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

[CNOTES]

NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, January 8

Boston at New Jersey, 7:05 PM ET
Boston: 11-5 SU in road games
New Jersey: 8-24 SU revenging a close loss vs opponent of 1 goal or less

Columbus at Carolina, 7:05 PM ET
Columbus: N/A
Carolina: N/A

Buffalo at Chicago, 8:35 PM ET
Buffalo: 20-62 SU after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game
Chicago: 13-2 SU after a non-conference game

Tampa Bay at Edmonton, 9:05 PM ET
Tampa Bay: 42-21 SU after 1 or more consecutive losses
Edmonton: 9-18 SU at home off a home win where they shut out opponent

Nashville at Colorado, 9:05 PM ET
Nashville: 42-23 SU after 1 or more consecutive unders
Colorado: 0-7 SU after scoring 4 goals or more in 2 straight games

St Louis at Anaheim, 10:05 PM ET
St Louis: 14-4 SU after a road game where both teams score 3 or more goals
Anaheim: 2-8 SU after allowing 4 goals or more

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




BOS at NJ 07:00 PM


BOS -114


O 5.0




CLB at CAR 07:00 PM


CAR -130


U 5.5




BUF at CHI 08:30 PM


CHI -204


O 5.0




NAS at COL 09:00 PM


COL +120 BEST BET


O 5.5 BEST BET




TB at EDM 09:00 PM


EDM +137 BEST BET


U 5.5




STL at ANA 10:00 PM


STL +115 BEST BET


U 5.0

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Capitals (28-7) at Rangers (21-14)
Date: January 09, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

It's been an impressive first half of the season for the Washington Capitals, who appear en route to running away with the Metropolitan Division.


Red-hot Washington can put even more distance between it and one of its pursuers when it tries for a second straight victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday.


The Capitals (30-7-3) stayed one point ahead of slumping Dallas for the NHL lead with a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday, giving them an 11-1-1 record in their last 13 and 18-2-2 mark in 22. Washington, completing a five-game road trip Saturday, is a league-best 15-4-2 away from home.


Alex Ovechkin scored his 497th goal and Braden Holtby stopped 34 shots for the Capitals, who have given up two or fewer goals nine times in the past 13 and are second in the league with 2.13 non-shootout goals allowed per game.


'Our goal is to finish as high as we can in the standings to give us the best opportunity in the playoffs,' said Holtby, 18-0-2 with a 1.83 goals-against average in his last 21 starts. 'We were definitely tested, our blocking and our protection in front of the net.'


With Saturday's contest marking the halfway point of Washington's season, it leads the Islanders by 14 points and the Rangers by 15.


"We've played a lot of good games. We've been consistent and that's something that's huge for us," defenseman Karl Alzner said of the first half. "We've struggled with it in the past, and we've always found ways to lose three, four, five games in a row at some point in the years before and we've done a really good job of bringing the same effort night after night (this season).


"We're happy with that, but it's only halfway."


Inconsistency has instead plagued the Rangers (22-14-4) throughout 2015-16, and that's certainly been the case recently. They've alternated wins and losses in the last five, bouncing back from a 3-0 road loss to Florida last Saturday with a 6-2 home victory over the Stars on Tuesday.


'Our process has been getting better,' coach Alain Vigneault said after Derek Stepan scored two goals and Rick Nash had three assists.


'We are playing better hockey right now. Our execution and our battle level are better.'


The team defense has also been somewhat better, with New York allowing seven goals in the past three after giving up five or more six times in the previous eight.


'Hopefully we are moving in the right direction,' said Henrik Lundqvist, who stopped 21 shots.


One of those eight games came against Washington, a 7-3 loss at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 20 in which Justin Williams had two goals and an assist and five other Capitals scored. Lundqvist was chased after two periods and five goals.


The Capitals dropped the first meeting of the season 5-2 on Nov. 3, also at MSG.


Holtby, expected to start Saturday, has gone 2-4-0 with a 3.38 GAA in his last six games in the series.


Ovechkin has a seven-game goal streak against the Rangers, scoring eight times in that span.


Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist against the Islanders and has recorded two and three in a four-game point streak. He had three assists Dec. 20.


Marcus Johansson has five goals and six assists in his last 10 games and three goals and two assists in his past three against the Rangers, but won't play after being suspended two games Friday. The center was penalized for a hit to the head of Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Islanders (19-14) at Flyers (16-15)
Date: January 09, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

One game after outslugging the highest-scoring team in the NHL, the New York Islanders had no answer for one of the league's best goaltenders.


With their own goalie situation settling down upon Jaroslav Halak's return, a matchup against the light-scoring Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday could be just what the Islanders need to start turning things around.


New York (22-14-5) has been shaky in net over its last three games with a combined 14 goals allowed, though the talented opposition certainly played a significant role.


Sandwiched between a 5-2 loss at Pittsburgh last Saturday and Thursday's 4-1 home defeat against Washington was Sunday's 6-5 victory against a Western Conference-leading Dallas team averaging a league-high 3.4 goals this season.


It was the third time during a 4-2-0 stretch that the Islanders won with at least five goals, but they couldn't manage much against Capitals netminder Braden Holtby despite peppering him with 35 shots. That robust total even marked a dip for New York, which threw 44 shots at the Penguins and 40 at the Stars.


The Isles fell behind 2-0 after one period of a loss that extended first-place Washington's lead over them in the Metropolitan Division to 14 points.


"We have to be better out of the gate," said captain John Tavares, who was held off the scoresheet for the second straight game after earning his third consecutive All-Star selection a day earlier. "We were a little slow to start today. There's a reason they've only lost a handful of times. ... We have to raise our level and be better."


Halak was activated off injured reserve Tuesday after missing five games due to an upper-body injury and stopped 35 of 38 shots in his first action since Dec. 21.


