Saturday 11-4-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Toronto at St. Louis

W/L TRENDS

Toronto

Maple Leafs are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Central. Maple Leafs are 7-2 in their last 9 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Maple Leafs are 5-2 in their last 7 Saturday games. Maple Leafs are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Western Conference. Maple Leafs are 18-37 in their last 55 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. Maple Leafs are 36-75 in their last 111 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Maple Leafs are 17-36 in their last 53 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation. Maple Leafs are 32-74 in their last 106 vs. a team with a winning record. Maple Leafs are 15-36 in their last 51 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Maple Leafs are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.

St. Louis

Blues are 7-1 in their last 8 home games. Blues are 5-1 in their last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record. Blues are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Blues are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference. Blues are 81-36 in their last 117 Saturday games. Blues are 44-21 in their last 65 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 37-18 in their last 55 overall. Blues are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic.

OU TRENDS

Toronto

Under is 3-0-1 in Maple Leafs last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 7-0-1 in Maple Leafs last 8 Saturday games. Over is 6-1 in Maple Leafs last 7 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 6-2-1 in Maple Leafs last 9 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 12-4 in Maple Leafs last 16 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 days situation. Under is 18-7-1 in Maple Leafs last 26 vs. Western Conference. Over is 9-4-1 in Maple Leafs last 14 overall.

St. Louis

Under is 4-0 in Blues last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 5-1-1 in Blues last 7 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 20-5-4 in Blues last 29 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 6-2 in Blues last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 15-6-2 in Blues last 23 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 15-6-3 in Blues last 24 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 9-4-4 in Blues last 17 vs. Atlantic.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 1-0-3 in the last 4 meetings. Under is 4-1-2 in the last 7 meetings in St. Louis. Maple Leafs are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: Bell MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Matchup Edge

MON	Edge in:	WIN
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

Preview: Canadiens at Jets

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

The Montreal Canadiens are not accustomed to seeing Carey Price play like this in goal, and the same thing can be said for the Winnipeg Jets and Connor Hellebuyck. The two teams meet Saturday in Winnipeg and Price - who has allowed four or more goals seven times in 11 starts - will sit with a minor lower-body injury in favor of Al Montoya, while Hellebuyck seeks to maintain a pace that ranks him in the top five in the NHL in save percentage and goals against average.

Price, who won 37 games a season ago and the Hart Trophy winner in 2014-15, is 3-7-1 with a league-high 39 goals allowed and a .877 save percentage for the Canadiens, who fell 6-3 at Minnesota on Thursday in the second of a four-game road trip. “I’m just worried about trying to stop pucks,” Price told reporters after surrendering five goals on 26 shots against the Wild. “Just try to find a way to get through it.” The Jets are soaring, going 7-1-2 since dropping their first two games of the season after beating Dallas 5-2 on Thursday, and Hellebuyck’s 1.92 goals against average (third in the NHL) and .938 save percentage (fourth) is a big reason why. “We were ready to play,” Jets center Mark Scheifele told the media after recording a hat trick in Thursday’s victory.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (4-8-1): Forward Brendan Gallagher, who finished with 10 goals last season, scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season in Thursday’s defeat. Montoya makes his fourth appearance of the season, five days after stopping 25-of-28 shots in an 8-3 victory at Ottawa. Montreal mustered only two shots on its lone power play Thursday and starts the weekend 28th in power-play percentage (13.5 percent)

ABOUT THE JETS (7-3-2): Winnipeg snapped a 5-for-37 skid on its power play with two first-period goals Thursday and did not allow a power-play opportunity to a Dallas team that leads the league in that category. Scheifele has seven points in his past three games (four goals, three assists), while Patrik Laine snapped a four-game pointless streak with a goal. Hellebuyck is 7-0-1 and has surrendered two goals or fewer in eight of his nine appearances.

