NHL Saturday :

[RVD]

The Buffalo Sabres are on a 2 game winning streak against two of the NHL hottest teams (Boston, Pittsburgh). Backup goalie Patrick Lalime gets the start tonight.

Montreal lost 3-0 in Washington last night after getting big win in previous game in Detroit. Goalie Carey Price gets the start, giveaways machine D Ryan O'byrne is going to the press box. Forward Alex Tanguay is out, F Matt D'Agostini is playing first game. Coach Guy Carbonneau shuffling all his lines.

Buffalo is building momentum, Montreal looking for answers. Maybe some bettors are saying, ouf I would play Buffalo but not with backup Patrick Lalime in goal. For some reason every french canadian goalie top notch or not are playing over their head when they play in Montreal. Two over the hill goalies (Marc Denis and Jocelyn Thibault) started against the Habs and registered shutouts last year in Montreal. Martin Biron is playing like an all-star when playing in Montreal. Patrick Lalime has 16 wins in 24 games against Montreal.

I like Buffalo chances, team finally starting to find ways to win. Montreal is in trouble, defensive corps is terrible at the moment, offense not clicking and power plays awful. Taking the good price.

Buffalo (+150)

[RVD]

Tampa Bay and Colorado are both playing a second game in two nights and third in four nights. Both teams sending their backups goalies in goal tonight.

Tampa bay netminder Olaf Kolzig is really struggling. He was exposed last year in Washington forcing a trade to get Cristobal Huet. This year he looks terrible on a bad defensive team. Kolzig gave up 4 goals, 4 goals and 5 goals in less than two periods in his last 3 starts.

Avalanche goalie Andrew Raycroft gave up 4 goals in each of his last two starts and only had one relief appearance (20 minutes 1 goal allowed) since oct. 30. Rust ? Will see...

I think we simply have value here with oddsmakers posting a total of 5 1/2 goals and +110. I like the over the total chances here. I think the total should be 6 goals. Good spot for both offense to get things going again. The two teams don't face each others very often and playing in back to back situation. I think we can see some goals here.

Tampa Bay-Colorado (over 5 1/2 goals +110)

[RVD]

San Jose is stopping in Phoenix tonight. Very good test for the Coyotes. Phoenix got strong goaltending to escape with wins in two games they were outshot badly.

The Sharks are scoring a ton of goals lately. Their power play is on fire. I don't think the Coyotes can match the San Jose offense specially without Olie Jokinen. Sharks have some big forwards up front and they should be able to work against smaller and younger Coyotes forwards. I like the Sharks chances. Goaltending saved the Coyotes lately, could be ugly tonight if goaltending is just normal. Sharks scored 16 goals in last 3 games, the Coyotes 6 goals.

San Jose (-155)

[losturmarbles]

2-1 +1.1

buffalo fell apart in the second half of the 2nd