Dana Lane - Sports Handicapper

Vegas is perfect through two games as the Golden Knights are 2-0-0 with four points and tied for first place in the West division with the Minnesota Wild. Vegas has used solid offense evidenced by its five goals scored against Anaheim on opening night and a strong defense as Vegas held Anaheim to a combined three goals through two games. Vegas is considered by many the team to beat out West. Anticipate tonight's game being more of a shootout. 

Game one was a defensive battle, game two will not be. Demko is expected to get the start against his former teammate Markstrom. He was dinged for five goals on 46 shots in a 5-2 road loss to the Edmonton Oilers Thursday.

Both teams have averaged four goals a game, a number that will get better as each game passes because the rust of the offseason should be coming off right about now.  I think both teams have more to give on the offensive end which is why we see the total this high.  Doesn't scare me off one bit. 

This is a clear oversight by the oddsmakers and we're going to make them pay as Dana lane starts to heat up in the sport he knows best. When you win again make sure to purchase a weekly, monthly, or yearly pass to ensure your success right through the Stanley Cup Final.

For the first time in 15 years, Joe Thornton is not wearing a Sharks uniform. Thornton played 1,104 games with the Sharks, recording 1,055 points. In October, he signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Sharks also lost center Melker Karlsson (signed in Sweden) and goalie Aaron Dell (signed with Toronto).

The Sabres lost their opening game to the Washington Capitals 6-4 and it appeared that the flaws were defensive depth and goaltending. However, on Friday night, the Sabres lost 2-1 and only gave up 21 shots in the loss. The Sabres might have played the Washington Capitals who are regarded as one of the best teams in the NHL, but they can't afford to keep sliding in a competitive East Division.

After a breakout performance from their top line, the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping for more when they host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.

Toronto's trio of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Joe Thornton combined for seven points (three goals, four assists) in Saturday's 3-2 road victory over the Ottawa Senators. Marner led the way with a goal and two assists, Thornton recorded his first goal and assist in a Leafs jersey, and Matthews had an assist and also scored what ended up as the game's winning goal in the third period.

Vegas is perfect through two games as the Golden Knights are 2-0-0 with four points and tied for first place in the West division with the Minnesota Wild. Vegas has used solid offense evidenced by its five goals scored against Anaheim on opening night and a strong defense as Vegas held Anaheim to a combined three goals through two games. Vegas is considered by many the team to beat out West.

Until the Ducks find a way to put the puck in the back of the net I'm not sure how you can lay money on the Ducks.  I'll take the generous +200.

For the first time in 15 years, Joe Thornton is not wearing a Sharks uniform. Thornton played 1,104 games with the Sharks, recording 1,055 points. In October, he signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Sharks also lost center Melker Karlsson (signed in Sweden) and goalie Aaron Dell (signed with Toronto).

The Sabres lost their opening game to the Washington Capitals 6-4 and it appeared that the flaws were defensive depth and goaltending. However, on Friday night, the Sabres lost 2-1 and only gave up 21 shots in the loss. The Sabres might have played the Washington Capitals who are regarded as one of the best teams in the NHL, but they can't afford to keep sliding in a competitive East Division.

Newly acquired Victor Oladipo is eager to make his Houston Rockets debut Monday as the team concludes a three-game road trip with a visit to the Chicago Bulls.

Part of a blockbuster trade last week that sent former Rockets star James Harden to Brooklyn and also involved Cleveland and Indiana, Oladipo joined Houston before Saturday's game at San Antonio but could not be activated in time.

Oladipo already has faced Chicago at the United Center once this season as a member of the Pacers. He scored 22 points in 25 minutes while going 5-for-5 from beyond the arc on Dec. 26.

San Antonio brought out the clamps in the 2nd half of the rematch on Saturday, limiting Houston to just 38 points in the 2nd half of that game and pulling away with a 103-91 win to put them at 7-6 on the season. The Spurs will need to forget about whatever injuries Portland may be dealing with and bring that defensive effort from the 4th quarter of the Rockets game from the start of tonight’s game if they hope to get 2 games over .500.

The Mavericks are missing five rotation players because of COVID-19 protocols and guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is out with a left groin strain.

The game Monday will be the second of five games in seven days for the Mavericks -- including three on the road -- in what Carlisle called "the most challenging" week of the season.

"We're very depleted, so we're just going to have to be really tied together," he said.