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NHL Sunday Colorado Avalanche -1.5 -105 vs Arizona Coyotes @ 6:07 ET - The Coyotes are struggling badly and have lost 8 straight games and many losses by multiple goal margins this season. They are now in the wrong place at the wrong time. Arizona just got slaughtered at home by Carolina and now they face an Avalanche team they beat in the most recent meeting. Surprisingly the Coyotes have taken 2 of 3 from the Avs this season but both wins were in Arizona and came in OT. The lone game at Colorado was an Avalanche win and the Avs won it 4 to 1. Considering that plus the fact that the Avalanche are off a road loss and overall a very tough road stretch, this one sets up perfect. Colorado is so happy to be back home and they have won their last 4 games here by a combined score of 18 to 6. The Avalanche are angry and seeking revenge and they should dominate here as the Coyotes freefall continues! COLORADO -1.5 -105

NHL Sunday OVER 5.5 -115 in NY Islanders vs NY Rangers @ 3 ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ - This is another outdoor game in the Stadium Series and yesterday we saw the Flyers and Devils combine for 9 goals. Quite a few great opportunities created off turnovers and no matter who good the work on the ice is at these outdoor games, it is not as perfect as indoor games. That said, there seemed to be a few turnovers and odd man rushes caused yesterday by this extra element and that created great scoring chances. I expect more of the same in this one. Also, note that the Islanders will be looking to bounce back off a low-scoring loss to the Kraken which was preceded by scoring 11 goals in 3 games! The Rangers have won 6 straight games and averaged scoring 4 goals in this hot streak. The total at just 5.5 is a great value here even though I do respect the goalies in this match-up. Note that the Rangers have seen 9 of last 12 road games total at least 6 goals. This one will too! OVER 5.5 -115 in NY Islanders

NHL Saturday Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +125 @ New Jersey Devils @ 8 ET - Outdoor Game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ - The Flyers offer a lot of value in this game. They are a sizable underdog coming off a loss after winning 4 straight games. They have not lost a game in regulation since late January before the All-Star break. The road team has won both games between these teams this season and this is a key divisional game and there is little home ice edge. The Devils are off a loss and have been stumbling a bit. The last 5 losing streaks have included a 1-gamer and FOUR 2-gamers. In other words, the Devils have been consistently unable to bounce back off a standalone loss. Also, New Jersey has lost 5 of last 8 on home ice so I feel we have value backed into the line here as the home ice edge is non-existent in a game like this. Flyers get the win as the Devils lose for the 11th time last 17 games. The Flyers are the better team in terms of limiting goals against and limiting shots on goal and defense and solid goaltending from Ersson lead the way in this one. PHILADELPHIA +125

NHL Saturday OVER 6.5 in Toronto vs Anaheim @ 7 ET - Samsonov has allowed at least 3 goals in 3 of last 4 starts and I am looking for a 4-3 type final here. Toronto is off a 4-3 win over the Flyers in OT and they have now scored an average of 4 goals last 4 games. The Ducks have scored a little better of late and have some momentum from a 5-1 win at Ottawa Thursday. Anaheim has now scored at least 3 goals in 7 of last 9 games. However, prior to holding the Senators to one goal, the Ducks had allowed nearly 4 goals per game last 8 games. Maple Leafs loaded with firepower but they always seem to have trouble in their own zone and in goal so don't be surprised if each team gets to the 3-goal mark here and that would, of course, lead to at least a 4-3 final OVER 6.5 in Toronto

NHL Friday Carolina Hurricanes Puck Line -1.5 +125 @ Arizona Coyotes @ 9 ET - Great set up here. The Hurricanes have been waiting three days for this game and so they will be raring to go because that game Tuesday night was a tough 4-2 loss at Dallas. The Canes faced a hot Stars team that night but now they face a struggling Coyotes team. Not only is Carolina a PERFECT 5-0 L5 times when off a loss, all but 1 of the wins was by a multi-goal margin. The last 3 times the Canes were off a loss and facing a Non-Conference opponent all 3 resulted in a win by a multi-goal margin. Now the Hurricanes take on a Western Conference club that has lost 7 straight and so that 3-0 run is being put to the test as the Canes look to bounce back off a loss. Not only has Arizona lost 7 straight but note that each of their last 10 losses to Eastern Conference foes have ALL come by at least a 2-goal margin! The point is that strong odds support that any Carolina win here should be by a multi-goal margin. The last time the Coyotes suffered a loss by a 1-goal margin to a non-conference opponent was way back in mid-October! This Arizona club was completely outplayed on on home ice in their 3-1 loss to Minnesota Wednesday. The Coyotes have now scored just 2.3 goals per game last 7 games. Arizona has allowed 4.3 goals per game last 7 games. The Hurricanes, prior to the 4-2 loss at Dallas, had allowed just 1.7 goals per game last 6 games. Prior to their loss to the Stars their most recent non-conference game was a 5-2 win over Colorado! They also beat the Coyotes 3-1 already this season and they have won 3 straight at Arizona all by 2 or more goals and with an average margin of victory of 3 goals. Couple that with the above 3-0 angle and we are testing a pair of 3-0 / 100% factors here that support the Hurricanes winning this game by at least a 2-goal margin. Also, consider that Carolina is favored by -200 on the money line so odds are strong they win this and that then brings into play the fact that 10 straight Arizona non-conf losses have been by 2+ goals! Great value here. The Hurricanes enter this one angry! CAROLINA -1.5 +125

NHL Thursday Philadelphia Flyers +135 @ Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7 ET - This is too strong of a dog value to pass up. The Maple Leafs have 13 wins on home ice this season but the Flyers have 15 wins on enemy ice this season! Philly continues to be one of the best stories in the NHL this season and they are showing no signs of slowing down. They have won 4 straight games and they are facing a Leafs team that is off a 4-1 win but Toronto had lost 7 of 12 games heading into that one. The Leafs are 0-4 the L4 times they entered a game off a win in which they scored at least 4 goals. The Flyers have allowed just 1.8 goals per game in their 4 games winning streak. The Leafs, prior to the 4-1 win, had allowed 4 goals per game last 3 games. Grab the underdog Flyers as Toronto drops to 0-5 L5 times they were off a win in which they scored at least 4 goals. Philly improves to 5-0 L5 games with an upset underdog win here. Line value. PHILADELPHIA +135

NHL Thursday Buffalo Sabres Money Line +135 vs Florida Panthers @ 7 ET - Florida is off a big win but against a slumping Penguins club. Plus that victory was last night in Pittsburgh. So here is a nice opportunity to take a home dog and fade a team in a B2B with travel involved. I know the Panthers are a strong club and having a solid season. However, backup goalie Stolarz has not played in a week and, because of the All-Star break too this will be just his 2nd start in 2 and a 1/2 weeks. The Sabres will take advantage on home ice. Buffalo is off a confidence-boosting 7-0 shutout win over LA Tuesday. Not only is that their 3rd win last 5 games, the Sabres scored at least 5 goals in all 3 wins. Amazingly the Sabres have allowed just 1.8 goals last 10 games. Great value on another NHL upset here on the Thursday card. BUFFALO +135

OVER 6 in Arizona Coyotes vs Minnesota Wild @ 9:37 ET - Arizona goalie Connor Ingram is struggling badly but the Coyotes are back on home ice where they do play well. So I look for Arizona to be strong on home ice as per usual but I expect the recent goal-tending struggles to continue as well. That spells over in this one! Arizona has seen 5 of last 7 games total at least 7 goals. As for Minnesota, they have won 7 of 10 games. The Wild have scored an average of 4 goals per game during this run. Also 7 of last 10 Coyotes home games have totaled at least 6 goals and all but one of those that did  were able to make it to the 7-goal mark. This one will too as I love the way the Coyotes play at home but their goalie situation is not good right now! OVER 6 in Arizona

Winnipeg -1.5 -155 vs San Jose Sharks @ 7:37 ET - Yes this line is pricey but the Sharks have not played a game in two weeks. They are in trouble here against a Jets teams hungry for home ice win and that will likely have Hellebuyck between the pipes for this one. Winnipeg has had a rough stretch but they truly have deserved better results than they have received. The payoff is coming and, unlike the Sharks, the Jets have played 3 games already since the all-star break. San Jose has had trouble scoring goals all season while the Jets have had struggles in that department recently but can have a breakout game on home ice and facing a team that is going to have a lot of rust. WINNIPEG -1.5 -155

NHL Tuesday New York Islanders Money Line -155 vs Seattle Kraken @ 7:37 ET - This line is a little pricey but this is a great situation that favors the hosts. Seattle is in a B2B spot and they are expected to start Philipp Grubauer because of this. He was on long-term injured reserve so do not expect him to just come out and dominate here. Grubauer will be rusty and he was already struggling as it was. Grubauer has lost 10 of 15 decisions and has a 3.25 GAA. Also, this Kraken team is falling apart overall. Seattle has lost 8 of 10 games and scored just 1.4 goals in those 8 losses! The Islanders have won 2 of 3 games since the All-Star break and with Patrick Roy as the new head coach, Ilya Sorokin has responded well. Varlamov has struggled but Sorokin is currently on a 3-1 run that has seen him allow only 9 goals in these 4 starts. Facing a Seattle team in a B2B and also struggling to score goals, Sorokin and the Isles can take full advantage. The Islanders have not only won 2 of 3 but, unlike the Kraken they are scoring decently. New York has scored 11 goals last 3 games and at least - unlike Seattle - averaged a decent 3 goals per game last 8 games. The Isles, showing signs of life under Roy, are worth the price here. NEW YORK ISLANDERS -155

NHL Tuesday OVER 7 in Ottawa vs Columbus @ 7 ET - Big total but deservedly so. The Blue Jackets are starting Daniil Tarasov and the Senators are starting Anton Forsberg. Tarasov had a 3.91 GAA last season and has not been much better with a 3.79 GAA this season! These are ugly numbers and he has not played since 28 January. Also, Forsberg has been out with a groin injury and has not played in 5 weeks and plus has a 3.35 GAA this season. Both these goalies will be rusty and the Blue Jackets, prior to a rare 1-0 win in most recent road game, had allowed 4 goals per game over their 5 prior road games. The Senators have seen 9 of last 13 games total at least 7 goals and they are on a 3-game wining streak and have scored an average of 4 goals during this win streak. OVER 7 in Ottawa

NHL Monday Philadelphia Flyers Money Line -145 vs Arizona Coyotes @ 7 ET - The Flyers have won 3 straight games and allowed a total of only 4 goals in these 3 victories. Arizona has lost 5 straight games and allowed an average of 4 goals in these 5 losses! Huge difference between the way these clubs are going right now. Also, the Coyotes have one of the biggest home/road dichotomy factors of any team in the NHL! Arizona is 15-10 at home but has lost 17 of 25 on the road this season! If you just take the home team in Coyotes games this season you are cashing in at a healthy 64% clip! Considering that plus the recent trending of these teams and their goalies, the home team is well worth the price in this one. PHILADELPHIA -145

NHL Monday OVER 6.5 +100 in New Jersey Devils vs Seattle Kraken @ 7:07 ET - The Devils are expected to start Nico Daws in goal for this one. He is having a rough season and is currently in poor form. That will help a Seattle club that has been struggling to score goals to get back on track here in this one. The Kraken are off B2B losses but had gone 2-0-1 in their 3 prior games and scored an average of 4 goals in those 3 games. The Devils are off a 1-0 loss in OT against a tough Carolina team and that game was on the road. Now New Jersey is back home and note that 5 of their 6 games before the loss to the Hurricanes had gone over the total. Also, those games not only went  over the total, they each totaled 8 or more goals! We only need 7 to be a winner here and we'll get at least that the way I see it! OVER 6.5 +100 in New Jersey

NHL Sunday Vancouver Canucks -165/-170 @ Washington Capitals @ 1:35 ET - This one is a little higher price than I typically lay but this is a phenomenal spot to back the Canucks and fade Washington. The Capitals are off a rare win yesterday and via shutout fashion. Vancouver lost yesterday and they lost after regulation. They Canucks have been the much better club this season and the Caps are struggling and without a number of players this season that were key parts of this club. The Canucks used their #2 goalie yesterday and the Capitals used their #1 goalie yesterday. That means today will likely be Vancouver #1 Thatcher Demko and Washington #2 Darcy Kuemper. All these factors considered including the situational aspect and you have a great spot to be willing to lay the price here. VANCOUVER -165/-170

NHL Sunday OVER 6 in Montreal Canadiens vs St Louis Blues @ 1:07 ET - This is a tough B2B spot for both clubs. Allen will start for Montreal since it is a B2B and he has a high 3.43 GAA this season. The Blues got a great start from Hofer yesterday which means it will likely be Binnington here. Binnington has not been as strong on the road this season and that includes allowing 10 goals in his last 3 appearances away from home. Montreal is off a 3-2 loss yesterday but 4 of last 6 Habs games before that totaled at least 7 goals and those 6 games averaged 7.5 goals apiece. This is a non-conference match-up with both teams in a B2B and reason to doubt each goalie. In other words, perfect situation to take advantage of a total posted at 6 goals. OVER 6 in Montreal

NHL Saturday Edmonton Oilers -110 @ Los Angeles Kings @ 7 ET - Kings playing their first game of February as they have been off since the All-Star break. Los Angeles could be rusty here. Also, the Kings have been in awful current form with just 3 wins last 17 games! Yes, the Oilers are in a B2B spot here but they faced Anaheim last night. Of course that means they were right here in the LA area already. Also, unlike the Kings, the Oilers have been red hot with 17 wins last 18 games. Additionally, they rested top goalie Skinner so he would be ready for this game. A lot of edges for the Oilers here and the Kings will be rusty and they were already struggling mightily to score goals in recent action before the All-Star break. Los Angeles had lost 14 of 16 before a RARE 4-2 win right before the break. The Kings averaged just 2.25 goals scored in those 16 games. The Oilers have averaged scoring 3.6 goals per game last 16 games. The road team should roll in this one as they found their touch again in the 3rd period of last night's game after falling short at Vegas in their first game after the break. The Kings will take some time to get going again in their first action in two weeks! EDMONTON -110

NHL Saturday Philadelphia Flyers -115 vs Seattle Kraken @ 7 ET - Kraken playing their first game of February as they have been off since the All-Star break. Seattle could be rusty here. Also, the Kraken have lost 4 straight road games. The Flyers are off B2B momentum-building wins since the All-Star break. Also, they face former coach Dave Hakstol in this one. Additionally, they have revenge from an OT loss at Seattle right before the new year. That said, a lot of edges for the Flyers who are already back from the break and going for a 3rd straight win while Seattle will be trying to find their game early in this one and, again, their road game has not been good! Look for the Kraken road losing streak to reach 5 in a row! PHILADELPHIA -115

NHL Friday OVER 6.5 in Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers @ 10:05 ET - Great spot for goals. The Oilers will be fired up after their 16-game winning streak ended at Vegas. Though I definitely expect them to bounce back and score well here, Edmonton could have some problems in their own end. Calvin Pickard is expected to get the start here in goal and he has not played in weeks. The Ducks do have poor numbers on offense this season but they have been playing better of late. Anaheim has scored an average of 3 goals in going 3-0-1 in last 4 games. Yes, the Ducks have not lost in regulation in any of their last 4 games. The Ducks have allowed 3.6 goals per game last 10 games and the Oilers come into this fired up off their first loss since before Christmas! Edmonton has won the first two meetings by a combined score of 15 to 4 and I expect another high-scoring game here. OVER 6.5 in Anaheim

NHL Friday New York Rangers -1.5 -110 @ Chicago Blackhawks @ 8:35 ET - The Blackhawks are not only losing at a high rate, they continue to struggle to score goals. Chicago enters this one having lost 14 of 17 games and what is most alarming about this is that in the last 13 losses they have scored a TOTAL of only TEN goals! That is an average of 0.8 goals per game. Couple that with the Rangers averaging 3 goals scored per game and you can see why I am expecting at least a 3-1 final here in favor of New York. The Rangers have won 3 straight games and are starting to heat up. Additionally they have scored an average of 4.7 goals last 3 road games! This one sets up well to be a road rout. NEW YORK RANGERS -1.5 -110

NHL Thursday OVER 6.5 -105 in New Jersey Devils vs Calgary Flames @ 7:07 ET - Flames off 4-1 upset win at Boston. Markstrom has been strong in goal last two games but this followed allowing 4 goals in B2B games and this Devils team is dangerous in the offensive zone. The issue for New Jersey is that they continue to allow too many goals. They have given 4.6 goals per game in their last 5 games. But they are off a 5-3 win and have scored 3.5 goals per game last 6 games. Their last 9 homes have averaged 7.7 goals per game and there is nothing average about that. Vanecek has allowed an average of 4 goals per game in last 3 starts. This game looks like a match-up that has strong odds off each team getting to the 3-goal mark and, of course, that would guarantee us of nothing less than a 4-3 final here. OVER 6.5 -105 in New Jersey

NHL Thursday OVER 6.5 +105 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Colorado Avalanche @ 7:07 ET - The Avalanche are hungry here to get back on track as they are off B2B losses since the break. They did lose 5-3 in most recent defeat and that continued a high-scoring trend in Avs games. Colorado has seen 11 of last 14 games total at least 7 goals! As for Carolina, they are also hungry off a loss as the Canes lost at home to a tough Canucks team in most recent action. Before that loss, the Hurricanes had won 3 straight games and scored 3 goals in all 3. Yes they have some good goals against numbers lately but this Colorado team is one of the strongest in the league in the offensive zone. They will pressure the Canes here and force a higher-scoring affair here. The Canes have the talent to make the Avs pay for being aggressive however. Couple that with the fact Avalanche goalie Georgiev has been a little up and down and you have the perfect scenario here for plenty of goals. Georgiev has allowed 3.5 goals per game in his last 18 road appearances. The Avalanche have scored 4 goals per game over their last 24 games! This game looks like a match-up that has strong odds off each team getting to the 3-goal mark and, of course, that would guarantee us of nothing less than a 4-3 final here. OVER 6.5 +105 in Carolina

NHL Wednesday OVER 6 -120 in NY Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:07 ET - The expected goalie matchup here is Vasilevskiy and Shesterkin. These are two great goalies. However, the Lighting have not played in a week and a half and lets talk about how Vasilevskiy played when he first came back from injury earlier this season. In other words, the last time he had an extended stretch of time off. He allowed 14 goals in his first 4 starts! Also, he has a solid 2.46 GAA at home this season but a 3.26 GAA on the road. The Rangers have the edge here of having a game under the belts since the All-Star break. That was a 2-1 win in OT for NY over the Avalanche and it gives them so momentum here. Also, they will likely be able to get an early jump on TB here as the Lightning will deal with that early lull after a long layoff. The Bolts will get going eventually though in this game and keep in mind they wrapped up the final stretch before the break with 3 straight wins and scored 6 goals in each victory! Long-term 16 of their last 23 matches have totaled at least 6 goals and so the line move on this one from a 6.5 down to a 6 is also giving us great value here! The Lightning are scoring an average of 4 goals per game last 10 games. The Rangers have seen 17 of last 24 games total at least 6 goals. This scheduling situation sets up well for goals. Much respect for both teams abilities defensively and in goal but the situation dictates an over and the long-term trending supports that as well. Both these clubs are very skilled and have dangerous forwards which will lead to high-quality scoring chances in this one. 10* OVER 6 in New York Rangers

NHL Tuesday OVER 6.5 -115 in New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche @ 7:35 ET - The Avalanche lost yesterday in OT to the Rangers. Colorado is sure to bring a strong effort here coming off that loss. However, this B2B spot puts their goalie situation in a tough position. Georgiev was in between the pipes last night and that means he either has to go again in a B2B spot which is NOT something he has done this season OR the Avs have to call up on Justus Annunen. Note that Annunen has played well at the AHL level this season but this is still a guy with very little NHL experience. Annunen has played in just 5 NHL games and he has an ugly 3.94 GAA in those outings. The Avalanche skaters have an advantage here too however as they played last night and will be ready to attack a Devils defense that could be lethargic here coming off the break. Adding to the expectation of goals here is that New Jersey was giving up piles of goals before the break. The Devils allowed an average of 5 goals per game in their final 4 games before the break! Two strong scoring clubs and ideal situation to expect goalie struggles means easy over here.  OVER 6.5 -115 in New Jersey

NHL Tuesday Philadelphia Flyers +180 @ Florida Panthers @ 7 ET - The last thing Florida needed was the All-Star break as they had won 4 straight. Conversely, the Flyers had lost 5 straight and needed the time off. A lot of times you will see a role reversal in a situation like this and Philadelphia is poised for a big dog upset here. The Flyers won 2 of the 3 meetings last season against this Florida club that ended up in the Stanley Cup Finals versus Vegas. Also, Florida has actually lost 4 of last 5 games on home ice! Taking the road team in Panthers games would have netted you an 11-2 run last 13 games! The Flyers needed a chance to hit the reset button provided by the All-Star break and it actually is good they are away from Philly and a chance to get back on track here. Believe it or not the Flyers have as many road wins as the Panthers have home wins this season! When you consider all these factors plus the fact Philly coach Tortorella knows Florida goalie Bobrovsky well from his time coaching him in Columbus, don't be surprised when the Flyers pull off the big dog upset in this one! PHILADELPHIA +180

NHL Monday OVER 6.5 -110 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders @ 7:07 ET - NHL made it a staggered All Star break this season so that some of the first teams back were also the first ones to wrap up their action before the break. That means even though the All-Star game just happened on Saturday and today is only Monday, you are still talking about teams that have been off for more than a week. A lot of times when this happens you'll see some sloppy exchanges of the puck and turnovers created which lead to extra high-quality scoring chances or odd man rushes. So, in some of the matches after the break, I will be looking for overs right out of the gate and this is one of them. The Islanders and Maple Leafs are meeting for the third time this season and each of the first two meetings 4-3 finals in OT. I again look for each team to get to 3 goals in this one and that would of course mean the game gets to at least a 4-3 final. Note that both these clubs are solid on the power play but sub-par on the penalty kill. Also, the Leafs won a 1-0 battle with Jets in most recent home game but allowed an average of about 4 goals in their 6 home games leading into that one. The Islanders are mired in a stretch that has seen them lose 9 of 11 because they have allowed about 4 goals per game in those 11 games. You can see why I am expecting at least 3 apiece when you look at numbers like that and then factor in the potential for some high-quality scoring chances given the post-break situation noted above as well. OVER 6.5 -110 in Toronto

NHL Monday OVER 6.5 -100 in New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche @ 7:07 ET - NHL made it a staggered All Star break this season so that some of the first teams back were also the first ones to wrap up their action before the break. That means even though the All-Star game just happened on Saturday and today is only Monday, you are still talking about teams that have been off for more than a week. A lot of times when this happens you'll see some sloppy exchanges of the puck and turnovers created which lead to extra high-quality scoring chances or odd man rushes. So, in some of the matches after the break, I will be looking for overs right out of the gate and this is one of them. Both these clubs have great power plays. Also, the Avalanche are one of the highest scoring teams in the league. The Rangers scoring has been a little more up and down but they are still one of the more dangerous clubs in the league in terms of skilled personnel and they also have momentum from a 7-2 win right before the break. Colorado has seen 10 of last 12 games total at least 7 goals. The Rangers have averaged 3.6 goals scored in last 13 home games. The Rangers have either scored or allowed 5 goals in 5 of last 7 games! That said, you can see why I am expecting at least 3 apiece when you look at numbers like the above and then factor in the potential for some high-quality scoring chances given the post-break situation noted above as well. OVER 6.5 -100 in New York Rangers

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 7 +105 in Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators @ 7:07 ET - Was hoping we would see this tick down to 6.5 but other than a couple exceptions, this line has held at 7 which also is certainly an indication that there is strong support for the over in this one. The Red Wings have won 9 of 12 games and have averaged scoring nearly 4 goals in those wins. The Senators have won 5 of 9 games and note that 8 of the 11 games have totaled at least 7 goals. Both clubs are off high-scoring wins and playing with confidence right now and the winning team has scored 5 goals in each of the 3 prior meetings this season so look for the goals to fly in this one. 10* OVER 7 +105 in Detroit

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in St Louis Blues vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 8 ET - The Blues are expected to start Jordan Binnington tonight. His overall numbers are better of late but those stats were buoyed by a shutout performance against a Capitals team struggling badly to score goals. The fact is, Binnington has allowed 3 or more goals in 4 of last 5 starts and allowed an average of 3.5 goals in those games. As for the Blue Jackets, their goaltending has been a concern as well. Columbus has allowed 4 or more goals in 16 of 23 games. The Blue Jackets have allowed an average of 4 goals per game during this  23-game stretch! Columbus has scored 11 goals last 3 games and should have some success in the offensive zone here in St Louis but the Blues also have won 5 straight games and scored an average of 4 goals per game during this winning streak. 7 of last 9 Blues games have totaled at least 7 goals and this one will too! 10* OVER 6.5 in St Louis

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Ottawa Senators vs Nashville Predators @ 7 ET - The Predators are not known as a high-scoring team but they will take advantage of an Ottawa club that is allowing 3.67 goals per game this season and coming off a 7-2 loss. At the same time however, I do expect the Senators to score well on home ice here as they look to bounce back from that ugly loss to the Rangers. The Sens entered that game having scored 3.7 goals per game last 3 games. The Predators are averaging 3 goals per game this season and can take advantage here of facing a team that is weaker defensively and in goal. Keep in mind, Ottawa has lost 16 of 23 since they started the season 11-11. Defense and netminding have been the bigger issues. 8 of Ottawa's last 12 home games have totaled at least 7 goals and, given the situation here, this one should add another 7+ goal result to that run! 10* OVER 6.5 in Ottawa

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6 -120 in Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 9 ET - There is a lot of value with this total at 6 rather than 6.5 and I like the recent compete level of the Blue Jackets. Even in a B2B spot, Columbus will work hard to stay in this game but it will take a lot of scoring from them as they have been unable to stop teams with any consistency whatsoever and Seattle is sure to take advantage here. The Jackets have allowed 4 goals per game last 23 games! The Kraken have allowed 3.5 goals per game last 7 games. Seattle has averaged scoring 3.6 goals per game last 9 home games and they should continue to have success here against a road-weary Blue Jackets team. 10* OVER 6 -120 in Seattle

Vancouver -1.5 -115 vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 10 ET - This is a great spot for a home rout. Vancouver has been one of the hottest teams around. They are coming off a loss however to St Louis. The only team to beat the Canucks, other than the Blues, the entire month of January is Columbus! That said, the Blue Jackets are in for a rude welcoming here in Vancouver. The Canucks lost that game at Columbus in the shootout and they will be ready for revenge here. Vancouver is a heavy money line favorite here with good reason but we get line value on the puck line. Note that the Blue Jackets last 4 losses have all been by a margin of 3 or more goals! As for the Canucks, 21 of their last 28 wins have been by 2 or more goals. Here you have one of the league's best hosting one of the league's worst and they are out for revenge. This one should get ugly! 10* VANCOUVER -1.5 -115

Detroit -125 vs Vegas @ 8 ET - It might surprise you to see the Red Wings favored here over the defending champs. However, Detroit has really built up into a solid club and they are on home ice here and they catch the Golden Knights in the 2nd night of a back to back. Since Adin Hill played yesterday, Logan Thompson is likely to be in goal here. He has been fantastic on home ice but really struggled on the road. He is coming off a horrible road outing and now has allowed at least 5 goals in each of his last 3 road starts. Detroit is coming off a shutout win and rested here. They take advantage of the goalie edge and rest edge here and get this win on home ice. 10* DETROIT -125

Over 6.5 -125 in Ottawa vs NY Rangers @ 7 ET - Ottawa off a low-scoring loss but to a tough Bruins team. Prior to that the Senators had scored 4 goals per game in their last 8 games. Their last 2 games have totaled just 5 goals but this followed 6 of 8 games totaling 8 or more! Facing a struggling Rangers side will help to resume that high-scoring trend. Even though NY is giving up too many goals of late, they are also dangerous offensively and will pressure the Sens here. Coming off a 5-2 loss but to the defending champion Golden Knights, I expect the Rangers to get back on track in the offensive zone in this one. Ottawa goalie Korpisalo has struggled this season. 10* OVER 6.5 -125 in Ottawa

NHL Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 +100 in Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings @ 9 ET - The Avalanche are winning consistently but it is not based on defense and their goaltending has struggled too. Georgiev has allowed 3 or more goals in 8 of his last 10 games. So the goals should fly here as the Kings are hungry to get going again and will look to take advantage of this. At the same time, the Avalanche have really been flowing well on offense and that has played a huge role in 10 of their last 11 games totaling at least 7 goals. Those 10 games have averaged 9 goals apiece! As for the Kings, Talbot is expected to start in goal here and he has struggled badly with 5 goals allowed in each of his last 3 starts. Kings off B2B games each totaling at least 7 goals and those were at home. Their last 3 road games also have averaged 7 goals apiece. Both teams trending toward conceding too many goals of late and I look for that pattern to continue here given the Avs high-scoring ways at home and the Kings hunger to turn around a tough recent losing stretch. Just 2 wins in 14 games has a way of getting a teams attention and they will push hard in the offensive zone here to take advantage of the recent struggles of Georgiev. 10* OVER 6.5 in Colorado

DEVILS/HURRICANES OVER - The Hurricanes are expected to start Antti Raanta in goal for this one. I know he has been a little better of late but he has struggled badly on the season and the Devils will take advantage. New Jersey is hungry to get rolling again and they have won 2 of 3 games and scored 11 goals in the process. The Canes also have won 2 of 3 and scored 7 goals in the 2 victories plus have the home ice edge here. I just don't trust Carolina goalie Raanta in this one. Also, the Devils expected to go with Nico Daws in the crease and he has struggled and is coming off one of his ugliest outings of the season. The Devils have lost each of his last 3 starts. You can see why I am expecting the goals to fly in this one! 10* OVER 6.5 in Carolina

