The Edmonton Oilers are set to face the Florida Panthers tonight at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. This matchup serves as a compelling rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, where the Panthers edged out the Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series. The Oilers (34-20-4) are currently navigating a challenging period, having lost four consecutive games since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Their most recent defeat was a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. During this slump, Edmonton has conceded 22 goals, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. Despite these struggles, the Oilers maintain a potent offense, averaging 3.26 goals per game, ranking seventh in the NHL. Key players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid continue to be central to their offensive efforts. The Panthers (35-21-3) have been in strong form, winning nine of their last 13 games, including a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. Florida boasts a robust offense, averaging 3.3 goals per game. However, they will be without star forward Matthew Tkachuk, who is sidelined due to a lower-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations tournament. In Tkachuk's absence, players like Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe will need to step up to maintain offensive momentum. This season, the Panthers secured a 6-5 win over the Oilers in Edmonton on December 16. This looks to be a great game tonight. I will side with Edmonton even though they have lost four straight. The loss of Tkachuk is huge for Florida and the difference for me in this one. Play Edmonton. 

The New Jersey Devils (32-21-6) continue their five-game road trip with a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche (33-24-2) on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Ball Arena in Denver. Both teams are aiming to build momentum as they approach the final stretch of the regular season. The Devils began their road trip with a commanding 5-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. Goaltender Nico Daws recorded his first NHL shutout, making 29 saves. Forwards Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes continue to lead the team offensively, each amassing 68 points this season. However, the team has faced inconsistency, alternating wins and losses over their past ten games. The Avalanche are on a two-game losing streak, with their latest defeat being a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Despite the setbacks, forward Nathan MacKinnon remains a dominant force, leading the team with 87 points. Defenseman Cale Makar has also been pivotal, contributing 64 points. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, acquired earlier in the season, holds a 14-7-2 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. With New Jersey's starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom still sidelined due to injury, Jake Allen is expected to start. Allen has a 9-12-1 record with a 2.58 GAA and a .909 save percentage this season. Both teams are eager to secure a win to enhance their playoff positioning. The Avalanche's home-ice advantage and offensive depth, led by MacKinnon and Makar is the difference for me in this one. Take Colorado. 

The Florida Panthers (34-21-3) are set to face the Nashville Predators (20-29-7) tonight at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Panthers are aiming to rebound after a narrow 2-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken, while the Predators seek to recover from a 5-0 defeat against the New Jersey Devils. The Panthers boast a strong offensive lineup, averaging 3.26 goals per game, ranking 7th in the NHL. Sam Reinhart leads the team with 31 goals and 31 assists, totaling 62 points. Aleksander Barkov Jr. has contributed 14 goals and 38 assists, amassing 52 points. Notably, Matthew Tkachuk, with 22 goals and 35 assists (57 points), is currently sidelined due to a lower-body injury. Defensively, Florida allows 2.88 goals per game, placing them 12th in the league. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky holds a 23-13-2 record, with a 2.65 goals-against average (GAA) and a .903 save percentage. Historically against Nashville, Bobrovsky is 11-10-1 with a 3.12 GAA and a .900 save percentage. The Predators have struggled offensively, averaging 2.59 goals per game, ranking 30th in the NHL. Filip Forsberg leads the team with 21 goals and 32 assists, totaling 53 points. Jonathan Marchessault has added 18 goals and 28 assists, accumulating 46 points. Despite these individual efforts, the team has faced challenges in generating consistent scoring. Nashville's defense allows 3.3 goals per game, ranking 26th in the league. Goaltender Juuse Saros has a 12-23-6 record, with a 2.90 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Against the Panthers, Saros holds a 3-8 record, a 2.74 GAA, and a .926 save percentage. Panthers are favored on the road here tonight and for good reason. They have the superior offensive metrics and the Predators' have struggled in recent games. I look for the Panthers to win this game by a couple of goals tonight at least. Play Florida

