Thursday 10-19-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:7:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

Preview: Lightning at Blue Jackets

Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

The Columbus Blue Jackets allowed only 13 goals in six games to open the season and must produce another big defensive effort when they entertain the offensively gifted Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. The Blue Jackets were tied for third in the league in goals-against (2.17) entering Wednesday after winning at Winnipeg 5-2 on Tuesday for their fourth consecutive victory.

“You could tell we had really good energy when the game started,” Columbus coach John Tortorella, who led the Lightning to the Stanley Cup in 2004, told reporters after Tuesday’s triumph. “I thought it was the best checking we’ve done all year long and I think that helped us create offense.” The Blue Jackets, who should have Sergei Bobrovsky (4-0-0, .952 save percentage) back in net after he was rested Tuesday, will need more of the same against a Lightning team that is averaging 3.86 goals and boasts points in five straight (4-0-1). Nikita Kucherov leads Tampa Bay with eight goals and has scored in all seven games to start the season, joining only five other players in NHL history to accomplish that feat since 1943-44. “He’s a very intelligent guy and now he’s in his early 20s, he’s been around a bit,” Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman told the Tampa Bay Times of Kucherov. “He knows what he needs to do, what he wants to do. He wants to be great.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (5-1-1): Kucherov owns 12 points and a team-best 27 shots, but captain Steven Stamkos has matched his linemate’s hot start with a pair of tallies and 10 assists after missing most of last season with a knee injury. Norris Trophy finalist Victor Hedman played a season-high 29:07 in the 5-4 shootout loss at New Jersey on Tuesday and is among the league leaders in ice time at 26:28 per contest. Andrei Vasilevskiy (5-1-0, .914 SP) is expected back in net after sitting out his first game Tuesday and Tampa Bay has averaged 35 shots against in the first six starts of his first full season as the No. 1 goalie.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (5-1-0): Left wing Artemi Panarin is off to a strong start in his first season with Columbus after being acquired from Chicago, recording a goal and seven assists to go along with a plus-6 rating. Cam Atkinson, who netted a career-high 35 goals last season, has scored in back-to-back games after coming up empty in three straight and fellow forward Sonny Milano is pointless in the last three contests after recording four goals in the first three. Defenseman Zach Werenski has not missed a beat after a dazzling rookie season, scoring three times and assisting on two others in the first six games.

OVERTIME

1. Stamkos’ hot start pushed his career totals to 594 points in 593 contests and he owns seven goals in 12 career games versus Columbus.

2. The Blue Jackets have yet to get going on the power play, converting once in 16 opportunities.

3. Columbus won all three meetings last season, outscoring the Lightning 13-5 in the process.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Lightning 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Tampa Bay at Columbus

W/L TRENDS

Tampa Bay

Lightning are 5-0 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Lightning are 4-0 in their last 4 Thursday games. Lightning are 8-2 in their last 10 overall. Lightning are 14-4 in their last 18 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Lightning are 7-2 in their last 9 vs. Eastern Conference. Lightning are 6-2 in their last 8 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Lightning are 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Lightning are 5-2 in their last 7 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation. Lightning are 4-9 in their last 13 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. Lightning are 25-63 in their last 88 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Columbus

Blue Jackets are 4-0 in their last 4 overall. Blue Jackets are 17-4 in their last 21 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Blue Jackets are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win. Blue Jackets are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Blue Jackets are 31-12 in their last 43 home games. Blue Jackets are 13-6 in their last 19 vs. Atlantic. Blue Jackets are 39-82 in their last 121 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Blue Jackets are 1-8 in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. Blue Jackets are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games.

OU TRENDS

Tampa Bay

Over is 4-0 in Lightning last 4 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 4-0 in Lightning last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 4-0 in Lightning last 4 vs. Metropolitan. Over is 4-0 in Lightning last 4 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation. Over is 7-1 in Lightning last 8 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 7-2 in Lightning last 9 overall. Under is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Columbus

Over is 2-0-2 in Blue Jackets last 4 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-1 in Blue Jackets last 6 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 4-1 in Blue Jackets last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Under is 7-2 in Blue Jackets last 9 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 11-4-1 in Blue Jackets last 16 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 5-2 in Blue Jackets last 7 Thursday games. Over is 7-3 in Blue Jackets last 10 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in Columbus. Under is 18-6-1 in the last 25 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:7:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Preview: Canucks at Bruins

Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

Perhaps a road trip is what the Vancouver Canucks needed as they visit the Boston Bruins on Thursday in the second contest of a five-game trek. Vancouver picked up three out of a possible eight points in its season-opening four-game homestand before hitting the road and scoring an impressive 3-0 victory over Ottawa on Tuesday as the bonding process truly began.

