Ben Burns

After dropping four of their previous five, the Coyotes got back on track with a comeback win against these same Ducks on Monday. Anaheim was up 3-0 but the Coyotes stormed all the way back for the win. I like their chances of building momentum from that victory; they're 6-1 their last seven, when playing with one day's rest in between games. With b2b games against Colorado coming up, the Coyotes know they can't afford to slip up here. Coach Tocchet had this to say off Monday's win: "We were god awful in the first period, probably our worst period of the season. We had a good response, got a couple of good goals and hung on. Glad we won, but it's not good enough." Expect Tocchet's team to get off to a better start in this one. With the home team 7-1 the last eight in the series, consider Arizona. 

I'm playing on INDIANA. I like how this one sets up for the home team. The Pacers have had some unexpected time off. One game got ppd due to weather. Another got ppg due to Covid-testing. It wasn't an issue on the Pacers' end though. So, they've been able to keep practicing, while also getting some much needed rest. The ability to hold several days of practice just doesnt happen during this short, compacted season. I expect them to make the most of their unique break and look for them to be refreshed for tonight's game. On the other hand, the Warriors are off a win at MSG last night. Curry led the way with another great game. However, keep in mind that he'd missed his previous game, feeling disoriented. Two games in two days could catch up with them. Either way, I like how the Pacers match up against this team. They handled them at Golden State and I look for another win and cover for the Pacers tonight. 

I'm playing on MIAMI. It would be easy to make a case for the Seminoles. They've been playing very well and are off a road win. They also blew out the Hurricanes in this season's earlier meeting. Meanwhile, Miami is off a blowout loss. While all that may seem to point to the Noles, its actually working in Miami's favor. For starters, we're now working with a very generous line. Consider that the earlier meeting, at FSU, had a line of -11.5. Last year's game here at Miami had a line of -6. Speaking of last year, the Canes also got blown out on the road but the game here was close the entire way, decided by only four points. The Canes are 8-5 ATS their last 13, when off three or more consec. losses. They're also 8-5 ATS as underdogs and 2-0 ATS when attempting to avenge a blowout loss of 20 or more points. Meanwhile, the Noles are just 3-10 ATS against sub-500 teams, the past 2+ seasons. With FSU potentially looking ahead to UNC, grab the points with the revenge-minded visitors. 

I'm playing on TORONTO. The Flames earned a much needed 3-0 win over the Leafs a couple of nights ago. Don't expect it to happen twice in a row though. The Leafs are a perfect 4-0 the past four times that they were off a home loss of three or more goals. They're also 6-1 the past seven times that they faced an opponent which allowed two or fewer goals in its previous game. On the season, the Leafs still have a +18 goal differential while the Flames are at -4. That 22-goal disparity is a big difference considering that the teams have only played 19 and 20 games. All things considered, this price could easily be higher. Leafs bounce back. 

I'm playing on PHILADELPHIA. The Flyers should be the hungrier team in this one. They're off b2b losses while the Rangers are off b2b wins. The first of those two game saw the Rangers knock off the Flyers, 3-2 in a shootout. That will provide even further motivation for the Flyers. That game notwithstanding, the Flyers have dominated the Rangers in recent seasons. They're still 9-2 the last 11 meetings. The Flyers' last loss was an 'ugly' one; Boston beat them 7-3. That's the type of defeat this team typically responds well to though. In fact, the Flyers are 12-2 their last 14, following a loss of three or more goals. Expect them to improve on those stats here. 

I'm playing on ST. LOUIS. The Kings are rolling right now and they blanked the Blues 3-0 a couple of days ago. Don't expect a repeat performance. The Blues know how important it is not to drop back-to-back games to the same team. They're going to come out with a vengeance tonight. As Binnington noted: "We can't make excuses. It's a shortened season and every game matters, and these sorts of games are big. ... Hopefully we can regroup and come out with some fire." Despite the shutout loss, St. Louis has still scored more goals (59) than any team in the division. Prior to Monday's loss, they'd beaten the Kings four of the previous five meetings. Expect them to "come out with some fire" as they dig deep and get some payback.