Stephen Nover
Montreal +105
You have to have a long memory to now recall Montreal opening 9-0. Shortly after that the Canadiens lost Carey Price. It has been a steep decline ever since. In fact, the Canadiens' 10-23-1 record since the start of December is the worst in the NHL.
So why get involved with Montreal against a Nashville team that has been extremely competitive on the road? Good question. It's a belief the Canadiens play hard at home in front of their proud fans exerting maximum effort. They have started to show some life winning the past four times at home. I'm attracted to the underdog price.
This is a low total and Nashville has lost in 10 of its 11 overtime games this season. The Predators also may be without defenseman Barret Jackman, who has an upper-body injury.
Marc Lawrence
NCAA-B | Feb 22, 2016
Texas vs. Kansas State
Play: Kansas State Pk
Edges - Wildcats: 8-1 ATS with revenge in this series, including 5-0 ATS at home; and 6-1 SU and 7-0 ATS home with revenge in games after facing Kansas. Longhorns: 3-7 ATS after facing Baylor, including 0-3 ATS away; and 2-7 ATS away before facing Oklahoma when playing an avenging opponent. With KSU off a pair of previous home losses, we recommend a 1* play on Kansas State.
Will Rogers
Iowa State vs. West Virginia
Play: West Virginia -5
The West Virginia Mountaineers will host BIG12 rivals Iowa State Monday, and only one game separates these two teams in the standings. The Mountaineers will be a favorite at home, where they have won 11-of-13 games this season. My money is on the Mountaineers.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Home Cookin' - The Mountaineers have been a good bet at home in recent seasons, covering in 13 of their last 17 games in Morgantown. They are dominant defensively on their home floor, allowing opponents to average just 58.4 points on 39.1 percent shooting.
2. Lack of Depth - The Cyclones are really thin on the bench, especially with a banged up Jameel McKay. Their bench has not contributed a single point in their last two games, and McKay fouled out with no points in the loss to Baylor on Tuesday, and then sat out against TCU on Saturday.
3. X-Factor - The Cyclones have failed to cover in four of their last five games against teams with a winning record.
Ari Atari
Predators vs. Canadiens
Play: Predators -118
The Canadiens look to extend their home win streak to five games, something they haven't done since the first month of the season and will probably fail to do tonight. Yes, they're coming off a win, but it's against a Philadelphia team that is flat out awful this season. The media is savaging the leaders of this team, especially the divisive PK Subban, who reportedly isn't exactly a beloved figure in his own dressing room. Their top forwards aren't getting it done either. Plekanec has been mediocre, Pacioretty has been less than productive, and Gallagher has gone very, very quiet. Below average goal tending the horrific coaching only exacerbate the injuries and lack of scoring depth on this roster. Nashville is coming off a tough 2-1 loss to the Kings and look to redeem themselves in the Bell Centre to keep their consecutive game point streak alive. The Preds are fighting for their playoff lives and are hoping that goalie Pekka Rinne has finally found his game after stopping 57 of his last 59 shots. He's also one of the few goalies with a strong road record in Montreal. If Nashville can hold them off through the first period on the road, their heavy Western conference style should wear down a group that hasn't been playing with much confidence.
Bob Harvey
Virginia vs. Miami
Play: Miami Pk
It’s a HUGE ACC matchup as 8th ranked Virginia visits 10th rated Miami. The Hurricanes are coming off an embarrassing 96-71 loss at North Carolina a game in which they trailed by as many as 38 points. They’ll face a well-rested Virginia Cavaliers that hasn’t played in seven days and have won eight of their past nine games.
The defense first Cavs beat North Carolina State 73-53 in their most recent game as they continued to play suffocating D - opponents have averaged only 49.2 points in Virginia's last five wins. Led by senior guard Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia's offense isn't bad either - coach Tony Bennett's team is seventh in the nation in field-goal percentage (49.6), 10th in 3-point percentage (40.6) and 17th in free-throw percentage (75.4). Virginia ranks second nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 59.5 points per game.
