Now, let's go pick up another win! Here is today's system bet:
Brooklyn {A} bet - This is a confirmed official bet under the original betting system only
Note that bets labeled with {A} are bets under the original system, and are not Exterminator system plays. Only bet on these games if you are able to buy 3 points at -170 odds!
All bets labeled with either {B} or {C} are Exterminator system plays. Bet a flat percentage of your bankroll as instructed in the system manual.
Since you're a member of my Exterminator system, make sure to follow the guidelines below:
- All {A} bets are not part of the Exterminator system. Unless, however, if you have the ability to buy 3 points at -170 odds, then it is strongly advisable to place a small wager on all the {A} bets with buying 3 points, up to 5% of your bankroll. This is an optional betting strategy, which has proven to be a profitable one based on my research. Buying 3 points on {A} bets has won over 65% of the time over the years, so you should bet on {A} bets if you can buy 3 points at -170 odds.
-All {B} and {C} bets are qualified under both the original NBA system as well as the Exterminator system. For the Exterminator system, bet a flat percentage of your bankroll on both {B} and {C} bets. You do not need to buy any points on these bets under the Exterminator system.
- Remember to bet on the point spread (handicap line)
- If your team is a favorite, bet on the money line. If the team is a big favorite resulting in odds that are too unfavorable for you to be comfortable with, then you can either optionally skip the series, or bet on the point spread plus 3 points as normal (only applicable under the original NBA system), but do not continue betting on the series if your team wins the game but the bet does not cover.
Always consider the injury and the best/worst road team filters. Check the injuries to ensure your team's best player isn't out. I will always make my best effort to notify you of game-changing injuries whenever I am aware of them to ensure that you don't make wagers on team that don't pass the injury filter. However, I cannot make guarantees that I will always be able to be on top of every single injury, every game, every day, at all times. Some teams may hold off on releasing relevant injury information until much later in the day. A bet will be unofficial if it does not pass the filters of the system. Ultimately as a bettor, I always strongly encourage that if there's any uncertainty about the status of your team's best player for a game that you always check on final injury updates.
Good luck,
Tony Chau, author of the best-selling Exterminator Betting System
Brooklyn {A} bet - This is a confirmed official bet under the original betting system only
Note that bets labeled with {A} are bets under the original system, and are not Exterminator system plays. Only bet on these games if you are able to buy 3 points at -170 odds!
All bets labeled with either {B} or {C} are Exterminator system plays. Bet a flat percentage of your bankroll as instructed in the system manual.
Since you're a member of my Exterminator system, make sure to follow the guidelines below:
- All {A} bets are not part of the Exterminator system. Unless, however, if you have the ability to buy 3 points at -170 odds, then it is strongly advisable to place a small wager on all the {A} bets with buying 3 points, up to 5% of your bankroll. This is an optional betting strategy, which has proven to be a profitable one based on my research. Buying 3 points on {A} bets has won over 65% of the time over the years, so you should bet on {A} bets if you can buy 3 points at -170 odds.
-All {B} and {C} bets are qualified under both the original NBA system as well as the Exterminator system. For the Exterminator system, bet a flat percentage of your bankroll on both {B} and {C} bets. You do not need to buy any points on these bets under the Exterminator system.
- Remember to bet on the point spread (handicap line)
- If your team is a favorite, bet on the money line. If the team is a big favorite resulting in odds that are too unfavorable for you to be comfortable with, then you can either optionally skip the series, or bet on the point spread plus 3 points as normal (only applicable under the original NBA system), but do not continue betting on the series if your team wins the game but the bet does not cover.
Always consider the injury and the best/worst road team filters. Check the injuries to ensure your team's best player isn't out. I will always make my best effort to notify you of game-changing injuries whenever I am aware of them to ensure that you don't make wagers on team that don't pass the injury filter. However, I cannot make guarantees that I will always be able to be on top of every single injury, every game, every day, at all times. Some teams may hold off on releasing relevant injury information until much later in the day. A bet will be unofficial if it does not pass the filters of the system. Ultimately as a bettor, I always strongly encourage that if there's any uncertainty about the status of your team's best player for a game that you always check on final injury updates.
