Every game this series has been over 5.5 and yet the sports books keep offering it to us and we’ll keep taking it. These two teams have averaged a total of 8 goals/game. Whether the Devils start Schmid or Vanecek doesn’t matter to me. Both have struggled in their last 10 and are barely above .500. Not a good look for the playoffs. So even though Carolina is not the most high octane offense they have consistently got to both goalies. And the Devils have the 4th ranked power play while the Canes penalty kill is 20th ranked. So the Devils should score their share as well. All bodes well for my record with this pick and another total above 5.5 for a fifth consecutive game.

The see-saw nature of the Oilers/Knights series continued with Vegas stymying the Oilers in Edmonton, allowing just a single goal.  Vegas is a very tough out in away games, and they held the Oilers power play to no goals, while limiting penalties.  Adin Hill replaced Broissoit, and was perfect in game three as he was in the third period of game two.

Skinner was sub-par in game three.  In spite of his fine performance in the previous game, the Oilers have to be wondering about their young goal tender, who has now started 12 straight games.  There is no doubt that the Oilers will be all in tonight, but superior net-minding and their solid defensive road style should at least keep the Knight close in this one.  Take Vegas on the puck line at +1 1/2. 10*

Toronto is on the ropes, down 3-0 to the Florida Panthers. Everyone, against all the evidence expects them to finally push back and pull off a win. But with their top goalie injured all playoffs and now their second stringer, Samsonov injured as well, young Joseph Woll is thrown into the breach. His NHL career consists of 11 regular season and 2 playoff games. He lost both playoff games. Meanwhile, Bobrovsky has won 6 straight, all but one with a save % over .917. Florida is also 5-0 in their last 5 after a win, and 7-0 when their opponent scores 2 in the previous game. In the 3rd period and OT of game 3 against the Leafs, the Panthers’ scratch and claw style smothered a dispirited bunch of Toronto’s finest. There is nothing to indicate this will change in game 4. Bring out the brooms.

The last game surprised in many ways. Oettinger looking so shaky, Dallas so vulnerable without Heiskinen, and so many different Kraken scoring at will. That second period seemed to take the wind out of the Stars’ sails. Coach Deboer is a master at making between game adjustments. Even if Heiskinen plays, the injury could affect his offensive and defensive abilities. Seattle has some confidence now and the home crowd to boost them even more. With the possibility of Grubauer coming back down to earth as well, all of this bodes well for a high event, high scoring game. The over is 6-0 for the last six games between these foes. Dallas averaged 3.83 goals and Seattle average 4.0 goals over that span. The total set at 5.5 seems like a gift. Take the over and make like a bandit.

The Devils woke up on home ice, pounding two of the three Canes' goalies.  It remains to be seen if Raanta can go in game four or if Carolina will return to Andersen.  If it is anything like last series, it will be difficult for the Hurricanes to stuff the Devils' scoring genie back in the bottle, so we could be in for a wild ride in game Five.  NJ will come out flying again. Hughes broke out with four points, but New Jersey got scoring from a variety of sources.  Even Vanacek chipped in with an assist.  I have no faith in either of the Devils' netminders to limit Carolina.  I expect another barn burner with plenty of scoring. Game five will go over the total, possibly well over.

The Golden Knights could not contain the Oilers' high octane offense and their potent power play in Game two.  What was surprising was the Oilers, who are often defensively suspect, limiting the Knights to a single goal.  Vegas has been a much better away team this season, playing a tighter more disciplined style on the road that is very suitable to the playoffs.  They are a very well-coached team with an ability to adjust on the fly.   While the Oilers are a heavy favorite today, I am not ready to count Vegas out.  I think the Knights will focus on slowing down the Oilers down, at the cost of total goals.  The total went under in Game two, and an even higher number is available today. Look for a tighter checking game and take the total to go under.

The Stars were dominant in their Game two win, much better than the score would suggest.  Oettinger bounced back as expected, but the Stars also limited the Kraken to eighteen less shots.  Dallas was very good as a road favorite this season, while the Kraken were just 6-11 as a home underdog.  The Stars are healthy and were much the better team on offense in Game two, scoring four times on Grubauer  The Seattle goalie's save % has dropped  considerably to .890 in Round two.   The Kraken's 40 goal scorer, McCann, is still questionable to return on Sunday.  As  good as the Kraken's offense has been, I am banking on Oettinger and the Dallas defense today.  Take Dallas to win on the road.

The Devils bounced back after a poor start in the first series and are favored today, but the Hurricanes really seem to have New Jersey's number in this series.  The Devils' goalie situation is pretty ugly.  Neither net minder was effective in Game two, and Schmid's run would seem to have come to an end. I do think that the Devils will  score more than  one goal today; they certainly responded on offense upon returning home in the first series.  The Canes, despite missing some key pieces on offense, are getting scoring from a range of players at the moment.  They have been absolutely tenacious on the forecheck, and I don't see them taking their foot off the gas.  We have seen the over in both games of the series despite very limited offense from the Devils.  Carolina will again get their opportunities against whoever is in net.  I am wagering on the over today.

The Oilers will score their share of goals, and they still could win this series. It won’t be easy without an elite goalie considering how some of the defense plays, and while Skinner hasn't played badly, he is no game-changer.  Like all the successful teams this year ,Vegas was tenacious on the forecheck in Game One.  Broissoit has played better than expected but the Knights face an elite offense at 5 on 5, and one of the very best power plays ever. Add Draisatl, who is lights out in the playoffs, and the potential more than in any other series is for a bunch of goals from both sides . Take the over again in game two.

The Devils were embarrassed by the more experienced Hurricanes.  Let's hope that this will kick-start them for Game two.  Schmid was pulled in Game one after three quick goals, leaving Game two's starter a question mark.  The Devils had an even worse result in the first game of the Rangers series and did bounce back.  While Carolina is an elite defensive team, Andersen faced just eighteen shots.  I don;t believe that the high flyers we saw in the latter part of the Rangers series will be held to just a single goal and under twenty shots twice in a row.  New Jersey has rebounded well after previous losses all season long and are 13-6 after a loss of two goals or more.  Schmid has now had two poor outings.  Is it possible that his cinderella run has ended?  There are enough questions around the Devils goal tending to make the total, a low 5.5, very tempting.  Go with the over today.

Game one of the series featured more goals than expected.   Five goals against the Stars and Oettinger is a rare occurrence, but the Kraken accomplished it with tenacious forechecking and their usual balanced fifth-ranked attack. The Kraken's ability to play tough without taking penalties eliminated the Stars' very potent power play in game one.  Neither goal-tender looked sharp, but the less than stellar play by Grubauer is more concerning.  Oettinger is far more likely to bounce back.
The Stars bounced back after an opening loss in the first series.  It is unlikely that they will be able to completely shut down the Kraken, but they should get plenty of opportunity against Grubauer. Look for other forwards to chime in today, although Pavelski's return is significant.  Dallas is a very large, possibly exaggerated, favorite today.  I think the total is Thursday's best opportunity.  Take Dallas and Seattle to go over.

The Oilers' top rated offense and power play were a little much for the Golden Knights in the regular season.  Edmonton was 4-0 in Vegas and the over was 3-0-1.  They are a very good road team this year.  They do have their weak points, in goal tending and defense.  Skinner was the worst net-minder in the first round, and a healthy Vegas side will have their chances on goal.  Vegas got solid work from Broissoit in the Jets series, but the Oilers are a huge step up in speed and skill, and Broissoit has never been regarded as an elite talent.  It took Edmonton a series last year to really get flying.  We could see a very wide open style with the resulting high totals, starting in Game 1.  Take the Oilers and Knights to go over.    

The Devils looked shaky in their first two playoff games, but once Schmid started in net, they roared back, winning 4 o f 5 games.  NJ held the star-studded Rangers offense to just two goals in those four wins. The young net-minder bounced back after a poor outing in Game six, earning his second shutout of the series.  The Devils' top 10 defense should be able to hang in there against a very fine Hurricanes D.  Carolina does not have a a net-minder to match Shesterkin, the Devils' last opponent.  
New Jersey was at their best on the road this season, but Carolina was a very fine home team, so no obvious advantage there.  The real difference today is on offense.  NJ is both healthier and more potent.  They are blindingly fast and gave the Rangers' defense fits once they got over their early jitters.  After a slower start, I expect Hughes to step up, but he will have plenty of help.  While the Canes are a slight favorite, I am  going with the Devils today.  Take New Jersey to win on the road in Game one. 10*!

