Thursday 12-28-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF
Dunkel

Thursday, December 28

Virginia @ Navy

Game 241-242
December 28, 2017 @ 1:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Virginia
85.445
Navy
86.908
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Navy
by 1 1/2
59
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Virginia
by 1 1/2
54
Dunkel Pick:
Navy
(+1 1/2); Over

Virginia Tech @ Oklahoma State

Game 243-244
December 28, 2017 @ 5:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Virginia Tech
97.988
Oklahoma State
99.452
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma State
by 1 1/2
57
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma State
by 4 1/2
63
Dunkel Pick:
Virginia Tech
(+4 1/2); Under

Stanford @ TCU

Game 245-246
December 28, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Stanford
101.802
TCU
101.775
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Stanford
Even
46
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
TCU
by 2 1/2
49
Dunkel Pick:
Stanford
(+2 1/2); Under

Michigan State @ Washington St

Game 277-278
December 28, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Michigan State
96.404
Washington St
94.812
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Michigan State
by 1 1/2
49
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington St
by 3
45
Dunkel Pick:
Michigan State
(+3); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Thursday, December 28

Military Bowl Betting Preview and Odds: Virginia vs. Navy

Virginia Cavaliers vs. Navy Midshipmen (-1.5, 54)

Game to be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland

It may be difficult for Navy to bounce back from an emotional loss to Army when it meets Virginia on Dec. 28 in the Military Bowl at Annapolis, Md. The Midshipmen, though, will at least be playing in the friendly confines of what could be a sold-out Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, but the Cavaliers should be well-represented in the stands with their campus some 150 miles away and the Virginia border less than 50 miles from the venue. Navy started the season 5-0, but limps into the contest with three straight losses and six in its last seven games after its 14-13 setback to Army on Dec. 9 when Bennett Moehring missed a 48-yard field goal on the final play amid snowy conditions.

The Cavaliers are also moving in the wrong direction with three straight losses and five in their last six games, including a 10-0 setback to Virginia Tech on Nov. 24, but coach Bronco Mendenhall won't let that dampen the enthusiasm of their first bowl appearance in six years. “This is a defining moment for those players who have worked tirelessly to accomplish this goal of returning Virginia to a bowl game,” Mendenhall said in a prepared statement. "Seeing the joy on the faces of these players when they became bowl-eligible after the Georgia Tech win was an incredible moment. The only members of our team who have been to a bowl game are three graduate transfers.” Virginia makes its first bowl appearance since a 43-24 loss to Auburn in the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl while Navy plays in its sixth straight bowl and 14th in the last 15 seasons after losing to Louisiana Tech 48-45 in the 2016 Armed Forces Bowl.

The teams haven't met since 1994, but there is plenty of admiration as Mendenhall coached Va'A Niumatalolo -- the son of Midshipmen coach Ken -- while the two were at BYU. “I’ve known Kenny (Niumatalolo) and his family and what they stand for … for a long time and he’s all that’s right with college football in my opinion and runs a class program,” Mendenhall told reporters. “I couldn’t think of a more fitting and worthy opponent.” At the top of Mendenhall's to-do list is to figure out a way to stop Navy's No. 2 rushing offense (343 yards per game) with his 80th-ranked run defense that allows an average 178.3 yards.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Most sportsbooks opened Navy between -1 and the current number of -1.5. Some oddsmakers opened Navy as a 1-point underdogs early on, but most shops now have the Midshipmen as slight faves.

INJURY REPORT:

Virginia - LB M. Kiser (Probable Thursday, thumb).

Navy -LB J. Thompson (Questionable Thursday, arm), FB A. Gargiulo (Questionable Thursday, ankle).

WEATHER REPORT: It should be a beautiful, but chilly day in Annapolis. Clear skies are in the forecast with temperatures in the mid 20's and a cross field wind blowing at 8-10 miles per hour.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (6-6, 6-6 ATS, 5-7 O/U): Senior quarterback Kurt Benkert (25 touchdowns, eight interceptions) passed for 186 yards against Virginia Tech and has 3,062 this season, breaking Matt Schaub's school record of 2,976 set in 2002. Junior running back Jordan Ellis (team-high 799 yards, six TDs) could be the key in the Cavaliers' offense using ball control to keep Navy's strong ground attack off the field while junior H-Back Olamide Zaccheaus (club-most 80 catches, 833 yards, five TDs) is Benkert's favorite target. Senior linebacker Micah Kiser leads the ACC and is tied for fifth nationally with 134 tackles and his 385 since the start of the 2015 season are the most in the country, while senior safety Quin Blanding's school-record 474 career tackles are the most among active FBS players.

