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NHL TNT Annihilation Sunday 9* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars @ 4 ET - The last two meetings between these teams both flew over the total and averaged 10 goals per game. There has been only 1 under in the last 6 meetings between these teams. With Dallas on a 3-game winning streak and scoring 4 goals in each win and the Wild having seen 8 of last 10 games total 7 or more goals, we should see a wild one involving the wild here! 9* OVER 6.5 in Minnesota

NHL Divisional Dominator Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Detroit Red Wings @ 6:05 ET - The Panthers off a 3-0 shutout win but this was preceded by 10 of 12 games that totaled 7 or more goals and the only two that did not were still able to get to 5 goals. I just feel we have a lot of value because Florida is likely to enjoy an offensive explosion here as they catch Detroit in the 2nd game of a back to back. The Red Wings off a 3-1 loss yesterday at Tampa Bay. Note that Detroit's last 8 games before the loss to the Bolts had featured 6 that totaled 7 or more goals. In fact, the Red Wings 8 games heading into last night's game with the Lightning averaged a total of 9 goals per game! Look for a wild one down in Sunrise tonight! 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL National TV Blowout Saturday 9* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers -115 vs Chicago Blackhawks @ 3:05 ET - The Blackhawks are off a win and that is noteworthy here as Chicago wins are almost always followed by a loss! The Blackhawks have had two 4-game winning streaks this season. Other than those two instances, Chicago has NEVER won B2B games this season and have lost 35 of their other 47 games not including those 2 winning streaks. That said, the Flyers have certainly also had a frustrating season but they have been on the cusp of victory so often in recent games and why do you think they are favored here? Of course it is for a reason! Lay it! 9* PHILADELPHIA -115

NHL Situational Slaughter Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins @ 7:05 ET - The fact both teams were in action last night means back-up goalies likely involved in tonight's game. No matter who is guarding the cage at either end I also like the fact that Carolina is off a shutout loss and will be fully ready to respond here. I also like the fact that Penguins off an upset win at Tampa Bay. That sets this one up well for a quickly early explosion in the offensive zone from the Hurricanes as well as a solid response from a Pittsburgh club that has plenty of firepower on offense. The Pens had that on full display last night against the Lightning and the won't go down without a fight here against the Canes. As a result, we should see plenty of goals in this one. 10* OVER 6 in Carolina

NHL Atlantic Division Total of the Year Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Ottawa Senators @ 7:05 ET - The Panthers have lost 3 straight games and will want to inflict a beating upon the Senators in this one. However, Florida has had trouble stopping opponents and this scrappy Ottawa team will score some goals here. The result should be a game that flies over the total. The Panthers have allowed 5.3 goals per game last 3 games. Florida, however, is a team averaging scoring 4.6 goals per game last 24 games! 19 of those 24 games totaled 7 or more goals and fully expect this one will as well. The Sens have had recent games against quality teams like Tampa Bay, Minnesota, and St Louis all total 7 or more goals and now they face the highest scoring team in the league. Additionally, Ottawa's last 3 road games have seen them score an average of 3 goals per game and I am looking for at least a 5-3 final in this one as I expect the Panthers to "go off" in the offensive zone and be relentless here. This is even at the risk of the continued struggles they have had defending their own cage. 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Situational Slaughter Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres @ 7:35 ET - The Sabres have lost 6 of last 7 road games and allowed an average of 4.7 goals per game in these 7 as travelers. Buffalo has averaged 3 goals per game last 9 games and scored 4 in a home loss to Toronto earlier this season. Based on the big line here, Maple Leafs expected to win this game by a 2-goal margin. Don't be surprised if we see a 5-3 type game here. Buffalo has been scoring well enough to do some damage here but they will not be able to stop the Maple Leafs here. 16 of last 21 Toronto games have totaled at least 7 goals. Going back even further, 22 of last 30 Maple Leafs games have totaled 7 or more goals. With this total at a 6.5 we definitely have solid line value to work with here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Toronto

NHL Situational Slaughter Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils @ 7:05 ET - New Jersey is in the 2nd game of a B2B and is off a 7-2 win over the Canucks yesterday. Because this is a back to back, the Devils are likely turning to Jon Gillies for this one. Not only are his numbers rough this season but he has particularly struggled in his last 4 appearances with no less than 19 goals allowed! More of the same expected here and look for another wild one with the Devils in this one. New Jersey has seen 8 of last 10 games total 7 or more goals. Those 10 games have averaged nearly 9 goals per game so expecting this one to get to at least 7 is really not expecting too much. Love the value here. The Blue Jackets are off a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh and this followed a 4-0 shutout at Carolina. Prior to these two losses though, Columbus was 9-2 last 11 games and 10 of those games totaled at least 7 goals. The Blue Jackets will get back on track on home ice here and score a pile of goals but the Devils high-scoring ways continues as well in a back and forth game that should fly over the total. 10* OVER 6.5 in Columbus

NHL Situational Slaughter Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 +105 in New Jersey Devils vs Vancouver Canucks @ 7:35 ET - There is still some over 6 available at the time of this write-up but it has a big -130 price on it and I would rather grab the +105 with the over 6.5 in this one. Vancouver is in the 2nd game of a B2B and is off a 5-2 win over the Rangers yesterday. The surging Canucks have won 3 straight and 6 of 8 games and scored an average of 5 goals in the 6 victories. But, because this is a back to back, Vancouver is likely turning to little used Jaroslav Halak for this one. Not only will he be rusty but he has struggled in his last two appearances. More of the same expected here but look for a wild one with the Devils in this one. New Jersey has seen 7 of last 9 games total 7 or more goals. Those 9 games have averaged nearly 9 goals per game so expecting this one to get to at least 7 is really not expecting too much. Love the value here. 10* OVER 6.5 +105 in New Jersey

NHL Situational Slaughter Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 6:05 ET - Blue Jackets off a shutout loss Friday and Penguins off a shutout win Saturday. That makes this an excellent situational play on the over. Columbus had seen 10 of last 11 games total 7 or more goals before the 4-0 loss at Carolina. Pittsburgh is off a 1-0 win over the Rangers yesterday and 9 of Penguins last 12 home games had totaled 7 or more goal before that surprising result. Since Jarry was in goal for the Pens yesterday that means DeSmith the likely starter tonight and Penguins have given up 12 goals in his last 3 home starts. More of the same here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Pittsburgh

NHL Puck Line Punisher Sunday 9* Top Play Winnipeg Jets -1.5 +135 @ Arizona Coyotes @ 4:05 ET - Great set up here as Jets are on a losing streak but have faced a tough stretch of opposition and now finally get a chance to bounce back against one of the weakest teams in the league. The set up is strengthened here because the Coyotes off a rare win and that was a big one too as it was a victory over Vegas Friday. Note that Arizona has lost 11 of 13 times this season when off a win. Also, most recent loss was a 1-goal loss but 10 of 13 defeats prior to that one had been by 2+ goals. 15 of Winnipeg's last 17 wins have been by 2+ goals. Look for this to be another big win for the Jets by a comfortable margin on the road. 9* WINNIPEG -1.5 +135

Earliest Cash NHL Sunday 9* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Edmonton Oilers @ 1:05 ET - The Hurricanes off a 4-0 shutout win as the Blue Jackets seemingly did not show up for that game. Prior to that, Carolina had allowed at least 3 goals in 5 straight and 7 of last 8. That said, facing an Oilers team off a 4-3 win at Florida last night, you can expect plenty of goals in this one Sunday. Edmonton has scored an average of 4.3 goals per game last 6 games but also allowed 3.7 goals per game during this stretch. The Canes so dangerous in the offensive zone so look for this one to turn into a wild back and forth non-conference barn-burner. 9* OVER 6.5 in Carolina

NHL TNT Annihilation Saturday 10* Top Play Nashville Predators Money Line +160 vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:30 ET - Last season, with the divisions reconfigured due to the pandemic impacting scheduling and cross-border travel, these teams ended up in the same division. The Lightning dominated the Predators on their way to a 2nd consecutive Stanley Cup title. That said, this game means an awful lot to Nashville. It is an outdoor game in their home city and a chance to get some revenge against a Tampa Bay team that held the upper hand in their season series last season. I know this game still means something to the Bolts of course and they are excited about playing outdoors. However, I still feel this one means a helluva lot more to a hungry Predators team and and this Nashville team has gotten back on track with back to back wins after a rare tough recent patch. Look for the Preds to carry momentum right into this game. Adding to the value is the fact the price has constantly risen on TB leading into this one and I feel we have phenomenal line avlue with the home dog here as a result. 10* NASHVILLE +160

NHL National TV Rout Saturday 9* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers @ 3:05 ET - First off, I know the Rangers have been getting strong goaltending. However, it is not going to be easy to stifle a Penguins team with plenty of offensive firepower and on their home ice for this game. Pittsburgh has scored an average of 4.5 goals last 4 games versus Rangers. However, this Pens team currently struggling and allowing too many goals. Pittsburgh has allowed 4.5 goals per game last 4 games. This total opened up at a 6 and I expected a drop to 5.5 which has happened and now I am all in on the value with this one! 10* OVER 5.5 in Pittsburgh

NHL Earliest Cash Saturday 9* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +165 vs Washington Capitals @ 12:35 ET - Flyers seek revenge for a 5-3 loss a week ago in which they actually led 3-2 late in the third period! Carter Hart expected back in goal for this one and Philadelphia is getting healthier with the return of guys like Joel Farabee and Derek Brassard expected for this one. This is simply too much value to be given a home dog that is desperate for a win and has been playing better of late than what their record shows. The tide is starting to turn and they are getting healthier and I don't see Philly being denied here. 9* PHILADELPHIA +165

