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

[CNOTES]

Preview: Maple Leafs (0-2) at Blue Jackets (0-4)
Date: October 16, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

After a hectic early slate, the Toronto Maple Leafs got an extended break before beginning one of their longest road trips of the season.


While much of their city's attention might be focused elsewhere, the Maple Leafs will try to earn their first victory under Mike Babcock by adding to the also-winless Columbus Blue Jackets' defensive woes Friday night.


Toronto played its first three games under the former Detroit Red Wings coach in a span of four days and went 0-2-1 for its worst start since a franchise-worst 0-7-1 beginning in 2009-10. After a 4-0 drubbing in his return to Detroit on Oct. 9, Babcock found a silver lining in a 5-4 shootout loss to Ottawa the next day.


The Maple Leafs rallied from a 3-0 deficit to force overtime on Daniel Winnik's goal with 3:48 left in regulation, which was upheld on a review.


'What I like, we have a tendency when things go bad we seem to feel bad. We seem to be fragile. We don't just keep playing," Babcock said. "Tonight, we kept playing."


After its five-day break, Toronto will open a four-game trip Friday while the Blue Jays begin the AL Championship Series in Kansas City.


The Leafs will take on a team that's given up 20 goals while opening with four consecutive regulation losses for the first time. Columbus went winless in its first eight games (0-7-1) in 2011-12.


"I expect us to be really sharp," Toronto forward Joffrey Lupul said. "Even though we haven't played a game in a while, we've been practicing really hard. They've been intense. We'll be ready to go."


Sergei Bobrovsky has yielded 18 goals and has an abysmal 5.05 goals-against average while playing 214 of his club's 240 minutes. The 2012-13 Vezina Trophy winner matched a career high by allowing six goals in a 7-3 loss to Ottawa on Wednesday and reportedly said that he currently has zero confidence in himself.


Coach Todd Richards, though, is expected to start him again Friday.


"I have a lot of confidence in him, based on his track record and what he's done," Richards told the team's official website. "When the team game isn't good in front of the goalie, the goalie gets exposed. We gave up five chances (against the New York Rangers on Oct. 10) where it was just a player and Bob, and looking at the chances we're giving up, he's out there on an island a lot of times by himself."


Bobrovsky is 7-2-0 with a 1.79 GAA in nine career matchups against Toronto and posted a 35-save shutout in his most recent April 8. That's his lowest GAA versus any Eastern Conference team and only behind his 1.46 against Minnesota.


Bobrovsky might want to keep a close eye on Winnik, who has two goals and five assists in his last four games versus Columbus.


Ryan Johansen, who has a team-best five points for the Jackets, has six goals and three assists in seven career games against Toronto. He has scored more than four goals versus one other team, six against San Jose.


The Maple Leafs are slated to start James Reimer on Friday and Jonathan Bernier on Saturday against Pittsburgh. Reimer is 0-3-0 with a 5.40 GAA in three career starts versus the Blue Jackets and gave up four goals in 23 1/2 minutes during Bobrovsky's 5-0 victory in April.


Toronto took two of three matchups in 2014-15 against Columbus, winning the first two by a combined 9-3.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hurricanes (0-3) at Red Wings (3-0)
Date: October 16, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

While the Detroit Red Wings are off to their best start in four years, the Carolina Hurricanes hope to avoid another historically bad opening month.


The Red Wings, though, would like to put together a better performance against the Hurricanes than they did last week to extend their dominance of this series Friday night at Joe Louis Arena.


Henrik Zetterberg stayed hot Tuesday with a goal and an assist as Detroit (3-0-0) cruised to a 4-1 home win over Tampa Bay. He ranks among the league leaders in points (two goals, five assists) and has 11 goals and eight assists in 14 career meetings with Carolina.


Dylan Larkin has had an assist in each of the first three games, though Justin Abdelkader did not score after totaling four goals in the first two. The Red Wings have scored at least three times in each contest during its best start since opening 5-0 in 2011-12.


"The line looks great," Zetterberg said. "But it is only three games, so we don't want to get carried away. There's a long season left."


Detroit ranks near the top of the NHL in penalty killing, allowing one goal in 12 situations. The squad, however, could be missing one of its best penalty killers with center Luke Glendening questionable after getting hurt on a blocked shot Tuesday.


The Hurricanes don't appear to match up well, allowing four goals in each of the past two games and going 1 for 13 on the power play through three.


Carolina (0-3-0) is hoping to avoid its second straight winless October after going 0-6-2 during the worst start in franchise history in 2014-15. Justin Faulk is the only player with more than one point.


"We've got a lot of young guys in the room, guys who are still learning," center Jordan Staal told the team's official website. "Hopefully myself and the other guys can start playing better and start to show the young guys how the Hurricanes want to play hockey."


Carolina will turn back to Cam Ward in the opener a seven-game trip after Eddie Lack allowed three goals on 29 shots in Tuesday's 4-1 home loss to Florida. Ward is 1-4-1 in his last six starts against Detroit, including a 4-3 home loss Saturday when he made just 15 saves.


The Hurricanes had 2-1 lead in the third period before Teemu Pulkkinen scored twice and Abdelkader added a goal to help the Red Wings overcome a sloppy start.


"We didn't play that game, to be honest with you," defenseman Niklas Kronwall told the team's official website. "The first two periods were (34-8 in shots). We weren't even there."


Petr Mrazek stepped up with a career-high 44 saves in his only start. Coach Jeff Blashill won't announce whether Mrazek or Jimmy Howard will get the nod until closer to game time.


Mrazek has a 1.33 goals-against average in winning each of his three career starts versus Carolina, while Howard is 3-2-0 with a 1.99 GAA in five meetings.


The Red Wings have won four in a row and 10 of 12 against the Hurricanes. At Joe Louis, Detroit is 17-1-0 with one tie in this series since 1990.


Detroit's Johan Franzen and Darren Helm will be sidelined as they recover from concussions. Danny DeKeyser will be out at least one more game due to an ankle injury.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Flames (1-2) at Jets (3-1)
Date: October 16, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The high-scoring Winnipeg Jets look like they've learned from last year's slow start, completing an impressive road trip to open this season.


The Calgary Flames will be looking to generate more opportunities when they come to town Friday night.


Winnipeg (3-1-0) has scored 15 goals, with Blake Wheeler totaling two goals and three assists, while Mark Scheifele has found the back of the net three times.


The Jets don't look like the team that scored only 13 times during a 2-5-0 start in 2014-15, especially considering they've enjoyed this success on the road and now return for a season high-tying six-game homestand. The loss was 4-2 on Monday against the Islanders.


