Saturday 12-9-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida

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

Preview: Jets at Lightning


The Winnipeg Jets have seemed to lose their focus with two straight losses after climbing to the top of the Western Conference and look to get back on track when they visit the NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. The Jets had gone 9-2-1 during a dominant 12-game stretch, but allowed 11 goals while losing at Detroit and Florida to start a road trip that ends in Tampa.

Winnipeg right wing Patrik Laine, who has scored in four straight games, told reporters he thinks the Jets “thought it’s going to be easy for these two games” after scoring 21 times in the previous four contests and coach Paul Maurice welcomes a battle against the Lightning. “Well, it will be good for us,” Maurice told reporters. “Because if we don’t play with a defense-first attitude, they’ll put 10 on us. It will be a good opportunity for us to get our minds right.” The Lightning seek a sweep of their four-game homestand after rolling to a 5-2 victory over Colorado on Thursday as captain Steven Stamkos took over the league lead with 41 points, recording three in the triumph. “It’s not easy to win games consistently in this league,” Stamkos told reporters. “We want to bank as many wins as we can on home ice.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CITY (Winnipeg), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE JETS (17-8-4): While Laine has totaled eight points during his four-game goal streak, captain Blake Wheeler remained red hot by scoring three times and helping set up nine others in the past six contests. Center Mark Scheifele is second on the team behind Wheeler (37) with 32 points despite being held off the scoresheet in the first two games of the trip. Nikolaj Ehlers is third on the team with 12 goals after scoring for the second time in four December games and fellow forward Kyle Connor has zero points in two games since missing a contest with a lower-body injury.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (20-6-2): Stamkos and linemate Vladislav Namestnikov each notched a goal and two assists in the victory over Colorado and the third member of the trio, Tyler Johnson, contributed a pair of helpers. Left wing Chris Kunitz has scored in back-to-back games and third-line center Yanni Gourde posted four points in the last three contests to give Tampa Bay solid secondary scoring. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy got the night off Thursday in favor of backup Peter Budaj, and is expected back in net against the Jets with a sparkling 18-4-1 record and .932 save percentage.

OVERTIME

1. Winnipeg D Dustin Byfuglien is still seeking his first goal of the season, but has recorded four assists in the last three games.

2. Tampa Bay has scored at least one power-play goal in eight straight and 13 of the last 14 contests.

3. The Lightning have won five of the last seven meetings, but the Jets won 6-4 at Tampa Bay last season.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Lightning 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Winnipeg at Tampa Bay

W/L Trends
Winnipeg

Jets are 6-1 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Jets are 5-1 in their last 6 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Jets are 20-6 in their last 26 games playing on 1 days rest.
Jets are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Jets are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Jets are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.

Tampa Bay

Lightning are 8-0 in their last 8 vs. Central.
Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Lightning are 11-3 in their last 14 games playing on 1 days rest.
Lightning are 17-5 in their last 22 vs. Western Conference.
Lightning are 20-7 in their last 27 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 23-9 in their last 32 home games.
Lightning are 20-8 in their last 28 vs. a team with a winning record.
Lightning are 37-16 in their last 53 overall.
Lightning are 15-7 in their last 22 games following a win.
Lightning are 54-26 in their last 80 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

OU Trends
Winnipeg

Over is 6-1 in Jets last 7 vs. Atlantic.
Under is 5-2 in Jets last 7 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Jets last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 9-4 in Jets last 13 road games.
Over is 42-20-5 in Jets last 67 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Tampa Bay

Over is 4-0 in Lightning last 4 Saturday games.
Over is 8-1 in Lightning last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-1 in Lightning last 7 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-2 in Lightning last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 6-2-1 in Lightning last 9 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 14-6 in Lightning last 20 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Head to Head

Jets are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Jets are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.
Road team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida

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

Preview: Avalanche at Panthers

The Florida Panthers earned a big victory with a potential cost last time out and hope to gain momentum while avoiding a lengthy injury to one of their key players when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The Panthers outlasted Winnipeg 6-4 on Thursday, but top-line center Aleksander Barkov left the game with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day.

