Jeff Saad of Las Vegas Sports Services
Saturday CFB Free Pick:
10/25 07:45 PM CF (197) ARIZONA STATE VS (198) WASHINGTON
Take: WASHINGTON.
Arizona State has on deck No. 19 Utah and No. 7 Notre Dame, so this is a look ahead spot. The Sun Devils are 15-33-3 ATS in their last 51 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. They are at Washington and this Arizona State defense is not that good, giving up 27.8 ppg (78th). Washington has only two losses and they were to No. 16 Stanford (20-13) and No. 9 Oregon the last game, a blowout loss, but the Huskies are 12-5 ATS after a loss of more than 20 points. Washington has a strong offense with 183 yards rushing per contest while averaging 32.7 ppg. The Huskies are also 17-7 ATS in their last 24 home games. Play(198) WASHINGTON!
Saturday CFB Free Pick:
10/25 07:45 PM CF (197) ARIZONA STATE VS (198) WASHINGTON
Take: WASHINGTON.
Arizona State has on deck No. 19 Utah and No. 7 Notre Dame, so this is a look ahead spot. The Sun Devils are 15-33-3 ATS in their last 51 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. They are at Washington and this Arizona State defense is not that good, giving up 27.8 ppg (78th). Washington has only two losses and they were to No. 16 Stanford (20-13) and No. 9 Oregon the last game, a blowout loss, but the Huskies are 12-5 ATS after a loss of more than 20 points. Washington has a strong offense with 183 yards rushing per contest while averaging 32.7 ppg. The Huskies are also 17-7 ATS in their last 24 home games. Play(198) WASHINGTON!
CFL Betting Recap - Week 17
By Joe Williams
League Betting Notes
-- Favorites went 3-1 straight up in Week 17
-- Underdogs went 2-1-1 ATS in Week 17
-- Road teams posted a 3-1 SU record in Week 17
-- Road teams posted a 3-0-1 ATS record in Week 17
-- The under went 3-1 in Week 17
Team Betting Notes
-- Calgary (13-2) continues to roll right along. They have won seven of their eight road games, and they are 7-1 ATS away from home.
-- Hamilton (7-8) started the season with a 1-6 SU and 3-4 ATS through the first seven games, but they're 6-2 SU over the past eight games. The 'under has also been a frequent happening for the TiCats, going 5-1 over the past six games.
-- While Toronto (6-9) has won three of the past four games, but they have failed to cover in three straight after their 20-12 setback to Montreal (7-8).
-- The Alouettes have caught fire in the second half of the season. After starting out a dismal 1-7 SU/2-6 ATS in the first eight games, Montreal is 6-1 SU/ATS over the past seven games to vault into first place in the East. Defense has been a huge part of their success, allowing just 43 total points over the past four games, with the 'under' cashing in three of those outings.
-- Edmonton (11-5) can't catch Calgary in the West Division, but they are going to the playoffs. The Eskimos have ripped off six consecutive covers, too.
-- Ottawa (2-13) has struggled to pick up victories and post points, but their defense has kept them in games. While Ottawa has scored 10 or fewer points in seven of the past nine games, but they have given up 20 or fewer in five of the past seven. There is still betting value with the RedBlacks, who are 4-2 ATS over the past six games, and the 'under' is 7-2 over the past nine.
-- Stop if you've heard this before...another week, another loss for Winnipeg (6-10). They started out 5-1 SU/ATS over the first six games, but they're now 1-9 SU and they have failed to cover each of their past six.
By Joe Williams
League Betting Notes
-- Favorites went 3-1 straight up in Week 17
-- Underdogs went 2-1-1 ATS in Week 17
-- Road teams posted a 3-1 SU record in Week 17
-- Road teams posted a 3-0-1 ATS record in Week 17
-- The under went 3-1 in Week 17
Team Betting Notes
-- Calgary (13-2) continues to roll right along. They have won seven of their eight road games, and they are 7-1 ATS away from home.
-- Hamilton (7-8) started the season with a 1-6 SU and 3-4 ATS through the first seven games, but they're 6-2 SU over the past eight games. The 'under has also been a frequent happening for the TiCats, going 5-1 over the past six games.
-- While Toronto (6-9) has won three of the past four games, but they have failed to cover in three straight after their 20-12 setback to Montreal (7-8).
