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

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, January 4

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DETROIT (19-13-0-7, 45 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (20-14-0-5, 45 pts.) - 1/4/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 54-67 ATS (-32.3 Units) in road games in January games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-3 (+1.3 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-3-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.4 Units)

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OTTAWA (18-15-0-6, 42 pts.) at ST LOUIS (23-14-0-4, 50 pts.) - 1/4/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 24-17 ATS (+42.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 18-11 ATS (+31.3 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 16-9 ATS (+27.0 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 6-12 ATS (-11.3 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 3-1 (+4.1 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 3-1-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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CAROLINA (16-17-0-6, 38 pts.) at EDMONTON (16-21-0-3, 35 pts.) - 1/4/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 57-108 ATS (+190.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1996.
EDMONTON is 24-24 ATS (+61.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 25-23 ATS (+57.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 160-158 ATS (-42.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
EDMONTON is 73-82 ATS (-59.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 3-2 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 3-2-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.1 Units)

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LOS ANGELES (25-11-0-2, 52 pts.) at COLORADO (18-18-0-3, 39 pts.) - 1/4/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 9-18 ATS (-15.3 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 112-98 ATS (-60.5 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 56-40 ATS (+13.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 20-10 ATS (+30.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 15-9 ATS (+24.1 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 166-139 ATS (+16.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
COLORADO is 129-123 ATS (-42.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
COLORADO is 105-110 ATS (-30.3 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 6-1 (+4.4 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 6-1-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

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ARIZONA (18-16-0-4, 40 pts.) at VANCOUVER (15-15-0-9, 39 pts.) - 1/4/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 10-36 ATS (+71.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 159-100 ATS (+34.1 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
ARIZONA is 7-3 ATS (+11.1 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ARIZONA is 7-2 ATS (+9.6 Units) after a division game this season.
VANCOUVER is 218-205 ATS (-121.0 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 119-113 ATS (-68.3 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 4-10 ATS (-8.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 5-6 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 6-5-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.3 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Senators (15-15) at Blues (21-14)
Date: January 04, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The St. Louis Blues' only scoring in their past two games is a pair of power-play goals. Their next opponent hasn't even been that fortunate.


The Ottawa Senators try to avoid being shut out in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history Monday night in St. Louis.


The Blues (23-14-4) have scored six times in their last four games with all of their even-strength goals coming in a 4-3 overtime win against Nashville on Tuesday. They had a season-best four-game home win streak snapped with a 3-1 loss to Minnesota on Thursday while leading scorer Vladimir Tarasenko sat out with an illness.


Tarasenko returned Saturday and scored his 23rd goal in a 4-1 loss in Toronto.


"It's adversity everyone faces throughout the year," center Paul Stastny told the team's official website. "It's frustrating at times, but you try not to let it bother you. The minute we start playing too hesitant, too tentative and start worrying too much about that, that's when you get in trouble."


Ottawa (18-15-6) suffered its third consecutive loss and seventh straight on the road with a 3-0 defeat to Chicago on Sunday, its second in a row by that score. The Senators have been blanked three times this season after scoring in every game in 2014-15.


"You go through your ebbs and flows of the season, when you somehow you don't think you play well but you find a way to manufacture four (goals). Tonight, you get the opportunities and come up with a goose egg," forward Bobby Ryan said. "You get 12-14 chances like we did, there's not going to be many nights when guys aren't finding a way to put one in. We've got to find a way out of the funk."


The Senators are in the midst of their longest road skid since an 0-10-2 slide Nov. 1-Dec. 28, 2008. They've won four of their last five visits to St. Louis, taking the past two in shootouts, but haven't faced the Blues since Nov. 25, 2014, at the Scottrade Center.


They split their two overall matchups last season, losing 3-2 Nov. 22.


"We always have a real battle with St. Louis. It's going to be a fun one," forward Kyle Turris said.


Andrew Hammond could make his first start against St. Louis with Craig Anderson having played against the Blackhawks. Anderson hasn't faced the Blues since Feb. 7, 2012, and is 2-1-0 with a 3.39 goals-against average in his last three matchups.


St. Louis is expected to start ex-Senators netminder Brian Elliott, who is 2-0-1 with a 1.65 GAA in four lifetime starts against his former team. Playing behind Jake Allen, Elliott is 1-3-1 with a 2.64 GAA in six starts since the beginning of November.


Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson has two goals and two assists in his last four games against St. Louis. He totaled three goals and six assists in the Senators' seven contests before the back-to-back shutouts.


Alexander Steen scored in each game against Ottawa last season while Tarasenko has one goal in four lifetime matchups.

 

[CNOTES]

MONDAY, JANUARY 4


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




DET at NJ 07:00 PM


DET -109


U 5.0




OTT at STL 08:00 PM


OTT +166 BEST BET


O 5.5 BEST BET




CAR at EDM 09:00 PM


EDM -105


U 5.5




LA at COL 09:00 PM


LA -123 BEST BET


U 5.5




ARI at VAN 10:00 PM


VAN -140 BEST BET


O 5.5

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Stars (27-9) at Rangers (20-14)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The New York Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy last season, and the Dallas Stars are leading the current race.


Both teams haven't looked worthy of such an accomplishment lately.


The Stars attempt to snap a four-game road skid by capitalizing on the struggling Rangers in the finale of their trek through the New York metropolitan area.


Dallas (28-9-4) unexpectedly owns the most points in the NHL after missing the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons.


