Red Light Specials: 1/8 Edition

Happy Friday, everybody. I don’t know about you guys but I’m really f&$%#n’ tired of cleaning my truck off every time I need to go somewhere. I guess winter’s truly upon us.

We’re one game short of a six-pack tonight, so think of it like the sixer you’d get from a buddy who got it at a microbrewery that he has never tried before. The college football BCS title game was last night (congrats ‘Bama) so now begins the slowest part of the sports season for fans without a horse in the NFL playoffs. The NBA and NHL regular seasons trudge on. Every day is the same dreary, cloudy, flurry-filled, monotonous struggle.

That’s why I’m here. To help fill your pockets and introduce the daily RLS column with some real-life commentary to make you chuckle. (I hope)

On to today’s selections.

NJ -1.5 (+155) v. TB

I’ll ride this team until they let me down. And I don’t expect them to let me down tonight. The Bolts have not played badly of late, including a solid 2-1 win over the Penguins. But, tonight, they face a New Jersey team that is 9-2 ATS over their last 11. Both of the two ATS losses came on the road in games where they were dogs (@ WSH, @ CHI).

The Devils are 16-6 ATS at home, the Bolts are 6-16 ATS on the road. To top it off, NJ is 10-1 ATS against the Lightning over the last three seasons. If that isn’t domination, I don’t know what is.

These trends should all continue tonight. The Mike Smith Experience® came to a screeching halt in Buffalo as he allowed three goals in the first 2:11 of the game. This is still the same 2-9 road ATS Mike Smith.

This might be another (yawn) 4-0 win for the Devils.

NYI +165 v. DAL

I’m welcoming back Ricky D (not DF columnist Ricky Daniels) with tonight’s moneyline upset. Consider it more of a gut feeling than anything else.

Actually, a better bet might be: “Next DiPietro injury: over/under 2.5 games”. I honestly feel for DiPietro. The poor guy just cannot stay healthy. So much untapped potential that we will probably never get a chance to see.

Anyway, it has to be a lift of some kind for the Islanders to get him back. Dallas is just 7-11 ATS against teams with a losing record this season. The Islanders are coming off an impressive road win in Colorado while the Stars are riding a three-game losing streak where they’ve been outscored 12-3.

Look for DiPietro to make some headlines tonight with a triumphant return.

CBJ o2.5 (+110)

Let’s all celebrate the first prop bet to grace the RLS!

Now that that’s over, I’ll remind everyone that Curtis McElhinney is in net for the Flames. I know all of the numbers scream take the under. The Jackets have had trouble scoring goals for two months. This is good value on a team that might be able to ride the momentum of last night’s win.

This play hinges more on McElhinney’s performance than any other intangibles. It’s a good risk at +110.

Have a great Friday night, players!