<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=500 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Yesterday</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-0.12 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Last 30 Days</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">29</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">36</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">4</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+4.33 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date (Since October 2008)</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">95</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">121</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">5</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+1.57 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
Anaheim +1.29 over NY RANGERS (REG)
The Ducks have pulled about a dozen or two no shows this year but that’s not likely to occur here. Aside from playing a road game in Toronto and Montreal, players will agree that MSG is the next best place for the opposition, as they get completely amped up for games here. Besides that, the Rangers have about as much appeal as a favorite these days as Benjamin Button did at birth. The Rangers have won three of four but don’t be fooled. They beat Ottawa and the Islanders and managed to score two goals in each. Fortunately for the Rangers, Ottawa didn’t score and the Islanders scored once. Incidentally, they weren’t the better team in either. Then they went into Chicago and won 3-2 and that looks good on paper but it was anything but. The Rangers scored twice on two 5 on 3 power-plays, were out-shot 34-22 and Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant. They followed that one up by losing in Pittsburgh 3-0. The Rangers return home from a five-game trip tonight in which they scored eight times in those five games. This is a group that is tooth and nails to score a single goal and when you throw in the fact that they’re returning home from a trip and that we get a decent tag, well, this one is pretty much a no-brainer. The Ducks should and likely will win this one. Play: Anaheim +1.29 (Risking 3 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
<o></o>
Los Angeles +1.81 over MINNESOTA (REG)
The Kings may not win this one but they definitely have a chance to and I’m suggesting that they’ll be in this one from start to finish. This is a team in need of a win and they’re healthier now then they’ve been all year after getting Jack Johnson back in its last game. They’ve also been in Minnesota since Saturday night waiting for this one. The Kings are not a team without talent, as they have some outstanding youngsters and they also play sound defense. Goaltending is a bit of a problem but they’ll be playing a team that is offensively challenged and very tired. In fact, the Wild were running strictly on fumes in the second and third periods of last night’s 4-1 win in Chicago. They were completely dominated and one could argue that it could have been the ugliest win in the NHL this season; that’s how bad the Wild looked. Now they’ll play its fifth game in seven days, its third game in four days and the tail end of back-to-backs. Kings are rested and Andy Murray will have them ready for this one. Great spot for an upset. Play: Los Angeles +1.81 (Risking 3 units). <o></o>
<o></o>
Vancouver +2.19 over SAN JOSE (REG)
What I see here is another big price and another good spot for an upset. Roberto Luongo has two games under his belt since returning and one has to believe he’ll be a lot sharper here. In addition, the Canucks will be thrilled to get back on the road after a five-game home stand amidst a ton of media attention, as the team is struggling, Mats Sundin made his debut and Luongo returned. They’ll be a lot more peace on the road for this team. Furthermore, the Sharkies are coming off that huge win over the Red Wings on Saturday night and with a strong effort the Canucks could definitely catch them a bit off guard here. San Jose has been home for a full week, as this is its fourth game at home in a row and teams on extended home stands almost always get a little complacent and very vulnerable. Price and situation has big influence here. Play: Vancouver +2.10 (Risking 2 units). <o></o>
<o></o>
PITTSBURGH -1½ +1.78 over Carolina
Paul Maurice wanted the game in Toronto last night so badly. He had a look of complete satisfaction as he left the bench but once again the Canes looked like a minor-league team. Cam Ward was the difference but that’s rare, as Ward is an average goaltender at best. This is a bad hockey team that gets outplayed almost every game and sometimes by a wide margin. Eric Staal looks completely uninterested, Rod Brind’ Amour has the worst plus/minus in the league at –29 and that’s just the start of this hugely flawed team. I’m suggesting that this is the worst team in the NHL in terms of talent and they’re in a near impossible spot here. This is the Canes fifth game in seven days. It’s also its third game in four days, all on the road, and it’s the tail end of back-to-backs. The Penguins are hungry as hell and they’ve been much better the past few games. They’ve won three of four, with wins over Philly, Anaheim and the Rangers and its only loss over that stretch was against the Caps. The Penguins will take a huge step down in class tonight, not to mention that they’re rested and playing an exhausted and lousy hockey team. Play Pittsburgh –1½ +1.78 (Risking 3 units).