 The Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars are set to face off on Friday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. This matchup features two of the Western Conference's top teams, each looking to assert dominance as the season progresses. The Stars boast a 29-17-1 record, including a strong 17-7-1 performance on home ice. They have a +30 goal differential, having scored 147 goals while allowing 117. The Golden Knights lead the Western Conference's Pacific Division, averaging 3.4 goals per game and allowing 2.9 goals against per game. They have a shots per game average of 30.0 and a save percentage of .809. Dallas Stars: Center Roope Hintz has tallied 14 goals and 6 assists, totaling 20 points this season. Matt Duchene is leading the team with 30 points, including 13 goals and 17 assists. Vegas Golden Knights: Ivan Barbashev is contributing 15 goals and 15 assists, accumulating 30 points. Jack Eichel is leading the team with 42 points, comprising 9 goals and 33 assists. The Stars and Golden Knights have developed a notable rivalry in recent years, meeting in the playoffs multiple times. Their most recent playoff encounter was in the 2024 Western Conference First Round, where the Golden Knights emerged victorious. This game is anticipated to be a tightly contested battle between two well-matched teams. I will take the Stars at home in this matchup. Play Dallas.

The Buffalo Sabres continue their four-game road trip with a matchup against the Calgary Flames on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Sabres recently snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-2 comeback victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Tage Thompson leads the team with 21 goals in 42 games. The Flames are coming off a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, marking their 22nd victory of the season. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf has been impressive, boasting a 2.51 goals-against average (GAA) and a .917 save percentage, with 11 wins in 14 home starts. Buffalo Sabres: Jiri Kulich: The 20-year-old rookie had a standout performance against Vancouver, contributing a goal and two assists. Calgary Flames: Jonathan Huberdeau: Leads all active Flames in career scoring against the Sabres, with 13 goals and 41 points in 38 contests. The Sabres will aim to build on their recent victory and leverage the momentum from their top line's performance. The Flames, with a strong home record and solid goaltending from Dustin Wolf, will look to continue their success on home ice. I like Calgary here at home at this small price. Play Calgary.

The Edmonton Oilers have come back from a 0-3 deficit in this Stanley Cup finals to now only be down 2-3 as they return home for game six. They still are in a must win spot, but a win tonight forces a decisive game seven back in Florida. This wouldn't be the first time a team has come back from down 0-3 in the Cup finals but you have to go back to 1942 for the last time. The Panthers had been great on offense, scoring 15 goals but the last two games they have just one goal and three goals against 13 that they allowed in those two games. The Panthers look to their star player Matthew Tkachuk to step it up in the finals, something he hasn't done thus far with just one goal and two assists. The defense allowed three goals in the first three games to Edmonton, but has since allowed 13 goals the last two games with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky struggling of late. The Oilers are once again led by Connor McDavid who has three goals and eight assists in the finals. The Panthers have been too good this postseason to lose three games in a row. I'm going to take them here in game six to close out the series and win the Stanley Cup tonight. Play Florida.

The Edmonton Oilers staved off elimination in game four of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals with a easy win last Saturday, 8-1. After scoring just four total goals in the first three games, the Oilers ran up the score to a tune a eight games in just game four, twice what they scored in the previous three games combined. Connor McDavid scored his first game of the finals in a four-point total night in the rout. Have to believe the Panthers had little interest in winning that game four. They pulled their star goalie in the 2nd period and rested their top line players as the score got out of hand. Now they return to home ice where they can win the cup in front of their home crowd. I expect to see the Panthers team we saw in the first three games of this Cup Finals. I'm taking the Florida Panthers to wrap-it up tonight.

The Florida Panthers are on the verge of the Stanley Cup Championship after their 4-3 Win at Edmonton. The Oilers look to avoid the sweep here on Saturday night. Defense has been the key for the Panthers, allowing only four goals to this high octane Edmonton offense in the first three games. The offense has also stepped it up, scoring 11 goals in this Cup Finals. Sergei Bobrovsky has been excellent between the pipes for the Panthers, saving 82 of the 86 shots he's faced. The Oilers offense was their backbone all season and need that offense to come through tonight if they hope to avoid the sweep. Never know how these games go when a team is down 0-3 in a series. But I look for Edmonton to play for some pride before the home crowd and I'm sure Florida won't mind winning the cup on their home ice. Take Edmonton.