“Yeah, it (stinks) whenever Barky goes down,” Florida center Vincent Trocheck told reporters. “Him going down is a big hit for us, but guys stepped up. … That next man up mentality is kind of a mentality that we’ve had these last few years.” The Panthers have recorded 12 goals while registering at least a point in three straight games (1-0-2) and will look to take advantage of the struggling Avalanche, who have dropped four straight to start December after a 5-2 loss at Tampa Bay on Thursday. Captain Gabriel Landeskog returned after a four-game suspension for an illegal hit and scored a goal, but Colorado allowed the final three tallies of the contest. “As a young team we have to pay attention to the process and continue to find things to build on,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “There were some things in that game that we did that were better than what we did in the last three games at home. So, it’s a step forward. Now we got to take another step.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude (Colorado), FSN Florida

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (12-13-2): Landeskog returned to the top line alongside center Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the team with 32 points, and Mikko Rantanen (22) and had three shots with almost 21 minutes of ice time. Mark Barberio returned to the lineup and had three blocks in 18:05 of ice time after being a healthy scratch as Colorado went with seven defensemen again versus Tampa Bay. “We expect more from ourselves back there,” Bednar said. “That’s part of the reason why we’re playing seven. You have to play for your ice.”

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (11-13-4): Trocheck boasts two goals and four assists over the last three games and owns 29 points to share the team lead with left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, who notched four assists in the past three contests. Defenseman Keith Yandle collected four assists in the last two games to push his total to 17 points while 20-year-old forward Denis Malgin has scored in back-to-back contests. Florida was 2-for-23 on the power play over a nine-game period before recording four on eight opportunities with the man advantage the last two contests.

OVERTIME

1. Landeskog is three points shy of 300 in his career after recording his 18th of the season Thursday.

2. Florida D Aaron Ekblad scored his 42nd career goal Thursday, tying Gord Murphy for third in club history among blueliners.

3. The Panthers won both meetings last season, outscoring the Avalanche 8-3 in the process with only one point from Barkov.

PREDICTION: Panthers 5, Avalanche 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Toronto at Pittsburgh

W/L Trends
Toronto

Maple Leafs are 7-1 in their last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Maple Leafs are 5-1 in their last 6 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Maple Leafs are 5-2 in their last 7 road games.
Maple Leafs are 10-4 in their last 14 overall.
Maple Leafs are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Maple Leafs are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Maple Leafs are 35-75 in their last 110 vs. a team with a winning record.
Maple Leafs are 2-5 in their last 7 Saturday games.
Maple Leafs are 14-37 in their last 51 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Pittsburgh

Penguins are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Atlantic.
Penguins are 5-1 in their last 6 overall.
Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Penguins are 44-14 in their last 58 home games.
Penguins are 27-9 in their last 36 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Penguins are 67-30 in their last 97 games playing on 1 days rest.
Penguins are 83-39 in their last 122 vs. Eastern Conference.
Penguins are 39-19 in their last 58 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Penguins are 2-5 in their last 7 Saturday games.
Penguins are 2-7 in their last 9 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

OU Trends
Toronto

Under is 5-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 9-2-2 in Maple Leafs last 13 Saturday games.
Over is 4-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 11-4 in Maple Leafs last 15 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 8-3-2 in Maple Leafs last 13 overall.
Under is 5-2-1 in Maple Leafs last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-2-2 in Maple Leafs last 9 games following a win.

Pittsburgh

Over is 5-0-1 in Penguins last 6 home games.
Over is 6-1-1 in Penguins last 8 overall.
Over is 6-1 in Penguins last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-1-1 in Penguins last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 4-1-1 in Penguins last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-2-1 in Penguins last 10 games following a win.
Over is 3-1-1 in Penguins last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Penguins last 5 Saturday games.
Over is 24-9-6 in Penguins last 39 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 37-17-6 in Penguins last 60 vs. Atlantic.

Head to Head

Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Maple Leafs are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.
Maple Leafs are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Pittsburgh.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

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

Preview: Devils at Rangers
Gracenote
Dec 9, 2017

The New York Rangers hope to continue their winning ways on home ice when they host the Metropolitan Division-rival New Jersey Devils on Saturday. The Rangers have won nine of their last 10 games at Madison Square Garden and will try to bounce back after allowing 40 shots in a 4-2 setback at Washington on Friday - just their second loss in eight overall contests.

