Thursday 1-4-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Matchup Edge
SJ Edge in: TOR
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Sharks at Maple Leafs


The Toronto Maple Leafs will attempt to avoid a season-high fourth consecutive defeat when they host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday in the second contest of their six-game homestand. Toronto has gone nearly seven years since beating San Jose, which has won the last 10 meetings between the clubs.

Although the Maple Leafs have dropped three in a row, one was an overtime loss at Colorado and the other two came at the hands of conference leaders Vegas and Tampa Bay. “We want to be at the top, and these last two teams (Vegas and Tampa Bay) we’ve just played are at the top, and we’re not quite at that level yet, but we feel as a team that we have all the tools to be there," Toronto star forward Auston Matthews told reporters. The Sharks turned in a dud on New Year's Eve, as they were flattened by Dallas 6-0 in the opener of a six-game road trip, but they bounced back with a 4-1 win in Montreal. San Jose is 9-6-2 on the road this season and has won its last seven trips to Toronto.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS California (San Jose), Sportsnet Ontario (Toronto)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (21-12-4): San Jose's young talent is flourishing, with Timo Meier scoring twice at Montreal to give him five goals in his last eight games. Kevin Labanc collected two assists in the win to boost his point total to 12 over his last 10 contests. "They’re playing with more confidence," coach Peter DeBoer told reporters. "They’re contributing, helping us, and the older guys on the team no longer feel like they’re carrying them around. They’re starting to stand on their own.”

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (23-16-2): After piling up nine points in a four-game stretch, Mitch Marner has been kept off the scoresheet in three straight games, although it took a highlight-reel save to deny his breakaway on Tuesday. “He knows he’s a driver on this team,” coach Mike Babcock told reporters. "We count on a number of young people here, as you know, and we need them to be good.” Matthews has recorded four goals in his last five games and scored in a 3-2 loss at San Jose on Oct. 30.

OVERTIME

1. San Jose has collected 15 power-play goals in its last 11 games.

2. Maple Leafs C Nazem Kadri (upper body) was back in the lineup Tuesday but his point drought reached 12 contests.

3. Sharks G Aaron Dell owns a .942 save percentage over his last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 3, Sharks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - San Jose at Toronto

W/L Trends
San Jose

Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 Thursday games.
Sharks are 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
Sharks are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Sharks are 2-5 in their last 7 road games.
Sharks are 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sharks are 0-4 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Toronto

Maple Leafs are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Maple Leafs are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Pacific.
Maple Leafs are 7-3 in their last 10 home games.
Maple Leafs are 9-4 in their last 13 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Maple Leafs are 37-79 in their last 116 vs. a team with a winning record.
Maple Leafs are 3-7 in their last 10 overall.
Maple Leafs are 0-5 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.

OU Trends
San Jose

Under is 5-1 in Sharks last 6 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 4-1 in Sharks last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 11-3 in Sharks last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 33-11-14 in Sharks last 58 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-2 in Sharks last 7 Thursday games.
Under is 43-18-15 in Sharks last 76 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 21-9 in Sharks last 30 overall.
Under is 40-18-16 in Sharks last 74 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Toronto

Under is 4-0 in Maple Leafs last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 3-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 6-2-1 in Maple Leafs last 9 home games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 17-6 in Maple Leafs last 23 vs. Pacific.
Over is 5-2 in Maple Leafs last 7 overall.

Head to Head

Sharks are 7-0 in the last 7 meetings in Toronto.
Sharks are 17-4-2 in the last 23 meetings.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Matchup Edge
NYI Edge in: PHI
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Islanders at Flyers


Even a return to home ice could not end the slumber of the New York Islanders, who head back out on the road Thursday for a matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first of three straight contests versus Metropolitan Division rivals. New York has been outscored 15-4 during its three-game losing streak.

After allowing 48 shots in Sunday's 6-1 drubbing in Colorado, the Islanders were outshot 38-26 and gave up three third-period goals in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Boston. "Adversity is hitting us between the eyes right now as a group, as a staff, as players," New York coach Doug Weight told reporters. "We've got to find a way. ... We have three really big games and we have to figure it out." That also applies to Philadelphia, which opened a four-game homestand by absorbing a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of slumping Pittsburgh. The Flyers had won six of seven in the all-time series against New York entering this season but dropped both ends of a home-and-home set - each in overtime - in late November.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (20-16-4): Josh Bailey had his career-best 11-game point streak halted Tuesday, but he scored an overtime winner and collected three assists in the two triumphs over Philadelphia in November. The rest of the team's offense is what concerns Weight. “Some guys have disappeared,” Weight said. “We have to challenge them, challenge some ice times. There’s only so many things you can do. But some guys have to start answering the bell on a consistent basis.”

