I'm playing on SJ/Minnesota UNDER the total. While the Wild have been involved in some high-scoring games of late, a date with the Sharks should change that. San Jose has scored just three goals in its last three goals combined. Recent meetings have been relatively high-scoring. However, three of the last four have been at San Jose. Games between these teams at Minnesota tend to be lower-scoring. In fact, the UNDER is 7-1-1 the past nine meetings here. While the UNDER is 4-1 the Sharks' past five as a road underdog, the UNDER is also 7-1 in Minnesota's last eight as a home favorite. Expect another relatively low-scoring affair. 

I'm playing on DALLAS. The Knicks come in on a roll. However, I expect the Mavericks to cool them off this evening. I really like how the Mavs won their last game, Doncic hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer. That 1-point victory is the type that often gives a team positive momentum. I expect that to be the case for the Mavs. The Knicks are still 1-5 SU/ATS their last six, when off three or more consecutive wins. Keep in mind that they're much better at MSG and that only one of their recent wins has come on the road. On the season, they're 12-17 on the road, averaging just 103.7 ppg. Including a 99-86 win at MSG a few weeks ago, the Mavs are an outstanding 46-31-2 ATS in non-conf. games the past 2+ seasons. Look for them to ride the momentum of Luka's last second shot, en route to improving on those stats this evening. 

I'm playing on CHICAGO. Everyone is suddenly really down on the Bulls. They've dropped four in a row and now they're without LaVine. As a result, we're now able to get them as a home underdog. I feel that's providing us with excellent value. Keep in mind that the Bulls were only +2 at Memphis, a few days ago. Now, they're at home, more desperate and playing with revenge, yet we're getting even more points. With all due respect to LaVine, that's providing us with excellent value. That recent 3/12 game, at Memphis, was a tough spot for the Bulls. While both teams were playing the second of b2b games, the Bulls were also playing their fourth road game in five nights. The Grizzlies took advantage. The Bulls are back home now though and they had yesterday off. They've still got plenty without LaVine and I expect their very best effort. Look for the Bulls to bounce back and move to 7-3 ATS their past 10, after having lost their previous three or more games. 

I'm playing on TORONTO. In today's all southpaw affair, the Jays should have the advantage. Yesterday, Toronto fell into an early hole and was unable to dig itself all the way out. Today, the Jays need to take advantage of the fac that Matz is on the mound. In two starts, Matz is already 2-0 with a stellar 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He's striking out more than a batter per inning. Matz will face a KC team which is 22-34 against left-handers the past 2+ seasons. During that span, the Royals are also just 32-56, when off a win. While Matz is going six or more innings each time out, Minor (4.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) went just four innings last time out. Keep in mind that he was 1-6 with a 5.56 ERA in 2020. The Toronto bullpen has a combined 2.09 ERA thus far and that number dips to 1.63 on the road. KC relievers have a combined 4.18 ERA. Even though they're missing some key players, the Jays still have some dangerous hitters in their lineup. Look for them to provide Matz with the support he needs for his third straight win. 

I'm playing on TORONTO. In today's all southpaw affair, the Jays should have the advantage. Thursday, Toronto fell into an early hole and was unable to dig itself all the way out. Today, after yesterday's game was postponed, the Jays need to take advantage of the fact that Matz is on the mound. In two starts, Matz is already 2-0 with a stellar 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He's striking out more than a batter per inning. Matz will face a KC team which is 22-34 against left-handers the past 2+ seasons. During that span, the Royals are also just 32-56, when off a win. While Matz is going six or more innings each time out, Minor (4.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) went just four innings last time out. Keep in mind that he was 1-6 with a 5.56 ERA in 2020. The Toronto bullpen has a combined 2.09 ERA thus far and that number dips to 1.63 on the road. KC relievers have a combined 4.18 ERA. Even though they're missing some key players, the Jays still have some dangerous hitters in their lineup. Look for them to provide Matz with the support he needs for his third straight win. 

I'm playing PHILADELPHIA on the puckline (+1.5 goals) The Flyers have a score to settle in this one. Not only have the Capitals beaten them four straight times, but the Caps also embarrassed them by a 6-1 score in the most recent meeting. Since that 4/13 beating, the Flyers responded with a 2-1 shootout win over Pittsburgh, the type of win they can build some momentum from. The Caps, on the other hand, check in off an upset loss to lowly Buffalo. While that 5-2 loss marked their third staight "lopsided" result, the Caps had seen four of their previous five decided by a single goal. The Flyers have seen five of their last eight decided by a single goal. I'm expecting another tight one, the revenge minded Flyers bringing their best effort and earning AT LEAST a "puck-line cover." 

I'm playing NJ on the puck-line (+1.5 goals) With the Rangers heavy favorites on the moneyline, we're able to get an extra +1.5 goals with the Devils for a very reasonable price. In a game that should be tight, that extra +1.5 goals could well prove invaluable. These rivals will meet for the third straight time. Having dropped the first two of those games, the Devils should be motivated to avoid getting "swept." Note that the Devils are actually 3-1 here at MSG, since March of 2020. The Rangers are just 21-33 (-9.5 vs. ml) the past 2+ seasons, off a win by two or more goals. During that span, the Devils were a profitable 21-19 (+10.6 vs. ml) when off three or more consec. losses. Look for them to bounce back with AT LEAST a "puck-line cover." 

I'm playing on WOLVERHAMPTON. The line on Wolverhampton came down from its opener, providing us with some extra line value on the superior squad. Given the gap between these teams, I feel that it easily could have gone the other way. The Wolves have indeed been disappointed with their campaign. They sit 12th in the standings and had absolutely hoped for better. They're off an exciting 1-0 win last time out though and while that win cost them Neto due to injury, I expect them to carry the momentum into this game. I like the fact that they scored late, kept fighting and found a way to win. Sheffield sits last in the standings with relegation a certainty. United has scored just 17 goals (Wolverhamption has 31) while allowing 55. Sheffiled continues to deal with several important injuries including captain Billy Sharp. Highlights have been few and far between for Sheffield but Sharp has provided them with a few. He'll be missed here. Off the late win against Fulham, Wolverhampton boss Nuno Espirito Santo noted: "The win was very important. This is what we want for the rest of the season, there are a lot of games to be played ... " Having been outscored 10-1 its last three league matches, Sheffield has essentially packed it in. Wolverhampton won the last meeting 2-0 and won't be denied another victory here.