These two fine teams have split their last two games with a very low total of three goals in each case.  That may not be the case tonight.  The Toronto defense is down a pair of players, and Campbell has not settled in after the break, giving up 13 goals in hs last three starts.  Rangers' likely starter Shesterkin has been as hot as ever, allowing only two goals in his last two starts.  The Leafs have a number of players just returning from Covid protocol, and the Rangers are a very good home team.  New York may not have the firepower of the Leafs, but their defense and PK is topnotch.  The Leafs are a surprisingly heavy favorite today.  Shesterkin and the Rangers' defense will be the difference.  Given these odds I am happy to play on the Rangers to win.

The Penguins have played well on the road and are one loss away from a very lengthy win streak.  They have very solid  defense and a terrific starting goaltender in Jarry, but just lost their hottest scorer since the break to covid. The Ducks struggle to score on the top tier teams, but are very good at home.  The last meeting of these two teams ended 1-0, and they have a history of other low totals.  While low-scoring games haven't been common in the new year, here is a situation where it just might happen.  Take the Penguins and Ducks to go under.

These are the two best defenses in the NHL, with, not surprisingly, two of the premier goaltenders.  Calgary has had trouble scoring on this road trip, but the Canes haven't.  Calgary is on a back to back, and off a loss.  The total is high, reflecting the number of high scoring games since the break. I like the under today. It should be something of a goaltenders duel, with Marky and Andersen, mano a mano, showing their stuff.

The Panthers are 4 games into the new year after the extended break, and have chalked up 4 victories, scoring 24 goals and giving up 10.  And no, this is not the NFL Panthers!  Bobrovsky is a rare netminder who didn't falter after such a long pause.  He stopped 47 of 49 shots against a tough Flames team last time out.  On the flip side, this will be the Stars' first game back, and I am not  expecting them to pick up where they left off two weeks ago.  Holtby will likely go through the usual breaking-in period, and the Stars, 22nd in the league in goals scored, have had trouble putting the puck in the net this season.  Dallas is a very good home team, and the Panthers have struggled on the road, but Florida has also beaten three very good teams lately, and should be much more in the groove.  I don't see the Ducks winning this game.  Take the Panthers. The odds are decidedly favorable.

Although Jarry has been terrific in the net for the Penguins for most of the season, he wasn't at his best before the break and has now been off for 2 weeks+.  Binnington allowed 4 goals in his first game back.  Low scoring affairs have been few and far between in the NHL since the overlong play stoppage. Both these teams can put the puck in the net and proved it in their last games; the Blues scoring 6 and the Penguins 8. The Blues are as healthy as they have been in ages, and have a mean PP going.  The Penguins still have the odd injury but that has not fazed them this season. Whether Jarry is in the net or not, I am still wagering on the over.  Too much firepower here for returning goalies.

Colorado faces the Blackhawks Tuesday night.  Avs are tops in goals scored, the Blackhawks at the tail end (30th).  The Avs have a potent powerplay against a very average Chicago PK.  The Blackhawks have only two goals to show for their two games since the break.  The Avs carried on right where they left off against a much tougher opponent in the Ducks.  Fleury is expected back in the net, but he has been off for more than two weeks.  Most goaltenders take a game or two at least to get back in playing form.  Chicago was struggling before the break, and has now lost 4 straight, scoring only 6 goals and allowing 18.  I very much like the Avs, but the odds are prohibitive. Not to worry.  Take the Avs to win -1.5.  they are worth the extra goals.

The Kraken knocked off the Sharks last night but will likely not fare as well against the Ducks in a back to back road game.  Grubauer is in the net.  His stock is plummeting with an .884 SV% and three straight losses. No one is taking the Kraken for granted anymore, and the Ducks have far better options in the net.  The well-rested Ducks are very consistent, regularily beating the teams they should beat, and giving the best teams a run for their money.  Not to mention a better offense and a defense that has allowed only 5 goals in the past 4 games. Anaheim is very good at home, and the Kraken has not been much of a road team this year.  Take the Ducks to win.

After a 5 game win streak, the Red Wings have lost two in a row.  Detroit is very streaky, facing the high flying Avs on a back to back and on the road, so I wouldn't look for a Wings win tonight.  Greiss is likely starting against Kuemper.  Neither has been particularly effective this year, with Greiss the real underachiever here.  Detroit's recent games have all gone over, as have Colorado's.  With the AVs' offense performing as well as it has against a tired Red Wings team, I would stick with the trend and take this game to go over the total. Shop around as there is some variability in this line.

