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The odds put this slightly in favor of Germany, but this is not even a 50-50 game in my view, Latvia have more of a chance to win. The odds were set by some older results, but today Latvia are better than Germany, and I stand by that. The Germans brought a young lineup here, without their main stars and with what is basically their league selection, and did not do very well yesterday against Kazakhstan, who are the top contender to drop out of the World group. They played even in regular tie, won in penalty shootouts and although they out-shot their weak opponents, they failed to impress. Against Latvia today they'll have a much harder job, as Latvian hockey is going through a renaissance with a very experienced team build mostly of KHL players and reinforced with some NHL guys and young talent. Their strength was clear in the Olympics, where they left a great impression. The backbone of the team are the Dinamo Riga players, they have great cohesion in the team, and are reinforced by young Girgersons from NHL. Yesterday they beat Finland in a game where the bookmakers had them as total outsiders, and I'm only saying that to compare it to today's odds, which are not a realistic estimate of the situation. Finland are a class above the team Germany are fielding now, and Latvia outplayed them and won. I expect the same here as Latvia's is a better and more experienced team, they will have home-level support from the stands and are a favorite here in my opinion, as well as to advance from this group, so one should play a solid stake at the odds which are on offer. Details

I'll agree with the Belarus coach statement that it's good for them to play against the Americans right at the beginning of the tournament. The Americans have been here for only a few days, their preparations for this competition haven't been brilliant, and this team haven't been together for a long time. They couldn't get completely adjusted to the ice in a few practices in Minsk here. The second side of the medal is that the Americans come with young players who got their chance here, without the big names, and only a few players who played the NHL for a short time. They were left with the AHL and the college players who got their chance here, and I don't think that they can shine in their first match here with their minor international experience and weak preparations. Belarus, on the other hand, are motivated as the competition hosts, their arena will be full, and they also have the best possible team right now. No unknown factors here, the team are composed from the experienced KHL players, reinforced with the NHL Grabovski, and with the great Koval on the goal, I don't see them as outsiders here at all. Far from Americans lacking quality, but if you have to expect them to make a mistake, it should be this first match, because they aren't fully adjusted yet, and the Belarus are fully motivated. The home team showed progress, and the new coach Hnalon did a good job. Since he's a Canadian expert, it won't be surprising if he sets Belarus team on ice in a great way today. So, Americans come without their stars, with only boys in a team, so they're no favorites here, while the home team have a chance, and I expect an equal match. I definitely don't see Americans crushing them, and I wouldn't be surprised even if Belarus won in this opening match. Details

Under is overrated here, and for no reason. Chicago have been an over team in the regular season, and have the best offense in the league, as they've proven so far in the playoff. Four of their six games in the first series went over, and one stayed right at this margin, so I don't see much of basis for under with Chicago, and expect them to give us another great offense performance. Minnesota played a series against the great Colorado, in which offense decided, and five of the seven games went to over, which is also not a coincidence. The odds are set as if these teams haven't played over in ages, but the situation in the playoff is often different and most often there are higher scores on average than in the regular season. Of the five games these two teams played in the regular season three went over, one stayed at the margin so that works for us too, and this is the first game of the series anyway. Both teams played over in the most important games of their quarterfinal series. Their offenses are very driven, Minnesota are having problems with their goalie, Chicago are focused on offense. There is therefore value in playing over here, as the teams have shown much more offensively than defensively. For those among you that feel brave, I recommend also over 5.5 for a one unit lower stake, while we will take a medium stake in a somewhat more cautious variant. Details

I've decided to wait for this game to tip even though I'm convinced that the Kings will win this last away game. From 0-3, LA got one step away from drawing things level and getting into the seventh game and the reason for that is finally playing in accordance with their skill. They crushed the Sharks in their last two games, winning them by a total difference of 9-3 and the Sharks had a match point in the last game at home but the Kings didn't allow them to get a single goal. The Kings were fast asleep at the start of the series but now they have the momentum and they are playing at home. They have more experience than the Sharks, coach Sutter is one of the best coaches in the league and it's hard to believe that they can be eliminated at home after they found a way to silence the Sharks. The visitors have lost their top defender Vlasic due to injury, which means they will have to change some things in defense, which is not good for them ahead of this game. The Kings are complete, their players have played far more games like this and the last two games are a very good basis for this pick. Details

