Cappers Sports Picks

At 8:00 pm, on Sunday, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights 'under' the total.  The formula for Vegas to win Game 6 tonight at home is pretty simple.  If the Knights want to send this series to a seventh and final game back in Raleigh, they must limit the Hurricanes' quality chances at the net and, most of all, stay out of the penalty box.  The Knights were successful in keeping the 'Canes shot total down in Game 5 (Carolina only had 24), but they failed miserably at the second part.  After Carolina took two penalties in the first period (after which the score was 1-1), Vegas sent men to the sin bin four times over the next two periods and the 'Canes capitalized on two of those.  That was the difference in Game 5, and if Vegas wants to flip the script, it has to continue playing that tight-checking game, but without the mistakes that sent its players to the box for two (or in one case, four) minutes.  Look for a defensive struggle tonight without those mistakes.  The under is 41-21 in Carolina's last 62 road games after playing at home; 23-9 Under on the road when Carolina was off the previous 2+ days; and 27-16 Under on the road when leading in a Playoff series.  Take the 'under.'  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Vegas Golden Knights.  After their Game 5 victory at home, the Hurricanes are on the cusp of their second Stanley Cup Championship in Franchise history.  As much as they'd like to win it in front of their home fans as they did in 2006, the 'Canes know that if they let this series go to a Game 7, the Knights are very capable of winning it on the road.  The key for Carolina -- as it was in Games 4 and 5 -- is its power play.  The Knights took four penalties in each of the last two games, and the Hurricanes made them pay with three extra-man goals in those eight opportunities -- a 37.5% scoring rate on the power play.   A similar number of Vegas infractions with the same success rate for Carolina will result in the 'Canes raising the Cup this Sunday evening.  They have been far more opportunistic than their opponent has and that is likely to be the difference once again.  The 'Canes are 8-0 in these playoffs when leading in the series (5-0 on the road).  Take Carolina.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes 'under' the total.  We've had four thrilling games so far in this Stanley Cup Finals, with three of them being decided by one goal (two in overtime), although the one game that was decided by two goals had a late empty-netter (and a rather fluky one at that).  Given how close these games are, you can expect the defense and forechecking to be taken to another level tonight as the series shifts back to Raleigh for Game 5.  The Hurricanes did their part in Game 4, limiting the Knights to just 21 shots on goal, with rookie replacement goalie Brandon Bussi making 18 saves for the visitors.  The 'Canes are at their best when they play that tight checking game while limiting their opponents' opportunities, and in fact in six of their nine home games in these playoffs, they've limited their opposition to two goals or fewer.  The under is 13-7 in Carolina's last 20 games.  Take the 'under'.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Vegas Golden Knights.  The Hurricanes took a gamble on a rookie goalie with no prior experience starting a post-season game in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs -- and that gamble paid off.  And it's not that Brandon Bussi was brilliant in that game either (3 GA on 21 shots), but the 27-year-old from New York got the job done.  As of this writing, Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour has not announced a goalie for this pivotal Game 5 back in Raleigh, but don't be surprised if he goes back to Frederik Andersen tonight.  Either way, this is the 'Canes game to lose as they have tied the series and gained home ice back as a result.  Carolina's defense held Vegas to just 21 shots at home in Game 4 and a similar effort will likely win this game regardless of who is in the crease for the 'Canes.  The Hurricanes are 21-9 in their last 30 home games when coming off a win while the Golden Knights are 9-13 in their last 22 road games when revenging a loss (6-10 when revenging a home loss on the road).  Take Carolina.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Vegas Golden Knights.  Game 3 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals on the Vegas Strip was one for the ages.  The Knights took a seemingly insurmountable 4-0 lead into the third period in front of their delirious home fans.  But little in this series has gone as expected for very long and after the 'Canes scored three goals in 39 seconds in the middle of the final stanza, things got a lot quieter at T-Mobile Arena.  Then with less than two minutes left and with their goalie pulled, the 'Canes scored the game-tying goal before losing in the second overtime period.  Carolina pulled goalie Frederik Andersen after he allowed the four goals and replaced him with backup Brandon Bussi, who was brilliant in defeat.  But don't be surprised if the 'Canes stick with Andersen tonight as the veteran has gotten them to this point, going 13-3 in the process.  And the extra day off just might be what the doctored ordered for the 36-year-old netminder.  The 'Canes are 6-1 in their last seven road games when revenging a same-season loss.  Take Carolina.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Vegas Golden Knights.  If the first two games are any indication, this is going to be one of the most exciting Stanley Cup Finals in quite some time.  After what could have been a huge deflating loss in Game 1 at home, the Hurricanes came back on Thursday night to take Game 2 in overtime and break the Golden Knight's seven-game playoff win streak.  Now the series shifts to the Vegas Strip where the crowd might be almost as loud as it was in Raleigh.  This is a familiar situation for the 'Canes as they lost the first game of the Conference Finals at home and then had to win Game 2 before heading to a very unfriendly Bell Centre and taking the wind out of the Habs' sails with two victories which all but sealed their trip to the Finals.  They've done well at T-Mobile Arena recently, taking two of the last three meetings here.  The Knights' defense suffered a blow in Game 2 when Brayden McNabb was hit in the face with a puck and left the game.  It's unknown whether he will be able to play tonight.  Take the 'Canes.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie

At 8 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Vegas Golden Knights.  On Tuesday night in Game 1, the 'Canes got off to an early 2-0 lead in front of a raucous home crowd and everything seemed to be going to plan.  That is until the Golden Knights said "not so fast."  Vegas scored three straight goals before the end of the 2nd period and all of a sudden things were upside down.  The Knights went on to win the game, 5-4, on a late 3rd period goal and now Carolina has its proverbial back against the wall heading into tonight's Game 2. The good thing for them is that this happened to them once before in these playoffs when the Canadiens came into Lenovo Center and took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.  Of course, the 'Canes won the next four games to get to this point so there is no need to panic in Raleigh.  Carolina is 17-4, +11.9 units against the money line in the last two months of games.  Take the Hurricanes.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Vegas Golden Knights.  My preseason Futures pick was on Carolina at +850 odds, so I'm not surprised that it won the Eastern Conference.  Many thought the Finals would pit the Hurricanes vs. the Colorado Avalanche.  But Vegas had other plans and dispatched of Colorado easily in four games.  