The Jets stagger into Calgary on a back to back and after a drubbing from the Wild.  Flames are rested and have Markstrom in net.  It is likely Comrie in the net for the Jets and he was shelled last time out.  The Flames are on a tear at the moment, have the best defense in the league, and a balanced and potent offense.  At 0-5, the Jets aren't scoring and are not going to break their losing streak tonight.  Take the Flames -1 1/2 all the way to the bank.

the Oilers are an underdog here, for no reason i can understand.  Skinner, the Oilers rookie goaltender has been very sharp with a near .940 SV%.  The goaltending situation is uncertain for the Stars as Holtby is day to day, and the Stars other options are not nearly as solid. The two key matchups here are the Oilers' potent offense vs the Stars 22nd rated defense. and the Oilers top powerplay vs the Stars' 27th rated PK.  The Oilers are rested and ready. This sounds like a victory parade to me.  Oilers to win.

The set-up: Do I think that Tampa is going to sweep the Canadiens? I don't. Do I believe that Montreal has what it takes to "steal" a game here from the defending champs? I do as well. This Montreal team has been unbelievable at making adjustments from game-to-game and now desperate to avoid an 0-2 hole, I believe Carey Price and company will find a way to deliver.

The pick: Tampa's been damn good in the playoffs as well. But not perfect. Also note that Montreal is 7-2 in its last nine in trying to revenge a three goals or greater road loss to an opponent. Toronto was down 3-1 to the Leafs in the Opening round and never once gave up hope. I look for the Habs to bounce-back and shock the Lightning in their own barn in Game 2.

This is a 10* GAME 2 PLAY-BOOK on the Canadiens.

The set-up: I've had a lot of success playing on Montreal so far in the playoffs. I think that the Habs have been completely underrated. The Lightning are probably the better team in this series, but they've been less the dominant, needing seven games to get past the Islanders. I think Montreal is better than New York. 

The pick: This is going to be a tight series. I think Game 1 will see Montreal try to do what it's done so often in this playoffs, and that's steal Game 1. In a contest which I envision being decided late or even in extra time, I'm going to lay the price for the extra 1.5 goals of insurance. 

This is a 10* PUCK-LINE GAME OF THE WEEK on the Canadiens.

The set-up: I'm not going to break down the cast of characters on each team. If you're wagering on this contest, you almost assuredly know the strengths and weaknesses of each team and how they got to this point. So why is Tampa going to win Game 7 here on its own ice? I don't think that its experience at this level can be overlooked. New York is in unchartered territory right now. 

The pick: Tampa is 26-8-2-0 at home, while New York is just 16-17-3-1 on the road this season. The last time these teams played here, the Bolts won 8-0. I don't expect such a ridiculous lop-sided destruction here in Game 7, but I do expect it to be convincing. Lay the price with confidence.

This is a 10* GAME 7 BEST OF THE BEST on the Lightning.

The set-up: This series has been dominated by great goaltending and tough defensive play. Las Vegas was favored to win this series by quite a lot, but the high-powered Knights are now on the ropes as they try to figure out this tough Habs' defense. Las Vegas was the No. 1 defensive team in the league this year, but it was also the No. 3 on the offensive end. 

The pick: Montreal is going to have its hands full here against a Las Vegas team playing with deperation. Montreal has been good offensively throughout the playoffs though and will have extra opportunities on the back end with the Knights' defenders having to constantly join the attack. Game 6 (to me!), just screams over. 

This is a 10* TOTAL COACHES CORNER on the OVER Knights/Habs.

The set-up: This has been a back and forth series, but after getting blown out 8-0 in Game 5, I believe that the Islanders are going to double-down on the defensive end in an attempt to stave of elimination. The Isles have seen the total go "under" in eight of their last 11 in trying to revenge a five goals or greater road loss to an opponent as well. 

The pick: Tampa looked not only great on the offensive end in scoring those eight goals, but it also looked great defensively. Do I expect the Bolts to explode for another eight goals tonight? Of course not, that was an outlier. Do I believe that Tampa's going to play "lock down" defense and get great goaltending again? That's a given. So after the offensive explosion in Game 5, Game 6 sets up as a lower-scoring "under."

This is a 10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the UNDER Lightning/Islanders.

The set-up: I love the Habs chances here. I think they have much more than just a "punchers" chance in this one. These teams' playoff numbers are almost identical. There's been no clear advantage for either team. On home ice or on the road. 

The pick: Montreal though is 7-1 in its last eight in trying to revenge an OT home loss against an opponent in which it was held to one or less goals in. Great value on a great team.

This is a 10* PLAY-BOOK on the Canadiens.

The set-up: This has been a very defensive series so far, but I think that changes finally here. The Lightning won 2-1 in Game 3, but note that the Isles have seen the total go "over" in eight of their last 12 in trying to revenge a home loss against an opponent in which it was held to one or less goals in. 

The pick: These teams have two of the best goaltenders between the pipes, but the overall situation points to more of a wide-open affair. I expect the Islanders to go on the attack early and to push the pace from the opening face-off, until the final horn. As a result, look for this total to fly "over" the posted number sooner, rather than later.

This is a 10* SEMI-FINALS TOTAL OF THE YEAR on the OVER Lightning/Islanders.

