The Edmonton Oilers staved off elimination in game four of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals with a easy win last Saturday, 8-1. After scoring just four total goals in the first three games, the Oilers ran up the score to a tune a eight games in just game four, twice what they scored in the previous three games combined. Connor McDavid scored his first game of the finals in a four-point total night in the rout. Have to believe the Panthers had little interest in winning that game four. They pulled their star goalie in the 2nd period and rested their top line players as the score got out of hand. Now they return to home ice where they can win the cup in front of their home crowd. I expect to see the Panthers team we saw in the first three games of this Cup Finals. I'm taking the Florida Panthers to wrap-it up tonight.

Vegas in a tough spot here in game one at Colorado to start this best of seven 2nd round series. Vegas had to go a difficult 7 games to win over Minnesota after leading 3-1 in that series. It was a physical series and likely took a lot out of Vegas. Now, they have to play arguably the best team in the NHL and Stanley Cup favorite in Colorado. They had just one day off to prepare and travel for tonight's game one. Meanwhile, the Avs swept St Louis in four straight and have lots of time off to rest and prepare. The only good news for Vegas was the return of Max Pacioretty who netted the game winning goal against the Wild in game seven. That being said though, Vegas in a letdown spot here today and this Colorado team isn't the team to have a letdown against. I don't usually like laying these kinds of prices, but the situation calls for here it here tonight.  Play Colorado in game one.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild play game three of their best of seven series here tonight. The Series moves from Vegas to Minnesota with the series tied at 1-1. Minnesota won game one in OT, 1-0 and then lost game two 1-3. They led 1-0 in game two in the 2nd period before giving up three straight gaols. Minnesota goalie Talbot has been great between the pipes, having to stop a myriad of shots from Vegas. Vegas has rotated goalies most of the year, but Marc-Andre Flury has started both games for Vegas in the postseason. Fluery is 36 years old but still a great goaltender and having one of his best seasons ever. Vegas has been without their leading scorer in Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty is day-to-day but his absence definitely hurts this Vegas team. Captain Mark Stone hasn't looked as sharp since Pacioretty has been out. There is only one team Vegas has a losing record against this year and that is Minnesota. The Wild have given Vegas fits ever since Vegas came into the league four years ago. I'll take Minnesota here tonight.

Tampa Bay already one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year so they really don't need much help. Still, they will get it tonight. Carolina hasn't played in more than 10 days after a Covid outbreak on the team. While the Hurricanes finally get to play here tonight, they will still be without five regular players. Covid makes handicapping a challenge at times as we have to keep up with the players and their going on and coming off the protocol lists. I'm going to lay the price here tonight on the road with Tampa Bay. Carolina likely will be out of shorts after a long layoff and be without some regular players. Take Tampa Bay.

Qualifying action here has the Blackhawks and Oilers matching up. Edmonton comes in with the top rated power play in the league at 29.5%. They also kill penalties very well, ranked 2nd in the league. The Oilers won their tuneup with the Flames, 4-1, scoring on the power play early. The Hawks had a good run before the break, winning five of their last seven games. Still, too many pluses on the side of the Oilers here in this matchup. My top play of the day is on the Oilers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are not only 2nd in the East with 83 points, but are 2nd overall in the NHL as they trail top rated Boston by just three points. The Lightning are RED-HOT, riding a 10-game winning streak. They are also 22-3 in their last 25 games. Colorado is also having a decent season, though not as hot as Tampa Bay has been. The Avs are 3rd in the West with 72 points and are 7-3 in their last 10 games, though they have lost two straight. The Avs are coming off a home loss to the worst team in the NHL, the Kings, 1-3. Small price here on the road with the hottest team in the NHL. Play Tampa Bay.

The Washington Capitals won the NHL Stanley Cup in 2017 and then had a down season last year. They look like they are in Stanley Cup form again this season with a NHL high 57 points and a 26-6-5 record. The Capitals also have the highest goal differential in the league at +30. While the Caps are 1st in the East and overall in the NHL, the Bruins are 2nd in the East with 51 points and a 21-7-9 record. However, unlike the Caps, the Bruins have lost three straight games and eight of their last nine games. Not sure why the wheels have come off the wagon for the Bruins, but they are allowing a lot more goals than usual. In fact, during this nine game stint they have allowed at least three goals in eight of those games. Tonight we get the Capitals as a dog, that's too easy for me. I'll take the NHL's best team against an ice cold Bruins squad and get plus money. Play Washington.