OVERTIME

1. The Jets have outscored opponents 20-9 in the first period this season.

2. Montreal recalled G Charlie Lindgren from the American Hockey League to back up Montoya on Saturday.

3. Winnipeg has allowed 21 goals in its past 10 games after giving up 13 goals in its first two contests.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Canadiens 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Montreal at Winnipeg

W/L TRENDS

Montreal

Canadiens are 13-4 in their last 17 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Canadiens are 7-3 in their last 10 Saturday games. Canadiens are 18-37 in their last 55 vs. Western Conference. Canadiens are 5-12 in their last 17 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Canadiens are 2-5 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Canadiens are 7-21 in their last 28 vs. Central. Canadiens are 4-12 in their last 16 overall. Canadiens are 2-7 in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. Canadiens are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Canadiens are 1-6 in their last 7 road games. Canadiens are 1-8 in their last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.

Winnipeg

Jets are 11-0 in their last 11 games playing on 1 days rest. Jets are 5-0 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Jets are 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Jets are 10-2 in their last 12 games following a win. Jets are 10-2 in their last 12 home games. Jets are 14-5 in their last 19 overall. Jets are 8-3 in their last 11 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Jets are 5-2 in their last 7 Saturday games. Jets are 37-16 in their last 53 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Jets are 17-36 in their last 53 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU TRENDS

Montreal

Over is 5-0 in Canadiens last 5 road games. Over is 4-0 in Canadiens last 4 following a loss of 3 or more goals. Over is 8-1 in Canadiens last 9 overall. Over is 6-1-1 in Canadiens last 8 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Under is 14-3-4 in Canadiens last 21 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 vs. Western Conference. Over is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.

Winnipeg

Over is 4-0 in Jets last 4 home games. Over is 6-0 in Jets last 6 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 18-5 in Jets last 23 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 20-7-2 in Jets last 29 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 5-2 in Jets last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 22-9-2 in Jets last 33 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 19-8 in Jets last 27 games following a win. Over is 7-3-1 in Jets last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 9-4-1 in Jets last 14 vs. Atlantic. Over is 34-16-1 in Jets last 51 overall.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Winnipeg. Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Canadiens are 12-5 in the last 17 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Matchup Edge

WAS	Edge in:	BOS
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

Preview: Capitals at Bruins

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

The Washington Capitals have received plenty of offense from captain Alex Ovechkin, fellow Russian Evgeny Kuznetsov and Swedish Olympian Nicklas Backstrom over the years, but bottom-six forwards such as Lars Eller and company are making their presence known of late. The Capitals look to ride the momentum of Eller's three-point performance into Saturday's road tilt versus the Boston Bruins.

"I think (Thursday) was a good picture of what we're capable of doing in the bottom six," the 28-year-old Eller told the Washington Post following his two-goal effort in Washington's 4-3 win over the New York Islanders "... You can't expect to score two or three every game, but production has got to be there when the top six is not always scoring because you can’t count on them every game." Washington's bottom-six forwards accounted for eight points (three goals, five assists) against the Islanders, while Eller's three goals this season are 25 percent of the way toward tying his 81-game output of 2016-17. Boston hardly is lighting up the scoreboard with eight goals in its last four games, although it owns a 2-0-2 mark in that stretch. Tuukka Rask turned aside 28 shots in a 2-1 victory over Vegas on Thursday, improving his save percentage to a stellar .931 in his last four starts.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, NESN (Boston), NBCSN Washington

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (6-6-1): Backstrom recorded two goals and three assists as Washington swept the three-game regular-season series versus Boston in 2016-17 and has blasted the Bruins for 35 points (six goals, 29 assists) in his career. Not to be outdone, Ovechkin scored a goal and set up two others against Boston last season and hopes to channel that success in his bid to end his modest two-game point drought in 2017-18. Braden Holtby was in net for two of the three meetings with the Bruins last season and owns a sterling 11-2-0 career mark versus the club with three shutouts, a 1.80 goals-against average and .945 save percentage.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (5-3-3): Defenseman Torey Krug has been chipping in at the offensive end of late, following up his second goal of the season in Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to Columbus with two assists versus the Golden Knights. Krug's first assist came after Riley Nash cleaned up a rebound in front, making the latter ecstatic despite scoring what was by all accounts - even his own - a less-than-aesthetically-pleasing goal. "It was not the prettiest goal I ever scored, but when you haven't scored in 10 games, you'll take it any way it comes," the 28-year-old Nash told reporters.