Good luck,
Tony Chau, author of the best-selling Exterminator Betting System
[h=1]Today's NBA Picks[/h] [h=2]New York at Philadelphia[/h] The Knicks head to Philadelphia tonight where they are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games versus the Sixers. New York is the pick (+1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Knicks favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: New York (+1 1/2). Here are all of today's NBA picks.
| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 Time Posted: 10:30 a.m. EST |
| Game 701-702: Utah at Cleveland (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Utah 115.316; Cleveland 126.104 Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 11; 204 Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 9; 198 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-9); Over |
| Game 703-704: Miami at Charlotte (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Miami 117.384; Charlotte 125.537 Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 8; 192 Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 5 1/2; 186 Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-5 1/2); Over |
| Game 705-706: New York at Philadelphia (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New York 110.771; Philadelphia 109.079 Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 1 1/2; 184 Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 190 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New York (+1 1/2); Under |
| Game 707-708: Orlando at Detroit (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 114.167; Detroit 121.892 Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 7 1/2 or 21.5; Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 9; 204 Dunkel Pick: Orlando (+9); Under |
| Game 709-710: Indiana at Atlanta (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 118.992; Atlanta 127.834 Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 9; 185 Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 11 1/2; Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+11 1/2); Under |
| Game 711-712: Toronto at Memphis (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 118.244; Memphis 120.307 Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 2; 192 Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 6; 198 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+6); Under |
| Game 713-714: Dallas at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 125.824; Minnesota 110.958 Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 15; 219 Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 10 1/2; 214 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-10 1/2); Over |
| Game 715-716: LA Lakers at New Orleans (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 112.068; New Orleans 122.072 Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 10; 210 Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 8; 206 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-8); Over |
| Game 717-718: Oklahoma City at Washington (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 125.474; Washington 120.441 Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 5; 210 Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 205 Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (+1 1/2); Over |
| Game 719-720: Portland at Phoenix (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Portland 119.630; Phoenix 122.823 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 3; 215 Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6 1/2; 211 Dunkel Pick: Portland (+6 1/2); Over |
| Game 721-722: Brooklyn at Sacramento (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Brooklyn 111.806; Sacramento 123.494 Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 11 1/2; 193 Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 5 1/2; 197 Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (-5 1/2); Under |
| Game 723-724: Houston at Golden State (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Houston 120.565; Golden State 135.512 Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 15; 212 Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 7 1/2; 217 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Golden State (-7 1/2); Under |
[h=1]Today's NHL Picks[/h] [h=2]Toronto at Ottawa[/h] The Maple Leafs head to Ottawa tonight following a 4-1 loss to Carolina and come into the contest with an 0-4 record in their last 4 games after scoring 2 goals or less in the previous game. Ottawa is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Senators favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (-140). Here are all of today's NHL picks.
| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 Time Posted: 9:30 a.m. EST |
| Game 1-2: Toronto at Ottawa (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.233; Ottawa 11.847 Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-140); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (-140); Over |
| Game 3-4: Chicago at Pittsburgh (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 13.203; Pittsburgh 11.776 Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-115); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-115); Over |
| Game 5-6: Columbus at Winnipeg (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.776; Winnipeg 10.818 Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg (-160); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140); Under |
| Game 7-8: Calgary at Anaheim (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 12.302; Anaheim 11.441 Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-200); 5 Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+170); Under |
| Game 9-10: Boston at Colorado (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Boston 12.404; Colorado 10.877 Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-115); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Boston (-115); Over |
| Game 11-12: Los Angeles at San Jose (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.203; San Jose 12.775 Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 5 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-125); 5 Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-125); Over |
Sportswagers
Bradley @ SO ILLINOIS
8:00 PM EST. There are 351 teams in Division I college basketball. The Southern Illinois Salukis strength of schedule (SOS) ranks 308th in the country. When you are mixing and matching non-conference games, SOS means everything. It truly is a true measure of just how good or bad a squad it. Despite playing one of the easiest schedules in the nation, SIU is just 1-5 in the conference and just 8-11 overall. Southern Illinois also ranks near the bottom in every statistical category, including rebounding, points per game and assists per game. You can’t spot spots with really bad teams because it has such a low win expectation. One would think the Salukis would have some skewed numbers in their favor because of the weak competition they’ve faced but that is not the case at all. They have awful numbers against awful teams. Bradley is a bad team also but they’re not the team spotting weight.
