It’s time to get on a roll and shake this deep freeze.  I don’t know about you but I’ve had just about enough talk about wind chill factors and exposure warnings and temperatures falling below Rod Brind-Amour’s +/- rating.   Get some money down on a few games this week and spend your winnings on a car starter.  That’s my plan!

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

Los Angeles Kings @ Dallas Stars
Dallas has been playing better as of late, although it would be almost impossible for them to be playing worse than they were earlier in the season.  They are scratching and clawing their way back into playoff contention despite less than stellar goaltending from Marty Turco.  This is an afternoon game in Dallas so the Kings may not be awake until the second period.  The home team is 7-3 in the last 10 Dallas/LA matchups.

-Bet-
1 banana on DAL to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H

Carolina Hurricanes @ Buffalo Sabres
This is one of those games that could go one of two ways.  I think Carolina has to keep it a low-scoring game if they want to win.  The Sabres have too many guns for Carolina to get into a “old-fashioned” shootout.  Both these teams are unpredictable at best.  Buffalo played a stinker against Chicago and looked to be on their way to another one against Dallas until they rallied and battled back to win in a shootout.  Carolina decided to give the Leafs a 4-0 lead before battling back to a tie and then let it get away with an untimely penalty.  I’m banking on Carolina learning from their slow start against the Leafs.  

-Bet-
1 banana on CAR to win
1 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V

Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators
Montreal is only 8-20-1 in Ottawa in the last 29 games but many of those games were against a much better Senators team.  The Senators have lost a few key players over the last few years and it all seems to be catching up with them.  Ottawa has played better over the last few games and have actually won 2 in a row which is almost parade-worthy given how this team has looked at times this season.  The Habs still have a few key injuries but it doesn’t seem to have slowed them down much.  Montreal’s transition game and speed through the middle will be the key to this game.  Ottawa has shown that they just don’t slow teams down in the neutral zone as well as they have in the past and it is one of the main reasons for their downfall.  I think the Habs speed and depth will be too much for the Sens.

-Bet-
1 banana on MON
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V

New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders
The Devils will most likely have a familiar face back in the lineup.  Brendan Shanahan, who just recently signed with the team that drafted him 2nd overall, (QUICK TRIVIA – Who was drafted ahead of Shanahan with the first overall pick?) will make his season debut against the Islanders.  The Islanders are probably already thinking of the draft and wondering if they’ll end up with John Tavares or Viktor Hedman.

-Bet-
1 banana on NJ to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V+

Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals
Washington owns (8-1) the Northeast division.  The Bruins are playing well but it would be almost impossible to keep up the pace they were on.  Tim Thomas is still playing extremely well but injuries are starting to add up for the Bruins.  The Capitals will be a big test for the Bruins as Ovechkin just continues to roll along and is looking to make a run for the Art Ross.

-Bet-
1 banana on WAS to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H

Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The home team is 17-7 in the last 24 matchups in this Battle of the Sunshine State.  Tampa has shown some signs of improvement but they lack consistency and all the rumours of Lecavalier being traded can’t help matters.  The Panthers have been playing well lately and are challenging for a playoff spot.  

1 banana on TAM to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: H

Atlanta Thrashers @ Nashville Predators
Nashville has one of the league’s best goals against average at home.  Atlanta can score in bunches but the Predators have two good goalies and play a good defensive game at home.  By the way, Atlanta can also give up goals in bunches.  

1 banana on NAS to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H+

Chicago Blackhawks @ St. Louis Blues
The home team is 6-2 in the last 8 matchups but that stat holds a little less weight when you consider the Blues’ injuries.  I’ve mentioned Johnson, Kariya and McDonald numerous times but now Keith Tkachuk is nursing a sore jaw after taking a blow from a helmet. Chicago’s Duncan Keith is dealing with a head or shoulder injury after getting nailed by Drew Stafford and may miss some time but the Hawks have more quality players than can easily absorb his icetime.

1 banana on CHI to win
1 banana on the OVER (5.5)
Proline: V+

Anaheim Ducks @ Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is very strong at home and 7-2 at home against Anaheim in the last 9 meetings.  The Ducks are 1 game over .500 on the road this season but they’ll be in tough against the Wild who are 13-7-2-1 at home thus far.

1 banana on MIN to win
2 bananas on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H

Phoenix Coyotes @ Calgary Flames
Calgary is playing very well and is coming off an impressive win in San Jose on Thursday night.  It was the Sharks’ first regulation loss at home this season.  Phoenix plays much better at home.  They are 15-6-0-2 at home but only 7-12-3-0 on the road.  

2 banansa on CAL to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: H+

Detroit Red Wings @ San Jose Sharks
This is most likely a preview of the Western Conference Finals.  San Jose suffered their first home loss in regulation time against the Flames and there is a great possibility this will be the second.  Detroit is the best team in the NHL right now and no other team has the depth to compete with them.  

-Bet-
1 banana on DET to win
1 banana on the UNDER (5.5)
Proline: V+