Saturday 2-17-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Matchup Edge
ANA Edge in: MIN
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Ducks at Wild
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

The solid play of Adam Henrique and John Gibson are arguably the biggest reasons why the Anaheim Ducks are still afloat in the Western Conference playoff chase as they continue a four-game road trip Saturday versus the Minnesota Wild. Henrique recorded his ninth goal in the last 14 games in Thursday's 3-2 victory over Chicago while Gibson made 42 saves, improving to 2-1-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .939 save percentage since returning from a lower-body injury.

"You take the two points and move forward,'' Henrique told reporters. "We're going into another tough building in another huge game for us, so we can't sit on this one for long. We've got to take the positives and hopefully carry over that momentum on Saturday." Henrique, who was acquired from New Jersey on Nov. 30, counts six game-winners among his 14 goals in 34 games with Anaheim. Minnesota is 10-1-3 in its last 14 home games after Thursday's 5-2 loss to Washington and remains in strong contention for a playoff spot in the West. "Well we're not going to win every single game here," Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk told reporters Thursday after making 22 saves. "There's going to be games like that. … I don't think we expected to win the rest of the games at home. We played a pretty good game, that's all that matters. And we'll play a better game next time and get back at it."

TV: 2 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (28-20-11): Another player largely responsible for keeping Anaheim in the race is Ondrej Kase, who recorded the second three-point game of his career with a goal and two assists Thursday, giving him 16 goals and 30 points in his second career season. Henrique centers a line flanked by Kase and Nick Ritchie, whose goal and assist gave the line three tallies and four helpers versus Chicago. The top line of Rickard Rakell (team highs of 22 goals, 46 points), captain Ryan Getzlaf (35 points), and Corey Perry (32) has produced only one assist in the last three games.

ABOUT THE WILD (31-20-6): Eric Staal (team highs of 26 goals and 52 points) has scored in the last two games and owns seven goals and eight assists in his past 12 contests. Mikael Granlund (44 points) recorded an assist versus Washington for his first point in four games after recording 16 (four goals) in his previous 13 contests. Dubnyk (23-11-4, 2.62 goals-against average, .918 save percentage) is 4-1-1, 2.32, .932 in six February starts.

OVERTIME

1. Minnesota C Mikko Koivu played his 900th game Thursday - all with the Wild - and is the franchise leader in points (644), assists (457) and games. His 187 goals are second behind Marion Gaborik (219).

2. Anaheim D Marcus Pettersson, the 38th overall pick in the 2014 draft, made his NHL debut Thursday and was a plus-2 in 13 minutes, 28 seconds of ice time.

3. Minnesota won the first of three meetings this season 3-2 in overtime Dec. 8 on D Matt Dumba's overtime goal. The final encounter occurs April 4 in Anaheim.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Ducks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

W/L Trends
Anaheim

Ducks are 47-23 in their last 70 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Ducks are 4-9 in their last 13 vs. Central.
Ducks are 2-6 in their last 8 Saturday games.
Ducks are 1-5 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Ducks are 1-8 in their last 9 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Minnesota

Wild are 5-0 in their last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Wild are 7-1 in their last 8 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Wild are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Wild are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Wild are 20-8 in their last 28 home games.
Wild are 7-3 in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Wild are 9-4 in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
Wild are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Pacific.

OU Trends
Anaheim

Under is 4-0 in Ducks last 4 overall.
Under is 6-1 in Ducks last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 6-1 in Ducks last 7 vs. Central.
Under is 10-2-3 in Ducks last 15 Saturday games.
Under is 12-3 in Ducks last 15 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 21-7-2 in Ducks last 30 games following a win.
Under is 19-7-1 in Ducks last 27 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 18-7-2 in Ducks last 27 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 15-6 in Ducks last 21 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 9-4 in Ducks last 13 road games.