-- The Alouettes have caught fire in the second half of the season. After starting out a dismal 1-7 SU/2-6 ATS in the first eight games, Montreal is 6-1 SU/ATS over the past seven games to vault into first place in the East. Defense has been a huge part of their success, allowing just 43 total points over the past four games, with the 'under' cashing in three of those outings.
-- Edmonton (11-5) can't catch Calgary in the West Division, but they are going to the playoffs. The Eskimos have ripped off six consecutive covers, too.
-- Ottawa (2-13) has struggled to pick up victories and post points, but their defense has kept them in games. While Ottawa has scored 10 or fewer points in seven of the past nine games, but they have given up 20 or fewer in five of the past seven. There is still betting value with the RedBlacks, who are 4-2 ATS over the past six games, and the 'under' is 7-2 over the past nine.
-- Stop if you've heard this before...another week, another loss for Winnipeg (6-10). They started out 5-1 SU/ATS over the first six games, but they're now 1-9 SU and they have failed to cover each of their past six.
CFL Betting Notes - Week 18
By David Schwab
There are just three weeks left in the CFL regular season and while Calgary has already clinched the West Division, the race to the division title in the East is probably going to be a three-team battle to the bitter end.
Last week in the CFL, Hamilton got things started with Friday’s 16-6 victory against Ottawa as a 12-point home favorite. The total stayed well UNDER the 45-point closing line. Montreal got a leg-up on Toronto in key showdown in the East with a 20-12 victory as a five-point road underdog in a game where the total also stayed UNDER on a closing line of 51.
The other two games last week saw the Stampeders clinch the West with a 33-23 win over Winnipeg. That contest ended as a PUSH with Calgary favored by 10 points on the road. The total went OVER the 48 ½-point closing line. This past Sunday, Edmonton got past Saskatchewan 24-19 as a 4 ½-point road favorite with the total staying UNDER the 48 ½-point line.
Saturday, October 25
Hamilton (7-8 SU, 6-9 ATS) at Toronto (6-9 SU, 6-9 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -3
Total: 53
Game Overview
Hamilton’s win last Friday kept it tied with Montreal for the lead in the East and it brings a 5-1 SU (3-3 ATS) record in its last six games into this huge East Division clash. The total has stayed UNDER in seven of its last nine games. The Tiger-Cats have scored just one point more (330) than they have allowed this season (329).
The Argonauts stunning loss to Montreal as favorites last week snapped a three-game SU winning streak and they have failed to cover in their last three outings. Toronto, under quarterback Ricky Ray, had averaged 35 points a game in their previous four outings before putting up just 12 points in last week’s loss.
Betting Trends
Hamilton comes into this matchup with a 4-1 edge both SU and ATS in the last five meetings, but it has lost five of its last seven road games SU against the Argonauts. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six meetings in Toronto.
British Columbia (8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS) at Winnipeg (6-10 SU, 7-8-1 ATS)
Point-spread: BC -6
Total: 45 ½
Game Overview
BC is another team in the West that has faded down the stretch. It did crush Ottawa 41-3 as a 10-point home favorite before heading into last week’s bye. This victory did snap a three-game skid, but the Lions are well aware of the fact that they cannot afford any more losses to keep their playoff hopes alive. Defensively, BC is still ranked first in the CFL in average points allowed (18.1).
The dive has been deep and severe for a Winnipeg team that started the season 5-1 SU in its first six games. The Blue Bombers current SU losing streak stands at seven games and during this slide they have gone a costly 1-5-1 ATS. The offense has scored 23 points or less in five of the seven games and Winnipeg’s defense has allowed 30 points or more in five games as well.
Betting Trends
BC has a 6-1 SU edge in its last seven games against the Blue Bombers and it is 6-2 SU in its last eight road games against Winnipeg. The total has stayed UNDER in five of the last six meetings including both games this season.
By David Schwab
There are just three weeks left in the CFL regular season and while Calgary has already clinched the West Division, the race to the division title in the East is probably going to be a three-team battle to the bitter end.
Last week in the CFL, Hamilton got things started with Friday’s 16-6 victory against Ottawa as a 12-point home favorite. The total stayed well UNDER the 45-point closing line. Montreal got a leg-up on Toronto in key showdown in the East with a 20-12 victory as a five-point road underdog in a game where the total also stayed UNDER on a closing line of 51.