"This is a team that's rebuilding, trying to learn how to win with a lot of newer faces, younger guys, so this is huge,'' Thomas Vanek told reporters Tuesday after recording his 700th career point with his second goal of the season. Boston is coming off a 1-2-0 road trip that followed a two-game split at home to start the season while missing some key pieces to its lineup. Patrice Bergeron (lower-body injury) and David Backes (diverticulitis) are getting closer to making their season debuts, and Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy would not rule out Bergeron possibly playing Thursday. "Feel like everything is getting better now, feeling stronger on the ice and more comfortable,'' Bergeron told reporters. "Hopefully game action is closer rather than later."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, SN 360, TVA (Vancouver), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (2-2-1): Anders Nilsson may have earned another start in goal after recording his third career shutout Tuesday in his season debut after Jacob Markstrom (1-2-1, 2.96 goals-against average .902 save percentage) played the first four games. Daniel and Henrik Sedin have combined for only a goal and three assists this season, with Daniel's two points giving him 988 for his career. Bo Horvat, who led Vancouver with a career-high 20 goals last season, hasn't recorded a point since scoring twice in a 3-2 season-opening victory over Edmonton.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (2-3-0): Adam McQuaid and Ryan Spooner suffered lower-body injuries in Sunday's 3-1 loss at Vegas, with McQuaid likely out and Spooner questionable to play Thursday. Boston on Wednesday recalled forwards Kenny Agostino (two goals and three assists in 17 career NHL games with Calgary and St. Louis) and Peter Cehlarik (two assists in 11 games with the Bruins last season) from Providence of the American Hockey League. Tuukka Rask (1-3-0, 3.30 GAA, .882 SP) left Wednesday's practice after a collision with Anders Bjork during a line-rush drill and his availability could be in question Thursday.

OVERTIME

1. Boston D Zdeno Chara, who turns 41 on March 18, is a team-best plus-5 while recording a goal and two assists this season.

2. The Canucks are 3-for-25 on the power play and killed 17-of-19 penalties this season while the Bruins are 4-for-19 and 16-for-20.

3. Boston swept the two-game 2016-17 season series, 4-3 at home and 6-3 in Vancouver on the strength of Marchand's hat trick.

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Canucks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Vancouver at Boston

W/L TRENDS

Vancouver

Canucks are 17-40 in their last 57 games playing on 1 days rest. Canucks are 15-36 in their last 51 road games. Canucks are 15-42 in their last 57 Thursday games. Canucks are 14-41 in their last 55 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Canucks are 8-24 in their last 32 vs. Eastern Conference. Canucks are 6-22 in their last 28 overall. Canucks are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic. Canucks are 2-9 in their last 11 games following a win. Canucks are 2-12 in their last 14 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Canucks are 0-8 in their last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.

Boston

Bruins are 13-3 in their last 16 vs. a team with a losing record. Bruins are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Pacific. Bruins are 13-5 in their last 18 vs. Western Conference. Bruins are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Bruins are 3-7 in their last 10 overall. Bruins are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Bruins are 1-6 in their last 7 home games. Bruins are 0-5 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

OU TRENDS

Vancouver

Over is 3-0-1 in Canucks last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 13-3-3 in Canucks last 19 games following a win. Under is 4-1-1 in Canucks last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Canucks last 5 Thursday games. Under is 3-1-1 in Canucks last 5 vs. Atlantic. Over is 10-4-3 in Canucks last 17 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 5-2-2 in Canucks last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.

Boston

Over is 4-1 in Bruins last 5 vs. Pacific. Over is 13-4-3 in Bruins last 20 vs. a team with a losing record. Over is 16-5-2 in Bruins last 23 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 5-2-1 in Bruins last 8 home games. Under is 62-30-6 in Bruins last 98 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

HEAD TO HEAD

Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:7:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Preview: Islanders at Rangers

Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

Perhaps the Battle of New York will help provide a spark for the city's two hockey teams, who will square off for the first time this season on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The New York Rangers are mired in a four-game losing streak and certainly could use any kind of a jolt when they host the New York Islanders.