"We obviously didn't play the way we wanted to against the Islanders but I think a lot of guys learned a lot of things on this road trip about ourselves," said Scheifele, who scored three times in his first 29 contests last season. "I think we just have to continue with that growing process."


Bryan Little scored on the penalty kill and power play in Tuesday's 4-1 win against the Rangers, one of two power-play goals in five chances, improving the Jets to 4 for 12 on the season.


Winnipeg was mediocre on the advantage last year, scoring on 17.8 percent of opportunities.


"Special teams is a big part of the game now," said Little, whose nine power-play goals tied Andrew Ladd for the club lead. "We really focus on that in practice and it's nice when it comes together."


Calgary (1-2-0) could be vulnerable after giving up 11 thus far. The Flames recorded 38 shots in their 3-2 victory at Vancouver on Saturday, but have combined for 48 in the other two, including 18 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to St. Louis.


That was a problem last season, too, when their 27.5 shots per game were the league's third-fewest.


They led 2-1 after the first period but were outscored 3-0 in the second.


"We started how we wanted, got off to a good start, but I think we had three shots in the second so you're not going to get a lot of wins with only three shots, so that was disappointing," said Mason Raymond, who scored his first goal of the season.


The Jets have been conceding too many shots, allowing 34.3 per game compared to 28.7 last season. They recorded only 29 of their own against the Rangers, but got 40 saves from Michael Hutchinson a night after Ondrej Pavelec made 40 stops against the Islanders.


As impressive as Winnipeg's goaltending has been, it also appears to be unsustainable. Montreal's .926 save percentage led the league last season, while the Jets currently own a .942 mark, which would blow away the Jets/Thrashers franchise record of .913 set in 2014-15.


Pavelec figures to get the nod Friday, looking to improve upon his 1-3-0 record and 3.55 goals-against average in four starts against the Flames.


Karri Ramo, who made 39 stops in the 5-1 season-opening loss to Vancouver, is scheduled to be in net for Calgary.


Wheeler has four goals and six assists in eight career meetings with the Flames, who have won six of the last nine matchups.


The Jets are the NHL's final team to play their first home game. They were 14-4-2 over their final 20 there last season, but have lost three of their last four home openers.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Avalanche (1-2) at Ducks (0-2)
Date: October 16, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

Less than a week into their season, the Anaheim Ducks are already frustrated.


They'll try to avoid opening with four straight losses for the first time in seven years Friday night against the visiting Colorado Avalanche.


A winner of three straight Pacific Division titles and owner of the Western Conference's best record the past two seasons, Anaheim (0-2-1) has reason to feel a little tense about its slow start.


"We're as mad as anybody," forward Ryan Kesler said.


"If we think we're just going to come in on Friday and it's magically going to happen, it's not. We need to put our work boots on. That starts with will and passion."


Held to one goal through the first three games for the second time in their existence, the Ducks last dropped four in a row to open their season in 2008-09. Anaheim lost a franchise-worst five straight to begin 2003-04, also the last time it dropped the first three at home.


"We just have to wake up," Ryan Getzlaf said. "We're playing like a team not playing for anything right now. It's about accountability throughout this locker room."


Getzlaf last went his first four games without a point in that 2008-09 season. Teammate Corey Perry has never done so.


While the Ducks managed 37 shots on goal Wednesday after failing to record 30 in the first two contests, they were stymied by Arizona's Mike Smith in the 4-0 home defeat.


"It's a pretty humbling game," defenseman Cam Fowler said. "We're by no means where we need to be. Not just in execution, but our work ethic."


Frederik Andersen is likely to be in net after replacing backup Anton Khudobin, who was pulled for allowing three first-period goals on eight shots Wednesday. Andersen has stopped 86 of 90 shots this season. He made 22 saves in his only appearance against Colorado, a 3-2 overtime home victory March 20.


The Ducks' four-game winning streak against the Avalanche (1-2-0) ended in the next meeting, 4-2 on April 3.


Colorado backup Reto Berra made 35 saves in that contest and could make his first start this season in place of Semyon Varlamov, who has yielded 13 goals while posting a 5.07 GAA and an .841 save percentage in three games.


After Varlamov was pulled for giving up the game's first five goals on 19 shots in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Boston, Avs coach Patrick Roy is expected to consult with goaltending coach Francois Allaire before deciding on Friday's starter.


"Varly doesn't have the start that I'm sure he wants, but at the same time, you look at the (three) goals he gave up in the second (period Wednesday), no help," Roy told the Avalanche's official website.


Varlamov has posted a 4.38 GAA during an 0-2-1 stretch against the Ducks.


While Varlamov and the defense have struggled, Colorado has scored 12 times and gone 5 for 10 on the power play. The Avs didn't record their first power-play goal last season until the fifth game.


Gabriel Landeskog has four goals and two assists. He snapped a three-game point drought against the Ducks with a goal in the April meeting.


After playing the last four-plus seasons during a second stint with Anaheim, Colorado defenseman Francois Beauchemin faces his former club while among the league leaders with five assists.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blues (3-1) at Canucks (2-0)
Date: October 16, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

The Vancouver Canucks can thank stout defense and Ryan Miller's sturdy goaltending for their impressive start.


They hope both carry over to a five-game homestand beginning Friday night against the St. Louis Blues.


Vancouver (3-0-1) surrendered 38 shots in its lone setback, a 3-2 overtime loss Saturday to Calgary. The Canucks have only allowed 24.7 shots per game in their three victories, however, and outshot Los Angeles 26-15 in a 3-0 road win Tuesday. Former Blue Adam Cracknell is the only Vancouver player with multiple goals after scoring in his second straight game.


It marks the first time since 2007-08 the Canucks have won their first three road games. They also knocked off Anaheim and the won the opener against the Flames.


"We're happy with the wins, but we're not taking anything for granted," coach Willie Desjardins said.


Miller's 15 saves against the Kings provided his 36th career shutout, but that shouldn't undermine how impressive he's been thus far with a .955 save percentage. His .911 mark in his inaugural campaign with Vancouver last season was his lowest in seven seasons.


The Canucks have also had no problem putting their bodies on the ice to help their goalie, averaging 17.5 blocked shots.


"It's a small sample set," Miller said of his early success. "The idea is to keep building and growing. It's not the top of the pyramid for me and certainly not this team. The idea is to continually improve."