Minnesota

Under is 2-0-2 in Wild last 4 following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Under is 5-1 in Wild last 6 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 4-1 in Wild last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 6-2 in Wild last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 9-3 in Wild last 12 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 5-2 in Wild last 7 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Wild last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 10-4-1 in Wild last 15 Saturday games.
Over is 22-9-9 in Wild last 40 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Head to Head

Under is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Ducks are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Minnesota.
Ducks are 12-5 in the last 17 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Matchup Edge
NYR Edge in: OTT
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Rangers at Senators
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

The New York Rangers have scored two goals or fewer in eight of their last 12 games and that lack of offense directly has correlated to their swoon in the standings. With just three wins during that stretch, the reeling Rangers bid to break out of their funk on Saturday afternoon when they conclude their four-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators.

"Last few weeks, slowly we are moving in the wrong direction not getting enough points. The way things are going, it's hard for us to score goals," said New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who watched his team fail to solve counterpart Jaroslav Halak despite registering a season-high 50 shots in Thursday's 3-0 setback to the Islanders. Lundqvist turned aside all 20 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory over Ottawa on Nov. 19, with former Senators forward Mika Zibanejad scoring in that contest. Ottawa has answered a six-game winless skid with victories in five of eight contests in February. Former Rangers Derick Brassard and Marian Gaborik each had a goal before Mike Hoffman scored 1:13 into overtime in the Senators' 3-2 win over Buffalo on Thursday.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), TVAS, TSN5 (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE RANGERS (27-26-5): Forward Pavel Buchnevich is expected to return Saturday following a seven-game absence due to a concussion. "He's in," coach Alain Vigneault said of the 22-year-old Russian, who resides third on the team in points with 32 (13 goals, 19 assists). Vigneault gave a less than 50 percent chance to play for Kevin Hayes (undisclosed), who missed practice on Friday with a maintenance day while backup goaltender Alexandar Georgiev won't be able to make his NHL debut as he nurses the flu. Vigneault said the team would recall another netminder from its minor league system in order to give workhorse Lundqvist a breather.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (20-27-9): Gaborik had a productive debut with his new team after being acquired in a four-person deal that featured defenseman Dion Phaneuf heading to Los Angeles. "It feels good to contribute to a win. It feels that much better," Gaborik said after he scored a goal and had an assist on Brassard's late third-period tally versus the Sabres. Matt Duchene set up all three goals on Thursday to increase his point total to eight (two goals, six assists) in the past five games.

OVERTIME

1. Ottawa D Erik Karlsson has eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his past nine games.

2. Rangers RW Michael Grabner, who scored in each contest against the Senators this season, had two goals and an assist in his previous three games before the team was shut out versus the Islanders.

3. Ottawa recalled Max McCormick from Belleville, activated Gabriel Dumont (undisclosed) from the injured reserve list and demoted fellow F Colin White to the American Hockey League affiliate.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Senators 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

W/L Trends
NY Rangers

Rangers are 21-8 in their last 29 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Rangers are 42-19 in their last 61 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Rangers are 35-16 in their last 51 vs. a team with a losing record.
Rangers are 2-5 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Rangers are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Rangers are 3-9 in their last 12 overall.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games.
Rangers are 2-9 in their last 11 road games.
Rangers are 1-6 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Rangers are 1-6 in their last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Ottawa

Senators are 4-0 in their last 4 home games.
Senators are 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Senators are 5-2 in their last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Senators are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Metropolitan.
Senators are 25-12 in their last 37 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Senators are 12-28 in their last 40 overall.
Senators are 3-7 in their last 10 Saturday games.
Senators are 5-12 in their last 17 games following a win.
Senators are 8-20 in their last 28 vs. a team with a losing record.
Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

OU Trends
NY Rangers

Over is 4-0 in Rangers last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 4-0 in Rangers last 4 road games.
Over is 5-1 in Rangers last 6 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Under is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 8-2 in Rangers last 10 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Rangers last 8 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 10-4-1 in Rangers last 15 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Rangers last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.

