Boston Bruins PK +130
Toronto gave it their all on Monday night and pulled out a very improbable victory in Buffalo. Trailing by two in the third they came back to tie the game with less than a minute to go and then winning it in O.T. with 1:15 remaining. It was a physically tough and emotional win that lifts them to within one point of division leading Boston. No time for rest or celebration by the Leafs as they must turn around after this taxing win, fly back home, and play their third game in four nights. The Bruins have had two days of rest.
Boston comes into this game rolling, winners of three straight, and with only one loss in their last seven games, (5-1-1). Interestingly enough though is that only loss came against the Leafs, (3-2), at Toronto exactly two weeks ago. A tough close game that was tied in the third but won on a late goal by Mats Sundin.
Boston has quietly put together a dominate defense only allowing 62 goals in their last 32 games dating back to 1/7/04. Since the first of the year they have compiled a 21-8-5 record. They are one of the strongest road teams in the league at 20-12-6 and in fact have a better record away than does Toronto at home, (20-14-2).
My thinking on this game is that the bruising size and strength of the Bruins will be enough of a match for a equally tough crew in the Leafs and who will wear down as the game rolls into the third period. I wonder about Belfour’s health and his effectiveness and I think that Raycroft is the better of the two under the present circumstances. The extra rest by the Bruins and a difficult five game stretch by Toronto where they lost three of those games will be enough of a edge for a outright Bruin victory.
Dallas Stars -.5 -150
The Stars are finally starting to find their stride and it couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Tonight they try to continue their climb up the standings and have a huge game with their division leading San Jose Sharks. Dallas has closed the gap to three points behind the Sharks for the all important division title which brings a automatic top three seed in the west. If they are to get anywhere in the playoffs this is a game they can’t let get away.
San Jose comes into it losing their last three on the road, four of their last five, and five of their last eight, (in which two of those loses were to the Stars). As an away dog on the road the Sharks are a less than ordinary 12-15-4. They have excelled at home but have struggled on the road and there is no tougher place to play than Dallas.
The Stars have a season record of 23-6-7 at home this year and have only allowed 1.89 GAA while scoring 2.86. As a favorite at home they have played equally well at 20-5-5. But this record is deceptive in that the majority of those points have come in their last 14 home games. They are undefeated in that string, dating back nine weeks, with a record of 11-0-3. That 14 game run includes out scoring their opponents 48-20. Four shutouts, (all by Marty Turco),and five games only allowing one goal. Also two of those victories were against these same Sharks by scores of 3-1 and 4-0.
The Stars have beaten the Sharks three of four overall this year and five straight at Dallas dating back to last year. The home ice and recent momentum will be too much for San Jose to contend with. Take this solid favorite to move within one point of securing the Pacific Division title.
NHL single unit plays………86-54-7.…..+ 32.47
Unit and a half plays………..13-5-1.…… + 10.845
NHL total to Date…………...99-59-8.……+ 43.315
Toronto gave it their all on Monday night and pulled out a very improbable victory in Buffalo. Trailing by two in the third they came back to tie the game with less than a minute to go and then winning it in O.T. with 1:15 remaining. It was a physically tough and emotional win that lifts them to within one point of division leading Boston. No time for rest or celebration by the Leafs as they must turn around after this taxing win, fly back home, and play their third game in four nights. The Bruins have had two days of rest.
Boston comes into this game rolling, winners of three straight, and with only one loss in their last seven games, (5-1-1). Interestingly enough though is that only loss came against the Leafs, (3-2), at Toronto exactly two weeks ago. A tough close game that was tied in the third but won on a late goal by Mats Sundin.
Boston has quietly put together a dominate defense only allowing 62 goals in their last 32 games dating back to 1/7/04. Since the first of the year they have compiled a 21-8-5 record. They are one of the strongest road teams in the league at 20-12-6 and in fact have a better record away than does Toronto at home, (20-14-2).
My thinking on this game is that the bruising size and strength of the Bruins will be enough of a match for a equally tough crew in the Leafs and who will wear down as the game rolls into the third period. I wonder about Belfour’s health and his effectiveness and I think that Raycroft is the better of the two under the present circumstances. The extra rest by the Bruins and a difficult five game stretch by Toronto where they lost three of those games will be enough of a edge for a outright Bruin victory.
Dallas Stars -.5 -150
The Stars are finally starting to find their stride and it couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Tonight they try to continue their climb up the standings and have a huge game with their division leading San Jose Sharks. Dallas has closed the gap to three points behind the Sharks for the all important division title which brings a automatic top three seed in the west. If they are to get anywhere in the playoffs this is a game they can’t let get away.
San Jose comes into it losing their last three on the road, four of their last five, and five of their last eight, (in which two of those loses were to the Stars). As an away dog on the road the Sharks are a less than ordinary 12-15-4. They have excelled at home but have struggled on the road and there is no tougher place to play than Dallas.
The Stars have a season record of 23-6-7 at home this year and have only allowed 1.89 GAA while scoring 2.86. As a favorite at home they have played equally well at 20-5-5. But this record is deceptive in that the majority of those points have come in their last 14 home games. They are undefeated in that string, dating back nine weeks, with a record of 11-0-3. That 14 game run includes out scoring their opponents 48-20. Four shutouts, (all by Marty Turco),and five games only allowing one goal. Also two of those victories were against these same Sharks by scores of 3-1 and 4-0.
The Stars have beaten the Sharks three of four overall this year and five straight at Dallas dating back to last year. The home ice and recent momentum will be too much for San Jose to contend with. Take this solid favorite to move within one point of securing the Pacific Division title.
NHL single unit plays………86-54-7.…..+ 32.47
Unit and a half plays………..13-5-1.…… + 10.845
NHL total to Date…………...99-59-8.……+ 43.315
