Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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10-22-19 | Maple Leafs v. Bruins -160 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 9 h 4 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Bos Bruins at 7:00 ET. The Bruins (107 points) and Maple Leafs (100 points) met in the first round of last year's playoffs, with Boston advancing by winning Game 6 in Toronto (4-2) and Game 7 at home, 5-1. It was the Bruins' second straight Game 7 win over the Maple Leafs and third in three playoff matchups between the teams. Boston previously knocked Toronto out of the postseason with Game 7 victories in 2018 and 2013. The Maple Leafs lost their SIXTH straight Game 7 on the road. The two "Original Six" both have 12 points in the early going of the current season, although Boston (5-1-2) has played two fewer games than Toronto (5-3-2). The teams met for the first time this season this past Saturday, with the Maple Leafs winning 4-3 in OT. The Bruins have been idle since Saturday, while the Maple Leafs will be playing the second contest of a back-to-back set after dropping a 4-3 decision to visiting Columbus on Monday in OT. Toronto's loss to Columbus was just its second in its past five games and came in unlikely fashion. Mitchell Marner (team-high 12 points) was called for a hooking penalty on a breakaway at 1:57 of overtime, allowing Gustav Nyquist to score on a penalty shot and seal the victory for the Blue Jackets. Auston Matthews scored his eighth goal of the season and added an assist in the defeat, and is tied with defenseman Morgan Rielly (2 G / 9 A) behind Marner with 11 points. Boston's No. 1 line of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron is again leading the way for the Bruins with a combined 35 points. Pastrnak has nine goals and six assists, Marchand has four goals and eight assists and Bergeron has two goals and six assists. This is a GREAT spot for Boston. The Bruins have dropped two straight, falling in a shootout to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday before a 4-3 defeat in overtime against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday. Boston has not played since, while the Maple Leafs ate playing for the second straight night. Toronto head coach Mike Babcock opted to go with No. 1 netminder Frederik Andersen vs Columbus last night, meaning he will start backup Michael Hutchinson against the Bruins (??). Hutchinson, a Bruins draft pick in 2008, has allowed NINE goals in two starts this season. As for the Bruins, Tuukka Rask will return to the Bruins' net for this contest (Halak played in Saturday's loss at Toronto). Rask is 3-0-1 (1.72 GAA & .946 SP) this season and 17-7-2 with a 2.13 GAA in 29 appearances against Toronto. Good luck...Larry |
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10-21-19 | Avalanche v. Blues -129 | Top | 1-3 | Win | 100 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the StL Blues at 8:00 ET. The Colorado Avalanche qualified for last year's postseason as the West's no. 8 seed but then upset the top-seeded Calgary Flames in the first round (4-1). The Avs then extended their second-round series with the Sharks to seven games, before losing. However, the Avs visit St Louis tonight with a 7-0-1 record, as the NHL’s ONLY team without a loss in regulation time. The Avalanche allowed 46 shots on Saturday but received a hat trick from Tyson Jost and took advantage of their opportunities in a 6-2 victory at Tampa Bay, setting a club record for most points through eight games (15). The St Louis Blues are the reigning Stanley Cup champion and were able to open the current with a four-game point streak. However, the Blues have lost FOUR straight (0-2-2), after giving up three unanswered goals in the second period of Saturday’s 5-2 home setback against Montreal. The addition of more scoring options up front has been one of the keys to the early-season surge by the Avs and the third line of Jost, J.T. Compher and Colin Wilson came up big Saturday with a total of eight points. However, Colorado's No. 1 line is a match for any other team's. Center Nathan MacKinnon (41 goals / 99 points) is surrounded by wings Gabriel Landeskog (34 goals / 75 points) and Mikko Rantanen (31 goals / 87 points). Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky were acquired from Toronto and Washington, respectively plus fellow forward Joonas Donskoi signed as a free agent to provide an added jolt to Colorado's offense. The No. 1 unit of MacKinnon, Rantanen and captain Landeskog has already combined for 22 points. No. 1 goalie Gribauer is 5-0-1 (2.79 GAA & .919) and backup Francouz is 2-0-0 (1.95 GAA & .951 SP). Center Brayden Schenn leads the Blues in goals (five) and points (eight), while David Perron scored his fourth goal in Saturday’s loss (has six points) and is four points shy of 500 for his career. Vladimir Tarasenko (seven points) has notched at least one point in four straight games and Jaden Schwartz also has a four-game point streak going, after scoring his first goal on Saturday (six points, as well). Goalie Jordan Binnington was a star for the Blues in last year's run to the Cup and he's expected back in net after being rested on Saturday. Binnington (2-1-3, 2.93 GAA & .909 SP) is 0-1-2 in his last three games, after earning at least one point while giving up a modest seven goals in his first three starts. The Avs won at Tampa Bay (last year's top team in the regular season, by far) but did allow 46 shots on goal. They now play another road game (the team's FIFTH of a six-game trip) at the home of the defending Cup champs. The Blues buckled against the Canadiens in a 5-2 loss at home Saturday. What's more, they blew two-goal leads in their two games prior to that, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks at home and a 3-2 overtime road loss to the New York Islanders.Time for St Louis to get its act together and for Jordan Binnington to step up. That's my bet! Good luck...Larry |
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10-16-19 | Maple Leafs v. Capitals -115 | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 12 h 47 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game of the Month is on the Was Caps at 7:00 ET. The Toronto Maple Leafs have opened 4-2-1, after scoring FOUR times in the second period to beat Minnesota 4-2 last. The victory comes following a four-game stretch in which the Maple Leafs won just ONCE (1-2-1). The Washington Capitals have opened 3-2-2 but are winless (0-1-2) in their first three games at home for the first time since the 1983-84 season. The Capitals gave up four goals in the first 9 minutes, 25 seconds of Monday’s 6-3 loss to Colorado at Capital One Arena and here's what head coach Todd Reirden told reporters about his team’s performance on Monday.“We got away from our team identity right from the start,” he said. “You could see the difference when we played to our identity and started to be physical and forecheck, now the whole game changed. We’ve got to be able to do that for 60 full minutes.” Mitch Marner recorded three points (one goal) and defenseman Morgan Rielly set up four goals on Tuesday, while Auston Matthews scored his team-best seventh goal, giving him eight points (one behind team-leaders Marner and Rielly). Captain John Tavares scored for the second time in three games (he has six points), while Frederik Andersen (4-2-0, 3.14 GAA & .893 SP) got the victory with a 27-save performance. Braden Holtby lasted just 7 minutes, 54 seconds on Monday, allowing three goals on as many shots and NEEDS to find his top form after opening the season 1-1-2 with a 4.27 GAA and .846 SP. Captain Alex Ovechkin has scored four of his team-leading five goals in the last three contests, while defenseman John Carlson has notched at least one point in SIX of his seven games this season. He leads the team with 11 points, including a club-high nine assists. We could see two backup goalies in this one. Andersen started and won last night for Toronto, which could mean backup Michael Hutchinson (0-0-1, 3.85 GAA & .894 SP) will make his second start on Wednesday."It’s a team, and we’re a team,” Reirden said of Holtby. “I’m sure there are some things that he would have liked to have done different. But there’s some things that a lot of us would have liked to have done different. We’re in this together.” However, Reirden yanked Holtby in favor of rookie Ilya Samsonov on Monday, who checks in with a 2-1-0 record (1.43 GAA & .944 SP). The goalie situation is irrelevant for me, it's more about a quality Washington team which after going 113-37-14 on home ice the previous four regular seasons, has gone winless in its first three games at home for the FIRST time since 1983-84 season. The Caps give the D.C. fans something to cheer about tonight, one night after the Nats clinched the franchise's first-ever World Series appearance by sweeping the Cards in the NLCS. Good luck...Larry |
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10-14-19 | Avalanche v. Capitals -127 | Top | 6-3 | Loss | -127 | 8 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Was Capitals at 5:00 ET. The Colorado Avalanche had the good fortune of opening the current NHL season with a four-game homestand. The Avs took advantage of that schedule by opening with three consecutive two-goal victories and then then pulled out a 3-2 OT win against Arizona this past Saturday. While Colorado is without a blemish in 2019-20, Washington snapped a three-game winless skid (0-1-2) with Saturday's 4-1 win at Dallas. The two teams meet tonight in Washington, as the Avs test their 4-0-0 start against the 3-1-2 Caps. Former Capital Andre Burakovsky recorded his second game-winning goal in as many contests, as he netted the OT winner on Saturday. The 24-year-old Russian is facing his former team for the first time since being traded to the Avalanche in June for a second- and third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Nathan MacKinnon (led Colorado LY with 99 points) is tied for the team with six points (5 assists with linemate Mikko Rantanen (2nd on the team with 87 points, who has three goals and three assists. The Avs are particularly happy with their decision to move on from offensive-minded blue-liner Tyson Barrie and shift their focus toward the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, Cale Makar. He has rewarded Colorado's faith in him by becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to begin his career with at least one point in his first four regular-season games. He has yet to score a goal but has five assists, scoring one goal and setting up five others in 10 playoff contests last spring. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has three goals and an assist in his last three contests and tops Washington with four goals. However, defenseman John Carlson recorded his third straight multi-point performance and fourth of the season after scoring and setting up a goal in Saturday's win and leads all NHL blue-liners in assists (eight) and points (10). The Capitals have had problems holding leads in the third period in the early going so far, but the defense and rookie goalie Ilya Samsonov made everything stand up against Dallas. Samsonov is thought to be the goalie who will take over for Braden Holtby as the veteran's contract expires after this season. Holtby has not started very well this season (1-1-2 with a 3.67 GAA & .868 SP) but is expected to be in net tonight, as he owns a 5-1-0 record with a 2.34 goals-against average in six career starts vs Colorado. Rookie goalie Pavel Francouz made his NHL debut and finished with 34 saves in Colorado's OT win on Saturday but he is the backup to Philipp Grubauer, who backed up goalie Braden Holtby during his time with the Capitals. Some (most?) may remember that Grubauer won the starting job heading into the 2017-18 playoffs but Holtby took it back and led Washington to the Stanley Cup. Grubauer was in net for Colorado's first three wins and has played well (2.34 GAA & .931 SP). Colorado's 4-0-0 start is the team's best in SIX years but as noted, this marks the team's FIRST game away from Denver. The Avs were a modest 17-16-8 on the road last season and I'm on the Caps in this one, as Holtby & Co. will be primed to best Grubauer . Good luck...Larry |
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10-12-19 | Penguins v. Wild -117 | Top | 7-4 | Loss | -117 | 11 h 1 m | Show |
My 10* play is on the Min Wild at 8:30 ET. The Minnesota Wild have opened 0-3-0 and are hoping that some home cookin' will cure what ails them. All three of the Wild's losses have come on the road as head coach Bruce Boudreau noted. "They've been three road games against three tough teams," he said following his team's losses to Central Division rivals Nashville, Colorado and Winnipeg. "Granted, we would have liked to have won one or two of them. But now we get to go home. No excuses." The Penguins, who are dealing with long-term injuries to key performers, salvaged a split of their season-opening four-game homestand with a 2-1 victory over Anaheim this past Thursday Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Nick Bjugstad and Alex Galchenyuk are all sidelined by injury, but head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters that he isn't interested in making wholesale changes even with team's injury list growing larger by the day. "I don't think we're going to change our identity or style of play. I think we're going to simplify our style of play," said Sullivan. Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk has limped out of the gate this season by yielding 11 goals on 93 shots this season (3.73 GAA / .882 SP). Those numbers are far above his career numbers i]of .255 GAA and .916 SP. Simply put, this marks Pittsburgh's first road game of the season, after the injury-riddled Pens were only able to split four home games. The task gets MUCH tougher here. Goaltender Matt Murray (2.52 GAA / .920 SP) has played all four Penguins games but with the team's first set of back-to-back games this weekend, backup Tristan Jarry stands a good chance of getting his first start of the season (that would be nice). The Wild are OVERDUE to play a good game. The time seems "just right' for that to happen in the club's home opener. Good luck...Larry |
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10-12-19 | Capitals +104 v. Stars | Top | 4-1 | Win | 104 | 11 h 59 m | Show |
My 9* play is on the Was Capitals at 8:00 ET. Both Washington (2-1-2) and Dallas (1-3-1) have played nothing but one-goal games this season, including the Stars winning 4-3 (OT) in Pittsburgh this past Tuesday. Both clubs come into this contest off a loss, as Caps blew a two-goal lead in a 6-5 loss at Nashville on Thursday, while the Stars fell to 0-1-1 at home this season after blowing a two-goal lead in a 3-2 shootout setback to Calgary on the same night. Alex Ovechkin scored twice Thursday, giving him three goals this season, as the future Hall of Famer is showing no signs of slowing down. T.J. Oshie is also off to a fast start with three goals, scoring on his only shot against Nashville. Goalie Braden Holtby (1-1-2 with a 3.67 GAA and .868 SP this season is expected between the pipes Saturday but he's 2-4-2 with a 4.02 goals-against average and .867 save percentage in nine career games (eight starts) versus the Stars. Roope Hintz recorded an assist on the power play Thursday for Dallas and is tops on the club with four goals and five points. Tyler Seguin (two) is the only other multiple goal scorer on the team. Goalie Ben Bishop ( with linemates Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov each tallying once. Ben Bishop is 1-2-1 on the season (2.48 GAA & .910 SP). I like the quick "rematch" situation here and expect the Caps to get some "revenge." Holtby's numbers vs the Stars are a mild concern but Bishop hasn't dome much better in his career vs the Caps. He made 29 saves in Tuesday's win at Washington but is just 4-6-2 with a 3.37 GAA and .891 SP in 13 games against Washington. Holtby is a former Vezina Trophy winner and his goaltending sparked the Caps to their Stanley Cup win in 2018. Washington is the play. Good luck...Larry |
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10-12-19 | Jets v. Blackhawks -120 | 3-2 | Loss | -120 | 10 h 1 m | Show | |
My 8* play is on the Chi Blackhawks at 7:00 ET. Patrik Laine signed late in training camp following a disappointing season but the 21-year-old forward is off to a flying start as the Winnipeg Jets head to Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Saturday. Laine has 10 points in his first five games for the 3-2-0 Jets (Jets have won THREE of four since losing their season-opener). Winnipeg visits a Chicago team that has opened by losing a pair of one-goal contests. Chicago beagn with a 4-3 loss to Philadelphia on Oct 4 in the NHL Global Series in Prague, Czech Republic and then opened a seven-game homestand with a 5-4 loss to the Sharks (it marks San Jose's lone win in a 1-4 start).. Laine finished with 20 assists a season ago but already has SEVEN through five games. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck posted his second consecutive strong outing in Thursday's 5-2 home win over the Wild, with 38 saves. He has stopped 75-of-78 shots across the last two games, giving him a 2.68 GAA and .927 SP on teh season. Chicago was playing its first game six days (after opening the season with that game in Prague) on Thursday and maybe that's why the Blackhawks lost FOUR, one-goal leads in the contest. Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford stopped 29-of-34 shots in Thursday's loss and owns a 4.63 GAA and .875 SP after two games. Robin Lehner, who signed with Chicago as a free agent after playing with the Islanders last season (25-13-5, 2.13 GAA & .930 SP) just may make his debut on Saturday against the Jets. Thursday's loss was the first contest of what will be a SEVEN-game homestand for Chicago and I expect the Blackhawks to grab their first win of the season in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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10-10-19 | Ducks v. Penguins -136 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 10 h 20 m | Show |
My 10* "signature" 36-Club Play is on the Pit Penguins at 7:00 ET. The Anaheim Ducks finished last season just 35-37-10 (80 points) and found themselves on the outside looking in on the 2019 postseason. It marked an end to SIX consecutive playoff appearances for the Kings and going back further, a run of 12 postseason appearances over a 15-year span (Ducks lost a Stanley Cup Final in 2003 but won the Cup in 2007). The Ducks will play the second contest of their four-game road trip against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, having opened 3-0-0. The Penguins made the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season in 2018-19 and have won three Stanley Cups in that span, in 2009, 2016 and 2017. However, the Penguins have opened the current season 1-2-0 and are facing early adversity in the form of long-term injuries John Gibson's sterling play between the pipes has been the common theme in all three of Anaheim's victories this season. He has turned aside 98 of 101 shots (.970 save percentage) while allowing just one goal in each contest (1.00 GAA). Anaheim showed its resolve in scoring three times in the third period on Tuesday, to earn a 3-1 win at Detroit. The Ducks are scoring only 2.67 GPG, surviving on the play of Gibson and the team's entire defense. Anaheim's penalty killing unit has been superb in front of Gibson, killing off all seven opponent power plays, giving the unit a "perfect score" by going 27 of 27, including the preseason. I noted Pittsburgh's injury woes at the top. The Pens are without centers Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bjugstad plus winger Bryan Rust (all are out for an extended period of time), and then lost winger Patric Hornqvist on Tuesday in the first period of a 4-1 loss against Winnipeg when he got hit by a shot taken by teammate Kris Letang. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan said Hornqvist and Galchenyuk are day-to-day because of lower-body injuries, which is better news than he has had on other injured players lately, but that does not mean one or both will be available against the Ducks. "John Gibson has got a massive amount of leadership skills in him and he's the best goalie in the game," new coach Dallas Eakins said after his netminder's 31-save performance in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Detroit.To put it mildly, that's VAST overstatement! Yes, Anaheim has opened with three straight wins but the first two came over Arizona and San Jose, teams which are 0-6-0 to open the season. Eakins may think Gibson's "the best in the game" but he should look at Matt Murray's resume, which includes winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in his first two seasons of his career (Murray is in his fourth season). Pittsburgh is far from 100 percent but Anaheim hasn't opened 4-0 in its history (first season was 1993-94) and Gibson owns a 4-4-0 record with a 3.80 goals-against average and .886 save percentage in eight career starts vs the Pens. 'Jump' all over Pittsburgh in this one! Good luck...Larry |
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10-08-19 | Bruins v. Golden Knights -138 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -138 | 14 h 50 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Veg Knights at 10:05 ET. The Boston Bruins lost Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final 4-1 at home to the St Louis Blues but have opened the current season by winning their first two games, both on the road. The Bruins continue their season-opening four-game road trip with a visit to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night. Vegas lost the 2018 Stanley Cup Final to the Washington Caps (4 games to 1) and like Boston, has opened the new season with two wins. The Bruins have eked out two one-goal wins, at Dallas (2-1) and then at Arizona (1-0). The Bruins are averaging only 23.0 shots on goal, ranking LAST of the NHL 31 teams. The team's 1.50 GPG average ranks 27th. Boston's top line of Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak were among the league's most potent units last season, combining for 108 goals, but they have managed only two points thus far. Tuukka Rask stopped 28 of 29 shots at Dallas and Jaroslav Halak had 35 saves for his 48th career shutout in the win over the Coyotes. Either goalie will represent a challenge for Vegas. As opposed to Boston, scoring has not been been an issue for Vegas, as the Golden Knights have posted NINE goals in completing a home-and-home sweep of San Jose. The Golden Knights jumped out to early 2-0 leads in the first period of each of their first two games plus owns three short-handed goals, as well. The Golden Knights' top line is centered by William Karlsson, who plays with wingers Mark Stone and Reilly Smith. Stone has a team-high four points, while Karlsson and Smith each have three points. Smith and Karlsson also play on the team's top line and are the main reason Vegas has snuffed out all 10 short-handed situations. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has stopped 55 of the 57 shots he's faced (1.00 GAA & .965 SP). Marc-Andre Fleury was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the Penguins in 2003–04 and during his 13 seasons with the team won Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017. However, with the emergence of Matt Murray, Fleury willingly waived his no trade and no movement clauses to be left exposed by the Penguins for 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, where he was subsequently selected by the Vegas Golden Knights. He's been the backbone of the team in its first two season and is expected to be so again this year. The Bruins remain on the road and the team has yet to 'unlock' its offense. No reason to expect that to change here, vs Fleury. Good luck...Larry |