Devils goal-tending issues returned as the Rangers finally broke through against Schmid in Game six. Who the Devils start in net today is the big question.  At the other end, Shesterkin has been consistently good for the Rangers with a fine .939 save % in this series.  While it didn't hold in  this series, NJ has bee a force at home this season.  The speed of the Devils has given the Rangers fits and we have yet to see a goal from Hughes.  The Devils have been tough to beat at home this season and have also a very fine record in bouncing back from a loss. Having solved both Schmid and Vanacek, the Rangers will be ready for whoever is in net.  In spite of these two teams' reputation for defense, I expect offense to be the color of the day.  Wager on the Devils and Rangers to go over.

There are some compelling reasons to consider a Kraken win tonight.  Seattle is a very good road team and are 4-1 vs the Avs in Colorado.  There are even more reasons to look at the total.  The under has figured in five of six games in this series and in all of the Av's home games.  Nine of ten recent meetings have all gone under.  Seattle and Grubauer have defended  better than anyone might have expected.  The Av's have just a single player in the top twenty playoff scoring leaders and the Kraken have none.  Seattle could still be missing McCann today, a big part of their scoring.  I am not confident on picking a winner in game seven, but I do like the total very much.  Jump on the under, especially if under six is available.

Skinner has a save % of .884 in the series and Korpisalo has given up 9 goals in 2 games.  We have now seen the total go over in the last two games.  Neither of these two teams were better than average statistically this season and goal-tending had much to do with that.  With the Oilers the top offense and with a devastating PP, high totals seemed inevitable. For me, Korpisalo overachieved in the early series.  I am betting that the Oilers get to him or Copley again today.  I also can't believe that the Kings can subdue McDavid much longer.  I am not counting the Kings out yet, but I am big on a total prediction today.  Take this game to go over the total

I am sure many people are asking "who the bleep is Akira Schmid?" The young net-minder has sparked an equally young Devils' side to a three game win streak, outscoring the Rangers 9-2.  The Devils were a solid defensive force this season missing one thing; dynamic goal-tending.  It is not even as if Schmid had to work that hard in Game Five.  He faced just 23 shots vs 43 for Shesterkin.  Four extra Rangers' penalties in the third period is not a good look.  2-1 in OT, 3-1, and now 4-0; there is a definite progression here.  The Devils have a high speed effective offense, and it appears the goal-scorers are also starting to find their form and confidence. The Rangers are in big trouble.  Take the underdog Devils to win.  10*

The Stars got points form their big guns and a shutout from goalie Oettinger in Game five.  That is two straight premium efforts for him after a pair of sub-par performances.  Ti is the Wild's net-minder Gustavsson who has underachieved in Games four and five, allowing six goals on fifty shots.  Could we see Fleurie back in net? The Wild are a very good home team, but Dallas was exceptional on the road this year, and are driven to get a round one series victory off their back.   They've got Hintz as the (not so surprising) play-off points leader, and they have stymied an average Wild offense in two straight games. The Wild are still likely missing their top center Ek. These are two very defensively solid teams, but the Stars' superior offense will rule in Game Six. Take the Stars to win. 10*

The Panthers, much to my surprise, beat the Bruins on the road in overtime, earning a chance to tie the series at home.  I cannot believe that the Bruins will allow this series to go to a game seven.  The Bruins out-shot Florida 47-25, with Bobrovsky saving the Panthers' bacon with a huuge performance.  Ullmark had a rare off game, but I expect he will be back in the net in Game Six.  While it shouldn't matter in the playoffs, the Panthers have been a .500 home team this year.  After the Bruins' loss in game one, they stormed back in the second game, winning relatively easily.   I expect a similar reaction from Boston in Friday's match-up.  Pasternak is certainly due for some offense. Take Boston to win the game and the series on the road. 10*

This is a tough call. Not that I think the Golden Knights won't win. I just don't think the odds are great that they will win by more than a goal.  The Jets are now down three centers, a scoring winger, and their best defenseman. That is just plain too beaten up to win against a Vegas side up 3-1 at home.  The Jets have had very little success against the Knights anywhere, however there is always the Hellebuyck factor.  He could come up bit and limit Vegas scoring, although the Knights have managed four or more goals a game in Games 2 through 4.  High odds, but taking the Golden Knights to win is the best option. 10*

Both these teams have a penchant for winning on the road and the series has followed that pattern.  I think the Devils success in games three and four has more to do with A. a young team finding their playoff footing, and  B. putting Schmid in net.  The youngster has allowed just two goals in forty-nine shots..  It isn't as if the Devils are ripping up Shesterkin and the Rangers, having scored just just seven goals in four games.  These were, after all, two tough top ten defenses in the regular season, and if Jersey gets solid goal-tending again, we could see another low total.  I'm wagering on the under again today. 10*

The Bruins got to Bobrovsky for five goals and ran Lyons out in the previous game.  I'm not sure it will make any difference who is in net; Florida just doesn't have the defense to keep the Bruins in check.  Boston is an unstoppable force at this point and will have Bergeron back for game five, making them even tougher to play against.  I would be very surprised if the Panthers won another road game.  Ullmark looked terrific, stopping 41 of 43 shots, and trying to take on Tkachuk as well.  I think the Panthers have taken their best shot and have come up short.  Take the Bruins on the puck line at -1 1/2. 10*!

Korpisalo !has faced roughly forty shots a game from the #1 offense in the league.  He has been a lot better than most people expected so one off game is not surprising. 3 of 4 games in this series have gone to overtime so the Oilers as such a favorite in Game Five is a bit surprising.  The Oilers goal-tending situation is hardly clear.  They will have to decide between Skinner, who was pulled in the first period of Game Four, or Campbell who has barely played this month.  This has been an evenly matched series with the Kings largely keeping the Oilers offense in check.  There is every likelihood that LA can keep Game Five close again. A Kings win is not out of the question.  Take the Kings on the puck line at +1 1/2.  10*

The Colorado big guns solved Grubauer, leaving him with five goals against and an .845 save % in Game Three.   Not that Georgiev was that much better, but we knew the Kraken would press on offense.  The Av's are a a great road team and the Kraken struggle to defend, especially at home.  Goat-tending was always going to be the issue for Seattle, but Grubauer surprised with two very strong appearances.  It may be status quo now.  I don't think that the Kraken, regardless of who is in net, can stand up to an Av's team firing on all cylinders.  Look for Colorado to win on the road again.

The Avalanche got to Grubauer in a big way, which is not really a surprise.  Goal tending was always a question mark for the Kraken.  Seattle responded with four goals in game 3, again not really surprising, as they possess one of the better offenses in the league.  The Av's last 6  away games have all gone over, and Colorado is a tough opponent on the road.  Seattle has not been at their best at home this year.  We've reached situation critical in the series.   Seattle will be all in, and that means offense.  Colorado is tough to beat when MacKinnon et al get rolling. Look for another high total, and jump on the over today

The Jets just lost their top defenseman, Morrissey, a huge hit at this point in the series.  Vegas is probably as healthy as they have been all year.  Eichel appears to enjoy his first taste of play off hockey.  He and the Knights have solved the Hellebuyck problem.  Just keep firing shots at him.  This should have been an easier win for the Knights.  The Jets had just 11 shots in the first two period.  Credit to the Jets to find a way back from down three. It must have been demoralizing to finally lose in multiple overtimes.  I don't think Vegas will make that same mistake again.The Golden Knights are the better team and very tough to beat on the road. I believe they will steal another road game on Monday.  Knights to win outright.

You have to believe that Gustavsson will be back in net for the Wild.  He was sharp, but not overworked in Game 3 and sensational in Game !.  The Wild were able to push the Stars around, putting four past Oettinger.  His save % is just .860 in the last two games. Both teams are missing a top offensive player as Ek appeared to re-injury himself.  The Stars haven't had much success when playing in Minnesota, just 2-5 in recent match-ups.  Minnesota is a very good home team, playing a tough brand of play-off hockey at the moment, and if Gustavsson is in net, have topnotch net-minding.  Take the Wild to win at home again.