NHL Network Rout Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils @ 8:35 ET - The Devils are off a huge 6-1 win at Pittsburgh last night but the B2B means it is likely a struggling Gillies back between the pipes tonight and I expect goals aplenty here as the Blackhawks are likely to go with Lankinen rather than Fleury tonight between the pipes. Regardless of who is guarding the cage for either team tonight, some key facts point to a high-scoring affair here. New Jersey's last 8 games have featured 7 totaling 6 or more and 6 totaling 7 or more goals. The average total goals scored in those 8 games is 8 goals! As for Chicago, their goal-scoring has been spotty at times for sure but I am expecting the Devils to have a bit of a defensive letdown here after the huge upset win over the division rival Penguins last night! So the Blackhawks should score very well here on home ice but, at the other end of the ice, they have allowed 4 goals per game last 10 games. Look for a wild one here. 10* OVER 6 in Chicago 

NHL Earliest Dominator Friday 9* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:05 ET - The Blue Jackets off huge 6-3 win at Florida last night. Columbus games have now totaled 7 or more goals in 10 of last 11 games. The Jackets, especially considering they are in 2nd game of a back to back are not going to be able to stop Carolina here. The Hurricanes are one of the top teams in the league and scoring an average of 4 goals per game during 3-game winning streak but also have allowed at least 3 goals in 5 straight games. Look for a 5-3 Canes win here but even if it ends up 4-3 or 5-2 we get the win with this play also. All signs point to plenty of goals here as Columbus is playing with a lot of confidence right now and the Hurricanes will not be stopped. 9* OVER 6.5 in Carolina

NHL ESPN Smash Pass Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 -120 in New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals @ 7:05 ET - Value here as total has dropped from a 6 to a 5.5 and I like the over in this spot. Capitals are expected to still be without Vitek Vanecek and he had been their top goalie. The good news for Washington is Nicklas Backstrom is probable for this game. So offensive firepower on hand but still concerns in goal. I know the Rangers have been getting good goaltending and have been involved in low-scoring games of late but I am expecting the powerful Caps to put a lot of pressure on them in the offensive zone. The issue for the Capitals will be struggling to stop the Rangers. Washington has allowed 3.3 goals per game last 7 games but has averaged scoring 4 goals per game last 8 games. That means we have excellent value with the over here. In particular, the Caps have been strong on the road and averaged 4.3 goals per game last 6 road games! 4 of last 6 road games for Washington have totaled 7 or more goals and we just need 6 to be a winner here. I like our chances of getting to that number! 10* OVER 5.5 in New York Rangers

NHL Annihilation Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres @ 7:35 ET - The Sabres have won all 3 meetings with the Canadiens this season and have scored an average of 4.7 goals per game. However, the Habs are playing better of late and I expect them to be ultra competitive on their home ice for this one. The result should be plenty of goals because Buffalo enters this game on a run in which 6 of their last 7 games have totaled 7 or more goals. Those 6 games have averaged 8 goals per game! As for Montreal, they have been won 3 straight games and are off a 5-2 win versus Toronto. The Canadiens enter this game on a run in which 11 of their last 15 games have totaled 7 or more goals. The Habs have been better defensively of late and in goal but the Sabres continue to give them trouble here and the result will be a back and forth high-scoring game. Look for a barn-burner to continue the high-scoring trend involving both these teams. 10* OVER 6 in Montreal

NHL Earliest Cash Tuesday 9* Top Play OVER 6.5 -135 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:05 ET - Yes we have to lay a little extra juice to grab this over here but it is a fantastic situation. The Maple Leafs have so much firepower on offense but can not stop anyone of late as their goaltending has struggled and that was the case again in yesterday's loss at Montreal. Now the Maple Leafs are at Columbus and note that the Blue Jackets are heating up and scoring plenty of goals. The Jackets have won 7 of 9 games and 8 of their last 9 games have totaled 7 or more goals. As for the Leafs, 13 of their last 17 games have totaled 7 or more. Lay the juice to get the 6.5 here! 9* OVER 6.5 -135 in Columbus

NHL Annihilation Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 -115 in Ottawa Senators vs Minnesota Wild @ 7:05 ET - The Wild are scoring plenty of goals but continue to have some issues in goal. This is why Minnesota's last 4 games have all totaled 8 or more goals and have, in fact, averaged a ridiculous 9.5 goals per game. Minnesota is off a big win at Edmonton and has a tough match-up with Toronto on deck. That sets this up as a dangerous game for the Wild against an Ottawa team that could surprise them. I know the Senators have not been scoring a lot of goals but they are playing well overall and with confidence even though they have fallen just short on the scoreboard quite often. The key here is I do expect another close game but they'll have to score plenty to keep up. That was also the case when these teams met in Minneapolis earlier this season and the Wild prevailed in a 5-4 OT win. Look for another "wild" one involving the Wild in this one! 10* OVER 6 in Ottawa

NHL Total of the Month Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Calgary Flames vs Winnipeg Jets @ 4:05 ET - Calgary is on a 9-game winning streak and has won 11 of 12 after a 2-1 win versus Seattle Saturday. The fact that one was low-scoring has certainly been the exception rather than the norm for the red hot Flames of late. In their 11-1 run only 2 victories were of the low-scoring variety. In the other 9 wins Calgary has scored an average of 5.4 goals per game! Now they host a Jets team that has scored at least 4 goals in each of its last 3 games against the Flames. You can see why I am forecasting a high-scoring battle in this one! Winnipeg is off a 4-2 loss to Edmonton Saturday but this followed the Jets scoring an average of 4 goals per game over a 5-game stretch heading into that one against the Oilers. The Jets have allowed 13 goals last 4 games and that was even with Hellebuyck in goal for 3 of them. With Winnipeg having good recent history against the Flames they will build on that and score well here but I don't see the Jets being able to slow down this offensive juggernaut. 10* OVER 6 in Calgary

NHL Earliest Cash 9* Top Play OVER 6 in Boston Bruins vs Colorado Avalanche @ 1:05 ET - The Bruins have not been scoring well recently and are still without Brad Marchand. However, other than Marchand being out this team is basically healthy and they are capable of solid scoring against the Avalanche here. The Avs do tend to allow more goals on the road than at home. Also, they just allowed 3 goals in their win at Buffalo Saturday with Kuemper in goal. Colorado, in the game most recently started by Francouz, allowed 4 goals. So look for Boston, especially being on home ice, to get back on track offensively here. But the Bruins will need all they can muster because they won't slow down this Colorado juggernaut. The Avalanche are healthy and firing on all cylinders right now. The Avs have scored about 4 goals per game on the season and about 3.5 goals last 9 games. Look for the big 5-3 win over the Sabres Saturday to help build momentum for them as they deliver another offensive onslaught here against a Bruins team that will struggle to match their team speed and have issues trying to slow them down. 9* OVER 6 in Boston

NHL Annihilation Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres @ 6:05 ET - The Blue Jackets are off a 7-4 win at Chicago Thursday and 7 of last 8 games for Columbus have totaled 7 or more goals. Now the Sabres are in town in the 2nd game of a B2B - lost 5-3 versus Colorado yesterday - and I expect the high-scoring trend to continue. That's because Buffalo has seen 5 of their last 6 games total 7 or more goals. Both teams having goalie issues and issues defensively but both teams continuing to score a lot of goals as well. I see no reason for this pattern to change here and this one gets my highest rating. 10* OVER 6.5 in Columbus

NHL Network Rout Sunday 9* Top Play Carolina Hurricanes Money Line +110 @ Pittsburgh Penguins @ 1 ET - This play is all about the line value. The Hurricanes have a better road record than Pittsburgh's home record. However, the Penguins are favored here simply because they are on home ice. Keep in mind, the Pens were fortunate to get the win over the Flyers Tuesday and this followed 4 straight losses in their 4 preceding home games. In other words, Pittsburgh could very easily be on a 5-game losing streak in home games! Now they enter this game off a 4-1 loss at Toronto and the Canes, in my mind, are absolutely the better of these two teams this season. I am grabbing the line value with the road dog. 9* CAROLINA +110

NHL Annihilation Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs St Louis Blues @ 7:05 ET - The Blues are off a disappointing 3-2 loss in OT at Montreal. Prior to that defeat, St Louis had won 6 of 9 games and scored an average of 4.4 goals last 10 games! The Blues will bounce back here but they are facing a high-scoring Maple Leafs club. The last time these teams met it was a 6-5 Toronto win at St Louis. The Leafs are off a 4-1 win versus Pittsburgh that burned us because we had over 6 in that game and it went scoreless the final 14 minutes. We'll get some payback here. Before that 4-1 victory over the Penguins, the Maple Leafs last 23 games featured 17 that totaled 7 or more goals. Look for another wild one here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Toronto

NHL Contrarian Crusher Saturday 9* Top Play Edmonton Oilers Money Line -120 @ Winnipeg Jets @ 4:05 ET - The Oilers are hot as they have won 4 straight games. Winnipeg is playing better too and has won back to back games. However, the Jets have struggled to put together long winning streaks and had won just 3 of 12 games before notching these back to back victories. They have a strong goalie in Connor Hellebuyck but I feel the streaking Oilers are just going to prove to be too much here. Edmonton is not just winning here, they are dominating. The Oilers have won 9 of 12 games and their last 6 wins by a combined score of 30 to 11. Lay it! 9* EDMONTON -120

NHL Earliest Cash Saturday 9* Top Play OVER 6 in Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche @ 1:05 ET - This is the final home game for Buffalo until nearly two weeks from now. The Sabres will want to make the most of it and they do score better at home than on the road. The problem for Buffalo is they struggle to stop teams and here they are hosting one of the most dynamic teams in the league as the Avalanche are in town. Colorado is likely to score a pile of goals here and note that the Sabres have allowed 3.5 goals last 10 games. In home games, Buffalo had scored 4.2 goals last 5 games before a tough 3-1 loss versus Ottawa Thursday. The Sabres bounce back with a stronger effort here but can't stop the Avs so we see a very high-scoring game here. 9* OVER 6 in Buffalo

NHL Contrarian Crusher Friday 10* Top Play Minnesota Wild Money Line +115 vs Florida Panthers @ 8:05 ET - Undoubtedly Florida is a great team but so too is Minnesota. That said, based on situational value and home ice value, the Panthers are over-priced here and the Wild are offering great line value. Florida is at the top of the Atlantic Division but they have lost 12 of 22 road games this season! Also, the Panthers are off a huge win at Carolina in which they rallied for the late tying goal and then won in overtime! Minnesota is in second place in the Central Division and has won 16 of 20 games on home ice this season! Plus the Wild are off a 6-3 loss at Winnipeg. After that ugly loss, I expect a Minny team that had won 11 of 13 including 6 in a row on home ice, to bounce back big in this one. Home dog value off the charts here! 10* MINNESOTA +115 

