Thursday 10-5-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Washington at Ottawa

W/L Trends

Washington

Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 road games. Capitals are 53-15 in their last 68 vs. Atlantic. Capitals are 37-16 in their last 53 vs. Eastern Conference. Capitals are 36-16 in their last 52 Thursday games. Capitals are 42-19 in their last 61 overall. Capitals are 35-16 in their last 51 games following a win. Capitals are 41-19 in their last 60 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Capitals are 55-26 in their last 81 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Capitals are 1-8 in their last 9 games playing on 3 or more days rest.

Ottawa

Senators are 5-1 in their last 6 home games. Senators are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Senators are 5-2 in their last 7 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.

OU Trends

Washington

Under is 4-0 in Capitals last 4 Thursday games. Under is 5-1 in Capitals last 6 games following a win. Under is 5-1 in Capitals last 6 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 5-2-1 in Capitals last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 15-6-6 in Capitals last 27 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 17-7-2 in Capitals last 26 vs. Eastern Conference.

Ottawa

Under is 4-1 in Senators last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 18-5-3 in Senators last 26 Thursday games. Under is 3-1-1 in Senators last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 3-1-1 in Senators last 5 home games. Over is 5-2-4 in Senators last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 5-2-1 in Senators last 8 following a loss of 3 or more goals. Under is 63-30-6 in Senators last 99 vs. Metropolitan.

Head to Head

• Capitals are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
• Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Ottawa.
• Under is 17-6 in the last 23 meetings.
• Home team is 24-9 in the last 33 meetings.
• Capitals are 5-11 in the last 16 meetings in Ottawa.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, October 5, 2017
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Preview: Wild at Red Wings

Gracenote
Oct 4, 2017

A noteworthy milestone and an era came to an end in April for the Detroit Red Wings, who will open the 2017-18 season -- and Little Caesars Arena -- against the visiting Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. The new venue could be the main attraction this season for the Red Wings, who had their 25-season playoff run halted in April.

"The new arena looks amazing, even on the ice, from the players’ view," forward Tomas Tatar told the Detroit Free Press. "I think people will enjoy it a lot. It’s great to be here. We can’t be more happy.” The Red Wings, who played nearly 40 years at venerable Joe Louis Arena, struggled in all areas last season and barely avoiding finishing in last place in the Atlantic Division. Conversely, the Wild set a franchise record for wins (49) last season but were drummed out of the playoffs in the first round for the third time in five years, prompting coach Bruce Boudreau's “Good Isn’t Good Enough” mantra. “Because we’re always good,” said Boudreau. “We want to strive to be better than good. We want to be great. ... We have a team that’s built to win.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE WILD (2016-17: 49-25-8, 2nd in Central Division): Minnesota possesses a solid blend of strong veteran leadership and young emerging talent, with nine players producing at least 40 points last season and five collecting between 56 and 69 points. Leading scorer Mikael Granland established career bests with 26 goals and 43 assists and is part of a No. 2 line featuring captain Mikko Koivu (58 points) and Jason Zucker (47 points). Zach Parise's back woes are a concern on the top unit, which received a combined 53 goals from Eric Staal and Nino Niederreiter, while offseason acquisitions Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno and Matt Cullen add depth to the lineup. Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon head a defensive corps that lost Marco Scandella to a trade while goaltender Devan Dubnyk is coming off a career-best 40-win campaign.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (2016-17: 33-36-13, 7th in Atlantic Division): One obvious trouble spot for Detroit is an offense that ranked 26th in the league last season, with captain Henrik Zetterberg (68) the only player to surpass 50 points and Tatar (25) the only 20-goal scorer. The punchless attack was exacerbated by the woes at the other end of the ice -- Petr Mrazek stumbled badly with an 18-21-9 record and woeful 3.04 goals-against average and has fallen behind 33-year-old Jimmy Howard, who posted a 2.10 GAA during an injury-plagued campaign. Defenseman Trevor Daley was the lone offseason addition of note and joins a blue-line corps that includes longtime stalwart Niklas Kronwall, who's playing on creaky knees. Detroit needs to get third-year center Dylan Larkin to show the offensive promise of his 2015-16 rookie season.