The Bruins were all business in Game Three, running up a 4-0 lead, and then surviving the Panthers' 19 shot 3rd period.  The Bruins broke through on Alex Lyon, bouncing him for Bobrovsky.  Today's Florida goalie will be a game time decision. Ullmark looked very solid, weathering the third period assault by the Panthers.  The Bruins could be down another center today with Krejci questionable, but Florida could be missing Ekblad on defense, which would be a more significant loss.
I don't think that Boston will take their foot off the gas today and allow the Panthers the opportunity to even up the series.  Even minus Pasternak, the Bruins are just too solidly built.  It is going to take a better defensive team and more potent goal-tending than the Panthers can offer to beat the Bruins consistently.  Take Boston to win.

The Avalanche have been a great road team all season, while the Kraken are just a surprising three games over .500 at home.  While all bets should be off in the playoffs, this is a very strong trend.  As good as Grubauer has been lately, that hasn't been the norm this season.  He is also consistently worse on home ice.  Georgiev is steadier, at home or away.  The Av's have the star power, the experience and the ability to break out.  The Kraken are tough offensively but have been only average on defense this year.  I think that the lack of defense and sub-par net-minding will catch up with them tonight.  Take the Av's to quiet the first-time playoff crowd in Seattle and steal this one on the road.

The Devils, a very good away team this season, are looking to bounce back on the road on Saturday, but they have taken a kicking at both ends of the ice in the first two games.  The Rangers' defense is definitely on top of their game, and they are getting timely offense from Kreider, Fox, and now Patrick Kane. Did I mention Tarasenko?  Vanacek struggled in both of the first two games, while Shesterkin has given up just a single goal in each game.  The usually offensively-charged Devils were held to 22 shots in Game Two, with just 7 coming in the third period.
It is hard to imagine the Devils out in four, but the Rangers look very tough to beat.  Take the Rangers to win Game Three at home.

I am betting the Bruins will be all business today after arguably their worst loss of the year.  They were masterful on the road this season, and very good in revenging a loss.  I am not sure I would want to be in the Panthers' skates today.  Expect Boston at their most pugnacious in tonight's match.  Panthers' likely goalie, Alex Lyon, bounced back with a better game two, but he doesn't have the track record and has played a ton of hockey in April.  It was an uncharacteristically poor game from Ullmark and the league's best defense on Wednesday.  Take Boston, even without Bergeron, to bounce back and win.

The Hurricanes have a stranglehold on the series to date, but are down another forward with Teravainen out.  The Islanders are healthier and a MUCH better team at home this season.  This is game critical for the Isles, and likely their best opportunity for a win; lose this one and there is no recovery. As one might expect, both goalies are statistically better when playing in their home rink. Look for better games from Barzal and Horvat, and for Sorokin (at home today) to out-duel Raata, as the desperate Islanders win at home.

I thought the Golden Knights would make more of a game of it, but the Jets shut them down, allowing just 17 shots. Hellebuyck, who can be a game changer, wasn't even worked.  However the Jets are not always consistent, so I am not convinced of a similar result in Game two.  Will it be Broissoit in net again?  He was very good down the stretch, but allowed 4 goals with an .867 save % in Game one. 

I think we will see a better game from the Golden Knights, but the Jets have been putting up some high numbers of goals lately and scored with relative ease on Monday night.  The best option in this match-up is the total.  With a very low number available on Thursday, look for this game to go over.

The depth and experience in the Rangers' lineup showed vs the Devils in Game one.  With a fine game from Fox and Krieder, the result was one-sided.  It doesn't hurt to have Shesterkin in net.  He was beaten only by a penalty shot.  Can the Devils turn things around in Game two?  They had solid success vs the Rangers especially at home this year.  I does appear that all of the trade deadline additions to the Rangers lineup have finally gelled in time for the playoffs.  Devils goaltender Vanacek has a chequered history in the post season.  This is still a very young Devils side.  I am going with experience and goal tending tonight.  Take the underdog Rangers to win.

The Kings struck first in their series vs the Oilers, just as they did last year.  They shut down McDavid if not Draisaitl, and got solid goal tending from Korpisalo.  Oiler's net minder Skinner looked less than sharp.  I am not convinced that LA can take two straight at home, but they appear to have the defense and muscle to at least contain Edmonton's potent offense. Goal tending is the Oilers' thorn in the side.  We will see if Skinner can bounce back.  The Oilers will either have to cut down on penalties or shape up on the PK  Take the Kings on the puck line at +1 1/2.

I wondered which goal tender would step up in the Wild/Stars series and it appears both will.  We could even see Fleurie tonight as Gustavsson did face over 50 shots on Monday. With Ek out and now Pavelski questionable, offense looks even more scarce for Wednesday.  These are two very strong defensive teams (third and sixth in goals-allowed), and with play-off hockey being generally tighter, a high total is not to be expected.  Take today's game to go under the total.

Vegas finished the season strongly and they have Mark Stone back after a very long injury.  The Jets have Hellebuyck, but otherwise don't always seem to pull in the same direction.  They were very fortunate to land in the playoffs, and are just .500 on the road this season.  Broissoit, an ex-Jet, will start for the Knights.  He has been very sharp in April, with a .946 save%.  Yes, Hellebuyck can be scary good at times, but Vegas is as healthy as they have been all year, and have a solid edge on offense.  Take the home side, the Golden Knights, to win at home.

The Leafs are back in a familiar spot; round one against the Lightning.  I like their chances much better this year, especially in their home games.  Toronto finished very strongly, winning four straight and beating Tampa, Florida and the Rangers.  The teams are equally matched on offense, but the Leafs are much better on defense, and they are tougher to play against this year.

Tampa is a bit of a mystery this season.  They were outright poor on the road, finishing 4 games under .500.  Even Vasilevskiy hasn't been as dominant this season.  He had some great games down the stretch, but was roughed up by the Leafs and the Rangers in his last two games.  Samsonov will return to the net for Toronto.  He has been better than steady down the stretch when he played, with a +.950 Sv % in his last three games.

With all of their previous experience, perhaps the Lightning can find another gear for the playoffs, but I am taking the Leafs until I see otherwise.  Toronto to win Game one at home.

The Oilers appear to have peaked at just the right time, winning 9 straight games.  What is perhaps most impressive in this stretch is that the Oilers have only allowed 6 goals in their last 6 games.  This from a team that was very casual on defense for much of the year.  Skinner has been nothing short of sensational in net lately with a .966 save % in recent games.  Included in this streak are a pair of wins against the Kings, during which he allowed just 1 goal. 

At 5-5 L10, LA looked sharper a bit earlier in the season.  They are a large step behind on offense especially if Fiala is still out.  They will need superior goal tending to withstand the Oilers onslaught, and I am not convinced that either Copley or Korpisalo is up to the task.  Kings will have a better chance at home, but I expect that game one will go the way of the Oilers.  It is higher odds than I would usually play on, but we will need to watch a game at least to see how this series will go.

The Wild did not finish the season strongly, losing 5 of 7 games.  They have Kaprizov back finally but have lost their top center Eriksson Ek, and have 3 other centers compromised at the moment.  The Stars, who looked shaky earlier in the season, are now 8-2, exceptionally stingy on defense, and scoring with regularity lately.  The Stars are healthier, have a very big step up on the Wild on offense, and are a good home team.  It is hard to argue with any of the goalies in this series, and a crap shoot at this point to see which one will stand out.  Dallas is definitely the stronger club, now very well-coached, with the shadow of an early exit last year to motivate them.  Take Dallas to win game one.

No one wants to face the Bruins in the first round, so this is still a significant game for the Panthers.  They have come down the stretch winning 6 of 7, losing that one game in OT.  

They're getting great goal-tending from back up Alex Lyon.  He has played in 7 straight games, and hasn't given up more than 2 goals in any of them.  Andersen is projected to start in goal for the Hurricanes.  He has bee up and down in his last 8 starts.  The Canes are just 1-3 lately and haven't fared well against the Panthers when playing in Fla.  Carolina is the better defensive team, but it is the Panthers who have been keeping goals against down.  They haven't given up more than 2 in any of their last 8 games.  The Panthers have a very solid edge on offense.

I like the Panthers' chances on Thursday.  It is a more meaningful game and they are the much hotter team.  Take Florida to win outright. 10*

There is just one meaningful NHL game today, with the depleted Canadiens facing a teetering NY Islanders side.  This is critical mass for the Isles, who inexplicably lost to a struggling Capitals side on Monday.  The Habs are 3-7, and have been outscored heavily in those losses.  They are a very poor road team and have a shockingly long injury list.  Montreal goalie Montembeault allowed seven goals in his last start.  Isles' stellar net-minder Sorokin had one of his worst starts ever in the Capitals' game allowing three goal early.  Expect him to bounce back today; he was exceptional in his three previous starts.

