Thursday 10-11-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:23 AM

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NFL

NFL Previews 9th October 2018 by Gracenote
Eagles vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/09/2018

The reigning Super Bowl champions hardly have the look of a contender, much less one of the teams to beat through the first five weeks of the season. Coming off back-to-back losses for the first time since 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles look to put an end to their mini-slide when they visit the New York Giants on Thursday night in an NFC East matchup.

After dropping a 23-21 decision to Minnesota on Sunday in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game, Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz said a short work week might be the best thing for his team to snap out of its funk. "The beautiful thing for us right now is that it's a fast turnaround," Wentz said. "We get to get the bad taste in our mouths out fast and go on the road to New York. Thursday night will be here before we know it. ... We don't have to dwell on it too long." The abrupt turnaround could also help the reeling Giants, who are dealing with drama off the field courtesy of comments by star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. while trying to erase the memory of Sunday's crushing 33-31 loss at Carolina on a 63-yard field goal. New York coach Pat Shurmur said he addressed Beckham's criticisms of both quarterback Eli Manning and the team's play-calling and said there was no reason to belabor the issue "because the locker room took care of it. And that's all I'm saying on it. Finito. Done."

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX, NFL Network. LINE: Eagles -3. O/U: 44

ABOUT THE EAGLES (2-3): Philadelphia's offense, which already has been struggled and has yet to put up more than 23 points in a game, received a jarring blow Monday when starting running back Jay Ajayi was lost for the season due to a torn ACL. While trade reports swirl in Philly, the Eagles will likely use the tandem of Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement against a New York defense that ranks 27th against the run. Philadelphia could also go the aerial route with Wentz targeting Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and tight end Zach Ertz, who has a team-leading 41 receptions. Philadelphia has the league's No. 2-ranked rushing defense, surrendering 66.4 yards per game.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (1-4): Beckham had his best game Sunday, finding the end zone for the first time while hauling in eight receptions for 131 yards -- his third 100-yard effort of the season. He also threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Saquon Barkley, who can become the second player in league history to account for at least 100 yards from scrimmage in the first six games of his career. Manning threw for a season-high 326 yards at Carolina last week and also had a season high with 434 yards passing in a 34-29 loss to Philadelphia in December. Linebacker Olivier Vernon could make his season debut Thursday for a defense that has a league-low 6.0 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia has won three straight and four of five in the series but each game was decided by five points or fewer.

2. New York placed starting RT Ereck Flowers on waivers Tuesday.

3. Wentz has 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions in his past five division matchups.

PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Giants 23

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:23 AM

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 9th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/09/2018

At this point, TCU is not giving its fans much reason for optimism. The scuffling Horned Frogs continue a three-game homestand Thursday when high-powered Texas Tech visits in a Big 12 showdown.

The Horned Frogs, who were ranked 14th before losing back-to-back games to No. 3 Ohio State and No. 14 Texas last month, narrowly escaped Iowa State their last time out. They needed a field goal with 37 seconds remaining to avoid a three-game skid, and now face a Red Raiders team that is playing well of late. Texas Tech won three straight games in September before giving No. 6 West Virginia all it could handle in a 42-34 defeat to close out the month. The Red Raiders played the second half of that contest without quarterback Alan Bowman (partially collapsed lung), who is expected to play Thursday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: TCU -7

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (3-2, 1-1 Big 12): The Red Raiders lead the nation in total offense (591.4 yards per game) and rank eighth in scoring offense (48.4 points) entering Thursday's matchup. Bowman, a freshman who threw for 605 yards and five touchdowns against Houston on Sept. 15, is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 1,680 yards with a crisp 11-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The team has 18 rushing touchdowns, including seven from leading rusher Ta'Zhawn Henry, while Jett Duffey - who relieved Bowman at quarterback last week - is averaging 8.0 yards per carry on 21 attempts.

ABOUT TCU (3-2, 1-1): TCU failed to reach 300 total yards of offense against Iowa State and also committed three turnovers, but still prevailed thanks to a crisp 13-of-22 conversion rate on third and fourth downs, combined with a strong defensive effort. Shawn Robinson is expected to play after he suffered a shoulder injury late in the Cyclones game, although he has surpassed 200 yards passing only once in five games this season. Darius Anderson (316 yards) is the team's leading rusher despite a poor two-game stretch (24 carries for 57 yards) heading into Thursday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas Tech WR Antoine Wesley leads the Big 12 with 124.2 receiving yards per game.