So now the Knights are in their third Cup Finals in just nine seasons and that, in itself, is quite an accomplishment.  They will have their hands full however in these finals with a Carolina club that is playing better than any other team in the post-season this year.  The 'Canes have an overall playoff record in 2026 of 12-1, which is by far the best ledger.  And if they can somehow sweep this series, they would be the first team in the modern playoff format (16 wins; since 1987) to go 16-1.  But first things first, and they need to get this series started with a win at home.  Vegas has had a full week off and that's not been a good recipe for the first game in these playoffs, including Carolina whose only loss came in Game 1 of the Conference Finals after a sweep of the Flyers.  Carolina is a sensational 71-24 (+22.4 net games) as a home favorite, while Vegas is an atrocious 18-31 (minus 19.4 net games) on the road vs. the Eastern Conference.  Take the 'Canes.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens +1.5 goals over the Carolina Hurricanes.  The Canadiens' lack of shot production finally caught up to them in a big way on Wednesday night.  In Game 4, Montreal was once again woefully out-shot (43-18) but this time, the final score wasn't close like it was in Games 2 and 3.  Tonight, with their backs against the proverbial wall, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis will have the Habs forwards shooting early and often.  You can take that to the bank.  And while that alone won't guarantee a victory, it should at least make things interesting which is one thing that Game 4 was not.  There's some other good news going into Game 4, like the fact that the Canadiens are 3-1 in the last four meetings with the 'Canes here at Lenovo Center in Raleigh.  There's also the fact that the Habs are 5-2 in their last seven on the road after two or more consecutive losses.  Take Montreal +1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Montreal Canadiens.  Just like the Golden Knights did in Colorado on Wednesday, the Canadiens shocked the heavily-favored Hurricanes in Game 1 on Thursday.  The 'Canes hadn't lost a playoff game all post-season (8-0), but not only did Montreal win, they blasted them with six goals for an easy 6-2 victory before a stunned crowd at Lenovo Center.  No doubt the 'Canes were off their game from having so much time off (11 days) whereas the Habs had just won their second seven-game series.  Look for a different home team to come out tonight as Carolina knows it must make a statement before heading to the raucous Bell Centre for Games 3 and 4.  There were some positive takeaways from Game 1 like the fact that the 'Canes out-shot the Habs 27-22 so Carolina must use that to its advantage tonight.  The 'Canes were 22-7 in 29 games this season following a loss and they're also 4-0 when revenging a blowout loss of 4+ in their previous game.  Take Carolina.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Colorado Avalanche over the Vegas Golden Knights.  For all the folks who said it was a foregone conclusion that we will see the Avalanche and Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Golden Knights and Canadiens had something to say and that something was -- not so fast!  Vegas pulled off a big shocker in Game 1, taking a 3-0 lead in Denver before the Avs came back to make it a one-goal game.  But the Knights added an empty-netter to complete the unlikely upset and take a 1-0 lead in this series.  It's a situation the Avs haven't been in this entire post-season, having won all four previous home games.  But there's no need to panic as the Presidents Trophy winners prepare for Game 2 back at home.  Colorado will stick with goalie Scott Wedgewood tonight who, although the loser in Game 1, has been stellar for the Avs in the post-season.  The Avalanche are an incredible 16-1 this season when revenging a same-season loss vs. an opponent and when that loss happened as a home favorite they are 12-1.  Take Colorado.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, on Thursday, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Montreal Canadiens.  The Carolina Hurricanes were my preseason pick (at +850 odds) to win the NHL Stanley Cup and they're halfway home through the first two rounds of these Playoffs.  No NHL team has ever gone the entire post-season (16 games) undefeated.  The closest any team has come to an undefeated Cup Run is the 1987-88 Edmonton Oilers who went 14-2 en route to their fourth NHL title.  And despite being 8-0 after the first two rounds, it's highly unlikely that the Carolina Hurricanes will be able to do it either.  But any way you slice it, the 'Canes are a very heavy favorite to advance to their first Stanley Cup Finals since 2005-06.  Their journey continues tonight in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at home and if there's a concern for an 8-0 team it's that the extended time off (a whopping 11 days in this case) might be more of a hindrance than an advantage.  And yes, the Canadiens have won the last four meetings but you can throw that out the window tonight.  Carolina figures to have a huge advantage in goal as veteran Frederik Andersen has been stellar as has the 'Canes' suffocating defense through their eight games.  Take Carolina.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens over the Buffalo Sabres.  Facing elimination from their first post-season in 15 years, the Sabres needed a win on Saturday night.  And they not only won, they made a statement.  The eight goals that Buffalo scored in Game 6 was the second-most of these playoffs (the Avalanche tallied nine in Game 1 against the Wild).  Now the Sabres have to be feeling pretty good that the series comes back to their home ice for the final deciding game.  But the Canadiens know a thing or two about winning a Game 7 on the road.  In their first round series, the Habs knocked off the Lightning in Game 7 in front of the kind of crowd in Tampa that they're going to face tonight at KeyBank Center.  Now all they have to do is repeat that effort and they'll move on to their first Conference Finals in five years.  The Habs are 15-5 this season on the road coming off a loss in their last game.  Take Montreal.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, on Monday, our selection is on the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens to go UNDER the total.  Admittedly, the last 2 games of this series have been extremely high scoring, with 9 and 11 goals scored.  But I look for a much lower scoring game in this Game 7.  Indeed, three of the four regular season games between these division rivals went Under the total.  And Buffalo was 19-12 UNDER heading into this quarterfinal series, while Montreal was 20-7 UNDER going into this series.  Take the Under.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:00 pm, our selection is on the Buffalo Sabres over the Montreal Canadiens.  After defeating the Sabres 5-1 in Buffalo in Game 2, the Canadiens repeated that effort in Game 3 and then some, routing the visitors by four goals once again (6-2) to take a 2-1 series lead.  Tonight, look for Buffalo to get back to the tight forechecking it displayed in Game 1 when it limited the Habs to just 16 shots en route to a 4-2 victory.  The rest of the formula for Buffalo is pretty simple.  When they score three or more goals, the Sabres are 49-4-8, so putting the puck in the net more than once or twice is essential to their success.  And the key to making that happen lies with center Tage Thompson.  After scoring a pair of goals in Buffalo's first post-season game vs. Boston, Thompson has only lit the light once in the Sabres' next eight games.  Look for the 28-year-old to break out of that scoring slump tonight.  The Sabres are 6-3 in their last nine games when revenging a road loss to an opponent on the road.  