NHL Early Dominator Friday 9* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators @ 7:05 ET - The Hurricanes are angry off an OT loss in a game they let slip away versus Florida Wednesday. Carolina is off B2B 3-2 losses and this was preceded by a 6-0 win. The Canes know they must be aggressive and start scoring a ton of goals again. Enter the Predators! Nashville is the most penalized team in the league and they continue to give up too many goals of late as Saros suddenly struggling between the pipes. The Preds have allowed 4 or more goals in 3 straight games. I do expect Nashville to battle hard here though and that is why I like the over. I expect the Canes to be so aggressive in the offensive zone that it will lead to some quick scoring opportunities for the Predators going the other way. With this total available at 5.5 I feel we have excellent line value on the over here. 9* OVER 5.5 in Carolina

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach 10* Top Play Boston Bruins Money Line -100 @ New York Islanders @ 7:35 ET - My regular analysis in hockey will resume tomorrow. Today only, my package of 3 hockey plays is being loaded without my regular analysis. 10* Top Play Boston Bruins Money Line -100

10* Top Play OVER 6 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Pittsburgh Penguins @ 7:05 ET - My regular analysis in hockey will resume tomorrow. Today only, my package of 3 hockey plays is being loaded without my regular analysis. 10* OVER 6 in Toronto

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach 9* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +155 vs Washington Capitals @ 7:05 ET - My regular analysis in hockey will resume tomorrow. Today only, my package of 3 hockey plays is being loaded without my regular analysis. 9* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +155

NHL Total of the Week Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes @ 7:35 ET - Two of the highest-scoring teams in the league. Yes these teams are also strong in their own zone and get solid goaltending from time to time too. But the big story with both these clubs is how highly skilled they are when it comes to creating excellent scoring chances. Panthers have so much team speed and guys flying all over the ice. The Hurricanes so strong on the forecheck and create excellent scoring chances and a lot of offensive zone time because of this. The Canes have won 13 of 19 games and averaged scoring 4 goals per game during this run. The Panthers are 14-4 last 18 games and averaged scoring 5 goals per game during this run. Just a ton of firepower in this match-up and I also like the fact that each club off a loss in which they were held to just 2 goals in the defeat. There has been only 1 under in last 6 meetings between these teams. That trend continues here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Divisional Dominator Wednesday 9* Top Play Winnipeg Jets Money Line +120 vs Minnesota Wild @ 7:05 ET - The Jets are off a 3-1 home loss to the Blackhawks in a game that slipped away from them late. However, Winnipeg is 3-0 L3 times when off a loss and I like them as a home dog here to a Wild team they just recently defeated in a 2-0 shutout win. The Jets Connor Hellebuyck rates the edge over Minnesota's Cam Talbot in my opinion. Yes, the Wild have been really hot but this is still a team that is 5-6 in last 11 road/neutral site games. I feel they are over-priced here on the road against a Jets team that dominated the face-off circle 35-14 in most recent meeting. The home team has taken 5 of the last 6 meetings and I look for that trend to continue here. 9* WINNIPEG +120

NHL Annihilation Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 +105 in Nashville Predators vs Washington Capitals @ 8:05 ET - Vitek Vanecek, goalie for the Capitals, is traveling with the team on this road trip. However, even if he plays tonight he would likely be rusty from the time off dealing with an upper body injury. That is why I love the over in this spot because Washington has plenty of firepower and is ready to respond off an ugly 4-1 home loss to Ottawa but the Capitals also have goalie issues. Because of Vanecek being out, Washington has been struggling between the pipes with an average of 3.8 goals allowed in 5 games so far this month. The Caps though, before the bad loss to the Senators, had scored an average of 4 goals last 5 games and I expect a strong game from them in the offensive zone in this one tonight. As for the Predators, 13 of their last 18 games have totaled at least 6 goals. Nashville has allowed 9 goals last 2 games. The Preds, prior to a 5-2 home loss to Winnipeg, had scored an average of 3.7 goals per game last 6 games. Look for a surprisingly high-scoring game here even if Vanecek plays for Washington. 10* OVER 6 +105 in Nashville

NHL Earliest Cash Tuesday 9* Top Play Ottawa Senators Puck Line +1.5 goals -135 vs St Louis Blues @ 7:05 - The Senators are catching the Blues off a big 5-1 win versus Marc-Andre Fleury and the Blackhawks. Not only that, St Louis was at home for that one and is on the road for this one and I really like the way Ottawa has been playing. The Sens have been getting fantastic goaltending and have been a tough team to beat and I especially like the value with the +1.5 goals on the puck line in this one. The Senators have allowed an average of only 1.8 goals per game in regulation time of their last dozen games. Also, Ottawa has a record of 6-4-2 in these 12 games and one of the regulation losses by just 1 goals so, at +1.5 goals, the Sens would be 9-3 last 12 games. The Blues are a solid 8-5 last 13 games but two of those wins by just a single goal so St Louis would be unimpressive 6-7 at -1.5 goals last 13 games. Just feel there is too much value with the way the Senators have been playing and the solid goal-tending they have been getting. The Blues, before their win over Chicago, had allowed 3.6 goals per game last 9 games. 9* OTTAWA +1.5 -135

NHL Annihilation Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Seattle Kraken vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 9:05 ET - The total here has dropped from a 6.5 to a 6 and I love the additional value we are now getting on the over in this match-up. Toronto is off B2B losses and will be hungry to respond. The Kraken have often struggled on their home ice but have been scoring better of late overall. As a result, I expect goals galore in this one. Seattle has scored an average of 3 goals per game last 3 games. The Kraken have allowed 4 goals per game last 4 home games. The Maple Leafs have scored 4.2 goals per game last 10 games but also allowed 3 or more goals in 10 of last 13 games. A lot of value in a game here that should end with 7 or 8 goals given the above stats and considering the situation here. 10* OVER 6 in Seattle

NHL Earliest Cash Monday 9* Top Play OVER 6 in Minnesota Wild vs Detroit Red Wings @ 8:05 ET - The Wild off tight 3-2 win versus a strong Carolina club and have a big game at Winnipeg on deck. That sets this one up well for an over in my opinion as Minnesota is now hosting a Red Wings club that has been skating very well and is playing with a lot of confidence. Detroit had one ugly 4-1 loss in last 11 games but in the other 10 games they have averaged nearly 4 goals per game. This game should feature plenty of goals as the Wild have won 7 of 8 games and have averaged scoring 4 goals per game during this stretch even including a shutout loss! 9* OVER 6 in Minnesota

NHL Divisional Dominator Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 +110 in New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins @ 1:35 ET - Not only are the Devils off back to back games in which they have scored 7 goals in each win, New Jersey has allowed 4 or more goals in 4 of last 5 games. Overall, 4 of last 5 NJ games have totaled 8 or more goals. Also, the Penguins have won 7 of last 9 road games and averaged scoring nearly 4 goals per game during this stretch. I know that the Penguins are off a shutout win but the last 3 times Pittsburgh was off a game in which they allowed 1 goal or loss their next game has totaled at least 7 goals all 3 times. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER 6.5 +110 in New Jersey

NHL Earliest Cash Sunday 9* Top Play OVER 6 in Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres @ 12:35 ET - The Canadiens in 2nd game of B2B and used Montembeault in goal yesterday which means it is likely going to be Primeau between the pipes for this one. Either way this is a tough spot for Montreal to keep the puck out of their own net even though they did a good job of that yesterday in a rare low-scoring 2-1 loss. Prior to this the Habs had been giving up a ton of goals and I expect that trend to resume here. Also, the Sabres are expected to go with Anderson between the pipes and he has allowed 5 goals in 2 of his last 3 starts including his most recent one. Both these teams have been giving up a lot of goals lately and I expect these trends to continue here. 9* OVER 6 in Montreal

NHL Situational Slaughter Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 +110 in Calgary Flames vs New York Islanders @ 10:05 ET - The Islanders peppered Edmonton with shots last night and deserved better in the 3-1 loss. I look for the Isles to keep on coming tonight but, at the same time, the Flames have been red hot and are likely to score a pile of goals here. Calgary will be helped by the fact that New York used their #1 goalie, Ilya Sorokin, last night. That means back-up netminder likely for the Isles and I know Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom has been hot but the Islanders looked very strong last night as they are healthier now and were flying all over the ice. The Isles will score their fair share tonight but note that the Flames have won 8 of 10 games and have scored at least 4 goals in 7 of those 8 victories! In fact, Calgary's last 10 games have featured 9 that totaled 6 or more goals. I understand this total of 5.5 goals involving the Flames and Islanders but look for it to prove to be too low. 10* OVER 5.5 +110 in Calgary

NHL Contrarian Crusher Saturday 9* Top Play Winnipeg Jets Money Line +180 @ Nashville Predators @ 7:05 ET - The Predators opened up as -165 favorites and then shot up to as high as -215 and, as per usual, I am fading the line move. This is a revenge game for the Jets and though they lost 5-2 at Nashville last month they outshot the Preds 38 to 23 in that game. Also, Nashville has lost 6 of 10 games and is over-priced here plain and simple. Yes this is a back to back for Winnipeg so Comrie might be between the pipes but he has actually been solid in recent outings. Additionally, the Jets are off a game in which they got ripped off on a bogus late-game penalty call that allowed Stars to take the lead. The Jets were the better team in that game last night but did go on to lose in OT and they deserved the full 2 points in the standings last night. Tonight they will get what they deserved last night. 9* WINNIPEG +180

