VegasButcher (NHL 4-1 Overall)
Tampa Bay Lightning -145
In the last few weeks the Sharks have losses against Florida (4-1), Buffalo (2-1), and Columbus (5-4). These are some of the worst teams in the league. Now they’ll take on a Tampa Bay team that has a SRS (goal differential adjusted for strength of schedule) rating of 1.0, the same rating as the Chicago Blackhawks, the 2nd ranked team in all of NHL. San Jose actually played @ Chicago a few games back and the Hawks were listed as a -170 home favorite. Today, Tampa is only at -145. I know the Sharks were on a b2b in the game @ Chicago, but still, that does not explain the full 25-cent difference between the two. Tampa is coming off a loss, their 5th loss this season. This team has NOT had two consecutive losses yet, and has bounced back to beat their four opponents by a combined margin of 20-7, following a loss. Sharks are in a middle of a very long 7-game road trip, and I like Tampa chances of bouncing back at home.
NBA (20-15 Overall)
Chicago Bulls +2.5
A premier game tonight as the two of the better Eastern Conference teams square off in this one. As of right now, both teams will be at full strength. The key here could be Chicago’s ability to shoot the ball (52.5% eFG%, #6) versus Toronto’s D (allowing 51.8% eFG%-a, #23). In addition, Toronto is a pretty mediocre rebounding team. That’s a factor in Chicago’s favor, who themselves have really struggled on the boards this season. Bulls playing with all key players in the lineup only for the 2nd time this year, so their so-so performances so far this season shouldn’t hold as much weight. I think we’ll see two strong teams tonight but I believe Chicago is a better overall squad.