Nick Parsons Premium Picks

This is a FREE PLAY on the OVER Hurricanes/Capitals.

Carolina is favored once again on the road, but once again nearly 70% of the money is on the Capitals. 

The O/U is 5.5 and I think the "over" is worthy of a "second look" in Game 2.

Washington will be risking life and limb here to try and even the series. It still enters with one of the best power plays in the NHL, hitting at a 23.1 percent rate against the Habs in the first round. 

Washington also had five players produce a point-per-game in the first round win.

I really respect Frederik Andersen and Logan Thompson between the pipes and while Game 1 only produced 3 goals, I say that a faster-paced Game 3 produces more offensive opportunities for these deep, talented and experienced sides, and that in turn leads to a combined higher-scoring offensive outcome.

Consider the OVER in this one.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* AL TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the UNDER Jays/Angels.

The strength of my handicapping systems are best utilized during a sports "regular season." 

Being a "situational" capper, I handicap the regular season differently than I do the playoffs. 

Motivation, scheduling, and lop-sided trends and or lop-sided winning and losing streaks, along with looking for line value, are all of the tools I primarily use when deciding my picks.

And so after playing to several higher-scoring games of late, I think the Jays and the Angels are finally set for more of a "duel" here in the finale of this three-game series. 

Toronto has a difficult upcoming schedule. If you just take a look at it, with a series in Seattle starting tomorrow, followed by home series against the Rays, Tigers and Padres.

The Jays will be desperate to salvage this final game after dropping the first two by scores of 8-3 and 5-4. 

Toronto has now seen the total go OVER in four straight, but it hands the ball to Chris Bassitt (2-2, 2.95 ERA), who is 7-3 with a 3.61 ERA in 15 career games against the Angels.

LA counters with Jose Soriano (2-4, 3.83 ERA), who comes in off a gem against the hard-hitting Tigers, scattering six hits over six scoreless innings and striking out five on only 94 pitches. 

The Angels are getting good production at the plate without slugger Mike Trout. They have Baltimore coming to town for three on Friday. 

The Jays are desperate to snap the four-game slide before getting in to this really difficult stretch of upcoming series, while the Angels are hoping for a rare series sweep.

Either way, I say this Over/Under line is now a bit TOO high, and that these capable starters are going to battle into the latter innings, which will ultimately help in keeping this total UNDER the number once it's all said and done.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* TOTAL PUNISHER on the OVER Oilers/Knights.

Vegas has seen the total go UNDER in three straight following its 4-2 series-opening loss here two nights ago.

That's important to note though for two reasons, as the Knights have seen the total go OVER in four of their last five after playing to three or more straight UNDERS in a row.

Golden State has also seen the total eclipse the posted number in six of its last eight in trying to avenge a home loss as a favorite vs. an opponent.

With each side pushing the pace like I believe it will be here in Game 2, I'm expecting this total to fly well OVER the number before the final horn sounds.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* ROUND 2 WESTERN CONFERECEN TOY on the OVER Warriors/Wolves.

I had the Wolves in Game 1. I'm not sure if they can cover this large spread in Game 2 despite Stephen Curry sidelined now for the Warriors, but even without the visitors' star player suiting up for this one, I'm expecting a much higher-scoring final outcome.

Minnesota has seen the total go OVER in four of its last five in trying to avenge a SU/ATS home loss as a favorite vs. an opponent. 

Including in Game 1, these teams have played five games this year. They've been aternating high-scoring affairs, with lower-scoring ones since their matchup back on Decmeber 6th, the Wolves only victory in that span, a 107-90 win for Minnesota.

But off the Warriors' 99-88 lower-scoring upset win here in Game 1, I believe this pattern now continues in a "shootout" here in Game 2.

The Wolves are going to rebound and rally and push the pace from start to finish and I believe this faster tempo will lead to more points in the end.

This number is low, the play is the OVER.

Good luck, NP