Free College Bowl Picks & Odds - Bowl Predictions Against the Spread

Big Al McMordie NHL Top Money Lines Picks

Date	Match Up	Rating	Score	Result	Profit	Lead Time	Analysis
03-05-26	Lightning -181 v. Jets	Top	1-4	Loss	-181	10 h 47 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Winnipeg Jets. The Olympics couldn't have gone any better for goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The 32-year-old from Michigan was named the series' top goalie while leading his USA teammates to a Gold Medal and it was even announced that Hellebuyck would be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his performance. However, when it comes to his NHL season, Hellebuyck appears to be falling well short of his Vezina Trophy-winning 2024-25 campaign while the Jets are struggling mightily less than a year after winning the Presidents Trophy (most points in the League). Injuries have certainly played a role in Winnipeg's sub-par performance this season as the Jets are currently 24-26-10 and on the outside looking in on the Playoff race in 6th place in the Central Division. Things won't get any easier tonight as they welcome in the Lightning who are 38-17-4 and who beat them easily in their only other meeting this season. Winnipeg is 7-14 in 21 games revenging a same season loss. Take the Lightning. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
03-01-26	Panthers -135 v. Islanders	Top	4-5	Loss	-135	16 h 22 m	Show
At 6:35 pm, our selection is on the Florida Panthers over the New York Islanders. If the Florida Panthers are going to make it a three-peat (three Stanley Cup Championships in a row), then they better get busy. With just a little more than a quarter of the season left, Florida's reigning NHL Champs are just one game over the .500 mark heading into a huge four-game road trip that begins tonight in Queens. Injuries have certainly played a big role in the Panthers' struggles this season and they are still without six members of the lineup tonight as they prepare to take on an Islanders team that they've had a lot of success against recently. The Isles are also without some key members of the team, including veteran forward (and local product) Kyle Palmieri, who continues to miss time with a knee injury. The Panthers have won three of the last four meetings with the Islanders, including the only other meeting this season, a dominant 4-1 victory back on December 7. Take Florida. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-28-26	Capitals v. Canadiens -150	Top	2-6	Win	100	12 h 32 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens over the Washington Capitals. The Caps have come out of the post-Olympics chute firing away, having played two impressive games against the Flyers (a 3-1 victory) and Golden Knights (3-2). Those two victories have pushed DC over the .500 mark and pulled it within a couple of a points of an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. Like many other teams in the League, Washington used the three-week break from NHL action to get some players healthy and now the Caps are hoping to make a run in the final quarter of the season. But now they have to travel overnight to Montreal to play a very good Canadiens team that has also been getting healthier and is playing very well of late. The Habs' offense has been very strong this season with a 3.45 goals-per-game average that is currently second-best in the East (Tampa Bay - 3.56). And that offense will get to face a back-up goalie tonight as Olympian Logan Thompson will not be available for the Caps. Take Montreal. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-27-26	Wild v. Utah Mammoth -135	Top	2-5	Win	100	21 h 8 m	Show
At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Utah Mammoth over the Minnesota Wild. The Wild pulled off the biggest upset that an NHL team can pull off last night, beating the Avalanche in Colorado. The Wild's victory in Denver was just the Avs' 19th loss of the season as they still have by far the best record in the League. Now Minnesota has to turn right around and travel to Salt Lake City for this meeting with the Mammoth, who are having a pretty good season in their own right. It's just the second meeting of the season between these two clubs as the Mammoth were victorious in Minneapolis back in October by a lopsided 6-2 score. Utah hopes to pick up where it left off right before the Winter Olympics break as it had won 11 of 15 games between January 5 and February 4 and is now in the first Wild Card position in the West as of this writing. The key to their success has been the Mammoth's defense and their 2.78 GAA per game has them currently ranked third in the West behind only the Avs and Stars. The Wild is just 3-7 this season when playing on zero days of rest. Take Utah. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-05-26	Islanders v. Devils -107	Top	3-1	Loss	-107	16 h 59 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the New Jersey Devils over the New York Islanders. As goes Jack Hughes, so go the New Jersey Devils. The star center just can't seem to stay healthy these days and there's no doubt that's been a big part of the Devils issue this season. They were without Hughes on Tuesday in their shutout loss to the Blue Jackets and they'll be without him again tonight as he is still recovering from his lower body injury. But the team New Jersey is playing tonight is missing just as many key players as the Isles are without forward Kyle Palmieri as well as Pierre Engvall and young star Calum Ritchie. The Isles had lost two straight to the Predators and Capitals before winning a big one at home against the red-hot Penguins on Tuesday, 5-4 in overtime. If there was ever a time for a team to revenge a humiliating defeat, it's tonight as the Devils were absolutely pulverized last month by this Isles team, 9-0, in New York. The Devils are 12-8 in 20 games as a home favorite this season. Take New Jersey. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-02-26	Islanders +110 v. Capitals	Top	1-4	Loss	-100	9 h 4 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the New York Islanders over the Washington Capitals. On Saturday night, the Caps finally won back-to-back games for the first time in almost two months. And the fact that they did it against the Carolina Hurricanes made it even more of an achievement. But the real surprising part was that they were able to defeat arguably the best team in the conference with a third-string goalie playing in just his second career NHL game. Both first stringer Logan Thompson and back-up Charlie Lindgren are out with injuries which means the Caps had to call up 26-year-old Clay Stevenson for the net-minding duties on Saturday and the inexperienced goalie came through for DC. But the goalies aren't the only ones currently on the sidelines for the Caps as they are also without forwards Connor McMichael and Pierre-Luc Dubois as well as defensemen Matt Roy and Martin Fehervary. The Caps beat the Isles in the last meeting back in November and New York is 4-1 in five road games when revenging a same season loss. Take the Isles. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-01-26	Kings v. Hurricanes -184	Top	2-3	Win	100	10 h 38 m	Show
At 3:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Los Angeles Kings. The Hurricanes lost a tough one on Saturday night in DC, falling to the Capitals in OT after building a 3-0 lead four minutes into the second period. But good teams find a way to forget about those kind of losses real quick and that's exactly what the 'Canes need to do as they head back home overnight in order to be ready to welcome the Kings to town for this Sunday matinee. Carolina beat this L.A. team back in October 2025 by the exact same 4-3 overtime score that is lost by last night and now the 'Canes look to sweep the season series here at the PNC Arena. Carolina goes for its 20th home win tonight which would tie the 'Canes with Colorado in that category, only one behind Boston who leads the league in home victories. The Kings are just 11-14 in 25 games this season when revenging a loss against an opponent and they're 8-12 in 20 games vs. Eastern Conference teams this season. Take the Hurricanes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-31-26	Stars v. Utah Mammoth -108	Top	3-2	Loss	-108	13 h 5 m	Show
At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Utah Mammoth over the Dallas Stars. The Stars have won four of six meetings since the Mammoth moved from Arizona to Utah in 2024. But Utah won the last one at home 16 days ago and, tonight, it will try to do it again. Delta Center has been very good to the Mammoth this season as they are 15-7-2 here (vs. just 13-15-2 on the road) and the fact that they've played six more games away from home bodes well for the coming weeks. The Mammoth return from a four-game road trip in which they went 2-2 but that trip was much better than that record would indicate as the two defeats came against the two best teams in the East (a 2-0 loss in Tampa to the red-hot Lightning and a 5-4 loss in Raleigh to the 'Canes). Now Utah has the benefit of six straight home games (three before the Olympics break and three after). The Mammoth is 10-4 in the second half of the season and 6-1 during that time at home while the Stars are 4-5 in nine games this season when revenging a road loss. Take Utah. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-27-26	Sabres v. Maple Leafs -110	Top	7-4	Loss	-110	16 h 34 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo wraps up a five-game road trip while Toronto completes a five-game homestand tonight at ScotiaBank Arena. Win or lose tonight, it's been a successful trip for the Sabres as they've already won three of the road games (after losing the first of the trip in Raleigh to the Hurricanes). Meanwhile, the same can't be said of the Leafs' homestand as they've gone 0-4 coming into tonight. But at least they get to finally face a team that they've done very well against recently. And while the Sabres have had a very successful season so far, they haven't been their best when coming off dominant victories like the 5-0 shutout of the Isles in their last game. In fact, Buffalo is only 3-5 this season (2-4 on the road) after allowing one goal or less in their previous contest. The Maple Leafs have won six of the last seven meetings with the Sabres going back to March of 2024. Take Toronto. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-26-26	Utah Mammoth v. Lightning -165	Top	0-2	Win	100	16 h 31 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Utah Mammoth. The Lightning just finished one of the most grueling schedule stretches that we've seen in the NHL in some time, having to play 10 of their 12 games between December 31 and January 24 on the road. But there are two pieces of very good news for the Bolts as they return home. First, they went 10-2 over that stretch, putting them only one point behind in the race for the best record in the East. Second, the schedule now flips the other way and Tampa plays its next six games here at home at Amalie Arena. The Bolts get started tonight with a visit from the Utah Mammoth. In the only other meeting this season of these two clubs, the Bolts came out on top, 4-2, back on November 2 of last year. Utah has all of a sudden gotten hot, winning its last five games in a row and eight of its last nine. But Utah is also 0-5 the last five times it has been priced as an underdog at +105 (or higher). Take the Lightning. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-24-26	Capitals v. Oilers -175	Top	5-6	Win	100	14 h 2 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Washington Capitals. Last night, Washington went into Calgary and defeated the Flames, 3-1. Logan Thompson was between the pipes in that game, so #2 netminder, Charlie Lindgren, will get the start tonight. Unfortunately, Lindgren has given up 3+ goals in 12 of his last 14 games, including each of his last six. The Oilers are in the midst of an 8-game home stand. They kicked it off with a 5-0 win over the Blues, but dropped their last two games to New Jersey and Pittsburgh. The good news for the Oilers tonight is that they are 33-15 off back to back losses, including 17-5 at home. Take Edmonton. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
01-22-26	Red Wings v. Wild -138	Top	3-4	Win	100	18 h 22 m	Show
At 9:35 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings had to travel from Toronto to Minnesota overnight after their victory over the Maple Leafs last night. Minnesota also just beat the Leafs in Toronto quite decisively three days ago. And this has been a very back-and-forth series lately with each team (Red Wings and Wild) having won three of the last six meetings going back to the beginning of the 2022 season. If Minny is going to make a statement, now would be the time with a four-game homestand on the horizon beginning tonight. The Wild's 2.82 goals-against this season is the fifth-best number in the Western Conference and much of that can be attributed to goalie Filip Gustavsson and his 2.56 GAA. Detroit is 13-8 this season against teams with winning records, but when facing them on the road, it is just 3-6 in nine games. Take Minnesota. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-21-26	Red Wings v. Maple Leafs -110	Top	2-1	Loss	-110	13 h 19 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Detroit Red Wings. Here is a hockey rivalry that goes back a long way. In fact, next year will be the 100th anniversary of the first season that the Maple Leafs and Red Wings played each other. And the rivalry hasn't lost much intensity during that span as these two almost always leave it all out on the ice -- even when they're playing a regular season game. It's the Red Wings who have been the better team of late and in fact Detroit has won all three meetings of these two clubs this season, although this is the first time they will meet in the New Year. The Leafs just returned from a four-game Western road trip in which they went 2-2 and which included huge wins over the Avalanche and Jets. That victory over the Avs capped a four-game win streak for Toronto that also included a big triumph over the defending Stanley Cup champs, Florida. The Leafs are 16-11 at home this season and 6-3 here when the money line is -100 to -150. Take Toronto. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-20-26	Bruins v. Stars -157	Top	2-6	Win	100	14 h 54 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Boston Bruins. If someone had told you back in October that right after the New Year, one of these teams would have a horrible spate of losing and the other would be on a hot streak, you would probably guess it was the Stars who were winning and the Bruins who were ice cold. But in fact is the opposite is true right now as these two prepare to meet for the first time in well over a year (November of 2024). Incredibly, Dallas has lost 10 of its last 12 while Boston has won six in a row and eight of its last nine. Of course it should be mentioned that the only winning team that the Bruins have defeated over that stretch is the Red Wings. And despite their recent struggles, the Stars are still well above the .500 mark at 27-13-9. Part of the Stars' issue is probably that they had to play a grueling six-game road trip in nine days and now at least they get to be home for two of their next three, starting with tonight. Boston is 11-12 on the road this season and most of those were not against teams of Dallas' level. Take the Stars. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-19-26	Devils -122 v. Flames	Top	2-1	Win	100	16 h 39 m	Show
At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the New Jersey Devils over the Calgary Flames. There were some pretty high expectations for the Devils coming into this season, and certainly a .500 record more than halfway through is not what anyone associated with the team was expecting. But if New Jersey can make one more positive push prior to the Olympics break, then it will be hoping to get some injured players back, finish strong after the break, and get in position for a playoff run. That's certainly a very realistic scenario especially when you consider that the Devils' next eight games (all of their games prior to the break except for one) are against teams with losing records (as of this writing). That begins tonight with a trip to Calgary to play the 21-27 Flames who beat the Isles here on Saturday despite registering just 19 shots. Prior to that, Calgary lost two straight at home. The Flames currently have six regulars out with injury and they are 12-19 this season as an underdog. Take the Devils. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-17-26	Kings -114 v. Ducks	Top	1-2	Loss	-114	13 h 27 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Kings over Anaheim. After losing 9 straight games, the Ducks have won their last two, including a 3-2 Shootout win over the Kings in Los Angeles last night. The Freeway Series will shift to Anaheim for tonight's rematch, and we'll take Los Angeles to bounce back from Friday night's defeat. The Ducks will play tonight without their top two points leaders. Leo Carlsson (26 assists; 18 goals) underwent a procedure to treat a lesion in his left thigh, while Troy Terry (29 assists; 13 goals) was placed on injured reserve for an upper body injury. Take Los Angeles to snap its 3-game losing streak.