This is a season-defining game for the Islanders and I believe they will respond.  They crushed the opposition in their two games previous to the Washington debacle.  They are a very good home team with solid defense and have been overachieving on offense in their wins.  Take the Islanders on the puck line to day at  -1 1/2.

The 5-0 Kraken, benefiting from an easy schedule down the stretch, haven't faced a top team in more than a week, since they lost to the Kings.  They are in a back to back situation against a tough Knights team and have now confirmed at least a wild card spot.  Their goal-tending, a weak spot all season, is in flux tonight.

Vegas should take this game seriously.  They are in first place in their division, but some mixed play has the Oilers nipping at their heels.  They are better-rested and have a fine past record against the Kraken.  Broissoit has looked sharp in net lately, so the goalie advantage goes to Vegas.  Call this a pre-playoff game for both teams, with the better-rested Golden Knights coming out on top.

The Jets, on the cusp of a wild card spot, have won four of five games. With both offense and defense firing in their last two games, they've scored twelve goals and allowed just three, against better teams than Monday's opponent. They are well-rested and in an absolute must-win situation.

The Sharks have surprised some teams lately, but other than the PK, this is a pretty pedestrian team running out the season on the road. Kahkonen the Sharks' likely goalie, was pulled from his last game, allowing 4 goals in under 20 shots.

Looking at the Jets' schedule this is their only "easy" game left.  Look for all-out effort from a good defensive team with a top net-minder.  Take Winnipeg on the puck line on Monday.

It is situation critical for the Panthers and they are without their #1 net minder Bobrovsky.  The good news is that Lyon has been filling in more than adequately, with a .961 save % in five straight games.  The Panthers aren't the best road team this season, but this game is a must-win, and the Panthers have been jumping all over weaker teams lately.

It is hard to think of the Capitals as a "weaker" team, but they are 3-7 lately and giving up buckets of goals, over 4.5 a game on average over nine games.  Washington does have their top netminder in goal, but he has given up fourteen goals in his last three starts.  Missing Oshi today, the Caps are going nowhere but the golf course this season.  Look for a solid effort from the Panthers, and a big road win.

This is one of the few significant games today; significant for the Kraken, that is, who are still in a fight for a wild card spot. After eight straight losses, the Coyotes seem to have visions of Bedard and the golf green.  They lost their home game 8-1 to the Kraken, in a rink where they have been highly competitive this year.  They have been pretty dismal on the road this season..  This is an absolute must win for Seattle and not just for their  playoff position.  They have had real trouble stringing together wins, and a victory tonight would make it three straight.  They still have one of the league's best offenses, and Vejmelka, who has held Arizona in so many games this year,  has struggled of late.  Take the Kraken to go all in tonight.  Seattle to win on the puck line at -1 1/2.

After four straight losses, the Lightning finally got their act together and played the way they are capable of, winning 3 straight.  Not just winning; they have outscored the competition 14-2.  They will face the Rangers on 3 days rest.

The 8-2 Rangers are also well rested, and are playing at home tonight.  The under dominates these two teams' latest action, 4 straight for Tampa, 2 of 3 for the Rangers, and 7-0 when these two teams meet. The Rangers have the fourth best goals-against avg. and Shesterkin in net.  He has a .946 save % over his last seven games. Not to be outdone, the Lightning have Vasilevskiy at the top of his form, with 2 shutouts and a scorching .978 save % in his last four starts.

This is essentially an early play-off game.  Look for a continued tight checking, low-scoring affair, and take the total to go under.

The Sharks have won three straight games, including wins against two play-off bound teams.  Equally surprising, they have also scored 23 goals in their last 6 games. Not surprising then, that the over is 5-1 in the Sharks last six games. The Avs, playing in San Jose on Tuesday, have won five straight road games, scoring 21 goals.  They have an exemplary record against the Sharks, with the over figuring in 14 of 19 meetings.  Kahkonen  is off a rare win, but has allowed at least four and as high as eight goals in recent appearances.  This is still a meaningful game for the Avs, but it appears San Jose still has it's heart in it while playing down the stretch.  Look for another high scoring game and take the over.

The Golden Knights play a very tight brand of hockey on the road, essentially play-off hockey. They have an exceptional road record. They beat up on the Wild last time out, holding Minnesota to a single goal. The Wild are not a highly productive offense, especially with Kaprisov still out.  Minnesota gets by on solid defense and excellent goal-tending, especially from Gustavsson, who should be in net on Monday.  He has been exceptional lately. Both teams are in first in their respective divisions, but have no breathing room.  Look for a pre-playoff type of game, and take the total to go under.

The Senators are still not eliminated from a wild card spot, and have won four of seven games.  The Blue Jackets are 3-7 and have now lost four straight.  Even worse, they have also lost Merzlikens, and have called up depth goalie Gillies from the AHL.  While both these teams were shut out yesterday, Columbus lost by a full seven goals. Both teams have lengthy injury lists, but Columbus is missing both Laine and a full five defensemen.  The Jackets are a wretched 3-12 when playing on back to back days.  The Senators are  6-5 in the same situation and will have their starting goalie Talbot back in net.

The Sens are 4-1 in recent games vs Columbus.  I expect it will be 5-1 after Sunday.  Take the Senators to win.

The Bruins seem to dictate the flow of the games they play, and five of their last six games have gone under the total.  With the best defense and PK in the league, no one seems to score often against the Bruins, and Boston hasn't relied on  a ton of offense for their recent wins,  Swayman will likely be in net today.  He has had 2 shutouts, and a .962 save % in his last 4 games. Jarry is much improved of late, off a  shutout win of his own.  The under is a solid 5-1 when the Bruins and Penguins meet up in Pittsburgh.  With a hefty total of 6 1/2 available, I believe this game will also go under the total.

The 7-3 Bruins are off a rare loss, never a good sign for the next opposing team. Columbus has been giving up vast numbers of goals, 38 in their last 6 games alone.  The Columbus goal tending situation is unclear tonight, but it will likely be Swayman  in net for the Bruins.  He has "just" a pair of shutouts in his last four games.  With the best defense and PK in the business, the Bruins allow very few goals.  They don't usually win big, but today could be an exception. That loss in their last game should keep them focused against a very weak opponent.  Columbus also has Laine and four defensemen out today. Take the Bruins on the puck line today at -1 1/2.

The 6-4 Islanders have stepped up their play lately and have been finding the back of the net regularly, but have not been defending to their norm.  The Capitals are still a scoring threat, but are giving up goals at an alarming rate, 4+ GA  on average in their last 8 games.  Seven of ten of the Isles' games and a full nine of ten Caps' games have  gone over today's total.  Sorokin was great in his last start but has been more uneven of late than we have come to expect.  Caps' goalie Kuemper has allowed  4 goals in three of his last four starts.  The Islanders played poorly vs the Capitals last time out and are still on the dance card for the play-offs, so look for a better effort today.  The over is 4-1 when these two teams have met recently.  With the low total available, I expect a similar result today. Go for the over.

The 5-5 Flames are uninspired at the moment, considering they are still in sight of a wild card spot.  They aren't much of a home team, and were absolutely crushed by the Kings the last time they faced them.They are riding Markstrom in net, and while he was better in his last two games, he has not been especially effective.

Meanwhile LA, at 8-2, is as hot as anyone in the NHL and a sizzling 10-1 against Pacific Division teams. They have a better road record this year.  Their offense is hitting on all cylinders, scoring 30 goals in the last 6 games. Other than a sloppy win over St Louis, the Kings are also very tough to score on lately. Korpisalo has been very good since moving to LA, with a .929 save % in his last 5 games.

Now just two points out of first in the Pacific, I think the Kings will prove too much for the Flames on Tuesday.  Take the underdog Kings to steal this one on the road.

31 goals in 7 games; not bad for the NHL's 26th ranked offense. The Canadiens have been scoring surprisingly frequently lately.  Unfortunately they are also 29th/31st in goals against/PK, and have given up 37 goals in that same period.  The Habs have had 7 of 10 games go over the total.

The 3-7 Sabres have a legitimate barn-burner of an offense, but they've also struggled to defend.  They shut out the Islanders, but all 5 previous games went over, with the Sabres allowing 5+goals against on average. No net minder can be expected to perform well given these defenses, however Allen is scheduled in net for Montreal and he has been truly dreadful in his last 3 games.

