Sports Picks & Predictions

NHL Archive
Date	Match Up	Rating	Score	Result	Profit	Lead Time	Analysis
05-11-14	Pittsburgh Penguins v. NY Rangers UNDER 5		1-3	Win	102	7 h 46 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Pittsburgh Penguins/New York Rangers UNDER 5 (7:05pm EST) Not many folks thought this series would see a Game 6, but here we are in Madison Square Garden. The Rangers managed an emotional 5-1 win in Pittsburgh on Friday after the passing of Martin St. Louis' mother. Whenever a series takes an unexpected turn like it has, the Under is generally a good place to look first. The Penguins probably didn't bring their A-game last time around because they had a big 3-1 series advantage. But there's no question they will be re-focused here as they avoid a trip back to Pittsburgh. There haven't been very many shots on goal in this series, and this game could feature the fewest. Both goalies have had some big games, but they just haven't come on the same night. This might be the night that they both come up big and keep this a low-scoring affair. Our play is the Under tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-10-14	ANAHEIM GM4 v. LOS ANGELES GM4 UNDER 5		2-0	Win	100	11 h 35 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Anaheim Ducks/Los Angeles Kings UNDER 5 (9:35pm EST) Game 4 goes tonight in Los Angeles with the Kings leading the series 2-1. We've seen a pretty strong pattern in the first three contests of this series. None of the games have gone over the total and shots on goal have been limited by aggressive defense and a fiery intensity by both squads. This game should be no different after the series has tightened up following the Ducks win on Thursday. In fact, only one of the last nine meetings between these squads has gone over the total. This one feels like another 2-1 or 3-1 type of final, so the Under is in play here. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-09-14	CHICAGO GM4 v. MINNESOTA GM4 UNDER 5	Top	2-4	Loss	-105	10 h 59 m	Show
The Minnesota Wild know that they can play only one way if they want to have a shot to win this series. They have to slow down the pace of the game and deny the dynamic Hawks offense from doing what they do best. They've been pretty successful so far, allowing Chicago just 63 shots combined in the first three games of the series. That includes a shutout at home in Game 3 behind a raucous Minnesota crowd. The atmosphere should be wild again and I think Minnesota can keep this a lower scoring affair. Corey Crawford will also want to make amends for one of his worst playoff performances in the last game, so I expect him to be extra focused here. This one feels like a 2-1 final, so we're on the Under as our 5-unit Game of the Week.
05-04-14	NY RANGERS GM2 v. PITTSBURGH GM2 OVER 5	Top	0-3	Loss	-130	8 h 52 m	Show
10-unit Play Take New York Rangers/Pittsburgh Penguins OVER (7:35pm EST) Game 1 between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins was an absolute thriller and I expect plenty of more drama in this series along the way. The Penguins were slow out of the gates in the last game but they will try to push the envelope early on tonight in a game that they must have. The Pens know that the only way they are going to win is when they get the offense flowing and force the Rangers to play a high-scoring affair. As a result, I expect them to take more even more chances here to make that happen. Five of the six games in Pittsburgh's series against Columbus went over the total in the first round. This series won't feature quite as many goals, but the total on this one is low at just five. The Rangers have plenty of firepower on offense, so if Pittsburgh takes an early lead we could see the kind of pace that gets this game over the total very early. Our selection is Over 5 in Game 2.
05-02-14	Minnesota Wild v. Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5		2-5	Loss	-115	23 h 21 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Minnesota Wild/Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5 (9:35pm EST) Both the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks survived a thrilling series to advance to the second round. The Wild knocked off the Avalanche in 7 games, while the Hawks beat the Blues in 6. Each game of their respective series featured plenty of drama - and plenty of goals. 5 of the 7 games in the Wild series went Over the total, while the Over went 4-1-1 in the Blackhawks series. Things shouldn't be all that different in this series as both teams like to get up and down the ice quickly. In their five meetings during the regular season, the Over was 3-1-1. The Wild have had huge problems in the net with their top two goalies out with injuries. Rookie Darcy Kuemper has stepped in and did a nice job, but he's a below average goaltender overall. He was actually pulled in the deciding Game 7 against the Avs, so his confidence can't be high right now. That could mean that backup and #4 goalie Ilya Bryzgalov could get the start. Either way, the Minnesota goalie position is in disarray and a potent Blackhawks offense should be able to cash in as a result. Corey Crawford had some nice numbers in his series versus the Blues, but the Chicago defense didn't look as sharp as it usually does. All in all, I expect the Over trend to continue starting with Game 1 tonight.
04-26-14	Los Angeles Kings v. San Jose Sharks OVER 5		3-0	Loss	-121	20 h 16 m	Show
6-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/San Jose Sharks OVER 5 (7:05pm EST) The Los Angeles Kings were left for dead after falling behind 3-0 in the series, but they finally pulled out a win in Game 4 to force the series back to San Jose. The Kings realized that they weren't going to be able to play their normal style to beat the Sharks. They were going to have to score goals early and often and keep up with the Sharks to have a chance to win. These games have been fast-paced and speed has prevailed. Nothing should change tonight. All four games have gone Over the total so far, and they weren't even close. Three of the games have featured a total on nine goals and the other one had seven. The total on tonight's game is still holding at just 5 as the market isn't adjusting for the speed that has been displayed. We'll gladly take advantage and play the Over here as our Game.
04-24-14	Boston Bruins v. Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5		3-2	Push	0	8 h 13 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Boston Bruins/Detroit Red Wings UNDER (8:05pm EST) If you've watched the first three games of the Bruins-Wings series, then this play shouldn't come as a surprise. Goals have been extremely hard to come by and so have good scoring chances. We've only seen a total of nine goals in the three games and there's no reason to expect anything to change in this one. Boston was tops in the NHL in goals allowed this season at just 2.05 per game and Detroit was respectable at 2.70. They both have great goaltenders who have been here before, so the pressure shouldn't affect them. As far as trends go, the Bruins haven't had an Over in their last six games and Detroit hasn't had one in their last five. All signs point to another low scoring affair, so we're on the Under here. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-23-14	St. Louis Blues v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5		3-4	Loss	-102	10 h 45 m	Show
3-unit Play Take St. Louis Blues/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER (9:35pm EST) The Blackhawks and Blues have played 13 periods of hockey in their first three games and most of it has been with a tied score or with the teams separated by a single goal. The intensity and physicality have grown as the series has progressed, so there's no reason to expect things to change tonight. This will be a hard-fought battle where goals will be extremely tough to come by. The goaltenders have stepped up in a big way as well this series. Corey Crawford was amazing in the net in Game 3, stopping all 34 shots by the Blues. Ryan Miller has been brilliant for most of the series, stopping 87 of the 94 shots on goal. These rivals know each other well and it's tough to create good scoring chances when your opponent knows your tendencies. We'll play under the total here. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-18-14	Detroit Red Wings v. Boston Bruins OVER 5	Top	1-0	Loss	-104	7 h 27 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Detroit Red Wings/Boston Bruins OVER (7:35pm EST) This is the final Game One of the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and we have yet to see a total go Under. The Over is 6-0-1 in the first seven games, so the first place we look is to the Over in tonight's contest between the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. Detroit actually beat the Bruins three out of the four times they met this season, and they did it be holding the Bruins to a total of only nine goals in those four games. Boston was #3 in goals scored during the regular season, so there's no doubt they have the firepower to finally break through against the Wings. Detroit's scoring was below their usual levels this season, but they were also without Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg for significant portions of the season. They are both healthy now and the mindset on this team has been shifting more to the offensive end because of it. We should see plenty of action in this one and I think both teams should be able to get a couple of goals and push this one Over the total. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-17-14	LOS ANGELES GM1 v. SAN JOSE GM1 UNDER 5		3-6	Loss	-132	11 h 7 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/San Jose Sharks UNDER (10:35pm EST) The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks know each other very well. So well in fact that they've had big problems scoring goals against one another. In fact, none of the last seven games in San Jose have gone over the total. San Jose feeds off of their home fans and they play excellent defense there. In their last 22 games, the under is 15-6-1 in the SAP Center. The Kings and Sharks also met in the playoffs last season and only one of those games went over the total. Needless to say, we shouldn't expect this series to produce very many goals either. We have two great defenses, two superb goaltenders and a lot of grit and determination by both squads. As a result, expect a lot of 2-1 and 1-0 type of games throughout. Play the Under tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-16-14	Columbus Blue Jackets v. Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER 5.5		3-4	Loss	-130	8 h 56 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Columbus Blue Jackets/Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER (7:35pm EST) There's only one way that the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be able to hang with the Pittsburgh Penguins this series. They are going to have to slow the game down and limit the premium scoring chances that the Pens are accustomed to getting. That's easier said than done, but the Jackets know how to buckle down on defense and they have the goaltender to back them up in Sergei Bobrovsky. These teams met five times during the regular season and they averaged just 4.6 goals per game. I expect today's game to be played very similarly and we can also expect some opening game jitters from both teams. Nobody wants to give up a quick goal early on, so we should be in good shape during the first period. Things will open up a little bit as the game goes on, but the Penguins will also be a bit rusty given all of the injuries that they've been dealing with over the last month or so. Evgeni Malkin has been banged up and should return for this game, but how productive he will be remains to be seen. We'll go Under the total here.
04-11-14	St. Louis Blues v. Dallas Stars UNDER 5.5		0-3	Win	100	9 h 0 m	Show
4-unit Play Take St. Louis Blues/Dallas Stars UNDER (8:35pm EST) The St. Louis Blues are playing their worst hockey of the season and it's coming at the worst possible time. They've been in first place in the Central for most of the season, but are now in a dog fight with the Avalanche with two games remaining as both teams have 111 points. They've lost four straight and have allowed four goals in each of those games. Goalie Ryan Miller hasn't looked like himself and the defense has made several uncharacteristic gaffes. But good teams get it together when they need to, and St. Louis is one of the best teams in the NHL. Tonight is a huge game for their opponent the Dallas Stars. The Stars are currently holding the final playoff spot by just two points with two games left. They are 7-4 in their last 11 contests but can't let off the gas pedal yet. Needless to say, this game is extremely important for both teams. The intensity should be high and this should be a playoff type atmosphere, so we like the Under. Teams will generally focus better and goals are harder to come by under these types of circumstances. Four of the last six meetings between these two have gone Under the total as well, so we'll stay there today. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-09-14	San Jose Sharks v. Anaheim Ducks UNDER 5.5		2-5	Loss	-120	11 h 58 m	Show
3-unit Play Take San Jose Sharks/Anaheim Ducks UNDER 5.5 (10:35pm EST) First place in the Pacific Division is still up for grabs and tonight's game will go a long way in determining it. The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks have been neck and neck down the stretch and now they are only separated by three points in the standings with a few games remaining. It should be a playoff type atmosphere tonight in Anaheim and that generally means that goals will be hard to come by. The Sharks and Ducks can play multiple styles, but I expect the intensity to be high with more checks than usual and very few premium scoring chances. These teams generally get labeled as offensive teams, but both squads actually rank in the top 10 in goals allowed. This one feels like a 2-1 or 3-1 type game, so we should get safely under the number. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-08-14	Ottawa Senators v. NY Islanders OVER 5.5		4-1	Loss	-111	8 h 44 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Ottawa Senators/New York Islanders OVER (7:05pm EST) The Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders are already planning their off-season vacations as the season winds down. Neither team has been in playoff contention, so it's been a long year to say the least. These teams also don't play much defense, so there's a good chance we'll see a goal fest here tonight. Players generally are more concerned with padding their statistics than playing tough defense when their team is eliminated. I like the Over here for that reason.