New York won just two of its first eight games at home, which included a loss to the Devils, before beginning to turn around its season with a 5-2 victory over visiting Arizona on Oct. 26 and has gone 13-5-0 since. The Rangers are four points behind New Jersey, which has alternated wins and losses over their last six contests after a 5-3 home setback against Columbus on Friday. The Devils have split their first four games this month, allowing one goal in each victory and five in each loss, but have been very strong on the road as they've posted a 10-3-2 record - including a 4-1-0 mark in their last five. New Jersey rookie Nico Hischier, who is second on the team with 20 points, took a stick to the mouth in Friday's loss to Columbus and reportedly was to undergo dental work after the game, but coach John Hynes told reporters he expects the 18-year-old to play on Saturday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), MSG2 (New York)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (16-8-4): Taylor Hall, who leads the team with 29 points, recorded a goal and an assist in the opener of a home-and-home series versus Columbus on Tuesday before being kept off the scoresheet on Friday. Rookie Jesper Bratt has notched five points in his last five contests to reach 19 - third-best on the team - while rookie defenseman Will Butcher (18) has been held without one over his last five games. Backup goaltender Keith Kinkaid (5-2-1, .896 save percentage) is expected to get the start after Cory Schneider allowed five goals in Friday’s loss.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (15-11-2): Michael Grabner has recorded five goals in his last five games and leads the team with 14 as he scored on Friday to move three ahead of Mika Zibanejad, who is out with a concussion. Mats Zuccarello was kept off the scoresheet on Friday but has collected eight points in his last eight games and shares the team lead with Zibanejad at 22. The Rangers have found a way to score during their surge despite struggling on the power play, converting just three of their 30 opportunities over the last 10 contests, but still are among the top 10 in the league.

OVERTIME

1. New Jersey C Brian Boyle scored his fourth goal in seven games on Friday and needs two to reach 100 for his career.

2. New York LW Chris Kreider has notched four points in his last four contests and needs one for 200 in the NHL while sitting one goal shy of 100.

3. The Devils are 2-0-2 in their last four meetings with the Rangers, including a 3-2 triumph at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 14.

PREDICTION: Devils 2, Rangers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - New Jersey at NY Rangers

W/L Trends
New Jersey

Devils are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Devils are 5-2 in their last 7 Saturday games.
Devils are 23-48 in their last 71 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Devils are 21-45 in their last 66 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Devils are 17-39 in their last 56 vs. a team with a winning record.
Devils are 5-14 in their last 19 vs. Metropolitan.

NY Rangers

Rangers are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Rangers are 9-1 in their last 10 home games.
Rangers are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Rangers are 12-4 in their last 16 overall.
Rangers are 9-3 in their last 12 vs. Eastern Conference.
Rangers are 7-3 in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Rangers are 13-6 in their last 19 games playing on 0 days rest.
Rangers are 36-17 in their last 53 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 6-13 in their last 19 vs. Metropolitan.

OU Trends
New Jersey

Under is 4-1 in Devils last 5 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Devils last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 12-5-1 in Devils last 18 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 25-12-5 in Devils last 42 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.

NY Rangers

Over is 3-0-1 in Rangers last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 6-1 in Rangers last 7 games playing on 0 days rest.
Over is 5-1 in Rangers last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 7-2-1 in Rangers last 10 home games.
Over is 16-5-1 in Rangers last 22 overall.
Over is 30-13-10 in Rangers last 53 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 29-13-13 in Rangers last 55 Saturday games.

