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Tulsa -6FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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With 15-14 Tulsa needing a victory to keep any postseason hopes a reality as well as fighting for a 5th seed (and a first-round bye in the C-USA tourney), willing to lay a handful of points vs defensively-soft Rice (yielding 73 ppg) heading for its 10th consecutive loss.
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If the first shot doesn’t fall, the Golden Hurricane should get a plethora of second-chance opportunities (again) vs. a low-leaping Rice team out-rebounded 43-19 in its lopsided 82-61 setback at crosstown rival Houston on Wednesday. After all, Tulsa out-boarded the Owls 36-21 in the Hurricane’s earlier 64-51 home victory, so it’s a good bet Rice drops to 2-7 as a home underdog this time.
Dave CokinFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Arkansas Little Rock vs Florida InternationalSERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Florida InternationalFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Two very similar styles here as UALR duels FIU in the Sun Belt tourney. Both teams love to press and I don't see either squad getting away from its preferred modus operandi tonight. But the Trojans suffered a fairly significant loss a handful of games back when Taggart Lockhart suffered a concussion and they haven't been quite the same team without him. In a win or go home setting, I'm going to want the team with all hands on deck, and that's Florida International. I also like what Pitino is doing on the sidelines for the Golden Panthers. The kid picked up some pretty good pointers from his famous dad. Look for a very competitive battle, but expect Florida International to advance with the win tonight.
JR O'DonnellFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Portland St. +3.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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These Idaho State Bengals are a 3.5 chalk and they are a poor prop as a home favorite .... #'s are Bengals are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400 & Bengals are 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Port Vikings are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. 77-76 final..play the VIKINGS.
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Tennessee PKFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Tennessee Volunteers love playing in the home underdog position. They are 28-7 ATS as a home dog or pick since 1997. They are playing great basketball right now having won seven of their last eight games straight up and against the spread. They are playing a Missouri team that has not played well on the road this season sitting on a 5-8 record.
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The Volunteers defense hat home has been great. They are holding opponents to 62.5 points per game. They also do a great job of outrebounding their opponents. This may be a slightly more difficult task than normal against Missouri, but both of these teams share large positive margins when it comes to pulling in more rebounds than their opponent.
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Tennessee is 5-0 ATS in their last five games against teams with a winning record and 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 home games against teams with a losing road record like Missouri. The Tigers on the other hand are 0-6 ATS in road games against teams winning 60% or more of their games at home.
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Kentucky +6.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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I am a big believer that teams like Kentucky need to be in the NCAA Tournament. They absolutely need to win this game or they will not make the big dance a year after winning the tournament. Florida is the #11 team in the nation but this team lives and dies by the 3 pointer. If they don’t hit on the road then Kentucky has a shot. You have to figure the refs will lean the Wildcats way if this game is close. Take Kentucky.
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Iowa State -3.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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West Virginia has a tough draw and many miles of travel joining the Big 12. This team is just worn out and just don’t score enough to keep up in this conference. Iowa State is a hot basketball team that can shoot lights out. I know WVU can play well at home, but Iowa State is just a better basketball team. Take Iowa State.
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Notre Dame +12FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Louisville might be the best team in the Big East, but Notre Dame is a veteran team and is geared up to win towards the end of the season. I think this spread is just a bit high being double digits. Take Notre Dame.
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Oklahoma -13FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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TCU is the worst team in any of the big conferences. Again, I do not know how they beat Kansas, but that is the only highlight they have all year. Oklahoma beat this team up bad in their earlier meeting and I expect the same today. Take the Sooners.
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UC Irvine +1FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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UC Davis was so impressive the other night against Long Beach in their first nationally televised game in school history, but came up just short at the buzzer. Its going to be hard to get up for this one with their star player nursing an injury and the atmosphere just not being here like it was the other night. Take UC Irvine.
Chris Jordan
This might go down as the most memorable game in Big East history, as it's certainly been one of the most highly-anticipated games for the fifth-ranked Georgetown Hoyas in recent memory. They return to Verizon Center to host long-time Big East Conference-rival Syracuse, with students returning from Spring Break, for what will be the final regular-season clash as members of the league.
