Sports Picks & Predictions

 

3-unit Play Take #16 Los Angeles Kings over San Jose Sharks (10:05pm EST) We outlined this in the last game when we played the Sharks, but we'll stress it again. Home teams dominate when these teams get together. The home team is 22-5 in the last 27 meetings and that includes a perfect 9-0 in the postseason between last season and this year. The Kings are 23-14-4 at home this season and this is a game that they must have. The Sharks won the first two games handily and it was certainly embarrassing for the former champs. But the Kings are a resilient team and they've overcome adversity like this in the past. Coach Daryl Suter is one of the best motivators in the league and he'll have his guys ready for this one. I expect Los Angeles to jump out to a quick early on and never look back. Take the Kings to get back in the series here.

 

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

 

 

4-unit Play Take #8 Dallas Stars over Anaheim Ducks (9:35pm EST) It's Game 3 between the Ducks and Stars as the series shifts to Dallas. It will be a welcome change as the Stars were 23-11-7 at American Airlines Center this season. The first two games of the series went to the Ducks, but they were both competitive and Dallas could have easily left there was a split. In fact, the Stars outshot the Ducks 36-19 in Game 2. These teams met once during the regular season in Dallas, and the Stars took that one in dominating fashion 6-3. This is the first home playoff game for Dallas since 2008, so the stadium should be rocking tonight. It's a must win game for them today and I think Dallas gets the job done.

 

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

 

 

5-unit Play Take #84 San Jose Sharks over Los Angeles Kings (10:05pm EST) Home team dominance. That's the best way to sum up the battles between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings over the last few years. The home team is 21-5 in the last 26 meetings and that includes a perfect 8-0 in the postseason between last season and Game 1 this year. The Sharks are 30-7-5 at home this season, so it's certainly going to be tough to buck the trend. The Sharks dominated Game 1 all around, jumping out to a quick 3-0 in the first period and were up 6-1 at one point before giving up a couple of late goals. I don't necessarily think the Sharks are that much better than the Kings, but the home ice is just too tough to overcome. The line is a bit lower than expected as everyone is expecting the Kings to just bounce back and get this game. I don't see it, so we're on the Sharks as our 5-unit Game.

 

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

 

 

3-unit Play Take #75 Minnesota Wild over Colorado Avalanche (8:35pm EST) The Wild and Avalanche meet for Game 2 of the series after a thrilling first game in Denver. The Wild led a majority of the way but gave up a late goal with 13 seconds left that forced overtime. The Avalanche ended up getting the winning goal in OT, but for Minnesota it was a heart-wrenching defeat. The playoffs are about resiliency and Minnesota has the veterans in their locker room to bounce back. They know that they outplayed Colorado in the first game and if they play the same way tonight, they should be able to even up this series. I don't strongly believe in the zig-zag theory in the NHL playoffs, but this could be a bit of a letdown spot for Colorado coming off of the emotional win. I really think the Wild are better built for the playoffs and still have a great chance to win this series. The Avalanche aren't battle-tested and they made quite a few mistakes in Game 1. Minnesota will capitalize on similar mistakes again in Game 2 and get the victory.

 

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

4-unit Play Take #58 New York Rangers over Philadelphia Flyers (7:05pm EST) The New York Rangers are heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs with some momentum. They've won nine of 14 overall and are playing their best hockey of the season right now. They also are the healthiest they've been all season long, as they welcome back defenseman Ryan McDonagh tonight. The Rangers and Flyers have built up a pretty good rivalry over the years, but it's been one-sided of late. New York has won 13 of the last 17 meetings and most of the contests weren't close. The Flyers have been extremely inconsistent this season so it's hard to tell what you're going to get from them in the playoffs. They stumbled into the postseason dropping eight of their last 12 and they've had some problems in the net. Regular goalie Steve Mason is on the injured list, so that means Ray Emery will get the start for Game One. Emery has been a backup for most of his career and hasn't been in a spot like this, so it's difficult to gauge what we'll see from him. The Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist in the net - one of the best in the world. That is a huge edge in a playoff series that often times comes down to how well the goaltenders play. I like the Rangers to continue their dominance over the Flyers in Game One tonight.

 

 

3-unit Play Take #55 Dallas Stars over Anaheim Ducks (10:05pm EST) The Stars and the Ducks met three times this season and Dallas won two those meetings. Now they meet in the first round of the playoffs in what should shape up as a very competitive series. Dallas is crossing over to the Pacific division in the new playoff format, as they were the final wild card team and Anaheim grabbed the top seed. The Ducks were extremely fortunate this season as they had the best shooting percentage in the league- a statistic that normally regresses to the mean. They might be able to keep that up in the playoffs, but it's very unlikely as they shot over 10% on the season. Underdogs have performed very well in the playoffs over the last few years and it's mainly due to teams at the top getting overhyped. Yes the Ducks had a great season, but how much better are they than the rest of the playoff field. The answer is not that much. The Stars are more than capable of making a playoff run as they have a great mix of veterans who understand what it takes to win. Dallas finished the season winning eight of 13 games and they look more cohesive on the ice than they have at any point during the season. I look for this to be a back and forth game and back and forth series as well. Game One is a toss up and we'll gladly take the big price on the Stars.

 

 

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.

 

4-unit Play Take #6 New Jersey Devils over Boston Bruins (3:05pm EST) It's the last day of the regular season and today's matchups don't mean a whole lot to anyone. As a result, we're looking for underdogs who probably have just as good of a chance to win as their opponent today. One such instance is the New Jersey Devils. They go up against a Bruins squad that has had the #1 seed locked up for quite some time. They will be resting up for the playoffs since this is the second leg of a back-to-back for them. I also don't think their guys will be playing as hard as usual, given that their focus is elsewhere. For the Devils this is their final game of the season and they are a team that always gives great effort. They've exceeded expectations overall this year, so I think they'll look to end on an upswing. New Jersey is a home underdog and I think they should be a large favorite. Take the Devils.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

5-unit Play Take #53 Philadelphia Flyers over Pittsburgh Penguins (3:05pm EST) With the playoffs looming it's important to take a look at the implications of these final games for playoff matchups. Tonight's game means nothing for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they have locked up the division and are waiting to find out their opponent. They could end up meeting tonight's opponent, the Philadelphia Flyers based on how the next two days play out. The Flyers are tied for the last spot in the Metropolitan and they'd like to avoid playing Pittsburgh in the first round. As a result, this game means a lot more to Philly than it does for Pittsburgh. The Penguins will probably rest some of their guys as they've been banged up a ton lately. I don't think the Pens want to face Philadelphia in the first round either, so there's a good chance they play a little soft and let the Flyers do what they want to. Philadelphia has also played well against the Pens this season as they've won the last three contests. This is a great price on the Flyers given the circumstances, and we're taking it as our 5-unit Game.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

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

3-unit Play Take #67 Phoenix Coyotes over Nashville Predators (10:35pm EST) The Phoenix Coyotes are two points away from the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with just three games remaining. Needless to say, tonight's game in Nashville is their biggest game of the season to date. "The bottom line is now we're in a situation where we've got to win out," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. "That's just the way it is." The Predators aren't going to just roll over, but their season is over as they look ahead to summer vacations. The Coyotes come into this game with five straight losses, but they've been competitive in four of those games (three of them went to overtime). The Coyotes have played really well against the Preds over the last couple of season, winning five of the last seven meetings. Both teams play fundamentally sound hockey and make very few mistakes, so it should be a good one. However, Phoenix should be the more focused team and I expect them to notch the victory here.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

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

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.