St. Louis acquired Miller at the trade deadline in 2014 in an attempt to solidify its playoff roster, but he struggled in a first-round loss to Chicago. He recorded a .897 save percentage and allowed three or more goals five times in the six games as the Blues dropped four in a row after taking a 2-0 series lead.


St. Louis (3-1-0) has scored three power-play goals on eight opportunities through half of its six-game trip, winning 4-2 Thursday at Edmonton.


The Blues have been outscored 5-2 in the first period but hold an 11-4 edge over the final 40 minutes, and they pulled away late again against the Oilers, outscoring them 3-1 over the final 40 minutes.


Vladimir Tarasenko scored his team-leading third goal in the second period, and Paul Stastny and Alexander Steen put away the game with scores in the third.


"The game in the first period was up for grabs," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Edmonton was probably a bit more energized, but halfway through the second period we started to get on the grind and took it over. We did a good job at the end of the second period and a great job the whole third period."


David Backes is off to a slow start with one assist in four games after averaging 0.7 points per game last season, but the Blues have given themselves breathing room by holding opponents to a league-low 20.3 shots per game. They finished second last season (27.2).


Jake Allen figures to get the start in net for St. Louis on the second night of a back-to-back after Brian Elliott made 24 saves Thursday. Allen stopped 16 shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss at Minnesota.


The Canucks still have plenty to clean up despite their strong start - their 16:00 penalty minutes per game are the league's third-most, and they've scored only once on 16 power plays.


Their six-game series winning streak is their longest in team history against the Blues.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wild (3-0) at Kings (0-3)
Date: October 16, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

Fifteen months removed from a second Stanley Cup championship in three seasons, the Los Angeles Kings are in danger of making history of a different kind.


Seeking to avoid their first-ever 0-4 start, the Kings continue a difficult season-opening homestand with Friday night's clash against the unbeaten Minnesota Wild.


Los Angeles (0-3-0) has been outscored 12-2 in its three losses and hasn't had an even-strength goal since Nick Shore scored 1:49 into a 5-1 defeat to San Jose in the Oct. 7 opener. The offense was particularly anemic Tuesday against Vancouver, managing a mere 15 shots in a 3-0 loss that gave the Kings their worst start since 1969-70.


'We're just not doing the things that we've got to do to get the quality chances and the shots,' top-line center Anze Kopitar said. 'Whether that's not coming in with position or recovering the puck the way we should, we're playing too soft.'


Kopitar and notable offseason addition Milan Lucic are both minus-three without a point. Seven-time 30-goal scorer Marian Gaborik also has none and Jeff Carter owns just one assist.


"Absolutely there's a sense of urgency. We need some production out of those guys," coach Darryl Sutter said.


A challenging schedule may have contributed to the early struggles, as the Kings' first three opponents - San Jose, Arizona and Vancouver - are a combined 9-1-1.


Another tough assignment lies ahead. After going an NHL-best 28-9-3 over the final 40 games of last season, Minnesota (3-0-0) has begun this one with its best start since opening 2008-09 with four consecutive wins.


The Wild stayed undefeated with Thursday's 4-3 victory over Arizona that started a three-game trip. Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek scored 58 seconds apart in the first period and Mikko Koivu stretched the lead to 3-0 in the second. Devan Dubnyk stopped 25 shots in his first meeting with the Coyotes since his mid-January trade that sparked the team's second-half run.


Minnesota rallied from a 3-0 first-period deficit in its Oct. 8 opener at Colorado and won 3-2 over St. Louis two days later despite being outshot 32-19.


'Most of two periods looked like the way we should be playing the game, but it's nice that we're 3-0 and still haven't played a full 60 minutes yet,' coach Mike Yeo said.


Darcy Kuemper will be in goal Friday with the Wild playing back-to-back, only his second start since Dubnyk was acquired on Jan. 14. The former No. 1 goaltender was pulled after one period in his lone 2014-15 meeting with Los Angeles, allowing all four goals of a shutout home loss on Nov. 26.


The Kings won the first two matchups between the teams last season but lost 4-1 in Minnesota March 28, with Koivu and Nino Niederreiter each scoring twice and Sutter pulling Jonathan Quick after permitting two goals on nine shots over one period.


Quick stopped 25 of 27 shots against Vancouver after surrendering nine goals in the first two losses. He owns a 1.63 goals-against average in his last three games against the Wild at Staples Center, two of which were Minnesota wins.

 

[CNOTES]

