HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise



NY RANGERS -½ -1.08 over Ottawa (REG)
This one is pretty much a non-brainer and until the Senators show something else, there’s no reason whatsoever to not keep wagering against them. Again, this is a beaten team before they even step on the ice. They’ve dropped five in a row and have been outscored 22-5 over that stretch. They’ve scored one goal or less in four of those five games. Right now they can’t score, they can’t prevent goals and both goaltenders, be it Elliott or Leclaire pray their name isn’t called today because both have no confidence. Meanwhile, the Rangers are among the hottest teams in the league. They have one regulation loss over its last 13 games. In other words, they’ve picked up points in 12 of its last 13 and should have am easy time of it against this physically and mentally damaged invader. Well, it’s rarely easy in the NHL but as long as the Rangers show up, and nothing suggests they won’t, they’ll beat this team like everybody else has. Play: NY Rangers -½ -1.08 (Risking 2.16 units to win 2).

Dallas +1.36 over MONTREAL (REG)
The Stars are going bad, real bad in fact and have not picked up a single point in five straight road games. Overall the Stars have slipped down to 11th place in the West after winning just once in its last six games. They’re coming off a 6-3 loss in Philly and that score is really not a true indication of how they played. They definitely outplayed the Flyers in the first period and were looking good early in the second after tying it 1-1. What transpired next was a couple of quick Flyer goals followed by a slew of bad penalties and before they knew it they were down big. This team is not as bad as its current slide suggests and its biggest problem has been the inconsistent goaltending of Marty Turco. What is noteworthy here is that the players are jacked up for tonight, as they make a rare appearance in one of hockey’s hot beds. The Stars have played just once in Montreal over the past seven years so you know they’ll be ready to go for sure. Besides, the Canadiens have a ton more appeal as the dog than they do as the chalk. This is a team that struggles to score and although they’re also very difficult to score against, this appears to be the right setting for an upset, as the Habs have Ottawa on deck and again, the Stars will be extra jacked up. Play: Dallas +1.36 (Risking 2 units).

PHOENIX +1.20 over New Jersey (REG)
The Coyotes have dropped three in a row and four of its last five but you should never count this team out. They’re one of the few teams in the NHL that have avoided prolonged losing streaks because they play their hearts out almost every shift. In fact, just to give you an idea of how tough they’ve been, this is the Coyotes first three-game losing streak of the year. They Coyotes will play with an extra sense of urgency while the Devils may not. New Jersey is coming off a very tough 1-0 OT at MSG. They will only be out to the West Coast for one game, this one, and then they’ll head to Colorado and will conclude its four-game trip on Long Island. The Devils are in top spot in the East with 65 points. Most teams traveling to the coast will get a few days in the sun with consecutive games in L.A., Phoenix, San Jose or Anaheim. This is a one and done for the Devils so fun in the sun may be more appealing than a game in Phoenix, where they’ve played just once in the past six years. Definitely a great shot to catch the Devils not at their best. Play: Phoenix +1.20 (Risking 2 units).