Wednesday 10-3-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park
HOME TRACK BONUS
RACE #4 - PENN NATIONAL RACE COURSE - 7:22 PM EASTERN POST
6.0 FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $8,000.00 CLAIMING $15,600.00 PURSE

#1 RUMFIRE
#3 BROUGEVILLE
#5 JONAMAC
#6 CHARLEES FINEST

#1 RUMFIRE has turned in "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in each of his last four outings, hitting the board in three, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 4th race back. Jockey Maicol and Trainer Bernard Houghton send him to the post ... they've hit the board with 68% of their entries saddled as a team to date. Maicol has been in his irons on 10 previous occasion, hitting the board in 7 of those rides, winning twice, and is back tonight here in Grantville for ride #11. #3 BROUGEVILLE the overall speed leader, has hit the board in each of his last three starts, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his last "adventure."

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Belmont Park - Race #6 - Post: 4:14pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $46,000 Class Rating: 68

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 WILBUR'S CHARM (ML=9/2)
#3 MARGIE CAT (ML=10/1)
#6 ALPHABETTING (ML=3/1)
#9 ROYAL NATION (ML=5/2)


WILBUR'S CHARM - Finished runner up, but easily in the place spot over the third horse. Those types usually run well next time out. Adding blinkers occasionally leads to improvement on the racetrack. She has the uppermost (EPS) earnings per start. Take a long look at this horse. MARGIE CAT - Last raced at Saratoga in a race with an Equibase class figure of 81. Dropping considerably in class rating in today's event puts her in a solid position in this race. This filly's last speed rating notched on August 27th is at the top in last race speed figs. Sciacca moves this filly to the main track today. Look for a significant improvement from the most recent race on the turf. ALPHABETTING - Filly will add blinkers to the equipment package today. That often leads to an improved performance. ROYAL NATION - Taking a trip down in class ranks; has the form to make her presence felt. It looks like Alvarado had to come to know this filly on September 2nd when riding her for the first time. Back aboard again today. The addition of the 'hood' usually means that a trainer wants a thoroughbred to show more zip or to keep her attention focused.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 RUVIES IN TIME (ML=6/1), #7 PENDOLINO (ML=8/1),

RUVIES IN TIME - Just can't bet on this questionable contender. Didn't show me anything last time around the track or on Aug 16th. PENDOLINO - Just don't think she is worth it at the given odds.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - ROYAL NATION - My research shows that fillies often run much better 2nd time on Lasix. That's the case here, so I think she should run well today.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#3 MARGIE CAT is the play if we get odds of 6/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,4]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs - Race 6

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9)


Allowance • 330 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 78 • Purse: $14,500 • Post: 7:40P
QUARTER HORSE 330Y, FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * BUREAUCRACY B: Horse has a TrackMaster "B" designation. TF DASHIN MS PERRY: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it gets out of the gat e fast. FAST SOUTHERN PRIZE: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. DASHIN SWINGER: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. ROSIES CORONA: Horse ranks i n the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
2
BUREAUCRACY B
4/1

5/1
9
TF DASHIN MS PERRY
3/1

6/1
1
FAST SOUTHERN PRIZE
15/1

8/1
5
DASHIN SWINGER
4/1

8/1
3
ROSIES CORONA
6/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
FAST SOUTHERN PRIZE
1

15/1
Slow
78

74

6.2

0.0

0.0
2
BUREAUCRACY B
2

4/1
Fast
81

76

3.2

0.0

0.0
3
ROSIES CORONA
3

6/1
Average
71

72

4.8

0.0

0.0
4
JESS PERRY FAST
4

6/1
Fast
69

68

1.8

0.0

0.0
5
DASHIN SWINGER
5

4/1
Average
81

72

4.5

0.0

0.0
6
TDZ FIRST TOAST
6

15/1
Average
75

65

4.5

0.0

0.0
7
MONEES FAST CASH
7

12/1
Average
77

70

4.8

0.0

0.0
8
SPIT IN MY CORONA
8

5/1
Average
69

64

5.5

0.0

0.0
9
TF DASHIN MS PERRY
9

3/1
Fast
83

74

1.6

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park West

10/03/18, GPW, Race 7, 4.29 ET
1M [Dirt] 1.36.01 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $47,000.
Claiming Price $16,000 (Races Where Entered For $12,500 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $16,000
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 7 Ercolano 8-1 Jaramillo E Barboza. Jr. Victor JSEC
098.8470 5 Inhibition 5-1 Maragh R R Biancone Patrick L. F
098.2971 9 Pass the Butter 6-1 Juarez N Ritvo Katherine T
098.2409 6 Apostle 5/2 Zayas E J Plesa. Jr. Edward
097.7139 2 Belle Tapisserie 4-1 Berrios H I Mejia Jaime L
097.3816 4 Rupp 6-1 Sanchez J Gold Stanley I.
096.1638 10 Oh My Warrior 12-1 Reyes L Cioffi Antonio
096.0056 8 Motown Man 15-1 Vasquez M A Kassen David C.
095.2582 3 Max's Causeway 15-1 Gonzales J J Dwoskin Steven
095.0806 1 All Golden 30-1 Perez J M Mejia Jaime W

