SPORTS WAGERS
Atlanta +1.60 over COLORADO
Since the trade of Kovalchuk to the Devils the Thrashers stock has crashed and they’ve been undervalued since. They’ve split its two games since the trade, losing in Washington and then winning in Florida. Against Washington they lost 5-2 but that is a misleading score, as they played a strong game, outshot the Caps 45-32 and ran into a hot goaltender. They were solid in that game and they were solid in the next one too. They actually did real well in that deal, picking up two very decent NHL players, a great prospect and a draft pick and the team looks no worse and probably better. The Thrashers look good folks and win, lose or draw here, they offer up some tremendous value in this one. The Av’s have won two straight but they beat the Oilers and Blues. Prior to that they had lost four of five and while they remain determined they also remain beatable and in no way should they be this big a favorite over the Thrashers. Definite overlay. Play: Atlanta +1.60 (Risking 2 units).
Washington -1½ +1.66 over MONTREAL
The fact that the Canadiens are still in the playoff hunt is a bigger mystery than Justin Bieber’s popularity. The Habs have been living off their goaltending, shootouts and the power-play and that’s how they’ve won games this season. However, with Cammalleri and Bergeron on the rack that power-play has suffered and will likely continue to do so. The Habs only shot here is once again a goaltender standing on his head and even that might not help. Aside from the reeling Oilers, this is the biggest mismatch the NHL has to offer and that’s all there is to it. The Canadiens continue to get badly outplayed on a nightly basis, usually giving up about a 3-1 ratio in scoring chances and somehow hanging in there. If this team makes the playoffs, which is highly unlikely, Jaroslav Halak should be the league’s MVP because without him, Montreal might have less wins than the Oilers. Against the Capitals, not even Chris Angel could make this illusion work. Play: Washington –1½ +1.66 (Risking 2 units).
PITTSBURGH –1½ +1.12 over NY Islanders
Can’t imagine the Penguins being flat tonight after a no show in Montreal on Saturday and after blowing a 4-1 lead in Washington on Sunday. The Pens will have had almost three full days to digest that and with three home games remaining until the break it’s safe to say that they want these last three games and this invader will likely give them the least trouble. The Islanders played their hearts out last night and won in OT against the Predators. They’ll get right back at it tonight and it looks like it’ll be Rick DiPietro in net after the team showcased Marty Biron last night. The Penguins are about as healthy as they’ve been all year and it’s also worth noting that Chris Kunitz has been back for two games now. They have everyone back and should take care of this intruder in rather easy fashion. The Islanders have not been the same since DiPietro showed up, as they have lost seven of its last eight. Play: Pittsburgh –1½ +1.12 (Risking 2 units).