He'll likely be in goal against the Flyers considering his strong play in the first two meetings. Halak won both those starts with a 1.92 GAA, and although he allowed three goals in a 4-3 shootout win at Philadelphia on Dec. 8, he faced a season-high 46 shots.


Frans Nielsen scored three goals in those two games, and Kyle Okposo had a goal and an assist, but Tavares was quiet with a single assist.


Philadelphia (17-15-7) is second to last in the league with 2.21 goals per game but has followed a three-game skid that featured five total goals with a pair of 4-3 wins.


Defenseman Michael Del Zotto scored his second of the game - and just his third of the season - with 37 seconds left in overtime to beat Minnesota on Thursday.


"I haven't had a ton of bounces go in for me or anything like that, so it was nice to be able to contribute offensively and help the team win," Del Zotto said.


After holding Montreal scoreless on four power plays in Tuesday's home victory, the Flyers stopped Minnesota on two chances with the advantage to end their road skid at five. They had allowed eight power-play goals in the previous five games.


The club returns home looking to extend a four-game win streak there since losing to the Islanders. Philadelphia, 6-1-1 in its last eight on home ice, has earned at least a point in its last nine at home in the series, going 5-0-4 in that span.


New York hasn't won in regulation at Wells Fargo Center since a 4-1 victory on Jan. 19, 2012, that snapped a 13-game skid in Philadelphia.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Penguins (18-16) at Canadiens (21-16)
Date: January 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Montreal Canadiens are starting to play better after a three-week span which featured one victory. The Pittsburgh Penguins were on a bit of a roll until running into the defending Stanley Cup champions.


Montreal looks to post back-to-back wins for the first time since late November on Saturday night when it faces a Pittsburgh team that's had recent success at Bell Centre.


The Canadiens (23-16-3) have alternated wins and losses in their last five games, and while that stretch doesn't necessarily mean they've turned things around, it's a dramatic improvement following a 1-10-0 record Dec. 3-26.


Montreal split the last four on a season-high eight-game trip before opening a three-game homestand with a 2-1 victory over New Jersey on Wednesday. It hasn't won two in a row since taking four straight Nov. 20-27.


"It's time for us to play the right way for a couple of games in a row now. It hasn't been the case as of late," captain Max Pacioretty told the team's official website. "We played a good, strong game last game and we've got to build off that and play the right way against Pittsburgh."


Pacioretty scored on the power play for his 17th goal Wednesday and Torrey Mitchell added a short-handed score, Montreal's eighth to tie Ottawa for the NHL lead. The Canadiens, though, are 4 for 48 on the power play in their last 16 games.


"When you win the special-teams battle, you definitely give yourself a much greater opportunity of winning the game," Pacioretty said. "This game is so tightly checked that 5-on-5 goals are very tough to score."


Special teams have recently been a strong point for Pittsburgh (19-16-5), which has held opponents without a goal in 20 power-play opportunities over its last eight and is 10 for 28 (35.7 percent) on its own chances in the previous nine. The Penguins, though, were swept by Chicago in a home-and-home series this week following a 4-1-1 stretch.


Pittsburgh scored twice in the third period to send Tuesday's home matchup to overtime, where it lost 3-2, before allowing two goals in the third the next night in a 3-1 defeat at Chicago.


"I think just dictating the play has been more of our identity here lately and tonight when we don't do that you see the difference," captain Sidney Crosby said. "We are really a team that can skate and play on our toes and when we're doing that we're playing fast and we're tough to contain."


Crosby was held without a point Wednesday after registering six goals and six assists in his previous eight games. He had six goals in his first 32 contests.


"You always pay attention to Sidney. He's the best player in the world," Pacioretty said. "He's playing well. It was only a matter of time. You have to be aware of him on the ice. ... Our job is to make sure he doesn't get any chances."


These teams have split two meetings in Pittsburgh this season, a 3-2 win for Montreal on Oct. 13 and a 4-3 shootout victory for the Penguins on Nov. 11. Pittsburgh has won two straight in Montreal and is 5-1-1 in its last seven visits.


"They're a team that's desperate," Pacioretty said. "They'll do whatever it takes to win the game, especially in Montreal. We've got to put together a good game after a strong performance last game."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bruins (19-14) at Senators (16-16)
Date: January 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Boston Bruins' best offensive showing of the season came last week against the Ottawa Senators, but they suffered a key loss thanks to Brad Marchand's low hit on Mark Borowiecki.


It's fittingly the Senators that Marchand will face Saturday night in his return from a three-game suspension for that hit.


Boston (21-14-4) scored four third-period goals to beat Ottawa 7-3 at home on Dec. 29 after falling 3-1 on the road two days earlier despite a 39-22 shots advantage.


While the Bruins were setting a season high in scoring and salvaging a split in the home-and-home set, Marchand up-ended Borowiecki in the first period. Although he wasn't assessed a penalty, Marchand received a three-game suspension as a repeat offender.


Marchand is tied with Patrice Bergeron with a team-leading 15 goals, and his absence was felt as Boston went 1-2 without him.


The Bruins, though, kicked off this trip Friday with a 4-1 victory at New Jersey, as Ryan Spooner had a goal and assist to back Jonas Gustavsson's 19 saves.


Boston is 12-3-2 on the road for a league-high .765 winning percentage. That's offset their 9-11-2 home record that ranks toward the bottom of the NHL.


"Maybe we keep it a little more simple on the road," Gustavsson said after the Bruins won for the fourth time in their last five away from home.


Jimmy Hayes scored Friday to give him four goals in four games. That stretch started Dec. 29 when he tallied his first career hat trick against the Senators (19-16-6).


He has no points in the last three visits to the Canadian capital.


Spooner has six points (one goal, five assists) in his past four games overall, and four goals and two assists in his last four against the Senators.


Tuukka Rask, who should be back in net, has been instrumental in Boston's road success. He's 7-2-2 with a 1.85 goals-against average away from TD Garden, but is 1-3-0 with a 3.50 GAA over his last five starts at Ottawa.


The Senators are 4-8-1 in their last 13 games, dropping four of five while being outscored 18-8. They gave up two goals in an 8-second span of the first period in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Florida despite yielding a season-low 16 shots.


Ottawa gives up a league-high 33.3 shots per game but has shown some improvement with 26.3 over the last four contests.


"We're playing better," center Kyle Turris told the team's official website. "It's funny how that works, when you start playing better and things start turning around in terms of how the team's playing, and things just aren't going your way.


"We've just got to realize it's going to come. We're going to start getting bounces and scoring goals. We've just got to stick with what we're doing."


Turris may heed his own advice as he's failed to score in 10 straight games. His current streak includes a pointless effort at Boston last month. However, he had two assists at home two days earlier, giving him two goals and three assists in the last two matchups there.


Mike Hoffman leads the Senators with 19 goals, but he's scored twice in the past 10 games. One of those tallies, though, came at Boston on Dec. 29.


The Bruins have lost four of five at Ottawa following an 11-game win streak there.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Maple Leafs (12-16) at Sharks (17-18)
Date: January 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

A tight division is keeping the panic button out of reach for the San Jose Sharks.


However, more than a month of mostly negative results is becoming difficult to pass off with a second straight season out of the playoffs after 10 in them emerging as a distinct possibility.


Still searching for their first win of 2016, they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night hoping to improve a dismal home record.


The Sharks (18-18-2) are 4-9-2 since the start of December after Thursday's 2-1 loss to Detroit. The defeat was their third in four games on a five-game homestand and dropped them to an NHL-worst 5-12-0 at home, with a league-low 38 goals.


They've been limited to 13 goals in going 1-6-0 in their last seven in San Jose.


Joel Ward scored Thursday's first-period equalizer and nearly had another goal just before the Red Wings got the third-period winner.


"It's definitely frustrating. You get a good chance on one end and the next thing you know they come down and score," said Ward, who scored for the first time in 10 games.


Brett Burns assisted and has 12 points in his last eight games after extending his point streak to a season-best five, but San Jose has been limited to a goal in each of the last two. That's made things more difficult on Martin Jones, who's been in goal for the entire homestand.


Jones has gone 3-3-1 with a 3.43 goals-against average in his last seven starts. The third-year player, who went 11-5-0 with a 2.02 mark and three shutouts in his first 17 games for the Sharks through Nov. 21, is 3-0-0 with a 1.65 GAA against Toronto.


"I thought we played a pretty good game, just needed a bit more," Jones said.


They've had that against the Maple Leafs. The Sharks have won the last six meetings - outscoring Toronto 24-11 - and 10 of 11. San Jose is 13-8-0 against the Eastern Conference, but Toronto is 11-6-1 against the West.


The Leafs' latest such game, though, was Thursday's 2-1 defeat at Los Angeles that snapped a three-game winning streak. Despite the loss, the Maple Leafs (16-16-7) have been going in the opposite direction of San Jose with an 8-3-2 surge, during which they've averaged 3.46 goals.


Peter Holland scored for the second time in three games, and coach Mike Babcock wasn't displeased after opening the three-game trip with a 4-0 win over Anaheim the night before.


"I like our preparation. I like the way we get ready," said Babcock, whose team has won five of seven on the road with 13 goals allowed. "Today we knew the first 10 minutes was going to be hard for us, and in the end we were still right there and gave ourselves a chance."


That's started in the defensive zone with the Maple Leafs giving up five goals in the 3-1-0 span. Jonathan Bernier's covered most of that in goal and will start after James Reimer returned from a groin injury against the Kings.


Bernier has won his last three starts with a 0.97 GAA, including a 39-save shutout of the Ducks. After starting the season 0-8-3 with a 3.46 GAA, he's gone 6-2-0 with a 2.21 mark.


Bernier is 1-3-1 with a 3.66 GAA in six games against the Sharks.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hurricanes (17-18) at Blue Jackets (13-24)
Date: January 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella doesn't sound like he wants retribution for a blindside hit to his captain, though the Carolina Hurricanes are saying they'll be ready for anything.


The Blue Jackets will likely be without Nick Foligno on Saturday night when they meet the visiting Hurricanes to complete a home-and-home set.


Carolina (17-18-7) beat Columbus 4-1 at home Friday, and one of the major talking points was a blind-side hit by the Hurricanes' Brad Malone on Foligno early in the third period. Foligno was hit in the chin and left the game after laying down face-first on the ice for some time.


The Blue Jackets' Ryan Malone got in the face of Brad Malone after that incident. Later in the period, Brad Malone and Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky got 5-minute fighting majors.


Tortorella said he gave Dubinsky "high marks" for fighting on behalf of his fallen teammate, but the coach claims there won't be any carry-over into this contest.


"They'll figure it out, the league has to look at it," Tortorella said. "I am certainly not going to complain or try and position anything. In the situation we're in, we need to shut our mouths and play. So there's no complaining here, I'm not going to belly-ache about it. Let the league figure it out and we need to get ready to play another game."


The Hurricanes are insisting it wasn't a dirty play.


"I know on the play I don't think either of them saw each other, it's an unfortunate play," forward Jordan Staal said. "Bugsy (Brad Malone) stood up for himself and he did a great job. Whether or not it's going to happen tomorrow, we'll see but we'll be ready as a team."


The Metropolitan Division's two worst teams played a physical game even before the third period as they matched up for the first time. Elias Lindholm scored twice, Kris Versteeg had two assists and Cam Ward made 35 saves as the Hurricanes ended a three-game slide.


"I thought it was a highly contested game and so it should be in the division," Carolina coach Bill Peters said.


Peters said he would give consideration to handing Ward Saturday's start. Ward has started both ends of a back-to-back three times, winning the second game on the last two occasions.