OVERTIME

1. Boston LW Brad Marchand (team-leading eight goals) collected two goals and a pair of assists in two meetings with Washington last season.

2. The Capitals are vying to win consecutive contests for the first time since emerging victorious in their opening two games of the season.

3. Bruins RW David Pastrnak has been held off the scoresheet in three of his last four contests, recording just eight shots on goal in the process.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Bruins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Washington at Boston

W/L TRENDS

Washington

Capitals are 10-3 in their last 13 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Capitals are 56-18 in their last 74 vs. Atlantic. Capitals are 42-14 in their last 56 games playing on 1 days rest. Capitals are 76-35 in their last 111 vs. a team with a losing record. Capitals are 36-17 in their last 53 vs. Eastern Conference. Capitals are 57-28 in their last 85 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Capitals are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a win.

Boston

Bruins are 16-5 in their last 21 vs. a team with a losing record. Bruins are 58-27 in their last 85 Saturday games. Bruins are 5-13 in their last 18 vs. Metropolitan. Bruins are 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Bruins are 1-6 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Bruins are 0-7 in their last 7 games following a win. Bruins are 0-5 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.

OU TRENDS

Washington

Over is 6-1 in Capitals last 7 Saturday games. Over is 4-1 in Capitals last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 18-7-2 in Capitals last 27 road games. Over is 7-3 in Capitals last 10 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 9-4 in Capitals last 13 overall.

Boston

Over is 2-0-2 in Bruins last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 4-1-1 in Bruins last 6 vs. Metropolitan. Over is 15-4-3 in Bruins last 22 vs. a team with a losing record. Over is 3-1-2 in Bruins last 6 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 18-6-2 in Bruins last 26 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 6-2-1 in Bruins last 9 games following a win. Under is 15-7-2 in Bruins last 24 home games.

HEAD TO HEAD

Capitals are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Boston. Under is 21-6 in the last 27 meetings in Boston. Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings. Capitals are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida

Matchup Edge

CLB	Edge in:	TB
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

Preview: Blue Jackets at Lightning

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

The Columbus Blue Jackets are beginning to find their top form and can avenge one of four losses Saturday night when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning in a showdown between two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams. The Blue Jackets responded to their first losing streak of the season by winning four of five and produced a season high in goals Thursday in a 7-3 win at Florida.

“(Thursday) it was as close to an identity I like to see this team play, and that’s playing fast north-south and then getting under the hashmarks,” Columbus coach John Tortorella told reporters. “We did that more tonight than we’ve done all season long.” The Blue Jackets will be tested against Tampa Bay, which leads the league in points (22) and conquered Columbus 2-0 on Oct. 19 after being swept in the 2016-17 season series. The Lightning boast the top two scorers in the league with captain Steven Stamkos (24 points) and Nikita Kucherov (21) while goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy tops the NHL with 10 wins, but they have dropped two of three after a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday. “We played loose,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “We let them skate by us on occasions. We just can’t think it’s going to be a track meet every night and we’re going to skill our way out.”

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

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (9-4-0): Columbus got points from 14 different players in the win at Florida, including two goals each from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson while Boone Jenner scored once and set up two others. Tyler Motte scored in each of his first two games since being recalled and fellow forward Matt Calvert has posted three goals and three assists in a six-game span. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has won each of his last four starts and boasts a .938 save percentage in that span while left wing Artemi Panarin tops the team with 11 points, but just one came in the last four contests.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (10-2-2): Stamkos and Kucherov, who will play his 300th NHL game Saturday, were kept off the scoresheet in two of the last three contests - both losses - after gaining at least a point in each of the first 11 games. Right wing Yanni Gourde has made a big impression in his first full season in the NHL and posted six points in the last six games after scoring in each of the past two contests. Cooper switched up the lines for the first time this season on Thursday as Tyler Johnson centered Ryan Callahan and Chris Kunitz while Gabriel Dumont skated between Alex Killorn and J.T. Brown.

