4*Washington Capitals +151

Great value on the road team. The Rangers have ousted Washington in the playoffs in 2012 and 2013 and I expect a top-notch effort from the Capitals. Barry Trotz has this team on a roll along with stellar goalie play from Holtby. 

4*Calgary Flames +123

4*Chicago Blackhawks -127

4*Washington Capitals +150

Very long layoff for the home team and I believe the Caps can "steal" game one on the road.

4*St. Louis Blues -135

5*Ottawa Senators -130

The Senators will be focused at home as they can't afford to go down three games to none. The Senators have defeated the Canadiens this season and were competitive in losing the first two games by 1 goal. Take the home team!

4*Chicago Blackhawks +100

4*Washington Capitals -140

5*Nashville Predators -125

This will be the third game in four days for the Wild and they clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Blackhawks the other night. Nashville should be focused after losing its last three home games. Teams are cashing just 35% after defeating Chicago and than playing a road game over the last five seasons. Look for the Wild's 11-game road winning streak to end tonight!

5*Chicago Blackhawks -144

The Blues have scored 11 goals in their last two games and now must play a road game. Tough. The Blackhawks are 22-6 at home against the Blues of recent time. St. Louis is playing at less than full strength with two key injures. Chicago is 25-10 vs. winning teams while the Blues are just 17-19 against winners.  Take the home team!

5*Chicago Blackhawks -158

This will be the 4th game in five nights for the visitors. Teams in this role have a very hard time dealing with the Blackhawks' skill and overall team speed. Chicago enjoys a big edge in Face-off win percentage and penalties committed. The Canucks have committed 100 more penalties than Chicago. Vancouver is ranked 27th in Face-off win percentage while the host is ranked 6th. The Blackhawks are still motivated to win and secure home ice in the playoffs.

10*Chicago Blackhawks -105

The Blackhawks are coming off a non-effort and should be extremely focused in this game. Chicago is 10-2 in their last 12 games after a loss by 3 or more goals and 16-5 in their last 21 games after allowing 5 or more goals. The Jets defeated Montreal 5-2 on Wednesday despite getting outshot 41-22. Winnipeg has been outshot in four straight games and will be good team to fade in the first round of the playoffs, should they make it. Chicago has a huge advantage in Face-off win percentage and penalties committed. The Jets have committed 406 penalties in 75 games while the Blackhawks have committed just 239 in 74 games. Take the road team!

4*Calgary Flames +155

5*Nashville Predators -123

Montreal sits atop the Atlantic division standings despite being outshot 2064-2239 for the season. That's not conducive to maintaining a winning streak and/or advancing far in the playoffs. On the flip side, Nashville has outshot its foes by nearly 300 shots. The Predators will be playing with revenge from a 1-goal loss at Montreal in a game where top goalie Pekka Rinne did not play. Take the home team in what should be a low-scoring affair.

5*Chicago Blackhawks -155

I like the Blackhawks to bounce back after one of their sloppiest performances of the season. Chicago is 10-3 after scoring 1 goal or fewer. Carolina really has nothing left to play for. They are 22 games out of the final wild card spot. The host is 9-18 against the Western Conference and 9-25 against teams with a winning record.

20*St. Louis Blues -119

The Blues are playing terrific Hockey going 23-10 in the second half of the season, while the Jets are just 16-16 during that same time frame. St. Louis is 3-0 vs. the Jets this season, outshooting them 85-77. The Blues are by far the more talented team in every aspect including Face-off win percentage and penalties committed. The Jets are coming off an emotional 5-2 home win vs. the Sharks to grab the final playoff spot, despite getting outshot 40-22. Winnipeg is 6-12 after a win by 2 goals or more and just 1-5 after scoring two power play goals. The host is 11-22 vs. teams with a winning record. Look for the Blues to improve to 11-1 against the Jets in their last 12 head-to-head meetings. Take the road team!