Take Buffalo.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Colorado Avalanche over the Minnesota Wild.  Just how good are the Avalanche?  Well, for one thing, It took Colorado seven games before finally losing one in the playoffs.  Sure, Game 3 on Saturday definitely did not go the Avs' way, but there is no need to panic if you're backing them.  This is an ultra-talented squad and few would be surprised if it went out and reeled off another four or five straight victories on its way to the Cup Finals.  Expect few if any changes to the lineup tonight based on the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory (even though back-up goalie Mackenzie Blackwood came in after Scott Wedgewood got roughed up early in Game 3).  Wedgewood has been sensational for the Avs all season and they're not going to let one blemish cause them to lose faith in the 33-year-old netminder who led the league with a 2.02 GAA.  It's probably not all that surprising that the Avs were 24-4 this season revenging a loss vs. an opponent, but what's remarkable is that they were 13-1 in those situations on the road.  Take Colorado.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the Anaheim Ducks over the Vegas Golden Knights.  Two teams that are quite a big surprise to be in this spot face off tonight in Southern California in Game 3 of this second-round series.  After the Ducks' defense suffocated the Knights on the Vegas Strip in both Games 1 and 2 (limiting the home team to just 22 shots in each of those), the Knights came roaring back in Game 3 in Anaheim and took an easy 6-2 road victory to gain their home ice advantage back.  Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal allowed three goals on eight shots before he was replaced by Ville Husso at the start of the second period and if there's a silver lining for Anaheim, it's that it played Vegas basically even from that point forward.  But the hole had been dug and now the Ducks must erase the stain of Game 3 and come out firing tonight in Game 4.  Anaheim won both meetings between these two at home in the regular season and it is 15-6 at home when not laying -110 this season.  The Ducks are also 5-2 after a blowout loss by four or more goals (4-2 in those situations at home).  Take Anaheim.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:00 pm, our selection is on the Buffalo Sabres over the Montreal Canadiens.  On Friday, the Canadiens came back to thrash the Sabres and tie things up at a game apiece in this series that features two teams that many people felt wouldn't be in this position back in October.  No matter who wins this series, both Buffalo and Montreal should be proud of the fact that they made it to the second round when teams like the Panthers, Caps, Maple Leafs, Lightning, Devils, and Penguins are sitting home watching.  The Canadiens are a tough out in the post-season but the Sabres have played some of their best games on the road, including the last time these two met at Bell Centre on January 22 when Buffalo won 4-2 and limited the Canadiens to just 17 shots.  The Sabres opened their first round series in exactly the same manner, splitting the first two games at home, but then they won all three games in Boston enroute to a 4-2 series victory.  Take Buffalo.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 9:00 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Colorado Avalanche. After getting rocked in Game 1 of this second round series to the tune of a 9-6 beat down in Colorado, the Wild replaced young goalie Jesper Wallstedt (eight goals on 42 shots) for Game 2 with veteran Filip Gustavsson. Minny only allowed five goals in the Game 2 loss, but Wallstedt -- who played brilliantly in the opening series against the Stars -- should be back in net tonight at home. Nobody has to tell the Wild how important this game is as falling behind to the Presidents Trophy winners by a 3-0 deficit would almost certainly mean elimination. The Wild could also get a boost from the possible return of big defenseman Zach Bogosian from a lower body injury tonight (Bogosian did not play in Game 2). Minnesota was ultra-tough here at Grand Casino Arena down the stretch of the regular season, going undefeated at home from March 21-April 14 (4-0). Minnesota was also 8-1 in nine games this season as a home underdog of +100 to +200. Take the Wild. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, on Thursday, our selection is on the Philadelphia Flyers over the Carolina Hurricanes.  The Flyers took care of their cross-state rival Penguins in the Conference opening series in six games, and they looked pretty good doing it as well, winning two of three on the road.  But the competition goes up a notch -- and it's a big notch at that -- in the second round against the East's Number one seed, Carolina.  Sure, the Canes will likely be favored all the way through to the Cup Finals (and may be favored there as well depending on who they would meet), but there are a few reasons to like the Flyers tonight in Game 3 of this series.  First, there is Flyers goalie Daniel Vladar who was outstanding in the first round, and who actually had substantially better numbers than Carolina netminder Frederik Andersen in the regular season.  Second, there is the fact that, although the 'Canes won Game 2 of this series at home on Monday, they needed overtime to do it as Philly gave them all they could handle.  The 'Canes are just 6-7 in 13 games this season at home after a three-game win streak.  Take Philly.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:00 pm, on Wednesday, our selection is on the Buffalo Sabres over the Montreal Canadiens.  The Sabres dispatched of the Bruins in six games and so they've had four days to prepare for the Canadiens in this second round series.  Getting past that first round was a huge deal for a franchise that hadn't been to the playoffs in a record 15 years.  It took the Canadiens a full seven games to get past the Lightning in what was an extremely physical series with every game decided by just one goal.  The Habs got MVP caliber play from 24-year-old netminder Jakub Dobes but the Sabres already beat one hot goalie in Jeremy Swayman and they will look to do it again in this series against Dobes.  Nobody would be surprised if this was a home-ice advantage type of series, as KeyBank Center and Bell Centre are perhaps the two loudest arenas in the NHL.  The Sabres lost the last meeting of these two which was right here in Buffalo and they are 6-1 in seven games this season when revenging a same-season loss at home.  Take Buffalo.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 6:00 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning 'under' the total.  It's the only first round series so far in these playoffs to go the full seven games, and perhaps that's no surprise given the history between these two teams.  Not only has every game of this series been determined by a single goal, but four of the six have gone to overtime.  Both goaltenders -- Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Bolts and Jakub Dobes of the Habs -- have been outstanding and there's little reason to think that won't continue in this ultimate Game 7 tonight.  The defenses have also been working overtime, as in Game 4 when a total of just 38 shots were put on net (18 for Montreal and 20 for Tampa).  Seven of the last eight meetings of these two have gone under the total, including the last five (games 2-6 of this series).  Take the 'under.'  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Buffalo Sabres over the Boston Bruins.  The Sabres made it to the post-season for the first time in 15 years and obviously that's a huge success.  But make no mistake about it, the last thing the Sabres want to be is the next Buffalo Bills -- getting to the playoffs but never reaching the mountaintop.  