04-06-14	Pittsburgh Penguins v. Colorado Avalanche UNDER 5.5		3-2	Win	100	8 h 13 m	Show
2-unit Play Take Pittsburgh Penguins/Colorado Avalanche UNDER 5.5 (8:05pm EST) The last time the Colorado Avalanche met the Pittsburgh Penguins, they accomplished what they set out to do - limit the amount of premium scoring chances from the dangerous Pens offense. Pittsburgh managed just 34 shots on goal despite trailing most of the game and eventually were beaten 1-0. Colorado only had 14 shots on goal, but they effectively slowed things down and did what they had to do to earn a win. There's no reason that the Avs won't utilize the same strategy this time around. They've been playing great defense of late, shutting out the Blues last night and allowed no more than two goals in each of their last five games. Pittsburgh was shutout themselves last night, as they've sputtered offensively recently without center Evgeni Malkin. They just haven't been able to dictate pace and their shot totals have been depressed over the last couple of weeks. Colorado should be able to keep them in check today and we should see another low scoring game between these two teams. Take the Under. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
03-31-14	Carolina Hurricanes v. Ottawa Senators OVER 5.5		1-2	Loss	-101	8 h 43 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Carolina Hurricanes/Ottawa Senators OVER (7:35pm EST) Two teams that are basically out of the playoff race go at it tonight in Ottawa. The Hurricanes and Senators are both eight points away from the final playoff spot with eight and nine games remaining, respectively. There are also five teams ahead of both of them in the standings, so needless to say it would be a miracle if either team sneaks into the Stanley Cup playoffs. As a result, I don't think you'll see much defensive intensity in this game. Teams on the outside looking in generally conserve their energy on defense and put more of their focus on offense and scoring goals. The meetings between these teams have featured quite a few shots over the last couple of years. It hasn't translated into many high-scoring games, but that's mostly by chance. Neither goaltender is playing very well right now, so if these teams can put up a decent amount of shots, we should see a shootout. Take the Over. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
03-17-14	Phoenix Coyotes v. Los Angeles Kings OVER 5		4-3	Win	104	10 h 34 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Phoenix Coyotes/Los Angeles Kings OVER 5 (10:35pm EST) The Phoenix Coyotes have been a thorn in the side of the Los Angeles Kings for the last couple of seasons and they'll get another chance to aggravate their division rivals tonight. Phoenix has won three of the last four against Los Angeles, and their secret to success has been speeding the game up. The Kings like to play a methodical game that emphasizes puck possession and limiting what the opponent can do offensively. The Coyotes have managed to counteract that strategy by getting their defensemen more involved on breaks and taking some chances offensively. It's paid off as the games have featured tons of shots and more quality chances to score on a tough goaltender in Jonathan Quick (who could miss this game). Bottom line, I expect this game to be fast once again and there's no reason it should be lined at a total of 5. Play the Over in this one. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
03-07-14	New Jersey Devils v. Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5		4-7	Loss	-102	8 h 3 m	Show
4-unit Play Take New Jersey Devils/Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5 (7:35pm EST) We have a couple of strong signs pointing towards the Under in tonight's game between the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings. First and foremost, the Wings are without their two best players in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Those two are more important to their team than any other duo in hockey, and Detroit has several other offensive weapons out as well. These teams also met just a few days ago in New Jersey. And while that game ended 4-3 New Jersey, there were a total of only 52 shots in that game. In addition, teams that meet just days apart usually play lower scoring games the second time around due to the familiarity factor. Cory Schneider is also in net for New Jersey, and he is the better goalie with all due respect to Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur. All signs point to an Under in this one. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
03-06-14	Colorado Avalanche v. Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5.5		3-2	Win	100	25 h 56 m	Show
Free NHL Prediction From Doc's Sports: Take UNDER 5.5 Colorado at Detroit (8 p.m., Thursday, March 5) Goals will be hard to come by in Thursday night
03-03-14	Columbus Blue Jackets v. Toronto Maple Leafs OVER 5.5		2-1	Loss	-122	18 h 30 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Columbus Blue Jackets/Toronto Maple Leafs OVER 5.5 (7:05pm EST) Two teams that look for offense first go at it today in Toronto. The Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs both find themselves in the bottom five of most statistical categories on defense this season. However, both teams are still in the mix due to some great offensive efforts from several players. All four games that these teams have played since the Olympic break have gone Over the total, and they haven't even been close. All four games have featured at least seven goals and two of them had a total of nine goals scored. Columbus and Toronto have also met twice this season and both of those games went Over the total. It's hard to imagine this game not flying Over the total once again. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
03-02-14	Ottawa Senators v. Vancouver Canucks UNDER 5.5		4-2	Loss	-125	16 h 40 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Ottawa Senators/Vancouver Canucks UNDER (4:05pm EST) The final game of the NHL Outdoor Stadium Series goes tonight in Vancouver as the Canucks take on the Senators. Throughout the last few seasons, the outdoor games have had a tendency to play fairly slowly with goals being hard to come by. The players have a difficult time getting adjusted to the new surroundings and that has contributed to fewer than normal premium scoring chances. Tonight's game shouldn't be any different, especially given that it's between two teams that rarely see one another. These teams met this past November, but before that they hadn't matched up since 2011. The Under is 5-1 in the Canucks' last six games overall and I don't think we'll see six goals in this one either. I expect a 2-1 or 3-2 type of game here tonight. Under is the way to go.
02-26-14	Detroit Red Wings v. Montreal Canadiens OVER 5	Top	2-1	Loss	-125	6 h 55 m	Show
The Olympic break is over and the NHL is back in action. Based on the last couple of Olympic breaks, you have to expect an adjustment period as most of the guys in these games haven't been on the ice much over the last couple of weeks. Historically that has led to more Overs than Unders, as the defenses usually have more than their share of lapses and there are plenty of good scoring chances to be had. The Wings and Canadiens aren't shy about letting their respective offenses take some chances and get some good looks, so today's game should suit them nicely. Gold medal winning goaltender Carey Price will also be resting for this one and deservedly so. He was spectacular in Sochi. That means Peter Budaj will be in net for Montreal, and he's one of the worst backups in the league. I wouldn't be surprised to see eight or nine goals in this contest, and we should fly over the total here.
02-07-14	Edmonton Oilers v. New Jersey Devils UNDER 5		1-2	Win	101	7 h 55 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Edmonton Oilers/New Jersey Devils UNDER (7:05pm EST) We shouldn't see too many shots on goal tonight in New Jersey. The Edmonton Oilers are playing a little bit better recently but it's not because of their offense. It's surprisingly been some decent defensive play and some amazing saves in the net. None of their last four games have gone over the total. For New Jersey, they like slowing down the pace of nearly every game but it's been especially slow of late. None of their last four games have gone over the total either. Being at home, the Devils should be able to control the pace and limit the overall shots in the game. Edmonton doesn't always play disciplined hockey, but they are doing it right now and that will keep this game under the total. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
02-05-14	Chicago Blackhawks v. Anaheim Ducks UNDER 5.5		3-0	Win	100	10 h 18 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Chicago Blackhawks/Anaheim Ducks UNDER 5.5 (10:05pm EST) Both the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks boast plenty of weapons on offense, but what doesn't get much attention is how well both of these teams play defense. Despite playing at a faster pace than most teams, both squads are in the upper half of most statistical categories on defense. And when these two teams have hooked up in the recent past, most of their games have featured very few premium scoring opportunities. In fact, five of the last seven meetings have gone under the total and none of those games had more than 61 shots on goal. Tonight's game shouldn't be any different. Both teams have been struggling overall lately, so I expect the teams to be very focused in this one and that should lead to a tight, low scoring affair. We're on the Under in this spot. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
01-30-14	Pittsburgh Penguins v. Los Angeles Kings UNDER 5		4-1	Push	0	28 h 23 m	Show
NHL Free Play from Doc
01-26-14	Winnipeg Jets v. Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5.5		3-1	Loss	-115	8 h 32 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Winnipeg Jets/Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5.5 (7:05pm EST) Two teams that like to play at a healthy pace hook up tonight in Chicago. The Winnipeg Jets have been playing well offensively since new head coach Paul Maurice took over a little over a week ago. They've scored 21 goals in their six games under Maurice and have been playing with a renewed confidence. The Blackhawks lead the NHL with 3.47 goals per game and they are always looking to start a break and take advantage of the multitude of skillful players they have at their disposal. The Hawks were held to just one goal in their last game against the Wild, so they'll be eager to get some shots on goal in this one. Five of the last six meetings between these foes have gone Over the total, including a nine-goal explosion the last time they met. Expect similar results today. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
01-22-14	Montreal Canadiens v. Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER 5.5		1-5	Loss	-135	7 h 2 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Montreal Canadiens/Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER (7:05pm EST) Big game in the Eastern Conference as two of the top teams get after it. Both the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off of lackluster efforts on the defensive end in their last game. Montreal yielded five goals in Toronto, as well as four goals each in the previous two games. Pittsburgh also gave up five goals in their last game to lowly Florida. There's no doubt that both coaches are going to be focused on fixing any problems on the defensive end. The Penguins are known for taking advantage of weak foes and pouring it on offensively. But that hasn't been the case against good teams. Their last 17 games against teams with winning are 11-5-1 to the Under. The intensity should be high in this game and both teams should tighten things up on defense. Play the Under in this spot. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
01-20-14	St. Louis Blues v. Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5.5		4-1	Win	100	7 h 44 m	Show
4-unit Play Take St. Louis Blues/Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5.5 (7:35pm EST) Two old division rivals get together tonight in Detroit as the Wings host the St. Louis Blues. These teams obviously know each other very well despite being in different conferences now. I expect a heated battle tonight as they clash once again after not seeing one another since last season. The familiarity should keep the scoring chances somewhat at bay and neither has been lighting it up on offense either. In the Blues' last four games they have scored 2-1-2-1 and none of their last five games have gone Over the total. For Detroit, they've scored 3-0-0-3-1 over their last five and none of those went Over the total either. This is pretty strong current trend and I'm surprised to see the total at 5.5 here. The Under is the only way to go. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
