[tinfw17]

San Jose -½ +1.11 over TAMPA BAY (REG) Pinnacle
The3 Sharkies are an offensive juggernaut and that alone makes them extremely difficult to beat. It’s just so hard to outscore this team and to make things even tougher, its defense is good and its goaltending is very good. The Sharks can almost always be counted on for four or more goals and it’s hard to envision the Lighting containing them. Tampa has dropped two straight and were outscored 11-2 in those contests. Mike Smith has gone Vesa Toskala on his teammates and his confidence is completely shot. Now with a slew of snipers aiming his way, his chances of a good game are slim at best. The Lightning has two wins this year, one against the Canes and one against the Panthers. When playing quality they’ve been buried, as their 7-1 loss to the Pens, it’s 4-1 loss to the Sens and it’s 6-3 an loss to the Thrashers will attest to. The Lightning are reeling and although they may eventually snap out of it, it’s doubtful that’ll occur tonight against a team that appears about 100 times hungrier than the Bolts. Incidentally, LeCavalier is still without a goal this year and has not scored in 14 games dating back to last season. Play: San Jose -½ +1.11 (Risking 2 units).

PHOENIX +1.13 over Detroit (REG) Pinnacle
This line is based on past histories because if you go by this year, the Red Wings should not be favored. Detroit is playing .500 while the Coyotes are 5-2. In three games away from the Joe, the Red Wings are 0-3 and in it’s only true road game of the year, in Buffalo, the Red Wings lost 6-2. Meanwhile the Coyotes have won three in a row against San Jose, St. Louis and Boston. In fact they shutout the Sharkies and you may not see that again this season from anyone. They’re playing tremendous defense, Bryzgalov has been brilliant and the Coyotes are really limiting the opposition’s shots on net. In fact, in five of its first seven games they’ve held the opposition to 26 shots or less. Chris Osgood has been shaky (he’s just not that good) and that alone gives the Coyotes a great chance to win. Throw in the fact that they’re paying better than Detroit and they’re at home and one can see where the value lies in this one. Wrong side favored. Play: Phoenix +1.13 (Risking 2 units).

[Spanks]

how is this guy?