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10-07-19 | Sabres v. Blue Jackets -115 | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 10 h 43 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the Col Blue Jackets at 7:00 ET. The Buffalo Sabres finished last season 33-39-10 (76 points), missing the postseason for the EIGHTH straight year (was also the team's SEVENTH straight losing season). In stark contrast, the Columbus Blue Jackets were able to sneak into the postseason by going 47-31-4 (98 points), claiming the East's No. 8 seed. Columbus was 'rewarded' by drawing the NHL's top team, the Tampa Bay Lightning which had 128 points. In a MAJOR upset, the Blue Jackets swept the Lightning in four games and then took a 2-1 lead over the Bruins, before losing three in a row. The two teams meet tonight in Columbus but it's the Sabres who have gotten off to a 2-0-0 start, not the 0-2-0 Blue Jackets. Buffalo opened teh season with a 3-1 win at Pittsburgh and then routed New Jersey 7-2 in its home opener on Saturday. Four players have recorded at least three points over the first two contests, with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin leading the charge with four. Ralph Krueger is just the fourth coach in franchise history to win his first two games, joining Marcel Pronovost (1977), Scotty Bowman (1979) and Jim Roberts (1981). Columbus has surrendered 11 goals while scoring just three in losing its first two games, after falling 7-2 in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Obviously, the Blue Jackets have struggled defensively, which is unlike a John Tortorella-coached team. "(The Penguins) end up scoring a few goals and then we lose our composure as far as how we have to play," Tortorella told the Blue Jackets' official website. "It just gives me a great opportunity to start teaching as far as what the patience of our game has to be." This is a GREAT spot for Columbus and I'll support the feelings of the Blue Jackets' 21-year-old center Pierre-Luc Dubois who said, "We're a (freaking) good team. We just have to believe in it." this relatively young Columbus club allowed five second-period goals during Saturday's ugly 7-2 loss at Pittsburgh. Columbus last opened with three straight defeats in 2015-16 and I say that "AIN'T happening here!" Good luck...Larry |
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10-04-19 | Capitals v. Islanders -116 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -116 | 14 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Division Game of the Month (Metropolitan) is on the NY Islanders at 7:05 ET. The New York Islanders finished one point behind the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division last season (104-to-103). Both squad disappointed in the playoffs in 2019, as the Caps lost a first-round series against the Hurricanes in seven games, after taking a 2-0 lead. As for the Isles, they swept the Pens in the opening round but then got swept by Carolina in the second round. However, all-in-all, it was an excellent season for New York and head coach Barry Trotz in his first season with the Isles. Trotz, who guided the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2017-18 before a contract dispute led him to move north, won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in the 2018-19 season. Washington opened its season Wednesday night in St Louis, against the defending champs. After the Blues raised their championship banner, they took a two-goal lead in the opening eight minutes but relying on its experience, Washington settled down, tied the score in the second period and won 3-2 when Jakub Vrana scored 2:51 into overtime. Goalie Braden Holtby has seen his win total dip in each of the last three seasons, from a career-high 48 in 2015-16 to just 32 last season. He got off to a shaky start against the Blues, who scored on two of their first three shots. However, he settled down as the Caps came back to win. That said, rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov is expected to make his first NHL start, tonight. New York pretty much stood pat and will basically feature the same roster from last season. The Islanders allowed the fewest goals in the league last season but did sustain a significant loss with the exodus of goaltender Robin Lehner (25-13-5, 2.13 GAA and .930 SP). However, Thomas Greiss (23-14-2) posted a 2.28 goals-against average and .927 save percentage to form an imposing tandem with Lehner. The Isles replaced Lehner with former Colorado netminder Semyon Varlamov. Greiss will be the team's No. 1 goalie and gets the start here in the team's season opener. Mathew Barzal, the top point producer in each of his first two seasons (62 LY and 85 the season before), centers the top line of Jordan Eberle (19 goals) and captain Anders Lee (team-high 28 goalies). Brock Nelson will skate alongside Josh Bailey on the second line, after each eclipsed 50 points last season. Veterans Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk plus youngsters Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews are part of a deep blue line. Tough spot for Washington, which is coming off a nice comeback win Wednesday at St Louis. The Caps play tonight at the NYI and then return home to face Carolina, which eliminated them in last season's opening round. Isles are the play. Good luck...Larry |
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10-03-19 | Flames +115 v. Avalanche | Top | 3-5 | Loss | -100 | 15 h 47 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Cal Flames at 9:00 ET. Bill Peters' first season behind the bench for the Calgary Flames saw the team amass a Western Conference-best 107 points. However, after taking Game 1 of their Opening Round series 4-0 against the No. 8-seeded Colorado Avalanche (just 90 points on the season), Calgary 'flamed out' by dropping FOUR consecutive games. The two teams will play tonight in Denver, as the Flames look to avenge their first-round series loss to the Avalanche. Restricted free-agent Matthew Tkachuk finally signed a three-year, $21 million contract during the last week of training camp, coming off a 34-goal, 77-point season for Calgary. Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm comprise an excellent No. 1 line in Calgary, combining to record 259 points (97 goals, 162 assists). Captain Mark Giordano registered an NHL-best plus-39 rating and claimed the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman. While Clagary owns an excellent No. 1 line, Colorado arguably features the best top line in the NHL in center Nathan MacKinnon (41 goals / 99 points) plus wings Gabriel Landeskog (34 goals / 75 points) and Mikko Rantanen (31 goals / 87 points). Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky were acquired from Toronto and Washington, respectively plus fellow forward Joonas Donskoi signed as a free agent to provide an added jolt to Colorado's offense. However, the Avalanche must deal with the subtraction of Tyson Barrie (59 points) after the offensive-minded defenseman was traded to the Maple Leafs. The good news is, Colorado does have rookie defenseman Cale Makar. He won the Hobey Baker Award as a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts and he was on the ice against the Flames just two days after playing the NCAA title game. Makar finished with a goal and five assists in 10 playoff games and now gets to experience the NHL regular season. Calgary was the vastly superior team last year, going 50-25-7 to 38-30-14, before collapsing in the first round. Getting to open the new season playing the Avs, who ended the Flames' season so abruptly, is a great spot. Note that the Flames were 24-15-2 on the road last season, with only Tampa Bay (128 points) owning more road wins (30). Golaie David Rittich posted a sizzling 20-4-4 mark in his first 31 games last season before his declining numbers down the stretch relegated him to a backup role behind Mike Smith. However, Smith is now with the Oilers with Cam Talbot now competing with Rittich. Colorado's No. 1 goalie Semyon Varlamov is now playing for the New York Islanders, meaning Philipp Grubauer, who has spent his NHL career primarily as a backup, is now "the man." I'm backing Calgary in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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10-02-19 | Capitals +128 v. Blues | Top | 3-2 | Win | 128 | 13 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* NHL Game of the Week is on the Was Caps at 8:00 ET. The two most recent Stanley Cup champions will take the ice on Wednesday, as St Louis (2019 champs) will host Washington (2018 champs) at the Enterprise Center, previously known as the Scottrade Center. The Blues will hoist their championship banner before the game but as reigning Conn Smythe and Selke Trophy recipient Ryan O'Reilly notes, "I think (the banner raising is) the last reflection before you start the journey again to the next one. Once it's up, it's back to work to do it again. I'm excited for that. The best part of the journey is playing the game and being together as a group." Speaking of "a group," St Louis returns much of the same roster that led the team to the franchise's first-ever title. The Caps exorcised their playoff demons by winning the 2018 Stanley Cup but last season was eliminated in the first round by Carolina, after taking a 2-0 lead (same old, same old). Washington owns a roster with very few flaws. AlexOvechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and former Blue T.J. Oshie headline a Washington team that kept much of its potent offensive firepower in the fold, save for Brett Connolly (Florida). The most significant offseason change affected the team's blue line, as Brooks Orpik retired and the club acquired Radko Gudas from Philadelphia for fellow defenseman Matt Niskanen. Perennial Norris Trophy contender John Carlson still anchors a solid defense in front of Braden Holtby, who remains a solid netminder. The Blues return the bulk of their championship team, losing only winger Pat Maroon to the Tampa Bay Lightning via free agency and swapping defenseman Joel Edmundson to the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Justin Faulk. Faulk is a three-time All-Star and joins captain Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko, Jay Bouwmeester, Vince Dunn and Carl Gunnarsson along the back line in front of Jordan Binnington, who sported a 24-5-1 record with a 1.89 goals-against average and .927 save percentage en route to being named a Calder Trophy finalist. Vladimir Tarasenko eclipsed 30 goals for the fifth straight season with a club-best 33 tallies, while O'Reilly collected team-leading totals in both assists (49) and points (77) in his first season with the Blues. It's only Game 1 of an 82-game season but I 'LOVE' the visiting Caps in this one. We all know just how hard it is to repeat in the modern NHL. There's a reason so few teams can do it (and why it was so rare the Penguins pulled it off recently). The Blues' 26-game playoff run was taxing, especially since they were playing such a heavy brand of hockey. Many players spent the summer not only celebrating but recovering from significant injuries. In the Blues' amazing postseason run last year, they were a dominating 10-3 on the road but just 6-7 at home. Take the price! Good luck...Larry |
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06-12-19 | Blues v. Bruins -145 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -145 | 14 h 19 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game of the Week is on the Bos Bruins at 8:08 ET. The Boston Bruins have won SIX previous NHL championships (most recently hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2011) but they have never before played host to Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final. As for the Blues, they are looking for the franchise's first-ever NHL championship after entering the series 0-12 over three previous trips to the finals. St Louis had a chance to close things out at home in Game 6 on Sunday but Boston dominated the contest from the start and won, 5-1. This contest marks the 17th time the finals have gone seven games, with the home team going 12-4 in the previous 16 instances. Rookie Jordan Binnington will once again step "between the pipes," giving him a second chance to set the single postseason rookie win total of 16 (he already owns the record for road wins with nine). Binnington allowed four goals on 31 shots in Sunday's Game 6 loss but the Blues are counting on the fact that he has posted a 7-2 record with a 1.86 goals-against average in games after defeats in the playoffs. Ryan O'Reilly has scored four goals and set up another in his last three games to push his overall playoff point total to 21 (seven goals, 14 assists), matching a franchise record with Hall of Famers Doug Gilmour (1986), Bernie Federko (1986) and Brett Hull (1990). However, Jaden Schwartz (the team's leading goal-scorer in the playoffs with 12), has yet to score this series.Another HUGE factor has been the Blues' inability to convert on the power play, as they are just 1-of-18 in the series! I was "all over" the Bruins in Game 6 and noted prior to that contest that Rask was "the key" and he sure made me look smart in making 28 saves (12 came while St Louis was on the power play). Rask will take the ice tonight with the lowest GAA of any playoff goalie (1.93 per) and the best SP (.938) of any netminder. Boston's No. 1 line (Marchand, Pastrnak & Bergeron) each own nine postseason goals, with Marchand leading all players with 23 postseason points. I WANT Boston's experience in this Game 7. Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci, captain Zdeno Chara and Tuukka Rask have all previously traversed this terrain by suiting up in a winner-take-all contest in Vancouver in 2011 (note: Chara will play in his 14th Game 7, passing Hall of Famers Patrick Roy and Scott Stevens for the most in the NHL). Yes, Binnington has been terrific this postseason, especially coming off a loss (see above) but he has NOT been better than Rask (as just noted, above). Let me add that in three "elimination" games this postseason, Rask is 3-0 with a 1.33 GAA, having saved 145 of 149 shots (.973 SP!). I noted above that this will mark the first time that the Bruins will host a Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final. Let me add that the City of Boston hasn't hosted a Game 7 in a championship round since the NBA's Celtics in 1984 (note: Celtics beat the Lakers 1111-102 in that one). Unlike the St Louis players and fans who were not up to the challenge in Game 6, I expect the Bruins (particularly Rask, who should win the Conn Smythe) and their fans will 'rule the day!' Good luck...Larry |
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06-09-19 | Bruins +110 v. Blues | Top | 5-1 | Win | 110 | 13 h 42 m | Show |
My 10* NHL Game of the Year is on the Bos Bruins at 8:00 ET. I'm sure you've all heard this before. The St Louis Blues were through Jan 2. As the team got set to play its first game of 2019 (on Jan 3), St Louis sat at the bottom of the pack in the NHL with a 15-18-4 record and the fewest points in the NHL. Fast-forward five months later and the Blues are on the verge of completing a stunning turnaround. ONE more win (in Game 6 or 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals) and St Louis would capture its first Stanley Cup.The teams split the first two games of the series but Boston exploded for a 7-2 win in Game 3, chasing rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington after he allowed FIVE goals on 24 shots. However, the Blues rebounded to win Game 4 (4-2) and Game 5 in Boston (2-1), as Binnington stopped 59 of 62 shots (.952 SP). Boston enters this "must-win" game getting just two assists in the past two losses from its No. 1 line. Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak combined for 106 goals in the regular season and have 55 points in the playoffs. Bottom line is, Boston's play the last two games hasn't been good enough. The Blues' physical style is bothering the Bruins, forcing key mistakes that wind up in the back of the net. Of particular note, St. Louis has been the better team in 5-on-5 play AND the Bruins' potent power play is 0-for-5 in the past two games, after converting in each of the previous SEVEN contests (that includes Boston's 4-for-4 performance on 4 shots in Game 3). The Blues' turnaround coincided with the arrival of Jordan Binnington, who went 24-5-1 following his promotion from the minors in early January and is coming off his best game of the Finals with a 38-save performance in Game 5. Center Ryan O'Reilly is riding a four-game point streak and has been HUGE in the back-to-back wins, with three goals and an assist. Here's the setting. The Bruins are facing elimination Sunday night in Game 6 and will be playing in what should be a charged-up Enterprise Center. The cheapest ticket on the open market, according to StubHub, is going for more than $2,000. St Louis can become the first team in four years to win the Cup on its home ice and can also win the Cup for the first time in its 52-year history. It all seems too perfect for me. Note that while St Louis is 9-3 on the road during the postseason, the Blues are only 6-6 here at home. Yes, Binnington matched a postseason rookie record with 15 wins and set another with nine road victories but he's NOT the best goalie this postseason. That 'title' belongs to Boston's Tuukka Rask. He owns the postseason's lowest GAA (1.97) and best save percentage (.937), while Binnington's GAA (2.46) ranks 10th among all playoff goalies and his .913 SP is tied for 12th. St Louis may win its first-ever Cup but the Blues WON'T win it here in Game 6! Good luck...Larry |
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06-03-19 | Bruins v. Blues -110 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 11 h 25 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game of the Week is on the StL Blues at 8:00 ET. The St Louis Blues beat the Bruins 3-2 (OT) in Game 2 of the Cup Finals to ties the series at one-all, but after waiting 49 years between hosting games in the Stanley Cup Final, got steamrolled by the Bruins 7-2 in Game 3. The Bruins scored four power-play goals on as many shots, defenseman Tory Krug (goal, three assists) became the first-ever Bruin to record four points in Cup Finals game and SEVEN different Boston players scored. Boston's "Perfection Line"( Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak) combined for five points in Game 3. Goalie Rask made 27 saves and owns an NHL-best 1.91 GAA and .939 SP in the postseason. As for the Blues, standout rookie goalie Jordan Binnington was pulled for the first time in 52 starts this season, after allowing FIVE goals on 19 shots. However, most feel that only ONE of those scores could be blamed entirely on Binnington, who got little help from his defense. Binnington will be back in goal tonight and St Louis head coach Craig Berube said, "My confidence level in him is really high" Berube added that he was at a loss as to why his club has been whistled for penalties as much as it has in the first three games of Stanley Cup Final. "First of all, we were the least penalized team in the league in the first three rounds; now all of a sudden we've taken 14 penalties in one series." Let's not forget, St Louis actually came out and controlled the first six minutes on Saturday night, taking its cue from a revved-up crowd seeing the first finals game in the city since 1970. The Blues outshot Boston 5-0 out of the gate, but Rusk was up to the challenge. Boston converted its first power play in only 21 seconds and gradually choked the life out of the home crowd. It's "NOW or NEVER" for the Blues in Game 4. That's my bet. Good luck...Larry |
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05-21-19 | Sharks +150 v. Blues | Top | 1-5 | Loss | -100 | 14 h 43 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game of the Week is on the SJ Sharks at 8:08 ET. The St Louis Blues have outscored the Sharks 7-1 since the controversial hand-pass goal that ended Game 3 and put them in a 1-2 'hole' in their series with the San Jose Sharks. However, the back-to-back wins mean the Blues are now in a position to "punch their ticket" to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1970 with one more victory. Turnarounds are nothing new for the Blues this season, as they owned the NHL's worst record back on Jan 2! As for the San Jose Sharks, they aren't just facing elimination heading back to St. Louis for Game 6 of their Western Conference final, they are also facing questions about the availability of some key cogs in their lineup. San Jose captain Joe Pavelski (upper body), two-time Norris Trophy recipient Erik Karlsson (undisclosed) and Tomas Hertl (upper body) missed significant time in Sunday's 5-0 setback to St Louis while Joonas Donskoi (upper body) returned after being injured earlier in the contest. San Jose head coach Peter DeBoer has shed little light on that topic ahead of the Sharks' potential elimination game Tuesday at Enterprise Center. "We're still alive," Sharks forward Logan Couture told reporters. "We've been in this spot before, going to Vegas down 3-2 in a very difficult building. St Louis is similar, it's a tough building against a good team. A structured team." St Louis comes into this contest off its most dominating performance of the playoffs. Jaden Schwartz recorded a hat trick and goalie Jordan Binnington made 21 saves for his first career playoff shutout."If you saw the game, you saw how good everyone on the team played," Binnington told Sportsnet after the game. "Everyone was outstanding, making the right decisions, playing hard and playing disciplined. That's a good team win." The rookie goaltender has turned aside 50 of 51 shots in his last two contests. This scenario seems too good to be true. St Louis made the Cup final in each of its first three seasons but hasn't returned since. Awaiting the Blues if they win tonight are the Boston Bruins. The last time the Blues reached the championship round, they lost to the Bruins, a result forever framed by the famous image of Bobby Orr flying through the air after scoring the Cup-winning goal. Again, you can't make this stuff up. However, I will note that while the Blues are 7-2 on the road this postseason, they are a modest 4-5 at home! As for the Sharks, they overcame a 3-1 deficit in the first round against Vegas by winning Games 5, 6 and 7. San Jose then won a Game 7 vs Colorado, which makes them a PERFECT 4-0 in elimination games this postseason. Make that 5-0, as this series is headed for a Game 7. Good luck...Larry |
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05-19-19 | Blues v. Sharks -125 | 5-0 | Loss | -125 | 8 h 17 m | Show | |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SJ Sharks at 3:08 ET. Jordan Binnington made 29 saves in leading the Blues to a 2-1 win in Game 4, which sent this series back to San Jose for a Game 5, tied at two-all. The San Jose Sharks are 7-3 this postseason at SAP Center but the St Louis Blues are an impressive 6-2 on the road in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. That sets the stage for Sunday's Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Binnington, coming off shaky efforts in Game 1 and Game 3 losses (stopped just 46 of 56 shots for an .821 save percentage), set a franchise record with his 10th postseason victory this year and became only the 10th rookie goaltender to record double-digit wins in a single playoff run in league history. Martin Jones, San Jose's oft-criticized goalie rebounded from allowing four goals in the second period to stop the next 15 shots that came his way in Game 3, when the Sharks came back to win in OT. "It gets lost when we tie it up and win it in overtime," captain Joe Pavelski said. "But the critical saves he makes down the stretch ... (that) buys us some time to tie that thing up, were pretty important, pretty special." Don't blame Jones for the Game 4 loss, as he stopped 20 of 22 shots. Returning home will be good news for two San Jose players. Tomas Hertl scored a power-play goal in the third period for his first point of the series in Game 4 (and second on the road), as opposed to the 13 points (eight goals, five assists) he's posted at home. Defenseman Brent Burns has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 10 home contests in the playoffs. We know that when conference finals are tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 owns an all-time series record of 19-8. More importantly, it's IMPOSSIBLE to ignore what's been going on with San Jose. After overcoming a 3-1 deficit against Vegas in winning Games 5, 6 and 7, the Sharks have alternated wins and loses in the team's last 11 games, winning Games 1, 3, 5 and 7 vs the Avs (lost Games 2, 4 and 6), with that trending continuing this series (won Games 1 & 3, while losing Games 2 & 4). I've been 'dialed in' on these two teams (9-1 in contests involving at least one of these teams in the 2019 playoffs) and I'll 'go to the well' again here, expecting the Sharks to follow their above-mentioned pattern and follow a game 4 loss with a win in Game 5. Good luck...Larry |
