Tuesday 10-10-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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ASA

Oct 10 '17, 10:05 PM

NHL | Senators vs Canucks
Play on: Senators -103 at betonline

ASA FREE PLAY ON Ottawa Senators Money Line (+) over Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday at 10:05 PM ET

The Senators are off of back to back losses to open up the season while the Canucks have played only one game but it was a big upset win over the Oilers. This situation has set up a nice value spot for the Sens here. Vancouver was outshot 35 to 26 in their win over Edmonton. Ottawa actually outshot the opposition in each of their first two games this season but fell short on the scoreboard. The Senators are 38-27 (+15.4 net units) when off of a divisional game. The Canucks are 22-42 (-17.0 net units in non-conference games. Ottawa won both games against Vancouver last season and they shutout the Canucks in each game. The Canucks are not only off of a big win but they also have more conference and divisional games on deck. Vancouver could get caught peeking ahead to those match-ups while the Senators are merely beginning a road trip that features all non-conference games. Considering that as well as the fact the Sens are hungry for their first win and this is a strong situational spot that favors the road team. FREE PLAY ON Ottawa on the money line in late night action Tuesday.

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DAVE COKIN

BLACKHAWKS AT CANADIENS
PLAY: BLACKHAWKS

My preseason assessment of the Canadiens was not positive. I can see the Habs struggling thanks to an anemic offense and a lack of physicality. So far, so good on that call as this team has not looked sharp out of the NHL starting gate.

Montreal might be catching the Blackhawks at the wrong time tonight. Chicago figures to arrive inboxed a nasty mood following a really lousy performance on Monday at Toronto. The Hawks were roundly outplayed by the Maple Leafs. But Chicago was still up 3-1 in the period, so not getting the two points as the Leafs rallied to win in overtime won’t sit well with this talented entry.

Note that if playing Chicago off an overtime game the prior night seems dicey, the data suggests it’s not for this outfit. The Blackhawks have a stellar 36-15 ledger off an OT game the prior night.

I’m also pleased with the fact Corey Crawford sat on Monday night, which means the Hawks #1 goalie will be ready for action tonight. Crawford has owned the Habs over the years and I sure have no problem backing him this evening.

No line on this game as I’m writing this. But with this being the second of back to backs for the visitors, the line is unlikely to be what I consider to be an obstacle. I’ll be looking to take Chicago in this game.

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Larry Ness

Philadelphia vs. Nashville
Pick: Nashville -145

The Nashville Predators will host the Philadelphia Flyers tonight, looking for their first win of the new season (Preds are 0-2). As for the Flyers, they've had to open the season with a four-game road trip but so far, have gone 2-1.

The Flyers have missed the playoffs in three of the last five years and haven't advanced past the first round of the postseason since 2012. The Flyers are a team in transition and may be looking for Nolan Patrick to make an immediate impact. The Flyers selected the center No. 2 overall, as a 16-year-old two seasons ago, Patrick scored 41 goals and a team-high 61 assists for Brandon of the Western Hockey League. He managed to record 20 goals and 26 assists in 33 games in an injury-shortened 2016-17 campaign and then recorded three assists in six preseason games. The Flyers need for Claude Giroux to turn things around. The center led Philadelphia with 86 points in 2013-1 but his scoring has declined in each of the next three seasons. Despite playing all 82 games, Giroux scored only 58 points last season, and his 14 goals were the fewest in a full season since 2009-10. Also a key will be goaltender Brian Elliott. The Flyers have been looking for an elite goaltender for years (the club was tied for 26th in save percentage at .901 last season) and they think Elliott is the answer. Elliott got off to a slow start by going 3-9-1 with a 3.31 goal-against average over the first two months of the campaign last season with Calgary but.he finished 26-18-3 with a 2.55 GAA and two shutouts, which was enough for the Flyers to give the 32-year-old a two-year deal.Neuvirth was in goal for Philly's 2-0 loss at the LA Kings with Elliott going 2-0 with a 2.49 GAA. He's expected to play again, tonight. Patrick has just one point (an assist) in three games but Wayne Simmonds tallied a hat trick Wednesday night in a 5-3, season-opening win at San Jose, then scored the game-winner Saturday night in overtime for a 3-2 victory over Anaheim, giving him a team-leading four goals.

