Tuesday 12-12-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:25 AM

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Tuesday, December 12, 2017

NBA (505) LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS (506) NEW YORK KNICKS

Take: UNDER

Reason: Your free play for Tuesday, December 12, 2017 is in the NBA contest between the LA Lakers and the NY Knicks. The Lakers (10-15 S/U, 12-13-0 ATS) make the coast-to-coast trip to play the Knicks (13-13 S/U, 14-12-0 ATS) tonight. The Lakers are in the third game of this road trip after playing at Charlotte. The Lakers have won and covered both of their road games. The Lakers are 2-7 O/U in their last nine road games and 8-17 O/U in their last 25 vs the Atlantic division. The Knicks are 1-6 O/U in their last seven home games and 1-5 O/U in their last six off one day rest. Total has gone from 211 to 212.5 or 213. That is good enough for me to play under now. Your free play is on the UNDER.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:25 AM

Arthur Ralph Sports

FREE play: TUES: Rutgers -11

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:27 AM

CAPPERS ACCESS
(CBB)Cincinnati
(CBB) Texas
(NBA) Suns

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:27 AM

STEPHEN NOVER
NBA | Dec 12, 2017
Nuggets vs. Pistons
Pistons-7

The Pistons don't just need a win, but a blowout victory. I see them achieving that in this home matchup against the Nuggets. Detroit is in full stop-the-pain mode having lost six in a row. This begs the question are the Pistons good enough to lay this amount of points? They were 12-8 before their losing streak, including being 8-2 SU, 6-3-1 ATS at Little Caesars Arena, their new home. Now let's examine their losing skid. Detroit didn't play well in a 109-91 road loss to the Wizards, which began their losing skid. The Pistons then had three more away contests. All were against respectable-to-good teams at tough road venues - Philadelphia, San Antonio and Milwaukee. The Pistons lost those three games by an average of four points per game. Then the Pistons opened their homestand drawing the Warriors and Celtics, two of the three best teams in the NBA. The Pistons trailed the Celtics by four points with under three minutes remaining before losing, 91-81. That's the third-fewest points the Celtics have scored this season. The Pistons finally get a schedule break with this game and opponent. Denver is one of those good home/bad road teams. The Nuggets are 4-10 SU, 3-11 ATS away from Pepsi Center. Denver has a high fatigue rating, too, playing its fifth road contest in nine days and coming off an overtime game against the Pacers on Sunday. Denver is vulnerable to Andre Drummond, the NBA rebounding leader, missing their two best players, big men Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap. Both are out with injuries. This puts a lot of pressure on the Nuggets guards, who are erratic. Starting guard Jamal Murray is dealing with a calf injury, too. Avery Bradley has been in a shooting slump, but he's one of the better defensive guards in the NBA. So I don't see the Nuggets making up for their key frontcourt injuries by getting exceptional scoring from their guards

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:28 AM

LARRY NESS

My 1* Free Play is on the New York Knicks (7:05 EST).

LA is set up for a letdown here in my opinion after back-to-back road victories. With a game at the Cavaliers on Thursday, this also sets up as a “look ahead” spot for the Lakers.
New York hasn’t been perfect this year, but it’s been a lot better than last season. The Knicks won’t be taking this matchup for granted as they’d dropped six of eight before beating ATL 111-107 at home on Sunday.
LA is just 1-4 ATS in its last five road games against a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600 this year (the Knicks are 12-5 SU/ATS at home this season) and just 3-4 ATS off an upset win as an underdog, while New York is 6-1 ATS in its last seven against the Western conference and 7-3 ATS in all non-conference games.
For all the reasons listed above, consider laying the points in this matchup.
Good luck…Larry

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:28 AM

JOEY JUICE

The Ottawa Senators are playing like dog crap, and it is mostly due to an inept offense that has averaged just 1.86 gpg over their last 12 games.

The Buffalo offense is even worse, in fact, it's the worst in the league.

Buffalo has averaged just 1.80 gpg in their last 10 games overall and just 1.77 gpg here at home. In fact, Buffalo’s home games have averaged just 4.69 goals, and in their last 10 games, the total scores are just 4.90 goals on average, while the last 10 games for Ottawa has averaged just 5.40 goals. Obviously, this game will not be about offense, the Under is 13-3-1 the last 17 games in this series.

That Trend continues in this one, bet the under.

2* OTTAWA-BUFFALO UNDER

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:29 AM

Lakers vs. Knicks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/11/2017

The Los Angeles Lakers will try to stay perfect on their current road trip when they visit the New York Knicks on Tuesday. After losing five in a row, the Lakers began the four-game trip with a win at Philadelphia and then picked up another at Charlotte on Saturday, improving to 6-5 against Eastern Conference opponents.

"This is a sign of growth for sure," coach Like Walton told reporters after the 110-99 victory over the Hornets. "And even Philly was a sign of growth because even though we blew a 16-point lead, what would've happened in the past was once we blew that lead we would've just completely melted down. ... We've been able to win some of those games at home, but on the road we haven't been able to find a way once that crowd gets into it to get the defensive stops you need to win games. We (won) in Philly and we did that again tonight." The Knicks are a tough out at Madison Square Garden and are tied for the Eastern Conference lead with 12 home wins after Sunday's 111-107 victory over Atlanta. Kristaps Porzingis reached the 30-point mark for the first time since Nov. 11 and Doug McDermott came off the bench to provide a season-high 23 points for New York. The Lakers got seven players in double figures en route to a 121-106 win in Manhattan in the previous meeting on Feb. 6.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (10-15): After being held to five points on 1-of-9 shooting in a home loss to Houston, reserve guard Jordan Clarkson has recorded 38 points in 41 minutes on the road trip, including 22 while playing the stretch run at Charlotte in place of rookie Lonzo Ball. "It doesn't matter who comes in, who finishes the game -- we support each other and throughout the game everyone made huge contributions," Walton said. "At the end, that group had it rolling." Fellow backups Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle combined for 24 points and 20 rebounds in the win.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (13-13): New York was inspired Sunday by a gutsy performance by center Enes Kanter (hip), who came to the arena on crutches but powered through 18 minutes to provide eight points and five rebounds. "He's the first guy I've ever seen come to a game on crutches and still start the game and he's about to leave on crutches," guard Jarrett Jack told the New York Post. "I've never seen that before in my 13 years in the league." Jack chipped in a season-high 19 points in 26 minutes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. McDermott shoots 53 percent at home, compared to 42.4 on the road.

2. After Tuesday, the Knicks play 19 of their next 26 games on the road.

3. Ball has 17 assists against two turnovers on the road trip.

PREDICTION: Knicks 111, Lakers 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:29 AM

Nuggets vs. Pistons Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/11/2017

The Detroit Pistons are sliding downhill after a strong start and look to halt a six-game losing streak when they host the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. Detroit opened the season by winning 14 of its first 20 games before the current skid that rates as its longest since a 10-gamer during the 2014-15 campaign.

The Pistons established season lows for points and field-goal percentage (33.3) in Sunday's 91-81 loss to the Boston Celtics and the postgame body language of the players stood out to coach Stan Van Gundy. "We've lost some confidence and we need to get it back," Van Gundy said afterward. "We knew we were going to play a month unlike anyone else in the NBA, and we started it well, but now it has gotten bad." Denver is experiencing its own struggles as it blew an eight-point lead late in regulation in Sunday's 126-116 overtime loss against the Indiana Pacers. The Nuggets are 1-3 on a six-game road excursion and a meager 4-10 away from home this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude 2 (Denver), FSN Detroit

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (14-12): The Denver meltdown against the Pacers was disturbing and coach Michael Malone attempted to downplay it by pointing out the absences of starting frontcourt players Paul Millsap (wrist surgery) and Nikola Jokic (ankle). But after holding a 114-106 advantage with 2:54 remaining in regulation, the Nuggets were torched 20-2 the rest of the way in the 10-point setback. Forward Trey Lyles pick up the slack with career bests of 25 points and five 3-pointers two nights after he missed all eight of his field-goals attempts while scoring three points against the Orlando Magic.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (14-12): Van Gundy kept telling everybody Detroit wasn't as good as its early 10-3 record and now he is expressing the Pistons aren't as bad as they seem after six straight losses. "I kept saying things can change quickly in this league," Van Gundy told reporters. "And they can. And they have on us right now. But they can change quickly back the other way, too. What I'm trying to do is tell them the truth but I'm also trying to provide a little bit of balance. I think this is a good team." Star center Andre Drummond (six points on 1-of-5 shooting) and guard Reggie Jackson (two points on 0-of-9 shooting) will look to bounce back from horrific showings against the Celtics.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons won both of last season's meetings and three of the past four matchups.