Standings



EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC


Team Win Loss OTL Shootout Loss Pts Goals For Goals Against Home Away Division


Montreal Canadiens 5 0 0 0 10 16 6 1-0-0-0 4-0-0-0 3-0-0-0


Detroit Red Wings 3 0 0 0 6 11 4 2-0-0-0 1-0-0-0 2-0-0-0


Florida Panthers 3 1 0 0 6 14 5 2-0-0-0 1-1-0-0 1-0-0-0


Tampa Bay Lightning 3 2 0 0 6 17 14 1-1-0-0 2-1-0-0 2-1-0-0


Ottawa Senators 3 2 0 1 6 16 13 0-1-0-0 3-1-0-0 2-1-0-0


Buffalo Sabres 1 3 0 0 2 8 12 1-2-0-0 0-1-0-0 0-3-0-0


Boston Bruins 1 3 0 0 2 13 18 0-3-0-0 1-0-0-0 0-2-0-0


Toronto Maple Leafs 0 2 1 0 1 5 12 0-1-1-1 0-1-0-0 0-2-1-1



EASTERN CONFERENCE - METROPOLITAN


Team Win Loss OTL Shootout Loss Pts Goals For Goals Against Home Away Division


New York Rangers 3 2 0 0 6 13 13 1-1-0-0 2-1-0-0 2-0-0-0


New York Islanders 2 1 1 0 5 11 12 2-0-1-0 0-1-0-0 ---


Philadelphia Flyers 2 1 1 0 5 7 10 2-0-0-0 0-1-1-0 ---


Washington Capitals 2 1 0 0 4 9 9 2-1-0-0 --- 1-0-0-0


Pittsburgh Penguins 1 3 0 0 2 5 8 1-1-0-0 0-2-0-0 ---


Carolina Hurricanes 0 3 0 0 0 5 10 0-2-0-0 0-1-0-0 ---


New Jersey Devils 0 3 0 0 0 5 11 0-2-0-0 0-1-0-0 0-1-0-0


Columbus Blue Jackets 0 4 0 0 0 9 20 0-2-0-0 0-2-0-0 0-2-0-0



WESTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL


Team Win Loss OTL Shootout Loss Pts Goals For Goals Against Home Away Division


Minnesota Wild 3 0 0 0 6 12 9 1-0-0-0 2-0-0-0 2-0-0-0


Winnipeg Jets 3 1 0 0 6 15 8 --- 3-1-0-0 ---


Dallas Stars 3 1 0 0 6 15 11 2-0-0-0 1-1-0-0 0-1-0-0


Nashville Predators 3 1 0 0 6 10 6 2-0-0-0 1-1-0-0 ---


St. Louis Blues 3 1 0 0 6 13 9 1-0-0-0 2-1-0-0 0-1-0-0


Chicago Blackhawks 2 3 0 0 4 10 13 1-1-0-0 1-2-0-0 ---


Colorado Avalanche 1 2 0 0 2 12 14 1-2-0-0 --- 1-1-0-0



WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC


Team Win Loss OTL Shootout Loss Pts Goals For Goals Against Home Away Division


Vancouver Canucks 3 0 1 1 7 12 5 0-0-1-0 3-0-0-0 3-0-1-0


San Jose Sharks 3 0 0 0 6 12 1 1-0-0-0 2-0-0-0 2-0-0-0


Arizona Coyotes 3 1 0 0 6 13 6 1-1-0-0 2-0-0-0 2-0-0-0


Calgary Flames 1 2 0 0 2 7 11 0-2-0-0 1-0-0-0 1-1-0-0


Anaheim Ducks 0 2 1 0 1 1 8 0-1-1-1 0-1-0-0 0-2-1-1


Los Angeles Kings 0 3 0 0 0 2 12 0-3-0-0 --- 0-3-0-0


Edmonton Oilers 0 4 0 0 0 5 13 0-1-0-0 0-3-0-0 ---

Updated Fri Oct 16 11:34 AM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, October 16

Hot teams
-- Sharks won first three games, outscoring foes 12-1.
-- Detroit won its first three games, allowing four goals.
-- Winnipeg won three of first four games, all on the road.
-- Blues/Canucks both won three of their first four games.
-- Minnesota won its first three games, scoring 12 goals.

Cold teams
-- Devils are 0-3 this season, scoring five goals.
-- Toronto is 0-3 this season, outscored 12-5. Columbus is 0-4, allowing 20 goals.
-- Carolina is 0-3 this season, scoring five goals.
-- Flames lost two of their first three games.
-- Anaheim is 0-3 this season, scoring one goal. Avalanche lost two of their first three games.
-- Kings lost their first three games, outscored 12-2.

Series records
-- Sharks won four of last five games with New Jersey.
-- Blue Jackets won four of last six games with Toronto.
-- Detroit won seven of last eight games with Carolina.
-- Flames won six of last nine games with Winnipeg.
-- Canucks won their last six games with St Louis.
-- Ducks won four of last five games with Colorado.
-- Minnesota is 6-4 in its last ten games against the Kings.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine San Jose-New Jersey games went over total.
-- All four Columbus games went over the total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Detroit-Carolina games.
-- Over is 7-1 in last eight Winnipeg-Calgary games.
-- Under is 5-1-2 in last eight Vancouver-St Louis games.
-- Three of last four Anaheim-Colorado games stayed under.
-- Under is 5-0-3 in last eight Minnesota-Los Angeles games.




NHL

Friday, October 16

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

7:00 PM
SAN JOSE vs. NEW JERSEY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey's last 8 games at home

7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. COLUMBUS
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games on the road
Columbus is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Columbus is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home

7:30 PM
CAROLINA vs. DETROIT
Carolina is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Carolina is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Carolina
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
CALGARY vs. WINNIPEG
Calgary is 3-6-1 SU in its last 10 games ,when playing on the road against Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Winnipeg's last 8 games when playing Calgary

10:00 PM
COLORADO vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Colorado is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado
Anaheim is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

10:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. VANCOUVER
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of St. Louis's last 14 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis

10:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LOS ANGELES
Minnesota is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games on the road
Los Angeles is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, October 16

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

TORONTO (0-2-0-1, 1 pts.) at COLUMBUS (0-4-0-0, 0 pts.) - 10/16/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 30-55 ATS (+91.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 5-29 ATS (+45.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 1-10 ATS (+12.8 Units) in road games on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 6-25 ATS (+41.9 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 11-24 ATS (-17.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 4-2 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 4-2-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

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

SAN JOSE (3-0-0-0, 6 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (0-3-0-0, 0 pts.) - 10/16/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 16-19 ATS (-18.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 12-16 ATS (-16.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 11-24 ATS (+39.2 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 17-41 ATS (+62.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 3-1 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 3-1-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)

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

CAROLINA (0-3-0-0, 0 pts.) at DETROIT (3-0-0-0, 6 pts.) - 10/16/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 4-20 ATS (+34.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 10-30 ATS (+48.3 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 10-30 ATS (+52.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 21-26 ATS (-18.3 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 20-23 ATS (-27.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 11-16 ATS (-18.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-1 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 6-1-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.2 Units)

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

CALGARY (1-2-0-0, 2 pts.) at WINNIPEG (3-1-0-0, 6 pts.) - 10/16/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 9-3 ATS (+12.1 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 51-45 ATS (+105.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-3 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 3-3-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.2 Units)

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

COLORADO (1-2-0-0, 2 pts.) at ANAHEIM (0-2-0-1, 1 pts.) - 10/16/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 123-73 ATS (+19.5 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 95-79 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 202-153 ATS (+28.3 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
COLORADO is 13-7 ATS (+5.7 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 48-25 ATS (+15.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 4-2 (+0.7 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 4-2-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)

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

ST LOUIS (3-1-0-0, 6 pts.) at VANCOUVER (3-0-0-1, 7 pts.) - 10/16/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 5-11 ATS (-10.8 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 155-97 ATS (+34.1 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 6-0 (+7.6 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 6-0-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.6 Units)

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

MINNESOTA (3-0-0-0, 6 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (0-3-0-0, 0 pts.) - 10/16/2015, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 21-13 ATS (+35.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 40-45 ATS (-25.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 18-23 ATS (-22.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 12-18 ATS (-16.6 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 10-14 ATS (-9.8 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 20-26 ATS (-13.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-3 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 3-3-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

B]Armadillo: Friday's six-pack[/B]


-- Mets 3, Dodgers 2-- Mets-Cubs in NLCS, starting Saturday.


-- SS Addison Russell (hamstring) won't play for Cubs in NLCS.


-- Auburn 30, Kentucky 27-- First SEC win this year for the Tigers.


-- Stanford 56, UCLA 28-- Major tank job by wounded Bruins.


