NHL Monday Dallas Stars Money Line -120 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 8:05 ET - As I wrote in my write-up for Saturday's Game 5, the whole world was lining up on Vegas to close the series out at home. The line had moved the direction of the Golden Knights but that gave us exceptional value on the Stars as a sizable underdog in that one. Note that Vegas has only two wins by more than a 1-goal margin in their last 8 games. The point is that one can give Vegas credit for gutting out tight wins (including a couple in OT) but, as I stated here before Game 5, I feel we could see a major shift in momentum in this series after the Stars finally got a tight home win in Game 4 after losing the first 3 games of the series. That was an OT win and the key was Dallas finally seemed to figure out how to get inside a bit more on the Golden Knights and create more higher-percentage scoring opportunities. We took that knowledge of how the game played out and expected that the Stars would continue to build off the things they did well in Game 4 and, sure enough, Dallas did just that in Game 5. The Stars were rock solid in that 4-2 win and now can really continue the roll with captain Jamie Benn coming back for Game 6 plus this game being back on home ice. The way I see it, the momentum and the key situational value here all lies with the home team. DALLAS -120

NHL Saturday Dallas Stars Money Line +130 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 8:05 ET - The whole world is lining up on Vegas to close this series out at home. The line has moved the direction of the Golden Knights but I feel this is giving us truly exceptional value on the Stars as a sizable underdog here. Note that Vegas has only 1 regulation win in last 4 home games in this post-season. The other 3 games included a 5-1 loss and a pair of OT losses against these Stars. The only regulation win for the Golden Knights in this stretch of 4 home games was just a 4-3 win over the Oilers. Give Vegas credit for gutting out tight wins but I feel we could see a major series shift in momentum here after the Stars finally got a tight home win in the most recent game. That was an OT win and the key was Dallas finally seemed to figure out how to get inside a bit more on the Golden Knights and create more higher-percentage scoring opportunities. The Stars will continue to build off the things they did well in Game 4 and remember, the Knights have been far from dominant on home ice. DALLAS +130

NHL Thursday Dallas Stars Money Line -110 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 8:05 ET - Dallas just suffered their first regulation time loss of this series. The Stars lost the first two games in overtime. Dallas easily could have been up 2-0 in series but now, after Tuesday's debacle, they are down 3-0 in this series. Note that the Stars are 6-0 since mid-March (including 3-0 in this post-season) when they are off a loss in regulation time. I am sure that Dallas is going to respond big here. Vegas took it to them early in Game 3 but you will see a very determined Stars bunch destined for payback in Game 4. They are on home ice and fired up and hungry to send this series back to Vegas. Their effort will be off the charts and the fact is not much has separated these two teams in this series. That said, the team that wants it more has the upper hand and the Stars are not going to be denied here at home. Look for the hosts to improve to 7-0 the last 7 times when off a NON-OT loss. DALLAS -110

NHL Wednesday Carolina Hurricanes Money Line +100 @ Florida Panthers @ 8:05 ET - The Hurricanes outhshot Florida 32 to 17 in the Game 3 loss. This after losing each of the first two games in OT. The Panthers got 4 power play opportunities and the Hurricanes got just 1. To say the Canes are a little bit frustrated and angry right now is the understatement of the year. The Hurricanes will respond here as Carolina is very well-coached and has veteran experience and they will be fully focused on the "game at a time" mentality in a series that has been tight but that they have been just short in all 3 games. They feel the calls were unfair in the Game 3 loss but they will use that frustration to turn it into positive energy for this one. The Hurricanes will not be denied here. They have come to far and are too good a team to get swept out of the playoffs. Just like you might have seen Boston come up big at Miami last night in the NBA - similar situation of Celtics having statistical edges in shots the game before but losing - I think in the hockey we are going to see another team avoid the sweep and send this series back north for a game in Raleigh. CAROLINA +100

NHL Tuesday Dallas Stars Money Line -140 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 8:05 ET - This is the first time in these playoffs that Dallas has lost B2B games. In the regular season the Stars had only 2 losing streaks of more than 2 games. When Dallas entered a game off exactly 2 straight losses they won that 3rd game 7 out of 9 times. The Stars never trailed in Game 2 and only trailed for a combined total of about 12 minutes in Game 1. They gave up a tying goal in Game 2 with about 2 minutes to go. Both games went to OT and the Stars lost both. After the way these games played out and everything that has transpired in this series. I just can not see them losing here in Game 3 on home ice. The home team is on a 5-0 run in Stars games. Look for that streak to reach 6-0 here with another home ice win. DALLAS -140

NHL Monday Carolina Hurricanes -101 @ Florida Panthers @ 8:05 ET - The Panthers 7 of last 9 wins have come by just a single goal and 6 of the 7 have been OT wins including each of the first two games in this series. This is simply unreal as Florida also has NO losses in OT so far in post-season. Carolina, on the other hand, is 6-4 last 10 games and 3 of those 4 losses by just a single goal including the last 2 in OT versus Florida. 2 of their 6 wins were in OT but the average margin of their other 4 wins was 4 goals apiece! I feel we are getting excellent line value here with the Hurricanes in about as close to a must win spot as it gets and yet we are getting a pick'em line and we have the team that has won the shots on goal battle by 17 including an edge of 12 in Saturday's tough loss. Value on the road team in a great spot and they are so hungry and will not be denied off B2B losses. CAROLINA -101

NHL Sunday Dallas Stars Money Line +110 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 3:05 ET - The Stars are 9-0 the last 9 times they were off a loss. This run dates back to the regular season of course but includes a 5-0 run in the playoffs. That said, there is exceptional line value here with Dallas in an underdog spot in Game 2 of the series. Yes Vegas is on home ice but they have been truly dominant here and they barely squeaked out the win in Game 1. Strengthened by their resolve, the Stars will be the hungrier team tonight and just can't see them leaving the arena without a win. They will be a little more physical in Game 2 and I know what this experienced playoff veteran team is capable of when they put their minds to it. Look for them to improve to 10-0 last 10 when off a loss. DALLAS +110

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play Carolina Hurricanes Money Line -150 vs Florida Panthers @ 8:05 ET - Carolina had won 5 of 6 home games in this post-season before the tough 4-OT loss to the Panthers in Game 1 of this series. Note that the Hurricanes are 3-0 in the playoffs so far when coming off a loss and I look for them to respond once again in this situation. Also, Florida has played 13 post-season games so far and only 4 of the 13 have been regulation wins. Give the Panthers credit but they also have had amazingly good fortune. 5 of their 9 post-season wins have been in OT. Florida is 5-0 in OT games in the post-season and I look for the Hurricanes to bounce back strong. In the 3rd period of the Game 1 loss the Canes really looked like the Canes of old. They now have Terravainen back too and that helps as well. The point is they were starting to get into rhythm and looked strong and I feel we'll see that kind of effort and performance from the Hurricanes from the drop of the puck in this one. 10* CAROLINA -150

NHL Friday Dallas Stars +115 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 8:35 ET - The Golden Knights allowed 4 goals per game in their 3 home games in the series with Edmonton. Dallas is 7-3 last 10 games and struggled a bit in the losses but allowed a total of only 10 goals in those 7 victories. That is some solid defense and goaltending. More of the same expected here as they look to get the early edge in this series. A lot of times the pressure is on the home team in Game 1 when you are getting this late into the post-season. The Golden Knights fortress this season was not it once was in prior seasons. The Stars just want to come in and steal one of these first two games on the road. Look for them to do just that right away in the first game as the road team has won the first game in 3 of the 4 series combined for these two teams so far in this post-season. That trend continues here. DALLAS +115

NHL Thursday Carolina Hurricanes -135 vs Florida Panthers @ 8:05 ET - The only team to win more home games (28) in the regular season than Carolina did was Boston. Coming off a historic regular season, the Bruins ranked first in just about everything so the point is that the Hurricanes are keeping pretty good company with a record like that! As for the Panthers they lost 22 of 41 regular season road games. Give Florida credit for sure as any team to make it this far in the post-season is doing something right to say the least! However, I feel we have excellent line value here with a low money line on a high quality Hurricanes team on their home ice. Yes they have been without Terraveinen (could be back for this one!) and Svechnikov but the team has rallied around this and continues to play very well. The Panthers just beat a Maple Leafs team that won their first playoff series since 2004 when they finally got out of the first round. To me, the Hurricanes faced a much tougher 2nd round draw with facing a Devils team that had just knocked off a very tough Rangers team. So, all in all, I think the Hurricanes are undervalued here while everyone keeps pointing to Florida having knocked off the big bad Bruins. What happened with Boston was they put all their efforts into a historic regular season which then does not count once you reach the post-season. Again, give Florida credit but now thing are at the tightening up level of the post-season and the Hurricanes are the better team defensively and, long-term, in goal as well. CAROLINA -135

NHL Monday 10* Top Play Dallas Stars Puck Line -1.5 +125 vs Seattle Kraken @ 8:10 ET - If you like Dallas to win this game - and as -200 favorite they certainly are expected to win - the key here is where the value is in this scenario. There is still inherent risk in laying big prices with money lines. I laid -180 yesterday with Edmonton and despite the Oilers notching 40 shots on goal - nearly twice as many as Vegas - they still lost the game. That said, I really do like the Stars a lot here on home ice and there is justification for grabbing the puck line here. Again, the odds makers are telling you that if these teams played 3 straight times at Dallas repeatedly the Stars should average taking 2 out of 3 games - that is what that -200 price is telling you. The key here is we can get a lot of value with the Stars in the +125 range by laying 1.5 goals on the puck line. What are the odds that a Dallas win here comes by at least a 2-goal margin? The odds are actually very good! Dating back to the regular season 13 of last 17 Dallas home wins have come by at least a 2-goal margin and that includes all 4 in these playoffs! As for Seattle, their first loss in this post-season was by 1 goal but all 5 of their losses since then have been by a multi-goal margin. As a hockey fan, I am very impressed (and somewhat surprised) by what coach Dave Hakstol and these Kraken have accomplished in this post-season. But winning a Game 7 on the road against an angry Stars team with a lot of playoff experience is not only not going to be easy...it is going to prove virtually impossible. The home team steps up in a big way here! 10* DALLAS -1.5 +125