So a first round exit at the hands of a Bruins team which finished fourth in the Division would be a huge disappointment.  Buffalo can avoid that fate by winning Game 6 tonight in Boston and no doubt that is how the Sabres would prefer to advance in this series.  They had the chance to win this series at home in Game 5, but fell in OT, 2-1 to a determined Boston team as Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman bounced back from the thrashing he took in Game 4.  But the Sabres are the better team and they've done quite well on Boston's ice recently, winning Games 3+ 4 in this series.  The Sabres were also 14-6 in the regular season as a road favorite.  Take Buffalo.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Boston Bruins over the Buffalo Sabres.  What had been a series of very close games (9-8 in goals through the first three games) was broken wide open in Game 4 when the Sabres routed the Bruins, 6-1 in Boston.  Now Boston has its back against the wall in Game 5 on the road and the Bruins know they must respond or they're going home for the rest of the Spring.  After Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got shelled in Game 2, he was replaced by veteran jouneyman Alex Lyon, who then started for the Sabres in Games 3 and 4 and performed well.  The 33-year-old will likely start again tonight.  And although he has stepped in and become the hero in goal for Buffalo, Lyon is short on experience in big games and his previous playoff record with Florida was 1-3.  Meanwhile, Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman has a huge chip on his shoulder as he was replaced in Game 4 and was seen yelling at teammates on the bench after coming out (he'll be back in net tonight).  Boston has won two of the last three meetings here in Buffalo.  Take the Bruins.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Ottawa Senators over the Carolina Hurricanes.  Carolina was my preseason pick (at +850) to win the Stanley Cup, so I hate to go against them tonight.  But the Hurricanes have historically been awful on the road off 3+ wins.  They're 57-94 (minus 54.3 net games) in that situation, including 4-7 (minus 5.3 net games) this season, and 7-13 (minus 11.5 net games) the past 2 years.  We'll take Ottawa, down 2-games-to-none, to get back into this series.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Minnesota Wild.  The Wild spoiled the Stars' playoff party in Game 1 on Saturday in a big way, going into Dallas and putting up six goals on Jake Oettinger and company in a 6-1 rout.  The Stars have been in this position before and have bounced back in the next game and there is no indication that they will go away from Oettinger in goal in Game 2 tonight.  The 27-year-old netminder was huge for the Stars in the regular season, with 35 wins, a 2.59 GAA, and four shutouts to his credit.  He and the rest of the Dallas team will look to rebound in what is almost a must-win situation tonight before the series shifts to Minneapolis on Wednesday.  Saturday's win was the Wild's first victory at American Airlines Center in the last four tries and the Stars were one of the best home teams in the regular season, going 26-11-4 there.  The Stars were also 11-4 in 15 games this season when revenging a loss at home (5-1 at home when revenging a loss in which they were a home favorite).  Take Dallas.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Buffalo Sabres over the Boston Bruins.  There's a strange thing happening in Buffalo in late April and it's called professional ice hockey.  The Sabres broke the longest post-season drought in NHL history (14 seasons) this season, and not only will they be playing hockey, they will be hosting it.  By finishing first in the their Division, the Sabres are guaranteed home ice for the first two rounds, and it begins tonight at KeyBank Center with a visit from the Boston Bruins.  Buffalo can't take this team for granted as Boston won the season series (three games to one) and ended its regular schedule with two big wins over the Blue Jackets and Devils.  But the Sabres were especially tough at home this season (26-15, +8.3 net games) while the Bruins struggled on the road, going 16-16-9 away from Boston (7-6-8 in the second half) and those overtime losses -- while somewhat valuable in the regular season -- won't help them now.  The Sabres were 5-1 this year in games when revenging a same-season loss at home (and 25-11, +15.6 net games the past 3 seasons).  And Boston is 24-38 (minus 16.9 net games) on the road off a win.  Take Buffalo.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Philadelphia Flyers.   The Flyers clinched their first post-season appearance in six years with a dramatic shootout victory over the East-leading Hurricanes on Monday (and followed it up with another win over the Canadiens for good measure).  With the Eagles having disappointed last NFL season and the Phillies inexplicably scuffling so far (and of course the 76ers likely not going anywhere), this sports-crazed town is understandably excited that the Flyers are back in the playoffs.  But a first-round series against their cross-state rival Penguins is never easy, and it certainly won't be this year.  Pittsburgh rested almost all of its stars as soon as it clinched its playoff spot which should pay dividends in this series, especially given the ages of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson.  These two split the season series, 2-2, but the Flyers needed OT in both of their wins while the Pens took their two games easily.  Philly comes in on a three-game win streak but they are 0-6 this season trying to make it four-in-a-row.  Take Pittsburgh.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Montreal Canadiens.  Heading into Wednesday night's games, there was a three-way tie atop the NHL's Atlantic Division.  But when the Sabres beat the Rangers, they took a two point lead although nobody would be surprised if the race for this crown came down to the last day of the season.  Tonight, the other two Atlantic leaders will face off as the Lightning visit Montreal for the fourth and final meeting of these two.  Although the Bolts lead the division series, 2-1, it was the Canadiens who won the last encounter in Tampa on March 31, 4-1, despite only registering 23 shots.  So the Bolts are seeking some revenge tonight and it's something they've done pretty well at this season.  Tampa is 13-7 in 20 games revenging a same season loss vs. an opponent (7-4 when revenging that loss on the road).  Take the Lightning.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 5:05 pm, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Florida Panthers.  It's virtually a done deal now that the Panthers will not be defending their back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships this spring.  Although mathematically still alive in the playoff race, a loss tonight would eliminate Florida, which currently sits with 77 points (11 behind the final Wild Card spot).  Not that it makes them or their fans feel any better, but the Panthers have a legitimate excuse as they are the most injured team in the NHL right now (and it's not really close).  The Penguins on the other hand probably thought there was a good chance this would not be a playoff season, but Pittsburgh is right in the thick of it -- hanging on to second place in the Metropolitan -- with just six games to go.  And unlike the Panthers, the Pens are, for the most part healthy, with both Crosby and Malkin back on the ice for these final games.  Pittsburgh won the only other meeting so far this year in Florida in October and the Panthers are 2-10 in 12 games this season when revenging a home loss (2-9 on the road).  Take the Penguins.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Pittsburgh Penguins.  