The other two games last week saw the Stampeders clinch the West with a 33-23 win over Winnipeg. That contest ended as a PUSH with Calgary favored by 10 points on the road. The total went OVER the 48 ½-point closing line. This past Sunday, Edmonton got past Saskatchewan 24-19 as a 4 ½-point road favorite with the total staying UNDER the 48 ½-point line.
Saturday, October 25
Hamilton (7-8 SU, 6-9 ATS) at Toronto (6-9 SU, 6-9 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -3
Total: 53
Game Overview
Hamilton’s win last Friday kept it tied with Montreal for the lead in the East and it brings a 5-1 SU (3-3 ATS) record in its last six games into this huge East Division clash. The total has stayed UNDER in seven of its last nine games. The Tiger-Cats have scored just one point more (330) than they have allowed this season (329).
The Argonauts stunning loss to Montreal as favorites last week snapped a three-game SU winning streak and they have failed to cover in their last three outings. Toronto, under quarterback Ricky Ray, had averaged 35 points a game in their previous four outings before putting up just 12 points in last week’s loss.
Betting Trends
Hamilton comes into this matchup with a 4-1 edge both SU and ATS in the last five meetings, but it has lost five of its last seven road games SU against the Argonauts. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six meetings in Toronto.
British Columbia (8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS) at Winnipeg (6-10 SU, 7-8-1 ATS)
Point-spread: BC -6
Total: 45 ½
Game Overview
BC is another team in the West that has faded down the stretch. It did crush Ottawa 41-3 as a 10-point home favorite before heading into last week’s bye. This victory did snap a three-game skid, but the Lions are well aware of the fact that they cannot afford any more losses to keep their playoff hopes alive. Defensively, BC is still ranked first in the CFL in average points allowed (18.1).
The dive has been deep and severe for a Winnipeg team that started the season 5-1 SU in its first six games. The Blue Bombers current SU losing streak stands at seven games and during this slide they have gone a costly 1-5-1 ATS. The offense has scored 23 points or less in five of the seven games and Winnipeg’s defense has allowed 30 points or more in five games as well.
Betting Trends
BC has a 6-1 SU edge in its last seven games against the Blue Bombers and it is 6-2 SU in its last eight road games against Winnipeg. The total has stayed UNDER in five of the last six meetings including both games this season.
CFL Week 18 Betting Preview and Trends
By Mike Pickett
The race for first place in the CFL's East division will continue this week as the Toronto Argonauts play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montreal Alouettes look for another win over the Ottawa RedBlacks. Here's a look at this week's CFL betting slate.
Hamilton at Toronto
Last 10 Meetings: Toronto 5-5 SU, 5-5 ATS | OU 7-3
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be out for revenge on Saturday afternoon as they try to make up for a slim loss to the Toronto Argonauts in their most recent game against their provincial rival. The Argonauts edged the Tiger-Cats 34-33 but failed to cover the 4-point spread on the CFL odds at the sportsbooks when the teams last met on October 10. That made Toronto just 1-4 both SU and ATS in its last five games against Hamilton, with the OVER/UNDER going 2-3 in those matchups.
B.C. at Winnipeg
Last 10 Meetings: Winnipeg 4-6 SU, 6-4 ATS | OU 3-7
The UNDER has paid out for totals bettors in both games between the B.C. Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers so far this season as those two teams meet once again on Saturday night. Winnipeg topped B.C. 23-6 as an 8-point road underdog in their first meeting of the season on July 25, but the Lions turned the tables on September 13 with a 26-9 home victory as a 7.5-point favorite. The Blue Bombers are just 1-6 SU and 3-4 ATS in the last seven games between the two teams.
By Mike Pickett
The race for first place in the CFL's East division will continue this week as the Toronto Argonauts play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montreal Alouettes look for another win over the Ottawa RedBlacks. Here's a look at this week's CFL betting slate.