Battle for Florida here tonight as the Tampa Bay Lightning take on their instate rivals, Florida Panthers. Both teams playing about the same thus far with Tampa Bay at 14-11-3 and Florida at 15-9-5. The Lightning are averaging 3.7 goals, the Panthers 3.6 goals. The Lightning allowing 3.3 goals and the Panthers 3.4 goals. These are two excellent offenses and I expect a good game here tonight. I like the visitor in this one. Play Tampa Bay.

 The 2-2 Philadelphia Flyers make the long trip to play in Canada tonight against the Edmonton Oilers. The Flyers opened the season with two wins, scoring eight goals in those two games. The last two they have been on the road where they have dropped both games, getting outscored 3-6 in the process. Now they have to face one of the hotter teams in the NHL in the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers started the season 5-0 before losing on Monday night at Chicago, 1-3. Still, the team had scored at least four games in their previous four games prior to that first loss of the season. The Oilers are averaging 3.8 goals while allowing just 2.7 goals. Philly is averaging just 2.7 goals and allowing 2.2 goals. Philadelphia another of those spots where I like to play against. The Flyers had to play last night at Calgary and they lost 1-3. Now they turn around and have to play tonight at a very good Edmonton team. Bad spot here for the Flyers. I'm taking Edmonton.

Second half of the NBA season starts today and for the first time in many years, the NHL players won't be released to play in next week's Olympics. Good or bad, this has to help teams that were on a roll prior to the break. One of those teams is the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights having a dream season for an expansion team, second in the NHL in points. This team sent two players to the All-Star game including the face of the franchise, goalie Marc-Andre Fluery. Fluery missed some games early in the season with a concussion, but he's been in top form every since. The Knights players and coaches believe this team can win and whether than continues will be seen. However, I like the Knights as they are in every game that Fluery is between the pipes. I'm taking them here on Tuesday to start the second half of the season. Play Vegas

02/22 08:05 PM EST   NHL   (53) WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS (54) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (02/21 12:14 PM)
Take: NHL Game of the Year, (53) WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Reason: Washington has had two full days to rest, on a rare two-game skid. The Caps have it all, second in the NHL in goals scored, tops in goals allowed, with Top 6 specialty units. Washington has had 4 two-game skids this season and responded by winning the next game 5-2, 7-1, 4-0 and 6-2. The Capitals are 37-15 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Philadelphia is home but struggling, #21 in goals scored, #25 in goals allowed. They've lost five of seven scoring 2 goals or less in five of them. Play Washington.

04/20 09:35 PM EST   NHL   (19) DALLAS STARS VS (20) MINNESOTA WILD
Take: (19) Western Conference 1st Round Game of the Year: Dallas.
Minnesota is home but is badly banged up with their top two offensive players on the shelf. They are No. 18 in the NHL in goals scored, No. 15 on the power play. The Wild are on a 1-7 run while the Stars are healthy and on an 8-2 run. The Stars are 11-4 in their last 15 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. And the Stars are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. Play Dalas.      

03/12 10:35 PM EST    NHL   (71) WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS (72) SAN JOSE SHARKS.  
Take: (71) WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Reason: NHL Dog of the Year: Washington.
Talented Washington opened as a dog in this one. It's the end of a four-game road trip for Washington, off a loss to the Kings, but it has still been a winning trip at 2-1. The Capitals are on a 38-13 run and 12-5 vs. a team with a winning record. San Jose is only No. 15 in the NHL in goals allowed and No. 22 in penalty killing, off a 3-0 home loss to New Jersey. They face a Washington team that is Top 5 in the NHL in scoring, goals allowed and specialty units, and the road team is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings. Play Washington.