Part of the Stars' improvement stems from starting the season with an 11-2-1 road record. However, they've lost six of their last seven (1-3-3) away from home, including a 3-2 overtime defeat to New Jersey a day before falling 6-5 to the New York Islanders on Sunday.


"We haven't played our best, obviously," defenseman Alex Goligoski said. "We're mentally not there. We have to reset and reset quick. We have a bunch of games coming up."


The Stars are 2-2-2 during a hectic nine-game, 15-day stretch coming out of the Christmas break.


"When you are playing a lot of games in a few days your discipline and attention to detail isn't good," coach Lindy Ruff told the team's official website. "We have gotten away from some of the mental parts of the game that we have been so good at."


The Rangers (21-14-4) are having their own problems, going 5-11-2 after a 13-1-1 tear in their previous 15 games. They've dropped five of their last seven after losing 3-0 at Florida on Saturday, but coach Alain Vigneault feels there are reasons for optimism.


"I have seen some signs of us steering in the right direction," he said. "Our chance against totals are down. We're playing a more physical brand game right now. I think we're generating more pucks and attention to the other team's net. Our power play has been a good weapon for us.


"I'm seeing us trending in the right direction. We need to put it together. There's no doubt that we have a few players playing sub-par of their capabilities without naming anybody."


Henrik Lundqvist is a major culprit, compiling a 3.99 goals-against average while going 3-5-0 and getting pulled in three of his last nine games. He matched his season-low with 17 saves Saturday, giving him 11 losses - two shy of his total from all of last season.


Lundqvist's 2.51 GAA is the highest of his career.


"We need Hank to re-become the Hank that he's used to," Vigneault said. "I think everything from there should fall into place."


Lundqvist has won four of his last six starts against Dallas behind a 1.99 GAA.


The Stars, however, won both matchups with the Rangers last season, including a 3-2 overtime victory at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 8.


Jason Spezza scored a goal and set up the other two in that win. The center has at least one goal in each of his last four visits to MSG, totaling five with three assists.


He has 11 points over the past nine games after getting three in the first two games of this trip.


Jamie Benn, the NHL scoring leader with 24 goals, has no points in seven career meetings with New York, while Tyler Seguin has four in his 15 matchups.


Seguin's 23 goals are tied with two others for second.


Cris Kreider missed practice Monday and is listed as doubtful after suffering a cut on his hand in a fight with Florida's Brandon Pirri, according to the team's official website.


"It's a cut we can't stitch together because of where it is," Vigneault said.


Emerson Etem is Kreider's likely replacement on the second line with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Capitals (26-7) at Bruins (18-13)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Washington Capitals made a brief stop home after losses at the first two stops of this five-game road swing for their first consecutive defeats of the season.


The Boston Bruins have had plenty of time to stew after turning in a clunker on national television against their arch-rivals.


The Capitals have been dominant in winning the last four meetings between these teams heading into Tuesday night's matchup in Boston.


Washington (28-7-3) had a nine-game win streak snapped with Thursday's 4-2 defeat to Carolina before falling 5-4 in a shootout to Columbus two nights later. The Capitals, who allowed the Blue Jackets' tying goal with 68 seconds left in regulation, believe there is not a cause for concern.


"We didn't have that kind of slump like when you go down and you go up," said Alex Ovechkin, who is four goals shy of 500 for his career. "We probably have all this year (been) at the same level. So it's a good thing. We just have to stick with it and play the same way."


Boston (20-13-4) lost for the fourth time in five games with a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Montreal on Friday in the Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium. The four-goal win was the largest for the event since it began in 2008.


"They're gonna be kinda (ticked) off about that and we're gonna have to make sure that we're ready," Capitals winger Tom Wilson said.


The Bruins started out slow, getting outshot 14-3 in the first period before finishing with one or zero goals for the third time in the last five games.


"It's going to happen again, having a bad game," captain Zdeno Chara told the Bruins' official website. "Obviously we picked the wrong game, probably the worst game of the season."


Washington has outscored Boston 13-1 in winning the last four meetings. Braden Holtby posted three straight shutouts of the Bruins before making 28 saves in a 4-1 home win Nov. 5.


Nicklas Backstrom has seven points - all on assists - in that win streak while Ovechkin has scored three goals.


"They're obviously one of the top teams in our conference, and they're playing with a lot of confidence, a lot of speed," Chara said. "We've just got to be playing our best."


One positive for Boston is that Caps defenseman John Carlson remains out with a lower-body injury. He has three goals and three assists in the last four meetings with the Bruins.


Holtby went 8-0-0 with a 1.64 goals-against average in nine starts to close December before conceding four goals Saturday for the first time in 22 games.


'If you measured his game of what it was all year, he would probably put this as one of the lower points for the year,' coach Barry Trotz said. 'But he's been outstanding for us. Never going to blame a game on Holts because he's won us so many.'


The Bruins are without forwards David Krejci and the suspended Brad Marchand.


These teams have the league's best power plays, with Boston at 28.6 percent and Washington at 25.6.


The Bruins' penalty kill has been outstanding, yielding one goal in opponents' last 31 chances. The Capitals have one of the league's best at 84.7 percent.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Panthers (18-12) at Sabres (14-20)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Florida Panthers' franchise-record winning streak started during their last road trip. They should like their chances of keeping it going behind Roberto Luongo in the opener of a season-high six-game trek.


Luongo attempts to shut out the last-place Buffalo Sabres for the fourth straight time on the road as the Panthers look to continue their success at First Niagara Center on Tuesday night.