4*St. Louis Blues -112

5*Minnesota Wild -130

These two teams would meet in the first round of the playoffs if the reg. season ended today. So far, the Ducks are 2-0 versus the Wild this season, despite getting outshot in both games. The Wild own the better goal differential and shots-on-goal/shots allowed stats. Anaheim has committed 301 penalties in a league-high 69 games while Minnesota has committed just 248 penalties in two fewer games played. Look for the Wild to be pumped up at home!

5*Nashville Predators -140

The Islanders have done most of its damage against losing teams, the Eastern Conference, and when installed as a favorite. When underdogs, the NY Islanders allow 3.09 goals per game, which ranks second most among winning teams. The road team is just 5-6 SU against the Central this season. The Predators have lost four straight and should be really focused after its last sloppy home game. Nashville is 9-1 after scoring 1 goal or less this season and 16-8 when revenging a loss versus opponent. 

10*St. Louis Blues -117

The Blues have played two sloppy games in a row and this team is too talented and too well-coached not to play better. The Jets are the perfect opponent for the Blues to snap out of their funk. St. Louis is +35 in goal differential while the Jets are just +5. Winnipeg has committed the most penalties in all of Hockey and in my opinion extremely overrated as a serious contender. Look for the Blues to improve to 6-0 against the Jets of late. 

4*Calgary Flames -114

4*Pittsburgh Penguins -140

5*Chicago Blackhawks -146

The Blackhawks are sixth in the league with 155 goals but have been shut out in each of their last two outings to fall to 2-3-0 on their current road trip. Chicago is by far the more skillful and talented team. They lead every single ancillary stat included penalties. The Jets have committed 300 penalties in 53 games, which leads the NHL. Chicago has committed just 175 penalties in two fewer games. Chicago should be focused after losing two straight games without scoring a goal. Winnipeg is 3-0 (all in Chicago) versus the Blackhawks this season, despite getting outshout 105-82. With triple revenge from this season look for the Blackhawks to win going away and to continue the Jets losing streak.  

5*Detroit Red Wings +100

Colorado defeated Detroit earlier this season despite getting outshot 35-23. The Avs allow more goals than they score (-9) while the road ream is +20 in goal differential. Detroit has more shots-on-goal than allowed while, Colorado allows more shots than they take by nearly 300. The Red Wings have been in Denver for at least two days so the altitude should not be a factor. Detroit is 10-3 against the West and 4-1 with three or more days of rest. The host is just 8-19 against winning teams. 

5*Chicago Blackhawks -105

The Blackhawks are by far the more talented team and a great second half bet. Chicago is 13-6 vs. the Kings of late and this line should be closer to -120. 

4*Dallas Stars -130

The Jets have scored 17 goals in their past three games and now must play a road game. Tough. Winnipeg has also been outshot in two of their past three games. The Stars are focused on starting the second half with a victory. They should have a nice advantage in Face-Offs won and they are the much more disciplined team. Look for the Starts to improve to 15-6 in the last 21 head-to-head meetings.

10*San Jose Sharks -135

The Sharks lost to the Coyotes earlier this season in a shootout, despite outshooting Arizona 43-25. San Jose is 11-2 of late when playing with two days of rest. The Sharks are 4-1 in their last five games against teams with a losing record. Arizona is allowing 3.27 goals per game and have gone 2-9 of late against winning teams. Arizona has never defeated the Sharks in back-to-back meetings. Take the Sharks!

5*Chicago Blackhawks -140

The Blackhawks are by far the more talented team. They are coming of 2-0 loss despite outshooting Colorado by 30. The Wild are not the same team since the rash of injuries. Minnesota is just 6-12 v. winning teams. Consider the Blackhawks the favorites to win the Stanley Cup if they stay healthy.

5*Washington Capitals -104

Toronto defeated the Capitals 6-2, despite outshooting them 37-23 in late November. Washington has a 13-3 record this season when seeking revenge. The Maple Leafs are returning home from a long road trip and have gone 0-3 when playing with 3 days of rest. Take the better defense with the Caps.