With just seven games to go, it's looking as if Pittsburgh's chances of catching Carolina are fading fast.  It doesn't help their cause that the Pens' remaining games are against some pretty tough customers, starting with tonight's trip to Tampa to play the Lightning.  This game probably means more to the Bolts than it does to the Pens as Tampa is just two points behind first place Buffalo and two points ahead of third place Montreal.  The Pens have both Crosby and Malkin back in the lineup, but they need more than that to deal with the high-flying Lightning who have a +61 goal differential -- tops in the Eastern Conference.  That has been the Pens' biggest problem this season as they are just 4-9 in 13 games against the top teams in the League (win pct of at last 60%).  The Lightning have won four of the last five meetings with the Penguins going back to November of 2024 and they are 11-5 at home so far in the second half.  Take Tampa.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Anaheim Ducks over the San Jose Sharks.  For five seasons -- between 2012-13 and 2016-17 -- the Anaheim Ducks finished first in their division.  They haven't returned to the mountaintop since, but they're well on their way, holding down first place in the Pacific with eight regular season games to go.  They never made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in those five seasons and that's something they'd like to remedy this spring.  After tonight's game, Anaheim's next four are at home against teams with losing records, including the final match-up with the Sharks.  But tonight they have to win in San Jose, something that's not always easy.  Despite having perhaps the best young player in the world on their squad the Sharks are on the outside-looking-in at the Playoff seeds.  For as talented as 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini is (101 points in 72 games) he can't do everything and San Jose simply hasn't put a good enough team around him.  The Ducks have won six of the last seven meetings, including the last three here in San Jose.  Take Anaheim.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Detroit Red Wings over the Pittsburgh Penguins.  After managing just 12 shots in a lopsided 6-3 home loss to the Stars on Saturday, the Penguins took out their frustration on the Islanders last night.  Pittsburgh exploded for eight goals on 31 shots in Long Island.  They also welcomed captain Sidney Crosby back to the lineup as the 38-year old had been out with a lower body injury since March 26.  That victory got the Pens back to the .500 mark and now they travel back home to face a Detroit team that is fighting for a Wild Card spot.  The Wings know all about being held to 12 shots as that is all they could manage in their last meetings with the Pens -- a 4-1 loss at home on January 3.  Due to the back-to-back games, Pittsburgh's #1 goalie, Arturs Silovs, will not be available and it will instead use back-up Stuart Skinner who has struggled this season.  Detroit is 9-4 this season revenging a home loss vs. an opponent (8-3 on the road).  Take the Wings.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:35 pm, our selection is on the Colorado Avalanche minus 1.5 goals over the Calgary Flames.  The Avalanche have locked up a post-season appearance -- their ninth season in a row that they will be in the playoffs -- but their work is not done yet.  Colorado not only wants to hold on to the Central Division lead that it's had virtually all season, but it also wants to lock up the Presidents Trophy thereby getting home ice through the post-season.  It lost its last game on Saturday to the Jets, however the Dallas Stars -- the only team with a chance at catching the Avs -- lost last night in Philly and have been stumbling badly down the stretch, having lost five of their last six overall.  So the Avs still have a comfortable six point lead with 10 games to go (and two in hand over Dallas).  The Avs are always favorites these days no matter who they play and that's certainly true tonight at home against the 31-42 Flames.  The Avs have won seven of the last eight meetings with Calgary, with the lone loss coming in the last meeting.  Take Colorado minus 1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 5:05 pm, our selection is on the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Boston Bruins.  Both the Blue Jackets and Bruins were on the ice yesterday.  Columbus lost at home to San Jose, while the Bruins bested Minnesota, 6-3.  The Jackets were on a roll, having won five of six between March 17 and 24 but they've now lost two straight coming into this key match-up today.  The Bruins won the first meeting between these teams a month ago at home, 4-2, despite being out-shot by Columbus by a whopping 40-23.  Winning in Boston has not been a problem for the Bruins this season (27-11), but the road has been a different story as away from TD Garden, the Bruins are just 14-21.  The Jackets are 11-6 in 17 games this season when revenging a road loss, including 10-1 when playing at home.  Columbus is also 17-6 in 23 games this season as a home favorite.  Take the Blue Jackets.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 5:35 pm, our selection is on the Buffalo Sabres over the Seattle Kraken.  After their fourth win in a row (three on the road) a week ago, the Sabres must have been feeling good about their chances of winning their first division title in 16 years.  After all, that March 21 victory over the Kings in L.A. put them four points up on the Lightning with four of their next five games coming at home.  But three straight losses later and now Buffalo is in a virtual tie with Tampa -- two points ahead in the standings but with the Bolts having two games in hand.  So this evening's game against the Kraken here at Key Bank Arena is huge if Buffalo wants to keep pace with a Lightning team which knows how to win games late in the season.  It's no doubt a favorable match-up for the home team tonight as Buffalo won the only other meeting this season with the Kraken, holding them to just 24 shots in the 3-1 victory in Seattle on December 14.  Seattle is just 16-24 in 40 games this season revenging a loss vs. an opponent (6-13 on the road).  Take the Sabres.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 5:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the New Jersey Devils.  The Hurricanes come into Saturday's game off a loss four days ago at Montreal.  The 'Canes are back home tonight, and they're 43-10 their last 53 at home off a loss.  And they're 92-38 (+19.3 net games) as a favorite at home.  The Devils, meanwhile, are playing their 5th straight road game, and are 3-11 on the road after 3 (or more) road games.  Take Carolina.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 5:05 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Being in second place in your division while trying to catch the best team in the League with 10 games left is probably a bad time for a four-game losing streak.  Nevertheless, that's the situation the Stars find themselves in going into this Saturday match-up with the Penguins in Pittsburgh.  It's been two days since a tough 2-1 loss in New York to a very good Islanders team as Dallas will continue to Philadelphia and Boston after today's match-up in the Steel City.  But it's not like the Pens have been setting the league on fire lately either, having lost five of their last nine, including two of their last three here at PPG Paints Arena.  And it doesn't help their chances that Pittsburgh could be without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin today, as both are listed as day-to-day with upper/lower body injuries.  This has been a very one-sided series lately as the Stars have won five of the last six meetings including the last two here in Pittsburgh.  Take Dallas.