That’s back-to-back great Saturdays now.  Let’s keep this rolling into the new year.  I’m not sure we should even be considering wagering this Saturday but for those of you with some mad money left and no desire to hit the malls again, here we go…

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

New York Islanders @ Buffalo Sabres
The Islanders have lost their last 10 games and things are definitely not looking too good as Andy Sutton is out with a broken foot and Doug Weight is nursing a strained groin.  The Sabres appear to be playing better as of late but still lack the consistency required to put them into the playoffs.  I think the Islanders have their eye on John Tavares or Viktor Hedman.

-Bet-
1 banana on BUF to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H+

Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins
This is a battle of two banged-up teams.  The Penguins are expected to welcome back Ryan Whitney but are still without Gonchar, Zigomanis, Gill, Kennedy and now Letang.  The Habs are missing Higgins, Koivu, Dandenault and A. Kostitsyn.  I like the Penguins here as they will have a Friday game to get rid of the holiday legs while the Canadiens should come out flat and full of turkey.

-Bet-
1 banana on PIT to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

Boston Bruins @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Bruins keep right on rolling but it appears the injury bug may be getting ready to attack.  Sturm is out with a knee injury and may require season-ending surgery and Patrice Bergeron is now out with a concussion that could keep him out for a considerable amount of time, especially considering his past issues.  On the other hand, the hurricanes are healthy with only Wallin out.  Boston has won 6 in a row and 9 of their last 10.  It’s hard to bet against them but this may be a decent spot.  

-Bet-
1 banana on CAR to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: T

Philadelphia Flyers @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets haven’t scored a goal in their last two games and will now be without their rookie sensation Derick Brassard for the rest of the season.  The Flyers recently lost Scottie Upshall to a sprained knee but the Carter, Lupul, Hartnell line is on a roll and seems capable of winning games alone.

-Bet-
1 banana on PHI  to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V+

New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers
This one is a crapshoot in my opinion.  I think it has the potential to be a 0-0 game or a 5-5 game at the end of the third.  For those who like Pro-Line, this is a good opportunity at picking a tie.

-Bet-
1 banana on NYR to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: T

Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa only has 2 wins in the last 10 games but those wins came against two of the top teams in the East; Montreal and Pittsburgh.  The Panthers have won two in a row; both 3-0 shutouts.  

-Bet-
1 banana on FLA to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V

Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars
The Stars have been playing better as of late.  They have won 3 of their last 4 games with the loss coming in overtime.  The offense has been clicking and goals have been coming fast and furious.  They have scored 20 goals in their last 4 games.  Rookies Brunsstrom and Neal have looked very good.  The Ducks have lost two in a row and 6 of their last 10.  They can’t seem to find any consistency and will now be without Teemu Selanne for 4-6 weeks.

-Bet-
1 banana on DAL to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

San Jose Sharks @ St. Louis Blues
San Jose has points in 9 of their last 10 games and has beaten St. Louis twice already this season.  The Blues only have 3 wins in their last 10 games and are still without some key players: Kariya, McDonald, Johnson, Oshie.

-Bet-
2 bananas on SAN to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V+

Detroit Red Wings @ Colorado Avalanche
The Red Wings just keep rolling along.  They have 8 wins in their last 10 games including a 6-0 spanking of the San Jose Sharks.  If the challenge wasn’t enough for the Avalanche they will now have to deal with the loss of Paul Stastny.  Stastny will be out for some time after breaking his forearm blocking a shot.

-Bet-
2 bananas on DET to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Pro-Line: V+

Los Angeles Kings @ Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix has a fairly impressive home record and has beaten the Kings in their only other matchup this season.  The Kings have lost 4 of their last 5 games.

-Bet-
1 banana on PHO to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H+

Ottawa Senators @ Calgary Flames
EVERYTHING about this game screams Calgary win and UNDER.  I’m not arguing.

-Bet-
2 bananas on CAL to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Pro-Line: H

Happy Holidays!  Play safe!