4*San Jose Sharks +115

4*Calgary Flames -111

The Flames are by far the more talented team and should benefit with two days of rest. Calgary has lost six in a row, but they have outshot its foe in five of the six. Dallas has one of the worst defenses in all of Hockey. Tremendous value as the home team should be closer to -130. Take the Flames!

5*Washington Capitals -108

Columbus has won seven straight despite getting outshot in six of those games, including three in a row. The Capitals lost to these same Blue Jackets in OT last week despite outshooting them 41-23. Columbus is allowing 3.43 goals at home while the Caps allow just 2.40 goals on the road. Washington should have a huge edge in Face-Offs won and they are the more disciplined team.

10*St. Louis Blues -137

The LA Kings will be playing its fifth road game in seven days. St. Louis lost to the the Kings in a shootout back in October, despite outshooting them 43-18. The Kings are allowing 3.28 goals per game as road underdogs and they are just 4-12 in their last 16 road tilts. St. Louis is 5-1 in their last six games when playing with two days of rest. The Blues should have a solid advantage in Face-offs won and they are the more disciplined team. Look for the home team to improve to 9-2 in this series of late.

4*Chicago Blackhawks -123

5*Nashville Predators -117

The Preds are by far the more talented squad and they have been dynamite off a loss this season. Nashville is ranked No. 1 in penalties committed while the host has committed the fifth most penalties. Take the road team! 

5*Minnesota Wild -127

Montreal will be playing its fourth game in five days and they have played 26 games so far this season. A key factor, the Canadians played a high-altitude game on Monday and have a big revenge game against Chicago on Friday. The Wild will be playing with three days of rest and they have played 23 games so far. Minnesota has the better offense and defense, while allowing roughly 180 fewer shots-on-goal. They are also the much more disciplined team. Minnesota has dropped their last two home games and should be fired-up to give the home folks a victory. 

4*Calgary Flames -155

4*Toronto Maple Leafs -135

5*Chicago Blackhawks -105

The Ducks defeated the Blackhawks 1-0 in Chicago on 10/28/14, despite getting outshout 38-25. Chicago has advantages across the board including Face-Off won. Chicago loves playing on Black Friday having won four of their past five.

5*Minnesota Wild -132

The Wild lost to the LA Kings at Staples back in October, despite outshooting them 41-16. LA will be playing its third road game in four nights. NHL teams playing a road game without rest off a shootout loss are cashing a mere 30% over the last five seasons. Look for the Wild to improve to 8-1 at Xcel Energy Center.

5*Pittsburgh Penguins -110

The Penguins have the better offense, defense, and special teams. Montreal has played three more games than Pittsburgh at this point of the season. This will be the Canadians' fifth game in seven days, and they are allowing more shots-on-goal than they take. The Penguins love playing with two days of rest going 16-6 of late. Take the road team!

5*Chicago Blackhawks -123

Two Hockey teams heading in opposite directions. The Blackhawks have won three out of their last four while the Red Wings have dropped four of their last five games. Both teams played Tampa Bay in their last game. Chicago won and outshot the Lightning 39-27, while Detroit lost and was outshot 20-30. The Blackhawks are ranked No. 1 in shots-on-goal and goals against. Great combo. Take the road team!

5*Calgary Flames -137

The Flames are one of a handful of Hockey teams who play well when returning home from a long (five games or more) road trip. They are 5-2 in that roll of late and should benefit with two days of rest. Arizona is allowing 3.33 goals per game and will find the Flames' team speed tough to deal with. Look for the home team to improve to 10-1 in the last 11 meetings. 

5*Chicago Blackhawks -147

The Lightning won both meetings last season by one goal despite getting outshot 82-41 combined. Chicago leads the NHL in shots-on-goal and goals allowed while Tampa Bay is allowing over 3 goals on the road. The Lightning have scored  16 goals in their past three games and will now play its third road game in four nights. Tough. Chicago should have a big advantage is face offs won and the Blackhawks are the more disciplined squad. Take the home team!

