NHL: Carolina Hurricanes at Arizona Coyotes

The Carolina Hurricanes are currently second in the Metropolitan Division and are in decent shape to make a deep playoff run once again. Meanwhile, the Arizona Coyotes have been skidding to a screeching halt.

The Coyotes have lost seven-straight games and now have a losing record of 23-25-4 that puts them well out of the playoffs. With the Avalanche, Oilers and Maple Leafs ahead of them for the next three games, the Coyotes have to sneak a win at home against Carolina to stay above water.

Carolina is currently a heavy favorite at -205 despite being on the road. The Hurricanes are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have had impressive wins over the Bruins, Avalanche and Stars in that run. The Canes are looking to make a push for a top playoff spot and a game against the Coyotes should help that cause.

The Hurricanes are led by Sebastian Aho. The left winger is one of the biggest snubs of this year’s All-Star Game. He has 57 points this season, on 19 goals and 38 assists. The 26-year-old scorer is in his prime and is looking to lead the Canes on another playoff run.

The Coyotes are led by center Clayton Keller. Keller has 21 goals and 28 assists this season. The lefty has been a bright spot for Arizona this year and if the Coyotes are to win this game, it’ll likely be in large part due to him.

In goal for the Canes will be Pyotr Kochetkov, who has an impressive goals allowed average of 2.52. On the opposite end of the ice, it will be Karel Vejmelka, who has just a 3.66 GAA.

Norm LaChatlier’s Pick: Carolina ML (-210)

While the Coyotes may be at home, it seems awfully hard to bet against the Carolina Hurricanes, who seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. They have more talent in all aspects of the game and are fighting for a position that the Coyotes could only dream of right now. Take the Canes on the moneyline.

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NCAAMB: New Mexico at San Diego State

A thrilling matchup between two Mountain West powerhouses will be played on Friday night, with the winner having a significant advantage over the other. The two teams are currently tied for second place in the conference, each having an 8-4 record in league play.

The winner will not only inch closer to Utah State but will also have control over its own destiny. Both teams will get a chance at Utah State after this game concludes.

The New Mexico Lobos are 20-5, while the San Diego State Aztecs are 19-6. San Diego State is the home team in this matchup and is currently a 6.5-point favorite.

The Lobos have three players who score 15.0 or more points per game. Donovan Dent and Jaelen House both score 15.6, and Jamal Mashburn Jr. racks up another 15.3 per night. J.T. Toppin and Nelly Junior Joseph give the team another 20-ish points per game combined.

Not only do they have great names, but the Lobos can score the basketball. As a team, they score 84.0 points per game, which ranks 10th in the entire nation. That is nearly nine points and over a hundred spots higher than San Diego State, as their 75.2 ppg ranks 115^th in the nation. However, San Diego State’s defense makes up for offense as the Aztecs give up just 66.8 ppg compared to New Mexico’s 70.6. Still, New Mexico has the better differential of over 13 points.

The Lobos also got the last laugh the last time these two teams played when they won 88-70 on their home court. But you don’t want to play San Diego State at home. The Aztecs are 12-0 in their home stadium and just 4-6 on the road.

Despite the loss earlier in the season and the stats difference, it makes sense why the Aztecs are 6.5-point favorites. When they play at home, they are tough to beat.

The Aztecs’ stud player is Jaedon LeDee. He’s averaging 20.3 PPG, while no one else on the team scores over 11.0. LeDee also leads the team in rebounds with 8.5 per game. The 6-foot-9 forward is a senior and he is a huge reason for the success of the Aztecs this season. However, in his last matchup with the Lobos, he was held to just 15 points and six rebounds.

Will he and the Aztecs bounce back at home where they are undefeated? Or will the Lobos prove to everyone how the first time wasn’t a fluke and be the first team to beat the Aztecs at home this year?

Hoops Harlan’s Pick: New Mexico ML (+235)

If you’re looking for value, the Lobos are actually the way to go. Sure, the Aztecs haven’t lost at home this season, but there’s a first time for everything and New Mexico seems to have their number. At +230, the odds for this one are too good to pass up.

And Keep an Eye On…

NBA: All-Star Game (Sunday, 8:00 p.m. ET)

The Association is on hiatus this weekend, as everyone travels to Indianapolis for All-Star Weekend. There will be plenty of action happening in and around Gainbridge Fieldhouse, including the three-point shootout, the dunk contest and the game itself. Damian Lillard seems like a good bet (+390) to outshoot the competition. Jaylen Brown (+420) is good value in a no-name battle of slams. And the over (+362.5) looks good in a game where no one plays any defense.

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NHL: New York Rangers @ New York Islanders (Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET)

Just a few miles and a few points (six, to be exact) separate the two NHL teams that call New York home in this Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series outdoor game which will be played at MetLife Stadium. There’s nothing more fun than watching “old school” – outdoors, on a frozen pond, inside a… football stadium (just like our friends from Canada always planned it, right?). But what makes this one special is that the Rangers are trying to establish supremacy in the East, already earning 73 points and the top spot in the Metropolitan, while the Islanders are try desperately not to slip out of contention. The Rangers are red hot, too, winning six in a row and seven of their last 10.

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NHL: Arizona Coyotes @ Colorado Avalanche (Sunday, 6:00 p.m. ET)

On paper this might not sound like must-see-hockey. Then again, it might be “must-bet” hockey. The Coyotes are bringing up the rear in the Central with only 50 points, and the Avalanche are looking solid in the standings with 70 points. The Avs are always a contender while the ‘Yotes are, well, not. But there’s a twist. Colorado returns home from the NHL All-Star Game after having lost five of its last six, all part of a post-All-Star break east coast swing. Before the break, the Avalanche could not have looked better. Since then, they’ve been dreadful to say the least. Oddly, a mid-February game against a mediocre (at best) Coyotes team, is a must-win in Colorado.