AAA's TOTAL WEST-COAST EXPRESS (ALL AABBOOARRDD!)
(NHL) St. Louis vs. Colorado,
Total: 5.50 | -115.00 Under
Result: Loss
This is an 8* TOTAL EXPRESS on the OVER between the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche.

While we are primarily a situationally based handicapping service, we don't prescribe to any one single methodology, but instead feel that being flexible with ones approach is the best way to secure profits over the longterm. Sometimes we keep it simple, while other times we'll take into account a bunch of different factors, like motivation, scheduling and significant injuries. Recognizing classic "spot bets" is something we always do as well, IE: the "look ahead" spot, the "let down" spot and the "trap" game. The actual contestants on the field of play rarely enter into our equation when making selections, unless it's a Top 3 player like a LeBron James or Aaron Rodgers etc. One set of criteria which we almost always use when making our decisions, are Against The Spread (ATS) statistics. Sometimes these stats can be overrated and other times they help foreshadow the outcome of a contest.

This particular play is based on a few different factors:

Momentum: The Blues have won three straight, most recently a 2-1 victory over Detroit on Wednesday. It's interesting to note though that St. Louis has given up 117 shots during its three-game win skein, while managing just 67 itself. And note to be outdone, the Avs come into this one having won three of their last four.

Injured defensemen: The visitors though have some reason for concern as they're down to just five defensemen because of injury.

Over/Under ATS statistics: Both teams have been winning, but neither has been playing to many high-scoring affairs of late. But take note that this is indeed a spot in which each has shown a penchant to playing to the higher number, as St. Louis has seen the total go OVER the number in three of five this year following a three-game unbeaten streak, while Colorado has seen the total sail above the posted number in six of its last ten after playing to three or more consecutive UNDERs.

The bottom line: All signs do indeed point to these two teams opening up the pace and for this one to go OVER the number as the game comes down the stretch.

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