This is a 10* NON-CONF TOY on the UNDER Devils/Nucks.

As primarily a situational capper, these are exactly the types of "situations" that I keep my eyes open for.

While each side has played to several higher-scoring games of late, the overall situation that each finds itself in coming into this contest, combined with the numbers/trends, all point to this contest finally being more of a lower-scoring defensive battle.

New Jersey is 6-4-2 after its most recent 6-2 win over the Ducks. That victory snapped a four-game slide. Dating to last year though the Devils have seen the total go UNDER in four of their last five after playing to five or more straight OVERs in a row.

The Canucks are 4-1-4 after a 4-3 OT loss at home to Carolina most recently, a setback that snapped a four-game win streak. Note though that Vancouver has seen the total go UNDER in seven of its last nine after playing to three or more straight OVERS in a row dating to last year.

I think we have a battle on our hands in this game on Wednesday night on the West Coast, but a very methodically-paced defensive affair in the end.

This number is high, the play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP