Dave Mathews
Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Tampa Bay Rays -108
Tampa Bay beat Texas on the road to get to the wild-card game. Another win gets them a trip to Fenway Park in Boston and they send one of their best pitchers in Alex Cobb. He's given up just three runs in his last three starts, including a seven-inning scoreless stint against the Yankees in his last start. He takes on Danny Salazar, a rookie, who is in a tough situation. Cobb gave up on runs in 7 1/3 innings in his only start against Cleveland on April 6. Expect another dominant start for Cobb and the Rays.
Wunderdog
Buffalo at Detroit
Pick: Buffalo
The Detroit Red Wings will reduce their travel miles this season, as they switch to the Eastern Conference. Detroit needed wins in each of its final four games a year ago to keep a long playoffs streak in tact. This season, the talent level that once took the ice isn't quite the same as it used to be. A year ago the offense managed just 2.5 goals per game, and their margin for error was reduced dramatically. They did add Daniel Alfredsson but I think his best years are behind him. He has scored 40 goals in a season twice, but he's got 17 seasons of wear and tear on him and managed just 10 goals last season. The difference between these two teams is not that great, especially in game one, giving us line value on Buffalo. Take the Sabres.
Greg Shaker
Anaheim / Colorado Over 5.5
Oddsmakers will finally adjust to the new rules regarding the Nets and the Goalie Gear but until they do I am going to take advantage of some good numbers. Probably the best on the board tonight is this game and between my Database Guy and me we have reach a fair number here of 6.4. That's good enough for 2%. Helping our cause here is the fact that the Ducks are not deep on D and Colorado is Top Heavy with scorers this year, young and aggressive. This team is going to like the new NHL Rules a lot.