Ottawa

Over is 4-0 in Senators last 4 Saturday games.
Over is 4-1 in Senators last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Senators last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Senators last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Senators last 5 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 7-2 in Senators last 9 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 19-6-1 in Senators last 26 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 5-2 in Senators last 7 games following a win.
Under is 50-23-3 in Senators last 76 vs. a team with a losing record.

Head to Head

Home team is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings.
Under is 34-12-11 in the last 57 meetings.
Under is 15-6-7 in the last 28 meetings in Ottawa.
Rangers are 0-6 in the last 6 meetings in Ottawa.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Matchup Edge
EDM Edge in: ARI
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Oilers at Coyotes
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

The cellar-dwelling Arizona Coyotes seek their first four-game winning streak of the season as they continue their season-high seven-game homestand Saturday afternoon against the Pacific Division-rival Edmonton Oilers. Arizona, which sits in the league basement - three points behind Buffalo, also is riding a point streak that reached five games (4-0-1) with Thursday's 5-2 triumph over Montreal.

Brendan Perlini scored twice in a 19-second span early in the second period for his second two-goal performance of the season and is one tally behind team leader Clayton Keller, who opened the scoring in the opener of the homestand with his 17th. Edmonton is only eight points ahead of the Coyotes as it dropped a 4-1 decision at Vegas on Thursday to extend its losing streak to five games, with four of the setbacks coming on the road. Leon Draisaitl scored against the Golden Knights, giving him a goal in three straight contests and five of his last six, as the Oilers remained 18 points behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference and fell 18 behind Calgary for third place in the Pacific. Edmonton has won five straight meetings with the Coyotes and each of the first two this season, including a 4-2 triumph at Arizona on Jan. 12.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Edmonton), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE OILERS (23-29-4): Adam Larsson could be in the lineup Saturday after returning to Sweden because of the death of his father and missing eight games. The 25-year-old defenseman, who was drafted fourth overall in 2011 by New Jersey, has recorded three goals and three assists in 40 contests this season. Backup goaltender Al Montoya, who made his NHL debut with the Coyotes in 2008-09, was injured by a high shot during Friday's practice and may miss the game in Arizona.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (16-32-10): Keller added three assists Thursday to put his name in the Coyotes record book as he joined Kyle Turris and Martin Hanzal as the club's only rookies to register a four-point performance. The 19-year-old Keller has collected eight points over his last five games and leads the team with 44. Perlini, who also recorded a pair of two-goal efforts as a rookie last season, set a new career high in tallies Thursday after netting 14 in 2016-17.

OVERTIME

1. Coyotes C Derek Stepan notched an assist against Montreal, leaving him three points shy of 400 for his career.

2. Edmonton, which has lost eight of its last 10 on the road, is continuing a three-game trek that began Thursday and a string that features six of seven away from home during which it is 0-5-0.

3. Arizona also won three games in a row from Nov. 16-20, with all three victories coming on the road.

PREDICTION: Oilers 5, Coyotes 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

W/L Trends
Edmonton

Oilers are 6-2 in their last 8 Saturday games.
Oilers are 9-4 in their last 13 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Oilers are 27-61 in their last 88 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Oilers are 2-5 in their last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Oilers are 3-9 in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Oilers are 1-5 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Oilers are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
Oilers are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Pacific.
Oilers are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.
Oilers are 0-5 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.

Arizona

Coyotes are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Coyotes are 19-39 in their last 58 vs. Pacific.
Coyotes are 22-45 in their last 67 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation.
Coyotes are 23-48 in their last 71 Saturday games.
Coyotes are 8-20 in their last 28 games following a win.
Coyotes are 15-38 in their last 53 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Coyotes are 8-21 in their last 29 home games.
Coyotes are 16-43 in their last 59 overall.
Coyotes are 8-22 in their last 30 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Coyotes are 18-51 in their last 69 vs. Western Conference.
Coyotes are 7-20 in their last 27 vs. a team with a losing record.
Coyotes are 1-7 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

OU Trends
Edmonton

Under is 6-1 in Oilers last 7 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 4-1 in Oilers last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Over is 6-2 in Oilers last 8 overall.
Over is 8-3 in Oilers last 11 Saturday games.
Over is 5-2 in Oilers last 7 vs. Western Conference.

