Will Rogers Handicapping Review & Free Picks Page

The set-up: It was this time last year that Jordan Binnington and the Blues "upped their game" and then plowed their way to a Stanley Cup trophy. This season St. Louis has been the "cream of the crop" from the "get go" and I believe it'll come in focussed on the task at hand tonight. Vancouver is atop the weak Pacific Division and all signs point to it have its hands full tonight. 

The pick: While Vancouver went into the break with a 4-1 win over the Sharks, the Blues went into the All Star game with a 5-3 loss to the Avs. Both teams are dealing with injuries, so that area is a "wash" in my opinion. Note though that St. Louis is 7-2 in its last nine Western Conference road games after three or more days of rest, while Vancouver is just 3-6 in its last nine home games as an underdog in the +105 to +125 range. I like Jordan Binnington to out-play Jacob Markstrom in net. Look for the defending champs to post a win to open up the second half. Consider the visitors in this one.

1* FREE PLAY on the St. Louis Blues. 

The set-up: I think Luka Doncic will single-handidly will his team to victory here as he tries to make some sense of Kobe Bryant's death. The entire NBA World is in shock still and Doncic had a special early and recent relationship with Black Mamba. The Mavs are coming off a loss in Utah as well. OKC has won five straight and I think it's poised for a letdown here finally though. Also note that the Mavs play with the revenge factor after falling 106-101 here earlier in the season. Overall Dallas averages 116.6 PPG and it allows 108.1. The Thunder though average 110.8 PPG and they allow 109.8. 

The pick: Additionally note that Dallas is still a sharp 7-3 ATS this year as a road underdog and 5-2 ATS in revenging a SU loss vs. an opponent as a favorite this season, while OKC is just 4-5 ATS in its last nine after scoring 110 points or more in three straight games. Everything points to a big bounce back for this potent Mavs' offense in my opinion. Lay the points.

10* GAME OF THE WEEK on the Dallas Mavericks.

The set-up: I'm going to suggest laying the larger price for the extra 1.5 goals of insurance. This is a game which I believe will be decided late, or even in extra time. The Sens are 1-5-4 in their last ten games, while the Devils are 4-5-1. 

The pick: The edge tonight really comes in the numbers/stats/trends though, as note that the Sens are just 1-5 in their last six as a home favorite vs. an Eastern Conference opponent, while the Devils are a solid 5-2 in their last seven when playing with three or more days rest.

6* PUCK-LINE DESTRUCTION on the New Jersey Devils

The set-up: The Vandals won't be lacking for motivation today as they've dropped four in a row. The Southern Utah Thunderbirds can empathize, as they've lost two of their last three, including a crushing OT loss to EWU last time out. The "revenge factor" comes into play here as well for the home side, who has lost three straight in this series, including two in a row at home. 

The pick: Southern Utah averages 67 PPG and it allows 64. The Vandals have a stout defense as well which holds the opposition to just under 38 percent shooting on the year. Southern Utah is just 4-5 ATS this season as a favorite, while Idaho is 9-7 ATS as an underdog. In a contest which I envision being decided late, I'm grabbing as many points as I can.

10* GAME OF THE WEEK on Idaho.