01-16-26	Panthers v. Hurricanes -158	Top	1-9	Win	100	10 h 41 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Florida Panthers. In what is becoming one of the best rivalries in the NHL, the Panthers and Hurricanes meet for the third time this season. This is the same match-up that produced the Eastern Conference Finals last May when Florida handled Carolina, four games to one. And so far this season, the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champs have kept that momentum going, taking both meetings with the 'Canes. But Carolina appears to be the better team this season with a 28-15-4 record and a nine point advantage in the Conference Standings right now. But this is a critical game for the 'Canes tonight as they are no doubt hoping they can get the proverbial Florida monkey off their backs. The Panthers are just 10-13 in 23 games this season immediately following a win (3-5 in those situations on the road). Meanwhile, the 'Canes are 11-6 in 17 games this season revenging a loss and they're 5-2 in those situations when they were a home favorite in that loss (which they were on December 23). Take Carolina. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-15-26	Jets v. Wild -147	Top	6-2	Loss	-147	17 h 30 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Winnipeg Jets. Here is a series that not so long ago was completely dominated by the Winnipeg Jets. But as Bob Dylan said back in the 60's, "The Times They Are A-Changin'", and that certainly applies to games between these two clubs. After losing virtually every meeting with the Jets going back the last three seasons, the Wild seems to have turned the tables, taking two of the three meetings this season, including the last two which were on the road in Winnipeg. And the one game they lost here at home was at the end of October and wasn't decided until the overtime period. Not only are the Jets apparently a shell of what they were last season, with an 18-27 record coming into tonight, but Minnesota is also having one of its best seasons in franchise history. Among the Jets' many problems this season is the fact that they are just 1-10 in 11 games when revenging a home loss vs. an opponent. And when revenging a home loss on the road, they are 0-7 in seven tries. Take the Wild. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-13-26	Maple Leafs v. Utah Mammoth -149	Top	1-6	Win	100	18 h 5 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Utah Mammoth over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last night, Toronto goalie, Joseph Woll, stopped 31 of 34 Avalanche shots, as the Leafs upset the Avs, 4-3, in overtime. Tonight, back-up goalie Dennis Hildeby should get the start for Toronto. But the Maple Leafs are a miserable 3-8 with Hildeby between the pipes. Conversely, Utah is 8-2 in the last 10 starts made by Karel Vejmelka. We'll fade Toronto off its big upset win. Take the Mammoth. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
01-12-26	Stars -115 v. Kings	Top	3-1	Win	100	19 h 48 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Los Angeles Kings. If the L.A. Kings are going to get back to the post-season for the fifth straight year, they're going to have to figure out how to do one thing in the second half -- win games at home. After a 2024-2025 season that saw them win more home games than any other team in the West (and tied for the NHL lead with the Hurricanes) with 31, the Kings have inexplicably been awful at Crypto.com Arena in 2025-26. In fact their seven wins here is the second-worst number in the League this season (Vancouver - with only four home victories). The quest to improve that number continues tonight here in Southern California, but it won't be easy against one of the most potent offenses in the League. Dallas' 3.42 goals per game is second in the Western Conference to -- who else? -- the Avalanche who have been on another planet this season. The Stars won the only other meeting of these two back on December 15 in Dallas and the Kings are just 5-8 in 13 games this season revenging a loss at home. Take Dallas. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-11-26	Penguins -112 v. Bruins	Top	0-1	Loss	-112	15 h 38 m	Show
At 5:05 pm, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Boston Bruins. The two NHL teams who wear Black and Gold will meet for the first time this season (and the first time in Boston in over a year). The Bruins erupted for 10 goals on Saturday right here against an out-gunned Rangers squad. Included in those 10 goals were first-time hat tricks for a couple of Boston players -- Pavel Zacha and Marat Khusnutdinov (the latter netting four goals in the lopsided victory). Boston has to hope it has some bullets left for what should be a tough game against a very good Penguins team. Much has been made about the Pens' aging stars but this team also features younger talent, like 27 year-old winger Justin Brazeau and 18 year-old center Benjamin Kindel. Pittsburgh just had a six-game win streak snapped yesterday at home against the Flames so the Pens will be looking to start a new streak tonight in Boston. Pittsburgh has won two of the last three meetings here at TD Garden going back to January of 2024. Take the Penguins. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-09-26	Capitals -145 v. Blackhawks	Top	5-1	Win	100	13 h 46 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Washington Capitals over the Chicago Blackhawks. There's no question that the losses of forwards Pierre-Luc Dubois, Aliaksei Protas, and Tom Wilson have severely hampered the Capitals' offensive output. Even with those players however, the Caps would not necessarily have beaten the Dallas Stars on Wednesday but they likely would have made the lopsided game closer at least. The Caps should at least have Protas back tonight in Chicago and Wilson will make the trip and will likely be a game-time decision as to whether he can actually play (although just having him with the team will be a bit of a boost in itself). The Blackhawks are in the unusual position (for them) of having won four games in a row coming into tonight. Included in that win streak is a victory over the Caps in Washington less than a week ago so this is a revenge game for the visitors. The Caps are 7-3 in 10 games this season when revenging a loss in which they were a home favorite. Take Washington. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-08-26	Wild -150 v. Seattle Kraken	Top	3-2	Win	100	16 h 58 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Seattle Kraken. Minnesota finishes up its west coast road swing tonight in Seattle. No doubt the Wild is happy to be out of Los Angeles where it lost back-to-back games -- an NHL regular season rarity. But overall, this trip has not been a disaster as a victory tonight over the Kraken would be the Wild's fourth in the seven-games of travel that began right after Christmas. The Kraken is on a four-game win streak and it exploded for seven goals in the last game on Tuesday against the Bruins right here at Climate Pledge Arena. The seven goals is only one shy of the Kraken's record in non-overtime games as Seattle has tallied eight goals in regulation on two occasions. After Tuesday's onslaught, Seattle has to hope that it has something left for tonight against a Wild club that has one of the best defenses in the league (3rd in the NHL with 2.64 GA per game). Minnie has won seven of the last nine meetings including each of the last three and it has taken the last five here in Seattle. Take the Wild. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-07-26	Stars -105 v. Capitals	Top	4-1	Win	100	2 h 45 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Washington Capitals. The on again/off again Capitals were on this past Monday when they rolled here at home over the Anaheim Ducks, 7-4. Two of those seven goals were scored at the end into an empty net, but it was still an impressive display by the Caps who saw young RW Justin Sourdif collect his first career hat trick. But the Stars pose a much bigger threat than the Ducks did as they come into Capitol One Arena for the first time in over a year (October 17, 2024). Even if they were completely healthy, this would be a tall task for the Caps but the fact is that right now they are anything but with two of their biggest guns on the sidelines. Both forwards Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson are nursing lower body injuries and it is unlikely either of them will be available tonight for this crucial game. This has been a pretty lopsided series lately with Dallas taking seven of the last eight meetings going back to March 2022. Take the Stars. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-04-26	Avalanche v. Panthers +112	Top	1-2	Win	112	9 h 27 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Florida Panthers over the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche's tour of the best of the East continues tonight as they travel from Raleigh to South Florida. It was a hard-fought, comeback victory for Colorado on the road last night over the 'Canes to extend the Avs' winning streak to 10 games. They were already without their #1 goalie as MacKenzie Blackwood hit the IR right after the New Year, but back-up Scott Wedgewood was up to the task on Saturday night with 25 saves on 28 shots as the Avs got out of Carolina with a 5-3 victory. But that means that the Avs will have to go with their #3 netminder tonight in young Trent Miner. Although Miner has some solid numbers so far, it's a small sample size as the 24-year-old, former seventh round draft pick is short on NHL experience (only four games played over two total seasons). The Panthers are 9-5 this season revenging a loss vs. an opponent (7-2 in those situations at home). Take Florida. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-31-25	Sabres v. Stars -148	Top	4-1	Loss	-148	10 h 45 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Buffalo Sabres. While there are many compelling stories in the NHL as we reach the end of 2025, none is more interesting -- and perhaps more ignored -- than what Buffalo is doing right now. The Sabres are one win away from tying the franchise record of ten straight wins coming into this New Years Eve showdown in Dallas (it's a feat they've achieved on three prior occasions). A win tonight would indeed be a reason to pop some champagne in the Sabres locker room as it would tie the record and set them up for a new franchise mark next time out. But don't get that bubbly on ice yet. While the Sabres have beaten some decent clubs over the last nine games, they haven't faced the level of competition they're going to see in Dallas. The Stars may be eight points behind the Avs, but if they were in the East, they'd be the best team in the Conference by quite a bit. This is the first meeting of these two in exactly one year (and that one was also here at American Airlines Center). The Stars are 4-1 in the last five meetings. Take Dallas. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-27-25	Red Wings v. Hurricanes -172	Top	2-5	Win	100	16 h 31 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings and Hurricanes went into the Christmas break tied atop the Eastern Conference -- each with 47 points. Detroit has two more losses in regulation than Carolina does (13 to 11) otherwise it's very hard to separate these two teams as they prepare to meet for the first time this season. As the League gets back to regular play tonight, the Wings have won three in a row while the 'Canes have dropped that same number straight prior to getting the three days off. All three of Carolina's losses came to teams from the Sunshine State -- two to the Panthers and one to the Lightning - so no doubt the 'Canes are happy to be playing a club from the opposite end of the country tonight. And this has been a lopsided series in recent seasons with the 'Canes having won six of the last seven meetings going back to April of 2023. Carolina is also 4-0 against Detroit in the last four of those meetings here at the Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena) in Raleigh. Take the Hurricanes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-23-25	Predators v. Wild -185	Top	3-2	Loss	-185	16 h 40 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Nashville Predators. Seeing recently that the Wild had a seven-game win streak was impressive enough. But the fact that it won those seven games -- that included the Stars, Capitals, and Oilers -- by a combined score of 33-11 really tells us how far Minnesota has come. The Wild hasn't gotten past the first round of the playoffs since 2015 but with the best one-two goalie combination in the league -- Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson -- Minnesota is poised to go further this season than it has in quite some time. The fact that the Wild's win streak was broken in its last game was not something to dwell on at this point, especially given that the loss came against the best team in the League -- Colorado. Don't be surprised if Minny begins another long win streak tonight. The Wild has won four of the last five meetings with the Predators while the home team is 6-0 in the last six meetings going back to February of 2024 (and Minnesota is 4-0 in the last four here at Grand Casino Arena). Take the Wild. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-20-25	Canucks v. Bruins -155	Top	5-4	Loss	-155	8 h 1 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Boston Bruins over the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks won their 3rd straight road game last night with a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders. Thatcher Demko started, and stopped 22 of 23 shots. Tonight, back-up goalie Kevin Lankinen will be between the pipes. He has not been strong this season, as he has a 3.49 GAA and a save percentage at .878. Vancouver has lost his last six starts. And Boston is 12-2 this season vs. goalies that have a saves pct. below 0.895 (including 7-0 at home). Take the Bruins. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