Nashville did little in last year's regular season to make anyone think the Preds would be a Stanley Cup contender but they opened the playoffs with an improbable four-game sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Western Conference points leader. Nashville then beat St. Louis and Anaheim in six-games series, before taking the Pittsburgh Penguins to six games in the Finals. The Predators lost James Neal to Las Vegas in the expansion draft and captain Mike Fisher to retirement. However, Nashville did add Nick Bonino, winner of consecutive Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, to fortify the center position before Fisher retired. Winger Scott Hartnell was also signed from the Columbus Blue Jackets to add depth scoring and another veteran presence in the locker room. Otherwise, the Predators are sticking with the young core that got them to Game 6 of the Finals last spring.

As noted, the season is off to a bad start for Nashville and that's an understatement. Nashville has not had a lead at any point in its first two games, losing 4-3 at Boston and then 4-0 at Pittsburgh. That rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals particularly hurts, as it marks the third straight game the Preds have been shut out by the Pens (lost Game 5 and Game 6 by scores of 6-0 and 2-0, respectively!). Adding insult to injury, Pittsburgh entered Saturday's game having allowed 15 goals in its first two games of the season, before shutting out the Preds. All this said, it's just TWO games into the season. The home crowd and the banner raising should be all the motivation Nashville needs to beat a Phildelphia team playing a fourth road game in seven nights. Take the Preds.

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SPORTS WAGERS

VANCOUVER -105 over Ottawa

OT included. Ottawa is 0-2 after two games but both losses were in OT so they could just as easily be 2-0. The Sens lost to Washington 5-4 before losing to Detroit 2-1. However, the Sens have not been sharp. They’ve spent more time in their own end than in their opponent’s end have surrendered more high quality chances than they’ve created. This is a top heavy, unbalanced squad with a makeshift defense until Erik Karlsson and Johnny Oduya return. The general consensus around hockey people is that the Sens overachieved last year and perhaps that’s true but one thing we know for sure is that their stock is higher than Vancouver’s, which is the basis for this play.

Every publication and NHL season preview will tell you the exact same thing in regards to the Canucks. They are projected to fight with Vegas and the Avs for the worst record in hockey but we’re not as convinced as guys like Bob McKenzie, who watch their twitter feed all day and report the same thing as everyone else. We watch the games and what jumps out to us is that the Canucks have brought in a lot of fresh talent, especially up front. Having trained and implored his new team to play faster, Vancouver Canuck’s new head coach Travis Green is a guy we’re very impressed with. First, Daniel and Henrik’s minutes were way down in their opening game so Green is not going to overwork the twins or expect them to carry this team any longer. That means more minutes for guys like Bo Horvat, Markus Granlund, Sven Baertschi, Brandon Sutter and others. We’re not sure this market is aware of just how good Horvat is. Green’s second brilliant move was sitting 20-year-old wonder boy, Brock Boeser, who had four goals in a nine-game NHL cameo at the end of last season and then led Vancouver in pre-season scoring. That game was the opening Saturday for Hockey Night in Canada and the Oilers/Canucks were the featured game. Boeser sat and watched from the press box and we’re pretty sure he’s anxious to get in there tonight. Against the Canucks, who are supposed to finish at the opposite end of the standings than the Oilers, Connor McDavid was held to two shots and no points in 24:38.

That’s just one game but it set a tone for the Canucks. They have read and heard about how bad they are so right away Green has used that as motivation and he’s also put a chip on the shoulders of every player in the Canucks dressing room. Jacob Markstrom was sharp in goal against Edmonton and he’ll take a step down in class tonight. So will the Canucks and we expect them to be 2-0 after this one.

Philadelphia +122 over NASHVILLE

OT included. Lots of things are in play here. First, the 0-2 Predators will do something they have never done, which is hoist a banner to the rafters of Bridgestone Arena before the game tonight in a brief, pre-game ceremony celebrating its Western Conference championship. That only motivates the visitor more. Secondly, the Preds will once again go with goaltender Pekka Rinne, who is worse this year than last year and has allowed eight goals so far. Both Pittsburgh and Boston penetrated the Nashville blue-line with relative ease. Additionally, the Predators gave away the puck 14 times in two games. Overall, 13 of the 20 skaters on the roster have more starts in the defensive zone than the offensive zone.

The Predators' season-opening trip to Boston and Pittsburgh resulted in them losing both games by a combined score of 8-3 and never owning a lead. Incidentally, Pittsburgh had just lost 10-1 to Chicago and Boston was beaten at home by Colorado yesterday.

Bridgestone Arena has been one of the more difficult venues for visitors to win at but we’re not going to allow that to influence us here when the underdog is so live. Almost every Predator had a career year last year and they barely snuck into the playoffs as a #8 seed before catching lightning in a bottle. They’ll enter this game trying to pick up that elusive first win and they’ll also enter it with inferior goaltending.

After a three-game West-Coast trip to San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim, the Flyers are 2-1 and could easily be 3-0. They have looked sharp and well prepped in all three games and we don’t see them letting up here. Philadelphia narrowly missed the playoffs last year after a late rally that just fell short. The previous season they made a furious rally in the final month to just sneak into the playoffs. It would appear that the Flyers have learned a valuable lesson, that being that two points in October are just as value as two points in May. There is an emphasis to a strong start and the Flyers have gotten the message. Philadelphia also has a different look to them this year. The Flyers’ overall team speed is much better than last season and they have upgraded in several areas which includes defense and depth. If you haven’t watched the Flyers play yet, pay attention to its fourth line. Thanks to its quickness and tenacity, the fourth line — Scott Laughton centering Taylor Leier and Michael Raffl — has created numerous scoring chances in the first three games.

The balanced lines give the Flyers better matchups than in the past. Last year’s fourth line, composed of center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, winger Chris Vande Velde and a variety of other wingers and it was not good. This year, Philly is constantly sending out fresh bodies. The fourth line is getting significant playing time and all four lines are creating. It’s a massive difference from sending out three lines that are playing extra minutes because the fourth line was a liability. This is a dangerous dog that the market hasn’t caught up to yet and they are absolutely worth a bet here.

Pass MLB

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Preview: Flyers at Predators

Gracenote
Oct 10, 2017

The Philadelphia Flyers acquitted themselves well during the traditionally treacherous trek through California and look to wrap up a four-game, season-opening road trip on the right note Tuesday in Music City against the Nashville Predators. Finishing strong has been nothing new this season for the Flyers, who have outshot the opposition 49-20 in the third period.

"With all the guys we have who can skate (quickly), and with the skill we've added, I think that helps keep us fresh for the third period and allows us to continue to push and push and push," said NHL Third Star of the Week Wayne Simmonds, who scored 44 seconds into overtime in Saturday's 3-2 win over Anaheim. The 29-year-old is off to a hot start by scoring four times after leading the club following his 31-goal campaign in 2016-17, including a two-tally performance in a 4-2 triumph in Nashville on Dec. 4. While Philadelphia has received positive results on its season-opening road trip, Nashville hasn't been as fortunate with its two-game trek and hopes a bit of home cooking can take the taste out of its mouth after Saturday's 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals. "It's always a tremendous atmosphere at home, but we need to give our fans a reason to be noisy," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said Monday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NHL.TV, NBCSN Philadelphia, FSN Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE FLYERS (2-1-0): While Simmonds has impressed on the team's second line, it's the fourth line consisting of Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier and Michael Raffl that has captured his eye. "They're unbelievable," Simmonds told Philly.com of the group that has combined for 19 shots. "They've been in the other teams' zone the whole time. I don't think they've been in their (own) zone once in three games." The fourth line has yet to score, however, and the team's power play has failed on all 10 attempts in the last two games after going 3-for-5 in a season-opening 5-3 win at San Jose.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (0-2-0): Former Flyer Scott Hartnell is looking to avenge a tough outing on Saturday in which he had three minor penalties and a 10-game misconduct in Nashville's loss to the Penguins. "Looking forward to getting two points and kick the Flyers' butt," said the 35-year-old Hartnell, who has seen his career come full circle after entering the NHL with Nashville 17 years ago. Pekka Rinne, who has been with the Predators for the duration of his career, turned aside 31 of 32 shots in a 2-1 win over Philadelphia on Dec. 19.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville will unveil the 2017 Western Conference championship banner prior to Tuesday's game.

2. Philadelphia acquired G Dustin Tokarski from Anaheim for future considerations and promptly sent him to Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League.

3. Predators F Kevin Fiala, who sat out versus Pittsburgh, is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Flyers 1

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Trends - Philadelphia at Nashville

W/L TRENDS

Philadelphia

Flyers are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest. Flyers are 5-2 in their last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Flyers are 15-6 in their last 21 vs. Central. Flyers are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Western Conference. Flyers are 8-22 in their last 30 road games. Flyers are 4-12 in their last 16 games following a win.