ABOUT THE FLYERS (16-15-8): Philadelphia has dropped four of its last five contests, managing a paltry six goals in the defeats, and has led after the first period in only one of its last 19 games. Brian Elliott has made 14 consecutive starts, but that streak could come to an end after he was yanked after two periods of Tuesday's setback. Back from a lower-body injury, Michal Neuvirth replaced Elliott and turned aside 10-of-11 shots in his first appearance since Nov. 28.

OVERTIME

1. Islanders D Johnny Boychuk, who has been sidelined for three games, practiced Wednesday and hopes to play versus the Flyers.

2. Philadelphia D Ivan Provorov exited Tuesday's game after blocking a shot but participated in practice on Wednesday.

3. New York rookie C Mathew Barzal scored in each matchup versus the Flyers in November.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Flyers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - NY Islanders at Philadelphia

W/L Trends
NY Islanders

Islanders are 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Islanders are 16-5 in their last 21 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Islanders are 15-6 in their last 21 vs. a team with a losing record.
Islanders are 13-27 in their last 40 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Islanders are 4-10 in their last 14 overall.
Islanders are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Islanders are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Islanders are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Islanders are 1-5 in their last 6 Thursday games.
Islanders are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Islanders are 0-6 in their last 6 road games.

Philadelphia

Flyers are 9-3 in their last 12 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Flyers are 5-2 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Flyers are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Flyers are 5-11 in their last 16 home games.
Flyers are 4-9 in their last 13 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Flyers are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
Flyers are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Flyers are 1-6 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Flyers are 0-4 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Flyers are 0-5 in their last 5 vs. Metropolitan.
Flyers are 0-4 in their last 4 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
NY Islanders

Over is 7-0 in Islanders last 7 Thursday games.
Over is 5-0-1 in Islanders last 6 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 7-1 in Islanders last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 7-1-1 in Islanders last 9 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 6-1-1 in Islanders last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-1-1 in Islanders last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 5-1 in Islanders last 6 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 25-6-3 in Islanders last 34 overall.
Over is 12-3-2 in Islanders last 17 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 12-3-2 in Islanders last 17 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Islanders last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 15-5-1 in Islanders last 21 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 15-5-2 in Islanders last 22 vs. Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia

Under is 6-0 in Flyers last 6 Thursday games.
Over is 5-0 in Flyers last 5 following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 7-1-1 in Flyers last 9 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-1 in Flyers last 8 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 6-2-1 in Flyers last 9 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 12-4-2 in Flyers last 18 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 6-2-1 in Flyers last 9 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Under is 5-2-1 in Flyers last 8 home games.
Under is 15-7-3 in Flyers last 25 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Head to Head

Islanders are 15-40 in the last 55 meetings.
Islanders are 7-20 in the last 27 meetings in Philadelphia.
Road team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: PPG PAINTS Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Matchup Edge
CAR Edge in: PIT
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Hurricanes at Penguins


The Pittsburgh Penguins are not accustomed to looking up at Carolina in the standings, but that's the position the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions find themselves as they enter Thursday's game against the visiting Hurricanes. The Penguins will be looking to win consecutive contests for the first time in more than a month.

A 5-1 victory at Philadelphia on Tuesday prevented Pittsburgh from falling into the basement of the rugged Metropolitan Division - not to mention giving the players a reason for optimism. "We definitely needed a game like that where the offense is clicking and we're playing good defense," forward Ryan Reaves told reporters. "It's something to build off, but we need to string a couple of those together." The Hurricanes are in the midst of a brutal schedule as they prepare to play the opener of a four-game road trip. Carolina followed a 7-1-0 stretch with one-goal losses to St. Louis and Washington, and visits three of the best teams in the Eastern Conference (Boston, Tampa Bay and Washington) after Thursday's contest.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Carolina), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (18-13-8): Victor Rask scored three times in a 23-game stretch before notching six goals in his last 13 contests. Rask struck for his ninth and 10th goals in the overtime loss at Washington. "He's been way better. He's been better on a consistent basis, and that's what you expect from a guy who has been in the league long enough now that he should have a level of expectations that are fair and honest," coach Bill Peters told reporters. "He's playing more towards his game, for sure."

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (20-18-3): Pittsburgh received a boost on the blue line with the returns of Kris Letang and Justin Schultz, who were sidelined for three and 11 games, respectively, due to lower-body injuries. “When they're not in our lineup, it's fairly evident we don't come out of our end zone as clean,” coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. "They're both mobile guys. They can get back to pucks quickly.” Matt Murray will get the start in net Thursday after Tristan Jarry was hurt against the Flyers.

OVERTIME

1. Murray went 3-0-0 with six goals allowed in four appearances versus the Hurricanes last season.

2. Carolina placed Marcus Kruger (lower body) on injured reserve and recalled fellow C Aleksi Saarela from Charlotte of the American Hockey League.

3. Along with Jarry (undisclosed), Penguins D Brian Dumoulin (head) and RW Carter Rowney (undisclosed) also were injured in Tuesday's victory.

PREDICTION: Penguins 3, Hurricanes 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Carolina at Pittsburgh

W/L Trends
Carolina

Hurricanes are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
Hurricanes are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Hurricanes are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
Hurricanes are 23-47 in their last 70 road games.
Hurricanes are 22-50 in their last 72 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Pittsburgh

Penguins are 6-1 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Penguins are 6-1 in their last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Penguins are 78-28 in their last 106 home games.
Penguins are 70-26 in their last 96 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Penguins are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
Penguins are 53-22 in their last 75 vs. Metropolitan.
Penguins are 9-4 in their last 13 Thursday games.
Penguins are 86-42 in their last 128 vs. Eastern Conference.
Penguins are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Penguins are 1-5 in their last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Penguins are 0-5 in their last 5 games following a win.

OU Trends
Carolina

Over is 9-2 in Hurricanes last 11 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 Thursday games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Hurricanes last 5 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 11-4-2 in Hurricanes last 17 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Hurricanes last 11 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 8-3-1 in Hurricanes last 12 road games.
Under is 38-15-4 in Hurricanes last 57 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 11-5-1 in Hurricanes last 17 overall.

Pittsburgh

Under is 5-1 in Penguins last 6 Thursday games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Penguins last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 3-1-1 in Penguins last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 9-3-2 in Penguins last 14 games following a win.
Over is 3-1-1 in Penguins last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Penguins last 7 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 7-3-1 in Penguins last 11 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 7-3-1 in Penguins last 11 home games.
Under is 7-3 in Penguins last 10 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 14-6-1 in Penguins last 21 vs. Eastern Conference.

Head to Head

Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Hurricanes are 1-7 in the last 8 meetings.
Hurricanes are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Pittsburgh.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Matchup Edge
TB Edge in: MON
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Lightning at Canadiens

While their stars up front and on the blue line are doing their thing, the Tampa Bay Lightning have ascended to the top NHL with a big boost from Andrei Vasilevskiy in his first full season as a No. 1 goaltender. The 23-year-old Russian tops the league with 26 wins and has posted three of his NHL-leading six shutouts in his last four starts as the Lightning prepare to visit the offensively challenged Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

“The big question was if (Vasilevskiy) was going to be able to handle the starting role, and ever since he took that over at the end of last year he’s done nothing but pass the test,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper told reporters after a 2-0 victory at Toronto on Tuesday. “It’s been a pleasure to watch him grow in this league. He makes us a little bit bigger on the bench.” The only goal Vasilevskiy (1.95 goals-against, .937 save percentage) permitted in his last four games was a power-play tally in the 3-1 victory Dec. 28 against Montreal, which has scored four times during a five-game losing streak. The Canadiens dropped a 4-1 decision to San Jose on Tuesday in the opener of a five-game homestand. “It just seems like we’re playing an easy game right now, making it easy on opponents,” Montreal defenseman Jeff Petry told reporters. “I don’t know if it’s just mental lapses from our structure or just wanting to do our own things, but it’s definitely not working.”