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Indiana Downs
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 5 - Optional Claiming - 8.5f on the Turf. Purse: $32500 Class Rating: 89

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR INDIANA BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $25,000. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER ON THE TURF SINCE SEPTEMBER 3 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 POUR GIRL 3/1

# 2 ANGELO'S ASHES 8/1

# 1 BIG BLUE MAGIC 8/1

POUR GIRL looks to be a strong contender. Has to be carefully examined here on the basis of the numbers in the speed realm alone. Has to be given a shot in this contest if only for the decent Equibase speed fig garnered in the last race. Has performed admirably lately in route races, posting a nifty 89 avg speed rating. ANGELO'S ASHES - With better than average trips to the winner's circle, Burke ought to have this filly in excellent position to win the outing. BIG BLUE MAGIC - Trainer has very solid win rate (28 percent) at this distance and surface. Looks like a reliable candidate for the exotics.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mountaineer Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 4 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $6500 Class Rating: 74

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 3 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 PUNCH NEPHEW 5/1

# 1 AGGRAVATOR 1/1

# 5 SEE ME COMING 5/2

My choice for this event is PUNCH NEPHEW. Earning some good dough in dirt sprint races. Is hard not to consider given the company run in recently. Has performed very well recently in sprint races, posting a nifty 68 avg Equibase speed fig. AGGRAVATOR - Should be used in the exotic wagers. He should definitely be given consideration given the solid speed numbers. SEE ME COMING - Trainer boasts strong win numbers at this distance and surface. With a formidable 80 speed rating last time out, will definitely be a factor in this affair.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #3 - Post: 6:54pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 71

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 LEAR AVIA (ML=3/1)


LEAR AVIA - Sub-par try in the last race at Delaware Park was due to the off-going (she ended up fifth). Should do better in this event without the off-track conditions. This filly garnered a nice speed rating of 40 in her last affair. That speed rating should be high enough to score today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 RIGEL'S HALO (ML=7/5), #2 CARA COVE (ML=8/5), #4 KAYLA LI (ML=8/1),

RIGEL'S HALO - Difficult to play any horse to turn things around if there is no value to taking the shot. Finished ninth in her most recent effort with a substandard speed rating. When I look at today's class figure, it would take an improved performance to score after that in this bunch. CARA COVE - Once you've got at least ten races at the racing venue and still have no triumphs, its tough to break through for a victory. KAYLA LI - 8/1 odds isn't enough for this thoroughbred when checking the most recent efforts.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#5 LEAR AVIA is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Presque Isle Downs
Presque Isle Downs - Race 1

$2 WPS / $2 Exacta / Trifecta (min .50 cent) / Superfecta (min .10 cent) $2 Daily Double / Pick 3 (min .50 cent) (Races 1-2-3) Pick 4 (min .50 cent) (Races 1-2-3-4)


Claiming $8,000 • 6 Furlongs • All-Weather • Ages 3 and up • CR: 85 • Purse: $16,000 • Post: 5:25P
(PLUS UP TO 30% PABF) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 3 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $8,000 (CLAIMING RACES FOR $5,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ESTIMATING ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. I ZOOM is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * I ZOOM: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. H orse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
7
I ZOOM
3/1

2/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
7
I ZOOM
7

3/1
Front-runner
89

93

87.8

87.2

84.7
6
I SCREAM SUNDAY
6

6/1
Front-runner
78

76

82.8

67.2

55.2
5
SOARING JAN
5

8/1
Front-runner
72

78

72.0

67.0

55.5
3
GET SASSY
3

7/2
Alternator/Front-runner
83

79

69.2

65.0

59.5
4
LITTLE SNIP
4

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
80

76

60.6

75.4

68.9
1
TUPUNGATO
1

9/2
Alternator/Trailer
79

81

40.8

74.2

66.7
2
THANXFORLASTNITE
2

5/1
Alternator/Non-contender
71

70

64.6

60.0

50.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 10-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd October 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Yankees Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/02/2018

The New York Yankees are hosting the American League Wild Card Game for the second straight season and are looking for the same success they enjoyed in 2017, when a win over the Minnesota Twins helped give them enough momentum to advance all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS. The Yankees will see a different opponent in 2018 as the 97-win Oakland Athletics visit Wednesday.

