Scott Rickenbach

Rickenbach NHL Game #81 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens @ 7:35 ET - I am well aware of the fact that both of these teams have been getting strong goal-tending and that this is an "original 6 rivalry" which helps increase the likelihood of solid defensive play. However, we've got a very low total to work with here and the Bruins have been looking much stronger since they got healthier again. The fact is that there is a lot of firepower on Boston and that is going to force Montreal to play "catch up" in this game and take some chances in their own zone and in the neutral zone to create more opportunities in the Bruins zone. The last two games that the Canadiens have played that had a total of 5.5 goals each stayed under the total. However, of the 10 prior Montreal games with a posted total of 5.5 goals, the over went 8-2. The Bruins enter this game having won 12 of their last 17 games and they've scored 3 or more goals in 12 of those 17 games. The Canadiens have won 5 of their past 7 road games. Though the Habs lost their most recent road game 4-1 they previously scored an average of 4 goals per game in their 5 prior road games. Also, the road team in the Montreal/Boston series has scored at least 3 goals in each of the last 3 meetings. That said, look for the Canadiens to "get theirs" tonight but the Bruins scoring depth means they will not be denied either and we see at least a 4-3 game here based on my projections. 10* OVER the total in Boston

Rickenbach NHL Game #76 Monday 8* Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (+) vs Minnesota Wild @ 7:05 ET - The Flyers made a pair of key mistakes in the loss to the Devils Saturday and that was the difference in the 3-2 loss. Philadelphia now will bounce back and take advantage of a Wild team that is in a tough scheduling spot. This one shapes up to be a "one off" game for Minnesota. The Wild are off back to back home games and they have a 3-game homestand on deck. So in the middle of this home-heavy stretch on their schedule, Minnesota makes a one-game trip east to face a Flyers team that has the fewest points in the NHL standings so far this season. This sets up as a trap game and this is especially true since the Wild are hosting a Western Conference foe, Los Angeles, tomorrow night in Minnesota. The hungry Flyers are also seek revenge for losing both games to Minnesota in shutout fashion last season even though Philly held a combined 62 to 47 edge in shots on goal. On that note, the Wild enter this game having been outshot in 6 straight games! Opponents have outshot Minnesota by a combined 41 shots in their last 6 games. Conversely the Flyers have outshot their opponents in 5 of their last 7 games but, simply put, "puck luck" has not been on their side. That has led to solid home dog line value here. I'll take it. 8* PHILADELPHIA

Rickenbach NHL Game #79 Monday 8* Chicago Blackhawks Money Line (+) @ New Jersey Devils @ 7:05 ET - Great underdog line value here. Chicago has had a tough recent stretch but truly they've been playing much better overall and simply faced a very tough slate of opponents. Look for the Blackhawks to take advantage of catching the Devils off a big divisional win over the rival Flyers Saturday. I watched that entire game. New Jersey did play well but truly no better than Philadelphia did and, keep in mind, the Flyers currently have the least amount of points of any team in the league. That said I am expecting an upset here as the Devils also have another divisional game on deck as they are at Columbus tomorrow. Chicago was swept by New Jersey last year and they are poised to get some payback here in a scheduling situation here that absolutely favors them. This is the Blackhawks only game between the 12th and 17th. They'll make it count! The Hawks have won 14 of 24 when they are off 3 or more consecutive home games. The Devils have lost 41 of 70 games when they are off a divisional game. Underdog line value here! 8* CHICAGO

Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #865 Monday 10* Top Play Nebraska Cornhuskers (+) @ Indiana Hoosiers @ 6:30 ET - The very first lines that popped up on this game offshore Sunday afternoon had Hoosiers -1 and, not surprisingly, the betting masses jumped on Indiana at home and this line is now up to as high as a -3 as of early Monday morning. Of course I am contrarian and grabbing the road dog here. This game was priced this way originally with good reason as the Cornhuskers are the better team. I am well aware of the fact that the Hoosiers have been strong at home and the Huskers have had some struggles on the road. However, this is not going to go on forever and Nebraska is going to make a statement in this game. The Cornhuskers have beaten the Hoosiers in each of the last two meetings. Also, Nebraska is 15-8 ATS as a road underdog or pick in recent seasons. The Huskers did win at Oklahoma State and Clemson and lost by just 2 points at Maryland. Indiana has been strong at home this season but, keep in mind, the Hoosiers won by just 2 points versus Northwestern and only 1 point versus Louisville. Indiana is 7-3 SU in their last 10 games but 4 of those 7 wins have come by 3 or less points. Again, there is value with having the dog here in an game in which Nebraska (preseason projections just behind Michigan State and Michigan in the Big Ten) has a great shot at the upset. The Hoosiers are just 4-8 ATS in recent seasons in games versus good defensive teams (allowing 64 points or less per game). 10* NEBRASKA

Early Annihilation - Rickenbach NBA Game #501 Monday 10* Top Play Boston Celtics (-) @ Brooklyn Nets @ 7:35 ET - The Celtics have a big game at home with Toronto on deck for Wednesday. However, there is no way they're looking past this game. That's because this is the finale of a 3-game road trip that has seen Boston go winless so far. The Celtics are hungry for a win and the Nets should provide the perfect punching bag for Boston to take out their frustrations after back to back losses at Miami and Orlando. The Celtics are 6-2 ATS in road games with a posted total of 220 points or more. The Nets enter this game having won 4 of their last 6 games. However, Brooklyn is 6-12 ATS after having won 4 or 5 of their last 6 games. Also, the Nets are just 4-7 ATS this season when off a road loss and they just got smashed at Toronto Friday. Also, Brooklyn has a long history of struggles versus the Celtics and the Nets are on a long losing streak versus Boston. If Kyrie Irving (questionable) does not play tonight, Terry Dozier will get the start and he has played better as a starter compared to when coming off the bench. Either way the Celtics are a much more stacked team in comparison with the Nets. Brooklyn has lost 13 of 19 games this season when facing a team with a winning record. Celtics respond big off back to back losses here. 10* BOSTON