Georgetown (23-5, 13-4 Big East) has won three of the last five meetings, including a 57-46 win at the Carrier Dome last month. It comes into this one tied for first place and a win today would clinch the regular-season title for the Hoyas, not to mention the No. 1 seed in next week's Big East Tournament.
What's been most impressive about the Hoyas, is their defense. They've been led by a stingy defensive effort all season, limiting opponents to less than 60 points in 18 of their 28 games. Georgetown's opponents average 56.7 points per game, which ranks second in the Big East and 10th nationally. The Hoyas have stifled opponents to 37.9 percent shooting from the field, which ranks second in the conference.
Syracuse has lost four of five to the books with a suitcase in hand, while the Hoyas are in on ATS win streaks of 6-1 at Verizon, 8-2 after an ATS setback, 5-1 after losing on the wood and 9-3 overall - all in Big East play.
The home momentum will be too much. Take Georgetown.
2* GEORGETOWN
My second free play for Saturday tips at the same time as my first freebie, as I'm keeping it back east and will play road underdog Long Island-Brooklyn in their semifinal clash of the Northeast Conference Tournament in Staten Island.
I really don't care that the Northeast Conference plays its tournament on home courts, based on seeding. Six points is far too many to give to the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds in this game today at Wagner University. While I know the Seahawks are seeded second in this event, the Blackbirds are the two-time defending NEC champion.
There is far too much pride with the Blackbirds, who took their first step in becoming the first team to win three straight titles by rallying to beat Quinnipiac, 91-83, Thursday night in Brooklyn.
LIU Brooklyn (18-13, 12-6 NEC) is looking to tie the conference record for consecutive NEC Tournament wins with a win over Wagner (19-11, 12-6 NEC) in the semis. The longest win streak in NEC Tournament history is eight, shared by Robert Morris (1982-84 and 2009-11) and Rider (1993-95).
How rich is this program? LIU has now posted a 44-10 record (.815) over the last three season in league play, the second-best stretch in NEC history behind Robert Morris' 46-8 record (.852) from 2007-10.
Let's put it this way, the other night against Quinnipiac, film director Spike Lee was in attendance, trading in his Knicks gear for Blackbirds attire for the night.
And this is all based on WINS. I just need the Blackbirds to cover the number. A rather big number, in my eyes.
The Blackbirds - who started the year 0-3 in NEC play, but rebounded to win 12 of their last 15 games - are in on ATS win streaks of 5-0 against Northeast foes and 6-1 overall.
Wagner, which reached the NEC semifinals a year ago as well, only to lose at home to Robert Morris, is 17-24 all-time in the NEC Tournament.
One of the hardest things to do is win three times over the same league opponent, and since Wagner swept the season series from the two-time defending champions, I expect the Blackbirds to challenge for the last laugh on Staten Island today. take the road pup.
4* LIU BROOKLYN
Jeff Benton
Saturday freebie is the Minnesota Golden Gophers as the small road choice over the Purdue Boilermakers.
Purdue has proved a tough out these last couple of days, upending Wisconsin in Madison and nearly upending Michigan in West Lafayette on Wednesday night. I have a feeling the well will run dry after that heartbreaking loss to the Wolverines this Saturday afternoon against a Minnesota team that NEEDS to step up here on the road after coming up short the other night as the road favorite at Nebraska.
At 20-10, Minnesota is no "sure thing" to get invited to participate in the Big Dance, especially if they drop this road affair, so look for a focused effort from the Gophers who are actually in double-revenge here today at Purdue.
Going to back Minny to come through with the much-needed win and cover.
3* MINNESOTA
Brett Atkins
Today my free pick is barking loud down in St. Louis, as the La Salle Explorers have something to prove in this game, and will keep it close enough, long enough, to challenge for the outright win. Arriving to town after upending the George Washington Colonials, 84-70, I like the momentum this surprise team is riding into the postseason.
If you haven't had a chance to see this team play, keep your eyes on senior Ramon Galloway, who continues to pace the Explorers (21-7, 11-4 A-10), posting 10 straight games of double-figure scoring, averaging 20.3 points per game during that span. Even more impressively, the senior has recorded an assist in 14 straight games and has averaged 4.1 assists/game in those games.