NHL Sunday Edmonton Oilers Money Line -180 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 10 ET - I like to play underdogs and small favorites and totals and also I even play big money line dogs at times too. However, sometimes there are situations that demand to be played and that do involve laying some juice. This is absolutely one of those. Edmonton is a perfect 8-0 the last 8 times they were off a loss. Now I know we could play the puck line here but of those 8 wins, 3 of them were by just a single goal margin. I do like the fact that the Oilers have responded big in this series with a multi-goal margin of victory each time off a loss to the Golden Knights. Indeed, Vegas has played well in this series but the Oilers have won 3 of their last 4 home games and have been so strong off a loss. Give credit for Vegas coming up big in Game 5 but now it is the Oilers turn on home ice in Game 6 as they take that run to 9 in a row. EDMONTON -180

NHL Saturday Dallas Stars -155 @ Seattle Kraken @ 7:10 ET - The Stars have been the better team in this series and they don't want to risk a Game 7 now. Yes, Dallas has the luxury of knowing a Game 7 would be back on home ice but they don't want to risk that in a series they have owned since dropping Game 1 in overtime. Note that Dallas has won 3 of 4 games since that OT loss and this is a team that has allowed an average of just 2 goals in their 7 post-season wins. The Stars continue to get good goaltending and the same can not be said of Seattle. The Kraken are seeing Grubauer go through a tough stretch at the wrong time. Part of the reason for his struggles though is definitely the fact that the Kraken are getting outplayed all over the ice. A key here is that the Stars are playing without pressure as all the pressure is on the Kraken to extend this series. That said, and considering Dallas had already been playing so well, this one has the makings of a road rout. The Kraken will be squeezing the sticks a little too tight as they have lost some of that first round magic they had against the Avalanche. DALLAS -155

NHL Friday Edmonton Oilers -130 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:10 ET - The Golden Knights have goalie issues because of the Brossoit injury. Hill struggled in Game 4. Quick has not played much at all and would be rusty if called upon for a start. The Oilers looked great in Game 4 plus have added intensity and emotion as the Golden Knights fueled their fire. The Pietrangelo very late-game slashing incident with Draisaitl of the Oilers was an ugly one and was uncalled for no matter what had happened on the ice throughout the game. That was just bad sportsmanship and is unusual from a veteran like Pietrangelo but it definitely is doing Vegas no favors entering this game. Like I said, it fuels the fire of the Oilers and you can feel the momentum shifting and you can sense the concern that the Golden Knights must have with their own goalie situation. Conversely, the Oilers have been getting solid goaltending with very few poor games through this post-season. I expect that to continue here and I also expect the Oilers firepower up front to continue to be too much for Vegas. The strength of the Oilers top players is starting to wear down this Golden Knights team as we are getting further into the post-season. EDMONTON -130

NHL Friday Toronto Maple Leafs -165 vs Florida Panthers @ 7:10 ET - Sometimes all it takes is one and the Leafs just got it with that win at Florida in Game 4. Now I am not saying they come back and win this series but I do like their chances here in Game 5 with home ice and momentum on their side. Keep in mind, the Maple Leafs had B2B one-goal losses - including one in OT - before they got that tight 2-1 win Wednesday. Look for the rally to continue for the Leafs who had won 4 of 5 before the rough start to this series. Give the Panthers credit but the point is that the Maple Leafs were in those games and I like the grit I saw from the Leafs in that Game 4 win. Momentum carries for at least this one on home ice. TORONTO -165

NHL Thursday OVER 5.5 in Dallas Stars vs Seattle Kraken @ 9:40 ET - All 4 games in this series have totaled at least 6 goals and those games averaged 9 goals. Seattle has scored an average of 3 goals per game on the road in this post-season. Dallas has scored 4 goals per game on average over their last 9 games in this post-season. I am confident the Stars will score well at home in this key Game 5 battle with series tied at 2 but I do not trust Oettinger in goal as much now as I did in the first round. He has struggled at times with the Kraken in this 2nd round and I look for this to continue here. Take advantage of the fact we are seeing some 5.5 pop up out there on this one as I fully expect the high-scoring trending of this series to continue here! OVER 5.5 in Dallas

NHL Thursday Carolina Hurricanes Money Line -130 vs New Jersey Devils @ 7:10 ET - Because the Hurricanes do not have Svechnikov and Teravainen, they continue to be undervalued. Carolina has proven they can continue to play great even without those guys and we also get line value because the Devils were neck and neck with the Canes in the Metropolitan Division this season. The fact is that Carolina has been the much stronger team overall in the post-season as well as in this series. So, that said, the line value remains on the Hurricanes here as they are priced in the -130 range but their wins have been so dominant in this series. I know they had the one slip-up in Game 3 but that was on the road and was their one "excuse me" of this post-season. They bounced right back in Game 4 at New Jersey and you know they do not want to head back up there. That said, this is a chance to end it and these guys are so well-coached and so tough at home and I love the line value with the home favorite in this one. CAROLINA -130

NHL Wednesday Edmonton Oilers -180 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:10 ET - This is a little pricier than I would normally lay on a money line play but this is the post-season with fewer games on the docket daily and I really like the Oilers here and do not want to get burned if they win the game by just a single goal margin. The fact is I am expecting a blowout here and the Oilers are 6-1 this season when they are at home and coming off a loss by a multi-goal margin. Also, the Oilers are currently on an overall 7-0 run when they have entered a game off a loss. Look for Edmonton to bounce back here as they respond off an embarrassing effort in Game 3 on home ice. Just can not see the Oilers being denied here. The Oilers were on an 11-2 run in home games before being embarrassed by the Golden Knights and now it is payback time here. Edmonton looked so bad in Game 3 but they have shown what they are capable of already in this series with the big Game 2 win which was dominant. They also showed resiliency in bouncing back after tough demoralizing OT losses to the Kings in round one so they can do it again now. EDMONTON -180

NHL Wednesday OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:10 ET - This has been a strange series in terms of the scoring and I think we'll finally see one push over the total tonight. The Panthers want to get the sweep and avoid going to Toronto. The Maple Leafs are doing everything in their power to extend this series by getting the win - finally - in what is an elimination game. That said, think we'll finally see more late scoring in this one after craziness so far in this series. Game 3 was 2-2 about mid-way through the 2nd period and neither team scored again in regulation. Game 2 was 3-2 just one minute in the 2nd period and there was not another goal scored in that game. Game 1 was 3-2 going to the 3rd period and 4-2 about mid-way through the 3rd period yet it ended without another goal - not even an empty-netter. Could easily see this series being 3-0 to the over yet it is all unders so far. That said, value here. OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Tuesday OVER 5.5 in Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars @ 9:40 ET - I am confident that Dallas is going to bounce back here but I am not so confident that they will be able to stop the Kraken. Note that Seattle has scored 13 goals so far in regulation time of this series. Each of the first 3 games in this series have totaled 6 goals and I am confident that will be the case again tonight. Dallas, prior to the ugly 7-2 loss in Game 3, had scored an average of 4 goals per game last 7 games. The Kraken have averaged a respectable 3 goals per game in this post-season. This is the type of game I am expecting each team to get to 3 goals which would guarantee us of at least a 4-3 final were that the case. Considering that plus the fact we only need 6 to be a winner here, I like our chances. OVER 5.5 in Seattle

NHL Tuesday Carolina Hurricanes Money Line +130 @ New Jersey Devils @ 7:10 ET - Carolina lost 8 to 4 in an embarrassing Game 3 loss after taking the first two games of this series. Not only are the Hurricanes generally strong off a loss, this a PERFECT 4-0 situation for them on the SEASON. Only 4 times this season have the Hurricanes had a loss in which they both allowed at least 5 goals plus lost the game by a margin of at least 3 goals. After those 4 "ugliest of the ugly" variety of defeats, they have responded with a win each time. This is a well-coached team and their coach is hard-nosed and instills that same toughness and resiliency in his players. They will be ready to respond big here! Remember in the first round they were up 2 games to 0 also and then got hammered in a 5 to 1 loss at the Islanders in Game 3. They responded then with a huge Game 4 win. I am expecting a similar scenario here. Deja vu. Hurricanes roll. CAROLINA +130

NHL Monday Edmonton Oilers Money Line -175 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 8:40 ET - Long time followers know I do not like to lay big juice in the money line sports. However, in the playoffs it is a different story and I will make exceptions sometimes when the situation is right. That is absolutely the case here. The Oilers have a ton of momentum after that big win at Vegas in Game 2 and I look for them to carry it right into this home match. Keep in mind, the Oilers have been a scoring machine and the Golden Knights are now facing a much tougher test than they did in their first series against Winnipeg. The Jets just did not have the scoring punch to really test Vegas. This situation is entirely different! The Oilers should again pile up goals here and I just don't see the Golden Knights having enough to keep up on the road in this one. Keep in mind, Vegas has been held to just 1 goal in each of their two losses. The Oilers have scored an average of 3 goals in their 3 playoff losses and 2 of those defeats came in overtime. The hosts here are better than people even realize. EDMONTON -175

NHL Sunday OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 6:40 ET - Each of the first two games in this series have stayed under the total but the first one was surprising and the second one was shocking. The first game was 4-2 with over 7 minutes to go in the game. Oftentimes you'll at least get an empty-netter in a game like that. The second game was 3-2 just ONE MINUTE into the SECOND period! So there were 5 goals in 21 minutes and then, miraculously, no goals the final 39 minutes of the game. For over players, look for the third time to be the charm after these surprising results in the first two. You know the Maple Leafs are going to dig deep here down 2-0 in this series but their strength is in the offensive zone rather than in the D-zone. Also, Panthers so dangerously high-scoring on home ice. That said, the way I see this playing out is Toronto putting up a great fight but Panthers answering them goal for goal. As a result, I feel it is anybody's game but I do feel the play here is the over. Back and forth high-scoring affair finally gets to 7 or more. Both these teams have plenty of guys that can bring it in the offensive zone. OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Sunday Carolina Hurricanes +124 @ New Jersey Devils @ 3:40 ET - Interesting stat about the Hurricanes here is that they are 10-2 last 12 times they have entered a game off a win in which they allowed 1 goal or less. What that tells you is that when Carolina starts to play their style of game and their goalie is in sync like this, they are very tough to beat. That said, the world will likely be lining up on New Jersey here and saying they can't lose at home but the reality is why can't they? The fact is that the Devils have had to use both goalies in both games so far and each allowed multiple goals in the Game 2 loss. This New Jersey team has confidence that is shaken while the Hurricanes are rolling along. Also, Carolina knows that winning this series quickly carries extra importance considering Panthers up 2-0 in the other series against the Leafs plus that series just shifted south to Florida. That is not to say New Jersey and Toronto can't make comebacks but the point is that you won't see the Hurricanes taking their foot off the gas here. Right now the Canes are the better team all over the ice plus in goal which is so critical. CAROLINA +124

NHL Saturday Edmonton Oilers Money Line -120 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 7:10 ET - The Knights have won 5 straight games since losing game one in round one to the Jets. Vegas is so hot and yet they are home underdog here. Hmmm. Exactly! Don't let this line fool you. This is a very strong Oilers team that is also tougher than they use to be. They won the hits battle in Game One of this series. Also, the first round against the Kings they showed more backbone and resiliency than past Oilers teams. Really feel this is a much different Edmonton team than we've seen before and they will again battle back off a loss. The Oilers are 6-0 the last 6 times they have entered a game off a loss. This Edmonton team has not lost B2B games since February! We are now in May as you know. They have been great off a loss and take that run to 7-0 as they just will not be denied here. EDMONTON -120

NHL Friday Carolina Hurricanes Money Line -110 vs New Jersey Devils @ 8:10 ET - The stats don't do it justice. The Hurricanes really dominated the Devils in Game 1 if you missed seeing it. I just do not see this changing for New Jersey on the road again for Game 2. The Canes are particularly tough at home and they are so strong and just do not give up many quality chances. Carolina could have had even more goals in Game 1 and, even without those close calls, they still dominated the game 4 to 1 before the icing on the cake with an empty netter to lead to the 5 to 1 finish. This is not going to change quickly for the Devils as they are unsettled in goal between Schmid and Vanecek. The Hurricanes are rolling strong with Andersen in between the pipes and they looked stronger in all facets of the game in the victory on Wednesday. More of the same here. Bargain price at home on Carolina because they are still without a couple of strong players. Even without those guys, they are so strong. The Hurricanes proved that again in that Game 1 win. CAROLINA -110

NHL Thursday Dallas Stars Puck Line -1.5 +140 vs Seattle Kraken @ 9:40 ET - I like the way the Stars responded down 4-2 after one period at home. They still ended up losing that game in overtime but this Dallas team showed how they are capable of playing against Seattle and did not allow any goals after the first period debacle. The Stars know they can afford to go down 2-1 in this series and they had been so strong defensively and in goal in their recent wins over the Wild to close out that series with 3 straight wins. The Kraken have been a big surprise but I just can't see them winning both these games at Dallas. That said, the Stars are certainly justified as a huge money line favorite here but we turn to the puck line for the value here. I am grabbing the +140 with the knowledge that most of the Kraken losses of late have been by big margins and same goes for most of the Stars recent wins. DALLAS -1.5 +140

NHL Thursday OVER 6.5 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers @ 7 ET - Great value here as game one stayed under the total despite being 3-2 after 2 periods and also being 4-2 with over 7 minutes left. Keep in mind all 6 goals were scored 5 on 5 as neither team scored a power play goals and there were no shorties in the game. So all of that plus no late scoring or empty netter and you can see why I love the value here with this one. We get a total of 6.5 again in this one and I am expecting plenty of scoring as the Maple Leafs and Panthers, odds suggest, will get some late scoring here if we need it. Also, odds suggest we would get some special teams scoring too. Excellent value spot here. OVER 6.5 in Toronto

NHL Wednesday Edmonton Oilers Money Line -115 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 9:40 ET - The Golden Knights just won 4 straight games over the Jets and allowed 2 or less goals in 3 of the 4 wins. They are known as the better defensive team. They are on home ice here and they won the division that the Oilers hail from as well. Edmonton comes into this one as the 2nd place team and having allowed 3.7 goals per game in last 3 games. Yet Vegas is the underdog here. This is classic situation and I love it. All of the above would point to the Golden Knights being a moderately priced favorite here but they are not. In typical contrarian fashion, I am on the Oilers here! Keep in mind, Edmonton's only two losses in the series with LA came in overtime. Edmonton absolutely looked like the much better team throughout that series. The Oilers are so explosive on offense and so dangerous on special teams. Also, their defense and netminding was better than past post-seasons as they looked good against the Kings. They carry momentum from that right into this playoff series and I look for Game 1 to go to the road team here. EDMONTON -115

NHL Wednesday Carolina Hurricanes -115 vs New Jersey Devils @ 7:10 ET - This is going to be a great series I have a feeling. But the Game 1 edge is too strong for me to ignore. Carolina has been resting up for this one while the Devils were in an absolute war with the Rangers. Here is what is most interesting about that the way I see it. The Devils made a goalie switch to Akira Schmid and he was fantastic. However, he really has not played much the past two seasons. Now, after completely shocking most all NHL experts with his performance in Round One, there could be a tough into to Round Two. It is almost like one of those "Did I really just do that" moments and then you quickly come back down to earth. Remember this is an entirely different match-up and now the Devils are finally having to leave the NYC area and they are facing a rested Hurricanes team. This sets up to be a tough match-up, at least in Game One, for Schmid and New Jersey the way I see it. CAROLINA -115

NHL Tuesday Dallas Stars -175 vs Seattle Kraken @ 9:40 ET - Normally I do not lay big prices and long-time followers know this. I play mostly totals or underdogs or small favorites. Even moderately priced favorites are rare for me. But I will venture into higher price ranges in the post-season when the situation warrants and that is the case here. Seattle is off that huge upset win over the defending champion Avalanche and that was a hard-fought 7-game series. The Stars have been waiting for the winner of this series and so Dallas has the rest edge plus now gets home ice edge here too since Seattle advanced rather than Colorado. This all sets up perfectly for the Stars to get a big Game One win. The Stars, once they got shifted into playoff mode, have been superb! Down 2-1 in the series to Minnesota, they then rattled off 3 straight wins and by a combined score of 11 to 3. Seattle wrapped up their series with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Avs but allowed 3.5 goals per game in 4 games before that. You can see whey I am looking for a solid home win given the situational edges and home ice and the goaltending edge and overall edge in defensive play. DALLAS -175

NHL Tuesday OVER 6.5 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers @ 7:10 ET - I know Toronto has had some success in lower-scoring games this season and used that tactic in knocking off Tampa Bay in the 6th game of their series. However, a lot of times in Game 1 of a new series when teams are off hard-fought series right before that, you can see a bit of a defensive letdown. Note that Florida just beat Boston in a bit of a miracle finish in Game 7 when they scored a goal with a minute to go to tie it and then they won it in overtime. That one was a 4-3 final and a hard-fought one at that. I expect a little open ice early in this one as both teams skating with a lot of confidence but also celebrating still. The Leafs just won first series since 2004! The Panthers just scored the biggest upset of the first round in their win over the heavily favored Bruins. OVER 6.5 in Toronto

NHL Monday 10* Top Play New York Rangers Money Line +100 @ New Jersey Devils @ 8:10 ET - All the other first round series that were going have finished. This Game 7 is it. Home ice must mean everything, right? Actually NO, every single team that has advanced, except Vegas as the lone exception, has advanced with the clinching win on enemy ice! Sunday it was Florida and Seattle. Saturday it was Toronto and Edmonton. Friday it was Carolina and Dallas. Those were the last 3 days and 6 road teams advanced! Now it is the Rangers turn. New York has a huge playoff experience edge over the Devils. In a Game 7 situation that experience means even more. The fact this game is at New Jersey means very little as the road team won the first 4 games in this series and, as noted above, in the other series' getting eliminated on your own ice was a common theme. More of the same here. Keep in mind, the Rangers have scored 5 goals in EACH of their 3 wins in this series. Conversely, the Devils have scored an average of only 2.7 goals in regulation time of their 3 wins in this series. The Rangers have all the momentum after the 5-2 home win in Game 6 and remember they won the first two games of this series here AT New Jersey each by a 5-1 score. 10* NEW YORK RANGERS +100

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play Colorado Avalanche -1.5 +125 vs Seattle Kraken @ 9:35 ET - The Avalanche have had their last two wins in this series each come by a multiple goal margin and I expect more of the same here. The Avs are a big home favorite for a reason. Seattle had their chance at home to close this series out but Colorado is the defending champion on of the NHL and they certainly looked like that in Game 6. They wrapped up the regular season winning 16 of 19 and 7 of last 8 home wins in the regular season also by a multi-goal margin. The Kraken had a chance, as noted above, to finish this in Game 6. But only did Seattle not do that, the game was not even close. Colorado seemed to kick things up a notch and the Kraken could not match that. Look for that to again be the case here because, of course, there is no way the Avs will come out flat in this Game 7 situation on home ice. That is bad news for Seattle as this Avalanche team is just too much. They have turned the tide in this series and will not stop now. 10* COLORADO -1.5 +125

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers @ 6:35 ET - Been a ton of scoring as this series has gone on and I can't see that stopping here. The Panthers have found their recipe for success in this match-up and they can't stray away from that now. Down 3-1 in this series they have rallied for B2B wins and they have done it with an incredible display of scoring in the offensive zone. While I do expect that to continue here, you also know that the Bruins are a heavy money line favorite here with good reason. In other words, this one at 4-3 or 5-3 sounds about right. Getting this total at 6 rather than 6.5 makes it an even bigger value and I look for plenty of scoring again in this one. The last 5 games in this series have all totaled at least 6 goals and have averaged 8 goals apiece! More of the same expected here. I know it is a Game 7 but each of the last two games were elimination games also. 10* OVER 6 in Boston

NHL Saturday Edmonton Oilers Money Line -160 @ Los Angeles Kings @ 10:05 ET - This money line keeps rising but the move is justified. This is a chance tonight for the Oilers to close out the Kings and I fully expect that to happen. Edmonton has been the stronger team throughout this series but the Kings managed to hang around in the series courtesy of a couple of overtime wins. The Oilers also have one OT win but the other two wins were by a combined score of 10 to 5. Edmonton has looked strong and now has their swagger back following back to back wins as that OT win in Game 4 was key to changing the momentum of this series. Edmonton followed it up with a huge effort in Game 5 showing they were going to make the most of the momentum edge. I don't see them relinquishing that grip on the momentum here either. The Oilers are hungry because they know they really do have a shot this season. They have been on the cusp and this team is really built well and getting better goaltending than usual. There is no questioning the firepower they have up front. The better team with all the momentum closes this out Saturday. EDMONTON -160