New York won 100 games and set a record for most home runs during the regular season (267) despite being without slugger Aaron Judge for 50 games, but knows none of that matters now. "I view that pressure as a privilege, and we'll all embrace that and look to apply that to our opponent," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters of the one-game playoff. "Yeah, we've had a great season to this point, but that's now behind us, and the real season starts now. Our guys will be ready, and I look forward to watching them go out and do their thing (Wednesday) night." The Athletics will eschew a traditional starter against that powerful New York lineup and will instead turn the game over to the bullpen, with Liam Hendricks serving as "opener" opposite Yankees ace Luis Severino. "Part of potentially doing it this way is you're going to have to make some adjustments on the fly," Oakland manager Bob Melvin told reporters. "You can look at it and draw it out how you think it's going to go. Very rarely does it go exactly the way you think."

TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Liam Hendricks (0-1, 4.13 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (19-8, 3.39)

Hendricks made eight of his 25 appearances as a starter and posted a 2.08 ERA in that role over a total of 8 2/3 innings. "Same as any other game," Hendricks told reporters. "I'm taking it the same way, warming up the same as I do, trying to keep it as much as a relief appearance as I can. All it means is I'm relieving in the first inning." Oakland will carry 11 pitchers for the game and is considering using All-Star closer Blake Treinen (9-2, 0.78 ERA, 38 saves) for multiple innings.

Severino is getting a chance to start the wild card game for a second straight season and is hoping for a better showing than 2017, when he served up a pair of home runs and was charged with three runs on four hits in one-third of an inning. "It means that they trust me," Severino told reporters. "They know that I can be good, that I can be better. I mean, you guys know me; I can have trouble, and the next start I can be good. If something bad happens, it happens at that time, I just get over it and keep working and get better." Severino was ripped for six runs (five earned) on six hits and a walk in 2 2/3 innings at Oakland on Sept. 5.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 1B Luke Voit finished the regular season strong and was named the AL player of the week after hitting .458 with three homers and eight RBIs in his last six games.

2. Athletics DH Khris Davis led the majors with 48 home runs while batting .247 for the fourth consecutive season.

3. Oakland, which went 3-3 against New York during the regular season, is in the playoffs for the first time since losing the wild card game 9-8 in 12 innings to the Kansas City Royals in 2014.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Yankees 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 10-03-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 2nd October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/02/2018

Expectations are sky-high for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season after the club satiated its rabid fan base by signing superstar John Tavares to a seven-year, $77 million blockbuster free-agent contract. The 28-year-old Ontario native is expected to provide a potent punch on the power play with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews for the Maple Leafs, who open the season Wednesday at home against the Original Six-rival Montreal Canadiens.

"There is no question, to win the Stanley Cup," Tavares told the Toronto Sun of his goal heading into his 10th NHL season. "... We believe we have a really good group here. We start with (Wednesday). All 82 games mean the same, and we focus on where we want to get to one step at a time." Tavares recorded 37 goals and 84 points with the New York Islanders in 2017-18 and offsets the loss of a team-best 36 goals by James van Riemsdyk (Philadelphia) for Toronto, which set club records for overall wins (49) and home victories (29) before falling to Boston in the first round. Montreal finished 29th out of 31 teams in goals last season and shuffled five-time 30-goal scorer Max Pacioretty (Vegas) and leading power-play contributor Alex Galchenyuk (Arizona) out of town. Brendan Gallagher (career-high 31 goals and 54 points) and Tomas Tatar -- who was acquired in the Pacioretty deal -- will be tasked with igniting a spark on offense.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, RDS

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (2017-18: 29-40-13, 6TH IN ATLANTIC): With Pacioretty playing in Sin City, Shea Weber will wear the "C" for his second NHL team after being named the 30th captain of the franchise this week. The 33-year-old Weber, who served as the captain of Nashville from 2010-16, will be sidelined until at least December as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. Jordie Benn, Jeff Petry and others will attempt to stand up in his absence for a Canadiens team that didn't provide much comfort for former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Carey Price (16-26-7, 3.11 goals-against average), who is coming off his worst statistical season as an NHL starter.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (2017-18: 49-26-7, 3RD IN ATLANTIC): While all eyes likely will be fixated on Toronto's high-octane offense, a generous defense kept Frederik Andersen busy as the 29-year-old Dane faced 2,211 shots in 66 games. Andersen thrived with the busy workload, posting a franchise record in wins (38) to go along with a 2.81 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and five shutouts last season. Defenseman Morgan Rielly provides an offensive punch with 52 points, however a suspect corps of blue-liners has been a nagging question in Toronto. "I am probably more bullish on our defense than others. ... The key for us is that we are continuing to make plays from the back end and can move the pucks to our forwards," general manager Kyle Dubas said.