Tampa and Montreal have not gone over four goals in any of their 4 H2H this season so I don't see why the would go today. It's the first game of the series and the start of the playoffs is important. I don't think they want to make this into a shooting competition. Their first three games this season have ended with 2 goals in regular time, while the last game saw 4 goals and it was a much more important game than this one. Markstrom is in good form for Tampa, who are without Bishop, while Montreal have one of the best goalies in the world Price, and he will certainly be motivated in the playoffs. Both teams are in good defensive form and this bet should be followed through with a standard stake. Details

Buffalo and Detroit met three times this season, with Detroit winning all three matches in regular time, and the last one was just two rounds ago at home. Buffalo get mentioned a lot in my picks as they are the weakest team of the league at the moment, with huge injury issues weakening them even more. Two of their four top defenders will not be playing against Detroit, and if we put that into the perspective of Detroit still chasing points for the playoff and these two would solve some issues for them, they will be very motivated to get those two easy points. Their injured players have recovered, the team is super strong and in good shape, and I don't see Buffalo with much of a chance here. They were the weakest team of the league even before, and with 13 players on the injury list and three first goalies off the ice they can't even dream of points here. They've lost three in a row with a better team than the one they'll send out today, and are particularly weakened on defense, while offense is the worst in the league anyways. Detroit will easily win this in my opinion, too many factors favor them, and these are odds worth taking having in mind the huge problems Buffalo have and the motivation of the Wings. Details

I expected these odds for a 5-goal margin but this is definitely worth taking and there are many reasons for that. Columbus have had 12 unders in last 15 games, which shows what kind of team they are. On the other hand, Phoenix have gone under in last 6 games and they haven't had many overs in games before that period. Both games have been focused on defense throughout the entire season and now that's even more emphasized as they are fighting for the play-offs. The reason for an under lies in the fact that this game is very important for both teams as they need it to reach the play-offs and no one will want to lose this game, so I don't expect this to become an attacking contest. Both teams have no margin for error, points are very important so a low-scoring game would not surprise me. These two teams have already played a two-goal game and that might happen today as well as the context and the stats speak in favor of that here. Details

Leafs have a big imperative to win today, and simply no other choice but to get two points. Columbus lost yesterday and Leafs got a loop hole they can go through, they have to use it. They're out of a crisis that was more of a psychological character, and they defeated Boston right after Calgary, Boston are the best team of the league, and I have no doubts they'll defeat the Jets today, who are in a bad form and have no chance for the playoffs, meaning no motivation, either. The Jets aren't brilliant in away matches, only three wins in the last ten matches, so Leafs are a big favorite here because of their bigger motivation. Of course, also the fact that the Leafs are fighting for the playoffs, and it isn't a coincidence Jets are at the bottom of the West. With all that, the Jets also have injury issues, a few important players are missing, and Toronto got a big injection of moral and self-confidence to follow their better quality, a bigger motivation and the advantage of the home ice, so they'll definitely defeat the Jets, in my opinion. Details

Columbus are a real under team and they have 11 unders in last 13 games which is a very good argument for this bet, but more importantly, this game means a lot to them to reach the play-offs and it's certain they will certainly not try to outplay Chicago as it is just not their style. On the other hand, Chicago have dropped in form lately, mostly in offense, but their defense has improved. The have had only 2 overs in last 13 games and that says a lot about their style lately. An additional blow to their attack is the absence of their best forwards Toews and Kane who have 57 goals and 137 assists between themselves and that is certainly felt in their performances, as they have score over 2 goals only once in last 4 games without the to players. Chicago beat Columbus a month ago at home but that's not relevant and won't happen today as Colmbus are at home, they are motivated and Toews scored two goals then and is missing now. Both teams play a hardg ame and have been assured at the back lately, they need the points, especially the hosts who I believe would settle for a point in regular time. I don't see this game getting six goals, all the more so as Chicago lost a lot of offensive prowess with the absence of the two mentioned players. Details