NHL Saturday New York Rangers Money Line -120 vs New Jersey Devils @ 8:08 ET - The last 5 times the Rangers have entered a game on a losing streak of 3 or more games they have gone 4-1. I just do not see this team laden with recent playoff experience getting knocked out of the post-season tonight on their home ice. Yes this series has turned on a dime after the Rangers won the first two games. The Devils have now won 3 straight but New Jersey actually has not had a winning streak of longer than 3 games since mid-January. Look for the Rangers to stand tall at home here and force a massive Game 7! This series is not over yet. NEW YORK RANGERS -120

NHL Friday 10* Top Play Colorado Avalanche -145 @ Seattle Kraken @ 10:08 ET - In the regular season the Kraken actually lost 21 of 41 home games. The Avalanche were a fantastic 29-11-1 in road games in the regular season. If Colorado loses tonight, their season is over. The road team has actually won 3 of the 5 games in this series. The Avs are off B2B losses which is a situation that is worth noting as they are 4-1 last 5 times they entered a game on a losing streak of 2 or more games. I just do not see them losing 3 straight to the Kraken and getting bounced out of the post-season after winning the Cup last year. Also, they know with one more win here they can send this series back to home ice for a winner takes all Game 7. I just do not see the Avs being denied here. Entering Game 5 they where on a stretch in which they had scored 11 of the last 17 goals scored in regulation in this series. Now after that tight 3-2 Game 5 loss, I fully expect the Avalanche to bounce back. The Kraken have just 6 wins in last 15 home games and one of those was in OT here in this series. Love the value of the road team at a manageable price here because they are on the road. 10* COLORADO -145

NHL Friday Carolina Hurricanes +110 @ New York Islanders @ 7:05 ET - The better team off a 1-goal loss in which they heavily outshot their opponent. There is a lot to like with the Hurricanes here including the fact we get line value since they are on the road. The traveler has won each of the last two meetings between these clubs and I expect that trend to continue here. I really like Carolina when they are off a loss in post-season action and here they have another chance to close this series out after falling short at home in Game 5. Ideal set-up and with line value. CAROLINA +110

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play Winnipeg Jets Money Line +163 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:10 ET - The Jets played better in Game 4 but still fell just short. They lost Game 3 in double-OT and that was on home ice and that is certainly tough to bounce back from. I feel we have tremendous big dog value here when you consider the way this series has played out. Hellebuyck is still an elite goalie and is capable of a big performance here. The road team has won 3 of the 4 games in the series and that includes the Jets getting a 5-1 win here in Vegas to begin the series. The only home win in the 4 games in this series was a game what was tied 2-2 entering the 3rd period. I just do not see any justification for this high price on the Golden Knights here. Yes the Jets could lose another tight game that swings late but I have a sense they are going to get over the hump in this one and finally catch a break and send this series back to Manitoba for Game 6 north of the border. 10* WINNIPEG +165

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:08 ET - This has been a very high-scoring series and no signs of that changing. Just a lot of firepower on both clubs and Vasilevskiy has not been his normal self in goal for the Bolts. Also, as per usual, the Maple Leafs biggest concern this time of year is netminding and defense. So all signs point to yet another high-scoring game as the Bolts are going to have to score plenty here as Toronto will be buzzing to try to advance to the next round. 10* OVER 6.5 in Toronto

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken @ 9:35 ET - The Avalanche should be relentless here as they are off that 3-2 OT loss in Game 4 but scored 9 goals in winning each of the 2 prior games. I think Colorado is realizing they need to be a little more aggressive for their best successes in this match-up with Seattle. At the same time, Seattle has to have some additional confidence with scoring 4 goals in the Game 3 loss plus coming up with the OT game-winner in Game 4 to knot the series. Seattle enters this one with much more confidence as a result and I feel that the total coming down to a 5.5 from a 6 is a key value for us that I will not pass up on. You might think of a grinder resulting in a spot like this but the Avs are angry and will be skating hard on home ice and will score as much as they have to get the win. They will be ultra-aggressive even with a 2-goal lead. They don't want to be burned again in OT like they were in Game 4. 10* OVER 5.5 in Colorado

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play Edmonton Oilers Puck Line -1.5 +115 vs Los Angeles Kings @ 9:38 ET - This series is very close to being 3-1 Kings but the fact is the Oilers rallied for the tying goal in Game 4 and finally got an OT win to go their way and that changes everything. The reality is that, as close as this series is to being 3-1 Los Angeles, it could just as easy be over and have been a 4-0 sweep for the Oilers! Give credit to the Kings for their moxie in this series but Edmonton has been the better team throughout. Now, with all the momentum on their side and back on home ice, Oilers roll to a big home win here. They certainly don't want to chance this game to overtime and I look for them to be relentless. Keep in mind, the Kings only 2 wins in this series have been in overtime. The Oilers did have a 4-2 win here on home ice and I believe that was a heart-breaking loss for LA in Game 4 while Edmonton is absolutely going to build off that win. What a win for the Oilers and now they are at home and can get their first lead of this series. They have deserved to be leading in this series and now the set-up is perfect for them to get what they deserve. 10* EDMONTON -1.5 +115

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 +130 in Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders @ 7:08 ET - We have seen plenty of goals in the last 3 games and I look for more of the same here. Carolina will be very aggressive on home ice in looking to end this series. Islanders are desperate to extend series for another game. I expect this desperation on one side and a ruthlessness on the other side to lead to plenty of goals here. There is some 5 out there at big juice but I like the option here of the 5.5 at solid plus money and expect a solid winner with 6 or more here as the last 3 games in this series have averaged nearly 7 goals apiece and, overall, scoring has been up in this post-season so far. 10* OVER 5.5 +130 in Carolina

NHL Monday 10* Top Play Winnipeg Jets Money Line -105 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 9:38 ET - I will keep riding the Jets here. Yes they ended up losing Game 3 in DOUBLE OT but that has helped retain line value here. As I mentioned in my write-up for Game 3, we get some line value because Vegas pulled away late in their Game 2 win. Keep in mind, Winnipeg won game 1 and then looked like they were on their way to another win in Game 2 before things changed in a hurry. The Jets will no doubt regroup on home ice and goalie Connor Hellebuyck is so strong. Look for a big bounce back effort from the Jets in this one after losing Game 3 in very tough fashion in double OT. Goalie edge and home ice edge and plus situational edge with Winnipeg now off B2B losses. The Jets, the last 4 times when they have entered a game coming off 2 or more consecutive losses have won all 4 times. I look for that streak to reach a perfect 5-0 L5 here. WINNIPEG -105

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:38 ET - The Maple Leafs confidence is sky high after B2B wins. The goals keep flowing in this series. Tampa Bay realizes they need to be aggressive and really put down the hammer throughout like they did in the 7-3 win that opened this series up. After seeing Toronto score late in Game 3 to force OT where the Leafs went on to win, the Lightning know they must be relentless here. They need be aggressive on the attack and score plenty because the Leafs are showing they have plenty of mettle. That said, this one looks like another high-scoring game that should get to 7 or more goals. 5 of the 6 meetings between these clubs, including regular season, have totaled at least 7 goals. This one will too. The Lightning can not afford to head to Toronto down 3-1 in this series but, at the same time, the Maple Leafs are so tough to hold in check so another high-scoring game looms here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Tampa Bay

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play Edmonton Oilers Money Line -155 @ Los Angeles Kings @ 9 ET - The Kings are up 2-1 in this series and on home ice and yet they are a sizable underdog here. Must be a mistake, right? Actually no it is not a mistake and the Oilers are the play here. This might be contrarian but it is what has served me well through the years and Edmonton deserves every bit of this price. Anyone who has watched this series knows the Oilers have been the better team. Yet somehow the Kings have a pair of OT wins and are leading this series 2-1. Edmonton is going to be ultra aggressive here and will not be denied and I look for them to dominate in this one. The Oilers will come out like they were shot out of a cannon and they will be relentless here. I like grabbing the stronger team off yet another undeserved loss and fully expect them to step up big in this game and tie up the series before it heads back to Canada. 10* EDMONTON -155

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars @ 6:30 ET - Wild off a 5-1 win and have scored 3.7 goals per game in this series. Stars scored 7 goals the last time they were off a loss in this series. Dallas is now 5-0 last 5 times they were off a loss and they scored 5 goals per game in those 5 losses. That said, I like the odds on the Stars scoring well in this one. The thing is I also like Minnesota to again do their share of scoring on home ice in this game too. That is why my play here is the over rather than Dallas. The Stars had scored at least 4 goals in 7 of last 11 games prior to the 5-1 loss Friday. Look for a big bounce back game from Dallas here but the result will be a high-scoring game as the Wild answer them goal for goal. 10* OVER 5.5 in Minnesota

NHL Saturday OVER 6 or 6.5 in Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7 ET - The first two games in this series have each totaled at least 9 goals. This one may not see quite as many of course but why would this overall trend change? The point is maybe we see 7 or 8 but overall goals keep flowing. 4 of last 6 Toronto games, dating back to regular season, have totaled at least 7 goals. The Lightning have seen, dating to back to regular season also, 6 of last 7 games total at least 7 goals. Also, Tampa Bay is on home ice now where they have scored an average of 4 goals last 6 games. Bolts off that 7-2 loss in Game 2 of this series so I am sure we are going to see a response from there on home ice but this Leafs team has been scoring very well and loaded with talent up front and will keep the pressure on here as they look to build off the momentum of the big Game 2 victory. OVER 6 or 6.5 in Tampa Bay

NHL Saturday Winnipeg Jets Money Line -110 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 4 ET - I will keep riding the Jets here. We get some line value because Vegas pulled away late in their Game 2 win. Keep in mind, Winnipeg won game 1 and then looked like they were on their way to another win in Game 2 before things changed in a hurry. The Jets will no doubt regroup on home ice and goalie Connor Hellebuyck is so strong. Look for a big bounce back effort from the Jets in this one. Goalie edge and home ice edge and plus situational edge as the Jets are coming off a loss. WINNIPEG -110

NHL Friday Edmonton Oilers Money Line -150 @ Los Angeles Kings @ 10 ET - This series is tied 1-1 but the Kings have never held a lead in the series. They won Game 1 in OT after trailing by 2 goals. They then trailed Game 2 again by 2 goals and rallied to tie it up but the Oilers then won that one in regulation. I respect the Kings but the Oilers are the better team and they have shown that in this series as well. They need a win to take back home ice in the series and I like our chances here. Edmonton has outshot Los Angeles in this series and had a multi-goal lead in each game and could easily be up 2-0 in this series. If they were up 2-0 here I probably would be staying away from this game. But the fact it is 1-1 even though they have outplayed them is what has me backing the Oilers in a big way here. They are favored in the -150 range on the road here for good reason. They need a win to avoid a series deficit here and, as the better team, I full expect them to get that! They continue their strong play and remember they were a great road team this season. That serves them well here too! EDMONTON -150