Not only are the Rangers buried in last place in the Metropolitan Division, but they are off to their worst seven-game start since the 1959-60 season after dropping a 5-4 overtime decision to visiting Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. "It’s tough to find wins right now,” said defenseman Marc Staal after the Rangers allowed a last-minute tying goal in their loss to the reigning Stanley Cup champions. The Islanders are returning from a three-game California road trip but, aside from getting waxed at Columbus in the season opener, are playing better of late. During their current 1-2-1 stretch, the Islanders' three losses have all come by 3-2 scores - including Sunday's setback at Los Angeles.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus 2 (Islanders), MSG (Rangers)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (2-3-1): The Islanders' power play continues to be stuck in the mud, as they are one of two teams without a man-advantage goal while failing on all 20 chances. "The power play’s been letting us down so far,” captain John Tavares told reporters. “Some good things at times, other times we’re not executing and other times we’re not getting good bounces. It’s a combination of a few things." Tavares also is struggling, failing to register a point in five of the team's six games.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (1-5-1): Among the lineup changes made by coach Alain Vigneault while juggling his lines for Tuesday's game was inserting Adam Cracknell, recently claimed off waivers from Dallas, onto the fourth line as center. Cracknell was on a line with Michael Grabner and Pavel Buchnevich, who collected his first goal of the season. Captain Ryan McDonagh was not at Wednesday's practice due to a maintenance day but Vigneault said he expects the defenseman to be in the lineup Thursday.

OVERTIME

1. The Islanders are 7-1-0 in the last eight against the Rangers and have won eight of the last 10 at Madison Square Garden.

2. The Rangers have surrendered seven power-play goals during the first seven games.

3. The Islanders have failed to score a power-play goal only once in the season's first seven games - in 1973-74.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Islanders 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - NY Islanders at NY Rangers

W/L TRENDS

NY Islanders

Islanders are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record. Islanders are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Islanders are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Islanders are 8-2 in their last 10 Thursday games. Islanders are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Islanders are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Metropolitan. Islanders are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

NY Rangers

Rangers are 39-13 in their last 52 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Rangers are 10-4 in their last 14 Thursday games. Rangers are 16-7 in their last 23 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Rangers are 54-26 in their last 80 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Rangers are 2-10 in their last 12 vs. Metropolitan. Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 home games. Rangers are 1-6 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.

OU TRENDS

NY Islanders

Under is 4-0 in Islanders last 4 overall. Under is 4-0 in Islanders last 4 road games. Under is 5-1 in Islanders last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 4-1 in Islanders last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Under is 7-3 in Islanders last 10 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

NY Rangers

Under is 4-0 in Rangers last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 overall. Under is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 vs. Metropolitan. Over is 3-1-1 in Rangers last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 3-1-1 in Rangers last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 7-3-2 in Rangers last 12 home games.

HEAD TO HEAD

Islanders are 7-1 in the last 8 meetings. Islanders are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in New York. Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:7:30 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

Preview: Devils at Senators

Gracenote
Oct 19, 2017

The Ottawa Senators have earned points in all but one game, but they still are in search of their first home victory as they prepare to host the surprising New Jersey Devils on Thursday. The Senators are 3-0-0 on the road but fell to 0-1-2 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday after being shut out 3-0 by Vancouver.

Ottawa was blanked in a rematch with the Canucks after completing a perfect three-game road trip during which it erupted for 12 goals in victories over Calgary and Edmonton. Captain Erik Karlsson, sidelined for the first five games after undergoing offseason foot surgery, had his season debut spoiled by the Senators' latest setback but reported no ill effects. New Jersey recorded the fewest points in the Eastern Conference last season but is off to an impressive start with five wins in its first six games. “There’s no real reason to harp on the last couple of seasons,” Devils forward Kyle Palmieri, whose shootout goal was the difference in Tuesday's 5-4 win over red-hot Tampa Bay, told reporters. "If you look back at last year, obviously it was a disappointment, but we’ve turned the page. We’re off to a good start and hopefully we can continue to play this good hockey.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), TSN5, RDS (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (5-1-0): Veteran forward Drew Stafford, who was limited to eight goals while splitting last season between Winnipeg and Boston, already has recorded three in as many games and scored twice on Tuesday while playing on a line with rookie Nico Hischier. The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, Hischier collected a pair of assists against Tampa Bay but remains in search of his first goal. "Nico, he's due, he's well overdue, he could easily have six or seven right now," Stafford told reporters. "Sooner or later the dam will break and he'll start popping. He's been very impressive to me so far."