Hamilton at Toronto
Last 10 Meetings: Toronto 5-5 SU, 5-5 ATS | OU 7-3
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be out for revenge on Saturday afternoon as they try to make up for a slim loss to the Toronto Argonauts in their most recent game against their provincial rival. The Argonauts edged the Tiger-Cats 34-33 but failed to cover the 4-point spread on the CFL odds at the sportsbooks when the teams last met on October 10. That made Toronto just 1-4 both SU and ATS in its last five games against Hamilton, with the OVER/UNDER going 2-3 in those matchups.
B.C. at Winnipeg
Last 10 Meetings: Winnipeg 4-6 SU, 6-4 ATS | OU 3-7
The UNDER has paid out for totals bettors in both games between the B.C. Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers so far this season as those two teams meet once again on Saturday night. Winnipeg topped B.C. 23-6 as an 8-point road underdog in their first meeting of the season on July 25, but the Lions turned the tables on September 13 with a 26-9 home victory as a 7.5-point favorite. The Blue Bombers are just 1-6 SU and 3-4 ATS in the last seven games between the two teams.
Week 18 CFL games
Saskatchewan (9-7) @ Calgary (13-2)—Roughriders lost four in row, five of last six games (0-6 vs spread), losing last three road games by combined score of 92-12; they lost 31-24 (+6) at home in only meeting vs Calgary this season two weeks ago, turning ball over three times (-2) in game where Riders outgained Stamps by 101 yards. Calgary is 7-2-1 vs spread in its last 10 games (9-1 SU), winning last four home games by 21-15-7-7 points; they’re 4-3 as home favorites this year. Saskatchewan is 1-3 as a road dog; they’ve lost five of last six visits here, but lone win was in LY’s playoffs, 35-13 (+4). Four of last six Calgary games went over total.
BCLions (8-7) @ Winnipeg (6-10)—Bombers lost last seven games (1-5-1 vs spread), with last three losses all by 10+ points; they split pair of games with BC in Vancouver this year, winning 23-6 (+8.5) in Week 5, losing 29-7 (+7) five weeks ago, when Lions ran ball for 163 yards. Lions snapped 3-game skid with 41-3 win over expansion Ottawa last week; they lost last two away games, scoring total of 31 points in last four road tilts. Winnipeg lost three in row, five of last six home games; they haven’t led at halftime since Week 7 vs Saskatchewan- they were outscored 53-6 in first half of last two games. Seven of last eight BC games stayed under the total.
Saskatchewan (9-7) @ Calgary (13-2)—Roughriders lost four in row, five of last six games (0-6 vs spread), losing last three road games by combined score of 92-12; they lost 31-24 (+6) at home in only meeting vs Calgary this season two weeks ago, turning ball over three times (-2) in game where Riders outgained Stamps by 101 yards. Calgary is 7-2-1 vs spread in its last 10 games (9-1 SU), winning last four home games by 21-15-7-7 points; they’re 4-3 as home favorites this year. Saskatchewan is 1-3 as a road dog; they’ve lost five of last six visits here, but lone win was in LY’s playoffs, 35-13 (+4). Four of last six Calgary games went over total.
BCLions (8-7) @ Winnipeg (6-10)—Bombers lost last seven games (1-5-1 vs spread), with last three losses all by 10+ points; they split pair of games with BC in Vancouver this year, winning 23-6 (+8.5) in Week 5, losing 29-7 (+7) five weeks ago, when Lions ran ball for 163 yards. Lions snapped 3-game skid with 41-3 win over expansion Ottawa last week; they lost last two away games, scoring total of 31 points in last four road tilts. Winnipeg lost three in row, five of last six home games; they haven’t led at halftime since Week 7 vs Saskatchewan- they were outscored 53-6 in first half of last two games. Seven of last eight BC games stayed under the total.
CFL
HAMILTON (7 - 8) at TORONTO (6 - 9) - 10/25/2014, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-5 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-5 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRITISH COLUMBIA (8 - 7) at WINNIPEG (6 - 10) - 10/25/2014, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games versus division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 3-3 against the spread versus BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 5-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON (7 - 8) at TORONTO (6 - 9) - 10/25/2014, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-5 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-5 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRITISH COLUMBIA (8 - 7) at WINNIPEG (6 - 10) - 10/25/2014, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games versus division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 3-3 against the spread versus BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 5-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CFL
Trends
HAMILTON vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Hamilton's last 10 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing at home against Hamilton
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Hamilton
BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. WINNIPEG
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of British Columbia's last 6 games when playing Winnipeg
British Columbia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Winnipeg is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home
Trends
HAMILTON vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Hamilton's last 10 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing at home against Hamilton
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Hamilton
BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. WINNIPEG
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of British Columbia's last 6 games when playing Winnipeg
British Columbia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Winnipeg is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home
NHL roundup: Bruins' Chara out 4-6 weeks
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE
Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will miss four to six weeks because of a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The defenseman was injured in the first period of his team's 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
General manager Peter Chiarelli said surgery is not expected.
