The New York Rangers are still winless at home with a record of 0-6-1 but that should end tonight when they host the struggling Nashville Predators at MSG. The Predators are in a tailspin, losing 4 straight and 7 of their last 8. The Rangers are coming off a 5-0 shutout loss at home to the New York Islanders but have won 4 of their last 6. Nashville is 1-3-2 on the road and is allowing 3.47 goals per game. Both teams have trouble finding the back of the net but New York has a huge edge in goals allowed, surrendering just 2.5 per game.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK RANGERS
Sunday NFL Pick
The 7-2-0 New England Patriots will go for their seventh consecutive win today when they visit Baker Mayfield and the 6-2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If you look at the Patriots six straight wins, the only quality opponent was the Buffalo Bills. The other wins were against the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers – nothing to get too excited about. The Bucs have won 3 of their last 4, they are 2-1 at Raymond James Stadium, and Baker Mayfield is having an MVP type year. Mayfield has thrown for 1,919 yards with 13 TDs and only 2 interceptions. The Bucs give the Patriots a dose of reality today.
TODAY’S PICK: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS M/L
Saturday NCAA Football Pick
After going 6-0 to start the season, the UNLV Rebels have lost their last two but get back on track tonight when they visit the Colorado State Rams. The 2-6 Rams have lost 2 straight, 5 of their last 6, and are 1-3 in conference play. UNLV is 2-2 in conference play, averaging 450 yards per game, and Colorado State averages 329.The Rebels also have the edge in points per game, averaging 36.9, and the Rams are a mere 19.
TONIGHT’S PICK: UNLV REBELS M/L
Friday NHL Pick
The 6-5-2 New York Islanders lost in a shootout in their last outing against the Boston Bruins at home on Tuesday, but I expect them to bounce back tonight when they host the 5-7-3 Minnesota Wild at UBS Arena. Despite Tuesday’s loss, the Isles are still 4-2-1 on their home ice and are expected to have David Rittich between the pipes and he is 3-1-0. The Wild lost last night 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes so they will be playing back-to-back games and are just 2-4-1 on the road. The Wild has also lost 6 of their last 8, are 1-10 in their last 11 against the Metropolitan Division, and 1-7 in their last 8 road games against a team with a winning home record. New York is the better team, will be well-rested, and should come out on top.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Thursday NHL Pick
The Buffalo Sabres and the Saint Louis Blues will square off tonight in Western New York. The perennial bottom feeding Sabres are showing some promise this year and have played well at KeyBank Center with a record of 5-2-2. The Blues are tied with the Calgary Flames for the fewest points in the league, with only 10, and will be playing back-to-back games after being blown out by the Washington Capitals last night 6-1 in Washington. St. Louis is expected to have Joel Hofer between the pipes, and this guy would have trouble stopping a basketball. Hofer is 1-3-0 with a 5.02 GAA and a .836 SV%. The Sabres have the edge in goals scored, goals against, and the Blues are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES
Wednesday NHL Pick
Utah was lucky to get an overtime win last night in Buffalo. Tonight they will be playing back-to-back games when they make the short trip up the QEW to face the surging Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have won 2 straight, 4 of their last 5, and are 6-2-1 at Scotiabank Arena. The Mammoth have a good team with solid goaltending but on zero days’ rest they are 3-7 in their last 10. Toronto is hot, at home, can score, and has Auston Matthews.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Tuesday NHL Pick
The 9-3-0 Montréal Canadiens will be on their home ice tonight when they host the 6-5-1 Philadelphia Flyers. The Canadiens are on a roll. They are #1 in the Atlantic, winners of 3 straight and 5 of their last 6. Montréal is also 4-1-0 at Bell Centre and can score, averaging 3.67 goals per game. Philadelphia has lost 2 straight and at home they are a force but when they take it on the arches, they are 0-2-1. The Habs have won 4 of their last 5 meetings with the Broad Street Bullies and are worth considering tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MONTRÉAL CANADIENS