ABOUT THE SENATORS (3-1-2): Karlsson, who topped Ottawa in scoring last season and was magnificent in the playoffs, was not eased back into the lineup as he led all defensemen in ice time (22 minutes, 25 seconds) on Tuesday. "A little rusty, but overall OK," Karlsson told reporters. "I think we played a well-enough game for me to get back into the groove of things. I still need to fine-tune a few things and it's going to take some time, but overall, I felt pretty decent." Defenseman Mark Borowiecki (upper body) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest.

OVERTIME

1. The Senators were the last team to yield a power-play goal but are 15-for-16 on the penalty kill.

2. New Jersey is 8-for-26 on the power play but has surrendered seven man-advantage goals in its last five contests.

3. Senators C Kyle Turris has a 61.5 percent success rate on faceoffs after winning 11-of-13 draws on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Senators 3, Devils 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - New Jersey at Ottawa

W/L TRENDS

New Jersey

Devils are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win. Devils are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Devils are 24-49 in their last 73 overall. Devils are 19-41 in their last 60 games playing on 1 days rest. Devils are 16-37 in their last 53 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Devils are 16-38 in their last 54 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Devils are 8-20 in their last 28 Thursday games. Devils are 3-11 in their last 14 road games.

Ottawa

Senators are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Senators are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals. Senators are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Senators are 21-46 in their last 67 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Metropolitan. Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 home games. Senators are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU TRENDS

New Jersey

Over is 3-0-1 in Devils last 4 Thursday games. Over is 5-0-2 in Devils last 7 vs. Atlantic. Over is 8-1-3 in Devils last 12 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 8-1-2 in Devils last 11 games following a win. Over is 6-1-2 in Devils last 9 overall. Over is 6-1-2 in Devils last 9 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 6-1-1 in Devils last 8 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 4-1-1 in Devils last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Ottawa

Under is 5-0-1 in Senators last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 18-5-3 in Senators last 26 Thursday games. Over is 3-1-2 in Senators last 6 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 3-1-1 in Senators last 5 following a home loss of 3 or more goals. Under is 5-2-1 in Senators last 8 following a loss of 3 or more goals. Over is 7-3-4 in Senators last 14 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 33-15-3 in Senators last 51 home games. Under is 63-31-6 in Senators last 100 vs. Metropolitan.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 18-6-3 in the last 27 meetings in Ottawa. Under is 34-14-4 in the last 52 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:8:30 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Preview: Oilers at Blackhawks

Gracenote
Oct 19, 2017

The Edmonton Oilers have dropped four straight games, and the schedule does not do them any favors as they begin a difficult three-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. Edmonton is second in the league in shots per game at 41.2 but has managed just 11 goals after suffering a 5-3 loss on Tuesday despite outshooting Carolina 51-21.

“Careless mistakes that weren’t in our game all season long last year,” Oilers left wing Milan Lucic told the Edmonton Sun. “With all the video and the coaches harping on us, it seems we’re still making the same ones. It’s on the players to make it right. It’s like we’re in quicksand. The harder we try, the deeper we get.” Edmonton will try to avoid miscues against one of the most lethal offenses in the league, although the Blackhawks have recorded just six goals while going 1-2-0 over their last three games, including a rough 5-2 loss at St. Louis on Wednesday. Ryan Hartman scored a goal and Patrick Kane set up one as the duo took over the scoring lead for Chicago with nine points apiece. "That was a bad start, a bad middle," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters after Wednesday's loss. "That's as close to brutal as you can get."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Edmonton), WGN (Chicago)

ABOUT THE OILERS (1-4-0): Reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid has not scored a goal since recording a hat trick in the season opener but has notched three assists. Cam Talbot was rested in the loss to Carolina after struggling since the 3-0 shutout against Calgary, allowing 12 goals on 73 shots over his last three outings while getting pulled twice. Leon Draisaitl (concussion) and Drake Caggiula (undisclosed) are not expected to play Thursday, but coach Todd McLellan told reporters both could return to the lineup on the road trip that includes games at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (4-2-1): Brandon Saad was kept off the scoresheet against St. Louis on Wednesday but leads the way with six goals in his return to Chicago after spending two seasons in Columbus. The Blackhawks recorded two power-play goals in the third period (Hartman, Richard Panik) against the Blues after going 4-for-27 with the man advantage over the season's first six contests. The best news out of Wednesday's loss was the return of Nick Schmaltz, who was back after missing four games with an upper-body injury and finished with one shot in 18 minutes, 7 seconds of ice time.

