Holmey's $$$$ Thread FRIDAY - Post Your BEST Play (With Writeup) - 02.26.16

Hockey Night in San Jose anyone?

10:35 PM EST Start

These San Jose Sharks have just returned home from a five-game trip here that took them through three time zones and ended with a game in Colorado. Betting against teams off a long road trip is usually a good spot.

     On the Shark's first trip of the year, a four-gamer to the East Coast, San Jose retuned home and lost 4-1 to Los Angeles. The Sharks next extended trip was a six-game tour and they returned home only to lose again, this time by a score of 5-2 vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks next longest road trip after that was a five-gamer and when they returned home to face the Colorado Avalanche and yep they would lose again by three goals, 6-3. The Sharks next trip of four games or more would occur in early February when they returned home to face the Calgary Flames and once again they lost, this time by a score of 6-5. By now your likely noticing a pattern.    

     So if your keeping score at home...that’s 0-4 this season when returning home from a four-game trip or more. and a quick check of last season we notice similar results for these Sharks. 

Buffalo plays very well in San Jose for some reason. They are 4-0 in their last four trips into California when facing the Sharks and 8-1 versus the Sharks over the past nine contests. Buffalo played very tough in Anaheim last Wednesday night, a game they lost 1-0, but had many good scoring chances throughout the game. The Sabres never mail in a game.You can count on that. These Sabres although way behind in points  in the standings remain a very tough out . They are always a hard-working bunch that is very worthy of backing at this price and in this situation. The Sabres are using their back up goalie Chad Johnson (listed as probable) which betting crowds will notice. Johnson in goal will make the Sabres even more anxious to rally against the odds to win despite the lesser of the two back stops in play for them. Your getting a lunch box team of also rans in Buffalo who are on a trip to the left coast in the middle of winter. This team must be having a ball compared to what life was back in frozen Buffalo likely digging out from another snow storm.

$$$$$$ Buffalo Sabres Money Line +$190

Wait till game time before pulling the trigger on this one. You'll likely get a better number on this live dog depending on how many of the weekend warriors lay their money down on what they think will be an easy win for the better rated SAN JOSE SHARKS playing at home.