 The Dallas Stars on the verge of elimination from the NHL playoffs here today at Edmonton. The Stars opened the playoffs by defeating defending Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights in seven games. Then they beat the Colorado Avalanche in six games and now are down 2-3 to the Oilers. The Stars led 2-1 but have lost the last two games at Edmonton, 2-5 and then at home 1-3. Now they are faced with a win or go home game tonight. Strangely, the Stars have struggled at home this year but have been very good on the road, going 6-2 in the playoffs. Edmonton defeated the LA Kings in five games and then the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. They are averaging 3.59 goals. Their best player, Connor McDavid, leads the team in the postseason with four goals and 25 assists. Leon Draisaitl has 10 goals and 17 assists. One thing about Dallas, they have confidence on the road and know they can win. I have to take the dog price here today with Dallas as they were the number one seed in the West this year. Play Dallas.

Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals here tonight from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. One thing is for sure this year, which ever team wins, it will be the first for that team in franchise history. Both teams have been here before, Florida back in the 1990's and Vegas in their first season in the NHL back in 2018. Florida wouldn't have even made the playoffs if Pittsburgh would have taken care of business in the final days of the regular season. But, Florida made it and also beat the best team in the regular season, the Boston Bruins. And that was after being down 1-3 in that series. They then went on to beat a very good Toronto team and then the 2nd best team in the East, Carolina, sweeping the Canes. Vegas was good all year, being the best team in the West. They got by Winnipeg easy enough, but were dogs to Edmonton. The Oilers with McDavid and Draisaidl looked to be a tall mountain to climb. But Vegas used their great defense to get past and then stifled Dallas to get here to the finals. Vegas is a great balanced team, with all four lines able to score. They also have the best defense and block more shots than any other team in the league. They picked up Jack Eichel last hear and he was a huge payoff this year. The return of captain Mark Stone from surgery at the start of the playoffs seemed to be that extra nudge the team needed. But what is most amazing is that they did this with five different goalies. The loss of Lehner to season surgery then the emergence of rookie Logan Thompson seemed to be what they needed. But Thompson wend down with an injury and they traded Columbus to get Jonathan Quick who they got from LA. Quick provided some much needed regular season wins. However, it was Laurent Brossoit who emerged as the goalie for the playoffs. Then Brossoit went down in the Edmonton series and in came Adin Hill. Hill performed great the rest of that series and the Dallas series. Quick never has gotten into a playoff game for the Knights. But really, it's this great Vegas defense that makes all these goalies look better then maybe they are. And for me that's the difference here today. The Vegas defense and the depth of scoring on this team. I look for Vegas to win here tonight in game one.

The Dallas Stars could easily be 2-0 in this series with the Golden Knights. Yet, they return to Dallas in a must win spot here tonight trailing 0-2. The Stars were 3-0 vs Vegas in the regular season and really easily handled them. So it figures they had high hopes with this matchup. But Dallas had to force OT late in the third period of game one only to lose early in OT. Then Dallas really outplayed Vegas for most of the game in game two. But a late Vegas goal tied the score at forced another OT. This time Vegas again got the fortunate bounce and a win early in OT. However, Dallas has to be confident here in game three. They have had great goal tending and they have played very physical and great defense. Everyone thought a physical/defensive game would benefit Vegas, but it's really helped Dallas. Just some unlucky bounces of the puck have them down 0-2. I'm taking Dallas tonight. They have to win this game or go down 0-3. They have the home crowd behind them and if they play like they did in game two, it's a Dallas win. Play Dallas.

Eastern Conference clash here tonight between the NY Rangers and the Ottawa Senators. The Ny Rangers are 10-9-4 with 24 points on the season. The Rangers actually have a losing home record and a winning road record this year. The Rangers also looking to snap a three-game losing streak here tonight at Ottawa. As for the Senators, they are next to last in the Eastern Conference with just 17 points. Only Columbus with 16 points has fewer. The Senators have won two straight games after a West road swing that saw them finish with wins over the Ducks, 5-1, and the Kings 3-2. This will be the fifth meeting between the teams this season. The Rangers won the last meeting, 5-1. I like the Rangers again here tonight.

NHL just under a week old into the new season and Vancouver still looking for that first win after two games. The Canucks are 0-2 and have scored five goals while allowing eight goals. They will take on the Washington Capitals tonight. The Caps have played three games and are 1-2 with seven goals scored and nine goals allowed. Neither team off to a great start. The Caps have not been all that good dating back to the end of last season. They are 1-5 in their last six games and 2-5 in their last seven home games. They are also 3-7 in their last 10 vs the West's Pacific division. Vancouver a small road dog here tonight. I'll take them in this spot to get their first win of the young season. Play Vancouver.