12-18-25	Maple Leafs v. Capitals -144	Top	0-4	Win	100	11 h 29 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Washington Capitals over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was a short -- two games -- road trip for the Caps, but that didn't make it any easier. In fact, it was ugly as what had been a red-hot Washington hockey club got cooled off real fast in Winnipeg and Minneapolis, losing both games by a combined score of 10-1. Now the Caps return home and you wouldn't normally think of facing the Maple Leafs as relief but Toronto doesn't seem to be nearly as dangerous a team this season as it has been in recent years. The Leafs are just 15-17 on the season, including 5-7 away from Scotiabank Arena, and a plethora of injuries has added to their woes. The Caps had back-up Charlie Lindgren in goal on Tuesday so their #1 Logan Thompson -- 3rd in the League with a 2.09 GAA -- should be back in the crease tonight. The Caps have won each of the last three meetings with the Leafs, including their previous get-together this season on November 28, 4-2. Toronto is 0-6 on the road this season immediately following a home game. Take the Caps. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-09-25	Sharks v. Flyers -169	Top	1-4	Win	100	14 h 36 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Philadelphia Flyers over the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks feature the best teenager in the game in 2nd-year forward Macklin Celebrini. But as good as the 19-year-old is, he can't do everything as evidenced by San Jose's losing record (albeit slightly) through its first 30 games. The team is definitely on the improve and you can see that in Celebrini's +/- rating which was a lowly -31 last season but is in positive territory this season at +6. The Flyers are a team on the rise as well but unlike the Sharks, they have managed to string together a winning record at 15-9-3. They've won six of their last nine overall, including victories against the Panthers and two against the Devils. The Flyers have dominated this series lately, taking four of the last five meetings including the last three in a row and going 2-0 against the Sharks in the last two here at Xfinity Mobile Arena (formerly Wells Fargo). Philadelphia is also 6-2 this season as a home favorite. Take the Flyers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-06-25	Islanders v. Lightning -173	Top	2-0	Loss	-173	11 h 14 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the New York Islanders. After winning seven straight games between November 18 and 29, the Lightning have now lost two straight coming into tonight's meeting with the Islanders. This is almost a home-and-home situation as the first of those two losses was in Queens against the Isles back on Tuesday. That was a tough 2-1 loss despite the fact that Tampa held New York to just 24 shots on goal (compared with its own 31). Now after returning here to Central Florida and losing to the Penguins on Thursday, the Bolts get a chance for some revenge against the 15-10-3 Isles. Add former Tampa star Jonathan Drouin's name to the growing list of injuries on New York's side right now as the 30-year-old winger is battling a sore back. Although he is traveling with the team to Florida it's unlikely the oft-injured Drouin will be playing tonight. The Lightning have won four of the last six meetings with the Islanders and four of the last five here at Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie Arena). Take Tampa. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-04-25	Penguins v. Lightning -195	Top	4-3	Loss	-195	17 h 15 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The average age on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster is about 29.4 years making them one of the only clubs in the league with an average over 29. With older players usually comes injuries and that's certainly the case right now with the Pens who have seen their early fortunes this season come down to earth in recent weeks. No fewer than seven Pittsburgh regulars are currently out with various ailments and winger Joona Koppanen is listed as day-to-day with an illness. This current three-game road trip started out strong with the Pens beating the Flyers in Philly on Monday but things get decidedly tougher for them as they travel to Tampa to take on the Lightning. The Bolts started out slowly (for them) but they've caught fire lately, winning seven of their last eight coming into tonight. This used to a series dominated by Pittsburgh but not so much anymore as the Bolts have won four of the last five meetings including the last two here at home. Take Tampa. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
12-02-25	Maple Leafs v. Panthers -152	Top	4-1	Loss	-152	15 h 11 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Florida Panthers over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers dropped their first two games of this 6-game home stand, with losses to Philadelphia (4-2) and Calgary (5-3). We'll take Florida to bounce back, as it's 21-12 off back to back losses (+5.2 net games). Even better: this season, the Maple Leafs have been an Underdog six times and are 0-6 in those games. We'll take Florida on this Tuesday. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
11-29-25	Jets -116 v. Predators	Top	5-2	Win	100	15 h 1 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Nashville Predators. The Jets received some sobering news recently when they learned that they will have to go for a while without their multiple Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck who will be sidelined for weeks after undergoing knee surgery. The 32-year-old netminder led the league last season in wins (47), Goals-against average (2.00), and shutouts (8) which is the NHL equivalent of winning a pitching Triple Crown in MLB, so not having him in the lineup is not just any absence for sure. It looks like 30-year-old Eric Comrie will shoulder most of the load with Hellebuyck out and with 22-year-old Thomas Milic making his NHL debut last night, tonight it will definitely be Comrie as the Jets travel from Raleigh to Nashville to take on the 7-16 Predators. If things continue at this pace, this will be the worst season in their history since the Preds first came into the League in 1998. Against Nashville, the Jets should be just fine even without Hellebuyck. Winnipeg is 3-1 in the last four meetings. Take the Jets. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-28-25	Flyers v. Islanders -134	Top	4-3	Loss	-134	9 h 15 m	Show
At 4:05 pm, our selection is on the New York Islanders over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders must have felt pretty good about returning from a seven-game road trip having gone 6-1 and knowing that they were looking at the next seven games at their beautiful (new) home arena. But this extended homestand is not off to a good start with the Isles going 1-2 over the first three games here at UBS Arena. How they lost the last one is quite a mystery as New York out-shot Boston here on Wednesday by an incredibly lopsided 45-14 but still managed to drop a 3-1 decision to the Bruins. They'll regroup against the Flyers this afternoon on this Black Friday that has all but two NHL teams on the schedule. This is a revenge game for the Isles who lost by 4-3 in a shootout in the only previous meeting so far this season (the Flyers also beat the Isles by the exact same score in a shootout in their last meeting of last season). New York is 9-3 this season when playing against teams with winning records (4-1 at home in those situations). Take the Islanders. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-26-25	Rangers v. Hurricanes -180	Top	4-2	Loss	-180	9 h 4 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the New York Rangers. It’s easy to forget just how quickly the Rangers crumbled from top-tier Stanley Cup contender to a non-playoff team hosting a fire sale. Beginning last season, they were the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners, fresh off an Eastern Conference Final berth. Led by Artemi Panarin (120 points), New York had an offense that seemed to have no bounds. But a disastrous five-game stretch a year ago was the beginning of the end and GM Chris Drury decided it was time to pull the plug and start dismantling. Now the Rangers are hoping that new head coach Mike Sullivan can bring them back from the doldrums quickly, but that looks like a pipe dream at this point and one has to wonder how much longer it will be before Drury is gone. Things certainly don't get any easier tonight as New York heads into Raleigh where the 'Canes are 6-2-1 on the season. That's not surprising as this has been one of the toughest places for visitors for years. Carolina is 5-0 in the last five meetings. Take the Hurricanes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-24-25	Red Wings v. Devils -130	Top	3-4	Win	100	8 h 9 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the New Jersey Devils over the Detroit Red Wings. Two teams with almost identical records meet tonight in the Meadowlands. The Devils are trying to succeed as much as possible while they wait for the return of their best player, Jack Hughes. The All-Star Center is out for an estimated eight weeks due to a freak accident in which he cut his finger on a glass at a team dinner. New Jersey is no doubt glad to be home from a five-game road trip that started off well enough with wins against Blackhawks and Caps, but ended badly with three straight losses in Tampa, Miami, and nearby Philly. Affectionately known as "The Rock", Prudential Center has been the Devils biggest asset this season as they are 7-0-1 here coming into tonight's game. It's the first meeting between these two this season and a bit of a revenge situation for the Devils as the Wings beat them in their last meeting this past April. New Jersey has won five of the last eight meetings with Detroit. Take the Devils. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-23-25	Wild v. Jets -122	Top	3-0	Loss	-122	10 h 46 m	Show
At 4:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota comes into this afternoon's match-up with Winnipeg riding a rare -- for them -- four-game win streak. Included in that streak was a 4-3 shootout victory over the Hurricanes and a 5-0 blanking of the Penguins which was Friday night at Pittsburgh (despite only managing 40 shots on goal in those two victories combined). Now the Wild travels from Western PA to Central Canada to take on a Jets club that is once again one of the best in the Western Conference. The Jets lost a tough one on Friday night to the 'Canes here at home and they look to bounce back from that against a team they've had a lot of success against recently. Despite its moderate success this season, Minnesota is just 2-5 in seven games as a road underdog. This has been one of the most lopsided series in recent NHL history with the Jets having won each of the last nine meetings going back to April 2023. Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-22-25	Blue Jackets v. Red Wings -127	Top	3-4	Win	100	7 h 8 m	Show
