Cnotes National Hockey League January Rated Plays - Trends - News - Etc. !!

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack


Quick look at the six best college basketball conferences..........


6) SEC-- Who had Texas A&M/South Carolina as top two teams?


5) Big 14-- Indiana/Iowa are unbeaten in league; Michigan State lost three in row.


4) Big East-- Villanova has won 22 conference games in row.


3) Pac-12-- Who had Washington/USC as top two teams?


2) ACC-- Louisville cruised last two games since losing at Clemson.


1) Big X-- Baylor is the surprise leader with 5-1 mark.


**********


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.......


13) Actor Jamie Foxx pulled a guy out of a burning car yesterday and saved his life; took lot of guts to do that. Good for him.


12) Nebraska 72, Michigan State 71-- Spartans have not only lost three games in row, they've lost their last three games against Nebraska. big win for Tim Miles' team. When was last time Duke/Michigan State were on losing skids at the same time?


11) Pistons 123, Rockets 114-- Detroit was 35-59 on foul line; Houston was the first team since 2007 to be called for 40+ fouls (41) in one game.


10) Knicks 118, Utah 111 (OT)-- New York is now 22-22 and only half a game out of the 8th spot in the East. Much improved team this year.....


9).......lot of credit goes to rookie Kristaps Porzingis, whose jersey is the #4 seller in the NBA this season. Great draft pick by Phil Jackson.


8) Baylor 79, Kansas State 72 2OT-- Three of top six teams in country play in the Big X, but none of them are in first place in league play- Baylor is.


7) Former SMU Mustang Keith Frazier transferred from SMU to North Texas; it was his eligibility that got SMU in hot water with the NCAA. Frazier should be a difference maker in Conference USA, when he becomes eligible.


6) Villanova 72, Seton Hall 71-- Wildcats have won 22 in row in Big East; Pirates start five sophomores, should be very good for the next 2+ years.


5) ESPN3.com is a terrific addition this season- can watch almost any game in the country now on my laptop, even if it isn't on TV.


4) So many college hoop teams lack depth, playing seven guys, maybe eight. South Florida has four scholarshop kids sitting on the bench out of uniform- they're transfers for next year or injured players. Teams like West Virginia who actually have guys on the bench who can play have a big advantage. Even Duke plays six guys now.


3) Tennessee Titans named Dick LeBeau defensive coordinator, with the last DC Ray Horton moving on to the same job in Cleveland. Coach LeBeau will turn 79 two days before the Titans' season opener in September. He is a very young 78 right now.


2) San Diego Padres signed closer Fernando Rodney to a $2M deal yesterday.


Also in baseball, the Marlins finally moved their CF fence in 11 feet for next year. I care about this because Stanton/Ozuna are both on my fantasy team- you have the #1 power hitter in baseball, then you build a park with a fence 417 feet from the plate and a 20-foot fence. How can people with so much $$$ be so stupid? .


1) Pamela Anderson spoke to the French Parliament yesterday; no idea what it was about, but I bet attendance was lot higher than normal. I'm just sayin'.......

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, January 21

Hot teams
-- Bruins won last three games, allowing four goals. Vancouver is 6-0 in game following its last six losses.
-- Senators won last two games, 5-3/4-3. Devils won their last two, 2-0/4-2.
-- Flyers won five of their last seven games.
-- Chicago won its last twelve games. Tampa Bay won its last six.
-- San Jose won five of its last six games.
-- Kings won three of their last four games.

Cold teams
-- Flames lost four of their last five games. Blue Jackets lost five of last seven.
-- Penguins lost five of their last seven games.
-- Toronto lost five of last six games. Carolina lost its last two games, 3-2/5-0.
-- Nashville lost six of its last seven games. Winnipeg lost four of its last six.
-- Edmonton lost five of its last seven games. Dallas Stars lost seven of their last eight.
-- Arizona lost its last three games, outscored 7-3.
-- Minnesota lost eight of its last ten games.

Series records
-- Flames lost five of last six games with Columbus.
-- Canucks won four of last six games with Boston.
-- Devils won four of last five games with Ottawa.
-- Flyers won their last eight games with Pittsburgh.
-- Hurricanes won four of last five games with Toronto.
-- Lightning lost their last four games with Chicago.
-- Predators lost three of last four games with Winnipeg.
-- Edmonton lost four of last six games with Dallas.
-- Sharks won five of last seven games with Arizona.
-- Kings won three of last four games with Minnesota.

Totals
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Columbus games.
-- Under is 4-0-2 in last six Boston games.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight New Jersey games.
-- Under is 7-3 in last ten Philly-Pittsburgh games.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Toronto games.
-- Eight of last nine Chicago-Tampa Bay games stayed under.
-- Seven of last nine Winnipeg-Nashville games stayed under.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Dallas games.
-- Over is 10-3-1 in last fourteen San Jose games.
-- Under is 5-0-1 in last six Minnesota games.

