Wunderdog
Montreal @ Ottawa
Pick: Ottawa -115
Montreal just finished a three-game homestand. The last-place Canadiens have struggled everywhere, losing eight of 10, ranked #29 in goals allowed, #27 on the power play, and last in goals scored. Goalie Carey Price continues to battle through early-season woes (.883 save percentage), and the team is 2-9 after scoring five goals or more in their previous game. Ottawa is playing well, with a winning record both home and away. Ottawa is fifth in goals scored with a strong defense, eighth in goals allowed, and third in penalty killing. Ottawa is 13-6 after allowing five goals or more in their previous contest, and the home team has won five of the last seven meetings.
Stephen Nover
Magic at Pelicans
Play: Magic+7.5
You may not have noticed it because they are below the radar and don't have a superstar, but the Orlando Magic are a much improved team.
The Magic are the No. 2 scoring team in the NBA at 117.2 points a game. The Magic have been consistent in this, too, scoring at least 113 points in each of their six games.
The 3-3 Pelicans are coming off an impressive 123-101 home rout of the Cavaliers. New Orleans has a bigger game on deck against fellow Western Conference foe, Minnesota, at home on Wednesday.
It's easy to overrate the Pelicans because they have a pair of superstar big men. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are two of just five players in the league to average 25 points and 10 rebounds. Jrue Holiday is a decent point guard. But get beyond those three and New Orleans has questionable talent.
Orlando lost 120-113 to Charlotte on the road Sunday. It's so early in the season and the Magic have a lot of youth so fatigue shouldn't factor. Before losing to the Hornets, the Magic had won three in a row, including defeating the Spurs and Cavaliers. The Magic beat the Spurs by 27 points and the Cavaliers by 21. You are worthy of respect if you win big against those two teams.
Nikola Vucevic can be counted on for a double/double and Aaron Gordon is looking like one of the most improved players in the league. Evan Fournier can score and Jonathon Simmons is an intriguing talent, who scored 27 points against the Hornets.
Note, too, that Orlando has defeated New Orleans in four of the last five meetings.
OC Dooley
Knights / Islanders Under 5.5
It has been a HISTORICAL start for the Las Vegas Knights who are a dazzling 8-1 out of the gate even though being an expansion team and having lead goalie Marc-Andre Fleury unavailable due to injury. Admittedly the Knights are 5-2 "over" the total in the past seven games scoring 4+ goals in three of the most recent four outings, but this is the FIRST TRIP EAST for the Las Vegas. It is interesting to note that the host Islanders have played "over" five in a row (star Jonathan Tavares "hat tricks" twice in the past three games) but yet there has been "no" offshore inflation with tonight's spot. Here is a 70-PERCENT SYSTEM (54-23 since 1996) whicch plays "top level" road teams like Las Vegas (off consecutive margin wins of 2+ goals apiece) UNDER the total