LT Profits
Washington Capitals at Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers are returning home tonight after a successful 3-1-1 road trip, improving their record to 4-1-1 overall, and they now have a chance to get a statement win over the Washington Capitals.
The Thrashers are greatly improved defensively this season, as they are allowing 2.33 goals per game, allowing exactly two goals in four of their last five games after opening the season with a 6-3 win in their only home game thus far. Atlanta remains potent on the offensive end, averaging 3.50 goals, so if they continue to defend well and get solid goaltending from Ondrej Pavelec (2.37 GAA, .929 save percentage) and Johan Hedberg (2.00, .952), this is a dangerous team.
The Capitals are 4-2-2 overall and 1-1-1 on the road, but while this team can score on anyone, they continue to have problems defensively. The Caps ate allowing 2.88 goals per game, and average that rises to an unacceptable 3.33 on the road, and they have gotten unsteady goaltending from both Jose Theodore and Simeon Varlamov. Granted, Theodore had been suffering from back spasms and is now healthy enough to play, but he had a 4.93 GAA vs. Atlanta last year.
We look for the Thrashers to continue their hot start as home underdogs here.
Pick: Thrashers +115
Randall the Handle
San Jose -½ +1.11 over TAMPA BAY
The3 Sharkies are an offensive juggernaut and that alone makes them extremely difficult to beat. It’s just so hard to outscore this team and to make things even tougher, its defense is good and its goaltending is very good. The Sharks can almost always be counted on for four or more goals and it’s hard to envision the Lighting containing them. Tampa has dropped two straight and were outscored 11-2 in those contests. Mike Smith has gone Vesa Toskala on his teammates and his confidence is completely shot. Now with a slew of snipers aiming his way, his chances of a good game are slim at best. The Lightning has two wins this year, one against the Canes and one against the Panthers. When playing quality they’ve been buried, as their 7-1 loss to the Pens, it’s 4-1 loss to the Sens and it’s 6-3 an loss to the Thrashers will attest to. The Lightning are reeling and although they may eventually snap out of it, it’s doubtful that’ll occur tonight against a team that appears about 100 times hungrier than the Bolts. Incidentally, LeCavalier is still without a goal this year and has not scored in 14 games dating back to last season. Play: San Jose -½ +1.11 (Risking 2 units).
PHOENIX +1.13 over Detroit
This line is based on past histories because if you go by this year, the Red Wings should not be favored. Detroit is playing .500 while the Coyotes are 5-2. In three games away from the Joe, the Red Wings are 0-3 and in it’s only true road game of the year, in Buffalo, the Red Wings lost 6-2. Meanwhile the Coyotes have won three in a row against San Jose, St. Louis and Boston. In fact they shutout the Sharkies and you may not see that again this season from anyone. They’re playing tremendous defense, Bryzgalov has been brilliant and the Coyotes are really limiting the opposition’s shots on net. In fact, in five of its first seven games they’ve held the opposition to 26 shots or less. Chris Osgood has been shaky (he’s just not that good) and that alone gives the Coyotes a great chance to win. Throw in the fact that they’re paying better than Detroit and they’re at home and one can see where the value lies in this one. Wrong side favored. Play: Phoenix +1.13 (Risking 2 units).
ROCKETMAN
Columbus @ Edmonton
Play: Edmonton -125
Edmonton is 4-2 at home this year and 4-1 their last 5 games overall. Edmonton is 12-4 SU and ATS at home vs Columbus since 1996 and 3-1 SU and ATS at home vs Columbus last 3 years. Blue Jackets are 92-226-15 in their last 333 road games. Blue Jackets are 2-5 in their last 7 games as a road underdog. Blue Jackets are 25-65-1 in their last 91 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Blue Jackets are 2-6 in their last 8 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Blue Jackets are 2-7 in their last 9 games as an underdog. Blue Jackets are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blue Jackets are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Oilers are 4-1 in their last 5 home games. Oilers are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest. Oilers are 4-1 in their last 5 overall. Oilers are 6-2 in their last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Oilers are 26-9 in their last 35 games as a favorite of -110 to -150. Oilers are 8-3 in their last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Oilers are 43-20 in their last 63 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150. We'll recommend a small play on Edmonton tonight!
YANKEE CAPPER
Yankees/Angels Over 8.5
Washington/Atlanta Over 6
Nashville/Ottawa Under 5.5
San Jose/Tampa Bay Over 5.5
FSU/UNC Over 48.5