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

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hurricanes (16-17) at Canucks (12-16)
Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the league's stingiest teams over the last few weeks, thanks in large part to solid play in net from Cam Ward and Eddie Lack.


The issue is that they're scoring at the exact same rate during that time.


Carolina looks to avoid a third straight defeat by beating the Canucks in Vancouver for the first time in more than 16 years Wednesday night.


The Hurricanes (16-17-7) have given up just 15 goals over their last nine games, with Ward posting a .939 save percentage in six starts and Lack having a .944 mark in the other three.


They've scored the same amount of goals in that span, though, and have left points on the table during a 4-3-2 stretch. Carolina scored first in a 2-1 overtime loss to Nashville on Saturday before losing again in overtime Monday, 1-0 at Edmonton.


The Hurricanes have failed on all 12 power-play chances over the last seven games, including their only one against the Oilers that came late in the third period.


'I don't think they got our best game, but we got a point and we've got to take that and come out with a better effort against Vancouver,' said forward Eric Staal, who has had a hand in six of Carolina's 13 goals over the last seven. 'It's a big stretch for our team, a good chunk of hockey games that we want to get points and get wins.'


Lack was in net against the Predators before Ward made 26 saves Monday. Lack said earlier in the week he was looking forward to facing the Canucks, for whom he posted a 2.43 goals-against average in 72 starts and 10 relief appearances over the last two seasons.


Dealt to the Hurricanes for third- and sixth-round picks in June, Lack celebrated his 28th birthday Tuesday in Vancouver and will face his former teammates for the first time.


"I'll get in the crease and see what he has to say. Some goalies like to talk more than others," Canucks forward Jannik Hansen said. "Guys get traded so much in this league, but it's about the two points."


Carolina has been outscored 12-3 while dropping the last four meetings with the Canucks and has lost all seven matchups in Vancouver since last winning there Oct. 15, 1999. The Hurricanes lost 4-1 in Vancouver last season as Ryan Miller made 29 saves, then he had 28 in a 3-0 home win over Carolina.


Miller, though, is dealing with a groin injury. He skated Monday but didn't practice Tuesday, making it likely that Jacob Markstrom, who won his only career start against Carolina in 2013, will make a sixth straight start.


The Canucks (15-16-9) have split the first four of a seven-game homestand after falling 3-2 to Arizona on Monday despite Markstrom's 26 saves. Bo Horvat scored and Daniel Sedin added a goal in the third period after a few of his teeth were knocked out from a puck to the face in the first.


Horvat's power-play goal was a positive sign after Vancouver went 0 for 20 with the man advantage over its previous nine.


"That was a step in the right direction," coach Willie Desjardins said. "It was good we battled back and got one in the third and we had a couple chances that didn't go."


Defenseman Alexander Edler didn't practice Tuesday because of the flu, but winger Sven Baertschi is expected to return after a two-game absence because of an upper-body injury.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blues (21-14) at Avalanche (19-18)
Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Now that Jarome Iginla has his 600th goal, the Colorado Avalanche can solely focus on stringing together some victories.


After Iginla's historic goal helped the Avs snap their latest home slide, they'll try to hand the visiting St. Louis Blues a season-high fourth consecutive defeat Wednesday night.


Iginla became the 19th NHL player to reach 600 on Monday, when his third-period power-play goal - Colorado's third of the game - was the final tally of a 4-1 victory that snapped Los Angeles' five-game winning streak.


"It is a little bit (of a relief)," the 38-year-old Iginla, who went without a goal in the previous three games, told the NHL's official website. "Now it's done and time to move forward."


The Avalanche (19-18-13) ended an 0-2-2 home skid by winning for the second time in six games since taking a season-high five in a row.


"When it comes down to it, it's about winning games and everything like that," said Iginla, who is third on the team with 11 goals but hasn't scored in consecutive contests since Nov. 1-3.


"We need to start climbing back and catching some teams."


Colorado bounced back from Saturday's 4-0 home loss to Calgary thanks to a power play that's 11 for 24 in the last seven games. It was 1 for 26 in the previous 10 contests.


Defenseman Tyson Barrie, who assisted on Iginla's goal, had another assist and two goals to record the first four-point game of his career. Barrie ranks among the NHL's top defensemen with 27 points.


'That's the Tyson we like to see,' coach Patrick Roy said.


Neither Iginla nor Barrie had a point in a 3-1 victory at St. Louis (23-14-5) on Dec. 13, but teammate Semyon Varlamov made a season-high 42 saves. Varlamov stopped 30 shots Monday after posting a 4.37 goals-against average while in net for the previous four home contests.


The Blues have been held to two or fewer goals in their four defeats over the last five games. They've yielded at least three in all five contests after blowing a third-period lead in Monday's 3-2 overtime home loss to Ottawa.


"It's about points, it's about wins, it's about doing anything and everything you have to do to get it done," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "But it's also about not having to expound a ton more energy like we had to (Monday)."


Also looking to avoid a third straight road loss, the Blues play the next three away from home.


"It takes a lot to win in the league right now," said Hitchcock, whose club has been outscored 10-1 in the third period of the last five games. "If the sense of urgency inside the locker room grows than we can grow from this."


St. Louis recorded a power-play goal in three straight games but has allowed its last two opponents to go 3 for 8 with the man advantage.


Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk scored one Monday for his third goal in four games. He assisted on Vladimir Tarasenko's power-play goal against the Avs last month.


Tarasenko has a team-high 23 goals but none in six games at Colorado.


It's uncertain if Avs defenseman and ex-Blue Erik Johnson will play after suffering a lower-body injury Monday. The club claimed defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk on waivers from Columbus on Tuesday.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Devils (18-15) at Canadiens (20-16)
Date: January 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Entering the midway point of their season, the New Jersey Devils are among the biggest surprises in the NHL under rookie coach John Hynes.


The Montreal Canadiens continue to be underwhelming.


The Devils seek a bounce-back effort as they try to send the foundering Canadiens to a 13th loss in 16 games Wednesday night.


New Jersey (20-15-4) was expected to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season as it rebuilt under Hynes, the youngest coach in the league at 40.


Instead, the Devils hold the first of two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference and are three points back of the New York Rangers for third in the Metropolitan Division.


