SPORTS WAGERS
Colorado -110 over OTTAWA
OT included. The Senators played last night in Montreal and blew a third period, three goal lead, ultimately losing it in OT, 5-4. Ottawa has now lost two in a row and six of their past eight. The Sens have pretty much played themselves right out of the playoffs. Desperate for wins, how does a team blow a three-goal third period lead at this point in the season after having four days to prepare for it? The Senators lost their heart in the off-season. They have played a gutless brand of hockey the entire year and it was on full display again yesterday. Having to face their already irate fans after yesterday’s meltdown is not the best situation for Ottawa. It’s also worth noting that the Sens are 2-8 this season in the tail end of back-to-back games.
Colorado continues to play hard with great results. From the opening faceoff in the first game of the season until now, Colorado’s work ethic has been strong throughout. When you combine a great work ethic with all that talent, you get a team that is going to the playoffs with a high seed in the very tough Western conference. We can also guarantee you that Coach Patrick Roy will have his guys jacked up and ready to go here, as the Avalanche embark on a modest three-game trip through Ottawa, Montreal and Winnipeg. Roy is from Quebec City and his players know how badly he wants to win the first two games of this trip near where the place he grew up. Not that the Avalanche need any extra incentive but it sure doesn’t hurt either. Colorado has won seven of their past 10 games. They are also 6-1 in their last seven road games against a team under .500. Furthermore, the Avalanche are coming off games against Anaheim, Chicago and St. Louis in three of their past four games and after facing that trio, this one should appear in slow motion for them. The vastly superior team that wants it more is the way to go here.
Philadelphia +137 over PITTSBURGH
OT Included. The Flyers took the first game of this home and home series yesterday by a final score of 4-0 while deserving every bit of it. Philadelphia was clearly the better team in every aspect and while the Penguins figure to be better today, they are still grossly overpriced here. Pittsburgh is the walking wounded. They looked lethargic yesterday and they’ve looked that way for the better part of 10 days. The Pens were outshot 40-25 yesterday marking the fifth time in the past six games that they’ve been held to 25 shots on net or fewer. A dramatic change in less than 24 hours is going to have to occur by both teams here for the Penguins to win and we don’t see that happening.
Philadelphia is playing outstanding hockey. They’ve been extremely efficient in moving the puck out crisply and creating chances. The Flyers have now picked up points in eight of their past nine games and it should be nine straight after a sure goal was waived off against New Jersey this past week that would have tied the game late in the third period. Philly is sending out four lines that all can score. They don’t have a #1 unit because the third unit has been just as good as the first two. The Flyers are absolutely more potent than the Penguins right now. With their four goals yesterday they have moved into third place in the most goals scored over the past dozen games. The Flyers are also in much better health and form than the Penguins. Just like yesterday, the Flyers hold all the value in this one and must be played at this price.
Dallas/WINNIPEG Over 5½
Dallas has allowed three goals against or more in four straight games against Calgary, St. Louis, Minnesota and Vancouver. Of those four teams, Calgary, Minnesota and Vancouver are all among the league’s worst offenses in the league. Until the Stars get Kari Lehtonen back, expect more goals against because Tim Thomas is barely at an acceptable level for an NHL starting goaltender. In seven of his past 13 games, Thomas has posted save percentages of .880, .867, .854, .867, .714, .844 and .899. The players in front of Thomas know that he’s shaky, which also works to our advantage because they come in with a mindset of having to score some goals. Dallas is very capable of doing that and they, too, will face a backup goaltender in Al Montoya.
Montoya has posted save percentages of .867, .846, .862 and .885 in four of his past six games. There’s a reason he was a backup goaltender for the N.Y. Islanders, which is equivalent to being a bench player for the Philadelphia 76ers. Both these teams have been creating a slew of scoring chances over their last six games and both figure to be firing away here against two weak goalies. Six of Winnipeg’s last eight home games have gone under the total of 5½, causing the juice on this one to be on the wrong side.
Pass NBA & CBB
Colorado -110 over OTTAWA
OT included. The Senators played last night in Montreal and blew a third period, three goal lead, ultimately losing it in OT, 5-4. Ottawa has now lost two in a row and six of their past eight. The Sens have pretty much played themselves right out of the playoffs. Desperate for wins, how does a team blow a three-goal third period lead at this point in the season after having four days to prepare for it? The Senators lost their heart in the off-season. They have played a gutless brand of hockey the entire year and it was on full display again yesterday. Having to face their already irate fans after yesterday’s meltdown is not the best situation for Ottawa. It’s also worth noting that the Sens are 2-8 this season in the tail end of back-to-back games.
Colorado continues to play hard with great results. From the opening faceoff in the first game of the season until now, Colorado’s work ethic has been strong throughout. When you combine a great work ethic with all that talent, you get a team that is going to the playoffs with a high seed in the very tough Western conference. We can also guarantee you that Coach Patrick Roy will have his guys jacked up and ready to go here, as the Avalanche embark on a modest three-game trip through Ottawa, Montreal and Winnipeg. Roy is from Quebec City and his players know how badly he wants to win the first two games of this trip near where the place he grew up. Not that the Avalanche need any extra incentive but it sure doesn’t hurt either. Colorado has won seven of their past 10 games. They are also 6-1 in their last seven road games against a team under .500. Furthermore, the Avalanche are coming off games against Anaheim, Chicago and St. Louis in three of their past four games and after facing that trio, this one should appear in slow motion for them. The vastly superior team that wants it more is the way to go here.
