SPORTS WAGERS
Toronto +230 over WASHINGTON (3-way betting line)
The Capitals finally played a solid all around game against the Senators on Wednesday but we’re going to have a see a string of those against some quality teams before we’re close to being convinced that the team has turned the corner. It was the Caps first regulation win in their past nine games. Throw out the Maple Leafs 0-4 record against the Bruins this season and they would be 15-6-3. The Leafs have recent wins in New York against the Rangers, a 5-2 win in Anaheim, a 7-1 win in Tampa Bay and when they’re scheduling has been favorable they’ve been as good as anyone. Toronto comes in here rested and ready to go. They’re getting tremendous production from three lines and both Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur return to the line-up. Leafs are too dangerous and coming on too strong to ignore at a price like this in a game they absolutely have a good chance of winning. Play: Toronto +230 (Risking 2 units).
Carolina +210 over WINNIPEG (3-way betting line)
The Jets are so tough in their own building and they’re getting tougher on the road too. We’ve been grabbing some great value betting on them all season and now we get some great value on the fade. The reason for the fade is that the Jets are coming off that playoff-like win over the Bruins in a game that had the fans standing for practically the whole third period. In an 82-game schedule there are going to be times when teams get really jacked up and there are going to be times when they suffer a letdown. It’s simply impossible to sustain high intensity levels every game and this looks like a sure letdown spot. The Jets have also won three in a row, they’re getting tremendous support and positive press from the local media and with that comes a sense of complacency. This is a vulnerable spot. The Hurricanes snapped an ugly 7-game losing streak with a much-needed win over the Oilers in their last game. That relieves some pressure and it’s also worth noting that the Canes have scored 11 times in the past two games. The goaltender battle here is confirmed to be Cam Ward against Chris Mason and that also favors the visitor. Play: Carolina +210 (Risking 2 units).
Florida +180 over BUFFALO (3-way betting line)
Don’t look now but if the Panthers win here the two conference leaders will be Florida and Minnesota. Huh? The Panthers go for first overall in the conference after skating into Boston and leaving with a 2-0 victory last night. While a letdown is possible, the Panthers have not shown that all season and they have to know that the Sabres are so beatable right now. Buffalo is not creating anything these days. They’re offensive time is limited to one shot and rarely are they getting any sustained pressure. A team that is not right and playing that way is indeed a beatable one. The Panthers had three days off before last night’s win so fatigue will not be an issue. This intruder is focused, confident, they love coming to the rink and to beat them you have to sharp. Buffalo hasn’t showed anything close to that recently and a turnaround in their play and attitude is not forthcoming anytime soon. Lindy Ruff could be on the way out. Play: Florida +180 (Risking 2 units).
EDMONTON -½ +108 over Colorado
The Oilers are a –155 on the money line and rarely do we them laying that much weight. When we see the books making the pooch a tempting proposition, it’s a good time to look at the chalk. What we see is a Colorado team playing the third leg of the dreaded three-game Western Canada trip. It’s the Av’s third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs after a hard fought 3-2 loss in Calgary last night. It’s also the Av’s fifth game since last Friday and that makes this assignment a daunting one at best. The Oilers are in need of a win badly. They’ve lost five of six and that includes a 5-3 loss to the then reeling Canes in their last game. Edmonton is a young and talented bunch that has lost its way after a nice first quarter. The line suggests they’ll dig down deep tonight and give it everything they got to get back on track against a Colorado team that should be running on fumes. Play: Edmonton -½ +108 (Risking 2 units).
Andrew Lange
Wyoming at Colorado
Play: Colorado -5.5
Last week I called out Tulane's suspect 9-0 start and was able to cash an outright underdog ticket with Wofford on its home court. I'm going to use the same theory tonight with Wyoming. Like Tulane, the Cowboys have been playing low-level competition (340th SOS non-conference) in the comforts of home and building confidence. Nothing wrong with that, especially for a program in need of a facelift, but we got a sneak peak of what we can expect to happen more frequently when Wyoming traveled to Wisconsin-Green Bay earlier this season and lost 52-44. I will give first-year head coach Larry Shyatt credit – the team is playing hard and defending each and every night. But tonight's opponent Colorado is a big step up in class in terms of offensive firepower and I think Wyoming won't be able to maintain its gaudy 94.8 points per possession defense. I'll admit Colorado is a tough team to lay points with in part because they play to the level of their opponents. CU’s seven DI games were decided by 11, 7, 5, 3 (OT), 2, 1, and 6. But all 11 of Wyoming's true road games last year were decided by double-digits (0-11) and even though there is a new culture in Laramie, I think they are in for a bit of a wake-up call tonight in Boulder.