[tinfw17]

Thursday
Game one
Boston –1.08 over L.A. ANGELS PINNACLE
First off, the Angels usually don’t beat the Red Sox and would’ve probably preferred to play the Yanks, at least from a psychological standpoint. In fact, these two have met three times in the playoffs since ’04 and the Angels have one win. Not one series win, one victory in 10 games. Secondly, the Red Sox have a huge edge on the hill in game one as Jon Lester is about as good as it gets while John Lackey had an average year and lost three of his last four starts. On Sept 26, the A’s knocked Lackey around for 10 hits and six runs in five innings and he followed that up with a “tune-up for the playoffs start” against Texas in which he went two innings and allowed four hits and two runs. His last stretch of good games came when he won three in a row from Aug 30-Sept 10 when he beat Seattle, K.C. and Oakland. You’ll have to excuse me while I crap in my pants over that run. Anyway, Lester might be the best pitcher in baseball and when he’s on he’s virtually unhittable. Based on the starters and the fact that the Angels might be collectively behind the eight-ball psychologically before this series even starts, the Red Sox are going to beat them again and it starts right here in game one. Play: Boston –1.08 (Risking 2.16 units to win 2).

[tinfw17]

Phoenix +1.57 over BUFFALO (REG) Pinnacle
How can the Coyotes not have impressed you thus far? Right now this team is all business on the ice. They played a near flawless game in Pittsburgh last night when they outplayed the Pens and took a 2-0 lead into the third period and allowed just six shots on net in that final period. The Coyotes are now 2-0 and have outscored its opponents 9-3. The Sabres ran into a hot Carey Price in its opener, losing in OT to the Habs. Buffalo actually could surprise some people too this year. They have some outstanding young talent behind the blue-line in Chris Butler and newcomer Tyler Myers and with the always reliable and talented Craig Rivet back there, the Sabres are pretty solid back there. Anyway, more on the Sabres as the season unfolds but this choice is much more about taking back a pretty decent price on a focused and dialed in Coyotes team. No doubt this one will be close but confidence is high on the Coyotes with two wins and nine goals in its first two games while the Sabres offense might be pressing a little tonight. Play: Phoenix +1.57 (Risking 2 units).

NY Islanders +1.68 over OTTAWA (REG) Pinnacle
The Sens have really played well in its first two games, as they’re now 1-1 after beating the Leafs on Tuesday. Last Saturday they lost its opener in New York by a misleading score of 5-2, as they out-chanced and outplayed the Rangers. However, both those games were on the road where the Sens could play pressure-free hockey but at home they’ll be feeling the pressure a lot more. This is a Sens team that unlike years gone by is going to have to grind out wins and that’s a style the locals aren’t used to. Ottawa is very likely going to continue to have difficulties finding the back of the net and that makes them a huge risk as a big favorite. The Islanders looked pretty damn good in its opener against the Pens. They were hitting, they were creating scoring chances and they just might be the league’s most improved team. The Islanders goaltending appears to be stable (Roloson was terrific in the opener) and the first line of Tavares, Okposko and Moulson were buzzing all night long. Anyway, the Islanders are live and with a tag like this against Ottawa the value on this visitor has to be considered pretty sweet. Of course the Islanders can win. Play: NY Islanders +1.68 (Risking 2 units).

PHILADELPHIA -½ +1.19 over Pittsburgh (REG) Pinnacle
The Carolina Hurricanes knocked out the Bruins in last year’s playoffs and when they played last week the Bruins annihilated them. Ditto for the Ducks when they faced San Jose a few days ago. Now for the third installment of the “revenge” factor, we have the Champs playing in Philly. You might all remember that the Flyers blew a 3-0 lead in game six and eventually lost and you know for sure the Flyers will come out with a ton of intensity and with a purpose. Philly looks great thus far while the Pens look average. Pittsburgh will eventually pick it up but right now they’re the hunted and they really don’t have to prove anything. The Flyers do and with balanced scoring, confidence in its goaltending, Chris Pronger and a healthy Daniel Briere, the Flyers are among the elite and this is a much more important game for them than it is for the Penguins. Play: Philadelphia -½ +1.19 (Risking 2 units).

Note: Adding:
Colorado +1.29 over NASHVILLE
The line came out late due to the unceratin status of J.P. Dumont and thus the reason for no write-up. Playing: Colorado +1.29 (Risking 2 units).