All games include OT unless stated otherwise



WASHINGTON -½ -1.12 over Ottawa
Have to figure that this line wouldn’t be much different if Spezza and Alfredsson were both in the lineup but it should be. It’s not common to find an underlay on a popular favorite but this one sure appears to be. The Sens are not only without its two best players but both goalies have very little confidence left and it seems like every other game one of them is getting yanked. Leclaire is a soft goal waiting to happen and Elliott is pretty much the same. The Caps got off the mattress with a solid game at home against the Habs in AO’s first game with the “C” on his jersey. The whole team rallied and played great and it’s hard to imagine them regressing here. The Sens offense has taken a serious hit and one really has to wonder how they’re going to keep pace here with its two biggest threats on the rack and very shaky goaltending. If the Pens are -½ -1.11 over Philly, how the hell is Washington just -½ -1.12 over Ottawa? Play: Washington -½ -1.12 (Risking 2.24 units to win 2).

Detroit +1.14 over LOS ANGELES
Slowly but surely the Red Wings are getting some healthy bodies back and with each player that returns the Red Wings become more dangerous. Tonight it’ll be Zetterberg and Cleary back and they join Valterri Filppula, who returned about four or five games ago. The Red Wings are too smart and too good to not realize that they won’t be able to just turn on the switch. They sit five points out of a playoff spot right now and know they have to make a move real soon. This is a team that has been decimated by injuries all year yet they’ve still hung in there and are in a pretty sweet position to make a run. With three of its top players back you can expect an inspired effort tonight. Lost in all of its injury problems has been the outstanding goaltending of Jimmy Howard. This guy is getting primed for the playoffs and he deserves it. The Kings are tough as shoe leather but give me the Red Wings with a tag in a game they’re surely going to have some fire in its belly for. Play: Detroit +1.14 (Risking 2 units).

Columbus +1.17 over EDMONTON
Ok, this is the last time I go back to this Blue Jacket well should they let me down again. We’ll see how much the team wants to save Hitchcock’s job because should they lose here he may be out of one. The Jackets were destroyed in Vancouver on Tuesday but jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and things were looking good. Then disaster struck when Vancouver scored two goals 24 seconds apart and added one more before the first period ended to take a 3-2 lead into the locker room after one period. That took the life right out of the Blue Jackets and it was over. They’ll be no hot goaltender to contend with here, as the Oilers are a team without a reliable one. This is a game the Jackets have to come out for and play like it’s the seventh game of a playoff series. Never before has this Jackets squad needed a win like they do here and if they have any heart whatsoever, they’ll get it. Play: Columbus +1.17 (Risking 2 units).

NASHVILLE -½ -1.08 over Carolina
The Preds have won three of its last four with only loss over that stretch coming against the then red-hot Flames. Quietly, these Preds are having an outstanding year and in fact, are just two points behind the Flames for third place in the West. They’re also tied with Vancouver and Los Angeles at 53 points. This team rarely loses to inferior competition and the Canes fit the bill indeed. Not only are the Canes brutal but they’ll be without Eric Staal tonight (death in the family), not to mention Scott Walker, Chad LaRose, Erik Cole, Joe Corvo and Sergei Samsonov. I’m not really sure whom that leaves to score some goals or to create offense so if you wager on the Canes here you might have to hope that Cam Ward gets the first goalie hat trick in NHL history. Are you kidding me? Seriously, how can the Preds lose this one? Play: Nashville -½ -1.06 (Risking 3.24 units to win 3).