12-30-13	Los Angeles Kings v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5.5		0-1	Win	100	9 h 43 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER (8:05pm EST) Two of the NHL's best get together tonight in Chicago. The Kings and Hawks hooked up two weeks ago in the United Center as Chicago rolled 3-1 by scoring three goals in the opening period and coasting the rest of the way. Preventing the Blackhawks from getting out to a quick start will be stressed tonight and I don't expect the Hawks to get many easy scoring chances. The Kings are one of the best in the league at limiting opponent's shots, and they'll take that last game as a good learning experience. When these teams get together, there usually aren't very many goals to be had. In fact, in the last 61 meetings the Under is 36-17-8. That's nearly 70% to the Under - a strong trend that should hold true in this one. This one feels like a 2-1 type of game, so we'll play Under 5.5 goals. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
12-08-13	Florida Panthers v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5.5		2-6	Loss	-100	8 h 34 m	Show
2-unit Play Take Florida Panthers/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER (7:05pm EST) The Chicago Blackhawks are mired in a bit of a slump losing three straight hockey games. It's their longest losing streak of the season, so you can bet they'll be focused at home today versus the Florida Panthers. The problems recently have been on the defensive end, as they've allowed 11 goals in the last three contests. However, they haven't been giving up tons of shots on goal. In fact, they've allowed an average of a little over 22 SOG per game in those three - a more than acceptable mark. As a result, you have to look at the goaltender play. Corey Crawford is one of the best in the business, so he knows that he needs to get better. I expect a huge game from him today against an inferior opponent as he looks to get back on track. The Panthers don't have the firepower to hang with the Hawks, so they'll likely try to slow this game down and try to win a low scoring affair. The last six meetings between these clubs have gone under the total and I like this game to go that way as well. Play Under 5.5 Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
12-01-13	Vancouver Canucks v. Carolina Hurricanes UNDER 5		3-2	Push	0	1 h 29 m	Show
2-unit Play Take Vancouver Canucks/Carolina Hurricanes UNDER 5 (1:05pm EST) Early start for the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes today, dropping the puck at 1pm EST. NHL teams aren't accustomed to getting geared up for a game this early in the day, so I expect both teams to come out a bit slower than normal. Vancouver should be extra focused on the defensive end of the ice after giving up five goals to the Rangers yesterday in MSG. Carolina also gave up five goals in its last game to the Devils of all teams, so expect a similar level of intensity in their own zone. These two teams also haven't played on another since 2011, so there will definitely be a period where they're trying to feel one another out which should help the defenses a bit. This game has a 2-1 final written all over it, so we're on the Under here. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
11-20-13	Pittsburgh Penguins v. Washington Capitals UNDER 5.5		4-0	Win	100	8 h 27 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Pittsburgh Penguins /Washington Capitals UNDER (8:05pm EST) The first meeting of the season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals goes tonight in DC. This is a battle for first place as these teams are first and second in the Metropolitan and separated by a single point. Big games like this are usually played a little tighter to the vest as no one wants to make any big mistakes to cost themselves a goal. That should help keep the premium scoring chances to a minimum. The Under is also 4-0-1 in the Penguins last five games. In the last 11 meetings between these teams, the Under has connected on eight occasions. All signs point to a lower scoring game, so we'll play Under the total here tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
11-16-13	Edmonton Oilers v. Calgary Flames OVER 6		4-2	Push	0	11 h 55 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Edmonton Oilers/Calgary Flames OVER (10:05pm EST) Two teams that don't play a whole lot of defense go at it tonight. The Calgary Flames have given up 22 goals in their last five games and that's really not a horrible stretch for them. They've been bad all season long as they take their lumps with the youngsters in their lineup. It also doesn't help that they have two goaltenders that don't belong in the NHL. Not a good combination. Moving onto the Edmonton Oilers, they've allowed 24 goals in their last six games. They also have a bunch of young guys that are more concerned with their offensive statistics than playing defense. The chemistry has been awful on the ice and there's been trade rumors swirling. All in all, it hasn't been a good season for these young clubs and you can blame the defenses. When these two get together it's a goal frenzy and nothing should change tonight. Take the Over here. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
11-16-13	Chicago Blackhawks v. Nashville Predators OVER 5.5		2-7	Win	100	9 h 55 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Chicago Blackhawks/Nashville Predators OVER (8:05pm EST) Nikolai Khabibulin is in net for the Chicago Blackhawks and that is good news for the Predators. The 40-year old veteran is a big drop off from starting goalie Corey Crawford and that means we should see an aggressive Nashville squad. The last time Khabibulin was manning the goal, the Hawks lost 6-5 to the Lightning. The Hawks know they have to put goals on the scoreboard when he's in there, and that should be a bit easier tonight with Nashville's backup goalie in there as well. Starter Pekka Rinne is injured right now, so Carter Hutton gets the opportunity once again. He has not been good so far, giving up 3.39 goals per game and owning a horrendous .891 save percentage. Those numbers probably won't improve against the Hawks, especially with the Preds playing on the second leg of a back-to-back. The last two meetings between these teams yielded eight goals and nine goals respectively. We probably won't get quite that high in this one, but we should have enough to go Over the total.
11-08-13	Calgary Flames v. Colorado Avalanche OVER 5.5		2-4	Win	100	10 h 32 m	Show
5-unit Play Take Calgary Flames/Colorado Avalanche OVER (7:05pm EST) The Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche know how to put the puck in the net. The Flames are #12 in the NHL at 2.87 goals per game while the Avalanche are #5 at 3.29 goals per game. Throw in two mediocre goalies in the net tonight, and we should see plenty of good scoring chances. Reto Barra is in net for Calgary and he has a 3.46 goals against average and a .897 save percentage. Those aren't NHL caliber type of numbers and he probably shouldn't have this opportunity. Jean-Sebastian Giguere starts tonight for Colorado. He's had a fantastic season in his four games, but you can't let that fool you. The 36-year old Giguere was not good last season, when he only had a .908 save percentage and allowed 2.84 goals per contest. These teams hooked up four times last season and three of them went easily Over the total. In fact, two of the games featured nine goals and the other one seven. More of the same tonight as these teams haven't changed their styles one bit. Play the Over as our 5-unit game. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
10-10-13	Montreal Canadiens v. Edmonton Oilers OVER 5.5		4-1	Loss	-118	9 h 8 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Montreal Canadiens/Edmonton Oilers OVER 5.5 (9:35pm EST) The Montreal Canadiens play the second leg of a back-to-back tonight in Edmonton and it's not going to be easy on them. They are dealing with some major injuries right now and that's put their depth to the test, especially on the blue line. Montreal isn't the most physical team and playing against an Edmonton Oilers team that gets up and down the ice quickly is going to pose some problems. Without having the size to push the Oilers around and dealing with the injuries that they have, the Canadiens are likely going to have to try to outscore them on the offensive end. We should see plenty of shots on goal and neither goalie has been impressive so far. This one should go way Over the total tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
10-04-13	NY Islanders v. New Jersey Devils UNDER 5.5		4-3	Loss	-113	6 h 29 m	Show
3-unit Play Take New York Islanders/New Jersey Devils UNDER (7:05pm EST) In watching the New Jersey Devils 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, it's clear what their strategy is. They're trying to slow things down to a snail's pace and limit the total amount of shots in the game. The fast-paced Penguins only managed a total of 21 shots on goal. That's always been the Devils' forte, but this year they're probably going to take it to another level. That's because they lost superstar Ilya Kovalchuk, who decided to play in the KHL instead of the NHL. They also lost David Clarkson to the Maple Leafs in the offseason, and are a year removed from losing Zach Parise to the Wild. That's a lot of firepower. Since they know they're not going to be able to score four or five goals a game, the Devils are going to try and win games 2-1. And as a result, we should see plenty of Unders in their games this season. Don't expect to see too many 5.5's being posted for them, but we'll take advantage today when they play the New York Islanders. Being a division rival, they know the Islanders well and should be able to execute their defensive strategy effectively. Martin Brodeur will also be in the net for the Devils - his first game since losing his father last week. I expect a big emotional performance from him tonight in the net. We'll go Under the total and hope for that 2-1 result that New Jersey is aiming for.
10-03-13	Florida Panthers v. Dallas Stars OVER 5.5		4-2	Win	101	9 h 40 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Florida Panthers/Dallas Stars OVER 5.5 (8:35pm EST) The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars begin their respective seasons in what figures to be a sloppy affair. Both teams made wholesale changes in the offseason and look completely different than they did a year ago. The Panthers went with some of their younger players to see what kind of talent they have and then signed some veterans towards the tail end of camp to fill out the roster. It will be interesting to see how it all meshes together, but for now we can just call it a mess. As for the Stars, they cut ties with four of their top nine players in terms of time on ice. They did bring in some talented players like Tyler Seguin, Shawn Horcoff and Sergei Gonchar. But once again, it will take time to build up some chemistry so they will likely be a mess on the ice for the first few games. All in all, it's safe to say that there will be a lot of learning going on tonight in the first real game. Expect to see some defensive lapses, breakaway scoring chances and even some rusty goaltender play (especially from Tim Thomas who hasn't played in two years). All signs point to plenty of goals so we're on the Over.
10-01-13	Washington Capitals v. Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5.5		4-6	Win	116	7 h 20 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Washington Capitals /Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5.5 (8:05pm EST) We outlined above how it might be a difficult spot for the Chicago Blackhawks tonight when they raise the championship banner on Opening Night. However, that shouldn't change their style of play. The Hawks have some of the best skill position players in the league and they make no secret about the fact that they like to play fast when they can. The Washington Capitals don't mind getting up and down the ice as well, so expect plenty of shots on goal in this one. Despite Corey Crawford's sensational season last year, I don't rate him much better than an average goaltender. Caps' goalie Braden Holtby still has to prove himself in this league and may not be starter material. Given the pace and number of shots today, I expect to see some struggles from both netminders. That's enough put us Over the total in this one.
06-22-13	Boston Bruins v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5	Top	1-3	Win	100	9 h 16 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Boston Bruins/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5 (8:20pm ET) Pivotal Game 5 goes tonight in Chicago as the Blackhawks host the Boston Bruins in a 2-2 series. Coming off the heels of a 6-5 score in the last game, many will look to play this game Over the total. But don't forget that there were only 12 goals scored in the first three games combined and that included four extra overtime periods. The last game wasn't a complete fluke, but besides the last contest the goalies in this series have been magnificent and I expect them to bounce back in tonight's game. They were the top two goalies throughout the entire playoffs and both of these defenses have also done a good job blocking shots and make life difficult on goal scorers. Both defenses also have to be a bit embarrassed about their performance in Game 4, so I expect them to step it up. Take the Under 5 in tonight's game.
