The Tampa Bay Lightning went into the break on a 3-game winning streak but that will be in jeopardy tonight when they open the second half with the New York Rangers at MSG. The Bolts are tough on their home ice, with a record of 17-5-3, but on the road they are a different team, with a record of 10-13-2. The Rangers got the second half going on the right foot with a 2-1 OT win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. New York has won two straight against Tampa including a 5-1 thrashing of them back on December 30th at Amalie Arena. The Lightning have not played since January 27th so timing and rust could be an issue.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK RANGERS
Month: February 2024
Tuesday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
Two of the best teams in the AAC, the USF Bulls and the Charlotte 49ers, will square off tonight in Tampa. Both teams are clicking on every cylinder, with the 49res riding an 8-game winning streak and the Bulls 7 but the edge in this one leans toward South Florida. The Bulls are 10-2 as the home team. They average 75.5 points per game and the 49ers average 69.2. USF also has the edge in 3-pointers, free throws, steals and rebounds. Yuengling Arena will be electric tonight with over 10,000 Bulls supporters. The line is currently USF -2.5 with a money line of only -135 so the choice is obvious.
TONIGHT’S PICK: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS M/L
Monday NHL Pick
The Toronto Maple Leafs went into the break winning 3 straight, 4 of their last 5, and will look to continue that trend tonight when they host the New York Islanders. New York has lost 7 of their last 8 and it appears new coach Patrick Roy is not the savior they thought he would be. The Isles are just 1-2-1 with him at the helm. The All-Star Game was in Toronto, so the Leafs had the luxury of returning home every night and sleeping in their own beds. That does make a difference. Toronto scores more goals than New York, gives up less, and has Auston Matthews, who leads the league in scoring with 40 goals.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Sunday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Canisius Golden Griffins will have their work cut out for them today when they travel to Hamden, Connecticut to face the best in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Quinn has been on a roll, winners of 8 straight, 9 of their last 10, and are 9-1 as the home team. Canisius is in the 9th spot in the MAAC. They are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games overall and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games as a dog. The Bobcats have the edge in points scored, points allowed, free throws, rebounds, and are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 overall. If they want to cover the number, they will.
TODAY’S PICK: QUINNIPIAC BOBCATS -6½
Saturday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
If the Fordham Rams are going to get back on track it should be today when they take it on the arches to Chaifetz Arena to face to Saint Louis Billikens. Neither one of these teams are tearing it up in the A-10. The Billikens are dead last in the 15th spot with a record of 8-13, 7-4 as the home team, and are just 1-7 in conference play. The Rams are a little better. They reside in the 11th spot, at 9-12. They are 3-2 when away from the Bronx and 3-5 in conference play. Fordham also has the edge in points scored, points allowed, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots. Saint Louis is a mess. They have lost 5 straight, 8 of their last 9, and as a home favorite, which they are, they are 0-4-1 in their last 5.
TODAY’S PICK: FORDHAM RAMS +1½
Friday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Pennsylvania Quakers will be in Rhode Island tonight to take on their Ivy League rival, the Brown Bears. Penn comes in with a record of 9-10 while the Bears are 5-14. The Quakers are averaging 76.0 points per game and the Bears are averaging 70.5. Penn also has the edge in 3-pointers and free throw percentage. They have won 5 straight against Brown, 9 of the last 10, and are getting 2.5.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PENNSYLVANIA QUAKERS +2½
Thursday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The 14-7 PFW Mastodons finally got back on track in their last outing, with a road victory over the NK Norse, 63 -58, and return home tonight to host the 10-11 Milwaukee Panthers. Winning fuels winning and the Mastodons should take care of business tonight. PFW is 8-2 as the home team, are averaging 82.6 points per game, and allowing 71.1. The Panthers are 2-7 when away from UW. They are averaging 79.1 points per game and allowing 80. When PFW is on, they can light up the scoreboard and I expect they do just that against a shaky Panthers’ defense. The line is currently PFW -3.5 with a money line of -165 so forget the points and consider the Elephants on the money.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PURDUE FORT WAYNE MASTODONS M/L