Arizona

Over is 5-0 in Coyotes last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 5-0 in Coyotes last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 4-0 in Coyotes last 4 Saturday games.
Under is 11-1-1 in Coyotes last 13 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-1-1 in Coyotes last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 6-1 in Coyotes last 7 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 6-2 in Coyotes last 8 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 days situation.

Head to Head

Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 26-12-2 in the last 40 meetings in Arizona.
Oilers are 10-26 in the last 36 meetings.
Oilers are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings in Arizona.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Matchup Edge
MON Edge in: VEG
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Canadiens at Golden Knights
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

The Vegas Golden Knights have a chance to match the league record for most wins by an expansion club in its inaugural season when they host the struggling Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. It will be the fourth contest of a seven-game homestand for the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights, who are a blistering 21-4-2 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas opened the homestand with a rare loss against Philadelphia but rebounded with a pair of three-goal victories over Chicago and Edmonton to maintain its double-digit cushion atop the division. "We got a couple (wins) in a row and now we go try to get the third and start building," said Golden Knights forward Erik Haula, who scored in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Oilers and also tallied in a 3-2 loss at Montreal on Nov. 7. The Canadiens continued their slide out of playoff contention by dropping their fourth in a row in a 5-2 setback at league-worst Arizona on Thursday. "We've just got to find the answer in here," Montreal forward Daniel Carr said. "We've got to be pros about everything. That's how we're going to get through this."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet360, CITY, TVA (Montreal), AT&T Sportsnet-Rocky Mountain (Vegas)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (22-28-7): Montreal has the league's worst road record (8-18-1) and has dropped five in a row and 10 of 11 away from home while being limited to one goal or less eight times in that span. Carr returned after missing five straight as a healthy scratch and provided a spark with a goal and a team-high five shots on net. "I hadn't played in awhile, so there were some little plays that I want to make better," Carr said. "As a line we did some good things and we've got to continue that going forward."

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (38-15-4): Forward William Karlsson reached a pair of milestones in Thursday's victory, scoring his team-leading 30th goal and collecting his 100th career point -- half of which have come in his first season in Vegas. Defenseman Deryk Engelland, who will turn 36 in April, set a personal best with his 18th point, eclipsing his previous high from 2011-12. “I feel great,” Engelland said. “I think this is by far my best year all around and hopefully it continues that way.”

OVERTIME

1. Vegas is an NHL-best 23-3-0 when scoring the first goal.

2. Canadiens F Brendan Gallagher has scored in three of his last four games and is three shy of his career-high 24 set in 2014-15.

3. Vegas needs one home win to tie the expansion record of 22, set by the 1979-80 Hartford Whalers.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 3, Canadiens 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

W/L Trends
Montreal

Canadiens are 20-6 in their last 26 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Canadiens are 5-2 in their last 7 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.
Canadiens are 2-5 in their last 7 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Canadiens are 7-19 in their last 26 road games.
Canadiens are 8-22 in their last 30 vs. a team with a winning record.
Canadiens are 3-9 in their last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
Canadiens are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canadiens are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Canadiens are 1-6 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Canadiens are 1-7 in their last 8 Saturday games.
Canadiens are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.

Vegas

Golden Knights are 5-0 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 6-1 in their last 7 Saturday games.
Golden Knights are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Golden Knights are 21-6 in their last 27 home games.
Golden Knights are 17-5 in their last 22 games playing on 1 days rest.
Golden Knights are 20-7 in their last 27 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 23-9 in their last 32 overall.
Golden Knights are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Golden Knights are 5-2 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Golden Knights are 10-4 in their last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU Trends
Montreal

Under is 6-0-1 in Canadiens last 7 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-0 in Canadiens last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 10-2 in Canadiens last 12 road games.
Under is 14-3-1 in Canadiens last 18 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation.
Under is 6-2 in Canadiens last 8 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Under is 21-8-2 in Canadiens last 31 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-2 in Canadiens last 7 Saturday games.
Under is 17-7-1 in Canadiens last 25 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Canadiens last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.