06-17-13	Chicago Blackhawks v. Boston Bruins UNDER 5		0-2	Win	100	9 h 46 m	Show
5-unit Play Take Chicago Blackhawks/Boston Bruins UNDER (8:05pm ET) What a series it's already been between the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. With four overtime periods in two games and plenty of drama, it already feels like we should be playing Game 5. Instead it's only Game 3 as the series shifts back to Boston tied up 1-1. There are a couple of things we know from watching these teams go at it for so long already. First, these goaltenders are absolutely amazing. Both teams have had their fair share of scoring chances in both games, but these goalies have put up ridiculous numbers. There have been a total of 179 shots combined in the series and only 10 of made their way to the back of the net. That's an amazing .944 save percentage, especially given the quality of shots we've been witnessing. In addition we've seen that the two coaches, Joel Quenneville and Claude Julien, are great at matching up. Neither coach has been shy about shuffling up the lineups and getting the matchups that they want on the ice. This tactical game of chess will go on the entire series and will make it even tougher to score in my opinion. Given that we've only seen 10 goals in 10 periods of hockey so far, we have to look for another low scoring game tonight. The goalies are just playing too well and the coaches are doing a great job on matchups. Play the Under tonight.
06-02-13	Los Angeles Kings v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5	Top	2-4	Loss	-148	9 h 47 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5 (8:05pm ET) The Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks go at it again tonight in the United Center for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. The Hawks got off to a fast start in the first game and dominated the first period with a 17-2 shots on goal advantage. However, they found themselves down 1-0 at the end of the period and promptly put in two goals in the second period to take the lead for good. The Kings know they can't let the Blackhawks start that fast again and get that many good scoring chances. As a result, I think they'll buckle down defensively right from the beginning in Game 2. Jonathan Quick was very good in yesterday's game as he stopped over 94% of the shots that came his way. He's been doing that in the playoffs for two straight years, so there's no reason to believe anything is going to change in that regard. We also have a rare back-to-back situation in the playoffs for this one. That could slow the game down a bit as these teams are used to have a day or two off between contests. All in all, we have many signs pointing to another tight low scoring affair. Take the Under as our 10-unit Game selection.
05-27-13	CHICAGO GM6 v. DETROIT GM6 UNDER 5		4-3	Loss	-121	9 h 9 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Chicago Blackhawks/Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5 (8:05pm ET) It's Game 6 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings tonight in Joe Louis Arena. The Wings lead the series 3-2 after the Hawks stayed alive with a 4-1 win in Game 5 in Chicago. As a series goes deeper and deeper, the teams generally get more physical and tighten up the defense even more as they become more familiar with their opponent. These teams already knew each other very well, so I expect the effect to be even greater today. Premium scoring chances will be hard to come by and that means we should see a low scoring affair, especially since these goalies have been locked in. None of the first five games have gone over the total, so we'll bet that trend continues tonight. Take the Under in this one.
05-24-13	Ottawa Senators v. Pittsburgh Penguins OVER 5.5		2-6	Win	106	8 h 17 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Ottawa Senators/Pittsburgh Penguins OVER (7:35pm ET) The Ottawa Senators tried to keep the Pittsburgh Penguins at bay in this series, but they finally exploded in Game 4 scoring seven goals. I think the floodgates are open now and there's just no way to keep the pucks out of the back of the net today. The series moves back to Pittsburgh where 12 goals were scored in the first two games of the series. With the Penguins in control 3-1 and at home, I expect them to dictate the pace and attack the zone at will. Craig Anderson is a great goalie, but even he can't stop 40 quality shots each game. Take the Over in this one.
05-21-13	Boston Bruins v. NY Rangers UNDER 5		2-1	Win	100	8 h 15 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Boston Bruins/New York Rangers UNDER (7:35pm ET) Game 3 goes tonight between the Bruins and Rangers as the series shifts to New York. The Bruins looked impressive in the first two games and it's not desperation time for the Rangers. If it wasn't apparent before the series, the fact that the Rangers can't fly up and down the ice with the Bruins is now a fact. The Rangers stand a much better chance by slowing it down and limiting the quality scoring chances from the Bruins even if it means sacrificing some chances on their end. They've given up a whopping 80 shots in the first two games and allowed eight goals. That is just too much to overcome and I expect the game to be played totally differently in Game 3. This one smells like a 2-1 type game and we like the Under.
05-18-13	DETROIT GM2 v. CHICAGO GM2 OVER 5		4-1	Push	0	6 h 0 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Detroit Red Wings/Chicago Blackhawks OVER 5 (1:05pm ET) Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals goes today in Chicago as the Blackhawks look to go up 2-0 on the Detroit Red Wings. The Hawks put the pressure on often in the first game, blasting 42 shots on goal in a 4-1 win. The Red Wings know that they have to slow the game down and limit Chicago's scoring chances, but I just don't think they can do it. The Blackhawks have dominated the Wings over the last couple of seasons winning the last eight matchups overall. They have too much firepower and Detroit won't be able to dictate the pace away from home unless they can get out to an early lead. The Hawks are the best team in hockey right now and they will play their up and down style and help get this game Over the total today.
05-14-13	OTT GM1 v. PIT GM1 OVER 5.5		1-4	Loss	-100	8 h 10 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Ottawa Senators/Pittsburgh Penguins OVER (7:35pm ET) Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals goes in Pittsburgh tonight as the Penguins host the Ottawa Senators. Neither one of these teams is shy about getting up and down the ice and I think we'll see a decent tempo here at the outset of the series as the teams feel one another out. These teams were the two highest scoring teams in the NHL this season as the Penguins average 4.17 goals per game and the Sens 4.0 per game. In the last eight meetings, six of them have gone Over the total including a couple of contests that featured 10+ goals. The playoffs are generally lower scoring affairs, but I don't think either one of these teams wants to change their style much. They play best when they play fast and that should lead to plenty of pucks in the back of the respective nets. Let's go Over the total here in Game 1 tonight.
05-13-13	NY Rangers v. Washington Capitals UNDER 5	Top	5-0	Push	0	9 h 46 m	Show
10-unit Play Take New York Rangers/Washington Capitals UNDER (8:05pm ET) The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals go at it in Game 7 of their hard fought series tonight. The Rangers stayed alive in Game 6 by playing excellent defense and limiting the premium scoring chances. Lundqvist was also very sharp and stopped everything that came his way as New York prevailed 1-0. Between both teams there were only 55 shots on goal. I expect Game 7 to be played very similarly as no one will want to make any big mistakes to cost their team a chance to advance. Four of the first six games have stayed Under the total and none of those were even close to going Over. In fact, the two games that went Over in this series were played in New York. The three games in Washington in this series are 3-0 to the Under. No reason to believe that anything is going to change in a crucial Game 7. Play the Under tonight.
05-12-13	Detroit Red Wings v. Anaheim Ducks UNDER 5		3-2	Push	0	11 h 51 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Detroit Red Wings/Anaheim Ducks UNDER (10:05pm ET) The decisive Game 7 goes tonight in Anaheim as the Detroit Red Wings take on the Ducks. This has been an extremely competitive and evenly matched series as four of the first six games have gone to overtime. Nothing should change tonight, except that no one will want to make any big mistakes in a game that decides who advances. So we definitely won't expect to see many power plays or odd man rushes in this one. Only two of the first six games have gone Over the total in this series. The Under is generally a good bet in Game 7's over the last few seasons, so we'll bet that the trend continues here. Take Under the total of 5 here.
05-08-13	Los Angeles Kings v. St Louis Blues UNDER 5		3-2	Push	0	11 h 30 m	Show
1-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings /St. Louis Blues UNDER (9:00pm ET) The puck drops on pivotal Game 5 tonight between the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues. The Blues took the first two games at home, and the Kings fired back with two victories on their home ice. Despite what happened in Game 4, goals have been hard to come by in this series. There have been a total of only 14 goals between these teams in four games, for an average of only 3.50 per contest. The intensity in Game 5 will be huge as the winner of this game gets an enormous upper hand in the series. That generally leads to safer hockey with less scoring chances and tighter defense all around. Add in the fact that these teams should know each other very well by now, and you have a strong case for another Under in this one. The bookmakers have adjusted this total downward from 5 earlier in the series, but I still think we get Under the 4.5 total today.