OVERTIME

1. Kane has torched Edmonton for 13 goals, including six on the power play, and 33 assists in 34 career contests.

2. The Oilers are just 3-for-19 on the power play and rank last in the league in penalty-killing (68.2 percent).

3. The Blackhawks have won five of the last seven meetings, but Edmonton took two of three last season.

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Blackhawks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Edmonton at Chicago

W/L TRENDS

Edmonton

Oilers are 10-1 in their last 11 Thursday games. Oilers are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Central. Oilers are 15-5 in their last 20 games playing on 1 days rest. Oilers are 27-55 in their last 82 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Oilers are 110-227 in their last 337 vs. a team with a winning record. Oilers are 98-204 in their last 302 road games. Oilers are 15-37 in their last 52 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Oilers are 30-90 in their last 120 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Oilers are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. Western Conference. Oilers are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Oilers are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.

Chicago

Blackhawks are 60-17 in their last 77 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Blackhawks are 40-13 in their last 53 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Blackhawks are 50-24 in their last 74 games playing on 0 days rest. Blackhawks are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Blackhawks are 4-11 in their last 15 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Blackhawks are 4-11 in their last 15 overall. Blackhawks are 1-4 in their last 5 Thursday games. Blackhawks are 2-9 in their last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blackhawks are 1-9 in their last 10 vs. Western Conference. Blackhawks are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Pacific.

OU TRENDS

Edmonton

Over is 4-0 in Oilers last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 5-0 in Oilers last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-0-1 in Oilers last 6 Thursday games. Over is 5-1 in Oilers last 6 vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 4-1 in Oilers last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 12-5-2 in Oilers last 19 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 7-3 in Oilers last 10 overall.

Chicago

Over is 6-0-1 in Blackhawks last 7 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 6-1 in Blackhawks last 7 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 5-1 in Blackhawks last 6 games playing on 0 days rest. Under is 8-2-6 in Blackhawks last 16 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1-3 in Blackhawks last 8 following a loss of 3 or more goals. Over is 3-1-1 in Blackhawks last 5 home games. Over is 19-7-7 in Blackhawks last 33 vs. Western Conference. Over is 5-2-3 in Blackhawks last 10 overall. Under is 5-2-1 in Blackhawks last 8 Thursday games. Over is 29-12-19 in Blackhawks last 60 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings. Oilers are 3-10 in the last 13 meetings. Oilers are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Chicago.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:9:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta

Preview: Hurricanes at Flames

Gracenote
Oct 19, 2017

The Calgary Flames were off for four days prior to Thursday's matchup against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes - a break coach Glen Gulutzan felt was necessary despite a stretch of four wins in five games. The Flames have been off since posting a 5-2 victory at Vancouver on Saturday, a triumph that came 24 hours after they endured a 6-0 drubbing at home against Ottawa.

"We're a little out of sync in a lot of areas," Gulutzan told reporters. "We have to sit back in the next couple of days and get a little stability. ... I really like stability, and right now, even for myself on the bench, we're a little chaotic." One area of stability for the Flames is in net, where veteran Mike Smith has started all six games in his first season with the team. Carolina, which is tied with Minnesota for the fewest games played in the NHL, is 1-1-0 on its four-game road trip after knocking off Edmonton 5-3 on Tuesday. Veteran Cam Ward, making his season debut after Scott Darling started the first three games in net, made the victory possible by turning aside 48 shots against Connor McDavid and company.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Carolinas, Sportsnet (Calgary)

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (2-1-1): Defenseman Jaccob Slavin earned the unenviable task of blanketing reigning Hart Trophy winner McDavid and played a game-high 27 1/2 minutes against Edmonton. He also delivered an insurance goal in the third period and set up another to finish with a plus-3 rating. "I think people are going to start to realize how good he is. As a group here, we already know that," center Jordan Staal told reporters. "The guy just plays heavy minutes. He's got a great stick, great vision and great hands."