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

5-unit Play Take #11 Detroit Red Wings over Montreal Canadiens (7:05pm EST) The Stanley Cup playoffs are right around the corner and the Detroit Red Wings need to finish strong to lock up their 27th consecutive postseason appearance. They are currently occupying a wild card spot with several teams nipping at their heels. This team has endured quite a bit this season as far as injuries and tough losing streaks. No team has been hit harder from a health standpoint, but the Wings are getting guys back as we head down the stretch. Pavel Datsyuk was out since the playoffs and he just returned the other day, which was a huge lift. Detroit has won four in a row and you get the sense that they are going to finish the regular season strong and peak at just the right time. They are a veteran team that knows this is a marathon and not a race. They certainly can step up when needed, and tonight's game qualifies as one of those occasions. They go up against the Montreal Canadiens, who recently locked up a playoff spot. They're not going to be complacent because they are still playoff for seeding, but I don't think that the Canadiens are going to be as motivated as Detroit is in this one. Montreal is returning home after a successful four-game road trip, so this could definitely qualify as a potential flat spot. Detroit has won two of the three games this season, and I think they have a great chance to make that three out of four. Play the Red Wings as our Game.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #54 New Jersey Devils over Washington Capitals (7:05pm EST) Huge game tonight in New Jersey as the Devils and Capitals battle for one of the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. These teams are separated by just one point in the standings, but both are hanging onto their playoff hopes by a thread. The loser of this game is just about eliminated from contention, so obviously it will be an intense environment. The Caps have dropped four straight games when it has mattered most. I get the impression that they know they aren't good to make a run these last couple of weeks to get into the playoffs and are just going through the motions. They lost to Dallas at home 5-0 on Tuesday in a game that they really needed to win. Washington just doesn't have the toughness and determination to make this happen, and the last game was a perfect example. The Devils do have the toughness, but they are a bit short on the talent. They've been teetering on the edge of the playoff race for quite some time, but their downfall has been getting the key goal when they need it. They are 0-10 in shootouts, and if they had just won a few of those they'd be sitting in a much better spot. The line on this game doesn't appear to be too far off, but I feel like this gritty Devils team will get by a Caps team that doesn't believe in themselves. Take New Jersey.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

4-unit Play Take #18 San Jose Sharks over Los Angeles Kings (10:35pm EST) We've got a great rivalry game tonight in San Jose as the Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings. These are two of the best teams in the NHL and they've played some absolute classics in recent memory including last year's seven-game playoff series. The unique thing about this rivalry is that the home team has absolutely dominated to the tune of a 23-7 mark over the last five years. In the playoffs last seasons, the home team won all seven games. Both teams are jockeying for playoff position, and it could turn out that they hook up again in the first round of the playoffs. We're going to go on record saying that the home team trend holds true to form here tonight. San Jose is a stellar 27-6-5 at home this season, and they were actually beaten by the Kings playing at home last time out. They won't let it happen again.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #20 Phoenix Coyotes over Winnipeg Jets (10:05pm EST) The Phoenix Coyotes host the Winnipeg Jets in a game that means a lot for one team and nothing for the other. The Coyotes are fighting to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, while the Jets have long been out of contention. That's not enough to make a play on this game, but when you add in how these teams have been playing lately it bolsters the angle. The Jets have lost 11 of 14 overall and are missing the fire that they played with immediately after bringing on new head coach Paul Maurice mid-season. They blew a 4-0 lead yesterday to Anaheim and that had to deflate Winnipeg even more. Meanwhile, the Coyotes have won nine of 14 and really seem focused on finding a way to get into the playoffs. Phoenix has also been very tough at home this season, owning a 21-13-3 mark. They also prepare very well, evidenced by their 35-17 record playing on two days rest. The line is a bit high on this one, but it should be higher. Take the Coyotes to get the win here.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

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

3-unit Play Take #12 Nashville Predators over Washington Capitals (8:05pm EST) The Nashville Predators don't have a lot to play for except for pride since they are out of the playoff picture. Luckily for them, however, this is a team full pride. A team that plays hard and almost always goes all out to give themselves the best chance to win. If the Preds were in the Eastern Conference, they'd surely be in the playoff hunt right now. Instead they play the role of the spoilers against an overrated East team in the Washington Capitals. The Caps are currently sitting in the last playoff spot, so this is a big game for them. However, they've rarely stepped up in big spots over the last few years, so that doesn't mean anything. This will be the second leg of a back-to-back for Washington, and they haven't been very good on the road this season (have lost 22 of 36). Nashville is the better team here, but that is disguised by the conference that they play in. I expect a good effort from the Preds, and they should get a win at home here.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

4-unit Play Take #72 Vancouver Canucks (+110) over Anaheim Ducks (10:05pm EST) Just a couple of weeks ago, the Vancouver Canucks looked dead in the water. They were going through one of their roughest stretches in years and traded away beloved goalie Roberto Luongo in the midst of it. However, things have taken a turn recently and the Canucks are suddenly back in the playoff race. Vancouver has won five of eight and is five points from the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They should have even more motivation in this game against the Anaheim Ducks tonight. That's because Anaheim torched the Canucks 9-1 when these teams last met in January. Revenge angles aren't big in hockey, but when you lost by eight goals in a game, you remember it. The Ducks are just 4-7 in their last 11 and seem to have things on auto-pilot heading into the playoffs. Vancouver is at home and I think they can get a win as the underdog.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

10-unit Play Take #61 New Jersey Devils over New York Islanders (7:05pm EST) Two teams with different agendas face off here as the Islanders host the Devils. New York has been playing decent hockey of late, but their season has been over for quite some time. With just a couple of weeks left, it will be hard for them to keep their focus with nothing to play for. And it will be especially tough with all of the injuries they are dealing with at the moment. Team leader John Tavares is out along with Brian Strait, Michael Grabner and Lubomir Visnovsky. Kyle Okposo is also questionable, and the Islanders really have no reason to play him. Those are some pretty big names, and New York isn't a particularly deep squad. New Jersey is just four points from the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games to play. They need to pick up points in most of their remaining games, so this one is huge. The Devils have won five of the last six in New York, including a 6-1 romp earlier this month. They'll also have their best goaltender, Cory Schneider, in net tonight. New Jersey should be the more focused team here tonight, and quite honestly they are the more talented team given all of the injuries to the Islanders. As a result, we're on New Jersey as our 8-unit Eastern Conference Game of the Year.

3-unit Play Take #59 Carolina Hurricanes over Florida Panthers (7:35pm EST) Times have gotten tough for the Carolina Hurricanes. After being in contention for the entire first half of the season, they've fallen apart in the second half without warning. However, as tough as it has gotten, they aren't so bad to justify this low of a price against the Florida Panthers. Carolina is still the more talented team and they deserve to be favored here. They have nine more points on the season than Florida does and own a huge advantage as far as goal differential - a more telling statistic. Carolina comes in with a -24 goal margin. Florida, however, is at a whopping -59, which is third-worst in the entire NHL. I don't think either team will be too fired up for this game, but the Hurricanes have won four of the last five meetings and I think they do it again tonight.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

2-unit Play Take #55 Montreal Canadiens over Detroit Red Wings (7:05pm EST) Another big game down the stretch as the Detroit Red Wings host the Montreal Canadiens. The Wings need this game more than the Habs do, but that's not enough to get us off of this one. Detroit is a severely banged up squad right now and we've been successful playing against them in certain spots over the last few weeks. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are two of the best players in the league and easily Detroit's two best players. They both are both out, and the team hasn't been playing well in their absence. The Canadiens come in winning six of their last seven games as they've finally rebuilt their on-ice chemistry after shaking things up a bit at the trade deadline. This is now one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference and has a legitimate shot to make some noise come playoff time. They've also been very good away from home, winning seven of their last 10 on the road. Montreal is the much better team right now and we'll take advantage of an underdog price.