FLYERS/RED WINGS OVER - The Flyers can not stop anyone right now and goalie Carter Hart has taken a leave of absence. Philly has allowed 18 goals last 3 games! However, Philadelphia also has scored 19 goals last 5 games! The Red Wings will pressure Philly all game long in this one as they are a solid club that can take advantage of Philly's struggles in stopping the opposition. The key here is Detroit has consistently scored around 3 goals a game but also has allowed at least 4 goals in 2 of last 3. The last time these clubs met it was a 7-6 game decided in a shootout! This will be another wild and high-scoring game here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Detroit

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Vancouver Canucks vs St Louis Blues @ 10:07 ET - The Canucks are expected to start their back-up goalie DeSmith in this one. The Blues come in playing well and scoring goals in last two games but Vancouver is on home ice and has been playing well. The Canucks have won 12 of 16 games and scored an average of 4 goals during this stretch. St Louis has scored an average of 3 goals last 6 games and the Blues will push hard here against DeSmith but this Canucks team is tough on home ice. This absolutely has the makings of a 3-3 affair which means it ends with nothing less than 7 goals. Two teams scoring well and playing with confidence and both teams are likely to have back-up goalies going because Binnington went last night for the Blues. So Hofer likely in the crease tonight. 10* OVER 6.5 in Vancouver

NHL Tuesday OVER 5.5 in Minnesota - The Wild host the Capitals in this one and this total has dropped to a 5.5 which has opened up solid line value. Kuemper expected to start in goal for Washington and he will want to perform well against his former club but historically he does not have good numbers against Minnesota. Also, he is struggling this season. I know Gustavsson is off a very strong start for Minny but here he faces a Capitals team that is so hungry for goal-scoring and they catch the Wild off a big win over a tough Carolina team. Note that 6 of last 7 Minnesota games have totaled at least 6 goals and these 7 games averaged 8 goals apiece! Washington is off a shutout loss but this was preceded by wins in 4 of last 6 games and the Capitals scored an average of 3.5 goals in those 4 victories. The Wild have been scoring well and Kuemper, prior to a strong start his last time out, had been struggling. Red hot Minny will take advantage of that as well and I love the drop on this total. The Capitals are getting healthier again and will score well here. OVER 5.5 in Minnesota 

NHL Tuesday PHILADELPHIA - The Flyers host the Lightning and Philly has lost B2B games and that is significant because part of the key to their strong season has been the ability to bounce back and avoid longer losing streaks. A streak more than 2 games to the negative has been rare for Philly and they also have the home ice edge here and Tampa Bay is coming off a road loss at Detroit and they have struggled overall on the road this season. Tippett is out for the Flyers but they are otherwise healthy and they take advantage of a Bolts team that has lost 9 of last 14 road games. PHILADELPHIA -105

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Nashville Predators vs Florida Panthers @ 8 ET - We get line value here because of the recent lower-scoring trending in NHL games. This one is set up well to be one of the outliers that cruises to at least the 7-goal mark and I like the fact we have the added value of a 6 being available as the current posted total in this one. I know Nashville is off a 3-2 loss but they have had some bigger recent scoring outputs. The Predators have now allowed 3.3 goals per game last 8 games but they also have scored 3 goals in each of last 4 home games. Look for the Preds to again score well here as the Panthers have been struggling in terms of goals conceded. However, this talented Florida attack will also prove dangerous here. The Panthers average high shots on goal per game and they, along with the Preds, have a talented power play. Florida has allowed 4 goals per game in their last 4 games. However, the Panthers also have scored 4.3 goals in their last 7 road games! This one has all the makings of one of those games where each team gets to the 3-goal mark! 10* OVER 6 in Nashville

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Seattle vs Toronto @ 9:07 ET - The Maple Leafs continue to score well but can not stop anybody. That is why I look for goals to fly here because the Kraken continue to allow too many goals. I know Seattle is struggling to score these days but facing a leaky Leafs defense will help in that regard as Toronto just can not keep the puck out of their own net of late. That has played a big role in why the Leafs have had 7 straight games total at least 6 goals and those games averaged 7.4 goals per game. The Kraken have allowed 4 goals per game last 4 games overall and Seattle has scored 3.7 goals per game in last 6 home games. 10* OVER 6 in Seattle

NHL Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 -120 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils @ 7:07 - The Blue Jackets have seen 12 of last 18 games total at least 7 goals. Those 12 games have averaged 9 goals apiece! This is a great situation because Columbus comes in with added confidence too off a big 4-3 shootou win over Vancouver. The Devils have surprisingly trended toward unders the last 3 games but this was after their last 7 games had averaged 8 goals apiece. Given that fact plus the way the Jackets have been trending, you can see why goals are in the forecast here. I know the Devils have some injury issues but Merzlikins likely to be in goal here for Columbus and he had been sitting for 6 games before coming in and getting that win over the Canucks. I am not sold on him truly being "back" just yet. These teams met twice last month and one totaled 7 goals and the other totaled 9 goals. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER 6.5 -120 in Columbus

NHL Thursday Philadelphia Flyers +115 vs Dallas Stars @ 7:07 ET - The Flyers lost the first meeting this season in OT at Dallas so they are out for revenge here and have won 4 straight games. Though the Stars are a strong team, they are still over-valued here on the road. They have won their last two road games but had lost 5 of their 7 most recent road games prior to that. Also, Dallas enters this game off B2B wins but this followed losses in 4 of 6 games. The Stars last two wins have come against a slumping Kings team and a Blackhawks club that is one of the worst in the league. Now the Stars are on the road facing a solid Flyers club that has been hot. PHILADELPHIA +115

NHL Thursday OVER 6.5 -135 in Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens @ 7:07 ET - Canadiens are in a B2B which means they will start Primeau in goal and he has not played much so rust will be a factor here. Ottawa is rested and will look to take advantage but the issues for the Senators is their goalie has struggled. Korpisalo will get the start here and he has a rough .862 save percentage in his last 12 appearances. The Sens 11 of last 15 games have totaled at least 7 goals and this one will get to at least that as well. OVER 6.5 -135 in Ottawa

NHL Thursday Washington Capitals -110 vs St Louis Blues @ 7:07 ET - The Caps recently got TJ Oshie back. Now it looks like Alex Ovechkin could be back tonight after being a full participant in practice today. Even if he Ovie is not able to go (game time decision) I still like the Capitals plenty in this one. Binnington has been inconsistent in goal this season for  St Louis and the Blues have struggled on the road. Washington has been getting solid goaltending from Lindgren this season too and he is now back on the ice and has continued playing well since his return. Kuemper also gave them a shutout win in the Caps most recent game. On home ice and playing better of late and Oshie has 2 goals and an assist last 3 games and it is huge that he is back now plus Ovechkin might join him tonight. WASHINGTON -110

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 +105 in New Jersey Devils vs Montreal Canadiens @ 7:07 ET - The Canadiens off a huge 4-3 win over Colorado. Montreal has been playing better of late and should keep scoring well here but coming off the big win sets them up well for giving up plenty of goals here. That's because they face a Devils team that will be angry off the 3-0 loss at Boston. Prior to that, New Jersey had scored an average of 4 goals per game last 10 games. The Devils have allowed 3.4 goals per game last 7 games. The Habs have seen 10 of last 15 games total at least 7 goals. This one, given the situation, is also destined for 7 or more goals. I know Montembeault and Daws have both been solid between the pipes lately but Daws is still very inexperienced at the NHL level and there is a reason Montembeault has never started more than 39 games in an NHL season in his 5-year career. 10* OVER 6.5 +105

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Detroit Red Wings @ 7:07 ET - I know Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon has been playing well and has moved from being Detroit's #3 guy to actually being their #1 between the pipes. However, he also played for Florida prior to this. If anyone knows his style of play between the pipes is it this Panthers team as he was with Florida last season. This is his 4th team in 4 years. There is a reason for that of course. As for the Panthers, they will have Bobrovsky between the pipes and he is known for being a streaky goalie and he has allowed 9 goals in last 3 games after a hot run so it definitely looks like he is in one of those cooling periods right now. Look for a lot of goals here as Florida is a confident group when at home and scores well here while the Red Wings have a full head of steam here based on recent overall hot streak. Detroit has won 5 of 6 and scored an average of 4 goals during this hot run. The Wings are off a 4-2 but this was preceded by 9 of 12 games totaling at least 7 goals. The Panthers have scored an average of 4 goals last 11 games and had won 9 in a row before B2B losses. The goals will fly in this one. 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes @ 9 ET - The Flames top goalie is Markstrom and he had been playing well. But he is out with an injury here. The goalie will be Vladar and he has not started in over a week plus that was an ugly outing. Speaking of ugly outings, he has a 3.42 GAA this season so he has been tonight special. Markstrom is not even well enough to back him up here so Wolf was recalled from the AHL for this start. Not a good goalie situation for a Flames team facing a Coyotes club looking for some payback after a 6-2 loss in the most recent meetings. That said, the goals should be flying here because, prior to a 6-0 shutout win Arizona was allowing a lot of goals. They face a Calgary team that got back on track again and has been scoring well. The Flames have won 6 of 8 games and scored 4 goals per game during this run. The Coyotes had allowed 4 goals per game last 8 games before that big 6-0 win. Arizona's last 3 games before that all totaled at least 7 goals. 10* OVER 6.5 in Calgary

NHL Tuesday OVER 6.5 -130 or OVER 7 +105 in Ottawa vs Colorado @ 7 ET - The Senators and Avalanche both in perfect situations for plenty of goals here. Ottawa's last 3 games have all totaled 8 or more goals. Also, the Senators have had 10 of last 14 matches total at least 7 goals. The Avalanche are in the 2nd game of a B2B. The Avalanche will be fired up after a 4-3 loss yesterday and 6 of last 7 Avs games have totaled at least 7 goals. This one will too as the Sens are tough at home and the Avalanche will be ready to respond after the 4-3 loss at Montreal. The Avs are averaging 3.66 goals per game this season. The Sens are averaging 4 goals scored last 4 home games. 10* OVER 6.5 -130 or over 7 +105 in Ottawa