And when this offense heats up, look out! La Salle is shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc this season, and has shot over 50 percent from long range in four games this year. After this recent surge, the Blue and Gold is now second in the conference in scoring offense (73.6 ppg). Over their last eight games, the Explorers have averaged 80.1 points per game.
So, all that being said, I don't think St. Louis (23-6, 12-3 A-10) is as much of a lock as the oddsmakers may think. La Salle has thrived the last five Saturdays, covering each time out, and is on a 4-1 spread streak in Atlantic 10 play.
Also, the road team is on an 8-0 ATS run in this series, while the underdog is on a 7-1 spread streak. Take the road pup.
2* LA SALLE
Brad Wilton
Saturday comp play is a revenge play on Louisville over Notre Dame.
The Irish were left for dead one month ago today, as the Cardinals were just destroying Notre Dame, but somehow the Irish found a way to force overtime and went on to win in 5 OT's in one of the more scintillating games this season in college hoops.
No such luck today!
Louisville is out for payback, and with wins in 6 in a row (since that loss at Notre Dame), and covers in each of their last 3, I expect the Redbirds to race out to the early lead against the Irish and this time put the nail in the coffin.
Notre Dame has dropped 3 of their last 4 both straight up and against the spread on the Big East road, and while the nature of this series has been hotly contested of late - 5 of the last 7 games needing overtime(s) to decide the outcome - I believe there is a reason the linemakers are establishing such a high line for backing the 'Ville today.
This one turns into a blowout.
Take Louisville.
3* LOUISVILLE
SPORTS WAGERSFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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GEORGETOWN -1½ over SyracuseFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Orange are widely considered as one of the top 10-15 teams in the country. That argument would hold some weight if this conversation had taken place in December. Right now, Syracuse is a mess. The Orangemen have dropped six of their past 11 games with four of their five victories during that span coming against teams that aren't going to the Big Dance. Syracuse has repeatedly struggled against the Hoyas recently, which includes an 11-point home loss earlier this month and nothing suggests anything different here.
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The Hoyas are coming off that bad loss to Villanova, which has helped in setting up this very beatable number. Georgetown is still under consideration for a #1 seed so there will be no lack of motivation for them here. The Orange can’t contain the Hoyas Otto Porter, they can’t penetrate the Hoyas top-ranked defense and frankly, this Syracuse team has turned into one of mediocrity. Big bounce back game from the host with plenty of motivation should result in exactly what the form suggests.
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KENTUCKY +6 over FloridaFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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After losing consecutive games to Arkansas and Georgia last week, Kentucky’s chances of making the field of 68 took a huge hit. However, a win here over a top-rated Florida outfit, would make it difficult for the committee to leave Kentucky out of the main event. We’re not believers of the “must-win” angle. We’re pointing that out the importance of this one for the Wildcats to indicate that their intensity and focus levels will be high. Kentucky has won seven straight in Lexington and the Wildcats catch the Gators at a pretty good time.
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The Gators clinched the SEC title with a rout over Vanderbilt on Wednesday, ensuring a letdown spot here. Florida has been struggling on the road when the games meant something with straight-up losses as favorites at Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas over the past month. It’s a long road for these college kids to get to this point. For Florida, there’s excitement and anticipation for Selection Sunday to find out what seed it will be and who it will play. In terms of spotting significant road points with Florida, this is the Gators least appealing spot of the year to do that in. An upset here is a distinct possibility.
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WEST VIRGINIA +147 over Iowa StateFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Cyclones of Iowa State have done what they needed to do to get serious consideration for an at-large bid. It would be a complete shock if they were left out of the main event. Most experts have them as a lock to make the field of 68. The Cyclones are one of the best shooting teams in the country and one of the best rebounding squads too. However, this is ISU’s last game of the season. They have nothing left to accomplish after that huge win over #13 Oklahoma State on Tuesday. The Cyclones will now play the waiting game to see what seed they’ve earned.