OVERTIME

1. Matthews scored five goals and set up one other in three games versus the Canadiens last season.

2. Tatar recorded two goals and an assist in three meetings with the Maple Leafs in 2017-18.

3. Toronto boasted the league's second-best power play at 25.0 percent last season while Montreal finished 30th on the penalty kill (74.1).

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 5, Canadiens 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals Preview and Predictions 10-03-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 2nd October 2018 by Gracenote
Bruins vs. Capitals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/02/2018

Perennial underachievers throughout their history, particularly in the postseason, the Washington Capitals finally shed the label with a stirring run to their first Stanley Cup title. With nearly their entire roster intact and captain Alex Ovechkin showing no signs of slowing down, Washington opens its bid to repeat when they host the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.

Expectations will remain just as high for the Capitals, who will have one major change when they raise the championship banner Wednesday, with new coach Todd Reirden taking over for Barry Trotz behind the bench. "We've got to realize that everything is going to be tougher to start and all the games are going to be tougher against us," Washington center Nicklas Backstrom said. "We better play our best hockey to start, that's reality." The Bruins were the best team in hockey for a long stretch last season and wound up second in the East with 112 points -- seven more than Washington -- but were ousted by Tampa Bay in five games in the second round of the playoffs. Boston was overly reliant on its No. 1 line last season and made no significant additions to the starting lineup, but learned Monday that Torey Krug, its highest-scoring defenseman in 2017-18, will miss the first few weeks due to an ankle injury.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVAS

ABOUT THE BRUINS (2017-18: 50-20-12, 2ND IN ATLANTIC): The top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak combined for 99 goals and were the team's top three scorers, but Boston spent the offseason hoping Danton Heinen or Ryan Donato would nail down the right wing spot alongside David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk on the second unit. Heinen was fifth on the team with 47 points while Donato had nine points in the final 12 regular-season games after finishing his career at Harvard. Tuukka Rask, owner of a 21-game point streak last season but inconsistent in the playoffs, will have a new No. 2 netminder in Jaroslav Halak, who spent the last four seasons with the New York Islanders

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (2017-18: 49-26-7, 1ST IN METROPOLITAN): Ovechkin led the league in scoring for the seventh time by netting 49 goals before sparking the run to the Cup with 15 tallies and 27 points in 24 postseason games to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Top-line center Evgeny Kuznetsov notched a career-high 83 points before adding a team-best 32 in the playoffs while rugged winger Tom Wilson rounded out the top line with 14 goals. Backstrom had his eighth 50-assist season while Lars Eller centers the third line and Nic Dowd replaces Jay Beagle on the fourth unit. Braden Holtby had a career-worst 2.99 goals-against average and has a new backup in Pheonix Copley.

OVERTIME

1. Krug is expected to be in a boot for at least three weeks and will likely be replaced by rookie Urho Vaakanainen, a 2017 first-round draft pick.

2. Wilson will have an in-person hearing for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis' Oskar Sundqvist.

3. Bergeron, who didn't play in the preseason, practiced fully Monday and is expected to play in the opener.

PREDICTION: Capitals 3, Bruins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks Preview and Predictions 10-03-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 2nd October 2018 by Gracenote
Flames vs. Canucks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/02/2018

A new era is underway with the Vancouver Canucks, who enter the season without the Sedin twins in the lineup for the first time since 1999-2000. Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who each amassed 1,000 career points, retired but another elite Swedish talent provides Vancouver with hope for the future entering Wednesday's season opener versus the visiting Calgary Flames.

Elias Pettersson, the No. 5 overall pick of the Canucks in this year's draft, already is being touted as a Calder Trophy favorite and joins emerging young offensive talent in second-year forward Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat. "We've got some young players I hope are ready to contribute offensively yet we don't want to put that kind of pressure that they have to carry a team," Vancouver coach Travis Green said. The Flames reached the postseason with 94 points in 2016-17 but had 10 fewer points last season, leading to myriad moves to bolster a sagging offense and raise the hopes of returning to the playoffs. "You want high expectations," new coach Bill Peters said. "When you have high expectations, that means your team is good and you have a chance to win. When there's no expectation, you're going through the motions and you're playing out the string."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, SportsNet

ABOUT THE FLAMES (2017-18: 37-35-10, 5TH IN PACIFIC): Calgary ranked 27th in scoring last season, lacking consistency behind the 1-2 punch of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on its top line. To that end, the Flames signed James Neal, a 20-goal scorer in 10 of his 11 seasons, and imported a pair of former Carolina forwards in center Derek Ryan and winger Elias Lindholm to supplement Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund, who combined for 94 points last season. Defenseman Noah Hanifin, like Lindholm a former No. 5 overall draft pick, also arrived in the trade that sent Dougie Hamilton to Carolina. Goaltender Mike Smith, 36, had an uneven first season with the Flames, laboring down the stretch.