Back-to-backs
-- Minnesota is 2-7 if it played the night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Thursday, January 21

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
CALGARY vs. COLUMBUS
Calgary is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Calgary is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
OTTAWA vs. NEW JERSEY
Ottawa is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
Ottawa is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
New Jersey is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing at home against Ottawa

7:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. PITTSBURGH
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games at home
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

7:00 PM
VANCOUVER vs. BOSTON
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Vancouver is 4-7-3 SU in its last 14 games ,when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vancouver

7:30 PM
CAROLINA vs. TORONTO
Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina

7:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chicago's last 16 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

8:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. WINNIPEG
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville's last 8 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Nashville is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Winnipeg is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 7 games

8:30 PM
EDMONTON vs. DALLAS
Edmonton is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Edmonton is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Dallas is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Edmonton
Dallas is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games

9:00 PM
SAN JOSE vs. ARIZONA
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games
Arizona is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Jose

10:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LOS ANGELES
Minnesota is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games ,
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Los Angeles is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, January 21


Nashville @ Winnipeg

Game 13-14
January 21, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
13.689
Winnipeg
12.221
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Winnipeg
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(+100); Over

Edmonton @ Dallas

Game 15-16
January 21, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
11.254
Dallas
10.384
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Edmonton
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-205
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Edmonton
(+175); Under

San Jose @ Arizona

Game 17-18
January 21, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
12.619
Arizona
11.286
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-130
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-130); Under

Minnesota @ Los Angeles

Game 19-20
January 21, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
9.528
Los Angeles
12.362
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 3
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
N/A

Calgary @ Columbus

Game 1-2
January 21, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
11.095
Columbus
9.514
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
(+100); Under

Vancouver @ Boston

Game 3-4
January 21, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vancouver
12.549
Boston
11.412
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver
by 1
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-175
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver
(+155); Over

Ottawa @ New Jersey

Game 5-6
January 21, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa
10.414
New Jersey
13.285
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Jersey
by 3
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Jersey
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
New Jersey
(-130); Over

Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh

Game 7-8
January 21, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
9.973
Pittsburgh
11.408
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-160
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-160); Under

Carolina @ Toronto

Game 9-10
January 21, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
9.998
Toronto
11.414
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-120); Over

Chicago @ Tampa Bay

Game 11-12
January 21, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
12.628
Tampa Bay
11.170
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-115); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, January 21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALGARY (20-21-0-3, 43 pts.) at COLUMBUS (17-26-0-4, 38 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 48-32 ATS (+81.3 Units) in home games in January games since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 29-26 ATS (+59.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 25-23 ATS (+51.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 70-67 ATS (+150.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 26-18 ATS (+48.1 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 22-12 ATS (+36.2 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 3-13 ATS (+18.3 Units) after a division game this season.
COLUMBUS is 5-15 ATS (+25.4 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
COLUMBUS is 14-32 ATS (+50.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 9-17 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 3-1 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 3-1-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VANCOUVER (19-17-0-11, 49 pts.) at BOSTON (24-16-0-5, 53 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 181-194 ATS (+421.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
BOSTON is 2-7 ATS (-7.6 Units) in home games in non-conference games this season.
BOSTON is 185-153 ATS (-87.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
BOSTON is 86-76 ATS (-60.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 3-2 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 3-2-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.7 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTTAWA (22-18-0-6, 50 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (23-19-0-5, 51 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 80-55 ATS (+18.7 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
OTTAWA is 23-10 ATS (+33.9 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 36-27 ATS (+9.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 5-3 (+2.3 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 5-3-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA (20-16-0-8, 48 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (21-17-0-7, 49 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 5-14 ATS (-9.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-14 ATS (-15.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 8-4 ATS (+13.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
PITTSBURGH is 65-67 ATS (-27.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 79-102 ATS (-42.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 24-34 ATS (-26.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 14-31 ATS (-34.0 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 31-28 ATS (-11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 8-1 (+10.6 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 8-1-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAROLINA (20-19-0-8, 48 pts.) at TORONTO (17-20-0-7, 41 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 15-42 ATS (+75.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 57-84 ATS (-34.1 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996.
CAROLINA is 26-53 ATS (+91.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 4-17 ATS (-14.8 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 12-40 ATS (+57.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 19-31 ATS (+57.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 12-29 ATS (-20.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 5-2 (+3.5 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 5-2-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.7 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO (32-13-0-4, 68 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (25-17-0-4, 54 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games in January games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 23-9 ATS (+11.8 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 190-200 ATS (+471.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in January games this season.
CHICAGO is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 48-26 ATS (+12.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 23-26 ATS (-12.1 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-5-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
9 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+7.3 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NASHVILLE (20-18-0-8, 48 pts.) at WINNIPEG (21-22-0-3, 45 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 20-26 ATS (-16.1 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 27-33 ATS (-11.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 5-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NASHVILLE is 17-23 ATS (-9.5 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 7-13 ATS (-14.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
WINNIPEG is 44-27 ATS (+72.8 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 199-163 ATS (+29.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 181-160 ATS (+349.2 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 7-6-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.3 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDMONTON (19-24-0-5, 43 pts.) at DALLAS (29-13-0-5, 63 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 1-7 ATS (-10.9 Units) in January games this season.
DALLAS is 1-7 ATS (-7.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
DALLAS is 12-19 ATS (-15.0 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-3 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 5-3-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN JOSE (23-18-0-3, 49 pts.) at ARIZONA (22-18-0-5, 49 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 29-30 ATS (-22.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 19-21 ATS (-19.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 10-3 ATS (+13.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 10-3 ATS (+13.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ARIZONA is 6-22 ATS (-18.0 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 3-15 ATS (+20.1 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 13-42 ATS (+82.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 1-12 ATS (+18.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 6-3-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.4 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (22-16-0-8, 52 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (29-13-0-3, 61 pts.) - 1/21/2016, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 4-3-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.1 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wild (22-16) at Kings (27-13)
Date: January 21, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

A revitalized Vincent Lecavalier is certainly doing his part to protect the Los Angeles Kings' healthy lead atop the Pacific Division.


