[InTheHole]

NEW JERSEY -½ +1.05 over Chicago

The Blackhawks are in a horrible funk and they couldn’t have handpicked a worse opponent to face under those conditions. Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’re aware of the fact that all eyes will be on this game tonight, as Martin Brodeur goes for the record for most wins in NHL history by a goaltender. Chances are great that the free-falling Blackhawks won’t get their way. Chicago has dropped four of five and seven of its last 10. Among the teams they lost to are the NY Islanders and Colorado. The Devils, meanwhile have won three in a row and seven of eight. With a chance to tie the record for Brodeur the Devils went into Montreal on Saturday and played like a team possessed (pardon the pun) and won 3-1 and that’s a flattering result for the Habs. They out-shot Montreal 48-23. Now Brodeur has a chance to break the record at home and the Devils will treat this one like the seventh game of a playoff series. The place will be nuts, the players will be extra juiced and I just can’t imagine the Devils not getting the job done. Play: New Jersey -½ +1.05 (Risking 2 units).



NY Rangers +1.23 over MONTREAL

The Habs keep getting way too much love by the books and I have no idea why. This team might not another game this year and that’s not a joke. They lose to good teams, they lose to bad teams and they not only lose but they get outplayed by a wide margin. Now they’ll face one of the rejuvenated teams in the business and they’ll face one of the best goalies in the game too. Against New Jersey in a game they were supposed to be juiced up for they were out-shot 48-23. Prior to that they lost at home to the Islanders and the list of poor performances over the past 10 weeks goes on and on and on and on and on. Even during its four game winning streak they looked bad and only won because Price or Halak stood on their respective heads. So, yeah, the goaltenders could win them a game here and there but when I’m getting a tag with the far better team and the only thing that can beat me is the goalie, you can pencil me in. Play: NY Rangers +1.23 (Risking 2 units).

VANCOUVER -½ -1.10 over Dallas

The Canucks have busted out of its January swoon big time. Since not being able to win a game in January, the Canucks have gone 14-3-1 since and have reeled off nine in a row at home. The team is now eight points ahead of the eighth place Oilers. Vancouver has allowed two goals or less in six of its last eight games and the Stars don’t offer up much offensively. Dallas is in the middle of the pack in goals scored but in the last two months they’re near the bottom of the league in goals scored and what you did in October means nothing in March. These Stars are banged up, they’re struggling, they can’t score and they’re just going to be extremely hard-pressed to win in this one. Lay the ½ puck and a dime. Play: Vancouver -½ -1.10 (Risking 2 units).