3-unit Play Take #4 New York Rangers over Philadelphia Flyers (8:05pm EST) Huge potential playoff seeding implications in New York tonight as the Rangers host the Philadelphia Flyers. The Rangers are currently one point ahead of the Flyers in the standings, and neither team has clinched a spot just yet. Both squads come in on hot streaks, but I like what I'm seeing from the Rangers a little bit more. They've outscored their competition 17-8 over the last four games and three of those were on the road against quality competition. All four were wins. Philadelphia has been running good as well, but a lot of those games were on their home ice. They also were severely outshot in a few of those games and were fortunate to escape with victories. The Rangers are the more talented squad and are playing a bit better at the moment. As a result, they get the money today.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

7-unit Play Take #64 Columbus Blue Jackets over Detroit Red Wings (7:35pm EST) Huge game in Columbus tonight as the Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings. These teams are separated by just two points in the Eastern Conference as they look for a playoff spot. Detroit has been getting by with a makeshift lineup of late due to a plethora of injuries on both ends of the ice. Most notable are Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg - the two best players on the team, who have been out since the Olympic break. The Wings are just 7-5-1 since the break without them. But there are some other key injuries as well, and several players have been in and out of the lineup for the last couple of weeks. It's hard to maintain good chemistry on the ice with all of the shuffling and I feel like this team is on the verge of imploding. The Jackets have been much better in the second half of the season than they were in the first half. That's mainly because goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has found his old form from last year and that's taken the pressure off the offense. Columbus has taken five of the last six meetings from Detroit, so they should come into tonight's matchup confident. Add in the fact that Columbus needs this win to tie Detroit in the standings, and I feel like the Jackets have a huge edge here. Take Columbus as our 7-unit Game.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #10 Dallas Stars over Winnipeg Jets (8:35pm EST) The Dallas Stars are just two points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 12 games to go. Winnipeg isn't too far behind either (6 points out), but they have several teams ahead of them and realistically won't get there unless they probably run the table because they have just 10 games left. Neither team has been playing their best hockey lately, but I think the Stars will be a bit more focused in this one for a couple of reasons. They were torched 7-2 by the Jets just last week in Winnipeg and that was the beginning of a bad road trip that failed to earn a point. They came back home and responded with an easy 3-1 win against the Senators to get back on track. They're a very solid 19-10-7 at home this year and Winnipeg hasn't been a good road team over the last couple of seasons. Dallas has won 13 of the last 18 meetings and I think they extend that record tonight. Take the Stars.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #7 Montreal Canadiens over Boston Bruins (7:35pm EST) The Boston Bruins are on a roll. There's no debating that. They've won 12 straight hockey games and 19 of 23 overall. But all good things must come to an end and I think tonight could be that night. It's exhausting trying to maintain a run like this and this will be the third game in four nights for the Bruins - all of which have included travel. The Canadiens have won four of five and should be a bit more rested for this one. Montreal has also dominated the Bruins recently, taking five of the last six meetings. The price on this game is probably close to where it should be given Boston's run, but I have a feeling that the winning streak gets snapped here. Take the Canadiens.

3-unit Play Take #3 Los Angeles Kings over Philadelphia Flyers (7:05pm EST) The Los Angeles Kings had dominated Eastern Conference opponents this seasons to the tune of an 18-8-3 record in 29 games. The Kings are a difficult team to play against, especially when you don't see them very often. The Flyers did get the better of them in Los Angeles about two months ago 2-0. However, Los Angeles played well that game but just couldn't put one past Steve Mason. Both teams are getting close to clinching playoff spots, so this game is important. Both are playing pretty good hockey at the moment as well. But when it comes down to it, Los Angeles is the better team here and they've proven it over a longer period of time. Take the Kings here.

6-unit Play Take #58 New Jersey Devils over Toronto Maple Leafs (7:05pm EST) Neither team is playing very good hockey at the moment, but this is a hugely important matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils. The Leafs are hanging onto one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, but there are several teams on their tail. One of those teams in the Devils, who are currently six points behind the 8th spot. Toronto was a virtual lock for the playoffs about a week ago. However, they've dropped five of six and haven't looked as focused as they should be. Toronto is lucky just to be in this position to be honest. They have a -12 goal differential on the season and have managed to pull out many games in which they were severely outplayed this season. The Leafs are also without goaltender Jonathan Bernier for tonight's game and that's huge given the drop off to number two goalie James Reimer. New Jersey has been solid at home this season, posting a 17-10-7 mark in 34 games. Most of their remaining games are at the Prudential Center, so they have a realistic chance of entering the backdoor into the playoffs. They will also start Corey Schneider in net - the better of their two options. I expect New Jersey to make a run to end the season and it starts with a victory tonight in our Game.

4-unit Play Take #6 Minnesota Wild over Detroit Red Wings (2:05pm EST) The Minnesota Wild catch the Red Wings at the right time as they look to inch closer to securing a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Detroit is missing their top two players in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and their team hasn't been the same without them. The Wings are just 6-5 since the Olympic break without their two leaders, and three of those wins were in overtime. They're also missing several other key cogs and have been lucky that a few unheralded guys have stepped up to keep them in the playoff race as the regular season winds down. Minnesota has lost six of eight games overall, but four of those losses were in overtime and five of them by a single goal. This is one of the most underrated teams in hockey as they don't get a lot attention, but they've been fairly consistent all season long. They are missing their top two goaltenders, which has made life tough of late, but third-string netminder Darcy Kuemper should have an easier time of it with Detroit's injury woes. The Wild are a stellar 23-7-5 at home this season and I'm a little surprised they aren't a bigger favorite in this one. We'll take Minnesota here.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #52 Columbus Blue Jackets over New York Rangers (7:05pm EST) If you have closely followed the Columbus Blue Jackets lately, you have to be impressed. They've won seven of 10 games overall and are playing with tons of confidence after posting some big wins over quality competition. Last night they took down the Canadiens 3-2 in a game that wasn't as close as the score indicates. They're right in the think of the playoff race and are now tied with the Rangers with 78 points. That makes tonight's battle against New York a huge game. The Rangers have dropped six of their last 10 contests and haven't looked in synch since trading away captain Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis. It was a questionable move to say the least and has certainly shaken up the chemistry in the near term. Until they find that chemistry, they aren't a team that you want to be backing. The Jackets are in a much better rhythm and their fans should bring plenty of energy tonight in this huge game. Take Columbus.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

2-unit Play Take #11 Buffalo Sabres over Edmonton Oilers (9:35pm EST) The Buffalo Sabres are a horrible team without a doubt. They are the worst team in hockey and recently traded away some of their only productive players. However, the Edmonton Oilers should never be favored this big over anyone. Edmonton is the worst team in the Western Conference and they're more focused on the future than they are the present. They can easily win this game and should, but this is worth a small play on Buffalo given the price.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #7 Tampa Bay Lightning over Ottawa Senators (7:35pm EST) The Tampa Bay Lightning have their leader Steven Stamkos back and he's finally clicking after taking some time to build up his conditioning over the last couple of weeks. Tampa has scored 17 goals over their last four games and Stamkos has been involved on seven of them (5 goals and 2 assists). That includes an impressive hat trick last night in Toronto. More importantly, all four of those games were victories. This is a well-balanced team that is finally playing halfway decent defense for the first time in years and could be dangerous come playoff time. Ottawa has sort of been a mystery this season after turning quite a few heads over the last couple of seasons and exceeding expectations. They've dropped six of seven and are now squarely out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. I didn't see that coming, but it seems like they have given up out there and that's not the kind of team they usually are. This line is far too low, so we'll take Tampa Bay tonight.