Game three of this series between a pair of Florida NHL teams has the Lightning hosting the Panthers here on Sunday. The Panthers are in dire need of a win here today after losing both game one and game two on their home ice. The Panthers offense was great in their first round, scoring 20 goals. However, they have yet to find that same success here in this round, scoring only two goals. The powerplay has been horrible, going 0-for-22 in the playoffs. The defense has kept the Panthers in the series, allowing only six goals. The Panthers have to win this game or go down 0-3 and have little chance the way the offense has produced. This is their shot here today. Take the Panthers.

This game is really simple. The VGK Golden Knights need to win. Having lost at home to New Jersey the other night makes this one so important that if they lose they likely won't make the playoffs. There are only a handful of games left and Vegas still isn't in the playoffs. So two points here is critical. I'll take a chance on the Knights tonight and see if they really want this or not. Play Vegas.

The NHL down to just a handful of games in the regular season. The Montreal Canadiens have been eliminated from the postseason with just 51 points and last place in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders are in a fight for one of the last playoff spots with the Blue Jackets. Just one point separates Montreal and Columbus. The Islanders are coming off a loss at Pittsburgh and have lost three of their last five games. Montreal has lost three straight games. However, seven of their last nine games have been on the road. Now they return home for tonight's contest and I look for them to give the Islanders all kinds of problems. I'll take Montreal at this nice home dog price.

Eastern Conference matchup here between 2nd place Tampa Bay (76 points) and fifth place Pittsburgh (74 points). Both teams on win streaks as the Lightning have won five straight and the Penguins have won two straight games. Tampa Bay is 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and the Penguins are 6-3-1 last 10 games. The Penguins have been a good road bet, as they are 17-5 in their last 22 away games. They are also 9-4 in their last 13 games vs a team with a winning record. Penguins at +1.50 or there about looks like a good live dog bet for me tonight.

Western Conference clash between two of the top tier teams and 3rd place Calgary hosts fourth place Minnesota. Calgary has been red hot, winning nine of their last 10 games and have the 2nd best goal differential in the Conference with a +49. Minnesota is 5-5 in their last 10 games and has a +37 goal differential. The Flames lead the Wild by just one point in a crowded West where six points separates six teams. I like Calgary on their hot streak here today. Play Calgary.

The LA Kings pulled an unlikely win last night in Vegas. Vegas has dominated the Kings since they came into the league and last night Vegas led 3-1 in the third when the Kings rallied for two goals to tie the game and send it to OT. In the extra period the Kings go the winner and the full points. That makes three wins in their last four games where they have scored at least four games in those wins. They take on a poor Arizona team here today. The Coyotes are coming off a loss to Tampa Bay, 3-4. That makes them just 2-8 their last 10 games. LA has momentum and they picked the perfect team to keep it going here on Saturday. Play the Kings.

Western Conference clash tonight as Dallas takes on the Blackhawks in Chicago. Right now neither team looks to be going to the playoffs as Dallas sits 10th and Chicago is 14th. Dallas has won seven of their last 10 games so they are moving up toward that 8th place cutoff. Can't say the same for Chicago who is just 3-6-1 over their last 10 games. Chicago also has the 2nd worst goal differential in the West at -46 goals. Dallas coming off a win over West Conference leader Colorado, 4-1. Chicago coming off a home loss to Columbus, 4-7. I like the surging Stars here tonight. Play Dallas.

The NY Islanders hope to get back to winning as they start the 2nd half of the season. The Islanders have just 38 points and sit in 12th place in the East. While they have a losing home record, they are 7-7 on the road. They played their last seven games at home and went just 3-4. The return to the road where they seem to be more comfortable. The Vancouver Canucks have 48 points, but in the competitive West that is only good for 12th place. The Canucks started the 2nd half of the season with a win over Arizona, 5-1. That was their 3rd win in their last eight games. The Islanders are a small road favorite here tonight and I'll take them as they just seem to do better away from home.

