My 10* BIG TIGER is on the Arizona Coyotes.

Anaheim broke a three-game slide with a 3-0 win over the Isles, but I believe it'll predictably struggle here. Both teams rank near the bottom of the NHL in scoring, but Arizona has the second best goals against. The Coyotes also play with revenge here after falling in Anaheim 2-1 at the start of the year. 

Key Trends:

- Anaheim is just 4-6 (-2.3 units) after a non-conference games.

- Arizona is 3-1 (+2.2 uits) this year after allowing four goals or more.

- The Coyotes are 4-1 (+3 units) when playing with two days rest.

The verdict: All things considered, I believe this price could/should in fact be much larger; lay it!

My 10* BODY-CHECK is on the Chicago Blackhawks.

Dallas won a 2-1 shootout over these very Blackhawks last week and the Stars also come in off a 4-2 victory over the Golden Knights at home just last night. From a situational stand point, I think this one sets up FANTASTICALLY for the revenge minded home side. 

Key Trends:

- Chicago is 2-0 (+3.9 units) this year when playing with two days rest.

- The Blackhawks are 3-1 (+2 uints) in their last four after three or more consecutive losses.

The verdict: I like the rested home side to push the pace and to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night; lay the price!

My 10* BIG BOSS BLOWOUT is on the San Jose Sharks.

The Isles are 9-0-1 in their last ten, but note that their last three victories have come in extra time. Now New York hits the road for a tough Western swing and think the Isles predictably struggle in this late night contest and in this difficult venue. 

The Sharks though are 7-1 in their last eight and with a victory today, they can move back to .500. Situationally this one sets up beautifully for the home side. 

Key Trends:

- The Isles are just 3-7 in their last ten in this series on the road.

- The favorite is 11-5 the last 16 in this series.

The verdict: Not only do the Sharks have all of the above situational and trend based factors working in their favor, but as Bob Barker used to say: "The price is right," as well! Lay the short price.

My 10* SMASH-JOB is on the Detroit Red Wings. 

After horrendous starts, both the Senators and Red Wings have been playing better of late. But Ottawa has been terrible on the road and I think it'll predictably struggle here in this difficult away venue. 

Key Trends:

- The Sens average 2.75 GPG and they concede 3.25.

- The Wings average 2.32 GPG and they allow 3.68.

The verdict: The Senators though are already 0-2 (-2 units) this year when playing with two days rest as well. If not now, when for the Wings? As Bob Barker used to say: "The price is right!" Lay the short price.

My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Capitals on the PUCK LINE.

Anaheim is just 4-5 in its nine road games. The Ducks come to the Nation's capital off a rare road win over the defending champs as well, so can anyone say "letdown spot?!" 

Key Trends:

- The Ducks average only 2.33 GPG on the road.

- Washington averages 3.70 GPG. 

The verdict: Note that Washington goaltender Braden Holtby is 9-0-1 in his last ten games and I have a hard time seeing the Ducks mustering much of an offensive attack here. Lay the 1.5 goals and expect a blowout of epic proportions!

My 10* TOTAL CLASH OF THE TITANS is on the UNDER Sabres/Hawks.

I think this is a great situational play. Buffalo broke a five-game slide last night with a 4-2 win at home over Ottawa, while Chicago beat the Predators 7-2. With both teams coming off high-scoring victories just last night, I believe that from a situational stand point, this one definitely sets up as more of a defensive affair. Each will be tired, and neither will want to make the first mistake. 

Key Trends:

- Blackhawks had 14 shots on net yesterday and scored 7 goals. They were outshot 41-14 and won 7-2.

The verdict: I base my selections on many different things. I feel that being flexible with my approach works best. This total is high considering the overall situation that each team finds itself in coming into this contest; play the under!

My 10* DESTROYER is on the Boston Bruins.

Both teams played last night. Washington lost 5-2 to Montreal, while Boston won 4-2 in Toronto. Clearly the second game of the back to back favors the home side here. Additionally note that the Bruins play with the added incentive of revenge here as the Capitals have won seven straight on their home ice. From a situational stand point, this one definitely sets up well for Boston. 