Tradition and statistics are very important, and they tell us that Anaheim have regularly beaten Edmonton for the last two season, in regular time too. They already beat them twice this season, three times last year, and the teams haven't changed, so that is relevant as well. Edmonton are bottom ranked in the West, and are in crisis again, playing terribly for the last three games with tons of mistakes, conceding as many as 16 goals in those last three games. They were even defeated by Buffalo at home, a team worse than they are. They've lost my trust, they might be a potent team, but the things they're doing are not beginner's problems. The Sharks torpedoed them with five goals in the last round, and the Ducks are battling with those same Sharks for the second spot in the west, so they have no room for error here. The statements they send out talk about winning this and moving on, and I believe them. They will be fully motivated, are in great form lately, and have demolished Florida and beat tough Calgary who recently loaded 8 goals to Edmonton, all in the run-up to this match. Finally, the Ducks are a way better team than the Oilers, much more motivated, in better form and have tradition and past matches on their side. With solid odds, in my opinion it pays to take a bet on their win today as they badly need it. Details

Right before the end of the season, Chicago have increased the level of their defense and have started playing in their recognizable style of hockey, which resulted in 8 unders in last 9 games. Crawford on goal is in good form and the defense became the center of attention while the offense slightly dropped, which was also a results of injury of their top scorer Patrick Kane who will also be out today. So, just Chicago's side of the story is a solid foundation for this pick. Chicago have no margin for error as Colorado are right behind them and their coach has clearly stated they will not lose the focus until they secure the third or the fourth spot so I expect another tough game from Chicago. There's no need to waste words about Boston and their keeper Tuuka Rask other than saying Boston have the best defense in the league and Rask is the best goalie in the league and they have not conceded over two goals in last 9 games. They have slightly more overs lately than Chicago but that's because they simply crush their opponents. That won't be the case today as Chicago are the reigning champions and their defense and keeper are on the same level as Boston and the results show it. Their first head-to-head ended in four goals in regular time and I expect something similar today and I don't see this as a high scoring affair. In the clash of such experience coaches and teams, the toughness is the decisive factor, especially now that points are important for both teams. Boston and Chicago are among the strongest and most balanced teams in the league and this under at odds slightly better than I expected seems like a good choice to me. Details

A few words on the statistics, which say Montreal won all three previous clashes, always in regular time, and twice within handicap, last time lest than two weeks ago in an away game (0-2). The Habs are in great shape, won five of their last six, and also took down Boston, currently the best team of the league, in an away game. This must have been a boost to their confidence, but even more importantly they need to cement those points with this win, or they will be worthless, and they know it. Their goalie Price is back on ice today. As one of the best goalies in the league, and rested, he will be a big boost to their defense, who have been doing well lately, and it would not be surprising if Buffalo had 0 or 1 on the scoreboard next to their name. Montreal are battling for third spot with Tampa, and if they want to enter the playoff with a chance at that spot, they need to win this. I've already written a lot on Buffalo, the worst team of the league at the moment. After beating the bottom ranked team of the West, they lost in handicap once again vs Vancouver, who are currently a step below Montreal. I have no respect for Buffalo at the moment, they've got a lot of injuries, have traded off their best players, and are missing two of their best goalies, meaning Hackett will once again be starting, for the second time in NHL this season. They lost eight of their last nine games, seven of which in handicap, which tells you a lot about them. Montreal recently left them without a scored goal in an away game, and I don't expect this to end with less than +2 or 3 goals win for Montreal. They are a far better team, with more motive than Buffalo, who they've already beaten three times this season, and the odds on offer are very acceptable. Details