"This is completely different, isolated from other ligaments that are more critical of the maneuvering of the knee," Chiarelli said. "So the good news is it's isolated to that."
The Bruins recalled defensemen Zach Trotman and Joseph Morrow from Providence of the American Hockey League to make up for the loss. Boston also is missing defenseman Kevan Miller, who is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
Chara, 37, has missed 20 games since joining Boston in 2006. The Bruins are 8-7-5 without him. He leads the Bruins with an average ice time of 21:41 per game this season, and has led the Boston in average ice time in each of his nine seasons with the Bruins.
---Philadelphia Flyers defensemen Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald each will miss approximately four weeks because of lower-body injuries.
General manager Ron Hextall made the announcement shortly after the Flyers resumed practice Friday morning.
Coburn has not played since sustaining a lower-body injury during the Flyers' opening-night loss to the Boston Bruins. He had traveled with the team during its recent three-game road trip with the hope of returning. He had taken part in the morning skate on Oct. 18 and again on Oct. 21.
The Flyers also announced forward Zac Rinaldo is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained during the Flyers' win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
---The Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs will stage a coordinated tribute Saturday night to honor the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives this week in the nation's capital and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
The show of solidarity will be staged simultaneously by the three Canadian teams hosting 7 p.m. ET games at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario, Bell Centre in Montreal and Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
The Senators will host the New Jersey Devils, the Canadiens will entertain the New York Rangers and the Maple Leafs will host the Boston Bruins.
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was killed Wednesday at the National War Memorial when a gunman shot him in the back with a shotgun before storming into the Centre Block on Parliament Hill. The gunman was later shot dead.
On Monday, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was killed and another soldier was injured when a man deliberately drove a car into them in the parking lot of a federal building near Montreal. The driver fled the scene but was later shot dead after a pursuit.
---The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled forward Cedric Paquette from Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Friday.
Paquette, 21, has skated in four games with Syracuse this season, posting three goals and five points to go along with a team-high plus-5 rating. The 6-foot-1,199-pounder recorded a two-goal game on Oct. 12 against Hartford.
The Lightning also reassigned forward Mike Blunden to Syracuse.
---The Columbus Blue Jackets activated first-round forward Sonny Milano off the injured non-roster list and assigned him to Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League on Friday.
Milano, who was injured at the NHL Prospects Tournament in September, was expected to make his OHL debut with Plymouth on Friday night.
Milano, 18, spent the past two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. Last season, he recorded 24 goals and 48 assists for 72 points in 50 games played for the Juniors.
---The San Jose Sharks reassigned forward Eriah Hayes to Worcester of the American Hockey League on Friday.
Hayes has played in four games with San Jose this season, posting two penalty minutes.
At the time of his recall, Hayes was tied for first in scoring with Worcester with two assists in two games.
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE
Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will miss four to six weeks because of a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The defenseman was injured in the first period of his team's 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
General manager Peter Chiarelli said surgery is not expected.
"This is completely different, isolated from other ligaments that are more critical of the maneuvering of the knee," Chiarelli said. "So the good news is it's isolated to that."
The Bruins recalled defensemen Zach Trotman and Joseph Morrow from Providence of the American Hockey League to make up for the loss. Boston also is missing defenseman Kevan Miller, who is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
Chara, 37, has missed 20 games since joining Boston in 2006. The Bruins are 8-7-5 without him. He leads the Bruins with an average ice time of 21:41 per game this season, and has led the Boston in average ice time in each of his nine seasons with the Bruins.
---Philadelphia Flyers defensemen Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald each will miss approximately four weeks because of lower-body injuries.
General manager Ron Hextall made the announcement shortly after the Flyers resumed practice Friday morning.