Florida (23-12-4) is the surprise leader in the Atlantic Division, thanks to a 15-3-0 stretch that includes team records for the longest overall (nine) and home (seven) winning streaks after beating Minnesota 2-1 on Sunday.


The Panthers are aiming for the longest overall run in the NHL since Boston won 12 straight March 2-22, 2014.


Florida's streak started with a 5-1 win over the New York Islanders on Dec. 15, going on to win the last three of a four-game trip.


"That last road trip really turned it around," coach Gerard Gallant told the team's official website. "I think we have 10 or 11 games left before the All-Star break. You shoot for that. You keep trying to get points; they're important points.


"It doesn't matter how many (games) you've won in a row. You don't worry about what's behind you, you look forward and try and get some more points."


Florida can look ahead at a daunting trip that includes Buffalo, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary and Tampa Bay in a span of 13 days. Four of those teams reached the playoffs last season and the Lightning advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.


"Just win," Gallant said. "We're going to take it one game at a time like we do everything. It's going to be a tough road trip."


Turning to Luongo should get this trip off to a strong start. He's blanked the Sabres (15-20-4) in three straight meetings at Buffalo, two coming with Florida.


He won seven straight overall starts against the Sabres behind a 1.00 goals-against average before making just 16 saves in a 3-2 home defeat Nov. 12.


Luongo owns a 1.26 GAA while winning seven starts in a row, setting a Panthers record while sitting one shy of his personal best from February 2009 with Vancouver.


Florida is 6-0-2 in the last eight meetings at Buffalo and 8-0-1 in its past nine overall.


Jaromir Jagr leads the Panthers with 13 goals and 28 points, and he's scored twice while getting two assists in two season meetings with the Sabres. He has three goals over the last three games after netting two Sunday.


Buffalo has lost four in a row after giving up the first two goals only for its rally to fall short in a 4-3 defeat to Detroit on Saturday.


Jack Eichel, however, is showing the promise that made him the second overall selection in last year's draft. The center scored twice Saturday and has 11 points over the last seven games, matching his total from the previous 24.


He doesn't have a point against the Panthers.


The Sabres will be without forward Nicolas Deslauriers for three to five weeks after he suffered a lower-body injury against the Red Wings.


"I think he's been our most physical guy the last 10 games," coach Dan Bylsma told the team's official website. "We saw it be a factor in a number of our games. ... It's something we're going to miss in our lineup."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blackhawks (22-13) at Penguins (18-15)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming around with impressive special teams, and the Chicago Blackhawks are just coming around.


The defending Stanley Cup champions hit their midway point in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night trying to match their top winning streak of the season, and the Penguins can win three straight for the first time since theirs started to head south two months ago.


Chicago (23-13-4) last strung together four wins from Oct. 17-26 but is in position to after Sunday's 3-0 home victory over Ottawa.


It's scored 14 goals in the last three games with Artem Anisimov scoring in all three. The center has 15 goals in 40 games during his first season in Chicago, which is seven short of his career high set in 81 games with Columbus in 2013-14.


"You look at 15 goals, and his production is high for him when you look at his career," coach Joel Quenneville told the team's official website. "He's been a perfect fit for us. He's so responsible on the other side of the puck, that the offense, to me, is a bonus. That line, with those two wingers (Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin) being special players, they generate so much for our team game and sometimes he gets the finished product by being at the front of the net, like he was tonight."


Kane, meanwhile, has seven points on the winning streak but has been limited to four assists in seven career games against the Penguins. The league's points leader has scored at least one goal against every other NHL team.


Chicago won both meetings last season in shootouts with the teams combining for six regulation goals, but it might need to keep up its recent scoring to beat Pittsburgh this time around.


Since an 0-4-1 mid-December skid, the Penguins (19-15-4) have gone 4-1-1 with 3.33 goals per game.


"It's always nice when the puck goes in," said Sidney Crosby after Saturday's 5-2 home win over the New York Islanders. "I think with the way we're playing, we're earning our bounces and earning our goals. Hopefully, there's more to come."


Crosby scored twice and has five in his last five games - as well as 10 points in his last seven - after scoring six in his first 32. Teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have both posted consecutive three-point games.


Both of Crosby's tallies against the Islanders came on the power play, and Pittsburgh has gone 9 of 23 (39.1 percent) in the last seven games after going 0 for 19 in their previous seven. The penalty kill, meanwhile, is 15 for 15 in the last six games after an 11-for-16 span.


The trends have Pittsburgh back on the playoff cut line, two points back of eighth-place Boston.


"I thought the power play gave us momentum," coach Mike Sullivan told the team's official website. "They're winning faceoffs. They're retrieving pucks. They're sharing the puck and they're moving. When they play that way they're dangerous because they can act on their instincts. They see the game so well at such a high level that they make the plays that are there."


Sullivan has also received some above-average play in goal. Marc-Andre Fleury made 38 saves against New York and has a .932 save percentage over a 3-3-2 span. His .927 overall mark is better than an single season of his career.


Counterpart Corey Crawford, however, is coming off his fourth shutout in his last 10 games. Over a 9-3-0 stretch, Crawford has a 1.66 goals-against average and .946 save percentage.


"Certainly, he's been doing a good job for us," Quenneville said.


Crawford is 4-1-0 with a .942 save percentage against Pittsburgh.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wild (20-11) at Blue Jackets (13-22)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Teams around the NHL have noticed that the Columbus Blue Jackets have knocked off the NHL's top two teams.