"When we came in, one of the things we wanted to try to build was a culture that (general manager) Ray Shero, myself and the other coaches wanted to have in there," Hynes told the team's official website. "It was about what will our environment around the rink be like and what type of players and people do we want working here every day. That's gone really well."


Bobby Farnham is comfortable playing for Hynes after spending three seasons with him at Wilkes-Barre of the AHL. The pair were reunited after Farnham was waived by Pittsburgh in October.


"The way he approaches every day is why he's successful, because he's very detailed in how we play with our structure," Farnham said. "He's very good expressing to us the identity we have to play with, and then tweaking certain things to each team that we play.


"He's always prepared. And he knows how to get the most out of the guys on his team."


That's certainly true for Farnham, who has a career-high five goals but is known more for dropping his gloves.


Kyle Palmieri is also responding to Hynes' approach, leading the Devils with a career-high 17 goals, and his 30 points are one shy of his personal record set with Anaheim two seasons ago.


He has four goals and one assist in the past six games but came up empty on five shots in Monday's 1-0 loss to Detroit.


Palmieri scored with 22 seconds left in regulation before defenseman John Moore found the net in overtime of a 3-2 win at Montreal on Nov. 28. The Devils fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Canadiens a day earlier in the opener of the home-and-home set.


The Habs (22-15-3) have lost 12 of their last 15 games, tumbling from first to third in the Atlantic Division.


They concluded a 2-6-0 road trip with a 4-3 defeat to Philadelphia on Tuesday, ruining any momentum created by their 5-1 win over Boston in the Winter Classic four days prior.


"Emotionally we were not there," coach Michel Therrien said. "We just have to be better."


Showing improvement defensively is vital as Montreal is giving up an average of 3.07 goals over the last 15 games, surrendering three or more in all but two. That's not helped by Carey Price's continued absence due to a leg injury.


Mike Condon is 4-7-1 with a 2.73 goals-against average in 12 starts since replacing Price as the starter. That began with Condon making 25 saves and turning aside four shootout attempts at New Jersey on Nov. 27 before stopping 28 shots the next day.


The Canadiens are hoping playing their first home game since Dec. 17 while opening a three-game homestand will help.


"It's going to feel good to be back home, in front of our fans, following a couple of tough games on the road," defenseman Mark Barberio said.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Penguins (18-15) at Blackhawks (23-13)
Date: January 06, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

After delivering one of the most exciting finishes under the NHL's new overtime format, the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins have a hard act to follow.


The surging Blackhawks hope for an encore Wednesday night when the home-and-home series between two of the league's marquee teams shifts to Chicago.


It will be tough to top the action and excitement of Tuesday's matchup, where the host Penguins scored twice in the third period to force overtime. The clubs then combined for 10 shots in the 3-on-3 extra session before Artemi Panarin's goal 3:47 in lifted the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory.


Panarin's second goal of the night supported 34 saves from a locked-in Corey Crawford as Chicago (24-13-4) matched a season high with its fourth straight win.


Pittsburgh (19-15-5) still has something to build on after Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang both scored late to earn the team a point in a fourth consecutive game (2-0-2). After losing their first four after Mike Sullivan replaced Mike Johnston as head coach Dec. 13, the Penguins have gone 4-1-2 to move back into the Eastern Conference playoff mix.


'What I loved about our group was the resilience,' Sullivan said. 'We just keep playing. We raised our intensity level when we had to. That's a great sign for this team.'


The Penguins' improvement has coincided with Crosby's re-emergence following a slow start. The superstar center has a goal in four straight and six with six assists over an eight-game stretch.


Letang has been on a tear as well, having amassed eight points in his last three.


Sustaining that momentum will be a challenge considering Chicago's prowess at United Center, where it's 15-5-1 this season and won seven of nine. The Penguins have lost three straight there, though they picked up a point in two.


The task likely becomes more difficult if Crawford starts again. The accomplished goaltender owns a 1.00 goals-against average and four shutouts over his past seven home assignments and is 10-3-0 with a 1.68 GAA in his last 13 overall starts.


Crawford, who had 26 saves in blanking Ottawa 3-0 on Sunday, has long been a Penguins' nemesis. In six career starts, he's 5-1-0 with a 1.75 GAA.


Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 27 saves for Pittsburgh in his second start back from a concussion that sidelined him nearly three weeks. He was sharp in Saturday's return as well, notching 38 saves in a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers.


It's unclear whether Sullivan will turn back to his No. 1 goaltender or go with Jeff Zatkoff, who's stopped 60 of 63 shots in his two starts that preceded Fleury's return.


Either will be backed by a defense that's killed off 19 straight penalties, including two Chicago chances Tuesday.


They'll also have to deal with the formidable line of Panarin, Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov that has combined for eight goals during the Hawks' win streak.


Panarin's 13 goals overall rank among the NHL's rookie leaders.


"He's been great for our team, with what he brings with his energy, as well as skill," coach Joel Quenneville told the NHL's official website. "That line has been so effective for us, and him and Kane are together and share the puck at the appropriate moments."


Kane has nine points over the four games after contributing two assists Tuesday. The league's points leader remains without a goal in eight career games against Pittsburgh.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (55) TORONTO@ (56) ANAHEIM | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in Road games second half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 39 Losses for the last three seasons (-26.1 units)


NHL > (51) NEW JERSEY@ (52) MONTREAL | 2016-01-06 19:05:00 - 2016-01-06 19:05:00
Play ON NEW JERSEY using money line in Road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game
The record is 7 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+7.65 units)


NHL > (57) CAROLINA@ (58) VANCOUVER | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play AGAINST VANCOUVER using money line in All games
The record is 5 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (-12.05 units)


NHL > (55) TORONTO@ (56) ANAHEIM | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in All games second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-24 units)


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


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (55) TORONTO@ (56) ANAHEIM | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in Road games second half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 39 Losses for the last three seasons (-26.1 units)


NHL > (51) NEW JERSEY@ (52) MONTREAL | 2016-01-06 19:05:00 - 2016-01-06 19:05:00
Play ON NEW JERSEY in Road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game
The record is 7 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+7.65 units)