The Hurricanes are 13-1 SU at home (9-3-1 ATS) while the Cavaliers are just 4-5 on the road (6-7 ATS)
Jimmy Adams
Texas vs. Kansas St
Play: Texas Pk
Texas has dropped 3 of their last 4 games and thus we're getting a steal with the spread here in this Monday night matchup. Sure, the Longhorns have lost a few games recently, but the competition that they've played has been vastly superior to that of Kansas State. UT's most recent defeat came at the hands of Baylor. It was a bad loss and one that will have Texas motivated and ready to play.
On paper the Longhorns are simply the more talented team. I can only assume that the odds makers are counting on Kansas State's home court advantage to be a huge factor. As you can probably tell, I'm not very impressed with the current personnel of the Wildcats. These same Cats have also lost 3 of their last 4, and they are overmatched in the coaching department as well. Shaka Smart is a much better coach than Bruce Weber. Look for Smart to have his guys fired up and ready to roll for this one.
Jesse Schule
Nashville Predators vs. Montreal Canadiens
Play: Montreal Canadiens +107
The Habs began the season with a historically good start, but since their starting goaltender Carey Price went down with an injury, they've been one of the league's worst teams. They have shown some positive signs at home though, winning four straight at the Bell Centre. It's coming down to crunch time as far as making the playoffs in the East, and it doesn't look like Price will be coming to the rescue. Mike Condon has really struggled as the starter, but he's coming off one of the best performances of his career. He stopped 35 shots, and then several more in the shootout in a 3-2 home win over the Flyers on Friday. Backup Ben Scrivens has also been better on home ice, with a record of 3-1 with a 1.96 GAA at the Bell Centre. The Habs host Nashville tonight, and the Predators have just three win in nine games so far this month. Goaltending has been an issue for Nashville, with starter Pekka Rinne losing five of his last seven starts while posting a 2.72 GAA. While this game is key for both teams, I think the Preds are more likely to slip up after picking up points in seven straight road games. Montreal needs it more, and I expect Les Habitants to deliver on home ice.
Power Sports
Iowa St. vs. West Virginia
Pick: West Virginia
This is a big game for both teams, but especially WVU, who can move into 2nd place in the Big 12 despite a loss their last time out. That loss occurred here in Morgantown, Saturday vs. Oklahoma, as what was a tied game (w/ just under 8 mins remaining) quickly morphed into a 14-point loss. I look for a bounce back here.
That was only the second home loss of the season for WVU, who is still outscoring its opponents by 23.8 points per game here in Morgantown. The Mountaineers also already own an 81-76 win over Iowa State this year, as 5-pt road 'dogs, which is no small feat. That game took place just three weeks ago & it marked only the sixth home loss for ISU in their last 75 games in Ames. Those banking on the revenge angle here best think again as the Cyclones are 0-3 ATS L3 seasons seeking revenge for a home loss and are just 4-5 SU in "true" road games while averaging eight points per game fewer than they do at home.
WVU is actually off B2B losses here as they also fell at Texas last week. The game vs. Oklahoma saw atypical performances in both overall shooting (33 percent from the field) and rebounding (-11 margin). This team leads the Big 12 in rebounding margin (+8.6 per game) and shoots 45%. I expect them to own the boards here against an Iowa State team that just got outrebounded by TCU, who is the worst rebounding team in the conference. That game also saw the Cyclones give up 83 points and fail to cover as big 17-pt favorites. Lay the small number is my recommendation.
Jim Feist
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: Detroit Pistons
Big letdown spot here on Monday for the Cavs, who are coming off a big win on Sunday at Oklahoma City. Not only did the Cavs win big, but this is the second of a back-to-back spot for Cleveland. Sunday's win was the fifth in a row for the Cavs and their 13th in their last 17 games. Additionally, the Cavs could be without star guard Kyrie Irving, who had to leave Sunday's contest with an illness. The Pistons have been struggling, losing their fifth straight game on Sunday. The Pistons have done well in Cleveland of late, covering six of the last eight meetings there. This play is really more against the Cavs than anything. If Irving doesn't play then the club will already be short and with the back-to-back spot I'm sure they will look to rest Lebron some here. Don't need Detroit to win outright, just cover the spread.
