Scott Rickenbach

Situational Slaughter - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Rotation #64 Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (-) vs New York Rangers @ 7:05 ET - The Flyers got hammered by their newest nemesis, the Bruins, on Sunday in the outdoor game at Lake Tahoe. Philadelphia didn't play all that bad early on considering how short-handed they were because of covid but the game got away from them in the latter half of the 2nd period. The problem is goalie Carter Hart really struggled. That happens sometimes and he'll get a break here and Brian Elliott will get the start. He has been great this season and the Flyers will play extra strong here on home ice as they look to atone for the beating they took at the hands of Boston. Note that the Flyers also are expected to get a boost with the return of captain Claude Giroux from the health protocol list. At the same time the Flyers are getting a boost the Rangers are dealing with a major problem. New York has impressed this season with stronger defensive play and goaltending than expected. However, the Rangers often struggle to score goals. One of the keys to them generating a lot of offensive zone time and great scoring chances seems to be when Artemi Panarin is on the ice. However, he is now out after the big story broke in Russia about past allegations against him. Whether the story is true or fabricated, it has the Rangers missing their best playmaker on offense plus has created a distraction. The Flyers lost in the shootout the last time they faced the Rangers. That is one of only two losses they have this season against teams not named the Bruins as they have now won 8 of 10 games this season other than being winless against Boston. The home team gets their revenge here. 10* PHILADELPHIA

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Rotation #85 Wednesday 8* Carolina Hurricanes Money Line (+) @ Tampa Bay Lightning @ 5:05 ET - This is a rematch of a Monday game. In that one the Bolts came in determined to get a win as they lost the first two meetings with the Canes by a combined score of 5-0. So of course the defending Stanley Cup Champions really wanted that game. Ultimately the did prevail but it was not easy. The Hurricanes scored first, the game was tied 2-2 going to final period, and in that 3rd period the Canes outshot TB 17-10. So even though Tampa Bay got the deciding goal mid-3rd period and later added an empty netter, it was not an easy win to say the least. That said, I really like Carolina in this rematch at Tampa. The Hurricanes, overall, are the hungrier team this season. It is so hard to repeat as champs and the Bolts just hoisted the Stanley Cup less than 5 months ago. Don't get me wrong, the Lightning are still a great team and have a great goaltender but will the hunger level be there all season? I just don't see that and this looks like a great spot to back a strong team at an underdog price that is very hungry for a win here. I'll take it! 8* CAROLINA

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Rotation #87 Wednesday 8* Dallas Stars Money Line (+) @ Florida Panthers @ 5 ET - The Stars got embarrassed on Monday after a long layoff as the Panthers outshot them 52 to 25 in that game. It was only the strong play of Anton Khudobin that kept them in the game. It was a horrible 2nd period that did in Dallas as the shots were nearly equal in the 1st and 3rd periods. That said, and now that they have their skating legs back, the Stars will be much better in the rematch tonight and I look for them get revenge. Yes Florida is off to a strong start this season but lets not forget this Dallas team was battling with the Lightning for the Stanley Cup in September. This Stars team is a good team and will be ready to respond in a huge way here. 8* DALLAS

Early Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #507 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics @ 7:35 ET - These teams were both in action yesterday and each game stayed just under the total. That is part of the reason the early move on this total was from a 227.5 to a 225.5 and I am jumping in on this one. Before the Hawks game stayed under the total yesterday, the over was on a perfect 8-0 run. Also, these teams have met twice this season and both meetings were last week and both meetings went over the total. Before yesterday's under, the Celtics road games were on a 4-2 run to the over. In the Hawks 8-0 run to the over the games averaged 238 points so they aren't just going over, they are flying over! That is the type of game I am looking for here as both teams will be relentless in the offensive end after they each lost very tight games yesterday and will be pushing hard to get back into the win column here. 10* OVER the total in Atlanta

Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #684 Wednesday 10* Top Play Butler Bulldogs (+) vs Seton Hall Pirates @ 7 ET - This line is not up everywhere right now and that is because of the questionable status of three senior starters for Butler. The Bulldogs have Bo Hodges, Bryce Nze, and Aaron Thompson all listed as questionable for this one. My take on this is I don't see these guys again all missing another game. Maybe not all 3 play but I would be surprised if at least  2 of the 3 are not seeing action in this game tonight. Why? Well they are seniors and even though they have two more regular season games left this is definitely the most winnable game on their schedule that remains. Their next two games are versus Villanova and at Creighton. Yikes! By the way, even without all 3 of those aforementioned starters, the Bulldogs were down by only 5 points with a minute and a half to go in their 12 point loss to the Musketeers Sunday. Now they are at home and a big dog and could have some starting firepower back for this one and note that Seton Hall is 13-9 this season while Xavier is 12-4. The Pirates are certainly solid and have gone 10-6 in Big East action but the Musketeers are no slouches it is just their Big East schedule has been heavily impacted by covid. There is simply tremendous value with the home dog in this match-up and I suspect this line will steadily come down as the day goes on so lets jump on the early value here in a game the Bulldogs will be gunning hard for the upset win. It truly is their most winnable game left on the schedule and historically they are a tough team at Hinkle Fieldhouse. 10* BUTLER