OVERTIME

1. Parise will miss at least the first two games of the season, general manager Chuck Fletcher said.

2. Red Wings F Andreas Athanasiou, an 18-goal scorer last season, remains unsigned and is mulling playing in Europe.

3. Minnesota signed F Daniel Winnik to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Minnesota at Detroit

W/L Trends

Minnesota

Wild are 6-1 in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Wild are 13-3 in their last 16 vs. Atlantic. Wild are 14-4 in their last 18 Thursday games. Wild are 3-7 in their last 10 road games. Wild are 3-7 in their last 10 games following a win. Wild are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference. Wild are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Wild are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. Wild are 0-4 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Detroit

Red Wings are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Red Wings are 7-15 in their last 22 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Red Wings are 2-5 in their last 7 overall. Red Wings are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win. Red Wings are 1-5 in their last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Red Wings are 1-5 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.

OU Trends

Minnesota

Under is 5-1 in Wild last 6 overall. Over is 5-1-1 in Wild last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 5-1 in Wild last 6 road games. Under is 8-2 in Wild last 10 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Wild last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 23-7-2 in Wild last 32 games following a win. Under is 5-2 in Wild last 7 Thursday games. Over is 20-8-9 in Wild last 37 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 20-8-8 in Wild last 36 vs. Atlantic.

Detroit

Over is 4-0 in Red Wings last 4 Thursday games. Under is 7-1-1 in Red Wings last 9 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 3-1-2 in Red Wings last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 3-1-1 in Red Wings last 5 games following a win. Under is 5-2 in Red Wings last 7 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 7-3-1 in Red Wings last 11 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 9-4-1 in Red Wings last 14 home games.

Head to Head

• Home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings in Detroit.
• Over is 6-2-4 in the last 12 meetings.
• Wild are 16-35-3 in the last 54 meetings.
• Wild are 7-19-1 in the last 27 meetings in Detroit.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:30 PM ET, Thursday, October 5, 2017
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Preview: Penguins at Blackhawks

Gracenote
Oct 5, 2017

The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty to prove after a surprisingly early exit from the 2017 playoffs and look to get off to a strong start when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. The Blackhawks won the Central Division last season before scoring just three goals while being swept by Nashville in the first round of the postseason.

Chicago brought back some familiar faces as they signed free-agent forward Patrick Sharp, who scored at least 30 goals four times for the Blackhawks from 2007-14 and has 599 career points, and re-acquired left wing Brandon Saad to play on a line with captain Jonathan Toews. Chicago also shuffled its defense behind Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, with Cody Franson and Connor Murphy added to the mix, and will be tested right away by a potent Pittsburgh offense that features former Hart Trophy winners Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and led the league in goals last season. The Penguins rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period before losing to St. Louis 5-4 in overtime on Wednesday after raising their second straight championship banner to the rafters. Crosby registered a goal and an assist to lead four players with multiple points in the opener for Pittsburgh, which plays six of its first nine games on the road.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet 1, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (0-0-1): Crosby and linemates Conor Sheary (one goal) and Jake Guentzel (two assists) picked up where they left off last season with a five-point night in the opener while Malkin and Bryan Rust each added two assists. Pittsburgh received a goal from both Justin Schultz and Olli Maatta while fellow defenseman Matt Hunwick made his Penguins debut. Matt Murray, who has won the Stanley Cup in each of his first two NHL seasons, turned aside 29 shots Wednesday and is being backed up by veteran Antti Niemi after Marc-Andre Fleury was selected by Vegas in the expansion draft.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (2016-17: 50-23-9, 1st in Central): Toews scored 21 goals and posted a plus-7 rating last season, which both rate as the worst of his 10-year career, and hopes to regain his standing among the league’s top centers. “I put a lot of pressure on myself, especially the last couple of years,” Toews, who is expected to play despite a lower-body injury, told the Chicago Tribune. "I think I make things harder on myself and my linemates. … (I need to) play loose and have fun and just let things happen.” Patrick Kane led the team in scoring with 89 points last season and is likely to skate on a line with Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman to start the campaign.

OVERTIME

1. The Blackhawks have beaten the Penguins six straight times, scoring nine of the 11 goals in the two matchups last season.

2. Pittsburgh D Kris Letang, who returned from neck surgery in the season opener, is one assist shy of 300 for his career.