-- Stanford has had 19 players drafted in last four years, most in Pac-12.


-- Saints 31, Falcons 21-- First loss of season for Atlanta.


**********


Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Things I'm looking for this weekend.......


13) Royals-Blue Jays, Cubs-Mets are baseball's Final Four. Makes me really happy that all four teams have a guy who played for the A's in the last 13 months.


12) Iowa is unbeaten this year, has covered its last seven tries as a road favorite, but Northwestern will be a tough out in Evanston. Interesting noon game on ESPN2.


11) Unbeaten Broncos and their dominant defense visit Lake Erie and the red-hot QB Josh McCown. Who would've thought McCown is playing better than Manning?


10) Nebraska is having gut-wrenching season, losing four games, all five or less points, in last minute. Cornhuskers play Minnesota Saturday; they lost to Gophers as double digit favorites last two years; they're 4-1-1 in last six games as road underdog.


9) I'm optimistic about the 3-2 Bills, then I read the mindless, selfish quotes by WR Sammy Watkins about not getting thrown to enough and I want to puke. Does anyone care about winning? Buffalo is improved, a contender; why would anyone complain?


8) Bill Snyder is 11-4 in last 15 games as home underdog; K-State has QB who did not start a HS game- they've scored 79 points in first two league games, losing 36-34, 52-45 to unbeaten teams. Bob Stoops played for Snyder in college at Iowa, and he has lost to K-State two of last three years. Snyder is a coaching genius.


7) If the Texans lose at Jacksonville, they should show Bill O'Brien the freakin' door; he butchered the whole QB situation, with two former Patriot backups battling to be the starter for a contending team, when neither is good enough. If Cleveland didn't want Brian Hoyer, why did the Texans want him?


6) Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines haven't allowed a point since Sept 19 vs UNLV; this guy has exceeded all expectations and is a TD favorite over Michigan State, which has beaten Michigan six of last seven times they met. This will be very interesting.


5) Bruce Arians got canned by the Steelers four years ago; now he returns to Steel City as one of the best coaches in the NFL with a really good team. Lot of subplots here, the main one being that Big Ben wanted Arians to stay as OC with Steelers.


4) Notre Dame catches a huge break this week, playing USC six days after Trojans fired their coach. USC seems to have a different coach every year; will be curious to see how their kids play after their coach got fired for being a drunk- thats insensitive but it is true. I'm guessing it has happened before, but the reason was hidden.


3) Unbeaten Carolina is a TD underdog at 2-3 Seattle; these teams have played lot of tight, low-scoring games, most always in Charlotte. I'm expecting Seattle to go on a run now- maybe they can let Jimmy Graham go out for a pass now and then.


2) Ole Miss and Memphis is actually a regional rivalry of sorts and Memphis is 5-0, despite having a sub-par defense. Rebels got spanked by Florida, resume SEC play next week; this is Memphis' Super Bowl. I'm looking forward to this game.


1) Giants-Eagles Monday night in Philly; important game, interesting game. Romo's injury has made these teams the two best in the NFC East.

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16


Game Score Status Pick Amount


San Jose - 7:00 PM ET San Jose -170 500 DOUBLE PLAY
New Jersey - Over 5 500


Toronto - 7:00 PM ET Columbus -145 500
Columbus - Over 5.5 500


Carolina - 7:30 PM ET Detroit -190 500
Detroit - Under 5 500


Calgary - 8:00 PM ET Winnipeg -140 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Winnipeg - Over 5.5 500


St. Louis - 10:00 PM ET Vancouver -135 500 OCTOPLAY
Vancouver - Under 5 500


Colorado - 10:00 PM ET Colorado +175 500 *****
Anaheim - Over 5.5 500


Minnesota - 10:30 PM ET Minnesota +120 500 *****
Los Angeles - Under 5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

 

[CNOTES]

NHL FRIDAY'S RESULTS:


1 - 1................ *****


3 - 0................DOUBLE PLAY


1 - 0................,TRIPLE PLAY


0 - 1.................OCTOPLAY




OVERALL RATED PLAYS


*****.....................................10 - 9...........................+ 1.95


double play..............................19 - 9.........................+ 24.00


triple play................................6 - 5............................- 5.40


octoplay..................................2 - 2.............................- 4.00

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Stars (3-1) at Panthers (3-1)
Date: October 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Jaromir Jagr was 40 years old when the Dallas Stars signed him to a one-year deal in July 2012 hoping to get contributions from a future Hall of Famer during what many figured to be the tail end of his career.


Three years later, Jagr still is playing in the NHL - and at a high level to boot.


He'll look to continue his hot start as the Florida Panthers try to win four of their first five for the first time in 20 years when they host Dallas on Saturday night.


Jagr had 26 points in 34 games for the Stars during the lockout-shortened 2013 season before being traded to Boston and helping it reach the Stanley Cup Final. He signed with New Jersey before last season, then was dealt to the Panthers shortly after his 43rd birthday in February and recorded six goals and 12 assists in 20 games.


The Panthers (3-1-0) inked him to a one-year contract April 12 - the day after their 2014-15 season ended - and Jagr has delivered. He had two goals in a season-opening win over Philadelphia on Oct. 10 and scored twice while adding an assist in Thursday's 3-2 win over Buffalo.


Jagr has six points in his first four games for the first time since posting 11 during a six-game streak to begin the 2006-07 season while with the New York Rangers. His solid run this year has helped bring the Panthers to the verge of their first 4-1-0 start since 1995-96, when they made the franchise's lone appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.


'Sometimes the puck goes in, sometimes it doesn't,' Jagr said. 'It doesn't matter what you do. I learned that over 25 years. Right now the puck is going in, so I'm trying to shoot it.'


His former team also is off to a 3-1-0 start after Jason Spezza, Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Cody Eakin finished with a goal and an assist apiece in Thursday's 5-3 win at Tampa Bay.


The Stars last won four of their first five during a 6-1-0 opening run in 2011-12.


Spezza has four goals and two assists after following up Tuesday's hat trick against Edmonton with another solid effort to begin Dallas' trip.


'It's been a good week for me,' Spezza said. 'I'm just trying to keep it going.


"It's a tough league, and you have to win games when you can. When you have a four-game trip against Eastern teams you don't know well, it is good to start it off with a win."


The Stars are facing injury concerns, though. They recalled Curtis McKenzie from the AHL on Wednesday after Patrick Eaves was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, but McKenzie suffered an apparent leg injury when he was hit hard by Tampa's Nikita Nesterov, who was given a game misconduct.