Dubinsky scored and Anton Forsberg made 25 saves as Columbus (15-24-3) dropped a fourth straight road game. If Forsberg doesn't start Saturday, Joonas Korpisalo is the other option with Sergei Bobrovsky and Curtis McElhinney on injured reserve


Blue Jackets fans will get their first look at defenseman Seth Jones, who made his club debut Friday after being acquired in the blockbuster deal two days earlier that sent underachieving Ryan Johansen to Nashville.


Columbus has dropped its last three home games with Carolina.


"We've gotta (have) more of an attack mind-set," Ryan Malone said. "I think we were a little robotic out there and just thinking more about what to do instead of just feeling what to do."


Hurricanes center Victor Rask, second on the team with 26 points, could play after sitting out Friday with an upper-body injury.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wild (21-11) at Stars (27-10)
Date: January 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Jim Nill's determination to turn the Dallas Stars into a Stanley Cup contender prompted him to make several major moves after taking the general manager job in 2013.


The players he's acquired on his watch are helping realize his vision in his third season at the helm, leading to a five-year contract extension as a reward for the Stars sitting atop the Western Conference just past the season's midway point.


Dallas looks to win six straight at home for the first time in more than nine years by beating the Minnesota Wild for the fourth time this season Saturday night.


Nill plucked Tyler Seguin from Boston less than three months into on the job to pair him with Jamie Benn, who won the Art Ross Trophy last season. They have 24 goals apiece and are again among the league's leading scorers, but they also have a solid supporting cast that has the Stars (29-10-4) eying a deep postseason run.


Seguin scored in regulation before he and offseason acquisition Patrick Sharp scored in the shootout of a 2-1 win over Winnipeg on Thursday that snapped a three-game skid.


Sharp also had an assist, and his 36 points rank third on the club behind Benn, Seguin and defenseman John Klingberg. Jason Spezza, whom Nill acquired from Ottawa before last season, is fourth with 33.


"In just over two years, Jim has helped instill a culture of excellence within our organization and extending that partnership to 2022-23 is vital for the direction of the hockey club," owner Tom Gaglardi said. "From the day he stepped into this role, he has displayed tremendous decision-making in the re-tooling of our group and we're excited to build upon the foundation that has been laid."


The latest victory snapped the Stars' worst funk of the season and brought them to the verge of their first six-game home streak since Nov. 20-Dec. 6, 2006. Sharp's assist Thursday gave him eight along with six goals during an 11-game point streak.


"It wasn't our best game, but the guys found a way to win," said Seguin, who snapped a season-worst three-game point drought. "We're going to be happy with that. That's something we can build off of."


Seguin has four goals and five assists during a five-game point streak against the Wild, including an overtime goal Nov. 28 before scoring and then assisting on Vernon Fiddler's second goal in a 6-3 victory in the most recent matchup Dec. 21.


Minnesota (21-11-8) will be playing on the road for the fifth time in six games after Thursday's 4-3 home loss in overtime to Philadelphia. Zach Parise had a hat trick in Tuesday's win over Columbus and scored against the Flyers to tie it in the third.


The Wild couldn't complete the comeback after falling behind by two goals midway through the second.


"I think it showed the second half of the game that it's all mental," coach Mike Yeo said. "Once we addressed it, the guys, I thought, started to feed off each other's energy. It takes a lot of character to come back with the schedule that we've had."


Devan Dubnyk made 32 saves, but it's unclear if he'll be in net for this contest with Minnesota playing Sunday against New Jersey. He has a 3.73 goals-against average while losing three of his last four starts against Dallas.


Antti Niemi could be back in net for the Stars. He has a 1.97 GAA in his last five appearances against the Wild but didn't start Thursday after giving up six goals in Tuesday's loss to the New York Rangers.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Predators (17-15) at Coyotes (20-16)
Date: January 09, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Ryan Johansen made an immediate contribution in his initial game with the Nashville Predators but couldn't end his new team's recent woes singlehandedly.


The Predators will try again when they face an opponent they've dominated recently on Saturday night, but the Arizona Coyotes have been playing some of their best hockey of late.


Nashville (19-15-7) acquired Johansen from Columbus on Wednesday for defenseman Seth Jones in a swap of former top-five draft picks. The forward scored the opening goal and had an assist in his first contest for the Predators on Friday, but Colorado took command in the third period for a 5-3 win.


"It's definitely nice to get something early like that. Hopefully, I can use that as some confidence and move forward in shooting the puck," said Johansen, who scored his first goal in 16 games. "It's too bad we couldn't find a way to win this one. It would have been a lot cooler."


Nashville dropped to 1-3-1 in its last five after its second straight loss. The Predators have lost three in a row twice this season, most recently Dec. 12-17, but will next face a team it has beaten six consecutive times.


Nashville won 5-2 at home against the Coyotes (20-16-4) in the latest meeting Dec. 1. Filip Forsberg scored two of the Predators' four goals in a third-period rally.


Arizona, however, would appear in prime form to end its lengthy skid to Nashville. The Coyotes are 6-1-2 in their last nine and 3-0-1 in their past four with a 2-1 victory in Calgary on Thursday.


Martin Hanzal tallied the tiebreaking goal early in the third period in his first game since Dec. 19, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored his fifth in nine contests. Hanzal had missed the previous seven games because of a lower-body injury.


"He's a big body out there. You don't realize how much you miss him until he comes back," coach Dave Tippett said. "He solidifies our center ice. It's certainly good to have him back."


In the opener to a seven-game homestand, Tippett's team will seek to win three in a row for the first time since Nov. 25-28. Nashville is 1-4-1 in its last six road games.


The Predators might start backup goaltender Carter Hutton after Pekka Rinne was in net for Friday's loss. Hutton, 3-1-1 with a 2.95 goals-against average in five starts this season, lost in a shootout in his only matchup with Arizona on Oct. 31, 2013.


Rinne is 5-0-0 with a 1.37 GAA and a shutout in his last five games against the Coyotes and that could tempt coach Peter Laviolette to leave him in. Rinne has only started once this season on consecutive days, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 4-0 loss at Minnesota on Nov. 21.


Tippett, meanwhile, is expected to give Louis Domingue his fifth consecutive start. Domingue lost 2-1 in overtime to Nashville in his lone matchup March 9, making 38 saves.


James Neal scored the winning goal in that game, among his four in his last four matchups, but he doesn't have a point in a season-worst five consecutive contests. Johansen has three goals and two assists in his last four games against Arizona.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Lightning (18-17) at Canucks (13-16)
Date: January 09, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks have been among the biggest disappointments over the season's first half.


Only one will get the second half off to a positive start.


Seeking back-to-back wins for the first time in almost a month, the Lightning go for a fourth straight victory in Vancouver on Saturday night.


Tampa Bay (20-17-4) made a run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, losing in six games to Chicago. That increased expectations for 2015-16, making the Lightning one of the favorites to win the Cup.


They're not even in playoff position at the midway point, however, sitting one point back of New Jersey for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.


The Canucks aren't much better. They're third in the Pacific Division, one point ahead of Calgary, the team that knocked them out of the opening round of last year's playoffs.


Vancouver, though, is starting to show some improvement at home, winning five of seven there after a 3-6-3 start.


Bo Horvat scored his second goal with 1:06 left in regulation, putting the Canucks ahead for good in a 3-2 home win over Carolina on Wednesday.


Horvat has three goals in two games after netting two over the first 39.


Sven Baertschi is also giving Vancouver some unexpected scoring. He has four goals and two assists over the past six games after getting one of each against the Hurricanes.


The scoring depth has been timely with Daniel Sedin scoring once over the past five games while Henrik Sedin has come up empty in 10.


"We need that," second-year coach Willie Desjardins said. "It's been a tough go for Hank and Danny. They've carried us for quite a bit this year. That's not a fair thing to do.


"We've been waiting for somebody else to step us. Baertschi seems to have found his game at this level a little bit. He's playing well. He's making great plays with the puck. Bo is a strong guy. He's a good skater. They have found some chemistry with (Radim) Vrbata and we need that scoring."


Daniel Sedin and Baertschi found the net in a 2-1 win at Tampa Bay on Dec. 22. However, it was the Canucks' penalty-killing unit that was vital, stopping the Lightning on nine of 10 power plays.


"We have to make sure we're ready to skate. They're a good skating club," Desjardins said. "They've got lots of talent. We just have to make sure we're ready to skate with them."


That hasn't been the case at Vancouver, where the Lightning have won three straight meetings after going 0-8-1 with two ties in their first 11 visits.


Tampa Bay is 4-4-1 since winning back-to-back games on Dec. 14-15. The Lightning are aiming to do that again after scoring three unanswered goals in the third period of Friday's 3-2 win at Edmonton.


Tied for the team lead with 31 points, Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos are doing their part.


Kucherov has 13 points in 10 games while Stamkos has seven goals and two assists over the last nine. That stretch, though, includes a pointless performance against the Canucks last month for Stamkos, who collected eight goals and six assists in his first seven career meetings.


Vancouver acquired Emerson Etem from the New York Rangers on Friday in exchange for Nicklas Jensen and a sixth-round pick in 2017. He had three assists in 19 games for New York.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blues (21-14) at Kings (24-12)
Date: January 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Kings' comfortable lead in the Pacific Division is partly due to their dominance at home. The St. Louis Blues have experienced it for over four years.


The Kings try to beat the struggling Blues for a 12th straight meeting at Staples Center on Saturday night.


Los Angeles (26-12-2) heads into the midway point of its season with a 10-point cushion on second-place Arizona in the division.


The Kings, who haven't won a division title since 1990-91, have won 13 of their last 16 home games after an 0-3 start there.


They got this four-game homestand off to a strong start Thursday, beating Toronto 2-1 for their sixth win in seven overall.


History would indicate Los Angeles has a good chance to keep that success going. The Kings have won 11 straight home matchups with the Blues (23-14-7), including three in the playoffs.


They also won 3-0 at St. Louis on Nov. 3 in the first of three season meetings.


The Blues enter this one on an 0-2-3 skid, their longest losing streak since dropping the final six games of 2013-14.


St. Louis has squandered two-goal leads in each of its last three games, including Friday's 4-3 shootout loss at Anaheim. The Blues' collapse was highlighted by being outshot 22-3 after the second period.


"It's kind of been that way the last couple weeks for us. We get a lead, I think we start feeling a little bit too comfortable," said right wing Ryan Reaves, who scored his second goal. "I think we put in a pretty gutsy effort, but we've got to learn to bury teams in the third period.


"We're in a rut right now, and we're finding ways to kind of shoot ourselves in the foot."


That includes Vladimir Tarasenko, whose 24 goals are tied with Dallas' Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin for the league lead. The All-Star right wing has only scored twice over the past seven games and was held without a point Friday.


Tarasenko notched seven goals and three assists over his previous nine overall matchups with the Kings before the shutout in November.


Alexander Steen has been held in check by Los Angeles, tallying just two points in 14 career road meetings, including playoffs.


St. Louis has scored three goals or fewer in 11 of the last 12 games and facing Jonathan Quick doesn't figure to help any. Quick has posted a .955 save percentage during a six-start win streak and made 25 saves against the Maple Leafs.


Quick has been in net for 10 of the 11 wins during the Kings' home streak against the Blues, compiling a 1.22 goals-against average and four shutouts.


Jeff Carter has two points at St. Louis in November, giving him seven in the last three matchups. The center scored his 12th goal Thursday after missing five games with an upper-body injury.


"He hasn't played - everyone says it was 26th, but he really hasn't played since the 22nd of December - so you had to really manage it and watch it, so he was able to manage it," coach Darryl Sutter said. "I think he did a good job of it."

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (9) TORONTO@ (10) SAN JOSE | 2016-01-09 19:05:00 - 2016-01-09 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in Road games second half of the season
The record is 2 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-22.35 units)


NHL > (15) NASHVILLE@ (16) ARIZONA | 2016-01-09 21:05:00 - 2016-01-09 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA using money line in All games after a division game
The record is 9 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+10.3 units)


NHL > (9) TORONTO@ (10) SAN JOSE | 2016-01-09 19:05:00 - 2016-01-09 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in Road games on Saturday games
The record is 2 Wins and 21 Losses for the last three seasons (-19.2 units)


NHL > (1) WASHINGTON@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-09 13:05:00 - 2016-01-09 13:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON using money line in All games
The record is 29 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (+17.65 units)


NHL > (1) WASHINGTON@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-09 13:05:00 - 2016-01-09 13:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON using money line in all games
The record is 30 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (+16.65 units)


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

NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (9) TORONTO@ (10) SAN JOSE | 2016-01-09 19:05:00 - 2016-01-09 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in Road games second half of the season
The record is 2 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-22.35 units)

NHL > (15) NASHVILLE@ (16) ARIZONA | 2016-01-09 21:05:00 - 2016-01-09 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA in All games after a division game
The record is 9 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+10.3 units)


NHL > (9) TORONTO@ (10) SAN JOSE | 2016-01-09 19:05:00 - 2016-01-09 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in Road games on Saturday games
The record is 2 Wins and 21 Losses for the last three seasons (-19.2 units)


NHL > (1) WASHINGTON@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-09 13:05:00 - 2016-01-09 13:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON in all games
The record is 30 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (+16.65 units)


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


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (9) TORONTO@ (10) SAN JOSE | 2016-01-09 19:05:00 - 2016-01-09 19:05:00
Play OVER SAN JOSE on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 18 Overs and 5 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.05 units)


NHL > (17) TAMPA BAY@ (18) VANCOUVER | 2016-01-09 22:05:00 - 2016-01-09 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 > (17) TAMPA BAY@ (18) VANCOUVER | 2016-01-09 22:05:00 - 2016-01-09 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)

NHL > (7) PITTSBURGH@ (8) MONTREAL | 2016-01-09 19:05:00 - 2016-01-09 19:05:00
Play UNDER PITTSBURGH on the totalin All games on Saturday games
The record is 9 Overs and 23 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.4 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack


Six free agents who still haven't signed for 2016.......


-- Yoenis Cespedes OF (30)-- If no one wants him, send him to Oakland!!!


-- Justin Upton OF (28)-- Not a big fan, but he's a lot better than his brother.


-- Chris Davis 1B (30)-- Numbers will go down if he leaves Camden Yards.


-- Ian Desmond SS (30)-- Don't the Padres need a shortstop?


-- Dexter Fowler OF (30)-- If the Cubs don't want him, why should you?


-- Wei-Yin Chen, P (30)-- If I'm a NL GM, we're going all-in on this guy.


**********


Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here.....


13) ESPN's Adam Schefter had a great NFL stat this week: Four QBs who start for the road teams this weekend have made a combined 37 playoff starts; four home QBs have started zero playoff games.


12) Drafting ballplayers is an inexact science; smart people make some hideously bad decisions. Why are the Warriors great? Steph Curry was the 7th pick in the 2009 draft. Klay Thompson was the 11th pick in the '11 draft. Minnesota had two picks in the '09 draft ahead of Golden State; they took Ricky Rubio/Jonny Flynn. Yikes.


11) I laugh when pro golfers act disgusted with shots they hit, then the ball winds up 20 feet from the hole. Of course they're very precise and their winning/losing rides on getting as many shots as close to the hole as possible, but I can't hit two shots in a row on the fairway and they're such perfectionists.


There must be some epic temper tantrums off camera when these guys have bad days.


10) Then there is the Ally bank commercial, when the guy plays golf with his boss and cheats for his boss- that commercial makes me want to puke. I could never do that which probably explains my mediocre career as a civil servant........lolol


9) Ole Miss opened its new basketball arena this week and TV guys were raving about how nice it is. One thing about facilities though; when the rich donors cough up major money for better facilities, they expect to see an upgrade in the win-loss record.


Nebraska upgraded its facilities and is struggling, which has turned up the heat on Tim Miles. Auburn has new facilities and quickly fired Tony Barbee when he struggled in the SEC after it opened. Rich people are impatient; they expect results.


8) Speaking of which, Georgia's offensive coordinator makes $850K, the OL coach will make $650K, more than just about every MAC head coach.


7) The guy who was St Louis Cardinals' scouting director hacked the Astros' scouting database not once, but twice; thats a federal offense and he pled guilty on five counts of corporate espionage this week- the could could go to jail for five years.


6) One of the things in the leaked documents that were hacked was that the Marlins would've traded Giancarlo Stanton to Houston for Carlos Correa, George Springer. Seeing as I have Stanton in my keeper fantasy league, knowing he could be playing 81 games in Minute Maid Park instead of Miami's cavernous yard makes me sick.


5) Over the last 20 years, under is 20-13-1 in NFL playoff games involving teams who are divisional rivals, such as Steelers-Bengals tonight.


4) Washington Nationals traded former closer Drew Storen to Toronto Friday; Nats fell apart late LY- their bullpen imploded when they acquired Jonathan Papelbon and moved Storen to a set-up role.


3) Minnesota Vikings are only NFL team this year that started same five offensive linemen in all 16 games; thats good scouting, good coaching and a lot of luck that none of them got hurt.