NHL > (55) TORONTO@ (56) ANAHEIM | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in All games second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-24 units)


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


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (53) PITTSBURGH@ (54) CHICAGO | 2016-01-06 20:05:00 - 2016-01-06 20:05:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season
The record is 1 Overs and 11 Unders for the this season (+10.2 units)


NHL > (53) PITTSBURGH@ (54) CHICAGO | 2016-01-06 20:05:00 - 2016-01-06 20:05:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 1 Overs and 11 Unders for the this season (+10.2 units)

NHL > (53) PITTSBURGH@ (54) CHICAGO | 2016-01-06 20:05:00 - 2016-01-06 20:05:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin All games in non-conference games
The record is 10 Overs and 32 Unders for the last two seasons (+22.2 units)


NHL > (59) ST LOUIS@ (60) COLORADO | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play OVER COLORADO on the totalin Home games after a win by 2 goals or more
The record is 11 Overs and 2 Unders for the last two seasons (+9.85 units)


NHL > (53) PITTSBURGH@ (54) CHICAGO | 2016-01-06 20:05:00 - 2016-01-06 20:05:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin Home games in non-conference games
The record is 5 Overs and 17 Unders for the last two seasons (+12.65 units)


NHL > (57) CAROLINA@ (58) VANCOUVER | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play UNDER VANCOUVER on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season
The record is 3 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+9.15 units)


NHL > (57) CAROLINA@ (58) VANCOUVER | 2016-01-06 22:05:00 - 2016-01-06 22:05:00
Play UNDER VANCOUVER on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 3 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+9.15 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack


-- Indiana 59, Wisconsin 58-- Hoosiers honored their undefeated 1976 team at halftime of this game.


-- VCU 85, St Joe's 82-- Hawks blew 13-point lead in second half.


-- Marquette 65, Providence 64-- Friars need to develop a third scorer.


-- South Carolina 81, Auburn 69-- Gamecocks are a very quiet 14-0.


-- LSU 85, Kentucky 67-- Two Wildcats scored more than six points.


-- Ohio State has already had nine underclassmen declare for NFL Draft.


**********


Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Rambling on a winter day......

13) It's hard to root for the Cleveland Browns.


They're rebuilding their front office; since the season eneded, they promoted a lawyer to head of football operations- he has full control of the roster and transactions, but he is a lawyer and not a GM. Maybe he's a genius; we don't know, but he has no football background that we know of. Its like making me GM of the Vancouver Canucks.


Then on Tuesday, they poached an efficiency expert from another team to help the Browns get more from the analytics movement-- they hired Paul DePodesta from the New York Mets. DePodesta apparently once had a small job with CFL's Baltimore Stallions before his baseball career began-- he played football and baseball at Harvard, but what on God's green earth are they doing? Hire a football person!!!!


12) DePodesta was the inspiration for Jonah Hill's character in Moneyball, a smart guy who played college football/baseball but rose quickly in the world of pro sports thanks to an analytical approach that helped the Oakland A's make the playoffs despite a small payroll 10-15 years ago. He later was GM of the Dodgers for a while but has never held a job in the NFL. Browns fans have to be a little queasy about this. .


11) Golden Corral had a deluge of commercials on TV last weekend about how they serve breakfast for dinner and lunch, so I go there Monday morning to have some pancakes, some bacon-- I'm not a morning person, but I happened to be awake so off I went. One small problem; Golden Corral doesn't open until 11am.


So the place that buys tons of TV commercials promoting the fact that they'll serve you breakfast all day long, isn't open when breakfast actually takes place. Oy.


10) Want to win a bar bet? Will Clark hit the most home runs (six) off of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, hitting six taters in only 39 plate appearances.


9) There are nine states in this country where when you vote, you can just pull one lever and automatically vote for all the candidates from one party or the other.


8) Serious question: How do you vote for Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens for the Hall of Fame and not vote for Pete Rose? Bonds and Clemens cheated, plain and simple. Rose bet on games; which is worse?


7) Kansas 109, Oklahoma 106 (3OT)-- From Monday night, this was one of the 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???? It would be a very good national title game.


6) 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has torn ligaments in his right thumb, a torn labrum in his left shoulder and a rod in his left leg. Other than that, he is fine. Whoever the next coach of the 49ers is has to deal with that mess of a QB situation and if the 49ers cut Kaepernick loose, which team will roll the dice and sign him up?


5) NCAA had been investigating San Diego State for various improprieties but this week they exonerated the Aztecs, which almost always gets a lot less press than when the investigation is announced. Go figure.


4) Apparently New Orleans Saints want a 2nd-round draft pick in exchange for coach Sean Payton. If they deal Payton, it would be hard to imagine them keeping QB Drew Brees around- they would probably go to a total rebuild.


3) 1972 USC Trojans had 33 players who wound up being being drafted by NFL teams, including five first-round picks- thats a lot of great players on one team. NFL Draft was longer back then than it is now, but still, thats almost half the team.


2) Tom Coughlin is a 69-year old white guy who coached the Giants to two Super Bowl titles but was fired as coach this week after three losing seasons in a row.


Jerry Reese is a 52-year old black guy who was GM of the Giants for those same two Super Bowl titles, but he keeps his job despite those three straight losing seasons.


Tuesday, the Giants held a press conference where the undercurrents of ageism and racism collided head-on. It was interesting to watch. It'll be fascinating to see who the Giants hire to replace Coughlin and if Coughlin coaches elsewhere.


1) With the Giants changing coaches, Seattle's Pete Carroll is now the oldest head coach in the NFL, at age 64.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, January 6

Hot teams
-- Devils won three of their last four games.
-- Chicago won seven of its last nine games.
-- Maple Leafs won five of their last seven games. Anaheim won four of its last five.

Cold teams
-- Montreal lost eight of its last ten games.
-- Penguins lost three of their last five games.
-- Hurricanes lost three of their last four games. Vancouver lost four of last six at home.
-- St Louis lost four of its last five games. Colorado lost four of its last six.