3. Chicago RW Marian Hossa is expected to miss the season due to a skin disorder.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Penguins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Pittsburgh at Chicago

W/L Trends

Pittsburgh

Penguins are 23-9 in their last 32 Thursday games. Penguins are 50-24 in their last 74 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Penguins are 35-17 in their last 52 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Penguins are 57-28 in their last 85 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Penguins are 3-12 in their last 15 games following OT on the previous day. Penguins are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.

Chicago

Blackhawks are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Metropolitan. Blackhawks are 58-17 in their last 75 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Blackhawks are 20-7 in their last 27 games following a win. Blackhawks are 9-4 in their last 13 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blackhawks are 1-5 in their last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Blackhawks are 0-8 in their last 8 overall. Blackhawks are 0-8 in their last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

OU Trends

Pittsburgh

Under is 9-1 in Penguins last 10 games playing on 0 days rest. Under is 3-1-1 in Penguins last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 3-1-1 in Penguins last 5 road games. Under is 19-7 in Penguins last 26 games following OT on the previous day. Over is 20-8-4 in Penguins last 32 Thursday games. Under is 7-3-2 in Penguins last 12 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 46-22-8 in Penguins last 76 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Chicago

Under is 2-0-4 in Blackhawks last 6 overall. Under is 5-0-1 in Blackhawks last 6 Thursday games. Under is 4-0-1 in Blackhawks last 5 home games. Over is 4-0-1 in Blackhawks last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-0 in Blackhawks last 5 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Under is 31-10-12 in Blackhawks last 53 vs. Metropolitan. Under is 12-4-5 in Blackhawks last 21 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Over is 27-11-19 in Blackhawks last 57 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Head to Head

• Under is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Chicago.
• Under is 12-3-2 in the last 17 meetings.
• Home team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
• Penguins are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
• Penguins are 0-6 in the last 6 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 5, 2017
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California

Preview: Coyotes at Ducks

Gracenote
Oct 4, 2017

The Anaheim Ducks' run of five straight Pacific Division titles could be in jeopardy this season if the club is unable to overcome significant injuries as well as fend off the challenge of Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. Captain Ryan Getzlaf and the Ducks look to begin the new season on the right foot Thursday as they host the Arizona Coyotes at Honda Center.

"The ultimate goal is to build an organization where you don't have to rebuild," Getzlaf told the Orange County Register. The 32-year-old Getzlaf meshed well with Patrick Eaves upon the latter being acquired from Dallas at last season's trade deadline, so much so that the unrestricted free agent Eaves promptly signed a three-year contract extension. While the Ducks boast a familiar look at the top of the division, the Coyotes will feature a new one with the absence of the longtime face of the franchise in Shane Doan (retired) as well as former Pittsburgh assistant Rick Tocchet taking over the coaching responsibilities from Dave Tippett. Goaltender Antti Raanta, who was acquired with top-line center Derek Stepan in an offseason trade with the New York Rangers, will be Arizona's starter after it traded All-Star Mike Smith to Calgary.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, PRIME (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE COYOTES (2016-17: 30-42-10, 6th in Pacific Division): Max Domi sounded like a kid at Christmas with two new presents when he discussed the additions of Stepan and Raanta. "Those guys have a lot of experience and have played on some good hockey teams. Bringing that to our team and our organization is going to be huge," Domi said, per ESPN. "I think Rants is exciting too, just because that guy has been itching to be a starter for his whole career and now he has an opportunity to do it." Veteran defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson (Chicago) and Jason Demers (Florida) were acquired in the offseason and add to an already dynamic back end that features offensive-minded Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Alex Goligoski.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (2016-17: 46-23-13, 1st in Pacific Division): Injuries are once again the name of the game in Anaheim, which will be without center Ryan Kesler (hip) until at least Christmas and defensemen Hampus Lindholm (shoulder) and Sami Vatanen (shoulder) for the first few weeks of the season. Blue-liners Cam Fowler and Josh Manson are expected to log considerable minutes on the Ducks' back end in front of All-Star goaltender John Gibson (NHL fourth-best 2.22 GAA and .924 save percentage), who enjoyed a solid season before a lower-body injury forced him into the role of a spectator as Anaheim fell to Nashville in the Western Conference finals. Veteran Ryan Miller is an upgrade over Jonathan Bernier in the backup netminding role and should provide Gibson with well-timed breathers throughout the season.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim's Rickard Rakell, who will shift from left wing to center in lieu of Kesler's injury, scored a team-leading 33 goals last season after mustering just 29 in his previous two.