Coach Lindy Ruff said after the game that McKenzie was in "excruciating pain" and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. There's been no official word on the extent of the injury or how much time he'll miss.


Kari Lehtonen made 30 saves Thursday in his second straight start. He had a 37-save shutout in the first meeting with the Panthers last season but was removed after allowing three goals on 14 shots before Dallas rallied for a 4-3 shootout victory March 5.


Roberto Luongo hasn't faced Dallas since making 35 saves in a 3-2 victory April 6, 2014. He has a 1.34 goals-against average while starting three games this season.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Sabres (1-3) at Lightning (3-2)
Date: October 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Lightning didn't lose more than two in a row in 2014-15 until the Stanley Cup Final, but they're in danger of doing so already this season.


Tampa Bay could be missing a couple of key players Saturday night when it tries to bounce back at home by beating the Buffalo Sabres for the second time in a week.


Though they lost back-to-back games on 11 occasions last season, the Lightning didn't drop three straight until the end of a 4-2 series loss to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Final.


Now they're hoping to display that same type of resiliency as they look to avoid their first three-game regular-season slide since an 0-3-2 stretch in March 2014.


After outscoring their opponents 13-6 during a 3-0-0 start, the Lightning lost 3-1 at Detroit on Tuesday and 5-3 to visiting Dallas on Thursday. Alex Killorn was unable to play Thursday due to an upper-body injury and Victor Hedman left the game after taking a hard hit.


Killorn has two assists in four games and Hedman has four in five. Hedman, one of the club's top defensemen, also ranks among the NHL leaders with six takeaways.


"We're concerned for his well-being,' center Brian Boyle said. 'We want him to be OK.'


The Lightning are struggling on special teams. They've allowed seven goals on 15 penalty-kill situations to rank near the bottom of the NHL after tying for seventh (83.7 percent) last season. They've also gone 3 for 15 on the power play.


"It's very frustrating," Boyle added. "It's something we take a lot of pride in, I take a lot of pride in. The preparation is there. We're touching on all the right things. We're being coached the way we're supposed to be. We need to go out and execute."


Buffalo (1-3-0) has scored four power-play goals in its last two games, but it also gave up four on eight penalty-kill situations. Florida's Aleksander Barkov converted a third-period power-play goal Thursday that proved to be the difference in a 3-2 road defeat.


Defenseman Jake McCabe scored his first NHL goal for the Sabres before Tyler Ennis added his first of the season on a late power-play chance. Jack Eichel, the 2015 No. 2 overall draft pick, leads the team with two goals.


Buffalo, which has gone 5-23-2 in October over the past three seasons, hopes to get off to a better start after falling behind in three of its first four games.


"We had that slow start again, first period we didn't have much going," captain Brian Gionta, who missed the first three games due to a lower-body injury, told the team's official website. "We have to find a way on the penalty kill to shut down their power play."


Tampa Bay went 0 for 3 on the power play last Saturday, but Erik Condra, Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos and J.T. Brown scored in a 4-1 win at Buffalo. Stamkos, who has a team-high four goals, has scored in each of his last three meetings.


The Lightning have outscored the Sabres 19-3 during a five-game winning streak that is their longest ever in the series. They'll be without defenseman Nikita Nesterov for this meeting after he was suspended for two games for boarding Stars forward Curtis McKenzie.


Ben Bishop has posted a 1.55 goals-against average while winning his last seven starts versus Buffalo dating to his time with Ottawa.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hurricanes (0-3) at Capitals (2-1)
Date: October 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Washington Capitals fans may have one final chance Saturday night to see Alex Ovechkin reach a major milestone at home.


Ovechkin can become the fourth Russian-born player to reach the 900-point plateau when the Capitals meet the Carolina Hurricanes.


Washington (2-1-0) is closing a four-game homestand before embarking on a three-game trip through Western Canada. Ovechkin is two points shy of the mark enjoyed by countrymen Sergei Fedorov (1,179), Alexander Mogilny (1,032) and Alex Kovalev (1,029).


Mogilny has an interesting connection with a Carolina skater in Brock McGinn, who scored 55 seconds into his first game in Friday's 5-3 victory at Detroit. That's the fastest goal by a player in his NHL debut since Mogilny scored 20 seconds into Buffalo's 4-3 win over Quebec on Oct. 5, 1989.


'I took the shot and it kind of bounced right back onto my stick and I shoved it in,' he said. 'You don't ever expect to come into the league like that, but it was a lot of fun.'


McGinn gave Carolina (1-3-0) the lead for good and added an assist on a goal by Eric Staal. The Hurricanes earned their first victory, as linemates Staal and Kris Versteeg contributed three points apiece.


Staal bounced back after two straight pointless efforts. He has a seven-game point streak at Washington.


"I thought he was excellent. I thought he found a way to lead and led in multiple areas," coach Bill Peters said. "He did a lot of good things. He was good on the power play. His line was very good and a positive factor for us."


Cam Ward was called upon to make only 17 saves so he could be fresh to end a personal three-game slide against the Capitals. It's more likely that Eddie Lack will make his second start with his new club.


Ovechkin returned and notched his second goal to cap the scoring in Thursday's 4-1 victory over Chicago. He was back from his one-game benching for oversleeping and missing the morning skate in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to San Jose.


T.J. Oshie recorded his first points with Washington with a goal and an assist and linemate Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded his first points of the season with two assists. Their line, which includes Ovechkin, combined for five points.


"They were all going pretty well tonight," coach Barry Trotz said. "There was some urgency and desperation."


There's a chance Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom could make his season debut in this game. Backstrom, who led the league with 60 assists last season, hasn't played while working his way back from hip surgery in May.


Braden Holtby allowed six goals in his first two games before he made 26 saves against the Blackhawks.


'We were ready to play, we were ready to skate, we were on the same page,' Holtby said. 'I think the other night was a pretty good wakeup call for us.'


Holtby is Saturday's likely starter. He's 7-4-0 with a 2.08 goals-against average in 11 starts against the Hurricanes.


Washington went 3-1-0 last season against Carolina, capturing both home matchups.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Predators (3-1) at Senators (2-2)
Date: October 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Nashville Predators have a chance to emulate their previous effort but want to produce a different result.


The Predators will look to keep unloading shots against an Ottawa team used to facing plenty of them while trying to put a few more past the Senators in Ontario on Saturday night.


Ottawa has allowed opponents 179 shots on goal through five games for a league-worst average of 35.8, a volume Nashville finally reached its last time out in what coach Peter Laviolette called his team's "best game of the year by a mile."