OVERTIME

1. Vasilevskiy, whose winning streak ended at nine Thursday, has at least a point in 10 straight contests and 11 of 12 this season.

2. Columbus RW Cam Atkinson (hip, illness) has missed the last two games and is not expected to rejoin the team Saturday.

3. The Lightning will honor their 2004 Stanley Cup championship team, coached by Tortorella, in a pre-game ceremony.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Lightning 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Columbus at Tampa Bay

W/L TRENDS

Columbus

Blue Jackets are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Blue Jackets are 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blue Jackets are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Atlantic. Blue Jackets are 4-1 in their last 5 road games. Blue Jackets are 4-1 in their last 5 overall. Blue Jackets are 5-2 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blue Jackets are 5-2 in their last 7 games following a win. Blue Jackets are 31-82 in their last 113 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Blue Jackets are 4-13 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record. Blue Jackets are 3-10 in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest. Blue Jackets are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games.

Tampa Bay

Lightning are 6-0 in their last 6 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Lightning are 9-1 in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference. Lightning are 13-3 in their last 16 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Lightning are 8-2 in their last 10 home games. Lightning are 18-6 in their last 24 overall. Lightning are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Metropolitan. Lightning are 38-18 in their last 56 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

OU TRENDS

Columbus

Over is 4-1 in Blue Jackets last 5 Saturday games. Over is 6-2 in Blue Jackets last 8 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 5-2 in Blue Jackets last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 5-2 in Blue Jackets last 7 road games. Under is 7-3 in Blue Jackets last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Tampa Bay

Under is 6-1 in Lightning last 7 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 home games. Over is 6-2 in Lightning last 8 vs. Metropolitan. Over is 8-3 in Lightning last 11 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 10-4 in Lightning last 14 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 11-5 in Lightning last 16 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 19-6-1 in the last 26 meetings. Under is 9-3-1 in the last 13 meetings in Tampa Bay. Blue Jackets are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings in Tampa Bay. Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida

Matchup Edge

NYR	Edge in:	FLA
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

Preview: Rangers at Panthers

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

The rejuvenated New York Rangers hope to build off their best four consecutive periods of the season when they visit the struggling Florida Panthers on Saturday night. The Rangers scored four unanswered goals in the third period to beat Vegas on Tuesday and came back to knock off one of the league’s best in October with a 2-1 overtime triumph at Tampa Bay two days later.

“It’s definitely something that we can look to,” New York defenseman Marc Staal told reporters. “It’s definitely something we can fall back to when things aren’t going our way. We have to look to continue to keep that effort all game long.” The Rangers have gained at least a point in six of their last eight games (4-2-2) overall while the Panthers have allowed 15 goals in the last two contests - four of them on the power play. Goalie James Reimer has surrendered nine goals on 38 shots over the past two contests - an 8-5 loss to Florida and Thursday’s 7-3 setback against Columbus - but the demise has been a team effort. “A loss is a loss is a loss,” Florida captain Derek MacKenzie told reporters. “It’s tough to win. But those are excuses and we don’t want to use excuses. We have what we need in this room to win games on most nights and, right now, we’re not doing it.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Florida

ABOUT THE RANGERS (5-7-2): Center Mika Zibanejad notched an assist on Chris Krieder’s goal Thursday to extend his point streak to five games (three goals, five assists) and leads the team with 14 points overall. Krieder owns goals in three of his last four contests and J.T. Miller tallied the winner on Thursday to end a six-game scoring drought, remaining tied with defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk for second on the team with 11 points. Defenseman Nick Holden returned to the lineup in place of Brendan Smith on Thursday, playing at least 20 minutes for the second time this season.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (4-7-1): While Florida has struggled to keep the puck out of the net, it has put up 18 goals in its last four games and four of its forwards are averaging at least one point per contest - Evgenii Dadonov, Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. Reimer has gotten all the starts since Roberto Luongo (hand) went down and was pulled in each of the last two contests in favor of Antti Niemi. “Obviously, stats don’t lie,” Florida coach Bob Boughner told reporters. “He’s fighting it a little bit. We’re trying to tighten up and support him the best we can.”