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Wild over the Florida Panthers.  A .500 record is not how you want to follow up your second consecutive Stanley Cup winning season.  And yet here we are with just a dozen games to go and Florida is limping down the stretch with a 35-32-3 ledger.  Never mind a three-peat, at this point it looks as though a seventh straight post-season appearance has gone by the wayside for the Panthers as only a miracle would get them there.  And their schedule doesn't help their chances with remaining games against the Wild (tonight), Islanders, Senators, Penguins (twice), and Red Wings to close out the regular season.  While the season has been disappointing for Florida, it's been the exact opposite for Minnesota, who is looking almost certain to lock up at least a third place finish in the League's toughest division.  The Wild has some revenge on its mind as it lost to the Panthers in the only other meeting this season -- a tough 4-3 OT final in January.  Minnie is 12-6 this season revenging a same-season loss vs an opponent.  Take the Wild.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Minnesota Wild.  The Lightning return home from a successful four-game road trip in which they went 3-1.  It was a success, but it was also a bit grueling as the Bolts had to play in four Western cities in six days.  The one loss came at the end of the trip in Calgary and despite being a heavy favorite against the Flames, Tampa was no doubt pretty exhausted at that point and could only manage a point in the 4-3 OT loss.  With a travel day on Monday, the Bolts should be in much better shape tonight playing in front of their fans as they begin their longest homestand of the season (seven games over 12 days).  And they'll need to be as the Wild is no slouch of a team, having a record that is almost as dominant as the Lightning.  But as we saw on that recent road trip, the Bolts have been very good this season against non-conference foes, going 21-8 in 29 games against teams from the West (10-3 here at home).  Tampa has won three of the last four home meetings with Minny going back to November 2021.  Take the Lightning.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Ottawa Senators over the New York Rangers.  The Rangers haven't finished in last place in their division since 2018.  But barring some sort of miraculous turnaround, it appears it's going to happen this season and there's also a good chance that they'll finish with less points than the 77 they had that year.  This is not a good team and that has to sting for fans that are used to seeing the Rangers battle for a title almost every season.  The last meeting of these two is a perfect example of how bad New York is right now as the Senators held the Rangers to just 22 shots on goal while scoring eight of their own in a lopsided 8-4 victory here at Madison Square Garden on January 14.  And Ottawa is not only a hot team right now but a somewhat desperate one as the Sens (81 points) try to keep up with the Red Wings, Islanders, and Bruins in the Wild Card race.  The Rangers are just 3-11 in 14 games this season as a home underdog.  Take Ottawa.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 goals over Pittsburgh.  The 'Canes return home tonight after a 2-2 west coast road trip which ended with a 5-4 loss at Calgary.  We'll take Carolina to bounce back tonight, as it's 24-2 its last 26 home games vs. division rivals.  And it's 41-10 at home off a SU loss, while the Penguins are 44-58 off a win.  We'll lay the 1.5 goals with Carolina tonight.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Winnipeg Jets.  The Olympics couldn't have gone any better for goalie Connor Hellebuyck.  The 32-year-old from Michigan was named the series' top goalie while leading his USA teammates to a Gold Medal and it was even announced that Hellebuyck would be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his performance.  However, when it comes to his NHL season, Hellebuyck appears to be falling well short of his Vezina Trophy-winning 2024-25 campaign while the Jets are struggling mightily less than a year after winning the Presidents Trophy (most points in the League).  Injuries have certainly played a role in Winnipeg's sub-par performance this season as the Jets are currently 24-26-10 and on the outside looking in on the Playoff race in 6th place in the Central Division. Things won't get any easier tonight as they welcome in the Lightning who are 38-17-4 and who beat them easily in their only other meeting this season.  Winnipeg is 7-14 in 21 games revenging a same season loss.  Take the Lightning.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 6:35 pm, our selection is on the Florida Panthers over the New York Islanders.  If the Florida Panthers are going to make it a three-peat (three Stanley Cup Championships in a row), then they better get busy.  With just a little more than a quarter of the season left, Florida's reigning NHL Champs are just one game over the .500 mark heading into a huge four-game road trip that begins tonight in Queens.  Injuries have certainly played a big role in the Panthers' struggles this season and they are still without six members of the lineup tonight as they prepare to take on an Islanders team that they've had a lot of success against recently.  The Isles are also without some key members of the team, including veteran forward (and local product) Kyle Palmieri, who continues to miss time with a knee injury.  The Panthers have won three of the last four meetings with the Islanders, including the only other meeting this season, a dominant 4-1 victory back on December 7.  Take Florida.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens over the Washington Capitals.  The Caps have come out of the post-Olympics chute firing away, having played two impressive games against the Flyers (a 3-1 victory) and Golden Knights (3-2).  Those two victories have pushed DC over the .500 mark and pulled it within a couple of a points of an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.  Like many other teams in the League, Washington used the three-week break from NHL action to get some players healthy and now the Caps are hoping to make a run in the final quarter of the season.  But now they have to travel overnight to Montreal to play a very good Canadiens team that has also been getting healthier and is playing very well of late.  The Habs' offense has been very strong this season with a 3.45 goals-per-game average that is currently second-best in the East (Tampa Bay - 3.56).  And that offense will get to face a back-up goalie tonight as Olympian Logan Thompson will not be available for the Caps.  Take Montreal.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Utah Mammoth over the Minnesota Wild.  The Wild pulled off the biggest upset that an NHL team can pull off last night, beating the Avalanche in Colorado.  The Wild's victory in Denver was just the Avs' 19th loss of the season as they still have by far the best record in the League.  Now Minnesota has to turn right around and travel to Salt Lake City for this meeting with the Mammoth, who are having a pretty good season in their own right.  It's just the second meeting of the season between these two clubs as the Mammoth were victorious in Minneapolis back in October by a lopsided 6-2 score.  Utah hopes to pick up where it left off right before the Winter Olympics break as it had won 11 of 15 games between January 5 and February 4 and is now in the first Wild Card position in the West as of this writing.  The key to their success has been the Mammoth's defense and their 2.78 GAA per game has them currently ranked third in the West behind only the Avs and Stars.  The Wild is just 3-7 this season when playing on zero days of rest.  Take Utah.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.  