NHL Earliest Cash Saturday 9* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +145 @ Detroit Red Wings @ 12:05 ET - Flyers get a change at revenge after a home loss versus Detroit Wednesday by a 6-3 count. Philadelphia had won back to back games before that loss and I expect them to respond here. This line opened up with the Red Wings at a -135 and has shot all the way up to a -165. I am grabbing the extra value on the other side of the move. 9* PHILADELPHIA +145

NHL Contrarian Crusher Friday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Edmonton Oilers vs New York Islanders @ 9:05 ET - I know the Oilers just fired their head coach and will respond here under their interim head coach who had been the team's AHL affiliate. However, that response is likely to involve more goals rather than stellar defense and goaltending. Simply put, Edmonton is built better for the former rather than the latter and I expect plenty of scoring here. Yes, the Islanders are known more for defense and goaltending - particularly when Sorokin is in the crease - but the Oilers have the high-end talent to create quality scoring chances when motivated. That said, I expect a highly motivated effort from the hosts in this one and that should lead to plenty of goals. The Islanders also looking to make a big push here as they have a chance to pick up major ground in the standings as they will be a busy team with makeup games over the next couple weeks. The Isles already won their first game after the All-star break with a 6-3 win at Vancouver. More of the same on tap tonight. 10* OVER 5.5 in Edmonton

NHL Earliest Cash Friday 9* Top Play Winnipeg Jets Money Line +140 @ Dallas Stars @ 8:35 ET - The Stars are a strong team but they are off a big win versus Nashville and have a huge game with Colorado on deck. For Winnipeg this is the front end of a back to back spot. That means Hellebuyck likely to start one game and Comrie start the other. No matter which guy is protecting the cage here I like my chances in this one. Hellebuyck is back "in the zone" again as he has been sharp in his last two starts and, when he is on his game, he is one of the best in the league. As for Comrie, he has been rock solid in recent appearances when called upon. Comrie has had one dud in his last 5 appearances but allowed a total of just 9 goals in the other 4. As for the Stars, they have had one strong performance from netminders last 4 games but allowed a total of 12 goals in the other 3 games! The Jets have only 9 regulation losses in 23 road games this season but have had some trouble with games going past regulation on the road. I look for them to get over the hump here as this team is better than their full season record shows and they are under-valued here. 9* WINNIPEG +140

NHL Earliest Dominator 9* Top Play Carolina Hurricanes Money Line -130 @ Boston Bruins @ 7:05 ET - The Bruins have lost 4 of 6 and now Brad Marchand is beginning a 6-game suspension and Patrice Bergeron is out with an upper body injury. Boston is hosting an angry Carolina team that is off B2B losses and is one of the best teams in the league. The Hurricanes respond in a big way with one of their best efforts of the season and take advantage of a short-handed Bruins club in this one. Lay the price as it should prove well worth it! 9* CAROLINA -130

NHL Eastern Conference Total of the Month Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals @ 7 ET - The Canadiens just made a head coaching change. Certainly the team should respond with a strong effort tonight. However, the new head coach can not come in and play goalie for the team and therein lies the current problem with Montreal. The Habs have lost 7 straight games and each of the last 5 games saw them allow at least 5 goals in all 5 regulation losses. The Capitals also have goalie issues right now because Vanecek is out. In the last 6 games started by someone other than Vanecek, Washington has allowed an average of 4.7 goals per game! That said, the fact Ovechkin is out for the Capitals tonight is merely serving to give us line value here as it should help this total hold at 6 when the reality is that it should be 6.5 in my opinion. The Caps have scored an average of 4 goals per game in their last 4 games and I am looking for that, coupled with a spirited effort from the Habs here, to result in a true barn-burner in this one. 10* OVER 6 in Montreal

NHL Total of the Week Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 +110 in Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks @ 8:05 ET - The Oilers got shutout on home ice yesterday and lost 4-0 to the Golden Knights. I fully expect Edmonton to bounce back tonight but, at the same time, I absolutely can not trust their defense or netminding. The good news for the Oilers is that the Blackhawks enter this game having allowed 4.8 goals per game their last 4 games. Chicago's Marc-Andre Fleury has been struggling between the pipes again. The bad news for Edmonton fans tonight is that the Oilers have allowed 4.2 goals per game their last 5 games on home ice. Edmonton is so strong in terms of their top-end talent and high-end scoring ability but their rather smallish and less physical blue line tends to come back to haunt them. They just do not have the grinders back there that they need and Chicago has talented forwards and will take advantage and score well in this one. Look for the Oilers to answer them goal for goal there and, of course, the hosts are favored heavily on the money line for a reason here. Look for a 4-3 or 5-3 type game in this one. 10* OVER 6.5 in Edmonton

NHL PA Insider Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line -110 vs Detroit Red Wings @ 7 ET - There are 32 teams in the NHL now that the Kraken joined the league and only 1 of them (Montreal) has fewer road wins (3) than the Red Wings (6). The point is that Detroit is very over-valued here. The Red Wings are a young and scrappy team that is building around their youth movement but that still does not change the fact that Detroit has won just 29% of road games this season! The Flyers blew a 2-0 lead but were tied 3-3 in their most recent loss (4-3) to the Islanders but they followed that up with B2B wins and the victory that took OT involved allowing a late goal and it never should taken OT for Philly to get the full 2 points in the standings. The point is that the Flyers have been playing better than people realize. They are more talented than many realize and they also will get Derek Brassard back in the lineup tonight. Claude Giroux was MVP of the All Star Game played here in Las Vegas where I live and the entire club is really rallying around him and I think you could see a push from Philly post All Star break! Look for a 3rd straight win tonight and take advantage of this bargain line. 10* PHILADELPHIA -110

NHL Puck Line Rout Tuesday 9* Top Play Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 +105 @ Ottawa Senators @ 7:05 ET - The Hurricanes outplayed the Maple Leafs last night but lost 4-3 in OT in a frustrating loss that should not have happened. Carolina will bounce back stronger than ever tonight and they catch a Senators team off a rare big win versus the Devils last night as Ottawa prevailed 4-1. The Sens have been playing better recently but are still no match for a Canes team angry off a loss in a game in which they know they deserved better. Of course the money line is prohibitive here as it is far too pricey but we get value on the puck line and I do expect a road team win by 2+ goals. The Hurricanes are 4-1 last 5 times when off a loss and 3 of the 4 wins by a multiple goal margin. Look for this one to be a rout as well. 9* CAROLINA -1.5 +105

NHL Contrarian Crusher Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils @ 7:05 ET - Considering neither one of these hockey clubs have been lighting the NHL on fire this season you may be reluctant to play on over here. In typical contrarian fashion though I am pounding this over with a top play. The Devils outshot the Senators last night but were done in by a goalie who was on his game. I don't expect that to be the case tonight. Both NJ and Montreal have been struggling to get consistent play between the pipes for varying reasons. The result is that the Devils have allowed 4 goals per game their last 11 games in a tough 1-10 stretch. The Canadiens have lost 12 of 13 games and allowed 4.5 goals per game during this rough 13-game stretch. Look for both teams to take advantage of leaky defense and questionable goaltending and this one should easily get past the 6-goal mark. 10* OVER 6 in Montreal

NHL Top Blowout Monday 10* Top Play Carolina Hurricanes Money Line +120 @ Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:05 ET - Great match-up. The Maple Leafs are expected to use goalie Petr Mrazek rather than their usual starting goalie, Jack Campbell. Mrazek use to be with the Hurricanes. However, Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen use to be with the Maple Leafs. So this is a unique match-up for sure. What I like about Andersen in this match-up is he already beat the Leafs 4-1 in Carolina when these teams met earlier this season and he is the normal starting goalie for the Canes. The Leafs are reaching here by giving Mrazek a shot against his former team. I do expect Andersen to play in this one even though he, like Campbell, was at the All Star game in Vegas this past weekend. No matter who is in the crease for either team here, I like the Hurricanes in this match-up. Yes, I respect the Maple Leafs and they are a very strong team but Carolina just has more grit in my opinion. They play just like their head coach Rod Brind'Amour, long-time Hurricane and Flyer, use to play and that has given this team a hard-nosed attitude and they are tough to beat. They have won 16 of 20 games now and remember they started this season winning 14 of 16 games! When this team gets hot, look out, and they are on fire again right now. The Maple Leafs have been hot too but played a number of weaker foes during this stretch. Also, prior to the 5-game winning streak Toronto was on a run that saw them lose 6 of 13 games. The Hurricanes, when rolling and motivated, are simply the better team and getting them at plus money (since this game is at the Scotiabank Arena) is something I will not pass up on! 10* CAROLINA +120

NHL Situational Slaughter Wednesday 9* Top Play Los Angeles Kings Money Line -130 @ Detroit Red Wings @ 7:35 ET - The Kings have earned at least a point in 5 straight games with a 3-0-2 run and I really like the way Los Angeles has been playing. They skate well and have a quick north-south game that creates trouble for teams built like the Red Wings. I don't particularly care for the Detroit defense and feel this game will be a match-up issue for them. Detroit is off an OT win versus the Ducks Monday but this was preceded by a 20-game stretch in which the Red Wings only won 6 of the 20 games! Also, Detroit played Monday but LA has off since Sunday. The rested road team is worth every bit of this price particularly after the drop from 157 to 130. Lay it! 9* LOS ANGELES KINGS -130

NHL Non Conf Total of the Month Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Washington Capitals vs Edmonton Oilers @ 7:05 ET - Have to go quick with this write-up to get the pick up as this total is moving toward 6.5 and I love the over in this match-up. Currently some 6 still available and the set up is ideal. The Capitals off huge win at Pittsburgh last night. A rivalry win after regulation time and could leave Washington a little flat early in this game which leads to plenty of goals for the high-flying Oilers. However, as always seems to be the case for Edmonton, their trouble is in the defensive zone and they allow far too many quality chances and the Caps will rally back in this game. The results is a very high-scoring barnburner in this one. 10* OVER 6 in Washington