ABOUT NAVY (6-6, 5-5-2 ATS, 4-8 O/U): Sophomore Malcolm Perry rushed for 250 yards and a touchdown against Army while playing quarterback for the second time this season after running for 282 and four scores in a 43-40 victory over SMU on Nov. 11 in his first contest as the signal-caller. Perry replaced junior Zach Abey, who has been slowed by a shoulder injury and rushed for 123 yards in his last three games after totaling 126 or more in each of his first seven games this season. The Midshipmen have attempted only 101 passes this season but the element of surprise has yielded an average reception of 23.2 yards.

TRENDS:

* Midshipmen are 16-6-1 ATS in their last 23 home games.
* Under is 13-6-1 in Cavaliers last 20 road games.
* Over is 11-4 in Midshipmen last 15 home games.

CONSENSUS: Bettors are backing the defacto home team in this bowl game, with 63 percent of wagers on Navy. When it comes to the total, 54 percent of wagers are favoring teh Under.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Thursday, December 28

Camping World Bowl Betting Preview and Odds: Virginia Tech vs Oklahoma State

Virginia Tech Hokies vs Oklahoma State Cowboys (-4.5, 63)

Game to be played at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Mason Rudolph, who was once recruited by Virginia Tech, will take the nation’s top passing attack in No. 17 Oklahoma State to Orlando on Dec. 28 to challenge the 22nd-ranked Hokies in the Camping World Bowl. Rudolph completed 65 percent of his 457 attempts with 35 touchdowns against nine interceptions and led FBS in passing yards (4,553) and points responsible for per game (22.5). “We tried to recruit him,” longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster told reporters. “He’s big, got a live arm. Very accurate. Strong. … I think the NFL guys will like him a lot because he’s in that 6-4, 6-5 range, and he’s a drop-back guy. … Just a lot of game experience, and it shows by his completion percentage, where he throws the ball, how quickly he gets rid of it, all those things.”

The Hokies, however, have seen numerous up-tempo, spread offenses this season and haven’t allowed 400 yards passing in any game this season and only two 300-yard games. Opposing quarterbacks completed 46.9 percent of their passes for an average of 187.2 yards per game with 14 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. “I have a ton of respect for (Bud Foster). He's been around there forever and he's one of the most well-thought of guys in the country,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy told reporters. “Obviously they're only giving up 13 points a game, so we'll have our hands full on offense. I've watched them play a lot through the years. I know that he's got them in the top-20 in total defense and pass defense, and the top five in scoring and third-down defense, so he's doing well like always.”

Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente, once a highly recruited quarterback in the state of Oklahoma, was recruited by Gundy, who was then a graduate assistant with the Cowboys. Hokies offensive line coach Vance Vice played with Gundy in Stillwater from 1986-88 where the two won the 1987 Holiday Bowl and 1988 Liberty Bowl alongside Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders. "Vance and I were pretty good buddies in college and lived across the hall from each other in the dorms during the time that we were playing,” Gundy recalled. “We've been friends for a long time. He was kind of a tough guy back in the day as one of those very physical tight ends in our offense.”

TV: 5:15 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Oklahoma State opened as 6.5-point favorites however that number has been bet down to 4.5. The total hit betting boards at 62.5 and has been bet up slightly to 63.

INJURY REPORT:

Virginia Tech - WR S. Savoy (Probable, Undisclosed), TE D. Deiuiis (Questionable, Hamstring), K J. Slye (Questionable, Hamstring), OL Y. Nijman (Questionable, Leg), DB M. Reynolds (Questionable, Lower Body), WR C. Phillips (Out, Hernia), DE V. Mihota (Out For Season, Knee), S T. Edmunds (Out For Season, Shoulder), DB D. Deablo (Out For Season, Foot), WR C. Farley (Out For Season, Knee).

Oklahoma State - OL L. Williams (Out For Season, Ankle), LB K. Henry (Out For Season, Knee).