2. Detroit SG Avery Bradley is shooting just 35.4 percent from the field in six December games.

3. Jokic will likely miss his sixth consecutive game, while Millsap isn't expected back for another two months.

PREDICTION: Pistons 109, Nuggets 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:29 AM

Hawks vs. Cavaliers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/11/2017

The Atlanta Hawks return to the scene of their most impressive victory of the season when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. Atlanta owns the second-worst record (6-20) in the NBA but the team was sharp when it recorded a 117-115 victory in Cleveland on Nov. 5.

Seven different Atlanta players scored 12 or more points in the stunning upset, led by point guard Dennis Schroder's 28 points and nine assists. Schroder has emerged as the Hawks' main scoring threat and has topped 20 points in five of the past eight games and has 14 20-point outings on the season. Cleveland is rolling with 14 victories in its last 15 games after riding forward LeBron James in Saturday's 105-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. James had 30 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists against the 76ers for his 58th career triple-double.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-20): Forward Ersan Ilyasova has been lava-hot over the past two games by averaging 23 points on 16-of-20 shooting, including 10-of-11 from 3-point range. Ilyasova made five 3-pointers in each game and scored 26 points on 9-of-9 shooting in Saturday's win over the Orlando Magic before coming back with 20 on 7-of-11 shooting on Sunday in a loss to the New York Knicks. Prior to the two games, Ilyasova's best performance of the season was when he scored 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting in a 121-114 loss to the Cavaliers on Nov. 30.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (19-8): Center Tristan Thompson (calf) will return from a calf injury after a 19-game absence but he will be coming off the bench as opposed to his former starting role. Cleveland has performed well with Kevin Love at center and Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said after Monday's practice that he didn't want to tinker with a good formula and Thompson understands. "We've got to figure it out. I don't care," Thompson told reporters. "If I don't play, that's fine as long as we're winning I'm going to cheer my teammates on. If I play two minutes, three minutes, 20 minutes, it don't matter to me. As long as we win."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Love registered 25 points and 16 rebounds when Cleveland posted the victory in Atlanta on Nov. 30.

2. Cleveland SG J.R. Smith made two 3-pointers in Saturday's victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to move into 12th place all-time with 1,828, passing Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

3. Atlanta C Dewayne Dedmon (leg) is slated to miss his seventh straight game and PF John Collins (shoulders) will miss his sixth.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 124, Hawks 97

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:29 AM

Wizards vs. Nets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/11/2017

The Washington Wizards were frustrated after a tough loss over the weekend but they still have a chance to complete a winning five-game road trip when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. A controversial rule hindered the Wizards' game-winning effort on the final play of a 113-112 setback at the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, dropping the squad to 2-2 on the trip.

Bradley Beal, who first had a game-winning shot waved off and then - after a re-do in which the inbound location was moved - watched big man Marcin Gortat miss a contested 21-footer, scored 25 points in the setback and is averaging 36.7 points in his last three games. The Nets may be a bit road-weary as well after winning at Atlanta and then splitting a pair of games in Mexico City, including Saturday's 101-89 loss to Miami. "Besides not being 3-0, I think this trip went about as good as possible," guard Spencer Dinwiddie told reporters. "Team bonding. ... Obviously, we miss our guys that were traded. But we went 2-1, which obviously is a winning record and we bonded. Overall a success." Washington has won seven straight meetings with Brooklyn, although it needed overtime to claim its last visit to the Barclays Center.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN Washington, YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (14-12): All-Star point guard John Wall is nearing a comeback from a knee issue that has caused him to miss eight straight games, and knows what his job will be upon return. "We got to find a way to still keep (Beal) in his rhythm when I come back," Wall told The Washington Post. "Keep him the same zone that he's in." While Beal is sizzling, forward Otto Porter Jr. has had an odd trip by averaging 20.5 points on 55.2 percent shooting in the two losses and three points on 3-of-17 in the two wins.

ABOUT THE NETS (10-15): Tuesday marks the team's first home game since acquiring center Jahlil Okafor and guard Nik Stauskas in a trade with Philadelphia. The two newcomers are expected to join the team Monday in Brooklyn and there is a buzz as their debuts near. "For sure. They definitely have talent," forward DeMarre Carroll told the New York Post. "Now we've got to try to get them in, jell them into the system, and the culture we're trying to build. I feel like that'll be easy, because if you don't fit in you'll stick out like a sore thumb in this (culture)."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards PF Mike Scott has made 17-of-19 shots over a three-game span after going 1-for-12 in his previous three contests.

2. Nets SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson averaged 17 points and 7.3 rebounds during the three games away from home.

3. Gortat is averaging 4.3 points while making 7-of-22 shots during the road trip.

PREDICTION: Nets 110, Wizards 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:30 AM

Spurs vs. Mavericks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:30 PM
by Gracenote on 12/11/2017

All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard is expected to make his season debut when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Leonard, who was listed as probable after participating in Monday's practice, missed the first 27 games of the season due to a quadriceps injury.

San Antonio is playing well without the two-time NBA Defensive of the Year by winning eight of its past nine games. But coach Gregg Popovich and the players have been eagerly awaiting the return of Leonard, who averaged a career-best 25.5 points last season while supplying his usual lockdown defense. "We can be proud of the work we've done so far," center Pau Gasol told reporters after Monday's practice. "Now it's about Kawhi coming back and incorporating him and adjusting to that and being just as good or better." Dallas is back home after a winless three-game road trip, an excursion that ended with Sunday's 97-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (San Antonio, Dallas)

ABOUT THE SPURS (19-8): Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been in a go-to scoring role similar to his tenure in Portland with Leonard sidelined and is averaging 22.7 points, much better than last season's 17.3 mark. Aldridge's scoring may not take a hit in the short term while Leonard finds his stride and gets his game conditioning in order but will likely drop eventually. "There will probably be an adjustment phase in some way, shape or form," Popovich told reporters. "We're going to add somebody who is going to have the ball a lot, and he's pretty good. They'll all have to adjust."

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (7-20): Rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) will miss his third consecutive game and coach Rick Carlisle said the team will be cautious with the emerging star. "He played with a pretty significant ankle injury last year, but this is all about getting a diagnosis from the doc and finding out exactly what it is and making sure he's 100 percent," Carlisle told reporters. "It does no good to bring him back at 85 or 90 percent if there's a chance he could re-injure it based on the fact that we didn't bring him back at 100 percent." Smith, the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft, has been an instant hit by averaging 14.4 points, four rebounds and four assists per game.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs are 2-0 against the Mavericks this season and have won 10 of the past 11 meetings.

2. Dallas SF Harrison Barnes is averaging 14.5 points on 8-of-30 shooting in the two games against the Spurs.

3. San Antonio SG Danny Green (groin) is listed as probable after a one-game absence.

PREDICTION: Spurs 113, Mavericks 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:30 AM

76ers vs. Timberwolves Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats09:30 PM
by Gracenote on 12/11/2017

The Philadelphia 76ers attempt to end their roughest stretch of the season when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. Philadelphia is mired in a season-worst four-game skid and hopes to have center Joel Embiid (back) after he missed the past two games.

Embiid was rested for Saturday's game in Cleveland and was a late scratch against New Orleans on Sunday due to back stiffness. But the news improved Monday as Embiid, who is averaging 27 points and 10.8 rebounds over his last five appearances, was listed as questionable for the matchup versus Minnesota. The Timberwolves posted a 97-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in the opener of a five-game homestand and are a stellar five games above .500 one-third of the way through the season. Star center Karl-Anthony Towns leads the NBA with 21 double-doubles and is averaging 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCSN Philadelphia, FSN North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (13-13): Philadelphia has dropped four consecutive games while springing leaks on defense and allowing 114.5 points per game during the stretch. Rookie playmaker Ben Simmons has stood out during the funk with averages of 18.3 points, 10.5 assists and 7.8 rebounds while registering one triple-double and two double-doubles. "He's been a four-man his whole life, we decided to make him a point guard," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters. "It's the hardest position to play in the NBA, let alone for a rookie, let alone for somebody that was a college four-man. To his credit, he's embraced the position."

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (16-11): Minnesota has won three of its past four games but needed shooting guard Jimmy Butler to take over in the fourth quarter to score 10 of his 22 points to hold off the lowly Mavericks. "I thought Jimmy closed the game out for us," Timberwolves backup shooting guard Jamal Crawford told reporters. "It's such a luxury to have a guy like that that you can put the ball in his hands and he can make the right play. More times than not, it works in our favor." Crawford scored 16 points in 20 minutes off the bench against Dallas and has yet to reach the 20-point mark this season while averaging 9.4 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Timberwolves have won seven of the past 11 meetings but the teams split last season's two matchups.

2. Minnesota SF Andrew Wiggins had just 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting against Dallas and is averaging 12.5 points over the past four games.