NHL Earliest Cash Tuesday 9* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +130 vs Winnipeg Jets @ 7 ET - The Flyers finally got over the hump with their OT win over the Kings on Saturday. Los Angeles forced OT in another game where Philly played very well but, this time, Philadelphia finally got what they deserved for their efforts...a win. This is the final game before the all star break for each team. The Jets do come in on off a win but are simply overpriced here. Winnipeg had lost 6 straight games before that win and goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been struggling. It was Eric Comrie between the pipes that got the win Saturday at St Louis. The Flyers getting solid goaltending from Carter Hart and should not be passed up on here in a home dog role. The Jets, prior to beating the Blues, had won just 7 of 21 road games (33%) on the season. That does not equate to a team that should be favored in the -150 price range here against a hungry home dog that has been playing better than the results have recently shown. 9* PHILADELPHIA +130

NHL Situational Slaughter Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in New Jersey Devils vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:05 ET - These teams met last night and though the game featured a late flurry to get to 10 goals - Leafs won 6-4 - we only need 7 to be a winner here and I love the back to back situation. The Maple Leafs started Jack Campbell in goal last night but then he struggled so Petr Mrazek got the call. That means Toronto used both goalies last night which makes it tough in a back to back spot. As for the Devils, they are currently without their top two goalies Blackwood and Bernier. So Akira Shmid played last night and Jon Gillies likely to get the call tonight. Neither New Jersey netminder has much NHL experience and Gillies did allow 7 goals in his last two home starts combined. The Maple Leafs last 9 games have featured 7 totaling 7 or more goals! The Devils have allowed an average of 4 goals last 9 games and will again struggle to stop Toronto. However, the Leafs do allow plenty of goals so I look for another barn-burner in this one. 10* OVER 6.5 in New Jersey

NHL Total of the Week Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers @ 7:05 ET - The Blue Jackets would love to get revenge and tighten things up in their own zone after a 9-2 loss at Florida earlier this month. However, though I would love to subscribe to that theory I can not and the numbers prove this out too. Columbus is having an awful season in their own zone. They are allowing 3.6 goals per game and they have struggled against this high-powered Florida team for a long period of time. In the last 7 meetings dating back to March of last year, the Panthers have scored 4 or more goals in 6 of the 7 meetings and the over is 6-1 in last 7 meetings between these teams. Florida scored an average of 5 goals per game in these 7 meetings. So, yes, Columbus wants revenge here but their only hope is to score enough to hang around in this game and I do expect them to do that. But, simply put, the Blue Jackets are not stopping this high-powered offense. 10* OVER 6.5 in Columbus

NHL Contrarian Crusher Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Carolina Hurricanes vs San Jose Sharks @ 5:05 ET - The Hurricanes off B2B low-scoring wins and this might have some thinking of an under here. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am going over the total here. Yes the Canes have gotten some good goaltending last two games but this is a team that scores a ton of goals and is so strong on the forecheck in the offensive zone. Just a relentless team. Carolina is going to take advantage of a San Jose team that might have to use goalie Zach Sawchenko here. He has struggled at the AHL level this season with a 4.07 GAA in his 10 appearances and now faces one of the top teams in the NHL in his first ever start. If he does not play in this one then it would be James Reimer again in the 2nd game of a back to back which is never easy. The reason for the goalie squeeze with San Jose is because Adin Hill is out with an injury. The Sharks have scored an average of 3.4 goals per game last 5 games. The Hurricanes have won 11 of 14 games and, in regulation time of those games, have averaged scoring 4.1 goals per game. This one should get to 8 goals in my best estimation as I look for a 5-3 type game. We should get at least 7 here. Lot of value with this total at 6 even. 10* OVER 6 in Carolina

NHL Earliest Cash Sunday Top Play 9* OVER 5.5 in Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings @ 1:05 ET - Total dropped from a 6 to a 5.5 and I will not hesitate to grab the value here. The Penguins are off B2B low-scoring games but they snap that here after losing both those games - one in OT and one in SO. The fact is that Pittsburgh will take advantage of a Kings team in a back to back. LA will have to use back-up goalie here or have Quick going in 2nd straight start on B2B days. I don't see that happening. Either way the hungry Penguins will be able to score well here. At the same time though, I don't see the Pens slowing down a Kings team that has impressed me with their north-south game as they get up and down the ice so quickly and create excellent scoring chances. The last time these teams met the game totaled 8 goals earlier this month. In fact, that became part of a stretch in which 8 of 12 Penguins games totaled 7 or more goals. I feel strongly this one will get to at least 7 just like the 4-3 OT loss Los Angeles had at Philly yesterday. At the very least I am looking for 6 here. Solid opportunity! 9* OVER 5.5 in Pittsburgh

NHL Total of the Month Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs San Jose Sharks @ 6:05 ET - The Sharks are likely to start James Reimer here. San Jose is 4-2 in his last 6 starts and there have been a ton of goals scored in his games. Not including OT of course, the average goals scored in games he started is 8.7 goals! 4 of the 6 games totaled at least 8 goals! I am looking for this one too as well because Florida is one of the highest scoring teams in the league plus I like the fact that the Sharks come into this one with their last 7 road games averaging a total of 7 goals per game with an average score of San Jose losing 4-3 in those games. Florida is a huge favorite in this game for a reason and I am forecasting a 5-3 type game here. The Panthers have won 12 of 15 games and have scored an average of 5 goals per game during this red hot stretch. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Earliest Cash Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings @ 7:05 ET - Off a low-scoring loss, the Penguins are sure to respond huge here. Trouble is they used Jarry between the pipes last night which it means it could be DeSmith here. The Red Wings have allowed average of 5.3 goals in regulation time of last 3 games! DeSmith has been horrible lately for the Penguins between the pipes. With Pittsburgh angry off yesterday's result and Detroit providing the perfect punching bag, the Pens will score plenty here but I don't trust DeSmith between the pipes and he is the likely starter here. No matter who is between the pipes, note that the Red Wings have averaged 3.2 goals scored last 5 games but again they continue to allow far too many as well. 10* OVER 6 in Pittsburgh

NHL Contrarian Crusher Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 goals +104 in Ottawa Senators vs Carolina Hurricanes @ 7:05 ET - The Senators are one of the weaker teams in the NHL so normally one does not think about overs with Ottawa as much due to the club being somewhat lacking in firepower on offense. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the over here but it is not without plenty of good reason. The fact is the Senators do tend to get involved in some high-scoring games when they are on home ice. Also, this is a revenge game for the Hurricanes as they suffered a huge upset at the hands of the Sens earlier this season. Carolina has shown a propensity to not slow up in terms of piling up games in blowouts. Though Canes goalie Frederik Andersen has played well overall, he has allowed 3 or more goals in 5 of his last 7 starts. Keep that in mind and note Carolina is a huge favorite here for a reason. In other words, a 5-3 final sounds about right! The Hurricanes have averaged scoring 4.5 goals per game last dozen games! The Senators are off a 5-0 home shutout of the Sabres but, prior to that, allowed an average of 4 goals per game last 11 home games. Ottawa has scored an average of 3.6 goals per game in regulation time of last five contests as a host. The Hurricanes outshot the Senators 49-20 in the 3-2 loss at Carolina in early December. The Canes deserved better and want payback here and will not take their foot off the gas in this one! 10* OVER 6.5 in Ottawa

NHL TNT Annihilation Wednesday 9* Top Play Detroit Red Wings -115 vs Chicago Blackhawks @ 7:35 ET - The trade chatter involving Marc-Andre Fleury might start to get to him and there seems to be some gossip going on around the league about where he might end up with Washington a possibility. Either way this could start to effect his game soon enough and he plays for Blackhawks club that has won just 7 of 23 road games this season. The Red Wings lost their most recent home game in OT but to a tough Dallas team. Detroit is still a solid 13-6-3 on home ice. I like the value with the home team at a short price and feel the Red Wings are going to bounce back here as, prior to a road loss in most recent games, they had earned points in the standings in 6 of last 8 games. 9* DETROIT

NHL Contrarian Crusher Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Calgary Flames @ 7:05 ET - Merzlikins likely to start for Blue Jackets and Markstrom likely to start for Flames. That might have you thinking under here based on the long-term with those two guys. But note that the over is 10-5 in Merzlikins starts in non-conference action this season. Also, Markstrom has allowed 4 or more goals in 5 of last 7 starts. He is off a start in which he allowed just 1 goal and that is noteworthy as he has not had strong back to back starts since early December! Columbus off low-scoring loss but 13 of 16 games heading into that one had totaled 6 or more goals. Also, the Flames have seen 8 of last 10 games total 6 or more goals and the only two that did not were each 5-goal games. Look for Calgary to build off 7-1 win. 10* OVER 6 in Columbus

NHL Total of the Week Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Winnipeg Jets vs Florida Panthers @ 8:05 ET - The Jets have a great goalie by the name of Connor Hellebuyck. However, this Panthers team is an offensive juggernaut and they are entering this game off a loss and I expect them to pepper Winnipeg with shots here. At the same time, the Jets are playing their first home game in a very long time due to all the covid issues and I expect Winnipeg, also off a tough loss, to come out firing on all cylinders here in a game that should have an excellent pace. The Panthers have averaged scoring 4.3 goals last 3 games when off a loss. Florida overall has seen 10 of last 13 games total 7 or more goals. The Jets don't have those same impressive numbers in terms of high-scoring games but, again, I expect this to be a very special situation in Manitoba with it being their first home game in over 5 weeks! The last 6 Jets home games have averaged 8.3 goals and I look for another high-scoring game Tuesday. 10* OVER 6.5 in Winnipeg

NHL Situational Slaughter Tuesday 9* Top Play OVER 6 goals in Carolina Hurricanes vs Vegas Golden Knights @ 7:05 ET - The Golden Knights in 2nd game of a B2B and off a 1-0 win. Vegas gave up a pile of shots last night but Robin Lehner was superb between the pipes but is unlikely we see him now in 2nd game of a back to back. That means the angry Hurricanes, off a 7-4 loss and rested, are likely to have a huge game here. 9 of Carolina's last 11 games have totaled 6 or more goals. These 11 games have averaged 7.6 goals per game! Look for a wild game here as Vegas will has plenty of offensive firepower and will have to rely on that here because the Canes will come out firing on all cylinders. 9* OVER 6 in Carolina