Series records
-- Canadiens are 5-3 in last eight games with New Jersey.
-- Blackhawks won four of last five games with Pittsburgh.
-- Ducks lost six of last seven games with Toronto.
-- Canucks won last four games with Carolina.
-- Blues won seven of last ten games with Colorado

Totals
-- Under is 5-1-2 in last eight New Jersey games.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Pittsburgh-Chicago games.
-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Anaheim games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Carolina games.
-- Under is 8-0-1 in last nine St Louis-Colorado games.

Back-to-backs
-- Montreal is 4-4 if it played the night before.
-- Chicago is 4-0 at home if it played night before; Penguins are 2-6 if they played night before.




NHL

Wednesday, January 6

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

7:00 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. MONTREAL
New Jersey is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
New Jersey is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Montreal is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against New Jersey

8:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
Chicago is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home

10:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. VANCOUVER
Carolina is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Carolina is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Carolina

10:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. COLORADO
St. Louis is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Colorado
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Colorado's last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing St. Louis

10:00 PM
TORONTO vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Toronto's last 21 games on the road
Toronto is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games when playing Toronto
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at hom

 

[CNOTES]

This Week's Best Spot Bets

Lookahead spot

There’s a Big 12 battle on the horizon with No. 14 Iowa State hosting No. 20 Baylor this weekend. Before those conference powers collide, the Cyclones are home to Texas Tech Wednesday night. Iowa State just dropped a 4-point loss to Oklahoma in Norman and faces another tough task in the Red Raiders, who are 11-1 SU and 7-2 ATS heading into this week.

Texas Tech has won 10 straight since losing the second game of the season to Utah at the Puerto Rico Tip-off back in November. The Red Raiders haven’t played that rough a schedule, fattening up on some mid-major foes, but they do have victories over Miss State, Minnesota, Richmond and Texas. Tubby Smith could add another notable name to that resume if ISU looks ahead to Baylor and past TTU Wednesday.

Letdown spot

The UCLA Bruins, while not ranked, have likely punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament thanks to some big-name opponents already this season. The Bruins took down power programs like Kentucky and Gonzaga, and lost tough games against Kansas and North Carolina. Up next are the No. 6 Arizona Wildcats, who come to Pauley Pavilion on Thursday.

UCLA is set up for a cookie-cutter letdown spot two days later when it welcomes another Arizona school, Arizona State, on Saturday. The Sun Devils had won four in a row before losing a 12-point decision to the Wildcats last weekend. Arizona State won its lone meeting with UCLA last season, stealing a 68-66 win in Pauley in February.

Schedule spot

The New York Knicks are away from the Big Apple this week and playing a short but hectic road schedule. New York visits Atlanta Tuesday night and heads down the coast to play at Miami Wednesday. The Knicks enjoy a day off Thursday before taking on the Spurs in San Antonio Friday night, wrapping a stretch of three games in four nights.

New York has dropped four straight road games SU and went 1-3 ATS in those outings, sitting at 7-11 SU and 11-7 ATS as a visitor on the year. Looking ahead to the San Antonio game, the Knicks are 6-5 SU and ATS against Western Conference opponents and lost 94-84 at home to the Spurs as 7.5-point underdogs back in November.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 6

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NEW JERSEY (20-15-0-5, 45 pts.) at MONTREAL (22-16-0-3, 47 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 9-5 ATS (+15.8 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
NEW JERSEY is 10-6 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEW JERSEY is 10-6 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 5-3 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 5-3-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.4 Units)

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PITTSBURGH (19-15-0-5, 43 pts.) at CHICAGO (24-13-0-4, 52 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-1 (+3.0 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-1-0 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)

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TORONTO (15-15-0-7, 37 pts.) at ANAHEIM (16-15-0-7, 39 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 2-12 ATS (+15.5 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 10-35 ATS (+53.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 17-29 ATS (-16.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 25-8 ATS (+13.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 460-384 ATS (+72.8 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 29-14 ATS (+8.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 10-6 ATS (+17.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
ANAHEIM is 16-22 ATS (+42.6 Units) in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-1 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-1-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

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CAROLINA (16-17-0-7, 39 pts.) at VANCOUVER (15-16-0-9, 39 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 13-40 ATS (+71.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 57-109 ATS (+191.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 15-25 ATS (-11.5 Units) in all games this season.
VANCOUVER is 218-206 ATS (-122.3 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 4-11 ATS (-10.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 13-15 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 4-0-0 straight up against CAROLINA 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)

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

ST LOUIS (23-14-0-5, 51 pts.) at COLORADO (19-18-0-3, 41 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 113-98 ATS (-69.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 57-40 ATS (+14.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 43-32 ATS (+10.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 98-78 ATS (+177.8 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
COLORADO is 2-8 ATS (+10.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-3 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 7-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+7.2 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




NJ at MON 07:00 PM


NJ +130 BEST BET


U 5.0




PIT at CHI 08:00 PM


CHI -140


O 5.0




CAR at VAN 10:00 PM


VAN -113


O 5.0




STL at COL 10:00 PM


STL -114 BEST BET


U 5.0




TOR at ANA 10:00 PM


ANA -160


U 5.0

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Capitals (27-7) at Islanders (19-13)
Date: January 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The New York Islanders closed the Nassau Coliseum with a playoff victory over the Washington Capitals. It was the Capitals, though, who eventually won the series and sent the Islanders packing to Brooklyn.


Washington now gets a look at the Islanders' new digs as the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division meet for the first time this season Thursday night.


New York beat the Capitals 3-1 in Game 6 of their opening-round playoff series April 25. That marked an emotional end to the Islanders' era in Nassau County after the Capitals won the series two days later.


Coach Barry Trotz expects a similar intensity in Washington's first visit to Barclays Center.


"I think it will be two very good hockey teams," Trotz told the Capitals' official website. "We met in the playoffs, and it will have a playoff feel, I think."


The Capitals (29-7-3) own the most points in the NHL and are comfortably leading the division by 12 over the Islanders (22-13-5).


"It's a good spot to be because they challenge you every night," goaltender Braden Holtby said. "I mean we have been in the position where we have played those top teams during the regular season and you always get up a little bit more for it because you want to test yourself and I think that's good for us."


Washington won nine straight before going 1-1-1 on this five-game road trip that ends Saturday against the Rangers.