2. TCU has won three of the last four meetings, including a 27-3 rout a season ago.

3. The Horned Frogs are looking to win their ninth straight home game.

PREDICTION: TCU 39, Texas Tech 37

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:24 AM

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 11th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/11/2018

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had plenty of time to mull over two disappointing defensive efforts to start the season and hope to play with more urgency in their own end when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. The Penguins found a way to pull out their season opener against Washington last Thursday, winning 7-6 in overtime, before being blitzed by Montreal 5-1 just two days later.

"I think we're a team right now that just wants to score instead of playing the game the right way, and that means playing on both sides of the rink," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after his team was outshot 29-22 on Saturday. "Until we learn to play defense and become harder to play against, we're not going to control outcomes." The Penguins split a pair of one-goal decisions with the Golden Knights last season - each winning at home - and likely will go into this matchup without No. 1 goaltender Matt Murray, who is day-to-day with a concussion. Vegas, which won the Western Conference in its inaugural season in 2017-18, has scored just seven goals while losing three of its first four games, including Wednesday's 5-2 setback at Washington in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final. Speedy forward Jonathan Marchessault was blanked in that contest but leads the way with two goals, a pair of assists and 16 shots in the first four contests for the Golden Knights.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Vegas), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (1-3-0): William Karlsson notched an assist in Wednesday's loss to give him three on the season, but he has yet to score a goal after recording a team- and career-high 43 in 2017-18. Veteran Paul Stastny is expected to miss at least two more games after sitting out the contest against Washington with a lower-body injury, but Cody Eakin (lower body) returned to the lineup Wednesday and scored a goal. Marc-Andre Fleury has started all four games to open the season, which could give Thursday's opportunity to backup Malcolm Subban (13-4-2, .910 save percentage in 2017-18).

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (1-1-0): Casey DeSmith is expected to get his first start of the season in net while Pittsburgh likely will wait until Thursday to determine whether or not Murray is placed on injured reserve and Tristan Jarry is recalled. Defenseman Kris Letang, who is one point away from tying Martin Straka (442) for 10th place on the franchise list, is off to a strong start with two goals and a pair of assists in his first two contests - including a power-play tally and a game-winner. Evgeni Malkin has registered a goal and two assists to start the season, Jake Guentzel has scored twice and captain Sidney Crosby has set up a pair of tallies.

OVERTIME

1. The Golden Knights are 0-for-11 with the man advantage in the early going and have allowed four power-play goals in 12 short-handed situations.

2. Pittsburgh placed C Derek Grant, who did not play in the first two games, on waivers Wednesday.

3. Vegas RW Reilly Smith, who registered 22 goals last season, scored Wednesday and is one tally shy of 100 for his career.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Golden Knights 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:24 AM

Washington Capitals vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 11th October 2018 by Gracenote
Capitals vs. Devils Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/11/2018

The Washington Capitals have yet to be slowed down offensively in their first season as defending Stanley Cup champions, scoring a total of 18 goals while earning five points in their initial three contests. Washington hopes to keep scoring at will when it visits the Metropolitan Division-rival New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

The Capitals tallied 13 times over their first two games before being held to five goals in their home victory over Vegas on Wednesday in a rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. Captain - and reigning Maurice Richard Trophy winner - Alex Ovechkin scored twice to double his season total while Evgeny Kuznetsov registered a goal and three assists for Washington, which has yielded a total of two goals in its two wins. New Jersey is resuming what technically is a season-opening five-game homestand after posting a 5-2 triumph over Edmonton in Sweden on Saturday in its 2018-19 opener. Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac scored two goals apiece in the victory while reigning Hart Trophy recipient Taylor Hall was kept off the scoresheet by his former team.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, MSG Plus (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (2-0-1): Ovechkin's second goal on Wednesday was the 611th of his career, moving him past Hall-of-Famer Bobby Hull for 17th place on the all-time list. The 33-year-old Russian, who came within one tally of his eighth 50-goal campaign in 2017-18, will soar past Jarome Iginla (625), Joe Sakic (625), Dave Andreychuk (640) and Brendan Shanahan (656) with another 50-goal output this campaign. Nicklas Backstrom scored his first goal of the season in the win over Vegas and added an assist, putting him five away from 600 for his career.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (1-0-0): Zajac is off to a good start after producing 14 goals or fewer each of the last four seasons. The 33-year-old former first-round draft pick hopes to hit a milestone soon as he is six assists away from 300 for his career. Palmieri has picked up where he left off last regular season, which he ended by registering four goals and four assists over his final seven contests.