NHL Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens @ 8:05 ET - The Wild have a lengthy road trip on deck so they will want to make the most of this opportunity on home ice. That said, look for Minny to turn to their offensive production! Minnesota has won 3 of 4 games and scored an average of 4.5 goals per game in regulation time of these games. The Wild have allowed at least 3 goals in 3 of their last 4 games. The Canadiens are having a very rough season but they have scored an average of 3.3 goals per game last 3 games. The issue for Montreal is they have allowed 3.7 goals in regulation time of their last dozen games here. Non-conference match-up. Teams have not faced in other in a long time so there is not much animosity. In other words not likely to be a defensive minded battle with a lot of physicality. Should be a lot of open ice and the Habs have major issues at the goalie position with injuries/illness. 10* OVER 6 in Minnesota

NHL Monday 9* Top Play Vegas Golden Knights +130 @ Washington Capitals @ 7:05 ET - Vegas expected to get some reinforcements on this road trip. Also, they catch the Caps off an OT win. Why does this matter? Well, since a pair of wins in early December, Washington has won B2B games only once! The Capitals have proven time and time again they struggle off a win while the Golden Knights come into this game on a run of 12 wins in 19 games. Couple that with the underdog value here and you have a great spot to back the road team at a plus money price. 9* VEGAS +130

NHL Contrarian Crusher Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in New Jersey Devils vs Los Angeles Kings @ 7:05 ET - The Devils off a 7-4 upset win over Carolina yesterday. The underdog win coupled with a B2B situation sets this one up perfectly for plenty of goals. New Jersey has allowed 4 or more goals in 9 of last 14 games. This one is a contrarian play because the Kings are not known for higher scoring games but the Devils have averaged scoring 3.5 goals per game in regulation time of last 9 games. Los Angeles has allowed 5.3 goals per game last 3 games. Also, before being held to just 1 goal in most recent game, the Kings had averaged scoring 3.8 goals last 8 games. Given all those big numbers and the fact this total is a 5.5 you can see why we have excellent value here for a top play. 10* OVER 5.5 in New Jersey

NHL Total of the Week Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes @ 7:05 ET - Mackenzie Blackwood is the Devils #1 netminder right now but he has allowed 3 or more goals in 9 of his last 10 starts including allowing 4 to the low-scoring Coyotes in his most recent start. As for the Hurricanes, their #1 netminder is Frederik Andersen and he was in goal last night so that means it is likely to be a back-up between the pipes here and no one, other than Andersen, has enjoyed success in the crease for the Canes this season. Carolina might give up more goals than normal here as a result but this highly efficient Hurricanes offense should lead them to victory. That is why they are such a pricey favorite even on the road in this one and in a back to back. That said, I feel the best value is with the over in this match-up! The Devils have allowed an average of 4 goals per game last 13 games. New Jersey had scored an average of 3.5 goals per game last 7 games before being shutdown by Arizona. As for Carolina, they are on a red hot 8-2 run in which, other than a shutout loss, they have scored an average of 5.2 goals per game! 10* OVER 6 in New Jersey

NHL Earliest Cash Friday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers @ 7:05 ET - Both teams off big upset wins and I like that situation to set this one up for a bit of a wide open game. The Hurricanes are hot and have won 7 of 9 games. One of the two losses was a shutout loss but Carolina scored 3 goals in the other loss and at least 4 goals in all 7 wins! In fact, the Canes, other than the shutout loss, have averaged scoring 5 goals per game since mid-December! As for the Rangers, they are known for lower-scoring games generally speaking but Shesterkin was not overly sharp in New York's 6-3 win over Toronto Wednesday. The offense bailed him out after they got into a 3-1 hole versus the Maple Leafs. Speaking of that offense, the Rangers are now 7-2 last 9 games and have scored an average of 4 goals per game in the 7 wins. Given all of the above I feel we have excellent line value with this total at a 5.5 as of late morning Friday. I'll take it! 10* OVER 5.5 in Carolina

NHL Total Blowout Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 7 +115 in Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers @ 9:05 ET - I know we have the option to take the over 6.5 too but that has big juice on it in the -135 to -150 range so I would rather take the over 7 in the +110 to +115 range for a nice payback price. I know that will turn a 7 from a win to a push but I really think we are going to see an absolutely crazy game here with 8 or more goals. The Panthers have been on a torrid run of 9 straight games totaling 7 or more goals but that was finally snapped in their surprising 5-1 loss at Calgary. I watched that game and there easily could have been more goals there. The key here is the Panthers are now off a loss and will be flying all over the ice even more than usual tonight as a result of that defeat. That is bad news for an Oilers team that has played only 1 game in the past two weeks! The key for Edmonton however is that they are playing with an "us against the world" mentality now after being "left for dead" because of a rare tough stretch. The Oilers are loaded with talent, especially in terms of skilled players in the offensive zone, and I look for them to come out playing with a chip on their shoulder here. That means an intense game with a lot of offensive zone pressure. The Panthers, as strong as they have been, do give up a lot of goals. The Oilers will have plenty of success scoring here as a result as they are out to prove the doubters wrong but they will be unable to stop this high-flying Florida juggernaut and that means we see a ton of goals here. 10* OVER 7 +115 in Edmonton

NHL Early Annihilation Wednesday 10* Top Play New York Rangers Money Line +135 vs Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:35 ET - The Maple Leafs are simply over-rated here on the road. They have been the higher-scoring team of late in comparison with the Rangers and so they are the more attractive team to the betting markets as that catches attention. However, this New York team has been the much better team recently in terms of stifling opponents and getting strong goaltending and I look for that to be the difference maker here and I love the home dog price we are getting here. The Rangers are 6-2 last 8 games and have allowed an average of only 1.2 goals per game those 6 victories! The Maple Leafs will have Jack Campbell between the pipes tonight. He has allowed 13 goals in his last 3 starts! Yes an average of more than 4 per game and then you look at the goalie work the Rangers are getting and look at the money line price on this game and the fact the Rangers are at home. All signs point to a ton of value on the home dog and this is particularly true as the line has been moving toward the Leafs so far today. I love fading line moves. 10* NEW YORK RANGERS +135

NHL Total Blowout Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Arizona Coyotes vs New Jersey Devils @ 7:05 ET - The Coyotes have scored an average of 3.6 goals per game last 9 games and are coming off a huge 5-2 win versus Montreal Monday. Even though Arizona has been scoring better this is still a team that has lost 11 of 15 games and allowed an average of 4 goals per game during this stretch. That said, this total of 6 goals is likely to prove too low. The Devils are in need of a big win and are on home ice and New Jersey has averaged a respectable 3.4 goals per game last 7 games though it has only been a 4-3 stretch for them. The issue for the Devils is allowing too many goals as well as they have conceded an average of 4 goals per game during their current run which has seen them lose 9 of 13 games. Look for plenty of goals again in another non-conference battle that will not feature too much defensive intensity. 10* OVER 6 in Arizona

NHL Total Blowout Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 5 goals in Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders @ 7:05 ET - Yesterday's game could have had a lot more scoring and yet it still landed on 5 goals even with the crossbars and posts struck numerous times. There was one fluke goal, by Travis Konecny of the Flyers, but that actually is a boost for today's game as he and his line looked quite improved and the intensity was kicked up a few notches once he got that goal. He had been a scoring drought but that goal lifts his confidence and the Flyers also got Rasmus Ristolainen back last night and he helps move pucks out of the defensive end and get Philly going the other way to break into the offensive zone better. The key factor here is both teams have been struggling overall to score goals but now that has resulted in a rare case here where this total has dropped to a 5. This is a huge value in today's NHL and also Carter Hart has been struggling a bit and will be between the pipes for Philly since Martin Jones started last night. Additionally, Georgiev has not been as strong as Sorokin for the Isles in the crease and since the latter was in between the pipes last night that means we should see the former tonight. The result is excellent line value with this total dropping to a 5. I watched last night's game in its entirety and this back to back sets up well for even more scoring tonight between these divisional rivals. 10* OVER 5 goals

NHL Earliest Annihilation Tuesday 10* Top Play Carolina Hurricanes +115 @ Boston Bruins @ 7:05 ET - The Bruins are playing well and are a strong team for sure. But how many times do you get to take a team like the Hurricanes as an underdog? Carolina is one of the best teams in the NHL and they are built well to beat a team like Boston. In fact they already did it earlier this season by a 3-0 count! The Canes are a tough hard-nosed team just like their coach is a tough hard-nosed no-nonsense guy. Rod Brind'Amour again gets the most of out his team here and they win this one on the road. Though the Bruins have won 3 straight home games now, this is still a team that were on a run of 7 losses in 11 home games heading into this hot stretch on home ice. The Hurricanes are 13-4-1 on the road this season for the best road mark in the NHL. I will gladly back them here in the rare underdog role. 10* CAROLINA +115

NHL TOP Annihilation Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line +180 @ New York Islanders @ 7:35 ET - This play is as much about a play against the Islanders as it is a play on the Flyers. We also get line value because Martin Jones is getting the start instead of Carter Hart in goal for Philadelphia. Note that the Flyers had a strong run before this losing streak and Jones was in goal for 3 of the wins and NONE of the losses in the 5-0-1 run! Jones has been a solid back-up this season and the Flyers lost his most recent start in OT. They also enter this game off 3 straight one-goal losses including one in OT. Philly has been right on the cusp of getting into the win column and yet falling just short. Here they will take advantage of facing an Islanders team that struggles to score goals. Both clubs struggle to score goals but it is the Isles that are -200 faves here and that just is not justified in my opinion. The Islanders have won 35% of their home games this season and the Flyers have won 35% of their road games this season and should have Ristolainen back to bolster the defense tonight. I'll take the big plus money here. 10* PHILADELPHIA +180