02/11 08:05 PM EST  NHL   (59) WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS (60) MINNESOTA WILD.
Take: (59) NHL Mismatch Game of the Year: Washington.
Washington has it all, No. 1 in the NHL in goals scored and on the power play, No. 2 in goals allowed. Marcus Johansson had a goal and two assists to lead the Capitals over the Predators 5-3 on Tuesday night. Braden Holtby made 23 saves for the Capitals, winners of four straight. Washington is 27-1-0 when scoring first this season. The Capitals are 51-19 playing on one days rest. Minnesota has a weak offense, No. 21 in goals scored and on the power play, on a stumbling 3-14 run. The Wild are 0-3-3 in their last six home games and haven't won here since Dec. 28 against Detroit. Play Washington!      
 

01/13 08:05 PM EST   NHL   (3) BOSTON BRUINS VS (4) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Take: (3) NHL Eastern Conf. Trend Tracker Game of the Year: Boston.
Boston comes off a loss at the Rangers blowing a late lead, so the team is an angry bounce back mode. The Bruins are 1-1-1 on their five-game road trip and still have a chance to make this a successful excursion, beginning with this game in Philadelphia against the Flyers. The Bruins are 39-16 against the Metropolitan division. They face a Philadelphia team that is flawed, 28th in goals scored and on the power play, plus 16th in goals allowed and a bad penalty killing unit. The Bruins are 17-5 in the last 22 meetings, 20-8-2 at Philadelphia. Play Boston!

11/27 07:05 PM EST  NHL   (13) MONTREAL CANADIENS VS (14) NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Take: (13) NHL Eastern Conference Game of the Year: Montreal.
Montreal has it all, tops in the NHL in goals scored, fourth in goals allowed, third on the power play and second in penalty killing. The Canadiens are 45-20 in their last 65 vs. the Eastern Conference, plus 8-3 on the road. Devante Smith-Pelly and Alex Galchenyuk scored in the opening 1:29 of the third, and Montreal beat the New York Rangers 5-1 Wednesday night in a matchup of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey is home but 8-22 against a team with a winning percentage above 60%. And the road team is 14-6 in the last 20 meetings. Play Montreal.      

11/06 09:05 PM EST  NHL   (7) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS (8) EDMONTON OILERS
Take: (7)  NHL Trend Tracker Game of the Year: Pittsburgh.
Edmonton has a losing record at home and is on a 2-4 run. The Oilers are on a 23-57 run, 16-46 against a team with a winning percentage above .600. They come off a win over a weak Flyers team as a favorite but the Oilers are 32-67 in their last 99 games following a win. Edmonton is 26th in the NHL in goals allowed and dealing with a key injury to its talented young player. Pittsburgh is in town with the No. 1 defense in the NHL and a talented, fast offense. Sidney Crosby scored his second goal of the season -- and first in six games -- to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2. David Perron and Eric Fehr also scored, and Phil Kessel had two assists as the Penguins won their fifth straight and improved to 8-1-0 after starting the season with three losses. Marc-Andre Fleury made 18 saves. The Penguins are 35-17 vs. the Pacific division and 7-2 against Edmonton. Play Pittsburgh!

10/27 08:05 PM EST   NHL   (15) LOS ANGELES KINGS VS (16) WINNIPEG JETS
Take: (16) NHL Home Ice Crusher of the Month: Winnipeg Jets.
Second straight road game for the streaking LA Kings, a team that is still short on offense, 25th in goals scored, 18th on the power play. The Kings are 2-5 in their last 7 road games. Winnipeg is home and rested playing its 5th straight home contest. The Jets are 4th in the NHL in goals scored, 5th on the power play. Drew Stafford scored twice, Blake Wheeler had two assists and the Winnipeg Jets held off the Minnesota Wild 5-4 on Sunday. The Wild just couldn't match Winnipeg's speed in the first 25 minutes of the game. The Jets are 41-92 in their last 133 vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600. The Home team is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings and the Kings are 1-6 at Winnipeg. Play Winnipeg!

