Free NHL Picks

This is a free play on Under.

History repeats itself? The Leafs face the Bruins again in a Game 7, and history favors Boston who have won four of the last five. The most significant trend though might be the total of 5.5. We've seen three of the last four games in this series go under the number, and Game 4 and Game 5 each ended with a final score of 2-1. Since 1996 Game 7s have gone under the total well over 60% of the time. I'm not about to buck that trend ...

GL,

Jesse Schule

I SWEPT AGAIN LAST NIGHT GOING 3-0. As you know I have been HOT HOT HOT on the ICE ICE ICE and today I have another POWER PLAY WINNER. PLUS, as the most acclaimed NBA postseason capper in the business the L21 years, I have the TIMBERWOLVES/NUGGETS GAME 1 WINNER for you. I will have MLB shortly as well. Get all my SATURDAY WINNERS because I WILL SWEEP THE BOARD AGAIN.

Saturday’s FREE WINNER: MAPLE LEAFS BRUINS UNDER.

Trends and streaks certainly play part when handicapping any sport. I believe this rings true more in hockey than any other. We just can't deny the fact these two teams tend to go under the total when they meet. This series is alone, the under is 4-1-1. Going back a bit, over the last 10 meetings, seven have gone under, two have gone over, and one push. These two teams know each other quite well, as you know. I expect another tough, scrappy, defensive battle here with solid goaltending. No way I'm bucking the trend of going under. Take under. Thank you.

Saturday NHL Free play. My selection is on Boston over Toronto at 8 pm et on Saturday.

The Bruins have to be feeling a sense of deja-vu after blowing a 3-1 first round series lead against the Panthers only to be ousted in Game 7 last year. Toronto isn't Florida though and I expect to see Boston rally to hold off the hard-charging Leafs and advance to the second round on this occasion. Note that Toronto is a long-term 3-7 (-6.4 net games) in Game 7 of a playoff series going all the way back to 1996. While the Leafs are 48-42 in their last 90 games following consecutive wins, as is the case here, they're a money burning -28.0 net games in that situation. Meanwhile, Boston checks in 32-11 (+17.4 net games) in its last 43 contests when seeking revenge for a road loss against an opponent including a 10-2 (+6.9 net games) record in that spot this season. The B's are also a long-term 267-202 (+20.8 net games) following a one-goal defeat including a 30-13 (+12.4 net games) mark over the last three seasons. Take Boston.