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05-17-19 | Sharks v. Blues -133 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 12 h 15 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the StL Blues at 8:08 ET. A hand pass by San Jose's Timo Meier, undetected by the officials and not reviewable under NHL rules, led to San Jose defenseman Erik Karlsson's goal 5:23 into overtime on Wednesday. The 5-4 victory puts San Jose up 2-1 in this best-of-seven series. Karlsson, the two-time Norris Trophy recipient joined the ageless Joe Thornton with two scores in Game 3, as the 39-year-old became the oldest player in NHL history to record a multi-goal performance in a playoff game. Meanwhile, St Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube told reporters on that his team is intent on moving past the controversy. "It is hard (to move on), for sure. It's not easy to do. It's a test. That's how you look at it," Berube said Thursday. "It's a tough play, tough call, but it's just a test, and we've been tested over and over throughout the season and the playoffs, and I think we're pretty good at bouncing back. That's the way I look at it. It's a mental thing more than anything." Lost in the controversy was Martin Jones' performance in Game 3, as the oft-criticized goalie rebounded from allowing four goals in the second period to stop the next 15 shots that came his way. "It gets lost when we tie it up and win it in overtime," captain Joe Pavelski said. "But the critical saves he makes down the stretch ... (that) buys us some time to tie that thing up, were pretty important, pretty special." In contrast, Jones' "opposite number," StL rookie goalie Jordan Binnington (1.89 GAA and .927 SP in the regular season), has stopped just 46 of 56 shots (.821 SP) in losing Games 1 and 3. However, it's IMPOSSIBLE to ignore what's been going on with San Jose. After overcoming a 3-1 deficit against Vegas in winning Games 5, 6 and 7, the Sharks have alternated wins and loses in the team's last 10 games, winning Games 1, 3, 5 and 7 vs the Avs (lost Games 2, 4 and 6), with that trending continuing this series (won Games 1 and 3, while losing Game 2). I've been 'dialed in' on these two teams (8-1 in contests involving at least one of these teams in the 2019 playoffs) and I'll 'go to the well' again here, expecting the Sharks to follow their above-mentioned pattern, one more time. Good luck...Larry |
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05-14-19 | Bruins v. Hurricanes -110 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 46 m | Show |
My NHL 10*Game of the Week is on the Car Hurricanes at 8:08 ET. The Boston Bruins needed to come from behind to win each of their first two series but they have outscored the Hurricanes 11-4 in winning the first two games of this Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 2-0 start in this series has extended Boston's postseason winning streak to FIVE in row (since trailing Columbus 2-1 in the previous round). For Carolina, the Hurricanes return home for the second time in this postseason facing a 2-0 deficit. They overcame that in the first round against the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, winning all three home games in that series and then winning a Game 7 in Washington. Boston took Game 1 by a 5-2 score, then won 6-2 in Game 2, despite its vaunted No. 1 unit contributing only two assists. It was the team's third line which came up big, as Charlie Coyle, Marcus Johansson and Dalton Heinen combined for seven points to boost their totals to 11 goals and 17 assists in the playoffs. As good as Boston's No. 1 line is, the Bruins have had 21 players post at least one point in this spring's playoffs (19 players have at least one goal!). Then there is goalie Tuukka Rask, who has stopped 50 of 54 shots in the first two games (.926 save percentage). Speaking of goaltenders, Petr Mrazek was hurt in Game 2 of Carolina's second round series against the New York Islanders and did not return until the series opener against Boston. He maintains the injury and subsequent layoff were not factors in giving up 10 goals in the first two games (.808 SP). “I’m feeling good, no issue with that,” Mrazek said. “I don’t think it was that long a break, maybe nine or 10 days. I was feeling pretty good. I’m not going to look past, just look forward to the next one.” However, head coach Rod Brind’Amour acknowledged that he is contemplating a change in net for Game 3, which would mean a switch to Curtis McElhinney, who earned three wins by turning aside 71 of 75 shots in 7 1/2 periods against New York (.947 SP). Either way, expect to see an improved Hurricanes team in Game 3. Obviously, the Hurricanes face a "must-win situation" when they host the Bruins tonight. The good news is, Carolina is a PERFECT 5-0 at home in the 2019 playoffs, outscoring their opponents 22-7. I'm "all over" Carolina in Game 3 on Tuesday night. Good luck...Larry |
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05-11-19 | Blues v. Sharks -125 | Top | 3-6 | Win | 100 | 32 h 18 m | Show |
My 10* West Conf Finals Game 1 Stunner is on the SJ Sharks at 8:08 ET. St Louis owned the fewest points in NHL back on Jan 3 but the team's fortunes changed with the insertion of rookie Jordan Binnington as its No. 1 goalie. He posted a 24-5-1 mark with five shutouts and 1.89 goals-against average during the regular season and he's more than held his own in his first Stanley Cup action, posting a 2.39 GAA and .915 SP. The Blues upset the favored Winnipeg Jets in a six-game first-round series (won all three road games), then knocked off the Dallas Stars in double-overtime in Game 7 of the second round. San Jose finished second in the Pacific Division with 101 points (second-most points in the West) but promptly fell behind Vegas 3-1 in the first round. However, the Sharks overcame that deficit to take the series in a Game 7 at home. San Jose trailed 3-0 in the third period in that deciding contest but four, third-period goals got then into OT, where they won it. San Jose's second round series win did not come any easier, as they alternated wins and losses with the Avs, clinching the series with yet another Game 7 home win, 3-2. The Sharks won two of three meetings with the Blues in the regular season, but that hardly matters here. San Jose has won three of the five series in the playoffs against St Louis, including a six-game victory in the 2016 conference final. While that series is not really relevant to this year's matchup, it is worth mentioning that San Jose's win over St Louis back in 2016, sent the Sharks to their only trip to the Stanley Cup Final (lost in six games to the Pens). As for the Blues, they last reached the Stanley Cup Final way back in 1970, getting swept by the Bruins (remember Bobby Orr's Game 4 winning goal in OT). The 2016 matchup may be well in the rear-view mirror but both teams feature key players who were involved in the teams' last playoff meeting. Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic for the Sharks; Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Pietrangelo for the Blues.Binnington's play has been the bigger story this year (regular and postseason) but DON'T overlook San Jose's Martin Jones. His postseason appeared headed 'south,' after being pulled twice in the first four games of the first-round series versus Vegas. However, he turned things around with a sizzling .928 save percentage over the team's last 10 games with San Jose winning SEVEN times. The Blues are 5-1 on the road this postseason but the Sharks are 6-2 at home in SAP Center. It also good news that San Jose captain Joe Pavelski made a triumphant return from injury with a goal and an assist in Game 7 against Colorado. The Blues 'limp' into this series just 1-for-20 on the power play over their last six games. Expect San Jose to grab the Game 1 win. Good luck...Larry |
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05-08-19 | Avalanche v. Sharks -135 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 13 h 2 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game 7 Decider is on the SJ Sharks at 9:00 ET. The San Jose Sharks rebounded form a 3-1 deficit to oust the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round and opened this series with a 5-2 Game home win. The Colorado Avalanche have been swimming upstream throughout this best-of-7 series but after staving off elimination with a 4-3 home overtime victory on Monday, Colorado is one win away from advancing to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2002. However, for that to happen, the Avs will have to break the pattern of the teams alternating wins and losses throughout the entire series. We saw last night just how hard it is to win a Game 7 on the road. Dallas' Ben Bishop mad e 52 saves but the Stars still lost 2-1 in double-OT at St Louis. I won't over-think this. Here's the bottom line. San Jose has won 18 of its last 20 at home (playoffs included) versus Colorado. The Sharks erased a three-goal, third-period deficit in Game 7 of their opening round series against Vegas but this Game 7 win will come with much less drama. Play the Sharks. Good luck...Larry |
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05-06-19 | Sharks v. Avalanche -115 | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 14 h 31 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game of the Week is on the Col Avalance at 10:08 ET. The San Jose Sharks rebounded form a 3-1 deficit to oust the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round and they are fully aware that they'll likely see a very focused and determined Colorado Avalanche team in tonight's Game 6, as the Avs have their proverbial 'backs to the wall" in this one. "We faced three elimination games against Vegas (in the first round). We didn't go away easily, and I don't anticipate (Colorado is) going to either," San Jose coach Peter DeBoer told reporters on the heels of Saturday's 2-1 victory in Game 5. The Sharks Tomas Hertl recorded his second multi-goal performance of the 2019 playoffs and third of his postseason career when he accounted for both goals in San Jose's Game 5 win. Logan Couture collected an assist on Hertl's power-play goal in the second period and his 13 points (NHL-best nine goals, four assists) are tied for the scoring lead with Boston's Brad Marchand and Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Much-maligned goalie Martin Jones has turned aside 21 of 22 shots on Saturday, improving his save percentage to .936 over the last eight games. Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon (5 goals / 8 assists) saw his point streak halted at eight games in Saturday's 2-1 loss. Colorado's top line registered 41 shots on goal in the previous four games of the series but was limited to five on Saturday, Rantanen (6 goals / 7 assists) has recorded multi-point performances in three of Colorado's four home games, including a two-assist effort in Thursday's 3-0 win in Game 4. Expect the Avs' No. 1 line to respond tonight, in a big way. Like Rantanen, Colorado goalie Philipp Grubauer has been a star at Pepsi Center during the 2019 playoffs. He owns a 3-1 record with a 1.69 goals-against average and .945 save percentage at home this postseason. San Jose is headed home after this one for a second straight Game 7 on its home ice. Good luck...Larry |
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05-06-19 | Bruins v. Blue Jackets -119 | 3-0 | Loss | -119 | 10 h 58 m | Show | |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Col Blue Jackets at 7:08 ET. The Boston Bruins' top line did almost nothing in first three games of the Eastern Conference second-round series and the Bruins fell behind 2-1. However, the trio of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron has erupted for 11 points over the last two games, as Boston has taken a 3-2 lead in the series with 5-2 and 4-3 wins.The Columbus Blue Jackets shocked all with a four-game sweep over Tampa Bay but now, after back-to-back losses, face elimination here in Game 6. Bergeron scored twice in Game 4 and Marchand upped the ante two nights later, scoring his first goal of the series and setting up two others. Boston's top line has accounted for 11 points (six goals, five assists) in the past two contests. However, let's not forget center David Krejci, who opened the scoring in the second period on Saturday, giving him his eighth point (three goals, five assists) in his last 10 games. Columbus has had plenty guys step up as well. Defenseman Seth Jones scored to ignite the Blue Jackets' three-goal surge in a 3:25 span of the third period, giving him points in six of nine postseason games. In-season trade acquisition Matt Duchene boosted his point total to 10 (five goals, five assists) after assisting on former Ottawa teammate Ryan Dzingel's score. Artemi Panarin set up defenseman Dean Kukan's game-tying goal with 6:02 remaining in the third period on Saturday to push his point total to a team-leading 11 (five goals, six assists). I love the way Columbus has spread its scoring around. In fact, Dzingel and Kukan's goals in Game 5, gave Columbus 16 different players who have scored this postseason! Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella provided bulletin-board material with his press conference following Saturday's setback. "Things happen for a reason. And I truly believe that. We'll be back here for Game 7," said Tortorella. However, let me note that he was unsuccessful with a similar boast in last year's first-round series against eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington. That said, his team has won Columbus has won THREE of its four postseason games at Nationwide Arena this postseason. Seth Jones said he believes his team ratchets up the intensity when it plays at Nationwide Arena. "Just play smart hockey, play our style of hockey for a full 60 minutes, we should be fine," he said of Monday's contest. "We're excited about the energy in the building and the way the environment and our fans are going to react for us in Game 6." I'm with Tortorella and Jones. Good luck...Larry |
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05-03-19 | Islanders +120 v. Hurricanes | Top | 2-5 | Loss | -100 | 11 h 3 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the NY Islanders at 7:08 ET. The New York Islanders shocked Pittsburgh by completing a four-game sweep and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for just the second time in 26 years. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes (in the postseason for the first time since 2009) advanced to the conference semifinals by rebounding from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to eliminate the defending champions Caps, with a 4-3 double-OT win at Washington in Game 7. The Islanders allowed the fewest goals in the league (196) and then saw Robin Lehner post a 1.47 GAA and a .956 save percentage in sweeping the Pens. Carolina goaltender Petr Mrazek won 11 of his final 13 games in the regular season and then posted a 2.54 goals-against average against Washington. A competitive series was expected but the Carolina Hurricanes, who were teetering on the brink of elimination under two weeks ago against the Caps, head into this Game 4 on a FIVE-game winning streak (Games 6 & 7 vs Washington plus Games 1-3 vs the NYI), looking to sweep their way into the Eastern Conference finals. "We're up 3-0, the last is the hardest, it always is," Carolina captain Justin Williams said after he scored the go-ahead goal midway into the third period of Wednesday's 5-2 win over New York. As for teh Islanders, New York will try to become just the fifth team in NHL history to rally and win a series after losing the first three games. "There's only one way to look at it. You have to earn the right to keep playing," Islanders captain Anders Lee said. "Game 4 is (Friday). We have to win it. That's all it is. We have to keep ourselves alive." The Islanders never led in Game 3 but they were competitive from the get-go. The 5-2 final was deceiving, because the final two goals were empty-net tallies. Carolina's Curtis McElhinney became the oldest goalie to start his first Stanley Cup playoff game in place of Petr Mrazek, and more than held up his end of the bargain in Game 3 by turning aside 28 shots. Mrazek is nursing a lower-body injury and coach Rod Brind'Amour said on Thursday. "We can't rush a goalie back. ... When he's 100 percent, then we'll get him back in there." Whether it's Mrazek or McElhinney, I'm on the Islanders to avoid the sweep. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has directed teams out of playoff deficits in the past and while an 0-3 hole may be asking too much, avoiding a sweep is NOT. After all, the last time a team swept a seven-game first-round series and then got swept in the second round was back in 1993 (Buffalo Sabres). New York scored 14 goals in sweeping the Pens but enters this game with just THREE goals on 88 shots in losing the first three of the series. That HAS to change, right? The bet says "NO sweep!" Good luck...Larry |
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05-02-19 | Sharks v. Avalanche -117 | Top | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 15 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Col Avalanche at 10:08 ET. The San Jose Sharks fell behind the Vegas Golden Knights three games-to-one but were able to extend that series to a Game 7, which they won 5-4 in OT. The Sharks needed to score FOUR goals in the third period of that contest to get into OT. San Jose now has a chance to take its own 3-1 lead in a series, when the Sharks play tonight in Denver against the Avalanche. San Jose won the series opener by twice erasing deficits before running away with a 5-2 win, lost Game 2 at home 4-3 but then in Game 3 at Pepsi Center, blew a 2-0 lead before Logan Couture scored two third-period goals for a 4-2 win. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar showed plenty of emotion after his team's loss on Tuesday. "To me, we didn't consistently work for the puck, didn't talk (for) the puck and in turn our execution was poor," Bednar said after the game. "We made some bonehead decisions with the puck, too, at times. The bulk of their scoring chances come off turnover plays and mismanaging the puck and just poor execution." Logan Couture's two third-period goals gave him a hat trick and an NHL-best nine postseason goals. Couture had 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) during San Jose's run to the Stanley Cup in 2016 and his 43 postseason goals are one more than Sidney Crosby for the second-best total (Alex Ovechkin, 50) since he entered the league in 2010. Goalie Martin Jones allowed nine goals in the team's Game 2 and 3 losses to Vegas and then after allowing two goals on seven shots in Game 4, was benched. However, he returned in goal for Game 5 and has now allowed 14 goals in his last six starts, going 5-1 in that stretch! Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon is giving Logan Couture a run for his money, as his second period goal in Game 3 extended his point streak to seven games (five goals, seven assists. The Avs surely don't want to fall behind 3-1, so figure to view this contest as almost a "must-win!' Home is where the heart is and while Colorado did stumble in Game 3, the Avs had won EIGHT in a row at home and owned a 13-3-1 mark in a 17-game stretch at the Pepsi Center, prior to Tuesday's loss. Expect Colorado to send this series back to San Jose tied at two-all. Good luck...Larry |
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05-01-19 | Blues v. Stars -119 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 15 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* NHL Game of the Week is on the Dal Stars at 9:38 ET. The St Louis Blues were last in the NHL (15-18-4) back on Dec 31 but fashioned one of the best mid-season turnarounds in NHL history by 30-10-5 to end teh regular season. St Louis’ fortunes turned around with the emergence of goaltender Jordan Binnington, who did not make his first NHL start until Jan 7. Binnington had played one game for the Blues in 2015-16, but set a franchise record for wins by a rookie, while finishing 24-5-1 with a league-leading 1.89 GAA (also had an impressive .927 save percentage). The Blues eliminated the Jets in six games and currently hold a 2-1 edge in their Western Conference semifinal, after taking Game 3 in Dallas, 4-3. St Louis is a perfect 4-0 on the road this postseason but Dallas is in a familiar position. The Stars also Game 3 at home in their opening round before rattling off three straight victories to oust Nashville. "Guys that have been in this situation, you know the ups and downs," Dallas defenseman Ben Lovejoy said. "What we did in the first round is came out and played probably our best game of the playoffs in Game 4. We need that effort again." Jordan Binnington tied a league record by notching his first 30 wins in only 39 games (playoffs included) with his Game 3 victory but he is allowing 2.65 GPG, almost a goal per game higher than in the regular season. St Louis surrendered the lead THREE times in Game 3 but came away with a one-goal win in what was in a thrilling contest, particularly over the final seven minutes of play. Is that good or bad news? As for the Stars, has falling short despite repeated comebacks in Game 3, sapped the 'life' out of them? My bet says "No way!" Ben Bishop is a veteran goaltender and has played better than Binnington this postseason, allowing 2.26 GPG (to Binnington's 2.65), with a .931 SP (Binnington's is .910). This series heads back to St Louis, tied at two-all! Good luck...Larry |
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05-01-19 | Islanders +109 v. Hurricanes | 2-5 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 52 m | Show | |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the NY Islanders at 7:08 ET. The New York Islanders shocked Pittsburgh by completing a four-game sweep and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for just the second time in 26 years. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes (in the postseason for the first time since 2009) advanced to the conference semifinals by rebounding from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to eliminate the defending champions Caps, with a 4-3 double-OT win at Washington in Game 7. The Islanders allowed the fewest goals in the league (196) and then saw Robin Lehner post a 1.47 GAA and a .956 save percentage in sweeping the Pens. Carolina goaltender Petr Mrazek won 11 of his final 13 games in the regular season and then posted a 2.54 goals-against average against Washington. Carolina is up 2-0 with a 1-0 OT win in Game 1 and a 2-1 victory in Game 2. Both netminders had 31 saves in Game 1 and in Game 2, Lehner faced just 18 shots (allowed two goals), while Mrazek stopped nine of 10 shots before suffering a lower-body injury. However, Curtis McElhinney turned aside all 17 shots he faced in relief of Mrazek in Game 2's 2-1 victory. Mrazek will sit this one out but Carolina expects rookie Andrei Svechnikov (20 goals) to suit up. He has been sidelined since April 15 with a concussion sustained during a fight with Washington's Alex Ovechkin but he skated with the Hurricanes on Tuesday Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has directed teams out of playoff deficits in the past and he has tried to instill confidence in the Islanders. "We've had lots of chances," Trotz said. "It hasn't been a series where they've outchanced us, outplayed us. I think we've played a good portion of carrying the play, if you will, in good portions of the first two games." New York scored 14 goals in sweeping the Pens but has just ONE goal on 58 shots in losing the first two games of this series. My bet says that CAN'T continue. According to NHL.com, McElhinney becomes the oldest goalie to make his first Stanley Cup playoff start, at 35 years and 343 days. C'mon Isles, you HAVE to be able to win this one, right? Good luck...Larry |