WEATHER REPORT: 67 and cloudy at game time - 11 mph winds throughout the game

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS, 3-8-1 O/U): Freshman quarterback Josh Jackson, who completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 2,743 yards with 19 TDs against eight interceptions, will attack a Cowboys' defense that yielded nearly 30 points per game and 400 total yards. Running back Travon McMillian, who led the Hokies in rushing (439 yards), decided to transfer and will not play. The Hokies have a decided edge in the kicking game, as they rank in the top 30 nationally in all four major special teams categories – punts, punt returns, kickoffs and kickoff returns - with Greg Stroman returning two punts for a touchdown and Virginia Tech yielding only 42 total yards on punt returns this season.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS, 9-3 O/U): Rudolph will certainly be targeting wide receiver James Washington, the ninth unanimous All-American in school history and recipient of the 2017 Biletnikoff Award presented to the nation's top receiver. He finished the regular season with 69 catches for an FBS-high 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns, and the senior led all FBS players with 17 catches of 30 yards or longer, 10 catches of 40 yards or longer and seven catches of 50 yards or longer. Sophomore running back Justice Hill ran for 1,347 yards – the most by a Cowboy in five years – and 14 TDs.

CONSENSUS: The public is siding with the favorite Oklahoma State Cowboys at a rate of 71 percent and the Over is getting 68 percent of the totals action.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Thursday, December 28

Valero Alamo Bowl Betting Preview and Odds: Stanford vs Texas Christian

Stanford Cardinal vs Texas Christian Horned Frogs (-3, 49)

Game to be played at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

TCU’s elite run defense faces its toughest test of the season when the team faces Stanford and running back Bryce Love in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Antonio. Love finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting after leading Power 5 running backs in rushing yards (1,973), rushing yards per game (164.4), yards per carry (8.3) and runs of 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards. “I don’t know if you could ask anything more of a football player,” Cardinal coach David Shaw told reporters.

Stanford bounced back from a loss at Washington State to win the Pac-12 North Division but fell 31-28 in the conference title game despite strong efforts from Love and sophomore quarterback K.J. Costello, who passed for 192 yards and two touchdowns. TCU closed with back-to-back wins over Texas Tech and Baylor to secure a spot in the Big 12 championship game, where it was outscored 17-0 in the second half of a 41-17 loss to Oklahoma. TCU is 5-0 against Pac-12 opponents under coach Gary Patterson, including two wins over Stanford.

TCU has limited opponents to 3.2 yards per carry (eighth in the nation) behind defensive ends Mat Boesen and Ben Banogu, who led the Big 12 in sacks with 11.5 and 8.5, respectively. Making their second appearance in the Alamo Bowl over the last three seasons, the Horned Frogs rallied from a 31-0 halftime deficit to defeat Oregon 47-41 in triple overtime in their last visit on Jan. 2, 2016. This year’s trip could be just as dramatic, considering that eight of TCU’s last nine bowl games have been decided by seven points or fewer.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: TCU opened as two-point favorites and have been bet up slightly to -3. The total hit betting boards at 46.5 and has been bumped up to 49.

INJURY REPORT:

Stanford - T W. Little (Questionable, Undisclosed), DE E. Cotton (Questionable, Foot), CB T. Alexander (Out Indefinitely, Forearm), CB A. Holder (Out For Season, Knee), LB S. Barton (Out For Season, Knee).

Texas Christian - RB D. Anderson (Questionable, Foot), LB M. Wilson (Questionable, Undisclosed), PK J. Song (Questionable, Groin), QB S. Robinson (Questionable, Undisclosed), CB J. Lewis (Out For Season, Undisclosed0.

WEATHER REPORT: 46 and cloudy at kickoff - 5 mph wind throughout the game

ABOUT STANFORD (9-4 SU, 6-6-1 ATS, 5-8 O/U): The Cardinal's offense was fairly one-dimensional before Costello took over as the starter late in the season and finished with a total of 11 touchdowns against three interceptions. Costello’s favorite targets are wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside (six touchdowns) and tight end Dalton Schultz, an All-Pac-12 First-Team selection. Senior defensive lineman Harrison Phillips had 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries to lead a unit that has allowed 21.5 points per game and owns a plus-15 turnover margin, which tied for second in the nation.

ABOUT TCU (10-3 SU, 6-7 ATS, 3-10 O/U): Senior quarterback Kenny Hill accounted for 25 touchdowns while completing 67.2 percent of his passes to lead a balanced offense that averaged 33.2 points per contest but struggled in the Big 12 title game. TCU had five All-Big 12 First-Team selections on defense, including the duo of Boesen and Banogu, linebacker Travin Howard, safety Nick Orr and cornerback Ranthony Texada. Howard’s 83 tackles, including seven for loss, have him on pace to become the first player to lead the team in stops in three consecutive seasons.