Coburn has not played since sustaining a lower-body injury during the Flyers' opening-night loss to the Boston Bruins. He had traveled with the team during its recent three-game road trip with the hope of returning. He had taken part in the morning skate on Oct. 18 and again on Oct. 21.
The Flyers also announced forward Zac Rinaldo is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained during the Flyers' win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
---The Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs will stage a coordinated tribute Saturday night to honor the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives this week in the nation's capital and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
The show of solidarity will be staged simultaneously by the three Canadian teams hosting 7 p.m. ET games at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario, Bell Centre in Montreal and Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
The Senators will host the New Jersey Devils, the Canadiens will entertain the New York Rangers and the Maple Leafs will host the Boston Bruins.
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was killed Wednesday at the National War Memorial when a gunman shot him in the back with a shotgun before storming into the Centre Block on Parliament Hill. The gunman was later shot dead.
On Monday, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was killed and another soldier was injured when a man deliberately drove a car into them in the parking lot of a federal building near Montreal. The driver fled the scene but was later shot dead after a pursuit.
---The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled forward Cedric Paquette from Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Friday.
Paquette, 21, has skated in four games with Syracuse this season, posting three goals and five points to go along with a team-high plus-5 rating. The 6-foot-1,199-pounder recorded a two-goal game on Oct. 12 against Hartford.
The Lightning also reassigned forward Mike Blunden to Syracuse.
---The Columbus Blue Jackets activated first-round forward Sonny Milano off the injured non-roster list and assigned him to Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League on Friday.
Milano, who was injured at the NHL Prospects Tournament in September, was expected to make his OHL debut with Plymouth on Friday night.
Milano, 18, spent the past two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. Last season, he recorded 24 goals and 48 assists for 72 points in 50 games played for the Juniors.
---The San Jose Sharks reassigned forward Eriah Hayes to Worcester of the American Hockey League on Friday.
Hayes has played in four games with San Jose this season, posting two penalty minutes.
At the time of his recall, Hayes was tied for first in scoring with Worcester with two assists in two games.
By Marc Lawrence
Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics
Holding down four of the top five spots in the current AP Poll, the SEC has immortalized itself as the premier conference in college football today. Most surprising is that Mississippi State and Ole Miss have lapped past Georgia and LSU in this year’s race to the top.
With that its time to go ‘inside the stats’ as we review teams’ season-to-date performances from a statistical perspective while also analyzing last week’s football games.
Remember, it’s important to remember that all results are ATS (Against the Spread) in games played this season through Monday, Oct. 20, unless noted otherwise.
PENNZOIL PLAYS
It’s that time of the year when we ferret out favorites on the football card each we that have been out-gained in each of their last three games.
We call them ‘leaking oil’ favorites for reasons that are self-explanatory. Here are this week’s potential Pennzoil favorites.
NCAAFB: Missouri and Utah.
NFL: Tampa Bay and Tennessee.
LOOKING INSIDE THE STATS
Once again there were an abundance of teams who won phony games ‘inside-out’ ITS (In The Stats) but were out-gained by 100 or more yards in their last game. Those teams playing this week include:
NCAAFB: Ball State, Kansas State, Missouri and North Carolina.
NFL: New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams.
On the flip side, these are the teams playing this week who lost phony games ‘inside-out’ ITS (In The Stats) but out-gained their opponent by 100 or more yards in their last game:
NCAAFB: Central Michigan, Georgia Tech, and Virginia.
NFL: New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks.
Note: from the teams above there is one matchup this week involving a ‘Double Inside Out’ showdown: North Carolina vs. Virginia
STAYING PERFECT
We find the following teams perfect ITS (Inside the Stats) this football season. You might be surprised at who you find on these lists.
NCAAFB: 100% ITS Teams
Arizona, East Carolina, Marshall and Ohio State
NCAAFB: 0% ITS Teams
Eastern Michigan, SMU and Vanderbilt
Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics
Holding down four of the top five spots in the current AP Poll, the SEC has immortalized itself as the premier conference in college football today. Most surprising is that Mississippi State and Ole Miss have lapped past Georgia and LSU in this year’s race to the top.
With that its time to go ‘inside the stats’ as we review teams’ season-to-date performances from a statistical perspective while also analyzing last week’s football games.