2) Oakland Grizzlies of Horizon League have a player named Max Hooper who is 58-129 (45%) outside the arc this year; he hasn't taken one 2-point shot in a game!!! He scored a layup in a scrimmage during practice the other day and the coach stopped practice so the team could give him a standing ovation. Seriously.


1) Jim Boeheim returns from his nine-game suspension tonight, team went 4-5 while he was away. ESPN will treat him like a hero, but he was banished from the team because the program cheated and to say he didn't know what was going on is comical. Coaches are control freaks; if they don't know, its because they don't want to know.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, January 9

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

WASHINGTON (30-7-0-3, 63 pts.) at NY RANGERS (22-14-0-4, 48 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 86-55 ATS (+29.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 45-23 ATS (+13.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 36-16 ATS (+16.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 30-10 ATS (+14.6 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 39-29 ATS (+69.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 63-72 ATS (-47.2 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 110-108 ATS (-51.1 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 117-118 ATS (-77.1 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 177-206 ATS (-163.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 10-7 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 10-7-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.7 Units)

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

NY ISLANDERS (22-14-0-5, 49 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (17-15-0-7, 41 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 20-36 ATS (-22.4 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-7 ATS (+20.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-7 ATS (+21.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 2-11 ATS (+15.5 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 8-18 ATS (+27.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 6-4 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 6-4-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.0 Units)

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

BOSTON (21-14-0-4, 46 pts.) at OTTAWA (19-16-0-6, 44 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 6-5 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 6-5-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.1 Units)

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

PITTSBURGH (19-16-0-5, 43 pts.) at MONTREAL (23-16-0-3, 49 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 63-64 ATS (-33.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 22-31 ATS (-24.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 25-8 ATS (+15.2 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 88-75 ATS (+171.3 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 4-4 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 4-4-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)

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

TORONTO (16-16-0-7, 39 pts.) at SAN JOSE (18-18-0-2, 38 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 11-35 ATS (+60.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 11-36 ATS (+56.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 1-14 ATS (+23.5 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 6-22 ATS (+35.5 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 10-29 ATS (+44.8 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-19 ATS (+28.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 11-7 ATS (+20.4 Units) in non-conference games this season.
SAN JOSE is 58-62 ATS (-16.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 20-26 ATS (-18.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 15-21 ATS (-16.6 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 6-13 ATS (-16.6 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 9-15 ATS (-17.4 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 84-85 ATS (-63.4 Units) in home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 25-29 ATS (-16.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 16-20 ATS (-18.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 5-0-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)

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

CAROLINA (17-18-0-7, 41 pts.) at COLUMBUS (15-24-0-3, 33 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 47-30 ATS (+78.2 Units) in home games in January games since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 27-23 ATS (+53.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 29-13 ATS (+14.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 2-11 ATS (+15.0 Units) after a division game this season.
COLUMBUS is 8-18 ATS (-11.2 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-31 ATS (+47.8 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 8-16 ATS (-8.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 6-4 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 6-4-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.5 Units)

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

MINNESOTA (21-11-0-8, 50 pts.) at DALLAS (29-10-0-4, 62 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 29-14 ATS (+12.7 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 16-4 ATS (+10.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
DALLAS is 12-4 ATS (+5.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 19-12 ATS (+32.9 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 6-6-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.8 Units)

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

NASHVILLE (19-15-0-7, 45 pts.) at ARIZONA (20-16-0-4, 44 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 6-1 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 6-1-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.3 Units)

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

TAMPA BAY (20-17-0-4, 44 pts.) at VANCOUVER (16-16-0-9, 41 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 10:05 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 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 4-1-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.6 Units)

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

ST LOUIS (23-14-0-7, 53 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (26-12-0-2, 54 pts.) - 1/9/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 13-22 ATS (-14.9 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 9-2 ATS (+6.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOS ANGELES is 10-19 ATS (-23.9 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 23-27 ATS (-20.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 5-2 (+3.5 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 5-2-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.0 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up


Saturday, January 9


Hot teams
-- Washington won eight of its last ten games.
-- Islanders won three of their last five games. Philly won its last four home games.
-- Toronto won three of its last four games.
-- Arizona won three of its last four games.
-- Canucks won four of their last six games.
-- Los Angeles won six of its last seven games.


Cold teams
-- Rangers lost five of their last eight games.
-- Boston lost five of its last seven games. Senators lost six of last eight.
-- Penguins lost four of their last six games. Montreal lost seven of its last ten.
-- San Jose lost five of its last seven games.
-- Carolina lost three of its last four games. Blue Jackets lost five of last seven.
-- Minnesota, Dallas both lost three of their last four games.
-- Predators lost four of their last five games.
-- Lightning is 4-5 in its last nine games.
-- St Louis lost its last five games, last three in OT/SO.


Series records
-- Rangers won four of last five games with Washington.
-- Islanders won six of their last seven games with Philly.
-- Ottawa won four of last six games with Boston.
-- Road team won five of last six Pittsburgh-Montreal games.
-- Sharks won their last six games with Toronto.
-- Hurricanes won four of last five games with Columbus.
-- Dallas Stars won four of last five games with Minnesota.
-- Coyotes lost their last six games with Nashville.
-- Lightning won four of last five games with Vancouver.
-- Kings won eight of last ten games with St Louis.


Totals
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Washington games.
-- Five of last six Philly games went over total.
-- Six of last seven Ottawa games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Pittsburgh road games stayed under.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight San Jose games.
-- Under is 7-2 in last nine Carolina-Columbus games.
-- Five of last six Dallas-Minnesota games went over.
-- Six of last eight Nashville-Arizona games went over.
-- Under is 4-0-2 in last six Tampa Bay-Vancouver games.
-- Last four Los Angeles games stayed under the total.


