The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has an early one scheduled today with the Sacred Heart Pioneers hosting the Merrimack Warriors in Fairfield, Connecticut. The Pioneers will be a home dog, currently getting 2.5, and I’ll take it. Both teams are 6-8 overall and match up well but the edge goes to the Pioneers. As the home team, the Pioneers are 4-1 and average 76 points per game as opposed to the Warriors 63.8. They also have the edge in 3-pointers, rebounds, and have won their last two.
TODAY’S PICK: SACRED HEART PIONEERS +2½
Month: January 2025
Thursday NHL Pick
The 15-18-7 New York Islanders had better be clicking on every cylinder tonight because they will be at T-Mobile Arena to face the best in hockey, the 28-9-3 Vegas Golden Knights and they are hot. The Knights have won 3 straight, 9 of their last 10, and are 17-4-0 on the strip. They are also one of the league’s most prolific scoring teams, averaging 3.55 goals per game while surrendering just 2.65. The Isles won their last game over the Bruins in OT but prior to that they lost 3 in a row and are just 3-6 over their last 9. Vegas has won the last two meetings with New York and is the side to consider.
TONIGHT’S PICK: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Wednesday NHL Pick
The Florida Panthers will be at Delta Center tonight to face the Utah Hockey Club. This is the first meeting between these two teams since Arizona moved to Utah. The Club has been great on the road with a record of 12-8-3 but when they lace up in Salt Lake, they are a dismal 5-7-4. The Panthers are a solid 12-7-1 when away from Sunrise and were 10-2-1 in the last 13 meetings when the Club were the Coyotes. Florida is a scoring machine but has stumbled of late, with only 10 tallies over their last 6 games, but it’s just a matter of time before their heavy hitters Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk get going again and tonight might be that night.
TONIGHT’S PICK: FLORIDA PANTHERS
Tuesday NHL Pick
The 27-12-2 Winnipeg Jets have lost three straight and their last two were at home against the Detroit Red Wings and the Anaheim Ducks. That shouldn’t happen. Tonight they will be extra motivated to get back on track when they host the 13-20-7 Nashville Predators. The Jets last faced the Preds at home on December 30th and they blanked them, 3-0. The Jets can score, that is a given, averaging 3.59 goals per game and even with their last two home losses they still boast a 14-4-2 record at Canada Life Centre. They will also have, in most probability, Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes and he has been outstanding. Helly is 24-6-2 with a GAA of only 2.09 and a .926 SV%, which doesn’t bode well for a Preds team that is averaging a league low 2.45 goals per game.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WINNIPEG JETS
Monday NHL Pick
The New Jersey Devils have lost 4 straight but should get back on the rails tonight when they visit the Seattle Kraken. Despite their 4-game skid, the Devils are still 24-15-3 and have won the last 4 meetings with the Kraken. Seattle is also in a funk, losers of their last 2, 7 of their last 9, and when a home dog of +151 to 200 they are 0-11. New Jersey scores more goals per game than Seattle, gives up less, and is worth considering despite the heavy juice.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Sunday NFL Pick
The Buffalo Bills will wrap up the regular season today against the New England Patriots in Foxboro. The Patriots would be guaranteed the #1 pick in next year’s draft with a loss today against the Bills. Pats coach Jerod Mayo says they want to end the season on a winning note but I’m not buying that for a second. When you are 3-13, you want the #1 pick and that’s that. Buffalo has the second seed in the AFC locked up and will be resting a lot of their starters, but Josh Allen will start behind center. Even if Allen plays only a quarter, the best in the business will do some damage and that is all it will take for the Bills to walk away with a victory.
TODAY’S PICK: BUFFALO BILLS M/L
Saturday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles will be a road dog today when they head to Norfolk to face the Old Dominion Monarchs. These Sun Belt foes match up well, but the edge goes to Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles average more points per game, 72.1, to the Monarch’s 69.1. They also have the edge in 3-pointers, free throws, steals, and blocked shots. This will probably be a close one as it usually is between these two but I expect Southern Miss will at least get under the number.
TODAY’S PICK: SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES +2½