Now they will try to make it three in a row with a goaltender who has never won as a starter as they host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.


Columbus (15-22-3) won 6-3 over Western Conference-leading Dallas on Tuesday before a 5-4 shootout win over East-leading Washington on Saturday.


Not bad for the league's worst team.


'We've won two in a row here against the best teams in the league,' coach John Tortorella said. 'Ugly as hell at times but you still find a way to win them."


The Blue Jackets beat the Capitals despite losing Curtis McElhinney to an injury in overtime. Anton Forsberg entered and earned his first career win.


'It's not the situation you thought you would be in,' Forsberg said. 'I couldn't do anything else, just to go in and take it for what it is.'


With McElhinney and regular starter Sergei Bobrovsky both out, Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo are Tortorella's goalies. Forsberg is expected to make his first start of the season after he went 0-4-0 with a 4.69 goals-against average in five last season.


"It's a big opportunity for them and I know they're excited about it, and we're excited for them as well," captain Nick Foligno told the Blue Jackets' official website.


Minnesota (20-11-7) isn't taking anything for granted, taking note of Columbus' strong play as it seeks to avoid its third three-game slide.


"I don't think that that's a building that we can just say we can go in and take advantage of them," coach Mike Yeo said. "That's a tough building to play in and I think that's going to be a really, really tough game for us."


The Wild ended a 0-3-2 slide in the series by spoiling Tortorella's first game as Columbus coach in a 3-2 home victory Oct. 22. They have lost three of five at Columbus since Yeo took over in 2011-12.


Minnesota is trying to capture the finale of a four-game trip after Sunday's 2-1 defeat in Florida. The Wild finished with 40 shots for their highest total on the road.


The club went 0 for 4 on the power play to drop to 1 for 17 in the last eight games.


"I don't know," Yeo said. "We keep trying different things, whether it's set-ups or personnel. It's difficult not having practice time right now but this is what we have to deal with and we have to find a way."


Thomas Vanek has one of his team-high 12 goals in his last nine games while Zach Parise is goalless in his last six.


The Blue Jackets' Brandon Saad has six goals and 11 points in a seven-game streak and Foligno has eight points in a six-game streak.


Columbus star Ryan Johansen is enduring a season-high, 14-game goal drought for his longest since going without a goal for the final 25 games in 2011-12.


Tortorella said David Clarkson is out indefinitely after the forward got hurt Saturday. Defenseman Cody Goloubef is expected to return from a 19-game absence due to a broken jaw.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Canadiens (20-15) at Flyers (14-15)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Montreal Canadiens could be poised to regroup from a month-long lull, but injury has again impacted a forward group that just returned to full strength.


The Canadiens try for their third win in four games in their first contest without key forward Dale Weise when they visit the sliding Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.


Montreal (22-15-3) opened 2016 with Friday's 5-1 win in the Winter Classic at Boston, seemingly turning the page from a dismal December. Right wing Brendan Gallagher had a goal and an assist in his first game after missing more than a month with two broken fingers on his left hand.


Montreal went 5-11-1 without Gallagher, who despite the missed time is the third on the Canadiens with 10 goals. The improved health of the club's roster didn't last long, however, as Weise was lost for 2-3 weeks Friday.


Weise, whose 11 goals are a career high, left in the second period with an arm injury after the agitating forward recorded his ninth assist of the season.


"I think everybody realizes how important Weise has been for us ever since he was acquired (in February 2014). Every night he gives us energy, plays an important role and he's one of those guys that can spark us when we aren't playing well," Gallagher told the team's official website.


It might not matter, however, with Gallagher back in the lineup, as evidenced by the Canadiens' 17-4-2 mark when he plays.


"It just felt good to be a part of the team again. To get on the ice and battle with the guys, that's the part you miss," he said. "When you are injured you are away from everyone for so long you kind of feel like you're not part of the team really, because you can't help contribute."


The Canadiens hope it's the beginning of them digging out from the significant lows of last month. The club went 1-10 from Dec. 3-26, scoring two or fewer goals nine times in that span.


Montreal, though, has totaled nine goals in its last two wins. The Canadiens, closing an eight-game road stretch that has kept them away from home since Dec. 17, have won three straight over Philadelphia - the first of those coming in the most recent meeting at Wells Fargo Center, 4-3 in a shootout Oct. 11, 2014.


The Flyers (15-15-7) were swept on a three-game road trip that followed a 3-0-1 stretch, totaling five goals. They've lost five straight away from home.


Philadelphia's 2-1 defeat to Los Angeles on Saturday was its fifth game in six with two or fewer goals. The Flyers' 2.11 goals per game is ahead of only Anaheim's 1.89, and it appears coach Dave Hakstol is going to try a big change to shake things up.


Hakstol formed a forward unit of his top point scorers in Claude Giroux (29 points), Jakub Voracek (25) and Wayne Simmonds (21) in Monday's practice and might feature the line Tuesday.


Giroux has recorded one point in his last seven games, but Voracek has 10 in his past eight and Simmonds four in four.


"If we play together next game, I think we need to find chemistry as soon as possible," Giroux said.


Steve Mason, expected to start Tuesday, has won all three of his appearances against Montreal with a 1.63 goals-against average.


Ben Scrivens will make his second start for Montreal after being acquired from Edmonton on Dec. 28. He made 27 saves in a 3-1 loss at Florida the next day.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Jets (18-19) at Predators (17-13)
Date: January 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Winnipeg's slide is almost entirely due to two months of awful results on the road, and the worst among them was a trip to Nashville.