3-unit Play Take #56 Winnipeg Jets over Colorado Avalanche (8:05pm EST) The Colorado Avalanche are in for quite a challenge tonight. They will play their third game in four nights (all on the road) finishing in Winnipeg tonight. MTS Centre is one of the toughest venues in the NHL for opponents - especially opponents coming in with no rest. And Colorado has been awful on no rest over the last year or so with a 14-40 mark in their last 54 games. The Jets have cooled off quite a bit after a nice boost following the hiring of new head coach Paul Maurice. They're just 1-4-3 in their last eight contests, but they did outplay their competition in several of those games. They are still playing with a chip on their shoulder and have an outside chance at the last playoff spot in the Western Conference (six points away). Given the situation, we like the Jets here.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #14 Montreal Canadiens over Colorado Avalanche (7:35pm EST) The Montreal Canadiens stumbled a bit after the Olympic break, but that was understandable given that they brought in some big pieces at the trade deadline. It takes time to integrate new additions regardless of how talented the players are. But in the last couple of games the Canadiens looked more cohesive on the ice and it translated into two victories. This is a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference if they put it all together and a serious threat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Today they get a Colorado Avalanche team that peaked earlier this season. They're still playing good hockey, but their current form isn't represented by their overall record. New head coach Patrick Roy brought a lot of energy to this team early on in the season, but I think that has worn off at this point. Montreal is the much better team at the moment and we're happy to lay a small price on them at home today.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

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

3-unit Play Take #61 Columbus Blue Jackets (+115) over Minnesota Wild (8:05pm EST) The Columbus Blue Jackets look to earn their sixth victory in eight games tonight in Minnesota against a banged up Minnesota Wild team. The Jackets have been really impressive over the last couple of weeks going up against a slew of Western Conference foes. They of course played in the West up until this season, so they do have familiarity with all of those squads. But that doesn't diminish what they have accomplished of late to catapult themselves into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Minnesota has dropped three of four overall and has struggled in the offensive zone. They haven't scored more than three goals in a game since January 30th and now they're relying on their third goaltending option. Starter Niklas Backstrom and backup Josh Harding are both out with injuries, so Darcy Kuemper is filling in for the Wild. He hasn't looked horrible so far, but he's not the kind of guy you can lean on. That puts extra pressure on the offense, which has obviously wilted as a result. This game is a toss-up, so we'll gladly take the plus price with Columbus.

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #15 Anaheim Ducks over Colorado Avalanche (9:05pm EST) Two of the Western Conference's best go at it tonight in Denver as the Avalanche host the Ducks. Colorado comes in winners in six of their last seven contests, while the Ducks have lost four straight games. Normally we don't try and buck that kind of trend, but Anaheim is the much better team here tonight despite what has happened in the short-term. The Ducks were also embarrassed in their last game versus the Flames which they dropped 7-2. There's no doubt they will be focused tonight after an effort like that and we should see their best. And when Anaheim is extremely focused and moving the puck around well on offense, they are virtually unbeatable. I think this Colorado team has been a tad overrated all season long after getting off to that red hot start. New head coach Patrick Roy brought a ton on energy to the team this season, but his act may start to lose its luster a bit as we head down the stretch run of the regular season. They're still winning games, but they've also caught a lot breaks in their close games. Take Anaheim at this nice price.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #64 Los Angeles Kings over Toronto Maple Leafs (10:35pm EST) The hottest team in the NHL takes the ice tonight against one of the most overrated teams in the league. The Los Angeles Kings are the former, winning eight straight contests with a devastating defense and some excellent goaltending. We've ridden the Kings quite a bit this season and there's no reason not to back them here. The Toronto Maple Leafs have catapulted into the third spot in the Eastern Conference despite being outscored by seven goals on the season! That's right, the Leafs currently have the third most points in the East despite being outscored and not playing very well for the majority of the season. This is just another example of how bad the East is compared to the West. Take the Kings in what should be an easy one.

3-unit Play Take #53 San Jose Sharks over Columbus Blue Jackets (7:05pm EST) The San Jose Sharks opened with seven straight games against the Eastern Conference after the Olympic break, and today will be number eight. The Sharks have dominated the East for the most part in those games, winning five of seven and outscoring them 30-17 collectively in those games. Tonight they get the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are playing pretty good hockey at the moment as well. Columbus has won five of six, but I don't think they have the firepower to keep up with a San Jose team that is firing on all cylinders offensively right now. The line on this game is about 10-15 cents below where it should be. Take the Sharks.

3-unit Play Take #1 Boston Bruins (-135) over Montreal Canadiens (7:35pm EST) The Boston Bruins have lost five straight games to the Montreal Canadiens, but they have a great chance of ending that streak tonight. Montreal has been on the skids since the Olympic break, going 3-4 with all three victories coming in overtime. The Canadiens are without stud goaltender Carey Price, who overdid it a little in the Olympics and is paying for it now. Montreal doesn't have a serviceable backup and it's clearly shown. They are also trying to integrate some new faces into the lineup after making huge waves at the trade deadline bringing in several big names including Thomas Vanek. Those moves will certainly help in the long-term, but right now the team is in flux while trying to get everyone on the same page. Meanwhile, the Bruins have won five straight games and have looked impressive while doing it. Four of the five wins were by multiple goals and 22 goals during the stretch. It's time for the Bruins to notch a win against Montreal finally, and we'll back them at the window.

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #55 Nashville Predators over Buffalo Sabres (7:05pm EST) Tonight's a matchup of two teams with different mindsets at the moment. The Buffalo Sabres have given up on their season long ago, and the trades at last week's deadline made it official. This team doesn't care about winning hockey games right now, as they let go of several key pieces in an effort to brighten the road ahead. Included in that group was the heart and soul of the team in goalie Ryan Miller. The Sabres can no longer just win games with outstanding efforts from their goaltender, so they are really going to struggle to notch many wins down the stretch. The Nashville Predators traded away a couple of pieces at the deadline as well, but this team is still very much competitive. They come into tonight's game 27-28-10 and have been fighting hard in every game. They're not in the playoff hunt, they are still a very tough out for opponents. If this team played in the Eastern Conference, they'd certainly still be in it. The line on this game should be at least 20 cents higher so we're on the Predators.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

5-unit Play Take #59 Los Angeles Kings over Edmonton Oilers (8:05pm EST) No team in hockey has come out more focused than the Los Angeles Kings since the Olympic break. All the Kings have done is go 5-0 while outscoring their opponents 16-7 collectively. In their last game they dominated the Jets with a 41-18 shots margin en route to a 3-1 victory. It came easy to them despite playing against a red hot team who has a huge home ice advantage. They are playing their best hockey of the season by far and they'll take on an Edmonton team tonight that doesn't have a ton to play for. The Oilers have long since been out of the playoff race, so they're looking ahead to the future like they have been for the last few years. It isn't pretty for the Oilers. Los Angeles has dominated this series recently, winning the last four contests and six of the last seven overall. But not only have the Kings won those games versus Edmonton, they have destroyed them more times than not. Tonight shouldn't be any different as we expect another lopsided result in the Kings favor. Play Los Angeles as our 5-unit Game.