The veteran center aims for a fourth consecutive game with a goal as the Kings attempt to deal the reeling Minnesota Wild a sixth straight loss Thursday night.


Reduced to being a predominately healthy scratch in Philadelphia, Lecavalier has flourished as a second-line center since being acquired by the Kings on Jan. 6. The 35-year-old extended his longest goal streak since the 2012-13 season with a power-play score that helped Los Angeles improve to 4-1-1 since his arrival with Tuesday's 3-2 win over Dallas.


'You can tell he's having fun again,' said Milan Lucic, who broke a 2-all tie in the third period to lengthen his point streak to five games. 'The coaches have put him in position to succeed, and that's something he's earned. He's playing with some great players and making the most of his time on the power play.'


Lecavalier's three goals - all of which have come in man-advantage situations - are two more than he totaled over the final 42 games of his failed two-year stint with the Flyers. They're also two more than what Minnesota (22-16-8) has produced over the last three defeats of its latest January swoon.


After being shut out by Winnipeg and Nashville on back-to-back nights, the Wild got an early goal from ex-King Jarret Stoll but couldn't hold on in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Anaheim.


All five losses have come in regulation, and the Wild are one away from matching their longest skid since Jan. 3-13, 2015.


Minnesota has scored just four goals during the slide and none on the power play in a club-record 11 straight, going 0 of 24 over the drought.


"I feel like we had some good stuff around the net and some good possession in the zone, but you leave the night with zeros and you lose the game 3-1," Zach Parise told the NHL's official website. "It's our responsibility to score some goals."


A breakout doesn't appear particularly likely, as the Kings rank second in the NHL with 2.20 goals allowed per game and have held the Wild to one goal or less in each victory of a 3-1-0 series stretch. That includes a 2-1 win at Staples Center on Oct. 16 on Anze Kopitar's goal 2:19 into overtime.


Kopitar added two assists against Dallas to extend his point streak to five games and has 20 points over Los Angeles' 9-2-1 run. Jake Muzzin is on an eight-game streak after assisting on Lucic's game-winner.


The Kings, winners of 15 of 20 at home, also have received outstanding work from Jonathan Quick, who improved to 9-1-1 with a 1.72 goals-against average in his last 11 starts with 27 saves against Dallas.


Devan Dubnyk continues to keep the Wild in games, having allowed five goals over his last three and sporting a 1.84 GAA through his past five. There's a chance he may be rested in this one in favor of Darcy Kuemper, who stopped 35 shots in the previous meeting with Los Angeles.


Kuemper yielded three goals in winning three consecutive starts prior to a 2-1 loss to New Jersey on Jan. 10.


Stoll scored his first goal in 17 games with the Wild since being claimed off waivers from the New York Rangers on Dec. 15. The veteran center spent the previous seven seasons with Los Angeles and was a member of the Kings' 2012 and '14 Stanley Cup championship teams.

 

[CNOTES]

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




NAS at WIN 08:00 PM

WIN +111 BEST BET


O 5.0




EDM at DAL 08:30 PM


EDM +210 BEST BET


O 5.5




SJ at ARI 09:00 PM


SJ -135


O 5.5




MIN at LA 10:30 PM


MIN +166 BEST BET


U 5.0

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack


-- JD clued us in: Ed Hochuli is the ref for Patriots-Broncos Sunday. Since 2000, Denver is 7-0 in Hochuli games- they're 6-0 in his games since 2008.


-- There is 50-70% chance of rain/snow showers in Denver Sunday.


-- Is Washington DC headed to its biggest snowstorm in 90 years this weekend?


-- Weather changed the Syracuse-Virginia hoop game from Saturday to Sunday and the Cavaliers' game at Wake Forest moves from Monday to Tuesday. Also, games at Villanova/Temple were moved from Saturday to Sunday.


-- Baseball moved its trade deadline from July 31 to August 1 just for this season, because July 31 is on a Sunday. Really smart move to lessen chaos on July 31.


-- I thought the A's badly overpaid DH Billy Butler ($11M a year) until I heard that Hillary Clinton gets $225K for making a speech. Butler at $11M is still awful.


**********


Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Ranking the months of the year......

This list is totally subjective; weather plays into it. Make your own list-- when you are retired, though, there are no bad months. Just some are better than others.


12) January-- If not for college basketball, this would be a long, cold month. At least now when I hear the wind whipping outside in the morning, I pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep- no trudging to work in cruddy weather. Football playoffs are only a lot of fun if your team is in them; I'm a Ram fan, so........


11) February-- Lot like January, only shorter so it ranks higher. Chinese New Year is next month and 2016 is the Year of the Monkey. Spring training starts and there is a February 29th this year. Most famous people I can find with February 29 birthdays are motivational speaker Tony Robbins and hockey legend Henri Richard.


10) May-- NBA/NHL playoffs, weather is pretty good. Kentucky Derby but this has always been a pretty quiet month for me, except for the four years where I coached Little League, which was an experience all to itself. Very little taught me more about people than watching them watch their young kids play ball. I have stories........lol


9) June-- Lot like May, only better weather. When I was a kid, this was by far the best month of the year, with school ending for the year. Minor league baseball is one of the best entertainment values there is-- we have a short season team over the river in Troy (Astros' Class A team). $7 for a night out is a good deal.


8) April-- Opening Day of baseball season, NFL Draft, plus I usually go to Las Vegas in April and that is prime pool season-- I highly recommend it. I'll be the guy wearing sunglasses, covered in towels so I don't get sunburned. Made that mistake once, never again. Nothing quite as relaxing as an afternoon by the pool.