Key Trends:

- Washington is 13-16 (-3.8 units) the L2 years when playing on back-to-back days.

- Boston is 16-10 in its last 26 when playing on back-to-back days.

The verdict: And finally, as Bob Barker used to say: "The price is right!" I love Boston to finally prevail and get its revenge!

My 10* CRUCIAL INFO PLAY is on the New Jersey Devils.

Sidney Crosby will miss up to six weeks with an abdominal injury for Pittsburgh and stand out Kris Letang also was left behind because of an injury. I think the Pens get caught flat footed here in their first game without Crosby. 

The verdict: Clearly the Penguins are the "better" team. But this is a tough spot for any club to deal with and I think the home side takes full advantage. In my opinion, this is the very definition of "great line value!" 

My 10* BIG TIGER is on the Florida Panthers.

The Jets are coming off an 4-0 loss at home to Colorado and I think they'll stumble again here in this difficult road venue on the other side of the continent. Winnipeg is averaging a weak 2.58 GPG, while Florida averages 3.38. 

Key Trends:

- The Panthers are 7-1 in their last eight home games as a favorite in the -125 to -165 range.

- Winnipeg is a poor 3-6 in its last nine in this building.

The verdict: Florida has gotten points in eight of its last ten games. Expect the hungry home side to take advantage and lay this price with confidence!

My 10* TOTAL CLASH OF THE TITANS is on the OVER Hawks/Knights.

Chicago has won three of its last five, including a 5-4 win over the Leafs three nights ago. With two whole days off to prepare for this one, I like the hungry Hawks to keep the good on the gas here. Vegas on the other hand has lost three of its last five, including three straight. The Knights have also had two nights off to prepare for this one. 

Key Trends:

- Chicago has seen the total go over the number in 16 of its last 25 when playing on two days rest.

- Las Vegas has seen the total go over in 17 of its last 27 when playing on two days rest.

The verdict: The situation and the numbers/trends are both pointing to the "over" as the savvy call in this one in my opinion!

My 10* TOTAL BEST OF THE BEST is the Oilers/Ducks over.

At 5.5, I think the "over" offers great value here. In this day and age, 5.5 is a very low total in the NHL. Both teams have winning records and each will be pushing the pace from start to finish. 

Key Trends:

- Edmonton averages 2.83 GPG, while conceding 2.50. 

- Oilers power play is second best in the league with 27.5 percent. 

- Anaheim averages 2.65 GPG and it allows 2.53.

The verdict: Both teams have been better than average defensively and very average offensively. That said, I believe the conditions are now finally right for a high-scoring affair and I'll take full advantage of this low-number; play the over!

My 10* UPPER-SHELF BLOWOUT is on the San Jose Sharks.

The Predators aer coming off a 9-4 road loss in Colorado and I think they're going to be mentally ripe for the picking here as well for the hungry Sharks. Nashville looks horrible defensively in the early going, allowing 3.16 GPG, which balloons to 4.33 on the road. 

Key Trends:

- San Jose is killing 96 percent of its powerplays at home, which is tops in the NHL. 

- The Predators just 3-9 in their last 12 as a road favorite.

The verdict: San Jose's early poor numbers can be attributed to injury. The Sharks have been getting healthier though and they've been playing better; expect that trend to carry over here!

My 10* TOTAL U OF THE U is on the UNDER Flyers/Leafs.

Toronto started out on fire this year, but it enters this one sitting a 9-8. The Flyers were a mess to open the 2019/20 campaign, but they enter at 8-5-2 and off back-to-back victories over Carolina (4-1) and Montreal (3-2 in OT.) The Flyers have responded well defensively of late and I expect that trend to carry over here. Philly also plays with revenge here after falling to Toronto 4-3 last week. 

Key Trends:

- The Flyers have seen the total go under the number in four of their last five in trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent.