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

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (29-8-2): Top scorers Nikita Kucherov (league-best 56 points, 25 goals) and captain Steven Stamkos (49 points) were limited to three shots in the victory at Toronto while Alex Killorn and Cedric Paquette tallied. Tyler Johnson (12 games) and Kucherov (10 games) saw their point streaks end and defenseman Victor Hedman did not make the scoresheet, but the Norris Trophy candidate owns a plus-17 rating in his last 14 games. It was Paquette’s first goal of the season and Killorn notched his fifth along with his 22nd point.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (16-20-4): Forward Alex Galchenyuk is the only player who has been fairly steady offensively the last month with 11 of his team-leading 22 points in his last 14 contests. Right wing Brendan Gallagher managed only two of his team-high 15 goals in the last dozen games and center Jonathan Drouin, acquired from Tampa Bay in the offseason, has just one point in his past 10 contests and is slated to play his 200th NHL game Thursday. Forward Andrew Shaw scored Montreal’s only goal Tuesday to become the second player to reach double figures (10).

OVERTIME

1. Tampa Bay D Mikhail Sergachev, who came over in the Drouin trade, has three assists and a plus-4 rating in the last two contests.

2. Montreal G Carey Price made 31 saves in the Dec. 28 game at Tampa Bay and is 12-13-6 with a .915 save percentage lifetime against the Lightning.

3. The Lightning are 3-0-1 in the last four meetings after dropping five straight against the Canadiens.

PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Canadiens 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Tampa Bay at Montreal

W/L Trends
Tampa Bay

Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Lightning are 9-2 in their last 11 games following a win.
Lightning are 13-3 in their last 16 Thursday games.
Lightning are 21-5 in their last 26 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 18-5 in their last 23 vs. Atlantic.
Lightning are 24-7 in their last 31 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 16-5 in their last 21 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 21-7 in their last 28 games playing on 1 days rest.
Lightning are 20-7 in their last 27 road games.
Lightning are 41-15 in their last 56 overall.
Lightning are 13-6 in their last 19 vs. a team with a losing record.
Lightning are 38-18 in their last 56 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.

Montreal

Canadiens are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Canadiens are 20-7 in their last 27 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Canadiens are 2-6 in their last 8 Thursday games.
Canadiens are 1-4 in their last 5 home games.
Canadiens are 1-7 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Canadiens are 0-4 in their last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canadiens are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.
Canadiens are 0-4 in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Canadiens are 0-4 in their last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canadiens are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU Trends
Tampa Bay

Under is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Under is 15-5-6 in Lightning last 26 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 9-3 in Lightning last 12 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 6-2 in Lightning last 8 road games.
Over is 6-2 in Lightning last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Montreal

Under is 3-0-1 in Canadiens last 4 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-0 in Canadiens last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Canadiens last 7 following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Under is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Under is 19-6-1 in Canadiens last 26 overall.
Under is 6-2-1 in Canadiens last 9 vs. Atlantic.
Under is 8-3-1 in Canadiens last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 25-10-5 in Canadiens last 40 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 10-4-1 in Canadiens last 15 home games.
Under is 31-13-8 in Canadiens last 52 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 16-7-6 in Canadiens last 29 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

Head to Head

Lightning are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Montreal.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Matchup Edge
VEG Edge in: STL
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Golden Knights at Blues

Jan 4, 2018

The Vegas Golden Knights continue to be the feel-good story of the 2017-18 season while rewriting the expansion team record books as they visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Vegas has won eight straight and boasts a 13-game point streak (12-0-1) - NHL records for a first-year club - after Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Stanley Cup contender Nashville, and also own a four-game road winning streak.

"We just keep playing our game and have good success," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant told reporters Tuesday after Vegas improved to an eye-popping 17-2-1 at home. "It's about competing and getting ready for the next game. If we keep playing the kind of hockey we're playing, we're going to win a lot of hockey games." The Golden Knights, who are 10-7-1 on the road, lead the Pacific Division with a Western Conference-most 56 points - four fewer than NHL-best Tampa Bay - while St. Louis sits second in the Central, one point behind Winnipeg. The Blues have righted the ship with two straight victories after a 2-7-0 stretch for their first back-to-back wins since Dec. 9-10. "We’ve got to build off it,” Blues coach Mike Yeo told reporters after Tuesday's 3-2 shootout victory over New Jersey. “We’ve said it before that we felt when things were not going well, we were sharpening up in our game and now we have to make sure we keep pushing it to another level.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Vegas), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (27-9-2): Jonathan Marchessault (team-high 37 points), who signed a six-year, $30 million contract extension Wednesday, has scored in three straight contests and owns a seven-game point streak (five goals, six assists). Reilly Smith recorded his first goal in eight games Tuesday, giving Vegas five players with 10 or more goals. William Karlsson (club-best 20 goals) has five tallies in his last five contests, James Neal (17) has gone five games without scoring after recording one in three straight contests and Erik Haula, who played his 300th career game Tuesday, has 14.

