What has happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning? They have lost 5 straight and were outscored 27-11 during that span, which is very uncharacteristic for a team that is averaging 3.5 goals per game. The good news for the Bolts is they return home tonight to face the 24-28-11 Philadelphia Flyers. Tampa owns one of the best home records in the league, at 22-5-4, and are 13-4 in their last 17 at Amalie Arena against the Flyers. Cooper will have his boys ready and Stamkos and company get back on the rails tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Monday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Youngstown State Penguins and the Northern Kentucky Norse will square off in the Horizon Conference tournament tonight at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Youngstown State is #1 in the Horizon League and can light it up. They are averaging 83.5 points per game as opposed to #4 ranked Northern Kentucky’s 67.8. These teams last met on February 4th, with the Penguins winning in a rout, 74-56. The line has moved from Youngstown State laying 2.5 to 3.5 and who knows where it will end up? Money line it.
TONIGHT’S PICK: YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS M/L
Sunday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The South Florida Bulls will be in Wichita today for a meeting with the Wichita State Shockers. These two teams match up well, which was evident in their last meeting in January when Wichita State won a close one, 70-66. The Bulls are hot, riding a 3-game winning streak, are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5, and the road team is 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. South Florida is currently getting 7.5 and should get under the number.
TODAY’S PICK: USF BULLS +7½
Saturday NHL Pick
The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to avoid their fourth straight loss when they visit the Buffalo Sabres today for an early one at KeyBank Center. For whatever reason, the Sabres do not fare well in Western New York. They are 12-16-2 at home and have lost 4 of their last 5 at KeyBank. To make matters worse for an already shaky defense, the Sabres are expected to be without their top D-Man, Rasmus Dahlin. Tampa can score, that is a given. The Bolts will have payback on their minds after losing in OT at home to the Sabres on February 23rd and they are 5-1 in their last 6 in Buffalo.
TODAY’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Friday NHL Pick
The Seattle Kraken will go for their third straight win tonight when they travel to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets. The Kraken have played well on the road, at 19-9-3, are 6-1 in their last 7 against a team with a losing record, and beat the Jackets in their last meeting in January, 3-1. Despite a win in their last outing against the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus is still the worst team in hockey and are just 3-7 in their last 10 at Nationwide Arena.
TONIGHT’S PICK: SEATTLE KRAKEN
Thursday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Old Dominion Monarchs will open the Sun Belt Conference Tournament tonight against the Texas State Bobcats at Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida. The Monarchs enter the tournament clicking on every cylinder. They have won 3 straight, 8 of their last 10, and are 11-7 in conference play. The Bobcats have been just the opposite. They are 3-7 in their last 10 and a dismal 6-12 in conference play. The Monarchs are currently laying 3.5, depending on where you shop, and should cover the number, going 6-1 ATS in their last 7, but keep in mind these two teams last met on February 11th with the Monarchs winning a close one, 70-68. Play it safe.
TONIGHT’S PICK: OLD DOMINION MONARCHS M/L
Wednesday NHL Pick
The New York Rangers have not won a Stanley Cup in almost 30 years but after signing super star Patrick Kane yesterday, their chances of capturing their fifth cup just got a lot brighter. It is uncertain if Kane will suit up for tonight’s road game with the Philadelphia Flyers but it shouldn’t matter either way. The Flyers are spiraling out of control. They have lost 3 straight and 7 of their last 8. The Rangers have played well on the road, with a record of 17-7-5, and have owned the Broad Street Bullies. New York is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings overall and 4-1 in their last 5 in Philly.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK RANGERS