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West Virginia has had an awful year. They close out the year on the heels of five-game losing streak, a 6-11 conference record and 13-17 overall record. However, the Mountaineers have been tough at home with plenty of close defeats, including a five-point loss to #2 Kansas and a one-point loss to #18 K-State. When WVU played at Ames against these Cyclones on January 16, they lost by just two points. Now in a more favorable spot, on its home court in the last game of the season, look for WVU to bring it all here and go out on a winning note.
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Arizona State +11 over ARIZONAFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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With two losses last week to USC and UCLA, the Sun Devils hopes of making it the dance have been shattered. Many believe that Arizona State is a devastated club right now. How many times have we heard that over the years? That being, a team gets knocked out of contention for the Tournament and they’re supposed to get clobbered the very next game, only to see that team come out and play one if its best games of the season. All pressure is off ASU here. The quotes out of Tempe this week indicate that the Sun Devils aren't crushed. Instead, they're fully focused on avenging an earlier home loss to their archrival.
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The Wildcats of Arizona are going to the main event based on their 23-6 overall record and #18 ranking. However, they too, lost to UCLA and USC last week and that continued the Wildcats' point-spread free fall. Arizona is on a current 5-13 ATS run. It continues to be overvalued weekly and even more so here because of ASU’s perceived state of mind. Don't be fooled by Arizona or Arizona’s 17-point final margin of victory in the first meeting between these two teams. Sun Devils point guard Jahii Carson got in foul trouble and his backup, Chris Colvin, was suspended. As a result, Arizona State committed 17 turnovers and a two-point game with 10 minutes remaining turned into a 17-point margin of victory. Don't expect that to happen twice.
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John RyanFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Liberty at Gardner WebbFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Liberty has a 13-20 record on the season, but have played monumentally better over their last three games. Since getting hammered by VMI on February 26, Liberty has used that humiliating loss as a motivation and it has certainly shown in their last three games. Their last two games have been quite impressive with wins at Coastal Carolina by 17 points and were installed as +375 dogs on the money line. In their last game, they defeated High Point 71-70 in the quarterfinals and were lined as +170 dogs. High Point was 12-4 in Conference play. This time of the year is all about Cinderella stories and Liberty is fast becoming one of the best. The two teams played on Feb 9 with GW winning 71-68 and I fully expect this game to go down to the wire. If there is an opportunity to play the money line, I would suggest playing an 8* amount on the line and a 2* amount using the money line. The other semifinal pits VMI against Charleston Southern. I expect Charleston Southern to win that matchup (not a call on the spread). Charleston Southern was the favorite entering this Tournament and it would be a monumental task for Liberty to post two more upset wins. However, this time of year is about CONFIDENCE and team chemistry and Liberty has it all going for them at the right time.
Tony George
Kansas St. +5.5
The Wildcats playing for a share of the Big 12 Title today, and K State finds ways to win big games, never very pretty but they win them! Okie State off a loss at Iowa State and although they have the best player on the floor in Marcus Smart, Okie St not well coached and very undisiplined. K State getting this many is a gift, and K State a SOLID road team with depth.
Jeff Alexander
Iowa -13
Iowa blew a 16-point halftime lead in a loss at Lincoln in the first meeting so you better believe the Hawks will be out for some serious payback. It's to Iowa's benefit that Nebraska enters off a big upset win over Minnesota because the Huskers are 0-6 ATS off an upset win over a conference for the last 2 seasons. They have lost these contests by an average of 22.0 points. Iowa has been sensational at home where it has won 6 straight. Nebraska, meanwhile, has been awful on the road where it has dropped 4 in a row by an average of 21.5 points. Bet the Hawkeyes.
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Purdue + over MinnesotaFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Minnesota came through with the huge win over Indiana in late February to punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament but the Gophers have lost seven straight Big Ten road games after beating Illinois in the first conference road game of the season. On Wednesday Minnesota embarrassingly lost to Nebraska and despite being one of the nation's best rebounding teams, the Gophers continue to be dogged by turnovers and awful shooting. Minnesota still holds great rankings numbers and statistics but this team has been lifeless in most games in the last six weeks, especially on the road and there is little confidence coming from the leaders on this team. Purdue has endured a disappointing season but the Boilermakers can compete with Minnesota on the boards and this is a team with some late season life. Purdue has gone 2-2 in the last four games, impressively winning at Wisconsin and also playing close in losses at Iowa and at home against Michigan. This will be the final home game of the season for a young team that has shown some promise despite the marginal record. This is the first and only meeting between these teams this season and Purdue is a solid 10-6 at home this season despite some growing pains on the season. Minnesota has just three true road wins all season and only one in Big Ten play and this looks like a team that will have a hard time getting its energy up on the road.