He also said it was the "worst result," though, as the Predators (3-1-0) suffered their first loss with Thursday's 4-3 defeat to the New York Islanders. After not surpassing 26 shots in their first three games, the Preds finished with 47 - the second-highest road total in franchise history.


Puck possession and a surplus of chances was a welcome sight for Laviolette, whose team ranked third in the NHL with 31.9 shots per game last season. Austin Watson and James Neal tallied their first goals of the season and Filip Forsberg put in his second.


"I went over a lot of things and the guys knew we hadn't met our potential yet offensively," Laviolette told the team's official website. "We just reviewed some things and we were pretty quick in the neutral zone and in the offensive zone we hemmed them in and kept a lot of pucks alive."


Defense, though, was an issue for once. The Predators surrendered two goals through their first three wins but coughed up a pair to the Islanders in both the second and third periods.


Pekka Rinne looked ordinary for the first time as his goals-against average nearly tripled. Nashville's franchise leader in games played at goalie has been far from stellar against the Senators, going 3-3-0 with a 2.99 GAA which is his worst against any opponent besides Pittsburgh.


Ottawa (3-2-0) also lost Thursday, but it came from a far less impressive effort. A day after a seven-goal outburst in Columbus, the Senators fell flat in a 2-0 clunker in Pittsburgh.


The Senators only sent 22 shots toward the Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury, who had allowed eight goals in three previous losses.


"We didn't make the adjustment and realize, OK we're not on our game tonight," coach Dave Cameron said. "We continued to try to put the square peg in the round hole."


Ottawa is 1 for 10 on the power play in the last three games. Nashville has killed 11 of its 12 shorthanded situations.


Craig Anderson has started four of the Senators' five games, faring well despite a high number of pucks sent his way. The Ottawa netminder has stopped 135 shots, including 36 on Wednesday, while allowing 10 goals for a .931 save percentage.


Anderson is 1-3-0 with a 3.54 GAA in his last five starts against Nashville.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Maple Leafs (0-2) at Penguins (1-3)
Date: October 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Phil Kessel totally gets the narrative. The Pittsburgh Penguins forward just wants no part of it.


So forgive him if he's not getting worked up over facing Toronto on Saturday night for the first time since the Maple Leafs shipped the three-time All-Star to Pittsburgh in July.


Despite six sometimes turbulent seasons, Kessel insists he enjoyed his time in Toronto. He's just too focused on trying to fit in alongside Sidney Crosby to get too worked up over seeing the guys in blue on the other bench or the media horde sure to parse his every move just as it did during his time playing for a club that made just one playoff appearance with Kessel's familiar No. 81 in the lineup.


'I don't care. Whatever,' Kessel said. 'I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team win (Saturday) night and try to play my best and whatever happens, happens.'


Kessel is finding his way in Pittsburgh (1-3-0), which picked up its first victory of the season with a 2-0 win over Ottawa on Thursday night. He has a goal and an assist through four games, the only points produced by the top line of Kessel, Crosby and Chris Kunitz.


It's not quite the start the Penguins envisioned when they acquired a dynamic player who has scored 32 times or more in each of the last five seasons. Yet there are signs things are starting to gel. Pittsburgh's first line played with energy against the Senators and produced several scoring chances even though none of them reached the back of the net.


Kessel's main concern is helping kickstart an 0-for-12 power play and figuring out how to play with the creative and relentless Crosby. There were some early successes in the preseason, but it just hasn't quite translated once the games started to count.


'I'm going to go out there and play and try my best and hopefully things work out,' he said.


The rebuilding Maple Leafs are displaying signs of progress as well during their own adjustment phase, evidenced by Friday's 6-3 win over slumping Columbus. Joffrey Lupul scored the tie-breaking goal early in the third period and Leo Komarov added two later on to seal Toronto's first victory under Mike Babcock.


Toronto (1-2-1) has 10 goals in two games after recording one over its first two. Lupul has scored in two straight and Daniel Winnik, who spent 21 games with Pittsburgh last season, notched three assists on Friday.


'I thought we scored some good goals," Babcock said. "Full marks to the guys for the win. I think it's a positive for them and they got points two nights in a row, which is a long way from where we started. We just need to keep getting better.'


That improved offense now meets a resurgent goaltender in Marc Andre-Fleury, who allowed eight goals in Pittsburgh's three losses before stopping 22 shots against Ottawa.


After James Reimer worked Friday's win, Jonathan Bernier makes his first start since being pulled 20 seconds into the second period when permitting three goals on 12 chances in Babcock's Oct. 9 return to Detroit.


Bernier is 0-3-2 with a 3.55 goals-against average in five starts against Pittsburgh, which has won five straight in the series and six of seven at home from Toronto. Crosby (1 goal, 5 assists) and Evgeni Malkin (2 goals, 4 assists) each had six points during last season's three meetings.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bruins (1-3) at Coyotes (3-1)
Date: October 17, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

With their first win in the books, the Boston Bruins can confidently move forward.


They'll try to build on a convincing victory by continuing their success over the host Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night.


In danger of opening with four straight losses for the first time in 51 years, Boston (1-3-0) scored the first five goals in a 6-2 rout at Colorado on Wednesday. Jimmy Hayes had a goal with three assists and Tyler Randell scored in his first career game.


'That's huge for our team,' Hayes said. 'Carry the momentum.'


Starting in place of the struggling Tuukka Rask, Jonas Gustavsson made 20 saves and received some solid defensive play in front to help take the collective pressure off a Bruins club that's been pressing through the first week.


"As a team, we've just got to know what we did," Gustavsson told the Bruins' official website. "We kept it simple and played solid defensively and that gave us a lot of scoring chances so I think it goes hand in hand - if you have a good defense, you're going to get a lot of offense, so we've just got to stick with what we're doing and we'll be fine."


Rask, who posted a 4.72 goals-against average and .846 save percentage in the three first three games, could be back in net after getting Wednesday off.


"You have to make good saves at the right times," he said. "And then you can't afford mistakes."


Rask has made plenty of saves while recording a 1.40 GAA during his five-game winning streak against Arizona (3-1-0). Boston owns a 20-7 goal advantage while taking the last six from the Coyotes.


Brad Marchand had three goals with an assist in the two meetings with Arizona last season, and could return Saturday after missing the last two contests with a concussion.


"It's protocol and following that, he's feeling better so he's able to skate," coach Claude Julien said. "We'll work on that progression and hopefully have him soon."


