The best team in hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning, will return home tonight from a short road trip, where they lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the lowly Buffalo Sabres. I like their chances to get back on track tonight because they will be hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa Bay has only lost 5 games this year at Amalie Arena and have had the Red Wings number. They have won 10 straight against them, 25 of the last 33, and 16 of the last 21 at home. The Lightning fans will not be disappointed.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Wednesday NHL Pick
The Colorado Avalanche should still be without their leading scorer tonight, Nathan MacKinnon, but that shouldn’t matter because they will be hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Colorado is 19-7-1 at home and have won 9 straight at Pepsi Center. The Habs are a dismal 8-16-1 on the road, 1-8 in their last 9 road games, and just 2-8 in their last 10 in Colorado. Montreal won the last meeting with Colorado so the Avalanche will have payback on their minds. Pepsi Center will be electric for this one. Consider the Avalanche.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLORADO AVALANCHE
Tuesday NHL Pick
The Anaheim Ducks blew a two goal lead at home on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks, which ultimately led to a 3-2 shoot out loss to their archrival. Tonight they will begin a 4-game road trip at Little Caesars Arena against the Detroit Red Wings. Anaheim has been steady on the road this year, with a record of 12-10-7, and have won 6 out of the last 8 meetings with Detroit. The Red Wings are a mediocre 11-11-7 at home and are 1-6 in their last 7 at Little Caesars Arena. Anaheim needs to be more consistent or they will not see the post-season and they know it. Randy Carlyle should have them motivated for this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS
Monday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Canisius Golden Griffins will be seeking their fifth straight win when they host the Fairfield Stags tonight at Koessler Athletic Center. The Stags have not been getting it done on the road. Away from home, they are just 2-9, averaging 71.7 points per game, holding teams to an average of 82.7 and are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games. On the flip side, the Golden Griffins are getting it done at home. They are 9-2, where they are averaging 80.4 points per game, holding teams to an average of 72.1 and have also been covering, going 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 at home. Consider laying the 6 and take Canisius.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CANISIUS GOLDEN GRIFFINS -6
Sunday NHL Pick
After blowing a 3-goal lead late in Friday’s game with the Islanders, the Detroit Red Wings will have their tails between their legs when they travel to Washington to take on Ovechkin and company in an early one today. The Red Wings have now lost three in a row, are a dismal 1-5 in their last 6 meetings with the Capitals, and 0-4 in their last 4 trips to Capital One Arena. Washington is riding a 2-game winning streak and are tough at home, with a record of 20-8-1. Washington should prevail.
TODAY’S PICK: WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Saturday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Duquesne Dukes will play an early one today at home against the Fordham Rams. Fordham has yet to win on the road at 0-7, where they are averaging just 59.9 points per game and giving up an average of 75.7. Duquesne is 12-4 at home, where they are averaging 77.8 points per game and giving up an average of 67.0. Duquesne has the edge in every category except free throw percentage. The Dukes are laying 8 against the boys from the Bronx and should cover it.
TODAY’S PICK: DUQUESNE DUKES -8
Friday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Toledo Rockets will be a road favorite tonight when they take on the Miami (OH) Red Hawks at Millett Hall. Toledo has been good on the road, at 7-4, and outstanding in conference play, with a record of 9-2. The Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games and are ranked 38th in offensive field goal percentage. Miami (OH) has a home record of 7-3, they are 6-5 in conference play, and are ranked 262nd in offensive field goal percentage. The Rockets have had the Red Hawks’ number. They are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 in Miami (OH).
TONIGHT’S PICK: TOLEDO ROCKETS -3