[Trident]

Toronto +1.43 over OTTAWA (REG) Pinnacle
It all comes down to goaltending for the Maple Leafs because when they get some they’re very difficult to beat. It doesn’t even have to be great goaltending, just adequate because on most night you’ll find the Leafs outplaying their opponent. On Saturday against the Flames, the Leafs outshot the Flames by a whopping 40-22 but still lost and that’s pretty much been the story of their season. Anyway, it’ll be Vesa Toskala in net tonight and he’s looked a lot sharper recently and he’s playing and moving in the net with a lot more confidence. The Sens are in a bit of a funk too but it’s not from a lack of effort. They, too, are difficult to beat with its main problem being a lack of goal scorers. The Sens play a disciplined style and they can frustrate anyone. However, without Anton Volchenkov on defense the Sens have not been as good, as he’s proven to be one of their most important players. This game is really a toss-up and it all comes down to the tag. If the Leafs were a -1.50 favorite the play would be Ottawa. The Sens should not be this high a price over the Leafs. Play: Toronto +1.43 (Risking 2 units).

NASHVILLE +1.19 over San Jose (REG) Pinnacle
Very quietly the Preds are moving up the standings and in fact, have now won six of its last eight games. Nashville is coming off a 2-0 win over the Habs but that is this year’s most misleading close game. Had it not been for Carey Price the score would have been 7-0 or worse. The whole game was played in the Canadiens end and at one point the Preds were outshooting the Habs 42-10. The final shot count read 55-20. In four of the Preds last six games they’ve allowed one goal or less and they’ve allowed less than 30 shots on net in four straight games. These Predators are playing as good defensively as anyone and overall they’re playing as well as anyone too. They recently were at the Shark Tank and held a 3-2 lead with about eight minutes to go before a couple of late goals by San Jose ruined their night. The Sharkies are good but they’re not invincible and they’re rather fortunate to get any points in its last two games in St. Louis and Chicago. They had a combined 40 shots on net in those two games (17 against the Blues and 23 in Chicago) but picked up three out of a possible four points. The Preds are so tough and so hungry and with the crowds getting larger and louder it can only inspire them more. Play: Nashville +1.19 (Risking 2 units).

Colorado +1.82 over CALGARY (REG) Pinnacle
The best part about this game is that the Av’s are coming off an 8-2 smack down by the Canucks at the Pepsi Center. That thumping cannot be sitting well with them and they’re good enough to bounce back in a big way. Also, they catch the Flames returning home from that three game trip to Montreal, Buffalo and Toronto. The Flames have picked up points in six straight games by winning five and losing one in OT. Three of the six went into OT and all six (with the exception of the Leafs game in which they were badly outplayed) were right down to the wire. Five of the six games were on the road with one home game mixed in meaning that this is the seventh straight game the Flames have had to catch a plane to its next destination. The close games, the travel, the three OT games all take its toll and with a 12-4-1-1 record, Calgary is most definitely not in desperation or panic mode whatsoever. We could catch Calgary in a vulnerable spot here and after that ugly 8-2 loss Colorado will come out and play their hearts out. Great spot and a very sweet tag on a team that also has 12 wins. Play: Colorado +1.82 (Risking 2 units).

[tinfw17]

NEW ORLEANS/L.A. Clippers under 194 PINNACLE
Both these teams are missing their top playmakers, as both Eric Gordon and Chris Paul remain on the shelf. These two played recently in L.A., with the Hornets picking up the win by a score of 112-84. The Clippers are not going to play that same run and gun style here after losing by 28 to that style and it also helps that the Clip Joint will be playing its third game in four days and the tail end of back-to-backs. This visitor is not going to be in an up-tempo mood at all. We’ve seen both these teams shoot miserable for long stretches and with the Hornets record being 3-8 and the Clippers not much better at 4-7, the way to turn things around is to turn it up defensively and that’s what can be expected here. Play: New Orleans/LAC under 194 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).

Toronto/DENVER over 217 PINNACLE
The Raps have never seen a three-point shot they didn’t like and when they miss it leads to easy buckets by the opposition. Both these teams are loaded with shooters and unless both teams are very cold this one should soar over. There's something about the Mile High City that brings out the worst in the Raptors. They were hammered there 132-93 last season in what turned out to be the last game for head coach Sam Mitchell, who was fired the day after. In ’08 they lost 137-105 and its defense is not much better this year. Play: Toronto/Denver over 217 (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).

HOUSTON/Phoenix over 219½ PINNACLE
In years gone by the Rockets have been known as a solid defensive team that would grind out wins. Not anymore. This team has re-tooled and plays a much more wide-open, quick-shot type of game. The Suns have had that style forever and with perhaps the two best set-up men in the business in Rick Nash and Aaron Brooks, this one has all the makings of a quick-paced, tons of open looks, high scoring affair. They both want it that way and they’ll both get it. Play: Houston/Phoenix over 219½ (Risking 2.02 units to win 2).