Pucks and hoops provide the value

Shoutout to Michael Pittman Jr. for getting our week started right with a touchdown! We keep things rolling by taking in a few bets in the NHL and NBA tonight. Nine games on the ice and three on the hardwood, and we've got a bet on points for each.

Goals should come in Florida vs. Calgary

There's plenty to be excited about as the Panthers and Flames duke it out in Calgary this evening. For one, it's the return of Matthew Tkachuk to his former team after an offseason trade between these two teams swapped high-profile players. Tkachuk is sure to come out firing, just as he and Florida do every night.

The Panthers average nearly 40 shots per game on the road and 3.1 goals, and the Flames are well-equipped to match it, averaging 35 shots and 3.4 goals per game at home. Both teams have penalty issues, which should give us the opportunity for some power-play scoring. Both teams also have had some goaltending troubles. In net for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who has allowed nine goals in his last two starts and 3.62 per game on the season. Jacob Markstrom hasn't yet found his 2021 success, having let in over three goals per start on the year.

These two teams met just 10 days ago in Florida, and the final there reached 5-4. We're betting on a fun, high-scoring affair between two of the league's best.

Betting: Over 6.5 goals in Florida-Calgary (-110 DK)

Data supports the under in Portland

This read is relatively simple, and it started with looking at the pace of play. The Clippers are the fifth-slowest team in the NBA based on possessions per game, and the Trail Blazers are the third-slowest. That checks the first box for us as we began our hunt through the NBA board. As you might assume, thanks to such slow play, these two teams have been the most profitable under teams in the NBA this season. Los Angeles is 16-5 to the under and Portland is 11-7-2.

These two met four times last year. Three of those games saw the total go under the mark set for tonight's meeting, and the four games averaged just 205.8 points scored. We can grab the late game today at 211 on DraftKings. It's one of the lower over/unders you'll ever see in an NBA game, but it's for good reason, and we're confident taking it.

Betting: Under 211 points in Los Angeles-Portland (-110 DK)

In the news ...

USMNT's World Cup comes down to today — If you're looking to break up your day with some action, we have you covered with the USA's final World Cup group stage game at 2 p.m. ET. All eyes turn to Christian Pulisic and the United States as they need a win against Iran to advance to the knockout stage. We like the USMNT to push the pace and find some goals today, and if that's to happen, we're expecting Pulisic to lead the charge. We're betting on a Pulisic assist here at +250. He has shown an ability to create, and now we just need the US to finish their chances at the net.

Rich get richer: Astros add Jose Abreu — The World Series champion Astros aren't settling after winning their second World Series in six years. Houston has reportedly agreed to terms with former MVP Jose Abreu. While Abreu is now 35, he still hit .304 last year for the White Sox and will bring another strong bat to this loaded Astros lineup in 2023. Houston is +550 to repeat as champs next season, the second-highest odds behind the Dodgers.

Auburn hires Hugh Freeze as next football coach despite past scandals — After trying to lure Lane Kiffin, Auburn ultimately has signed Liberty coach Hugh Freeze to be the next coach of the Tigers. Freeze will return to the SEC after formerly coaching Ole Miss from 2012-2016. His hiring has been met with some critique, given the past scandals that ultimately got Freeze fired from the Rebels. Freeze has beaten Nick Saban the last two chances he's had, likely a big reason why Auburn has brought him to town.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll