The 5-4 Boston Celtics are on a 2-game winning streak and will try to make it 3, when they travel to New Orleans tonight to take on the 1-9 Pelicans. The Pelicans are 0-5 at home and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games. Head to head, Boston is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings. The line in this game is Boston -4.5, which they should cover, but I’m playing it safe and taking the Celtics money line.
Today’s pick:
Boston Celtics -185
The 0-1 Niagara Purple Eagles will travel to Rhode Island today to take on the 0-1 Brown Bears. In Niagara’s first game against Buffalo, they put up 66 points and gave up 76. On the flip side, in their first game the Brown Bears scored 55 points against Cincinnati and gave up 84. Comparing offensive field goal percentages, the Brown Bears are ranked 246 while the Purple Eagles are ranked 173. The Western New Yorkers have the edge in points per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, defense and rebounding. I like the road dog Niagara, +6.
Today’s pick:
Niagara Purple Eagles +6
The Montreal Canadiens are a perfect 9-0 at home this year and with a win today, they will set a franchise record of 10 straight home wins to start the season, but they have a problem; they are hosting the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings might be 2-8 in their last 10 meetings with the Habs and 0-5 in their last 5 in Montreal, but in 1953 the Canadiens were a perfect 9-0 to start the campaign and you know who stopped them from going 10-0? The Detroit Red Wings. The Wings spoil it again.
Today’s pick:
Detroit Red Wings
It should be a battle tonight at the United Center when the 10-3-0-1 Chicago Blackhawks play host to the 8-3-0-1 Washington Capitals. The Blackhawks have been red hot winning their last 7 games but could be without one of their top producers, Artem Anisimov, who suffered an upper body injury in Wednesday’s win over St. Louis. Washington has been hot as well, winning 4 out of their last 5 and they are tough on the road, going 4-1-0-1 in their last 5 road games. In the last 5 meetings between these clubs, Washington has taken 4 of them. Braden Holtby is expected between the pipes for the Capitals and has been stingy in his last 5 games, giving up just 10 goals and is 4-2-0 in his career against the Blackhawks. Chicago’s streak could end tonight.
Tonight’s pick:
Washington Capitals
The New York Islanders will take their 0-3-0-0 road record south tonight to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. The Islanders are 0-5 in their last 5 meetings with the Lightning and 2-5 in their last 7 in Tampa. Tampa Bay has the edge in every category except discipline. I like the home team in this one.
Tonight’s pick:
Tampa Bay Lightning
It looks as if the Anaheim Ducks have turned things around after a slow start to the season, and they will try to keep the momentum going when they travel to Columbus tonight to take on the Blue Jackets. The Ducks’ Ryan Getslaf looked sharp in his return to the line-up on Sunday by notching 3 assists in a victory over the Calgary Flames. Anaheim should have Hampus Lindholm back in the line-up tonight, which will help bolster the defense. On the flip side, Columbus will be without one of their top defensemen tonight, Seth Jones, due to a fracture to his right foot. I like the Ducks’ chances in this one.
Tonight’s pick:
Anaheim Ducks
The young phenom, Connor McDavid, will take his Edmonton Oilers into PPG Paints Arena tonight to face his idol, Sidney Crosby, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Edmonton is off to a great start but has struggled in the past against Pittsburgh. The Oilers are 3-8 in their last 11 meetings with the Penguins and are 1-4 in their last 5 at the PPG. Matt Murray is expected between the pipes for Pittsburgh and he has been spectacular, owning a 2-0 record with a GAA of just 0.50 and a .985 SV%. The Penguins are 5-0-1 at home this season and they should get the win tonight.
Tonight’s pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins
