12-18-13

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Cappers Access

S. Miss -1
Stanford +7
Texas Tech +3.5

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Gamblers Data

Free Plays Wednesday

Massachusetts -3

Ole Miss -13.5

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NCAA Basketball Picks

Stanford at Connecticut

The 9-0 Huskies host a Cardinal team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games versus teams with a winning SU record. Connecticut is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Huskies favored by 9 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-7). Here are all of today's games.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 725-726: Detroit at Akron (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 56.797; Akron 60.248 Dunkel Line: Akron by 3 1/2 Vegas Line: Akron by 9 Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+9)

Game 727-728: Delaware at Ohio State (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Delaware 55.936; Ohio State 79.848 Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 24 Vegas Line: Ohio State by 17 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-17 1/2)

Game 729-730: Drexel at St. Joseph's (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Drexel 61.097; St. Joseph's 62.154 Dunkel Line: St. Joseph's by 1 Vegas Line: St. Joseph's by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Drexel (+2 1/2)

Game 731-732: Texas at North Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Texas 61.827; North Carolina 74.877 Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 13 Vegas Line: North Carolina by 10 1/2 Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-10 1/2)

Game 733-734: NC State at Tennessee (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NC State 64.137; Tennessee 67.980 Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 4 Vegas Line: Tennessee by 8 Dunkel Pick: NC State (+8)

Game 735-736: Massachusetts at Ohio (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Massachusetts 68.352; Ohio 62.216 Dunkel Line: Massachusetts by 6 Vegas Line: Massachusetts by 3 Dunkel Pick: Massachusetts (-3)

Game 737-738: UL-Monroe at Mississippi (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UL-Monroe 53.301; Mississippi 63.772 Dunkel Line: Mississippi by 10 1/2 Vegas Line: Mississippi by 13 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UL-Monroe (+13 1/2)

Game 739-740: College of Charleston at Old Dominion (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 48.729; Old Dominion 57.425 Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 8 1/2 Vegas Line: Old Dominion by 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (-4 1/2)

Game 741-742: Western Michigan at Drake (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 51.699; Drake 65.492 Dunkel Line: Drake by 14 Vegas Line: Drake by 5 Dunkel Pick: Drake (-5)

Game 743-744: Northern Illinois at Loyola-Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Northern Illinois 45.573; Loyola-Chicago 48.324 Dunkel Line: Loyola-Chicago by 3 Vegas Line: Loyola-Chicago by 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (+6 1/2)

Game 745-746: Indiana State at St. Louis (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 60.055; St. Louis 65.234 Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 5 Vegas Line: St. Louis by 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Indiana State (+7 1/2)

Game 747-748: San Francisco at St. John's (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 51.220; St. John's 68.877 Dunkel Line: St. John's by 17 1/2 Vegas Line: St. John's by 12 Dunkel Pick: St. John's (-12)

Game 749-750: Southern Mississippi at Western Kentucky (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Southern Mississippi 58.354; Western Kentucky 55.252 Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 3 Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 1 Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-1)

Game 751-752: Stanford at Connecticut (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Stanford 64.109; Connecticut 73.452 Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 9 1/2 Vegas Line: Connecticut by 7 Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-7)

Game 753-754: LSU at Texas Tech (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LSU 63.912; Texas Tech 58.806 Dunkel Line: LSU by 5 Vegas Line: LSU by 3 1/2 Dunkel Pick: LSU (-3 1/2)

Game 755-756: Towson at Oregon State (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Towson 56.907; Oregon State 60.111 Dunkel Line: Oregon State by 3 Vegas Line: Oregon State by 8 Dunkel Pick: Towson (+8)

Game 757-758: UC-Davis at San Jose State (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UC-Davis 42.776; San Jose State 48.398 Dunkel Line: San Jose State by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: San Jose State by 9 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UC-Davis (+9 1/2)

Game 759-760: James Madison at NC-Greensboro (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: James Madison 49.967; NC-Greensboro 43.628 Dunkel Line: James Madison by 6 1/2 Vegas Line: James Madison by 3 Dunkel Pick: James Madison (-3)

Game 761-762: Chattanooga at UAB (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chattanooga 38.429; UAB 64.120 Dunkel Line: UAB by 25 1/2 Vegas Line: UAB by 20 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UAB (-20 1/2)