CONSENSUS: The public is siding with the favorite TCU Horned Frogs at a rate of 61 percent and the Over is getting 54 percent of the totals action.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, December 28, 2017
Where: Captial One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
Matchup Edge
BOS Edge in: WAS
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Bruins at Capitals
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The Boston Bruins picked up right where they left off before the holiday break and attempt to extend their winning streak to six contests when they begin a three-game road trip Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Boston won its final four games before the three-day layoff and returned Wednesday to post a 5-1 home victory over Ottawa.

Riley Nash helped the Bruins complete a perfect three-game homestand, recording the fourth two-goal performance of his career and adding an assist for his second three-point effort in the NHL. Boston is looking to avenge a 5-3 home loss on Dec. 14 to Washington, which returns to the nation's capital after losing the final three contests on its four-game road trip (1-1-2). The Capitals hope to get on the scoreboard against the Bruins after being blanked 3-0 at Vegas on Saturday and dropping a 1-0 decision in a shootout against the Rangers in New York on Wednesday. Philipp Grubauer made 37 saves versus the Rangers for his first shutout of the season but figures to be back on the bench Thursday in favor of Braden Holtby, who had won four straight starts before falling to the Golden Knights.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet 360, TVA, NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE BRUINS (20-10-5): Brad Marchand was kept off the scoresheet Wednesday for the third time in four games and remains one assist shy of 200 for his career. Patrice Bergeron also has landed on the scoresheet just once in his last four contests and is five points away from 700 in the NHL. The 32-year-old is tied for third on the team in scoring with rookie Danton Heinen, who registered a goal and an assist against Ottawa to raise his point total to 24.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (22-13-3): Evgeny Kuznetsov, who leads the team with 38 points, is slated to appear in his 300th NHL game on Thursday. Captain Alex Ovechkin tops the club with 23 goals and is one point behind Kuznetsov even though he has been kept off the scoresheet in four straight contests. Despite its current winless streak, Washington - which is 1-for-22 on the power play over its last nine games - has earned points in six of its last seven overall contests (4-1-2).

OVERTIME

1. Bruins G Tuukka Rask, the NHL's reigning First Star of the Week, likely will be rested after improving to 9-0-1 over his last 10 starts with Wednesday's victory.

2. Washington is a perfect 6-0-0 at home this month and has lost just once in its last nine at Capital One Arena.

3. Nash's two-goal performance versus the Senators ended his 10-game drought and doubled his output for the season.

PREDICTION: Capitals 3, Bruins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Boston at Washington

W/L Trends
Boston

Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
Bruins are 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bruins are 7-1 in their last 8 Thursday games.
Bruins are 6-1 in their last 7 road games.
Bruins are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Metropolitan.
Bruins are 7-3 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Bruins are 6-15 in their last 21 games playing on 0 days rest.
Bruins are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Washington

Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Capitals are 21-6 in their last 27 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Capitals are 61-19 in their last 80 vs. Atlantic.
Capitals are 41-14 in their last 55 home games.
Capitals are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. a team with a winning record.
Capitals are 36-16 in their last 52 Thursday games.
Capitals are 11-5 in their last 16 overall.
Capitals are 44-20 in their last 64 vs. Eastern Conference.
Capitals are 74-34 in their last 108 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 63-30 in their last 93 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 2-6 in their last 8 games playing on 0 days rest.
Capitals are 1-5 in their last 6 games following OT on the previous day.

OU Trends
Boston

Under is 6-1 in Bruins last 7 games playing on 0 days rest.
Under is 6-1 in Bruins last 7 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Bruins last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 22-8-2 in Bruins last 32 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 8-3-1 in Bruins last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-2 in Bruins last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Bruins last 7 games following a win.
Under is 10-4 in Bruins last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.

Washington

Over is 6-0 in Capitals last 6 Thursday games.
Over is 6-1 in Capitals last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Capitals last 6 games following OT on the previous day.
Over is 5-1 in Capitals last 6 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Capitals last 5 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 home games.