The Capitals beat Boston 3-2 on Tuesday, three days after a stunning 5-4 shootout defeat to a Columbus team that has the fewest points in the league.


Alex Ovechkin is among the NHL leaders with 21 goals, but he's been held without a point for two straight games after scoring four times over the previous three.


He owns 46 points in 44 career meetings with the Islanders, including five in last year's playoffs.


Ovechkin will captain the division's team at the All-Star game in Nashville on Jan. 31, and he'll be joined by Holtby and center Nicklas Backstrom.


Backstrom has 10 points over the past seven road games, while Holtby leads the NHL in wins (25), goals-against average (1.93) and save percentage (.932). He posted a 1.63 GAA while starting six games against the Islanders in last year's playoffs.


New York has won three of four after beating Western Conference-leading Dallas 6-5 on Sunday.


"The key is to keep this going and peak at the right time," said forward Cal Clutterbuck, who had two goals.


The Islanders are expected to have Jaroslav Halak in net for the first time in six games after an upper-body injury landed him on injured reserve. He's 7-3-0 with a 2.22 GAA in 11 games in Brooklyn.


Halak played 12 games for Washington in 2013-14, and he's 5-4-0 with a 2.31 GAA in nine starts - including the playoffs - against his former team since signing with the Islanders.


John Tavares, New York's lone All-Star, has 20 points in 21 career regular-season matchups with the Capitals. He had six points in the playoff series.


The Capitals will be without forward Zach Sill, who will serve the first of a two-game suspension for hitting Boston's Adam McQuaid from behind.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Panthers (19-12) at Senators (16-15)
Date: January 07, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Florida Panthers aren't focused too much on their club-record winning streak, but they're certainly not ready to think about losing anytime soon.


Looking to keep rolling with an 11th consecutive victory, the Panthers can equal a club-record five-game winning road run for the second time this season Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators.


Jaromir Jagr scored his team-leading 14th goal and Roberto Luongo made 31 saves to win his eighth straight start in Tuesday's 5-1 victory at Buffalo. Including two shootouts, Florida (24-12-4) owns a 35-12 goal advantage during a 10-game winning streak that's the longest in the NHL this season.


'We're just having fun right now,' said winger Jonathan Huberdeau, who had a goal with an assist. "We're trying not to think too much about the streak. Ten ... might as well just keep going and win every game.'


The streak began with a 5-1 victory over the New York Islanders in Brooklyn on Dec. 15. A win would match the team's longest road winning streak, set in 2008-09 and equaled from Nov. 14-Dec. 4. Florida has outscored its last four road opponents 17-3.


"We've been real good on the road lately," coach Gerard Gallant told the NHL's official website. "We played well on the road and we played really well at home, so we've just got to keep going, keep the game simple on the road and play hard."


Luongo, named to his fifth All-Star team Wednesday along with Jagr and Aaron Ekblad, has a 1.23 goals-against average in his last eight starts and stopped 88 of 90 shots in three road games during that run. After giving up three goals in a 4-2 home loss to Ottawa (19-15-6) on Dec. 8, he faced 16 shots in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Senators two weeks later in Florida.


With three goals in two games, Jagr is five behind Brett Hull for third on the NHL's all-time list.


'You could say it's hard to believe at 43 he's playing that great but knowing him it's not hard to believe,' Huberdeau said. 'His work ethic is incredible. We're just lucky to have him around us.'


Jagr didn't record a goal in either game against Ottawa, which returns home after snapping a three-game skid with Monday's 3-2 overtime win at St. Louis.


Following consecutive 3-0 defeats, the Senators overcame a 2-0 deficit Monday. Bobby Ryan recorded his 200th goal to tie things in the third period, then won it 2:33 into the extra session.


'Obviously we've been fighting it a little bit to get some goals,' said Andrew Hammond, who made 36 saves to snap his own three-game skid. 'You kind of knew once we got that first one it would open the door for us."


After going 3 for 35 on the power play in the previous 11 games, Ottawa went 2 for 3 on Monday. The Panthers have killed 13 of 14 penalties in the last three games.


"Big game at home," defenseman Chris Wideman said. "It's going to be a big test."


Tied for second on the team with 13 goals, Ryan has one in six games at Florida.


The Senators hope forward Mika Zibanejad will be available after he took a stick to the face Monday.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Flyers (15-15) at Wild (21-11)
Date: January 07, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Wild have remained consistent defensively while looking for something to put them over the top in their opponents' zone.


Heading into Thursday night's home game against Philadelphia, Zach Parise is hinting at providing that with the Wild coming off their highest-scoring effort in nine games, while the Flyers have parted ways with a former impact forward.


Parise scored three goals in Wednesday's 4-2 win in Columbus as the Wild (21-11-7) wrapped up a 2-1-1 road trip. They're still averaging 2.33 goals in the last nine, going 1 for 19 on the power play, after scoring 2.80 per game in their first 30.


Parise had managed just two assists in his previous six games but now has a team-high 14 goals despite missing nine games in November. He's been limited to an assist in his last four against Philadelphia.


"I feel like the last few games, his game has really been coming," coach Mike Yeo said. "He didn't score last game, but I think he needed a game like that."


Part of it might be growing accustomed to playing with a knee brace, and that adjustment period seems to have passed.


"I forgot about it," Parise told the team's official website after the hat trick.


However, the status of another top forward is now in question. Mikko Koivu left the game in the first two minutes after a crash into the boards and was taken to the hospital with an apparent upper-body injury. The center leads the team with 32 points.


Any absence could be manageable if Minnesota is able to keep it up defensively. The Wild have given up 12 goals over a 4-2-1 span and are giving up a Western Conference-low 1.76 per game since the start of December.


All-Star goaltender Devan Dubnyk has started 12 of those 17 games, posting a 1.83 goals-against average. He's been particularly good in Minnesota's last five, going 3-1-1 with a 1.59 GAA and .948 save percentage after stopping 29 shots Wednesday.


The Wild and Flyers have split four games over the past two seasons - Vincent Lecavalier's first two in Philadelphia - but the Flyers have finally parted ways with the center. Lecavalier, known best for a storied career with Tampa Bay, was dealt to Los Angeles on Wednesday along with defenseman Luke Schenn for center Jordan Weal and a third-round pick. Lecavalier has been a healthy scratch for most of the season for a Flyers team which is scoring an East-low 2.16 goals per game.


