[tinfw17]

Toronto +1.09 over CAROLINA (REG) 5DIMES
The Canes are eventually going to win a game but it’s not likely to happen here. You see, without Eric Staal the Hurricanes chances of winning decrease dramatically because he’s their best player and it’s not close. His loss is worse to the Canes than OV’s is to Washington. The Canes lose a great player while the Leafs got one back last game in Phil Kessel. The Leafs record looks pathetic on paper and it is but Toronto deserves a whole lot better than what they’ve earned thus far. They’re playing hard, they’re usually outplaying the opposition by a decent margin and they’re finally starting to get a little consistency in net. Despite just one win on the year, the Leafs have picked up points in five straight games and four of those were on the road. So, for those of you that think the Leafs are bottom feeders and will remain there, think again, as they’re on the verge of something good and their hard work, determination and very underrated talent is going to start paying dividends. The Leafs recently went into Buffalo, Dallas, Anaheim and Vancouver and out-played and outskated all four of those teams and this is without question its easiest assignment of the year. Any tag against the Canes is worthy of a wager and this one is no exception. Play: Toronto +1.09 (Risking 2 units).

BUFFALO -½ +1.14 over Philadelphia Pinnacle
The Flyers are coming off two routs over Carolina and Tampa Bay in which they cruised to 6-1 and 6-2 victories. That’s nice, it really is but the Flyers are overvalued because frankly, they’re very beatable. In fact, in that 6-1 win over Carolina they ran into a shaky goaltender but were outshot 40-28. They Bolts pulled a complete no-show the next game and Mike Smith was brutal as well. Thing is, the Flyers are not going to run into bad goaltending when they take a huge step up in class in facing Ryan Miller and the Sabres. Buffalo is 9-2-1-0 and it’s no fluke. They’re tough as shoe leather and its defense is amongst the best in the business in terms of creating offense and preventing it. When the defense gets beat Miller will almost always bail them out and in order to beat the Sabres in Buffalo you pretty much have to be near flawless. Philly is just 5-5 over its last 10 games and have lost to every good team they’ve played over that stretch and you can add the Sabres to that group when this one is in the books. Play: Buffalo -½ +1.14 (Risking 2 units).

[tinfw17]

Washington +1.07 over INDIANA PINNACLE
The Pacers finally got off the mattress with a win in New York but had they been playing any other team that night they likely would’ve been buried. The Knicks scored just 33 points in the second half and at one point in the fourth quarter they were 2-14 from the field. The Pacers are a sloppy, uninspiring group that is going to have to rely on a lot of things going their way to win games. If you like watching turnovers, watch the Pacers. The Wizards are coming off a close loss at home to Miami but they trailed 24-6 and came a long way back to tie it late in the fourth. Despite losing in Cleveland the previous game, Washington still built a 20-point lead and these are all good signs that instill confidence. The Wizards are simply the superior team here in a winnable game it says here they get it. Play: Washington +1.07 (Risking 2 units).

Oklahoma City +2.25 over HOUSTON PINNACLE
The Rockets are off to a very good start and there’s a lot to like about them, mainly Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza but they’re going to have a lot of off nights because of a lack of depth and a lack of experience. Ariza essentially replaces Artest and that’s a pretty tall task. The Okies are on the rise and it all starts with Kevin Durant, one of the best pure scorers in the game. He’s big, he’s smooth and he’s very dangerous. The highly touted Russell Westbrook arrived last year after just two seasons at UCLA and delivered. He has future star written all over him. Arizona State guard James Harden brings youth, energy and most of all talent to the Thunder franchise now joins Durant, Jeff Green and Westbrook. The Thunder are no longer pushovers and while they’ll have off nights too, they still have a great chance to win a lot more games, both at home and on the road. The Thunder are already playing terrific defense and in its only road game thus far they went into Detroit and beat the Pistons by eight. The price offered here is pretty damn sweet and I’ll be on the lookout for value like this all year long. Give the Okies a very good shot at pulling off the upset. Play: Oklahoma City +2.25 (Risking 2 units).