Head to Head

Under is 34-16-1 in the last 51 meetings.
Road team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Bruins are 6-20 in the last 26 meetings.
Bruins are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, December 28, 2017
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Matchup Edge
MON Edge in: TB
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Canadiens at Lightning
Gracenote
Dec 27, 2017

The Tampa Bay Lightning vie for their 10th victory in 11 games when they host the Atlantic Division-rival Montreal Canadiens on Thursday in their first meeting since the teams pulled off a blockbuster trade during the offseason. The Lightning dealt skilled forward Jonathan Drouin to the Canadiens for 19-year-old defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, who has registered more points (23) than anyone on Montreal's roster this season.

Sergachev, who is the point man on Tampa Bay’s second power-play unit, entered Wednesday second among all NHL defensemen with eight goals and has added 15 assists while posting a plus-12 rating for the league’s top team. The Lightning (15-2-1 at home) lead the league in scoring and have been getting strong goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy (23-5-1, 2.13 goals-against average, .932 save percentage) as they prepare to face the Canadiens, who have dropped two in a row. Montreal managed just 24 shots in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss at Carolina. Drouin, who recorded 21 goals and 53 points with Tampa Bay last season, has been limited to 18 points in 32 games with the Canadiens - including just one in his seven contests this month.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (16-17-4): Alex Galchenyuk scored the only goal for Montreal on Wednesday to tie Andrew Shaw for second on the team with nine tallies and pull even with Phillip Danault for the club lead at 21 points. Captain Max Pacioretty, who is slated to play in his 600th NHL contest on Thursday, is mired in a 10-game goal-scoring drought and Brendan Gallagher has notched just one of his team-best 14 tallies in his last nine contests. All-Star defenseman Shea Weber (foot) did not make the trip and David Schlemko (illness) also sat out as fellow blue-liner Brett Lernout made his second straight appearance on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (26-7-2): Nikita Kucherov led the league in goals (24) and points (51) through the holiday break and has landed on the scoresheet in seven consecutive games, collecting five tallies and six assists during his streak. Captain Steven Stamkos has cooled off a bit but still has 45 points while linemate Vladislav Namestnikov has recorded five of his career-best 15 goals over his last nine contests. Tyler Johnson enters Thursday with the longest point streak on the team, a nine-game run during which he has recorded five goals and nine assists.

OVERTIME

1. The Canadiens have earned at least one point in seven of the last eight meetings (6-1-1) but lost the last matchup 4-2 at home.

2. Tampa Bay D Victor Hedman has registered two goals, six assists and a plus-12 rating over his last six games.

3. Montreal C Tomas Plekanec is three points shy of 600 for his career.

PREDICTION: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Montreal at Tampa Bay

W/L Trends
Montreal

Canadiens are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Canadiens are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Canadiens are 2-5 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canadiens are 2-5 in their last 7 Thursday games.
Canadiens are 5-13 in their last 18 vs. a team with a winning record.
Canadiens are 2-6 in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Tampa Bay

Lightning are 11-1 in their last 12 Thursday games.
Lightning are 23-6 in their last 29 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 22-6 in their last 28 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 16-5 in their last 21 vs. Atlantic.
Lightning are 21-7 in their last 28 home games.
Lightning are 38-14 in their last 52 overall.
Lightning are 38-15 in their last 53 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Lightning are 20-8 in their last 28 games following a win.
Lightning are 5-2 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Lightning are 12-5 in their last 17 vs. a team with a losing record.
Lightning are 16-7 in their last 23 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU Trends
Montreal

Under is 11-1-1 in Canadiens last 13 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-1-1 in Canadiens last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-1 in Canadiens last 6 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 road games.
Under is 42-18-14 in Canadiens last 74 games playing on 0 days rest.
Under is 9-4 in Canadiens last 13 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 29-14-9 in Canadiens last 52 vs. Eastern Conference.

Tampa Bay

Over is 10-2 in Lightning last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 8-2 in Lightning last 10 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 12-3-1 in Lightning last 16 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 7-3 in Lightning last 10 overall.
Over is 15-7 in Lightning last 22 vs. Eastern Conference.

Head to Head

Canadiens are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, December 28, 2017
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
Matchup Edge
PHI Edge in: FLA
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Flyers at Panthers
Gracenote
Dec 27, 2017

The Philadelphia Flyers picked a good time to be on the road - at least weather-wise - when they visit the Sunshine State for a back-to-back that begins Thursday night at the Florida Panthers. It may not be the best time for Philadelphia to square off with the Panthers, who are riding a season-high three-game winning streak.

The wildly inconsistent Flyers have dropped three of four, including a back-to-back to start off the current four-game road stretch. Philadelphia had won six in a row prior to the latest stumble, a winning streak that came on the heels of a 10-game slide. Florida made it three straight wins by blanking Ottawa 1-0 behind 38 saves from James Reimer, and coach Bob Boughner knows how important it is for his team to start making a move in the Atlantic Division. "When we get back, we realize the job we have in hand," Boughner told reporters. "We got to play a little bit of catch-up in the standings."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN Philadelphia, FSN Florida

ABOUT THE FLYERS (15-13-8): Michal Neuvirth, who has missed a month due to a lower-body injury, was activated off injured reserve Tuesday and that could lighten the load on Brian Elliott after he made 11 consecutive starts in net. Captain Claude Giroux continued his hot streak by setting up the lone goal in Saturday's shootout loss to Columbus, giving him two goals and 12 assists in the last nine games. He had a goal and an assist in Philadelphia's win over Florida in October.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (15-16-5): Center Vincent Trocheck, who leads Florida in goals (14) and is tied with Jonathan Huberdeau with a team-high 35 points, was back at practice Wednesday. Trocheck, who has 12 points in his last 11 games, had to exit Saturday's game and underwent X-rays after taking a puck to the ribs in the third period. "He's that guy. He just keeps going," Boughner told reporters. "He's a warrior and it's great that he's had good news. He's a big part of what we're doing here."

OVERTIME

1. The Flyers routed visiting Florida 5-1 on Oct. 17 to run their winning streak in the series to five games.

2. Panthers G James Reimer, who has made nine straight starts, is 3-4-3 with a 2.56 goals-against average versus Philadelphia.

3. Flyers leading scorer Jakub Voracek has 14 points over the last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Flyers 4, Panthers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Philadelphia at Florida

W/L Trends
Philadelphia

Flyers are 5-1 in their last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 Thursday games.
Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Flyers are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
Flyers are 15-7 in their last 22 vs. Atlantic.
Flyers are 16-36 in their last 52 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Flyers are 3-7 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Flyers are 13-31 in their last 44 road games.
Flyers are 2-5 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Flyers are 3-8 in their last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Florida

Panthers are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Panthers are 19-8 in their last 27 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Panthers are 17-36 in their last 53 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Panthers are 4-9 in their last 13 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Panthers are 4-9 in their last 13 games following a win.
Panthers are 7-16 in their last 23 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Panthers are 3-9 in their last 12 vs. Metropolitan.
Panthers are 0-5 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

OU Trends
Philadelphia

Under is 4-0-1 in Flyers last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Flyers last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 10-3-2 in Flyers last 15 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 18-7-1 in Flyers last 26 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 5-2-1 in Flyers last 8 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Flyers last 7 road games.
Under is 14-6-3 in Flyers last 23 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 31-14-7 in Flyers last 52 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Florida

Over is 5-0 in Panthers last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 7-1 in Panthers last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 7-1 in Panthers last 8 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 9-2 in Panthers last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 home games.
Under is 8-2 in Panthers last 10 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 6-2 in Panthers last 8 Thursday games.
Under is 8-3 in Panthers last 11 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Panthers last 11 games following a win.
Under is 5-2 in Panthers last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Panthers last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

Head to Head

Flyers are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Under is 14-6-1 in the last 21 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, December 28, 2017
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Matchup Edge
TOR Edge in: ARI
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Maple Leafs at Coyotes
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to win consecutive games away from home for the first time since the end of November when they continue their five-game road trip Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes. Toronto had lost four straight in opposing rinks before posting a 3-2 victory over the Rangers in New York on Saturday.

Auston Matthews scored the winning goal and added an assist after missing six games with a concussion as the Maple Leafs improved to 1-1-0 on their trek. The 20-year-old Matthews leads Toronto with 28 points and is three shy of 100 in his brief career. The Coyotes are coming off their second win in three games, a 3-1 triumph at Colorado on Wednesday that earned them a split of the home-and-home set. Arizona is looking to complete a sweep of the season series after posting a 4-1 victory at Toronto on Nov. 20 to extend its winning streak to a season-high three games and halt a six-game run by the Maple Leafs.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Ontario (Toronto), FSN Arizona

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (22-14-1): William Nylander also registered a goal and an assist against New York, giving him two of each during his three-game point streak. The 21-year-old forward's next point will be his 100th in the NHL. Mitch Marner also is riding a three-game point streak during which he has recorded two goals and four assists.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (9-25-5): Clayton Keller enters Thursday with a six-game point streak after notching an assist against the Avalanche. The 19-year-old rookie, who leads Arizona with 30 points, has collected two goals and five assists - one in each of his last five contests - during his run. Lawson Crouse, who was recalled from Tucson of the American Hockey League a day earlier, scored his first goal of the season on Wednesday after going seven games without a point during a stint with the Coyotes in October.

OVERTIME

1. Maple Leafs LW James van Riemsdyk leads the team with 16 goals but has recorded just one in his last five contests.

2. Arizona C Zac Rinaldo will serve the second contest of the six-game suspension he received for punching Colorado's Samuel Girard on Saturday.

3. Marner scored only two goals over his first 34 games this season.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 6, Coyotes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Toronto at Arizona

W/L Trends
Toronto

Maple Leafs are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Maple Leafs are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Pacific.
Maple Leafs are 2-5 in their last 7 Thursday games.
Maple Leafs are 7-19 in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Maple Leafs are 1-4 in their last 5 road games.

Arizona

Coyotes are 33-67 in their last 100 vs. Eastern Conference.
Coyotes are 48-102 in their last 150 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Coyotes are 18-39 in their last 57 games playing on 0 days rest.
Coyotes are 16-35 in their last 51 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Coyotes are 15-36 in their last 51 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Coyotes are 19-48 in their last 67 Thursday games.
Coyotes are 32-89 in their last 121 vs. a team with a winning record.
Coyotes are 4-12 in their last 16 vs. Atlantic.
Coyotes are 13-39 in their last 52 overall.
Coyotes are 5-16 in their last 21 games following a win.
Coyotes are 1-4 in their last 5 home games.

OU Trends
Toronto

Under is 4-0 in Maple Leafs last 4 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 17-4 in Maple Leafs last 21 vs. Pacific.
Under is 4-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 6 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 road games.
Under is 7-3 in Maple Leafs last 10 games playing on 3 or more days rest.

Arizona

Under is 6-0 in Coyotes last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 41-10-6 in Coyotes last 57 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Under is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 20-6 in Coyotes last 26 overall.
Under is 6-2 in Coyotes last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 14-5 in Coyotes last 19 Thursday games.
Over is 8-3-1 in Coyotes last 12 games playing on 0 days rest.
Under is 8-3 in Coyotes last 11 home games.
Under is 5-2 in Coyotes last 7 games following a win.
Under is 37-18-4 in Coyotes last 59 vs. a team with a winning record.

Head to Head

Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Maple Leafs are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings in Arizona.
Road team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Maple Leafs are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, December 28, 2017
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Matchup Edge
CHI Edge in: VAN
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Blackhawks at Canucks
Gracenote
Dec 27, 2017

The Christmas break could not come at a better time for the Chicago Blackhawks, who followed a five-game winning streak by dropping two in a row to kick off a season-high six-game road trip. Chicago looks to get back on track during the western Canada portion of its trek with a visit to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

The Blackhawks received a proverbial lump of coal in their stockings with the news that netminder Corey Crawford was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Crawford, who was yanked in the first period of Saturday's 4-1 loss at New Jersey, will miss at least the next three games. Vancouver also has been hit hard by injuries, losing productive forwards Sven Baertschi and Bo Horvat earlier in December for at least a month each. The Canucks are reeling with losses in four straight and eight of their last nine (1-7-1), including five of their last six games at home.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Chicago, Sportsnet 360, SN East, SN One, SN Pacific (Vancouver)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (17-13-5): Crawford, who is third in the NHL in save percentage (.929) and fourth in goals-against average (2.27) showed his importance to the club when he missed the first three games this month and Chicago dropped all three. Upon his return, Crawford backstopped the Blackhawks to a five-give winning streak while surrendering a scant seven goals. Anton Forsberg (1-4-3, 3.13 GAA), whose lone win was Nov. 11 at Carolina, is expected to start the next three games.

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (15-17-5): Despite the loss of linemates Baertschi and Horvat to long-term injuries, Brock Boeser continues to carry Vancouver's offense, scoring in three straight games and seven of the last nine to reach 20 on the season. The team's first-round draft pick in 2015, Boeser leads all NHL rookies in goals and averages a point per game. "It means a lot, but it's obviously a lot better if we're getting the results we want," Boeser told reporters. "It's a tough stretch right now."