Given the up and down nature of these two teams, either one could burn up the ice or flame out on any given day.  The total is a much more dependable bet.  Take the Over on Monday.

Since an embarrassing loss against the Black Hawks, the Bruins have been all business lately, winning six straight and out-scoring their opponents 23-6.  They are off a win over Tampa.  The 6-4 Hurricanes dispatched the Leafs on Saturday.  They are an excellent home team, but will face one of the league's very best road teams tonight.  Boston was ousted by the Canes in last year's playoffs, and is 0-9 in games in Carolina.  I am sure that this must rankle, so look for all-out effort from the best team in the league. 

I don't believe that history will repeat itself tonight.  Boston has the edge in the net with Andersen facing Swayman.  Andersen has a sub-.900 save % in his last five games, and even worse in recent home games. Bruins' net-minder Swayman has a pair of shutouts in his last three appearances.  While roughly equal in defense for the season, the Bruins have played a much tighter style than the Hurricanes in recent games.  Boston has a solid edge on offense.

I'll take the Bruins as an underdog against anyone. This is a very significant game for an immensely proud team. Boston is playing play-off-style hockey at the moment . Take the Bruins to win.

The Kings are riding high in recent games.  They haven't given up more than two goals in nine games, a real step up from their  3.2  goals against season's avg.  Korpisalo has played very well as a King, with a .929 save % in his last eight starts.

The Jets seem to be reverting to their fine defensive form but don't score much themselves lately.  Their last five games have all gone under the total.  Hellebuyck has looked better recently after a poor early March.  The Jets are still in the running for a wild card spot, but must do what they do best to succeed, which is play a tight defensive game with solid goal-tending.

Look for this match-up to go under the total.

The Islanders, winners of three straight, have scored seventeen goals while allowing just six.  Five of six of their games have gone over the total.  They have also won six straight against the Blue Jackets. The Islanders, still in the running for a wild card spot, have been beating up on weaker teams (and the Leafs), scoring in a very prolific un-Islander-like  style.  They face one of the league's worst defenses on Friday.  Columbus are off a 7-6 win, but victories have been few and far between. High totals have not.  The over has figured in eight of their last ten games.  The Jackets have given up a ton of goals, but they have also managed to score an average of four goals a game in their last five games.

The total is lowish, given the Islanders' reputation, but I expect a higher total on Friday night.  Take the game to go over the total.

The Canucks are playing a much better brand of hockey under their new coach.  The return of Demko in net has solidified the goalie situation.  They lost against Vegas , and were called out for giveaways, but generally the defense and PK have been very much improved.  They are also 5-1 in recent home games, getting solid offense, and have been deadly in scoring short-handed lately. 

The Sharks are 1-9 and seem destined for dead last this season.  They generally haven't been scoring much, although they managed 4 goals against the Oilers.  Goalie Kahkonen has lost 9 straight games, giving up more than four goals a game.

The Canucks are better than they have been all season, and seem to be enjoying themselves after a very turbulent season.  It won't do much for their draft placing, but they are playing like they have something to prove.  Take Vancouver to win again at home.

The Penguins are struggling, losing four straight and outscored 18-7.  It won't get any easier on Wednesday.  They'll face a Avs team at home and in top form.  Colorado has won six straight, outscoring their opponents 28-12 in that stretch.  Looking at the numbers, the Avs have a sizable edge on defense and the Power Play, and their formidable offense is finally clicking.

Penguins' goalie Jarry has had some very poor outings lately, with just an .849 sv. % in March.  Colorado's likely net minder Georgiev ha s been the opposite, earning a shutout in his last appearance, and sporting a shiny .975 sv. % in his last three games.

The Penguins are just .500 on the road this season and are an "also-ran" in the playoff race at the moment.  The Avs are challenging for first in the West.  Take the Avs, at home, to continue to win.

The Jets are in the midst of blowing a once promising season.  They've lost six of ten, can't win at home with regularity, and can't seem to find the back of the net anywhere. Three of their last four wins have been by a single goal. They've scored just two goals in three games, and were shut out twice. Star net-minder Hellebuyck has not looked his best February through March.
Meanwhile, the lowly Coyotes have won 6 of 7 games, and their last two losses have gone to overtime.  They are better rested than the Jets, and should have Vejmelka back in net on Tuesday.  The Coyotes are very much over-achieving on offense, averaging 4 goals per game over their last 8 starts.  I'll take the Coyotes on the puck line at +1 1/2.

The 7-3 Oilers are still within sight of first place in the West, which makes a win in Monday's game against the Sharks absolutely vital.  Edmonton hasn't played a really poor team in ten games, which makes their record even more impressive.  There are no questions around their offense; they've outscored their opponents 16-8 in their last three games.  Their defense has perked up lately.  They limited the Bruins, Sabres and Dallas to two goals or less in recent games.
The Sharks truly are a poor team at the moment, losing 6 straight games.  With the league's 30th ranked defense, they will be in tough against the Oilers' top of the pops offense and Power Play. Sharks likely goalie Kahkonen's save % over his last 5 games is a very humble .836, including an eight and a six goals-against effort.  The Oilers Skinner has won 7 of 8 games, with just one sub-par start against the Leafs during that time.
I generally shy away from the puck line, but this is one game where I feel comfortable in wagering on it.  Look for the Oilers to light it up on Monday.  Edmonton - 1 1/2!

Other than a poor effort vs Calgary, Vegas has been overachieving on offense, averaging over 4  goals a game in their last 5.  They'll be all in against Columbus to hold onto their lead in a tight Western Conference.  Both defenses are depleted.  Vegas is missing a remarkable 4 goal-tenders this year.  Columbus is down a goalie and 2 defensemen at the moment.  Hutchison gave up five goals for Columbus last time out.  Quick really struggled vs Calgary, and his save % is under .890 for the season.

Columbus is a finalist in the Bedard sweepstakes, winning just once in their last seven games.  They are 8-20 on the road, and bottom feeders on offense and defense.  I expect Vegas to put up big numbers vs the Blue Jackets, but Quick has hardly been unbeatable lately.   The over has figured in 7 of 10 Columbus games and 3 straight Vegas Knights matches.Take this game to go over the total as well.

The Flyers are 2-10 in back to backs, while the Hurricanes are 7-2.  The Canes are 8-1 against teams with a losing record.  The Flyers are 3-12 vs teams with winning records.  Carolina  has lost 3 of 4, are one of the league's best road teams, and should be in an ugly mood after their recent poor play.  The Flyers won last night for just the second time in 10 games, and have lost by multiple goals in 6 of 10 starts.

The Flyers will likely start Sandstrom in net.  He has lost 8 straight.  Between goalie Andersen and the Canes' second ranked defense and PK, Carolina should have their way with the Flyers offense and PP, worst and second worst in the NHL.  Look for Carolina to bounce back in a big way on Saturday night.  Take the Hurricanes on the puck line at -1 1/2.

The Caps travel to St. Louis on Friday, facing the 3-7 Blues. In addition to losing, the Blues have given up 13 goals in their last two games.  For the Season, the St Louis defense has sunk to 28th.  With Binnington sent to the corner, it will likely be Greiss in net.  He has seen very limited action this season and for good reason.  Even with their defensive woes, St. Louis can still put the puck in the net.  They've averaged 4 goals scored in their last 4 games.
The 5-5 Capitals are also scoring in bunches, putting up 13 goals in their last 3 games. We've seen the total go over in three straight in both the Capitals and Blues games.  The Caps are in a pattern of losing following a win, but I think they will have success against Greiss.  Let's stick to what works here and take this game to again go over the total.

The Flames have stepped it up slightly lately after a very disappointing stretch.  They won 3 of their last 5 games but were 0-5 before that.  They've had some solid goal-tending from Markstrom, but he has now played in 9 straight games, and allowed 4 goals in his last start. The Flames have trouble scoring against solid defenses, and the Golden Knights are top ten in goals against.

Vegas has won 4 straight and 7 of  8, surging to first place in the Western Conference. They are back home after a very successful road trip, and are 8-1 in recent home games.  Their offense is on fire, averaging 4.5  goals a game in their last 4.  The Knights have a solid edge in all categories except power play.

Vegas looks like a real contender at the moment, and today's line is quite generous, all things considered.  I am banking on Vegas to continue in their winning ways.  Take the Golden Knights to top the Flames at home today.