ABOUT THE BLUES (25-15-2): Vladimir Tarasenko shares the team lead in goals with Brayden Schenn after scoring his 17th of the season Tuesday and second in the last three games. Schenn (club-most 41 points) has only two goals and two assists in 12 games since Jaden Schwartz was lost with an ankle injury, and scored once in the past 11 contests. Vladimir Sobotka registered his eighth goal of the season Tuesday and is one shy of matching his career high set in 2013-14.

OVERTIME

1. The Golden Knights are an NHL-best 17-1-0 when scoring first.

2. St. Louis is 0-for-15 on the power play over the last six games and 1-for-23 in the past eight while Vegas is 12-for-12 on the penalty kill over its last five contests.

3. The Golden Knights prevailed 3-2 on Karlsson's overtime goal in the first meeting Oct. 21 in Las Vegas.

PREDICTION: Blues 3, Golden Knights 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Vegas at St. Louis

W/L Trends
Vegas

Golden Knights are 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
Golden Knights are 7-0 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Golden Knights are 5-0 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Golden Knights are 18-3 in their last 21 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 19-4 in their last 23 vs. Western Conference.
Golden Knights are 14-3 in their last 17 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 20-6 in their last 26 games following a win.
Golden Knights are 19-7 in their last 26 overall.
Golden Knights are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Central.

St. Louis

Blues are 10-4 in their last 14 Thursday games.
Blues are 1-5 in their last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blues are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Pacific.
Blues are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.

OU Trends
Vegas

Under is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 games following a win.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. Central.
Over is 7-2-1 in Golden Knights last 10 road games.
Over is 13-4-2 in Golden Knights last 19 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 11-4-1 in Golden Knights last 16 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 12-5-2 in Golden Knights last 19 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 7-3 in Golden Knights last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.

St. Louis

Under is 4-0 in Blues last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 6-0 in Blues last 6 Thursday games.
Under is 11-1 in Blues last 12 home games.
Under is 6-1 in Blues last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Blues last 6 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 16-5 in Blues last 21 overall.
Under is 21-8-3 in Blues last 32 vs. Pacific.
Under is 23-9 in Blues last 32 games following a win.
Under is 30-12-5 in Blues last 47 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 35-15-4 in Blues last 54 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 36-17-5 in Blues last 58 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Head to Head
No trends available.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Matchup Edge
BUF Edge in: MIN
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Sabres at Wild


The Minnesota Wild could finally have their entire lineup back on the ice together when they go for a fourth victory in five games Thursday night against the improving Buffalo Sabres. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk has won two straight games since his return, left wing Zach Parise made his season debut in the 5-1 win over Florida on Tuesday and right wing Nino Niederreiter practiced Wednesday after missing five contests with a lower-body injury.

“Getting (Parise) back is such a big lift for us,” Minnesota center Matt Cullen, 41, told reporters after scoring twice Tuesday. “Obviously he competes and the way he competes on the ice himself, also the trickle-down effect throughout our lineup. It was evident tonight. I thought all the lines were going.” Dubnyk has allowed three goals on 69 shots in two games since missing 2½ weeks with and lower-body injury and could be in net as the Wild go for an eighth win in the last 10 contests against Buffalo. The Sabres are slowly recovering from a rough start with points in nine of the past 12 games (4-3-5) after losing 3-2 in overtime to the New York Rangers in the outdoor Winter Classic on Monday. “We can’t stop there,” defenseman Zach Bogosian told the Buffalo News after the Classic. “We’ve got to keep pushing forward and getting better and better every day. Definitely a fun experience (Monday), but now that is over with. We’ve still got a lot of hockey left.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG Buffalo, FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE SABRES (10-20-9): Center Jack Eichel was shut out in the Winter Classic, but had four shots on net and boasts seven goals and four assists in his past seven contests to lead the team with 35 points - one better than left wing Evander Kane. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who went his first 28 games of the season without scoring, recorded a goal and an assist in each of the last two contests. Goaltender Robin Lehner, who turned aside 39 shots Monday, has recorded a .932 save percentage in his last six games despite managing only two wins (2-2-2).