NHL Monday Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +105 @ St Louis Blues @ 8:07 ET - The Flyers are hottter than the Blues and getting solid goaltending. In Hart and Ersson they are getting strong play overall. St Louis, on the other hand, has seen both Hofer and Binnington struggle of late. The Blues have lost 4 of 7 and Binnington allowed 4 goals in most recent start and Hofer expected to get the call here and he has been used sparingly. Not only could he be a bit rusty, his last start was a 5-1 St Louis loss. Philadelphia has won 3 straight games and 4 of 5 and allowed just 1.8 goals per game in those 4 victories. They are rolling with confidence right now and there is a reason St Louis is only a pick'em home favorite here. 10* PHILADELPHIA +105

NHL Monday OVER 6 in Minnesota Wild vs NY Islanders @ 6 ET - The Wild are off an ugly 6-0 home loss and have struggled to score goals lately. Back home again and looking to get back on track, the Wild will push hard in this game. The trouble is their only real chance at success is through scoring goals as they continue to give up goals at an alarming rate. Minnesota has allowed 4 goals per game over their last 9 games. The Islanders are off a 3-1 loss but, prior to this, 8 of their last 9 games had totaled at least 6 goals and that is the posted total on this one. The Isles have allowed 3.7 goals last 10 games. So this one should get to at least a total of 6 but I fully expect each team to score at least 3 goals and that sets us up for a 4-3 final at a minimum. 10* OVER 6 in Minnesota

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 7 +105 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings @ 7:37 ET - The Leafs are off a loss where they blew a 3-goal lead yesterday so they will be looking to bounce right back here. However, Jones has allowed too many goals now in two straight starts and plus this is a B2B so Samsonov will get the call between the pipes. He has not started since two weeks ago and so not only could rust be a factor, he has allowed an average of 5 goals in his last 4 appearances! So even though I expect Toronto to score plenty tonight I do not expect this group and this goalie to be able to shut down a solid Red Wings club! Detroit has won 5 of 7 games and they have scored an average of 3.6 goals last 7 games and allowed 3.5 goals per game last 8 games. Of course this is just looking at regulation goals. Yes this total is big at mostly a 7 but 9 of last 12 Red Wings games have totaled at least 7 goals. Given that and the Leafs situation here this should fly over. 10* OVER 7 +105 in Toronto

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play Calgary Flames Money Line +100 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:07 ET - Calgary has been scoring plenty of goals and Vegas has not. This set up is PERFECT for the road upset here and it is a big reason this line is only in the pick'em range. The Knights have scored well only once in last 8 games. In the other 7 games they totaled only 9 goals in regulation time. Calgary has won 5 of 7 games and scored an average of 4.3 goals during this stretch. The Flames are a confident bunch right now at both ends of the ice and they get revenge here for losing the most recent game with Vegas in extra time. Payback here. 10* CALGARY +100

NHL Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (-) @ Minnesota Wild @ 8:07 ET - The Flyers will have Hart between the pipes which gives them a big edge over Minnesota having Fleury in the crease for this one. Hart is having a strong season while Fleury has mostly struggled including allowing 10 goals in last 3 starts and 37 in his last 11 starts! Hart is off a tough start but, prior to that, had allowed 2 or less goals in 5 of his last 7 starts. Even though the Flyers have struggled some recently, the Wild have particularly struggled with losses in 6 of 7 and having scored only 11 goals last 7 games! Minnesota also has allowed an average of 4 goals in their last 7 games so they are certainly having trouble at both ends of the ice right now and I look for it to continue here. There is a reason this line is a pick'em even though the Wild are on home ice. Don't let the line fool you. Philly is the play here. 10* PHILADELPHIA (-)

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play Boston Bruins Money Line -120 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:07 ET - The Golden Knights are in a B2B and off a 3-0 shutout loss and have a goalie issue. Hill was surprisingly kept on the IR yesterday, Thompson has been dealing with a illness so Patera started last night, that means it could be Saville tonight and he struggled last season at ECHL and AHL level. He has been better at the AHL level this season but this would be his NHL debut. That would not be easy against a Bruins team that was the best in the league in the regular season last season with a record-breaking season and also has been having a big season this year so far but comes in angry here. Off B2B tough losses - each in extra time - the Bruins will be ready to respond in a huge way here. Boston has averaged 4.5 goals per game last 8 games while the Knights have averaged scoring just 2 goals last 7 games. Vegas has lost 7 of 9. The Bruins, prior to B2B tight losses, had won 5 of 6 games. The road team is the hotter team and has the rest edge and has the better goalie situation. 10* BOSTON -120

NHL 8* Winnipeg Jets Puck Line -1.5 -145 vs Chicago Blackhawks @ 8:07 ET - The Blackhawks Mrazek is off a solid start but he allowed 4.5 goals per outing in his 4 most recent appearances prior to that. The Jets will go with their #2 option (Brossoit) here and he has been great when getting the nod instead of Hellebuyck lately. He has allowed only 2 goals per game in his last 5 starts. This is also a revenge game for the Jets as they lost at Chicago in the most recent game. That is why I am confident that Winnipeg will come out strong here and continue their red hot run. The Jets have been red hot with wins in 7 straight games! Their only loss the last 10 games was to the Blackhawks. They will absolutely be ready for revenge here. Chicago is an ugly 4-17-1 in their road games this season. The Jets are on top of the NHL with a 27-9-4 record this season. This has the makings of a blowout! 8* WINNIPEG -1.5 -145

OVER 5.5 or 6 in Arizona Diamondbacks vs Boston Bruins @ 9 ET - The Bruins will be fired up here after a 4-3 loss in OT at Colorado last night. Arizona has struggled recently at home but that means they will also be ready to go here on home ice! They faced some really tough teams and struggled to find the back of the net but I feel the Bruins will prove susceptible in this one on defense in this back to back situation. The Coyotes have allowed 4.4 goals per game in their last 5 home games. 4 of the 5 did total at least 6 goals and I like the odds of that here as well. Boston has scored an average of 5 goals per game last 7 games. The Bruins have only had one strong game in terms of goals allowed in their last 6 games. In the other 5 games Boston allowed an average of 4 goals per game. Look for this one to total plenty of goals given the situation and I look for plenty of attacking from each club as they are each hungry to get back into the win column. OVER 5.5 or 6 in Arizona

OVER 6.5 in Chicago Blackhawks vs Edmonton Oilers @ 8:37 ET - The Blackhawks do tend to score better at home. Even though they lost Bedard to injury, they scored 2 goals in that loss and that followed that up with a 4-3 win in their first game without him after that defeat in which he got injured. They will push hard here at home and, historically, the Oilers are known for slipups in games like this in which they could look right past a bad team like Chicago. So some goals will be conceded here but ultimately Edmonton - one of the highest scoring teams in the league season after season in recent years - will prove to be too much in the offensive zone. They allowed at least 4 goals in 10 of last 13 games before the 4-3 win. Edmonton has scored an average of nearly 5 goals per game in their 7-game winning streak. So look for a 5-3 type game here and we only need 7 to be a winner. OVER 6.5 in Chicago

NHL Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +105 vs Pittsburgh Penguins @ 7:07 ET - The Penguins have lost 2 of 3 and allowed an average of 4 goals per game. The Flyers have already won both meetings with the Pens this season though it took extra time. Also, Philadelphia enters this game having allowed 2 or less goals in regulation time of 10 of last 15 games and allowed an average of only 1.4 goals in those 10 games. The Flyers are healthy right now and they are undervalued in this one based on home ice, solid goaltending of late, and they have added confidence of winning the first two meetings with the Pens this season. Pittsburgh is still a solid club but they are getting a little long in the tooth while the Flyers are up and coming team that is starting to jell. 10* PHILADELPHIA +105

NHL Saturday OVER 6 in Vegas Golden Knights vs New York Islanders @ 10:07 ET - This is a bounce back spot for the Knights on home ice. I know they have been struggling and I do not trust them based on their goalie situation but they should score goals here. The issue here is they continue to allow too any goals. The Golden Knights have allowed 4 goals per game last 11 games. The Islanders are off a 5-1 win at Arizona but this followed them allowing nearly 4 goals per game last 11 games as well. With VGK desperate to get back on track at home and the Isles off a confidence-boosting 5-1 win, the goals should fly in this one! 10* OVER 6 in Vegas

NHL Friday 10* Top Play Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 +155 @ Washington Capitals @ 7:07 ET - The Hurricanes have revenge here as they lost their only game with the Capitals this season. Carolina has been playing much better of late and has won 4 straight games. Also, I am not crazy about laying the puck line here rather than the money line but the money line is too pricey. Also, the puck line gives us a great shot at a big plus money return and it is supported by recent results as well. Carolina has had 10 of last 13 wins come by a multi-goal margin. Also, the Capitals have lost 4 of 5 games and the loss of TJ Oshie for a period of time has been a big one for the Caps. They have been a different club without Backstrom as well. Also, the goalie loss of Lindgren has hurt them as he was getting a lot of playing time due to his performance. The performances of Kuemper and Shepard have been a concern for this Washington club which is why Lindgren, now injured, had been playing a lot. 11 of the Capitals 12 losses in regulation time this season have been by 2+ goals and I feel strongly the Hurricanes will be very aggressive in this revenge spot and will not risk OT or SO! In other words, another multi-goal regulation loss for the Capitals. 10* CAROLINA -1.5 +155

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers -1.5 +130 vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:07 ET - The Flyers are happy to be back home and they are facing a team they have dominated this season with wins in both meetings this season each coming by multi-goal margins. This is a great spot to back Philly as they are back home after a long road trip and they are on a 3-game losing streak. They have yet to have a 4-game losing streak this season so the odds certainly favor a bounce back here. Philly did lose most recent home game but this was on the heels of a 3-game winning streak and they do tend to play better here at home. The Blue Jackets are having a very rough season and have lost 25 of 35 games! Columbus has lost their two meetings with Philly by a combined 9 to 4 score this season and another ugly loss is likely here given the situation. The Flyers are starting a much-needed homestand and I sense a huge effort here as they right the ship on home ice against a Jackets team dealing with some injury issues as well. 10* PHILADELPHIA -1.5 +130