Ever since Stamkos got back in the squad and Callahan adapted to Tampa's system, they have been playing great. They had five huge wins in a row and were narrowly defeated in Pittsburgh in the last round but that's not a poor result as a point in one of the most difficult away games in the league is no failure and they even had the lead in the third period. Just a game before that one, they scored 5 against Ottawa away, and even though the result would imply this was a tight game as Ottawa came back with goal in the last minutes of the game, Tampa are the better team. Ottawa are in shambles and they have clearly squandered their chances and they have been playing terribly to say the least. They have 6 defeats in a row, 10 in last 12 games and they have no chance this season and now the injuries have struck. In addition to being one of the worst teams in the league and conceding 36 goals in last 9 games, their first goalie Anderson is injured and that represents a huge handicap. Their top scorer Bobby Ryan is also out with injury, which should be an additional handicap for their offense. Tampa are the third-placed team in the East but Montreal are close and they have no margin for error, especially not at home against weaker teams. They have 3-1 against Ottawa this season, higher motivation, a better goalie who is also better rested after not playing in the last game, and they beat these opponents three days ago in an away game when they scored 5 goals, while Ottawa are without their top scorer. The solid odds have made this a very good bet. Details

The odds on Buffalo's defeat are still worth betting on and it has to be made as they are playing away against a better opponent. We've had two winning bets against them this week so I don't think I have to repeat myself - they're the worst team that has traded away any player worth mentioning, they are having problems with injuries in all lines and they are missing their first two defenders. In addition, they have 7 clean wins in a row and they only had 14 shots on goal against Calgary, which is really beyond any explanation. In last game, their keeper had a debut on goal while they will have Hackett from AHL in this game and this will be the first NHL game for him. Suffice to say, their situation with goalies is ridiculous. On the other hand, Edmonton are playing their best hockey this season, and had they played like this in the rest f the season, they would be in the play-offs and I don't have any doubts they will beat Buffalo who are like a crushed army. Five wins in last eight games for the Oilers, two in a row with great performances, and a total destruction of Nashville - a great introduction for this game as I expect something similar. Edmonton are in far better form, they have much more quality, a better goalie and they won in regular time in Buffalo in early February when the Sabres were a much better team. I expect the same today as Buffalo are showing no signs of life while Edmonton are too good not to use this. Details

As expected, Buffalo, the worst team in the league, are continuing their run of poor performances. The team that was devastated by injuries and exchanges will be happy to win a game or two until the end, and they are heading off to a run of difficult away games, starting with the resurrected Calgary. The home team have been playing really well lately, even though they are one place above the bottom of the Western Conference, but that is not a measure of strength as Calgary are a much better team than the Sabres. They have four wins in last 7 games, they have been defeated only by strong clubs, only by a small margin; they have crushed one of the strongest teams teams in the league, Anaheim Ducks; and they have beaten Dallas at home, a team fighting for the play-offs. And it's no coincidence as they have increased the level of their game and they should not be perceived as the bottom-dwellers. Buffalo have six defeats in a row, they're the worst team in the league, they have the worst offense, their best players have left and they are struggling with injuries. In addition to forwards Girgensons and Stewart, defenders Myers and Sulzer, their goalie Enroth is also injured and is definitely out. To make matters worse, their second goalie Neuvirth is also injured and is in doubt for today's game, and in case he doesn't start, their third-choice goalie Lieuwen will get his first NHL start, which is a good thing for this bet. Calgary have won last 8 out of 10 games at home against teams stronger than Buffalo, who are the worst in the league and crippled with injuries, so odds on Buffalo losing against a better team away are still pretty high. Details

Detroit are not a bad team, but the things happening to them are bordering on the insane, as a player gets injured with each new game, making it 11 players on the injury list now. Two of their best, Zetterberg and Datsyuk, are missing, as are also half of the best in the team, especially on offense. Their second goalie is missing too, so Howard is stretched to the limit, and all that is affecting them and their scores. They had three decisive defeats in the last four games, winning only against the bottom team in the West, Edmonton. This is nothing strange, as they cannot parry the better teams of the league with such a patchwork roster, and Toronto are one of such teams. They've been playing great hockey this season, are in good form and at the top of the Eastern conference. They are not struggling with injuries, and have returned from a very successful California tour, where they won in two much more difficult away games than this one, which is why I believe they will play well and win again. Along with all of the above, Detroit are doing rather badly at home this season, with a score of 13-20. Toronto won here back at the start of the year while Detroit were much stronger, and with the home team missing literally half their team I think they will again, as the Leafs are doing better anyway, so this is definitely worth taking at these odds. Details