The Predators again host their now-last place Central Division foes Tuesday night as the Jets make the fourth stop on a season-high five-game trip.


After Sunday's 4-1 loss in Anaheim, the Jets (18-19-2) have suffered through a 2-12-1 road stretch since Nov. 5. All but one of the regulation losses in that time have come by at least two goals, but coach Paul Maurice felt this one stood out from the rest.


"We were the slower team on the ice from start to finish," Maurice told the team's official website. "We had a few good chances and their guy made some good saves, but not enough to warrant us being tight to that game.


"We didn't play very well tonight and that's the first (game) in an awfully long time where we weren't as good as they were. ... They were better and they deserved to win. We'll leave that game here."


Winnipeg might also want to abandon its special teams with both units in danger of falling to the bottom of the NHL. The power play has gone 2 for 30 over the last 10 games and fallen to 13.9 percent overall, while the penalty kill (76.3) is 28 for 41 in the previous 11 contests.


The club's top goal scorers have also gone quiet. Drew Stafford is the only one among their five players with at least 10 goals to tally in his last three games, but he's been limited to one in his last eight, while Blake Wheeler hasn't scored in 10.


The scoring has come no easier against the Predators, who won 7-0 at home Nov. 14 for their third win in four meetings while holding the Jets to five goals in that span.


Nashville (19-13-7) has this home game sandwiched among seven away contests and avoided being swept in the first three with Saturday's 2-1 overtime win at Carolina. It was the Predators' first win in the extra period since the format changed to 3-on-3.


"I thought we had the puck a little bit more," coach Peter Laviolette told the team's official website. "We held on to it, we were patient. There were some overtimes earlier in the year when we had chances to win the game, and when it didn't happen, it went back quick the other way. Tonight it was nice to get the win."


Mattias Ekholm scored the winner and had a goal and an assist for the second time in three games, and he did the same in the last meeting with the Jets.


More importantly, the Predators bounced back from a 1-2-1 span in which they gave up 15 goals. Pekka Rinne was in need of a bounce-back performance and did so with 27 saves against the Hurricanes. Rinne had posted a 3.70 goals-against average and .869 save percentage over a 1-2-0 stretch. He was in goal for the shutout of the Jets two months ago to get to 8-1-0 with a 1.56 GAA and .942 save percentage as a starter in the series.


Potential counterpart Michael Hutchinson started and gave up three goals on seven shots in the first meeting. Hutchinson is 0-9-1 with a 3.87 GAA and .873 save percentage in his starts since the beginning of November, so Connor Hellebuyck could be back in goal. Hellebuyck has a 1.26 GAA and .955 save percentage over a 3-1-0 span.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Lightning (17-16) at Flames (17-18)
Date: January 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Calgary Flames seemed invincible on home ice not long ago. A lack of scoring, however, has since left them vulnerable there.


The Flames look to build on a promising road victory in the opener of a four-game homestand Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, winners of six of seven at the Saddledome.


Calgary (18-18-2) was riding high with a franchise-record 11-game home winning streak that was snapped with a 1-0 loss to Anaheim last Tuesday. The Flames had outscored opponents 41-25 during the last 10 of that run.


Another trend seems to be emerging in the Flames' past two home contests, however, as they fell 4-1 to Los Angeles on Thursday. The club has totaled 38 shots in losing two straight at home for the first time since opening the season with four consecutive losses at the Saddledome.


Johnny Gaudreau, with team highs of 17 goals and 22 assists, had 15 and seven during the home winning streak before going scoreless in the last two.


Calgary beat Colorado 4-0 on Saturday in a road contest bridging a pair of four-game homestands. After being a healthy scratch in the previous four, Josh Jooris had a goal and an assist.


"He didn't play for quite a bit of time, and every day at practice I'm watching him, he's got a great attitude, he's working hard, he's stayed in shape, and look at the game he gave us," coach Bob Hartley told the team's official website.


Jiri Hudler, though, could be sidelined after he didn't play in the third period because of a lower-body injury. Hudler has been a disappointment with five goals this season after tying for the team lead with 31 in 2014-15.


Karri Ramo stopped 26 shots Saturday for his first shutout of the season. He's posted a 1.82 goals-against average over his last 10 starts and has a 1.99 mark in four career starts against Tampa Bay (19-16-4).


Brian Boyle and Tyler Johnson have presented problems for the Flames recently, with Boyle recording four goals and two assists in his last seven meetings and Johnson two and two in his past three. Johnson, though, has gone six games without a goal.


Boyle, Steven Stamkos and Johnson scored against Ramo in a 3-1 home win Nov. 12. Ben Bishop made 30 saves and has a 3-1-0 record and 1.51 GAA in his last four starts against Calgary.


Tampa Bay seeks its fifth win in seven road games after closing out a 3-2-1 homestand with a 3-2 shootout victory over Minnesota on Saturday. Nikita Kucherov extended his point streak to eight with a second-period goal, giving him three and nine assists in the run.


Ondrej Palat added an assist following an eight-game absence due to a leg injury.


"For somebody who's missed as many games as he has and to play the way he did, (Palat) was a difference-maker," coach Jon Cooper told the team's official website.


Bishop is expected to be back and in net after missing the contest with an undisclosed issue.


The Jonathan Drouin saga took another turn Sunday when the third overall pick in the 2013 draft requested a trade, one day after the Lightning assigned him to the AHL to get more playing time. Drouin has been limited to 19 games due to injury.