ABOUT THE FLAMES (4-2-0): Calgary keeps putting itself on the defensive, snuffing out 22-of-24 power-play chances over its last four games - including all seven against Vancouver. "Our PKers, they did a good job," Gulutzan told reporters. "But we got lucky. You can’t do that. We’re dodging bullets here. And we’ve gotta get that cleaned up." Johnny Gaudreau is off to a fast start for the Flames with a team-leading two goals and seven assists.

OVERTIME

1. Flames RW Jaromir Jagr, who registered his first point in his third game with the club, was shifted to the No. 1 line with Gaudreau and C Sean Monahan.

2. The Hurricanes assigned D Trevor Carrick to Charlotte of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

3. Smith is 3-9-4 with a 2.77 goals-against average versus Carolina.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Hurricanes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Carolina at Calgary

W/L TRENDS

Carolina

Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last 5 Thursday games. Hurricanes are 33-67 in their last 100 games following a win. Hurricanes are 16-35 in their last 51 road games. Hurricanes are 3-7 in their last 10 overall. Hurricanes are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Hurricanes are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Hurricanes are 0-4 in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.

Calgary

Flames are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Metropolitan. Flames are 4-1 in their last 5 overall. Flames are 9-3 in their last 12 vs. Eastern Conference. Flames are 5-2 in their last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Flames are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a win. Flames are 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Flames are 1-4 in their last 5 home games.

OU TRENDS

Carolina

Over is 5-0-1 in Hurricanes last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 3-0-1 in Hurricanes last 4 Thursday games. Under is 3-0-1 in Hurricanes last 4 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 4-0 in Hurricanes last 4 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 vs. Western Conference.

Calgary

Under is 2-0-2 in Flames last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 3-0-3 in Flames last 6 Thursday games. Over is 5-0-2 in Flames last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 7-1-1 in Flames last 9 home games. Over is 4-1 in Flames last 5 overall. Over is 6-2-1 in Flames last 9 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 3-1-2 in Flames last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 8-3-1 in Flames last 12 games following a win.

HEAD TO HEAD

Home team is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings. Under is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings in Calgary. Under is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings. Hurricanes are 1-7 in the last 8 meetings in Calgary.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:9:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

Preview: Blues at Avalanche

Gracenote
Oct 19, 2017

The Colorado Avalanche attempt to remain perfect at home this season when they host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Colorado has played at Pepsi Center only twice thus far but is unbeaten, posting a 6-3 triumph over Boston on Oct. 11 and a 3-1 win versus Anaheim two days later.

The Avalanche's offense has gone cold since those victories, however, producing a total of two goals in back-to-back road losses against Dallas and Nashville. St. Louis played a rare home game on Wednesday and came away with a 5-2 win over Chicago on the strength of Jaden Schwartz's third career hat trick. The 25-year-old left wing's performance gave him a team-high 11 points and tied him with Vladimir Tarasenko for the club lead in goals with five. The Blues are continuing a season-opening stretch during which they play seven of their first nine contests on the road, where they've lost two straight.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE BLUES (5-2-0): Paul Stastny failed to land on the scoresheet Wednesday, remaining one point shy of 600 for his career. The 31-year-old center has gone two straight contests without a point after beginning the season with a five-game streak. Alex Steen made his season debut against the Blackhawks and registered two shots while finishing plus-1 in 18 minutes, 6 seconds of ice time after missing time with a hand injury he suffered in St. Louis' preseason opener.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (4-3-0): Tyson Jost returned to the lineup Tuesday in Nashville and recorded one shot and a minus-1 rating in 15 minutes of ice time. The 19-year-old center, who missed two games with bone bruise in his knee, is expected to begin Thursday's contest on the team's top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Defenseman Tyson Barrie is riding a four-game point streak and shares the team lead of six with three other players.

OVERTIME

1. Schwartz and Tarasenko have hit the scoresheet in six of the Blues' seven games this season, with the former recording four multi-point performances.