Back-to-backs
-- Boston is 3-1 if it played night before; teams are 3-7 night after playing the Devils.
-- Carolina is 5-2 if it played night before; Columbus is 3-7, 2-1 at home.
-- Nashville is 0-5 if it played night before.
-- Tampa Bay is 2-4 if it played night before; teams are 2-5 night before playing the Oilers. .
-- St Louis is 3-2 on road if it played night before; teams are 3-8 the night after playing against the Ducks.


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


NHL


Saturday, January 9


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


1:00 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders


1:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NY RANGERS
Washington is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
Washington is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
NY Rangers are 6-13 SU in their last 19 games
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Washington


7:00 PM
BOSTON vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Boston's last 15 games
Boston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing Boston
Ottawa is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston


7:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. COLUMBUS
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Carolina's last 9 games when playing Columbus
Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 7 games when playing at home against Carolina
Columbus is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games


7:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. MONTREAL
Pittsburgh is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games
Pittsburgh is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Montreal
Montreal is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal's last 5 games at home


7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. SAN JOSE
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
San Jose is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games


8:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. DALLAS
Minnesota is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games at home


9:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. ARIZONA
Nashville is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Arizona
Nashville is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Arizona is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville
Arizona is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home


10:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. VANCOUVER
Tampa Bay is 3-7-2 SU in its last 12 games ,when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay


10:30 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. LOS ANGELES
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, January 9


Minnesota @ Dallas

Game 13-14
January 9, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
12.348
Dallas
11.533
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+125); Over

Nashville @ Arizona

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

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
12.538
Arizona
9.944
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 2 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(-120); Under

Tampa Bay @ Vancouver

Game 17-18
January 9, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
11.120
Vancouver
12.699
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver
(+110); Over

St. Louis @ Los Angeles

Game 19-20
January 9, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
9.554
Los Angeles
13.360
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 4
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-170
5
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-170); Under

Washington @ NY Rangers

Game 1-2
January 9, 2016 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
11.644
NY Rangers
13.134
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(-105); Over

NY Islanders @ Philadelphia

Game 3-4
January 9, 2016 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
13.933
Philadelphia
9.849
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 4
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(-115); Under

Boston @ Ottawa

Game 5-6
January 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
12.858
Ottawa
11.355
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Ottawa
-110
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-110); Under

Pittsburgh @ Montreal

Game 7-8
January 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
10.396
Montreal
12.858
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Montreal
by 2 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(-120); Over

Toronto @ San Jose

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

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
12.058
San Jose
11.112
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-140
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+120); Over

Carolina @ Columbus

Game 11-12
January 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
12.284
Columbus
9.799
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 2 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
-125
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(+105); Under

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




NYI at PHI 01:00 PM


PHI -100




WAS at NYR 01:00 PM


NYR -103

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




MIN at DAL 08:00 PM


MIN +120 BEST BET


U 5.5




NAS at ARI 09:00 PM


ARI +111

O 5.5 BEST BET




TB at VAN 10:00 PM


VAN +108


O 5.0




STL at LA 10:30 PM

STL +160 BEST BET


U 5.0

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Sabres (14-22) at Jets (19-19)
Date: January 10, 2016 3:00 PM EDT

Evander Kane left Winnipeg on rough terms about a year ago, and his reception upon return might not be any less rocky.


Kane will try to help the Buffalo Sabres beat Winnipeg for just the second time in 11 tries on Sunday in his first game there since a seven-player trade ended his deteriorating relationship with the Jets.


Kane's time with the Winnipeg organization - two seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers and 3 1/2 with the Jets - included several reported tiffs with his former teammates and what he said were yearly trade requests during the offseasons in Winnipeg.


What led to his departure was a February feud with Dustin Byfuglien after Kane allegedly violated Winnipeg's dress code by wearing a tracksuit to a team meeting. Byfuglien allegedly then threw the tracksuit into a cold tub to send a message, and Kane left the rink and missed the Jets' home game that night. Kane then opted to have season-ending shoulder surgery and was traded to Buffalo a week later.


Kane downplayed his return - which also includes Buffalo's Zach Bogosian and Winnipeg's Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford, who all swapped teams in the trade.


"Ah, just another game," Kane said. "I'm going into it preparing as if we were playing any other team in the league. We're on a six-game slide here, so I'm looking for two points."


Kane wasn't sure about what type of reception to expect from fans, some of which are planning to wear tracksuits as part of "Tracksuit Night."


"I don't know," he said. "I guess we'll find out together."


Buffalo (15-22-4) could desperately use a win after going without a point in six consecutive losses. The Sabres combined for eight goals while Kane has gone without a point during the stretch.


Kane has just eight goals and five assists in 31 games this season with a minus-10 rating for a team that ranks toward the bottom of the NHL with 2.24 goals per game. Stafford is tied for Winnipeg's team lead with 14 goals with eight assists, while Myers has five goals and 13 assists as the Jets fall in the middle of the league with 2.66 goals per game.


Winnipeg (19-19-3) is 4-2-1 in the last two weeks and wrapped up a 2-2-1 road trip with Thursday's 2-1 shootout loss at Dallas. The Jets play nine of their next 10 games at MTS Centre, where they are 11-5-1 and have won eight of their last 10.


"Everyone's on the same page," Byfuglien said. "It's a big part of being a good team is everyone pulling on the same rope."


Byfuglien had little to say about Kane's return.


"It's just like any other game, any other teammate that's been traded," he said. "It's business. We've got to go and do our job."


Winnipeg - 9-1-0 in this series since Jan. 7, 2012 and winners of six straight home games over the Sabres - has used rookie Connor Hellebuyck in net almost exclusively since mid-December since Ondrej Pavelec was lost to a knee injury.


Hellebuyck is 9-4-1 and has been outstanding in his last three starts, posting a .969 save percentage.


Chad Johnson has lost his last three starts for Buffalo with a 3.39 goals-against average. He has suffered shutout losses in his only two career starts against Winnipeg despite a 0.92 GAA.