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04-28-19 | Hurricanes v. Islanders -139 | 2-1 | Loss | -139 | 8 h 11 m | Show | |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the NY Islanders at 3:00 ET. The New York Islanders shocked Pittsburgh by completing a four-game sweep, while the Hurricanes advanced to the conference semifinals by overcoming a pair of two-goal deficits to edge the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, 4-3, in double overtime Wednesday night in Game 7. The Hurricanes are in the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and had waited almost 10 years to play in the second round of the NHL playoffs, while the Islanders are in the second round for just the second time in 26 years! Carolina goaltender Petr Mrazek won 11 of his final 13 games in the regular season and then posted a 2.54 goals-against average against Washington. The Islanders allowed the fewest goals in the league (196) and then saw Robin Lehner post a 1.47 GAA and a .956 save percentage in sweeping the Pens. Game 1 of the series was Friday night at Barclays Center. Both goaltenders made 31 saves but despite limiting the opposition to one goal for the fourth consecutive game, the Islanders find themselves trailing in a series for the first time this postseason, after falling 1-0 in OT. The Hurricanes were playing just 48 hours after eliminating defending Stanley Cup champion Washington with a Game 7 overtime victory on the road but 'stole' Game 1 on Jordan Staal's OT goal. Defense and goaltending have been the calling cards in the playoffs for New York, which outscored the Penguins 14-6. However, the Islanders was unable to dent the scoreboard against Mrazek, who turned aside 31 shots to register his fifth career playoff shutout and second of his postseason. However, the Islanders know that they have now limited Carolina to one goal for the fourth time in five meetings in 2019, so the players are not overreacting to the team's first loss of this year's playoffs. Lehner owns a 1.36 GAA and a .958 SP in the 2019 playoffs and expect New York, which has NEVER lost the first two games of a playoff series at home, to even things up in Game 2. Good luck...Larry |
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04-26-19 | Hurricanes v. Islanders -130 | Top | 1-0 | Loss | -130 | 11 h 56 m | Show |
My 10* NHL Game of the Month is on the NY Islanders at 7:08 ET. This second round Eastern Conference series was expected to be another showdown between teh Caps and Pens. However, the New York Islanders shocked Pittsburgh by completing a four-game sweep, while the Hurricanes advanced to the conference semifinals by overcoming a pair of two-goal deficits to edge the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, 4-3, in double overtime Wednesday night. The win capped a series of comebacks by Carolina, which trailed the series two games to none and fell behind three games to two with a 6-0 loss in Game 5 on Saturday night. The Hurricanes are in the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and have waited almost 10 years to play in the second round of the NHL playoffs, while the Islanders are in teh second round for just the second time in 26 years! Carolina and New York are meeting for the first time since Jan 8, when the Hurricanes posted a 4-3 victory to prevent a four-game sweep in the regular-season series. Carolina goaltender Petr Mrazek won 11 of his final 13 games in the regular season and then posted a 2.54 goals-against average against Washington. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin led the team in points in the first round with his club-best nine assists (no goals), while rookie Warren Foegele had four goals. Three more Carolina players chipped in three goals to help eliminate the Caps. Jordan Eberle led the Islanders in goals (four) and points (six), while Mathew Barzal notched a club-best five assists. Thomas Greiss turned aside 129 of 136 shots (.949 SP) while playing in all four regular-season meetings with the Hurricanes but New York has handed the goaltending duties off to Robin Lehner for the postseason and he has posted a playoff-best 1.47 GAA and a .956 save percentage in the first-round series. For the first time in the history of the four major North American pro sports leagues, every regular-season division champion was eliminated in the first round. However, despite their underdog status, there's nothing fluky about the Islanders and Hurricanes reaching the conference semifinals. New York was 26-14-3 after Jan 1, while Carolina was an even more impressive 30-12-2. That said, I strongly believe the edge here in Game 1 goes to New York, whose nine-day break is the longest for an NHL team in the potseason since the Chicago Blackhawks had nine days off heading into the Western Conference finals in 2015. The Islanders have held five practices during their long break, but head coach Barry Trotz sensed something different Thursday morning. "You could tell that there's guys that are turning the switch on a little bit -- not that they've turned it off, they've done a really good job, but I think the urgency is definitely there," said Trotz, who coached the Capitals to the Stanley Cup title last season before joining the Islanders last June. "They're a little more business-like, if you will. They've been business-like right through, but this is just a little different level." The Islanders allowed the fewest goals in the league (196) and then saw Lehner post a 1.47 GAA and a .956 save percentage in sweeping the Pens. The Hurricanes went just 3-for-25 with the man advantage in the first round, while the Islanders thwarted 10-of-11 power-play situations.Expect the well-rested Isles to grab Game 1. Good luck...Larry |
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04-22-19 | Capitals v. Hurricanes -109 | Top | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* NHL Game of the Week is on the Car Hurricanes at 7:08 ET. The Washington Capitals won all four regular season meetings with the Carolina Hurricanes and then took Game 1 and Game 2 of this first round series. However, Carolina responded with a 5-0 Game 3 win and a 2-1 Game 4 win to tie the series. Last Saturday, the defending champs answered those consecutive defeats at PNC Arena with a resounding 6-0 victory at home in Game 5. The Capitals return to Raleigh (NC) on Monday, hoping to eliminate the Hurricanes in Game 6 of their series. Washington's Nicklas Backstrom had a four-point performance (two goals, two assists) in Saturday's 6-0 and has already matched last season's entire playoff goal total with five in this series (he has nine goals in his last 10 games, overall). Captain Alex Ovechkin collected one goal and two assists in Game 5 but he also made an impact on Saturday's game by stepping up his physical play with a season-high 11 hits.The bad news for the Caps is that T.J. Oshie (25 goals and 59 points in the regular season) is out indefinitely, after undergoing surgery on his broken collarbone. The Hurricanes could receive a boost from an anticipated return of right winger Andrei Svechnikov, who was knocked out by an Alex Ovechkin punch in Game 3. Svechnikov was in the concussion protocol but has returned to on-ice activities. He scored two goals in Game 1. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said he considered pulling goalie Petr Mrazek in favor of Curtis McElhinney during Saturday night's lopsided loss, but decided against that switch. The Hurricanes have stuck with goalie Petr Mrazek throughout the series and will do so again here. Why not? Mrazek returns to Raleigh where he has turned aside 48 of 49 shots in the series! The Metropolitan Division was a crowded field this season. Washington won it with 104 points but four others made the postseason and 1st through 5th-place were separated by just SIX points. Carolina had 99 points, just FIVE fewer than Washington. The crowd in Raleigh has been a big factor in the series and you think home ice has mattered this series? How about this? The visiting team has yet to hold a lead in ANY of the five games in the series, so far. We are headed for a Game 7 in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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04-19-19 | Avalanche v. Flames -167 | 5-1 | Loss | -167 | 15 h 37 m | Show | |
My 7* play is on the Cal Flames at 10:00 ET. The Colorado Avalanche went 8-0-2 over their final 10 regular season games to clinch the second wild card in the Western Conference. The eighth-seeded Avalanche lost Game 1 of their series to the West's No. 1 seed Calgary but then rebounded from a 4-0 shutout loss at Calgary with a 3-2 OT victory on Saturday night in Game 2. The Avs were just 'warming up,' as they returned to Colorado to win Game 3 (6-2) and Game 4 (3-2 in OT), to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Calgary Flames are on the ropes, after losing three consecutive games to the Colorado Avalanche. The top-seeded Flames look to avoid becoming the second No. 1 seed to be ousted from the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs when they return home to face the Avalanche in Game 5 on Friday night. Colorado erased a two-goal lead by scoring twice in the third period and the Mikko Rantanen scored his second goal of the game by converting in overtime for a 3-2 victory. Rantanen (87 points) finished second in points to Nathan MacKinnon (99 points) in the regular season despite missing the final eight games due to an upper-body injury and he has provided an offensive jolt in the playoffs, leading Colorado with six points on three goals and three assist. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer owns a 2.10 GAA and .933 SP in the series (has played all games), after splitting time in net during the regular season with Varlamov. Speaking of goaltenders, Calgary's Mike Smith posted a 1.94 GAA over his last 11 regular-season appearances to earn the starting job for the playoffs and has responded by making 161 saves, 28 more than any other netminder through four games. Smith hasn't been the problem for Calgary, as after the team's 4-0 Game 1, the Flames have scored just TWO goals in each of the last three games. The team's leading scorer Johnny Gaudreau (99 points) has been limited to one assist in the series. The Avalanche have peppered Smith with a staggering 108 shots on goal in the past two games but he's stood tall. A return home should spark Calgary's offense and while a 3-1 deficit may be too much to overcome, a Game 5 win is hardly a stretch. Let's NOT forget that Calgary had 107 points inn the regular season, 17 more than Colorado's 90. The Flames went 26-10-5 at home this regular season, giving them more home wins than all teams save Boston (29) and Tampa Bay (32). This series is headed back to Colorado for a Game 6. Good luck...Larry |
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04-18-19 | Golden Knights v. Sharks -111 | Top | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 14 h 22 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the San Jose Sharks at 10;00 ET. San Jose opened its series against Vegas with a 5-2 Game 1 win. However, the Sharks have now lost THREE in a row to the Golden Knights, getting outscored 16-6. San Jose's beleaguered goaltender Martin Jones allowed two goals on seven shots in Tuesday's 5-0 setback, before being pulled for the second time in three contests in favor of Aaron Dell. In contrast, Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has turned aside 87 of 93 shots in his last three games and all 28 he faced on Tuesday, delivering his15th postseason shutout. Fleury improved his career goals-against average in the postseason to 2.58 (it's 2.51 in this series). Clearly, San Jose is facing major goaltending issues, but head coach Peter DeBoer said Jones will start in Game 5.Let's NOT forget that Jones won 36 games this season, his FOURTH in a row with 30 or more victories (37, 35 & 30). During that span, his GAA have ranged from a low of 2.27 to a high of 2.94. Let's also remember that the Sharks rode the second-best home record in the Western Conference (were 25-11-5 at SAP Center during the regular season) to a second-place finish in the Pacific Division, eight points better than the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas beat San Jose 4-2 in last year's semifinals but the Golden Knights (109 points) were the better team, as the Sharks finished with 100 points. That's not the case this time around. Vegas may oust San Jose again in 2019 but NOT here in Game 5. Good luck...Larry |
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04-16-19 | Islanders v. Penguins -160 | 3-1 | Loss | -160 | 12 h 53 m | Show | |
My 7* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Pit Penguins at 7:38 ET. The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, 1975 New York Islanders, 2010 Philadelphia Flyers and 2014 Los Angeles Kings are the only NHL teams to overcome an 3-0 deficit in a seven-game playoff series. Those 1975 Islanders made their comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, more than four decades later, the Penguins will attempt to 'return the favor.' However, that seems HIGHLY unlikely. Sidney Crosby has tormented the New York Islanders throughout his decorated career, however the two-time Hart Trophy recipient has been held without a point on six shots while recording a minus-4 rating in the Eastern Conference first-round series. In fact, the Penguins have held a lead for only 3 minutes, 17 seconds in the series.Want more? New York is 9-0 all-time when holding a 3-0 lead in best-of-7 series, while Pittsburgh is 0-5 when facing same deficit. Should I just stop there? Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner.has a 1.62 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage through three games.However, let me note that he entered this series with only 49 minutes of playoff action in his career, accumulated in a relief role with Ottawa in 2013.That said, let's listen to Crosby. "We've got to focus on one game. We can't even it up in one game, but we can get ourselves back in it," he said. Crosby piled up 66 goals, 185 points in 163 career playoff games while captaining Pittsburgh to three Stanley Cups, as recently as 2017.The Pens also feature Evgeni Malkin, who like Crosby, has been a main cog in winning three Stanley Cups. Pittsburgh also features Kessell (82 points), Guentzel (40 goals in just 59 games TY) and goalie Matt Murray, a part of Pittsburgh's back-to-back Cup-winning teams (2016 and 2017). No sweep here on Pittsburgh's home ice. Good luck...Larry |
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04-16-19 | Lightning -135 v. Blue Jackets | Top | 3-7 | Loss | -135 | 11 h 25 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Situational Stunner is on the TB Lightning at 7:08 ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning matched an NHL record for wins in a regular season (62) and took a 3-0 lead through the first period of their Game 1 with Columbus. However, since that opening period of this first-round series, the Lightning have been outscored a 12-2 in the last EIGHT periods by the Blue Jackets. Columbus earned a comeback 4-3 win on Wednesday, won Friday's Game 2 by the score of 5-1 and then took Sunday's Game 3 (back in Columbus) by a score of 3-1. What's going on here? We know this for sure, that only FOUR of 190 teams in NHL history have come back to win a best-of-seven playoff series after dropping the first three games. Game 4 is tonight and the Blue Jackets can win their first playoff series in franchise history (after 18 years), when they host the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning played Game 3 without Nikita Kucherov, who led the league with 128 points in the regular season. Kucherov was suspended one game for a late in the third period of Game 2. Also, Victor Hedman, last year's Norris Trophy winner as the league's top defenseman, missed Sunday's game with an undisclosed injury and is considered doubtful for Tuesday. Clearly, more is needed from the team’s three 40-goal scorers, Kucherov, Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point. So far, the trio has yet to make the scoresheet in the series! We’ve won a lot of hockey games as a team,” Lightning forward Tyler Johnson told reporters after helping set up Sunday's goal. “We can definitely do it. If there’s a group that can, it’s us. We’ve just go to play the right way. Everyone’s got to step up. Everyone’s got to play a solid game, and we’ve got to make it a little bit harder.” “The job’s not done, but at the same time this is fun,” Columbus center Matt Duchene told reporters after scoring for the second straight game in a 3-1 victory Sunday. “This has been unbelievable, and we want to finish the job and leave no doubt. Obviously, we have a great opportunity Tuesday at home in front of our fans. I think these fans deserve that we get the job done here at home.” Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky played a huge part in Columbus’ 7-1-0 finish to the regular season and after allowing three first-period goals in Game 1, has stopped 69 of the 71 shots he faced in the past eight periods (.972 save percentage). The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, 1975 New York Islanders, 2010 Philadelphia Flyers and 2014 Los Angeles Kings are the only NHL teams to overcome an 3-0 deficit in a seven-game playoff series. The question here isn't, "Can Tampa Bay join that group?" Rather, it's can the Lightning find a way to win ONE game! Tampa Bay finished the third period of Game 3 with a 17-8 edge in shots, creeping within 2-1 on Ondrej Palat’s goal. Captain Steven Stamkos told reporters: “If anything, maybe we found a recipe to break some of their structure there." In just can't NOT play Tampa Bay in this spot. Remember, there is another goalie in this series, Andrei Vasilevskiy. He led the league with 39 wins this season, (2.40 GAA / .925 SP) and was 6-2-0 with a .948 save percentage against the Blue Jackets coming into the series. See you in Game 5! Good luck...Larry |
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04-15-19 | Flames -121 v. Avalanche | 2-6 | Loss | -121 | 14 h 56 m | Show | |
My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Cal Flames at 10:00 ET. The Colorado Avalanche went 8-0-2 over their final 10 regular season games to clinch the second wild card in the Western Conference. The eighth-seeded Avalanche rebounded from a 4-0 shutout loss in Game 1 at Calgary (Flames' 107 points were a Western Conference-best) to earn a split in Calgary with a 3-2 OT victory on Saturday night. A split in Calgary is indeed impressive, as the Flames had a conference-high 26 home wins. "That's the least we came here for. We would've liked to win both games, but a 1-1 split, we'll take that," Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. "Now it's a matter of us coming home and repeating this effort. We're not going to sit back. It's right back to preparing for Monday." Calgary captain Mark Giordano offered a more simple assessment, “We have to be better." Colorado enjoyed the better of the play in Game 2 and Calgary surrendered the tying goal with just over 3 1/2 minutes to play, before losing in OT. Calgary can hardly blame goaltender Mike Smith, as he made 36 saves Saturday and has turned aside 62 of 65 shots in the series (.954 SP). Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon, the top overall pick in the 2013 draft who set career highs with 41 goals and 99 points during the regular season, beat Smith with a laser to the top right corner to send the series back to Colorado tied. the Avalance got more great news after their OT win, as the team's top prospect is signed and ready to play perhaps as soon as Game 3 on Monday night. Cale Makar, won the Hobey Baker Award as the best college hockey player, played in the NCAA title game with the University of Massachusetts -- a 3-0 loss to the University of Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday evening. He signed a three-year entry level contract with Colorado and the 20-year-old will join the team immediately. Colorado's Game 2 OT win snapped a four-game losing streak against Clagary and let me note that the Flames went 24-15-2 on the road this season, giving them the West's best road mark (only two Eastern Conference teams won more away games this season than Calgary). I expect the Flames to bounce back behind Smith's excellent play (note: he's held Colorado to ZERO goals in eight power play chances this series). What's more, "the PRICE is RIGHT!" Good luck...Larry |
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04-15-19 | Capitals v. Hurricanes -124 | Top | 0-5 | Win | 100 | 11 h 59 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game of the Week is on the Car Hurricanes at 7:00 ET. The Carolina Hurricanes lost Game 1 at Washington 4-2 and then went toe-to-toe with the defending Stanley Cup champs in Game 2, before Caps veteran Brooks Orpik scored 1:48 into overtime Saturday to give Washington a 4-3 victory and a 2-0 lead. I was just Orpik's fourth goal in his 151st playoff game! The Hurricanes have seen a pair of late rallies fall short in the first two games of this first-round series, after losing all FOUR regular-season meetings with Washington. Tonight,playoff hockey returns to Raleigh, NC for the first time since May 26, 2009. Ncklas Backstrom scored twice to highlight the Capitals' three-goal first period in Thursday's 4-2 win and joined T.J. Oshie with first-period goal on Saturday. Alex Ovechkin had an NHL-best 51 goals this season and has a goal plus two assists in the first two games. Capitals goalie Braden Holtby began last year's playoffs on the bench but retutrned to lead the Caps to their first-ever Cup. The former Vezina Trophy recipient has turned aside 196 of 209 shots in his last seven contests (7-0-0), giving him a .938 save percentage. FOUR of those victories have come against Carolina. Carolina's leading goal scorer Sebastian Aho (30 goals and 83 points) scored late in the second period, snapping a 15-game goal drought. "It's not like we're playing bad, but this time of year, you've got to get that extra step and play even better," he said after the game. For teh Hurricanes to get back in the series, goaltender Petr Mrazek has to do a better job than him turning away 43 of 50 shots as he's done in Games 1 & 2 (.860 SP). The key to Game 3 will likely be Carolina getting off to a better start, as Washington holds a 5-1 combined edge in first-period scoring. Let me remind all that Washington was only five points better than Carolina during the regular season, so down 0-2, I see no reason why the Hurricanes can't beat the Caps for the first time in SEVEN tries in this one. That's the bet. Good luck...Larry |
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04-14-19 | Jets +140 v. Blues | 6-3 | Win | 140 | 14 h 36 m | Show | |
