Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

The Los Angeles Kings have been extremely generous to start the season, with the 17 goals allowed over their first three games marking their most in that stretch since permitting 20 in 1985-86. The Kings look to shore up their back end on Saturday when they play their home opener against the Nashville Predators. Franchise goaltender Jonathan Quick surrendered a career-high eight goals in that contest and has yielded 14 tallies on 56 shots in two starts this season. Quick's troubles might get even worse with Filip Forsberg visiting the Staples Center, as the 25-year-old Swede became the first player in Predators history to score a goal in four straight games to begin a season in Thursday's 6-5 win over Washington. Forsberg will attempt to become the first Nashville player to score in five consecutive contests since Kevin Fiala accomplished the feat from Dec. 13-21, 2017.

Rating: 2 Units

The St. Louis Blues dropped their season opener in overtime to the Washington Capitals, casting a pall on a night when the team raised its Stanley Cup championship banner to the rafters. The Blues have not lost since and will carry a three-game winning streak into Saturday night's matchup at the Montreal Canadiens in the third stop of a four-game road trip.  The clincher:  Montreal is 8-17 in their last 25 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Rating: 2 Units

Colorado's top line of MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen, which was responsible for 40 percent of the club's goals and nearly 38 percent of its points in 2018-19, has combined for six goals and 14 points this season. Defenseman Cale Makar has an assist in each of his first three regular-season games - all on the power play. Philipp Grubauer (3-0, 2.34, .931) has settled well into his new role as a No. 1 goaltender and is 2-1-1, 2.74, .914 in six career games (five starts) versus Arizona.

Rating: 2 Units

Tanaka continued to shine in the postseason with a win over the Twins last Saturday, allowing a run and three hits with seven strikeouts over five solid innings. He is 4-2 with a 1.54 ERA in six career starts in the playoffs, including two in the 2017 ALCS against Houston in which he let up just two runs across 13 total innings. The 30-year-old had a pair of quality starts against the Astros during the regular season. Greinke lasted only 3 2/3 innings at Tampa Bay on Monday and was charged with six runs on five hits - three home runs - with five strikeouts. That left the former Cy Young Award winner with a 3-5 record and a 4.58 ERA in 12 career postseason starts. He has a 5.05 career mark versus New York - his highest against any team he has faced at least 10 times - but yielded three runs in 12 2/3 frames against the Yankees during the regular season.

Rating: 2 Units

A week ago, the Owls were huge for us, apparently got the cover with a "pick-six" on the game's final play. Hold it. The call was reversed, with passer's forward progress apparently stopped. Yeah, sure. Owls "D" had held East Carolina without a TD over a 54:56 span, before Pirates got it to 27-17 in the final 0:27. That outcome has influenced the spot on this one, which suits us fine. Owls are 19-8 ATS at home, & 7-1 as home dogs, while Tigers are 0-12 ATS as chalks of less than 7 points vs .500+ opponents. Host is +48 points ATS in Temple tilts.

Rating: 4 Unit SEC Upset of the Week

Tigers at 54.6 points per game, with Burrow first QB in Lsu history with 300 passing yards 4 straight games (78.3% & 22 touchdowns and 3 interceptions). And the Bayous on a 16-5 regular season ATS run. Gators a 231-87 point edge in L7 lined games, holding Auburn to 124 rushing yards (entered at 252). Typical classic SEC war. Lean to the points

Rating: 4 Unit SEC Game of the Week

- Aggies have played mighty 'Tide better than anyone, save Clemson, of course. Simple math here, as L2 years, Alabama has beaten all regular season foes by 22 points, or more. A 259-74 point edge this year. Sure, 'Tide "D" is nowhere near recent editions, but Alabama "O" is seemingly unstoppable.

Rating: 3 Unit Inter-Conference Play of the Day

Host series: 6-0: 49, 41, 45, 49 points for winners, before last year's 24-17 Irish (-11) win, with Troy back dooring it on 20-yard pass in L0:48. Daniels & Book: 349 & 352 passing yards. USC 14-35 away, 7-18 as a dog, & 1-14 as a road dog.

Rating: 2 Units

Home series: 16-7, but was 13-1. L2 years: Tigers (-16, -17½): 49-26 first downs & 347-0 rushing yard edges, in 31-14 & 57-10 wins. Lawrence last year: 314 passing yards (4 touchdowns with 0 interceptions). FSU only TD last year: 73-yard Blackman pass L4:43. Clemson 12-3 lately, & 7-3 vs FSU. FSU 1-4 as road dog, 1-9 vs foes off 2 SU wins, 2-10 as road dog vs foes off 2 wins.

Rating: 2 Units

Last met in '16, when Falcons (-13½) turned 21-17 deficit in 4th, into a 31-21 win, with 327-37 rushing yard edge (312-97 passing yard deficit). Four picks key. Fresno State 25-8 lately, 14-3 away, 6-0 as a road dog. Air force is 5-19 in conf and 1-8 off Navy. In addition, Dog is 21-9 in AF contests, & 7-1-1 in Fresno State tilts