NHL Friday OVER 5 -130 in New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes @ 7 ET - We saw a 4-3 battle decided in OT in Game 2 and I feel we have excellent line value with this low total of 5 goals in Game 3. Note that we just need each team to get to 2 goals and we are guaranteed of no less than a 3-2 final here. That said, I am looking for 6 or more goals here but a push at 5 is certainly a nice option rather than losing if the posted total was 5.5 everywhere on this one. The fact it the Islanders are down 2 games to 0 in this series but will put up a strong fight at home. At the same time the Hurricanes are not going to back down and have been scoring plenty of goals of late. The way I see it, and given the situation here, I would not be surprised to see another 3-3 battle decided after regulation here. OVER 5 -130 in New York Islanders

NHL Thursday Winnipeg Jets Money Line +150 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10 ET - As mentioned in my Tuesday write-up on Winnipeg (5-1 winner), the fact that Vegas has home ice and won all 3 meetings with Jets this season is skewing a couple of key factors in my opinion in terms of this line. We have Connor Hellebuyck on our side in this game for Winnipeg. Also, the Jets have a team built for post-season hockey in my opinion. Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit actually missed some time earlier this season. Then he lost 14 of 22 starts at the AHL level. But then Adin Hill and Logan Thompson both got here and now here he is. Yes, I know he went 7-0-3 to close out the regular season but Tuesday was his first-ever playoff start plus he is facing his former team. Talk about pressure! The fact is that it will likely again prove to be too much and I like the odds on another upset win here just like the road upset win we saw here to open up this series. As coach Rick Bowness of the Jets stated before the series started, Winnipeg is not just here to give the Golden Knights a tune up for advancing to the next round. I like this Jets team and their attitude under Bowness and feel they are going to give Vegas a tough time in this series. It started Tuesday and continues tonight at a great underdog price. The Jets were dominant in the 1st game, just look at the stats too, and also note that key players for Vegas like Eichel and Stone ended up -3 with their +/- stats in game one. Just because the Golden Knights lost game one does not mean they bounce back in Game Two. Hellebuyck is great to have on your side over Brossoit and I do not mean any disrespect to Brossoit but Hellebuyck is just so good! WINNIPEG +150

NHL Thursday OVER 6 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7 ET - 10 goals in the first game and Maple Leafs need to respond at home but will again struggle to stop this talented Tampa Bay team. Toronto has plenty of firepower in the offensive zone but continues to struggle in their own end in crunch time. The Bolts will again be dangerous here but you know the Leafs are going to bring their A game at home and down 1-0 in this series. I look for this to result in plenty of scoring here as a result. Toronto has scored at least 3 goals in all 4 meetings between these teams in regular season and playoffs but Tampa Bay has averaged 3.5 goals in the 4 meetings as well. This one should again see plenty of fireworks as the power plays are clicking for both teams as well! OVER 6 in Toronto

NHL Wednesday Dallas Stars -145 - As long-time followers know, I like dogs and small favorites and totals in NHL the most. That said, for me to lay it, the situation has to be just right. I feel that is what we have here. The Stars lost Game 1 in double-OT. They are on home ice and need to respond as they can't afford to go down 2-0 in this series with both losses in their own barn. I feel Dallas is going to come out extremely fired up and strong in this game. The Dumba hit on Pavelski changed the complexion of Game 1 and perhaps this series. The Stars were up 2-1 at the time before Pavelski got laid out. The Wild then tied the game later in the 2nd period after that. Then they won it in double-OT after some very tight chances by the Stars - including one off the post - came up just short of ending the game. Could be another tight game here but I just do not see Dallas being denied here. Their energy and emotion should be off the charts in this one and they held some edges in Game 1 in terms of in the faceoff circle and shots on goal, etc. Stars get it done here. DALLAS -145

NHL Wednesday OVER 6 in Boston - Game 1 was 3-1 heading to final period but then no scoring. Panthers know the likelihood of them winning low-scoring grinders is not good against this top notch Bruins team. That said, look for Florida to be extra aggressive on the attack in this one even if it means exposing their defense and netminding a bit at the other end. I like the value here as I expect the 2nd period scoring momentum to carry into the 2nd game of this series after game one died with a scoreless 3rd period. Aggressive Panthers team will go for broke on the road Wednesday and that means plenty of goals. OVER 6 in Boston

NHL Tuesday Winnipeg Jets Money Line +130 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 9:30 ET - The fact that Vegas has home ice and won all 3 meetings with Jets this season is skewing a couple of key factors in my opinion in terms of this line. We have Connor Hellebuyck on our side in this game for Winnipeg. Also, the Jets have a team built for post-season hockey in my opinion. Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit actually missed some time earlier this season. Then he lost 14 of 22 starts at the AHL level. But then Adin Hill and Logan Thompson both got here and now here he is. Yes, I know he went 7-0-3 to close out the regular season but now he makes his first-ever playoff start plus he is facing his former team. Talk about pressure! The fact is that it will likely prove to be too much and I like the odds on a road upset win here to open up this series. As coach Rick Bowness of the Jets stated, Winnipeg is not just here to give the Golden Knights a tune up for advancing to the next round. I like this Jets team and their attitude under Bowness and feel they are going to give Vegas a tough time in this series. It starts tonight at a great underdog price. WINNIPEG +130

NHL Tuesday New York Rangers +115 @ New Jersey Devils @ 7 ET - I like the overall experience edge of this Rangers team. They have the veteran edge in terms of their star players and a ton of post-season experience. They have the size edge too to out-physical the Devils and set the tone in game 1 of this series. Then you also have the key goalie edge. I know Vanecek has played well but Shesterkin is one of the best goalies in the world and he finished the season looking like the Igor we are use to seeing. That said, other than home ice edge, the edges here are in favor of New York. This includes the fact that the Rangers are plus money here because they are on the road. That said, I have no hesitation in backing them in this one as I expect them to open up this series with a road win. NEW YORK RANGERS +115

NHL Monday OVER 6 in Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers @ 7:30 ET - Boston is so strong and I do not trust the Florida goaltending situation. That said, Bruins will score well here but don't be surprised if high-powered Florida does plenty of scoring too. This should be a very high-scoring entertaining affair. Boston is so strong but Florida will test them and we're going to see a lot of goals here for a playoff game. I like the Panthers in the offensive zone but do not trust their defense or netminding. Lyon got exposed in the final game of the regular season and now a rusty Bobrovsky could be back between the pipes for this one so, either way, Bruins likely scoring big in this one. I expect Florida to put up a fight though. OVER 6 in Boston

NHL Monday Carolina Hurricanes Money Line -165 vs New York Islanders @ 7 ET - The Hurricanes have won each of the last 3 meetings between these teams and the average score has been 3 to 1 so they are not just squeaking by in these games either. That said, this price is at the upper range of what I like to lay on a game but it is playoff time and home ice and game one of a series. That said, I am willing to invest here as I look for Carolina to want to make a statement in game one and I fully expect a great home ice atmosphere for this game. Remember that the Islanders barely made the post-season this year and last year did not even make the playoffs. Conversely, the Hurricanes are Metro Div Champs this year and have unfinished business from last year's post-season. They had a 2-0 lead (and later 3-2 lead) in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals last season but then lost to the Rangers. That said, the Canes come out very strong here and they had won 7 straight home ice post-season games before that Game 7 loss to the Rangers last year. Also, the Hurricanes enter this one off B2B big wins by a combined score of 10 to 5 to wrap up the regular season and clinch the division. Islanders lost last 3 road games of regular season by a combined score of 12 to 3. Look for those struggles to carry right into this game. CAROLINA -165

NHL Friday Nashville Predators Money Line +165  vs Colorado Avalanche @ 8:05 ET - The Avalanche need one more win to win the Central Division title. The Predators have lost all 3 meetings to the Avs this season and got swept out of the playoffs by Colorado last season. Guess which team is going to be more amped up here for this one? Nashville proved again in last night's win over Minnesota that there is no quit in this team even though they only recently got eliminated from post-season contention. The Predators also have the goalie edge in this one in my opinion. Saros played last night so it will likely be Lankinen here but note that the Avs used Georgiev last night. That means it will likely be Francouz getting the start here. He is a rock solid goalie but got hurt back in early February. This would be only his 2nd start since he returned from injury. Francouz allowed a pair of goals in both the 2nd and 3rd periods of his first start back. Predators will put pressure on him early and often. Of course the defending cup champion Avalanche are a great team but the Preds are very motivated here. They are not going to the playoffs and they still remember what happened in last year's post-season and they would love nothing more than to get a small measure of payback by knocking off the Avs here and preventing them from winning the division. Nashville has had only one bad game defensively last 10 games and has allowed an average of only 1.8 goals per game in the other 9 games. The Avalanche have allowed about 3 goals per game last 8 games. I love the underdog value here and expect an upset to wrap up the NHL regular season. NASHVILLE +165

NHL Friday OVER 7 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres @ 7:35 ET - Back to back spot for both clubs. Sabres off emotional OT win in goalie Craig Anderson's final game of his career. They gave a lot on the ice defensively trying to get a win. Defense could be flat here. Columbus was worst team in the East this season and it is due in large part to poor defense and sub-par netminding. We should see more than 7 here. Certainly don't want a push but to get to at least 7 and guarantee a non-loss we just need each club to get to 3 goals. Note that Blue Jackets, prior to 3-2 OT upset of Penguins last night, had allowed at least 3 goals in 19 of last 20 games. Amazingly, Columbus has allowed 5 goals per game during this stretch. The Sabres have allowed at least 3 goals in 26 of 32 games. Buffalo has allowed an average of 4 goals per game during this stretch. You can see why a 5-4 game here would not at all be a surprise given the situation and given numbers like these. OVER 7 in Columbus

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line -110 @ Chicago Blackhawks @ 8:35 ET - The Flyers and Blackhawks have long been eliminated from post-season contention. But, interestingly, the draft lottery position of Chicago could be negatively impacted with a win here. Philadelphia is locked into their position. Also, both teams off wins but the Blackhawks win was over the Penguins and helped eliminate them from the post-season. That could leave Chicago flat here and Philly, based on the key circumstances here, is likely to prove to be the hungrier team. Note that the Blackhawks have won B2B games only ONCE since late February! The Flyers have certainly not been great but at least they have 6 wins last 14 games and also there could be some extra motivation here to get the win and get to 75 points in the standings. This is also a revenge game from the Flyers losing at home against Chicago earlier this season. 10* PHILADELPHIA -110