The Wild lost last time out but are 7-3 in recent games.  They allowed 5 goals to the Coyotes but otherwise it has been 2 or less in their previous 9 games.  The Wild, missing top scorer Kaprizov, had been limited in offense but have broken out in their last three games with 13 goals.  They'll pit their top 3 defense against the Blues' 27th goals against. 

The Blues have won just 3 of their last 10 games.  They are tough on other cellar-dwellers, but are 0-5 against top teams.  They'll face a very steady net minder in Fleurie.  Their goalie, Binnington, has been up and down of late.

The Wild haven't had much luck against  the Blues in St Louis, but they are the far superior team at the moment and a very solid road team this season.  Look for a revenge win as Minnesota takes this one on the road.

The Vegas Golden Knights have won three straight games on the road, allowing just six goals scored.  Even in their last loss, they only allowed a pair of goals against.  Vegas is a dominant road team, particularly tough to score on in away games.  The Flyers struggle at home this season. Well, the Flyers struggle everywhere at the moment.  They've lost three straight and eight of ten, in most cases by multiple goals.  They've also got the worst offense in the league at the moment, scoring just twelve goals in ten games.  The Knights, who don't have the most potent offense, have more than double that number in the same number of games.  Probable goalies are Hart for the Flyers (very average lately) and Adin Hill, if he returns as expected. Hill was terrific leading up to his brief injury.
The Knights are favored but not as highly as one might expect.  Take Vegas to win easily.

The Leafs' 7th best defense is ranked 20 points higher the Buffalos'.  The Sabres have the edge on offense, but it is minimal, and Toronto has a huge advantage on special teams.  The Leafs are 7-3 in their last ten games, beating the Oilers 7-4 in their last game.  They are one of the best home teams in the league this season. 

The Sabres have had some growing pains lately, losing 6 of 7 games.  They were crushed by Dallas and Boston lately, two other solid defensive teams.  The Sabres have had no luck at all against the Leafs this season, outscored 11-5.

The Leafs are a game back from an extensive and successful road trip.  Look for them to rack up a second consecutive home win on Monday.  Take the Leafs on the puck line at -1 1/2.

The Wild have to be the best defense in the NHL over the medium term.  Add two star-quality goalies in Gustavsson and Fleurie, and you can expect a steady diet of low totals.  It will be Gustavsson in net on Sunday.  The under has figured in 8 or 10 of their last games. Losing Kaprizov has put a further damper on a low scoring Sild offense. 

Arizona wighs in at 24th on defense, which is better than their offense (27th)The Under is 4-1-1 in their last six back to back situations.  The Coyotes should have Vejmelka in net.  While a bit uneven lately, he has held the Coyotes in many games this season.

Bothe teams are playing on 0 days rest.  We'll see two tired teams, both of which struggle on offense.  The Wild are giving 2 or less goals a game on average.  Add a couple of good net-minders, and you have the makings of yet another under.

The Golden Knights are on the road against a very good Hurricanes side.  Vegas plays a close, tight-checking game on the road and will likely have Adin Hill back in net , a plus based on his recent play. The under is 11-2-1 in the Knights' latest away games.  The Knights have a top eight goals against average this year, but might be outmatched by the Hurricanes" Number two defense. Andersen should be in net on Saturday.  He has allowed just 1 goal in his last two starts.  The under has also dominated the Canes recent home games, 5-0-1 in their last six.

The total for this game is just average, too high for a pair of defense-first teams with solid net minders.  Take the Under all the way to the bank.

The Ducks are an all round poor team, worst or close to it in every category this season, but they have been managing to hold the score down in most of their recent games.  Much of this is due to their goalie, Gibson, who has played very well in a losing cause most nights.  They don't have a lot of quack on offense and just one game has gone over in their last 6 appearances.

The 4-6 Flames have face tough competition lately.  They got a shutout from Markstrom in their last game.  Perhaps his play will turnaround down the stretch.  The Flames will need him in prime form for any chance at a wild card spot.  4 of the Flames last 6 games have also gone under.  Calgary has a slightly better than average defense but they've had trouble scoring lately.   They won't likely face much of an offensive thrust from the Ducks.  I am wagering on a lower total on Friday night.  Take the Ducks and Flames to go under.

New Jersey has no trouble scoring goals but their defense has been shaky lately and in spite of a 7-3 record they are still giving up too many goals. New Jersey has seen 7 straight games go over.  Their main man in net, Vanacek, has struggled, with just an .821 save % in his last 5 starts. The Devils are  one of the very best road teams, facing a Capitals team that is only barely over .500 at home.  The Capitals haven't won many home games lately and are just 1-5 vs good teams.  Kuemper has played well behind a very depleted Caps' defensive corps, but has been facing a ton of shots in recent action. As far as the Capitals' scoring goes, any time you have Ovechkin, you have potential for offense.  I expect another high scoring game on Thursday.  Take the Devils and Capitals to go over the total.

The Wild just aren't giving up goals lately, and at 8-2 in their last 10 games, they usually score just enough to win.  They are a top three defense for the season, but certainly tops in the league in the medium term, allowing just 9 measly goals in 8 games. Both goalies have been stand-outs.
What is up with the Jets? They have won just once in 7 games, giving up some ugly numbers; 24 goals in just 6 games.  This is supposed to be a top 10 defense, but you would never believe it lately.  Star goal-tender Hellebuyck is not holding them in many games with a goals-against % of just .854 in his last 5 starts.
Minnesota won both meetings this year, allowing just 2 goals while scoring 10.  This includes a 4-1 victory in Winnipeg.  Look for continued dominance by the Wild on Wednesday.  Take the Underdog Wild to win.

The Senators have won five straight games, each by two and often more goals.  They won big in the trade deadline, and so far Chychrun seems to be adjusting well.  The Blackhawks  lost Kane, Domi and 3 other significant pieces.  They've now lost 4 straight, managing just 6 goals scored while allowing 16.  The Senators are just 3 points out of a wild card spot, and have a legitimate shot.  This is a young team with considerable potential.  The Blackhawks have dreams only of Bedard at this point.  Ottawa has been winning on the road as well as at home lately.  This is a game they should win easily.  Take the Senators on the puck line at -1 1/2.

This must be a dispirited Coyotes team at the moment.  They have a depleted roster, losing their two top defensemen and a better than average center in Bjugstad.  They were pummeled by the Canes last time out.  Not to blame Vejmelka who has been heroic for the Coyotes this season, but his goals against avg. is 5.54 in his last 4 starts.

The Devils are off a  shoot-out loss to the Knights, so will be all in on Sunday.  They are one of the very best road teams in the league at 22-4 this season.  They are capable of some very good numbers these days, scoring 7 goals against both the Avs and Flyers.  Adding the jewel of the trade deadline in Meier sure won't hurt the already formidable offense.

In spite of the Coyotes' surprising success at home this year, they don't have much of a team to run out against New Jersey today.  Take the Devils on the puck line at -1 1/2

The up and coming Senators have won four straight, including a convincing victory over the Rangers in their last game.  They have been very good at home and will have their shiny new trade acquisition, Chychrun, on display on Saturday.  The Blue Jackets lost a goalie and a solid defenseman at the deadline.  Hutchison, fresh from the AHL, and the Vegas Knights system, will likely start in net.  The Jackets have joined the less than ideal NHL 30-30 club, 30th in goals allowed and 30th in goals scored, that is.

The Senators are finally reasonably healthy and are pressing for a wild card spot.  This always was a team with potential and it is starting to show.  The Jackets, by the way, are an ugly 7-17 on the road.  Look for Ottawa to take it to a Blue Jackets team on a back to back road situation.  Wager on the Senators on the puck line at -1 1/2.

The Oilers and their new defenseman both impressed in a one-sided 5-2 victory over the Leafs.  They are at home to the Jets on Friday.  Winnipeg has lost 4 straight, and has allowed 15 goals in their last 3 games, a very poor showing for a defense-first team like the Jets.  Winnipeg broke out for 5 goals in their last game but previous to that one, they had scored just six goals in six games.  The Oilers don't lack for offense, sitting first in goals scored and PP.  It is the defense, or lack of it that can cause problems (20th G.A., 25th PK).

The Jets are barely over .500 on the road this year and their recent play does not inspire confidence.  Connor McDavid has been absolutely on fire, while Jets star net-minder Hellebuyck has struggled in his last two appearances. Give me the Oilers to win on Friday.

The Red Wings have lost 3 straight, essentially putting paid to their play-off chances.  They have been outscored 15-3 in those three games.  Detroit traded away a top tier defenseman on Wednesday and other players may soon follow.  With Hronek gone, that defense has taken a step backward.  The Kraken are expected to stand pat so  no trade turmoil to deal with as we head up to the deadline.  The Kraken are a very good road team with a very solid offense.  I expect the Red Wings to be off their game as more trades arise in the next day or so.  Seattle beat Detroit just 10 days ago.  The Kraken are still in position for their first venture into the play-offs.  Look for all out effort on Thursday as the Kraken win on the road.

The Predators have essentially gutted their team, losing Ekholm, Jeannot, Niedereiter, and Granlund so far to trades. There could still be more players to fall.  The Preds will be in something like a a state of shock today.  Meanwhile the Panthers, off a 4-1 victory over the Lightning, have so far not engaged in the trading frenzy.  Florida is a good home team with a fine offense, who will look to revenge a recent ugly loss to Nashville.  Look for the Panthers to kick the Preds while they are down today.  Take Florida to win.

Carolina suffered a no-rest road loss vs the Ducks last time out.  They are still on the road, but have had 4 days off.  The 'Canes are a very good road team this year, facing the Knights who are less effective at home.  Carolina sports the second best defense and fifth-ranked PK, combined with a top nine offense.  The Knights are good on defense (10th, 2.8 GA), poor on the PK, and only average on offense this season.  They managed 0 goals against a stiff Colorado D last time out, and the Hurricanes are a definite step up from the Avs.

The 'Canes are 8-2 lately, allowing just a minuscule 10 goals in those wins.  Andersen had an off-game in the loss to the Ducks, but his previous three starts were superb.  These two teams don't play each other often, but when they do it has been the 'Canes on top.  I expect the same sort of result on Wednesday. Take the Hurricanes, rested and reset after that embarrassing Ducks loss, to steal this one on the road.

The 25th and 26th ranked offense  meet up when the Wild host the Islanders on Tuesday.  The two teams sport top ten defenses and PKs, so goals may be scarce. It has been three straight unders for the Islanders who are missing their main scorer in Barzal.  Minnesota has gone under the total in eight of nine games The Wild are just a very defense-driven club. 

Minnesota's Gustavsson held the Leafs to two goals in his last appearance, and has held the opposition to two or less goals in six of seven games.  The Isles net-minder Sorokin has allowed just 2.4 goals a game this year, and has a .937 save % in his last five games.  Look for the Isles and Wild to do what they do best and keep the puck out of the net on Tuesday.  I'm wagering on another Under.

The Avs and Knights both have top ten defenses and middling offenses this year. Vegas plays a tight-checking game on the road with great success.  They are 17-5 away, and nine of their last ten road games have gone under the total. Meantime the Avs have limited the opposition to under 2 goals in 4 of 5 games.  Georgiev has a save % of .960+ in his last two starts.  Hill hasn't played in some days, but he has been very good this season.

The two teams don't usually produce much offense when they meet. If I had to pick a final score based on their history, I'd jump on 3-2.

With a total of six available, I am wagering on the the Avalanche and Golden Knights to go under the total. 

The Sabres  have won 4 of 5 games, beating the Panthers on Friday.  The Capitals, with Ovechkin returning, beat the Rangers on Saturday, but must play on the road on Sunday morning.  That win was the Capitals' first in 7 games.  The Sabres have improved on defense over the season, but are still a very offense-driven team with the 3rd best goals against and a top 5 PP.  The Capitals scored 6 goals against the Rangers but that has not at all been the norm.  In their previous six games, the Caps' 21st ranked offense as been underachieving if anything.

Buffalo beat the Capitals last time they met.  Sunday morning will come around very quickly for an aging Capitals team.  I will take the better and fresher Sabres to win at home.

The Big Bad Bruins are 0-4 when playing in Vancouver, and I imagine that bugs them.  The Canucks fans hate the Bruins for age-old reasons, from way back when Vancouver was something other than a laughing stock.  The Canucks play one of their three overwhelmed  fill-in net minders, probably Delia.  The Bruins counter with Ullmark (1.88, .937 SV %), not to mention their 2nd ranked offense and top defense against the league's worst power play and 31st ranked defense.  Take the Bruins on the puck line, at - 1 1/2.  Great odds available..

The 6-4 Leafs are tough to beat at home with a superlative 22-6 record.  They'll be home to  the Wild who won against the Blue Jackets last night.  It is the third game in four nights for the Wild.  They've won four straight but do struggle when away, just 1-4 in recent road-work.  The Wild have allowed just 5 goals in that winning streak, but have scored just 10.  That is the story of the Wild this season; limited scoring and limited goals allowed.  Gustavvson is in net for the Wild tomorrow.  He has been super-sharp lately, with a .944 save % since the All-star break.

The Leafs are just as good on defense, but with a much more potent offense.  The Under has been the name of the game when these two teams meet in Toronto and when Minnesota is playing on short rest.  Gustavvson has had such a hot hand that I think this game will go true to form.  Take the Wild and Leafs to go under on Friday.

the Flames knocked off the Coyotes on Wednesday, but are back to back and on the road against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.  Just 4-6 L10, and 12-9 on the road, they'll face a Knights team that has won 5 of 6 games since the break.  The Knights were embarrassed by the lowly Black Hawks last time out, so are a fine candidate for a rebound win.  Vegas has held most teams to 2 goals or less lately.  The Flames broke out in the third period against the Coyotes, but have otherwise had trouble holding a lead.  They are 1-6 when playing the third game in four nights and 0-7 when playing in Vegas.  The Knights are healthier lately, and have an edge in all categories other than PK.  You can add the Knights' extra days rest and the Flames lack of success in Vegas, leading me to take the Golden Knights to bounce back at home on Thursday.

By the numbers, Calgary should beat the Coyotes on Wednesday, but the 4-6 Flames are struggling, barely over .500  on the road, and 0-5 in recent games against sub-par teams.  The Coyotes have been surprisingly good at home and winners of 3 of 4 games.  Arizona has been very competitive in most games lately; 7 of 8 contests have been decided by one goal with 6 going to OT.  The Flames have also had 5 of 6 one goal games.
Both Markstrom and Vejmelka had rough outings in their last appearances but the Coyotes' net-minder has been the steadier of the two, and has held the Coyotes in many games this season. The Flames can't seem to hold a lead.  The Coyotes have beaten both Nashville and the Lightning recently.  I am wagering on them winning or keeping it close on Wednesday.  Take Arizona on the puck line at +1 1/2.

The Red Wings lost their last game of a Western swing but won the previous five.  In those games, the Wings outscored their opponents 25 -12.  Still on the road, but with an extra day's rest, they'll play the 3-7 Capitals, who are still missing Ovechkin and have a hefty injury list.  The Capitals have scored just nine goals in their last five games, more than a goal less than their season's average. It appears that the Caps are a poor bet until the Captain is back.

Detroit's net-minder Husso wasn't terrific against the Kraken last time out, but that as not been the norm.  His save % over the last six games is a heady .930. Washington's goalie,  Kuemper, has been very steady this year but did give up 11 goals in his last 3 games.  The Red Wings are a sizable underdog on Tuesday, but doing the math, I am all in on the Wings winning.

The Rangers lost last time out, breaking a seven game win streak.  They are back home on Monday and will have an extra day's rest over the the opposition.  The Rangers are a good home team this season and have really hit their stride lately, especially on offense.

The visiting 5-5 Jets are on a back to back, and are experiencing something of a scoring drought, managing just 6 goals in their last three games.  Both teams are top ten in defense; the Jets have the better penalty kill, but the Rangers have a decided advantage on offense and Power Play.  Even including their solitary 3-2 loss to the Flames, the Jets have averaged just under five goals scored in their last eight games.  The Jets aren't the best road team, and will get no breaks on offense with Shesterkin in net.  Rittich will be in goal for Winnipeg; he's has been solid for the Jets as a back up, but he isn't Hellebuyck.

At home and with better rest, this looks like yet another victory for the Rangers. Take New York to win outright.

