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

[CNOTES]

Preview: Devils (19-17) at Blues (21-14)
Date: January 12, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The beat-up St. Louis Blues have been working long and frequent hours recently, so they might not be particularly fresh in their next game even after two days off.


The Blues have put in plenty of extra time during a four-game point streak, and they'll be looking for their first back-to-back wins of the new year when they face the similarly banged-up New Jersey Devils to open a four-game homestand.


St. Louis (24-14-7) stopped a five-game skid with a 2-1 shootout victory over Los Angeles on Saturday. Alex Pietrangelo tied it in the second period and Troy Brouwer got the deciding goal in the seventh round of the tiebreaker for the Blues, who have gone to two straight shootouts after dropping their previous two games in overtime.


Their just-completed three-game trip took place over four nights.


"It's four games in a row now that we have really dug in," coach Ken Hitchcock told the team's official website. "You get into overtime or extra time and you are going to win some and lose some. We now have played really well for four or five games in a row. We just have to keep it going."


St. Louis won without center Paul Stastny and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, both of whom suffered upper-body injuries in a 4-3 shootout loss to Anaheim on Friday.


"We've put a lot of work in and a lot of effort in," center David Backes said. "Now we've found that second point and it feels like a good reward for a great effort against a team that was rested and really came at us hard. We responded really well."


Hitchcock announced that Stastny is day to day, while Bouwmeester, along with Carl Gunnarsson and Magnus Paajarvi with the same injury, are week to week.


St. Louis will be trying to avoid a third consecutive home defeat by beating New Jersey for the third straight time at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 4-3 in the most recent such meeting Nov. 6, 2014.


They took the first matchup this season 2-0 on Nov. 10 behind 24 saves from Jake Allen, who's been put on injured reserve after leaving the Ducks game with a knee injury. Brian Elliott, expected to start for the second straight time after making 26 saves against the Kings, has a 1.96 goals-against average in his last nine games.


The Devils (21-17-5) beat Minnesota 2-1 on Sunday to snap a three-game skid. Defenseman Jon Merrill scored his first goal in 82 games for the third-period winner and Adam Henrique got his 15th of the season for New Jersey, which opened a four-game trip.


New Jersey's goal total against the Wild matched that of its previous three games. The club's 2.21 goals per contest is second to last in the league.


The Devils have also been hit hard by injuries. Leading scorer Mike Cammalleri has missed five straight games, the club is also without Patrik Elias, and Jiri Tlusty was placed on injured reserve this week.


Four players in Sunday's lineup had played a combined six NHL games this season as promoted reinforcements.


"This is the time where you need guys to step up," Henrique said. "There's a lot of opportunity for guys coming in the lineup and getting more of a chance to play. We need guys to take advantage of that."


Cory Schneider, 3-3-0 in his last six starts despite a 1.68 GAA, is expected to be in net for New Jersey. He's 3-4-1 with a 1.93 mark in nine career matchups with the Blues after making 26 saves Nov. 10.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Sabres (15-22) at Wild (22-12)
Date: January 12, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Wild followed a road victory over the Western Conference's top team with a lackluster effort the next night that reminded them how much they still need to improve in order to climb in the standings.


Beating the Buffalo Sabres for the fifth straight time Tuesday night wouldn't exactly be a feather in their cap, but it would at least get them back on track at home.


Minnesota (22-12-8) sits fourth in a Central Division that's arguably the deepest in the NHL. It trails St. Louis by three points with three games in hand, but it failed to gain more ground after losing 2-1 to New Jersey on Sunday.


Zach Parise scored against his former team in the third period after the Wild totaled just seven shots through the first two periods.


"It's not good enough," Parise said. "We want to catch Chicago. We want to catch St. Louis. We can't come out and play like that."


The Wild's third defeat in their last four at home came after they beat first-place Dallas by the same score. Their 18 shots against the Devils were their second fewest of the season and they failed on their only power-play attempt.


Minnesota is 1 for 22 with the man advantage over its last 12 and hasn't scored on any of its previous 14 chances.


"We go out and beat a top team in their own building like that and then come out like that and not play a full 60," center Charlie Coyle said. "We're too good of a team to come out flat like that and not play our game. We can't afford games like that."


The Wild will try to bounce back against a Buffalo team they've swept in the last two season series. Parise and Thomas Vanek, who spent his first eight-plus seasons with the Sabres, had a goal and assist apiece in a 7-0 victory in the last meeting Jan. 15.


Buffalo (16-22-4) was outscored 21-8 during a six-game losing streak before Sunday's 4-2 win in Evander Kane's return to Winnipeg. Kane assisted on an empty net goal that gave Sam Reinhart his first NHL hat trick.


Reinhart scored 1:37 in to give the Sabres their first goal in the opening 20 minutes in six games. Their 17 first-period goals are tied with Philadelphia for the fewest in the league.


"We've talked about it. It's been a frustrating time not getting on the board early and not having success early," said Reinhart, who had one goal over his previous seven. "We've been having to kind of try and comeback late in the third. To get a couple early is great for our confidence."


The Sabres announced Monday that defenseman Mark Pysyk is back with the club following a conditioning assignment that stemmed from a lower-body injury that kept him out 22 games.


Goaltender Robin Lehner will remain with the AHL club for at least one more game during his assignment, meaning Linus Ullmark could be in net again for this contest.


The rookie made 42 saves against the Jets and has a 2.19 goals-against average over his last six.


Devan Dubnyk should be back in net after having Sunday off. Dubnyk has a 1.83 GAA over his last seven and won his only career start against the Sabres in the last meeting.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Predators (17-16) at Blackhawks (26-13)
Date: January 12, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks are piling up the goals. The re-emergence of one of their top offensive threats should only make things worse for opponents.


After breaking out of the longest slump of his career, Marian Hossa looks to help the Blackhawks to their eighth consecutive win when the Nashville Predators visit the United Center on Tuesday night.


Hossa hadn't scored in 14 games entering Sunday's 6-3 victory over Colorado, but he tallied two of the Blackhawks' four second-period goals. That helped Chicago (27-13-4) inch within four points of Central Division-leading Dallas.


Hossa had never gone longer without a goal in his 18-year career.


'When I was younger, I tried to do a little too much,' Hossa said. 'I've learned over those years, if the puck doesn't go in, try to use your instincts, stay positive. Eventually it's going to go in.'


That's been happening consistently for Chicago even with an ineffective Hossa. The Blackhawks have averaged 4.14 goals during their season-high winning streak that started Dec. 29 - highest in the league in that span.


Patrick Kane has four goals and eight assists during the run and followed a rare pointless game by scoring twice Sunday. Jonathan Toews scored his fifth goal of the streak and added his third and fourth assists.


'It seems like we're trending in the right direction,' said Kane, who scored his NHL-leading 13th power-play goal. 'Keep building off this level we're at right now.'


The Blackhawks look to go 4-0 on their homestand before playing nine of 11 on the road. They're 18-5-1 and have won four straight at the United Center.


Corey Crawford is expected to be in net to try for his sixth straight victory. He's posted a 1.48 goals-against average in his last four games.


Crawford has won his last three starts against the Predators, including a 36-save performance in a 4-1 win Dec. 8.


Pekka Rinne suffered the loss in that one, but made 35 saves in a 5-1 win over the Blackhawks two days later.


Nashville (19-16-7) has gone 4-7-2 since that victory and suffered its third straight loss and fifth shutout of the season Saturday, 4-0 at Arizona.


The Predators, 1-5-1 in their last seven away from home, are tied at the bottom of the NHL with Edmonton and New Jersey with 1.40 goals per game since Dec. 31.


'Is there a concern in the last three to five games? Yeah, there is,' coach Peter Laviolette said. 'We've got to be better and there's no excuse. We've got to start playing well enough to win games, not just playing games.'


The Predators ended a three-game skid in the series with the Dec. 10 victory.


Kane scored in each of this season's first two matchups to give him 19 regular-season goals versus Nashville - his highest total against any opponent.


Nashville's Eric Nystrom also scored in both games while James Neal had two goals Dec. 10. Neal has recorded three multigoal games in his last five against Chicago, totaling seven goals, and has 14 goals in 20 career meetings.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Oilers (14-23) at Coyotes (21-16)
Date: January 12, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The only team that separated the Edmonton Oilers from the bottom of the Pacific Division last season isn't providing such cover midway through this one.


The Arizona Coyotes enter the second half in second place with a shot at establishing their longest winning streak in more than two years Tuesday night at home against the embattled division foe they've left in the dust.


Saturday's 4-0 home win over Nashville was the Coyotes' third straight, which they haven't bettered since winning five in a row from Oct. 26-Nov. 5, 2013. Arizona (21-16-4) has outscored opponents 9-3 in on the run since falling 4-3 in a shootout in Edmonton (17-23-3) on Jan. 2.


"I think everyone was doubting this team starting this season and even a couple of months ago," goaltender Louis Domingue told the team's official website. "Right now I think everybody in this room and everyone around the league are starting to take us seriously. â?¦ We're playing way better defensively than we were last year and I think we're starting to really get confident with the way we play. We're just so strong in every aspect."


Domingue has been in goal for each win to improve to 6-0-2 as a starter with a 1.73 goals-against average and .947 save percentage. On the team's 4-0-1 point streak, the 23-year-old has 1.58 and .952 marks.


"When the goaltender is solid in there, the team doesn't feel that there is a rat race in front of them," coach Dave Tippett said. "Our team has played pretty well in front of them, and Louis certainly does his part just stopping the ones he is supposed to."


Offensively, Tobias Rieder had two goals and an assist, giving him six points in his last three home games. Seventeen of his 26 points have come at home.


The Coyotes began a season-high seven-game homestand with their first four-goal win of the season, and 41 games in, they're in second place with 46 points and hopes of closing the gap with Los Angeles, which visits to conclude the homestand Jan. 23.


"With the seven games at home you can look at it as almost a full playoff series," Tippett said. "If we do well in this series it will propel us to the start of the second half. It's a major focus for us right now, that we have to have a good homestand."


Tippett's team finished six points back of the Oilers last season despite winning all five meetings as part of an 11-0-2 stretch in the series with 4.00 goals per game.


Edmonton's offense again seems incapable of keeping up. The Oilers fell 2-1 at home to Florida on Sunday and have scored 19 goals over a 3-8-1 span. They don't expect it to get any easier.


"It's going to get tough like this the rest of the way as things get close to the playoffs, the intensity goes up, teams continue to play tight checking, this is what we have to expect every night," Mark Letestu told the team's official website. "We're going to have to work and earn every goal we get."


The power play has been part of the struggle with a 2-for-25 mark over the past 11 games, though Arizona's penalty kill has only gone 20 for 30 in its last nine.


Cam Talbot was in goal for the win over the Coyotes at the beginning of the month to get to 3-0-0 against them in his career. Overall, he's posted a 1.78 GAA during a 2-3-0 span.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Lightning (19-17) at Avalanche (21-19)
Date: January 12, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

In part due to injuries, the Tampa Bay Lightning aren't producing goals at nearly the same rate as last season, but Nikita Kucherov has been one of the league's most consistent performers for much of the past six weeks.


Kucherov has played a key role in giving the Lightning the chance at a winning road trip, but to accomplish that task, they'll have to earn their first victory at the Colorado Avalanche in 12 seasons Tuesday night.


Tampa Bay (21-17-4) is averaging 2.50 goals this season, down from its league-best 3.16 in 2014-15, and is one point shy of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2015. The Lightning haven't scored more than three goals in any of their last six games but have earned back-to-back victories on their four-game road trip.


Kucherov scored the first of his team's three third-period goals in a 3-2 victory against Edmonton on Friday. He tallied an even more important one, the overtime winner in a 3-2 victory over Vancouver on Saturday, giving him 10 goals and 10 assists in his last 16 games.