At 1:05 pm, our selection is on the Detroit Red Wings over the Columbus Blue Jackets. There is a matinee in Detroit this afternoon, which features the Red Wings hosting the neighboring Blue Jackets. It's quite unusual for Columbus to be in contention after 1/4 of the season has elapsed, but this Jackets club is perhaps the best we've seen in six years as all those seasons of high draft picks may finally be paying off. But this could also be the best Detroit team we've seen since it last made the playoffs all the way back in 2016 as the Wings find themselves in first place in the Atlantic Division coming into today. This afternoon is a revenge game of sorts as the Jackets won the last two meetings with the Wings in the latter half of last season (although Detroit won four straight meetings before that). The Blue Jackets are 1-5 this season as an underdog of +100 to +150. Take the Red Wings. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-21-25	Hurricanes -122 v. Jets	Top	4-3	Win	100	14 h 50 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Winnipeg Jets. In what could be a preview of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals, the Hurricanes will visit Winnipeg for the first time since February. Both of these talented teams are off to very good starts, with the Hurricanes leading the Eastern Conference as of this writing and the Jets currently sitting in third place in the Central Division out West. In search of some consistency since their four-game win streak in the first week of November, the 'Canes have alternated wins and losses in their last six games. They fell 4-3 in OT to the Wild on Wednesday but dominated play throughout and out-shot Minnesota by a lopsided 45-20. In fact, Carolina has been winning the shots battle in every game it's played going back to October 30 (12 straight contests). But a key for the 'Canes tonight will be to score first as they've allowed the opening goal in a troubling seven of their last 10 games. Carolina is 5-1 following a loss this season (3-0 on the road following a loss). Take the Hurricanes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-20-25	Capitals v. Canadiens -136	Top	8-4	Loss	-136	13 h 42 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens over the Washington Capitals. The Canadiens attempt to get out of their funk tonight at home with a game against the visiting Capitals. Montreal began the season hot as a pistol, winning nine of its first 12 games but since then it has lost six of seven, including the last four. Washington on the other hand is riding a two-game win streak after beating the Oilers last night but now the Caps have to travel from DC to Montreal with no day off before returning to Washington for a four-game homestand. The Caps have the current top goalie in the league in Logan Thompson (1.85 GAA; .925 SV Pct) however they used Thompson last night so it will be back-up Charlie Lindgren tonight against the Habs. Lindgren has struggled a bit this season with a 3.16 GAA and 2-4 record in six games. This is quite the revenge game for the Canadiens as they lost to the Caps in the first round of the playoffs last April (four games to one) and this is their first meeting since then. The Habs are 7-1 this season after playing a road game. Take Montreal. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-16-25	Predators v. Penguins -135	Top	0-4	Win	100	3 h 21 m	Show
At 9:05 am, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Nashville Predators. They're calling it the "Global Series" and it's the NHL's opportunity to showcase its stars away from North America. You could also say today's second straight game between these two clubs in Stockholm, Sweden is a preview of February's Winter Olympics in Europe (Milan, Italy) which will feature NHL players for the first time since 2014. In the first game of this series, it was the underdog Predators who prevailed, 2-1 in overtime and this morning these two will face it off again in a rematch of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. The Penguins are trying to show that age is just a number as 38-year-old Sidney Crosby (tied for 8th with 11 goals) and 39-year-old Evgeni Malkin (tied for 3rd with 18 assists) are off to two of the strongest starts of their sure-to-be Hall of Fame Careers. Despite the loss two days ago, the Penguins have dominated this series in recent years, taking six of the last eight meetings going back to April 2022. Take Pittsburgh. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-15-25	Jets -133 v. Flames	Top	4-3	Win	100	16 h 36 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Calgary Flames. Last season's Presidents Cup winners are not off to quite the same start this season as the Jets (10-7) have gone just 4-5 in their last nine games overall. They are at the end of a road trip that has not gone well so far as the Jets are 1-4 in games in Los Angeles, San Jose, Anaheim, Vancouver (the only victory), and Seattle. They look to end the road trip on a high note tonight in Calgary before returning home for their next three. Calgary has really struggled this season, having gone 5-12-2 including 3-5 here at home. If the Jets are going to get out of their funk, they will need last season's Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck to play better as the 32-year-old goalie has struggled a bit so far (7-6 with a 2.49 GAA). But he has a career 2.15 GAA in 26 games against the Flames with two shutouts among his 15 victories. Winnipeg has dominated this series lately taking five of the last six meetings going back to April 2024. Take the Jets. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-13-25	Islanders v. Golden Knights -180	Top	4-3	Loss	-180	15 h 9 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights over the New York Islanders. The Knights come into tonight's game on a rare 3-game losing streak after falling to Florida, 3-2. And all three losses have come here, at home, on the Vegas Strip. We'll take the Knights to bounce back, as they're 40-16 (+14.3 net games) at home off back to back losses. And they're 29-15 (+8.7 net games) off 3+ losses. Even better: the Islanders are an ugly 109-181 (minus 43.9 net games) on the road vs. Western Conference foes, including 10-22 their last 32. Take Vegas on Saturday night. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
11-11-25	Maple Leafs -133 v. Bruins	Top	3-5	Loss	-133	7 h 29 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Boston Bruins. These two teams met just three days ago and the Bruins got the better of that one, 5-3, in Toronto. So this is a revenge situation tonight in Boston as the Leafs try to get back on the winning track on the road and the Bruins go for their seventh win in a row. But if you look a little closer at the teams they've beaten, you get an idea that the Bruins' 10-7 record really isn't all that impressive. Yes, in addition to the Leafs, they did beat a very good Hurricanes team but the other four victories came against the Sabres, Senators, and Islanders (twice). Already thin at the Center position with the injuries to Lindholm and Mittelstadt, the Bruins called up young John Beecher from the AHL last week. But now Beecher has an upper body injury and probably will not be available tonight. The Maple Leafs are 10-6 in their last 16 games when revenging a loss as a home favorite against an opponent. Take Toronto. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-09-25	Blackhawks v. Red Wings -179	Top	5-1	Loss	-179	7 h 59 m	Show
At 1:05 pm, our selection is on the Detroit Red Wings over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Red Wings are looking to get back to their winning ways of years gone by and they're off to a good start to the season. Detroit is 9-6 after 15 games and sitting in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division with 18 points. Void of any superstar type of players, the Wings are getting it done the old fashioned way -- hard work and gritty fore-checking. They do have a new goalie this season in veteran John Gibson and an exciting young rookie in Emmitt Finnie. The former 7th round draft pick has earned himself a spot on the top line, playing alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin. Speaking of exciting young players, Chicago certainly has one in former #1 pick Connor Bedard. The 22-year-old is near the top of the leaderboard with 22 points in his first 15 games. But whether the Hawks have put a winning formula around their star youngster remains to be seen. The Wings have won the last five meetings with the Blackhawks going back to March 2023. Take Detroit. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-08-25	Ducks v. Golden Knights -195	Top	4-3	Loss	-195	14 h 25 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights over the Anaheim Ducks. About a month into the NHL season and most things are up for grabs of course. But one thing that most people would agree on is that the most surprising team is the Anaheim Ducks. To be fair, the perennial doormat of the League did have a huge improvement last season, going from 59 points to 80, but the Ducks still missed the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. But now they are on a roll with a 9-3-1 record and an almost unheard of (for them) five-game win streak coming into tonight's game in Vegas. The Knights are still one of the best team's in the League and it would be no surprise if they make a deep playoff run once again. With star Center Jack Eichel inked to a new contract and Mitch Marner coming over in the off-season, Vegas is once again one of the League's Stanley Cup favorites. The Knights swept this series last season, winning all four games against the Ducks by a combined score of 13-4 and they are 15-3 at home all time against them. Take Vegas. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-07-25	Jets -188 v. Sharks	Top	1-2	Loss	-188	15 h 5 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the San Jose Sharks. With a league-best 116 points and their first-ever Presidents Trophy last season, there's only one thing left on the Winnipeg Jets wish list and that is to win a Stanley Cup. That's something that's never happened before -- not when this team was the Atlanta Thrashers nor after it moved north of the border in 2011. The Jets are off to another strong start having won nine of their first 13 games. They are no doubt at a pinnacle right now and they need to get that Cup before the window closes. The Sharks haven't reached their pinnacle yet, but they're a team on the rise and if everything goes as planned, they'll be back on top one day. With two of the most exciting young players in the game on their roster in Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, this is a team with almost unlimited potential. But the Sharks aren't there yet and it remains to be seen if they can get back to being a playoff-caliber club this season. The Jets have dominated this series lately, taking the last five meetings. Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-05-25	Blue Jackets -110 v. Flames	Top	1-5	Loss	-110	16 h 58 m	Show
At 9:35 pm, our selection is on the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Calgary Flames. After having one of their best seasons in 2024-25 (almost logging a winning record) since they last appeared in the playoffs, the Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping to do themselves one better this season. So far, it seems to be working as the Jackets are 7-5 in their first dozen games and are currently just four points out of first place in the ultra-competitive Metro Division. They had a rare -- for them -- four game win streak snapped in their last game in New York against the Isles and now they head west to face the Flames for the first time in almost a year. Columbus lost some players in the off-season but they gained some talent as well, including a pair of veterans from the Avalanche in forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, both of whom have already paid dividends. The Flames on the other hand could be in for another tough season with little chance of the playoffs unless something changes. The Jackets have won three of the last four meetings going back to October 2023. Take Columbus. As always, good luck...Al McMordie
11-04-25	Red Wings v. Golden Knights -181	Top	0-1	Win	100	15 h 36 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights over the Detroit Red Wings. With the Golden Knights this season, it's been a case of the glass either being half full or half empty. On the half empty side, the Knights are just one game over .500 and they've lost three of their last four. On the half full side, two of those losses were on the road (against the Panthers and Lightning) and the third loss was to the Avalanche. Also on the half full side is the fact that Vegas has beaten the Carolina Hurricanes twice in their last five games by a combined score of 10-4. Tonight the Knights host a very good Red Wings squad that is 9-4 on the season and tied with the Canadiens with 18 points atop the Atlantic Division. But having just completed a road trip that included games against the Blues, Kings, Ducks, and Sharks, Detroit hasn't been playing nearly the level of competition that Vegas has. The Knights have won three of the last four meetings between these two at home going back to November 2021. Take Vegas. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
11-02-25	Red Wings -180 v. Sharks	Top	3-2	Win	100	15 h 25 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Detroit Red Wings over the San Jose Sharks. There's no question that Macklin Celebrini is one of the most exciting young players in the NHL. The 19-year-old almost won NHL's Rookie of the Year award last season for the Sharks and he's off to a blistering start to this season, currently tied for fourth in the League with 18 points. Celebrini, together with 20-year-old Will Smith -- drafted in the first round the prior year -- make up two of the best young Centers in the game right now. The problem for San Jose is that the team is still trying to build around those two and the Sharks are probably at least a year away from putting a complete contender on the ice. Detroit on the other hand looks ready to contend this season after several years of frustration (and not having made the post-season since 2016). The Wings are off to a very good start, having gone 8-4 in their first 12 games -- good for 2nd place in the Atlantic Division. The Sharks are just 2-5 here at home this season. Take the Red Wings. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
10-28-25	Devils v. Avalanche -148	Top	4-8	Win	100	15 h 46 m	Show