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:05 ET - Both teams going to the post-season. Both teams locked into their spots. They want to just stay sharp here and also there will be little defensive intensity. No one wants to get hurt right before the playoffs start. There is a lot of talent in terms of scoring firepower on both these clubs. I expect this to play out as a rather wide open affair with plenty of open ice and great scoring opportunities for both clubs. We get solid value as, if each team gets to 3 goals we have at least a 4-3 final here and the over 6.5 is available in this one without any juice. Note that the Maple Leafs have won 9 of 14 games and have scored an average of 3.5 goals during this stretch. Rangers are off a loss but had won 10 of 14 games prior to that defeat. New York averaged scoring 4 goals in those 14 games. We should see a rather wide-open affair given the situation here and given the numbers noted above you can see why I like the over here. 10* OVER 6.5 in New York Rangers

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks @ 10:05 ET - I know the Flames have been playing some lower-scoring games of late but now that their playoff hopes have been dashed and they are facing a Sharks team known for high-scoring games, look for a barn-burner here. The Flames are off a 3-2 loss in the shootout versus Nashville and that game was in Calgary. However, prior to that SO loss on home ice staying under the total, Calgary's last 6 home games featured 4 that totaled at least 7 goals. Those 4 overs actually averaged 8.5 goals in regulation time! This should be a wild one here because the Flames have allowed about 3.5 goals per game last dozen games so Sharks should get their goals here. But the key is San Jose has been giving up piles of goals so this game should see a lot of open ice with plenty of scoring chances. The Sharks 9 of last 10 games have totaled at least 7 goals. These 9 games have averaged 8 goals and we only need 7 to be a winner here. Looking for a 4-3 type game at a minimum here but we'll likely see even much more scoring! 10* OVER 6.5 in Calgary

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in St Louis Blues vs Dallas Stars @ 7:35 ET - Stars are motivated to win as they have Central Division title hopes. Blues are not going to post-season and will want to play the role of spoiler here. However, St Louis will have to try to outscore them to do so and I certainly expect them to be aggressive on the attack here. Look for plenty of goals here as the Stars have won 6 of 7 and averaged 4 goals per game during this hot streak. I know they have not been allowing many goals but Dallas is really going to be pressured by the Blues in what is the home finale for St Louis. The Blues have been scoring plenty of goals. They also generally have struggled to stop teams too. With a total of just 6 goals posted on this game I like our chances as 9 of last 10 Blue games and 18 of last 21 have totaled at least 6 goals! Look for an entertaining affair as these division rivals meet for first time since November. 10* OVER 6 in St Louis

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Minnesota Wild vs Winnipeg Jets @ 8:05 ET - Both teams are motivated by playoff implications but don't look for too much of a tight defensive battle here. That's because both teams were in action last night and both got wins and both used their top goalies last night. It is likely to be a match-up of Rittich and Fleury in this one. Rittich has allowed at least 3 goals in 3 straight starts. Fleury has allowed 3 or more goals in 3 of last 4 starts. That said, this one is an over the way I see it. We have a low total to work with and note that Winnipeg has actually scored 6 goals in 3 of last 5 games, including last night's win, so this team really is starting to jell at the right time. Minnesota has scored 3 or more goals in 12 of last 16 games including 4 in last night's win. Also, the Wild have scored an average of 3.8 goals in those 16 games. 10* OVER 5.5 in Minnesota

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Philadelphia Flyers vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7 ET - All 3 games between these clubs have totaled at least 7 goals and the 3 games have averaged 8 goals. Flyers coach John Tortorella use to coach the Blue Jackets so there is extra incentive in this game and they will not lay down here at home. Yes it is a meaningless game from the standpoint these two teams are two of the worst clubs in the league and not going to the post-season but I feel the Flyers will have some extra jump in their skates tonight on home ice. This Blue Jackets team will respond as the Flyers, like them, are giving up quite a few goals of late. Philly has allowed 4.4 goals per game last 7 games and all 7 were losses. The Blue Jackets have lost 14 of 18 games and incredibly they have allowed an average of 5.1 goals per game during this stretch. This looks like a 5-4 type game and we only need 4-3 to be a winner here. Either way, this one is hard to deny that either team should get to at least 3 goals which means it would then get to at least 4-3 as a final. 10* OVER 6.5 in Philadelphia

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 7 +105 in Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7 ET - I know Florida is on a winning streak and riding a red-hot goalie in the form of Alex Lyon. However, the Maple Leafs seek revenge for a recent 3-2 OT loss at home to the Panthers. Toronto has plenty of firepower to challenge Lyon here. However, at the same time, Florida should score plenty here. They should have had a lot more than just 2 goals before the 2 late goals led to the 4-2 win at Washington. The fact is Charlie Lindgren had a very strong game in goal for the Capitals in that one. The Panthers have scored an average of 5 goals per game in winning 5 more games since that OT win at Toronto jump started a win streak. The Leafs are off a 7-1 win versus Montreal and 10 of their last 16 games have totaled at least 7 goals. I know this is a big total on this game but the Panthers are hot but will also struggle to slow down an uber-talented Maple Leafs team here too. 10* OVER 7 +105 in Florida

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders @ 7 ET - The Capitals could get some guys back for this game but, either way, I look for Washington to put up a helluva fight here. The Islanders are coached by Lane Lambert who was an assistant under Barry Trotz through the 2018 Stanley Cup run when they beat Vegas in the Finals to win it all. Trotz then bolted for the Islanders and Lambert went with him. The Caps would love to beat the Isles and possibly put a dent in their playoff hopes. Washington also has revenge from losing the most recent meeting at home after winning the first two games and both those first two totaled at least 6 goals and I suspect this one will too. That's because, even though I like the Capitals to play a spirited game here I still do not trust them in their own zone. They will give up too many goals again most likely. The Islanders have scored at least 4 goals in 7 of last 11 games. The Caps have allowed 4 goals per game their last dozen games. 10* OVER 5.5 goals in Washington

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Anaheim Ducks vs Colorado Avalanche @ 8:35 ET - We should see plenty of goals here. Back to back spot for Avalanche and they used Georgiev between the pipes last night and that means Francouz likely to get the start here. This will be his first action in two months so he could be rusty. Also one of his last starts before getting hurt was against the Ducks and he allowed 4 goals. I expect Anaheim to have some success here in terms of scoring on home ice but they can not stop anyone. The Ducks have allowed 4.5 goals per game in their last 13 games and lost 12 of those games. The Avs, however, also have been giving up a lot of shots on goal (including last night at LA) and they have been having some bigger goals allowed numbers of late. That plus a stellar offense is why Colorado has had 4 straight games total at least 7 goals. The red hot Avs have scored an average of 4 goals per game last 17 games. Looking for a 5-3 type final here given the line on this game and the situation. Expecting 8, should get at least 7 and I am going 10* OVER 6.5 in Anaheim

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins @ 6:05 ET - The Flyers did have 27 shots on goal yesterday but were shutout by the Islanders in New York. Philly has lost 6 straight games and allowed at least 4 goals in all 6 losses. Now they face the best team in the league and are likely to give up plenty of goals. However, the Bruins defense may not be performing at its peak level as Boston just can't wait to get the post-season underway. This is a key here because the Flyers will surprise here with some scoring on home ice. Philadelphia has scored at least 3 goals in 9 straight home games! Not only that, they have averaged 4 goals scored per game during that 9-game stretch of solid scoring at home. As for the Bruins, they have won 12 of 13 games and scored an average of 4.5 goals in the 6 road wins that are a part of those 12 victories. 10* OVER 6.5 in Philadelphia 

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers @ 7:07 ET - The Blue Jackets are so bad you might be concerned about them scoring enough for us here. However, Columbus on home ice is generally better in the goal-scoring department then when on the road. Also, the Blue Jackets just can not stop anyone. Rangers should score a pile of goals here and this one gets ugly! Columbus has allowed 5 goals per game last 20 games! That is an insanely ugly goals against average. In terms of goal-scoring though, the Blue Jackets have averaged scoring 3 goals per game last 6 on home ice. As for the Rangers, they have allowed at least 2 goals in 7 straight games. 5-2 or 5-3 sounds about right here. Jackets have allowed more than 5 goals too on many occasions recently and Rangers likely to be relentless on the attack after a tight OT loss in most recent game. 10* OVER 6.5 in Columbus

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 7 +110 in Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers @ 7:07 ET - The Panthers have been scoring extremely well but also tend to give up plenty of scoring too. That is why Florida has now seen 11 of last 14 games total at least 7 goals. I know Lyon has been playing very well in goal and that has played a role in the current win streak too. However, he will face a Washington team playing with no pressure and that should get back on track offensively here. This is one of their last few home games and they are just playing for pride but you know that Ovechkin and company certainly have plenty of that and they should respond with some scoring at home after some recent struggles. At the same time, I can not trust the Capitals to slow down anyone. The Caps have allowed 4 or more goals in 9 of last 11 games. Washington has seen 9 of 11 games total at least 7 goals and this one should too. I think Lyon's bubble finally bursts here and the Caps get to him early and often but, at the same time, the Panthers offensive juggernaut will not be stopped. 10* OVER 7 +110 in Washington

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play Florida Panthers -1.5 +100 vs Ottawa Senators @ 7:07 ET - The Panthers have revenge for a 5-2 loss at Ottawa last week. Since then, this Florida team is riding a red hot goalie (Alex Lyon) and playing like they have a fire lit under them. They have won 4 straight games and I am projecting a win by a multi-goal margin here. The Panthers most recent win was just a 2-1 final but this followed 5 of 6 wins having come by a multi-goal margin. Also, their last 7 wins have come by an average margin of 3 goals! The Senators have lost 3 straight game and the handwriting is on the wall now for them. The Sens will miss the post-season and though some of their recent losses have been by just a single goal, this revenge game sets up to be blowout city as the Panthers will be relentless on home ice! 10* FLORIDA -1.5 goals +100