Vegas

Over is 4-0 in Golden Knights last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Under is 6-2 in Golden Knights last 8 home games.
Over is 6-2 in Golden Knights last 8 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Golden Knights last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Golden Knights last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 11-5 in Golden Knights last 16 games following a win.

Head to Head

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Matchup Edge
NJ Edge in: TB
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Devils at Lightning
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

Nikita Kucherov is warming up again and the NHL’s leading scorer looks to continue his latest scoring surge when the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. Kucherov easily tops the NHL with 76 points after posting four in the 4-1 victory over Detroit on Thursday and boasts four goals along with six assists in the last five games for the Lightning, who have won 20 of 26 contests on home ice.

“When he’s on his game, which he has been most of the year, he’s fun to watch,” Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman said of Kucherov, who has 31 goals - already his second best career total. “We try to get him the puck as much as we can.” Kucherov has recorded four goals and nine assists, including one of each in the 5-4 shootout loss Oct. 17 in Newark, N.J., in 10 career games against the Devils. New Jersey rebounded from a four-game slide with victories against two of the teams it is fighting with for a playoff spot - at Philadelphia (5-4, shootout) on Tuesday and Carolina (5-2) on Thursday. Devils left wing Taylor Hall looks to extend his 16-game point streak - the longest in the NHL this season and a franchise record - after notching an assist in Thursday’s victory as New Jersey solidified its spot as the top wild-card team in the Eastern Conference.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (29-20-8): Hall has registered 11 goals and 13 assists during his streak and leads the team with 60 points - well ahead of his closest pursuer rookie Nico Hischier, who has six of his 37 points in the last three games. Right wing Kyle Palmieri is warming up with three goals in his last four games while third-leading scorer and rookie forward Jesper Bratt has managed only two of his 33 points in the past eight contests. All-Star center Brian Boyle (shoulder), who has recorded 11 goals in 45 games, has been skating after missing the last two games and could possibly return for a battle with his former team Saturday.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (39-16-3): Captain Steven Stamkos, along with defenseman Victor Hedman, also had big nights Thursday and each boast seven points in their last five games. Brayden Point has assists in three straight games to pull within one of 50 points while linemate Alex Killorn owns six goals and five assists in his last eight contests. “As soon as the calendar turned to February, (Killorn) has really turned it up,” coach Jon Cooper said Thursday. “Killer’s winning all his puck battles, he’s going to the net, he’s making himself available. Early in the year, he didn’t quite have that jump, he didn’t have that speed to his game.”

OVERTIME

1. New Jersey C Travis Zajac has three assists in his past two contests and can pass Jay Pandolfo (819) for sixth in games play in franchise history Saturday.

2. The Lightning are 9-for-29 on the power play over the last eight games while the Devils are 0-for-13 in their past four outings.

3. New Jersey G Keith Kinkaid has started eight of the last nine games with G Cory Schneider (groin) injured and is 5-3-0 during that stretch.

PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Devils 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

W/L Trends
New Jersey

Devils are 8-3 in their last 11 games following a win.
Devils are 13-28 in their last 41 games playing on 1 days rest.
Devils are 17-39 in their last 56 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Devils are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Devils are 2-6 in their last 8 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Devils are 3-10 in their last 13 road games.
Devils are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games.
Devils are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Atlantic.