Mike Smith stopped all but two of the 106 shots he faced in Arizona's first three games but was pulled after yielding three on 17 in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Minnesota in the second of back-to-back contests.


"You can tell our team was chugging, there was fatigue but we hung in there," said Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, whose team trailed 3-0 early in the second period.


Dating to his time with Tampa Bay, Smith has a 3.50 GAA while losing his last six regular-season and playoff starts against Boston.


Arizona rookies Anthony Duclair and Max Domi haven't wasted time announcing their presence while combining for seven of the team's 13 goals and five assists. Domi assisted on Thursday's second-period goal by Duclair, who was part of the March deal that sent popular defenseman Keith Yandle to the New York Rangers.


"It's been unbelievable so far, but at the same time it would have been better if we'd gotten the win (Thursday)," Duclair said. "Things are rolling (offensively) and we've got to keep them going."


It's uncertain if veteran forward Antoine Vermette will be in the Coyotes' lineup after suffering a lower-body injury Thursday.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Red Wings (3-1) at Canadiens (5-0)
Date: October 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

After locking up the franchise's top active scorer for two more seasons, the Montreal Canadiens will try to add to the best start in their storied franchise's history.


The Canadiens would appear to have a strong chance to improve to 6-0-0 on Saturday night given their recent dominance over the short-handed Detroit Red Wings.


Montreal (5-0-0) announced Friday they signed Tomas Plekanec to a two-year extension. The top-line center, who has 206 goals and 503 points in his 12 seasons with the Canadiens, has scored four goals in the first five games to tie Max Pacioretty for the team lead.


Plekanec tallied an empty-netter and Carey Price made 25 saves in a 3-0 win Thursday over the New York Rangers.


"(The record start) is rewarding, but I'm more happy about the way the team's playing," Pacioretty said after his first home game as the franchise's 29th captain. "It's so fun to roll four lines and see everyone going. ... There are no egos on this team right now."


San Jose and Colorado were the last NHL teams to start 6-0-0 in 2013-14. Montreal will try to match that while earning a seventh consecutive win over one of its Original Six rivals.


Detroit lost four of those matchups last season and won't have a number of key players for the first one this season. Pavel Datsyuk is continuing to recover from offseason ankle surgery and Johan Franzen is back on injured reserve because of a recurrence of concussion symptoms.


Darren Helm hasn't played so far this season because he's recovering from a concussion, and Danny DeKeyser has an ailing foot.


The Red Wings, though, started 3-0-0 under new coach Jeff Blashill before losing 5-3 to previously winless Carolina on Friday, a team they beat 4-3 last Saturday.


The Hurricanes took a 3-0 lead early in the second period with Jimmy Howard in net for the Red Wings. Detroit (3-1-0) could only cut that deficit to one goal before the second intermission.


"Our guys know that wasn't good enough," Blashill said. "Carolina might not have played well in their other (three) games, but against us, they are winning puck races and puck battles."


The Red Wings are expected to start Petr Mrazek, who has never faced Montreal, in net for the at least the first two of their four consecutive road games.


"It's early in the season but we're playing a lot of good teams. Pittsburgh, the Rangers and it doesn't stop because we've got Detroit," coach Michel Therrien said. "It's going to be another huge challenge. This is the way it is in the NHL."


Plekanec has a team-best five goals and four assists in the win streak against the Red Wings. Pacioretty has provided three goals and three assists while playing in five of those games.


Price has a 2.18 goals-against average in his five consecutive wins against Detroit.


Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg, who has a team-leading eight points, has just two assists in his last three games versus the Canadiens.


"They had a little bit of a shakeup this year, and they're responding well to it," Pacioretty said. "They're motivated and they have confidence. I think some of their veterans, like Zetterberg, are playing their best hockey. Those are guys we're going to have to take a hard look at and make sure we shut them down."


Montreal has won three straight at home in the series.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Sharks (3-0) at Islanders (2-1)
Date: October 17, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Strong starts have become a staple for the San Jose Sharks, and superb defense has led to another.


The Sharks look to continue their stingy play and improve to 5-0 as they face the New York Islanders for the first time in Brooklyn on Saturday night.


San Jose (4-0-0) went 4-0-1 in its first five games last season after winning its first six of 2013-14 and seven in the season prior.


This season's start has been spurred by defense, with the Sharks the first team to give up two goals or fewer through the first four games since Detroit in 1948-49.


Martin Jones has started every game, compiling a 0.49 goals-against average and two shutouts.


"The 'D' have done a good job in front of the net, and I am seeing pucks, but you don't go four games like that with one guy," Jones said. "We've played really, really solid both ends of the ice, and we haven't spent a lot of time in our zone in the four games. It has been a good start."


Jones helped to keep it going Friday, making 31 saves before turning aside two shootout attempts in a 2-1 win at New Jersey. He had gone a franchise-record 234 minutes, 33 seconds without allowing a goal before that run was snapped late in the third period.


Alex Stalock held the previous record at 178:55 set in January 2014, and he's slated to get the start Saturday. He went 8-9-2 with a 2.62 GAA in 22 games - 19 starts - last season.


Stalock made 42 saves through overtime before losing 4-3 in a shootout at New York on Oct. 16, 2014.


Patrick Marleau scored his team-leading third goal Friday but also missed a penalty shot in the second period. The left wing has 10 points over his last nine meetings with the Islanders.


San Jose is 6-0-2 in its last eight meetings with New York, going 3-0-1 at Nassau Coliseum.


The Islanders are getting accustomed to their new digs, overcoming a two-goal deficit to win 4-3 over Nashville on Thursday after beating Winnipeg 4-2 three days earlier.


"You've got to find ways to win," captain John Tavares said. "You won't always have your best. We were able to beat one of the best teams in the West. You look at their team. It was a good way to battle back and find a way to win.


"Our crowd has been great. Fans have been great. They have brought energy and passion."


That seems to be rubbing off on Tavares, whose team-leading three goals and three assists have all come in three games at the Islanders' new home.


The All-Star center has seven points in six career meetings with San Jose.


Like Tavares, Brock Nelson's three points have all come at home. He's also found a new home on the right wing after spending the last two seasons as a center.


"It's a little different in the defensive zone, not being able to see the whole ice as well, but going into the offensive zone you're able to make a couple more plays and create a couple more chances," Nelson told the team's official website.


The Islanders have an opportunity to deal a third straight opponent its first loss of the season after doing it to the Jets and Predators.


Thomas Greiss seems likely to face his former team for the first time after making a career-high 44 saves against Nashville. Greiss played 44 games for San Jose from 2008-13.