- Toronto has seen the total dip below the posted number in 

The verdict: I love this under. Philly comes to town confident and it's playing a lot better defensively. Look for the visitors to slow this one down and for this total to stay well below the posted number; play the under!

My 10* CLASH OF THE TITANS is on the Winnipeg Jets.

Vancouver's great start to the year is starting to slowly fade after last night's 5-2 loss in Chicago. The 8-7 Jets will now look to take advantage of their road weary visiting side. The Jets will be in a foul mood as well after losing at home to the Devils in a shootout in their last contest, snapping a three-game win streak. 

Key Trends:

- Vancouver is only 2-5 in its last seven vs. clubs with winning records.

- Winnipeg is 13-6 in its last 19 when playing on two days rest.

The verdict: As Bob Barker used to say: "The Price Is Right!" All things considered, I believe this to be the very definition of "great line value!" 

My 10* U of the U is on the Chicago Blackhawks.

Vancouver is 2-0-2 in its last four games. The Canucks come in off a 2-1 loss to the Blues and I think they'll struggle as well here vs. the hungry home side. The Hawks come in off a 4-2 loss to the Sharks. 

Key Trends:

- Vancouver is just 32-42 (-8.2 units) in its last 74 vs. clubs with losing records.

- Chicago is 7-2 in its last nine home games following a loss by three or more goals.

The verdict: I think Vancouver gets caught looking past its lowly opponent today and I expect the desperate home side to pull off the minor upset; play on Chicago!

My 10* CLASH OF THE TITANS is on the under Kings/Sens.

Key Trends:

Analysis posted shortly.

My 10* BEST OF THE BEST on the New York Rangers.

New York jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Senators in its last game, but then lost 6-2. A date for the Red Wings, who have dropped 11 of their last 12 is just what the doctor ordered to get untracked. Wings' netminder Jimmy Howard is 2-7-0 with a 3.90 GAA this year, while New YOrk goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is 2-3-0 with a 3.58 GAA.

Key Trends:

- Note that Lundqvist is 7-5-6 with a 2.01 GAA lifetime vs. the Wings. 

- The Rangers won't be taking anything for granted here, as Detroit has won three of the last four of this series in The Big Apple. 

The verdict: I look for the Rangers to lay the hamme down from start to finish; lay the short price!

My 10* CLASH OF THE TITANS is on the Calgary Flames.

Don't overthink every play you make. It's not necessary. Arizona earned an OT win in Edmonton just last night and I think it has a predictable letdown here vs. the hungry Flames' side. The Flames had won two in a row before a 4-2 setback to the Capitals last time out. 

Key Trends:

- The Flames are 4-1-1 at home.

- The Coyotes are 8-16 (-4.2 units) in their last 24 when playing on back-to-back days.

The verdict: I think the hungrier home side takes advantage of this contented Coyotes side and all things considered, I do indeed feel this is a very fair price; play on Calgary!

My 10* total of the week is the UNDER Arizona/Edmonton.

Arizona is coming off a 3-0 win over Colorado. The Oilers earned a 2-1 OT win over the Pens in their latest action. The goaltenders tonight are Antti Raanta for Arizona and Mike Smith for Edmonton and each has been exceptional of late. 

Key Trends:

- Arizona has allowed just 28 goals this year, No. 1 in the Western conference.

- Edmonton has already seen the total go under in seven of its last nine after a non-conference game.

The verdict: Look for these two goaltenders to be the main story lines in tomorrow's summaries and play the under!

My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Boston Bruins.

Boston's won five straight and I think the home side will keep the foot on the gas in this one. Pittsburgh's two game win streak was snapped in an OT loss to the Oilers at home in its most recent action. The Pens average 3.36 GPG, but the Bruins concede only 2.00 GPG, which ranks No. 1 in the NHL. 

Key Trends:

- Boston is averaging 3.54 GPG this year.

- Bruins' netminder Tuukka Rask is 7-0-1 with a 1.49 GAA.

- Pittsburgh is 0-4 in its last four vs. clubs with winning records.

The verdict: Boston has won nine of ten in this series at TD Garden; expect that trend to carry on this evening!