DAVE COKIN
BLUE JACKETS – 135
Okay, let’s get the bad news out of the way at the top. Columbus has not been winning much lately and the culprit has been shoddy defense and leaky goaltending. That has to stated right at the top, as I normally don’t like playing on teams in this form.
But I also like the idea of going against the Red Wings. Yes, Detroit has won two straight. But the Wings were extremely fortunate in both victories. They topped the Islanders in a game that featured some really fluky goals, and the Detroit game winner late in regulation was a classic. A shot from the left bounced off one Islander, then deflected off another and eventually found its way past the goalie. Cheap goal would be an understatement.
Next up was the weekend win at Nashville. The Red Wings were totally dominated in this game, but goalie Mrazek, who has not been good lately, had perhaps the best game of his career. Maybe he can do it again tonight, but I kind of doubt it and the Detroit offense isn’t exactly setting the world on fire these days.
One other piece of info worth including here is how spectacularly well Columbus has done when well rested. This team is 15-3 for the season playing on two or more days rest, including a perfect 6-0 when off a loss.
I think the brief break is just what the doctor ordered for Columbus and I expect them to skate well tonight at Detroit. I’ll spot the price in this one with the Blue Jackets.
BLUE JACKETS – 135
Okay, let’s get the bad news out of the way at the top. Columbus has not been winning much lately and the culprit has been shoddy defense and leaky goaltending. That has to stated right at the top, as I normally don’t like playing on teams in this form.
But I also like the idea of going against the Red Wings. Yes, Detroit has won two straight. But the Wings were extremely fortunate in both victories. They topped the Islanders in a game that featured some really fluky goals, and the Detroit game winner late in regulation was a classic. A shot from the left bounced off one Islander, then deflected off another and eventually found its way past the goalie. Cheap goal would be an understatement.
Next up was the weekend win at Nashville. The Red Wings were totally dominated in this game, but goalie Mrazek, who has not been good lately, had perhaps the best game of his career. Maybe he can do it again tonight, but I kind of doubt it and the Detroit offense isn’t exactly setting the world on fire these days.
One other piece of info worth including here is how spectacularly well Columbus has done when well rested. This team is 15-3 for the season playing on two or more days rest, including a perfect 6-0 when off a loss.
I think the brief break is just what the doctor ordered for Columbus and I expect them to skate well tonight at Detroit. I’ll spot the price in this one with the Blue Jackets.
Bryan Leonard
Charlotte -10½
We don't normally lay this type of number with a team struggling like the Hornets, but there is a major talent mismatch here. Charlotte returns home after facing the likes of Utah, Golden State, Portland and Sacramento. All teams playing well and fighting for playoff spots. The last time these two tangled Charlotte was favored by 12 and won by 7. But since them the Nets have fallen even further into the basement and Charlotte has had the past two days off.
Charlotte -10½
We don't normally lay this type of number with a team struggling like the Hornets, but there is a major talent mismatch here. Charlotte returns home after facing the likes of Utah, Golden State, Portland and Sacramento. All teams playing well and fighting for playoff spots. The last time these two tangled Charlotte was favored by 12 and won by 7. But since them the Nets have fallen even further into the basement and Charlotte has had the past two days off.
Sleepyj
Nets / Hornets Over 217
These are the two coldest teams in the league right now...combined they have lost 16 straight games and it's all due to the defense...Neither team right now is doing anything on the defensive end and they are giving up triple digits nightly....The last win for the Hornets was against this Nets team 8 games back...i think they come out looking to outrun the nets here tonight....That could be a problem because the Nets will run and gun all night long...Nets will be on a back to back with a game on Wednesday night, but the Hornets have a day off before they play the Rockets at home...So I expect a high minute count for the starters for the Hornets...They should hit the 115 mark tonight without issue,...Nets avg about 105ppg and I think they get to that mark tonight also....It's really the defense and the situation I'll be playing here tonight...This will be the forth meeting between these two teams..They know what works more on the offensive end against each other...Bad defense tend to figure things out no matter who they play...Plus both teams can play fast and that alone has me liking the over by itself....I think we see a 116-106 type of game...Line is a tad low as I had this one 221.5
Nets / Hornets Over 217
These are the two coldest teams in the league right now...combined they have lost 16 straight games and it's all due to the defense...Neither team right now is doing anything on the defensive end and they are giving up triple digits nightly....The last win for the Hornets was against this Nets team 8 games back...i think they come out looking to outrun the nets here tonight....That could be a problem because the Nets will run and gun all night long...Nets will be on a back to back with a game on Wednesday night, but the Hornets have a day off before they play the Rockets at home...So I expect a high minute count for the starters for the Hornets...They should hit the 115 mark tonight without issue,...Nets avg about 105ppg and I think they get to that mark tonight also....It's really the defense and the situation I'll be playing here tonight...This will be the forth meeting between these two teams..They know what works more on the offensive end against each other...Bad defense tend to figure things out no matter who they play...Plus both teams can play fast and that alone has me liking the over by itself....I think we see a 116-106 type of game...Line is a tad low as I had this one 221.5
