Sports Handicapper Nick Parsons's Picks & Predictions

This is a FREE PLAY on the UNDER Rangers/Lightning.

There are some exciting players on the ice for each team, including the Rangers' Artemi Panarin and the Lightning's Brandon Hagel, but I'm anticipating the men between the pipes to take center stage, so to speak, in this one, and will therefore recommend a "second look" at the under.

New York's Igor Shesterkin’s record stands at 5-6-2 on the season with a 2.55 GAA, while Tampa's Andrei Vasilevskiy has a record of 5-4-2 and a 2.60 GAA.

Look for a competitive game in Tampa to end in a lower-scoring combined outcome.

Consider the UNDER in this one.

Good luck, NP

This is a WESTERN CONFERENCE GOY on the LA Clippers.

It's ALL HANDS ON DECK for the Clippers tonight after five straight losses. They're just 3-7 now and are clearly one of the biggest early-season disappointments. They've played some decent teams, but enough is enough essentially, as I expect James Harden to risk life and limb tonight to try and secure the victory.

The Nuggets come in on the other end of the spectrum, having won five straight. Note, though, that they won four of those five games at home, where they're 6-0 this season. Nikola Jokic has been on fire to open the season, but one has to wonder how long the Big Serb can keep this pace going without a small letdown.

And I think it'll be here against the lowly Clippers. With a big game against Anthony Edwards and the Wolves in Minnesota up next, I think it's also a bit of a look-ahead spot.

And when you add those two situational factors together, most of the time you get a "trap" game.

The Clippers play with the added incentive of "revenge" as well after Denver took them out in seven games in the playoffs last season. 

This is their first matchup of the year, but they went 2-2 in the regular season last year. 

Kawhi Leonard is still out for the Clippers, but don't be surprised to see the Nuggets resting some people here as well.

Either way, whatever cliche you want to use here for the Clippers: "Now or never!" Do or die!" etc, etc...while I anticipate the Nuggets to come in a tiny bit complacent, finally.

Don't be surprised if the Clippers win outright, but the official call is to grab as many points as you can with LA.

Good luck, NP

This is an UNDERDOG BOOKIEKILLER on the Flyers.

As being primarily a "situational" capper, I LOVE the way this one sets up for what I believe to be the completely undervalued home side.

Yes, the Oilers have been to the Stanley Cup Final the last two years, but they lost both times.

And they're sure struggling with consistency to open up the 2025/26 campaign, as they're 7-6-4 overall, including just 2-5-2 on the road. That also includes going just 2-7 with the puckline on the road.

It's safe to say that Connor McDavid and Edmonton have so far failed to live up to their sky-high expectations this season.

But, at 8-5-2 overall, including 6-3-1 at home, the Flyers have exceeded expectations, I'd have to say.

The Oilers snapped a three-game slide, a stretch in which they were outscored 16-7, with a tough 5-4 OT win at home against Columbus, a game that they had to play from behind in the entire time, as a -170 favorite, mind you.

And with a rematch at Columbus TOMORROW NIGHT, not only do I think this sets up as a bit of a natural letdown spot for the visitors, but also a "look-ahead" position as well, and when you add those two situational factors together, you get "TRAP" game.  

The Flyers had their two-game win streak snapped last time out, falling 3- in overtime at home to Ottawa, and they also have a game tomorrow at St. Louis, but the difference here is that Philadelphia has been off since Saturday, and it comes in rested and focused.

Edmonton is also 0-5 in its last five games as a road favorite in the -125 to -200 range.

I think the WRONG team is favored here. 

All things considered, I believe this to be the very definition of "GREAT LINE VALUE."

The play is on PHILADELPHIA.

Good luck, NP

This is a BOOKIEKILLER on Miami Ohio.

As being primarily a "situational" capper, right off the bat, we can throw out the "motivation" factor as something to take a look at with any great seriousness, in my opinion.

Both teams are 5-4 and need one more win to become bowl eligible. Neither wants to leave anything to chance; each is equally as "motivated" to win today.

So, we need to look at other factors to determine today's victor, and while I do think an outright win is the most likely outcome here for the RedHawks, in the end, I'll recommend grabbing as many points as you can as the official play.

And I like Miami Ohio, in this spot for a few different reasons.

Yes, both teams are 5-4 straight up, but the Rockets are 0-4 SU on the road, and 1-3 against the spread, while the RedHawks are 3-1 SU/ATS in front of the hometown crowd.

The RedHawks have two tough games at the end of the year against teams that will also be searching for their sixth win at Buffalo, and then at home against Ball State. Either way, it really does feel like "do or die" for the RedHawks in this one to me.

The Rockets also have two potentially difficult contests to end the year, at home against Ball State and on the road at CMU.

I think that the "home field" advantage is huge in this spot right now, with each team looking ahead to the final portion of the season.

Miami Ohio also plays with the added incentive of "revenge" here, after it lost 30-20 at Toledo last October.

Although we can't use "motivation" as a judge in this game, this one still sets up great from a situational standpoint for the home side.

These teams are similar in that they like to push the pace. 

Toledo's Tucker Gleason isn't going to be able to keep up with Miami Ohio's dual-threat QB DeQuan Finn, in my opinion. 

I say there are enough situational factors working in favor of Miami Ohio today to think that it could win this one outright, but let's grab the points with the REDHAWKS.

Good luck, NP