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the New York Islanders over the Washington Capitals.  On Saturday night, the Caps finally won back-to-back games for the first time in almost two months.  And the fact that they did it against the Carolina Hurricanes made it even more of an achievement.  But the real surprising part was that they were able to defeat arguably the best team in the conference with a third-string goalie playing in just his second career NHL game.  Both first stringer Logan Thompson and back-up Charlie Lindgren are out with injuries which means the Caps had to call up 26-year-old Clay Stevenson for the net-minding duties on Saturday and the inexperienced goalie came through for DC.  But the goalies aren't the only ones currently on the sidelines for the Caps as they are also without forwards Connor McMichael and Pierre-Luc Dubois as well as defensemen Matt Roy and Martin Fehervary.  The Caps beat the Isles in the last meeting back in November and New York is 4-1 in five road games when revenging a same season loss.  Take the Isles.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 3:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Los Angeles Kings. The Hurricanes lost a tough one on Saturday night in DC, falling to the Capitals in OT after building a 3-0 lead four minutes into the second period. But good teams find a way to forget about those kind of losses real quick and that's exactly what the 'Canes need to do as they head back home overnight in order to be ready to welcome the Kings to town for this Sunday matinee. Carolina beat this L.A. team back in October 2025 by the exact same 4-3 overtime score that is lost by last night and now the 'Canes look to sweep the season series here at the PNC Arena. Carolina goes for its 20th home win tonight which would tie the 'Canes with Colorado in that category, only one behind Boston who leads the league in home victories. The Kings are just 11-14 in 25 games this season when revenging a loss against an opponent and they're 8-12 in 20 games vs. Eastern Conference teams this season. Take the Hurricanes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Utah Mammoth over the Dallas Stars. The Stars have won four of six meetings since the Mammoth moved from Arizona to Utah in 2024. But Utah won the last one at home 16 days ago and, tonight,  it will try to do it again. Delta Center has been very good to the Mammoth this season as they are 15-7-2 here (vs. just 13-15-2 on the road) and the fact that they've played six more games away from home bodes well for the coming weeks. The Mammoth return from a four-game road trip in which they went 2-2 but that trip was much better than that record would indicate as the two defeats came against the two best teams in the East (a 2-0 loss in Tampa to the red-hot Lightning and a 5-4 loss in Raleigh to the 'Canes). Now Utah has the benefit of six straight home games (three before the Olympics break and three after). The Mammoth is 10-4 in the second half of the season and 6-1 during that time at home while the Stars are 4-5 in nine games this season when revenging a road loss. Take Utah. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Washington Capitals.  Last night, Washington went into Calgary and defeated the Flames, 3-1.  Logan Thompson was between the pipes in that game, so #2 netminder, Charlie Lindgren, will get the start tonight.  Unfortunately, Lindgren has given up 3+ goals in 12 of his last 14 games, including each of his last six.  The Oilers are in the midst of an 8-game home stand.  They kicked it off with a 5-0 win over the Blues, but dropped their last two games to New Jersey and Pittsburgh.  The good news for the Oilers tonight is that they are 33-15 off back to back losses, including 17-5 at home.  Take Edmonton.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Kings over Anaheim.  After losing 9 straight games, the Ducks have won their last two, including a 3-2 Shootout win over the Kings in Los Angeles last night.  The Freeway Series will shift to Anaheim for tonight's rematch, and we'll take Los Angeles to bounce back from Friday night's defeat.  The Ducks will play tonight without their top two points leaders.  Leo Carlsson (26 assists; 18 goals) underwent a procedure to treat a lesion in his left thigh, while Troy Terry (29 assists; 13 goals) was placed on injured reserve for an upper body injury.  Take Los Angeles to snap its 3-game losing streak.  

At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Utah Mammoth over the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Last night, Toronto goalie, Joseph Woll, stopped 31 of 34 Avalanche shots, as the Leafs upset the Avs, 4-3, in overtime.  Tonight, back-up goalie Dennis Hildeby should get the start for Toronto.  But the Maple Leafs are a miserable 3-8 with Hildeby between the pipes.  Conversely, Utah is 8-2 in the last 10 starts made by Karel Vejmelka.  We'll fade Toronto off its big upset win.  Take the Mammoth.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 5:05 pm, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Boston Bruins. The two NHL teams who wear Black and Gold will meet for the first time this season (and the first time in Boston in over a year). The Bruins erupted for 10 goals on Saturday right here against an out-gunned Rangers squad. Included in those 10 goals were first-time hat tricks for a couple of Boston players -- Pavel Zacha and Marat Khusnutdinov (the latter netting four goals in the lopsided victory). Boston has to hope it has some bullets left for what should be a tough game against a very good Penguins team. Much has been made about the Pens' aging stars but this team also features younger talent, like 27 year-old winger Justin Brazeau and 18 year-old center Benjamin Kindel. Pittsburgh just had a six-game win streak snapped yesterday at home against the Flames so the Pens will be looking to start a new streak tonight in Boston. Pittsburgh has won two of the last three meetings here at TD Garden going back to January of 2024. Take the Penguins. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Stars over the Buffalo Sabres.  While there are many compelling stories in the NHL as we reach the end of 2025, none is more interesting -- and perhaps more ignored -- than what Buffalo is doing right now.  The Sabres are one win away from tying the franchise record of ten straight wins coming into this New Years Eve showdown in Dallas  (it's a feat they've achieved on three prior occasions).  A win tonight would indeed be a reason to pop some champagne in the Sabres locker room as it would tie the record and set them up for a new franchise mark next time out.  But don't get that bubbly on ice yet.  While the Sabres have beaten some decent clubs over the last nine games, they haven't faced the level of competition they're going to see in Dallas.  The Stars may be eight points behind the Avs, but if they were in the East, they'd be the best team in the Conference by quite a bit.  This is the first meeting of these two in exactly one year (and that one was also here at American Airlines Center).  The Stars are 4-1 in the last five meetings.  Take Dallas.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Detroit Red Wings.  The Red Wings and Hurricanes went into the Christmas break tied atop the Eastern Conference -- each with 47 points.  Detroit has two more losses in regulation than Carolina does (13 to 11) otherwise it's very hard to separate these two teams as they prepare to meet for the first time this season.  As the League gets back to regular play tonight, the Wings have won three in a row while the 'Canes have dropped that same number straight prior to getting the three days off.  All three of Carolina's losses came to teams from the Sunshine State -- two to the Panthers and one to the Lightning - so no doubt the 'Canes are happy to be playing a club from the opposite end of the country tonight.  And this has been a lopsided series in recent seasons with the 'Canes having won six of the last seven meetings going back to April of 2023.  Carolina is also 4-0 against Detroit in the last four of those meetings here at the Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena) in Raleigh.  Take the Hurricanes.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Boston Bruins over the Vancouver Canucks.  The Canucks won their 3rd straight road game last night with a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders.  Thatcher Demko started, and stopped 22 of 23 shots.  Tonight, back-up goalie Kevin Lankinen will be between the pipes.  He has not been strong this season, as he has a 3.49 GAA and a save percentage at .878.  Vancouver has lost his last six starts.  And Boston is 12-2 this season vs. goalies that have a saves pct. below 0.895 (including 7-0 at home).  Take the Bruins.