OVERTIME

1. Capitals RW T.J. Oshie, whose 18 goals last season was his lowest total since 2012-13 (seven in 30 games with St. Louis), is tied with Ovechkin for the team lead with four.

2. New Jersey D Damon Severson notched an assist in the season opener, leaving him six points shy of 100 in the NHL.

3. All three of Kuznetsov's goals this season have come on the power play.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Devils 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:24 AM

Colorado Avalanche vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
Avalanche vs. Sabres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

The Buffalo Sabres had only one three-game winning streak in 2017-18 but they can match that in the season's first week when they wrap up a four-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. The Sabres were booed off the ice after they were shut out in the opener but rebounded with wins over the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights.

"I know it's only three games in," Buffalo captain Jack Eichel said. "It's a good start. We have a lot of work to do, but we're going to continue to put the work in practice. I like the direction in which our group's going." Goaltender Carter Hutton has turned in consecutive solid performances, stopping 78 of 81 shots for the Sabres, who had a league-low 11 home wins last season. The Avalanche opened the season in impressive fashion, posting a pair of three-goal victories at home, but they stumbled to a 5-2 setback in their first road test at Columbus. "We want to make sure that we come on the road with the same game that we played for the first two at home," Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said. "The start wasn't the same."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude (Colorado), MSG-Buffalo

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (2-1-0): Former No. 1 overall pick Nathan MacKinnon set career highs with 39 goals, 58 assists and 97 points last season and he has continued the stellar play by tallying in each of Colorado's first three games. After sitting out Tuesday's loss, Semyon Varlamov will be back in net against an opponent that he has dominated (6-2-1, 2.46 goals-against average) in nine career starts, although he allowed three goals in a 4-2 loss last season. Defenseman Patrik Nemeth is expected back in the lineup after sitting out the past two games.

ABOUT THE SABRES (2-1-0): Eichel scored twice in Monday's 4-2 win over Vegas, a Stanley Cup finalist last season, and has consecutive two-point games for Buffalo. "I think he's done a really good job of setting the tone, setting the pace," teammate Kyle Okposo said of Eichel. "He's the best player on our team. If he's the hardest worker every single day, our team's going to follow him." Coach Phil Housley lavished praised on the trio of Zemgus Girgensons, Evan Rodrigues and Jason Pominville, calling the players the team's most "consistent" line.

OVERTIME

1. MacKinnon has three goals and eight points in eight games versus Buffalo.

2. Eichel has two goals and six points in five games against Colorado.

3. Avalanche C Carl Soderberg has four points in three games, including the 200th of his career on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Sabres 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:24 AM

Edmonton Oilers vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
Oilers vs. Bruins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

After starting the season with a miserable effort, the Boston Bruins have rebounded in fine fashion and will go for their third consecutive victory against the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. Boston was hammered at defending Stanley Cup champion Washington 7-0 in the season opener but has bounced back to score 10 goals in back-to-back wins.

Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak erupted for 11 points in Monday's 6-3 rout of Ottawa in their home opener, but the Bruins are well aware that they cannot be as reliant on their No. 1 unit as they were last season. "Obviously when the first line is doing their thing it's easier to get away with it, but in saying that we'd like to get on the board just as much as everybody else would like us to," second-line forward Jake DeBrusk said. The Oilers have not played since a season-opening loss to New Jersey on Saturday in Sweden but they are trying to work out the kinks while practicing in Boston this week. "We've got some work to do," coach Todd McLellan said earlier this week. "We felt good coming out of the preseason. We gave a bit of it back in that first game but we'll work here in Boston and get ready to play a good team."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TVAS, Sportsnet Oilers (Edmonton), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE OILERS (0-1-0): Ex-Boston forward Milan Lucic managed only 10 goals and 34 points last season, but he scored once and set up another in the 5-2 loss to the Devils. "He was physical, he was making plays, he scored, he set up a nice goal," McLellan said. "If we're evaluating individuals, he would get a pretty good check mark from the group. There weren't many positives, but Milan was one of them." Leon Draisaitl, who matched Lucic with a goal and an assist in the opener, has two goals and six points in seven games versus Boston.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (2-1-0): Bergeron missed the preseason due to an ailing back, but he already has six points after recording his fourth career hat trick in the win over Ottawa. "He's not out there just cherry-picking and finding the easy ones," teammate David Backes said. "He works for every inch he gets, he's doing all the ugly stuff along with scoring the goals, and you can't be happier for a guy who's able to play a 200-foot game and is responsible defensively." Defenseman Charlie McAvoy collected a career-best three assists Monday.