2. Colorado D Patrik Nemeth is expected to return to the lineup Thursday after missing one game with a shoulder injury.

3. St. Louis' Carl Gunnarsson appeared in his 500th career contest Wednesday and combined with fellow D Joel Edmundson (eight) to block 15 shots.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 5, Blues 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - St. Louis at Colorado

W/L TRENDS

St. Louis

Blues are 6-1 in their last 7 Thursday games. Blues are 17-5 in their last 22 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 20-6 in their last 26 games playing on 0 days rest. Blues are 5-2 in their last 7 overall. Blues are 20-9 in their last 29 vs. Western Conference. Blues are 15-7 in their last 22 road games. Blues are 21-10 in their last 31 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 21-10 in their last 31 games following a win. Blues are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Colorado

Avalanche are 4-1 in their last 5 home games. Avalanche are 15-38 in their last 53 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Avalanche are 8-21 in their last 29 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Avalanche are 14-37 in their last 51 vs. Central. Avalanche are 14-38 in their last 52 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Avalanche are 4-11 in their last 15 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Avalanche are 13-38 in their last 51 games playing on 1 days rest. Avalanche are 17-54 in their last 71 overall. Avalanche are 2-8 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Avalanche are 11-47 in their last 58 vs. Western Conference. Avalanche are 3-13 in their last 16 Thursday games. Avalanche are 2-12 in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

OU TRENDS

St. Louis

Under is 5-1 in Blues last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 9-2-2 in Blues last 13 Thursday games. Under is 12-4-2 in Blues last 18 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 6-2 in Blues last 8 road games. Under is 9-3 in Blues last 12 games following a win. Under is 12-4-3 in Blues last 19 vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 20-7-4 in Blues last 31 vs. Western Conference. Under is 9-4-1 in Blues last 14 vs. Central.

Colorado

Over is 3-0-1 in Avalanche last 4 Thursday games. Under is 3-0-1 in Avalanche last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 4-0 in Avalanche last 4 vs. Western Conference. Over is 13-3-1 in Avalanche last 17 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Under is 4-1-1 in Avalanche last 6 overall. Over is 4-1-1 in Avalanche last 6 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 6-2 in Avalanche last 8 home games. Over is 6-2 in Avalanche last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 5-2-1 in Avalanche last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.

HEAD TO HEAD

Blues are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings. Under is 17-6-4 in the last 27 meetings. Home team is 19-8 in the last 27 meetings. Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Colorado. Blues are 12-28-4 in the last 44 meetings in Colorado.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When:10:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where:Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona

Preview: Stars at Coyotes

Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

The Arizona Coyotes make their seventh attempt to record their first victory of the season when they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday in the back end of a home-and-home series. Arizona dropped a 3-1 decision at Dallas on Tuesday to remain winless in 2017-18, scoring fewer than three goals for the fifth consecutive game.

The Coyotes are led in goals by 19-year-old rookie Clayton Keller, who has recorded three, while defenseman Luke Schenn is the team's lone player on the positive side in plus/minus rating as he sports a plus-1 mark. Dallas is looking to extend its winning streak to three games as it seeks its first triumph away from home. The Stars have produced a total of three goals while allowing four in each of their two road losses. Dallas hasn't been much better than Arizona offensively through six games, registering only two more tallies while also boasting a leader - Tyler Seguin - with three.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), FSN Arizona

ABOUT THE STARS (3-3-0): Coach Ken Hitchcock is expected to insert Jamie Oleksiak back into the lineup Thursday after the defenseman was a healthy scratch for two games in order to make room for Dan Hamhuis' return from a groin injury. Oleksiak will replace 21-year-old Finn Julius Honka, who has posted a minus-2 rating in four contests. Devin Shore leads the club with four assists but has yet to score a goal after netting 13 as a rookie last season.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (0-5-1): Adin Hill likely will make the start in goal on Thursday, two days after turning aside 31 shots in his NHL debut. The 21-year-old, who covers a large portion of the net with his 6-6 frame, was selected in the third round of the 2015 draft. Zac Rinaldo saw 11 minutes, 53 seconds of ice time on 17 shifts in his debut with Arizona on Tuesday after serving the five-game suspension he received while with Boston in 2015-16 - his last season in the NHL.

OVERTIME

1. Seguin has recorded three points over his last two games to tie D John Klingberg for the team lead at five.

2. Coyotes D Oliver Ekman-Larsson became the sixth blue-liner in franchise history to appear in 500 games on Tuesday.

3. Dallas has won five straight meetings with Arizona.

PREDICTION: Coyotes 3, Stars 2