05-06-13	St Louis Blues v. Los Angeles Kings UNDER 5		3-4	Loss	-194	7 h 16 m	Show
4-unit Play Take St. Louis Blues/Los Angeles Kings UNDER 4.5 (10:05pm ET) Sometimes you just have to stick with what's working. And so far in this series between the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings, goals have been hard to come by. In the first three games of the series, there have been a total of only seven goals scored and one of the games went to overtime. These teams both stress shot prevention and are two of the best in the league at it. Throw in a couple of goalies who have looked impressive, and all of a sudden the Under looks like another great play. We cashed twice on the Under in this series and today we'll look to do it again. I expect another 2-1 type battle here tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-03-13	MINNESOTA GM2 v. CHICAGO GM2 OVER 5		2-5	Win	106	11 h 9 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Minnesota Wild/Chicago Blackhawks OVER (7:05pm ET) It's Game 2 in Chicago and the Blackhawks weren't too pleased with the way they played in the first game despite winning 2-1 in overtime. The Hawks seemed out of sync for parts of the game and didn't get up and down the ice at the pace that they usually do. This is a smart team and they'll make the proper adjustments to ensure that they don't get roped into playing a tight, low scoring game once again. Josh Harding will also be in the goal again for the Minnesota Wild and he's a downgrade from Niklas Backstrom despite his efforts last time out. We should see the lamp being lit up more than the last game, so we're on the Over here for our 10-unit Game. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-02-13	LOS ANGELES GM2 v. ST. LOUIS GM2 UNDER 5		1-2	Win	100	11 h 41 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/St. Louis Blues UNDER (9:35pm ET) We played Under the total in Game 1 of this series between the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues, and cashed an easy winner as the Blues won 2-1 in overtime. There's no reason to believe that this game will be much different as these teams are all about shot prevention. The first game was actually a bit sloppier than expected for both teams and we should expect to see them tighten things up as they've had a game to feel each other out. I loved the way both goalies played the last time out and they seemed to find a good rhythm right off the bat. We called the 2-1 score in the last game, and this one seems like it should be similar so we'll say a 3-1 winner. Play the Under once again. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-30-13	Los Angeles Kings v. St Louis Blues UNDER 5		1-2	Win	100	9 h 50 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/St. Louis Blues UNDER 5 (8:05pm ET) The NHL playoffs have finally arrived as the defending champion Los Angeles Kings head to St. Louis to take on the Blues. These are two of the league's stingiest teams in terms of shots allowed. The Blues were 2nd in the NHL with only 24.2 shots per game allowed and the Kings were right behind them in 3rd at 25.0. Playing tight defense and not allowing premium scoring chances is how these teams have won, and that will be even more the case in the playoffs. These teams were already ratcheting up the defense down the stretch of the regular season. The Kings only played one game over the total in their last eight contests, while the Blues only had one over in their last 10 games. Expect more of the same today as this has all the makings of a 2-1 game. The Under is the play here. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-25-13	NY Islanders v. Philadelphia Flyers OVER 6		1-2	Loss	-101	8 h 3 m	Show
3-unit Play Take New York Islanders/Philadelphia Flyers OVER (7:05pm ET) The New York Islanders just clinched a playoff spot. The Philadelphia Flyers have been eliminated for quite some time. Neither one of these teams has anything meaningful to play for tonight. As a result, I don't think we'll see a real intense effort from either squad. That generally leads to more scoring chances as the defenses relax a bit. These teams have met three times this season and a total of 19 goals have been scored. Four straight games have gone Over the total for the Islanders while the Flyers have played Over in four of their last five contests. No reason to believe that tonight will be any different, so we'll look to the Over here again. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-21-13	Carolina Hurricanes v. Tampa Bay Lightning OVER 6		3-2	Loss	-100	8 h 54 m	Show
5-unit Play Take Carolina Hurricanes/Tampa Bay Lightning OVER (6:05pm ET) When the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning go toe-to-toe, the puck finds the back of the net often. The Over is 13-3-1 in their last 17 meetings and seven of the last eight have gone Over in Tampa. Throw in the fact that the season has been over for these teams for quite some time, and I think they'll care even less about playing defense. It will just be another opportunity for everyone to pad their stats a little more today. Carolina has been allowing goals at an alarming rate lately. In their last 10 contests, their goals against average is 4.2 per game. And Tampa Bay isn't a whole lot better at 3.5 over their last 10 games. This one should be a shootout and I expect to see 70+ shots on the net, and with these weak goaltenders we project at least 10 percent of those shots to get past them. That will be enough to get us above the number here for our 5-unit. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-20-13	NY Islanders v. Winnipeg Jets UNDER 5.5		5-4	Loss	-109	6 h 36 m	Show
5-unit Play Take New York Islanders/Winnipeg Jets UNDER (7:05pm ET) Tonight's game between the New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets will certainly have a playoff atmosphere. And with the playoffs comes lower scoring games. The Islanders have also been playing great defense lately, allowing only 1.69 goals per game over their last 13 contests. They've won seven of nine contests and their defense has certainly been the key. The Jets have come in winners of five straight games and they kept the puck out of the net as well. We should see lots of intensity in this game and I think both sides will play it relatively straight with how much is at stake. Take the Under here as I think goals will be hard to come by in this one. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-17-13	Columbus Blue Jackets v. Anaheim Ducks UNDER 5		3-2	Push	0	11 h 31 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Columbus Blue Jackets/Anaheim Ducks UNDER (10:05pm ET) We like another Under between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks tonight. The Jackets are currently tied for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference and they've been playing really good hockey of late. Their recipe for success has been limiting shots and playing tighter low scoring games. Over their last eight games they've allowed a total of only 14 goals and their goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been one of the best in the league this season. He currently has a 2.03 goals against average and a .931 save percentage in 33 games. On the other side, the Ducks have been playing lower scoring games lately as the Under is 8-2 in their last 10 games. Take the Under in this spot. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-17-13	Montreal Canadiens v. Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER 5.5		4-6	Loss	-121	7 h 30 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Montreal Canadiens/Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER (7:05pm ET) Unders have been hitting at a wild rate in the NHL over the last week or so as teams try to position themselves for the playoffs. Lots of these games are featuring playoff-type atmospheres, which is conducive to lower scoring affairs as teams buckle down on the defensive end. The Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins will definitely be taking part in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs as they're #1 and #2 in the Eastern Conference. If Montreal can take today's game, they have a chance to catch Pittsburgh for that #1 seed. As a result, I expect a playoff-type atmosphere in this game and goals should be hard to come by. The Canadiens also surrendered seven goals in their last game to Philadelphia, so I'm expecting a big effort from them on the defensive end tonight. The Penguins are also without Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, so their playmaking ability will be limited. All signs point to an Under here.
04-16-13	Vancouver Canucks v. St Louis Blues UNDER 5		1-2	Win	100	9 h 53 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Vancouver Canucks/St. Louis Blue UNDER (8:05pm ET) There have been quite a few Unders in the NHL recently with things heating up in the playoff races. Today's game between the Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues fits that criteria as neither team has clinched a spot just yet. The Canucks have been playing really well defensively lately. In their last six games, they have allowed a total of only nine goals for a 1.50 average. St. Louis has been even better lately as they've allowed only 11 goals in their last eight games for a 1.4 average per game. This is how these teams are successful and it's no surprise that nine of the last 10 meetings between these teams have featured five goals or less with 8 unders, 1 over and 1 push in that span. Today's game should be no different, so take the Under here. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-02-13	Florida Panthers v. Tampa Bay Lightning UNDER 5.5		3-2	Win	102	8 h 30 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Florida Panthers/Tampa Bay Lightning UNDER 5.5 (7:35pm ET) The scheme has changed for the Tampa Bay Lightning since last week. After firing head coach Guy Boucher, the team has started to pay more attention to defense and the fundamentals under new coach Jon Cooper. They won both games since hiring him, but more importantly only allowed a total of 39 shots in the two games. The Panthers have also been playing at a slower pace of late, going under the total in five of its last six games. These teams usually play at a higher scoring pace, but that's not been the case lately and I don't think that the oddsmakers have adjusted properly. Goals will be hard to come by here tonight and I envision a game with a score around 3-1. Take the Under in tonight's Panthers/Lightning matchup. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
03-01-13	COLUMBUS B JACKETS v. CHI BLACKHAWKS UNDER 5.5	Top	3-4	Loss	-136	8 h 24 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Columbus Blue Jackets/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5.5 (8:35pm ET) It's been an amazing year for the Chicago Blackhawks. They set a record by earning a point in 20 consecutive games to start the season (which is still going), and this team just keeps looking stronger and stronger each game. Most people think of this Hawks team as having a ton of firepower on offense with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. However, the real key to their success this season has been their play on defense and in the net. Chicago is 6th in shots allowed this season and is number one in goals against average at 1.70 per game. Both of the goaltenders for the Blackhawks have been amazing. Corey Crawford has an unreal .943 save percentage and backup Ray Emery is right behind him with a .932 save percentage. Both of those marks rank in the top five of the NHL amongst goalies with at least eight games played. The Hawks opponent tonight is the Columbus Blue Jackets, and they like to really slow down the game. The Blue Jackets take only 26.1 shots per game and average a measly 2.15 goals per game, which is last in the league. These teams faced off last week in Chicago, and the Hawks won the game 1-0. The pace was slow, as Columbus knows that's the only way they have a chance to win. The Blackhawks played last night in a hard fought game against their rival the Blues. Being that they're on the second leg of a back-to-back, they will probably prefer to play this one at a slower pace as well. We probably won't see another 1-0 final between these squads, but we have plenty of wiggle room to stay under the total of 5.5. Take the Under as our 10-unit Totals Game. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
02-24-13	COLUMBUS B JACKETS v. CHI BLACKHAWKS UNDER 5.5		0-1	Win	100	8 h 45 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Columbus Blue Jackets/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5.5 (7:05pm ET) The Columbus Blue Jackets have quietly been playing some good hockey lately. It hasn't translated into victories in each game, but their games have been tight and they've had a shot to win every contest over the last two weeks. The key to their success has been slowing the game down and reducing scoring chances by their opponents. Since they are usually at a disadvantage as far as talent, the Jackets figure shortening the game gives them a much better chance to win and they're right. As a result, Columbus has allowed only two goals in four of their last six contests. Today they'll face the hottest team in the NHL - the Chicago Blackhawks. While Chicago has plenty of firepower on offense, they don't play at the tempo that most casual observers think. The Hawks like to take their time to set up a high quality shot and that can sometimes take a while, burning up the clock in the process. Backup goaltender Ray Emery has filled in nicely for Chicago, and he should be in net tonight. Emery comes in with a 2.10 goals against average and .930 save percentage, amongst the league leaders in both categories. Shots will be limited tonight and I don't expect to see too many pucks in the back of the net. Take the Under . Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
02-22-13	VAN CANUCKS v. NASH PREDATORS UNDER 5		1-0	Win	100	9 h 15 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Vancouver Canucks/Nashville Predators UNDER (8:05pm ET) Tonight's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators has all the makings of a 2-1 grind-it-out kind of battle. That's the style that the Predators like to play and they know that they probably won't be able to beat the Canucks playing this game fast. It also helps that Vancouver is on the second leg of a back-to-back on the road, so they're not going to be 100%. Tired teams generally like to slow it down and save their energy for critical parts of the game. The Canucks beat the Stars 4-3 last night, but the game featured a total of only 47 shots. We probably won't even see that many tonight, and there will be two very tough goalies in net to stop them. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne are two of the very best in the NHL and both are having excellent seasons. Luongo checks in with a 1.63 goals against average and .934 save percentage, while Rinne has similar numbers with a 1.67 goals against average and .935 save percentage. Goals will be very tough to come by and that's why we're on the Under here tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
02-17-13	STL BLUES v. VAN CANUCKS UNDER 5.5		4-3	Loss	-145	10 h 38 m	Show
5-unit Play Take Vancouver Canucks/St. Louis Blues UNDER (9:05pm ET) The St. Louis Blues head into Vancouver to take on the Canucks in one of Sunday's top games on the NHL slate. Most hockey fans know the Blues play tough, fundamentally sound defense and make life difficult on their opponents. That hasn't changed much this season, but the Blues have had some trouble in the net with goalie Jaroslav Halak suffering from a groin injury. Normal backup Brian Elliott has really struggled to find his way, forcing St. Louis to call up Jake Allen from the AHL. Allen is just 22 years old and has a lot to learn in the NHL, but he's seemingly rejuvenated the Blues defense. They haven't been spectacular, but have managed to allow only five goals in two games against teams with some pretty good offensive weapons (the Red Wings and Flames). It's a step in the right direction and there's no question that this Blues team wants to get back to playing a defense-first type of game. The Vancouver Canucks have never really been known as a defensive team per se, as they boast plenty of offensive threats on each line. However, this year they've changed up their style a bit and seem to be slowing things down a lot more. In fact, Vancouver is only 19th in shots on goal this season - they were 6th last season. They've also received some great goaltending play out of both of their goalies, but mainly Roberto Luongo. Luongo should be in net tonight and he comes in at 4-0-2 with a 1.45 goals against average and .943 save percentage. Only Craig Anderson has better numbers early on in the season, so opponents have really had to get creative to try and put pucks past the All-Star. I fully expect tonight's game to be a physical, grind-it-out type of game with very few quality scoring chances. With goals being hard to come by, the Under is our 5-unit Game of the Day.