Nashville

Predators are 19-7 in their last 26 home games. Predators are 5-2 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Predators are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. Metropolitan. Predators are 0-4 in their last 4 overall. Predators are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU TRENDS

Philadelphia

Under is 4-0 in Flyers last 4 vs. Central. Under is 9-1-2 in Flyers last 12 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 5-1-1 in Flyers last 7 vs. Western Conference. Over is 4-1-2 in Flyers last 7 games playing on 2 days rest. Over is 4-1 in Flyers last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 8-2-2 in Flyers last 12 Tuesday games.

Nashville

Under is 4-0 in Predators last 4 Tuesday games. Under is 9-2-3 in Predators last 14 home games. Under is 10-3-2 in Predators last 15 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 11-4-1 in Predators last 16 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 10-4-4 in Predators last 18 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 17-8-7 in Predators last 32 overall.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings in Nashville. Flyers are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Coyotes at Golden Knights

Gracenote
Oct 10, 2017

The Vegas Golden Knights return home for an emotionally charged game on Tuesday as the expansion club faces the Arizona Coyotes for the second time in four nights. The Golden Knights' home opener is nine days removed from an unspeakable tragedy that saw 58 people lose their lives and over 500 injured following a shooting at an outdoor concert over a block away from T-Mobile Arena.

"It will be real emotional (because) of what happened here in Vegas," forward James Neal said. "We're trying to do everything we can to bring a positive light to the city and bring this city together. I think we've gotten off to a good start in doing that. (Tuesday) is going to be an amazing night." Neal recorded back-to-back game-winning goals for the upstart Golden Knights, including the overtime tally in Saturday's 2-1 win over Arizona. The Coyotes held a one-goal edge for the majority of that contest before Nate Schmidt scored with 1:12 remaining, leaving Arizona defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to lament the end result. "That's something we have to learn, to close games down,” Ekman-Larsson told azcentral.com.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NHL.TV, NBCSN, SN360, TVAS

ABOUT THE COYOTES (0-1-1): Coach Rick Tocchet told reporters that Antti Raanta will get the nod on Tuesday after turning aside 40 shots in his first start of the season versus Vegas. Tocchet has full confidence in Raanta, but did express a bit of a concern as his team plays in what is expected to be a charged atmosphere. "As a player, on the other side, you've got to be ready to play," Tocchet said. "You have to have emotion going right into the game. You can't wade yourself in, put your toe into the water. You've got to be mentally focused and have passion invested into the game right away. We can't sit and wait."

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (2-0-0): Marc-Andre Fleury highlighted his strong start to the season with 27 saves on Saturday, with the NHL honoring the three-time Stanley Cup champion two days later by naming him the NHL's Second Star of the Week. The 32-year-old Quebec native owns a 2-0-0 mark with an 0.98 goals-against average and .973 save percentage this season and has a 1.98 GAA in 12 career encounters versus the Coyotes. Schmidt (one goal, two assists), who signed a two-year, $4.45 million deal in the offseason, joins Neal with a team-leading three points.

OVERTIME

1. The national anthem at Tuesday's game will be led by a member of the Route 91 Harvest Festival Team, the music festival that was the site of Sunday's tragic shooting.

2. Tocchet told reporters that Arizona F Mario Kempe is expected to provided a bit of "energy" when he makes his NHL debut on Tuesday.

3. The Golden Knights have failed to convert on all 11 power-play opportunities during the regular season after going 0-for-21 in the preseason.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 3, Coyotes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Arizona at Vegas

W/L TRENDS

Arizona

Coyotes are 17-35 in their last 52 Tuesday games. Coyotes are 42-88 in their last 130 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Coyotes are 49-109 in their last 158 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Coyotes are 17-41 in their last 58 vs. Western Conference. Coyotes are 27-79 in their last 106 vs. a team with a winning record. Coyotes are 2-6 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Coyotes are 14-46 in their last 60 road games. Coyotes are 6-20 in their last 26 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Coyotes are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.

Vegas

No trends available.

OU TRENDS

Arizona

Under is 7-1 in Coyotes last 8 vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 5-1 in Coyotes last 6 road games. Under is 38-8-5 in Coyotes last 51 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 6-2-2 in Coyotes last 10 Tuesday games. Under is 8-3 in Coyotes last 11 overall. Under is 5-2 in Coyotes last 7 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 9-4-4 in Coyotes last 17 vs. Pacific. Under is 31-15-8 in Coyotes last 54 vs. Western Conference.

Vegas

No trends available.

HEAD TO HEAD

No trends available.

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The Sports Consensus

MLB Cubs over 8

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Cappers Access

Cubs -160

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Dodgers on Monday and has no play on Tuesday.

The deficit is 760 sirignanos.