ABOUT THE WILD (21-16-3): Parise had three shots on goal and logged 13:35 of ice time Tuesday after missing the first 39 contests following lower-back surgery in October. “I felt really good from the start,” Parise told reporters. “There’s still some plays that you’d like to have back off entries, but that’ll come. Kind of relearning different spots on the ice where you get pressured. … Conditioning-wise, everything else actually felt really good.” Center Eric Staal leads the team in scoring with 35 points after registering three goals and an assist in his last four contests.

OVERTIME

1. Buffalo RW Kyle Okposo, a Minnesota native, is starting to find his game with a goal and three assists in his last three appearances.

2. Cullen’s two goals brought him within one point of 700 for his career and Wild D Matt Dumba needs one for 100.

3. Sabres F Sam Reinhart, the second pick in the 2014 draft, snapped a 16-game goal drought Monday.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Sabres 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Buffalo at Minnesota

W/L Trends
Buffalo

Sabres are 71-154 in their last 225 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sabres are 6-15 in their last 21 vs. Western Conference.
Sabres are 20-51 in their last 71 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Sabres are 32-82 in their last 114 vs. a team with a winning record.
Sabres are 9-23 in their last 32 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Sabres are 17-45 in their last 62 overall.
Sabres are 14-41 in their last 55 road games.
Sabres are 8-24 in their last 32 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sabres are 15-49 in their last 64 vs. Central.
Sabres are 2-7 in their last 9 games playing on 2 days rest.
Sabres are 15-53 in their last 68 Thursday games.

Minnesota

Wild are 8-1 in their last 9 home games.
Wild are 6-1 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Wild are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Wild are 41-14 in their last 55 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Wild are 5-2 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Wild are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Atlantic.
Wild are 39-19 in their last 58 Thursday games.
Wild are 2-5 in their last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
Buffalo

Under is 6-0 in Sabres last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Sabres last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 11-3-1 in Sabres last 15 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Sabres last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 10-4-4 in Sabres last 18 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-2-2 in Sabres last 9 vs. Central.
Under is 17-7-2 in Sabres last 26 overall.
Under is 47-23-12 in Sabres last 82 games playing on 2 days rest.

Minnesota

Over is 5-1 in Wild last 6 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Over is 8-2 in Wild last 10 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in Wild last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-3-1 in Wild last 12 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 5-2 in Wild last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Wild last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 5-2 in Wild last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 13-6 in Wild last 19 games following a win.

Head to Head

Sabres are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Minnesota.
Road team is 16-5 in the last 21 meetings.
Sabres are 2-7 in the last 9 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:30 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Matchup Edge
NJ Edge in: DAL
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Devils at Stars


The New Jersey Devils look to end a pair of losing streaks as they continue their four-game road trip Thursday against the Dallas Stars. New Jersey dropped a 3-2 shootout decision in St. Louis on Tuesday, extending its slide on the road to four games (0-2-2) and overall skid to three (0-1-2).

Taylor Hall earned the Devils a point, scoring 1:17 into the third period to forge a 2-2 tie and increase his team-leading totals to 13 goals and 37 points. Dallas is in the midst of a six-game homestand during which it has gone 2-1-0 after being edged 2-1 by Columbus on Tuesday. The Stars took a lead early in the third period but allowed goals 1:18 apart shortly thereafter and went on to have their four-game home winning streak halted. Devin Shore has scored in back-to-back contests after going 12 games without a tally.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New Jersey), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (22-10-7): Rookie center Nico Hischier scored on Tuesday, giving him three goals in his last four games. Hischier, who was the first overall pick in the 2017 draft, turns 19 on Thursday and had gone 11 contests without a tally. Defenseman Sami Vatanen has registered a goal and three assists during his four-game point streak after notching just one point in his first 11 contests since being acquired from Anaheim.

ABOUT THE STARS (22-16-3): Jason Dickinson was in the lineup Tuesday due to the absence of Remi Elie (flu), registering three hits and blocking a shot in 7 minutes, 20 seconds of ice time. The 22-year-old forward has been kept off the scoresheet in six games this season after recording three goals in 11 contests over the previous two campaigns. Defenseman Marc Methot, whose next assist will be his 100th in the NHL, has not played since Nov. 6 due to a knee injury but could return Thursday.

OVERTIME

1. Devils LW Miles Wood is slated to appear in his 100th NHL contest Thursday.

2. Dallas C Tyler Seguin has landed on the scoresheet in five of his last six games, collecting five goals and two assists in that span.

3. New Jersey G Cory Schneider is expected to be in the crease after being rested Tuesday following nine straight starts.

PREDICTION: Stars 3, Devils 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - New Jersey at Dallas

W/L Trends
New Jersey

Devils are 6-1 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Devils are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Central.
Devils are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Devils are 6-2 in their last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Devils are 24-50 in their last 74 games playing on 1 days rest.
Devils are 16-37 in their last 53 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Devils are 15-36 in their last 51 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Devils are 7-19 in their last 26 Thursday games.
Devils are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.

Dallas

Stars are 9-0 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Stars are 4-12 in their last 16 Thursday games.
Stars are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Metropolitan.
Stars are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU Trends
New Jersey

Under is 5-1 in Devils last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 6-2 in Devils last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-2 in Devils last 7 road games.
Under is 5-2 in Devils last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Dallas

Over is 8-1 in Stars last 9 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Stars last 5 overall.
Over is 8-2 in Stars last 10 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 8-2 in Stars last 10 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Stars last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 26-8-1 in Stars last 35 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 6-2 in Stars last 8 home games.
Over is 5-2 in Stars last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 5-2 in Stars last 7 Thursday games.

Head to Head

Under is 10-4-2 in the last 16 meetings in Dallas.
Home team is 15-6 in the last 21 meetings.
Devils are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings in Dallas.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Matchup Edge
CLB Edge in: COL
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Blue Jackets at Avalanche

Jan 4, 2018

The Columbus Blue Jackets try for consecutive victories for the first time since Dec. 8-9 when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Columbus, which has won four straight in Denver, is 6-7-2 in its last 15 games after Tuesday's come-from-behind, 2-1 victory at Dallas moved them within four points of first-place Washington in the crowded Metropolitan Division.

“It’s huge. Once you start losing a few games, you want to come back and win a game,” the Blue Jackets' Oliver Bjorkstrand told reporters after scoring twice 1:18 apart in the third period Tuesday. “I feel like we were ready to play and played the right way. ...” Colorado has won three straight at home and is 3-1-0 on its six-game homestand after Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory over Winnipeg. "We understand the importance of the homestretch we have been on and, like we talked about, we have to make sure that we take advantage of that because there is going to come a time where we are going to have to go on the road and do the same thing,'' Avalanche coach Jared Bednar told reporters. Tuesday's win came with a cost, however, as goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who played only 24 games last season because of a groin injury, left in the second period with a lower-body ailment.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (23-15-3): Sergei Bobrovsky (19-11-3, 2.44 goals-against average, .919 save percentage) shook off a mini-slump (nine goals allowed in two games) by making 21 saves to earn his 200th career victory Tuesday, telling reporters: “We played as one fist, one unit. ...'' Artemi Panarin, who in December tied club records for assists (13) and points (18) in a month, boasts team highs of 24 assists and 34 points. Josh Anderson (club-best 14 goals) has scored only once in the last seven games while Zach Werenski is second on the team and leads NHL defensemen with 11 tallies.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (20-16-3): The top line centered by Nathan MacKinnon continues to produce as left wing Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists Tuesday while MacKinnon added a goal and an assist, and along with Gabriel Landeskog has produced seven goals and 18 points in the last four games. Jonathan Bernier (7-7-1, 3.15 GAA, .898 SP) picked up the victory in relief Tuesday and was 2-1-1 in four straight starts in November when Varlamov was ill. Defenseman Erik Johnson has scored in each of the last two games, including in overtime Tuesday, and is plus-5 in his last three games and plus-1 for the season.

OVERTIME

1. Bobrovsky is 4-1-1, 2.42, .909 versus Colorado.

2. Colorado had its streak of killing penalties end at 36 on Tuesday, the second-longest run in franchise history. The Avalanche have the NHL's top penalty-killing unit at home at 92.5 percent.

3. The last four meetings have been decided by one goal, with Columbus winning three of those encounters.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Avalanche 2