SPORTS WAGERS
Washington -104 over N.Y. ISLANDERS
OT included. The Islanders are an erratic club that cannot be trusted to win when they’re expected to. Offensively gifted with some top level forwards, there continues to be a something missing here. When these two played one another back on January 17, in their only meeting this season, the Islanders shut out the Capitals, 3-0. That was at a time when the Caps were still searching for an identity. That’s no longer the case.
Under the strict guidance of new coach, Adam Oates, the Caps have made a dramatic turnaround. They’ve become a tough out and one of the more consistent clubs in the NHL. After a horrendous start, they are right back in the race. Washington is just two points behind the Islanders and Philadelphia. They are three points behind Winnipeg and just five behind the Rangers for the final playoff spot. The Caps have games in hand on each one of those teams. The Caps have also won five of their past six games while outscoring the opposition by a 23-9 count over that span. The Capitals are getting great goaltending, they’re scoring plenty of goals, they’re playing outstanding defense and they’ve gone from being the most overvalued club to start the year to the most undervalued right now.
SAN JOSE -½ +139 over St. Louis
Regulation only. Both these clubs started out like a house on fire while looking like true contenders in doing so. A dramatic turnaround has ensued for both and we’re suggesting one of them will continue to lose and one will not. When John Davidson took over the Blues in the ‘06-‘07 season he turned them into a hard-working, hard-nosed group that played all out every shift of nearly every game. Despite being less talented than some of the better clubs, St. Louis was rarely outworked. Since JD left for Columbus, the identity of the Blues went with him. The Blue Jackets now play like the Blues once did while St. Louis has transformed into a soft, beatable team that often gets outworked and outplayed. St. Louis has three wins over its past 10 games. Two of those came against Edmonton and Columbus while the other one occurred on Thursday in Phoenix with the Coyotes playing their third game in four days. The Blues were not the better team on the ice on Thursday. They were outplayed again but Coyotes goaltender, Mike Smith, allowed six goals on 30 shots. The Blues’ awful goaltending has forced this panicked club to carry three goalies. Once again, Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott will be watching from the bench while Jake Allen makes consecutive starts. The Blues are on a path of destruction. They’re getting worse, the players are becoming undisciplined and this teams’ lack of structure or whatever JD instilled in them is now gone.
The Sharks continue to work hard. The results haven’t been great but they are getting better. San Jose has won three of its last five with victories over Vancouver, Nashville and Colorado. The Sharkies have not fallen in the same way that the Blues have. They are still outplaying most clubs and out-chancing them by wide margins, especially at the Shark Tank. San Jose is still a threat while the Blue Notes are not and this one is all about fading the visitor.
Dallas +117 over PHOENIX
At some point the Dallas Stars are going to get the recognition they deserve. Until that occurs, we’ll continue to back this strong club. Dallas went into Los Angeles on Thursday and knocked off the red-hot Kings, 5-2. Since the return of #1 goaltender Kari Lehtonen, Dallas has won its last two games over St. Louis and L.A. while outscoring that pair 9-3. Dallas has scored three goals or more in 13 of its last 14 games. The Stars offense is as potent as any team in the league but Dallas doesn’t come close to getting the credit that Pittsburgh, Chicago or Anaheim gets.
As stated previously, Phoenix cannot keep winning games with regularity when allowing four goals or more. Phoenix is coming off a 6-3 loss to the Blues. They have recent back-to-back wins over the Ducks by equal scores of 5-4 and a recent 4-3 loss to Minnesota. The Coyotes 71 goals against is the second worst mark in the Western Conference with Calgary’s 73 allowed the only team below them. Surrendering so many goals is not conducive to winning hockey games. There’s no telling how many goals the Stars can pop in here against this fraudulent favourite.