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Florida Panthers over the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The Panthers dropped their first two games of this 6-game home stand, with losses to Philadelphia (4-2) and Calgary (5-3).  We'll take Florida to bounce back, as it's 21-12 off back to back losses (+5.2 net games).  Even better:  this season, the Maple Leafs have been an Underdog six times and are 0-6 in those games.  We'll take Florida on this Tuesday.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 4:05 pm, our selection is on the Winnipeg Jets over the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota comes into this afternoon's match-up with Winnipeg riding a rare -- for them -- four-game win streak. Included in that streak was a 4-3 shootout victory over the Hurricanes and a 5-0 blanking of the Penguins which was Friday night at Pittsburgh (despite only managing 40 shots on goal in those two victories combined). Now the Wild travels from Western PA to Central Canada to take on a Jets club that is once again one of the best in the Western Conference. The Jets lost a tough one on Friday night to the 'Canes here at home and they look to bounce back from that against a team they've had a lot of success against recently. Despite its moderate success this season, Minnesota is just 2-5 in seven games as a road underdog. This has been one of the most lopsided series in recent NHL history with the Jets having won each of the last nine meetings going back to April 2023. Take Winnipeg. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 1:05 pm, our selection is on the Detroit Red Wings over the Columbus Blue Jackets.  There is a matinee in Detroit this afternoon, which features the Red Wings hosting the neighboring Blue Jackets. It's quite unusual for Columbus to be in contention after 1/4 of the season has elapsed, but this Jackets club is perhaps the best we've seen in six years as all those seasons of high draft picks may finally be paying off. But this could also be the best Detroit team we've seen since it last made the playoffs all the way back in 2016 as the Wings find themselves in first place in the Atlantic Division coming into today. This afternoon is a revenge game of sorts as the Jackets won the last two meetings with the Wings in the latter half of last season (although Detroit won four straight meetings before that). The Blue Jackets are 1-5 this season as an underdog of +100 to +150. Take the Red Wings. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Winnipeg Jets. In what could be a preview of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals, the Hurricanes will visit Winnipeg for the first time since February. Both of these talented teams are off to very good starts, with the Hurricanes leading the Eastern Conference as of this writing and the Jets currently sitting in third place in the Central Division out West. In search of some consistency since their four-game win streak in the first week of November, the 'Canes have alternated wins and losses in their last six games. They fell 4-3 in OT to the Wild on Wednesday but dominated play throughout and out-shot Minnesota by a lopsided 45-20. In fact, Carolina has been winning the shots battle in every game it's played going back to October 30 (12 straight contests). But a key for the 'Canes tonight will be to score first as they've allowed the opening goal in a troubling seven of their last 10 games. Carolina is 5-1 following a loss this season (3-0 on the road following a loss). Take the Hurricanes. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens over the Washington Capitals.  The Canadiens attempt to get out of their funk tonight at home with a game against the visiting Capitals.  Montreal began the season hot as a pistol, winning nine of its first 12 games but since then it has lost six of seven, including the last four.  Washington on the other hand is riding a two-game win streak after beating the Oilers last night but now the Caps have to travel from DC to Montreal with no day off before returning to Washington for a four-game homestand.  The Caps have the current top goalie in the league in Logan Thompson (1.85 GAA; .925 SV Pct) however they used Thompson last night so it will be back-up Charlie Lindgren tonight against the Habs.  Lindgren has struggled a bit this season with a 3.16 GAA and 2-4 record in six games.  This is quite the revenge game for the Canadiens as they lost to the Caps in the first round of the playoffs last April (four games to one) and this is their first meeting since then.  The Habs are 7-1 this season after playing a road game.  Take Montreal.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights over the New York Islanders.  The Knights come into tonight's game on a rare 3-game losing streak after falling to Florida, 3-2.  And all three losses have come here, at home, on the Vegas Strip.  We'll take the Knights to bounce back, as they're 40-16 (+14.3 net games) at home off back to back losses.  And they're 29-15 (+8.7 net games) off 3+ losses.  Even better:  the Islanders are an ugly 109-181 (minus 43.9 net games) on the road vs. Western Conference foes, including 10-22 their last 32.  Take Vegas on Saturday night.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Montreal Canadiens over the Buffalo Sabres. It could be that no NHL team comes into the 2025-26 season with more optimism than the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs made the post-season last Spring for the first time in four years and although they made a quick, first-round, exit, there are plenty of reasons to think that they can go at least one better this season. The Canadiens may have lost some players in the off-season but they also added talent at virtually every position. But the biggest arrival may be someone who was already on the team as it appears former first round pick RW Ivan Demidov is ready to assume a full-time role with the offense and the 19-year-old is already making his presence felt on the ice. First string goalie Sam Montembeault may be poised for a break-out this season and assume a position among the top net-minders in the league. The Canadiens have won the last four meetings with the Sabres and seven of the last nine going back to March 2023.  And they're 14-4 their last 18 as a home favorite, while Buffalo is a poor 19-41 (minus 9.9 net games) as a road underdog.  Take Montreal.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers.  It's hard to recall a bigger game in their history for the Oilers than Game 4 of this Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday night.  If Edmonton lost, they would trail 3-1 -- a seemingly impossible situation.  And yet it looked like that's exactly what was going to happen at the end of the first period as the Panthers took a 3-0 lead.  And dating back to Florida's overtime winner in Game 2, the Panthers had outscored the Oilers 10 goals to 1.  But the Oilers clawed their way back with 3 goals in the 2nd period, and finally ended it in dramatic fashion in OT with a goal from their star, Leon Draisaitl.  For the second straight game, Edmonton replaced goalie Stuart Skinner with Calvin Pickard but this time the 33-year-old from New Brunswick was outstanding, allowing just one goal with 19 seconds left in the 3rd period, while making 22 saves -- including a couple of critical ones in the overtime period.  There's no doubt the Oilers should go with Pickard from the get-go this evening at home, but skipper Kris Knoblach has not announced a starter as of this writing.  Regardless, we're on the Oilers, as Edmonton is 66-29 (+13.3 net games) as a home favorite, while Florida has burned money as a road underdog (10-15, -2.5 net games).  Take the Oilers.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers.  Things got ugly on Monday night, both in general and for Edmonton specifically in Game 3.  The Panthers completely overwhelmed their opponent at home and ran away with the game, 6-1.  Brawls erupted in the third period as the Oilers became completely frustrated with Florida's superior play and forechecking.  With the smoke now cleared, Edmonton has a lot of soul searching to do.  It appears that the Oilers will stick with Stuart Skinner to start Game 4 tonight, but Kris Knoblauch has said he won't make a final decision until later in the day.  Skinner has been running hot and cold and he often follows up horrible performances like Game 3 with very solid play.  The other good news for Edmonton is that it has not lost three games in a row since a regular-season skid that started February 7, and the stakes are significantly higher now in this Stanley Cup Final.  The Oilers are 34-16 (+11.2 net games) off back to back losses.  And they're 10-0 in Game 4 of a Playoff series since 2023.  Take Edmonton.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.