Is there a team in the NHL that is playing worse than the Habs? No, there is not. Thus, the fact that Montreal is close to a 2-1 favorite is ridiculous. It’s like the Islanders or Thrashers being a 2-1 favorite over the Oilers. Yeah, there’s the new coach angle but as far as the players are concerned, Bob Gainey might be more despised than Guy Carbonneau and the new coach is not able to change the players on the ice. The Oilers are coming off a 4-1 win in Toronto on Saturday night and they’ll be playing on two full days of rest. Under those conditions the Oilers are an impressive 11-4 this season and this is not one of its tougher assignments. All these games are crucial, as both these teams are fighting for their playoff lives every time they step on the ice. I also like the fact that the Oilers haven’t played in Montreal in about three years meaning they’ll be a little extra juiced playing here. These two met in Edmonton one month ago and the Oilers cut up the Habs 7-2. No reason they can’t beat them again and at this price they’re simply a must play. Huge overlay.
Play: Edmonton +1.79 (Risking 2 units).
NEW JERSEY -½ +1.16 over Calgary (REG)
The Flames made some nice moves at the deadline but it hasn’t translated into anything except some bad losses and until I see something different from them, I’ll gladly take the Devils to beat them too. Calgary has allowed 11 goals in its last two games to Atlanta and Carolina and they recently gave up eight goals to the Lightning. Rene Bourque is out, as is Todd Bertuzzi, Wayne Primeau and Daymond Langkow. Langkow is a scorer but he’s also a gritty guy and Rene Bourque has been one of Calgary’s best players all season long. He, too, is about as gritty and talented as any non-superstar in the league. Throw in Bertuzzi and Primeau into that equation and the Flames are missing their grit and swagger. Now they’ll play a Devils team coming off a 7-3 loss to the Islanders and that’s not the best situation for this visitor. Also note that the Flames will be playing its fifth straight on the road and they have the Red Wings up next at the Joe. The Devils need no introduction. They’re among the elite and they do everything well. They’ve won four of five and they catch the Flames at precisely the right time. Calgary is fragile right now and when the Devils smell a wounded animal they can usually be counted on for the kill.
Play: New Jersey -½ +1.16 (Risking 2 units).
NY Islanders +1.27 over TORONTO
You have to give the Leafs credit for continuing its competitive play despite the fact that the line-up they have out there resembles that of a Junior A team. Toronto played another decent game last night in Ottawa but it’s highly likely they’ll be a little flat tonight. This is the Leafs third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs. This team is just not ready to take on the roll of a favorite, as they have too many young guys that can’t be counted on. The Islanders are playing good right now with four wins in five games and that includes a 7-3 win over the Devils and a 2-0 win over the Sabres. The Islanders and the Leafs pretty much mirror one another right now with a lot of unproven but talented youngsters in the line-up. However, the Islanders are playing better, they’re in a more favorable spot and they’re getting a tag. Sounds right to me.
Play: NY Islanders +1.27 (Risking 2 units).
ST. LOUIS -½ +1.27 over Dallas
Well, this has to be considered the biggest game in a long time for the Blue Notes and certainly its biggest game of the season. Expect a big crowd and a playoff like atmosphere, as the Blues continue to inch towards a playoff spot. As it stands now, the Blue Notes are just four points behind the Stars and Preds for the final playoff spot and St. Louis has a game in hand. A win here would be absolutely huge and you know for sure the players are going to be completely amped up. Hell, when it appeared this team had no shot to make it a couple of months ago, the players were amped up then. In any case, the playoffs are a reality and no team in the NHL plays with more determination and heart than the Blues. The Stars are in a serious funk with just two wins over its last nine games and that includes a 3-1 home loss to the reeling Habs on Sunday. That’s a game they had to have and now the Stars are in big trouble. In fact, Dallas has scored one goal or less in five of its previous nine games and that’s a huge concern. Asking them to come into this extremely hostile environment in the Blues biggest game in years is an assignment this intruder is just not ready for.
****Randle the Handle**** (1-1 yesterday NHL)
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