Weal, a third-round pick in 2010, is without a point in 10 games of his first NHL season. The 23-year-old had 69 points in 73 games last season for AHL Manchester, which won the Calder Cup with Weal as postseason MVP.


Philadelphia (16-15-7) is coming off Wednesday's 4-3 home win over Montreal with Brayden Schenn scoring for a second straight game and adding two assists.


The victory followed a winless three-game West Coast road swing.


"I think we had a little bit of fire in our belly tonight," winger Ryan White said. "It was a tough trip, we didn't get any points and we need to start cleaning them up here at home."


Some road points would also be useful. The Flyers are on a season-worst 0-4-1 skid on the road with eight goals scored.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Jets (19-19) at Stars (27-10)
Date: January 07, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Dallas captain Jamie Benn felt the Stars played "stupid hockey" while going winless on their recent three-game trip.


Perhaps a return home, where the Stars can win a season-high fifth straight contest, will spark more intelligent play Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets.


Dallas (28-10-4) had not dropped consecutive games until an 0-2-1 trip through the New York City area to open 2016. The Stars yielded 15 goals on the trek, including six each in the last two contests.


"We really totally embarrassed ourselves," said coach Lindy Ruff, who agreed with Benn's description following Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Rangers.


The Stars had 39 minutes in penalties on the trip, including 25 in Sunday's 6-5 defeat to the Islanders.


Benn (52 points) and linemate Tyler Seguin (50) trail only Chicago's Patrick Kane in scoring, but they failed to register a point and were each a minus-5 on the trip. Ruff benched both for the final 12 minutes as the Stars dropped a fifth straight road contest Tuesday.


"It's just me not leading the way," Benn said. "I did a good job of leading the way in the not so good part of the game (Tuesday). It's embarrassing."


Though Dallas leads the Western Conference, it's 2-3-2 since the NHL's Christmas break.


"We've lost a few in a row and have a chance to make a difference and stop it right away," forward Jason Spezza said. "This is a test for us. It's an 82-game season, and it's not all going to be roses. And you almost don't want it to be.


"You want a little adversity. Now we get a chance to not let last year creep into this year and stop a losing streak."


The Stars should have a good opportunity to halt to their slide in the first of two straight at the American Airlines Center, where they are 16-4-0 and have outscored the last four opponents 18-3. Dallas last won five straight there in 2010-11.


Benn has four goals with four assists during that four-game home winning streak. Antti Niemi yielded nine goals in two starts on the trip but has a 1.16 goals-against average while winning six consecutive at home.


Dallas is 2 for 34 on the power play in its last 13 road games but 6 for 16 during those last four home contests.


Benn had one of the Stars' two power-play goals and Seguin recorded a pair of assists in the 6-3 home win over Winnipeg (19-19-2) on Nov. 12.


The Jets have alternated wins and losses through four of a five-game trip. Drew Stafford had a pair of power-play goals and rookie Connor Hellebuyck made a season-high 43 saves in Tuesday's 4-1 victory at Nashville. The 44 shots matched the second most allowed by Winnipeg this season while its own 18 equaled a low for 2015-16.


"We felt that we've had games swing the other way for us where we'd put up 40-plus shots and run into a hot netminder," said Stafford, who has three goals on the trip. "This one, especially against a team we're chasing in the standings, it's a big one."


Hellebuyck is 9-4-0 in his first season, and has a 1.21 GAA while winning four of five.


"It was a fun one," he said of his most recent performance. "Anytime you get that (kind of work), it helps with the confidence."


Winnipeg's Blake Wheeler has 16 points in 13 games against Dallas.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Coyotes (19-16) at Flames (18-18)
Date: January 07, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Shane Doan is on a stunning scoring tear. What's much more surprising, and certainly more important, is the Arizona Coyotes' dominance of Pacific Division rivals.


While that includes a win over the Calgary Flames, things may be different in a road matchup.


Doan looks to continue his impressive production as the Coyotes try to beat the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome for the first time in almost four years Thursday night.


Doan's 383 career goals are a Coyotes franchise record, and his 919 points are 10 back of the team mark held by Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk.


The 39-year-old captain appeared to be slowing down last season with 14 goals, but he's already surpassed that total with a team-high 15. Nine of those have come in the last seven games, including seven in the past four after he tallied twice in Monday's 3-2 win at Vancouver.


"The greatest thing about 'Doaner' when he scores is his smile," coach Dave Tippett told the team's official website. "He loves to score ... He's having fun playing and I think some of this youth around our team has made him feel youthful also."


The Coyotes (19-16-4) have had a lot to smile about. They're second in the division after finishing with the fewest points in the Western Conference last season, and they've gone 8-1-2 against the Pacific.


Arizona, which went 12-17-0 within the division last season, beat the Flames 2-1 in overtime at home on Nov. 27 to end a five-game skid in the series.


The Coyotes, though, haven't won at Calgary since Feb. 23, 2012, going 0-7-1 in their last eight visits.


The Flames (19-18-2) are two points behind Arizona, thanks in large part to their dominance at home. They've won 12 of their last 14 there after Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay.


"As a team, we're playing a lot better than the start of the year," goaltender Karri Ramo said. "That's why we're having success. Everybody's chipping in, doing their things."


That's certainly true for Ramo, who should get the nod for an 11th straight game Thursday after stopping 56 of 57 shots to win his last two. He's 9-4-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average in 13 games since making 19 saves at Arizona.


That's a tremendous improvement after he posted a 4.43 GAA while losing four of his first five starts - a stretch that included a demotion to the minors.


"He went down, he was not happy, he came back and right from there he started to work," coach Bob Hartley said. "He's probably been one of the best goalies in the league."


Ramo is 4-0-1 with a 1.38 GAA in five career starts against the Coyotes.


Johnny Gaudreau leads the Flames with 17 goals and 39 points, but he has no points in four straight games to match his longest drought of the season. He had an assist at Arizona in November, giving him seven points over his last five matchups.


The Coyotes are expected to have Martin Hanzal back after he missed seven games with a lower-body injury. Of the center's 20 points, 15 have come on the road. He also had a goal against the Flames in November.


