The Columbus Blue Jackets fired their head coach Dean Evason on Monday, replacing him with Rick Bowness and when that happens the team has new life and starts to win. Tonight I expect the Blue Jackets to do just that when they host the 19-22-4 Calgary Flames. The Flames are just 1-4 in their last 5 and have been clunkers on the road, at 7-15-2. The 19-19-7 Jackets have held their own at Nationwide Arena, coming in at 9-7-4. Columbus is expected to have Jet Greaves between the pipes, who boasts a 2.71 GAA, and should be able to shut down a lethargic Flames offense that is 31st in the league in scoring.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Author: Roger
Monday NHL Pick
The Buffalo Sabres are the hottest thing on ice. They have won 3 straight and 13 of their last 14 which is a franchise record. Tonight they will host the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers who are a shadow of what they were last year. The Panthers have been inconsistent all year and have just 3 wins in their last 8 tries. They had better be clicking on every cylinder if they want to get out of Western New York with a victory. The Sabres average more goals per game than the Panthers, give up less, and are a lethal 14-5-2 at KeyBank Center.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES
Sunday NHL Pick
The Winnipeg Jets finally got back in the Win column when they snapped an 11-game skid on Friday with a dominant 5-1 win at home over the Los Angeles Kings and winning can be contagious. Today in a matinée at Canada Life Centre, the Jets will be hosting the struggling New Jersey Devils who have lost 3 straight and 7 of their last 9. Winnipeg should be able to find the back of the net against the Devils’ expected goalie Jacob Markstrom who has a 3.48 GAA. When these two clubs meet, the Jets usually come out on top, winning the last 2 meetings and 6 of the last 8.
TODAY’S PICK: WINNIPEG JETS
Saturday NFL Pick
The Chicago Bears are getting no respect when they host their black and blue rival the Green Bay Packers in tonight’s NFC Wild Card game. The Bears are currently a 2-point home dog which will give them even more incentive to put the screws to their archrival. Chicago finished 11-6 on the season with Green Bay at 9-7-1. The Bears are catching a Packers team that has lost their last 4 and the absence of Micah Parsons on the defensive side obviously hurts. Caleb Williams has proven why the Bears made the right move when they picked him #1 overall in 2024. He has thrown for 3,942 yards with 27 TDs and only 7 INTs. Green Bay’s Jordan Love, who has thrown for 3,381 yards with 23 TDs and only 6 picks, will make it interesting but that won’t be enough. Chicago was 6-2 at Soldier Field this season and an impressive 10-6-1 ATS overall.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CHICAGO BEARS +2
Friday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Miami (OH) RedHawks will look to remain unbeaten when they head to Savage Arena tonight to face their MAC foe, the Toledo Rockets. The RedHawks can light up the scoreboard, averaging 93.3 points per game as opposed to the Rockets’ 82.1 They also have the edge in points allowed, 3-pointers, free throws, rebounds, blocked shots, and they cover. The RedHawks are currently getting 1.5 points and are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 road games.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MIAMI (OHIO) REDHAWKS +1½
Thursday NHL Pick
Two New York teams will face each other tonight when the red hot Buffalo Sabres head to MSG to take on the New York Rangers. The 22-15-4 Sabres have won 11 of their last 12 and their forward, Tage Thompson, has been on fire with 9 tallies in his last 13 games. The 20-18-6 Rangers have just 1 win in their last 5 tries, are banged up, and a dismal 5-10-4 in Manhattan.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES
Wednesday NHL Pick
After a successful road trip where they won 4 out of 7, the Montréal Canadiens return home tonight to Bell Centre to host the Calgary Flames. The 18-20-4 Flames have lost 2 straight and have been awful on the road with a 6-13-2 record. The 23-13-6 Habs won the last meeting with Calgary back in October and they can score, averaging 3.31 goals per game. On the flip side, the Flames rank 29th in the league in goals scored, averaging 2.62 goals per game, which is not good, and they are expected to face Jacob Fowler who has a 2.57 GAA.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MONTRÉAL CANADIENS