Game 763-764: Southern Utah at San Diego State (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Southern Utah 37.561; San Diego State 66.712 Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 29 Vegas Line: San Diego State by 31 Dunkel Pick: Southern Utah (+31)

Game 771-772: Houston Baptist at DePaul (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Houston Baptist 40.843; DePaul 60.233 Dunkel Line: DePaul by 19 1/2 Vegas Line: DePaul by 16 Dunkel Pick: DePaul (-16)

Game 773-774: Radford at UNLV (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Radford 46.726; UNLV 57.651 Dunkel Line: UNLV by 11 Vegas Line: UNLV by 14 Dunkel Pick: Radford (+14)

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Today's NHL Picks

Ottawa at New Jersey

The Senators head to New Jersey tonight looking to build on their 4-0 record in their last 4 games against the Devils. Ottawa is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Senators favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+100) . Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 1-2: Ottawa at New Jersey (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 11.803; New Jersey 10.772 Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-120); 5 Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+100); Over

Game 3-4: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.839; NY Rangers 9.191 Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 3 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

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NCAAB

Wednesday, December 18

Akron won two of last three games with Detroit, but lost 80-73 LY in Motor City; this is third game in five nights for Zips, who won three in row but are still turning ball over 22% of time, shooting 61.1% from the line. Detroit lost four of last six games, are shooting just 28.8% from arc. MAC home favorites are 11-11 vs spread; Horizon road dogs are 17-18.

Delaware is 5-5 with one loss by more than five points (85-66 at North Dakota State Monday); third game in five nights for Blue Hens, who've played tough (#44) schedule with experienced team- they lost at Notre Dame by 5, at Villanova by 4. 10-0 Ohio State has eight wins by 16 or more points; they're holding opponents to 23.2% from arc, are forcing turnovers 24.2% of time (#9 in country).

St Joe's won three of last four games with Drexel, winning last two here by 13-10 points, but Hawks lost four of last six games, all vs teams in top 100-- best team they best is #100 Washington State. Drexel is 7-1 in last eight games, with 66-62 loss to Arizona; Lee's injury makes them a thin team, but they've won last four games, with two wins in triple OT.

9-1 Texas is one of least experienced team in country; they won in OT at Temple in only road game so far. Longhonrs beat North Carolina three of last four years, waxing them 85-67 LY, holding Heels to 31% from floor. Carolina is 7-2, forcing turnovers 21.8% of time; they still don't shoot it well (29.4% on 3's, 61.1% FTs). Big X road underdogs 3-5 vs spread.

7-2 NC State lost by 11 at Cincinnati in its only true road game so far; best team they've beaten is #115 Northwestern. Wolfpack won last five games, four by 10+ points. Tennessee is 2-2 vs top 100 teams, beating Wake Forest of ACC by 19 on neutral floor; Vols are #4 in country on offensive boards, grabbing 43% of misses- they lost at Wichita State by 9 in last game Saturday.

UMass outscored Ohio 24-6 on foul line in 85-76 win over Bobcats LY, in game Ohio led 18-6 early, but trailed 48-40 at half. 9-0 UMass already has four wins by 9 or less points, five top 100 wins. Ohio lost by 10 at Ohio State in only top 100 game; best Bobcat win is over #110 Mercer. UMass plays lot of MAC teams because they're in MAC in football.

Western Michigan is 0-3 on road, losing by 10-16-6 points; hard to get excited by team that lost 51-35 at Northwestern; Broncos' best win was 99-88 over defenseless Oakland. Drake is 5-0 vs teams ranked outside top 100, winning at Fresno/Bakersfield; Bulldogs are making 39% from arc, 74.8% from line. MAC road underdogs are 15-16 against spread.

Indiana State is 6-2 with four road wins and pair of 1-point losses; they make 45.1% behind arc (#3 in US), 77.6% from line (#10). Sycamores split pair of top 100 games, winning at Notre Dame, losing at Belmont 96-95. Saint Louis is 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 5-6 points- their best win was by hoop at #114 Valpo, when they struggled on foul line. Saint Louis forces turnovers 23.4% of time (#13 in US).