My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Win Jets at 7:38 ET. The St. Louis Blues came into the playoffs with momentum, having finished the regular season by going 30-10-5 since Jan. 1. St Louis’ fortunes turned around with the emergence of goaltender Jordan Binnington, who did not make his first NHL start until Jan 7. Binnington had played one game for the Blues in 2015-16 but set a franchise record for wins by a rookie, while finishing 24-5-1 with a league-leading 1.89 GAA (also had an impressive .927 save percentage). As the Blues return home for Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets, they are up 2-0. St Louis win Game 1 at Winnipeg 2-1 and pulled off another road victory Friday, using two goals from center Oskar Sundqvist to upend the Jets 4-3 on Ryan O’Reilly’s game winner early in the third period. The Jets were a popular Stanley Cup preseason favorite after reaching the conference finals last spring and they led the Western Conference in early January. However, the Jets would go 16-16-3 down the stretch in the regular season (since Jan 19), losing the Central Division title to Nashville in the final two weeks. Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck has surrendered ill-timed and dubious goals in the first two games. Hellebuyck made 28 saves in Game 2 but gave up two soft goals, including the winner by Ryan O'Reilly in Friday's Game 2. Hellebuyck has a .897 save percentage in two games Meanwhile, Binnington has become the second rookie goaltender in franchise history (Curtis Joseph, 1990) to win his first two career playoff starts. He is only the fourth NHL goalie in the past 32 years to win each of his first two playoff road games. He has saved 50 of 54 shots (.926 save percentage) with a 2.00 goals-against average in those two games. It's not just Binnington, as St Louis outshot the Jets 15-6 in the second period overall and held Winnipeg without a shot for 13:34, a stretch during which the Blues scored twice to take a 3-2 lead. Here's the rub. There's not much difference between these two clubs and I'm "all over" the underdog in this spot. As for Hellebuyck, he said, "I'm going to remain positive here. It's only 2-0. There's a lot of hockey left to be played. We've got to focus on getting four, and so do they. We're going to continue fighting." Head coach Paul Maurice added, "I think he's gonna be great (Sunday). I truly do. That's his career. If he had an off night, he got a little snarly, and he's been good. I expect him to be at his best." Blake Wheeler told the Winnipeg Sun, "At this time of year you've got to get results. So, go to St. Louis and take care of business," "You've got to win four games to win a series. Never met any team that won two to win a series, so we're all right." Teams that take a 2-0 series lead have gone on to win that series 87.3 percent of the time in NHL history. That said, the Blues are expecting a fired up Jets team. "This is a real good hockey team that we beat twice here -- a really good hockey team -- and they are going to give us their best game, Game 3 at home," Blues interim head coach Craig Berube said. "And there's no reason to get too high. You've got to stay ready and you gotta play even better than we've played." While Hellebuyck has let the team down a few times in the first two games, he has shut down the Blues' power play, which is 0-for-7 in the series. The Blues' penalty kill unit also gave up two power-play goals in three chances during Game 2. "The worm turns" in this one and we are getting a nice 'price' on the Jets. Good luck...Larry |
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04-14-19 | Lightning -132 v. Blue Jackets | Top | 1-3 | Loss | -132 | 13 h 12 m | Show |
My 10* "signature" LEGEND Play is on the TB Lightning at 7:00 ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning matched an NHL record for wins in a regular season (62) but after blowing a 3-0 lead through the first period of their Game 1 with Columbus, the lightning have been outscored a 9-1 in the last five periods by the Blue Jackets. Columbus earned a comeback 4-3 win on Wednesday and then in Friday's Game 2, took a 3-0 first period lead on the way to a 5-1 win. What's going on here? The Presidents’ Trophy-winning haven't aced much adversity this season but it's a "whole new ballgame" tonight going into Game 3 of the Easrtern Conference first-round series against the host Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus has clogged the neutral zone, holding the lightning to just one goal the last five periods, while NINE players have scored one goal apiece for the Blue Jackets.During that stretch, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has stopped 39 of the 40 shots he's faced. What's more, while the Blue Jackets were just 28th in the regular season on the power play, they are 3-for-6 (50.0%) in the series. "We’re in a tough position, but we’re not going to quit,” Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos said. “We’ve got to take a page out of their book and go on the road and win a hockey game. We just got to focus on Game 3." Making Tampa Bay's situation even tougher is the fact that they won’t have the league’s leading scorer Nikita Kucherov (128 points), who was suspended one game for an illegal hit. So here's the bottom line. Tampa Bay dominated Columbus in the regular season, outscoring them 17-3. Tampa Bay crushed the competition on the way to a record-tying 62-win season and lost consecutive games just twice, a pair of regulation losses in November and a set of overtime games in February. The Lightning haven't lost three straight all season and went 30-9-2 on the road for the year (no other team won more than 25 road games). The Blue Jackets have NEVER won a playoff series and were also up 2-0 last year in the opening round against the Capitals (won 1st two games in Washington), before the Caps rallied for four consecutive wins on the way to the team's first Stanley Cup. Deja vu? Maybe but "FOR SURE," I'm on Tampa Bay in this one! Good luck...Larry |
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04-13-19 | Maple Leafs v. Bruins -140 | Top | 1-4 | Win | 100 | 13 h 6 m | Show |
My NHL 10* Game of the Week is on the Bos Bruins at 8:08 ET. The Toronto Maple Leafs have suffered a pair of demoralizing Game 7 losses in Boston but opened this year's best-of-seven opening round series against the Bruins with an emphatic 4-1 Game 1 win on Thursday in Boston. Mitch Marner scored twice, the first to erase a first-period deficit, and the second to give the Leafs the lead for good after he was brought down from behind by Jake DeBrusk on a short-handed breakaway. "We're a different team. We've got a little more confidence in this room and we're ready to play with it," said the 21-year-old Marner, who scored twice to help Toronto secure its first series-opening victory since 2003. John Tavares, a key free-agent acquisition in the offseason, collected a goal and an assist on Thursday, boosting his playoff point total to 24 (12 goals, 12 assists) in 25 career games. "When you get a power play, you want to get something good out of it and get some momentum. Obviously, that did the opposite. ... That can't happen," said Patrice Bergeron, who scored with the man advantage for Boston's lone goal. However, after Bergeron's goal, the Maple Leafs outskated and outplayed the Bruins the rest of the game. However, the Bruins won their first-round playoff series 4-3 over the Maple Leafs last year and also took the season series 3-1 with the Maple Leafs this regular season. The Boston Bruins must turn over the page instead of turning over the puck Saturday night. Why should we expect anything less? Only Tampa Bay accumulated more points this regular season than Boston's 107 and only the Lightning (32-7-2) had a better home record than the Bruins' 29-90-3 mark. Boston must be well aware that the Lightning's record-tying season is now on 'life-support' after two home losses and Boston surely wants to avoid a similar scenario. Boston has history on its side against Toronto, having beaten the Maple Leafs in each of the last five times the teams have squared off in the playoffs. Boston can't win the series tonight but the Bruins can "get back in it." The Bruins' top line of Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak dominated the Maple Leafs in the playoffs last year. Expect a "repeat scenario" tonight. Good luck...Larry |
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04-13-19 | Stars v. Predators -150 | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 11 h 56 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Nas Predators at 6:08 ET. The Dallas Stars claimed the seventh seed by finishing 5-1-1 to grab the first wild card in the West for the Stars' first playoff berth since 2016. That set up a first round series with the second-seeded Nashville Predators, who won five of their last six to games capture their second straight division title with a win on the final night of the season. This series marked the first time these Central Division rivals have met in the postseason. The Predators entered the series with much more playoff experience, after reaching the 2017 Stanley Cup Final and going a full seven games last spring before losing in the second round. However, Dallas won twice during the regular season in Nashville, despite losing three of five meetings to the Predators. Nashville took a 1-0 lead in Game 1 but Dallas overcame that early deficit to post a 3-2 win in Wednesday's series opener. One of the major concerns entering the series for Nashville was a power play that finished the regular season with a league-worst 12.9 percent success rate. It remained an issue after the Predators came up empty on all four chances in Game 1. However, the team's lack of success also had a lot to do with Dallas goalie Ben Bishop (1.98 GAA and .934 SP in the regular season). Bishop stood tall by making 30 saves in his first playoff game in three years. Nashville's veteran goaltender Pekka Rinne was not nearly as sharp, as he lost for the fifth time in his last six playoff starts at home. The Stars have already stolen home-ice advantage in their Western Conference first-round series and they now have an opportunity to take a commanding lead in their best-of-seven set by winning Game 2. Nashville is 0-9 in playoff series after losing Game 1 but the question here is NOT who wins the series but who wins Game 2. Nashville was bounced in the second round last season after winning the Presidents' Trophy but advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals two years ago by winning three road series, so the team is not overreacting to one defeat. The Predators went 35-4-1 this season when scoring first and had been 24-7 all-time when scoring first in the playoffs. Bridgestone Arena will be rocking on Saturday and expect Rinne,a postseason star for Nashville in 2017, to bounce back "big time" in this near "must-win" game. Good luck...Larry |
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04-12-19 | Blues v. Jets -110 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Win Jets at 9:30 ET. St Louis goaltender Jordan Binnington did not make his first NHL start until Jan 7, 2019. He had played one game for the Blues back in 2015-16 but he would go on to set a franchise record for wins by a rookie, finishing 24-5-1 with a league-leading 1.89 GAA (also had an impressive .927 save percentage). The question going into Wednesday was how Binnington would handle the pressure of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Question answered. Binnington made 24 saves and kept his team in it until St. Louis scored twice in the game’s final 16 minutes, with his biggest save coming with 12.4 seconds remaining, as he slid across his net to deny Mark Scheifele's one-timer. The Jets were a popular Stanley Cup preseason favorite after reaching the conference finals last spring and they led the Western Conference in early January. However, the Jets would go 16-16-3 down the stretch (since Jan 19), losing the Central Division title to Nashville in the final two weeks. Once again, Winnipeg could not hold a 1-0 advantage in the final 20 minutes, allowing Tyler Bozak’s game-winning goal with just 2:05 to play. It's troubling that the Jets lost NINE games in the regular season in which they led after two periods. Patrik Laine gave Winnipeg the lead with a first-period goal but the Jets' high-powered offense was shut down by Binnington the rest of the way. Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves but could not hold off the Blues in the final period, losing his FIFTH consecutive playoff start (dating back to four straight losses against Vegas last season). NHL Stanley Cup history tells us teams that teams that win the first game of a best-of-seven series end up closing out a series 68.5 percent of the time. The Jets are hardly facing impossible odds against coming back and the Blues are surely no 'lock' to win, just because of their Game 1 win. That said, the Jets can ill afford to drop the next outing before the series shifts to St Louis for two games. Winnipeg won 25 home games this season and the only Western Conference team to win more was Calgary (26), which led the West with 107 points. It's not a "must-win" scenario but it's pretty close. I had the Blues in Game 1 but it's the Jets in Game 2. Good luck...Larry |
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04-10-19 | Blues +104 v. Jets | Top | 2-1 | Win | 104 | 12 h 3 m | Show |
My 10* Stanley Cup Opener is on the StL Blues at 8:00 ET. The St Louis Blues were last in the NHL (15-18-4) back on Dec 31, had fired head coach Mike Yeo six weeks earlier, replacing him with Craig Berube, and seemed destined for a high-chance lottery spot in the NHL Draft. However, the Blues has fashioned one of the best mid-season turnarounds in NHL history. The Blues would go 30-10-5 since Jan. 1 and tied Winnipeg in the standings with 99 points. As for the Jets, a popular Stanley Cup preseason favorite after reaching the conference finals last spring, they led the Western Conference in early January. However, the Jets would go 16-16-3 down the stretch (since Jan 19), losing the Central Division title to Nashville in the final two weeks. The Jets get the home ice advantage due to winning three of four vs the Blues (all four meeting came prior to Jan 1) but as Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice noted, "You look statistically in the back half, they're an elite team in the NHL. We've never played that team. We played them in 2018 and they were a different team." In fact, the last time these two teams met (way back on Dec 7 at Winnipeg), the Blues won 1-0. St. Louis’ fortunes turned around with the emergence of goaltender Jordan Binnington, who did not make his first NHL start until Jan 7. Binnington had played one game for the Blues in 2015-16, but set a franchise record for wins by a rookie, while finishing 24-5-1 with a league-leading 1.89 GAA (also had an impressive .927 save percentage). 'Hot' goaltenders have been known to carry a team in the Stanley Cup playoffs and my "first bet" of the 2019 playoffs is on St Louis. Good luck...Larry |
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03-17-19 | Blues -150 v. Sabres | 3-4 | Loss | -150 | 9 h 45 m | Show | |
My 8* PERFECT STORM is on the St. Louis Blues (5:05 EST). Both teams played yesterday. The Blues were busy destroying the Penguins 5-1 in Pittsburgh. Vince Dunn had two goals in the commanding victory. Buffalo returns home off a 4-2 loss to Carolina. The Sabres are now out of playoff contention and have nothing to play for here after seven straight losses. Facing this surging non-conference opponent that’s firing on all cylinders isn’t going to help either. I believe the home side will simply go through the motions today. St. Louis has everything to play for as it continues its push towards the playoffs. The Blues have won 20 of the last 23 between the clubs and I look for that string of excellence to continue on Sunday night. Lay the price. Good luck…Larry |
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03-16-19 | Oilers v. Coyotes -130 | Top | 3-2 | Loss | -130 | 14 h 1 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Arizona Coyotes (10:05 EST). The Oilers have been terrible all season. Edmonton most recently comes in off a 6-3 loss to New Jersey. The Coyotes come in on the other end of the spectrum. Arizona is firmly in line for a wild card spot and it’s surging towards the finish line right now with two straight victories, most recently destroying the Ducks 6-1. Vinnie Hinostroza posted a hat-trick in the victory, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper stopped 36 of 37 shots to improve to 24-16-5 on the year. The Oilers have been consistently inconsistent all year and just when it looked as if they may have turned a corner and had some slim hope of making a run, their last pathetic effort was a stark reminder of how fickle their success has been this season. Arizona though has quietly and legitimately been one of the best teams in the league over the last month and getting it at home at this price is a gift in my opinion. Play on the Coyotes. Good luck..Larry |
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03-15-19 | Ducks v. Avalanche -1.5 | 5-3 | Loss | -100 | 14 h 25 m | Show | |
My 8* Puck-Line Las Vegas Insider is on the Colorado Avalanche (9:05 EST). The Ducks come in off a loss in Arizona just last night, putting them 12 points out of eighth place with ten games remaining. The Avs have had three whole nights off and their primed now to try and finish up the season on a high note, starting with this favorable home matchup vs. this “dog tired’ Ducks team. Note that Anaheim has lost its last five games in the second game of the back-to-back scenario. Colorado’s been off since an 3-0 loss to Carolina on Monday. The Avs are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but they have plenty of opportunity to solidify a spot over the final month. Colorado is 4-1 in its last five as a home fav in the -150 to -200 range, while Colorado is just 2-7 in its last nine in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation. I’m laying the 1.5 goals for the healthy return and expecting a blowout once the final horn sounds. Good luck…Larry |
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03-14-19 | Ducks v. Coyotes -136 | Top | 1-6 | Win | 100 | 15 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Arizona Coyotes (10:05 EST). Arizona comes in off a quality 3-1 road win over St. Louis and it sits one game up on Minnesota for the second wild card spot. The Coyotes will be wary to not look past the suddenly red hot Ducks, who enter off an upset 3-2 win over the Predators at home. Anaheim has been playing better of late, but it still averages only 2.27 goals per game, while conceding 3.01 goals. The Coyotes average 2.61 goals and they concede 2.79. Arizona though is third on the penalty kill, having successfully killed off 84.8 percent of their shorthanded situations this year. But Arizona could arguably be the “hottest” team in the league right now. Note that the Coyotes have won nine of their last 11. Also note that the Coyotes are 7-1 in their last eight at home, while Anaheim is just 1-5 in its last six after allowing two goals or less in its previous outing. Lay the price. Good luck…Larry |
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03-13-19 | Devils v. Oilers UNDER 6 | Top | 6-3 | Loss | -113 | 15 h 24 m | Show |
My 10* SUPER TOTAL is on the under Devils/Oilers (9:35 EST). New Jersey comes in off a 6-4 loss in Calgary just last night and I think it’s going to have a hell of a time here finding the same sort of energy levels in the second game of the back to back at this point of the season. Edmonton has been playing much better over the last month having won seven of its last ten. That includes a 3-2 OT win over the Rangers last time out. The Oilers play with revenge here after a 5-2 defeat in New Jersey at the start of the season, but the situation each team finds itself coming into this one, points to more of a lower-scoring defensive battle in my opinion. The Oilers will look to dictate the pace of this one and in the end, I believe that everything does indeed point to the “under” as the correct call tonight. Good luck…Larry |
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03-12-19 | Capitals +123 v. Penguins | Top | 3-5 | Loss | -100 | 11 h 7 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Washington Capitals (7:05 EST). The Capitals lead the Metro by four points now, but with the Isles and Penguins right behind them, clearly they can ill afford to take the foot off the gas now. Keep your eyes on Washington star Alex Ovechkin, as he’s on fire again with 77 points so far, including 46 goals. Pittsburgh’s been equally as hot of late and it’s firmly entrenched in the third spot. Sidney Crosby is leading the team with 88 points this year, including 57 assists. It wouldn’t be difficult to write a convincing argument for either of these teams. With a line like this, clearly Las Vegas would agree with me. Goaltending is pretty much a “wash” on any given night. Experience as well. This one comes down to the numbers for me though, as I’ll point out that the Capitals are 14-7 (+5.3 units) vs. the division this yearend 15-8 (+3.4 units) in its last 23 in trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent (earlier home loss to Pitt), while the Pens are just 5-7 (-2.1 units) in their last 12 vs. teams with winning records. I’m banking on Ovechkin and the defending champs to continue their hot surge with a late season signature victory over their hated rivals. Great value on Washington. Good luck…Larry |
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03-11-19 | Blue Jackets v. Islanders -112 | Top | 0-2 | Win | 100 | 12 h 21 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the New York Islanders (7:05 EST). After their 4-1 win over Pittsburgh, I think the Blue Jackets suffer a predictable letdown here in this difficult road venue. The Islanders come in as the hungrier side here after they suffered a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia. Both teams sport competent goaltending. The Blue Jackets have Sergei Bobrovsky and he’s 29-21-1, while the Isles have Thomas Greiss, who is 19-11-2. The Blue Jackets though have really struggled in this spot for bettors of late, going just 1-5 in its last six following a win. New York on the other hand is a money-making 14-6 in its last 20 as a home favorite. Home ice really has been a difference for this surprising Islanders team this season and I believe that’ll again be the case today. I think we’re getting a great price on this solid home side. Play on the Isles. Good luck…Larry |
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03-10-19 | Golden Knights v. Flames UNDER 6 | Top | 3-6 | Loss | -120 | 15 h 36 m | Show |
My 10* Total Oddsmakers Error is on the under Knights/Flames (8:35 EST). These teams played last week in Vegas and the Knights scored the 2-1 lower-scoring victory. The Flames have been scuffling of late and they’ll be eager to get back into the winners circle and to avenge that setback. The Knights though laid everything on the line in last night’s 6-2 in Vancouver and I think they’ll come in predictably tired here in the second game of the back to back. Not only do these two Pacific division teams have a recent history of playing to tight, lower-scoring affairs, but note that LV has seen the total go under the number in 16 of its last 20 vs. teams with winning records, while Calgary has seen the total dip below the posted number in four of five already this year after three or more consecutive losses. Everything once again points to a low-scoring battle. Play the under. Good luck…Larry |