2. Arizona saw leading scorer Radim Vrbata (20 goals, 35 assists) sign with the Florida Panthers in the offseason.

3. Coyotes D Jakob Chychrun is on injured reserve as he recovers from knee surgery in August.

PREDICTION: Ducks 5, Coyotes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Arizona at Anaheim

W/L Trends

Arizona

Coyotes are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Pacific. Coyotes are 42-86 in their last 128 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Coyotes are 17-36 in their last 53 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Coyotes are 18-39 in their last 57 Thursday games. Coyotes are 4-9 in their last 13 overall. Coyotes are 17-39 in their last 56 vs. Western Conference. Coyotes are 7-19 in their last 26 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Coyotes are 14-45 in their last 59 road games. Coyotes are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win.

Anaheim

Ducks are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Ducks are 7-2 in their last 9 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Ducks are 39-16 in their last 55 vs. Pacific. Ducks are 9-4 in their last 13 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Ducks are 9-4 in their last 13 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Ducks are 19-9 in their last 28 overall. Ducks are 19-9 in their last 28 vs. Western Conference. Ducks are 35-17 in their last 52 Thursday games. Ducks are 35-17 in their last 52 home games.

OU Trends

Arizona

Under is 5-0 in Coyotes last 5 road games. Under is 39-9-5 in Coyotes last 53 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 4-1-1 in Coyotes last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 7-2 in Coyotes last 9 overall. Over is 7-2 in Coyotes last 9 Thursday games. Under is 8-3-4 in Coyotes last 15 vs. Pacific. Under is 15-6-5 in Coyotes last 26 games following a win. Under is 30-14-8 in Coyotes last 52 vs. Western Conference.

Anaheim

Over is 2-0-2 in Ducks last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 6-1-4 in Ducks last 11 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Over is 4-1-3 in Ducks last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Ducks last 5 vs. Pacific. Under is 5-2-3 in Ducks last 10 Thursday games. Over is 15-6-7 in Ducks last 28 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Head to Head

• Over is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings.
• Home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
• Coyotes are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings in Anaheim.
• Coyotes are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 5, 2017
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Preview: Flyers at Kings

Gracenote
Oct 5, 2017

The Los Angeles Kings hope to take advantage of a team playing for the second time in two nights when they open their 2017-18 season against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Los Angeles has had no success since winning its second Stanley Cup in three years in 2014, sandwiching a pair of non-playoff seasons around one in which it made a first-round exit.

The Kings are counting on a full season from former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick, who was limited to 17 games last campaign due to a groin injury suffered in the 2016-17 opener. Philadelphia continues its season-opening four-game road trip after kicking it off with a 5-3 triumph at San Jose on Wednesday. Wayne Simmonds registered his second career hat trick while Jakub Voracek and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere notched three assists apiece as the Flyers bounced back after squandering 2-0 and 3-2 leads. The club got off to a good start on the power play, converting three of its five opportunities, but it also allowed a pair of man-advantage goals.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE FLYERS (1-0-0): Philadelphia opened the season with five rookies on its roster, although only three were in the lineup against the Sharks. Robert Hagg, a 22-year-old Swedish defenseman, and 23-year-old left wing Taylor Leier received significant ice time, but all eyes were on Nolan Patrick. The 19-year-old center, who was selected second overall in last June's draft, registered three shots and blocked one while going 5-4 on faceoffs in 13 1/2 minutes of action.

ABOUT THE KINGS (2016-17: 39-35-8, 5th in Pacific): Jeff Carter led the club last season with 32 goals, marking the fourth time he reached the 30-goal plateau in his career and first since netting 36 in 2010-11 with Philadelphia. The Kings had only one other player hit the 20-goal mark as Tanner Pearson scored a career-high 24 in his second full season. More offense will be expected from veteran Mike Cammalleri, who returns to the team with which he spent his first five NHL seasons after recording only 10 goals in 61 games with New Jersey in 2016-17.

OVERTIME

1. Los Angeles' Alec Martinez (lower body) will begin the season on injured reserve and likely be replaced on the roster by fellow D Paul LaDue, who notched eight assists in 22 games last season - his first in the NHL.

2. Michal Neuvirth could get the start in goal for the Flyers after G Brian Elliott made 32 saves in his debut with the team on Wednesday.

3. The Kings will honor the victims of Sunday's tragic shooting in Las Vegas prior to the game and wear a special "CD" sticker on their helmets in memory of team employee Christiana Duarte, who was killed in the incident.

PREDICTION: Kings 4, Flyers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Philadelphia at Los Angeles

W/L Trends

Philadelphia

Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Flyers are 10-24 in their last 34 vs. Pacific. Flyers are 4-11 in their last 15 games following a win. Flyers are 7-21 in their last 28 road games. Flyers are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.

Los Angeles

Kings are 4-1 in their last 5 Thursday games. Kings are 25-11 in their last 36 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Kings are 17-8 in their last 25 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Kings are 2-7 in their last 9 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Kings are 1-6 in their last 7 games following a win.

OU Trends

Philadelphia

Over is 5-0 in Flyers last 5 games playing on 0 days rest. Under is 8-1-2 in Flyers last 11 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Flyers last 5 overall. Under is 4-1 in Flyers last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 7-2-1 in Flyers last 10 vs. Western Conference. Under is 17-5-4 in Flyers last 26 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 9-4-2 in Flyers last 15 vs. Pacific.

Los Angeles

Over is 2-0-2 in Kings last 4 overall. Under is 5-1-1 in Kings last 7 vs. Metropolitan. Under is 13-4-6 in Kings last 23 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 3-1-1 in Kings last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 3-1-2 in Kings last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 12-4-5 in Kings last 21 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 3-1-1 in Kings last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Under is 3-1-1 in Kings last 5 games following a win. Under is 20-9-12 in Kings last 41 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 27-13-13 in Kings last 53 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 57-28-22 in Kings last 107 Thursday games.

Head to Head

• Under is 6-1-3 in the last 10 meetings.
• Flyers are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles.
• Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles.
• Road team is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jeff Benton

Your Thursday freebie is the Over in tonight's NFL game.

It's hard to envision a scenario where this Patriots-Buccaneers games holds Under the total, as the New England defense has not shown that they are capable to stopping teams through the first 4 games they have played this season.

The Patriots have allowed an average of 32-points per game this season, but they have also been able to score at a just over 32-points per game clip as ALL 4 of the Pats games this season have sailed Over the posted price.

The Bucs have not been as prolific in their scoring, but they have played Overs in their last pair of games, and they have averaged 28-points per game in their first pair of home games this season. While it is not likely that Jameis Winston is going to outgun Tom Brady at this point in his career, I do think it is likely that Winston can get his licks in against this permissive New England stop-unit.

Big, big total, but I do expect some fireworks tonight, and I do expect this one to land Over the total.

Pats-Bucs to open Week 5 with an Over.

3* NEW ENGLAND-TAMPA BAY OVER

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tommy Brunson

Thursday night comp play is Under the total in the Yankees-Indians clash.

Things were wild in Tuesday's Wild Card game between Minnesota and New York, as the game saw a combined 6 runs plated in the very first inning en-route to an easy Over.

I do not see the runs flowing that freely tonight when Sonny Gray and Trevor Bauer climb the hill.

The Under is 5-3-1 the last 9 series meetings between the teams, and it should be pointed out that Gray's lone start in a New York uniform versus the Indians did hole Under, while Bauer's lone start against the Yanks this season also landed Under the total.

Throw in Cleveland's 11-3 Under mark their last 14 postseason contests, and I think we are staring at no more than 7 combined runs this Thursday night.

Yanks-Tribe go Low.

4* N.Y. YANKEES-CLEVELAND UNDER

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Wynn

Free Play: MLB Houston -165 to win the ALDS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: Take NY YANKEES/CLEVELAND OVER the total of 8½ runs

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Totals4U

Thursday's Free Selection: Minnesota Wild/Detroit Red Wings under 5 1/2 goals

[Can'tPickAWinner]

John Anthony Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: New York Rangers - 200