02-07-13	DET RED WINGS v. STL BLUES UNDER 5.5		5-1	Loss	-135	9 h 59 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Detroit Red Wings/St. Louis Blue UNDER (8:05pm ET) The Detroit Red Wings have a slew of injuries right now, and they've had to change their game plan because of it. Over the first couple of weeks, the Wings have slowed it down a bit in an effort to keep the guys that they have fresh. It hasn't worked as well as they had hoped, but they are hanging in there until everyone is back. As a result, we've seen some games with low shot totals from Detroit. The St. Louis Blue don't let up very many easy goals as they play tight defense and have strong goaltending. I put them in the Under category for sure, and when they play someone they know very well like Detroit, the familiarity generally leads to a much tighter played game with fewer mistakes and fewer scoring opportunities. Everything points to a low scoring affair in this matchup, so we're on the Under in this game.
02-06-13	Dallas Stars v. Edmonton Oilers OVER 5		3-2	Push	0	11 h 43 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Dallas Stars/Edmonton Oilers OVER (10:05pm ET) The Dallas Stars head into Edmonton to take on the Oilers tonight. Neither of these teams are known as scoring machines, and both have both tabbed as Under teams over the last couple of seasons. However, Dallas added some firepower in the offseason with the additions of Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy and Ray Whitney (currently injured). That hasn't translated into a ton of offense yet, but they've shown some flashes and are getting more and more comfortable playing together each game. The Oilers have a great young core of players that are offensive-minded and they've certainly been more aggressive this season. It hasn't translated into lots of offense for them yet either, but it's coming on. Both of these should outperform their current numbers offensively so this is a good spot to play the Over on a low total.
02-04-13	CAR HURRICANES v. TOR MAPLE LEAFS OVER 5.5		4-1	Loss	-101	7 h 36 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Carolina Hurricanes/Toronto Maple Leafs OVER 5.5 (7:05pm ET) Tonights' game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs should be a fun one for the fans. Both teams have been pushing the pace a bit lately and feature lineups with lots of offensive weapons. Carolina goaltender Cam Ward has also been struggling mightily in the net this season with a 4.05 goals against average and .867 save percentage. Those numbers put Ward near the very bottom of the league among starting goalies. Toronto goaltender James Reimer has decent numbers so far this season, but he's been a below average goalie in his career. So don't expect either one of these netminders to pitch a shutout tonight. We should see the lamp lighting up quite a bit in this one, so the Over is the play here.
02-02-13	Dallas Stars v. Phoenix Coyotes OVER 5		0-2	Loss	-143	9 h 52 m	Show
5-unit Play Take Dallas Stars/Phoenix Coyotes OVER 5 (8:05pm ET) The Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes hooked up last night in Dallas in a wild game that saw the Stars prevail in a shootout 4-3. There were lots of quality scoring chances in the game last night and I expect to see more of the same again tonight. We'll also probably see at least one of the backup goaltenders in this game, and I expect these teams to be a bit tired with travel on a back-to-back. Scoring has been up in the NHL this season, making these low totals of 5 very attractive. The last three times these two teams tangled, the total went Over and I like it again here tonight. Play Over 5 as our 5-unit Game of the Week. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
01-22-13	Winnipeg Jets v. Washington Capitals OVER 5.5		4-2	Win	100	6 h 18 m	Show
3-unit Play Take #51 Winnipeg Jets/Washington Capitals OVER 5.5 (7:05pm ET) After a miserable regular season in which the Washington Capitals fired their head coach Bruce Boudreau and replaced him with Dale Hunter, it was time for some fresh blood this season. They hired former NHL great Adam Oates, a move praised by many. Upon taking over, Oates promised to transform the Capitals offensive attack. He immediately moved Alex Ovechkin from right wing to left wing and promised that the offense would be much more aggressive. Defensemen are now encouraged to join the rush and goaltenders will be looking to set up the skaters better. As a result, you could expect higher scoring games from the Capitals and that came to fruition in the first game of the season when they lost to the Lightning 6-3. Tonight the Caps will face the Winnipeg Jets and we should see more of the same. I like what the Jets did in the offseason, adding center Olli Jokinen which should add to their scoring punch. I'm not a big fan of either goaltender in this one, as both are young and unproven. Ondrej Pavelec is 25-years old and Braden Holtby is only 23. We should see lots of shots tonight and I'd be surprised if these two netminders will be able to keep the puck out of the net all night. Take the Over 5.5 goals here.
06-11-12	New Jersey Devils v. Los Angeles Kings UNDER 4.5	Top	1-6	Loss	-115	9 h 45 m	Show
10-unit Play Take New Jersey Devils/Los Angeles Kings UNDER (8:20pm EST) We're going to stick with what's been working and look at the Under again in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight. We've yet to see an Over in this series and both teams are playing great defense backed by two great goaltenders. The deeper we go into the series, the more it favors the respective defenses as they've seen everything that the opposing offenses can throw at them. These teams know each other pretty well by now and I don't think we'll see any tricks up anyone's sleeves. With shot totals remaining low in each game, the only way we see an Over is if one of the goaltenders turns in an uncharacteristic performance. We haven't seen any evidence of that happening throughout the playoffs and with the series on the line there's very little chance of it today. The market hasn't seemed to adjust to the totals in this series yet, so we'll jump on the Under once again tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
06-09-12	Los Angeles Kings v. New Jersey Devils UNDER 4.5	Top	1-2	Win	100	7 h 6 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/New Jersey Devils UNDER (8:20pm EST) Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final goes tonight in New Jersey and one thing has been abundantly clear in this series - goals are very hard to come by. Every game of this series has went Under the total and we've only seen 14 combined goals in the first four games - two of which were in extra overtime periods. There haven't been very many good scoring opportunities either as the shot totals have been very low. Only one game featured more than 46 shots on goal, so the goaltenders have had an easier time of it. Jonathan Quick and Marty Brodeur are two of the best in the game, so they definitely don't need much extra help. But if the shot counts are lower, they just get that much better. We have another elimination game tonight, and with New Jersey trying to crawl back into this series, so I think we'll see these teams playing more tight, fundamental hockey. This one feels like another 2-1 or 3-1 type of final, so we'll ride the Under once again in tonight's Game 5 in New Jersey. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
06-06-12	New Jersey Devils v. Los Angeles Kings UNDER 4.5		3-1	Win	100	9 h 8 m	Show
3-unit Play Take New Jersey Devils/Los Angeles Kings UNDER (8:15pm EST) This could be the end as the Los Angeles Kings hold a 3-0 series lead heading into Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight. It really hasn't been as lopsided of a series as it appears on the surface, but one thing for sure is that Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles defense has been superb. Los Angeles has only allowed 72 shots in the first three games and Quick has stopped all but two of them. He's definitely elevated himself as one of the best, if not the best, goaltender in the league. New Jersey's defense has been very solid in this series as well, but Marty Brodeur is past his prime and hasn't been able to keep the puck out of the net as often. All three games have gone Under the total in this series and I don't see much changing in Game 4 tonight. Both of these teams play tight, fundamental hockey and I look for another 2-1 or 3-1 type of game. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
06-02-12	Los Angeles Kings v. New Jersey Devils UNDER 4.5	Top	2-1	Win	101	11 h 33 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/New Jersey Devils UNDER (8:05pm EST) The puck drops on Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight in New Jersey. The first game was a goalie's delight as the game featured a total of only 42 shots including overtime. That is an extremely low quantity of shots considering these teams had not seen each other since October of 2011. Not that Jonathan Quick and Marty Brodeur need many breaks as they've both been absolute brick walls in the playoffs. Quick has an amazing 1.53 goals against average in the postseason and Brodeur has stepped up with the spotlight on him as well. Both teams play sound defense and don't allow many easy scoring chances, which makes it even more difficult for the opponents to score. These playoffs have seen quite a few Unders, and I don't expect anything to change in the Finals. Game 1 was a 2-1 final and that is the kind of score we should see again tonight. Play the Under as our NHL Game of the Month. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-23-12	New Jersey Devils v. NY Rangers UNDER 5		5-3	Loss	-180	9 h 53 m	Show
3-unit Play Take New Jersey Devils/New York Rangers UNDER (8:05pm EST) We've seen some mixed results on the Under in this series so far, but one thing for sure is that goals are not easy to come by for these two teams. This will be the 11th meeting of the season (regular season and playoffs) between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers and over the first 10 games the combined total has averaged 4.2 goals per game. That's obviously below our total today which is at plus juice and it's much more difficult to score goals in the playoffs. Without a late empty net goal in the last game, it's also Under the total. The Rangers should be able to dictate the pace a little bit more since the game is in Madison Square Garden, and that means it will be slower. The Rangers don't like taking too many chances and tend to rely more on goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to do what he does best and carry the team. Game 5 is a pivotal game for this series and it feels like a 2-1 final, possibly in overtime. Take the Under here tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-21-12	NY RANGERS GM4 v. NEW JERSEY GM4 UNDER 4.5		1-4	Loss	-100	10 h 32 m	Show
4-unit Play Take New York Rangers/New Jersey Devils UNDER (8:05pm EST) We've been riding a lot of Unders during the NHL playoffs and especially when the New York Rangers are involved. So far it's paid big dividends and tonight we look that way again for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Rangers and Devils. The first three games of the series were extremely physical with both defenses playing well around the net making scoring chances tough to come by. This will be the tenth meeting between these teams on the season and they've only averaged 4.0 goals per game during the first nine. It's safe to say that these rivals know each other very well and you won't see many tricks up anyone's sleeves. That certainly favors the defense over the offense and I'm comfortable playing Under the total again. As I keep saying, goals are going to be tougher and tougher to score as these teams get deeper and deeper into the series. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-20-12	Phoenix Coyotes v. Los Angeles Kings OVER 4.5	Top	2-0	Loss	-110	4 h 2 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Phoenix Coyotes/Los Angeles Kings OVER (3:05pm EST) The Kings have dominated the Phoenix Coyotes this series and look for the sweep this afternoon in Los Angeles. This isn't your typical elimination game as no one is giving the Coyotes any real chance to make this a series and the Kings have already been penciled into the Stanley Cup Finals. However, I don't think the Coyotes will go down without a fight and they'll be much more likely to take whatever chances they need to with the pressure now off. That should translate into more scoring chances and more goals. Believe it or not, we've actually already seen a decent amount of shots on goal in this series already with the average being at 62 per game. That's enough shots to produce more than 5.5 goals per game based on the goaltenders in the net. Since today's pace expects to be a little more frantic, I believe we'll see more shots today and that will give us a great chance to see even more action. This is a very low total and we could get there in the second period today, so take the Over. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-19-12	RANGERS GM3 v. NEW JERSEY GM3 UNDER 4.5	Top	3-0	Win	105	3 h 15 m	Show
10-unit Play Take New York Rangers/New Jersey Devils UNDER (1:05pm EST) The first two games of the series between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils were extremely physical with both defenses playing well around the net. As we mentioned for the last game between these teams, that' s what should be expected as defense is what got these teams to where they are now. Neither team surrenders very many breakaways or easy scoring chances and that has resulted in some low scoring matchups between these two. In their eight meetings, including the playoffs, they combine to average under 4.1 goals per game. Goals are going to be get tougher and tougher to score as these teams get deeper and deeper into the series, so we're on the Under again tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-16-12	NEW JERSEY GM2 v. NY RANGERS GM2 UNDER 5	Top	3-2	Push	0	9 h 3 m	Show
10-unit Play Take New Jersey Devils/New York Rangers UNDER (8:05pm EST) It's Game 2 in Madison Square Garden tonight between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. The first game of the series was very physical with plenty of great defense around the net. We also witnessed a sensational effort by Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist, who stopped all 21 New Jersey shots. None of what happened in Game 1 was very surprising to anyone as this the way that these teams play. In their seven matchups this season, a total of only 29 goals were scored for both teams. That's only 4.1 goals per game and with the intensity being even greater in the playoffs, you can't expect it to be anything but an even tighter game. These teams don't surrender very many breakaways or easy scoring chances. They both play safe, fundamental hockey and that usually leads to low scoring affairs. It's going to get tougher and tougher to score as these teams get deeper and deeper into the series, so we'll be looking to play the Under as much as possible, and it starts with tonight's game. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-13-12	LA KINGS GM1 v. PHOENIX GM1 OVER 4.5		4-2	Win	100	7 h 30 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Los Angeles Kings/Phoenix Coyotes OVER (8:05pm EST) The Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles have waited a long time to start their Western Conference Finals series. To be exact, it's been a full week for the Kings and six days for the Coyotes. That's a lot of time for some rust to begin to form and I think that will play a factor in this one. Whenever there is a long layoff, the defense usually suffers the most as there are usually a few mental lapses and missed assignments resulting in easy scoring chances. These Pacific division foes squared off six times during the regular season and scored a combined 25 goals in those games for a 4.17 average. However, all of those matchups occurred before the Kings acquired Jeff Carter and before they had a major resurgence offensively. The Kings were a completely different team down the stretch of the regular season and that carried over to the playoffs as well. The Kings have averaged 3.0 goals per game in the playoffs, which is third best after Pittsburgh and Philadelphia - who played zero defense in their opening round series. I expect the Kings to continue to play aggressively on the offensive end since it's translated into them winning 8 of their 9 playoff games thus far. The Coyotes aren't exactly afraid of getting into an offensive battle either and I think we'll see plenty of shots on goal tonight. Take the Over on a low total in this one.