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03-09-19 | Hurricanes v. Predators -150 | Top | 5-3 | Loss | -150 | 13 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Nashville Predators (8:05 EST). Common sense, more than anything else is the basis of this selection. Carolina comes in off a humbling loss at home to the Jets just last night and I think it’ll struggle to find any intensity whatsoever in this difficult road arena. That’s now back-to-back losses for the Canes, who also fell in OT to the Bruins on Tuesday. The Predators are off a confidence building 5-4 win at home over Minnesota and they’re out for revenge here as well after a 6-3 road loss in the only other meeting this year. Considering the major fatigue and revenge factors working in favor of the home side, I think this line could/should easily be much larger. Great value. Play on Nashville. Good luck…Larry |
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03-08-19 | Jets +135 v. Hurricanes | Top | 8-1 | Win | 135 | 13 h 55 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Winnipeg Jets (7:35 EST). It wouldn’t be hard to write a convincing argument for either team, but the Jets have been playing better of late and I think they catch the Hurricanes flat footed here. Both teams come in off losses. The Jets fell 5-2 at Tampa Bay, while the Hurricanes lost 4-3 in OT in Boston. Winnipeg is in second place in the Central Division, but only one point out of first. Scoring in the setback to Tampa was Blake Wheeler and Jacob Trouba. Winnipeg is expected to send Laurent Brossoit between the pipes and he’s 11-7 with a 2.53 GAA on the year. Overall the Jets are 17-15 on the road. The Hurricanes are back in the playoff picture after having won 13 of their last 17, but I think they’ve run out of gas after their latest tough setback. Carolina is still only two points ahead of the Blue Jackets, who are in ninth place. Curtis McElhinney gets the nod in the net and he’s 1-2 with a 2.92 GAA lifetime vs. Winnipeg. Note that Winnipeg is 11-6 (+2.3 units) this year after a loss by two goals or more in its previous outing, while Carolina is still just 12-13 (-2 units) vs. teams with winning records. I’m pulling the trigger on the undervalued underdog. Good luck…Larry |
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03-07-19 | Flames v. Coyotes +117 | Top | 0-2 | Win | 117 | 14 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Arizona Coyotes (9:05 EST). The Calgary Flames have been one of the best teams in the league for most of the season, but they’re running out of gas down the stretch. A 6-2 loss to the Leafs on Monday was followed a 2-1 defeat in Vegas just last night. Can anyone say letdown spot here?! The Coyotes had won six straight before falling 3-1 to a desperate Anaheim team. Arizona though plays with “triple revenge” here after dropping all three in the season series thus far to Calgary and in this case, I think the “revenge angle” works. Calgary is clearly struggling with consistency right now and playing the second game of a back to back at this time of year is never easy even when on top form. The Coyotes are just three points back of a playoff spot and with a win tonight, they’ll be right back into the thick of the hunt. It’s a golden opportunity to pull the trigger on an undervalued underdog. Play on the Coyotes. Good luck…Larry |
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03-06-19 | Capitals -117 v. Flyers | Top | 5-3 | Win | 100 | 13 h 10 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Washington Capitals (7:35 EST). I like the defending champs to find a way to get the job done here as they look to keep the foot on the gas in the second half. Overall the Capitals average 3.36 goals per game, while allowing 3.14. Philadelphia averages 3.02 goals and it allows 3.30. These are two teams hungry for wins. Washington’s offense is the difference maker though in my opinion, as Philadelphia’s defense and goaltending is a clear weakness in this matchup. Additionally note that the Captials are 28-14 (+10.8 units) when playing with two days. Great price. Play on Washington. Good luck…Larry |
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03-05-19 | Canadiens -129 v. Kings | Top | 3-1 | Win | 100 | 16 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Montreal Canadiens (10:35 EST). The Kings broke a ten-game slide with a win over the Blackhawks this past weekend, but I think an immediate return to mediocrity is in store here. The Habs’ two game win streak was snapped in a loss at Pittsburgh over the weekend, but an immediate return to the winners circle is imminent here in this favorable spot. Montreal comes in desperate for a spark as its lost six of its last ten. The Habs are still holding on to the final wild card spot, but they’ll need to take advantage here to keep pace. LA has many issues, but after it finally got the “monkey off its back,” I do indeed expect immediate regression here. Note that the Kings are just 1-4 in their last five t home anyways. The Habs? They’re a money-making 4-0 in their last four when playing with two days of rest. This line could/should be much higher in my opinion. Play on Montreal. Good luck…Larry |
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03-04-19 | Oilers v. Sabres UNDER 6 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 12 m | Show |
My 10* NHL TOTAL OF THE WEEK is on the under Oilers/Sabres (7:05 EST). Edmonton enters off a rare 4-0 road win over Columbus, while Buffalo is looking to bounce back after a 5-2 loss at Toronto. After losing 11 of its previous 12, Edmonton has now won four of its last six. The Oilers though are a poor 14-20 on the road this year, averaging 2.59 goals and conceding 3.29 in those contests. Buffalo is 19-13 at home, averaging 3.13 goals and allowing 3.03, but note that the Sabres have seen the total go “under” the number in seven of their last nine after allowing five or more goals in a two goal or more loss in their previous outing. I think these two inconsistent non-conference bottom feeders play to more of a lower-scoring battle than a wide-open shootout. Play the under. Good luck…Larry |
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03-03-19 | Flyers v. Islanders -154 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -154 | 9 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the New York Islanders (3:05 EST). After smashing the Devils 6-3 in New Jersey in their latest outing to move to three wins in its last four games, I think that Philadelphia finally has a letdown here in this difficult road arena. The Isles now sit behind the Capitals in the standings after their 3-1 home loss to Washington on Friday. New York can’t take anything for granted at this point after losing four of its last six. Note that Philadelphia truly has been a disaster for bettors in this position all year though, going just 4-11 (-7.3 units) after a win by two goals or more. The Isles on the other hand have been “money in the bank” in this spot by going 8-4 (+5.8 units) after scoring one goal or less in their previous outing. I look for the “hungrier” home side to deliver the goods. Lay it. Good luck…Larry |
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03-02-19 | Devils v. Bruins UNDER 6 | Top | 0-1 | Win | 100 | 13 h 39 m | Show |
My 10* O/U PERFECT STORM is on the under Devils/Bruins (7:05 EST). The Bruins are 9-0-1 over their last ten games and they’re coming off a big home victory over Tampa to move into second place in the East (I had Boston in that one as my Feb. GAME OF THE MONTH.) The Devils come to town off a poor 6-3 loss at home to Philadelphia. The Devils will be going with Corey Schneider in net for this one and he’s been decent since returning from injury, going 4-3-1 with a 2.11 GAA in eight games. The home side will counter with Tuukka Rask, who is 21-8-5 overall with a 2.36 GAA. I have a hard time seeing New Jersey putting up much of a fight here. And there’s no need for Boston to put up much of a fight here. This number is a little high, play the “under.” Good luck…Larry |
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03-01-19 | Capitals -104 v. Islanders | Top | 3-1 | Win | 100 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Washington Capitals (7:05 EST). This is an important game with both teams looking to gain ground in the competitive Metropolitan Division. Washington is currently tied with the Isles with 79 points, but it’s played two more games, meaning that a victory is very much needed here to keep pace with the surprising home side. The defense has been an issue for Washington this year, but the offense is ranked fifth with 220 goals scored thus far. The Isles have been getting the job done all season with their tough defensive play, but after last night’s 6-1 win over the Leafs, I think the home side has a predictable letdown here in the second game of the back-to-back. Look for Washington come out focused and to deliver the good at the end of the night. Great value on the Capitals. Good luck…Larry |
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02-28-19 | Lightning v. Bruins -115 | Top | 1-4 | Win | 100 | 28 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* NHL GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Boston Bruins (7:35 EST). Here’s a great situational play. The Lightning are the better team. There’s no denying that. Tampa has a “feel” about it this season. The Bruins though have also been playing exceptionally well of late though and they’re in a dog fight with Toronto for the No. 2 spot (Boston with 83 points and Toronto with 82.) The last time these teams played, the Lightning managed the 3-2 win at home on December 6th, so the home side also plays with revenge here. Boston also catch the Lightning “dog tired” after their tougher than expected 5-4 OT win in The Big Apple just last night. The Bolts have been “money in the bank” all season for bettors, but the situational/motivational factors working in favor of the home side tips the scales for the Bruins in this one. As far as I’m concerned, this is the very definition of “great line value.” I expect the home side to play with some desperation and to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Play on Boston. Good luck…Larry |
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10-22-18 | Avalanche v. Flyers -108 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 18 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Philadelphia Flyers (7:05 EST). Colorado comes to town off a satisfying 3-1 road win in Carolina, while Philadelphia enters off a confidence building 5-2 victory over New Jersey. Note that this is an immediate “revenge game,” as Colorado beat Philadelphia at home earlier in the year by a score of 5-2. Colorado is averaging 3.63 GPG and it’s conceding 2.25. Semyon Varlamov is 3-2 with a 1.77 GAA and he’s 4-3 with a 2.86 GAA lifetime against the Flyers. The Flyers are averaging 3.63 GPG and they’re conceding 4.23. Brian Elliot is now 2-3 with a 3.69 GAA and I think he’ll build off the win over the Devils. Note as well that he’s had tremendous success against the Avs throughout his career, going 9-5 with a 2.24 GAA. I’ll point out as well that the Flyers are 5-2 in their last seven at home in this series, while the Avs are just 3-8 in their last 11 following a victory. Colorado is still only 20-53 in its last 73 away from friendly confines. I’m laying this very reasonable price on the home side. Good luck…Larry |
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10-21-18 | Flames -127 v. Rangers | Top | 4-1 | Win | 100 | 27 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Calgary Flames (7:05 EST). Calgary looks to bounce back off a 5-3 home loss to Nashville. The Rangers return home off a 4-3 OT loss in Washington, a game in which it gave up a big lead late. This is a “double revenge” contests for the Flames, as New York somehow managed to take both meetings last season. Calgary is fifth in the league in scoring with 3.71 GPG. Mike Smith is 3-3 with a 3.38 GAA on the season. New York is ranked 25th in scoring with just 2.43 GPG, while ranked 22nd in goals allowed in conceding 3.43. Clearly this isn’t a recipe for long-term success. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is 2-4 with a 2.31 GAA so far. I’ll point out though that Calgary is 48-33 (+6.4 units) against teams with losing records the last two seasons, while New York is just 38-54 (-15.1 units) against clubs with winning records in the same span. I think Calgary is the much better team and I look for it to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night in The Big Apple. Good luck…Larry |
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10-16-18 | Stars v. Devils -125 | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 27 h 2 m | Show | |
The first pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the New Jersey Devils 8* (7:05 EST). No need to overthink this one. Dallas comes to town off a 4-1 road loss in Ottawa just last night, while the Devils have had a couple nights off after their 3-2 home win over the Sharks. Home ice can’t be overlooked as a very real deciding factor either in this one as these teams split their season series last year, with each winning on home ice. Dallas will go with Anton Khudobin in net and he’s so far 1-0 with a 3.02 GAA. New Jersey will go with Keith Kinkaid, who is 3-0 with a 1.34 GAA. I’ll point out as well that the Devils are 7-1 in their last eight theme games, while Dallas is now just 2-10 in its last 12 on the road and only 1-10 in its last 11 against the Eastern Conference. For all the reasons listed above, lay the price with confidence. Good luck…Larry |
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10-16-18 | Panthers v. Flyers -121 | 5-6 | Win | 100 | 27 h 1 m | Show | |
The second pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Philadelphia Flyers 8* (7:05 EST). Florida comes to Philadelphia with zero momentum, off a 3-2 home loss to the lowly Canucks. The Flyers enter off a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Las Vegas. This a “revenge” game of sort for the Flyers as Florida took two of three in the series last year. The Panthers have yet to score a power play goal this year and they rank 26th in the league on the penalty kill. James Reimer is expected in net tonight and he’s 4-7 with a 2.51 GAA lifetime against Philadelphia. The home side counters with Brian Elliot, who is 6-3 with a 2.41 GAA lifetime against the Panthers. Overall the Flyers are averaging 3.20 GPG despite getting shutout in their last game. I’ll point out as well that Philadelphia is 5-2 in its last seven after scoring two goals or less in its previous contest, while Florida is 1-4 in its last five on the road. For all the reasons listed above, play on the Flyers. Good luck…Larry |
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10-16-18 | Avalanche -124 v. Rangers | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -124 | 27 h 1 m | Show |
The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Colorado Avalanche (7:05 EST). Colorado comes in off a 3-2 OT loss at home to Calgary, while the Rangers enter off a 2-1 home loss to Edmonton. The Avs took both meetings last year and I think they’re going to find a way to get the job done here as well. Colorado is averaging 3.80 GPG. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov is already 3-1 with a 1.75 GAA and he’s 6-3 with a 3.07 GAA lifetime against the Rangers. New York is just 1-4 and it’s averaging 2.40 GPG, while conceding 3.60. Henrik Lundqvist is 1-3 with a 2.03 GAA. I’ll point out as well that the Rangers are only 5-21 in their last 26 after scoring two goals or less in their previous game, while the Avalanche are 11-5 in their last 16 against the Eastern Conference. I think Varlamov is the difference in this one. Lay the price. Good luck…Larry |
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10-11-18 | Jets v. Predators -125 | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 29 h 52 m | Show | |
The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Nashville Predators 9* (8:00 EST). Winnipeg got destroyed in Dallas, but then it bounced back with a win at home against LA. I think the Jets will stumble again here though in this difficult road venue. Winnipeg net minder Connor Hellebuyck has been inconsistent to say the least to open the year and I think he’s going to struggle again away from friendly confines. The Predators beat the Rangers and Isles, but then returned him for its opener only to get shutout by the Flames 3-0. It wasn’t for a lack of trying though, as the Predators put 43 shots on goal. With that awkward contest out of the way, I believe Nashville comes to play tonight as it looks to secure its first home win of the season. Note that Preds’ goaltender Pekka Rinne will get the nod here. I’ll point out as well that Nashville is a sharp 8-3 in its last 11 home games following a home loss and posted as a favorite in the -110 to -135 range. Look for Nashville to rebound with its first home win of the season. Great value. Good luck…Larry |
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10-11-18 | Kings +113 v. Canadiens | 3-0 | Win | 113 | 28 h 22 m | Show | |
The second pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the LA Kings 8* (7:30 EST). LA will be eager to get back into the winners circle here after its tough 2-1 road defeat to the Jets. Backup goaltender Jack Campbell has faced 77 shots on goals over his last two starts for the Kings and he’s stopped 73 of those, posting a .948 save percentage and 2.03 GAA through two games. The Habs come in complacent in my opinion, fresh off their 5-1 road win over Pittsburgh. Carey Price has looked decent to start the year after a disastrous campaign last season. Note though that Montreal is just 2-7 in its last nine home games as a favorite in the -105 to -135 range. I think the veteran Kings behind Campbell find a way to score the minor upset on the road on Thursday night. Play on LA. Good luck…Larry |
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10-11-18 | Blue Jackets v. Panthers -133 | 5-4 | Loss | -133 | 28 h 52 m | Show | |
The first pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Florida Panthers 8* (7:00 EST). Florida is out for a measure of revenge here, as Columbus took all three meetings last year. The Blue Jackets come in contented after their 5-2 home win over Colorado, while Florida comes in focused after its 2-1 shootout loss to Tampa on the road. Columbus could no doubt be caught “looking ahead” here to its game against Tampa on deck. Sergei Bobrovsky gets the call in net and he’s so far 1-1 with a 2.53 GAA. This is only Florida’s second game of the season, so there’s no doubt that the Panthers come into this one rested. James Reimer will get the the call in net for the home side. Last year he was 22-20 with a 2.99 GAA. The Panthers have in fact dropped four straight in this series, but as mentioned off the top, I believe the Blue Jackets are going to be caught “looking past” Florida tonight to their tough matchup against the Lightning upcoming. Play on the Panthers. Good luck…Larry |
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10-11-18 | Avalanche v. Sabres -115 | Top | 6-1 | Loss | -115 | 28 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Buffalo Sabres (7:00 EST). Colorado comes in off a 5-2 home loss to Columbus, while Buffalo enters off a 4-2 home victory over Las Vegas. After its first loss of the year, I think Colorado takes a step back here. The Avs opened the season 2-0, but they’d go on to lose their first road game of the year against the Blue Jackets. And that’s significant because note that Colorado was 28-13 in front of the home town crowd last season, compared to going just 15-26 on the road. Semyon Varlamov is expected between the pipes and last year he was 24-22 with a 2.68 GAA overall, but only 9-14 with a 3.09 GAA on the road. Buffalo enters 2-1, losing 4-0 at home to Boston on Opening Night, before then beating the Rangers (3-1) and the Knights. The Sabres once again turn to Carter Hutton in net and he stopped 35 of 37 shot that he faced last time out. Overall Hutton is 30-20 with a 2.31 GAA in all home game situations. I’ll point out as well that Buffalo is 8-3 in its last 11 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, while Colorado is just 17-52 in its last 69 on the road overall. I don’t think that the home ice advantage can be overlooked as a very real deciding factor in this particular match. I look for Colorado’s “road issues” to continue on Thursday night. Play on the Sabres. Good luck…Larry |
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10-09-18 | Maple Leafs v. Stars -115 | 7-4 | Loss | -115 | 30 h 6 m | Show | |
My 8* Wipeout Winner is on the Dallas Stars (8:35 EST). Toronto comes in off a high-scoring 7-6 win at Chicago and I think it’ll suffer a predictable letdown here in the desert. So far the inconsistent Leafs have conceded and averaged 4.3 GPG. Goaltender Frederik Anderson has been a disaster, giving up six goals off 23 shots against Ottawa in his previous start. Dallas looks sharp early, shutting out Arizona and then destroying Winnipeg 5-1. Tyler Seguin had two goals and an assist in the victory over the Jets. Jamie Benn leads the team though five points. Stars’ net minder Ben Bishop has so far given up just one goals on 63 shots faces. And to say this is a “revenge” game is a bit of an understatement I think, as Dallas has won just once in the last eight in the series. I’m banking on the consistent play of Bishop to be the difference in the end. Great value, play on Dallas. Good luck…Larry |
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10-04-18 | Blue Jackets v. Red Wings +113 | 3-2 | Loss | -100 | 27 h 20 m | Show | |
The second pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Detroit Red Wings 8* (7:30 EST). This is a triple revenge game for the Wings, as Columbus took all three meetings last year. Columbus averaged only 2.88 GPG last year. Its defense was ranked tenth overall in allowing just 2.76 GPG. Sergei Bobrovsky was 37-28 with a 2.42 GAA last year and while he’s enjoyed considerable success against the Wings in the past, I think he’ll come up short here on Opening Night. It’s a re-building year for Detroit, but it does have many nice pieces, including Gustav Nyquist, Dylan Larkin, Frans Nielsen and Andreas Athahasiou. Jimmy Howard is back in net after finishing 22-36 with a respectable 2.85 GAA last year. He’s 12-11 with a 2.00 GAA lifetime against Columbus and he owns a career 2.38 GAA at home. With a game at home tomorrow night against Carolina, I think the visitors also get caught “looking ahead.” Great spot to pull the trigger on the home dog. Play on the Wings. Good luck…Larry |
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10-04-18 | Predators -145 v. Rangers | 3-2 | Win | 100 | 27 h 20 m | Show | |
The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Nashville Predators (7:30 EST). Nashville won the Presidents Cup Trophy for best overall regular season record last year, but it would then lose in seven games to the Jets in the Western Conference second round. New York on the other hand finished last in the Eastern Conference. Predators head coach Peter Laviolette believes his team is ready to go all the way this year: “I think we’ve taken some steps in the right direction,” Laviolette assessed. “There’s some good things that we’ve done. There’s some positive things that we’ve done. But at the end of the day, it’s about winning that last game and being ahead until the last minute of a season ticks off.” The Predators will once again have one of the best defenses in the league as well, backed by one of the best goaltender in the league in Pekka Rinne. The Rangers’ No. 1 line consists of Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Pavel Buchnevich. New York will remain somewhat competitive with veteran goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, but clearly it’s a re-building year for the Rangers: “It’s a honeymoon for everybody right now,” new head coach David Quinn commented. “I’m fully aware of that.” Note as well that New York is just 3-7 in its last ten at home, while Nashville is 4-1 in its last five on the road. The Predators offense is deep and Nashville is once again poised to make a serious run at the cup. Look for them to come in focused here and deliver the goods on Opening night. Good luck…Larry |