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 or 6.5 in Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks @ 8:07 ET - The Predators Saros has been struggling in goal. Even if they go with a backup here the results may not be great as Nashville has just been in a funk overall defensively. The Preds are off a 3-2 win but they had conceded 5 goals in 4 of their 7 matches before that win. The Blackhawks also are conceding goals like crazy no matter who is between the pipes. Chicago has lost 8 of 10 and they have allowed 5.5 goals in the 8 losses! Given the above, you can see why I am expecting plenty of goals in this one and, prior to an 8-1 loss at Dallas, the Blackhawks had scored at least 4 goals in each of last 2 road games. Nashville is scoring an average of 3 goals this season and they should top that here as they face a Chicago team that has allowed about 4 goals per game this season and particularly struggled of late. 10* OVER 6 or 6.5 in Nashville

NHL Monday 10* Top Play Seattle Kraken +120 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 3:07 ET - Outdoor game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. In this Winter Classic I feel we have excellent line value with the home dog. The Golden Knights are the defending champs and they also started the season 11-0-1. However, since then, Vegas has lost 14 of 25 games! Most recently the Knights are off a big 3-2 win over the rival Kings but, prior to that, Vegas lost 4 straight and 5 of 6 and consistently have been allowing too many goals. In an 8-game stretch prior to the win over LA, the Knights allowed an average of 4.5 goals per game! The Kraken have won 4 straight and 6 of last 8 and Seattle has allowed only 11 goals in regulation time of those 8 games. Big edge here based on the way the Kraken have been playing and the goaltending they are getting and the fact this is a home game for them here. 10* SEATTLE +120

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers +120 @ Calgary Flames @ 8:07 ET - The Flyers off tough OT loss at Seattle in a game they never trailed. Philly is a perfect 3-0 the last 3 times they were off an OT or SO loss. The Flames have lost 8 of 12 games. Calgary is favored here because they are on home ice but truly this Flames club has been struggling and this is excellent line value with the underdog in this match-up! Calgary has gone just 4-8 last 12 while Philly had actually won 8 of last 11 prior to their OT loss to the Kraken. Markstrom has played well for the Flames but so too has Hart for the Flyers. Also, the Philly goalie is from Alberta so these match-ups in Western Canada are always special for him. Look for another strong game from him here and the Flyers improve to 4-0 L4 times when off an a non-regulation loss. Note that Hart has not lost a start in regulation in the month of December. 10* PHILADELPHIA +120

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play Edmonton Oilers Money Line +100 @ Los Angeles Kings @ 10:05 ET - The Kings certainly want this game but revenge can only get you so far. Last post-season, just like the playoffs the year before, Los Angeles was eliminated by the Oilers. That said, Edmonton continues to have the number of the Kings and I expect that to continue here. The Oilers come into this game as the hotter team and they ride that momentum here. Edmonton is on a 3-game winning streak and they just had an 8-game winning streak from late-November to mid-December as well. They have scored an average of 5 goals in those 11 wins! The Kings have lost 5 of 9 games and they have scored an average of only 2.7 goals per game in those 9 games! I just don't see LA as being able to keep up with the high-powered Oilers in this one as revenge again proves to be over-rated. Oilers beat the Kings yet again. 10* EDMONTON +100

NHL Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers +115 @ Seattle Kraken @ 10:05 ET - Ersson played most of last night's 4-1 win at Vancouver for the Flyers but the goalie exited in the 3rd period with dehydration issues. The fact that Carter Hart took his spot in the 3rd period and stopped all 8 shots he faced is a good sign here. Remember that Hart had just had a RARE bad start right before the Christmas break but he had been great before then. Also, the Flyers have now won 14 of last 21 games and that win yesterday stopped a losing streak. Can they win two straight? Well actually it has been about 6 weeks since they last had a standalone win so I expect them to again build another one here and make it B2B wins on B2B nights. Seattle seems to have really taken a step back and they have now suddenly won 3 straight. However, that followed losing 23 of their first 33 games this season and they have not won 4 straight games since last season. The odds favor another Philly win here and the Kraken have just 6 wins at home this season and no team in the NHL has fewer home wins. So the Flyers as a small dog offer excellent value here especially against a former coach, Dave Hakstol. 10* PHILADELPHIA +115

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks @ 10:07 ET - Vancouver has revenge for a 4-3 loss at San Jose in the most recent meeting between these teams. With this being the last match before the Christmas break and given that each team enters this one off a loss, I am looking for the goals to fly in this one! Vancouver has scored 3.6 goals per game last 10 games! Each of the Canucks last 3 games overall have totaled at least 7 goals and I expect this one to as well. Vancouver has been struggling of late in the goals-conceded department and the Sharks could surprise again here just like they did in the most recent meeting. However, the Canucks will certainly be able to take advantage of a San Jose team that continues to allow too many goals. The Sharks have allowed an average of 5 goals per game last 3 games and also has seen 7 of their last 9 road games total at least 8 goals! Those 7 games averaged 9 goals apiece and this should be another wild one here given the situational aspects. 10* OVER 6.5 in Vancouver

NHL Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers +115 @ Detroit Red Wings @ 7:07 ET - The Flyers should have Carter Hart back between the pipes for this one after he served as the back-up to Ersson last night. Hart is having a great season so far and has allowed just 4 goals in total in his 3 starts so far in December. The Flyers were in a 2-2 battle with Nashville yesterday but ended up losing 4-2. They will bounce right back here. That was the first loss in regulation time in the entire month of December. The Flyers have been playing well and had won 7 of 8 before yesterday's loss! Detroit has lost 7 of 8 games. The Red Wings are hurting right now due to goaltender injury issues and Reimer is struggling in goal. Philly will take advantage. 10* PHILADELPHIA +115

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play San Jose Sharks +135 vs Arizona Coyotes @ 10:37 ET - The Sharks have started to struggle again last few games but are now back on home ice where they have been tougher. Couple that with the fact that Arizona is known for home dominance. They have a huge home/road dichotomy. If you just take the road team in Coyotes games you would have a 22-10 record this season. The home team is also 23-9 in Sharks games so you have a lot of value here for sure in terms of grabbing the home team when these teams are involved and this is particularly true when you factor in the +135 money line available on the Sharks here. San Jose is off a home loss to a tough LA Kings team but, prior to that, San Jose had won 6 of last 8 home games. They are a well-coached team that is starting to play better and certainly is tough on home ice. Note that Arizona has lost 8 of last 11 road games. Arizona has won 3 straight including a 1-0 win over these Sharks but all those games were at home. The home team is 6-0 in Coyotes last 6 games and I look for that run to reach 7 in a row right here. 10* SAN JOSE +135

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Los Angeles Kings vs Seattle Kraken @ 10:07 ET - The confidence of the Kraken is back up as they have been scoring more goals of late but of course they are large dogs here with good reason and the Kings will pressure them early and often here. However, I do like the fact that Seattle has scored an average of 4 goals in their last 4 games. As for Los Angeles, they have scored an average of 3.6 goals on the season. That said, I like the odds on a 4-3 type match here and we have the added value of this total being at just 6 goals. 10* OVER 6 in Los Angeles

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play San Jose Sharks +1.5 -115 vs Los Angeles Kings @ 10:37 ET - The Sharks just got hammered at Colorado but that game unraveled quickly after San Jose got an early 5-minute major penalty that set the tone for the entire game. The Sharks deserved better and had been playing better and they will bounce right back here on home ice. San Jose entered the game against the Avalanche having only 1 loss by more than a 1-goal margin in their last 11 games! Look for SJ to respond immediately off that tough loss. As for the Kings, they are off a hard-fought 3-2 SO win over Seattle and they have the Kraken on deck again after this. As strong as LA has been, note that they have gone just 1-2-1 last 4 games and that lone win was in the shootout and the Kings have only 2 wins by more than 1 goal in last 8 games! This will be a much tougher game for Los Angeles than many are expecting as the Sharks have turned the corner after such a rough start to the season. Their most recent game notwithstanding, SJ has been ultra-competitive of late and they resume that competitive play here on home ice against a division rival. 10* SAN JOSE +1.5 -115

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Dallas Stars vs Seattle Kraken @ 8:07 ET - The Stars are now without #1 goalie Oettinger. Though Wedgewood can be decent, he is no Oettinger and I expect the Kraken to pepper him early and often with shots in this one. Note that Dallas has been scoring well however and the best option in this game is the over the way I see it. We get solid value with this total at just 6 goals as note that 13 of last 16 Dallas games have totaled at least 7 goals and that includes 6 in a row. Seattle has scored 4.3 goals in last 3 games and picked up 2 wins and 1 point in a shootout loss as well during this solid stretch. The Kraken consistently allow an average of 3 goals per game and the Stars have been trending that way as well. That said, a match can not end 3-3 and I am looking for at least a 4-3 final in this one. The goals will fly here as I fully expect the over in Stars games to make it 7 in a row given the situation here. Both teams coming off losses - one in OT and one in SO - and they will be pushing hard to put those defeats behind them. Both goalies are susceptible here. 10* OVER 6 in Dallas

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play San Jose Sharks Puck Line +1.5 +100 @ Colorado Avalanche @ 8:07 ET - I know the Avs are off a loss and Colorado is a strong team but believe it or not, they have had only one standalone loss since early November. That happened on November 20th. Other than that they have had a 2-game losing streak and 3-game losing streak since then. Not only that, the Avalanche have only one win by more than 1 goal in their last 9 games. I love the value here with a Sharks team that continues to be ultra competitive. Not only has San Jose turned things around overall, they also have just one loss by more than 1 goal in their last 11 games! The Sharks have been a much better hockey club and, in fact, at +1.5 goals are a perfect 6-0 the last 6 times they have entered a game off a loss. Here is winner #7 in a row at +1.5 for the Sharks! 10* SAN JOSE +1.5

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line -120 vs Detroit Red Wings @ 7:07 ET - The Flyers will go with Ersson between the pipes again but he is on a 5-0-1 run. Also, the Red Wings dealing with a lot of injuries right now. Lyon has played well between the pipes for Detroit when called upon but he struggled in his most recent start AND he has not played in awhile. Lyon could be a bit rusty and this Flyers team is playing much better than the Red Wings of late. Philadelphia off another win and has now won 5 of last 6 games. Detroit, on the other hand, has now lost 4 of last 5 games and the injury bug has become a concern for the Red Wings of late. 10* PHILADELPHIA -120

San Jose +1.5 -145 - The Sharks have been playing much better of late and gone 6-2-2 last 10 games. Only 1 of those 10 games was a loss by more than a 1-goal margin. Kahkonen expected to start in goal and has been playing much better of late. Arizona is going with Ingram and though he is off a solid start, the Coyotes still lost that one and overall he has been struggling. Ingram has allowed an average of 4 goals last 3 starts. Arizona has lost 4 straight games. The Sharks are scoring an average of about 4 goals per game last 9 games. Conversely, the Coyotes are scoring only 2 goals per game on average last 4 games - all losses. This is a reasonable price to lay to have the added insurance of the 1.5 goals. Arizona has only 4 wins by more than 1 goal in their 13 home games this season. Possible upset here. Either way, the +1.5 gets us the cash in what should be a tighter game. SAN JOSE +1.5 -145

Nashville +145 - The Predators have the scheduling edge here as Hurricanes are in a B2B. The Canes starting to turn things around but they are in a B2B now and that means the goalie will likely be Raanta here and he has been struggling this season. The Preds will likely have Saros and he has been hot again. The Predators have won 11 of 14 games. The Hurricanes have won B2B games but this followed losses in 4 straight and, again, this is a tough scheduling spot. Yes, Carolina is known for being tough at home but the goalie edge and scheduling edge is too much here. NASHVILLE +145

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play Ottawa Senators -117 @ St Louis Blues @ 8:07 ET - The Blues just fired their coach and normally that is a situation that would be a play on situation for me. However, St Louis has some major issues right now and this Senators team has a coach that has been enduring a stretch on the hot seat as well. That said, I like this Ottawa team - with much more scoring firepower - to get the job done against a Blues team that is just having too many issues at both ends of the ice. The Blues have lost 4 straight and been outscored by a combined 20-10 during this stretch. The Sens have won 3 of last 5 and outscored the opposition 17-10 during this stretch. Ottawa has won 5 of last 6 games played away from home and I just can't see this Blues team having enough to outscore them here. The Senators have the much better power play unit and also have been a much higher-scoring team than the Blues this season. St Louis just has not been able to get their scoring going with any consistency. 10* OTTAWA -117

NHL Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line -130 vs Washington Capitals @ 7:07 ET - The Flyers are off an OT loss at Nashville but had won 10 of 14 games before that and have been one of the biggest surprise teams in the league so far this season. Washington is off B2B wins but they had lost 5 of 7 games prior to that. The Flyers are at home and off a loss and this is the ideal spot to fade the Capitals. Lindgren is expected to start between the pipes here for the Caps. He is off a shutout win in his last start but this was preceded by 3 of the 4 prior appearances seeing him allow at least 3 goals. He allowed an average of 4 goals in those 3 appearances. The Flyers likely will have Carter Hart between the pipes here and he has allowed a total of ONLY 4 goals in his last 3 appearances. The Flyers have allowed only 1.8 goals per game in their last 5 games. The Capitals have allowed lesser goals recently but they were really struggling just before that and the Flyers, off a tight loss in OT, will prove to be too much here on home ice! 10* PHILADELPHIA -130

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in New Jersey Devils vs Boston Bruins @ 7:37 ET - The Bruins are 3-0 to the over last 3 road games and the Devils are 3-0 to the over last 3 home games. The set up here is a good one with New Jersey hungry to get back on track off a 4-1 loss that wrapped up their recent road trip. Now they are back at home where each of their last 3 games totaled at least 8 goals. Also, prior to that loss, the Devils were 6-1 their last 7 games and have scored an average of 4.5 goals per game in those 6 wins. The Bruins have seen 5 of last 6 road games have totaled at least 7 goals. Boston used to be known for stellar defense and goaltending but this is not quite the same style of club it once was and they have allowed an average of 3.2 goals per game last 10 games. They have scored an average of 3.5 goals per game last 16 games. This one is set up well for plenty of goals as Devils had been on fire and will push hard on home ice and enjoy some success in the offensive zone against the Bruins just like other clubs have in recent Boston home games. However, the Devils are expected to start Vanecek between the pipes in this one and he has allowed 3.5 goals last 6 appearances. I look for both clubs to get to the 3-goal mark and that would guarantee us of no less than a 4-3 final. 10* OVER 6 in New Jersey

NHL Tuesday OVER 6 in San Jose Sharks vs Winnipeg Jets @ 10:37 ET - The Sharks continue to fly over the total in games and I don't see that changing here. The Jets are expected to go with Brossoit here and he may be "okay" but he is no Hellebuyck. As for the Sharks, they will likely go with Blackwood and he has struggled recently. Look for his struggles to continue here. Blackwood is facing a Jets team without leading scorer Kyle Connor but that is helping to keep this line lower than it should be. I feel this total should be a 6.5 and we have solid value here. The Sharks have gone over the total in 5 straight games and, not only that, all 5 games totaled at least 9 goals. Lover the way the over is going strong in San Jose games and here neither team has a top goalie going. The Jets have won 12 of 16 games and are heavy favorites here for a reason. Winnipeg has averaged 4 goals per game in those 12 victories! The way both of these teams are scoring, the goals should again fly in this one. 10* OVER 6 in San Jose

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Buffalo Sabres vs Arizona Coyotes @ 7:07 ET - The Coyotes have been scoring well but now goalie Ingram is finally coming back down to earth after a hot run. He might finally be seeing a regression to the mean in terms of his results. Since this is the front end of a back to back for the Coyotes, we might see Vejmelka in goal here and he has struggled this season. Either way I look for the Sabres, on home ice for this one, to snap their recent slump of lower-scoring performances. Buffalo will take advantage of the Coyotes goalie situation as Ingram struggling now and Vejmelka will be rusty if he gets the call here. The issue for Buffalo though is that the Coyotes have been scoring a lot of goals and they come into this one with plenty of confidence having built up based on recent performances in the offensive zone. That is why I fully expect a high-scoring match-up here. This is a non-conference battle too and those tend to be be less intense defensively. The Coyotes have averaged scoring 3.5 goals their last 8 games. But, other than a shocking shutout at Vegas, Arizona has allowed 4 goals per game in last 8 road games. I am expecting, based on the above, that each club will get to at least 3 goals here and that would result in at least a 4-3 final. 10* OVER 6.5 in Buffalo

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks @ 10:07 ET - The Sharks are playing well finally but are still giving up a lot of goals. San Jose has played 4 straight games that have each totaled at least 9 goals. Vegas is heating up again and has won 4 of 5 games and scored an average of 5 goals in the 4 victories! Also, I like the fact that this is a B2B situation for the Knights as that impacts the goalie situation. Is Hill ready to come back? Will it be Patera in this one? Thompson has been playing well again but he go the start last night. This is the perfect set-up to expect plenty of goals tonight as the Knights have been lighting the lamp with great regularity plus already scored 4 or more in each of their two meetings with the Sharks this season. This is a divisional match-up and the teams do not like each other and San Jose is playing much better than they were when Vegas faced them the two prior times. In other words, the goals should fly here as San Jose fights back seeking revenge here but the Sharks continue to allow too many goals. Vegas in a B2B and that goalie situation further helps the cause here! 10* OVER 6 in Vegas

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers +1.5 -135 @ Colorado Avalanche @ 9:07 ET - The Avalanche have lost 4 of 5 games and the only win was by a 1-goal margin. Of course they are the better team in this match-up but they have been a bit shaky of late and the Flyers continue to be an early season surprise. Philly has been getting strong goaltending for much of this season and that is why they have been so hard to beat by big margins too. Philadelphia has won 9 of 13 games and also if you look at their last 24 games only 6 of them (25%!) have been a loss by more than a 1-goal margin. The Flyers are hot and the Avs are cold and even if Colorado bounces back for a win here I look for it to be by the slimmest of margins. The Avs makes it 6 in a row without a multi-goal win and the Flyers remarkably have been on an amazing road run. They won their first road game of the season but then lost the second one 5-2. However, since then, they have played 11 road games and NONE of them featured a Flyers loss by more than 1 goal. Look for that run to reach 12-0 right here Saturday! 10* PHILADELPHIA +1.5 -135

NHL Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs St Louis Blues @ 7:07 ET - Great set up for plenty of goals here as the Blue Jackets are off a 7-3 loss yesterday on the road and the Blues are off a 6-3 home loss Wednesday. Columbus has allowed 4 goals per game in last 5 games but the Blue Jackets also have scored 3.6 goals in their last 9 games on home ice! St Louis has scored an average of 3 goals per game last 9 games and had won 5 of 8 before the home loss to Vegas. Blues have had one low-scoring game last 8 games but the other 7 games averaged 8 goals apiece. Blue Jackets have seen 11 of last 17 games total at least 7 goals. Both teams allowing too many goals in many of their recent games but both are also in bounce back mode off high-scoring losses. Perfect set-up for another high-scoring contest here given all of the above. Also, Blue Jackets allowing 3.5 goals on the season. Blues have struggled on the penalty kill this season. Look for each team to get the 3 goal mark in this one and the result would then be at least a 4-3 final in this one. 10* OVER 6.5 in Columbus

NHL 10* Carolina / Calgary OVER 6.5 - Flames using a young goalie again in Wolf here and he has struggled in his action so far this season at the NHL level ... though Wolf has been solid at the AHL level, the fact he is struggling so far in the NHL means it could really be tough sledding for him tonight ... the Hurricanes are angry off a loss and will be firing plenty of shots on goal ... the issue for the Canes this season is they continue to give up too many goals ... Carolina has allowed an average of 3.5 goals per game in their last 8 ... the Flames are now without top goalie Markstrom due to broken finger and Calgary has allowed 4 goals per game in their last 3 ... strong odds each team gets to 3 goals in this one and that would guarantee us of nothing less than a 4-3 final here