Head to Head

Under is 3-0-2 in the last 5 meetings in New York.
Home team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
Devils are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings in New York.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: PPG PAINTS Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Matchup Edge
TOR Edge in: PIT
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Maple Leafs at Penguins
Gracenote
Dec 9, 2017

Frederik Andersen put his disastrous first month of the season behind him and has been steady in the face of a storm that occasionally sees him encountering over 40 shots on goal. Andersen aims to keep rolling along on Saturday as the Toronto Maple Leafs visit Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"It's just a really important thing to stay present and for me it's what I'm trying to do, to keep the focus from game to game," Andersen told TSN on Friday. "That's the best approach I've had lately. I've touched on it before but tracking well, being aggressive on the puck is something I've been doing well lately." The 28-year-old Dane improved to 4-0-1 this season when facing 40 or more shots on goal after turning aside a season-high 47 in a 2-1 shootout win against Calgary on Wednesday. While Toronto has won four of its last six, Pittsburgh has done it one better by answering a three-game skid with victories in five of its last six following a 4-3 overtime triumph over the New York Islanders on Thursday. Former Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel, who leads the Penguins with 14 goals, has scored in each of his last three games and has recorded at least one point in 23 of 30 contests this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, CBC (Toronto), AT&TSN-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (18-10-1): Nazem Kadri relishes his role as a shutdown defender, and he'll have his chance to give credence to that claim against two-time Hart Trophy winner Crosby on Saturday and the current keeper of the title, Connor McDavid, and the Edmonton Oilers the following day. "I love it. Personally for me, it’s fun," the 27-year-old told TSN. "Those guys push you to bring out your best because if you don't, they'll make you look bad. As a team, especially heading into a city like Pittsburgh, knowing what they've done the last few years, we're going to have to be ready." Defenseman Morgan Rielly, who scored versus the Flames, will be ready after sitting out Friday's practice with a maintenance day, coach Mike Babcock said.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (16-11-3): Defenseman Kris Letang scored and set up a goal versus the Islanders to increase his point total to eight (one goal, seven assists) in his past eight games. Letang's point shot in the first period was deflected by Jake Guentzel, who netted his 13th goal of the season and continued Pittsburgh's success on the power play. The Penguins, who have converted an NHL third-ranked 27.0 percent of their chances with the man advantage, have at least one power-play goal in seven of their last eight contests.

OVERTIME

1. Pittsburgh is 5-0-1 against Toronto in the last six encounters at PPG Paints Arena.

2. Maple Leafs LW Patrick Marleau is one point shy of 1,100 for his career.

3. The Penguins have thwarted 24 of their last 26 short-handed situations over the last seven games.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Maple Leafs 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

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

Preview: Coyotes at Blue Jackets
Gracenote
Dec 9, 2017

The Arizona Coyotes attempt to reverse their fortunes away from home when they continue a four-game road trip Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Arizona had won three straight in enemy territory before hitting the skids, as it has lost four straight (0-2-2) after Thursday's 6-1 setback in Boston.

Christian Dvorak scored the lone goal in the setback as the Coyotes fell to 0-1-1 on their trek and have recorded a total of five tallies during their slide on the road. Columbus avoided a third consecutive road loss and earned a split of its home-and-home series against New Jersey on Friday with a 5-3 triumph. Alexander Wennberg snapped a 3-3 tie early in the third period and Artemi Panarin collected a career-high five points by setting up each of the Blue Jackets' goals. The five-assist performance increased the 26-year-old Panarin's team-leading point total to 25.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona Plus, FSN Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE COYOTES (7-19-5): Antti Raanta figures to be in the crease Saturday after missing six games with an upper-body injury and serving as Scott Wedgewood's backup on Thursday. "It's always tough to sit on the sidelines," the 28-year-old Raanta, who could start Sunday in Chicago instead, told reporters. "It's always frustrating. It doesn't matter if you're winning or losing, you just want to be out there with the team." Defenseman Kyle Capobianco made his NHL debut in Boston and posted a minus-1 rating in 13 minutes, 33 seconds of ice time.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (18-10-1): Panarin etched his name in the team record book Friday with his five assists, tying the franchise record that was set in 2001 by Espen Knutsen. Wennberg's goal against the Devils was just his second in 23 games this season and first since Oct. 14, ending his 17-game drought. Rookie Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his fifth goal on Friday, giving him at least one point in five of his last six contests (two goals, five assists).

OVERTIME

1. Coyotes rookie C Clayton Keller leads the team with 11 goals but is mired in a 15-game drought as he has not tallied since Nov. 6 at Washington.

2. Columbus D Markus Nutivaara returned to the lineup Friday after a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury and finished at plus-1 in 11:35 of ice time.