The Braves have a great chance to win this one outright. Their strength of schedule ranks 106th in the country, which is a crazy and significant 202 positions higher than the Salukis. Bradley has already played two ranked teams aside from K-State and TCU. Indeed the Braves are just 1-5 in the conference and just 6-13 overall but that 6-13 overall mark is so much better than SIU’s 8-11 mark because of the competition each has played. On January 13th, Bradley had a really decent game against #23 Northern Iowa. Despite a 32-2 run by NIU, the Braves lost by just 11. They lost to K-State by just three and to TCU by just eight. Tramique Sutherland missed the first nine games this season with a fractured finger but has made up for lost time since returning to the court. Dude can score and so too can Josh Cunningham, who is very capable of putting up a double-double every time he steps on the court. The Braves are a good notch or two better than the Salukis and have proven so against a better class of competition. Take the points and run.
Our Pick
#755 Bradley +4½ -106 (Risking 2.12 units - To Win: 2.00)
Bradley @ SO ILLINOIS
8:00 PM EST. There are 351 teams in Division I college basketball. The Southern Illinois Salukis strength of schedule (SOS) ranks 308th in the country. When you are mixing and matching non-conference games, SOS means everything. It truly is a true measure of just how good or bad a squad it. Despite playing one of the easiest schedules in the nation, SIU is just 1-5 in the conference and just 8-11 overall. Southern Illinois also ranks near the bottom in every statistical category, including rebounding, points per game and assists per game. You can’t spot spots with really bad teams because it has such a low win expectation. One would think the Salukis would have some skewed numbers in their favor because of the weak competition they’ve faced but that is not the case at all. They have awful numbers against awful teams. Bradley is a bad team also but they’re not the team spotting weight.
The Braves have a great chance to win this one outright. Their strength of schedule ranks 106th in the country, which is a crazy and significant 202 positions higher than the Salukis. Bradley has already played two ranked teams aside from K-State and TCU. Indeed the Braves are just 1-5 in the conference and just 6-13 overall but that 6-13 overall mark is so much better than SIU’s 8-11 mark because of the competition each has played. On January 13th, Bradley had a really decent game against #23 Northern Iowa. Despite a 32-2 run by NIU, the Braves lost by just 11. They lost to K-State by just three and to TCU by just eight. Tramique Sutherland missed the first nine games this season with a fractured finger but has made up for lost time since returning to the court. Dude can score and so too can Josh Cunningham, who is very capable of putting up a double-double every time he steps on the court. The Braves are a good notch or two better than the Salukis and have proven so against a better class of competition. Take the points and run.
Our Pick
#755 Bradley +4½ -106 (Risking 2.12 units - To Win: 2.00)
Sportswagers
Toronto @ OTTAWA
OTTAWA -½ +124 over Toronto
Regulation only. Forget Toronto’s woes for a second and focus on just how good these Senators are playing right now. The results don’t show it because Ottawa has dropped six of eight but four of those losses were by one goal and the Sens have outshot every team they have played in their last seven games. In fact, in its last seven games, Ottawa leads the NHL in scoring chances over that span and its 36.7 shots on goal average over that same span is also the best mark in the league. Ottawa is coming off back-to-back, one goal road losses to Carolina and the Rangers with the latter going into OT. Those are a pair of outstanding defensive teams. Prior to that, Ottawa scored 13 times in three games against weaker defensive teams in Montreal, Dallas and Arizona. They scored at least four times in all three of those games and now will face the NHL’s weakest defense.
The Maple Leafs have lost 13 of 16 and you certainly don’t need us to tell you the extent of their troubles. The Maple Leafs have made headlines across the country because they were booed off the ice in their last game during what is being labeled “jerseygate”. Three fans were charged for throwing their Maple Leafs jerseys onto the ice. Said Captain Dion Phaneuf, “It’s disrespectful”. How dare he say that when Toronto’s play has been so bad for years and especially bad since the day that stiff arrived in Toronto. How dare he use the word disrespectful to the people who pay his salary. Talk about disrespect and one need not look further than the timing of the Maple Leafs firing of Randy Carlyle. That happened on the morning of January 6, when Canada’s juniors won gold the night before. Coincidence? We don’t believe in coincidences. That championship junior game was played at the ACC and instead of letting the juniors have their day in the limelight, the Maple Leafs hijacked the hockey headlines that day with the firing of Carlyle. Everything this franchise does is Mickey Mouse. They are comprised of a bunch of losers that have either been cut, picked up off waivers or traded because nobody else wanted them. Toronto’s collection of former fourth-line players, healthy scratches and rejects also has the worst work ethic in the entire league. When the Maple Leafs were winning games earlier in the year, it was only because Jonathan Bernier was standing on his head every night. Well, Bernier's in a slump. He now has lost four games in a row and six of his past seven. His record has fallen to 16-14-3 and his goals-against average has bloated to 2.76 and his save percentage is average at .914. Toronto can’t wait for this game to end so they can take seven days off to get away from all the scrutiny they’re under right now. Can the Leafs win this game? Of course they can but chances are they’re going to get badly outplayed, outworked and outscored by a hungrier, more talented and more focused Senators club that is actually playing very well right now.