At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Colorado Avalanche over the New Jersey Devils. Here is a somewhat rare home-and-home situation between two teams from difference conferences who only play each other twice a season. The Devils took the front end of the series on Sunday, beating the Avs in New Jersey, 4-3 in overtime. That win was their league-leading eighth of the season (tied with the surprising Utah Mammoth). Clearly the return of C Jack Hughes, who missed the last 20 games of last season with an injury, has energized the Devils so far. But the Avs have some stars of their own and you can bet that Landeskog, MacKinnon, Necas, and Lehkonen will be looking for some revenge at Ball Center tonight as they hope to break their four-game losing streak (three of those in OT or SO). The Avs had 24-year-old rookie Trent Miner in goal in New Jersey on Sunday so expect regular #1 Scott Wedgewood back in the crease tonight. The Avalanche took both meetings with the Devils last season by a combined score of 9-1. Take Colorado. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
10-20-25	Sabres v. Canadiens -141	Top	2-4	Win	100	17 h 1 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens over the Buffalo Sabres. It could be that no NHL team comes into the 2025-26 season with more optimism than the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs made the post-season last Spring for the first time in four years and although they made a quick, first-round, exit, there are plenty of reasons to think that they can go at least one better this season. The Canadiens may have lost some players in the off-season but they also added talent at virtually every position. But the biggest arrival may be someone who was already on the team as it appears former first round pick RW Ivan Demidov is ready to assume a full-time role with the offense and the 19-year-old is already making his presence felt on the ice. First string goalie Sam Montembeault may be poised for a break-out this season and assume a position among the top net-minders in the league. The Canadiens have won the last four meetings with the Sabres and seven of the last nine going back to March 2023. And they're 14-4 their last 18 as a home favorite, while Buffalo is a poor 19-41 (minus 9.9 net games) as a road underdog. Take Montreal. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
06-17-25	Oilers +135 v. Panthers	Top	1-5	Loss	-100	10 h 8 m	Show
At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers. With their 5-2 victory on Saturday night, the Florida Panthers are now one win away from defending their NHL Championship. And tonight they get to try to close it out at home in Game 6. But don't count the Oilers out of this thing yet. Edmonton has shown it can come back in a series, as it went 3-1 in last year's Stanley Cup Final when facing elimination (Game 4-7), and is 6-2 the last three seasons when facing elimination. And Edmonton is a dominant 16-4 the last three seasons when trailing in a Playoff series. Florida, meanwhile, is 14-11 (minus 1.3 net games) when leading in a Playoff series, and 7-8 when its opponent was facing elimination. And it's a poor 45-41 (minus 17.8 net games) as a home favorite of -200 (or less). The Oilers have not yet announced if it will be Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard in goal, but Skinner's puck-handling ability could be the deciding factor. Regardless, we'll take Edmonton as an underdog. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
06-14-25	Panthers v. Oilers -117	Top	5-2	Loss	-117	14 h 30 m	Show
At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers. It's hard to recall a bigger game in their history for the Oilers than Game 4 of this Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday night. If Edmonton lost, they would trail 3-1 -- a seemingly impossible situation. And yet it looked like that's exactly what was going to happen at the end of the first period as the Panthers took a 3-0 lead. And dating back to Florida's overtime winner in Game 2, the Panthers had outscored the Oilers 10 goals to 1. But the Oilers clawed their way back with 3 goals in the 2nd period, and finally ended it in dramatic fashion in OT with a goal from their star, Leon Draisaitl. For the second straight game, Edmonton replaced goalie Stuart Skinner with Calvin Pickard but this time the 33-year-old from New Brunswick was outstanding, allowing just one goal with 19 seconds left in the 3rd period, while making 22 saves -- including a couple of critical ones in the overtime period. There's no doubt the Oilers should go with Pickard from the get-go this evening at home, but skipper Kris Knoblach has not announced a starter as of this writing. Regardless, we're on the Oilers, as Edmonton is 66-29 (+13.3 net games) as a home favorite, while Florida has burned money as a road underdog (10-15, -2.5 net games). Take the Oilers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
06-12-25	Oilers +134 v. Panthers	Top	5-4	Win	134	19 h 30 m	Show
At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers. Things got ugly on Monday night, both in general and for Edmonton specifically in Game 3. The Panthers completely overwhelmed their opponent at home and ran away with the game, 6-1. Brawls erupted in the third period as the Oilers became completely frustrated with Florida's superior play and forechecking. With the smoke now cleared, Edmonton has a lot of soul searching to do. It appears that the Oilers will stick with Stuart Skinner to start Game 4 tonight, but Kris Knoblauch has said he won't make a final decision until later in the day. Skinner has been running hot and cold and he often follows up horrible performances like Game 3 with very solid play. The other good news for Edmonton is that it has not lost three games in a row since a regular-season skid that started February 7, and the stakes are significantly higher now in this Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers are 34-16 (+11.2 net games) off back to back losses. And they're 10-0 in Game 4 of a Playoff series since 2023. Take Edmonton. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
06-09-25	Oilers +122 v. Panthers	Top	1-6	Loss	-100	17 h 21 m	Show
At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers. Two Stanley Cup games; two overtime thrillers. That's how this series would be summed up so far. After falling in OT in Game 1, the Panthers gave the Oilers a little taste of their own medicine, ending Game 2 on an exciting Brad Marchand goal with eight minutes to go in the second extra period. The Oilers will look to get back on track on the road tonight after two full days off. Once again as they did in Game 1, the Oilers out-shot the Panthers in Game 2 on Friday, 46-42. Splitting the first two games of a playoff series has not shown to be a problem for Edmonton as it did the same thing in the Western Conference Finals against Dallas before reeling off three straight victories. And Edmonton is 15-5 in its last 20 road games that followed a home game, and a super 9-4 as a road underdog of +150 or less. Meanwhile, Florida is a poor 50-32 (but minus 5.9 net games) as a favorite this season. Take the Oilers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
06-06-25	Panthers v. Oilers -122	Top	5-4	Loss	-122	14 h 56 m	Show
At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers. If Game 1 is any indication, this is going to be one heck of a Stanley Cup Finals. Edmonton took the early lead on a first period goal from Leon Draisaitl, only to have Florida tally the next three goals to take what looked like a pretty safe lead two minutes into the second period. But then the Oilers got one more in the 2nd and the only goal in the 3rd to force overtime and they ended it the way they started it -- with a goal from Draisaitl with just 31 seconds to go in the extra stanza. The score may have been close, but the Oilers out-shot the Panthers by a lopsided 46-32 margin. The Oilers were my preseason pick (at +850 odds) to win the Stanley Cup, and I have no reason to doubt them now. Edmonton has its two-headed monster of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid and those two seem to get stronger with each playoff game. The Oilers are 24-7 this season coming off a home win, and they're 8-3 when leading in a playoff series. Meanwhile, the Panthers are a poor 10-15 (minus 2.5 net games) as a road underdog. Take Edmonton. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
06-04-25	Panthers v. Oilers -124	Top	3-4	Win	100	17 h 47 m	Show
At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers. With all the talent in the NHL this past season, the chances of getting the Oilers and Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals again were pretty slim (especially when you consider that neither team was in the top four in their respective Conference, points-wise). But here we are in early June and it's Game 1 with Florida traveling north to Edmonton to face Connor McDavid & Co. The Oilers won the Western Conference title over a very good Dallas Stars team despite the fact that they lost veteran LW Zach Hyman -- surgery to repair an upper body injury -- which is a testament to how deep they are. But if there's a differentiator between these two teams, it's that the Oilers will have home ice advantage. The Oilers are 65-29 (+12.3 net games) as a home favorite, while Florida is 10-14 (minus 1.5 net games) as a road underdog. And the Oilers are 31-11 at home when playing with revenge. Take Edmonton. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
05-20-25	Panthers v. Hurricanes -119	Top	5-2	Loss	-119	16 h 11 m	Show
At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Florida Panthers. The Hurricanes made short work of the #1-seeded team in the East beating Washington in five games. They out-scored the Caps by a lopsided total of 15-7 and out-shot them in all five of those games, finishing the series five days ago in DC. But while the 'Canes are well-rested for this Conference Finals, the Panthers are anything but, needing seven grueling games to get past the stubborn Maple Leafs. Yes, they finished things impressively, beating the Leafs in Toronto in Games 5 and 7 by identical 6-1 routs, but they were still taken to the brink and have only had Monday off to recover. And Carolina should offer a much stiffer challenge than Toronto did, as evidenced by the 'Canes' suffocating attack throughout the series with Washington -- a very good team in its own right. The 'Canes won the last meeting of these two in January and Florida is 5-9 in its last 14 revenging a same season loss on the road while Carolina is 8-0 in its last eight home games after a three-game win streak. Take the 'Canes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
05-15-25	Stars v. Jets -115	Top	0-4	Win	100	18 h 51 m	Show
At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Dallas Stars. Here we are again on the cusp of a Presidents Trophy-winning team begin eliminated from the post-season in the first two rounds. With the Stars' 3-1 victory at home on Tuesday, they now lead the Jets by that same margin (3-1) and a victory tonight would put Dallas one series away from its fourth Cup Finals (not counting the two times that Minnesota got there before moving to Texas). But the Jets played very well in that fourth game in Dallas which could have easily gone their way as they out-shot the Stars 32-24. Look for them to come out with the same aggression tonight at home in a do-or-die situation and don't be surprised if they jump on the Stars early. The Stars are 0-3 in their last three road playoff games when leading in a series while the Jets are 16-5 in their last 21 when revenging a loss vs. an opponent at home. And in this year's playoffs, the Jets are 5-1 at home, compared to 0-5 on the road. Finally, the Jets are a spectacular 57-18 (+25.3 net games) as a home favorite while Dallas is 18-24 (minus 2.8 net games) as a road underdog. Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
05-11-25	Jets +135 v. Stars	Top	2-5	Loss	-100	16 h 36 m	Show
At 4:30 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Dallas Stars. The Jets needed to do two things in Game 2 on Friday: 1) stop Mikko Rantanen, and 2) make a statement on the scoreboard. Mission accomplished on both fronts as Winnipeg dominated the contest and came away with a well-deserved 4-0 victory to even this series. It's the second 4-0 win for the Jets over the Stars in less than a month and that bodes well for them the rest of the series, which now switches back to Dallas for Games 3 and 4. No doubt the Stars will come out firing this afternoon so the Jets need to continue the forechecking pressure of Game 2 which resulted in just 21 Dallas shots on goal. The other thing the Game 2 victory did was give Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck some much-needed confidence as the 31-year-old net-minder has vacillated between brilliant and shaky for most of this post-season. The Jets are 14-3 in their last 17 games coming off a home blowout win by three or more goals (6-1 in their last seven road games in those situations). Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
05-09-25	Stars v. Jets -115	Top	0-4	Win	100	22 h 55 m	Show