4*Pittsburgh Penguins -140

10*Nashville Predators +104

The Jets are coming off two straight shutout wins and will now return home after facing the Blackhawks. Winnipeg is 2-1 SU in their last three games but have been outshot in each of them. The Jets are scoring 1.75 goals per game and giving up 2.08. Winnipeg has faced Pekka Rinne just once and he shut them out. They still don't know his tendencies in goal. NHL teams are cashing just 35% after defeating the Blackhawks with one day of rest. 

4*Chicago Blackhawks -123

5*Dallas Stars -109

The Stars had this game circled ever since the Ducks ousted Dallas from the playoffs last season. This will be the third road game in four days for the visitor and the Ducks played a physical game against the Blues yesterday. Take the home team!

4*Chicago Blackhawks -145

4*Chicago Blackhawks -144

3*Calgary Flames -150

5*Washington Capitals -122

The Devils are undefeated after three games, but this team has been outshot 75-95 so far. New Jersey played a physical game against Tampa Bay and now must face the pumped-up Capitals. Washington outshot San Jose 34-23, but lost in a shootout the other night. Take the home team!

5*NY Rangers -127

This is the game I thought the NY Rangers would have the best chance to win. The LA Kings defense has some leaks in it and I expect the NY Rangers to win game three.

5*LA Kings -150

This reminds me of when the LA Kings won the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012. The first two games were won by the Kings in New Jersey by the same 2-1 score. The Kings were by far the more physical team and that's important when handicapping the Stanley Cup Finals. The team that had more hits in the playoffs has won the Cup nine out of the past 10 seasons. LA leads the playoffs with a whopping 898 hits of which Dustin Brown has been credited with 104. The Rangers are the next closest club with a total of 587. The LA Kings also have the No. 1 home defense in all of Hockey. The NY Rangers defeated weaker foes in this year's playoffs. I like the LA Kings to win the Stanley Cup in six games.  

5*LA Kings -127

The LA Kings have the No. 1 home defense in all of Hockey. They should be focused after giving up a playoff-high 5 goals. The Kings defense has held Chicago to just 5 goals in two games at Staples. Look for the home team to improve to 5-1 in the last six games. LA Kings advance to Stanley Cup!

5*LA Kings +107

The LA Kings are the more well-rounded team and continue to outplay the Ducks. LA has out-shot Anaheim in 9 out of the past 10 head-to-head meetings. They also have created over 20 more scoring chances in this series. The road team also has a big edge in Face-Offs won. Take the LA Kings in game seven!

5*LA Kings -135

The LA Kings out-shot the Ducks 42-24 but lost by one goal. The Kings have out-shot Anaheim in 9 straight head-to-head meetings and continue to create more scoring chances than the Ducks. I expect the Kings and its No. 1 home defense to get a big win here tonight.

4*LA Kings +118

5*LA Kings -150

The Kings lost the other night 3-2, despite outshooting the Ducks 31-22. In fact, the LA Kings have outshot the Anaheim Ducks in 8 straight head-to-head meetings. I like the Kings and its No. 1 defense when playing at home to get the win.

10*Los Angeles Kings +120

The LA Kings went 0-4-1 vs. the Ducks this regular season despite outshooting them 186-114. Anaheim has been off for 5 days while the Kings will be riding high from its comeback against the Sharks. Los Angeles will have a huge edge in Face-Offs won and will be able to create more scoring chances in this game. The Kings will be playing on regular schedule while the Ducks have not played since April 27. Look for the road team to improve to 5-1 in this series of late.

140th Kentucky Derby (G1)

4 Units #20 Wicked Strong  (W+P+S)   ML: 9/1

4 Units #12 Dance With Fate  (W+P+S)  ML: 16/1

2 Units #13 Chitu  (W+P+S)  ML: 26/1

5*San Jose Sharks -154

4*St. Louis Blues +136

5*Dallas Stars -114

First home playoff game for the Stars in 6 years. Dallas has outplayed the Ducks so far but have yet to win a game. That changes tonight as the Stars get back in the series.