Our Pick
OTTAWA -½ +124 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.48)
Calgary @ ANAHEIM
Calgary +171 over ANAHEIM
OT included. In the world of hockey analytics, the theory is that a team's record in one-goal games is almost entirely unpredictable. This was first established by Gabriel Desjardins of Hockey Prospectus after the 2008-09 season. He ran a regression analysis on every team's data from 1979-80 through 2003-04 and found that the season-to-season correlation of a team's record in one-goal games was almost nonexistent (0.05). The research since 2004 shows the same thing and so did Hockey Abstract’s research in 2013 even when using three-season data samples. Essentially, the ability to win close games comes and goes, which further proves that random, lucky bounces have more to do with it than skill. The Calgary Flames had an awful year a season ago but lost 32 games by one goal. Based on that, it should come as no surprise that they’re having a very good rebound season. Analytics said last year that the Flames were a good team having an unlucky year and things have evened out for them this season. To further prove this, Colorado’s record in one goal games last season was the best in the NHL with a 28-12 record and we all know what is happening to them this year. The unluckiest teams this year are the Kings (5-18 in one goal games), Oilers (7-17) and the Carolina Hurricanes (8-18). That brings us to the lucky teams.
At the top of the list is the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are an incredible 22-0 in regulation in one goal games. They have six OT losses so their overall record is 22-6 in one goal games. That mark is absolutely, 100% unsustainable. A study was done on each NHL team's set of records from 2009-10 through 2011-12 and found that a team's winning percentage in games decided by two goals or more was far more useful in predicting its future than a team's record in one-goal games. In that regard, the Ducks are 1-3 in two goal games and 7-7 in three goal games. The Ducks are statistically no more likely to win close games down the stretch than most other teams and so the time to fade this club is now. Anaheim’s unparalleled success in one-goal games has them as the most overvalued team in the NHL but if things even out, as they almost always do, there is a ton of profit to be made fading them. The Flames are going with the hot hand of Joni Ortio and we’re happy to be backing them at this sweet price.
Our Pick
Calgary +171 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 3.42)
Los Angeles @ SAN JOSE
Los Angeles +104 over SAN JOSE
OT included. If we’re going to apply the one-goal wins and losses to the Ducks, we can certainly apply that same theory to the Kings. As mentioned, Los Angeles is 5-18 in one goal games, which is a winning percentage of .217. That is the NHL’s worst mark this season in one goal games and it is almost guaranteed to see a huge improvement in the second half. In two goal-games, Los Angeles is 8-2 and in three-goal games, they are 7-6. That’s a combined 15-8 in the more telling record of two and three-goal victories and defeats. L.A. has lost three in a row and six of seven. Five of those six losses were by one goal. The good news is that the Kings outshot the opposition in five of those six losses and have outshot the opposition in 13 of its last 14 games. That includes outshooting the Flames 27-15 and Edmonton 39-21 and losing them both. The Kings are winning the battle of puck possession time and shots on goal almost every game, which strongly suggests they are still a great team that is in for a huge second half run. Jonathan Quick has looked much sharper the past two games and if he gets back to his expected form, the Kings are a freight train waiting to happen.
The Sharks are the inferior team here and it’s not even close. Antti Niemi is hit and miss. He can be very good one game and just awful the next. The bottom line is that Niemi is and always has been an average goaltender that we’re happy taking back a tag against. Besides that, San Jose is struggling but unlike the Kings, its struggles are warranted. The Sharks are almost exactly .500 in one-goal, two-goal and three-goal games. Outside of a stretch from November 29 to December 20 in which the Sharks won 9 of 10 games, they have struggled the entire season. Since the run, San Jose has just five wins in 13 games. They are coming off back-to-back losses to New Jersey and Calgary in which they surrendered nine goals against. What we know for sure is that the Sharks are far more beatable than the Kings and that makes taking back this tag an easy choice.