The Blues, now minus their captain and their former top scorer, were roughed up by the Avs last night. They'll travel to Ottawa to meet the 6-2 Senators in a back to back situation.  Losing O'Reilly will be a serious blow, and they also have a couple of key injuries tonight.  St. Louis is three games under .500 as a road team, and have lost their last three straight away games.
The Senators have played well lately but lost last time out.  They also have an exta day's rest.  Ottawa has a slight edge at five on five, but their impressive third ranked Power Play matches up very well against the Blues' 24th rated PK.
St. Louis's net minder Greiss hasn't played in three weeks and gave up five goals to the Coyotes last time out.  The Senators will likely counter with young Sogaard who has  been acceptable since being called up.
Given the fatigue factor and Blues' road woes plus their injuries and trades, I'm wagering on the Sens tonight. Ottawa wins outright.

The Islanders knocked off the Penguins on Friday but face the big bad Bruins on no days rest on Saturday.  It was the first win for the Islanders in 4 tries.  They have given up 17 goals in 4 games, far more than their usual season's average of 2.7 goals per game.  After a three game losing streak the Bruins seem to be back on track, winning 3 of 4 games and allowing just 6 goals against in that period.  The Bruins have the top defense and PP in the league.  On offense, they far outscore the Islanders, who are 24th in goals for and 26th on the Power Play.
With Sorokin playing on Friday, Varlamov will be in net for the Islanders.  He gave up 4 goals in his last appearance. The Bruins will likely start Ullmark (1.90 GA, .937 Sv%). He has been exceptional this season, and hasn't disappointed lately.  The Islanders have had no success on the road lately, and are at some disadvantage having played on Friday.  Off a 5-0 shutout  against the Preds, I don't think the Bruins will be taking any prisoners again tomorrow night.  Take the Bruins to win on the puck line at -1 1/2

The Rangers have won six straight games, scoring 31 goals while allowing 17.  They continue to play on the road, where they are now 16-5, facing the Oilers on Friday night.  The Oilers who were pressing for 1st in their division, are just 2-3 since the All-star break.  Their league's best offense and Power Play have put up some high numbers, but they have also given up 14 goals in 3 games.  With their recent offensive surge, the Rangers have moved into the top ten teams on offense, but the power surge appears to have come at the expense of more goals allowed than normal. The free-er style sure hasn't affected their winning percentage.  Edmonton is worse than average on defense and a bottom feeder (27th ranked)on the penalty kill. Held to just 2 goals in their last game, look for the Oilers to bounce back on offense.  Shesterkin has under-performed since the All-star break, with an .880 save % in his last three games.  Oilers' net minder Skinner allowed 6 goals in his last time.
We've seen five straight overs for the Rangers, and 5 of 6 for Edmonton.  Definitely a trend here. Take the Over again on Friday.

The Panthers were embarrassed by the Blues in their last game so look for improved play, especially on defense, against the Capitals tonight.  Washington is without Ovechkin tonight, has a heavy injury list, and hasn't had much recent success vs the Panthers.  The Caps are off a pair of home losses and have managed to score just five goals in their last three games.

It will very likely be Bobrovsky vs Kuemper in net tonight. Bobrovsky has been the hotter of the two lately with a sparkling .951 save % since the All-star break.  The Panthers have a top seven offense but struggle to keep the puck out of the net.  This may not be such an issue in this game.  The Capitals manage to score just 3 goals a game on average this year, and the loss of their captain really hurts.  Take the Panthers to prosper on the road tonight.

The Rangers were impressive last time out, winning convincingly against Carolina.  That is five straight victories now, with 4 of 5 going over and the Rangers scoring at least four times in each.  The Canucks are just 1-4 since the break and have allowed a monstrous 25 goals in those five games. They managed just a trio of goals in the two games against Detroit, while allowing eleven.  Since the loss of Demko, Vancouver's goal tending has been exceptionally poor, even allowing for a 31st ranked defense and the league's worst PK in front of them.  I do expect something of a bounce back from the Canucks.  They'll face Shesterkin in net, but he has been just average since the break.  It is the offense, with the addition of Tarasenko, that has been overachieving lately.
The Rangers are a powerhouse on the road, going 15-5 to date this season.  The Canucks have been equally bad at home or away.  Offense is not usually the issue for the Canucks.  They managed three goals against the Rangers last time out, but are forever playing from behind.  This is a great situation for the high-octane Rangers offense to run up the score again.  Wednesday's best bet is for the total to go o

The Red Wings thrashed the Canucks in the opening game of a home and home series in Detroit.  They now meet 2 days later in Vancouver.  The Canucks are equally poor at home or away this season.  The Red Wings are just .500 on the road.  The Canucks defense is still very questionable; they've given up 20 goals in their 4 games since the break, which is even worse than their season's average of 4 per game.  While the Red Wings have struggled to score goals this season, They have a big edge on defense and in the net, especially when Husso is playing.  He has won 5 of his last 7 games with a save %of .923.

The Canucks still have some firepower, but losing Horvat has hurt.  Even if Detroit's offense is a little anemic,  Vancouver's defense and goalie can make any team's offense look like stars.  I am on the Underdog today.  Take Detroit to steal this one on the road.

The Habs are home to the Oilers in an early Sunday game.  Both teams played and won on Saturday, the Canadiens in OT and the Oilers easily.  That was Montreal's first win in 5 games.  The Habs are 3 games under .500 at home. The Oilers, on the other hand, are 8-2 L10, and are a better team on the road this season.  Tops in offense and Power Play this season, the Oilers are a threat for a high total in every game.  Facing the Canadiens' 28th ranked goals-against and 30th PK, a bevy of Oilers' goals is even more likely.

Skinner likely starts for the Oilers.  He has impressed this year, but his recent results have been mixed.  The Oilers are not always the most dependable team on defense.  Allen will start in net for the Canadiens and has been outright leaky of late.

Edmonton is 4-1 against Montreal in recent meetings and all of those games have gone over the total I don't believe that Sunday's game will be any different.  Wager on the Canadiens and Oilers to go Over.

Columbus and the Leafs played each other on Friday, with the Leafs winning handily.  On Saturday they face each other again, this time in Toronto.  Columbus has won only four games on the road this season, while the Leafs are a dominant 20-5 at home.  The Jackets are horrible in back to back situations and will likely play Merzlikins in net, who has won just four games this season and is giving up more than four goals a game.  The Leafs are 4-1 when playing recently in back to backs.  Their starter in net is unclear at this point.

Columbus has joined the 30-30 club this season, not admirable in this case.  They are 30th in offense and 30th ranked in defense with their power play only marginally better.  The Leafs have a top nine offense and are a stingy 6th ranked on defense, with a very good power play.  Now 2-8, and still with a very heavy injury list, the only competition the Jackets are in is the Bedard Cup.  Here is one puck line prospect I feel safe in backing.  Take the Maple Leafs at -1 1/2.

A healthy and better rested Rangers team hosts the 4-6 Kraken at home tonight.  the 7-3 Ranges have scored 9 goals in two straight wins since the break, allowing 7.  The Kraken, usually offense-driven, have scored just a single goal in two straight losses.  They are playing their third game in four days on the road.  It should be Grubauer vs Shesterkin in net tonight.  The Seattle goalie has been steadier than usual lately.  The Rangers' Shesterkin is a very solid bet to bounce back from a rare sub-.900 effort last time out.
The Rangers' big news is the addition of premier goal-scorer Tarasenko; a huge plus to the Rangers' 13th ranked offense. NY, usually a very good defensive team, will look to revenge a loss against the Kraken.  Seattle's recent power outage is concerning.  They are not completely dependable on defense.  Take the Rangers to win at  home.

The 3-10 Canucks have traded away their captain, fired their coach, and are missing their top net-minder.  It has been a turbulent and disappointing season for the Canucks, but they were surprisingly competitive against the Devils in their first game back from the break.  I doubt they will sustain that momentum tonight.

The Rangers barely survived a road game vs the Flames, but are back home tonight.  Shesterkin should be back in net. Behind a third-ranked defense, he has limited opposing teams to under 2.5 goals a game this year. Spencer Martin is expected in net for Vancouver.  Martin has played poorly with an increased role this season, with little support from the Canucks' 31st ranked defense and the worst PK in the league.  Martin gave up 6 goals in his last appearance.

The Canucks have lost some heart and fire-power in trading away Horvat and are a poor team on the road this season. Tonight's game is a fine opportunity for the 6-4 Rangers, who haven't faced a bottom dweller in some time.  NY needs to make a statement down the stretch, and this is the place to start.  Take the Rangers to win on the Puck line at -1 1/2.