Tim Michael – Expert Sports Handicapper

T.M. Selection: Denver Nuggets (10* BANKROLL BUILDER).

The Clippers are now locked into their playoff spot. They're 3-3 in the bubble, looking brilliant at times and pretty pedestrian in others. The Nets just upset them 129-120. Kawhi Leonard was a bright spot with 39 points. The Nuggets are looking ahead to the post-season as well as they come in having split their first six games as well. The Nuggets enter off a 124-121 loss to the Lakers. The Nuggets do match up well against LA though. Denver is in fact 2-5 ATS in its last seven in this series and I believe it will be the "hungrier" dog in this fight. Look for the Nuggets to at the very least, take this one right down to the wire and grab the ample points!

T.M. Prediction: 116-112 Denver.

T.M. Selection: Brewers (10* TRADE-MARK).

The Brewers came out on top with a 6-4 win last night and I believe they'll find a way to deliver on Wednesday as well. The Twins just got swept by Kansas City as this is a team which is now clearly trending in the wrong direction. Kenta Maeda is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA for Minnesota and while he's had success vs. the Brewers in the past, I simply feel that he's in the wrong place at the wrong time here. Eric Lauer is 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA, allowing six runs in his only start this year vs. the Reds. That's not indicative of Lauer's over form in these spots though, as he posted a 3.08 ERA in all "home" situations. Look for the Brewers to build off yesterday's four home run performance and for Maeda to finally regress!

T.M. Prediction: 6-3 Brewers.

T.M. Selection: Canucks (10*)

The defending champs come into this years playoffs as the #4 seed as they will face the flaming hot Canucks for a trip to the Quarter Finals. The Blues come into this game winless, since returning from the global pandemic with a 0-2-1 record. They will rely mostly on goalie, Jordan Binnington, to step up his game, just like last playoffs if they want to have a chance at another Stanley Cup. Also, they will need strong performances out of Vladimir Tararesenko and captain Ryan O’Reilly. On the other hand, the Canucks beat out the Minnesota Wild, in a very high scoring Qualifying Series. They will look to continue their success into this round and further. Brock Boeser (Canuck Forward) wasn’t at his best in the Opener, but has certainly stepped up his game in the last 3 games. They will rely on GK Jacob Markstrom to back them up as he played every single minute of the last series. He’s been rock solid, so they might as well ride the wave. I expect some low scoring games, but at least one or two high scoring ones here. Canucks take out the champs in Game 1.

Prediction: 4-3 Canucks.

T.M. Selection: Habs/Flyers UNDER (10*).

How did Montreal pull off the upset over heavily favored Pittsburgh? Clearly star goaltender Carey Price played a big part, as he looked in vintage form. But the Habs did benefit from the long lay off to heal up and to formulate during the pandemic break. Philly went 3-0 in its round robin games and it looks really good on both ends of the ice. The strength of the Flyers this year to me has been their ability to adapt their style of game play to counter their opponent and in this case, I believe Montreal will be out to slow the pace of this one down and look for Philadelphia to make the first mistake. I think in this first game these heavy weight opponents "feel each other out" to begin with. When you add it all up, this one has UNDER written all over it!

T.M. Prediction: 3-1 Flyers.

T.M. Selection: Capitals (8*).

I think the Isles will come out a bit flat here after their four-game series win over the Panthers. The Capitals only won one of their three round robin games, but much like Tampa Bay, I believe Washington was just "going through the motions" as it got ready for the playoffs. Tampa was 0-3 in its round robin games, but it held on for the 3-2 win in five OT's last night. Washington has no significant injuries like the Lightning though. I like the veteran super stars on the Caps to help Washington take Game 1!

T.M. Prediction: 4-2 Caps.