At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Dallas Stars. The Jets lost the first game of this second round series, 3-2. Newly acquired Dallas forward Mikko Rantanen was the main culprit as the superstar had a natural hat trick in that first game on Wednesday, scoring all three of the Stars' goals in the second period. The Jets will need to neutralize Rantanen if they are going to have success the rest of the way. The good news is that Winnipeg out-played the Stars for most of the game, out-shooting them in the third period by a lopsided 10-4 margin. The Jets did everything in that final 20 minutes except put the puck in the net and if they pick up tonight where they left off they should be fine. Winnipeg is 22-5 in 27 games this season when playing its second consecutive at home and it's also 5-1 in its last six revenging a home loss at home. Take the Jets. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
05-07-25	Stars v. Jets +109	Top	3-2	Loss	-100	19 h 33 m	Show
At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Dallas Stars. The #1 seed, and Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets advanced to the second round, but not without a struggle. In fact, it took double overtime in Game 7 for them to get past the St. Louis Blues. One thing is for sure -- Winnipeg will have to play better in round two as the Stars are a step-up from the Blues. The good news is that the Jets seem to have the Stars' number lately, winning three of the four meetings this season (and four of the last five going back to April of 2024). The Stars had to play their entire first round series without the services of star winger Jason Robertson (knee) and it appears he will still be sidelined for the start of this series as well. Like the Jets, the Stars also had to win a grueling seven-game series (vs. the Avalanche) in order to get here, with goalie Jake Oettinger playing well in some games and faltering in others. The Jets are 26-7 in their last 33 games coming off a home win (16-3 coming off a home win when playing at home). Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
05-04-25	Blues v. Jets -150	Top	3-4	Win	100	40 h 2 m	Show
At 7 pm, on Sunday, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the St. Louis Blues. The home team has won all six games in this series, and I expect the home ice dominance to continue on Sunday. The Jets are an awesome 21-3 this season as a home favorite, and 14-5 at home when revenging a loss. Meanwhile, the Blues have dropped six straight road games. Take Winnipeg. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
05-02-25	Jets +104 v. Blues	Top	2-5	Loss	-100	13 h 39 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the St. Louis Blues. This is the only game on the NHL ledger tonight as some first round series have already ended and the Jets are hoping for the same with a win in this one. Game 5 was the kind of dominant playoff performance that the Jets know they are capable of as the final score of 5-3 doesn't tell the whole story. Winnipeg dominated through the first two periods, taking a commanding 4-2 lead while out-shooting the Blues by a 22-9 margin. The Jets then went into a shell game in the final 20 minutes (the only goals scored in Period 3 were when the St. Louis goalie was pulled at the end). A similar effort tonight on the road at Enterprise Center will move the Jets on to the next round with a bit of rest before Game 1 of the next series. Winnipeg has dominated this series recently, going 15-5 since the 2021 season (6-3 at St. Louis since the 2021 season). And the Blues were just 12-14 this season revenging a same season loss (6-7 at home). Take the Jets. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
04-30-25	Blues v. Jets -166	Top	3-5	Win	100	31 h 46 m	Show
At 9:35 pm, on Wednesday, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the St. Louis Blues. In the past six NHL seasons, there have been two Presidents' Trophy winners (the team that accumulates the most points in the regular season) that have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Those two teams were the Boston Bruins (2022-2023) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2018-2019). The Winnipeg Jets are hoping not to make it three in the past seven seasons, but if the last two games in St. Louis are any indication, the #1 NHL seed is going to have to do better. The Blues took games three and four by a combined score of 12-3. Now the series switches back to Winnipeg after a two-day break and the Jets are going to have to find a way to get back to the form that had them winning 56 of their 82 regular-season games. First and foremost, goalie Connor Hellebuyck must get back to form, as he was way off in St. Louis, being replaced in both of those games. The Jets are 20-3 this season as a home favorite and 13-5 when revenging a loss at home. And the Blues have lost five straight road games. Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
04-24-25	Maple Leafs v. Senators -107	Top	3-2	Loss	-107	15 h 6 m	Show
At 7:00 pm, our selection is on the Ottawa Senators over the Toronto Maple Leafs. First, the bad news if you're the Senators: you're down 2-0 so your first post-season in eight years could be over in the first round. Now, the good news: Game 2 went to OT and you outplayed and out-shot the Leafs through three regulation periods. And prior to these two playoff games, the Senators were dominant, winning each of the last five regular season meetings with Toronto going back to December 2023. Game 3, of course, switches back to Ottawa and Canadian Tire Centre, where the Sens were one of the best home teams in the league this season, going 27-11-3 there. Obviously tonight's game is critically important for the Sens as going down 3-0 to the talented Leafs would almost certainly mean a round one exit. Ottawa was 20-11 in 31 games this season as a home favorite while the Leafs were 4-5 this season on the road after a three-game win streak. Take the Senators. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
04-19-25	Avalanche v. Stars +124	Top	5-1	Loss	-100	11 h 24 m	Show
At 8:35 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Colorado Avalanche. The Stars come into this post-season having lost their last seven games. But those games were meaningless as Dallas was locked into the 2nd place standing of its division for quite some time and the Stars went the rest of the regular season -- that is until that seven-game losing streak began April 5 -- without having lost more than two consecutive games. And they had a considerably better record at home (28-10-3) than they did on the road (22-16-3) so they know how important these first two games are. One bit of troubling news for the home team is that LW Jason Robertson left the April 16 game with a knee injury and may not be able to play in Game 1 (currently listed as a game-time decision). But Dallas has one of the deepest rosters in the NHL and even if Robertson isn't available, there is enough talent there to overcome that (and Colorado has a slew of injuries itself). The home team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings (3-0 in the three meetings of the regular season). Take the Stars. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
04-17-25	Flames v. Kings -142	Top	5-1	Loss	-142	17 h 46 m	Show
At 9:35 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Kings over the Calgary Flames. Since March 8, the day after the NHL trade deadline, the Kings have been the best team in the league. They've gone 17-4, while ranking #1 in total scoring, and have outscored their foes by 41 goals. They'll look to cap off a sensational season here, at Crypto.com Arena, where they've won 31 of 40 games thus far. And a win tonight would also establish a new franchise record for most wins (49) in a regular season. Calgary won its 3rd straight game on Tuesday, 5-4 vs. Vegas, but was eliminated from the playoffs that same night when the St. Louis Blues defeated Utah. The Flames are an awful 1-8 on the road following 3+ wins. And they're 22-40 as an underdog on the road. Finally, the Kings do play this game with revenge from a 2-1 loss at Calgary. And they're 29-11 their last 40 at home when playing with revenge from a loss earlier in the season. Take the Kings. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
04-16-25	Golden Knights +107 v. Canucks	Top	4-1	Win	107	17 h 21 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights over the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks come into this game off a 2-1 home win over the San Jose Sharks. We'll fade Vancouver tonight, as it's a woeful 15-31 (minus 22.7 net games on the moneyline) off a home win, including 1-10 its last 11 at home off a home win. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are 18-6 inside the division this season, including a perfect 3-0 vs. Vancouver. We'll take Vegas to close out the regular season with a win. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
04-15-25	Utah Hockey Club v. Blues -155	Top	1-6	Win	100	18 h 54 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the St. Louis Blues over the Utah Hockey Club. Currently sitting in the second Wild Card spot with one regular season game to go, the Blues seem to be doing everything they can to not make the playoffs for the third straight season. St. Louis has lost three in a row (all on the road) and if it loses tonight and the Flames win their remaining two games (or a win plus an OT loss) then the Blues would be on the outside looking in once again (Calgary also plays tonight and starts one hour later than this game). So you could call tonight's match-up with Utah the Blues' most important game of the entire season. They are home which is a plus as Jordan Binnington has won 10 straight home games. For the season, the Blues are 23-14-3 here and they should get defenseman Peter Broberg back for their finale (Broberg -- who has a +/- of +21 -- missed the last game for personal reasons). After losing the first two meetings with Utah by identical 4-2 scores, St. Louis won the last meeting in Salt Lake, 2-1 on February 2. Utah is 13-25 as an underdog in its first season (9-15 as a road underdog). Take the Blues. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
04-14-25	Stars -120 v. Red Wings	Top	4-6	Loss	-120	12 h 54 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Detroit Red Wings. The Stars have lost five straight games coming into this penultimate game of the regular season. Detroit comes in off a win over Tampa Bay, but has been eliminated from the playoffs. We'll take Dallas to snap its losing streak, as it is 13-3 (plus 9.3 games on the moneyline) on the road off back-to-back losses. And it's 63-31 (+14.9 net games) as a road favorite. Dallas has completely dominated Detroit with eight straight wins in this series. Take the Stars. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
04-12-25	Wild -108 v. Canucks	Top	3-2	Win	100	20 h 56 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks pulled off a big upset as a +180 underdog at Colorado on Thursday, with a 4-1 win. But that game was on the road, where the Canucks have been profitable this season. That hasn't been the case at home, where the Canucks have burned money, going 16-22, minus 11 net games on the moneyline. Even worse: if Vancouver was off a win by 2+ goals, they've gone 1-8, minus 8.2 net games, at home. Meanwhile, the Wild have been profitable away from Xcel Energy Center, going 22-18, plus 7.6 net games on the moneyline. We'll take Minnesota on Saturday night. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
04-10-25	Jets v. Stars -117	Top	4-0	Loss	-117	11 h 35 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Winnipeg Jets. Heading into tonight's game between the teams with the two-best records in the Western Conference, the Stars have lost three games in a row for the first time all season. A win tonight, however, would put Dallas just two points behind Winnipeg with three games to go in the regular season. The Jets won their last game but are just 2-2 in their last four with some injuries creeping up on them at just the wrong time. D Colin Miller (illness), LW Nikolaj Ehlers (foot), and C Rasmus Kupari (concussion) all missed the last game for Winnipeg and are likely all out tonight as well. The Jets won the last meeting of these two on March 14 and the Stars are 12-5 revenging a same-season loss vs. an opponent (8-1 at home). The Jets haven't been road underdogs that much this season, but when they are, they are just 5-6 in 11 games. The Stars are 11-2 this season in 13 home games after one or more consecutive losses (5-1 after two consecutive losses). Take Dallas. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
04-08-25	Maple Leafs v. Panthers +109	Top	1-3	Win	109	14 h 21 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Florida Panthers over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Another Panthers game on Sunday; another Panthers loss. That unfortunately has been a running theme for the defending Stanley Cup champs. Florida has now lost five games in a row and in those losses the team has managed a total of just seven goals. That won't get it done in today's NHL. However the last four of those losses came on the road, and now the Panthers are back at Amerant Bank Arena where they will play four of their five remaining games. That's good news for a team that is 24-11-2 at home this season. The Panthers also decided to rest two of their top forwards in Sunday's game against Detroit -- Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett. Reinhart had played in all of Florida's games and Bennett had only missed two so the thought was that giving them extended time off will re-energize them. The Leafs took the last meeting of these two clubs six days ago in Toronto, and Florida is 6-2 this season at home revenging a same season loss. Take the Panthers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