He's slated to join Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder on a line.


"I think me and 'Dukey' and Marty have great chemistry," Rieder said.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Red Wings (19-13) at Sharks (17-17)
Date: January 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Dylan Larkin won't turn 20 for another six months, but the Detroit Red Wings' rookie center already is making quite an impact.


His coach believes he's barely tapped into his potential, though.


The club's lone All-Star looks to help Detroit remain perfect on its road trip when it faces the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.


Larkin began his first NHL season with a five-game point streak and hasn't slowed down much, leading the Red Wings (20-13-7) with 14 goals and ranking second behind Henrik Zetterberg with 27 points.


He scored a highlight-reel goal in Monday's 1-0 win over New Jersey that gave Detroit back-to-back victories to begin a six-game trip.


"We've struggled a bit with one-goal leads, and I think we'll have to learn from this win and how we shut it down in the third period," Larkin said. "It's a huge two points. For all teams it's going to come down to a lot of games like that, where you got to shut it down."


Two days after that win, the 19-year-old became the third Red Wings rookie and second-youngest since 1969 to be selected an All-Star.


First-year coach Jeff Blashill appreciates Larkin's confidence, but he held back on showering him with praise when asked about Larkin's strengths. The 15th overall pick in 2014 is only 39 games into his career, and Blashill doesn't want the attention going to his head.


"Larks is a really talented player. Larks has a lot of energy and drive. Larks (also) has to get better at a lot of things," Blashill said. "My job is to help our guys get better, whether it's a guy like Zetterberg or (Pavel) Datsyuk that's been around as elite players in the league, or a young guy like Larkin. I look at it like we try to accentuate their positives and work on their negatives. Every player's got positives and negatives, and he's not different."


Larkin assisted on Tomas Tatar's goal in the first meeting with the Sharks on Nov. 13, but San Jose pulled out a 3-2 road victory despite being outshot 28-14 to win for the sixth time in the last seven matchups.


The Sharks (18-17-2), though, have the league's worst home record at 5-11-0 and have dropped two of three to begin a five-game homestand. All-Star Brent Burns scored his 16th goal - most among NHL defensemen - before they fell 4-1 to Winnipeg on Saturday.


Joe Thornton had an assist to give him eight along with three goals during an eight-game point streak, his longest since a 10-game run in 2009.


San Jose is just 2-3-1 over the last six, though, and coach Peter DeBoer wasn't happy with the latest effort.


'That was an egg. Top to bottom, poor effort, poor execution. Sloppy, soft,' DeBoer said. 'They won all the races, all the battles and they won the goaltending battle. We're in no position to show up and play like that. It's unacceptable.'


Alex Stalock replaced Martin Jones in net in the third period, but the Sharks reassigned Stalock to the AHL in favor of Troy Grosenick on Wednesday. It's unclear who will start this contest, as Jones has a 3.68 goals-against average over his last six.


Petr Mrazek could get another shot in goal for the Red Wings. He has a 1.96 GAA in five starts and two relief efforts since Dec. 22.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (1) WASHINGTON@ (2) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-01-07 19:05:00 - 2016-01-07 19:05:00
Play ON NY ISLANDERS using money line in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 3 Losses for the last two seasons (+12.35 units)


NHL > (13) TORONTO@ (14) LOS ANGELES | 2016-01-07 22:35:00 - 2016-01-07 22:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in Road games second half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 39 Losses for the last three seasons (-26.1 units)


NHL > (9) ARIZONA@ (10) CALGARY | 2016-01-07 21:05:00 - 2016-01-07 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA using money line in All games after a division game
The record is 8 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+9.15 units)

NHL > (3) FLORIDA@ (4) OTTAWA | 2016-01-07 19:35:00 - 2016-01-07 19:35:00
Play ON FLORIDA using money line in All games after a 3 game unbeaten streak
The record is 9 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+8.95 units)


NHL > (13) TORONTO@ (14) LOS ANGELES | 2016-01-07 22:35:00 - 2016-01-07 22:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in All games second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-24 units)


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


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (1) WASHINGTON@ (2) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-01-07 19:05:00 - 2016-01-07 19:05:00
Play ON NY ISLANDERS in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 3 Losses for the last two seasons (+12.35 units)


NHL > (13) TORONTO@ (14) LOS ANGELES | 2016-01-07 22:35:00 - 2016-01-07 22:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in Road games second half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 39 Losses for the last three seasons (-26.1 units)

NHL > (9) ARIZONA@ (10) CALGARY | 2016-01-07 21:05:00 - 2016-01-07 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA in All games after a division game
The record is 8 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+9.15 units)

NHL > (3) FLORIDA@ (4) OTTAWA | 2016-01-07 19:35:00 - 2016-01-07 19:35:00
Play ON FLORIDA in All games after a 3 game unbeaten streak
The record is 9 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+8.95 units)


NHL > (13) TORONTO@ (14) LOS ANGELES | 2016-01-07 22:35:00 - 2016-01-07 22:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in All games second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-24 units)


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


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (11) DETROIT@ (12) SAN JOSE | 2016-01-07 22:35:00 - 2016-01-07 22:35:00
Play OVER SAN JOSE on the totalin Home games in non-conference games
The record is 7 Overs and 0 Unders for the this season (+7.4 units)


NHL > (3) FLORIDA@ (4) OTTAWA | 2016-01-07 19:35:00 - 2016-01-07 19:35:00
Play UNDER FLORIDA on the totalin All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 1 Overs and 9 Unders for the this season (+8 units)


NHL > (9) ARIZONA@ (10) CALGARY | 2016-01-07 21:05:00 - 2016-01-07 21:05:00
Play UNDER CALGARY on the totalin Home games after 3 or more consecutive unders
The record is 31 Overs and 70 Unders for the since 1992 (+35.45 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Maple Leafs (12-15) at Kings (23-12)
Date: January 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

While the Los Angeles Kings spent an off day retooling for another anticipated Stanley Cup run, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued to make the idea of the playoffs not so far-fetched.


As the resurgent Maple Leafs aim for a season-high fourth straight victory, the Kings look to bounce back from a rare recent loss when the teams face off Thursday night.