"These last couple of games ... it hasn't been perfect," coach Jon Cooper said. "But we played pretty well, the effort has been outstanding and we got four points out of it."


Tampa Bay has dealt with a number of injuries but only one player is currently out, forward Joel Vermin (lower body). That improved health has Cooper optimistic about the rest of the season.


"We're halfway through the season and we're not where we expected to be, but we finally got our team back. Now we've got to put a consistent effort together,' Cooper said. 'It's been hard to be consistent when lines are changing every single night because guys are getting hurt. We've finally got healthy here and got a little stability in our group.


"You can see the confidence growing in our room with every single period we play."


The Lightning will try to finish 3-1-0 on their trip by ending a six-game skid in Colorado (21-19-3). They haven't won there since March 1, 2004, and are 2-8-2 with two ties all-time in Denver.


A leaky defense has played a large role in the last two defeats in Colorado as Tampa Bay has given up a combined 11 goals. The Lightning lost 5-4 in their latest visit Feb. 22, and have dropped three of the last four overall, including a 2-1 defeat Oct. 29.


Semyon Varlamov stopped 34 shots in that game but made 16 saves on 20 shots before getting pulled in a 6-3 loss in Chicago on Sunday. That performance ended a three-game win streak for the Avalanche, who earned all of those victories at home.


"Defensively I don't think we were where we needed to be tonight," said forward Matt Duchene, who had a pair of goals and an assist. "We gave up some pretty good chances and kind of hung our goalies out to dry a couple of times."


Duchene, who has 21 goals, has scored five times with four assists in his last seven games. He has one goal and two assists in his last five games against Tampa Bay while Nathan MacKinnon has five goals and five assists in five lifetime matchups.


Kucherov has one goal and two assists in his five games versus Colorado.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (51) PITTSBURGH@ (52) CAROLINA | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH using money line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 13 Wins and 30 Losses for the last two seasons (-29.9 units)


NHL > (61) NASHVILLE@ (62) CHICAGO | 2016-01-12 20:35:00 - 2016-01-12 20:35:00
Play AGAINST NASHVILLE using money line in All games
The record is 0 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (-8 units)


NHL > (65) TAMPA BAY@ (66) COLORADO | 2016-01-12 21:05:00 - 2016-01-12 21:05:00
Play ON COLORADO using money line in All games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 21 Wins and 10 Losses for the last two seasons (+15.8 units)


NHL > (63) EDMONTON@ (64) ARIZONA | 2016-01-12 21:05:00 - 2016-01-12 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA using money line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 9 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+10.1 units)


NHL > (63) EDMONTON@ (64) ARIZONA | 2016-01-12 21:05:00 - 2016-01-12 21:05:00
Play AGAINST EDMONTON using money line in Road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game
The record is 2 Wins and 19 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.7 units)


NHL > (51) PITTSBURGH@ (52) CAROLINA | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH using money line in Road games vs. division opponents
The record is 5 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.2 units)


NHL > (53) COLUMBUS@ (54) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS using money line in Road games second half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.6 units)


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

NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (51) PITTSBURGH@ (52) CAROLINA | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 13 Wins and 30 Losses for the last two seasons (-29.9 units)


NHL > (65) TAMPA BAY@ (66) COLORADO | 2016-01-12 21:05:00 - 2016-01-12 21:05:00
Play ON COLORADO in All games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 21 Wins and 10 Losses for the last two seasons (+15.8 units)


NHL > (63) EDMONTON@ (64) ARIZONA | 2016-01-12 21:05:00 - 2016-01-12 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 9 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+10.1 units)


NHL > (63) EDMONTON@ (64) ARIZONA | 2016-01-12 21:05:00 - 2016-01-12 21:05:00
Play AGAINST EDMONTON in Road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game
The record is 2 Wins and 19 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.7 units)


NHL > (51) PITTSBURGH@ (52) CAROLINA | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH in Road games vs. division opponents
The record is 5 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.2 units)

NHL > (53) COLUMBUS@ (54) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS in Road games second half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.6 units)


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


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (61) NASHVILLE@ (62) CHICAGO | 2016-01-12 20:35:00 - 2016-01-12 20:35:00
Play UNDER NASHVILLE on the totalin Road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 1 Overs and 14 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.25 units)

NHL > (51) PITTSBURGH@ (52) CAROLINA | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play UNDER CAROLINA on the totalin Home games after a division game
The record is 4 Overs and 20 Unders for the last two seasons (+15.75 units)


NHL > (51) PITTSBURGH@ (52) CAROLINA | 2016-01-12 19:05:00 - 2016-01-12 19:05:00
Play UNDER PITTSBURGH on the totalin Road games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 6 Overs and 21 Unders for the last two seasons (+15.85 units)

NHL > (61) NASHVILLE@ (62) CHICAGO | 2016-01-12 20:35:00 - 2016-01-12 20:35:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin All games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 15 Overs and 37 Unders for the last two seasons (+21.9 units)


NHL > (57) NEW JERSEY@ (58) ST LOUIS | 2016-01-12 20:05:00 - 2016-01-12 20:05:00
Play UNDER ST LOUIS on the totalin All games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 1 Overs and 8 Unders for the this season (+7.55 units)


NHL > (59) BUFFALO@ (60) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-12 20:05:00 - 2016-01-12 20:05:00
Play OVER BUFFALO on the totalin All games in a road game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 20 Overs and 6 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.55 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Sharks (19-18) at Jets (19-20)
Date: January 12, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The San Jose Sharks have the league's hottest defenseman but they've also have plenty of other contributors in their back-to-back wins.


The Sharks will try to keep rolling Tuesday night with a better performance against the Winnipeg Jets than in a home loss earlier this month.


Brent Burns scored his eighth goal in 10 games and added his eighth assist in that span in a 5-4 win over Calgary on Monday. Joel Ward provided a key score in the third period, one of San Jose's 12 in the past two contests.


Nine different players have found the net in those games, with Burns and Joonas Donskoi scoring in each. Logan Couture registered his first goal in 10 games this season Monday.


