Alright baby, we’ve got a great slate of action to pick from today both on the ice and at the track. We have put the man hours in, done the research, cracked the code, and whittled down our choices. Now sitting here, we are confident. We are assured. We are ready to win. We are ready to cash these tickets. Let’s do it!

Thursday, April 15

New York Islanders vs. Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden

Click image to purchase shirt.

The New York Islanders are starting to feel like a bit of a juggernaut. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games, 4-for-5 in their most recent contests, and they are locked in a battle with the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the division.

As always with any Barry Trotz-led team, the Islanders play fantastic team defense. They have only surrendered 10 goals in the last five games and four of those were in one game against the Rangers. They are simply playing sublime hockey right now and have been for a bit.

The Boston Bruins are good, we know that, right? But are they as good as they have been in years past? That is a discussion worth having. Their defense is not quite what it was over the last few years. Their offense, when it clicks, it clicks big time. But there are the droughts as well. They are not as consistent as they have been in recent seasons. Again, they’re good, but there are question marks with this version of the Bruins.

I like the Bruins, but I like the Islanders more. I think the wrong team is favored in this matchup. I will take the reliable defensive team over the inconsistent offensive team. Also, the Islanders have a rest advantage here having not played since Sunday.

NHL Picks: Islanders ML (+108)

Thursday, April 15

Early Pick 4 at Charles Town

Click image to purchase shirt.

Race One: This shapes up, in my view, as a two-horse race and we’ll use both of them. The (#3) Jamestown Road is a horse that has been very close in two starts at this level recently and this field is a little weaker than those were. Additionally, (#5) Najwa is a Gulfstream Park West shipper who won her first start at Charles Town and could do the same again.

Race Two: I’m going to use three horses in this maiden claiming event because they all have something in common. All three of these horses are dropping in class and performed decently at the maiden special weight level. That translates to success more often than not. Let’s use the (#2) Strong Safety, (#5) In the Gospel, and (#7) Prince Louis.

Race Three: We’re going to single in this race. The (#4) Laser Loop is coming off two consecutive wins and has the services of Anthony Farrior, one of the best — if not the best — trainers at Charles Town. I think this horse has a nose for the wire, which can’t be said for others in this field.

Race Four: Once again this feels like a two-horse race to me. The (#3) I’d Like to Know is taking a serious drop in class and that has to be noticed. The (#7) Bi Bi Carpe has run at this level before and came very close to winning. I like both of them and that’s all I’m using.

BlackJack’s Charles Town Early Pick 4: 3,5/2,5,7/4/3,7 — $6 for .50 cents