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10-04-18 | Islanders v. Hurricanes -153 | 2-1 | Loss | -153 | 27 h 50 m | Show | |
The first pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Carolina Hurricanes 8* (7:00 EST). Neither team made the playoffs last year and they split the season series. The Islanders finished just under .500 last year, and that was with John Tavares in the line-up. New York now has Barry Trotz as the head coach and it has plenty of weapons as well in the likes of Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle. Last year New York though would allow 3.57 GPG, which was last in the NHL. Robin Lehner struggled with the Sabres last year and I think he’s going to have his hands full tonight as well. Last season he was 14-35 with a 3.01 GAA, including going 8-18 with a 3.34 GAA on the road. Lehner is 0-4 with a 4.25 GAA lifetime against the Hurricanes. Carolina lost Jeff Skinner and Lee Stempniak, but it brought in Douge Hamilton and Micheal Ferland through trades. Scott Darling is now the main man in net. He went 13-28 with a 3.18 GAA last year. Note though that he’s 3-2 with a 3.13 GAA lifetime against the Islanders. While neither team instills a lot of confidence, I’ll point out that the Isles are just 2-8 in their last ten road games. I like the home side to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Play on Carolina. Good luck…Larry |
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10-03-18 | Flames -120 v. Canucks | Top | 2-5 | Loss | -120 | 38 h 8 m | Show |
This is a 10* PERFECT STORM on the Calgary Flames (10:05 EST). Calgary returns its top four points getters from last year, including Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, who combined for 55 goals and 93 assists last season. Mike Smith isn’t getting any younger, but the veteran net minder comes in healthy at least. The Flames haven’t won their regular season opener since 2009-10, so they’ll absolutely be out to end that drought here. Calgary struggled last year, but the Canucks were horrible with 31 wins and 73 points under coach Travis Green’s first year. Two of their top three players in terms of points retired over the off-season (the Sedins), so the onus to guid the team falls on players like Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat. Vancouver may have won its opener in four straight years, but that streak is poised to end here as it tries to find its new identity early in the season. The visitors have the veteran experience and superior goaltending and could easily be a bigger favorite in my opinion. Play on the Flames. Good luck…Larry |
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06-07-18 | Capitals v. Golden Knights -140 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -140 | 66 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Las Vegas Golden Knights (8:05 EST). I played on Las Vegas in its last game and while that play came up short, I do now firmly believe the the Golden Knights will stave off elimination here with their best effort of the Cup Final. Las Vegas won Game 1 by a score of 6-4, but since then it’s been all Braden Holtby, Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Holtby is now 15-7 with a 2.13 GAA in the postseason, while the Knights’ Marc-Andre Fleury is 13-6 with a 2.15 GAA. So far overall this season Washington is 30-23 on the road, averaging 3.08 goals and conceding 3.08 in those contests. TJ Oshie scored his eighth of the playoffs in Game 5, while Brett Connolly posted his sixth. Overall this year Vegas is 36-14 at home, averaging 3.58 goals in those contests and conceding just 2.42. The Knights will be pushing the pace of this one from start to finish, as they have just five goals over their last three games. James Neal was a bright spot in a losing cause last time out with his sixth goals, while Reilly Smith also posted a goal, his sixth of the postseason. From a trend based stand point though, this one definitely favors the home side. As note that Washington is a poor 3-8 in its last 11 after scoring five goals or more in its previous contest, while Vegas is 6-1 in its last seven after allowing five goals or more in its previous game. For all the reasons listed above, play on the Knights. Good luck…Larry |
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06-04-18 | Golden Knights +118 v. Capitals | Top | 2-6 | Loss | -100 | 24 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* NHL GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Las Vegas Golden Knights (8:05 EST). Las Vegas steamrolled the Capitals 6-4 in Game 1, but since then it’s been all Washington in this series. With their backs against the wall and looking to tie this series up before heading home, I think the Golden Knights will indeed pull off the minor upset in Game 4. Once again it’ll Marc-Andre Fleury in net for the Knights (13-5, 1.95 GAA in the playoffs), vs. Braden Holtby for the Capitals (14-7, 2.13 GAA). Note that Vegas comes into this one averaging 2.89 goals per game in the playoffs, while conceding 2.06. Tomas Nosek was a bright spot in the Game 3 loss and he now has four goals over his last five games. Washington comes into this one averaging 3.45 goals per game in the postseason and conceding 2.55. Alex Ovechkin continues to be a force for the Capitals, as he’d pot his 14th marker of the playoffs in the Game 3 victory. It’s hard to point out to many negatives for the Capitals, as they’ve been super solid across the board all year long and throughout the playoffs. I will point out though that Vegas is 12-3 (+8.7 units) this year after scoring one goal or less in its previous outing. With the Capitals’ first Stanley Cup home game in 20 years out of the way, I predict a predictable letdown tonight. The Golden Knights know how to win on the road, going 28-22 overall away from friendly confines, including 6-3 in the playoffs. For all the reasons listed above, play on Las Vegas. Good luck…Larry |
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06-02-18 | Golden Knights v. Capitals OVER 5.5 | Top | 1-3 | Loss | -100 | 37 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* O/U Las Vegas Insider is on the over Knights/Capitals (8:05 EST). Game 1 was a barn-burner with the Golden Knights prevailing 6-4. Vegas scored the first goal in Game 2, but then the Capitals would clamp down and in the end earn the 3-2 victory. I had Washington in Game 2 and Alexander Ovechkin and goaltender Braden Holtby, who made perhaps the save of the year, would come through in the end for the visiting side. While Game 2 stayed below the posted number, I think that Game 3 will feature a lot of scoring as each side pushes the pace from start to finish. So far Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is 13-4 with a 1.88 GAA in the playoffs, while Braden Holtby is 13-7 with a 2.19 GAA. The Golden Knights come into this one averaging 3.06 GPG, while conceding 2.00. The Capitals come in averaging 3.48 GPG while allowing 2.62. I’ll point out though that Vegas has seen the total go over the number in 11 of 16 already this year when playing with two days rest, while Washington has seen the total eclipse the posted number in four of six already this season when tied in a playoff series. As mentioned off the top, I think that each side will be playing at a frantic pace, which will in turn lead to a high-scoring shootout. Play the over. Good luck…Larry |
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05-30-18 | Capitals +138 v. Golden Knights | Top | 3-2 | Win | 138 | 25 h 33 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Washington Capitals (8:05 EST). I had a play on the “under” in Game 1 and clearly I was off on that prediction. These teams came out fired up and each goaltender looked shaky. Washington had two leads in Game 1, but the Golden Knights were able to quickly even things up and then pulled away in the final moments for the 6-4 victory. The Capitals though will be risking life and limb today to even this series before heading home and I believe their effort will be enough to score the upset on Wednesday. It’ll be Braden Holtby going for the visitors in net and he’s 12-7 with a 2.20 GAA, while the Golden Knights are going with the red hot Marc-Andre Fleury, who is 13-3 with a 1.82 GAA to this point in the playoffs. So far the Capitals are averaging 3.50 goals, while conceding 2.65 in the postseason, while the Golden Knights are averaging 3.06 goals and allowing 1.94. It’s impossible to point out any negative trends for the Knights this year, as they’ve truly re-written the history books with their improbable run to the Cup Final in their very first season. However I will point out that Washington is an unbelievably strong 4-1 (+2.4 units) already when trailing in a playoff series this year, while also 15-9 (+5.4 units) after a loss by two goals or more in its previous outing. I look for Alexander Ovechkin and company to find a way to tie this series up before heading back to the Nation’s capital. Play on the Capitals. Good luck…Larry |
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05-28-18 | Capitals v. Golden Knights UNDER 5.5 | Top | 4-6 | Loss | -110 | 25 h 22 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the under Capitals/Knights (8:05 EST). The Capitals’ Braden Holtby is 12-6 with a 2.04 GAA in the playoffs this year, while the Golden Knights’ Marc-Andre Fleury is 12-3 with a 1.68 GAA. I base my selections on many different things. Sometimes it’s about scheduling, or revenge, or trends, or the overall situation etc. This one is based mainly on common sense. I think the long lay off between series will cause each of these high-powered teams to come out with some rust to open Game 1. And that’s all these World class goaltenders are going to need to turn this one into a classic “battle” in net. For the record, Washington enters averaging 3.47 goals and conceding 2.47 in the playoffs thus far, while Las Vegas is averaging just 2.87 goals and allowing 1.80 in the postseason. I’ll point out though that Washington has seen the total go under the number in five of its last seven after scoring four or more goals in its previous contest, while LV has seen the total dip below the posted number in five of eight when playing with three or more days of rest. For all the reasons listed above, play the under. Good luck…Larry |
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05-23-18 | Capitals v. Lightning -140 | 4-0 | Loss | -140 | 25 h 47 m | Show | |
My 8* Super Side is on the Tampa Bay Lightning (8:05 EST). Washington held on for a 3-0 win in Game 6. This has been a difficult series to predict, but with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line, I think that Tampa uses the home ice advantage to its favor and finds a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Washington goes with Braden Holtby in net and he’s 11-6 with a 2.16 GAA thus far in the Playoffs, while Tampa goes with Andrei Vasilevskly, who is 11-5 with a 2.55 GAA in the postseason. Washington is 28-22 on the road overall this year, averaging 3.04 goals and conceding 3.10 in those contests. During the playoffs though the Capitals have been averaging 3.44 goals and allowing 2.61. Tampa Bay is 35-15 at home this season, averaging 3.48 goals and conceding 2.94. During the playoffs the Lightning are averaging 3.13 goals and allowing 2.75. It’s hard to say anything negative about either of these teams, but I will point out that the Lightning are a superb 15-6 (+6.5 units) this year following a loss by two goals or more in their previous game. Additionally I'll point out that the Capitals sit just one win away from their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals since 1998 but the team owns a 4-11 record overall and a 1-3 mark on the road all-time in Game 7s. In contrast, the Lightning are 5-2 (3-0 at home) in deciding contests. All year long team’s play hard in the regular season in an attempt to gain “home ice advantage” throughout the Playoffs. I now believe that Tampa’s hard work pays off for it in this crucial situation. Lay the price, play on the Lightning. Good luck…Larry |
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05-23-18 | Capitals v. Lightning UNDER 5.5 | Top | 4-0 | Win | 100 | 25 h 48 m | Show |
My 10* O/U Las Vegas Insider is on the under Caps/Lightning (8:05 EST). Washington held on for a 3-0 win in Game 6. This has been a difficult series to predict, but with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line, I think each team plays it “cautious” in Game 7. Washington goes with Braden Holtby in net and he’s 11-6 with a 2.16 GAA thus far in the Playoffs, while Tampa goes with Andrei Vasilevskly, who is 11-5 with a 2.55 GAA in the postseason. Washington is 28-22 on the road overall this year, averaging 3.04 goals and conceding 3.10 in those contests. During the playoffs though the Capitals have been averaging 3.44 goals and allowing 2.61. Tampa Bay is 35-15 at home this season, averaging 3.48 goals and conceding 2.94. During the playoffs the Lightning are averaging 3.13 goals and allowing 2.75. These are two of the highest scoring teams in the league, but neither would have gotten this far without its respective goaltender. As stated off the top, I predict that each team comes out with a “cautious” approach, waiting for the other to make the first mistake. And in a scenario like that, I expect these competent netminders to be the main story lines in tomorrow’ summaries. Play the under. Good luck…Larry |
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05-21-18 | Lightning v. Capitals -120 | Top | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 25 h 38 m | Show |
This is a 10* GAME OF THE WEEK on the Washington Capitals. I played Washington in Game 5 and it came up short. The Capitals’ backs are now against the wall though, as Game 6 becomes their most important contest in franchise history. Washington roared out to a 2-0 series lead, winning both games in Tampa, before the Lightning bounced back by taking the next three. Caps’ goaltender Braden Holtby looked fantastic over the first two games, but the Bolts’ Andrei Vasilevskly has stolen the show over the last three. I said before this series started that I thought whichever team’s goaltender played better would come out on top. While Holtby has struggled over his last three, I think he’s poised to get back on track here in this crucial situation. All of the pressure is on Tampa Bay now to try and close this series and while it did succeed in the Nation’s capital in Game’s 3 and 4, I think the stage is finally set for letdown. I’l point out as well that Tampa is just 2-4 in its last six after three or more victories, while Washington is 5-2 in its last seven after three straight losses. These teams are very evenly matched, but the intensity in which the home side plays with will be the difference. All things considered, I do indeed feel that this is the very definition of “great line value.” Play on Washington. Good luck…Larry |
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05-20-18 | Golden Knights v. Jets -133 | 2-1 | Loss | -133 | 20 h 11 m | Show | |
My 10* 34-CLUB PLAY is on the Winnipeg Jets (3:05 EST). I’ve played on Winnipeg in Game 4 and it would come up short again in the 3-2 setback. It’s the biggest game of the year for the Jets in Game 5 though (down 3-1 to Las Vegas) and suffice it to say, I expect them to step up in this spot and find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Winnipeg has run into an incredibly hot goaltender in Marc-Andre Fleury. Connor Hellebuyck has struggled at times in net for the Jets in this series, but I think he’ll come up big here in this “must win” scenario. The Jets looked great in Game 1, storming out to an early 3-0 lead, before then holding on for the 4-2 victory. Since then though it’s been all Las Vegas, which continues to adapt its style of play throughout the playoffs. Clearly Winnipeg is going to have to bring the same intensity that it had in Game 1 to tonight’s contest as well. No one is more surprised than I am with how well the Knights have done this year, but can anyone out there say “letdown spot?!” If ever Las Vegas was going to have a mental lapse, then this is it. Vegas doesn’t have many negative stats to report, so I’m not going to bother. I will however point out that the Jets are a perfect 2-0 (+2 units) this year after three or more consecutive SU losses. The Golden Knights can return to home ice to wrap this series up in Game 6 and I think the knowledge of that fact does in turn finally lead to a letdown in Game 5. The stage is set for a big time blowout for the home side, so lay the price with confidence. Play on Winnipeg. Good luck…Larry |
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05-19-18 | Capitals +155 v. Lightning | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -100 | 24 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Washington Capitals (7:15 EST). So far the visiting team is 4-0 in this series and I fully expect that trend to carry over here. The pressure is now on Washington to respond after wasting its 2-0 series lead with back-to-back losses at home. A date on the road is just what the doctor ordered to get untracked for the Capitals though, as so far they’re 7-1 in the playoffs away from friendly confines. I said before this series started that whichever team’s goaltender plays better would most likely be the difference and so far that’s been the case over the first four games. The Capitals’ Braden Holtby (10-5, 2.24 GAA) looked much better in Game’s 1 and 2, while the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskly (10-4, 2.63) looked fantastic in the Nation’s capital in Game’s 3 and 4. Overall Washington comes into this one averaging 3.56 goals in the playoffs, while conceding 2.75. Tampa is averaging 3.36 goals in the postseason and conceding 2.69. Both teams have responded well in this spot for bettors all year long, but the double revenge factor of losing back-to-back games, combined with the other extremely strong trends I’ve listed above, make the Capitals just too good to turn down in this “plus-money” spot. Great value, play on Washington. Good luck…Larry |
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05-18-18 | Jets +107 v. Golden Knights | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -100 | 23 h 50 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Winnipeg Jets (8:05 EST). Winnipeg took Game 1 by a score of 4-2, but the Knights have stormed back to take the next two in the series. Down 2-1 and looking to avoid the dreaded 1-3 hole, I believe Winnipeg comes out and finds a way to get the job done in this crucial Game 4. So far the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck is 9-6 with a 2.34 GAA in the playoffs, while the Knights Marc-Andre Fleury is 10-3 with a 1.70 GAA. Winnipeg is averaging 3.33 goals in the playoffs and conceding 2.47. Mark Scheifele was a bright spot in the latest setback with both goals and he now has 14 in the postseason, leading all scorers. Las Vegas is averaging 2.92 goals in the playoffs and conceding 1.85. Jonathan Marchessault had two goals in the latest victory. From a trend based stand point, I think this one highly favors the desperate Jets though, as note that Winnipeg is 23-8 in its last 31 after scoring two goals or less in its previous contest. Winnipeg is also 20-7 in its last 27 games overall and during that stretch it hasn’t lost three in a row. I believe this strong trend carries over here. These teams are very evenly matched on paper, but as mentioned off the top, everything points to the “hungrier” side delivering the goods at the end of the night. Great value, play on the Jets. Good luck…Larry |
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05-17-18 | Lightning v. Capitals OVER 6 | Top | 4-2 | Push | 0 | 26 h 4 m | Show |
My 10* TOTAL LAS VEGAS INSIDER is on the over Lightning/Capitals. Tampa has made this a series after its 4-2 Game 3 victory. The Lightning though can ill afford to take the foot off the gas, as a loss would drop them to 3-1 in the series, a hole likely too deep to dig out of. Washington is going to have to match pace with its hungry counterpart tonight as it looks to regain the offensive form which saw it total nine goals over the first two games on the road. These are two of the best netminders in the league going head-to-head, but everything points to a wide-open “goal-fest” in my opinion. So far the Lightnings’ Andrei Vasilevskly is 9-4 with a 2.68 GAA in the postseason, while the Capitals’ Braden Holtby is 10-4 with a 2.18 GAA. Tampa is 29-17 on the road overall this year, averaging 3.53 goals and conceding 2.74 in those contests. Washington is 31-17 at home overall this season, averaging 3.35 goals and conceding 2.63 in those games. I’ll point out as well that Tampa has already seen the total go over the number in 23 of 38 this year after a victory by two goals or more, while the Caps have seen the total eclipse the posted number in five of their last seven after a loss by two goals or more. With each team pushing from start to finish, expect this one to soar over the total sooner than later. Play the over. Good luck…Larry |
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05-16-18 | Jets +129 v. Golden Knights | Top | 2-4 | Loss | -100 | 25 h 48 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Winnipeg Jets (9:05 EST). This series is all tied up 1-1. Winnipeg won Game 1 by a score of 4-2, before Las Vegas bounced back with the 3-1 victory in Game 2. For a number of different reasons though, I like the Jets to respond on the road in Game 3. Winnipeg sends Connor Hellebuyck to the net and he’s so far 9-5 with a 2.29 GAA, while Vegas counters with Marc-Andre Fleury, who is 9-3 with a 1.68 GAA thus far. Winnipeg is averaging 3.43 goals in the postseason and conceding 2.36. Las Vegas is averaging 2.83 goals in the playoffs and conceding 1.83. I’ll point out though that Winnipeg is 32-13 (+17.9 units) in trying to revenge a loss against an opponent this season. The Jets have in fact struggled at home of late, but they’ve done extremely well on the road, allowing a total of nine goals over their last five away from friendly confines. Las Vegas continues to struggle with offensive consistency in the postseason and I think that comes back to haunt it here against this revenge-minded Jets side. Great value, play on Winnipeg. Good luck…Larry |
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05-15-18 | Lightning +107 v. Capitals | Top | 4-2 | Win | 107 | 14 h 52 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Tampa Bay Lightning (8:05 EST). I had a play on the under in Game 1 and then came back with the Lightning in Game 2. So far I’m 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, but I’m expecting to get back into the winners circle tonight with the desperate Lightning. Washington won Game 2 by a score of 6-2. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskly is now 8-4 with a 2.74 GAA, while the Capitals’ Braden Holtby is 10-3 with a 2.04 GAA. Vasilevskly has struggled against the Capitals in this series, but coming in he was the entire reason why Tampa advanced to this round so quickly. I think he’ll bounce back here though with his strongest effort so far. Tampa’s offense will also looked to get untracked. The Lightning have managed just two goals thus far, but they still enter averaging 3.25 goals per game, while conceding 2.92. Washington is averaging 3.79 goals in the postseason and conceding 2.57. It’s hard to say anything negative about the Capitals obviously, as they’re likely playing the best hockey of the remaining clubs right now. However, I simply feel that this does indeed set up as a classic “letdown” spot finally. And conversely, it’s going to be all hands on deck for the Bolts as they look to avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole. Note as well that Tampa is 14-6 (+5.5 units) this year after allowing four goals or more in its previous contest this season. In my opinion, this is indeed the very definition of “great line value.” Play on the Lightning. Good luck…Larry |
