Scott Rickenbach’s NHL 2* (Top Play) New Jersey Devils Money Line (-) @ New York Rangers @ 7:05 PM ET – This is a crucial game in terms of its playoff implications. The Devils are trying to hang on to their Atlantic Division lead while the Rangers are just trying to secure a playoff spot. One thing is for certain, the Devils haven’t forgotten what happened last spring. That’s when the Rangers eliminated the Devils from the playoffs in four games. Martin Brodeur was between the pipes for New Jersey and Sean Avery, the agitator, was doing his best to cause problems for the Devils netminder. The stick handling and placement that the Rangers Avery was using in front of Brodeur – basically to screen him - has since been outlawed. The bad blood between these teams has not been forgotten though. The Devils have won three straight meetings with the Rangers and this includes a 4 to 2 win at Madison Square Garden in their last visit there which was on December 27th. Many will point to Brodeur’s poor recent record against the Rangers as a reason to fade the Devils here. However, Brodeur’s 2.07 GAA in going 1-5-3 in his past 9 regular season starts against New York absolutely shows that he’s been on top of his game against the Rangers. The New Jersey netminder has also been on top of his game since he returned from injury. He was 2-0 with a total of just two goals allowed in his two February starts. In March, even though the Devils have recently hit a tough patch, Brodeur has gone 7-4-1 with a 2.38 GAA. In night games this season, Brodeur is 13-4-2 with a 1.92 GAA and a .934 save percentage. When he wins, he shuts people down as his 15 wins have seen him compile a .957 save percentage and a 1.09 GAA. The Devils have lost four straight games but they were at Boston, Philly, and Chicago plus then had a home game versus a red-hot Carolina club. All those teams are higher in the standings than this Rangers club and there is concern in New York! Even though the Rangers have improved since they made the coaching change, they are still an inconsistent team! The Rangers have lost three of their last four games. Also, Avery is actually hurting New York right now because it appears he is targeted by the referees. This is resulting in a lot of power play time for Rangers opponents and New York is getting weary from always being on the penalty kill. They’ll be facing a fired up Devils team that just saw their 11-game home winning streak (a club record) come to an end against the Hurricanes on Saturday. New Jersey needs little motivation as they let that game get away from by allowing a late goal and they now get a shot against Avery and the hated Rangers. We get line value here because the Devils are on the road and because of they’ve just matched their longest losing streak of the season (4 games). Again, much of that had to do with the quality of opposition faced and they now take on a Rangers club that they’ve defeated three straight times by an average score of 15 to 7. Also, while the Rangers had the services of #1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist for all three of those games, the Devils were using goalie Scott Clemmensen in those games due to the Brodeur injury. With Brodeur now back, the domination is even more likely to continue here! Play New Jersey on the money line as a Top Play selection.
3/30/2009
7:35:00 PM Orlando Magic (-2)
over MIAMI HEAT
Scott Rickenbach’s NBA 1* (regular play) Orlando Magic (-) @ Miami @ 7:35 PM ET – After seeing numbers of 3.5 on this game yesterday we’re now seeing as low as a -2 in some books this morning. This is offering fantastic line value to the Magic in this spot. All Orlando has done against Miami is win 11 of the last 12 meetings. Also, if you’re concerned because Dwyane Wade has been hot for the Heat don’t be! The Miami guard has lit up the Magic in the past and yet the Heat still lose! The problem for the Heat tonight is that they’re facing an Orlando team that is well rested and that has “Superman” Dwight Howard absolutely in a zone right now. Howard is coming off of a huge game and yet he had plenty of rest too because the Magic annihilated the Bucks in their most recent game, on Friday versus Milwaukee. The big win allowed Orlando to rest their starters so they will be fresh here and there also is no lookahead for the Magic. On deck for Orlando is a game at Toronto on Wednesday. The Magic have won six straight but, because Miami is retiring Alonzo Mourning’s jersey at half-time tonight and because the Heat have been solid at home this season, every one appears to be piling on Miami here. We understand this but, then again, we don’t! Emotions will only carry you so far in a basketball game and then it comes down to match-ups. Whether or not Miami is fired up about playing hard for Mourning tonight is not as critical as whether or not they can stop Orlando from dominating them both in the paint and on the perimeter. This has been a problem for the Heat in the past and let’s not forget that Orlando has the best road record in the Eastern Conference! Miami is just 3-5 in their last 8 games and their three wins came against Milwaukee, Memphis, and Detroit. The Grizzlies are already eliminated from post-season contention, the Bucks are close to elimination, and the Pistons continue to stumble and potentially fall out of the playoff picture. The point is that the Heat have not beaten anybody of any real significance plus they’ve lost five of their last eight games. Now the Heat are suppose to rise and beat a team that has always given them major headaches? We just don’t see it and we’re backing the road team with the value in this one as this line continues to fall! The Magic have their sights set on the #2 seed in the conference so there will be no letdown here from Orlando. The Magic have also proven there is no “let up” for them as they’ve won six straight games entering this divisional match-up. Play Orlando minus the points as a regular selection
Scott Rickenbach NHL TV GOY 3-30-09
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