Tampa Bay

Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Metropolitan.
Lightning are 22-6 in their last 28 home games.
Lightning are 6-2 in their last 8 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation.
Lightning are 6-2 in their last 8 Saturday games.
Lightning are 25-9 in their last 34 games playing on 1 days rest.
Lightning are 19-7 in their last 26 vs. a team with a winning record.
Lightning are 27-11 in their last 38 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 39-16 in their last 55 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Lightning are 47-21 in their last 68 overall.
Lightning are 35-16 in their last 51 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 0-5 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
New Jersey

Over is 4-0 in Devils last 4 overall.
Over is 5-0 in Devils last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 21-5-3 in Devils last 29 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Devils last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Devils last 7 games following a win.
Under is 9-4 in Devils last 13 vs. Atlantic.

Tampa Bay

Over is 4-0 in Lightning last 4 games following a win.
Over is 10-1 in Lightning last 11 Saturday games.
Over is 7-1 in Lightning last 8 overall.
Over is 6-1 in Lightning last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 6-1 in Lightning last 7 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 days situation.
Over is 6-1 in Lightning last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 7-2 in Lightning last 9 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 8-3 in Lightning last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 13-5 in Lightning last 18 home games.

Head to Head

Home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Under is 3-1-2 in the last 6 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Under is 8-3-2 in the last 13 meetings.
Devils are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings.
Devils are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Tampa Bay.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: PPG PAINTS Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Matchup Edge
TOR Edge in: PIT
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Maple Leafs at Penguins
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

The Pittsburgh Penguins have feasted on home cookin' since the calendar flipped to 2018 but their bid to taste their 11th consecutive victory will be put to the test on Saturday when they host the surging Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs, who have won five in a row and nine of their last 10 overall, posted a 4-3 victory over the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Dec. 9.

Nazem Kadri recorded a career-best five-point performance (three goals, two assists) and his fellow linemates Mitch Marner and Patrick Marleau totaled five more as Toronto overcame a staggering 57 shots by Columbus in a 6-3 win on Wednesday. "My linemates contributed just as much as I did. They found me, I just tried to get open, and the puck seemed to find me," the 27-year-old Kadri said of a line has erupted for 34 points since being formed on Jan. 24. Marner had three assists in the first meeting with Pittsburgh, which saw Evgeni Malkin score in that contest and extend his home point streak to six games with an empty-net tally in Thursday's 3-1 triumph over Los Angeles. The 2012 Hart Trophy recipient has 25 points (15 goals, 10 assists) in his last 12 contests at PPG Paints Arena while captain Sidney Crosby has 20 points in the last 10 games and former Maple Leaf Phil Kessel has 18 in that same stretch.

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

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (35-19-5): Mike Babcock isn't one to freely distribute verbal bouquets, but Toronto's coach was quick to applaud Frederik Andersen after the 28-year-old netminder turned aside a career-high 54 shots on Wednesday. "That's Freddie's effort. Freddie was real good; we weren't very good for some reason," Babcock said. "(The Blue Jackets) had jump and we didn't. But we scored early and then we were able to score on our chances and Freddie was outstanding and we had some guys who really battled." Andersen made 33 saves in the December meeting with Pittsburgh to even his career mark at 2-2-0 against the club.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (33-22-4): Matt Murray celebrated his 100th career start on Thursday with a 34-save performance to improve to 6-0-1 in his last seven starts while boosting his save percentage to .924 in his last 10 outings. "Our D were doing a great job of getting stick and bodies, and letting me see the puck. When they do that, it makes my job a whole lot easier," Murray said. Fellow 23-year-old Zach Aston-Reese scored for the first time on the power play and has three goals in the last two contests - including two-game winning tallies in as many outings.

OVERTIME

1. Marner has collected 13 points (seven goals, six assists) over his last 10 games while Marleau has erupted for six (two goals, four assists) in his past three.

2. Penguins D Kris Letang has recorded a point in back-to-back contests and has four (one goal, three assists) in his last four games.