The set-up: Game 1 went "under." Game 2 went "over." I think Game 3 follows suit here and will fall "under" once the final horn sounds. New York isn't going to win this series by turning this into a "track meet" with the Lightning. Instead, they'll have to grind out victories and wait for the Bolts to make the first mistake. 

The pick: These are two of the best defensive clubs in the NHL, and this decisive Game 3 has all the makings of a lower-scoring affair. Finally, take note that the Isles have seen the total go "under" in eight of their last 11 in trying to revenge a two goals or greater road loss to an opponent. This number is high.

This is a 10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the UNDER Lightning/Islanders.

The set-up: Yes, the Golden Knights looked fantastic in Game 1, but I believe that Montreal can make adjustments to be much more competitive in Game 2. The Habs won't be panicking. Montreal has played extremely well, as it had to battle back from a 3-1 deficit to beat high-powered Toronto in seven games, before then sweeping the high-powered Jets in four. 

The pick: The Habs are also 7-2 in their last nine in trying to revenge a two-goals or greater loss to an opponent. Look for Montreal to at the very least, take this one into extras. 

This is a 10* PUCK-LINE ELITE OF THE ELITE on the Canadiens.

The set-up: I think the extra time off here benefits the underdog. The Habs are going to try and win this game by a "war of attrition." Montreal is red hot and I think it has the unit to upset the Golden Knights at their own game. 

The pick: I had a play on the Islanders on the PUCK-LINE last night as well, but didn't even need the extra goal and a half. Here though, we very well could. In a contest which I see being decided late or in extra time, I'm laying the price for the extra 1.5 goals.

This is a 10* PUCK-LINE DESTRUCTION on the Canadiens.

The set-up: Up and down the line, these clubs are very evenly matched. The Islanders have the lockdown defense to push the Lightning to the brink in this series. I also like New York to push the Bolts in Game 1. Note that the Isles are 7-1 in their last eight when playing with three or more days of rest.

The pick: Conversely, the Lightning are only 2-6 in their last eight when playing with five or more days of rest. I'm banking on the defensive-minded visiting side, to at the very least, take this one into extra time.

This is a 10* PUCK-LINE DESTRUCTION on the Islanders.

The set-up: I expect Las Vegas to double down on the defensive end in an attempt to end this series here and now. The Knights stumbled in Game 1, losing 7-1, and while the lost Game 2 in OT, they've still been the much better team in this series from the get-go. Las Vegas is the No. 1 defensive team in the league, and I expect it to put on a classic clinic in front of the home town crowd here. 

The pick: Colorado is on the ropes and I think that it's fatigued majorily. Look for this one to fall well "under" once the final horn sounds.

This is a 10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the UNDER Avs/Knights.

As of now, the Islanders are underdogs heading home leading 3-2 in their division finals. Bruins out-shot New York 44-19, and had a sub-par performance from the usually dependable Tuukka Rask.

If the Bruins are all about the fire power of the perfection line, the Islanders show a balanced attack. While young gun Barzal has stepped up in the last two games, seven forwards are major players in Isles post season scoring.

Will there be a home advantage? Bear in mind the Isles’ regular season record of 21-4-3. Special teams? If you face the Bruins, you can count on PP. opportunities. Last night the Islanders converted 3 of 4 opportunities. The Isles are also one of the least penalized teams in the NHL. Last night Boston was 1 for 2 on the power play.

Isles goaltender Varlamov has been more than steady in net. Tukkaa Rask is now listed as ‘questionable” for game 6. Believe of that what you may..

One last factor to consider is the ‘Barry Trotz’ impact. A fine strategist with a steadying effect, he is a little like an extra player.

The wager

Play the islanders to win

The set-up: With a chance to eliminate the dangerous Hurricanes, I think the defending champs will not only win Game 5, but I expect them to win big, getting a couple extra emtpy netters in the process. Carolina is on the ropes and I don't think it has the heart left in it to compete from a 1-3 hole. 

The pick: Carolina got out of its normal game-plan in Game 4, having to push the pace to try and avoid the 1-3 hole, and it'll have to abandon its normally tight defensive game-plan here as well. And that I think is not going to work against the Champs, who are versatile and can adapt. Great value, expect Tampa to move on with a decisive victory.

This is a 10* PUCK-LINE BEST OF THE BEST on the Lightning.

The set-up: I expect an all out offensive war between these two evenly matched clubs. The Avs jumped all over the Knights in the first game of this series and won by a score of 7-1, but since then it's been a very competitive series. The last two games have fallen under th enumber, but I expect a wide-open affair here finally in Game 4.

The pick: The Avs have to be careful here to not have a letdown. They'd won six in a row and looked well on their way to winning a seventh and now they'll have to match that intensity from this now confident Knights team. Everything points to a high-scoring offensive affair today.

This is a 10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the OVER Avs/Knights.