3. Saturday's contest will be Arizona's league-leading 20th on the road this season.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 5, Coyotes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Arizona at Columbus

W/L Trends
Arizona

Coyotes are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Coyotes are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Coyotes are 17-35 in their last 52 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Coyotes are 16-35 in their last 51 vs. Metropolitan.
Coyotes are 19-43 in their last 62 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Coyotes are 15-36 in their last 51 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Coyotes are 16-39 in their last 55 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Coyotes are 15-37 in their last 52 overall.
Coyotes are 15-40 in their last 55 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Coyotes are 30-87 in their last 117 vs. a team with a winning record.
Coyotes are 3-9 in their last 12 Saturday games.
Coyotes are 18-60 in their last 78 road games.

Columbus

Blue Jackets are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Blue Jackets are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. Pacific.
Blue Jackets are 20-6 in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Blue Jackets are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a win.
Blue Jackets are 9-3 in their last 12 overall.
Blue Jackets are 39-17 in their last 56 home games.
Blue Jackets are 2-5 in their last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Blue Jackets are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games.

OU Trends
Arizona

Under is 4-0 in Coyotes last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 4-0 in Coyotes last 4 vs. Metropolitan.
Under is 10-1 in Coyotes last 11 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 6-1 in Coyotes last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-1 in Coyotes last 6 road games.
Under is 14-3 in Coyotes last 17 overall.
Under is 9-2 in Coyotes last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Coyotes last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Coyotes last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 20-8-4 in Coyotes last 32 Saturday games.

Columbus

Under is 8-1-1 in Blue Jackets last 10 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 4-1 in Blue Jackets last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
Under is 4-1 in Blue Jackets last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 16-5 in Blue Jackets last 21 vs. Pacific.
Over is 6-2 in Blue Jackets last 8 Saturday games.
Under is 6-2 in Blue Jackets last 8 home games.
Under is 10-4 in Blue Jackets last 14 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Blue Jackets last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Head to Head

Home team is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings.
Coyotes are 1-7 in the last 8 meetings in Columbus.
Coyotes are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

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

Preview: Golden Knights at Stars
Gracenote
Dec 9, 2017

The expansion Vegas Golden Knights aim for their fourth consecutive victory when they complete a back-to-back set on the road Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Vegas has gone beyond regulation in each of its last three contests, including a 4-3 shootout victory at Nashville on Friday.

Erik Haula forged a tie with 40 seconds remaining in the third period and Reilly Smith scored the lone goal of the bonus format in the sixth round as the Golden Knights improved to 7-1 in games decided after 60 minutes. Dallas looks to avoid a third straight loss and bounce back from Thursday's 3-0 setback at St. Louis. The Stars had won five in a row both overall and at home before dropping a 5-2 decision to the Predators on Tuesday. Tyler Seguin leads Dallas with 27 points but has been kept off the scoresheet in each of his last two games after recording two goals and two assists over his previous three contests.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Vegas), FSN Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (18-9-1): William Karlsson maintained the team lead in goals on Friday, scoring his 15th to remain one ahead of James Neal, who netted his 14th in the victory. The 24-year-old Karlsson, who totaled 15 tallies in 162 games over the previous two seasons with Columbus, needed only 28 contests this campaign to match that amount. David Perron (upper body) notched an assist Friday after being activated from injured reserve earlier in the day, leaving him two points shy of 400 for his career.

ABOUT THE STARS (16-12-1): Dallas hopes to have Ben Bishop back in the crease after the goaltender missed Thursday's setback with a sore back. Mike McKenna, who was recalled from Texas to serve as Kari Lehtonen's backup against the Blues, was sent back to the American Hockey League team on Friday. Dallas also demoted left wing Curtis McKenzie, who has notched one assist in four games with the club this season.

OVERTIME

1. Stars LW Antoine Roussel has missed four straight games with an illness.

2. Vegas D Luca Sbisa's assist on Friday left him two points shy of 100 in the NHL.

3. Dallas is 0-9-0 when trailing after two periods.

PREDICTION: Stars 4, Golden Knights 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Vegas at Dallas

W/L Trends
Vegas

Golden Knights are 4-0 in their last 4 Saturday games.
Golden Knights are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a win.
Golden Knights are 15-4 in their last 19 vs. Western Conference.
Golden Knights are 8-3 in their last 11 overall.