3. Toronto C Tyler Bozak scored two goals and set up another in the teams' first meeting, but has been limited to just two goals in his last 29 games.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Penguins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

W/L Trends
Toronto

Maple Leafs are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
Maple Leafs are 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
Maple Leafs are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
Maple Leafs are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Maple Leafs are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Maple Leafs are 5-1 in their last 6 Saturday games.
Maple Leafs are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Maple Leafs are 15-38 in their last 53 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Pittsburgh

Penguins are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Penguins are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Penguins are 8-2 in their last 10 overall.
Penguins are 10-3 in their last 13 vs. a team with a winning record.
Penguins are 56-18 in their last 74 home games.
Penguins are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Atlantic.
Penguins are 30-10 in their last 40 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Penguins are 5-2 in their last 7 games following a win.
Penguins are 45-21 in their last 66 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Penguins are 93-44 in their last 137 vs. Eastern Conference.
Penguins are 4-9 in their last 13 Saturday games.

OU Trends
Toronto

Under is 4-0 in Maple Leafs last 4 road games.
Under is 6-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 8 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Maple Leafs last 6 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 4-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Maple Leafs last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 8-2-1 in Maple Leafs last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 13-5 in Maple Leafs last 18 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 12-5-2 in Maple Leafs last 19 Saturday games.
Under is 7-3-1 in Maple Leafs last 11 games following a win.

Pittsburgh

Under is 4-0 in Penguins last 4 Saturday games.
Over is 5-1 in Penguins last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 5-1 in Penguins last 6 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Penguins last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-2 in Penguins last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Penguins last 7 games following a win.
Over is 40-19-6 in Penguins last 65 vs. Atlantic.

Head to Head

Maple Leafs are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 13-5-1 in the last 19 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Maple Leafs are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in Pittsburgh.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Matchup Edge
DET Edge in: NAS
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Red Wings at Predators
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

The Nashville Predators continue their four-game homestand Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings after a pair of streaks came to end with Thursday's 4-3 setback to Calgary. Nashville vaulted to the top of the Central Division with a 5-0-2 run in its previous seven games and goaltender Pekka Rinne suffered his first regulation loss since Jan. 2 after a 10-0-1 stretch.

"I think we've played a lot of hockey lately and we've played in a lot of tough games and have been finding ways to win a lot of hockey games," Predators center Ryan Johansen told reporters after recording a goal and an assist Thursday. "I think (Friday), we're going to stay away from the rink and just have a good day of rest. I think that'll be pretty crucial for our group right now in just hitting the reset button." Detroit is coming off a 4-1 setback at Tampa Bay on Thursday - its 11th straight loss to the Lightning - as it tries for its seventh straight victory over the Predators, who last won in the series Dec. 30, 2013. The Red Wings have five teams to pass in the race for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but captain Henrik Zetterberg remains optimistic. "I thought we've been closer, we had two wins and we lose this one," Zetterberg told reporters. "We're close, we just have to keep getting points and keep winning games. We did a lot of good things here (Thursday), but there are things we have to be better at."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (23-24-9): Tomas Tatar (15 goals, 25 points) scored Thursday and has three goals in his last three games. Frans Nielsen (13 goals, 24 points) had his five-game point streak (two goals, five assists) snapped Thursday while Dylan Larkin (team highs of 43 points and 34 assists) was kept off the scoresheet versus Tampa Bay after recording a goal and four assists over his previous four contests. Anthony Mantha (club-most 19 goals) didn't record a point Thursday after registering three goals and an assist in three games.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (34-13-9): Rinne (29-9-4, 2.36 goals-against average, .925 save percentage) gave up four goals for only the second time since Dec. 21 - a span of 15 games - but stresses he's just a part of the process. "I think it goes hand in hand with the team game, too," Rinne told The Tennessean recently. "Obviously you've got to be feeling confident. You've got to be feeling good to play well. ... I've got to be happy the way I've been playing and the way the whole team has been playing so far this year." Viktor Arvidsson and Kevin Fiala share the team lead with 18 goals apiece but each has scored only once in the last five games.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville was 3-0-2 in a stretch of five straight games that went past regulation prior to Thursday after going 5-7 in its first 12 such contests this season.