3-unit Play Take #11 Phoenix Coyotes over Washington Capitals (7:05pm EST) The Phoenix Coyotes and Washington Capitals come into tonight's matchup with similar records and the line is close to even. But these teams aren't on the same level right now for various reasons. First off, the Coyotes play in a much more difficult conference. If they played in the East, they'd have at least 8-10 more points and be a lock for the playoffs. Instead they are fighting for their lives in the Western Conference. Phoenix also comes in off of two straight wins while the Capitals have dropped three straight. Washington was dominated against the Bruins in their last game. They lost 3-0 and were outshot 43-16. That was following two straight losses to the Flyers in which they gave up a total of 11 goals. This team has lost their focus and should be a good fade down the stretch. Take Phoenix as a slight underdog in this spot.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #9 Philadelphia Flyers over Toronto Maple Leafs (7:05pm EST) The Philadelphia Flyers come into tonight's matchup winners in seven of their last eight contests. They are fresh off of a home-and-home sweep of the Capitals and will head to Toronto to take on a struggling Leafs team. Toronto has lost three of four following the Olympic break, and all four of their games have been decided by exactly one goal. The Maple Leafs were winning the close games earlier on in the season, but things are starting to even out now. Toronto is 0-for-11 on the power play during the four-game slide and the team is lacking the chemistry it had earlier in the year. Maybe all of the Phil Kessel trade rumors shook this team up, but the focus has definitely been lacking. The Flyers have won six of the last seven meetings in Toronto and have won 10 of 14 in the series overall. I expect more of the same tonight, so we'll take Philadelphia as a dog.

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

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

4-unit Play Take #5 Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings (8:05pm EST) It's hard to believe the Detroit Red Wings are favored tonight without their two best players and several other key players missing. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are the heart and soul of this team and it's going to be tough for the Wings to generate much offense without them. The Avalanche has won three straight games and put up 14 goals in those contests. All three games were against good teams, so it appears as if Colorado is benefitting from the time off during the Olympic break. Detroit has been one of the worst home teams in the NHL this season winning just 11 out of 30 games. Colorado, meanwhile, has been great away from home under new head coach Patrick Roy. This line should be at least Colorado -120 and probably even a bit higher. Take the Avalanche in this one.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #2 Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals (7:05pm EST) The Bruins meet the Capitals in Boston for the second time in less than a week, in a rare scheduling quirk. The Caps came out on top 4-2 last week, so you can be sure that the Bruins are going to do everything in their power to defend their home ice tonight to avoid losing to the same team again. Washington is on the second leg of a back-to-back tonight. They just got swept in a home-and-home series with the Flyers and it wasn't pretty for the Caps. They were outshot badly in both games, including the last game where they only had eight shots through two periods of play. If you're making a list of teams that could potentially fall apart down the stretch, Washington has to be on it. They've hung around the edge of the playoff race all season long, but there have been locker room issues and questions about effort on more than one occasion. Boston is going to be the more fired up team tonight and they should cruise here.

3-unit Play Take #1 Dallas Stars at Columbus Blue Jackets (7:05pm EST) The line on this one is sort of a head-scratcher as I have the Dallas Stars rated as a better team than the Columbus Blue Jackets overall. Dallas plays in the much tougher conference and they have the slightly better record currently. Talent-wise, the Stars have the edge as well. Dallas has also won four of the last five meetings in Columbus, as they were in the same conference in prior years. Columbus is dealing with more injury issues than the Stars at the moment - another edge to the Stars. It's hard to make a legitimate case for Columbus tonight, so we'll gladly take the underdog.

4-unit Play Take #6 New Jersey Devils at Detroit Red Wings (7:05pm EST) Everything lines up perfectly for the New Jersey Devils in tonight's matchup against the Red Wings. First off, Detroit hasn't played since last Thursday. That was following a long three-week Olympic break, so the Wings are still going to be quite rusty in the early going in this contest. Detroit is also going to be without their two best players for this one - Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. That's a huge hit to their offensive and defensive production. The Devils have also been the much better team to back for the majority of the season. Detroit is currently -11 units in the money standings, while the Devils have made money for their backers this season. Until Detroit gets fully healthy, it's going to be hard to imagine them improving upon their poor showing so far this year. Take the Devils here as the small home favorite.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

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

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.

5-unit Play Take #68 Chicago Blackhawks over Pittsburgh Penguins (8:05pm EST) It's another highly anticipated outdoor matchup as the Blackhawks host the Penguins in Soldier Field tonight. This one is going to be very interesting as snow showers are in the forecast, and the temperatures will be below freezing. The Blackhawk players seem pretty pumped up for this game based on the recent quotes, and I have a feeling they are looking forward to this game much more than the Penguins are. Soldier Field is a special place in Chicago and they'll want to make a good showing in front of their fans tonight. Both teams have similar records, but the Hawks play in a much tougher conference and are rated higher correspondingly. Chicago also didn't like the way it finished up prior to the Olympic break so they should have a little extra motivation to get things turned around. Pittsburgh is dealing with a whole host of injuries right now, including two of their top defensemen. All signs point to a Blackhawks victory in this one, and we've tabbed it as our 5-unit Game.

3-unit Play Take #55 New York Rangers (-105) over Philadelphia Flyers (1:05pm EST) The New York Rangers have owned Philadelphia over the last three years, going 12-3 during the last 15 meetings. Both teams started a big sluggish this season, but the Rangers have picked it up of late and I think they can make a strong push in the final stretch. They have better talent than most teams in the NHL and coach Alain Vigneault has finally had the time he needed to get everyone on the same page with his scheme. The Rangers have been road warriors this season, going 18-10 in 28 games overall and 16-5 in their last 21. The Flyers have a lot of holes and I'd be surprised if they hold their position in the Easter Conference the rest of the way. Take the Rangers in another game where the price is too short.

3-unit Play Take #53 New Jersey Devils (-105) over New York Islanders (1:05pm EST) This line is definitely a difficult one to figure out. The New Jersey Devils have a better record than the New York Islanders and figure to finish the season much stronger with playoff aspirations hanging in the balance. The Islanders are looking ahead to next season and their future. In addition, team captain and the Islanders' best player John Tavares suffered a partially torn MCL during the Olympics. That is about as big of a blow that a team can take, as Tavares is so central to everything New York does. The Devils have got the best of the Islanders over the last few years, and the road team has also won six of the last seven in this series. The line on this one should be closer to -130 for the Devils, so we'll gladly take the reduced price here.

Two of the best in the Western Conference square off here in Anaheim as the Ducks host the St. Louis Blues. These are the top teams in the NHL in regards to points (Anaheim with 87 and St. Louis at 84). However, St. Louis has the best goal differential in the league at +60, while Anaheim is 11 goals behind at +49. The Blues also have a big advantage in this one as they played just the other night, while the Ducks haven't played a game in three weeks due to the Olympic break. I expect the Blues to surpass the Ducks in the standings at some point in the next couple of weeks, and winning this game would go a long way. St. Louis is a more balanced squad and they should be fired up after failing to score against Vancouver the other night. Take St. Louis as an underdog in a game where they should definitely be the favorite.