San Francisco made 9-15 from arc in 81-65 win over St John's LY, in a homecoming game for Lavin; Dons lost by 18 at Oregon, won by point at Montana in only two road games this year. USF is making 56.9% of 2-pointers, but their defensive numbers are poor. St John's is 4-0 against teams outside top 100, with all four wins by 10+- they lost to Syracuse by 5 Sunday, after trailing by 14 in first half.

Southern Miss beat Western Kentucky by 3 in OT LY, after blowing a 10-point lead with 10:00 left; 9-1 Eagles are turning ball over 22.5% of time- they've got three solid road wins (DePaul/No Dakota State/USA). Hilltoppers lost by 17 to Wichita, 16 to Louisville in only top 100 tilts; they also turn ball over a lot (22.9%). Best team WKU has beaten is #218 NC-Wilmington.

UConn is 4-0 vs teams ranked #117 or higher, with four wins by total of five points, as Napier has saved their bacon time/again; three of the four wins were on neutral courts. Huskies are #1 in country, making 46.5% from arc. Stanford won by 9 at Denver in only true road game, win that looks better given Pioneers' recent wins. Cardinal allowed 100 ppg in its two games (0-2) vs top 100 teams, losing by 9-21 points.

LSU is 2-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by hoop at UMass in its only true road game; their other loss was by 7 to Memphis on neutral floor- they are 4-0 vs teams ranked outside top 100, with three wins by 14+. Texas Tech is 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 12-23-21 points to Bama-Pitt-Arizona. Best team Texas Tech has beaten is #194 South Dakota State.

Towson State is 6-4 vs D-I teams, with one win vs team ranked in top 260; Tigers are 0-3 on road, all vs top 100 teams, losing at SF Austin by 10, getting crushed by 30 at both Villanova/Kansas. 5-2 Oregon State has played 7th-easiest schedule in country- they did win at Maryland, but also lost to Coppin State. Beavers are making 61.1% of shots inside arc.

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NBA

Wednesday, December 18

Hot teams
-- Miami won four of its last five games (5-8 as HF)., Pacers covered nine of their twelve road games.
-- Bobcats are 8-1-1 vs spread on n road. Toronto won three of last four.
-- Hawks won five of last six home games (8-5 vs spread at home).
-- Boston won five of its last seven games (5-2 as HF). Pistons won four of their last five road games.
-- Brooklyn won four of its last five games.
-- Portland won last five games, is 10-4 vs spread on road.
-- Dallas won three of its last four home games (1-4 last five HF).
-- Phoenix won/covered its last five games. Spurs won four of last five games, are 8-5 vs spread on road.
-- Rockets covered six of last eight games as a home favorite.
-- Clippers won four of last five games (4-6 as HF).

Cold Teams
-- Orlando lost eight of last ten games, is 4-7 vs spread on road. Jazz lost six of their last eight games.
-- Sacramento lost three of its last four games.
-- Wizards lost four of their last five games.
-- Milwaukee lost six of its last eight games. Knicks lost three of their last four road games.
-- Minnesota covered once in its last five home games.
-- Grizzlies lost six of their last seven games (2-4 as AU).
-- Bulls lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Pelicans lost four of last six games, losing last two by 9-11 points.

Totals
-- Six of last eight Indiana games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Orlando games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last ten Charlotte games stayed under total; five of Toronto's last seven games went over.
-- Five of last seven Sacramento games went over total.
-- Last six Detroit games went over the total; four of last five Celtic tilts stayed under.
-- Four of last five Washington games went over the total.
-- Eight of eleven New York road games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last ten Portland games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Memphis games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine San Antonio games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of eleven Clipper home games went over the total.

Series records
-- Pacers lost five of last six visits to Miami (Ls by 32-14-1-11-23).
-- Jazz won their last five games against Orlando.
-- Bobcats won nine of last twelve games with Toronto.
-- Hawks won their last ten games with Sacramento.
-- Pistons won four of their last five games with Boston.
-- Wizards lost last three visits to Brooklyn by 12-17-5 points.
-- Knicks won their last six games against Milwaukee.
-- Portland won five in row, 16 of last 18 games with Minnesota.
-- Grizzlies won seven of last nine games with Dallas.
-- Spurs won ten of last twelve games with Phoenix (1-3-1 vs spread in last five meetings).
-- Rockets won last three games vs Chicago, by 6-4-23 points.
-- Clippers won five of last six games with New Orleans.