Our Pick
Los Angeles +104 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.08)
Toronto @ OTTAWA
OTTAWA -½ +124 over Toronto
Regulation only. Forget Toronto’s woes for a second and focus on just how good these Senators are playing right now. The results don’t show it because Ottawa has dropped six of eight but four of those losses were by one goal and the Sens have outshot every team they have played in their last seven games. In fact, in its last seven games, Ottawa leads the NHL in scoring chances over that span and its 36.7 shots on goal average over that same span is also the best mark in the league. Ottawa is coming off back-to-back, one goal road losses to Carolina and the Rangers with the latter going into OT. Those are a pair of outstanding defensive teams. Prior to that, Ottawa scored 13 times in three games against weaker defensive teams in Montreal, Dallas and Arizona. They scored at least four times in all three of those games and now will face the NHL’s weakest defense.
The Maple Leafs have lost 13 of 16 and you certainly don’t need us to tell you the extent of their troubles. The Maple Leafs have made headlines across the country because they were booed off the ice in their last game during what is being labeled “jerseygate”. Three fans were charged for throwing their Maple Leafs jerseys onto the ice. Said Captain Dion Phaneuf, “It’s disrespectful”. How dare he say that when Toronto’s play has been so bad for years and especially bad since the day that stiff arrived in Toronto. How dare he use the word disrespectful to the people who pay his salary. Talk about disrespect and one need not look further than the timing of the Maple Leafs firing of Randy Carlyle. That happened on the morning of January 6, when Canada’s juniors won gold the night before. Coincidence? We don’t believe in coincidences. That championship junior game was played at the ACC and instead of letting the juniors have their day in the limelight, the Maple Leafs hijacked the hockey headlines that day with the firing of Carlyle. Everything this franchise does is Mickey Mouse. They are comprised of a bunch of losers that have either been cut, picked up off waivers or traded because nobody else wanted them. Toronto’s collection of former fourth-line players, healthy scratches and rejects also has the worst work ethic in the entire league. When the Maple Leafs were winning games earlier in the year, it was only because Jonathan Bernier was standing on his head every night. Well, Bernier's in a slump. He now has lost four games in a row and six of his past seven. His record has fallen to 16-14-3 and his goals-against average has bloated to 2.76 and his save percentage is average at .914. Toronto can’t wait for this game to end so they can take seven days off to get away from all the scrutiny they’re under right now. Can the Leafs win this game? Of course they can but chances are they’re going to get badly outplayed, outworked and outscored by a hungrier, more talented and more focused Senators club that is actually playing very well right now.
Our Pick
OTTAWA -½ +124 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.48)
Calgary @ ANAHEIM
Calgary +171 over ANAHEIM
OT included. In the world of hockey analytics, the theory is that a team's record in one-goal games is almost entirely unpredictable. This was first established by Gabriel Desjardins of Hockey Prospectus after the 2008-09 season. He ran a regression analysis on every team's data from 1979-80 through 2003-04 and found that the season-to-season correlation of a team's record in one-goal games was almost nonexistent (0.05). The research since 2004 shows the same thing and so did Hockey Abstract’s research in 2013 even when using three-season data samples. Essentially, the ability to win close games comes and goes, which further proves that random, lucky bounces have more to do with it than skill. The Calgary Flames had an awful year a season ago but lost 32 games by one goal. Based on that, it should come as no surprise that they’re having a very good rebound season. Analytics said last year that the Flames were a good team having an unlucky year and things have evened out for them this season. To further prove this, Colorado’s record in one goal games last season was the best in the NHL with a 28-12 record and we all know what is happening to them this year. The unluckiest teams this year are the Kings (5-18 in one goal games), Oilers (7-17) and the Carolina Hurricanes (8-18). That brings us to the lucky teams.
At the top of the list is the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are an incredible 22-0 in regulation in one goal games. They have six OT losses so their overall record is 22-6 in one goal games. That mark is absolutely, 100% unsustainable. A study was done on each NHL team's set of records from 2009-10 through 2011-12 and found that a team's winning percentage in games decided by two goals or more was far more useful in predicting its future than a team's record in one-goal games. In that regard, the Ducks are 1-3 in two goal games and 7-7 in three goal games. The Ducks are statistically no more likely to win close games down the stretch than most other teams and so the time to fade this club is now. Anaheim’s unparalleled success in one-goal games has them as the most overvalued team in the NHL but if things even out, as they almost always do, there is a ton of profit to be made fading them. The Flames are going with the hot hand of Joni Ortio and we’re happy to be backing them at this sweet price.