Normally playing on the second leg of a back-to-back is a fairly big disadvantage, but in the case of tonight's game for the Los Angeles Kings that's not true. After a three-week Olympic break, the Kings beat the Avalanche 6-4 last night. Teams are usually very rusty after a few days off, so there's a ton of rust after not working together for several weeks. The Kings got to shake that rust last night, but their opponent the Calgary Flames are playing their first game back tonight. Calgary had been playing decent hockey before the break, but that momentum is long gone. The Kings were not playing well before the break, but that all changed last night and they should be able to carry that over into tonight's game. The road team has won seven of nine in this series and the Kings have won four straight in Calgary. The Kings should dominate this game early on until the Flames can find their bearings. And once the Kings get an early lead they are very difficult to come back on. Take Los Angeles as our February Game of the Month selection.

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.

10-unit Play Take #65 New Jersey Devils over Washington Capitals (8:05pm EST) One of the best moneymakers in the NHL this season has been the New Jersey Devils. Before the season started they were picked by many to finish dead last and struggle to compete in most games. But the scrappy Devils have consistently found ways to win games and stay close even in defeats (13 overtime losses). They've actually lost the fourth fewest games in regulation in the Eastern Conference, but are still two points out of the final playoff spot. That means they've been a bit unfortunate, so this team could easily be even better than they are. Today they get an inconsistent Washington Capitals team that they have dominated in recent years. New Jersey has won seven of the last eight in the series and has really frustrated the Caps by limiting their shot totals in those games. Nothing should change tonight. Washington has dropped 10 of 14 overall and their season is slowly drifting away from them. New Jersey can taste the playoffs and is playing with plenty of confidence at the moment. Take the Devils as our 10-unit Game.

3-unit Play Take #58 Carolina Hurricanes (-110) over Montreal Canadiens (6:05pm EST) The Carolina Hurricanes have slowly been climbing up the standings over the last six weeks behind a hot goaltender in Anton Khudobin. The 27-year old netminder has been a brick wall in front of the net recently. He has started 16 straight games and has given up more than three goals only once in those contests. His goals against average over that span is under 2.20. The Canes have also given him plenty of support when needed, scoring timely goals and playing solid defense. This is a playoff caliber team that is fighting to get into the playoff picture, and those are the type of teams you want to be backing right now. The Montreal Canadiens have been sliding of late, losing six of 10 games overall. They're also just 4-10 in their last 14 games against the Eastern Conference. Take Carolina at home at a nice low price.

3-unit Play Take #59 Vancouver Canucks (+125) over Toronto Maple Leafs (6:05pm EST) This is a game where you have to forget what has happened over the last week or so and look at the full body of work of these teams. The Vancouver Canucks have dropped five straight games and the Toronto Maple Leafs have won 10 of 13. However, these teams are separated by only five points on the entire season (68-63 Toronto) and the Canucks play in a much tougher conference. What we are seeing is just a mirage of late. This is the last game of a five-game road trip for Vancouver and they don't want to go back home without earning a single point. Defense has been a huge concern lately, but several players have mentioned how a challenge has presented itself and now the team has to respond. The Maple Leafs are a little bit fat and happy at the moment and that could lead to a lackluster effort tonight. This line is just too high based on the talent of these teams, so we're on the Canucks.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

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

3-unit Play Take #56 New York Rangers over Edmonton Oilers (7:05pm EST) We don't usually venture into favorites in this price range, but value is value and this line is still about 40-cents short of where it should be. The Edmonton Oilers are the worst team in hockey right now and there's not a close second. Forget the fact that they've won four of their last five games, because quite honestly they didn't deserve a couple of those wins. They've caught some breaks lately, but they have been thoroughly dominated for the most part. Their shot margin over their last five games is a collective -82 shots. They've had the lead in a lot of those games, but that is still an enormous disparity and they were lucky to get some great goaltending to maintain those leads. Today they get a tough test in the New York Rangers, who come in with four straight wins. The Ranger wins, however, have all been well earned. They've outscored opponents 18-6 in those contests and held the shot advantage in three of the four games. They are playing their best hockey of the season right now and have played their way into the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. The Oilers are a pathetic 9-19-4 on the road this season and I don't see how they can get over the hump against a Rangers team that is playing dominant hockey right now. Take New York in this spot.

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

3-unit Play Take #57 New York Islanders over Washington Capitals (7:35pm EST) Tonight's game between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals might as well be decided by flipping a coin. Neither team seems to be very focused right now and I'd be surprised if either one make the playoffs this season. Fading Washington when they are favored has been a great strategy over the last few seasons, so we'll employ it once again here in a game that they can easily lose. Take the Islanders at the plus price.

3-unit Play Take #61 Calgary Flames over Montreal Canadiens (7:35pm EST) The Calgary Flames are living up to their name as they're red hot at the moment. The Flames have won a season-high five games and have looked very impressive doing it. All five wins were against tough Western Conference foes and they were in control in every contest. They were all at home and tonight they're on the road in Montreal, but I think they can keep the momentum going against a struggling Canadiens squad. Montreal has dropped six of eight contests and in a few of those they were dominated. This is also a West vs. East matchup and the Western Conference has dominated those matchups all season long. The price on this one is just too high, so we'll take the Flames to continue on their roll.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #52 Carolina Hurricanes over Winnipeg Jets (7:05pm EST) Most would say that it wouldn't be wise to step in front of the Winnipeg Jets right now. Since firing their head coach they are 8-2 and have beaten some quality competition. But the effect of a new head coach doesn't last forever, and this team is going to come back to earth at some point. They'll also face a team tonight that is also very hot in the Carolina Hurricanes. They aren't getting as much attention as the Jets are, but the Hurricanes are 11-4 in their last 15 contests to get back into the playoff hunt. Bottom line, Carolina is the better team here and they are at home. Winnipeg is also pretty banged up at the moment and are missing one of their leaders in Evander Kane. This line is just too low as the Jets are stealing the headlines while Carolina is flying under the radar a bit. Take Carolina as a small favorite.

3-unit Play Take #8 Los Angeles Kings over Philadelphia Flyers (4:05pm EST) Two struggling squads go at it tonight in Los Angeles as the Kings host the Flyers. Both teams are 3-8 in their last 11 contests so something has to give here. While neither team has looked good, the Kings have played a brutal schedule lately and they've been waiting for someone they could handle like the Flyers to tee off on. Head coach Daryl Suter is a great motivator and the Kings are in desperate need for a win here to keep pace in the playoff race. Philadelphia head coach Craig Berube injected some energy into his team when he took over earlier this season, but that effect has finally wore off and the Flyers are back to playing undisciplined hockey. The line on this game is a tough higher than I hoped for, but I see the Kings taking this one with ease.

4-unit Play Take #59 Vancouver Canucks over Winnipeg Jets (8:35pm EST) The Winnipeg Jets have been playing solid hockey since replacing head coach Claude Noel with Paul Maurice. The Jets are 6-2 under Maurice and seem to be playing with lots of confidence. However, the line on today's game versus the Vancouver Canucks has taken that fact into account plus some. There's no way that Winnipeg is anywhere near the Canucks right now, despite how these teams are playing. Vancouver hasn't looked great lately, but they're starting a new road trip tonight and have mentioned that they are focused on heading into the Olympic break on a high note. This line is just a clear overreaction and we'll take advantage of the cheap price on Vancouver here.