2. The Predators are 0-for-18 on the power play over their last six games while Detroit is 10-for-18 on the penalty kill in its past four contests.

3. Red Wings F Andreas Athanasiou (10 goals, 24 points) and Nashville C Kyle Turris (nine goals, 31 points) missed their last game because of illness.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

W/L Trends
Detroit

Red Wings are 19-41 in their last 60 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Red Wings are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. Central.
Red Wings are 3-10 in their last 13 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Red Wings are 0-8 in their last 8 Saturday games.

Nashville

Predators are 10-1 in their last 11 Saturday games.
Predators are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Predators are 8-2 in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Predators are 37-15 in their last 52 home games.
Predators are 11-5 in their last 16 overall.
Predators are 13-6 in their last 19 vs. a team with a losing record.

OU Trends
Detroit

Under is 4-0 in Red Wings last 4 Saturday games.
Under is 4-0 in Red Wings last 4 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 7-1 in Red Wings last 8 vs. Central.
Under is 14-3 in Red Wings last 17 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 8-2 in Red Wings last 10 road games.
Under is 9-3 in Red Wings last 12 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Red Wings last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 17-8 in Red Wings last 25 games playing on 1 days rest.

Nashville

Over is 4-1 in Predators last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Predators last 7 home games.
Over is 5-2 in Predators last 7 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Predators last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 9-4 in Predators last 13 Saturday games.

Head to Head

Red Wings are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Red Wings are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Nashville.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:30 PM ET, Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Matchup Edge
WAS Edge in: CHI
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Capitals at Blackhawks
Gracenote
Feb 16, 2018

The stunning first-to-worst collapse continues to get worse for the Chicago Blackhawks, who have yet to win in February and have gone five weeks since they were last victorious at home. The Blackhawks will attempt to put an end to a pair of droughts when they welcome the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals on Saturday night.

Chicago, which last dropped nine straight games six years ago, was unable to hold a two-goal lead in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Anaheim -- its eighth consecutive defeat overall (0-7-1) and seventh in a row at home. “I don’t know if it’s the situation we’re in or what, but it seems like we’re lacking that confidence,” forward Brandon Saad said after his team fell 12 points out of the final playoff spot. "Sometimes when it rains, it pours. And it’s kind of snowballing in the wrong direction.” The Capitals halted a two-game skid and extended their point streak to five games (3-0-2) behind superstar Alex Ovechkin, who had a goal and three assists in Thursday's 5-2 win at Minnesota. Tom Wilson scored twice against the Wild and also had two goals and two assists as Washington bludgeoned the Blackhawks 6-2 on Dec. 6.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, WGN (Chicago)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (33-17-7): Ovechkin surpassed his goal total from last season by scoring his NHL-high 34th against Minnesota while his four-point night gave him an even 1,100 for his career. Ovechkin, who needs eight goals to become the 20th player in league history to reach 600 for his career, has amassed 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 21 games since the Christmas break. Wilson's two goals on Thursday gave him a career-best nine -- he had registered seven while playing in 82 games in each of the past two seasons.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (24-26-8): A punchless offense that has produced two goals or fewer seven times in the eight-game skid and the absence of No. 1 netminder Corey Crawford for nearly two months are responsible for Chicago's tailspin. The Blackhawks have scored the opening goal in 10 of their last 13 games yet have won only twice in that span. "We've been talking about trying to get that good feeling in here, just winning one game, and that starts by winning a period and then just carrying it through for a full 60 minutes," defenseman Duncan Keith said.

OVERTIME

1. The Capitals have won three straight and six of seven in the series versus Chicago.

2. Chicago, which lost nine in a row from Jan. 21-Feb. 13, 2012, hasn't won at home since Jan. 12.

3. Capitals G Braden Holtby is 7-2-0 with a 2.21 goals-against average versus the Blackhawks.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Blackhawks 2