Alex Smart
Sharks vs. Blues
Play: Under 5
The Sharks enter this game against their hosts the Blues having gone under in 5 of their L/7 road games and are 3-1-2 on the under in their L/6 against an above .500 opponent like they will face tonight. Meanwhile. the Blues, have gone under in 5 straight at home vs an above .600 road side like the Sharks, and are 12-1 under in their L/13 vs an above .500 side. Both teams are playing some of their best hockey of the season, and i expect this game , plays out like a post season tilt, with lots of physical play and chess like moves being made in a transition. Everything points to a lower scoring event. St.Louis goalie Brian Elliott make is on a 12-3-2 run with a 1.76 GAA and .943 save percentage in 17 straight starts. The puck stopper is in a groove and currently very hard to beat.
Ray Monohan
Sharks vs. Blues
Play: Under 5
The Sharks and Blues go at it on Monday night and the under holds value here at plus money. St. Louis has been a solid under bet this entire season. Overall, they are 20-33 to the under. At home, things get even better for the under going 7-19. Blues G Brian Elliot has been stellar in net over his last 17 starts as he's compiled a GAA of just 1.76. On the Sharks side of things, G Martin Jones has a GAA of just 2.34. Back on 2/4 these two teams played to the under in a 3-1 San Jose win on the road. This has the feeling of a similar type of game with neither team really taking risks by pushing forward. Puck control and keeping it in the opposing teams zone is the most important. Under is 19-7-3 in Blues last 29 vs. Western Conference. Under is 4-1-1 in Sharks last 6 games playing on 2 days rest. Look for a very low scoring game here with 2 or even 1 goal being enough here in a game dominated by goalies.
Sleepyj
Youngstown St. / Wis.-Milwaukee Over 148
A fair amount of points here tonight, but i feel the over is a solid wager for this one...Milwaukee at home will look to run all over this Penguins team...These teams met when the conf games opened up...Milwaukee put the beat down on Youngstown and i doubt much will change...Milwaukee scored 81 in that game..Now back at home i see no reason they can't score that amount or greater again..I see a high paced game here with the penguins playing from behind and trying to answer with pace and baskets...Youngstown defense is brutal as they allow 84ppg...The only thing the Penguins to well is assist the basketball..Which helps getting quality looks revenge or no revenge in this game Youngstown will be playing from behind and playing slow does them no good...I got this one hitting around 155 area tonight.
Mike Lundin
Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Play: Boston Celtics -5
The Minnesota Timberwolves have struggled since the All Star break recording back-to-back losses. They're just 9-19-1 ATS home at Target Center this season and 2-6 ATS coming off a upset loss as a favorite which they are here after Saturday's 103-95 loss to the Knicks.
The Celtics have split their first two games back from the break and looked good in Sunday's 121-101 rout of the Nuggets in the Rocky Mountains. They're a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last seven road games vs. a team with a losing home record and 6-2 ATS in their last eight following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
The Timberwolves offered little resistance in a 113-99 loss at Boston earlier this season, and considering their weak play home in Minneapolis all season I think this is a good spot to back the Celtics as a reasonable road favorite.
Jimmy Boyd
Raptors -4
After completely falling apart following the All-Star break last year, Toronto is on a mission to make sure that doesn't happen again. The Raptors lost 106-116 at Chicago as a 7.5-point favorite in their first game back, but rebounded with a 98-85 win at home against the Grizzlies yesterday. Toronto held Memphis to just 36.8% shooting from the field and I look for that intensity on the defensive end to carry over to tonight's game agains the Knicks.
New York was able to snap a 7-game losing streak with a 103-95 win at Minnesota as a 2.5-point underdog. The Knicks shot a sizzling 50.6% from the field and had a 60-38 edge in rebounding. New York isn't going to find it as easy against the Raptors. In the two meetings this season, Toronto has held New York to 44% or worse from the field and are +21 on the boards.
Knicks are just 7-17 ATS in their last 24 as a home dog of 6 points or less, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 against a team with a winning record and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games. Adding to this is the fact that the Raptors are 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS in their 9 division games this season.
Ricky Tran
Raptors vs. Knicks
Play: Raptors -4
The Raptors defeated the Grizzlies 98-85 home in Toronto last night, and they look good to pick up another win when travelling to the Big Apple to take on the woeful Knicks here the next day. The Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win and they've won 4 of the past 6 meetings in this series. The Knickerbockers had lost 7 straight prior to a 103-95 win at Minnesota Saturday, but they're 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. They're 5-15 ATS in their last 20 Monday night games at MSG, and I don't like their chances tonight.