Remember, it’s important to remember that all results are ATS (Against the Spread) in games played this season through Monday, Oct. 20, unless noted otherwise.
PENNZOIL PLAYS
It’s that time of the year when we ferret out favorites on the football card each we that have been out-gained in each of their last three games.
We call them ‘leaking oil’ favorites for reasons that are self-explanatory. Here are this week’s potential Pennzoil favorites.
NCAAFB: Missouri and Utah.
NFL: Tampa Bay and Tennessee.
LOOKING INSIDE THE STATS
Once again there were an abundance of teams who won phony games ‘inside-out’ ITS (In The Stats) but were out-gained by 100 or more yards in their last game. Those teams playing this week include:
NCAAFB: Ball State, Kansas State, Missouri and North Carolina.
NFL: New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams.
On the flip side, these are the teams playing this week who lost phony games ‘inside-out’ ITS (In The Stats) but out-gained their opponent by 100 or more yards in their last game:
NCAAFB: Central Michigan, Georgia Tech, and Virginia.
NFL: New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks.
Note: from the teams above there is one matchup this week involving a ‘Double Inside Out’ showdown: North Carolina vs. Virginia
STAYING PERFECT
We find the following teams perfect ITS (Inside the Stats) this football season. You might be surprised at who you find on these lists.
NCAAFB: 100% ITS Teams
Arizona, East Carolina, Marshall and Ohio State
NCAAFB: 0% ITS Teams
Eastern Michigan, SMU and Vanderbilt
English Premier TODAY 12:45
| West Ham | v | Man City |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| BT1 | 11/2 | 10/3 | 11/20 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WEST HAM | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HLADHWALHWAW Most recent
|
| HWAWHDAWHWAD Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: West Ham have left their often vocal doubters eating their words in the first couple of months of the season, but a home game against Manchester City is their toughest task of the term. Sergio Aguero is in great form, scoring four goals and having eight shots on target against Tottenham and he can notch first at Upton Park.
RECOMMENDATION: S Aguero first goalscorer
1
REFEREE: Martin Atkinson STADIUM:
Spanish Primera Liga TODAY 17:00
| Real Madrid | v | Barcelona |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| SS5 | 13/10 | 13/5 | 7/4 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT REAL MADRID | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HWAWAWHWAWAW Most recent
|
| ADHWALAWHWHW Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Barcelona are yet to concede in La Liga although their run of eight clean sheets comes under huge threat at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid have won eight in a row, scoring 35 goals, but they should be wary of Barca forward Neymar, who has struck 11 times in his last seven games for club and country.
RECOMMENDATION: Neymar first goalscorer
1
REFEREE: Jesus Gil Manzano STADIUM:
English Premier TODAY 15:00
| West Brom | v | C Palace |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| 5/6 | 12/5 | 7/2 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WEST BROM | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HLAWHWHWALHD Most recent
|
| HDAWHD*HWALHL Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Crystal Palace have shown since Neil Warnock returned to Selhurst Park that they won’t lack fight and the Eagles will fancy their chances of winning away at West Brom. Palace are scoring but they’ve conceded 14 times in their eight league games, and goals look assured at the Hawthorns.
RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg STADIUM:
English Premier TODAY 15:00
| Liverpool | v | Hull |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| 4/9 | 15/4 | 7 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT LIVERPOOL | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HD*HDALHWAWHL Most recent
|
| HDADALHLHWAD Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Hull have scored in all of their eight Premier League matches this season and they can continue that run at Liverpool. Steve Bruce’s men are odds-on with bookmakers to notch at Anfield and anyone who saw Liverpool’s unconvincing defensive efforts at QPR will fancy Hull to find the net.
RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2
REFEREE: Neil Swarbrick STADIUM:
English Premier TODAY 15:00
| Southampton | v | Stoke |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| 4/7 | 10/3 | 11/2 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SOUTHAMPTON | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HWAWAWHWALHW Most recent
|
| HLADAWHWALHW Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Stoke’s away form has let them down since their return to the top flight – just 18 wins in 114 matches – but one defeat in four and an eyecatching win over Manchester City means it’s been a good start on the road for the Potters. This will be another tough trip but Mark Hughes’s men can take a point.
RECOMMENDATION: 1-1 draw
1
REFEREE: Jonathan Moss STADIUM: St Mary's Stadium