OVERTIME

1. The Rangers own at least a point in four straight games against the Panthers (2-0-2), losing a pair of shootouts.

2. Florida Fs Colton Sceviour (upper-body), Jared McCann (lower-body) and Connor Brickley (upper-body) could all return to the lineup Saturday.

3. New York LW Rick Nash is tied with Zibanejad for the team lead with 48 shots, but has managed just two goals.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Panthers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - NY Rangers at Florida

W/L TRENDS

NY Rangers

Rangers are 38-15 in their last 53 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Rangers are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record. Rangers are 35-17 in their last 52 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Rangers are 5-11 in their last 16 overall. Rangers are 2-6 in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win. Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 Saturday games. Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference. Rangers are 1-6 in their last 7 road games. Rangers are 1-6 in their last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Florida

Panthers are 7-20 in their last 27 vs. Eastern Conference. Panthers are 2-7 in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. Panthers are 2-7 in their last 9 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Panthers are 2-8 in their last 10 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Panthers are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Metropolitan. Panthers are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals. Panthers are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. Panthers are 1-4 in their last 5 home games. Panthers are 1-7 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

NY Rangers

Over is 4-0 in Rangers last 4 vs. a team with a losing record. Over is 13-4-4 in Rangers last 21 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Over is 6-2 in Rangers last 8 overall. Under is 5-2-2 in Rangers last 9 games following a win. Under is 5-2-1 in Rangers last 8 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-2-2 in Rangers last 9 vs. Atlantic. Over is 27-13-13 in Rangers last 53 Saturday games.

Florida

Over is 4-0 in Panthers last 4 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 4-0 in Panthers last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 6-1 in Panthers last 7 home games. Over is 10-2 in Panthers last 12 overall. Under is 4-1-1 in Panthers last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 vs. Metropolitan. Over is 8-2 in Panthers last 10 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 4-1-1 in Panthers last 6 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 21-7-5 in Panthers last 33 following a loss of 3 or more goals. Over is 5-2 in Panthers last 7 following a home loss of 3 or more goals. Over is 7-3 in Panthers last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.

HEAD TO HEAD

Rangers are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Florida. Rangers are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings. Over is 9-4-1 in the last 14 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Matchup Edge

COL	Edge in:	PHI
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

Preview: Avalanche at Flyers

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

Semyon Varlamov still may be perspiring on Saturday as the Colorado Avalanche play the opener of what officially is billed as a two-game road trip against the Philadelphia Flyers. A former Vezina Trophy finalist, Varlamov rebounded from getting eviscerated by Vegas to set an Avalanche record for regular-season saves with a career-high 57 in his team's 5-3 win over Carolina on Thursday.

"I feel not bad, actually," the 29-year-old told reporters. "Sometimes you face 30 shots and you're exhausted after the game. You never know how your body is reacting." Colorado lost both encounters versus Philadelphia last season without Varlamov on the ice, but owns a 7-6-1 mark on the road in the all-time series. Captain Claude Giroux notched a trio of assists in the Flyers' two wins over the Avalanche last season and scored and set up a goal in the team's 2-0 win over St. Louis on Thursday. The 29-year-old Ontario native has collected 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his past 10 games while fellow forward Sean Couturier boasts 14 (eight goals, six assists) of his team-leading 17 points in that same stretch.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude 2 (Colorado), NBCSN Philadelphia

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (7-5-0): Nathan MacKinnon has turned his season around with five points (two goals, three assists) in his past two games after mustering just one (a goal) in his previous six. The top overall pick of the 2013 draft, MacKinnon has been limited to just a goal and an assist in seven career encounters versus Philadelphia. Carl Soderberg scored and set up a goal on Thursday to improve his four-game total to four points (one goal, three assists).

