darrell,

Minnesota almost pulled it off yesterday but not quite. Three pick tonight.

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

Game: Atlanta at TAMPA BAY (7:35 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 stars on Tampa Bay -123

Atlanta is playing great as they can see their first playoff birth in their sights. They've won 11 of their last 15 behind the play of Ilya Kovalchuk. But tonight they face a Tampa Bay team that has beaten them 3 out of 5 times already this season. Tampa is off a terrible offensive performance against Carolina in which the Lightning scored just one goal. Off games like that (<2 goals scored), Tampa Bay is 9-2 this season. While Atlanta is scoring 3.8 per game over their last five, they are giving up 3.6 per game. Tampa can score with them and play better defense too. Take Tampa Bay.

Ottawa can't afford to lose a third straight game if they want to keep their cushion over Carolina in the Eastern Conference. I love them in this spot as they are now 14-1 off 2 consecutive losses over the past three seasons. New York has been playing well but they are tired. This is their 9th game in the last two weeks and its on the road against a team in need of a win. Ottawa plays great defense consistently and New York, despite their excellent scoring, has played horrible defense of late. Senators big.

Again, love to get the Redwings at -120 or less. They are not often offered up at this price and as usual, we'll back 'em as the small favorite. Yes, they've clinched a playoff spot but they want to hold on to their four point lead over Dallas. They have the President's Trophy in their sights and only lead Ottawa in that race by two points. They are also looking at another 50 win season with a victory tonight. A sign of a great team? Beat those in your division. Detroit is an incredible 11-0 this season on the road vs. division foes. They are 25-9 overall on the road. Nashville is off a 3-5 loss at Phoenix and March home underdogs off a road loss by 2 goals or more are just 21-58 (27%) since 1996. Take Detroit.