Rangers Need Game Three

After going down 0-2 to the Devils, the Rangers return home tonight needing a victory to get back in their series with New Jersey.

The Devils are road favorites, opening as 140 chalk, with an opening total of 5. They are 48-27-9 this season and 32-46-6 OU. The Rangers are 44-28-12 and are 33-49-2 OU.

Lou Lamoriello's troops hosted New York last game and came away with a 4-1 win, a game that went under 5.5. Oddsmakers had them as favorites in that one.

Rangers star Jaromir Jagr is considered doubtful for tonight's game.

Hurricanes Need a Victory

Carolina will be desperate for a victory tonight to get back into their series with the Canadiens, when the two hit the ice at the Bell Centre for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Oddsmakers like the Canadiens in this one, opening the line at 110 in favor of Montreal. They are 44-31-9 this season (18-11-3 in the division), while the Hurricanes are 52-23-9.

After giving up 6 goals in a loss against the Canadiens, Carolina fans expect their defence to hold the fort better against the Canadiens. If not, this one will likely go into the books as a loss.

This game is likely to come down to the Hurricanes' execution on offence. They rank 3rd in the league in scoring and look to sustain their 3.6 goals per game average against the Canadiens' #12-rated defensive unit.

Drop the Puck

While my Vancouver Canucks have gone home without making the playoffs. This years playoffs are shaping out to be very exciting. Some of the matchups that standout more than others.

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs.(8) Edmonton Oilers
The Detroit Red Wings will play host to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.

Even as the eighth seed, the Oilers will not be intimidated as they took five of a possible eight points in the season series between the two rivals. Edmonton will be hoping the recent stellar play of goaltender Dwayne Roloson will give them an edge.

Oddsmakers believe the Wings will show up in high gear to start the playoffs, installing them as -280 home favorites in the series opener on Friday. The opening OVER/UNDER total stands at 6.

(1) Ottawa Senators vs.(8) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Ottawa Senators will play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.

The Senators rolled to an Eastern Conference best 51-29-9 record, while the defending Stanley Cup champions from Tampa Bay finished with a record of 43-33-6, and enter the playoffs as the eighth seed in the East.

Oddsmakers set Ottawa as -255 home favorites on the opening line, with an opening total of 6.5 goals.

(4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) San Jose Sharks
The Nashville Predators will play host to the San Jose Sharks on Friday night in the opening game of their first-round playoff series in the Western Conference.

Despite entering the playoffs as the fifth seed the Sharks are listed as -115 road favorites on the opening line, with an opening total of 6.5 goals.

(3) Calgary Flames vs. (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
The Calgary Flames will play host to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Friday night in the opening game of their first-round playoff series in the Western Conference.

Calgary was set as a -170 home favorite on the opening line, with an opening total of 5 goals.

(3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) New York Rangers
The New Jersey Devils will play host to the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.

The Devils finished the regular season with a record of 46-27-9, while the Rangers were 44-26-12 on the year.

Oddsmakers set New Jersey as -215 home favorites on the opening line, with an opening total of 5.5 goals.

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
The Dallas Stars will play host to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.

Dallas is coming in as -170 home favorites to open the series, while the game's OVER/UNDER is set at 6.

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs.(7) Montreal Canadiens
The Carolina Hurricanes will play host to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.

Carolina finished with a season record of 52-22-8, while the Canadiens sneaked into the playoffs with a record of 42-31-9.

Oddsmakers set the Canes as -190 home favorites in this game, with an opening total of 6 goals.

(4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
The Buffalo Sabres will play host to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.

Buffalo had their best season in franchise history, posting a record of 52-24-6, while the Flyers finished with a record of 45-26-11.

The Sabres opened as -165 home favorites in this game, with an opening total of 6 goals.

Phil Masters the Lines

Well March Madness is over and the Masters golf tournament is quickly approaching.

The Masters PGA golf tournament is a different cat altogether. Currently Tiger Woods is the early favorite according to the Bodog Masters Golf Betting page. He is followed a close second by Phil Mickelson.

I think my money is going to go on Phil Mickelson at this time. That may change between now and the first drive, but if I was a betting man (and I am) I have to go with Phil.