Cappers Sports Picks

Total Annihilation - Rickenbach NHL Game #5 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total Pittsburgh Penguins vs Vancouver Canucks @ 7:05 ET - Total of 6.5 may look to be "too much" to the average bettor but this total opened up at this big number with good reason. The Penguins are likely to have Matt Murray back between the pipes tonight but he is returning from a concussion that he suffered in practice recently and he has struggled in his two starts this season. The Canucks are likely to have Anders Nilsson between the pipes and he has been surprisingly successful in his first two starts this season. However, there is a reason he is normally the back-up to Jacob Markstrom. Also, the Penguins have revenge against the Canucks as they were swept in two games versus Vancouver last season including one that Nilsson started. That said I look for the Penguins to push hard in this game in the offensive zone (especially coming off of the loss at Montreal Saturday) and that should lead to plenty of goals here. The issue for the Pens is in their own zone, especially after the loss of defenseman Justin Schultz. So the Canucks should answer the Penguins goal for goal in a wild one here. Both games between these clubs went over the total last season. Also, the Canucks have averaged 3.8 goals per game this season. The Penguins have had one bad game (hosting Montreal) but have averaged scoring 4.7 goals per game in their other 3 games! When playing against a team with a winning record, in the first half of a season, the Pens have gone over in 22 of their last 29. Look for another one here. 10* OVER the total in Pittsburgh 

Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NHL Game #4 Tuesday 8* Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (-) vs Florida Panthers @ 7:05 ET - The home team has won 5 straight meetings between these clubs. Philadelphia is 5-0 the last 5 times they've hosted the Panthers. Florida has only played 3 games so far this season but that doesn't change the fact that they are winless on the season and goalie James Reimer has struggled. The Flyers played a great game versus the defending Western Conference Champion Golden Knights Saturday but lost 1-0. The fact that Philly played so well in the defensive end is a sign of good things to come. Flyers goalie Brian Elliott has been strong in two of his four starts this season. Philly was 22-13-6 in home games last season while the Panters won just 17 of their 41 road games. Considering that as well as the very favorable line here, the play is on the small home favorite. 8* PHILADELPHIA

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Game #501 Tuesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (+) @ Boston Celtics @ 8:05 ET - The Celtics won 7 of 9 meetings with the Sixers last year. Boston has also won 9 straight home games against Philly. Yet the line on this season opening game opened up at just a 5. You know where I am going here as this is a perfect example of what my contrarian picks are all about. While Boston at home looks enticing it should prove out that Philly was the right side in this one! Keep in mind, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are back for Boston but are returning from injuries. Also, the 76ers Markelle Fultz worked hard on his shot in the off-season. He adds value to a team loaded with talent including Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and JJ Redick. Look for the highly motivated Sixers to prove to be the much hungrier team in this one and they are making some changes on defense in this one that should help them be stronger in the paint against the Celtics. Only time will tell but I feel an upset looms tonight and, keep in mind, the last 4 meetings between these teams featured a 76ers win and 3 Sixers losses but all of those Philly defeats came by a margin of 5 or less points. 10* PHILADELPHIA

Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Game #907 Tuesday MLB 10* Top Play Boston Red Sox Money Line (+) @ Houston Astros @ 5:05 ET - Boston's Nathan Eovaldi has given up a total of just 2 earned runs while striking out 28 in the 23 and 1/3 innings spanning his 5 starts since September 1st. Houston's Dallas Keuchel has seen his strikeout numbers come down as he has struck out only 19 while allowing 18 earned runs in 28 innings spanning his last 6 starts. On paper, the Astros have the better bullpen but in Game 2 the Red Sox bullpen certainly held the edge and that trend continues here. Boston is 39-17 (+$16,800) in recent seasons when playing after a day off. Houston is only 12-10 (-$8,600) this season when playing after a day off. The Red Sox bats have done a better job of remaining consistent after a day off in comparison with the Astros and I am forecasting that to continue on Tuesday. 10* BOSTON