The set-up: As primarily a situational handicapper, this NHL season is definitely shaping up to be an interesting one, because "motivation" really does come into play on an almost nightly basis when teams are seeing each other at least twice in a row (Montreal is actually going to be playing three straight in Vancouver this week.) But in this case, from a situational stand point, I think this one definitely sets up as a lower-scoring contest between the Avalanche and Kings. These teams will play two straight in LA, with the next game coming on Thursday night.  The Kings have opened up the season 0-2, but it certainly hasn't been from a lack of trying, as they're off consecutive 4-3 overtime losses at home to Minnesota. Both totals flew well over the posted number of 5.5, but now the Kings are desperate here as they look to finally break into the winners circle. LA will be ultra focussed too facing the Avalanche, who are 1-1 after losing 4-1 to the Blues at home on Opening night, before then bouncing back for that crazy 8-0 win over St. Louis in the second.

The pick: There's usually only a handful of completely lop-sided games like that per season, and I don't foresee the Avalanche repeating that offensive outburst two times in a row. It's interesting to note as well that Colorado has seen the total go under the number in eight of its last 11 road games after scoring six or more goals in a win in its last outing. And it doesn't matter to me who gets the start in net in this one, whether its the starters or the backups, this for me is based upon the situation and the strong trend I listed. So while each team has played to some higher-scoring affairs to open up the year, everything points to a lower-scoring contest here in my opinion in the opener of this two game set.

The is a 1* FREE PLAY on the UNDER Avs/Kings.

The set-up: Duke is off a 74-67 loss at Virginia Tech in its latest action. It was the Blue Devils first conference loss. A couple of bright spots in defeat were Jeremy Roach, who had 22 points, and Matthew Hurt, who added 20 points and 11 rebounds. That was only the Blue Devils second road game of the year, and they looked shaky, going just 8 of 29 from 3-point range. But now the Blue Devils come to Pittsburgh focussed and hungry to bounce back. 

The pick: The Panthers enter having won six of their last seven, including two straight, most recently the 96-76 home beating of Syracuse as a four-point dog. Pittsburgh's been playing well of late, but the Blue Devils have done well in this matchup for years, going 8-2 the last ten in the series straight up. That included a 79-67 home win last year. Duke isn't the same Duke team as in year's past, and Pittsburgh is playing really well at the moment, but I think that off the loss to the Hokies, that the correct call in this matchup is for Duke to bounce back. 

The is a 10* ELITE OF THE ELITE on Duke.

The set-up: New Orleans finally broke a five-game slide with a 128-123 win at Sacramento in its last game. The Pelicans got 31 points from Zion Williamson, while Brandon Ingram added 22. Eric Bledsoe was also big with 21 points. Now New Orleans is in Utah for two straight, as these teams will play here again on Thursday night. This is their first game against each other this season. Last year the Jazz took three of four, but all were pretty competitive, including in Utah's 106-104 win back on July 30th of 2020 in the final one there.

The pick: The Jazz lost 112-100 at the Knicks back on January 6th and they haven't lost since, not only winning five in a row, but also covering in five straight. So now I think public perception here has pushed up this line on the home side after its recent win streak, and I think the value has now swung to this hungry underdog team. Williamson is finally starting to his stride, so I expect him to build off his latest game and at the very least, take the Jazz down to the wire. This one definitely sets up well for the visiting side.

The is a 10* ATS BLOOD-BATH on New Orleans.

The set-up: This is an interesting season, as "motiavtion" is a tangible factor with teams playing each other at least twice in every meeting this season. The Penguins are now 1-2 this year after squeaking by the Penguins 4-3 in a shootout on Sunday. Pittsburgh though has seen the total fly "over" in all three games it's played in so far this year and I think that trend of high-scoring games ends here finally. Note that the Pens have seen the total go "under" the number in eight of their last 11 home games after playing to three or more straight "overs," and off a shootout victory. 

The pick: Washington is 2-1, and two of its game have flown "over" the number so far, including the OT loss to the Pens last time out. In its first series it hammered Buffalo 6-4 in the first game, before then holding on for a 2-1 win in the second. I expect a similar final combined score in the second game here vs. Pittsburgh. The situational factors all add up to this big early season TOTAL OF THE YEAR opportunity.

The is a 10* TOTAL OF THE YEAR on the UNDER Caps/Pens.