04-07-25	Blues v. Jets -155	Top	1-3	Win	100	19 h 21 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the St. Louis Blues. The hottest team in the League with just four games to go in the regular season? That's easy, it's the Blues. St. Louis has now won a dozen games in a row going back to March 15 and in more than half of those (seven), they only allowed their opponent a single goal. Who's not that hot right now? Only the team with the best record in the NHL. The Jets have lost two of their last three, although all three of those games were on the road and now they return to Canada Life Centre where three of their last five games will be played. And that's a good thing as Winnipeg has a 28-6-4 record at home, one of the best such records in the league. The Jets can also feel good tonight about the fact that they've dominated this series lately, taking five of the last six meetings with the Blues, including the last one on February 22 in St. Louis in a shootout. As good as they've been, the Blues are just 6-8 this season when revenging a home loss vs. an opponent (and just 4-7 on the road). Take the Jets. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
03-25-25	Capitals v. Jets -134	Top	2-3	Win	100	14 h 42 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Washington Capitals. It's the second and final meeting of the season between the two best teams in the League -- as far as total points are concerned -- until a potential Stanley Cup Finals match-up in a few months. DC got the better of Winnipeg in the first meeting in Washington on February 1. But the Caps needed overtime and a similar nail-biter could be on hand this evening at Canada Life Centre. The Jets pitched a shutout in the last meeting here over a year ago, 3-0, but this is obviously a better Caps team this season. The Jets got busy since that early February loss and made three substantial acquisitions at the trade deadline while the Caps pulled off just one deal with the Penguins for F Anthony Beauvillier. The Caps could be in for a letdown tonight after crushing Florida on Saturday, 6-3, as they are just 4-8 in 12 games this season immediately after scoring six goals or more (2-4 on the road). Meanwhile, the Jets are 10-2 in 12 home games this season when playing teams with a winning record. Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
03-13-25	Oilers -136 v. Devils	Top	2-3	Loss	-136	19 h 14 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the New Jersey Devils. The question isn't whether the Oilers made themselves better at the trade deadline -- clearly they did with two big deals. The question is whether they made themselves better enough to overcome what others did, especially the Stars who landed the big prize in Mikko Rantanen. Time will tell whether this is an Oilers team good enough to win the Conference title for the second straight season. But for now, Edmonton wants to keep clawing away and hopefully catch the Knights who currently hold a five-point Division lead. The Devils won the only other meeting of these two this season, a 3-0 shutout in Edmonton on November 4. But they were healthy back then. Now, they have to go the rest of the way without their best player, C Jack Hughes, who recently underwent shoulder surgery and is lost for the season. So this is a revenge situation against a decidedly-weaker New Jersey team than the last meeting. And the Oilers are 11-4 this season revenging a same season loss. Take Edmonton. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
03-08-25	Blues v. Kings -178	Top	1-2	Win	100	17 h 14 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Kings over the St. Louis Blues. With their victory here on Wednesday, the Blues have now taken four straight from the Kings going back to January 2024. And while L.A. has had the benefit of two days off since that tough loss (in a shoot out), the Blues had to take a detour to Anaheim last night to face the Ducks. The Kings used the time off to make their team a little bit better, pulling off a deadline trade for veteran forward Andrei Kuzmenko who should be available tonight. L.A. will be the 29-year-old's third team this season after stops in Calgary and Philadelphia. And Kuzmenko should be able to make an immediate impact on a team that is fighting hard for a playoff spot. In a bit of a scheduling quirk, this will be the second meeting of these two at Crypto.com Arena in the last three days and the third time they've met this month. The Kings are 8-2 in 10 games this season when revenging a loss to an opponent at home and they are also 5-1 overall coming off a home loss (4-0 at home off a home loss). Take Los Angeles. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
03-03-25	Senators v. Capitals -144	Top	4-5	Win	100	12 h 57 m	Show
At 6:35 pm, our selection is on the Washington Capitals over the Ottawa Senators. Just a week ago, the idea of the Capitals losing three straight at home would be unthinkable. But here we are back at Capital One Arena and the first-place Capitals are hoping to stop the bleeding with losses here over five days to the Flames, Blues, and Lightning. The team that has featured an unstoppable offense through most of the season managed just four goals in those three games. With a day off to re-group, the Caps now welcome the Senators to town tonight for the first time this season. The good news is that the Caps' woes have nothing to do with injuries -- they are still just as healthy as they've been all season -- and they still hold a comfortable, 10-point lead in their Division (and are six points ahead of the next team in the Conference). The Senators won the last meeting between these two in Ottawa in January, 5-4 in OT and the Caps are a perfect 7-0 this season when revenging a same-season loss. Take Washington. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
03-02-25	Bruins v. Wild -145	Top	0-1	Win	100	8 h 28 m	Show
At 3:35 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Boston Bruins. The Boston Bruins haven't finished an NHL regular season with a losing record in 15 years but if they don't get busy, that could happen next month. At 28-25-8, the Bruins have some work to do -- not only to reach the .500 mark, but also to get themselves into the post-season as Boston currently sits two points below the final Wild Card spot in the East. It doesn't help their case that the Bruins have some serious injuries, including All Star winger and Captain Brad Marchand, who left Saturday's 3-2 win at Pittsburgh with an upper body injury. The 36-year-old didn't return to that game and he likely will not be available this afternoon as the Bruins have a quick turnaround in Minneapolis. The Wild is no doubt happy to be home from a short (two-game) road trip that didn't go well at all, with losses in Utah and Colorado. They have won two of the last three vs. the Bruins but lost the last one about a month ago in Boston. Minny is 17-6 in 23 non-conference match-ups this season. Take the Wild. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
03-01-25	Red Wings -102 v. Blue Jackets	Top	3-5	Loss	-102	16 h 42 m	Show
At 6:05 pm, our selection is on the Detroit Red Wings over the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is the latest in the NHL's "Stadium Series" and the first time this annual outdoor game -- started in 2014 -- has been played at Ohio Stadium, which is normally home to the College Football Champion Buckeyes of Ohio State University. There likely won't be an NHL Champion from the Buckeye state however as the Blue Jackets are currently barely hanging on to the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 29-30 record and 66 points. That's the same point total as the Red Wings coming into this match-up but Detroit appears to be headed in a positive direction -- having won nine of its last 12 -- while the Jackets (3-4 in their last seven) seem to be treading water. This is also the back-end of a home-and-home series as the Jackets beat the Wings in Detroit on Thursday, 5-2. That could be a huge advantage for the visitors today as Detroit is 13-5 in 18 games this season when revenging a same-season loss vs. an opponent. Take the Red Wings. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-27-25	Oilers +106 v. Panthers	Top	3-4	Loss	-100	10 h 22 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers. It's a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, won by the Panthers in seven games. This will be the second change for the Oilers to avenge that Cup Finals loss, as they met in Alberta earlier this season, and fell, 6-5. It's been a rough ride for the Oilers since the 4 Nations Face-Off break as Edmonton has lost three straight on the road by an aggregate score of 17-7. But the 4 Nations was tough on the Panthers as well, given that star winger Matthew Tkachuk came out of the tournament with a groin injury which has kept him out of action so far. Tkachuk will also not be able to participate in this game tonight. Overall, dating back to before the break, Edmonton has lost four in a row. However, the last time the Oilers dropped five straight was all the way back in January 2022. The Oilers are 8-3 in 11 games this season revenging a same-season loss vs. an opponent. Take Edmonton. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-25-25	Oilers -104 v. Lightning	Top	1-4	Loss	-104	11 h 15 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Tampa Bay Lightning. It's only been two games since the Four Nations Face-Off ended but so far things have not gone the way the Oilers would have liked. You can say they were unprepared in Philadelphia on Saturday and their star player, Connor McDavid, was still tired from the tournament. Then, on Sunday afternoon, Edmonton had to face probably the hottest team in the League in the Caps in Washington, and were blown out. Now finally with some rest the Oilers get their next Eastern Conference test against the Bolts in Tampa. The Lightning come in having won five straight although in the last three -- against the Red Wings, Canadiens, and Kraken -- Tampa has been woefully out-shot to the tune of 109 to 64 over those three victories. Edmonton's losing streak -- currently at three games -- should end tonight as they are 4-2 in the last six meetings with the Bolts. The Oilers are also 7-2 in nine games this season following two or more consecutive losses. Take Edmonton. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-23-25	Oilers -124 v. Capitals	Top	3-7	Loss	-124	3 h 1 m	Show
At 1:05 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Washington Capitals. The Capitals were one of the only NHL teams with no players in the just-concluded 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, and the time off obviously helped them as they went gonzo on the Penguins Saturday, taking an easy 8-3 win in Pittsburgh. Edmonton, on the other hand, had representation including the hero for the Canadians in Connor McDavid, who scored the winning goal in the Championship game. But there was some hangover for the Oilers, apparently, as they lost their first game back, 6-3, as a heavy favorite against the Flyers in Philly. Now they travel south to take on the Caps in the second meeting of these two this season. Washington took a 3-2 decision in Edmonton on January 21 despite being woefully out-shot, 32-14 in that one. They can't afford to do that again today. Edmonton started Stuart Skinner in goal yesterday, so today it will be Calvin Pickard for the Oilers and he is 14-5 with a 2.52 GAA in 21 games (18 starts) this season. Take the Oilers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-07-25	Stars -102 v. Kings	Top	4-5	Loss	-102	15 h 50 m	Show