Philadelphia +137 over PITTSBURGH
OT Included. The Flyers took the first game of this home and home series yesterday by a final score of 4-0 while deserving every bit of it. Philadelphia was clearly the better team in every aspect and while the Penguins figure to be better today, they are still grossly overpriced here. Pittsburgh is the walking wounded. They looked lethargic yesterday and they’ve looked that way for the better part of 10 days. The Pens were outshot 40-25 yesterday marking the fifth time in the past six games that they’ve been held to 25 shots on net or fewer. A dramatic change in less than 24 hours is going to have to occur by both teams here for the Penguins to win and we don’t see that happening.
Philadelphia is playing outstanding hockey. They’ve been extremely efficient in moving the puck out crisply and creating chances. The Flyers have now picked up points in eight of their past nine games and it should be nine straight after a sure goal was waived off against New Jersey this past week that would have tied the game late in the third period. Philly is sending out four lines that all can score. They don’t have a #1 unit because the third unit has been just as good as the first two. The Flyers are absolutely more potent than the Penguins right now. With their four goals yesterday they have moved into third place in the most goals scored over the past dozen games. The Flyers are also in much better health and form than the Penguins. Just like yesterday, the Flyers hold all the value in this one and must be played at this price.
Dallas/WINNIPEG Over 5½
Dallas has allowed three goals against or more in four straight games against Calgary, St. Louis, Minnesota and Vancouver. Of those four teams, Calgary, Minnesota and Vancouver are all among the league’s worst offenses in the league. Until the Stars get Kari Lehtonen back, expect more goals against because Tim Thomas is barely at an acceptable level for an NHL starting goaltender. In seven of his past 13 games, Thomas has posted save percentages of .880, .867, .854, .867, .714, .844 and .899. The players in front of Thomas know that he’s shaky, which also works to our advantage because they come in with a mindset of having to score some goals. Dallas is very capable of doing that and they, too, will face a backup goaltender in Al Montoya.
Montoya has posted save percentages of .867, .846, .862 and .885 in four of his past six games. There’s a reason he was a backup goaltender for the N.Y. Islanders, which is equivalent to being a bench player for the Philadelphia 76ers. Both these teams have been creating a slew of scoring chances over their last six games and both figure to be firing away here against two weak goalies. Six of Winnipeg’s last eight home games have gone under the total of 5½, causing the juice on this one to be on the wrong side.
Pass NBA & CBB
OC Dooley:2 UNIT” NBA EARLY AFTERNOON TOTAL (Bobcats at Bucks OVER 196’ in a 1:05 eastern tipoff): The key to this total is a big TRADE involving the two sides which I will detail at the bottom of this analysis. When you are a horrible teams like Milwaukee (13-53) normally a LACK of defensive intensity is a big problem and in the past five games alone they have allowed the opposition to average a hefty 108 points per contest. Today’s total has actually dipped from the opening offshore figure (199) mainly due to visiting Charlotte who thrives on defensive intensity and has played below the spot at a recent 4-1 clip holding down the opposition to an average of just 95 points per pop. But despite that defensive intensity the lone meeting this year between Charlotte and Milwaukee was a 111-110 shootout which soared above the mark and due to a recent TRADE one can expect a similar result. In a four player deal Gary Neal who clashed with the head coach went from Milwaukee to Cleveland. Neal along with Luke Ridnour both will make their grand returns to Milwaukee this afternoon with special motivation. Meanwhile Milwaukee’s Ramon Sessions has averaged near 13 points per game event since being acquired in that trade from Charlotte. In the past two years Milwaukee is a dazzling 14-3 OVER/HOME after successfully covering the spread 3 times in a four-game span
Members Area
PSYCHIC
(1-5)
5 unit Michigan +3 (WISEGUY)
WIZARD
(1-10)
7 unit Miami -5.5
JT WALKER
(all units same one unit)
1 unit Kentucky +6
Totals 4 U
(1-100% ratings)
Pass
Iceman
(1-3)
Pass
Genius
(1-10)
7 unit Phoenix +4.5
Sports Advisors, Joe Wright
(1-10)
6 unit San Antonio -15
Michael Cash Money
(1-10)
7 unit Kentucky +6
The Sports Report
(1-10)
7 unit Duke -1
PSYCHIC
(1-5)
5 unit Michigan +3 (WISEGUY)
WIZARD
(1-10)
7 unit Miami -5.5
JT WALKER
(all units same one unit)
1 unit Kentucky +6
Totals 4 U
(1-100% ratings)
Pass
Iceman
(1-3)
Pass
Genius
(1-10)
7 unit Phoenix +4.5
Sports Advisors, Joe Wright
(1-10)
6 unit San Antonio -15
Michael Cash Money
(1-10)
7 unit Kentucky +6
The Sports Report
(1-10)
7 unit Duke -1
