darrell,

30-14 since the start of the year. Four picks tonight.

Keep your head up and stick on the ice, darrell!

**WASHINGTON -111 over Florida (7:05 Eastern)

Florida has owned Washington thus far this season but I expect the Caps to get their first W at home tonight. Florida is still just 6-19-4 away from home and 3-17 as a road dog of +100 to +150! They are scoring 2.2 per game and allowing 3.6. Washington has played terrible hockey of late but they are a better team looking for revenge at home. Two stars on Washington.

**NEW JERSEY -143 over Tampa Bay (7:35 Eastern)

Both of these teams are playing championship hockey. Tampa has been hotter but the Devils haven't lost at home since December of last year and they are 12-4 overall in the second half so far. At home they are scoring 3 goals per game and converting 20% of power play opportunities. Tampa is playing very well but they face a very tough home squad tonight. Two stars on New Jersey.

***Buffalo -115 over MONTREAL (7:35 Eastern)

Ryan Miller is 12-3 over his last 15 in front of the net, allowing just 1.79 goals per game over that time. Now that's defense. When facing poor defensive teams like Montreal, the Sabres are 24-9 this season. Road teams at 60%-70% on the season at -100 to -150 are 41-10 (80%) vs. losing teams during the second half of the season over the last 5 seasons. And, home underdogs at 40%-49% off a loss to a winning opponent by 1 goal are just 3-25 (11%) over the last 5 seasons. Three stars on Buffalo - the better team - laying a small number.

**PHOENIX -225 over Chicago (9:05 Eastern)

Big line but like this game nonetheless. Chicago has dropped 7 of their last 9 games and come in with a 7-20 road record. They are allowing 4.1 goals per game on the road this season and over their last five games they are scoring just 2.4 per game. They get a lot of shots on goal but just can't hit any (8.2% SOG and 10.5% PP on the road this season). Meanwhile, Phoenix converts 11.5% SOG and 19.3% PP at home, scoring 3.3 goals per game. In 19 games over the past three seasons vs. teams that have won between 40-49% of their games on the season, Chicago is 1-18. Two stars on the Coyotes here.