Dallas

Stars are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. Pacific.
Stars are 10-1 in their last 11 Saturday games.
Stars are 10-2 in their last 12 home games.
Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Stars are 8-3 in their last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Stars are 5-2 in their last 7 overall.
Stars are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Stars are 40-17 in their last 57 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Stars are 35-16 in their last 51 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.

OU Trends
Vegas

Over is 4-0-1 in Golden Knights last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 6-0-1 in Golden Knights last 7 road games.
Over is 8-1-1 in Golden Knights last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 12-2-2 in Golden Knights last 16 games following a win.
Over is 6-1 in Golden Knights last 7 vs. Central.
Over is 12-3-2 in Golden Knights last 17 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 18-6-2 in Golden Knights last 26 overall.

Dallas

Over is 4-1 in Stars last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 8-3-1 in Stars last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 10-4-1 in Stars last 15 Saturday games.
Over is 14-6-1 in Stars last 21 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 7-3 in Stars last 10 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Head to Head
No trends available.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California

Matchup Edge
OTT Edge in: SJ
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Senators at Sharks
Gracenote
Dec 8, 2017

Last season's trip to the Eastern Conference finals seems to be a lifetime ago for the Ottawa Senators, who are in the throes of a horrid slump that has them careening down the standings. Losers of three in a row and 10 of their last 11 (1-9-1), Ottawa continues a season-long seven-game road trip at the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

The Senators did show a pulse in their latest setback, getting a last-second goal in an eventual 4-3 overtime defeat at white-hot Los Angeles that came on the heels of two shutout losses. "It's been a little rough lately, but I think we're headed in the right direction," Ottawa defenseman Cody Ceci said after Thursday's loss. San Jose lost its final two on a four-game road trip before kicking off a three-game homestand with a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory versus Carolina on Thursday, rallying from an early 3-0 deficit. It marked the first time in franchise history that the Sharks won a game after trailing by three goals following the first period.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Ottawa), NBCSN California (San Jose)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (9-11-7): Matt Duchene was acquired in a three-team deal early last month to bolster Ottawa's offense, but his power-play tally at Los Angeles was the former Avalanche forward's second goal in 13 seasons since the deal. "There's lots of really good things to build on tonight and that's the next step is building on it now and not hanging our heads and being too disappointed," Duchene said after his first two-point game since Nov. 4. Duchene has seven goals and seven assists in 23 games against San Jose.

ABOUT THE SHARKS (15-10-2): Defenseman Brent Burns has been in a major rut after scoring 56 goals over the past two campaigns, but he made his second one this season count by delivering the game-winning tally in overtime against the Hurricanes. Burns also set up a goal to register only his second multiple-point game of the season, and first since Oct. 21 -- a notable dip after amassing 76 points in 2016-17 and 75 the previous season. Joe Thornton collected three points to move into 19th place (1,410) on the all-time list.

OVERTIME

1. The Sharks won at Ottawa 4-3 in a shootout last December to end a streak of five consecutive losses in the series, including three at home.

2. Ottawa is 4-for-39 with the man advantage during the 11-game swoon.

3. San Jose had two power-play goals in a game Thursday -- the first time that's happened since Oct. 17.

PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Senators 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Ottawa at San Jose

Ottawa

Senators are 24-52 in their last 76 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Senators are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Senators are 1-7 in their last 8 road games.
Senators are 1-10 in their last 11 overall.
Senators are 0-6 in their last 6 vs. Pacific.
Senators are 0-4 in their last 4 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.
Senators are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Western Conference.

San Jose

Sharks are 136-64-1 in their last 201 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Sharks are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Sharks are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.

OU Trends
Ottawa

Over is 4-1 in Senators last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 7-2 in Senators last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-2 in Senators last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 10-4-1 in Senators last 15 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2-1 in Senators last 8 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation.

San Jose

Under is 18-5-8 in Sharks last 31 Saturday games.
Under is 14-4-4 in Sharks last 22 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 9-3-1 in Sharks last 13 vs. Atlantic.
Under is 9-3 in Sharks last 12 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 17-6-5 in Sharks last 28 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 30-11-14 in Sharks last 55 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 8-3 in Sharks last 11 games following a win.
Under is 37-15-10 in Sharks last 62 home games.
Under is 34-16-7 in Sharks last 57 overall.

