<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%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-4.00 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%">25</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">31</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+3.75 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%">34</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">42</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+4.47 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
Tampa Bay +1.28 over CAROLINA
I’d feel a little bit better about this one if the Canes weren’t so desperate for a win but that’s not going to deter me in the least, as the Lightning are desperate too and it says here that Tampa is the much better team anyway. As for the Hurricanes, they’ve lost three in a row and four of five and they have not scored more then two goals in five straight games. That’s not an offensive slump; instead, it’s the identity of a team that features very little in terms of offense and you can triple that with Eric Staal in a slump. You don’t need me to tell you that the Lightning enter this contest with a new coach after Barry Melrose was fired last week. There was speculation for the past couple of weeks that he was on the way out and that had to be causing some tension. Anyway, that tension has been lifted and now this talented squad can get back to playing hockey. Obviously, I don’t know what the outcome of this game be but what I do know is that the Lightning are an extremely live pooch here. They’re the better club taking back a tag, they have a huge edge in net with Mike Smith over either Cam Ward or Michael Leighton, they have a slew of top-notch talent up front and they should also be plenty motivated in this one. Play: Tampa Bay +1.28 (Risking 3 units).
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CHICAGO +1.02 over San Jose (REG)
The Sharkies are playing some tremendous hockey right now and in fact, they have just four losses in 18 games. Offensively, this team is flying high and frankly, I’m really not too sure why they’re scoring so much. Joe Thornton is the straight goods for sure and Jonathan Cheechoo had one great year (he’s out today I think) but other then that they really don’t have any great offensive players. They do have a bunch of 15-25 goal scorers but it says here that this intruder is playing a little above their heads right now. Everyone is scoring at the same time but that’s not going to last. The Blackhawks are coming off two losses in a row, both in extra time so we’ll play them in regulation only. You can expect the Blackhawks to put forth a strong effort here and let’s not dismiss the fact that they have not lost in regulation at home all year long. In fact, Chicago has picked up points in six straight games and they’ve picked up points in 12 of their last 13 games, thus, very quietly they are perhaps the hottest team in the NHL right now. Play: Chicago +1.02 (Risking 2 units).<o></o>
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Atlanta +1.43 over PHILADELPHIA
The Flyers went into Montreal last night and unexpectedly picked up a win. That’s nice, it really is but the Habs have been very ordinary and unimpressive in recent games and the Flyers took full advantage of a reeling squad. The Thrashers are anything but reeling. Atlanta has now won five in a row and they’ve scored 22 times over that stretch. They have a real jump in their step these days and they’re getting results after a shaky start. This is a good hockey team, the Thrashers are and the tag on them here is about as sweet as can be. You see, Philly is coming off that big win last night and playing and winning in Montreal on a Saturday night is about as good as it gets for NHL players during the regular season. It’s also the Flyers fourth game in six nights, their third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs. Also note a bunch of injuries to this team and it says here that they’ll be running strictly on fumes tonight and will be very beatable. Play: Atlanta +1.43 Risking 2 units).
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
Tampa Bay +1.28 over CAROLINA
I’d feel a little bit better about this one if the Canes weren’t so desperate for a win but that’s not going to deter me in the least, as the Lightning are desperate too and it says here that Tampa is the much better team anyway. As for the Hurricanes, they’ve lost three in a row and four of five and they have not scored more then two goals in five straight games. That’s not an offensive slump; instead, it’s the identity of a team that features very little in terms of offense and you can triple that with Eric Staal in a slump. You don’t need me to tell you that the Lightning enter this contest with a new coach after Barry Melrose was fired last week. There was speculation for the past couple of weeks that he was on the way out and that had to be causing some tension. Anyway, that tension has been lifted and now this talented squad can get back to playing hockey. Obviously, I don’t know what the outcome of this game be but what I do know is that the Lightning are an extremely live pooch here. They’re the better club taking back a tag, they have a huge edge in net with Mike Smith over either Cam Ward or Michael Leighton, they have a slew of top-notch talent up front and they should also be plenty motivated in this one. Play: Tampa Bay +1.28 (Risking 3 units).
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>CHICAGO +1.02 over San Jose (REG)
The Sharkies are playing some tremendous hockey right now and in fact, they have just four losses in 18 games. Offensively, this team is flying high and frankly, I’m really not too sure why they’re scoring so much. Joe Thornton is the straight goods for sure and Jonathan Cheechoo had one great year (he’s out today I think) but other then that they really don’t have any great offensive players. They do have a bunch of 15-25 goal scorers but it says here that this intruder is playing a little above their heads right now. Everyone is scoring at the same time but that’s not going to last. The Blackhawks are coming off two losses in a row, both in extra time so we’ll play them in regulation only. You can expect the Blackhawks to put forth a strong effort here and let’s not dismiss the fact that they have not lost in regulation at home all year long. In fact, Chicago has picked up points in six straight games and they’ve picked up points in 12 of their last 13 games, thus, very quietly they are perhaps the hottest team in the NHL right now. Play: Chicago +1.02 (Risking 2 units).<o
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></o>Atlanta +1.43 over PHILADELPHIA
The Flyers went into Montreal last night and unexpectedly picked up a win. That’s nice, it really is but the Habs have been very ordinary and unimpressive in recent games and the Flyers took full advantage of a reeling squad. The Thrashers are anything but reeling. Atlanta has now won five in a row and they’ve scored 22 times over that stretch. They have a real jump in their step these days and they’re getting results after a shaky start. This is a good hockey team, the Thrashers are and the tag on them here is about as sweet as can be. You see, Philly is coming off that big win last night and playing and winning in Montreal on a Saturday night is about as good as it gets for NHL players during the regular season. It’s also the Flyers fourth game in six nights, their third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs. Also note a bunch of injuries to this team and it says here that they’ll be running strictly on fumes tonight and will be very beatable. Play: Atlanta +1.43 Risking 2 units).