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 7 +110 in New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:07 ET - I know Vitek Vanecek is off a strong start for the Devils but he has been a bit up and down. This could be a flat spot for New Jersey too because they just beat the division rival Penguins convincingly. So the Devils defense in front of Vanecek (or Blackwood if he starts) may not be the best as they had to give a strong effort against the Penguins. Now they could have a letdown defensively against a Blue Jackets club that is one of the worst teams in the league. Vanecek actually had his best months earlier this season and he had a 2.86 GAA in December, 2.75 GAA in February, and 2.85 GAA in March. He has a 3.00 GAA so far this month and the point is he has been good but not great. The Devils should score very well here as they take on a league-worst Blue Jackets team in terms of goals-allowed. New Jersey has scored 4 or more goals in 5 of last 9 games and now faces a Columbus team that has allowed about 5 goals per game last 19 games! This one has the makings of a 5-3 type game. The Blue Jackets have scored an average of 3 goals per game last dozen road games. 10* OVER 7 +110 in New Jersey

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 7 in Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers @ 10:05 ET - The Ducks can stop no one. They have lost 10 of 11 games and allowed an average of 4.6 goals per game during this stretch. Anaheim will try to put up a fight here as they are on home ice and scored 4 goals at Calgary to wrap up the road trip that just finished. The problem for the Ducks is they are weak defensively and in goal and the Oilers will pile up goals in this one. Anaheim, has seen about half their home games since the end of January total at least NINE goals and we only need 8 to be a winner and 7 for a push. Considering Ducks are at home and facing one of the best and most dangerous clubs in the league in terms of offensive production, this one has over written all over it! Oilers have averaged scoring 5 goals in their 3 meetings with Anaheim this season. The Ducks just got shutout 6-0 at Edmonton but averaged 3 goals in their first two games against the Oilers this season and should bounce back with some scoring on home ice here. Edmonton has scored an average of 4.5 goals per game last 11 games and had allowed an average of 3.7 goals per game last 9 games before surprising success in goal last 3 games. I just do not see that continuing here. Also, off the 3-1 win at LA last night (key battle of playoff teams) look for the 2nd game of the B2B against a non-playoff team to play out much differently! This will likely be Campbell in goal since Skinner played last night and Campbell just shutout the Ducks when he last faced them but this was at home and was a rarity for him. He entered that start having allowed at least 4 goals in 7 straight games! More of the same expected here. 10* OVER 7 in Anaheim

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:35 ET - I know these teams have played low-scoring games in their 2 match-ups this season as well as the final five of their six games in their playoff series last year. However, I see an over here. The Rangers can score particularly well at home but the Lightning are going to be ready too answer them here. Also, neither team is getting the most elite level of goaltending like they were last season. Look for goals here. Note that the Rangers are off a 5-2 road win. Also, in terms of home ice games, they have seen 11 of last 14 games total at least 6 goals! As for the Lightning, they have won 3 straight games and have scored at least 4 goals in all 3 victories but, prior to this Vasilevskiy truly was not as sharp. The Bolts had lost 4 straight games and allowed an average of 4 goals last 6 games. Watch this one surprise with a high-scoring game like we was in the 6-2 Rangers win to open up the playoff series last year. I think the fact Tampa Bay has been off since Saturday night leads to fresh legs here for the offensive attack but possibly some sloppy defense and rusty goaltending after the layoff. 10* OVER 6 in New York Rangers

NHL Tuesday 10* OVER 7 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:07 ET - The Blue Jackets should score okay here again just like they did in Sunday's win over Ottawa but also I expect the struggles of Columbus in the goals conceded department to absolutely continue in this one. The Blue Jackets entered Sunday's game (4-3 win over the Senators) off a 7-0 loss to Florida Saturday and other than one aberration - a 2-1 loss to Boston - Columbus has allowed 5.4 goals per game since early March! Toronto should respond here off a 5-2 home loss as well. The Maple Leafs have scored an average of 4.3 goals the last 4 times they have entered a game off a loss. More of the same on tap here. 4 of last 6 Maple Leafs home games have totaled at least 7 goals. Those 4 games averaged 8 goals and I expect we will see at least that here. Columbus is allowing an aerage of 4 goals per game on the season and has been particularly bad the past 5 weeks and I am looking for a 5-3 type win here for the Maple Leas. 10* OVER 7 in Toronto

NHL Monday OVER 6.5 in Seattle Kraken vs Arizona Coyotes @ 10:07 ET - The Coyotes are starting to fade after being so competitive for a long stretch. They have lost 7 straight games and have allowed, not including OT of course, 4 goals per game during this stretch. In a weird scheduling quirk, they have yet to face Seattle this season but now 3 of their final 5 games are against the Kraken. Last season 2 of the 3 totaled at least 7 goals and the 3 match-ups averaged 7 goals per game. Seattle is off a 3-1 loss but has been averaging big goal-scoring on home ice and certainly should take advantage of a bad Coyotes defense and weak net-minding to get the job done here. In Seattle's last two home games they scored just one goal once and held their opponent to just one goal in the other game. However, prior to these two games as a host, the last 9 Kraken games on home ice averaged 8 goals apiece and we need just 7 to be a winner here. We certainly should get that. OVER 6.5 in Seattle

NHL Monday OVER 5.5 in Minnesota Wild vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 8:07 ET - Vegas hosted Minnesota over the weekend and won 4-1 but I am expecting a lot more scoring here. Prior to that low-scoring win, the Golden Knights 8 of last 9 games had totaled at least 7 goals. Those 9 games averaged 8 goals apiece! Vegas has scored an average of 4 goals per game in their last dozen games but their goaltending is not a strength, particularly on the road. We only need 6 goals to be a winner here and the Wild 9 of last 11 games, prior to the 4-1 loss at Vegas, had totaled at least 6 goals. Minnesota tends to score better at home and I expect the Wild to bounce back here on home ice but they also will not be able to shut down the Golden Knights here. OVER 5.5 in Minnesota

NHL Sunday OVER 6.5 in Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks @ 8:05 ET - The Ducks did register 34 shots on goal in last night's shutout at Edmonton so they did give a solid effort though held scoreless in the 6-0 loss. After that ugly defeat, the Ducks have allowed an average of 4 goals per game last 13 games. The Ducks, just like last night's game, would like to play the role of spoiler here so they will give a strong effort against a divisional foe playing for a playoff spot as is the case for Calgary. Anaheim's season has long been over but they can still get up for a game like this in which they have a shot to spoil the hopes of a divisional foe on their own ice. So this game is in Calgary and the Flames should score plenty but don't be surprised if the Ducks give a big effort and hang around in this one with some solid scoring of their own. Anaheim continues to give up piles of goals but Calgary actually has allowed 3.3 goals per game last 9 games. Look for a 4-3 or 5-3 type final here. The Flames have seen 6 of last 9 games total at least 7 goals and this one will too. OVER 6.5 in Calgary

NHL Sunday OVER 6.5 or 7 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators @ 6:07 ET - The Blue Jackets should score okay here since they are at home but also I expect the struggles of Columbus in the goals conceded department to absolutely continue in this one. The Blue Jackets are off a 7-0 loss to Florida yesterday and other than one aberration - a 2-1 loss to Boston - Columbus has allowed 5.5 goals per game since early March! Prior to yesterday's home shutout, the Blue Jackets had scored 3.5 goals per game in last 4 home games so I do expect them to respond here in that regard. Ottawa should respond here off shutout loss as well. The Senators just lost their most recent game 3-0 but this followed a stretch in which 14 of 18 games totaled at least 7 goals. More of the same on tap here. OVER 6.5 or 7 in Columbus

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 7 in Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks @ 10:05 ET - Edmonton off a 2-0 win versus Los Angeles but this certainly is more likely to be an aberration. The Oilers, prior to that 2-0 victory, had seen 8 of last 9 games total at least 7 goals. In fact, those 8 games averaged 9 goals apiece. As for the Ducks, they have allowed an average of 4 goals per game last dozen games. The first two meetings between these teams this season each totaled at least 7 goals. Now this is the 3rd of 4 meetings and you know the Ducks would like to play the role of spoiler here so they will give a strong effort against a divisional foe playing for the top spot in the division. Anaheim's season has long been over but they can still get up for a game like this in which they have a shot to spoil the hopes of a divisional foe on their own ice. So this game is in Edmonton and the Oilers should score plenty but don't be surprised if the Ducks give a big effort and hang around in this one with some solid scoring of their own. OVER 7 in Edmonton

NHL Saturday OVER 6.5 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers @ 7:05 ET - Columbus off a VERY RARE low-scoring game as they lost 2-1 at Boston. Note that this followed a stretch in which 10 of 11 Columbus games had totaled 7 or more goals. In fact, those 11 games averaged 9 goals per game and there is nothing average about that! Florida has had 9 of 11 games total at least 7 goals. Those 11 games averaged 8 goals per game. You can see why I am expecting at least 7 in this one. OVER 6.5 in Columbus

NHL Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers @ 7:05 ET - The Sabres are starting a goalie making his NHL debut and he is jumping all the way up from Northeastern University for this start. Devon Levi will be facing a Rangers team that is off a 2-1 loss last night and will be fired up to bounce back. New York had won 7 of 8 games before that loss and scored an average of 5 goals per game in those 8 games. Buffalo has seen 17 of last 23 games total at least 7 goals and I expect more of the same here. Jaroslav Halak has been solid for the Rangers overall but has allowed at least 3 goals in 3 of last 4 games. Of course New York is favored for a reason here. Given all of the above, you can see why I am expecting at least a 4-3 final here. The Sabres have scored at least 3 goals in 8 of last 11 games and will take advantage of facing Rangers in a B2B spot but, as per usual, Buffalo will struggle to stop the opposition. The result is a high-scoring game here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Buffalo

NHL Thursday OVER 6.5 in San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:35 ET - Vegas is expected to start Brossoit is goal for this one. He is off a respectable outing but has not been used a whole lot in the Vegas platoon system. That said, a Sharks team that is at home and facing a division rival will bring their A game here and should give Vegas some trouble. Speaking of trouble however, San Jose had been a defensive and goaltending disaster prior to a shocking 3-0 win in their most recent game. Prior to that, the Sharks had allowed nearly 5 goals per game in a horrible 1-14 stretch. San Jose now faces a Vegas team that will be angry off a loss. Prior to the 7-4 defeat, the Golden Knights had won 11 of 13 games. The Golden Knights have allowed nearly 4 goals per game their last 8 games. Vegas has scored 4 goals per game last 10 games. Look for a highly entertaining affair as the Sharks will be charged up for this one and it should get to at least the 7 goal mark. OVER 6.5 in San Jose

