Will Rogers

The set-up: Edmonton is playing great right now. Montreal is playing poorly. These teams have played against each other five times this year (mostly at the start of the season), and the Habs are 4-1. This is a "revenge" game for the streaking home side and at this price, I definitely think the Oilers are worth a second look here. 

The pick: Montreal is coming off a 4-0 loss to Ottawa, while Edmonton is coming off a 3-0 win over the Jets. The Oilers are 4-1 in their last five when playing on one days rest, while the Canadiens are just 3-9 in their last 12 on the road.

This is a 1* FREE PLAY on the Oilers.

The set-up: Montreal has traded wins/losses over its last five games. The Habs enter off a listless 4-0 loss to Ottawa and suffice it to say, I expect a much more concerted effort/push here. The Habs are still 9-4-3 on the road thi syear. They average 2.95 GPG, while allowing 2.76. 

The pick: Edmonton is off a 3-0 win over Winnipeg and it's on the entirely other end of the spectrum than its counterpart today, as it's won three of its last four. Overall the Oilers average 3.19 GPG, while allowing 2.79. Montreal is going to have to push the pace to keep pace, and that's going to also leave it open on the backend vs. this opportunistic Oilers' offense. This one has "over" written all over it.

This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the OVER Habs/Oilers.

The set-up: After three straight wins over their arch nemesis, I think the Rays have a predictable letdown here. The hungry home side will look to take advantage and build off its 2-0 win over Toronto. Josh Fleming is 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA for the Rays, while Danny Duffy is 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA for KC. 

The pick: Both teams have played well of late, but Tampa is primed for a letdown here after sweeping the Yankees. The Royals have been bottom-feeders for years, so there's no way they're going to take the foot off the gas at any point this season, especially when they're playing so well. The Royals have been sharp at home, going 7-3 and averaging over 5.0 RPG. Expect KC to find a way to deliver here.

This is a 10* GAME OF THE WEEK on the Royals.

The set-up: The Lakers won 127-115 here in OT two nights ago as an underdog. Suffice it to say, I expect a much tighter, and ultimately lower-scoring contest here. The Lakers are expecting AD back shortly, but they're still without LBJ and others. LA only averages 110.1 PPG, but it's one of the best defensive clubs in the league. Utah has turned into a scoring team, as it averages 117 PPG this season, which ranks third. 

The pick: The Jazz though have seen the total go "under" the number in eight of their last 11 in trying to revenge a road loss vs. an opponent in which they allowed 125 or more points in. With a night off before four straight on the road, I think the home side comes out flat here in anticipation. This number is high, the play is the "under." 

This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the UNDER Jazz/Lakers.

The set-up: There's no question that Boston has been playing better of late, but I think it's overvalued here against a Sabres team that's arguably playing its best hockey of the season right now as well. Boston comes in off a 6-3 win over Washington, and it's now won four in a row. The Sabres have been alternating wins and losses over their last six games, most recently off a 4-2 win here over the Penguins two nights ago. 

The pick: This is the opener of three straigth between the clubs and the Sabres play with revenge here after a 3-2 loss in these team's most recent matchup on April 13th. There's no way the home side doesn't give everything it has here. And the Bruins could easily get caught in "trap." In a contest which I see being decided late or even in extra time, I'm grabbing the 1.5 goals of insurance.

This is a 10* PUCK-LINE DESTRUCTION on the Sabres.

The set-up: The Phillies go with Zack Wheeler, who is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA. Most recently he allowed three runs over six innings in a 5-1 loss to the Mets. Wheeler's been decent in the early going, and he's 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA vs. the Giants. Philly though has seen the total go "over" in seven of its last ten in trying to revenge a shutout home loss to an opponent (fell 2-0 in the series opener yesterday.) 

The pick: Logan Webb gets the nod for the visitors despite having some COVID related issues of late. He's 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA. Note that San Fran has seen the total go "over" the number in eight of its last 12 after holding its opponent scoreless on the road in its previous outing. I'm banking on these hungry line-ups being the main storylines in tomorrow's summaries.

This is a 10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the OVER Giants/Phillies.

The set-up: Obviously the Knicks are the biggest surprise team in the league this year. New York has to be feeling damn good about its chances of landing a big off-season free-agent after its big season this year. However, after eight straigth blowout wins and covers, everything points to a classic letdown here, especially with another "cream puff" coming to town tomorrow night in Atlanta. The Knicks were super lucky to escape with a home victory last time out, nailing a three-point shot with no time left on the clock to force OT with the Pels, to then go on and win/cover by ten. 

The pick: The Hornets come in off a dominant 109-101 home win over the Blazers, proving that they haven't thrown in the towel either. And with the news that LaMelo Ball is cleared to start working with the team again, there's added incentive again all of a sudden. If Charlotte can win this game, it has contests upcoming vs. the lowly Bulls and Cavaliers, so a three-game win streak would be a very realistic goal here. Outright win? Possible. In the end though, let's grab up all these points!

This is a 10* COACH'S CORNER on the Hornets.