05-12-12	WASHINGTON GM7 v. NY RANGERS GM7 UNDER 4.5		1-2	Win	118	8 h 28 m	Show
4-unit Play Take New York Rangers/Washington Capitals UNDER 4.5 (7:35pm EST) The Under in Game 6 gave us an easy winner on Wednesday and we'll be riding it again tonight in the decisive Game 7. As we mentioned last time out, goals have been very hard to come by for both teams in this series and it always gets tougher as the series goes on. Except for the triple overtime Game 4, these teams haven't had many scoring chances and are playing some unbelievable defense. There have been a ton of blocked shots and some great saves by both goalies. Elimination games are usually played a little bit safer and that should depress scoring even more with both teams' playoff lives on the line. We haven't had an Over yet in this entire series and absolutely no reason to believe that we see one tonight. I called the 2-1 final in the last game and tonight's game should be very similar. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-09-12	NY RANGERS GM6 v. WASHINGTON GM6 UNDER 5	Top	1-2	Win	100	9 h 43 m	Show
10-unit Play Take New York Rangers/Washington Capitals UNDER 5 (7:35pm EST) What a great series we've experienced so far between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals. Every game has been tight and Game 5 takes the cake as the best game of the playoffs so far as the Rangers tied it with six seconds left in regulation and then won it in overtime. Goals have been very hard to come by for both teams in this series and it gets tougher as the series goes on. Except for the triple overtime Game 4, these teams haven't had many scoring chances and are playing some great defense. There have been a ton of blocked shots and some great saves by both goalies. Elimination games are usually played a little bit safer and that should depress scoring even more as the Rangers look to land a knockout punch tonight. Tonight's game feels like a 2-1 final so we'll gladly take the Under 5 as I don't see much of a chance of six goals being scored in this one. Take the Under as our Game of the Day. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
05-02-12	PHOENIX GM3 v. NASHVILLE GM3 UNDER 5	Top	0-2	Win	100	10 h 20 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Phoenix Coyotes/Nashville Predators UNDER (9:05pm EST) The puck drops on Game 3 of the second round series between the Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators. The series has headed back to Nashville after the Coyotes took care of business on their home ice winning both contests in two rather high-scoring affairs. The Predators are desperate for a win tonight and I think they'll dictate the pace and play their game at home tonight. The Preds made some uncharacteristic mistakes in the first two games that led to some easy chances for Phoenix. They generally play very disciplined hockey and you have to earn your goals against them. Giving up nine goals in the first two games of this series should motivate them to get back to their old ways, as it's the only way they're going to creep back into this series. Don't let the first two games fool you, as the Under is the right play in this one. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-30-12	Washington Capitals v. NY Rangers UNDER 5		3-2	Push	0	8 h 21 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Washington Capitals/New York Rangers UNDER (7:35pm EST) Game 1 of this series went Under the total pretty easily with the Rangers winning 3-1 Tonight we like the Under to strike again in Game 2 of the series. The first game featured a grand total of only 32 shots! That's right, only 32 shots on goal in the entire game - 18 for Washington and 14 for New York. While tonight's game will surely see a few more shots this time around, both of these teams are comfortable playing this style and I think we're going to see a lot of low scoring affairs in this series. Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and he can be a one-man brick well when he's on his game. Washington doesn't have a true #1 goalie, but the Rangers offense doesn't have as many weapons as some of the other teams remaining in the playoffs, so they can get by with what they have. Bottom line, scoring chances will be at a premium tonight as I expect another slugfest between the Caps and Rangers, so take the Under. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-26-12	OTTAWA GM7 v. NY RANGERS GM7 UNDER 5		1-2	Win	100	8 h 25 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Ottawa Senator/New York Rangers UNDER (7:05pm EST) It's been a great series between the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers but all good things must come to an end and it will tonight in Game 7. The Senators have hung in there nicely for a #8 seed going against a #1 seed and it's mostly been due to solid defense and great goaltending by Craig Anderson. They knew they would have to play that way to win this series and it's gotten them all the way to Game 7. I think tonight will be more of the same with scoring chances being very hard to come by. Game 7's are notoriously lower scoring and since only one of the first six games went Over the total, I think it's safe to assume that we won't see a shootout here. Take the Under and enjoy a tight defensive battle to advance to the next round. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-20-12	Detroit Red Wings v. Nashville Predators UNDER 5		1-2	Win	120	9 h 52 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Detroit Red Wings/Nashville Predators UNDER (8:05pm EST) It's do or die time for the Detroit Red Wings as they are down 3-1 in the opening round series versus the Nashville Predators. These teams know each other very well since they play in the same division and that generally leads to less quality scoring chances. None of the of the games in this series have gone Over the total and there's no reason to think that tonight's game will either with so much on the line. In fact, none of the previous eight meetings have gone Over. When the Red Wings play a team with a winning record, the Under is 19-4-6. Bottom line, they buckle down when they play the good teams. I expect a high level of intensity tonight and the goalies to be on high alert. This isn't the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia series, so no one is going to be taking any big chances in fear of committing a turnover or costing their team a power play opportunity. The Under is the right side here tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-19-12	Phoenix Coyotes v. Chicago Blackhawks UNDER 5.5		3-2	Win	100	9 h 44 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Phoenix Coyotes/Chicago Blackhawks UNDER (7:35pm EST) Tonight's Game 4 is a huge game for both of these teams at Phoenix currently leads the series 2-1. The first three games in this series all went into overtime and were 3-2, 4-3 and 3-2 scores. In fact, during the last game, three of the five goals scored were during a 4-on-4 situation within a one minute span. Both teams have been playing fairly cautious hockey and ensuring that they don't make any huge mistakes. The goaltenders in this series have also been phenomenal, stopping a ton of shots on goal. I expect the shot counts to come down a little with the series getting more intense tonight. Marian Hossa is out tonight for the Blackhawks and that is a huge loss offensively for the Hawks. The Coyotes also have some guys who are banged up and won't be 100%. I think we'll see another physical battle that could potentially go to overtime again, but it should be Under the number. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-18-12	NY Rangers v. Ottawa Senators UNDER 5		2-3	Push	0	8 h 15 m	Show
3-unit Play Take New York Rangers/Ottawa Senators UNDER (7:35pm EST) The puck drops on Game 4 of the series tonight between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators. The Rangers lead the series 2-1 and things have gotten a little chippy as we've quite a few scrums so far. Things only get more intense as the series progresses, so we can expect more checks, more fights and more physicality period. As long as no one gets a big lead, this increased intensity should keep the scoring low. The last game was a 1-0 Rangers win and I really think it's going to be the same type of game again in Ottawa. Goalie Craig Anderson and the Ottawa defense have really stepped up their play in this series to try and match the great work of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. New York doesn't have a ton of weapons on offense that scare you, so that should continue. I expect a 2-1 or 3-1 final score in this one, so play the Under here tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-15-12	Pittsburgh Penguines v. Philadelphia Flyers UNDER 6		4-8	Loss	-100	4 h 37 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Pittsburgh Penguins/ Philadelphia Flyers UNDER (3:05pm EST) It's desperation time for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they trail 2-0 in the series heading to Philadelphia. No one imagined that they'd be in this predicament when the playoff started, but now they face a game that they must win. It's clear that the defense has let Pittsburgh down in the first two games as they allowed four goals and seven goals, respectively. In order to get back into the series, defense is going to be their number one initiative and I expect it to be a lot better today with everything on the line. Philadelphia knows that they need to be play better on the defensive end as well with all the weapons that the Pens possess. In all honesty, the scores of the first two games were a bit deceiving based on the shots on goal. The first game only had 54 shots on goal and the second game had only 59. As a result, the goaltenders are as much to blame as the defensemen. Collectively, the goalies are stopping only 83% of the shots taken overall. That's a horrible rate and it really can't get any worse than that. I expect more focus in this game as it means a lot more. That should lead to a more fundamentally sound performance on defense and less scoring chances overall. Take the Under here as I see a 3-2 final in this one.