Absent from the postseason in nine of the past 10 seasons, Toronto (16-15-7) is creating a case for contention by going 8-2-2 since Dec. 5 as both its offense and goaltending have shown more consistency.


The Maple Leafs have averaged 3.67 goals during the 12-game stretch, while a revitalized Jonathan Bernier has allowed just three over the winning streak. After recording consecutive 39-save efforts to defeat Pittsburgh and St. Louis, he made 39 more as Toronto opened its three-game California trip with Wednesday's 4-0 win over Anaheim.


After losing his first 11 decisions and being briefly sent to the minors last month, the former Kings' first-round pick has gone 6-2-0 with a 2.21 goals-against average in eight starts.


"He's got his confidence back," coach Mike Babcock told the NHL's official website. "He's playing out of the net, he's doing things right, feels good about himself and gives our team confidence."


Bernier has been aided by an offense that's scored three or more goals in nine of the last 12, though it'll be hard-pressed to maintain that efficiency against a Kings' defense that's yielded the third-fewest goals in the NHL this season. Los Angeles (25-12-2) has been particularly stingy on home ice, having permitted just 1.93 per game while winning 12 of 15 at Staples Center.


The Leafs now face one of the league's hottest goaltenders in Jonathan Quick, named First Star of the Week on Monday after allowing four goals in four consecutive wins. The All-Star selection ran the team's streak to five by making 29 saves in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Philadelphia.


Los Angeles is coming off Tuesday's 4-1 defeat in Colorado, where backup Jhonas Enroth was hurt by a penalty kill that allowed three goals in five chances.


'We hung our goalie out to dry way too many times,' center Anze Kopitar said. 'We have to throw it all out there and just make sure we play the right way.'


The Kings are a troubling 69.0 percent on the penalty kill over their last seven, though Toronto is just 1 of 19 on the power play over the past five.


Los Angeles has scored a power-play goal in six straight, going 7 of 20 over that stretch.


The Kings made a move towards bolstering both their depth and back line with Thursday's acquisition of veteran center Vincent Lecavalier and defenseman Luke Schenn from Philadelphia.


Lecavalier, 35, helped Tampa Bay win the 2004 Stanley Cup and has 411 goals over a 17-year career, though he played in just seven games while usually a healthy scratch with the Flyers this season. The three-time All-Star joins a Kings team that owns a 10-point lead atop the Pacific Division and has won two Cups in the past four seasons.


'There's nothing better than to be on a team that's been there,' Lecavalier said in a phone interview conducted by the Kings. 'If you look at the standings and where they are right now, they're obviously playing some great hockey. I know the Kings have high expectations for the players, and I love that. ... Just to be a part of that, it's very exciting.'


Toronto, which has won five of six on the road, had a three-game win streak at Staples Center halted with a 2-0 loss on Jan. 12.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack


College basketball referees work a lot from November-March; here is what referee John Higgins has been doing for the last 7-10 days.........


Dec 29-- Texas Southern @ Baylor


Dec 30-- Nevada @ New Mexico


Dec 31-- BYU @ St Mary's


Jan 1-- Utah @ Stanford


Jan 2-- Michigan State @ Minnesota


Jan 3-- Arizona @ Arizona State-- Higgins tossed Bobby Hurley at end.


Jan 4-- Oklahoma @ Kansas-- Game went triple overtime.


Jan 5-- Kansas State @ Texas


Jan 6-- Evansville @ Wichita State


**********


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Ranking the NFL's playoff teams.......


12) Green Bay-- Rodgers was sacked 14 times in his last two games.


11) Washington-- Won last four games, three of which were on road.


10) Houston-- 7-2 in their last nine games after a 2-5 start.


9) Minnesota-- Going to be sub-zero for their game on Sunday.


8) Cincinnati-- Their last playoff win was in 1990: I had hair then!!!!


7) Steelers-- I beat this to death every time an NFL team fires a coach too soon; the Steelers have had three head coaches...........since 1969


6) Seahawks-- Ted Cruz was born in Calgary; if he shows up at a campaign event wearing a Calgary Flames jersey I promise to vote for him. Have some fun with it.


5) Chiefs-- They haven't lost since the Royals won the World Series; they haven't won a playoff game since 1993.


4) Denver-- Don't have lot of confidence in their chances, even at home.


3) New England-- Who are the three people who didn't vote for Junior Griffey for the Hall of Fame? They need to be identified.


2) Arizona-- Now is the hour for Carson Palmer and the Redbirds. Why did Mike Piazza have to wait four years to get into the Hall of Fame?


1) Carolina-- Think about Lovie Smith getting fired last night; in Ron Rivera's first two years with the Panthers, they went 13-19, but they kept him and they're 34-13-1 in three years since then. Firing a guy after two years makes very little sense.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, January 7

Hot teams
-- Washington won eight of its last ten games. Islanders won three of last four.
-- Florida won its last ten games, allowing 12 goals.
-- Jets won four of their last six games.
-- Coyotes won five of their last eight games. Calgary won four of its last six games.
-- Detroit won its last two games, allowing three goals.
-- Maple Leafs won six of their last eight games. Kings won five of their last six.

Cold teams
-- Florida lost five of its last seven games.
-- Flyers lost three of their last four games. Minnesota is 4-5 in its last nine games.
-- Dallas Stars lost four of their last five games.
-- San Jose lost four of its last six games.

Series records
-- Islanders lost three of last four games with Washington.
-- Florida is 5-3 in its last eight games with Ottawa.
-- Flyers won four of last six games with Minnesota.
-- Winnipeg-Dallas split their last ten games.
-- Flames won five of last six games with Arizona.
-- Sharks won six of last seven games with Detroit.
-- Kings lost three of last four games with Toronto.

Totals
-- Four of last five Islander-Washington games stayed under.
-- Five of last seven Florida-Ottawa games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Philly games went over the total. Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Wild games.
-- Six of last eight Dallas-Winnipeg games went over.
-- Six of last eight Arizona-Calgary games stayed under.
-- Over is 6-0-1 in last seven San Jose games.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Toronto-Los Angeles games.

Back-to-backs
-- Toronto is 1-8 if it played the night before.