ABOUT THE FLYERS (7-6-1): Michal Neuvirth turned aside all 33 shots he faced versus the Blues as he, like Varlamov, rebounded from an abysmal performance (five goals) in his previous outing. The 29-year-old has yielded two tallies or fewer in four of his five starts this season, with impressive work being supplied by 20-year-old Ivan Provorov as he presides over a relatively green defense. Provorov tied a franchise record with 10 blocked shots on Thursday and logged 27:08 of ice time, marking the fourth straight game that he has eclipsed 27 minutes.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia RW Jake Voracek did not have a shot in his last contest and has been held off the scoresheet in each of his last three after recording three straight multi-point performances.

2. Colorado will visit the New York Islanders on Sunday before embarking on a six-day trip to Sweden for the NHL's Global Series.

3. Flyers RW Wayne Simmonds, who notched his 200th career assist on Thursday, scored three goals in two games against the Avalanche last season.

PREDICTION: Flyers 3, Avalanche 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Colorado at Philadelphia

W/L TRENDS

Colorado

Avalanche are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Avalanche are 15-38 in their last 53 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Avalanche are 14-38 in their last 52 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Avalanche are 20-56 in their last 76 overall. Avalanche are 7-20 in their last 27 Saturday games. Avalanche are 7-21 in their last 28 games following a win. Avalanche are 13-39 in their last 52 games playing on 1 days rest. Avalanche are 12-39 in their last 51 road games. Avalanche are 4-13 in their last 17 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Philadelphia

Flyers are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record. Flyers are 6-0 in their last 6 Saturday games. Flyers are 9-2 in their last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Flyers are 14-5 in their last 19 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. Flyers are 9-4 in their last 13 home games. Flyers are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. Western Conference. Flyers are 3-8 in their last 11 vs. Central. Flyers are 7-20 in their last 27 games following a win. Flyers are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

OU TRENDS

Colorado

Over is 5-0 in Avalanche last 5 overall. Over is 3-0-2 in Avalanche last 5 vs. Metropolitan. Over is 5-1-1 in Avalanche last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 8-2-2 in Avalanche last 12 Saturday games. Over is 8-2-2 in Avalanche last 12 games following a win. Over is 10-3 in Avalanche last 13 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 6-2-1 in Avalanche last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 3-1-1 in Avalanche last 5 road games. Over is 5-2 in Avalanche last 7 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 7-3-2 in Avalanche last 12 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Philadelphia

Under is 7-1 in Flyers last 8 vs. Central. Over is 4-1 in Flyers last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 4-1 in Flyers last 5 games following a win. Under is 4-1 in Flyers last 5 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation. Under is 6-2-1 in Flyers last 9 Saturday games. Over is 6-2 in Flyers last 8 home games. Under is 3-1-1 in Flyers last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 19-7-1 in Flyers last 27 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 8-3 in Flyers last 11 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 13-5-1 in Flyers last 19 vs. Western Conference.

HEAD TO HEAD

Home team is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings. Avalanche are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings. Avalanche are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Philadelphia.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

Matchup Edge

BUF	Edge in:	DAL
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

Preview: Sabres at Stars

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

The Buffalo Sabres matched their season high in goals scored on the first half of their two-game trip last time out and hope to build on the performance when they visit the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. The Sabres took a four-goal lead with 8:48 left before holding on tight for a 5-4 victory at Arizona on Thursday, matching the output they had in an overtime triumph at Boston on Oct. 21.

“It’s a big boost of confidence hopefully going into Saturday’s game in Dallas,” Buffalo forward Benoit Pouliot told reporters after registering two goals and an assist Thursday. “We were connecting good, we were supporting each other and we had a lot of shots.” While the Sabres continue to try and climb out of an early 0-4-1 hole, Dallas has been on the see-saw all season with losses the last two times it had a chance to move three games over .500. The Stars coughed up the first three goals Thursday, rallied to within one and mustered just five shots in the third period to fall 5-2 at Winnipeg. “We were definitely prepared prior (to the game) but doing it on the ice is a different ballgame and we didn’t seem to bring it in those first 10, 15 minutes,” said Dallas defenseman Marc Methot, whose team finished the road tip 2-3-0.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG Buffalo, FSN Southwest Plus (Dallas)

ABOUT THE SABRES (4-7-2): Right wing Kyle Okposo, a three-time 20-goal scorer, notched his first of the season Thursday in his 11th game and told reporters it took a weight off his shoulders. “It’s a big goal for me,” Okposo said. “I’ve been pressing. I felt like the last five games have been better for me, but still without a goal, it’s always tough. You’re looking to get those zeroes off the board.” Ryan O’Reilly has four goals and six assists over the last eight games after a slow start to the season and boasts 11 points overall - fourth on the team behind leaders Evander Kane and Jack Eichel, who each boast 13.

ABOUT THE STARS (7-6-0): Tyler Seguin has recorded five goals and six assists in the last nine games to build his total to 13 points overall - one behind team-leader Jamie Benn, who has just one in the last three games. Goalie Ben Bishop has dominated the Sabres in his career (10-0-1, 1.61 goals-against average, .940 save percentage), but backup Kari Lehtonen (1-3-0, 2.90 GAA, .896 SP this season) is expected to start the contest. Dallas could use more production through the lineup and forward Mattias Janmark, who missed all of last season to injury, has points in his last three games (one goal, two assists).

OVERTIME

1. Dallas Fs Martin Hanzal (lower-body) and Brett Ritchie (upper-body) both missed Thursday’s game and are not expected to play Saturday.

2. Buffalo D Justin Falk made his season debut Thursday after being sidelined with a lower-body injury and Sabres F Justin Bailey (lower-body) missed the contest.

3. The Stars have won four of the last five meetings overall and five straight against the Sabres in Dallas.

PREDICTION: Stars 4, Sabres 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Buffalo at Dallas

W/L TRENDS

Buffalo

Sabres are 27-55 in their last 82 games following a win. Sabres are 20-41 in their last 61 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Sabres are 49-115 in their last 164 road games. Sabres are 30-74 in their last 104 vs. a team with a winning record. Sabres are 18-46 in their last 64 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Sabres are 4-11 in their last 15 vs. Western Conference. Sabres are 5-14 in their last 19 overall. Sabres are 14-45 in their last 59 vs. Central. Sabres are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games. Sabres are 1-7 in their last 8 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Sabres are 0-4 in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.

Dallas

Stars are 4-0 in their last 4 home games. Stars are 7-1 in their last 8 Saturday games. Stars are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Stars are 26-9 in their last 35 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Stars are 223-103-25 in their last 351 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Stars are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic. Stars are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Buffalo

Over is 4-0 in Sabres last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 4-0 in Sabres last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 4-0 in Sabres last 4 road games. Over is 4-0 in Sabres last 4 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 3-0-1 in Sabres last 4 vs. Central. Over is 7-1 in Sabres last 8 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 7-2-2 in Sabres last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 5-2 in Sabres last 7 overall. Over is 5-2 in Sabres last 7 Saturday games. Over is 18-8-3 in Sabres last 29 vs. Western Conference.

Dallas

Over is 7-2 in Stars last 9 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 21-7-2 in Stars last 30 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 9-3 in Stars last 12 Saturday games. Over is 19-7 in Stars last 26 home games. Over is 5-2 in Stars last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 5-2 in Stars last 7 overall. Under is 5-2 in Stars last 7 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days. Under is 13-6 in Stars last 19 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Home team is 21-8-1 in the last 30 meetings. Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. Sabres are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings. Sabres are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Dallas.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Matchup Edge

CHI	Edge in:	MIN
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

Preview: Blackhawks at Wild

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

While the Chicago Blackhawks have embraced a favorable result in recent playoff meetings with the Minnesota Wild, the latter has enjoyed the better of play during the regular season of late - earning at least a point in 10 of the last 12 encounters (9-2-1). The Wild look to win their second tilt versus the Blackhawks this season on Saturday when the Central Division rivals meet at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota.

Captain Mikko Koivu, who notched a pair of assists in Minnesota's 6-3 victory over Montreal on Thursday, scored in the Wild's 5-2 win at Chicago on Oct. 12. The 34-year-old Finn has been a thorn in the side of the Blackhawks with a club-best 34 points (six goals, 28 assists) in 48 career matches while defenseman Ryan Suter's 33 points (five goals, 28 assists) against Chicago account for his highest point total against any team. Corey Crawford permitted three goals in the first encounter with the Wild but turned in his best performance of the young season with a 35-save shutout in a 3-0 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday. Captain Jonathan Toews, who scored a goal versus the Flyers, owns 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 37 career games against Minnesota.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (6-5-2): Artem Anisimov has gotten acclimated to his new responsibilities away from superstar Patrick Kane's line, and the results are starting to show. The 29-year-old Russian answered a two-point performance over his first 10 games of the season with goals in three straight while adding an assist. "Way, way better," coach Joel Quenneville told the Chicago Sun-Times. "He's been way more effective, having the puck more, carrying the puck more, (and) he has more pace to his game. ... His game and the pace has really picked up. It's such a big improvement in our team game when you add his presence in the middle of the ice."

ABOUT THE WILD (5-4-2): Defenseman Matt Dumba rebounded from a sluggish game versus Winnipeg on Tuesday with a strong outing against the Canadiens, notching two assists and earning the praise from head coach Bruce Boudreau. "I thought that was his best game of the year. ... He played a simple game. And when he plays a simple game, his skills come through," Boudreau told reporters of the 23-year-old Dumba. Devan Dubnyk made 28 saves versus Montreal to improve to 3-1-1 at home this season and turned aside 36 shots in the first encounter against Chicago to improve his career mark to 11-7-0 versus the Central Division rival.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago LW Ryan Hartman scored and set up a goal in the first meeting with Minnesota to increase his point total to eight (two goals, six assists) in his first five games, only to be limited to just two points in his last eight contests.

2. Wild RW Chris Stewart scored twice in the first meeting with the Blackhawks to highlight his six-game point streak, but has been held without a point in each of his last five contests.

3. Blackhawks D Gustav Forsling (upper body) has been ruled out versus Minnesota despite returning to practice on Friday.

PREDICTION: Wild 4, Blackhawks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Chicago at Minnesota

W/L TRENDS

Chicago

Blackhawks are 57-27 in their last 84 vs. a team with a losing record. Blackhawks are 6-15 in their last 21 overall. Blackhawks are 2-9 in their last 11 road games. Blackhawks are 3-14 in their last 17 vs. Western Conference. Blackhawks are 1-5 in their last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blackhawks are 1-9 in their last 10 vs. Central. Blackhawks are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a win.

Minnesota

Wild are 12-4 in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Wild are 4-9 in their last 13 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Wild are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. Western Conference. Wild are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. Central. Wild are 1-6 in their last 7 games following a win.

OU TRENDS

Chicago

Under is 4-0-1 in Blackhawks last 5 vs. a team with a losing record. Over is 17-4-5 in Blackhawks last 26 road games. Over is 3-1-3 in Blackhawks last 7 Saturday games. Over is 15-5-6 in Blackhawks last 26 vs. Central. Over is 26-10-2 in Blackhawks last 38 games following a win. Over is 18-7-3 in Blackhawks last 28 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 21-9-8 in Blackhawks last 38 vs. Western Conference.

Minnesota

Over is 4-0 in Wild last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Under is 3-0-1 in Wild last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Wild last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 6-2-1 in Wild last 9 vs. a team with a losing record. Over is 3-1-1 in Wild last 5 Saturday games. Over is 17-6-5 in Wild last 28 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 8-3-1 in Wild last 12 overall. Over is 25-10-2 in Wild last 37 games following a win. Under is 7-3-1 in Wild last 11 vs. Western Conference.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 5-0-1 in the last 6 meetings in Minnesota. Over is 7-1-3 in the last 11 meetings. Blackhawks are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings. Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.