3. Philadelphia F Robert Covington (back) is questionable after a one-game absence, while PG T.J. McConnell (shoulder) is slated to play after sitting out two games.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 107, 76ers 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:30 AM

Suns vs. Kings Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/11/2017

Devin Booker's absence has certainly been felt on the offensive end for the Phoenix Suns, who will try to snap a three-game slide when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Booker is out another two weeks or so with a groin strain, and the Suns have dropped their first two contests without the team's top scorer.

Phoenix averaged 100 points in those two losses after scoring at least 104 in its previous six games and just two starters reached double figures in Saturday's 104-101 home loss to San Antonio. "Took us 24 minutes to find a group that would play with the right energy," interim coach Jay Triano told reporters. "I mean, we just seemed to be a step slow. You know, I was mixing guys in and out trying to look for offense, defense, anything that would give us some juice and finally got it in the second half." The Kings opened up their two-game homestand with a 102-87 loss to Toronto, their third straight setback at the Golden 1 Center. Rookie point guard De'Aaron Fox was held to six points and turned it over a season-high seven times as Sacramento committed 21 turnovers leading to 27 points for the Raptors.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), NBCSN California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE SUNS (9-19): Phoenix had 11 assists against San Antonio, its lowest total in that category since it amassed just 10 in a season-opening 48-point loss to Portland, but there was encouragement in a 62-point second half that made it close in the end. "They were embarrassing us a little bit, especially with them coming off the back-to-back resting players," forward Marquese Chriss told the media. "I think that's a slap in the face sometimes, so you just try to take it personal. They were basically just trying to outwork us and that was what happened in the first half, and in the second half I think we worked a little harder." Chriss had 15 points and eight rebounds and has scored in double figures in consecutive games for the first time this season.

ABOUT THE KINGS (8-18): Veteran Zach Randolph continues to be the example for Sacramento's youthful core, and he finished Sunday's loss with 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 11 rebounds. JaKarr Sampson has followed Randolph's lead and was 5-for-5 from the floor while blocking three shots in the loss to Toronto. Veteran guard George Hill has seen his role reduced a bit as the season wears on and was out Sunday for personal reasons, yielding more time to Garrett Temple, who was held scoreless in 11 minutes but also scored a career high-tying 23 in a loss at Phoenix earlier this season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns SF TJ Warren scored 24 points against San Antonio and has at least 23 in three of his last four games.

2. Kings SG Bogdan Bogdanovic made 4-of-8 3-pointers versus the Raptors after going 4-for-17 over his previous six games.

3. Randolph needs 22 rebounds to become the 39th player in NBA history with 10,000 in his career.

PREDICTION: Kings 108, Suns 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-12-2017, 11:30 AM

Avalanche vs. Capitals Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

The Colorado Avalanche began the month with four straight losses - the first three at home - before posting back-to-back wins at Florida and Pittsburgh. Colorado looks to conclude its four-game road trip with another victory when it visits the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

Defenseman Mark Barberio and Blake Comeau scored in the third period while Jonathan Bernier made 39 saves in Monday's 2-1 triumph over the Penguins for the Avalanche, who have recorded a total of nine goals in their consecutive triumphs after producing seven during their month-opening slide. Extending their winning streak will be a tall order as Washington has been strong at home, winning four in a row and six of its last seven. The Capitals were not successful when they visited the New York Islanders on Monday, dropping a 3-1 decision for their fourth loss in five road games. Blue-liner Dmitry Orlov scored the lone goal for Washington while captain Alex Ovechkin was kept off the scoresheet, ending a four-game streak during which he collected eight points.

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

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (14-13-2): Defenseman Erik Johnson was in the lineup Monday after exiting the win over the Panthers two nights earlier with a knee injury and logged a team-high 26 minutes, 51 seconds of ice time. Captain Gabriel Landeskog failed to record a point Monday, leaving him two shy of 300 for his career. The 25-year-old Swede, who has reached double digits in goals for the fifth straight season, is one tally behind Nathan MacKinnon (11) for the team lead.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (18-12-1): Nicklas Backstrom recorded five points in two games before being kept off the scoresheet Monday for just the third time in nine contests. The 30-year-old Swede has scored 193 goals in his career, tying him with Dave Christian for seventh place on the franchise list. T.J. Oshie (upper body), who is tied for second on the club with 10 goals - including a team-high seven on the power play - missed his third consecutive game Monday.

OVERTIME

1. Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov, who began his career with Washington, is expected to start against his former team.

2. Capitals LW Andre Burakovsky's next point will be the 100th of his career.

3. Colorado RW Nail Yakupov has missed three straight games due to an illness and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Capitals 6, Avalanche 1

Tuesday 12-12-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Tuesday 12-12-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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