NHL Early Annihilation Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Washington Capitals vs Vancouver Canucks @ 2:05 ET - Both teams off low-scoring efforts yesterday and I feel that has given us excellent line value here with this total dropping to a 5.5 in some of the big books. We'll take it in a non-conference match-up and with the Capitals off a 2-0 win in a very tightly-played physical low-scoring battle with the division rival Islanders yesterday. They now go from that to a non-conference opponent and plus the Canucks have allowed at least 4 goals in each of their last 3 games. Before yesterday's 4-1 loss, each of Vancouver's last 3 games - which did include a 5-2 win - totaled 6 or more goals. The Capitals, before the shutout win yesterday, had lost 4 straight and allowed 4.3 goals per game in those defeats and I feel strongly that we are going to see a game with a lot of open ice and quality scoring chances here given the back to back situation. Also, back to backs tend to test a teams goalie situation and that is another strength here as the shutout was from Vanecek yesterday and plus the Canucks used their #1 netminder, Demko yesterday. 10* OVER 5.5 in Washington

NHL Early Annihilation Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 6:05 ET - Even though Elvis Merzlikins is expected in goal for the Jackets tonight and he is off a shutout win over Carolina Thursday on national TV, this Florida team continues to be one of the most dangerous in the NHL in terms of offensive zone production. The Panthers have won 7 of 8 games and scored a ridiculous average of 5.6 goals per game during this red hot run. The Blue Jackets used to be known as a defensive-minded grinding team but that has not been the case of late. Columbus, prior to their shocking shutout win over the Hurricanes, had allowed 4.2 goals per game last 12 games. The Blue Jackets have scored an average of 4 goals last 3 games. I like the fact Florida was in action last night which means a goalie, Spencer Knight, coming off the covid list makes the start tonight or if he ends up unable to go it will be Evan Fitzpatrick making his first ever NHL start or Sergei Bobrovsky having to start the 2nd game of a B2B. I am looking for a barn-burner between these teams considering the situation heading into this one. 8 STRAIGHT Panthers teams have totaled at least 7 goals and I am not bucking that trend here! 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Early Annihilation Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Dallas Stars @ 7:05 ET - The Panthers are seeking revenge for a 6-5 shootout loss at Dallas last Thursday. Even though Jake Oettinger is expected in goal for the Stars tonight and he has been playing well, this Florida team continues to be one of the most dangerous in the NHL in terms of offensive zone production. The Panthers have won 6 of 7 games and scored a ridiculous average of 5.4 goals per game during this red hot run. The Stars used to be known as a defensive-minded grinding team but that has not been the case of late. Dallas has allowed 3.4 goals per game last 11 games but scored 4 or more goals in 4 of last 6 games. Just like last week's game look for another barn-burner between these teams in this one. 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida

NHL Early Annihilation Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:05 ET - The Hurricanes fired up off an OT loss to Florida Saturday and because they then flew to Philly for a game against the Flyers only to find out it ended up being postponed. No doubt in my mind the Canes are angry and going to take out their frustration on the Blue Jackets here. Prior to the 4-3 OT loss, Carolina had won 5 straight games and scored an average of 5.4 goals per game. The Blue Jackets have allowed an average of 4.3 goals per game last 16 games. Columbus will struggle again here in their own zone but the key to the over is them having success at the other end and they will. The Blue Jackets have averaged scoring 3 goals per game last dozen games and will be competitive enough here to send this flying over the total. 10* OVER 6 in Carolina

NHL Puck Line Punisher 10* Top Play Montreal Canadiens Puck Line +1.5 goals +130 @ Boston Bruins @ 7:05 ET - Yes the Bruins are the much better team and much hotter team and the Canadiens are coming back from a long layoff due to covid issues. However, this is an Original Six rivalry match-up and Montreal is anxious and excited to finally be taking the ice again. The Habs energy is going to be a difference maker in this one and Boston is off a big win at Washington where they fell behind 2-0 but then went on to win 7-3. This is a flat spot situation for the Bruins after the big win over Alex Ovechkin and Company plus with having a perceived tougher game versus Flyers on deck. No team has fewer wins (7) on the season than Montreal so it is hard to blame Boston for overlooking them here but it will prove to be a mistake. The road dog surprises here and I don't see them losing by more than a 1-goal margin. 10* MONTREAL +1.5 +130

NHL Earliest Dominator Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Florida Panthers vs Vancouver Canucks @ 7:05 ET - When teams are off long layoffs it tends to lead to some rust on the ice for the skaters and this in turn seems to create more odd man rushes and good scoring opportunities as guys miss assignments or end up out of position. That is why we have seen some extra high-scoring games when teams are off layoffs and here is a case where Vancouver has not played a game since New Year's Day and they have to do battle with a high-flying Panthers team! Florida has won 5 of 6 games and here they are off a big OT win at Carolina. That was their 6th straight game totaling at least 7 goals since the NHL returned from the pause and those games have averaged 8 goals in regulation time! Also, in home games Florida has seen 8 of their last 9 total 7 or more goals. They are such a dangerous team and I just don't see the Canucks, especially after a long layoff, being able to slow them down. At the same time, however, that was a big win for the Panthers over the Hurricanes over the weekend Florida could get caught a little flat-footed in their own zone after an emotional win like that. Don't be surprised if the Canucks score quite well in this one too. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrvosky has seen the over go 11-4 in his home starts this season and he has allowed an average of 3 goals in his 5 starts since the NHL pause. Look for a 4-3 or 5-3 type game here per all of the above. 10* OVER 6.5 in Florida 

NHL Earliest Cash Monday 10* Top Play Washington Capitals Money Line -101 vs Boston Bruins @ 7:05 ET - Washington could get both Oshie and Backstrom back for this one. Based on morning skate looks like Oshie will for sure be back on the top line with Ovechkin for tonight's game. I love the Capitals in this spot. Washington has lost 3 straight but 2 were after regulation time including a SO loss at Minnesota Saturday in which the Caps allowed the tying goal with under a minute to go in the game. They will bounce back here and Washington has not lost 4 straight all season long! Also they have revenge against the Bruins from being knocked out of the post-season by Boston in May. This is a payback spot and the Capitals are catching the Bruins off a big win versus the rival Lightning Saturday. Off that 5-2 revenging win over the defending Stanley Cup Champs, Boston falls flat here. 10* WASHINGTON -101

NHL Total of the Week Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 in Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings @ 8:05 ET - This is tough spot for both teams in terms of the goalie situation because it is a back to back spot. In terms of the skaters though, they should do just fine here. In fact, I am expecting big games from both teams offensively because both clubs were extremely outplayed yesterday and the Red Wings ended up suffering a shutout loss and the Ducks managed only 1 goal in loss to Rangers. Both clubs hungry to bounce back and will look to test the goalies they will face because Anaheim as both clubs have goalie concerns. The Ducks are without Gibson (covid) and Stolarz started yesterday. So that means Stolarz starts again in a back to back after facing about 40 shots yesterday and that is not appealing at all. Or it could be 21-year old Lukas Dostal making his NHL debut! Either way the Red Wings know they need to be peppering the goalie with shots in this one. The Ducks will also test the Detroit netminder here and since Nedeljkovic started yesterday that means it likely will be Thomas Greiss between the pipes for this one. He has struggled badly with a 1-6 mark on the road this season and that has helped lead the way to 6 of 7 overs in his road starts this season. Look for another one here and, regardless of who is between the pipes for the clubs in this one, there should be plenty of scoring in this back-to-back spot as both teams will be aggressive after yesterday's results and given the situation tonight. 10* OVER 5.5 in Anaheim

NHL Earliest Cash Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers @ 7:05 ET - Both these teams, just like much of the NHL, trending over in recent weeks. Look for that to continue here. The Hurricanes off a 6-2 win over the Flames last night but Calgary easily could have had more than two goals and certainly the Panthers will get more than that tonight. Florida is one of the highest scoring teams in the leagues and they match-up with a Carolina team that also has been finding the back of the net with great regularity! The Canes have won 5 straight games and scored an average of 5.6 goals in those five victories! The Panthers have won 4 of 5 games and scored an average of 5.8 goals per game in those 5 games. Florida also has allowed an average of 4 goals last 7 games. 10* OVER 6.5 in Carolina

NHL Earliest Cash Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Carolina Hurricanes vs Calgary Flames @ 7:05 ET – The Flames should have Markstrom back between the pipes tonight but he has struggled recently. Overall, Calgary has allowed 4 or more goals in 4 of last 5 games. However, the Flames also had scored 4.3 goals per game in last 3 games before an ugly 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay. Now the Flames take on a red hot Canes team and I am expecting plenty of goals in this non-conference affair as a result. The Hurricanes have won 4 straight games and have scored an average of 5.3 goals per game in the 4 wins. Carolina has won 8 of 9 games and is playing with a lot of confidence but the Flames solid offensive production will test them here too and as a result we should see a high-scoring affair in this one. 10* OVER 6 in Carolina

NHL Earliest Cash Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6.5 in New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:05 ET - Both teams have been involved in plenty of high-scoring games of late with no end in site based on goaltending and other key factors. The Devils have seen 7 of their last 8 games total at least 7 goals! New Jersey has lost 7 of 10 games thanks in large part to allowing 4.2 goals per game during this stretch. As for Columbus, 8 of their last 9 games have totaled at least 7 goals. The Blue Jackets have lost 10 of 13 games and allowed 4.5 goals per game during this stretch. This is a big total posted on this game but, as you can see, it is absolutely justified. 10* OVER 6.5 in New Jersey 

NHL Contrarian Crusher Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Toronto Maple Leafs vs Edmonton Oilers @ 7:05 ET - I am aware that, although Auston Matthews has been cleared for tonight's game for the Leafs, Connor McDavid did not clear protocols for tonight's game for the Oilers. That has resulted in this total settling in at a 6 instead of a 6.5 and I am happy to grab the additional value here on the over in this one. Look for Edmonton's other skaters to pick up their game knowing McDavid is out tonight. That said, the Oilers should score their fair share of goals in this one. The big issue for Edmonton has been keeping the puck out of their own net. The Oilers have lost 10 of last 12 games thanks in large part to allowing an average of about 4 goals per game during this stretch. Edmonton is off a 4-1 loss to the Rangers but did score an average of about 4 goals per game in the 5 games before that ugly defeat. The Maple Leafs have won 9 of 12 games and, incredibly, they have scored an average of about 5 goals per game their last 11 games! You can see why a 5-4 game here would not be shocking at all and also why a 4-3 type game appears likely at the least. Look for a 4-3 or 5-3 final in this one. 10* OVER 6 in Toronto