7) October-- Quietest month for this website; baseball playoffs, football, and prep starts for college basketball. Weather is still decent but it starts getting dark too early. Halloween in Las Vegas is different than Halloween anywhere else; its, how can I say this.......just more fun. More people are into Halloween there.


In 2011, I stayed at South Point Hotel off the Strip, which also happened to host the Fetish and Fantasy Ball on Halloween night. Red carpet, TV camera, some costumes that were amazing. Very interesting elevator rides.


6) July-- This is a good basketball month; AAU in Florida or Vegas, NBA Summer League. One year it was 95 and humid in Florida, but the air conditioning in the Milk House at Walt Disney World was cranked so high I went to the **** to buy sweats to wear in there while I watched games. Sitting by the pool at night and reading college football magazines is also an annual July happening.


5) August-- The big thing in upstate New York in August is the racetrack that runs for six weeks at Saratoga, ending on Labor Day. Good social scene at night, lot of racing during the day. The first time I was in Las Vegas: August 1, 1986- it was 112 outside and I'm in a sportsbook, watching horse races from Saratoga, which is 20 miles from my house. They've over-commercialized it recently, but it is still a fun day.


4) September-- Worst month when I was a kid- who wants to go back to school? I wonder if teachers dreaded it as much as I did. But now as an adult, football is getting started, baseball pennant races are happening, it is still summer weather. Nothing bad about September anymore.


In September 1973, I rode a school bus for the first time, after walking to school in grades K-8. Public school in 9th grade was a new experience-- 720+ kids in the school, all 9th graders and I knew five of them. Five. The first week was a little scary.


3) November-- Busiest month for the website; overlap between college football/hoop gets crazy, plus the NBA gets started. I'm thinking the NBA will become a better game to handicap as they stretch out the season more, to reduce back/backs for teams. When I was working, November had three holidays, never a bad thing.


2) December-- You can get really good rates at hotels in Las Vegas if you go the week before Christmas-- you can get suites fairly cheap. Christmas, New Year's Eve, people putting up trees/lights for my birthday; what could be bad about December? Snow is a potential problem. People are usualy in better moods in December.


1) March-- I'm a big college basketball fan, so March is an excellent month, though you aren't out of the woods with weather yet. Plus there is spring training baseball every day-- I'm thinking of a trip to Arizona to see the A's next March. Have never done the spring training thing-- am told it is lot of fun.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Friday, January 22


NY Islanders @ Ottawa

Game 59-60
January 22, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
9.076
Ottawa
10.585
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Ottawa
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
N/A

Anaheim @ Washington

Game 51-52
January 22, 2016 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim
10.515
Washington
12.055
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-185
5
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-185); Over

Detroit @ Buffalo

Game 53-54
January 22, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
12.673
Buffalo
9.121
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 3 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
N/A

NY Rangers @ Carolina

Game 55-56
January 22, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Rangers
10.127
Carolina
11.705
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(+125); Over

Chicago @ Florida

Game 57-58
January 22, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
10.334
Florida
12.628
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 2 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
N/A

St. Louis @ Colorado

Game 61-62
January 22, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
12.619
Colorado
11.066
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-110
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-110); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, January 22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANAHEIM (20-18-0-7, 47 pts.) at WASHINGTON (35-8-0-3, 73 pts.) - 1/22/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 20-25 ATS (-11.3 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 35-11 ATS (+22.9 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 464-387 ATS (+27.4 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 228-211 ATS (+454.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 150-195 ATS (-70.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 31-45 ATS (-37.9 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-1 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 3-1-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (23-15-0-8, 54 pts.) at BUFFALO (19-24-0-4, 42 pts.) - 1/22/2016, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 9-2 (+4.7 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 9-2-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.3 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY RANGERS (25-16-0-5, 55 pts.) at CAROLINA (21-19-0-8, 50 pts.) - 1/22/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 6-14 ATS (-9.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
NY RANGERS are 48-26 ATS (+12.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 32-14 ATS (+13.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 32-10 ATS (+14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 27-53 ATS (+89.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 29-51 ATS (+81.5 Units) after shutting out their opponent in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 10-1 (+8.5 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 10-1-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.2 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO (32-14-0-4, 68 pts.) at FLORIDA (26-15-0-5, 57 pts.) - 1/22/2016, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-0-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY ISLANDERS (24-15-0-6, 54 pts.) at OTTAWA (22-19-0-6, 50 pts.) - 1/22/2016, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 4-3 (+1.3 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 4-3-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (28-15-0-7, 63 pts.) at COLORADO (24-21-0-3, 51 pts.) - 1/22/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 6-13 ATS (-11.7 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 118-101 ATS (-39.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 31-24 ATS (+5.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 10-4 ATS (+15.2 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
COLORADO is 50-37 ATS (+90.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 99-79 ATS (+179.7 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-4 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 7-4-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.2 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up


Friday, January 22


Hot teams
-- Washington won seven of last eight games. Anaheim won three of its last four games.
-- Red Wings won four of their last six games.
-- Carolina won five of its last seven games.
-- Chicago had its 12-game win streak ended last night.
-- Blues won five of their last six games. Colorado won three of its last four.


Cold teams
-- Detroit lost three of its last four games.
-- Rangers are 0-4 in game following their last four wins.
-- Florida lost its last four games, outscored 16-5.
-- Islanders, Senators are both 3-4 in their last seven games.


Series records
-- Ducks lost five of last six games with Washington.
-- Sabres lost eight of last ten games with Detroit.
-- Rangers won their last eight games with Carolina.
-- Panthers lost their last eight games with Chicago.
-- Islanders won three of last four visits to Ottawa.
-- Colorado won last two games with St Louis, 3-1/4-3OT.


Totals
-- Over is 4-0-2 in last six Washington games.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Detroit-Buffalo games.
-- Under is 4-1-4 in last nine Ranger-Hurricane games.
-- Under is 7-1-2 in last ten Chicago-Florida games.
-- Last six Islander-Ottawa games stayed under.
-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten St Louis-Colorado games.


Back-to-backs
-- Carolina is 5-3 if it played night before; teams are 3-4 the night after playing Toronto.
-- Chicago is 1-4 on road if it played night before; teams are 2-6 the night after playing Tampa Bay. .
-- Ottawa is 2-5 if it played night before; teams are 3-7 the night after playing the Devils.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Friday, January 22

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5:00 PM
ANAHEIM vs. WASHINGTON
Anaheim is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. BUFFALO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games
Buffalo is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Buffalo is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games when playing Detroit

7:00 PM
NY RANGERS vs. CAROLINA
NY Rangers are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Carolina
NY Rangers are 2-11 SU in their last 13 games on the road
Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Carolina is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

7:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. FLORIDA
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago's last 10 games when playing Florida
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Florida's last 12 games
Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago

7:30 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
NY Islanders are 7-15-1 SU in their last 23 games ,when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games at home
Ottawa is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home

9:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. COLORADO
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing St. Louis

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (57) CHICAGO@ (58) FLORIDA | 2016-01-22 19:35:00 - 2016-01-22 19:35:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games after a non-conference game
The record is 18 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+15.75 units)


NHL > (57) CHICAGO@ (58) FLORIDA | 2016-01-22 19:35:00 - 2016-01-22 19:35:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games in January games
The record is 10 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+10.1 units)


NHL > (57) CHICAGO@ (58) FLORIDA | 2016-01-22 19:35:00 - 2016-01-22 19:35:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+10.1 units)

NHL > (51) ANAHEIM@ (52) WASHINGTON | 2016-01-22 19:05:00 - 2016-01-22 19:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON using money line in All games
The record is 33 Wins and 9 Losses for the this season (+19.45 units)


NHL > (51) ANAHEIM@ (52) WASHINGTON | 2016-01-22 19:05:00 - 2016-01-22 19:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON using money line in all games
The record is 35 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (+19.45 units)


-----------------------


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (57) CHICAGO@ (58) FLORIDA | 2016-01-22 19:35:00 - 2016-01-22 19:35:00
Play ON CHICAGO in All games after a non-conference game
The record is 18 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+15.75 units)


NHL > (57) CHICAGO@ (58) FLORIDA | 2016-01-22 19:35:00 - 2016-01-22 19:35:00
Play ON CHICAGO in All games in January games
The record is 10 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+10.1 units)


NHL > (57) CHICAGO@ (58) FLORIDA | 2016-01-22 19:35:00 - 2016-01-22 19:35:00
Play ON CHICAGO in All games second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+10.1 units)

NHL > (51) ANAHEIM@ (52) WASHINGTON | 2016-01-22 19:05:00 - 2016-01-22 19:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON in all games
The record is 35 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (+19.45 units)


-------------------


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (55) NY RANGERS@ (56) CAROLINA | 2016-01-22 19:05:00 - 2016-01-22 19:05:00
Play UNDER CAROLINA on the totalin Home games on Friday nights
The record is 1 Overs and 10 Unders for the last two seasons (+8.9 units)

NHL > (57) CHICAGO@ (58) FLORIDA | 2016-01-22 19:35:00 - 2016-01-22 19:35:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin All games in non-conference games
The record is 24 Overs and 55 Unders for the last three seasons (+28.6 units)

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




NYR at CAR 07:00 PM


NYR -143




DET at BUF 07:00 PM


BUF +121




NYI at OTT 07:30 PM


OTT +130 BEST BET




CHI at FLA 07:30 PM


CHI -105




STL at COL 09:00 PM


COL +107 BEST BET

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Canucks (16-17) at Penguins (21-17)
Date: January 23, 2016 12:30 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins are finally enjoying better results under Mike Sullivan, and one team that has noticed is the Vancouver Canucks.


Sullivan's most recent NHL job before taking over the Penguins was with the Canucks, who he will face Saturday in Pittsburgh.


Pittsburgh (22-17-7) fired Mike Johnston on Dec. 12, with Sullivan elevated to the head job after coaching the Penguins' AHL affiliate at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.


After losing their first four games under Sullivan, the Penguins are 7-3-4 in the last 14. Star center Evgeni Malkin has 16 points in that stretch, and he likes what the new coach has brought.


"He came to the team and brought more energy and emotion," Malkin told the Penguins' official website. "Sullivan is an emotional guy in the locker room too. It's good for us."


Sullivan previously coached Boston and most recently was an assistant with Vancouver (20-17-11) under John Tortorella until both were fired in the 2013-14 season.


"They're a good team, they've got a lot of firepower," Canucks winger Alex Burrows said. "We're gonna see Mike Sullivan again and I think he's gonna prepare them."


Sidney Crosby has matched his longest point streak of the season with eight in five games, recording one goal and one assist in Thursday's 4-3 victory over Philadelphia.


The Penguins got power-play goals from Phil Kessel and Trevor Daley to improve to 29.7 percent (11 for 37) in their last 11 games.


"Now we are starting to believe that we can win every game," Malkin said. "We have a great team. We started playing better. I believe that we will make the playoffs."


Defenseman Kris Letang, third on the team with 30 points, will be a game-time decision with a lower-body injured suffered Thursday.


Vancouver is 3-1-1 on a six-game trip after beginning it with a regulation loss to Washington. Daniel Sedin became the Canucks' all-time leader in goals with two to give him 348 in Thursday's 4-2 win over Boston.


Sedin failed to score in the first four games of the trip.


'It's more about the two points, I think,' Sedin said. '(You) look at the standings every day and you try to stay away from it, but every point is huge.'


Mother Nature could possibly play a role in which goalie the Canucks will face.


Marc-Andre Fleury has posted a 2.48 goals-against average in winning five straight starts over the Canucks, including a 3-2 road victory Nov. 4.


Backup Jeff Zatkoff may start instead in order for Fleury to start Sunday at Washington in a game that could be postponed due to a massive snowstorm. The NHL will determine the status of that contest Saturday morning.


The Canucks will start Ryan Miller, who has seen plenty of action in three starts since missing nearly a month with a lower-body injury. He has faced 136 shots and allowed seven goals for a 2.25 GAA.


Although Saturday's early start time is inconvenient for a team from Western Canada, the Canucks didn't want to use that as an excuse at Friday's practice.


"We've got one game left. So why not go all out and have a good game?" coach Willie Desjardins said. "I'm hoping I see the energy I saw today in practice."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wild (23-16) at Sharks (22-18)
Date: January 23, 2016 4:00 PM EDT

One of the most encouraging developments during San Jose's surge is how well the Sharks have been playing at home.


The Minnesota Wild would like nothing more than to put a damper on that to conclude their road trip.


San Jose looks to keep rolling as Minnesota tries to win back-to-back games for the first time in 2016 on Saturday night.


The Sharks (24-18-3) are tied with Vancouver for second place in the Pacific Division despite starting 5-12-0 at home. They've outscored opponents 27-13 during a 6-0-1 stretch that includes a 3-0-1 mark at SAP Center.


San Jose has made up for its woes at home with the second-most road victories in the league (16-6-2) and is coming off a 3-1 victory at Arizona on Thursday that moved them ahead of the Coyotes in a tight division race.


"You look around the league and everyone else is winning games," coach Peter DeBoer said. "You've got to hold serve."


Tommy Wingels and Chris Tierney scored in the first period before Patrick Marleau added an empty-netter on the power play. Marleau's goal ended a nine-game drought and gave him just his second point over his last eight.


Martin Jones made 23 saves and has won his last five starts with a 1.76 goals-against average. He has a 1.29 GAA while winning his last three at home after having a 2.87 GAA in his first 15 there.


"I really liked our game (Thursday)," DeBoer said. "From our goalie to our special teams to the four lines and six defensemen, we got contributions from everybody. I was really comfortable that we were going to show up and play a good game."


The Sharks weren't nearly as good in their first meeting with Minnesota (23-16-8), falling 2-0 on Dec. 12. Zach Parise scored early in the third before Mikko Koivu added an empty-netter in the first of the last five matchups that wasn't decided by one goal.


Parise scored on the power play Thursday against Los Angeles as the Wild ended an 0-for-25 drought with the man advantage. Erik Haula added a shorthanded goal in a 3-0 victory that snapped a five-game skid during which they managed only four goals.


Minnesota hasn't won back-to-back games since Dec. 28 and 31.


"I think we really needed (the win) for our own psyche," Parise said. "It's been getting tough lately. Losing a lot of games and not producing on offense, it was frustrating. The frustration was creeping in."


Coach Mike Yeo reunited Parise, Koivu, Ryan Suter, Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville on the top power-play unit. Minnesota went 1 for 32 with the man advantage over its previous 16 after tying for eighth in power-play efficiency at 20.8 percent prior to that.


"To get that group back together, we had confidence in it and we moved (the puck) well," Suter said.


Yeo especially was impressed with Darcy Kuemper, who made 32 saves in his second shutout of the season - the first coming when he blanked the Sharks last month.


Yeo said after the game there's a good chance Kuemper, who is 5-1-2 with a 1.20 GAA in seven starts and one relief effort since Dec. 5, could get the start to complete the four-game trip.


Jones lost the first meeting but has stopped 65 of 67 shots in two starts and one relief appearance in his career against the Wild.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Lightning (24-17) at Panthers (21-15)
Date: January 23, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Nikita Kucherov's value to the Tampa Bay Lightning has shown up during their best run in 12 years, while the Florida Panthers' last five games have further illustrated Aaron Ekblad's importance.


The rising Lightning can match a franchise record with an eighth consecutive win in Saturday night's showdown with a Panthers team bolstered by Ekblad's return.


Tampa Bay (26-17-4) has closed within three points of the Panthers' lead atop the Atlantic Division by recording its longest winning streak since an eight-game run from Feb. 23-Mar. 6, 2004, the year of the club's lone Stanley Cup championship. Kucherov has at least one point in each of those wins and scored in a third straight game during Thursday's 2-1 victory over Chicago, breaking a 1-all tie with a power-play goal in the second period.


The Lightning have received contributions throughout the roster during a stretch in which they've outscored opponents 26-14. They ended the Blackhawks' team-record 12-game winning streak behind a decided 33-18 advantage in shots.


"This might have been our best game all season," said defenseman Anton Stralman, who had the Lightning's other goal. "We played for 60 minutes, and we got rewarded for it. "This the way we want to play, honestly. This is how we can play, and it hasn't always been there."