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PAUL LEINER

100* Ohio State -17.5
50* LSU -3.5

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StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

NHL OTTAWA at NEW JERSEY
Play On - Road underdogs of +100 to +200 against the money line (OTTAWA) good power play team - scoring on more than 17.5% of their chances, hot offensive team - 5 straight games with 30 or more shots on goal
54-26 over the last 5 seasons. ( 67.5% 39.7 units )
2-1 this year. ( 66.7% 1.5 units )

NHL OTTAWA at NEW JERSEY
Play On - Road underdogs against the money line (OTTAWA) good power play team - scoring on more than 17.5% of their chances, hot offensive team - 5 straight games with 30 or more shots on goal
55-28 over the last 5 seasons. ( 66.3% 40.1 units )
2-1 this year. ( 66.7% 1.5 units )

NHL OTTAWA at NEW JERSEY
Play On - Road underdogs of +100 to +150 against the money line (OTTAWA) good power play team - scoring on more than 17.5% of their chances, hot offensive team - 5 straight games with 30 or more shots on goal
50-23 over the last 5 seasons. ( 68.5% 35.9 units )
2-1 this year. ( 66.7% 1.5 units )

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StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

CBB W MICHIGAN at DRAKE
Play On - A road team (W MICHIGAN) after scoring 25 points or less in the first half last game, with just two starters returning from last year in the first 10 games of the season
119-65 over the last 5 seasons. ( 64.7% 47.5 units )
15-10 this year. ( 60.0% 4.0 units )

CBB STANFORD at CONNECTICUT
Play Against - Underdogs of +145 to +350 vs. the money line (STANFORD) good 3 point shooting team - making >=37% of their attempts, in December games
235-60 over the last 5 seasons. ( 79.7% 77.2 units )
21-11 this year. ( 65.6% -4.6 units )

CBB DETROIT at AKRON
Play Against - A road team vs. the 1rst half line (DETROIT) excellent free throw shooting team - making >=77% of their free throws, up-tempo team averaging 62 or more shots/game on the season
79-39 since 1997. ( 66.9% 36.1 units )
3-2 this year. ( 60.0% 0.8 units )

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Power Play Wins

NBA Tor -5.5

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StatFox Super Situations - FoxSheets

NBA | CHICAGO at HOUSTON Play On - Road underdogs of 10 or more points (CHICAGO) after being beaten by the spread by 18 or more points total in their last three games, a bad team, winning 25% to 40% of their games on the season 46-18 over the last 5 seasons. ( 71.9% | 26.2 units ) 4-1 this year. ( 80.0% | 2.9 units )

NBA | DETROIT at BOSTON Play On - Home teams vs. the money line (BOSTON) after beating the spread by 48 or more points total in their last seven games, in December games 34-10 over the last 5 seasons. ( 77.3% | 22.3 units ) 1-3 this year. ( 25.0% | -2.0 units )

NBA | CHICAGO at HOUSTON Play On - Underdogs vs. the 1rst half line (CHICAGO) cold team - failing to cover the spread in 12 or more of the last 15, with a losing record 162-95 since 1997. ( 63.0% | 57.5 units ) 6-2 this year. ( 75.0% | 3.8 units )

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The Winners Circle

WEDNESDAY BASKETBALL PLAYS

10* Play Sacramento +7 over Atlanta NBA TOP PLAY
10* Play Charlotte +5.5 over Toronto NBA TOP PLAY


10* Play San Diego State -31 over Southern Utah NCAA TOP PLAY
10* Play UAB -21 over UT-Chattanooga NCAA TOP PLAY

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Today's NBA Picks

Indiana at Miami

The Pacers look to bounce back from their 101-96 loss to Detroit on Monday and build on their 11-1 ATS record in their last 12 games following an ATS defeat. Indiana is the pick (+4) according to Dunkel, which has the Pacers favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+4). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Time Posted: 10:30 a.m. EST

Game 701-702: Indiana at Miami (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 127.094; Miami 125.503 Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 1 1/2; 195 Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 4; 190 Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+4); Over

Game 703-704: Utah at Orlando (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Utah 111.507; Orlando 117.592 Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 6; 192 Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 4; 197 Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-4); Under

Game 705-706: Charlotte at Toronto (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 113.810; Toronto 122.330 Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 8 1/2; 186 Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 5 1/2; 191 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-5 1/2); Under

Game 707-708: Sacramento at Atlanta (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 118.660; Atlanta 120.486 Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 2; 210 Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 7 1/2; 204 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+7 1/2); Over

Game 709-710: Detroit at Boston (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 119.856; Boston 117.239 Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 2 1/2; 199 Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 1; 194 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+1); Over

Game 711-712: Washington at Brooklyn (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington 114.408; Brooklyn 121.697 Dunkel Line & Total: Brooklyn by 7 1/2; 193 Vegas Line & Total: Brooklyn by 5; 196 Dunkel Pick: Brooklyn (-5); Under

Game 713-714: New York at Milwaukee (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New York 114.684; Milwaukee 108.424 Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 6 1/2; 181 Vegas Line & Total: New York by 2 1/2; 186 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New York (-2 1/2); Under

Game 715-716: Portland at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Portland 124.886; Minnesota 122.326 Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 2 1/2; 218 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 213 Dunkel Pick: Portland (+1 1/2); Over

Game 717-718: Memphis at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 114.077; Dallas 120.808 Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 6 1/2; 198 Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 10; 194 Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+10); Over

Game 719-720: San Antonio at Phoenix (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 127.401; Phoenix 121.416 Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 6; 198 Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 2 1/2; 203 Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-2 1/2); Under

Game 721-722: Chicago at Houston (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 111.130; Houston 126.093 Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 15; 188 Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 6 1/2; 191 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Houston (-6 1/2); Under

Game 723-724: New Orleans at LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 116.543; LA Clippers 122.410 Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 6; 211 Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 10 1/2; 205 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+10 1/2); Over

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NHL

Wednesday, December 18

Hot teams
-- Penguins won nine of their last ten games.

Cold teams
-- New Jersey lost five of its last seven games. Senators are 0-7 in game following their last seven wins.
-- Rangers lost four of their last five games.

Totals
-- Under is 8-3-3 in New Jersey home games.
-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Pittsburgh games.

Series records
-- Devils lost their last four games with Ottawa.
-- Rangers lost eight of their last ten games with Pittsburgh.

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Penguins at Rangers: What bettors need to know

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers

The New York Rangers needed five contests to taste victory on their franchise-high nine-game homestand. Winning their second straight could be a tall task as the Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins pay a visit to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. New York improved to 1-3-1 on its homestand as Benoit Pouliot scored in the seventh round of a shootout in the team's 4-3 triumph over Calgary on Sunday.

Henrik Lundqvist, who will get the start on Wednesday, came up big in his first meeting with Pittsburgh by stopping 28 shots in a 5-1 victory on Nov. 6. The Penguins have been riddled with injuries but still managed their fourth straight victory and ninth in 10 outings with a 3-1 decision over Toronto on Monday. Captain Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal to increase his point streak to 11 games and his league-leading total to 47 points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (24-10-1): New York assistant Ulf Samuelsson will see a familiar face on the opposing bench as son Philip made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh on Monday. The younger Samuelsson was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in the wake of injuries to top defensemen Brooks Orpik (concussion), Paul Martin (lower body), Rob Scuderi (ankle) and Kris Letang (upper body). Former Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (16-17-1): Derek Stepan scored on Sunday to snap a 10-game goalless drought and netted just his second since tallying against Pittsburgh in the teams' first meeting. Chris Kreider has done his best to pick up the slack, scoring five times in his last eight games to move within one tally of Brad Richards for the team lead. Richards notched two assists in the teams' first meeting and has recorded 41 points (nine goals, 32 assists) in 39 career games versus the Penguins.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Over is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings in New York.
* Penguins are 4-1 in their last five road games.
* Rangers are 7-0 in their last seven Wednesday games.

OVERTIME:

1. Pittsburgh had won four straight overall and defeated New York in eight of nine contests prior to the teams' first meeting.

2. New York is 0-for-11 on the power play over its last four games.

3. The Penguins placed Jayson Megna (lower body) on injured reserve and recalled fellow C Brian Gibbons from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.