HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise



Carolina +1.37 over TORONTO (REG)
The Hurricanes are pretty much “free-rolling” these days with no pressure on them whatsoever and with no shot of going anywhere this season they’re actually playing a whole lot better. The Canes have won three of its last four and that includes a win in New York against the Rangers. In all three games they allowed just one goal against. The Canes have some young call-ups that have inserted some life into them and the whole team is playing with enthusiasm. After a nice run the Leafs have sunk back near the bottom of the East. They have to be feeling a ton of pressure after losses in five of six including three straight. They could at least be forgiven for another loss if a good team was in town but that’s not the case. A loss here would be inexcusable and the press will be all over it should that come to pass. The Leafs propensity for falling behind early is a huge problem and they’re really in a no-win situation tonight, as a win is expected and a loss will be crippling. The Leafs are not a team you want to lay juice with and again, they’ll be playing with a lot of pressure on tem in this one. Play: Carolina +1.37 (Risking 2 units).

ATLANTA -˝ +1.10 over Ottawa (REG)
The Sens may snap out of it at some point but until they do why not bet against them? This is a team that is mentally beat before they even step on the ice. They’re not scoring goals and that’s playing on their minds big time, thus, it’ll be near impossible to catch this offensive juggernaut should they fall behind again. The Sens have lost four straight and over that stretch they’ve been outscored 16-4. They have two netminders that are struggling, fighting the puck and playing with no confidence whatsoever. Spezza, Alfredsson and Michalek are all still on the rack and that doesn’t leave many other options. The Thrashers are in a deep funk too but they have goal scorers and they have goaltending (most of the time). They were absolutely whacked in its last game to the tune of 8-1 by the Caps and you know for sure they’ll come out hungry tonight after that humiliation. The Thrashers have been off since Saturday and likely can’t wait to get back on the ice to erase that memory. Play: Atlanta -˝ +1.10 (Risking 2 units).

PHILADELPHIA -˝ +1.54 over Dallas (1st Period)
The more I observe these lines and record the outcome the more I like them and will start playing them beginning here. If your team isn’t up at least a goal by end of the first period, do you really want them the rest of the game laying a half puck with a lot less take-back? I know I don’t and what usually happens is that the dog gains steam if they have a good first period and are tied or leading after one. What I do know is that the Flyers are lighting it up big time these days and in fact, has scored 28 times in its last six games. Over that stretch of six games they scored six or more three times and that includes 6 on the Rangers and 7 on the Penguins. Meanwhile, the Stars only notable output over its last five games is when they scored four on Rick DiPietro, a guy that’s been out for over a year. Throw out that one and they’ve scored three times in the other four games and that coincides with Mike Robeiro and Nicklas Grossman getting injured. Dallas has dropped seven straight and 10 of its last 11 on the road and asking them to keep pace here is a stretch at best. Philly is playing great, they’re rested and they should have tons of energy out of the gate. Play: Philadelphia -˝ +1.54 in the first period (Risking 2 units).

EDMONTON +1.02 over Nashville (REG)
This is strictly a situational play, as the Oilers have been off since Thursday while the Preds played last night in Vancouver and will play its third game in four nights. It was a good win for them last night, thus they’ll be less of a sense of urgency for this one. The Oilers are slowly returning to health and the reports are that they’ll get another healthy body back tonight in Lubomir Visnovsky and that has to help. One has to figure the Oilers to have a jump in their step tonight with all that time off in the midst of a horrible slump. This is not a bad team in terms of talent and goaltending is a bit of an issue but we’re going with the best of it here in that the Preds have to be fatigued while the young Oilers will be at home and full of energy. Play: Edmonton +1.02 (Risking 2 units).