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks F Patrick Kane has five goals in his last five games, including career No. 300 in Saturday's loss.

2. Vancouver has surrendered nine power-play goals in the past seven games.

3. Chicago recalled G Jeff Glass and F David Kampf from Rockford of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Canucks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Chicago at Vancouver

W/L Trends
Chicago

Blackhawks are 5-0 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blackhawks are 5-2 in their last 7 overall.
Blackhawks are 7-3 in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Blackhawks are 62-29 in their last 91 vs. a team with a losing record.
Blackhawks are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. Pacific.
Blackhawks are 7-18 in their last 25 vs. Western Conference.
Blackhawks are 7-19 in their last 26 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blackhawks are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Blackhawks are 1-5 in their last 6 road games.
Blackhawks are 1-5 in their last 6 Thursday games.

Vancouver

Canucks are 17-35 in their last 52 vs. Central.
Canucks are 22-48 in their last 70 overall.
Canucks are 13-39 in their last 52 Thursday games.
Canucks are 13-40 in their last 53 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canucks are 6-21 in their last 27 vs. Western Conference.
Canucks are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canucks are 6-25 in their last 31 home games.
Canucks are 0-7 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Canucks are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.

OU Trends
Chicago

Under is 5-0-1 in Blackhawks last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 7-1-1 in Blackhawks last 9 road games.
Under is 11-2-3 in Blackhawks last 16 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 11-2-3 in Blackhawks last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Under is 12-3-1 in Blackhawks last 16 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Blackhawks last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Blackhawks last 5 Thursday games.
Under is 16-6-5 in Blackhawks last 27 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 5-2 in Blackhawks last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 15-6-8 in Blackhawks last 29 following a loss of 3 or more goals.

Vancouver

Over is 5-0 in Canucks last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 9-1 in Canucks last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 7-1 in Canucks last 8 overall.
Over is 5-1 in Canucks last 6 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 4-1 in Canucks last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Canucks last 5 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Canucks last 5 vs. Central.
Over is 7-2 in Canucks last 9 Thursday games.
Under is 32-14-5 in Canucks last 51 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 9-4-4 in Canucks last 17 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Head to Head

Over is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings.
Blackhawks are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in Vancouver.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, December 28, 2017
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Matchup Edge
VEG Edge in: LA
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Golden Knights at Kings
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The Vegas Golden Knights aim for the first six-game winning streak in franchise history when they visit the Pacific Division-rival Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The expansion Golden Knights have posted a five-game run in each of their first three months in the NHL thanks to Wednesday's 4-1 triumph at Anaheim.

William Karlsson scored his 17th goal to tie James Neal for the team lead as Vegas extended its point streak to 10 games (9-0-1) and moved two ahead of the Kings for first place in the Pacific. The 24-year-old Karlsson entered 2017-18 with 18 tallies in 183 NHL contests. Los Angeles is looking to extend its home winning streak to six games before embarking on a three-game trek through Western Canada. The Kings, who are coming off a 2-0 loss at San Jose on Saturday, have not fallen at Staples Center since dropping a 2-1 decision to Winnipeg on Nov. 22.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (24-9-2): After serving as Malcolm Subban's backup in Anaheim, Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to play in his 700th career game on Thursday. The 33-year-old Fleury has allowed a total of six goals while going 3-0-1 over his last four starts. Jonathan Marchessault, who leads the team with 33 points, has collected two goals and five assists during his four-game point streak.

ABOUT THE KINGS (22-11-4): The resurgence of Dustin Brown has been more than welcome by Los Angeles, as the former captain ranks second on the team with 29 points and third with 13 goals. The 33-year-old Brown is one tally away from matching his total in 80 games last season and looks to reach the 20-goal plateau for the first time since netting 22 in 2011-12. After scoring 14 and 12 goals in each of the last two campaigns, defenseman Drew Doughty has recorded just five in 2017-18 - one in his last 18 games - and needs three to reach 100 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. The Kings recalled D Kevin Gravel from Ontario of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

2. Vegas is 5-0-0 against California teams and 10-1-0 versus Pacific rivals.

3. Each of Los Angeles' last four home losses have been by one goal, with three ending with a 2-1 score.

PREDICTION: Kings 3, Golden Knights 2