Dan Kaiser

You can’t trust either of these backup goaltenders. Both Calvin Pickard and Kevin Lankinen have struggled thus far. Both with GAA in the threes. The Oilers have a ton of dangerous weapons up front, but their defense hasn’t been playing well. The Question is, can Vancouver score enough to push this game over the number? With Pickard in net, I think that is very possible. Take the over 6 in this one.

Play on the OVER. This is a FREE PLAY!

Edmonton beat the Canucks 3-1 last week. Calvin Pickard is expected to be in the crease on Sunday night. Pickard is 2-1-0 with 3.37 GAA and a .844 save percentage. He gave up one goal on 15 shots in that home victory over Vancouver earlier this month. Kevin Lankinen is expected to start for Vancouver. He is 1-2-0 with a 3.60 GAA and a .883 save percentage this season. Neither goalie can inspire confidence, but Edmonton has the better offense. The last ti,e they met, Edmonton outshot Vancouver 37-15.  Edmonton is sixth in the league in power-play percentage, while Vancouver ranks 27th. The Oilers have won five of the last six between the two. I am taking the better offense in a battle of backup goalies.

Play on, Edmonton. This is a 3% play.

In the last 10 meetings between Winnipeg and Utah, the Jets have won eight of the last 10. Utah has won six in a row. They are 7-2-0 on the season. Utah is 5th in scoring at 3.78 goals a game. They are  8th in goals against, allowing 2.44 goals per game on the year. Utah is 13th on the power play and 19th in penalty killing.  Winnipeg has won six of its last seven and is 6-2-0 on the season. Winnipeg is 8th in scoring at 3.50 goals a game, and they are fourth in goals against at 2.38 goals per contest. Winnipeg is 8th on their power plays and 1st in killing off penalties. Utah is playing its third game in four nights. Winnipeg has won six of its last seven games.  The Mammoth have scored 13 goals in their last two wins. I think fatigue will be a factor no matter how well the Mammoth are playing. 

Play on Winnipeg. This is a 3% play.

The Los Angeles Kings are on the second half of a back-to-back. Chicago has won four of the last five. The Los Angeles Kings rank 25th in scoring at 2.6 goals a game. On the defensive end, they are 23rd, allowing 3.4 goals a game. The Kings have the sixth-best power play but are 27th in penalty killing. The Chicago Blackhawks are 15th in scoring at 3.1 per game, and 6th in goals-against at 2.4 per game. Their power play needs improving as they are 23rd, but are 12th in killing penalties. Chicago has an advantage in net. Spencer Knight has a 1.97 goals against average and a .937 save percentage. Darcy Kuemper has played in five of Los Angeles’ eight games and has a 2.59 GAA and a .896 SV%. Chicago has the sixth-best goals against average overall in the NHL, while Los Angeles is 23rd. Two of Chicago’s losses were in either overtime or a shootout. 

I am taking Chicago. This is a 3% play.

The Green Bay Packers are 4-1-1 overall, just 2-4 against the number, and they have won three in a row. Jordan Love has thrown for  1,438 yards, with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. The Packers defense is allowing 20.8 points, which is tied for 10th. They are also second in rushing yards allowed and 15th against the pass. The Steelers are 4-2 and 3-3 ATS. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 1,270 yards, with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. On the defensive side, they have given up 23.3 points per game, tied for 18th. They are 17th against the run and 31 against the pass. The Packers are dealing with some injuries. As long as it isn’t Love and Parsons, I am ok. Both teams have struggled against the pass this season. The Steelers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games. Green Bay is 1-4 ATS in its last five games overall and 0-5 ATS in its previous five showings on the road. I think Parsons will be able to get to Rodgers more than Watt will get to Love.

Play on Green Bay. This is a 3% play

The Chicago Bears are 4-2 this season after a 26-14 home win over the Saints. The Ravens are a surprising as well as disappointing 1-5. They are coming off a 17-3 home loss to the Rams. The Bears have won four in a row. Caleb Williams has thrown for 1,351 yards, 9 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions. Chicago puts up 25.3 points per game. On the defensive side, they lead the league in takeaways with 16. They are giving up 25.8 points per game and rank 25th in total defense. The Ravens are in a must-win situation and must do it without Lamar Jackson under center. Baltimore has lost four in a row. They are putting up  24.0 points per game while ranking 28th in passing yards. Tyler Huntley will start for the Ravens. He gives them a more dual-threat option at center. They will rely on Derrick Henry running in this game, as the Bears' defense is weak against the run. King Henry has rushed 439 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.  On the defensive side, they are giving up 32.3 points per game. I am going with the Bears in this one. I thought they could win this game even if Lamar did start because I was not sure how healthy he would be. Without him, I am even more confident in the Bears. The offense has been playing better, and the running game has picked up. With their ability to run the ball, the offense opens up for Ben Johnson. The Ravens' defense is bad, and I look for Johmson and Williams to be able to call and make plays today. The Bears will stack the box against Henry and make Huntley beat them through the air. Take the Bears and the points.

Play on Chicago, this is a 5% play.