"I think it's shown the last couple days of what we're capable of, and we've got good depth," Ward told the team's official website after the Sharks were outshot 35-18. "It's just a matter of executing every night."


The Sharks (20-18-2) totaled two goals in back-to-back losses to open January, beginning with a 4-1 defeat to the Jets (19-20-3).


Burns had his team's lone goal on a power play. Drew Stafford got Winnipeg started with a short-handed score in the opening period and Mathieu Perreault found the net on a man advantage in the second.


Perreault also has goals in each of the last two games, but the Jets have lost both. He suffered an undisclosed injury late in a 4-2 defeat to Buffalo on Sunday, which denied Winnipeg a season-high fourth consecutive home win.


"Of course, it's frustrating. We're not happy about it. At the same time, you've got to keep moving forward," Stafford said. "Teams aren't waiting for us to get better. They're coming in and they need the points too. There are no easy games, so it's on us to work on this and hopefully break through."


Perreault is considered probable for the Jets' pursuit of their ninth win in 12 games on their own ice. Mark Scheifele could be sidelined an extended period because of a lower-body ailment.


"We'll get (Perreault) through the morning skate (Monday), but he feels good," coach Paul Maurice said.


The loss to the Sabres began a stretch in which Winnipeg will play nine of 10 on home ice. The visit north of the border is one of just three road games for the Sharks from Dec. 28-Jan. 26.


San Jose has split its past four visits to Winnipeg and lost 5-2 in the most recent one March 17. Blake Wheeler had two goals and an assist in that game, giving him three goals and six assists in his past five matchups.


Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd has six goals and three assists in his last 10 regular-season games against San Jose.


Burns, meanwhile, has three goals and three assists in his last five versus Winnipeg.


"He's been huge all year. He's a great player," goaltender Martin Jones said. "He brings so much to the table."


San Jose forward Joe Pavelski has cooled off a little from a hot stretch with one goal and two assists in his last four games. He registered eight goals and five assists in his previous nine.


Pavelski has three goals and five assists in his past seven matchups with the Jets.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack


Six highest ranked college basketball conferences...........


6) SEC-- Vanderbilt, LSU are disappointments; South Carolina is 15-0.


5) Big 14-- Looks like five teams in NCAAs, unless Ohio State picks it up.


4) Big East-- Eight strong teams and then there are DePaul/St John's.


3) Pac-12-- Parity rules; Arizona lost its leading scorer for next month.


2) ACC-- Pitt, Miami look like biggest threats to UNC, Duke.


1) Big 12-- What a league, very tough. TCU is improved in its new arena.


**********

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


13) Alabama 45, Clemson 40-- Some quick thoughts on this exceptional game:
-- Special. Teams. In fourth quarter alone, Alabama recovered an onside kick and ran a kick back for a TD and that was the difference.
-- Deshaun Watson should've won the Heisman Trophy. Period.
-- It is fair to list Nick Saban as one of the greatest college coaches ever; he's won five national titles, four at Alabama.
-- That said, Saban chose Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees as a free agent QB when he was coaching the Dolphins- had he picked Brees, he likely never would've become the Alabama coach, because he would've stayed with Miami.
-- Florida coach Jim McElwaine, who was very relaxed/friendly on ESPN2 with the other coaches, pointed out matter-of-factly that Alabama will probably have a staff meeting tomorrow to deal with recruiting- they get 12 hours to enjoy the title, and that is it. Not sure that is healthy, but thats the business.
-- Signing Day is three weeks from Wednesday; future games are won/lost then, so it imperative that coaches work like hell on recruiting for the next three weeks.


12) Wound up watching the game on ESPN2 with five college coaches and ESPN's Chris Spielman/Brian Greise sitting in a room giving commentary. Can learn lot more listening to coaches, but that coaches' clicker, where they rewind plays over and over quickly, it just makes me queasy.


11) Wednesday's Powerball jackpot is $1.4B, thats billion, with a B. Never bought a ticket myself, though I did go in with co-workers back in my working days. What in God's name would you do if you won that much money?


10) Playing field used for the Clemson-Alabama game is not the same one the Arizona Cardinals use; they keep the grass fields outside the dome and wheel them into the dome for the game.


9) There are rumors that Chick-fil-A is coming to Albany, which would be excellent news for me-- they say they don't have a site yet, but hopefully will soon. Love their chicken sandwiches. Still have to try the new Sonic about ten miles from here.


8) The outgoing university president at Alabama make $545K last year. Strength coach for the Alabama football team will make $600K next season. Strength coach at Clemson needs a new agent; he makes $245K a year.


7) I'm still amazed at how NBA coaches are standing there coaching their teams and there are fans sitting six inches from them, right there on the sidelines. There have to be interesting conversations that go on, like when Jack Nicholson used to sit by the visitors' bench at Laker games.


6) Robert Griffin III will be a free agent this winter; if you ran an NFL team and needed a QB, would you take a chance on him? Can he lead a team? When the 2016 season starts it will be 20 months since he's played in an NFL game.


5) UNLV hosts New Mexico tonight, two days after they fired coach Dave Rice; it is ironic that the picture on tickets for tonight's game is Coach Rice and that Elijah Brown plays for New Mexico- he is (former Cavaliers coach) Mike Brown's son. Rumors out there are saying that Mike Brown is a popular choice to be the Rebels' next coach.


4) NFL suspended Vontaze Burfict for three games for his hijinx during the playoff game Saturday night, all of which sets up the inevitable Steeler-Bengal game on Sunday Night Football in Week 4 next season.


3) ACC ran a promotional video at halftime of the game last night; one of the players they touted as a former ACC player was Russell Wilson, who transferred from NC State to Wisconsin before his senior season.


2) So Tom Brady and I have two things in common:
a) We both attended state universities.
b) Neither one of us has ever had a drop of coffee.


Other than that, there are zero similiarities. None.


1) First spring training workouts are only 37 days away-- Reds-Phillies-Giants.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, January 12

Hot teams
-- San Jose won its last three games, scoring 17 goals.
-- Blackhawks won their last seven games.
-- Arizona won four of its last five games.
-- Tampa Bay/Colorado both won three of their last four games.

Cold teams
-- Penguins, Hurricanes both lost four of their last seven games.
-- Blue Jackets lost six of their last eight games. Islanders lost three of their last four.
-- Winnipeg lost three of its last four games.
-- St Louis lost five of its last six games. New Jersey lost three of its last four games.
-- Buffalo lost six of its last seven games. Minnesota lost four of last six games.
-- Predators lost five of their last six games.
-- Edmonton lost six of its last eight games.

Series records
-- Carolina won four of last six games with Pittsburgh.
-- Islanders won four of last six games with Columbus.
-- Winnipeg-San Jose split their last ten games (visitors 6-4).
-- Blues won seven of last eight games with New Jersey.
-- Sabres lost their last four games with Minnesota.
-- Home side won last seven Chicago-Nashville games.
-- Coyotes won six of last seven games with Edmonton.
-- Lightning lost three of last four games with Colorado.

Totals
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Carolina games.
-- Six of last eight Columbus games went over total.
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten San Jose games.
-- Under is 4-0-2 in last six New Jersey games.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Minnesota games.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Chicago-Nashville games.
-- Four of last five Edmonton games stayed under.
-- Seven of last ten Colorado games went over total.

Back-to-backs
-- San Jose is 2-4 if it played night before; teams are 4-3 night after playing Calgary.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Tuesday, January 12

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
COLUMBUS vs. NY ISLANDERS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
Columbus is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
NY Islanders are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing Columbus

7:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CAROLINA
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina's last 6 games at home
Carolina is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Pittsburgh

8:00 PM
BUFFALO vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Buffalo's last 9 games on the road
Buffalo is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Buffalo

8:00 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. ST. LOUIS
New Jersey is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Jersey's last 8 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing New Jersey
St. Louis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
SAN JOSE vs. WINNIPEG
San Jose is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games on the road
San Jose is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home

8:30 PM
NASHVILLE vs. CHICAGO
Nashville is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Nashville is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

9:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. ARIZONA
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Edmonton's last 12 games when playing Arizona
Edmonton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Arizona is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Edmonton

9:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. COLORADO
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Colorado's last 21 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Tuesday, January 12

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

PITTSBURGH (20-16-0-5, 45 pts.) at CAROLINA (18-18-0-7, 43 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 64-64 ATS (-32.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 23-31 ATS (-23.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 13-30 ATS (-32.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 30-27 ATS (-18.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 58-40 ATS (+101.0 Units) in road games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 89-75 ATS (+172.2 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 4-5 (+1.4 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 5-4-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.4 Units)

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

COLUMBUS (15-24-0-4, 34 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (22-15-0-5, 49 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 2-12 ATS (+16.5 Units) after a division game this season.
COLUMBUS is 4-14 ATS (+20.3 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
COLUMBUS is 16-11 ATS (+31.7 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 12-7 ATS (+21.6 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 19-16 ATS (+40.5 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-9 ATS (+26.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 37-42 ATS (-10.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 26-30 ATS (-4.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 58-88 ATS (-34.0 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
NY ISLANDERS are 10-16 ATS (-14.2 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 71-114 ATS (-49.7 Units) in home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NY ISLANDERS are 24-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 5-5 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 5-5-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.8 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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

SAN JOSE (20-18-0-2, 42 pts.) at WINNIPEG (19-20-0-3, 41 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 4-3 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 4-3-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.2 Units)

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

NEW JERSEY (21-17-0-5, 47 pts.) at ST LOUIS (24-14-0-7, 55 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 24-47 ATS (+78.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 8-24 ATS (+39.2 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 6-13 ATS (-13.4 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 4-1 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 4-1-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.6 Units)

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

BUFFALO (16-22-0-4, 36 pts.) at MINNESOTA (22-12-0-8, 52 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 1-15 ATS (+26.7 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 20-70 ATS (+159.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 172-151 ATS (+14.2 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
BUFFALO is 198-200 ATS (+429.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 4-0-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.9 Units)

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

NASHVILLE (19-16-0-7, 45 pts.) at CHICAGO (27-13-0-4, 58 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 19-23 ATS (-13.7 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 37-75 ATS (+125.7 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 16-22 ATS (-9.4 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 9-18 ATS (+28.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 39-12 ATS (+16.4 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 181-159 ATS (+348.0 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
CHICAGO is 98-127 ATS (-85.9 Units) in January games since 1996.
CHICAGO is 304-316 ATS (-94.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 16-20 ATS (-22.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 8-9 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 9-8-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.5 Units)

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

EDMONTON (17-23-0-3, 37 pts.) at ARIZONA (21-16-0-4, 46 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 9-33 ATS (+59.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 0-8 ATS (+12.7 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
ARIZONA is 21-20 ATS (+48.7 Units) in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 9-3 ATS (+13.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 9-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ARIZONA is 15-11 ATS (+30.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ARIZONA is 5-19 ATS (+25.0 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 10-2 (+7.2 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 10-2-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.4 Units)

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

TAMPA BAY (21-17-0-4, 46 pts.) at COLORADO (21-19-0-3, 45 pts.) - 1/12/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 1-7 ATS (-8.4 Units) on Tuesday nights this season.
TAMPA BAY is 320-384 ATS (-123.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
COLORADO is 115-99 ATS (-62.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 28-22 ATS (+5.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 8-3 ATS (+11.6 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
COLORADO is 1-7 ATS (-7.2 Units) in home games in non-conference games this season.
COLORADO is 44-52 ATS (-49.2 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
COLORADO is 106-110 ATS (-97.7 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-2 (+1.8 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
COLORADO is 3-2-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Tuesday, January 12


Buffalo @ Minnesota

Game 59-60
January 12, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Buffalo
11.661
Minnesota
10.662
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Buffalo
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-205
5
Dunkel Pick:
Buffalo
(+175); Under

Nashville @ Chicago

Game 61-62
January 12, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
12.736
Chicago
11.647
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 1
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
-160
5
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(+140); Over

Edmonton @ Arizona

Game 63-64
January 12, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
9.093
Arizona
10.590
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-145); Over

Tampa Bay @ Colorado

Game 65-66
January 12, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
11.803
Colorado
10.491
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-120); Under

Pittsburgh @ Carolina

Game 51-52
January 12, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
11.262
Carolina
12.319
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(+120); Over

Columbus @ NY Islanders

Game 53-54
January 12, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
12.682
NY Islanders
11.546
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-190
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(+165); Under

San Jose @ Winnipeg

Game 55-56
January 12, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
13.137
Winnipeg
11.566
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
N/A

New Jersey @ St. Louis

Game 57-58
January 12, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
9.879
St. Louis
11.361
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-175
4 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-175); Over

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Short Sheet


Tuesday, January 12


Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:05 PM ET
Pittsburgh: 51-41 SU in road games on Tuesday nights
Carolina: 8-23 SU after playing a game where 7 or more total goals were scored


Columbus at NY Islanders, 7:05 PM ET
Columbus: 6-1 SU in road games after having lost 3 of their last 4
New York: 3-10 SU at home after allowing 3 goals or more 4 straight games


San Jose at Winnipeg, 8:05 PM ET
San Jose: 4-9 SU after 2 or more consecutive overs
Winnipeg: 43-33 SU after allowing 4 goals or more


New Jersey at St Louis, 8:05 PM ET
New Jersey: 7-2 SU in road games when playing their 4th game in 7 days
St Louis: 6-13 SU in non-conference games


Buffalo at Minnesota, 8:05 PM ET
Buffalo: 19-65 SU after having lost 3 of their last 4
Minnesota: 8-1 SU after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games


Nashville at Chicago, 8:35 PM ET
Nashville: 0-8 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +150
Chicago: 39-12 SU in home games after a division game


Edmonton at Arizona, 9:05 PM ET
Edmonton: 0-11 SU in road games after 1 or more consecutive unders
Arizona: 9-3 SU vs. division opponents


Tampa Bay at Colorado, 9:05 PM ET
Tampa Bay: 0-6 SU after having won 3 of their last 4
Colorado: 15-7 SU after a blowout loss by 3 goals or more in their previous game

 

[CNOTES]

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




PIT at CAR 07:00 PM


CAR +112




CLB at NYI 07:00 PM


CLB +133 BEST BET




SJ at WIN 08:00 PM


SJ +115 BEST BET




NJ at STL 08:00 PM


STL -193




BUF at MIN 08:00 PM


MIN -212




NAS at CHI 08:30 PM


NAS +131 BEST BET




EDM at ARI 09:00 PM


EDM +130 BEST BET




TB at COL 09:00 PM


COL +116 BEST BET

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blue Jackets (13-24) at Maple Leafs (12-17)
Date: January 13, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are among the worst teams in the Eastern Conference.


The Maple Leafs' chances of showing improvement will be much more daunting without James van Riemsdyk for at least six weeks.


After scoring once while losing the last two games, Toronto attempts to overcome the absence of its top scorer Wednesday night against the Blue Jackets.


The Maple Leafs (16-17-7) and Blue Jackets (15-24-4) have three playoff appearances between them over the past 10 seasons, and Columbus owns two of them.


While the Jackets have the fewest points in the NHL, Toronto enters the midway point of 2015-16 eight points back of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.


Closing that gap will be a lot tougher without van Riemsdyk, the team leader with 29 points who is out with a non-displaced fracture in his left foot.


The Leafs lost the left wing during Saturday's 7-0 loss at San Jose, two days after falling 2-1 at Los Angeles. That came after a promising 8-2-2 stretch.


"I think our team has gotten better every day and played harder and harder and so I like that," coach Mike Babcock said. "If you take out the last game, obviously we were no good. I like the direction we're going. I don't like the standings, but I like a lot of things about us.


"I know a lot more about the group than I did to start and who's going to be a part of things moving ahead, which is real important."


For now that includes Josh Leivo, who was recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL to replace van Riemsdyk. The left wing had 30 points in 35 games for the Marlies, and he totaled three points in 16 games over the past two seasons with the Leafs.


"He's obviously done a real good job where he's at, now he gets an opportunity with us," Babcock told the team's official website. "We'll try to give him an opportunity and a good opportunity, and find out what we have. I think it's real important to find out what you have in your own group before you go looking elsewhere for help."


Columbus could use any sort of help as it seeks to avoid its first six-game road losing streak since Oct. 15-Nov. 14, 2013.


"We're in it right up to our eyeballs right now, as far as where we are as a team," coach John Tortorella told the team's official website. "We have to stay together and keep trying to get better."


That certainly didn't happen Tuesday when the Blue Jackets' overall skid reached four games with a 5-2 defeat to the New York Islanders. They were outshot 33-20, including 17-5 in the first period.


'It's unacceptable. It makes me sick,' Brandon Dubinsky fumed. 'The work wasn't there consistently. This is a man's league and we played like boys.'


Dubinsky didn't get a point after collecting six over the previous five games. He's got 18 in his last 20 matchups with Toronto, including three in the last two after notching an assist in a 6-3 home loss Oct. 16.


Scott Hartnell has totaled two goals and two assists over his past two meetings with the Maple Leafs, who pulled away with three unanswered tallies in the third period in October.


The left wing has one assist in 15 career visits to Toronto.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bruins (19-15) at Flyers (17-15)
Date: January 13, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Flyers would be feeling much better about their recent surge had they not been forced to play catch-up after a difficult first six weeks of the season.


If the Boston Bruins can't snap out of their funk, they'll watch the Flyers slide right past them in the wild-card chase.


Philadelphia can extend its winning streak to four with a sixth consecutive home victory when the Bruins visit Wednesday night.


The Flyers (18-15-7) were outscored by 24 goals while going 7-10-5 through Nov. 25 and didn't win back-to-back games even once during the final month of that stretch. That slow start under rookie coach Dave Hakstol left them scrambling to make up points, which they've done recently.


Philadelphia has won three straight following a three-game skid and is 11-5-2 with a plus-9 scoring differential over the last six weeks. It improved to 7-1-1 at home in that span after beating the New York Islanders 4-0 on Saturday.


Sean Couturier and Michael Raffl had a goal and an assist apiece, Matt Read scored with a pair of assists, and Steve Mason had 20 saves in his third shutout of the season.


Despite the early struggles, the Flyers aren't far behind in the Eastern Conference wild-card race at the season's midway point.


"You need to be a consistent team throughout the year to be a playoff team," Hakstol said. "We're in a spot right now where we have to keep pushing to put ourselves into that position."


They won the last contest without promising rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who is dealing with a lower-body injury. He'll also sit out against the Bruins (21-15-5), whose 28.1 percent conversion rate on the power play is the best in the league.


Philadelphia is among the worst in the NHL with a 78.7 penalty-kill percentage, although opponents are 0 for 8 during its winning streak.


"Going forward, every single game for us is going to be huge," winger Jakub Voracek said. "Boston is a good team. It's a challenge for us, but we have to make sure we play physical and play smart."


Voracek assisted on Claude Giroux's overtime goal to give the Flyers a 5-4 win over the Bruins on Oct. 21, overcoming a two-goal deficit in the third period and snapping Boston's six-game winning streak in the series.


The Bruins have scored fewer than two goals five times during a 2-6-1 stretch, including consecutive 2-1 losses to Ottawa on Saturday and the New York Rangers on Monday. Those came after opening a five-game trip with Friday's 4-1 win at New Jersey.


"We have to learn to win tight games," coach Claude Julien said after the most recent defeat. "Need more desperation at the end. We were good for the first 40 minutes. The third period just wasn't as good."


Boston has one of the league's best road records at 12-4-3, but it could be experiencing some fatigue during a stretch of six games in eight nights that ends with a back-to-back set against Buffalo and Toronto on Friday and Saturday.


"We'll just keep plugging away and try and get the wins," said Tuukka Rask, who has stopped 66 of 70 shots over the last two. "Only thing is we have to find ways to score goals like we did in Jersey, but other than that, I think we're fine."


Rask is 1-5-1 with a 2.73 goals-against average during the Bruins' slump, but he's 6-0-1 with a 2.10 GAA in his last seven against the Flyers.


Mason beat Boston in the first meeting after going 0-2-2 with a 3.17 GAA over his previous five in the series.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Panthers (21-12) at Flames (18-20)
Date: January 13, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

The Florida Panthers' franchise-best winning streak has ended but the chance to make more club history still exists.


Following their first defeat in a month, the visiting Panthers can equal a team record with at least a point in a 14th straight game Wednesday night against the struggling Calgary Flames.


Florida (26-12-5) was fifth in the Atlantic Division and outside of playoff position in the Eastern Conference following a 3-1 loss at Boston on Dec. 12. A month later, the Panthers lead the division and own the second-most points in the East thanks to a 12-game win streak that ended with Monday's 3-2 overtime loss at Vancouver.


"We've been on quite a run for some time now," assistant coach John Madden said. "We did some good things (Monday), but we didn't do enough to win."


Roberto Luongo made 27 saves and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the third time in four contests but the Panthers blew a 2-0 advantage in their third straight game - and fourth in five - decided by one goal.


Florida allowed 15 goals during the winning streak and Monday marked the first time in nine games it yielded more than two. Luongo posted a 1.31 goals-against average during his nine-game undefeated run.


'We've been playing close games a little bit too much,' said Huberdeau, who has four goals and 10 assists in 13 games. 'At least we got a point and are ready for the next game.'


Florida's 13-game point streak is a single-season record and one shy of the overall club mark that spanned the final two of 1995-96 and first 12 of 1996-97. The Panthers could have a good chance to match the record at Calgary (19-20-2), where they've won three of four and have earned at least a point in five straight.


The Flames have gone 1-4-0 at home since a franchise-best 11-game winning streak at the Saddledome. Despite overcoming a two-goal deficit to draw even and yielding a season-low 18 shots Monday, the Flames fell 5-4 at home to San Jose for their sixth defeat in 10 games since winning seven straight.


"It's disappointing," said forward Sean Monahan, who snapped an eight-game goal drought. "It gets frustrating, it gets tough but you've got to find a way to get mentally tough and grind those games out."


Calgary went 3 for 4 on the power play and scored one fewer goal than it did in its previous four home games. However, it gave up at least four for the second time in the last four at the Saddledome.


"You score four goals at home and it should be plenty to win," coach Bob Hartley said. "Very poor management of the game on our part."


Defenseman Mark Giordano has recorded a point in five straight and four goals and nine assists in the last 10. He was held without a point at Florida on Nov. 10, when David Jones scored twice and Monahan had the other goal in a 4-3 loss.


It's uncertain if Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who's posted a plus-16 rating in the past 21 contests and hasn't had a minus game in that span, will miss a second straight contest with an upper-body injury.


There's no mystery surrounding the status of coach Gerard Gallant for Wednesday, as he'll be away from the team for his mother's funeral. Assistant Mike Kelly will be in charge.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Senators (17-17) at Ducks (15-17)
Date: January 13, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Ottawa Senators have had some embarrassing showings at both ends of the ice lately. Offensive inconsistency has been stopping the Anaheim Ducks from turning promising showings into a substantial run.


The two meet Wednesday night in Anaheim with each club looking to avoid a second straight loss.


The Senators (20-17-6) fell 7-1 in Washington on Sunday and have been outscored 26-11 in a 2-5-0 span. It was the second time they've allowed seven goals in that stretch, both coming on the road.


Ottawa has gone 2-9-1 away from home since starting the season 7-2-1 there.


"This league is about balance, finding balance, and we have to find our balance," coach Dave Cameron told the team's official website. "It's an individual thing more than anything. We're not going to beat them to death over this one. It's done.


"For the most part, your game plans don't change. Your team plays basically the same way, the same system, because you give your system around your team and what you have. The challenge is going to be the perseverance part. They have to have the ability to let it go and not beat themselves up over it. Can they? Well, that's an individual thing."


Mike Hoffman scored for Ottawa on Sunday and has been an individual bright spot. His 20 goals in 39 games are seven shy of his career-best 79-game total from last season, and his team-best plus-11 rating looks all the more impressive considering the Senators' minus-11 mark in non-shootout goals.


Their 15-goal scoring discrepancy in the last seven games is due in part to a 2-for-23 power-play effort and 15-for-23 performance on the penalty kill. They seem unlikely to become more productive with the man advantage against Anaheim, which has killed off all 26 penalties over the last seven games.


The Ducks (17-17-7) reached the halfway point in their season with Sunday's 2-1 home loss to Detroit, and they've split the first four of a season-high eight-game homestand. Anaheim has managed to go 5-2-1 in its last eight despite scoring 15 goals and getting limited to one or no goals five times.


"The margin of error is very slim when you're averaging less than two goals a game," said coach Bruce Boudreau, whose team has a league-worst 1.85 mark. "We had opportunities to score. We just didn't finish."


Corey Perry did once and has three goals in his last four games, but he's the only Duck with more than eight goals while every other team in the league has at least two 10-goal scorers.


Ryan Getzlaf has been part of the drop-off with three goals in 37 contests, and his 0.68 points per game matches his rookie mark for the lowest of his 11-season career.


Ottawa won both matchups last season by a 9-2 total. Andrew Hammond made 25 saves in a 3-0 win at Anaheim on Feb. 25, but he allowed all of the goals against the Capitals.


Craig Anderson is expected to return to the net with a chance at his 200th victory after ending a three-game losing streak with a 33-save effort in Saturday's 2-1 home win over Boston. Anderson has dropped his last five road starts with a 3.58 goals-against average and is 3-8-0 with a 3.25 mark against the Ducks.


Anaheim All-Star John Gibson hasn't given up more than three goals all season and has a 1.64 GAA in a 5-2-0 span.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (1) COLUMBUS@ (2) TORONTO | 2016-01-13 19:05:00 - 2016-01-13 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS using money line in Road games second half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.6 units)


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


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (1) COLUMBUS@ (2) TORONTO | 2016-01-13 19:05:00 - 2016-01-13 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS in Road games second half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.6 units)


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


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (1) COLUMBUS@ (2) TORONTO | 2016-01-13 19:05:00 - 2016-01-13 19:05:00
Play OVER TORONTO on the totalin Home games after allowing 4 goals or more
The record is 20 Overs and 6 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.95 units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 13

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COLUMBUS (15-24-0-4, 34 pts.) at TORONTO (16-17-0-7, 39 pts.) - 1/13/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 4-13 ATS (+18.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
COLUMBUS is 16-11 ATS (+31.7 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 19-16 ATS (+40.5 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 3-14 ATS (-12.5 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 11-37 ATS (+53.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 28-40 ATS (-29.0 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996.
TORONTO is 10-30 ATS (+46.5 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 18-30 ATS (+52.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 4-3 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 4-3-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)

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BOSTON (21-15-0-5, 47 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (18-15-0-7, 43 pts.) - 1/13/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 62-61 ATS (-29.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 6-14 ATS (-10.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
BOSTON is 8-14 ATS (-14.4 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 9-2 ATS (+6.6 Units) in home games in January games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-7 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-7 ATS (+21.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 168-136 ATS (+309.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
BOSTON is 53-40 ATS (+98.8 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 227-235 ATS (-147.9 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-1 (+4.4 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-1-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.4 Units)

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FLORIDA (26-12-0-5, 57 pts.) at CALGARY (19-20-0-2, 40 pts.) - 1/13/2016, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 69-65 ATS (+1.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 23-11 ATS (+36.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 52-48 ATS (+109.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 8-2 ATS (+10.1 Units) in home games in non-conference games this season.
CALGARY is 25-18 ATS (+48.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 26-17 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 34-20 ATS (+13.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-2 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 3-2-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.2 Units)

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OTTAWA (20-17-0-6, 46 pts.) at ANAHEIM (17-17-0-7, 41 pts.) - 1/13/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 26-10 ATS (+12.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 461-386 ATS (+69.6 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 201-161 ATS (+13.1 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
OTTAWA is 79-54 ATS (+18.3 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
OTTAWA is 25-17 ATS (+43.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 17-10 ATS (+27.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 17-9 ATS (+28.1 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 17-24 ATS (-11.0 Units) in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 2-2 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 2-2-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)

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NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, January 13

Hot teams
-- Flyers won last three games, scoring four goals in all three games.
-- Panthers won nine of their last ten games.

Cold teams
-- Columbus lost seven of its last nine games. Toronto lost its last two games by a combined score of 9-1.
-- Boston lost seven of its last nine games.
-- Calgary lost four of its last six games.
-- Ottawa lost five of last seven games. Ducks lost three of last five games, scoring 10 goals.

Series records
-- Blue Jackets lost three of last four games with Toronto.
-- Flyers lost six of last seven games with Boston.
-- Road team won seven of last ten Florida-Calgary games.
-- Ottawa won last two games with Anaheim, after losing seven of previous eight.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine Columbus games went over total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Boston-Philly games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Florida games.
-- Seven of last nine Ottawa games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- Columbus is 3-6 if it played night before; teams are 5-3 night after playing the Islanders.




NHL

Wednesday, January 13

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
COLUMBUS vs. TORONTO
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Columbus is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus

8:00 PM
BOSTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Boston is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
Philadelphia is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Boston

9:30 PM
FLORIDA vs. CALGARY
Florida is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games at home

10:00 PM
OTTAWA vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Ottawa is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games when playing at home against Ottawa