NHL Thursday OVER 6.5 in Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:05 ET - The Bruins are off a rare home loss so they will be relentless here. Boston had scored an average of 4 goals per game in winning 7 straight games prior to that loss. Facing the Blue Jackets will help Boston get right back into the win column but Columbus has averaged 3.3 goals scored per game last 15 games so they can enjoy some success in that regard. The problems for the Jackets is they struggle to stop anyone and, in this case, they now try to stop the best team in the league coming off a home loss. The Bruins will punish this Blue Jackets team that has allowed 5 goals per game last 13 games. A 5-3 final sounds about right here but all we need is 7 goals and I certainly expect to get that tonight. OVER 6.5 in Boston

NHL Wednesday OVER 7 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers @ 7:37 ET - The Maple Leafs are off a 3-2 win at Nashville but this followed 8 of 9 Toronto games totaling at least 7 goals. Those 8 games averaged 8.3 goals apiece. More of the same on tap here as the last time the Leafs met Florida the game was a 6-2 Toronto win last week. The Panthers enter this game with 8 of last 9 totaling at least 7 goals. These 9 games have averaged 8.2 goals apiece. That is why, even though of course I wish we had a total of 6.5 here, even at a 7 is still good value and I am expecting 8 or more goals per the above. OVER 7 in Toronto

NHL Wednesday OVER 5.5 in Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders @ 7:35 ET - The Islanders 7 of last 9 games have totaled at least 6 goals. We have great value with this total, in my opinion, at just 5.5 goals. The Isles have been quite hot and have won 4 of 6 games and scored an average of 4.3 goals per game in those 6 games. The Capitals have had 13 of 15 games total at least 6 goals and each of last 7 games total at least 7 goals! Washington has allowed at least 4 goals in 6 of last 7 games. I realize this is a divisional game and both teams still battling hard because of playoff implications - Isles trying to secure, Caps hoping for a miracle - but the fact is that both teams are trending strongly to the over and we also have value with this low total posted here. OVER 5.5 in Washington

NHL Tuesday OVER 6.5 in St Louis Blues vs Vancouver Canucks @ 8:05 ET - The Canucks are hot but it will prove to be too little too late and that reality is starting to sink in. Both these teams are still mathematically alive yet, for all intents and purposes, realize their post-season hopes have slipped away. That helps this one to play out rather loosely in terms of defense and netminding. The Blues have been struggling to stop anyone. The Canucks have been getting better goaltending but the way St Louis has been scoring and the fact the Blues are at home means we should expect goals here. Vancouver has lower goals allowed of late but look at the teams they faced and those teams recent goal-scoring and their style of play. This one plays out much differently. The Canucks have won 10 of 12 games and scored an average of 3.5 goals during this stretch. The Blues have seen 10 of last 14 games total at least 7 goals and have allowed an average of nearly 4 goals during this stretch. St Louis also has scored an average of 4.3 goals per game last 10 games. This one has all the right ingredients for each club to get to 3 goals which means we would see at least a 4-3 final. OVER 6.5 in St Louis

NHL Tuesday OVER 6.5 in New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:07 ET - I do have respect for the Rangers and their goaltending but they are coming off some big wins against tough opponents plus have a match-up with the Devils on deck. That said, who could fault them if they overlook the Blue Jackets at least a little bit here and give up 3 goals? No one really could fault them for that but the fact is one could also expect them to pile up about 5 goals here in a big win. Looking for at least a total of 7 here as the Blue Jackets continue to give up piles of goals but also have scored a little better of late. 9 of last 10 Columbus games have totaled at least 7 goals. The Jackets have scored 3.4 goals per game last 14 games. The Blue Jackets also have allowed 5.4 goals per game last 11 games. Neither of those stats includes OT or SO goals of course. The Rangers have won 6 of 7 games and scored an average of 5 goals in their last 10 home wins. Don't be surprised if we see a 5-3 type game or 5-2 or 4-3. Definitely expecting 8 or more here but should get 7 at least. OVER 6.5 in New York Rangers

NHL Monday OVER 7 in Ottawa Senators vs Florida Panthers @ 7:07 ET - I know Sogaard might be back between the pipes tonight and he is off B2B solid starts. However, prior to this he had been struggling. Look at Ottawa's overall numbers too. The Senators have gone 8-7-1 last 16 games. 12 of those 16 games totaled at least 7 goals and this one should too. Florida beat the Sens 5-3 in the first meeting and a similar result could be on tap here. 7 of last 8 Panthers games have totaled at least 7 goals. The Panthers have allowed 4 goals per game last 7 games but also scored 4 goals per game last 8 games. Don't be surprised if each team finds a way to 4 goals here and you see some crazy 5-4 final. Based on the way these teams are going, that would not shock me at all if we see 9 in this one. OVER 7 in Ottawa

NHL Monday OVER 7 in Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens @ 7:07 ET - Buffalo off a truly shocking result with a 2-0 shutout win in their most recent game. Note that Comrie got the shutout but he has struggled overall this season. Also, the Sabres entered that game allowing an average of 5 goals per game their prior 8 games! Buffalo also has seen 10 of last 13 home games total at least 7 goals and 9 of those 10 totaled at least 8 goals so do not let the big number on this total scare you. The Canadiens are off a big 8-2 win. Not sure what was more surprising really. The fact they scored 8 goals or allowed only 2? The fact is that Montreal has scored 4.4 goals per game last 7 games! Also, prior to the 8-2 win, the Habs had allowed 4.5 goals per game last 10 games. This one sets up well for 4 scored or 4 allowed or both! Either way I am looking for 7 or more and 9 would be my top choice but think we'll see at least 8 goals given all of the above. OVER 7 in Buffalo

NHL Sunday OVER 6.5 in Los Angeles Kings vs St Louis Blues @ 10:35 ET - Both teams were in action yesterday and I am expecting plenty of goals tonight. 9 of last 13 St Louis games have totaled at least 7 goals. The Blues have scored an average of 4 goals per game last 9 games. St Louis has allowed an average of 3.5 goals last 13 games and now takes on a Los Angeles team that has won 17 of 24 games and has been scoring goals like crazy. The Kings have averaged scoring 4 goals per game during this long-term stretch of consistency! LA has not been allowing many goals but the fact this is a B2B plus Kings off a big win yesterday and the way the Blues have been scoring so well and are playing with no pressure, STL will score quite well here also. OVER 6.5 in Los Angeles Kings

NHL Sunday OVER 6.5 in Nashville Predators vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 6:07 ET - The Predators got hammered 7-2 yesterday and the Maple Leafs got rocked 5-3 yesterday. 8 of Toronto's last 9 games have totaled at least 7 goals. Those 8 games have averaged 8 goals apiece. The Preds have either scored or allowed 7 goals in 3 of their last 4 games! Lankinen will probably start in goal tonight for Nashville and he is off a horrific outing on the road in which he allowed 4 goals on just 5 shots. He wants to bounce back here but has allowed 3 or more goals in 3 of his last 4 home starts! For the Leafs, with Samsonov way from the team right now (not on road trip as his wife expecting birth of child) and Murray starting last night, that means this will be a #3 or #4 choice in goal for Toronto. Look for plenty of scoring as Predators will push hard coming off a loss and trying to get into the post-season and you know the Maple Leafs want to respond as well off yesterday's disappointment and looking to improve playoff positioning. OVER 6.5 in Nashville

NHL Saturday OVER 6.5 in Montreal Canadiens vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:07 ET - The Blue Jackets off a 5-4 win in OT last night and I look for another wild one tonight as they now travel to take on a Montreal team that also has been out of the playoff picture for quite some time and their goals allowed pattern reflects that as well. The Canadiens have lost 10 of 12 games and allowed 4.3 goals per game during this stretch. Montreal is off a 4-2 loss at Boston but the Bruins have been the best team in the league this season. Prior to being held to 2 goals at Boston, the Habs scored at least 3 goals in 8 of last 9 games. Keep in mind, we just need each team to get to at least 3 here and we then can not do any worse than a 4-3 final. Montreal should enjoy success against a Blue Jackets team allowing nearly 5 goals per game last 13 games. The thing is...Columbus has been scoring well lately too and that continued last night even though Laine is now out with an injury. The Jackets have now scored 4 or more goals in 5 of last 8 games. 8 of last 9 Columbus games have totaled at least 7 goals and all signs point to the same thing here. OVER 6.5 in Montreal

NHL Saturday OVER 6.5 in New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres @ 5:07 ET - Both teams in action last night. The Sabres won 5-4 and the Islanders lost 5-4 in OT. Both teams entered yesterday's game trending toward high-scoring games too so I look for it to continue here. Buffalo has seen 15 of last 21 games total at least 7 goals! Islanders have seen 5 of last 7 games total at least 7 goals and those 7 games have averaged 7.4 goals apiece. Isles have scored at least 4 goals in 4 straight games. Sabres have scored at least 3 goals in 5 of last 8 games and reached the 4 goal mark in 4 of those 5 games. OVER 6.5 in New York Islanders

NHL Friday OVER 6 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders @ 7:05 ET - The Blue Jackets announced an injury to Patrick Laine and that has resulted in this total being a 6 in some spots. We'll take the extra value. Yes he is their 2nd leading scorer and a key player but, though he had 2 assists, he had none of the 7 goals the Blue Jackets just had in their most recent game. Also, Columbus has allowed an average of nearly 5 goals in their last dozen games. Keep in mind, this total is just a 6 and 9 of last 10 Blue Jackets games have totaled at least 6 goals. This one will too as the Islanders last 6 games have averaged 7 goals and only 1 of the 6 failed to get to the 6 goal mark. OVER 6 in Columbus

NHL Friday OVER 6.5 in Buffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils @ 7:05 ET - The juice on the over 6.5 with this one is a little higher but should prove well worth it. The Sabres last 20 games have seen 15 of them total at least 7 goals! Buffalo has allowed 4.6 goals per game during this stretch. Sabres do tend to score better at home and should get their fair share here but they will struggle to stop the Devils. Note that New Jersey has scored an average of 4 goals per game last 8 road games. The Devils, like the Sabres, have had some issues lately with allowing too many goals and I expect that to continue here. They are off B2B better efforts but this followed a 10-game stretch in which NJ allowed an average of 3.2 goals per game. This one has all the makings of one of those games where it is tough to envision either team having trouble getting to the 3-goal mark. That said, this one gets to 4-3 at a minimum the way I see it. OVER 6.5 in Buffalo