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (2017-18: 31-40-11, 7TH IN PACIFIC): Boeser had a superb rookie campaign with 29 goals and 55 points and Horvat added 22 goals playing alongside Sven Baertschi despite none of the trip playing in more than 64 games. Pettersson, who will center the No. 2 line, led the Swedish League in scoring with 24 goals and 56 points in 44 games and was named the MVP in both the regular season and the postseason in his first year. Vancouver signed defensive forwards in Jay Beagle, Tim Schaller and Antoine Roussel, but the blue line remains unchanged after the Canucks surrendered the sixth-most goals in the league last season. Jacob Markstrom returns as the starting netminder.

OVERTIME

1. Flames F Dillon Dube, who captained Canada's gold medal-winning team at the world juniors in 2018, made the roster.

2. Boeser had 10 goals and 23 points on the power play as a rookie.

3. Calgary tied with Chicago for 28th on the power play last season, converting on 16 percent of its chances.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Canucks 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 10-03-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 2nd October 2018 by Gracenote
Ducks vs. Sharks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/02/2018

The San Jose Sharks made quite the splash in the offseason, acquiring offensive-minded defenseman Erik Karlsson to pair with fellow former Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns on the back end. The new-look Sharks face a familiar foe in the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday when the bitter Pacific Division rivals begin their respective seasons at the SAP Center in San Jose.

"That trade makes this team look a little bit more dangerous. And, a little more real," captain Joe Pavelski told the San Jose Mercury News of Karlsson, who was acquired from Ottawa on Sept. 13 in exchange for defenseman Dylan DeMelo, center Chris Tierney and a package of draft picks and prospects. The Sharks went 3-0-1 against the Ducks last season and unceremoniously swept them in the first round before being vanquished by eventual Stanley Cup finalist Vegas in the second. Anaheim sustained quite the loss with the news that former Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry is expected to be sidelined at least five months following knee surgery. Captain Ryan Getzlaf endured his fair share of injuries last season, but the 33-year-old has worked well with Rickard Rakell (34 goals) when healthy.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN

ABOUT THE DUCKS (2017-18: 44-25-13, 2ND IN PACIFIC): Like San Jose, Anaheim boasts a strong defense in its own right with Cam Fowler, Josh Manson, Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Montour. Lindholm also provides an offensive punch with a career-best 13 goals in 69 games last season. Goaltender John Gibson is fresh off a career-best 31 wins and boasted a sterling .926 save percentage to help the Ducks allow the third-fewest goals (209) last season. The 25-year-old Pittsburgh native has dealt with some tough-luck injuries -- a worrisome thought considering veteran Ryan Miller likely will be limited to a reduced workload at this point in his career.

ABOUT THE SHARKS (2017-18: 45-27-10, 3RD IN PACIFIC): Prior to getting Karlsson into the fold, San Jose was reaping the benefits of acquiring Evander Kane at last season's trade deadline. "He brings an edge to our team. When he came over, he scored some huge goals for us as well. He's been a great teammate to all of us," veteran Joe Thornton said of Kane, who recorded 14 points in 17 regular-season games and five more in nine playoff contests. Logan Couture scored 34 goals for the Sharks, who feature a top-heavy first two lines ahead of a bottom six that leaves a bit to be desired. Marc-Edouard Vlasic adds to a spectacular defense in front of Martin Jones, who has recorded at least 30 wins in each of the last three seasons.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim C Adam Henrique scored 20 goals and set up 16 others in 57 games since being acquired from New Jersey last season.

2. The Sharks boasted the second-best penalty kill (84.8 percent) in 2017-18 while the Ducks were sixth (83.2).

3. Anaheim has been sluggish out of the gate, posting a 6-18-0 mark in season openers.

PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Ducks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Dunkel

Wednesday, October 3


Oakland @ NY Yankees

Game 939-940
October 3, 2018 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Hendriks) 16.004
NY Yankees
(Severino) 17.240
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-180
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-180); Over