04-12-12	Ottawa Senators v. NY Rangers UNDER 5	Top	2-4	Loss	-100	8 h 13 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Ottawa Senators/New York Rangers UNDER (7:05pm EST) Game 1 of the series between the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers begins tonight. I think this is going to be a much better series than anticipated as I think the Senators can fight and hang in there with the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. If they're going to do it, however, they're going to need a heck of a performance by goalie Craig Anderson. The Rangers don't have the most explosive offense but the key is to limit premium scoring chances and I think Ottawa can do that. On the Rangers side, their probably isn't a goalie in the NHL that I would want to ride with in the playoffs more so than Henrik Lundqvist. He's carried New York through several stretches throughout the season and can win you tough playoff contests. These teams played four times in the regular season and there were two Unders, one Over and a push. I expect the Rangers to play it close to the vest and lean heavily on Lundqvist so we should see a lot of 2-1 type games in this series. As a result, the Under is the play for tonight. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
04-03-12	Carolina Hurricanes v. Ottawa Senators OVER 5.5		2-1	Loss	-104	9 h 59 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Carolina Hurricanes/Ottawa Senators OVER (7:35pm EST) Not a whole lot to play for tonight as the Carolina Hurricanes square off against the Senators in Ottawa. The Hurricanes have been out of the playoff picture for months and are just going through the motions as the season wraps up. The Senators are all but locked into the #7 spot in the Eastern Conference where they've been hanging out for quite some time. Both of these teams like to play aggressive hockey and get tons of shots on goal, and I see no reason why anything will be any different tonight. Ottawa's last four games have seen a total of 35 goals scored, all of them wins. This team was built around the offensive weapons and it's the only way that they know how to win. The Hurricanes are 26th in the NHL in defense and their identity hasn't changed much throughout the season either. The Over is 19-7 in Carolina's last 26 road games against teams with winning records. The Over is also 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings between these clubs. The lamp will be busy tonight in Ottawa, as the play is the Over. Best of Luck - Doc's Sports
03-31-12	Anaheim Mighty Ducks v. Phoenix Coyotes UNDER 5		0-4	Win	114	10 h 43 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Anaheim Ducks/Phoenix Coyotes UNDER (9:05pm EST) We should see a fairly close to the vest type contest tonight between the Anaheim Ducks and Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes are sitting in the 8th spot in the Western Conference playoff picture right now and there are only four games remaining in the season. They can't afford to make any major mistakes so they'll play fundamentally sound hockey and will be sure to limit any breakaway chances and premium scoring opportunities. We saw this style in their last two games, which saw a total of only six goals combined. The Ducks are out of the playoffs but they've continued to play hard in their role as the spoiler. Being a division rival, you can be sure that they'll be up for this one and be fighting to the end. These two have had an interesting season series. In their first five meetings, three of the games went Over the total but only one game saw more than 50 shots on goal. That means we just saw some poor goaltender play or random luck in those games on the offensive end. This game will be played even tighter and I don't expect a lot of shots on goal again. Everyone should be focused, including the goalies, so play the Under here tonight.
03-28-12	NY Rangers v. Winnipeg Jets UNDER 5.5	Top	4-2	Loss	-140	6 h 17 m	Show
The New York Rangers visit Winnipeg to take on the Jets in what has the makings of an ugly game. These are two fairly scrappy teams that play hockey the right way and don't give up a lot of good scoring chances. Winnipeg plays a lot better on their home ice and is very stingy on the defensive end there, while the Rangers have probably the best goalie in the NHL in Henrik Lundqvist. These teams have played seven times over the last two years and six of them have gone Under the total. The Jets are fading fast in the playoff race but they're not eliminated yet and should still be fighting hard, while the Rangers are trying to hold onto the top spot in the Eastern Conference. I expect a hard fought, low scoring affair in this one.
03-27-12	Buffalo Sabres v. Washington Capitals UNDER 5.5	Top	5-1	Loss	-145	8 h 7 m	Show
Tonight we get playoff hockey when the Washington Capitals host the Buffalo Sabres. These teams are in a virtual tie for the eight playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 84 points each. Washington coach Dale Hunter called Tuesday's game "like the seventh game of the playoffs." Capitals winger Troy Brouwer expanded on that sentiment, according to the Washington Post, "It's an exciting time of year, obviously a very important game and guys know this," Brouwer said. "We had a good showing (Sunday) night against Minnesota but we're playing a pretty tough team that's playing really well. We feel that this (Tuesday's game) is going to be a very big determination whether we're going to make the playoffs." With so much on the line for these teams, we should see a very fundamentally sound game with very few turnovers or breakaways. Good scoring chances will be hard to come by, and we have two goalies playing at the top of their respective games when the chances do come. It's very difficult to imagine this game becoming any kind of shootout, so the Under is the only way to play it for our Game of the Week.
03-24-12	Pittsburgh Penguines v. Ottawa Senators OVER 5.5		4-8	Win	100	8 h 23 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Pittsburgh Penguins/Ottawa Senators OVER (7:05pm EST) The Pittsburgh Penguins have been goal-scoring machines ever since the return of Sidney Crosby. In the last five games since his return, the Pens have averaged five goals per game and they've been dominating their opponents. They run into an Ottawa Senators team tonight that doesn't mind playing an up-and-down type game. The Senators average 2.89 goals per game and allow 2.87 on the season, not exactly a conservative bunch. They're not going to back down to Pittsburgh and their style, so we should see some serious goal-scoring tonight. The last four times these teams have met, the score has gone Over the total as well. This one is pretty simple, as we should see quite a shootout again tonight.
03-22-12	WASHINGTON v. Philadelphia Flyers UNDER 5.5		1-2	Win	100	8 h 48 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Washington Capitals/Philadelphia Flyers UNDER 5.5 (7:05pm EST) Tonight's matchup between the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers will have a playoff-like atmosphere. The Capitals are trying to hold onto the #8 spot in the Eastern Conference while the Flyers are jockeying for position as they still have an outside chance at the #1 seed in the East. There are only nine games left for these teams and the intensity is growing by the day as the end of the season approaches. The Flyers have really tightened things up defensively recently and their last 10 games have all gone Under the total as a result. That's right - 10 straight Unders! The Flyers have surrendered only 13 goals over their last 10 games as goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is finally starting to earn the big money that Philadelphia is paying him. One of those 10 games was against the Capitals when these teams squared off on March 4th. The Flyers won that game 1-0 and that was the start of their streak. Washington's games have been going Over the total lately, but there haven't been a ton of shots on goal and that generally means that the trend will start reversing. I don't expect another 1-0 game again tonight between these squads, but I also can't envision seeing six goals. The Under is the play as Philadelphia goes for 11 straight below the number.
03-20-12	Phoenix Coyotes v. Dallas Stars UNDER 5		3-4	Loss	-100	9 h 59 m	Show
4-unit Play Take Phoenix Coyotes/Dallas Stars UNDER (7:05pm EST) It's going to be a playoff-like atmosphere tonight when the Phoenix Coyotes take on the Dallas Stars. Both teams are tied atop of the Pacific Division with 83 points, but they are also both one point away from missing the playoffs entirely. San Jose and Los Angeles are both only one point away, so each game from here on out is vitally important for these squads. This will be the sixth meeting of the season between these clubs and they know each other very well. None of the previous five meetings have gone Over the total, and most weren't even close. In fact, there has not yet been an Over in this series during the last nine meetings. With the increased intensity of the playoff chase, we usually see more focus on the defensive end of the ice and less good scoring chances. These teams already limit the scoring chances when they hook up, so it will be very difficult to imagine many goals getting by the netminders tonight. This game has all the makings of a 2-1 affair, so the Under is the clear play in this one.
03-20-12	Winnipeg Jets v. Pittsburgh Penguines OVER 5.5	Top	4-8	Win	100	8 h 59 m	Show
10-unit Play Take Winnipeg Jets/Pittsburgh Penguins OVER (7:05pm EST) Tonight we have one of those situations where absolutely everything points in one direction, and it's the Over in the game between the Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins. Since Sidney Crosby has returned to the lineup five days ago, the Penguins have been playing with a renewed vigor and he's given them the late season boost that they needed. Although Sid the Kid hasn't put any goals into the back of the net himself, he's assisted on five of them in three games and has given the defense another weapon to think about on the ice. There's no doubt that this is a different Penguins team with him here and it simply means that there will be more scoring. The Pens will also be going with their third-string goaltender tonight as starter Marc-Andre Fleury is getting some rest and normal backup Brent Johnson is injured. The Jets come into this game having played in some high-scoring affairs lately as well, seeing a combined 27 goals in their last four games. There have been plenty of shots on goal and they've seemed to break out of their usual mold of playing a bit conservatively. Additionally on the road, their defense just isn't as good and it's been that way all season long. "At home we play great defensively, and then you get your chances and then you score the goals," Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec told the Winnipeg Sun. "It's simple enough. We can do it at home, but we are not able to do it on the road." The last time these two teams hooked up in early February, the Penguins won 8-5. While I don't expect to see 13 goals again, we'll get plenty of them tonight to get us Over the total making this our Game of the Day.
03-19-12	BUFFALO v. TAMPA BAY UNDER 5.5		7-3	Loss	-119	8 h 21 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Buffalo Sabres/Tampa Bay Lightning UNDER (7:35pm EST) The Buffalo Sabres are making one last push to try to squeeze their way into the Eastern Conference playoffs as they head into Tampa Bay tonight. Over their last 14 games, the Sabres are 9-2-3 and they've been wining primarily due to an increased focus on the defensive end. During this current stretch, they have allowed only 2.21 goals per game and several of their contests have gone into overtime and shootouts. Goaltender Ryan Miller has been in the net in all but one of those games and it seems like he may have regained his form from past seasons. With only 10 games left on the schedule and Buffalo only 2 points out of the playoffs, I expect them to keep up the defensively intensity. Tampa Bay's season is all but over after dropping five of their last six games in ugly fashion - only one game was decided by one goal. They haven't been as crisp on offense and with Buffalo's latest surge in their own zone, I don't expect Tampa to get too many scoring chances. This should be a tight, low scoring affair so the Under is the play in this one.
03-17-12	Colorado Avalanche v. NY Rangers UNDER 5		3-1	Win	110	8 h 42 m	Show
3-unit Play Take Colorado Avalanche/New York Rangers UNDER (7:05pm EST) The New York Rangers had been and Under machine this season, and most of that had to do with having one of the best goalies in the NHL - Henrik Lundqvist. However, he's been out of the lineup a little more recently missing four of the last nine games. Over the last nine games, the Rangers have not had a single Under. There have been six Overs and three pushes. However, Lundqvist should be back in the net tonight and the Rangers are aware that they need to pick it up defensively. After a 5-2 loss against the Penguins last time out, defensemen Marc Staal had this to say. "You always have to look at your own game and how you're playing," Staal said. "I thought certain plays could have had better reads and better decisions. With a skilled team like that, you have to be sharper in your end zone, and we weren't." The Rangers have been a very consistent team all season long and I think they get it straightened out defensively real quick. They draw a tired opponent in the Colorado Avalanche in this one. This will be Colorado's third game in four nights on the road and their last four contests have all gone to overtime. New York will be able to dictate the pace at home in this one and that means it will be a slow, grind-it-out style. Take the Under at plus-juice as New York will get back to playing hockey the way they've won all year long.

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