Xam’s Daily Gems:
Buffalo Money Line -130
Buffalo and Eastern Michigan may be the worst matchup on paper tonight in college basketball. Having said that, there’s some value on Buffalo here. Buffalo has been scoring more in recent games, averaging over 71 points per game in their last 4 games. This matches well with Eastern Michigan’s defense faltering recently, giving up on average 76 points per game in their last 11 games. Eastern Michigan is only scoring about 67 points per game this season, so if Buffalo can continue their recent offensive success, it’s not clear Eastern Michigan will be able to keep up on the road. They’ve been terrible on the road this year. They’ve lost their last 5 road games by an average of over 13 points, and 4 of those 5 losses were double digit losses. If Buffalo can keep their interior scoring up, they should be able to get a measure of revenge for their loss to Eastern Michigan last month.
Devils 60 Min Money Line -110
The Devils have lived and died from the success of their offense this year. Despite scoring an impressive 183 goals this year, they’ve given up even more goals on the year at 185. However, despite the Devils’ poor defensive play, the Capitals likely won’t be able to take advantage. They’re averaging less than 2.5 goals per game this season, and they’re 2-6-2 in their last 10 games. They’ve been plagued by inconsistent defense and goalie play as well. Fortunately for the Devils, they have all of the offensive weapons they need to take advantage. The Devils have also proven to be a good road team, posting a 15-9-2 record away from home this season. The key tonight, as it always seems to be the case with the Devils, is their defense. They shouldn’t have any issues scoring behind Jack Hughes, Tyler Toffoli, and Jesper Bratt. If they can contain a weak offensive attack led by Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and T.J. Oshie, the Devils should be able to continue their run to a wildcard spot.
Panthers 60 Min Money Line -160
The Panthers have been absolutely dominant recently, winning 5 straight games and all of them by at least 2 goals. They’re also well rested coming into this game, as they have only played one game since February 15th and their last game was on the 17th, which was a 92 win in Tampa Bay. The Senators have been playing better recently, but are coming off a game last night. This is a tough spot for a back-to-back night. It’s also their 3rd game in 4 nights. Overall, they’ve been terrible defensively, giving up 186 goals this year. Coming in tired against a rested offense that’s been dominant recently is a bad combination for Ottawa. The Panthers are 9-1 in their last 10 games and are just 1 point behind the Bruins for the number 1 seed in the East. The Senators have been bad on the road overall, with a record of just 8-14. If Florida can play some defense against a team that should be a little tired coming in, they shouldn’t have any issues winning their 6th straight game.
Rangers Money Line -130
The Stars will be playing their second straight game after a shootout loss yesterday in Boston, and this will be their 3rd game in 4 nights. Each of their last 2 games have gone to overtime, so they’ve played a lot of extra hockey recently. The Rangers have been scorching hot recently, winning 7 straight games, including an epic come from behind win against the Islanders in the Stadium Series in their last game. 4 of their last 5 wins have been by 2 goals or more. They also have a significant rest edge coming into this game, as they have only played that game against the Islanders since February 15th. The Stars have been one of the best teams in the league this year but this is a tough matchup for them. The Stars have been inconsistent recently on the defensive end and coming into this game tired on the road against an elite offensive unit is a bad combination. If the Rangers can play some defense, which is always a tough ask against Dallas, the Ranger should be able to stay hot and keep their winning streak going.
Jets Money Line -150
The Jets are playing their 2nd straight game and their 3rd game in 4 nights, so there’s some risk of them being tired in this game. However, they’ve been great at home this year. They’re 18-7-2 at the Canada Life Centre this season. The Wild are also playing their 2nd straight game and their 3rd game in 4 nights. They’re coming off a “wild” 10-7 come from behind win against the Canucks yesterday. They have scored a lot and been scored on a lot this season. Winnipeg may be the best defensive team in the league. They’ve only allowed 125 goals this season. That’s been their calling card, and they’ll need it again tonight. The Wild are averaging 31.3 goals per game this year. However, they’ve been average on the road this year, coming into this game with a 12-12-2 record. This is a tough matchup for them. Winnipeg is chasing the Avs for the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, and if they want to accomplish their goals this year, they need to win games like this tonight. If Winnipeg can produce some offense tonight, expect the defense to take care of the rest like they have all year.
Uconn/Creighton Over 145.5 Points -115
Both Uconn and Creighton are coming into this game with offenses that are playing well. Uconn has scored 81 or more points in each of their last 3 games and 89 or more in 2 of those games. Creighton games have gone Over in 6 of their last 8 games and they’ve scored no less than 78 points in each of those games. Overall, the Huskies are averaging 82 points per game this year and no one has shown a consistent ability to stop them. Uconn should continue doing what they’ve been doing all year and score some points. Expect Tristan Newton, Cam Spencer, and Stephon Castle to lead the way offensively. They’ve been great defensively this year, holding teams to about 67 points on the year. So, this game will come down to what Creighton can do on offense. If Creighton wants to pull off the upset, they’ll need guys like Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, and Ryan Kalkbenner to deliver as they have all year. Both teams rank in the top 30 in the nation for scoring offense, so there should be plenty of fireworks in this matchup of heavyweights!
Avalanche Money Line -152
The Avalanche have been a little inconsistent recently, going 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. However, they’ve been dominant at home this year, posting a 21-5-0 at Ball Arena this year. They are also well rested coming into this game, as they’ve played just one game since February 15th. The Canucks have lost 2 straight games, including a crazy game in Minnesota yesterday, where they gave up 7 goals in the 3rd Period! Despite being arguably the best team in the league right now, they haven’t been playing well recently, going 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. Coming off a demoralizing loss and having to travel to a rested Avs team is a brutal combination. The Avs have been great at home and a dominant offensive team. With the rest edge as well, they should be able to get the win in a matchup of 2 marquee teams in the West.
Predators/Golden Knights Over 5.5 Goals -132
The Golden Knights have been good offensively all year, averaging 3.21 goals per game this season. The Predators have allowed 179 goals this year, which makes this a tough matchup for them on the road. This is their 2nd straight game and 3rd in 4 nights, which may make their defense a little more tired than usual. The Predators have shown offensive prowess this season, scoring 167 goals on the year. The last time these two teams played, they were in Vegas and the Golden Knights won 4-1. Nashville’s defense has been underperforming recently, having surrendered 4 goals or more in 8 of their last 12 games. Vegas should be able to continue their run of offensive success here. This game will likely come down to what Nashville can produce on offense. If they can get their offense going against a tired team, we just may be in store for a shootout at T-Mobile Arena.
Kings 60 Minute Money Line -165
Despite being 27-16-10 on the year, the Kings are just a .500 team at home. They’ve won 3 straight and have won 5 of their last 6 to vault themselves into legitimate playoff conversations, but they need to be a lot better at home if they want to be in the playoffs. Fortunately, they draw one of the worst teams in the sport tonight in the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets have been terrible, with a 17-26-10 record and 8-12-6 record on the road. They have had issues on both offense and defense this season. They’re scoring less than 3 goals per game but have given up the 4th most goals in the league at 197! That equates to a whopping 3.71 goals per game this year! The Kings have been buoyed by a dominant defense this year, having given up just 145 goals on the year. Only the Jets have given up less goals this season. The Blue Jackets have the rest edge coming into this game, but it really shouldn’t matter. LA is the better team and Columbus hasn’t been competitive this season. If the Kings want to make the playoffs, games like this are a must win. They’re too good of a team to have a .500 record at home. Expect them to be over .500 at the Crypto.com Arena by the end of the night.