Tampa Bay has won three in a row and 11 of 15 against Calgary.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using money line in Home games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 1 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (-10.55 units)


NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using money line in All games when playing with 3 or more days rest
The record is 7 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-18.75 units)

NHL > (3) MINNESOTA@ (4) COLUMBUS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS using money line in All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 22 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.3 units)


NHL > (1) DALLAS@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in All games
The record is 27 Wins and 18 Losses for the last two seasons (+17.25 units)


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


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON in Home games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 1 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (-10.55 units)

NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON in All games when playing with 3 or more days rest
The record is 7 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-18.75 units)


NHL > (3) MINNESOTA@ (4) COLUMBUS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS in All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 22 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.3 units)


NHL > (1) DALLAS@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON DALLAS in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+9.7 units)


NHL > (1) DALLAS@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON DALLAS in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 12 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+9.7 units)


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


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (11) MONTREAL@ (12) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-01-05 19:35:00 - 2016-01-05 19:35:00
Play UNDER MONTREAL on the totalin All games on Tuesday nights
The record is 4 Overs and 18 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.65 units)


NHL > (13) WINNIPEG@ (14) NASHVILLE | 2016-01-05 20:05:00 - 2016-01-05 20:05:00
Play UNDER NASHVILLE on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 12 Overs and 32 Unders for the last two seasons (+19.5 units)

NHL > (5) CHICAGO@ (6) PITTSBURGH | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin All games in non-conference games
The record is 23 Overs and 51 Unders for the last three seasons (+25.45 units)


NHL > (13) WINNIPEG@ (14) NASHVILLE | 2016-01-05 20:05:00 - 2016-01-05 20:05:00
Play UNDER NASHVILLE on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season
The record is 2 Overs and 12 Unders for the last two seasons (+9.55 units)


NHL > (15) TAMPA BAY@ (16) CALGARY | 2016-01-05 21:05:00 - 2016-01-05 21:05:00
Play UNDER CALGARY on the totalin Home games after 3 or more consecutive unders
The record is 31 Overs and 69 Unders for the since 1992 (+34.35 units)


NHL > (3) MINNESOTA@ (4) COLUMBUS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 12 Overs and 29 Unders for the last two seasons (+15.6 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack


Odds to win this year's Super Bowl


9-2-- Arizona, New England-- Carson Palmer has zero playoff wins.


5-1-- Carolina-- Underrated team.


6-1-- Denver-- Only team to win a game this year without scoring a TD on offense and they did it twice, in Weeks 1-5


13-2-- Seattle-- Whacked Vikings 38-7 here five weeks ago.
11-1-- Pittsburgh-- Favorites are 10-6 vs spread in this round since 2011.


25-1-- Kansas City, Cincinnati-- Lewis/Dalton combo is 0-4 in playoffs.


35-1-- Green Bay, Minnesota-- At this point, wouldn't bet Packers with your money; they looked awful the last two weeks.


50-1-- Washington-- Won NFC East for second time in four years.


90-1-- Houston-- Won lousy division after starting season 2-5.


Late Night Update: Kansas 109, Oklahoma 106 (3OT)


-- One of best college basketball games I've ever seen.


-- Oklahoma was 16-33 from arc, Kansas 11-22, in a 55:00 game where eight kids played 43:00+. Buddy Hield played 54:00, scored 46 points, had 7 assists.


-- Sooners went 21:02 in this game without subbing once.


-- It is possible these teams could play three more times: Feb 13 in Norman, again in Big X tournament, then in Final Four????


**********


Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but........


13) Jets' owner Woody Johnson is finance manager for Jeb Bush's Presidential campaign, so of course Donald Trump had to bust his chops when the Jets didn't make the playoffs. 30 years ago, Trump tried to become an NFL owner; now world history may be different because he didn't get a team.


12) LSU hired a new defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, who comes to the bayou from Wisconsin. What makes it interesting is that LSU-Wisconsin open next football season against each other at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.


11) Since start of the 1997 season, Dallas Cowboys are 152-152.


10) North Carolina 106, Florida State 90-- Brice Johnson had 39 points, 23 boards for Tar Heels, who ran all over the spineless Seminoles in Tallahassee.


9) West Virginia 95, TCU 87--- West Virginia's athletic department sold the hoop team down the river when they joined the Big X. Find a map and locate West Virginia. The other nine teams in the league are in Iowa, Kansas (2), Oklahoma (2), Texas (4). Not a lot of short road trips in that group-- Ames, Iowa is their shortest one.


For second game in row, a West Virginia player got a technical for doing a chin-up on the rim after a dunk- this kid got an loud earful from Bob Huggins.


8) Tom Coughlin's firing (you really think he quit?) ends an NFL-record streak of 183 straight games with same starting QB/head coach. Eli Manning has never played for another head coach in the NFL. 183 games is 11.5 years; thats a record that may go a long time before it is broken, same starting QB and head coach.


7) If I owned the Cleveland Browns, I hire Coughlin to run the whole operation; he had the expansion Jaguars in the playoffs in his second year there-- the guy still has a lot to offer and the Browns need structure and continuity.


6) Bobby Hurley has four technical fouls in his first 14 games as basketball coach at Arizona State; he went all-WWE Sunday night, getting thrown out of the game with 0:59 left in a home loss to Arizona. By way of contrast, someone posted on Twitter Monday that Northeastern coach Bill Coen has been there nine years and has never gotten even one technical foul.


5) Washington Huskies have a basketball player named Malik Dime who, fittingly, wears number 10. Mr Dime is an excellent shot blocker for the improved Huskies, who beat USC Sunday after being down 22 at one point.