NHL Free Play from Doc

3-unit Play Take #3 Tampa Bay Lightning over Toronto Maple Leafs (7:05pm EST) We've done well going against the Toronto Maple Leafs this season and tonight presents another good opportunity. The Tampa Bay Lightning come to town and they've are coming off three straight wins against good competition. They've really turned it up a notch offensively of late, which is a bit surprising considering their loss of superstar Steven Stamkos. In their last four games they've averaged 4.5 goals per contest. The Leafs are returning home after a four-game road trip and they've lost their last two. At 27-21-6 on the seasons they are in the hunt for the playoffs and actually have the fourth most points in the Eastern Conference. That won't last however, as this team has been extremely fortunate for most of the seasons. They have a -13 goal differential and have pulled out lots of victories in games they were dominated by their opponent. Some will say that's the sign of a good team, but I say they've just been lucky. Tampa Bay is the much better squad and should be a bigger favorite here.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

5-unit Play Take #58 Dallas Stars (-120) over Colorado Avalanche (8:35pm EST) The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche are heading in completely opposite directions. Dallas has looked extremely impressive in their last three contests beating the Wild 4-0, the Leafs 7-1 and the Penguins 3-0. It doesn't get much better than that from a results perspective. All of those games were at home, but that's where they are tonight so I expect the trend to continue. For the Avalanche, it's been a long stretch of sluggish hockey after a fast start to the season. They are just 18-17 over their last 35 games after having the best record in the NHL prior to that. Defense and goaltending have been the sore spots for this team. In their last three games they've looked particularly weak in protecting their end of the ice, allowing a total of 12 goals. This will also be their third game in four nights - all on the road. Dallas has been at home for the last week, so that is a big edge in their favor tonight. The home team has won five of the last six in this series, and that should hold true tonight. Take the Stars.

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

2-unit Play Take #7 Colorado Avalanche (-1.5 PL) over Florida Panthers (7:35pm EST) I like what the Florida Panthers have done this season with tempered expectations, but this line is giving them a little bit too much respect. They're going up against one of the better teams in a superior conference in the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs have won four of five and are a stellar 31-13-5 on the season. They've also been great on the road this season, checking in at 14-6-2. The West has completely dominated the East all season long and with that adjustment I have this line closer to -140. Plenty of value with Colorado in this one.

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #59 Ottawa Senators over Tampa Bay Lightning (7:35pm EST) The Tampa Bay Lightning initially did a great job of holding things together without their leader Steven Stamkos, but it's starting to take its toll. The team is a mediocre 6-7-0 in its last 13 games and hasn't been able to score that big goal late in games that they did earlier in the season. Ottawa is coming on strong winning seven of 10 games and getting back to the level they played at last season. The Sens have a talented bunch of players and great coaching. If they play to their potential they can be one of the top teams in the East. I had this line about 20 cents lower, so there is definite value on the road team in this one.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

5-unit Play Take #53 Carolina Hurricanes over Buffalo Sabres (7:05pm EST) The line on this game is far too low given how well the Carolina Hurricanes have been playing in the month of January. They've won seven of 10 overall and much of that can be attributed to how healthy they are now. They are still without their top goalie Cam Ward, but this team was a mash unit earlier this season. In the preseason, I thought this team could sneak into the playoffs and they still have a decent shot at that after this run. They are just three points behind the 8th playoff spot with over 30 games still remaining. The Buffalo Sabres have been the worst team in the NHL for the entire season. They've lost four straight games, each by the final score of 4-3. That has to be demoralizing for a team that hasn't gotten many breaks this season. They are due for a waxing and I think the Hurricanes can give it to them.

3-unit Play Take #56 Columbus Blue Jackets over Philadelphia Flyers (7:05pm EST) The Columbus Blue Jackets are red hot at the moment, winning seven straight contests. Most of those wins were dominating performances as this team is clearly playing at a different level at the moment. They've climbed back into the playoff race now and it's a good idea to jump aboard while they ride this wave. They've averaged 4.3 goals per game during the run and are finally getting some solid goaltender play from Bobrovsky as well. The Philadelphia Flyers are on the second leg of a back-to-back and have dropped five of seven. Their on-ice chemistry has really dropped off and I think they are overrated a bit at the moment. They currently in third place in the Metropolitan, but also have a -8 goal differential on the season. The home team has won seven straight in this series and I expect that streak to continue today.

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

3-unit Play Take #61 Florida Panthers over Buffalo Sabres (7:05pm EST) The Buffalo Sabres really don't have any business being favored against anyone. They are by far the worst team in the NHL (Edmonton could be there eventually) and have long given up on this season. They have just 33 points in 47 games and have a robust -47 goal differential. The Florida Panthers were picked by many to be the worst before the season, but they've turned a few heads and are on pace for nearly 80 points this year. That won't get them into the playoffs, but their young talent is starting to come together nicely and they have some decent veteran leadership to bring things along as well. The Panthers are coming off of a very impressive 5-1 thrashing of the Penguins in Pittsburgh yesterday. It was the best win of the season for Florida and that momentum should carry nicely into tonight's contest. Take Florida as a small underdog here.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #53 Ottawa Senators over Washington Capitals (7:05pm EST) The Ottawa Senators have owned the Washington Capitals over the last couple of seasons winning six straight meetings. The combined score in those games: 22-11. The Sens will look to prey again on a Washington squad that is really struggling at the moment. The Caps have lost five straight games and nine of 11 overall. They just haven't been able to find the net of late, scoring just one goal in four of their last five contests. There is still a lot of season remaining, but the Caps have a defeated look right now. Ottawa comes in winners in six of nine and is playing some of their best hockey of the entire season. They are the better team right now and this underdog price tag is a gift as a result. Take Ottawa tonight.

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

4-unit Play Take #17 New Jersey Devils over Colorado Avalanche (9:05pm EST) The New Jersey Devils are playing some inspired hockey on the defensive end. Over their last 10 games, the Devils have allowed only 1.9 goals per game and both of their goalies have been locked in. Most experts wrote this team off before the season even started, but New Jersey finds itself currently just one point behind the final playoff spot in the East. They are a scrappy team that is always tough to play against and the Avalanche will have their hands full tonight. These teams haven't played in nearly two full years, and I think that favors New Jersey in a big way given their unique style on defense. Colorado won't be ready for it and I wouldn't be surprised if the Devils hold them to only one or two goals. Take New Jersey in this spot.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #11 Los Angeles Kings over St. Louis Blues (8:05pm EST) The Kings and Blues have a nice rivalry forming after meeting two years in a row in the playoffs and playing some heated contests in the regular season. Los Angeles has gotten the better of most of those matchups, but St. Louis broke through with a big 5-0 win in St. Louis about two weeks ago. These teams are here again and I'm sure the Kings haven't forgotten what took place last time around. On paper these teams are very similar and I have them rated very evenly as well. The Blues have been playing a bit better lately, but this line is just too high for comparable teams. Add in the revenge factor and I like Los Angeles to take this one.

3-unit Play Take #14 Minnesota Wild over Edmonton Oilers (8:05pm EST) We'll continue to try and fade the Edmonton Oilers whenever we see a good opportunity. They have clearly given up on the season after dropping 13 of 17. At this point they're more worried about assessing their young talent and tinkering with lineup combinations for the future. The Wild have had an up and down season but they're currently on a nice upswing. They've won five of seven and have climbed back into the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The West is absolutely loaded, so this is a bigger accomplishment than it seems. Minnesota has been great at home this season at 16-7-2 while Edmonton has been abysmal on the road (7-17-3). Take the Wild in what should be an easy victory.