10/14 08:05 PM EST   NHL   (53) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS (54) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Take: (53) NHL Blowout Game of the Month: Chicago.
Philadelphia has a youth movement trying to find some defense and they face a Chicago team that is star-laden along with being the defending champs. Philadelphia is 1-1 on the road, but 26th in goals scored, 23rd in goals allowed. The Flyers are 3-9 in their last 12 games playing on 1 days rest, 1-7 following a win. Chicago (2-1) is top 11 in the NHL in both goals scored and allowed, as well as No. 1 in penalty killing. Patrick Kane and rookie Artemi Panarin each had a goal and two assists, and the Blackhawks beat the New York Islanders 4-1 on Saturday night. Coach Joel Quenneville put Panarin, Artem Anisimov and Kane together for the Blackhawks' final preseason game and has been delighted with the results so far. The Blackhawks are 10-3 in their last 13 vs. a team with a losing record. Play Chicago!

05/08 09:35 PM EST   NHL   (7) ANAHEIM DUCKS VS (8) CALGARY FLAMES
Take: (7)  NHL Playoff Game of the Year: Anaheim in Game 4.
Calgary has been overmatched and knocked around for most of this series, getting outscored 12-5 in three games. They come off a fortunate win in Game 3, 4-3 in overtime. Johnny Gaudreau scored with 19.5 seconds left in the third period to tie the game for the Flames. It didn't help that Anaheim got 7 penalties called against them (Calgary just 3). The fact is the Ducks are much bigger and better with stars like Ryan Kesler than the young Flames. They are the better team and take a commanding 3-1 series lead here. Play Anaheim in Game 4.

02/14 10:05 PM EST  NHL   (67) VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS (68) CALGARY FLAMES
Take: (68) NHL Situational Game of the Year: Play Calgary.
A tough spot for Vancouver, playing at home last night and now heading out on the road. The Canucks are 3-13 in their last 16 games playing on no days rest. The Canucks are also 17-35 on the road against a team with a winning home record. Calgary is rested and playing well, 12th in the NHL in goals scored, 11th in goals allowed. The Flames are 12-3 versus the Western Conference. Calgary is home from a poor performance in LA, a road weary spot, and they are 20-8 against the Pacific division. The home team is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings, so look for a great bounce back spot. Play the Calgary Flames!

05/17 1:05 PM EST NHL (1) NEW YORK RANGERS VS (2) MONTREAL CANADIENS
Take: (2) NHL Playoff Game of the Year: Montreal in Game 1.
A pair of teams that are off upsets the last round -- but only one of these teams is for real. Montreal has built a great young teams, with a dynamite young goalie in Carey Price and a star in defenseman PK Subban, along with a string of fast skating, highly skilled role players. Forward Max Pacioretty helped the lead the way the last two games in whipping favored Boston, 4-0 and 3-1. Price gave up one goal in Game 7 on the road, ending his shutout streak of 103:46 minutes. The Canadiens are 5-1 in their last 6 home games, on a 19-7 run overall and 20-7 in their last 27 vs. the Eastern Conference. They looked poised and in control against the favored Bruins, outplaying Boston in 4 of the 7 games while getting outplayed only once (in Game 5). It was no fluke -- they were the better team. That's not the case with the NY Rangers, a team that is 18th in goals scored and has weak spots that can be exploited. They are off a pair of Game 7 wins over the Flyers and Penguins. The Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 Conference Finals games, 1-5 against Montreal and just 1-9 in the last 10 meetings in Montreal. And when these teams meet the home team is 21-8 in the last 29 meetings. Play Montreal in Game 1.

05/06 9:05 PM EST   NHL   (21) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS (22) MINNESOTA WILD
Take: (21) 2nd Round Game of the Year: Blackhawks in Game 3.
A must win game for Minnesota -- which means nothing, as they are over-matched against the defending champs. Minnesota has little offense, 24th in goals scored, and scoring a total of 3 goals in the first two games, losing 5-2 and 4-1. Chicago is healthy and on a roll winning 6 straight. Chicago is 2nd in the NHL in goals scored, 12th in goals allowed and 10th on the power play. Bryan Bickell had a goal and two assists, and the Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. The Blackhawks are 10-4 in the last 14 meetings and they will roll -- again. Play the Chicago Blackhawks Game 3.