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
Anaheim +1.29 over NY RANGERS (REG)
The Ducks have pulled about a dozen or two no shows this year but that’s not likely to occur here. Aside from playing a road game in Toronto and Montreal, players will agree that MSG is the next best place for the opposition, as they get completely amped up for games here. Besides that, the Rangers have about as much appeal as a favorite these days as Benjamin Button did at birth. The Rangers have won three of four but don’t be fooled. They beat Ottawa and the Islanders and managed to score two goals in each. Fortunately for the Rangers, Ottawa didn’t score and the Islanders scored once. Incidentally, they weren’t the better team in either. Then they went into Chicago and won 3-2 and that looks good on paper but it was anything but. The Rangers scored twice on two 5 on 3 power-plays, were out-shot 34-22 and Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant. They followed that one up by losing in Pittsburgh 3-0. The Rangers return home from a five-game trip tonight in which they scored eight times in those five games. This is a group that is tooth and nails to score a single goal and when you throw in the fact that they’re returning home from a trip and that we get a decent tag, well, this one is pretty much a no-brainer. The Ducks should and likely will win this one. Play: Anaheim +1.29 (Risking 3 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o>Los Angeles +1.81 over MINNESOTA (REG)
The Kings may not win this one but they definitely have a chance to and I’m suggesting that they’ll be in this one from start to finish. This is a team in need of a win and they’re healthier now then they’ve been all year after getting Jack Johnson back in its last game. They’ve also been in Minnesota since Saturday night waiting for this one. The Kings are not a team without talent, as they have some outstanding youngsters and they also play sound defense. Goaltending is a bit of a problem but they’ll be playing a team that is offensively challenged and very tired. In fact, the Wild were running strictly on fumes in the second and third periods of last night’s 4-1 win in Chicago. They were completely dominated and one could argue that it could have been the ugliest win in the NHL this season; that’s how bad the Wild looked. Now they’ll play its fifth game in seven days, its third game in four days and the tail end of back-to-backs. Kings are rested and Andy Murray will have them ready for this one. Great spot for an upset. Play: Los Angeles +1.81 (Risking 3 units). <o
></o><o
></o>Vancouver +2.19 over SAN JOSE (REG)
What I see here is another big price and another good spot for an upset. Roberto Luongo has two games under his belt since returning and one has to believe he’ll be a lot sharper here. In addition, the Canucks will be thrilled to get back on the road after a five-game home stand amidst a ton of media attention, as the team is struggling, Mats Sundin made his debut and Luongo returned. They’ll be a lot more peace on the road for this team. Furthermore, the Sharkies are coming off that huge win over the Red Wings on Saturday night and with a strong effort the Canucks could definitely catch them a bit off guard here. San Jose has been home for a full week, as this is its fourth game at home in a row and teams on extended home stands almost always get a little complacent and very vulnerable. Price and situation has big influence here. Play: Vancouver +2.10 (Risking 2 units). <o
></o><o
></o>PITTSBURGH -1½ +1.78 over Carolina
Paul Maurice wanted the game in Toronto last night so badly. He had a look of complete satisfaction as he left the bench but once again the Canes looked like a minor-league team. Cam Ward was the difference but that’s rare, as Ward is an average goaltender at best. This is a bad hockey team that gets outplayed almost every game and sometimes by a wide margin. Eric Staal looks completely uninterested, Rod Brind’ Amour has the worst plus/minus in the league at –29 and that’s just the start of this hugely flawed team. I’m suggesting that this is the worst team in the NHL in terms of talent and they’re in a near impossible spot here. This is the Canes fifth game in seven days. It’s also its third game in four days, all on the road, and it’s the tail end of back-to-backs. The Penguins are hungry as hell and they’ve been much better the past few games. They’ve won three of four, with wins over Philly, Anaheim and the Rangers and its only loss over that stretch was against the Caps. The Penguins will take a huge step down in class tonight, not to mention that they’re rested and playing an exhausted and lousy hockey team. Play Pittsburgh –1½ +1.78 (Risking 3 units).