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05-14-18 | Golden Knights +135 v. Jets | Top | 3-1 | Win | 135 | 24 h 7 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Las Vegas Golden Knights (8:05 EST). I pushed with the “under” in Game 1. Las Vegas got steamrolled in the first period, quickly finding itself down in a 3-0 hole. The Golden Knights would actually control the play of Game 1 after that, but it wasn’t enough in the eventual 4-2 setback. But Las Vegas has been incredibly resilient this year and I think the Golden Knights are going to bounce back in fine fashion tonight. The visitors send back Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes and he’s 8-3 with a 1.74 GAA in the postseason thus far, while the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck is 9-4 with a 2.23 GAA. Vegas comes into this one averaging 2.82 goals in the playoffs, while conceding just 1.91. A bounce back is imminent for Fleury and gang tonight in my opinion. The Jets are averaging 3.62 goals in the playoffs and conceding 2.31. I’ll point out though that Las Vegas is 15-5 (+7.4 units) this year in revenging a loss against an opponent, and 16-9 (+4.9 units) after allowing four goals or more in its previous contest. After getting caught off guard in Game 1, I think the Knights bounce back and take command in Game 2. Great value, play on Las Vegas. Good luck…Larry |
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05-13-18 | Capitals v. Lightning -190 | 6-2 | Loss | -190 | 25 h 14 m | Show | |
My 6* PERFECT STORM is on the Tampa Bay Lightning (8:05 EST). I had a play on the “under” in Game 1 and that would end up becoming a “push.” Washington accomplished what it set out to do, earning at least the split to open the Eastern Conference Finals, but suffice it to say, I’m expecting the home side to respond here after “laying an egg” in the first one. Here is a snippet of my analysis from the Game 1 selection: Each teams possesses unbelievable offensive depth, experience and talent. But the reason these two clubs are where they are right now is because of their goaltending to this point. The Capitals’ Braden Holtby is 8-3 with a 2.04 GAA and he easily outplayed his counterpart in Matt Murray last time out. The Lightnings’ Andrei Vasilevskly is 8-2 with a 2.20 GAA and he’d also be the difference maker in the last round, getting the better of Bruins’ veteran Tuukka Rask. Nothing’s changed from Game 1 to Game 2 for the most part, but I’ll point out that the Lightning are 14-5 (+7.4 units) this season already after a loss by two goals or more. I think Vasilevskly bounces back after his shaky Game 1 performance and I expect the hungry home side to put the foot on the gas from start to finish. Lay the price, play on the Lightning. Good luck…Larry |
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05-11-18 | Capitals v. Lightning UNDER 6 | Top | 4-2 | Push | 0 | 45 h 45 m | Show |
My 10* TOTAL PERFECT STORM is on the under Capitals/Lightning (8:05 EST). Tampa took two of three in the regular season between these clubs. The Capitals needed six games to get by the Penguins last round, while the Bolts edged the Bruins in five. The Lightning come in focused, while Washington comes in motivated after finally getting the monkey off its back with its win over Pittsburgh, a team which had knocked it out of the playoffs in each of the last two years. Each teams possesses unbelievable offensive depth, experience and talent. But the reason these two clubs are where they are right now is because of their goaltending to this point. The Capitals’ Braden Holtby is 8-3 with a 2.04 GAA and he easily outplayed his counterpart in Matt Murray last time out. The Lightnings’ Andrei Vasilevskly is 8-2 with a 2.20 GAA and he’d also be the difference maker in the last round, getting the better of Bruins’ veteran Tuukka Rask. From a trend based stand point, this one sets up well for a lower-scoring goaltenders battle as well, as note that Washington has seen the total go under the number in seven of 11 road games this year when the total in the contest was set at six or more, while Tampa has seen the total dip below the posted number in four of its last five when playing with three days rest. I think each side comes out a little flat footed, as fatigue becomes a major factor at this time of year. With each team playing it a bit cautious to start this series, it leaves the door open for the netminders to become the main focal point in tomorrow’s summaries. Play the under. Good luck…Larry |
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05-10-18 | Jets v. Predators -158 | Top | 5-1 | Loss | -158 | 25 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Nashville Predators (8:05 EST). Winnipeg is going with Connor Hellebuyck in net in Game 7 and he’s so far 7-4 with a 2.36 GAA in the playoffs, while Nashville turns to Pekka Rinne, who is 7-5 with a 2.94 GAA. Despite any success it’s had in the playoffs, I’ll point out that the achilles heel of Winnipeg has been its play on the road, where it’s a pedestrian 23-23, averaging 2.93 goals in those contests and conceding 2.80. And despite any struggles that it’s occurred in the postseason, note that Nashville is still 31-16 at home overall this year, averaging 3.34 goals and conceding 2.68 in those games. I’ll point out as well that the Jets are a poor 1-5 in their last six following a home loss of three or more goals, while the Predators are interestingly 23-9 in their last 32 when their opponent scores two goals or less in its previous contest. Home ice matters in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Lay the price with confidence. Good luck…Larry |
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05-07-18 | Predators +127 v. Jets | Top | 4-0 | Win | 127 | 37 h 33 m | Show |
The third 10* pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Nashville Predators (9:30 EST). It’s do or die for the visitors. Suffice it to say, I think the desperate Predators offer great value in this spot. Nashville was embarrassed 6-2 in Game 5 and I’m expecting this talented club to respond here. The Predators Pekka Rinne is so far 6-5 with a 3.23 GAA in the playoffs, while the Jets’ Connor Hellebyuck is 7-3 with a 2.29 GAA. Nashville is comfortable on the road, so far it’s 28-18 away from friendly confines, averaging 3.04 goals and conceding 2.50 in those contests. Rinne has a long history of dominance over Winnipeg as well, as he’s now 15-5 with a 2.41 GAA lifetime against it. Winnipeg is averaging 3.80 goals in the playoffs and conceding 2.30. Hellebyuck though is still a pedestrian 6-5 with a 3.20 GAA lifetime against the Preds. I’ll point out as well that Nashville is 18-11 (+4.8 units) this year after allowing four goals or more in its previous contest, while Winnipeg is just 1-3 (-2.3 units) in its last four when leading in a playoff series. Desperation breeds motivation. I think this series has Game 7 written all over it. Play on Nashville. Good luck…Larry |
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05-07-18 | Capitals v. Penguins -166 | 2-1 | Loss | -166 | 34 h 4 m | Show | |
The first 8* pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 EST). If you’re a fan of the NHL and you’re wagering on these games, then breaking down individual player match ups is pretty pointless. These are two of the most high-profile teams in the league and their players, their strengths and their weaknesses are well known to NHL fans and bettors. For the most part these clubs are very evenly matched. Up front, in the back and in the net. On any given Sunday, either of these teams could beat the other. But it’s been the Pens that have “had” the Caps number the last few seasons and I think they’ll bounce back in fine fashion here in front of the home town crowd once again. Note that teams that have won Game 5 of a best-of-seven series tied two games apiece have gone on to win the series 202 out of 256 times (78.9 percent), according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That's good news for the Caps but they haven't made the Eastern Conference finals since 1998. In fact, the last time Washington was in a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference final, the Caps blew a 3-1 series lead to the Rangers in 2015. Each of the last two postseasons they have lost to the Penguins in the second round and Pittsburgh has beaten Washington in NINE of the 10 postseason series in which the two teams have squared off. I like the defending champs to take care of business on their home ice and to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Lay the price with confidence, play on Pittsburgh. Good luck…Larry |
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05-07-18 | Capitals v. Penguins UNDER 5.5 | 2-1 | Win | 113 | 34 h 4 m | Show | |
The second 8* pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the under Caps/Pens (7:00 EST). For the most part Washington goaltender Braden Holtby has looked a lot better than Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray. That hasn’t always been the case historically though between these competent net-minders. The Pens will be looking to “shore things up” on the defensive though as they face elimination and with the home side putting a concerted effort onto that end of the ice, I do indeed expect a classic “goaltenders battle” in Game 6. The Pens are on the brink of elimination and they’re going to be risking life and limb getting into shooting and passing lanes tonight. Washington is on the brink of advancing, but it has a long and recent history of complete failure in this position (2015 East Conf Finals 3-1 lead on the Rangers, only to fall 4-3 in the most recent.) The conditions definitely set up for a more of a defensive battle. I’ll also point out though that Washington has seen the total go under the number in six of its last nine when leading in a playoff series, while Pittsburgh has seen the total dip below the posted number in three of its last four when trailing in a playoff series. For all the reasons listed above, play the under. Good luck…Larry |
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05-06-18 | Golden Knights v. Sharks -135 | Top | 3-0 | Loss | -135 | 26 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE MONTH is on the San Jose Sharks (3:00 EST). I base my selections on many different things. For this particular play though, I’m using common sense for the most part. This has been a very tight series, but with their backs against the wall and facing elimination, I’m banking on the home side Sharks to buckle down and find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Both teams have looked fantastic at times in this series and extremely pedestrian/poor in others. For arguments sake on this one, let’s call the goaltenders a “wash.” As mentioned off the top, I base my picks on many different things, including individual player match ups. But this particular play has nothing at all to do with match ups, but everything to do with the “elimination factor,” the “home ice” factor and note as well that the Sharks are an excellent 21-9 (+12.2 units) this season after allowing four goals or more in their previous outing. For all the reasons listed above, play on San Jose. Good luck…Larry |
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05-06-18 | Bruins +140 v. Lightning | Top | 1-3 | Loss | -100 | 34 h 44 m | Show |
y 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Boston Bruins (3:00 EST). I had a big play on the Bruins last time out and they’d unfortunately come up short in the 4-3 OT setback. With its back against the wall and facing elimination though, I like Boston to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night here. Boston is 24-22 on the road, averaging 2.91 goals and conceding 2.63 in those contests. Goaltender Tuukka Rask is 5-6 with a 2.96 GAA so far in the playoffs and over his career against the Bolts he’s now 16-8 with a 2.49 GAA. Tampa is 33-13 at home, averaging 3.57 goals and conceding 2.91 in those games. Netminder Andrei Vasilevskly is so far 7-2 with a 2.33 GAA in the playoffs and over his career he’s now 1-5 with a 2.51 GAA against the Bruins. Likely there will be many prognosticators laying the larger price and jumping on the Lightning bandwagon to end this series at home, but I think the desperate Bruins still have plenty of fight left in them. Play on Boston. Good luck…Larry |
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05-05-18 | Penguins v. Capitals OVER 5.5 | Top | 3-6 | Win | 100 | 37 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* O/U PERFECT STORM is on the over Pens/Caps (7:00 EST). These teams are all tied up at two games apiece. Game 5 is an important one and I’m expecting more of a wide open offensive affair as each side pushes the pace in search of a crucial victory. Note that Pittsburgh comes in ranked as the No. 1 offense in the playoffs with an average of 3.80 GPG, while conceding 2.60. Goaltender Matt Murray was 10-12 with a 3.05 GAA on the road this year and note that vs. the Capitals he’s just 4-4 with a 3.26 GAA. Washington is averaging 3.50 goals in the playoffs and conceding 2.80. Goaltender Braden Holtby is 6-3 with a 2.07 GAA overall in the playoffs, but just 8-11 with a 2.90 GAA lifetime against the Pens. I’ll point out as well that Pittsburgh has seen the total go over the number in 18 of 29 this year after a victory by two goals or more, while Washington has seen the total eclipse the posted number in 31 of 50 against winning clubs this season. For all the reasons listed above, play on the over. Good luck…Larry |
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05-04-18 | Lightning v. Bruins -145 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -145 | 36 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Boston Bruins (7:00 EST). A 3-1 hole heading back to Tampa would almost assuredly be too big for the Bruins to climb out of. With Boston risking life and limb getting into shooting and passing lanes, I look for the desperate home side to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Tampa comes into this one averaging 3.50 goals on the road, while conceding 2.75. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskly is 1-5 with a 2.51 GAA lifetime against the Bruins though. Boston is averaging 3.70 goals at home and conceding just 2.61. Tuukka Rask is 16-8 with a 2.49 GAA lifetime against the Bolts. For arguments sake, let’s call the goaltenders a “wash.” Note though that the Bruins are an amazing 21-6 in their last 27 after scoring two goals or less in their previous contest. Despite the loss last time out, Boston is still 33-8-4 in its last 45 at home against the Lightning. I expect that strong trend to continue in this important game. Lay the price, play on the Bruins. Good luck…Larry |
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Larry Ness NHL Picks
Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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10-22-19 | Maple Leafs v. Bruins -160 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 9 h 4 m | Show |
10-21-19 | Avalanche v. Blues -129 | Top | 1-3 | Win | 100 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
10-16-19 | Maple Leafs v. Capitals -115 | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 12 h 47 m | Show |
10-14-19 | Avalanche v. Capitals -127 | Top | 6-3 | Loss | -127 | 8 h 2 m | Show |
10-12-19 | Penguins v. Wild -117 | Top | 7-4 | Loss | -117 | 11 h 1 m | Show |
10-12-19 | Capitals +104 v. Stars | Top | 4-1 | Win | 104 | 11 h 59 m | Show |
10-12-19 | Jets v. Blackhawks -120 | 3-2 | Loss | -120 | 10 h 1 m | Show | |
10-10-19 | Ducks v. Penguins -136 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 10 h 20 m | Show |
10-08-19 | Bruins v. Golden Knights -138 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -138 | 14 h 50 m | Show |
10-07-19 | Sabres v. Blue Jackets -115 | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 10 h 43 m | Show |
10-04-19 | Capitals v. Islanders -116 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -116 | 14 h 2 m | Show |
10-03-19 | Flames +115 v. Avalanche | Top | 3-5 | Loss | -100 | 15 h 47 m | Show |
10-02-19 | Capitals +128 v. Blues | Top | 3-2 | Win | 128 | 13 h 53 m | Show |
06-12-19 | Blues v. Bruins -145 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -145 | 14 h 19 m | Show |
06-09-19 | Bruins +110 v. Blues | Top | 5-1 | Win | 110 | 13 h 42 m | Show |
06-03-19 | Bruins v. Blues -110 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 11 h 25 m | Show |
05-21-19 | Sharks +150 v. Blues | Top | 1-5 | Loss | -100 | 14 h 43 m | Show |
05-19-19 | Blues v. Sharks -125 | 5-0 | Loss | -125 | 8 h 17 m | Show | |
05-17-19 | Sharks v. Blues -133 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 12 h 15 m | Show |
05-14-19 | Bruins v. Hurricanes -110 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 46 m | Show |
05-11-19 | Blues v. Sharks -125 | Top | 3-6 | Win | 100 | 32 h 18 m | Show |
05-08-19 | Avalanche v. Sharks -135 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 13 h 2 m | Show |
05-06-19 | Sharks v. Avalanche -115 | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 14 h 31 m | Show |
05-06-19 | Bruins v. Blue Jackets -119 | 3-0 | Loss | -119 | 10 h 58 m | Show | |
05-03-19 | Islanders +120 v. Hurricanes | Top | 2-5 | Loss | -100 | 11 h 3 m | Show |
05-02-19 | Sharks v. Avalanche -117 | Top | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 15 h 58 m | Show |
05-01-19 | Blues v. Stars -119 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 15 h 32 m | Show |
05-01-19 | Islanders +109 v. Hurricanes | 2-5 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 52 m | Show | |
04-28-19 | Hurricanes v. Islanders -139 | 2-1 | Loss | -139 | 8 h 11 m | Show | |
04-26-19 | Hurricanes v. Islanders -130 | Top | 1-0 | Loss | -130 | 11 h 56 m | Show |
04-22-19 | Capitals v. Hurricanes -109 | Top | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
04-19-19 | Avalanche v. Flames -167 | 5-1 | Loss | -167 | 15 h 37 m | Show | |
04-18-19 | Golden Knights v. Sharks -111 | Top | 2-5 | Win | 100 | 14 h 22 m | Show |
04-16-19 | Islanders v. Penguins -160 | 3-1 | Loss | -160 | 12 h 53 m | Show | |
04-16-19 | Lightning -135 v. Blue Jackets | Top | 3-7 | Loss | -135 | 11 h 25 m | Show |
04-15-19 | Flames -121 v. Avalanche | 2-6 | Loss | -121 | 14 h 56 m | Show | |
04-15-19 | Capitals v. Hurricanes -124 | Top | 0-5 | Win | 100 | 11 h 59 m | Show |
04-14-19 | Jets +140 v. Blues | 6-3 | Win | 140 | 14 h 36 m | Show | |
04-14-19 | Lightning -132 v. Blue Jackets | Top | 1-3 | Loss | -132 | 13 h 12 m | Show |
04-13-19 | Maple Leafs v. Bruins -140 | Top | 1-4 | Win | 100 | 13 h 6 m | Show |
04-13-19 | Stars v. Predators -150 | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 11 h 56 m | Show | |
04-12-19 | Blues v. Jets -110 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
04-10-19 | Blues +104 v. Jets | Top | 2-1 | Win | 104 | 12 h 3 m | Show |
03-17-19 | Blues -150 v. Sabres | 3-4 | Loss | -150 | 9 h 45 m | Show | |
03-16-19 | Oilers v. Coyotes -130 | Top | 3-2 | Loss | -130 | 14 h 1 m | Show |
03-15-19 | Ducks v. Avalanche -1.5 | 5-3 | Loss | -100 | 14 h 25 m | Show | |
03-14-19 | Ducks v. Coyotes -136 | Top | 1-6 | Win | 100 | 15 h 23 m | Show |
03-13-19 | Devils v. Oilers UNDER 6 | Top | 6-3 | Loss | -113 | 15 h 24 m | Show |
03-12-19 | Capitals +123 v. Penguins | Top | 3-5 | Loss | -100 | 11 h 7 m | Show |
03-11-19 | Blue Jackets v. Islanders -112 | Top | 0-2 | Win | 100 | 12 h 21 m | Show |
03-10-19 | Golden Knights v. Flames UNDER 6 | Top | 3-6 | Loss | -120 | 15 h 36 m | Show |
03-09-19 | Hurricanes v. Predators -150 | Top | 5-3 | Loss | -150 | 13 h 26 m | Show |
03-08-19 | Jets +135 v. Hurricanes | Top | 8-1 | Win | 135 | 13 h 55 m | Show |
03-07-19 | Flames v. Coyotes +117 | Top | 0-2 | Win | 117 | 14 h 13 m | Show |
03-06-19 | Capitals -117 v. Flyers | Top | 5-3 | Win | 100 | 13 h 10 m | Show |
03-05-19 | Canadiens -129 v. Kings | Top | 3-1 | Win | 100 | 16 h 2 m | Show |
03-04-19 | Oilers v. Sabres UNDER 6 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 12 m | Show |
03-03-19 | Flyers v. Islanders -154 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -154 | 9 h 44 m | Show |
03-02-19 | Devils v. Bruins UNDER 6 | Top | 0-1 | Win | 100 | 13 h 39 m | Show |
03-01-19 | Capitals -104 v. Islanders | Top | 3-1 | Win | 100 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
02-28-19 | Lightning v. Bruins -115 | Top | 1-4 | Win | 100 | 28 h 51 m | Show |
10-22-18 | Avalanche v. Flyers -108 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 18 m | Show |
10-21-18 | Flames -127 v. Rangers | Top | 4-1 | Win | 100 | 27 h 5 m | Show |
10-16-18 | Stars v. Devils -125 | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 27 h 2 m | Show | |
10-16-18 | Panthers v. Flyers -121 | 5-6 | Win | 100 | 27 h 1 m | Show | |
10-16-18 | Avalanche -124 v. Rangers | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -124 | 27 h 1 m | Show |
10-11-18 | Jets v. Predators -125 | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 29 h 52 m | Show | |
10-11-18 | Kings +113 v. Canadiens | 3-0 | Win | 113 | 28 h 22 m | Show | |
10-11-18 | Blue Jackets v. Panthers -133 | 5-4 | Loss | -133 | 28 h 52 m | Show | |
10-11-18 | Avalanche v. Sabres -115 | Top | 6-1 | Loss | -115 | 28 h 51 m | Show |
10-09-18 | Maple Leafs v. Stars -115 | 7-4 | Loss | -115 | 30 h 6 m | Show | |
10-04-18 | Blue Jackets v. Red Wings +113 | 3-2 | Loss | -100 | 27 h 20 m | Show | |
10-04-18 | Predators -145 v. Rangers | 3-2 | Win | 100 | 27 h 20 m | Show | |
10-04-18 | Islanders v. Hurricanes -153 | 2-1 | Loss | -153 | 27 h 50 m | Show | |
10-03-18 | Flames -120 v. Canucks | Top | 2-5 | Loss | -120 | 38 h 8 m | Show |
06-07-18 | Capitals v. Golden Knights -140 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -140 | 66 h 44 m | Show |
06-04-18 | Golden Knights +118 v. Capitals | Top | 2-6 | Loss | -100 | 24 h 13 m | Show |
06-02-18 | Golden Knights v. Capitals OVER 5.5 | Top | 1-3 | Loss | -100 | 37 h 58 m | Show |
05-30-18 | Capitals +138 v. Golden Knights | Top | 3-2 | Win | 138 | 25 h 33 m | Show |
05-28-18 | Capitals v. Golden Knights UNDER 5.5 | Top | 4-6 | Loss | -110 | 25 h 22 m | Show |
05-23-18 | Capitals v. Lightning -140 | 4-0 | Loss | -140 | 25 h 47 m | Show | |
05-23-18 | Capitals v. Lightning UNDER 5.5 | Top | 4-0 | Win | 100 | 25 h 48 m | Show |
05-21-18 | Lightning v. Capitals -120 | Top | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 25 h 38 m | Show |
05-20-18 | Golden Knights v. Jets -133 | 2-1 | Loss | -133 | 20 h 11 m | Show | |
05-19-18 | Capitals +155 v. Lightning | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -100 | 24 h 26 m | Show |
05-18-18 | Jets +107 v. Golden Knights | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -100 | 23 h 50 m | Show |
05-17-18 | Lightning v. Capitals OVER 6 | Top | 4-2 | Push | 0 | 26 h 4 m | Show |
05-16-18 | Jets +129 v. Golden Knights | Top | 2-4 | Loss | -100 | 25 h 48 m | Show |
05-15-18 | Lightning +107 v. Capitals | Top | 4-2 | Win | 107 | 14 h 52 m | Show |
05-14-18 | Golden Knights +135 v. Jets | Top | 3-1 | Win | 135 | 24 h 7 m | Show |
05-13-18 | Capitals v. Lightning -190 | 6-2 | Loss | -190 | 25 h 14 m | Show | |
05-11-18 | Capitals v. Lightning UNDER 6 | Top | 4-2 | Push | 0 | 45 h 45 m | Show |
05-10-18 | Jets v. Predators -158 | Top | 5-1 | Loss | -158 | 25 h 58 m | Show |
05-07-18 | Predators +127 v. Jets | Top | 4-0 | Win | 127 | 37 h 33 m | Show |
05-07-18 | Capitals v. Penguins -166 | 2-1 | Loss | -166 | 34 h 4 m | Show | |
05-07-18 | Capitals v. Penguins UNDER 5.5 | 2-1 | Win | 113 | 34 h 4 m | Show | |
05-06-18 | Golden Knights v. Sharks -135 | Top | 3-0 | Loss | -135 | 26 h 5 m | Show |
05-06-18 | Bruins +140 v. Lightning | Top | 1-3 | Loss | -100 | 34 h 44 m | Show |
05-05-18 | Penguins v. Capitals OVER 5.5 | Top | 3-6 | Win | 100 | 37 h 26 m | Show |
05-04-18 | Lightning v. Bruins -145 | Top | 4-3 | Loss | -145 | 36 h 32 m | Show |