4) Upset of the Day: Colts gave Chuck Pagano a contract extension, a total upset after they let the guy coach this year as a lame duck. It was just assumed Pagano was a goner, especially after the Colts struggled with Andrew Luck hurt, but Jim Irsay is the Colts' owner and he is an unusual guy. I think this was a good decision; you wonder if the GM will go, since Pagano and he have been at odds over personnel issues.


3) There is this guy on latenight TV commercials who looks like Rollie Fingers and sells pillows- they never say how much the pillows cost, but if you buy one, you get a second one for free. I had to look it up; the two pillows will set you back around $100- I am told that is too expensive, so I passed- they're supposedly good pillows.


2) It is my experience that the first foul shot of a game is the most difficult for most players; even really good shooters. If you're looking for a guy to foul at the end of the game, pick out someone who hasn't taken a free throw yet in that game.


1) If you're chilly this week (it is 7 degrees outside as I type this), keep in mind the PGA Tour starts Thursday in Kapalua. At least it is warm somewhere.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, January 5

Hot teams
-- Blue Jackets won their last three home games.
-- Chicago won its last three games, scoring 14 goals. Penguins won four of last six games.
-- Florida won last nine games, allowing 11 goals.

Cold teams
-- Rangers lost 13 of last 18 games. Dallas Stars lost three of last four.
-- Minnesota lost five of its last eight games.
-- Bruins lost four of their last five games. Washington lost last two games after winning previous nine.
-- Sabres lost five of their last six games.
-- Canadiens lost 11 of their last 14 games. Philly lost last three games, scoring six goals.
-- Nashville is 4-6 in its last ten games. Winnipeg lost six of its last seven road games.
-- Lightning, Flames are both 3-4 in their slast seven games.

Series records
-- Dallas Stars won four of last six visits to Manhattan.
-- Blue Jackets won five of last six games with Minnesota.
-- Blackhawks won five of last seven games with Pittsburgh.
-- Bruins lost their last four games with Washington.
-- Panthers won eight of last ten games with Buffalo.
-- Canadiens won their last three games with Philadelphia.
-- Predators won three of last four games with Winnipeg.
-- Lightning won five of last six games with Calgary.

Totals
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten Ranger games.
-- Under is 5-0-1 in last six Minnesota games.
-- Under is 6-3-1 in last ten Chicago games.
-- Last three Washington games went over.
-- Last five Florida games stayed under total.
-- Three of last four Philly games went over.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Nashville games.
-- Four of last five Tampa Bay-Calgary games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- None

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Tuesday, January 5

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

7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. PITTSBURGH
Chicago is 2-7-2 SU in its last 11 games ,when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago

7:00 PM
DALLAS vs. NY RANGERS
Dallas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
NY Rangers are 7-13-3 SU in their last 23 games ,when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 8 of the NY Rangers last 10 games

7:00 PM
FLORIDA vs. BUFFALO
Florida is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games on the road
Buffalo is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Buffalo is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. COLUMBUS
Minnesota is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Columbus is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games

7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Washington
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

7:30 PM
MONTREAL vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Montreal is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Montreal

8:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. NASHVILLE
Winnipeg is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Winnipeg is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Nashville is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games

9:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Tuesday, January 5

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

DALLAS (28-9-0-4, 60 pts.) at NY RANGERS (21-14-0-4, 46 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 44-23 ATS (+12.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 28-13 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 34-21 ATS (+57.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 33-20 ATS (+10.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 19-10 ATS (+29.1 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
DALLAS is 18-10 ATS (+29.8 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-3 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DALLAS is 12-3 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 52-61 ATS (-41.2 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 176-206 ATS (-137.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 2-2 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 2-2-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

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

MINNESOTA (20-11-0-7, 47 pts.) at COLUMBUS (15-22-0-3, 33 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 1-7 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-7 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.
COLUMBUS is 86-88 ATS (+177.5 Units) in January games since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 27-21 ATS (+51.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 24-22 ATS (+49.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 22-12 ATS (+35.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 171-151 ATS (+327.2 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 8-17 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 4-1 (+3.8 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 4-1-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.0 Units)

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

CHICAGO (23-13-0-4, 50 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (19-15-0-4, 42 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 12-16 ATS (-17.6 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 11-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
PITTSBURGH is 63-62 ATS (-29.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 78-101 ATS (-42.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 22-29 ATS (-24.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 31-40 ATS (-27.8 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-1 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 3-1-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH 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)

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

WASHINGTON (28-7-0-3, 59 pts.) at BOSTON (20-13-0-4, 44 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 159-141 ATS (+308.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 28-10 ATS (+12.4 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 4-10 ATS (-12.6 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 6-13 ATS (-9.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
BOSTON is 9-18 ATS (-15.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-2 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-2-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.7 Units)

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

FLORIDA (23-12-0-4, 50 pts.) at BUFFALO (15-20-0-4, 34 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 258-219 ATS (+8.6 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
FLORIDA is 23-16 ATS (+39.1 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 10-3 ATS (+13.1 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
FLORIDA is 38-34 ATS (+80.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 8-1 ATS (+6.8 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
FLORIDA is 21-10 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 0-13 ATS (+19.0 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 19-68 ATS (+136.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 8-3 (+3.6 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 8-3-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.6 Units)

