Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

The Stars are having a great season and look to step up and control this game on their home ice. However, the Canucks have looked great recently, winning eight of their last 10 games, and look to control this game on both ends of the ice. The Canucks, who average 3.35 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes near the net. The Canucks should limit the Stars' offense with Quinn Hughes, Ethan Bear, and the rest of the defensive unit stepping up at the blue line and cutting off angles to the net on the rush while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Thatcher Demko to make plenty of big saves. The Canucks should win the game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Senators have won two of their last three games. They are playing well offensively, scoring 10 goals in their last three games. They’ve also played well on special teams, converting over 24 percent of their power play opportunities. The Devils have done a good job killing penalties and they usually play well defensively, but they struggled in recent games, giving up 10 goals in their last three home games. They are also playing 0n consecutive nights and will be dealing with some fatigue, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Devils in this game. The Devils have lost four of their last five games and four of their last five home games. They have struggled offensively, scoring only five goals in their last three home games. They have played well on special teams, converting over 20 percent of their power play opportunities. Unfortunately for them, the Senators are very good at killing penalties and they’re playing well defensively, giving up five goals in their last three games, so expect them to keep New Jersey’s offense in check.

Rating: 2 Units

Philadelphia has struggled all season at both ends of the ice and will be without its leading goal scorer and overall leader in points Travis Konecny. Philadelphia struggles in goal, as Carter Hart has a 2.96 goals against average and as a team the Flyers are allowing an average of 3.31 goals per game. Philadelphia has lost 13 of its last 18 and the Flyers have dropped eight of the last 11 played against the team from the Eastern Conference. Besides missing Konecny, Philadelphia will be without Sean Couturier as well as Ryan Ellis and the Flyers have played the most of the season without Cam Atkinson, which means they lack overall attack and cannot keep pace with the number of goals the defense and goalies allow.

Rating: 2 Units

While this game is not necessarily critical to either team with both in a great position to earn the #1 seed in their respective conferences, the Nuggets would appear to have more motivation. Denver comes in well-rested after a recent road trip and the healthier of the two teams. Milwaukee is in the second game of a four-game trip, the final road trip of the season. The Bucks come in after playing in Utah on Friday night and, while they have been excellent this season in back-to-backs with a 9-1 record, staying healthy here will be more of a premium than getting the win. Denver, meanwhile, is 30-6 at home and 11 games over .500 at home ATS. Denver has won three out of its last four games after suffering through a four-game losing streak. The Nuggets are also 3-1 ATS in that time.

Rating: 2 Units

Gonzaga’s tendency to get off to a slow start makes the Bulldogs a terrifying betting option against a UConn team that is looking like the NCAA Tournament favorite right now. The Huskies have rolled through their first three games and have won all 15 of their non-conference games by double digits this season. Gonzaga is coming off an emotional game against UCLA, while UConn was able to cruise down the stretch, giving the Huskies an edge on Saturday night. They also have more size than Gonzaga in the paint, so this will likely be Timme’s worst game of the tournament. UConn has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games and is 12-1 in its last 13 games as a favorite.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wildcats outlasted the Spartans on Thursday evening, proving they belong among the nation's elite teams. This wasn't expected of K-State — it was picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason poll — but the Wildcats' mix of transfer players meshed as well as first-year head coach Jerome Tang hoped. To take the next step, though, Tang's team must show it hasn't gotten too full of itself. The Owls weren't predicted to be dancing on Saturday, but like their opponent, they have silenced doubters with their consistency. Florida Atlantic showed Tennessee the door on Thursday night with a stunning second-half performance, but it can't win with one half of solid play tomorrow. I predict Kansas State wins and covers the narrow spread, ending the Owls' historic run. The Wildcats have been battle-tested, advancing to the Elite Eight after enduring a rigorous Big 12 schedule. FAU has proven that it belongs, but it won't be able to overcome its talent disadvantages versus KSU. The Cats win with grit — something point guard Markquis Nowell clearly has. Kansas State didn't lose focus when Nowell hurt his ankle versus Michigan State and won't take its eye off the prize at MSG tomorrow. Bet the Wildcats to continue to roll against the overmatched Owls.