At 10:35 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Los Angeles Kings. After two straight losses in the Western Conference Finals, could this be the season that the Dallas Stars break through? You have to go back to last century for the Stars' only Stanley Cup Championship. And while most of the talk in Dallas, lately, has been to do with the Cowboys and Mavericks, the Stars have a very good team that may be making its own headlines soon. Dallas was upset by Anaheim on Tuesday, and now travels north to Los Angeles for the second meeting of the season with the Kings (and second in L.A.). The Stars have really had the Kings' number lately, taking six of the last eight meetings (and four of the last five). This is a revenge situation for Dallas (which lost the most recent meeting, 3-2), and it is 12-3 this season when revenging a road loss vs. an opponent. The Kings beat the Habs, 6-3, on Wednesday but they are 0-3 this season after scoring six goals or more in their previous game. Take Dallas. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-04-25	Hurricanes -117 v. Jets	Top	0-3	Loss	-117	16 h 56 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets went into D.C. on Saturday for a much-anticipated match-up with the Caps and came out a winner in overtime. Now they return home to face another very good Eastern team in the Hurricanes. Carolina has struggled with some injuries this season. However, at 32-17-4, it is still very much in the hunt for another division title (it's won three in the last four seasons). This will be Carolina's first visit to Winnipeg in over a year (December 4, 2023) and the 'Canes have been doing very well away from Raleigh lately, having won three of their last four on the road going back to January 20. It's also a revenge situation as the Jets have won the last two meetings with the 'Canes -- both last season. Carolina comes in having lost two straight at home and it is 15-5 this season following a loss. And as good as the Jets have been, they do have a tendency to show road rust this season as they are 1-5 in six games following three consecutive on the road. Take the Hurricanes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
02-02-25	Red Wings v. Canucks -150	Top	3-2	Loss	-150	17 h 16 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Vancouver Canucks over the Detroit Red Wings. Last night, the Wings won their 5th straight, with a 3-1 victory over Calgary. Tonight, they'll travel west to Vancouver and play their 3rd game in four nights against a rested Canucks squad which lost at Dallas on Friday night. We'll take Vancouver to bounce back, as it's 80-53 (+17.0 net games) vs. foes that allow 3 (or more) goals per game. And it's 41-23 (+15.5 net games) off a loss. Meanwhile, Detroit is 30-55 as an underdog. Take Vancouver. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
01-29-25	Wild v. Maple Leafs -161	Top	3-1	Loss	-161	13 h 38 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Minnesota Wild. As goes Auston Matthews, so go the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old superstar Center spent two stints on the shelf for upper body injuries but since he's come back on January 4, Matthews has been on fire. He has nine goals and six assists since that return and no doubt Toronto is hoping that his ailments are behind him and Matthews can play the rest of the season and into the playoffs. The Wild comes into Toronto for the first time in over a year (October 2023) and although the Leafs have dominated this series lately, Minny took the last meeting in November at home, 2-1 in OT. The Wild just received some very bad news as its top scorer, Russian Kirill Kaprizov, will undergo surgery and miss extended time. The 27-year-old star was having a Hart Trophy-type of season and will likely be out for at least four weeks. The Leafs have won five of the last six meetings and they are 5-0 this season coming off a loss to a division rival (they were beaten by Ottawa on Saturday). Take Toronto. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-25-25	Avalanche -125 v. Bruins	Top	1-3	Loss	-125	7 h 18 m	Show
At 1:05 pm, our selection is on the Colorado Avalanche over the Boston Bruins. The Avalanche had a string of 10 straight games in which they had alternated wins and losses but that streak -- if you can call it that -- ended when the Avs lost on Wednesday to the Jets which made it two defeats in a row for the first time since November 29-30. Colorado gave Winnipeg all it could handle however, falling 3-2 in OT at home. Now they travel to Boston with a couple days' rest to take on a Bruins team that just can't seem to catch a break. No matter what Boston does, it doesn't appear capable of putting together any substantial win streak and has been stuck at or below the .500 mark virtually all season. This will be the first meeting between these two since mid-October and it's a revenge situation for the Avs who are 8-2 in 10 road games this season against losing teams. The Bruins shut out the Senators in their last game here at home on Thursday but today will be their third game in the last four days. Boston is 5-9 this season coming off a home victory. Take the Avs. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-24-25	Golden Knights v. Stars -145	Top	3-4	Win	100	15 h 36 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Vegas Golden Knights. Here is a rematch of the tough Round 1 Western playoff series from last April-May. The Stars came out on top in seven games in that one but the Knights drew first blood this season, beating Dallas on the Vegas Strip back in early December, 3-2. The rematch is tonight in Dallas and both of these teams are once again having playoff-caliber campaigns with Vegas holding down the top spot in the Pacific while the Stars are currently third in the Central. The Stars have been ultra-tough at home this season with a 17-7-1 record here at American Airlines Center. It's a quick turnaround for the Knights who beat the Blues last night in St. Louis. Dallas is 11-3 in 14 games this season revenging a road loss vs. an opponent (7-3 in 10 home games) and they're also 4-1 this season playing on two days of rest. Meanwhile the Knights are just 2-5 this season when playing on the road against teams with a winning record. Take Dallas. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-23-25	Golden Knights -143 v. Blues	Top	4-2	Win	100	11 h 32 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights over the St. Louis Blues. Because of some recent (January) rough patches for the Jets, Maple Leafs, Stars, Lightning, Devils and Golden Knights, the Washington Capitals, of all teams, now have the best record in the NHL. Whether DC really has the best team remains to be seen but the fact is that they're hot and a collection of other good clubs -- Vegas included -- are not. The Knights will complete a home-and-home series with the Blues tonight and -- you guessed it -- they are looking for some revenge having lost on Monday at home, 5-4 in a shootout. It was the fourth loss in a row for Vegas who go back on the road tonight to St. Louis in an attempt to stop the bleeding. The last game notwithstanding, this is a series that the Knights have dominated, taking five of the last seven meetings going back to December 2022. The Blues have been awful off a win this season (8-14 overall and 5-7 at home) while Vegas is 9-6 revenging a loss vs. an opponent (4-2 in six games off a home loss). Take the Knights. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-22-25	Panthers v. Kings -117	Top	1-2	Win	100	16 h 51 m	Show
At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Kings over the Florida Panthers. The defending Stanley Cup champions began a five-game western road swing last night with a win in Anaheim over the Ducks. Now, the Kings will get to host their second straight game as the Panthers come in for the first meeting of these two teams in over a year. Florida is having another strong season, but has struggled a bit recently, going 6-7 in the last 13 games going back to December 23. And five of those six victories have come against the Rangers, Penguins, Utah, and Anaheim (twice) -- all teams with losing records. Although the Kings have won six of the last seven meetings with the Panthers, this is a revenge situation after Florida's 3-2 OT victory last January 11. Despite their recent success, the Panthers are just 14-17 in their last 31 games as a road underdog of +100 to +150. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 11-4 in its last 15 home games after scoring one goal or less in its last. Take the Kings. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-21-25	Lightning -130 v. Canadiens	Top	2-3	Loss	-130	9 h 25 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Montreal Canadiens. These two teams met less than a month ago in Tampa with the Canadiens pulling off an upset, 5-2. The Lightning only managed 23 shots in that game and that's been a problem for them off and on all season. They'll be traveling from Toronto where they lost last night to the Maple Leafs but at least managed a decent amount of shots (30 to the Leafs' 28). Look for the Bolts to come out firing tonight against a team they've been dominating recently despite that December result. Tampa had some key injuries earlier in the season but is pretty healthy now and that's a good thing as the Bolts try to hold on to the last non-Wild Card spot in the Atlantic Division. The Habs have allowed more than 3.2 goals per game here at home this season while scoring at a rate under 3.0. That could be a big problem for them tonight as the Bolts have the highest road goals-for average in the league at 3.65. Tampa has won seven of the last nine meetings, including four of the last five. Take the Lightning. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-13-25	Panthers -154 v. Flyers	Top	3-4	Loss	-154	10 h 38 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Florida Panthers over the Philadelphia Flyers. Most of the attention in the sports-crazed City of Brotherly Love is on the Eagles these days -- and for good reason. But while the 18-25 Flyers haven't been enjoying near the same success as Philly's NFL team (or the 76ers or Phillies for that matter), this is still a franchise with a lot of pride. Unfortunately, that pride is mostly the result of the Flyers Championship teams of the 1970s as the current version hasn't been to a Conference Finals in 15 years. At least they broke their latest losing streak (that had reached four) in their last game in a big way, 6-0. But that was against the lowly Ducks and Philly takes a big step-up in class tonight with a visit from the defending Cup Champion Panthers. Florida has alternated wins and losses in its last seven games and it's due for a victory tonight against a team that it's dominated lately, taking the last three meetings going back to last March (two here at Wells Fargo). The Flyers are 0-7 this season revenging a same-season loss vs. an opponent. Take Florida. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-11-25	Lightning v. Devils -139	Top	2-3	Win	100	12 h 51 m	Show
At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the New Jersey Devils over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Devils and Lightning are both third place teams as of this writing, but New Jersey has eight more points than Tampa does (though the Bolts have played five fewer games (39 vs. 44)). No doubt New Jersey is aware that when it comes to this match-up, the Bolts have been eating their lunch, winning each of the last five meetings going back exactly one year from today. If the Bolts have an area they need to improve on, it's their performance on the road. They are just 9-9-1 away from Tampa this season and they were just swept on their recent three-game, western road trip, and none of those teams were as talented as the one they face tonight. The Devils are 7-0 this season revenging a road loss vs. an opponent. Take New Jersey. As always, good luck...Al McMordie
01-09-25	Maple Leafs v. Hurricanes -159	Top	3-6	Win	100	18 h 27 m	Show
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs are on a five-game win streak coming into tonight's important match-up in Raleigh. But it's important to note that all five of those wins came against losing teams: a home-and-home sweep against the 15-25 Islanders, a home win vs. the 20-23 Bruins, and then another home-and-home sweep against Philadelphia (17-24). So it's safe to say that tonight is a big step-up against the third-place Hurricanes. With the serious knee injury to #1 goalie Frederik Andersen, young Pyotr Kochetkov has risen to the occasion, and is clearly the guy in net for Carolina right now. The 25-year-old finished 4th in Calder (Rookie of the Year) voting last season and was the highest-ranked netminder in that category. So far this season, he is picking up where he left off with a 2.50 GAA, .902 saves pct and 15-9-1 record in 26 games. This is the first meeting of these two clubs this season and the 'Canes have won each of the last four against the Leafs going back to March of 2023. Take Carolina. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
01-07-25	Predators v. Jets -135	Top	2-5	Win	100	13 h 4 m	Show
At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Nashville Predators. The Jets come into tonight on a three-game losing streak -- the second for them this season as they had a four-game swoon back in late November/early December. Perhaps a visit from the injury-riddled Predators will go a long way to getting Winnipeg back on track. Nashville is currently without at least five players including a pair of big defensemen in Adam Wilsby and Thomas Novak (both with upper body ailments). But the biggest problem by far for the Preds this season is how anemic their offense has been on the road. In 22 games played away from Nashville, the Preds have scored at a league-worst rate of 2.03 goals-per-game. Not surprisingly, they are just 5-13-4 on the road this season as a result. These two have split their first two meetings this season, with the Jets posting a shutout in their latest, 3-0 here at Canada Life Centre on December 30. The Preds are 1-9 this season when revenging a road loss vs. an opponent. Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

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