3-unit Play Take #22 Dallas Stars over Edmonton Oilers (8:35pm EST) The Dallas Stars are a quality NHL team, but they've been on a major slide dropping six straight games. Before the bad run they were right in the thick of things in the Western Conference, but now they find themselves eight points behind the final playoff spot. They need to turn this around quick and lucky for them they get the worst team in the conference today in the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton is just 4-12 in its last 16 games and they seemed to have given up on the season early. It's a very young and immature team that only likes to play on offense, so they have been torched defensively. In fact, they've given up at least three goals in eight straight contests. You won't win many games that way. The Oilers are just 8-31-1 in their last 40 meetings in Dallas and this one should be no different. The line is high, but it should be even higher. Take Dallas in this spot.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #55 Phoenix Coyotes (-120) over Winnipeg Jets (8:05pm EST) Two struggling teams do battle in Winnipeg tonight as the Jets host the Coyotes. Winnipeg comes in losing five straight games, the last two of which were at home. The Jets have not been as good at home this season, coming in at just 10-10-4 when they usually have a fairly strong advantage. The Jets will have a new head coach for this game after firing Claude Noel on Sunday. Historically teams don't respond too well in the first few games under a new head coach, as there are lots of lineup adjustments and new coaching schemes to implement. It may be a good move in the long run, but don't expect the Jets to all of a sudden turn things around because there is a different man behind the glass. Phoenix is just 2-7 in their last nine contests, and all but one of those games was at home. They should be really happy to hit the road where some of the pressure is off of them. Phoenix is way more talented than the Jets and I think they can take advantage of the recent shakeup in Winnipeg. Play Phoenix tonight.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #12 Nashville Predators (-130) over Minnesota Wild (7:05pm EST) The Nashville Predators are in a good spot tonight against the Minnesota Wild. Both teams played last night and lost, but the Preds get to stay home while the Wild have to travel into Nashville for this one. It will be the third game in four days for both teams, but Minnesota has traveled for each destination while Nashville has been home for over a week. The Wild have won four of five overall, but their wins haven't been pretty. They were severely outshot in three of those four wins but the puck bounced their way more than a few times to earn them victories. The Preds are coming off a shootout loss where they dominated the play for most of the game, but ran up against a tough goalie and lost 2-1. It happens sometimes, but the important thing going forward is that they played well and we should expect that to carry forward today. Nashville is not an easy team to prepare for and in a back-to-back situation (and 3in4 nights), so the Wild will be up against it today. Minnesota is also only 8-12-3 on the road this season. All signs point to a Nashville winner here tonight.

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

3-unit Play Take #62 Phoenix Coyotes (-160) over Minnesota Wild (9:05pm EST) The Phoenix Coyotes have been tough to beat at home this season, checking in at 12-5-3 in their first 20 games. They haven't been playing that well recently, but they broke out in their last game winning 6-0 against Calgary. Everything was clicking in that one and I expect some carryover into tonight's game against the Wild. Minnesota is coming off of a 2-1 win in Los Angeles that they didn't deserve. The game went to a shootout, but the Wild were outshot 40-17 and were fortunate that they got a stellar effort in net by Darcy Kuemper. Minnesota has struggled on the road this season at just 7-12-3. In fact, they've dropped 51 of their last 75 road games over the last couple of seasons. Phoenix is the better team in this one and they should get the job done at home.

4-unit Play Take #60 Nashville Predators over San Jose Sharks (8:05pm EST) The San Jose Sharks are in a tough spot tonight as they head into Nashville after an emotional shootout win against the Blackhawks on Sunday. The Sharks have traveled for their last six games and this will make it seven. They're eager to head home for a while, so I'm not sure how focused they'll be for this one. The Predators are a dangerous team to play if you don't bring your A game. They play physical hockey and don't beat themselves very often. They've lost three straight games (all on the road), but I liked the way they looked in all three outings. Each was lost by a single goal and two of them went to overtime. The Preds are not a great hockey team, but their record is a bit deceiving playing in the toughest division in hockey. This is a good spot for Nashville and we get a nice price.
Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

Nobody is playing worse right now than the Edmonton Oilers. They've lost 10 of 12 and have averaged less than two goals per game during that stretch. They're a young team and they've been playing with poor effort recently as it seems they may have given up early on this season. They've been on the road in eight of their last 11 games and now return home for this one against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay has won seven of nine and seems to be adjusting well without their leader Steven Stamkos. Their defense has really been amazing recently, which has been a big weakness in prior years. I can't see the Oilers putting more than one or two goals in the back of the net tonight and that's not going to be enough. Take Tampa Bay here.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are playing well as they head to St. Louis tonight. They've won four of six, with all of those wins on the road and against some good teams. It hasn't been the kind of season that they have hoped for, but they had to get adjusted to a new conference and opponents that they don't often see. However, they are extremely familiar with the Blues as they played in the same division since their existence. I think Columbus might be able to catch St. Louis sleeping in this one as the Blues have won four straight and might be a little bit fat and happy after a big 5-0 against the Kings. We'll take a shot with the Jackets at this big price.

The Carolina Hurricanes head to New York to take on the Islanders in a battle between two of the more disappointing teams in the NHL. Carolina has struggled due to a slew of injuries they encountered in the first few months of the season. However, they are finally close to 100% healthy and I expect to see better results going forward. They're coming off two straight thrilling overtime wins and that momentum should carry nicely into tonight's game. The Islanders have been even more disappointing as they currently sit in last place in the Metropolitan. They didn't have a huge list of injuries to blame their failure on however. The Isles have just shown a lot of immaturity and have made countless mental mistakes this season. This is following their first trip to the playoffs in years last season. They seem to be going in the other direction now and the team just doesn't feel together. Carolina has won five straight meetings between these clubs and I think they get this one too.

Game of the Week: The Nashville Predators haven't had a great season at just 18-18-5 at the midway point. However, it's not too bad considering that they play in the toughest division in hockey. If they were in the Eastern Conference they'd be right in the thick of the playoff race. Nashville plays smart and is always a tough out, especially against teams that don't see them often like today's opponent the Florida Panthers. Florida has been playing better of late after a miserable start to the season. However, they've cooled off and have now dropped four of five. This is the final game of a five-game home stand and they only have one win on it so far. They're getting a little bit too much respect in this game against a tough team from the Western Conference. The wrong team is favored in this game, so we're on Nashville.

7-unit Play Take #14 Anaheim Ducks (-120) over San Jose Sharks (8:05pm EST) The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks meet up on the second leg of a home-and-home tonight. The Sharks took care of business in San Jose on Sunday 3-1 and now the teams are in Anaheim for this one. Despite losing that game, the Ducks are still on a very nice run as they've won 10 of 11 overall. They also haven't lost a game at home in regulation all season long. They are 14-0-2 in their first 16 contests at the Honda Center - the best mark in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Sharks are just an average team on the road with 10 losses in their 21 away games. The Ducks should be really fired up to avenge their loss to the Sharks just two days ago. Anaheim has been the more consistent team this season and that's why they are leading the Pacific division. They are also the healthier team right now as San Jose has several key guys banged including Wingels, Havlat and Hertl. All signs point to a victory for the Ducks and we like it enough to make it our 7-unit December Game of the Month.

Best of Luck - Doc's Sports

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

3-unit Play Take #9 New York Rangers (+120) over Tampa Bay Lightning (7:05pm EST) We picked on the Tampa Bay Lightning last night and cashed a ticket with the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in a shootout. We'll look to turn the trick once again, this time with the New York Rangers. The Lightning caught fire before the long Christmas break, but we predicted their momentum would come to a halt with nearly a full week off. That seemed to be the case last night as they weren't nearly as sharp. I expect them to be a little worn out after playing some extra hockey in yesterday, while the Rangers come in rested. The Rangers are primed for a good second half of the season and this is a good spot for them as an underdog. New York has won eight of their last 11 road games and they should be able to get there again today.