AAA's BIG-CHALK CHOKE-OUT (LAY IT & CASH IT!)
(NHL) Columbus vs. NY Islanders,
Money Line: -160.00 NY Islanders (Home)
Result: Win
This is a 5* BIG-CHALK CHOKE-OUT on the New York Islanders.

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:

Focus: New York is 22-15-5 this year and has had tremendous success vs. Metropolitan Divisional foes the last few season, but that reign of domination has slipped lately, as it's lost three straight vs. the Division since the New Year. The Isles will be especially motivated here as well after back-to-back lacklustre efforts, a 4-1 loss to Washington on Thursday, followed by a 4-0 shutout setback at Philadelphia on Saturday: "It's just unacceptable about some of the way certain guys are playing right now," Isles' coach Jack Capuano assessed last night.

If history is any precedence: Then the Isles have to be loving their chances for a bounce back today as they've already captured both meetings with the Blue Jackets this season.

Jaroslav Halak: The Rangers' netminder is 5-0-2 with a 2.22 GAA in his last seven vs. the Blue Jackets.

ATS statistics: Columbus is among the league's worst in several statistical categories this year and note that it's struggled mightily in this position all season, going just 5-7 (1.4 units) when playing with two days of rest and only 4-14 (-10.9 units) after allowing four goals or more in its previous contest, while New York has done admirably in this spot by going 6-4 (+2 units) after scoring one goal or less in its previous contest and 5-3 (+1.2 units) when playing with two days of rest.

The bottom line: We expect the focus that the home side plays with tonight will ultimately prove to be the difference, lay the price with confidence on the ISLANDERS.

AAA Sports