Florida (27-15-5) helped the Lightning climb in the standings with a four-game skid that included a 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday, in which Kucherov scored twice. The 22-year-old has 10 points over the streak and 27 in 21 games since Dec. 5, second only to Chicago's Patrick Kane's 31 over that span.


Ekblad missed each of those defeats with a concussion, but returned with a goal to support Roberto Luongo's 27 saves in Friday's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks.


The Panthers have won 13 straight with Ekblad, a team-leading plus-19 this season, in the lineup, as well as both matchups with Tampa Bay this season in which he's played. The reigning Calder Trophy recipient had a goal in each, including one with 20.2 seconds left in a 1-0 win at BB&T Center on Nov. 16.


Reilly Smith and Quinton Howden have each scored in consecutive games for Florida, which totaled just five during its 0-3-1 stretch.


'I thought we came out and played a sound game, good defensively, really skated, really moved the puck," coach Gerard Gallant said. "We have to play our best game and that brought the best out of us (Friday), playing that team.'


Tampa Bay's Ben Bishop has allowed only four goals in winning four straight starts. The All-Star made 17 saves against Chicago and 26 in Sunday's victory over Florida.


Luongo, who'll join Bishop on the Atlantic Division team for the Jan. 31 All-Star Game in Nashville, owns a 1.96 goals-against average in three 2015-16 meetings with Tampa Bay. The veteran hasn't started on back-to-back nights all season, however, making Al Montoya Saturday's likely starter.


Montoya is 7-2-1 with a 1.85 GAA in 11 starts but is coming off his worst, a 20-save effort in Monday's 4-2 loss to Edmonton. The usually reliable backup had yielded one each in winning his five previous starts.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blue Jackets (15-27) at Bruins (22-17)
Date: January 23, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Boston is the only NHL team Sergei Bobrovsky has never defeated, and he won't be in a position to do so when the teams meet for the first time this season.


The Columbus goaltender's injury issues will again have him sidelined when the Blue Jackets visit the Bruins on Saturday night, while coach John Tortorella suffered his own injury in practice and won't make the game.


In Thursday's 4-2 home loss to Calgary, Bobrovsky was playing his second game since missing 17 with a groin injury, and he left midway through the second period with a third injury this season to the same groin.


Bobrovsky, who has now missed 43 games with groin injuries dating to the start of last season, was placed on injured reserve Friday. The Blue Jackets (17-27-4) recalled Anton Forsberg from AHL Lake Erie, making it likely that rookie Joonas Korpisalo will face the Bruins.


Korpisalo gave up two goals on 14 shots against the Flames, but the 21-year-old is 2-1-0 with a 1.65 goals-against average and .953 save percentage since opening his career 1-4-1 with 3.69 and .882 marks.


Tortorella himself was the next member of the Blue Jackets to go down. The coach collided with Rene Bourque in Friday's practice, leaving him with two broken ribs. Associate coach Craig Hartsburg will lead Columbus against the Bruins and Tortorella's status for Monday against Montreal is unknown.


Columbus has concerns behind the bench and between the pipes, but there's nothing consistently happening in front of its goaltenders, either. The Blue Jackets have averaged 2.25 goals and allowed 3.63 over a 2-5-1 span, though Brandon Dubinsky scored for the fourth time in seven games after opening the season with six in his first 34 contests.


"We made some mistakes and didn't develop enough offense," Tortorella told the team's official website. "There's no sense in me picking it apart. ... We just need to take each day and try to get better. All's we can do is try to stay positive."


That demeanor could be improved with the return of Nick Foligno, who was activated Friday from IR along with Matt Calvert. Foligno missed the last six game with an upper-body injury and is sitting on an eight-game point streak, and Calvert has scored three goals in his last two against the Bruins.


Columbus went 2-0-1 against Boston last season with Bobrovsky only playing in the shootout loss.


The Bruins (24-17-5) are also coming off a 4-2 defeat, which came Thursday at home against Vancouver after a three-game winning streak. It wasn't passed off as a blip.


"We went back to how we used to play early on in the season," Tuukka Rask said. "I guess we'll go work tomorrow and try to figure it out and get the battle level and heads in the game."


Despite the loss, there were some encouraging offensive aspects. Brad Marchand scored for a third straight game after going without a goal in his previous 11, and David Krejci returned after missing 10 games with an upper-body injury.


"Especially when you come back and guys are rolling, you want to just jump on the train and keep going," Krejci told the team's official website. "So kind of a little sad for my comeback, but it is what it is. Hopefully we can bounce back and get two points on Saturday."


Boston didn't face a short-handed situation but hasn't allowed a power-play goal in its last eight games (21 for 21) while killing 53 for 55 over its last 20 contests.


Rask is 3-2-0 with a 1.75 GAA and .940 save percentage as a starter against Columbus, but he's in the midst of his worst home season of his career. The former Vezina Trophy winner is 8-10-1 with a 2.92 GAA and .898 save percentage this season after posting 1.96 and .932 marks through 2014-15.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Ducks (18-18) at Red Wings (22-15)
Date: January 23, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Detroit Red Wings haven't been tallying too many goals lately but got just enough scoring to edge the Anaheim Ducks earlier this month.


The Red Wings will try to send the Ducks to another defeat while snapping a season-high home losing streak Saturday night.


Detroit (24-15-8) has scored 15 goals in its last eight games and was 1-2-1 over four contests before a 3-0 win in Buffalo on Friday. The Red Wings didn't get on the scoreboard until 7:59 remaining when Dylan Larkin found the net.