NHL 10* Toronto -125 - the Maple Leafs have revenge against the Senators plus they catch Ottawa off a big upset win ... it is the perfect set up for Toronto to get payback here on the road ... prior to, earlier this season, losing to the Senators (in Toronto no less) the Maple Leafs had dominated this series recently and I look for payback here as Toronto bounces back off a tough loss to Boston in most recent game ... the Leafs also have the rest edge here 

NHL 10* SJ / Detroit OVER 6.5 - the Sharks have been playing much better of late ... the Red Wings could get a boost with Patrick Kane making his debut in Detroit tonight ... San Jose has had 3 straight games total at least 9 goals ... the Red Wings have scored at least 4 goals in 8 of last 10 games ... considering the Sharks are finally playing more competitively, both goalies in this match-up struggling of late, and the fact San Jose will have to score well to keep up with a rejuvenated Detroit team here, I just can not see this one finishing with less than 7 goals

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 +110 in St Louis Blues vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 9:07 ET - These teams just met and played to a tight low-scoring battle which the Blues won in OT even though the Golden Knights outshot them. Now you know that Vegas is out for revenge and will be relentless on the attack here. However, St Louis will score well on home ice and I am looking for this game to play out much differently than their game Monday. So often this happens in a rematch when teams meet B2B like this. Plus the Golden Knights are currently without their top goalie. The Blues last 9 home games averaged 7 goals and only 3 failed to reach the 6 goal mark! The Golden Knights have scored an average of 3 goals per game in their last 7 away from home. Vegas goalie Thompson has allowed about 3 goals per game in his last 7 road starts. Hill (injured now) is definitely the better #1 option for the Knights. You can see, given all of the above, why I am expecting this one to get to at least 7 goals as I expect each team to score 3 goals in this one and that would mean nothing less than a 4-3 final. 10* OVER 6 +110 in St Louis

NHL Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in New York Islanders vs San Jose Sharks @ 7:37 ET - I feel strongly that this total currently at 5.5 in the markets has a lot more to do with long-term history than it does with the current trending of both teams. The Sharks have been playing much better and scoring more goals and their confidence level is up. With a higher confidence level comes stronger odds on success in the offensive zone. The trouble for San Jose has been allowing too many goals at times and that included the 6-5 loss that was their most recent game. Surprisingly, the Islanders also have fallen into the category of high-scoring games as well. New York has seen 7 of last 9 games total at least 7 goals and, keep in mind, we only need 6 to be a winner here! This is a non-conference match-up and the Isles are off a big win over the Panthers plus have a divisional game on deck. The Sharks are 3-2 last 5 games and, other than a shutout loss mixed in there, scored an average of 4 goals per game in the other 4 games. That said, don't forget they are allowing 4 goals per game this season too! Take advantage of the low total here in a game that could (should!) see each team get to at least 3 goals scored. 10* OVER 5.5 in New York Islanders

NHL Monday 10* Top Play Washington Capitals +110 @ Arizona Coyotes @ 9:05 ET - The Capitals are off a loss but they are 4-1 the last 5 times they are off a defeat. The Caps had won 7 of 9 before that loss and keep it mind it was the defending champion Vegas they lost to. Now they take on Arizona and they are scrappy team but they certainly are no Vegas. The Coyotes have suddenly won 4 straight games and Ingram has played well between the pipes but he had struggled in recent home ice outings before suddenly catching fire. I just can not see the run continuing here against a fired up Caps team off a loss. Statistically note that Washington has been just as strong on the road as they have been at home. So there is line value with the Capitals at an underdog price in this one. 10* WASHINGTON +110

NHL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:07 ET - This is a revenge game for Boston but they just beat Toronto in OT by a 4-3 count last night. That was a big win of course and I think the Bruins will be giving up some goals here off of such a big divisional win like that. The thing is the Blue Jackets have been scoring better of late but you know Boston is hungry to get some payback after losing 5-2 on the road at Columbus just last week. Note that the Bruins last 9 games have seen 7 of them total at least 7 goals. These are not the low-scoring defensive-minded Bruins of recent seasons. That said, there is a lot of value here getting this total at 6 goals. The Blue Jackets are off B2B 4-2 games and this followed 9 of last 12 games totaling at least 7 goals. Great line value here. The Jackets have scored 11 goals last 3 games and confidence is growing with wins in 4 of 6 games. Catching the Bruins over the big win over the Leafs means great spot for the Jackets to catch Boston a little lax (or tired) on defense but the Bruins are a big favorite for a reason and will battle back and the result is plenty of scoring here. 10* OVER 6 in Boston

NHL Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +155 @ Pittsburgh Penguins @ 7:07 ET - The Flyers are having a solid start to the season, in part, because they have been able to avoid a lengthy losing streak. In fact, their longest streak is 3 games and they are 4-1 this season when entering a game on a losing streak of 2 or more games. That is the case here and this is a big rivalry game with the Penguins and Philly's road record is actually slightly better than the Pens home record so far this season. Also, the Flyers will have Ersson between the pipes instead of Hart but he just had a fantastic November. He allowed only 8 goals in his last 5 starts. Also, Pittsburgh is off a win but had lost 5 of 7 prior to that. Off the big win over the Bolts and now catching the rival Flyers off B2B losses, the set up here is perfect for an upset. 10* PHILADELPHIA +155

NHL Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 -125 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators @ 7:07 ET - The Blue Jackets Merzlikins has been better of late in goal but it still hard to trust him and the Senators are heavy favorites here with good reason. Merzlikins has struggled quite often this season and the Sens will pressure him with a lot of shots. The Blue Jackets should also enjoy success on home ice where, long-term, they do tend to score better. Columbus will take advantage of facing a struggling goalie in the form of former Jacket Korpisalo. The fact he was with the Blue Jackets before just puts even more pressure on him and he has a lofty GAA. Both teams do for that matter and I am expecting goals to fly here. Ottawa is off a 5-0 loss and prior to that 12 of 16 games totaled at least 7 goals! Columbus off a 4-2 loss but 9 of 12 games before that totaled at least 7 goals. More of the same here. 10* OVER 6.5 -125 in Columbus

VANCOUVER - The Canucks have been great on home ice all season long and here they catch a slumping Golden Knights team. Vegas has lost 8 of 11 games and I know some of the defeats were tight too but the losing is taking a toll and no let up is in sight. They are off a high-scoring loss at Edmonton but they were fortunate to even get that game to OT as they had to rally to do so. The trouble too is that, before that game, they only scored 7 goals in their last 7 losses. All is not well in Vegas right now and, now wrapping up a long road trip, the Golden Knights are not likely to see things get better until their home ice match-up this weekend. This is just a typical scenario here where it is so hard to pull it together on the road when 7 of your last 8 games have been on the road and you just can't get any consistency going. Being the defending champs plus the fact this is a divisional game, you know the Canucks want to take down the champs here. VANCOUVER -120

DALLAS - The road team has won both meetings this season and the Stars lost at home to the Flames 7-4 last week so this is a shot at right back revenge. Calgary off the huge upset win over Vegas. Not only are they just 2-6 this season when off a win, the Flames just knocked off the defending champs so the set up here is great. DALLAS -130

OVER 6.5 in Ariz vs Colo - Both teams have had some recent lower-scoring games but both are winning too. Confidence running high right now for both these clubs and the Coyotes have scored 10 goals in their last 3 games. The Avalanche have won 7 of 8 games and averaged 5 goals per game in the 7 victories. The Avs have seen 8 of last 12 games total at least 7 goals. The Coyotes most recent home game was a low-scoring win but this followed a stretch in which 5 of last 7 games totaled at least 7 goals and those games actually averaged 8 goals apiece. This is a small but special venue that the Coyotes are currently playing in down in Arizona and the atmosphere lends itself to some crazy games at Mullett Arena with a raucous crowd. More of the same expected here with a nearby foe in town. OVER 6.5 in Arizona

NHL Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in New York Rangers vs Detroit Red Wings @ 7:37 ET - This is a great spot for goals! The Rangers are off a 5-1 loss and ready to respond. However, the Red Wings have won 3 straight games and have scored at least 4 goals in all 3 wins! Detroit also has revenge from a 5-3 loss here in New York in the first meeting this season. The Rangers have seen 7 of last 10 games total at least 6 goals and all 6 of the first 7 that did before last night's 5-1 loss had each totaled at least 7 goals. The Red Wings have now actually scored at least 4 goals in 5 of last 6 games and the Rangers have given up at least 4 goals in each of last two games. So this has the makings of another high-scoring affair between these teams. New York has yet to lose B2B games this season and will come out flying here but there is no way I am fading this Detroit team the way they are scoring goals coupled with the fact the Rangers D and netminding has recently faded. 10* OVER 6 in New York Rangers

NHL - OVER 6.5 -120 in Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks @ 10:07 ET - The Ducks are mired in a losing streak but this Anaheim team has some talent up front. Problem is that they have been a sieve in their own end of the rink. In their current 6-game losing streak they are allowing 5 goals per game! I know Anaheim has not been scoring well of late but Vancouver enters this one having some struggles of their own in terms of goals conceded. The Canucks have allowed 3.3 goals per game in a 4-5 stretch their last 9 games. Vancouver has scored an average of 4 goals per game this season and is a heavy favorite here with good reason. Look for a 5-3 type game! OVER 6.5 - 120 in Vancouver

NHL - Edmonton Oilers -140 vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 9:07 ET - This line has been moving strongly toward Edmonton. Keep in mind Edmonton started the season very poorly and the Golden Knights started the season on fire plus they are the defending champs. Yet, look at what this line is doing here. What does that tell you? Exactly...there is some sharp money coming in on the Oilers here. This is a playoff revenge situation plus Vegas is in the 2nd game of a B2B and has struggled to score goals of late. The Oilers are playing a fresh brand of hockey under their new head coach and off B2B high-scoring wins plus going for a 4th straight home ice win. Oilers want this game bad against the defending champs that eliminated them last season! Lay it! EDMONTON -140