Head to Head

Over is 7-0 in the last 7 meetings.
Senators are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Senators are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in San Jose.
Road team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta

Matchup Edge
VAN Edge in: CAL
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Canucks at Flames
Gracenote
Dec 8, 2017

After earning three of a possible four points on their brief two-day trek, the Calgary Flames make a quick stop at home on Saturday to host the Vancouver Canucks. Calgary dropped a 2-1 shootout decision in Toronto on Wednesday but bounced back to post a 3-2 overtime win at Montreal the following night, improving to 4-1-2 in its last seven on the road.

Sean Monahan completed a two-goal performance with his team-leading 17th tally of the season 1:14 into the extra session as the Flames, who head back out on the road to face Minnesota on Tuesday, halted their three-game overall skid (0-2-1). Vancouver had its three-game winning streak snapped Thursday as it completed a 2-1-0 homestand with a 4-1 setback against Philadelphia. Rookie Brock Boeser scored the lone goal - his team-high 14th - for the Canucks, who played their first game without the injured Bo Horvat. The 22-year-old Horvat, who is second on the team with 20 points and tied for the club lead with five power-play tallies, could be out of the lineup for up to six weeks due to a fractured foot.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, CBC

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (14-11-4): Vancouver added depth at center after Thursday's loss, acquiring Nic Dowd from Los Angeles for defenseman Jordan Subban. The 27-year-old Dowd, who was a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft, recorded one assist in 16 games with the Kings this season and has registered six goals and 23 points in 91 NHL contests. Three Canucks could reach milestones Saturday as Markus Granlund is one game shy of 200 in the NHL, captain Henrik Sedin needs two assists for 800 and defenseman Michael Del Zotto is one point away from 200.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (15-12-2): Monahan, who has collected three goals and an assist during his three-game point streak, entered Friday tied for the league lead with six game-winning tallies. The 23-year-old finished Thursday tied for third in the NHL with 17 goals - seven of which have been scored on the power play. Goaltender Mike Smith, who is winless in his last three starts (0-1-1), is expected to appear in his 500th career game on Saturday.

OVERTIME

1. Future Hall-of-Fame RW Jaromir Jagr has missed two straight games with a lower-body injury and remains day-to-day.

2. Vancouver assigned G Thatcher Demko to Utica of the American Hockey League on Friday.

3. Calgary LW Matthew Tkachuk is expected back in the lineup after serving his one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Canucks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Vancouver at Calgary

W/L Trends
Vancouver

Canucks are 5-1 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Canucks are 5-2 in their last 7 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Canucks are 10-21 in their last 31 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canucks are 25-54 in their last 79 vs. a team with a winning record.
Canucks are 8-18 in their last 26 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canucks are 18-44 in their last 62 games playing on 1 days rest.
Canucks are 10-25 in their last 35 vs. Western Conference.
Canucks are 5-16 in their last 21 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Canucks are 3-12 in their last 15 vs. Pacific.

Calgary

Flames are 5-0 in their last 5 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation.
Flames are 7-2 in their last 9 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.
Flames are 36-15 in their last 51 vs. a team with a losing record.
Flames are 7-3 in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
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 games following a win.
Flames are 1-5 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.

OU Trends
Vancouver

Over is 5-1 in Canucks last 6 road games.
Under is 18-7-8 in Canucks last 33 vs. Pacific.
Over is 5-2-3 in Canucks last 10 following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 5-2 in Canucks last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.

Calgary

Under is 4-1 in Flames last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1-2 in Flames last 7 Saturday games.
Over is 4-1 in Flames last 5 vs. Pacific.
Over is 6-2 in Flames last 8 home games.
Under is 17-6-3 in Flames last 26 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 days situation.
Under is 5-2 in Flames last 7 overall.
Over is 31-15-5 in Flames last 51 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 33-16-3 in Flames last 52 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation.

Head to Head

Home team is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
Over is 17-6-5 in the last 28 meetings in Calgary.
Canucks are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings in Calgary.