 The Chicago Blackhawks play their first game after the All-Star Break. They hope this half is better than the first half. The Hawks ended the 1st half losing three straight games and seven of their last eight games. They allowed 14 goals in their last three games. The Oilers had finished the first half on a decent run, winning five of their last six games. However, they ran into a healthy Vegas Knights team and that resulted in a 0-4 loss on their home ice. Can't see the Oilers repeating that performance here tonight. Take Edmonton to bounce back.

Edmonton finds themselves a small home dog here tonight as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas finished the All-Star break by winning the last two game, including against Buffalo, 5-2. Vegas has dealt with lots of injuries and Covid protocols during the first half of the season. Defenseman Alex Martinez is doubtful today with an injury, but other than that they are healthier than most of the year. The Edmonton Oilers not having as good a season as last year as they sit 23-16-3 overall. Conner MacDavid leads this team, one of the best players in the NHL. Edmonton finished the 1st half of the season winning five of their last six games. That was a big turnaround from their previous seven game losing streak. With Edmonton playing their best right now I'll take them as as small home dog tonight.

It's East meets West here tonight as the Eastern Conference Washington Capitals host the Western Conference Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are not having the kind of season they hoped for with all the star fire power they have. The Oilers have just 47 points and right now sit in 11th in the West. The Capitals have 59 points, but that is only good for 7th in the East. The Caps have won two straight games with wins at Dallas, 5-0, and at Pittsburgh, 4-3. The Oilers had their four-game win streak snapped last game at Ottawa, 2-3. This game close to pick or -1.10 on the Oilers. I like Edmonton here tonight as they are much better then their points exhibit. Play Edmonton.

The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars are both tied with 48 points in the Western Conference. That makes them both tied for that final 8th spot in the playoff picture. The winner today can take over sole position of the 8th spot in the West. The Flames are coming off a shut-out over Vancouver their last game, 1-0. They have also won three of their last four games. They are 4-6 their last 10 games overall. The Stars have been very good of late, coming off a win over Boston, 6-1. That makes them 5-1 in their last six games. Stars are a small dog at home here tonight. I'll take that with a team playing very well of late. Play Dallas.

The NY Rangers are 5th in the Eastern Conference with 60 points. They have a +19 goal differential this season. They are also 13-4-2 at home. The Rangers look to snap a 2-game losing streak here today against the Kraken. The Rangers are coming off a home loss to Minnesota, 2-3. Still, they are 5-3 over their last eight games. Seattle playing the second game of this road trip as they played in Pittsburgh on Thursday and beat the Penguins, 2-1. Wins haven't been very plentiful for the Kraken, going 5-14 their last 19 games. They also sit next to last in the Western conference with just 32 points and a -39 goal differential. The only team worse in both categories are the Arizona Coyotes. I don't usually like laying big prices like this, but I don't see the Rangers losing here today on their home ice. Play NY Rangers.

The Nashville Predators have climbed into 2nd place in the NHL Western Conference with 57 points. They trail first place Colorado by 6-spoints. The Predators have won three straight games and are 6-3-1 their last 10 games. The Predators are coming off a win at Seattle, 4-2. The Edmonton Oilers have just 42 points and currently sit 11th in the West. They have won two games in a row including their last game at Vancouver, 3-2. The Oilers have won the last four in this series and the home teams is 4-1 the last five. Good value here with the Oilers tonight. Play Edmonton.

The Vancouver Canucks look to snap a 3-game losing streak here on Sunday as they head to Washington to play the Capitals. The Canucks are on a long road trip, playing their eighth game in a row on the road. They started out nicely, winning three of their first four on this trip before dropping three straight. The Caps snapped a four-game losing streak with a win on Saturday at the NY Islanders, 2-0. Now they have to turn right around and play again tonight. Both teams playing on no rest here today and that's tough on any team. For me, I can't pass on the big dog price with the Canucks. Take Vancouver.

Minnesota Wild looking to snap a three-game losing streak here today as they hit the road for a game at Dallas. the Wild had won eight in a row before this recent three game skid. They are coming off a loss at home to Buffalo, 2-3. The Dallas Stars also had to endure a losing streak, five games in fact before finally snapping that with a win over Chicago last game, 4-3. I'll take Dallas here tonight as they play at home against the struggling Wild. Play Dallas