Our Pick
Calgary +171 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 3.42)
Los Angeles @ SAN JOSE
Los Angeles +104 over SAN JOSE
OT included. If we’re going to apply the one-goal wins and losses to the Ducks, we can certainly apply that same theory to the Kings. As mentioned, Los Angeles is 5-18 in one goal games, which is a winning percentage of .217. That is the NHL’s worst mark this season in one goal games and it is almost guaranteed to see a huge improvement in the second half. In two goal-games, Los Angeles is 8-2 and in three-goal games, they are 7-6. That’s a combined 15-8 in the more telling record of two and three-goal victories and defeats. L.A. has lost three in a row and six of seven. Five of those six losses were by one goal. The good news is that the Kings outshot the opposition in five of those six losses and have outshot the opposition in 13 of its last 14 games. That includes outshooting the Flames 27-15 and Edmonton 39-21 and losing them both. The Kings are winning the battle of puck possession time and shots on goal almost every game, which strongly suggests they are still a great team that is in for a huge second half run. Jonathan Quick has looked much sharper the past two games and if he gets back to his expected form, the Kings are a freight train waiting to happen.
The Sharks are the inferior team here and it’s not even close. Antti Niemi is hit and miss. He can be very good one game and just awful the next. The bottom line is that Niemi is and always has been an average goaltender that we’re happy taking back a tag against. Besides that, San Jose is struggling but unlike the Kings, its struggles are warranted. The Sharks are almost exactly .500 in one-goal, two-goal and three-goal games. Outside of a stretch from November 29 to December 20 in which the Sharks won 9 of 10 games, they have struggled the entire season. Since the run, San Jose has just five wins in 13 games. They are coming off back-to-back losses to New Jersey and Calgary in which they surrendered nine goals against. What we know for sure is that the Sharks are far more beatable than the Kings and that makes taking back this tag an easy choice.
Our Pick
Los Angeles +104 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.08)
Welcome to Ecks & Bacon for Wednesday, January 21, 2015 (Chalk/Benjamin Lee Eckstein)
Wake Forest +8
Heading down to Tobacco Road and using Wake Forest +8 points over North Carolina. Why use a 9-9 Wake team against a Carolina squad that is sitting at 14-4??? Here's why. The Demon Deacons might be 9-9 straight up, but they come in to this revenge matchup riding a 7-0 PERFECTO against the spread. And with covers against Duke, Louisville, Florida and Syracuse, we AIN'T talking cupcakes. Did I say revenge? OH YEA. Last season, Wake rolled over to Chapel Hill and was obliterated/HUMILIATED by the Tar Heels, 105-72. Danny Manning was not coaching last year, Jeff Bzdelik was, but we can guarantee that Manning will have THAT score on the chalkboard. And by the way, I was at that game, sat next to a kid that I went to Junior High school with and had not seen in like 40 years. Then later in the evening, went to the Cameron Indoor Stadium to catch the Duke/Syracuse matchup. Totally BESERK and one of the BEST days EVER!!! If you've never been, GO!!! Gimme half a Benjamin on Wake Forest.
Wake Forest +8
Heading down to Tobacco Road and using Wake Forest +8 points over North Carolina. Why use a 9-9 Wake team against a Carolina squad that is sitting at 14-4??? Here's why. The Demon Deacons might be 9-9 straight up, but they come in to this revenge matchup riding a 7-0 PERFECTO against the spread. And with covers against Duke, Louisville, Florida and Syracuse, we AIN'T talking cupcakes. Did I say revenge? OH YEA. Last season, Wake rolled over to Chapel Hill and was obliterated/HUMILIATED by the Tar Heels, 105-72. Danny Manning was not coaching last year, Jeff Bzdelik was, but we can guarantee that Manning will have THAT score on the chalkboard. And by the way, I was at that game, sat next to a kid that I went to Junior High school with and had not seen in like 40 years. Then later in the evening, went to the Cameron Indoor Stadium to catch the Duke/Syracuse matchup. Totally BESERK and one of the BEST days EVER!!! If you've never been, GO!!! Gimme half a Benjamin on Wake Forest.