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

MONTREAL (22-15-0-3, 47 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (15-15-0-7, 37 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-28 ATS (+60.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 49-36 ATS (+85.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 34-25 ATS (+61.0 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 33-15 ATS (+14.3 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 27-12 ATS (+12.6 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-76 ATS (-62.4 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 4-2 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 4-2-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.1 Units)

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

WINNIPEG (18-19-0-2, 38 pts.) at NASHVILLE (19-13-0-7, 45 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 120-93 ATS (-3.8 Units) in January games since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 17-4 ATS (+11.1 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 42-33 ATS (+76.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 42-25 ATS (+67.7 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 7-10 ATS (-7.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NASHVILLE is 7-10 ATS (-9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 7-4 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 7-4-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.3 Units)

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

TAMPA BAY (19-16-0-4, 42 pts.) at CALGARY (18-18-0-2, 38 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-1 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 4-1-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.7 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Tuesday, January 5


Dallas @ NY Rangers

Game 1-2
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
11.134
NY Rangers
12.609
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(-115); Over

Minnesota @ Columbus

Game 3-4
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
14.134
Columbus
11.037
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 3
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-130
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-130); Under

Chicago @ Pittsburgh

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

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
11.173
Pittsburgh
12.609
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-125); Over

Washington @ Boston

Game 7-8
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
12.174
Boston
10.719
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-115); Under

Florida @ Buffalo

Game 9-10
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Florida
12.470
Buffalo
9.072
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 3 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
-135
5
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
(-135); Under

Montreal @ Philadelphia

Game 11-12
January 5, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
9.293
Philadelphia
10.687
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-120); Over

Winnipeg @ Nashville

Game 13-14
January 5, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
12.047
Nashville
11.210
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-180
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(+160); Under

Tampa Bay @ Calgary

Game 15-16
January 5, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
9.641
Calgary
11.115
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
N/A

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Tuesday, January 5


Under goes 5-0 in five NHL games Monday and is 268-234 season to date.

 

[CNOTES]

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




DAL at NYR 07:00 PM


NYR -116


O 5.5 BEST BET




MIN at CLB 07:00 PM


CLB +111

U 5.5 BEST BET




CHI at PIT 07:00 PM


CHI +113 BEST BET


U 5.0




WAS at BOS 07:00 PM


WAS -117


U 5.5




FLA at BUF 07:00 PM


FLA -134


O 5.0




MON at PHI 07:30 PM


MON +102 BEST BET


U 5.0




WIN at NAS 08:00 PM


WIN +152 BEST BET


U 5.5




TB at CAL 09:00 PM


TB -129


U 5.5

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Maple Leafs (11-15) at Ducks (15-15)
Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

After an awful start to the season, the Anaheim Ducks have climbed back into the thick of a crowded division race, so maybe there's still hope for the Toronto Maple Leafs to do the same.


Mike Babcock's team doesn't have the benefit of a division with the bottom six teams all within five points of each other, but Wednesday night's trip to Anaheim is its next shot at continuing some strong play that's now lasted a month.


The Maple Leafs (15-15-7) have two fewer points than the Ducks (16-15-7) in one less game but have a double-digit deficit between themselves and third place in the Atlantic Division, while Anaheim could be in second in the Pacific with a strong week. But circumstance isn't discouraging Toronto, which is enjoying a 7-2-2 span after Saturday's 4-1 home win over St. Louis.


Toronto is averaging 3.64 goals in those 11 contests and gone 4-1-1 against the Western Conference heading into a three-game trip against the Pacific. For the season, it's 10-5-1 against the West and 5-10-6 versus the East.


"We seem to have had some success against Western Conference opponents and we definitely want to keep that rolling now that we head out to their neck of the woods," said center Peter Holland after breaking a 1-all tie at the start of the third period.


"We feel like we're playing a really good brand of hockey right now and we know we're going to be competitive every night if we play the way we're supposed to play."


James van Riemsdyk scored to extend his point streak to six games and has seven goals with five assists in his last 10.


Toronto has also been able to rely on Jonathan Bernier quite a bit more often. He's won consecutive starts with a 1.44 goals-against average and .963 save percentage and has gone 5-2-0 since opening 0-8-3 with a 3.46 GAA. He'll start again with James Reimer missing time with a groin injury, and Bernier is 5-2-1 with a 2.15 GAA against the Ducks.


Anaheim figures to counter with John Gibson, who's put Bernier's numbers to shame. The rookie made 19 saves in Sunday's 4-1 home win over Winnipeg and has posted a 0.75 GAA and .963 save percentage with two shutouts over a personal four-game winning streak. He hasn't allowed more than three goals in 15 games this season and was named December's Rookie of the Month.


In large part because of him, the Ducks have enjoyed a 4-0-1 span on which they've been limited to one goal three times.


"If we're not scoring a lot of goals, we better play pretty well defensively," coach Bruce Boudreau told the team's official website. "The guys have really taken to it. You can hear them talking on the bench about doing the right things. (Ryan) Kesler said it a couple of weeks ago. He said he was tired of losing."


Kesler scored for the second straight game after managing four goals in his first 36. This one came on the power play, and while the Ducks still aren't generating tons of chances with the advantage, they've gone 6 for 11 in the last five games following an 0-for-9 span over the previous five.


This all follows a hideous start that included four points from 10 October games.


"You never want to put yourself in that position, but with the start we had, the one fortunate thing is that our whole conference, almost, had that start," captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "We were able to stay in the picture. Hopefully we take advantage of it."


These teams split two meetings last season, but the Maple Leafs have won six of the last seven with 4.14 goals per game.