been confirmed as the Rangers' goalie for this game. Only three times during the past 16 meetings in this series has the Under won.
03-13-18	Senators v. Lightning OVER 6		7-4	Win	100	6 h 2 m	Show
There is only one way to play this total - and it's not going Under. Tampa ranks No. 1 in goals scoring, averaging 3.6 per game. Ottawa yields 3.4 goals per game, worst in the NHL. The Lightning have scored three or more goals in 17 of their last 19 games. In 13 of these last 19 games, the Lightning have scored four or more goals. It's safe to assume they are going to light up the scoreboard against the defensively-challenged Senators, who have permitted three or more goals in nine of their last 12 games. Ottawa, though, has picked up its scoring aided by arguably the best offensive defenseman in the NHL, Eric Karlsson. The Senators have scored three or more goals in six of their last nine games, including scoring five goals against Florida and its hot goalie, Roberto Luongo, in their last game. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has hit a wall. The overworked Vasilevskiy has given up three or more goals in all but one of his last six starts. The Over has cashed in five of the last six meetings between the two teams, including all three games this season. Tampa Bay won 4-3 in a shootout in the first meeting. Ottawa won the second get together, 6-3, at home and then lost to the Lightning at home, 4-3, on Feb. 22.

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