NHL Earliest Annihilation Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Florida Panthers vs Calgary Flames @ 7:05 ET - There has been a high-scoring trend in the NHL since the season resumed after a break due to the holidays as well as covid. Certainly these two clubs have been a part of the high-scoring trend and it extends further back as well. As for the Flames, they have won back to back games and scored at least 5 goals in their last two games and both were wins. Calgary enters this game with confidence after the B2B high-scoring wins but before the 5-1 win at Chicago Sunday, the Flames did allow 4 goals in each of last two games. The Panthers know plenty about allowing too many goals too. Florida is off a 5-2 win but this was preceded by allowing 4.5 goals in last 4 games. The Panthers have scored an average of 6 goals per game in their 3 games since returning from the time off. They are one of the highest scoring teams in the league but Calgary will give them a run for their money in this one and that has me looking for a 4-3 type game here. 10* OVER 6 in Florida

NHL Contrarian Crusher Monday 10* Top Play Edmonton Oilers Money Line -120 @ New York Rangers @ 7:05 ET - I know that the Rangers have been the hotter team and are having the stronger overall season thus far plus are on home ice here. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the Oilers in this one but, also in typical fashion, it is not without good reasoning! The fact is that the loss of Artemi Panarin really hurts the production of the Rangers forwards. Also, the fact that goalie Alexandar Georgiev is back and likely to start here is also a negative for the Rangers in my book. Igor Shesterkin has been so strong that he would likely be the best option in goal here but I expect the Rangers to want a rusty Georgiev to get some work now that he is back from covid protocols. Look for an angry Oilers team loaded with talent up front to take advantage. Edmonton is on a losing streak but each of the last two defeats were after regulation time and the Oilers are ultra hungry to push over the top here and finally get back into the win column. They dominated earlier this season in terms of shots on goal when these teams met out west and now they get it done again here in the rematch back east. 10* EDMONTON -120

NHL Situational Slaughter Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 goals in Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames @ 7:05 ET - I certainly do not claim to be the sharpest guy around but this is a rare case where a total is a head-scratcher to me. Marc Andre Fleury did clear covid protocols but he has to get game ready and will not play tonight. Also, Kevin Lankinen just recently entered covid protocols. That said, the Blackhawks are expected to start the inexperienced Arvid Soderblom in goal tonight with a struggling Collin Delia as his back-up. Now certainly the Flames goalie situation is much better with Jacob Markstrom likely starting tonight but even he is off back to back starts in which he has allowed 4 goals in each. That said, and considering the plethora of high-scoring games since the NHL return from the Covid/Christmas break, I just can not see how the total on this game is only 5.5 goals! Calgary is off a 6-4 win at Seattle and that was preceded by a 4-2 loss versus Boston before the break. Chicago is off a 6-1 loss at Nashville and 4 of their last 5 games have totaled 7 or more goals and we only need 6 to be a winner with this bet. I like our chances given all of the above! 10* OVER 5.5 in Chicago

NHL Winter Classic Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Minnesota Wild vs St Louis Blues @ 7:05 ET - This game is outdoors and the conditions will be frigid. As a skater you can stay warm on the bench and also all the skating on the ice warms your body in a hurry. As for the goalies however, they are out there in the cold and not moving around as much and their situation is much different. That is just part of the situation here. The big key too is that the Wild have not played since the Christmas break which also started early due to the covid breakout. A lot of these first games for teams after the layoff have been a bit messy with extra goals scored due to some rust from the long layoff leading to good quality scoring chances. Also, St Louis is off a 4-2 win versus Edmonton in their only game since the break. The Blues have not been the Blues of old this season as they have been a much higher scoring team and a little less emphasis in the defensive zone. The Wild have allowed an average of 5 goals per game last 3 games. That was part of a stretch of 4 straight losses but all of this followed a 9-2 stretch in which Minnesota scored an average of 4.6 goals per game. St Louis has won 8 of 12 games and scored an average of 3.6 goals per game in these dozen games. 10* OVER 6 in Minnesota

NHL Situational Slaughter Friday 10* Top Play OVER 6 goals in Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers @ 7:05 ET - The Lightning are back home after a 9-3 loss at Florida last night. The Bolts will be hungry to bounce back and they did have over 40 shots on goal against the Panthers yesterday. However, they have serious goaltending issues with Vasilevskiy and Elliott dealing with covid protocols. Both Lagace and Alnefelt seeing action between the pipes last night at Florida. TB does have tremendous scoring ability and that is why I again like the over tonight even though I certainly respect Rangers goalie Shesterkin. He is going to see a barrage of shots tonight from a Lightning club determined to get back on track. That means the Bolts should get some goals again tonight but, once again, I expect trouble for them in their own end. 10* OVER 6 goals in Tampa Bay 

NHL Total of the Month Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:05 ET - The Lightning have goalie issues with Vasilevskiy and Elliott both in covid protocols. That means Maxime Lagace likely to start again and he has struggled badly at the NHL level. The Lightning off a 5-4 OT win Tuesday and I am looking for plenty of goals again tonight. The Panthers started Sergei Bobrovsky last night in their 4-3 win over the Rangers and that means Spencer Knight likely to get the start in the 2nd game of a back to back. Also, in his last 3 starts Knight has allowed a total of 15 goals - 5 per game. He could be rusty too as he has not played in 2 and 1/2 weeks and there is a lot of scoring firepower for the Bolts so Knight is going to face a barrage of shots here. But the Panthers are one of the highest scoring teams in the league so you can see why I am expecting plenty of goals in this one. 10* OVER 6 in Florida

NHL Earliest Cash Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers @ 7:05 ET - Some key offensive production listed as probable for each team here and I like our chances of a high-scoring game. Panarin is back for Rangers and Barkov back for Panthers. Also, Georgiev is on the covid list now for Rangers and that means Shesterkin will be back between the pipes. Both are solid goalies but Shesterkin has not played since the very beginning of the month and could have rust here. That said, and with the Panthers being a high-scoring team but allowing a lot of goals too, I am comfortably expecting 7 or more goals here. 10* OVER 6 in Florida

NHL Total Blowout Monday 10* Top Play OVER 6 in Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens @ 7:05 ET - First off, these games right after the little NHL break due to Christmas and covid are going to be a little tricky. Secondly, my first thought here was actually Montreal as Tampa Bay currently has the worst of the covid outbreak in terms of comparing these two teams right now. Also, the Habs have revenge from losing in the playoffs to the Lightning last season and also losing the first meeting between these teams this season. However, I can't trust the goalie situation here for the Canadiens as Jake Allen has entered virus protocols. That means Samuel Montembeault likely to get the start here and he has struggled this season. Lightning also have issues too. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brian Elliott are their top two goalies and both are out for this one so Maxime Lagace likely to get the start here and he has struggled at the NHL level. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER 6 in Tampa Bay

NHL Game of the Week Tuesday 10* Top Play Tampa Bay Lightning Money Line +105 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:05 ET - This is just too strong of an opportunity to take the 2x defending Stanley Cup Champion Lightning at a plus money price. Tampa Bay is likely to have Vasilevskiy between the pipes as this is scheduled to be the final NHL game before the normal Christmas break as, due to covid concerns league-wide, they are beginning it early. So hopefully they get this one in and then NHL resumes on Monday the 27th. In any event, the Lightning very likely to use the world's best goaltender in Vasilevskiy tonight and TB is 6-0 in his last 6 starts! The Bolts have been red hot even though they are still down a couple key starters and I don't see that ending tonight as Vegas is certainly not 100% healthy either and Tampa has the edge in goal for this one. Vegas has been hot too and Lehner has been strong between the pipes but he'll be tested early and often by this strong Lightning team. Also, already with Alec Martinez hurting, the fact that Mark Stone is dealing with an upper body injury could have the Golden Knights a bit short-handed here. 10* TAMPA BAY +105

NHL Contrarian Crusher Monday 10* Top Play Minnesota Wild Money Line -104 @ Dallas Stars @ 8:38 ET - The Wild have lost 3 straight and the Stars have revenge from a 7-2 loss at Minnesota last month. However, in typical contrarian fashion I am on Minny here. Dallas might have revenge but I don't like what I have seen from them lately. Yes, they are off an OT win but this followed 5 straight losses and the Stars scored a total of only 3 goals in the final 4 games of that 5-game losing streak. Also, when off a game decided in OT (not the shootout but OT), Dallas is 0-4 this season and lost those 4 games by a combined score of 17 to 6. Look for the Stars to get clobbered again in that situation as they are off a hard-fought win over the Blackhawks in OT Saturday and now playing 3rd game in 4 nights. As for the Wild, they are off a shootout loss and are a perfect 4-0 this season when off a game decided in the shootout. Playing just their 2nd game in 8 days, the fresh legs of the visitors and the hunger to end a 3-game losing streak will be the difference-makers in this one. Testing double perfect situation here as you can see with the Stars 0-4 and the Wild 4-0 in this situation respectively this season. 10* MINNESOTA -104

NHL Annihilation Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 5.5 goals in Washington Capitals @ 7:08 ET - This is not a match-up that would have you immediately thinking "over" but there is a key to the value here. Kings are in 2nd game of a back to back. Jonathan Quick started yesterday in between the pipes. The normal back-up is Cal Petersen but he is in covid protocols. That means that Jacob Ingham, all the way up from ECHL, or Garret Sparks (up from AHL) could get the call here in the crease. None of these options, including Quick possibly starting again after a bad game yesterday, is very attractive against Alex Ovechkin and company. Also, keep in mind, Washington also has dealt with some covid issues through the ranks but news on that front appears better entering this one. Also, the Capitals have been involved in plenty of high-scoring games including their most recent ones and I expect this trend to continue here. We only need 6 to be a winner and 10 of the Caps last 12 games have totaled 6 or more goals. I feel strongly that this one will too. 10* OVER 5.5 in Washington