Henrik Zetterberg and Luke Glendening followed as Detroit outshot the Sabres 45-19.


"The one thing with the lack of scoring is we really can't afford any mistakes," said coach Jeff Blashill, whose team has dropped four straight at home. "A game like this where I thought we were carrying large parts of the play, if a goalie makes a mistake, all of the sudden, the momentum changes."


Riley Sheahan was the hero in a 2-1 win in Anaheim on Jan. 10, scoring with 3:44 left. Petr Mrazek, who got the shutout Friday, stopped 30 shots as Detroit ended a four-game skid against the Ducks.


With the Wings playing back-to-back nights, Jimmy Howard might be in net. He's 0-2-3 with a 3.63 goals-against average in his last six appearances while Mrazek is 6-1-1 with a 1.24 GAA in his last eight.


Howard gave up three goals while losing each of his two starts against Anaheim last season.


If he starts, Howard will face a Ducks team that's on an abbreviated road trip after Friday's game in Washington was postponed because of a severe snowstorm. Anaheim (20-18-7) went 3-1-0 in its final half of its eight-game homestand, topping Minnesota 3-1 on Wednesday.


John Gibson stopped 25 shots and Rickard Rakell scored the tiebreaking goal with 6:19 left.


"It's definitely big to finish off a homestand like that, especially getting some momentum going into the road trip," defenseman Shea Theodore said.


The Ducks are averaging a league-worst 1.98 goals but have totaled 13 in four games since losing to Detroit. They've outscored the Red Wings 13-6 in a three-game win streak at Joe Louis Arena in the regular season, and captain Ryan Getzlaf found the net with 24 seconds left in a 3-2 victory in the most recent visit Oct. 11, 2014.


Gibson was in net for Anaheim in the Jan. 10 loss, and the Ducks have Frederik Andersen as an option after he returned from a one-game absence due to an ailing back Wednesday. Andersen started their latest game in Detroit, making 27 saves in his only matchup with the Red Wings.


Both teams have shined on the penalty kill of late with the Ducks going 35 for 37 in their last 11 games. Detroit is 19 for 22 in its last eight but is 3 for 22 on the power play in that span.


The Ducks are 9 for 30 with a man advantage in their past 12 contests.


Ryan Garbutt could make his debut for Anaheim after being acquired from Chicago for Jiri Sekac on Thursday.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Canadiens (21-20) at Maple Leafs (13-20)
Date: January 23, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Despite the Montreal Canadiens' remarkable decline since early December, Michel Therrien has hardly questioned his team's effort. In turn, his players and the organization remain supportive of the embattled coach.


The visiting Canadiens can avoid their second six-game skid in less than a month with a ninth consecutive victory over their similarly struggling rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Saturday night.


Montreal (23-20-4) led the NHL with 41 points Dec. 1 but has gone 4-16-1 since and is out of playoff position. It's averaged 1.81 non-shootout goals in the slide - easily last in the league during that time - despite recording 33.0 shots per contest, the second-highest mark.


"These guys are giving everything they have," Therrien said after the Canadiens outshot Boston 39-24 but fell 4-1 on Tuesday. "Is the execution there? No, but that will come.'


Though naturally feeling the heat from fans and the media, Therrien remains positive, likely because his players continue to support him and take responsibility.


'He's been absolutely phenomenal through all this and that's what makes it so hard,' said captain Max Pacioretty, who has done his part with five goals and four assists in 10 games.


'Night after night we haven't been able to step up for him and that's frustrating because we all believe. We're all on board. We believe this is the way the game is supposed to be played.'


General manager Marc Bergevin stated this week that Therrien and his staff will finish the season.


"They're not going anywhere," Bergevin told the NHL's official website. "We're going to get through this together."


Bergevin also said star goaltender Carey Price could miss at least three more weeks with a leg injury that's kept him out since Nov. 25. The Canadiens have won six times in 24 games since Price went down and allowed an average of 3.14 goals in the last 21.


"To replace Carey Price is impossible," Bergevin said.


Rookie Mike Condon has seen most of the action in Price's absence, and had a 1.52 goals-against average in his first four January starts before yielding seven goals in his last two. Veteran Ben Scrivens has posted a 3.77 GAA while losing all three starts since being acquired from Edmonton on Dec. 28.


Perhaps a visit to Toronto will help the Canadiens at least temporarily cure their ills. They've averaged 3.4 non-shootout goals in 14 games against the Maple Leafs (17-20-8), who last beat their fellow Original Six opponent Jan. 18, 2014. Montreal has won four in a row and eight of 10 at Air Canada Centre.


Pacioretty has three of the Canadiens' eight goals in two meetings this season and Toronto native P.K. Subban has recorded four and 10 assists in his last 10 against the Maple Leafs.


Toronto has been outscored 22-8 during a 1-5-1 stretch and was blanked for the second time in that span Thursday, 1-0 in overtime by Carolina for its third straight home defeat. The Maple Leafs have failed to convert on all 19 power-play chances in six games and are 2 for 42 in the last 12.


"We're not scoring on our power play so I'll have to fix it," coach Mike Babcock said.


"Let's go to work. Let's find ways to win games, get people to the net, get pucks to the net."


Third-year center Leo Komarov has scored one of his career-high and team-leading 16 goals in the last 13 games.


James Reimer made 40 saves Thursday and has a 1.71 GAA in his last 15 starts. It's uncertain if he or Jonathan Bernier will be in net for this one.