I think the odds at league worst team's defeat are slightly too high since they're playing the play off team that already beat them twice in regular season. Buffalo were the worst team in the league even before they sacked all of their best players, meaning they're now even worse. They changed the first choice goalie, captain and top scorer, and got two injured players and a bunch of picks for the years to come. To sum it up, they got nothing. Other than those two injured players, forward Gigensons and two defensemen Sulzer and Myers might not play either. That, as a result, saw them defeated convincingly five times in regular season, and I expect the same thing to happen today. Montreal haven't been doing particularly great lately, but they got a boost of confidence yesterday when the managed to make a comeback against Ottawa. That is why I expect them to win today - because of momentum. Montreal are, of course, a much better team than Buffalo, they are at the very top of the East Conference table, fighting for the top positions. They need the points and can't afford to miss this opportunity. They're better than Buffalo in every possible aspect. Buffalo lost hope, they're wakened and I believe we'll be seeing Montreal's third win in their third head to head game this season, against a team that were much more powerful in the first two games than they are now. Details

LA King have been crushing everyone in their path since coming back from the break and the odds for their win here is good considering their form and the situation in Calgary. The Kings have six wins in as many games after the break, all in regular time and all with very good performances, and they played her against their opponents for today two weeks ago and won without conceding a goal, and Calgary were more complete then than they are now. The home team are without almost one half of their best player as their first goalie Ramo, one of their best defenders Wideman and forwards Glencross, Jones, Westgarth and their most efficient man Jiri Hudler are all out, and this will be felt today against the best defense in the league. The Kings need the points, they are playing their best hockey this season and I strongly believe they will beat Calgary, who have already said goodbye to any hope of reaching the play-offs. The Kings are complete as Gaborik came back and Stempniak is missing for Calgary and I don't see anything the speaks in favor of the home team whose young players did not do too well against Vancouver in the last round and will not have a fun day against the Kinds. LA did play yesterday but in Edmonton, which is relatively near Calgary so the trip was not an issue, and they settled that game in the second period so they didn't have to struggled until the end. I expect something similar today. Interestingly enough, when the Kings won 2 weeks ago, they also played their second game in 2 days. Details

Kings are in a great form, as well as Edmonton, but their defenses and their goalies are the most important part of it. Statistically, Edmonton don't have a single over with this margin since the break, and only one match with five goals, while the Kings have only one over in five matches, and all others are under five goals. Edmonton played a great defense even before the break, their defense lead by the great Scrivens are really working miracles on their goal this season. The Kings are the best defense of the league who really show it lately, and crush their opponents with the defense, while their offense is still not really working it, and neither is Edmonton's. These points are important for the Kings, the Oilers want to celebrate at home, and I expect a tough match between them, just like the first two this season that ended with 2 and 3 goals in the regular time, which is where I see this match going. They didn't have an over in the three matches they played last season, either, and with everything being on the side of an under, it's worth taking it today. Details

Tradition and stats are two very important things, and they say that Boston won last seven head to head games in the last two seasons, all seven in regulation time. The goal difference was less than two goals only once, which says a lot about these teams. Florida and Boston are, of course, on the opposite sides of the table. Boston are the championship runner up, fighting for the top again, while Florida remain one of the worst teams for the second consecutive season. Boston are in great form, on four game winning streak, and one of them happened only three rounds back against Florida. They won easily 4-1. That is also a great reason to choose this bet, because we had the chance to see a head to head game which Boston won easily. Another important thing is, Boston are taking the top of the East Conference over, an they definitely wouldn't want to miss on that against such a suitable opponent. I think the odds offered are very good. Even the 4-0 in a row this season, and the 7-9 the last two seasons (all in regulation time) are no surprises. Boston are a significantly better quality team, they're in great form, trying to win the Stanley Cup this season, and I don't think they'll fail here. Details