darrell,

We've won 9 of the last 10 picks. Two picks tonight.

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

*BUFFALO -209 over Toronto (7:05 Eastern)

Seven straight victories for Buffalo have come on the back of Daniele Briere. After coming back from his groin injury, he's scored 5 goals and dished out 11 assists in the eight games since his return. A win tonight gives the Sabres their longest winning streak since May of 1998. They should get it here. Buffalo owns Toronto. They are 3-1 against the Leafs this year scoring an average of 5.5 goals per game in those contests. Over the past 10 years, Buffalo is 15-4-3 vs. Toronto here at home. The Sabres are scoring 5.8 goals per game over their last five games. Take Buffalo for one star.

****Ottawa -229 over BOSTON (7:05 Eastern)

Two teams going in COMPLETELY opposite directions here. Ottawa has won eight of nine games while the wheels have fallen off for Boston. The Bruins have lost six straight games due to their lack of offense. Not a good time for them to be slumping as Ottawa's been waiting for this game since January 30th when Boston handed Ottawa an embarrassing 5-0 loss. That game capped off a 3-0 run for Boston this year. Revenge is definitely on the minds of the Senators tonight. Favorites at 60%+ on the season revenging two straight losses in which their opponent scored 3 or more goals are 26-3 (90%) since 1996 when facing a team with a losing record in the 2nd half of the season. The Senators are averaging 3.8 goals pre game on the road. Over their last five, they are averaging 4.2 and holding opponents to 2.2! Boston is scoring 1.8 per game over their last five and allowing 4.0. It doesn't get any more lopsided than that. Road Favorites of -200 to -300 that average 3+ more shots on goal/game than opponents are 45-7 (87%) in the 2nd half of the season over the last 5 seasons. Boston has lost all seven home games in the second half of the season vs. winning teams and 4-17 vs. teams that have outscored their opponents by 0.5+ goals/game this season. Can't see any way for Boston to hang in this one. Four stars on Ottawa.