OVERTIME

1. Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who set up two goals Saturday, has seven assists in four games against Boston.

2. Marchand, who has seven assists in his last two, has score five goals and set up five others in 12 games versus Edmonton.

3. Oilers G Cam Talbot is 5-2 with a 2.72 goals-against average versus the Bruins.

PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Oilers 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:24 AM

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

Although the Florida Panthers earned a point in a season-opening shootout loss at intrastate rival Tampa Bay, it came at a hefty price. Starting netminder Roberto Luongo exited the game with a knee injury and is expected to miss at least two to four weeks for Florida, which hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night in its home opener.

The Panthers will celebrate the 25th year of the franchise in pregame ceremonies as they look to build on the dominance they established last season at BB&T Center. "We were a good home team last year, and we want to remain that way." Florida coach Bob Boughner said in reference to the stellar 27-11-3 home mark from 2017-18. Columbus rebounded from its first loss by scoring three unanswered goals in the third period of Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. "No matter what's going on in a game, you just got to find a way to win a period sometimes," Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno. "That's how you win in this league is just finding a way."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), FS Florida

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (2-1-0): Columbus also suffered a key injury when forward Brandon Dubinsky strained an oblique muscle in practice that is expected to sideline him for four to six weeks. Riley Nash replaced Dubinsky as the third-line center for the Blue Jackets, who are also without defenseman Seth Jones, out with a knee injury. "You lift each other up when guys go down," said Foligno. "Just like guys have done on the back end, jumping in for (Jones), we're going to do the same thing for (Dubinsky) up front."

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (0-0-1): The Panthers missed the playoffs by only one point last season despite Luongo playing in fewer than half their games, so they will again lean on James Reimer, who was 22-14-6 with a 2.99 goals-against average in 2017-18. Reimer has struggled against the Blue Jackets throughout his career, posting a 2-6-1 mark and 3.62 goals-against average in nine starts. Rookie Jacob MacDonald supplied Florida's lone tally in the opener, calling it a "dream" after scoring his first NHL goal on his first shift.

OVERTIME

1. Columbus G Sergei Bobrovsky has dominated Florida with a 12-1-2 record and 1.87 goals-against average.

2. The Panthers recalled G Michael Hutchinson from Springfield of the American Hockey League to replace Luongo.

3. Columbus assigned D Gabriel Carlsson to Cleveland of the AHL.

PREDICTION: Panthers 3, Blue Jackets 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:24 AM

Vancouver Canucks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
Canucks vs. Lightning Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

Andrei Vasilevskiy looked as dominant in net during the season opener as he was through most of 2017-18, and looks to match that effort when the Tampa Bay Lightning host the improving Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. Vasilevskiy turned aside 42 of 43 shots and both shootout attempts as the Lightning edged Florida 2-1 on Saturday before the long wait for game two of the campaign.

"We certainly have to tip our cap to (Vasilevskiy) and pat him on the back a few times," Tampa Bay defenseman Ryan McDonagh told reporters. "He was pretty incredible to have that focus and step up in game one. He was definitely the main reason we got the two points." Vasilevskiy, a Vezina Trophy finalist after tying for the league lead with 42 wins last season, allowed four goals on 62 shots in a pair of victories over the Canucks in 2017-18. Vancouver started the season with a home victory over Calgary on Oct. 3, but has coughed up 12 goals in two straight losses after a 5-3 setback at Carolina on Tuesday in the second contest of a six-game road trip. Elias Pettersson, a 19-year-old rookie center, is off to a rousing start for the Canucks while scoring three times and setting up three others in the first three games - averaging only 15 minutes of ice time.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet 360 (Vancouver), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (1-2-0): Calder Trophy finalist Brock Boeser, who had 29 goals in 62 games last season, is off to a slow start with one assist and three shots with a minus-7 rating in the first three contests. "I know he's pressing; he wants to score a goal," Vancouver coach Travis Green told Sportsnet. "I just think. ... he's not sharp right now. He's a smart kid, though. He's got to stay with what works. He can't just start cheating." Defenseman Alexander Edler registered a pair of assists in each of the last two games while forward Sven Baertschi notched his first three points (two goals) of the season Tuesday.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (1-0-0): Forward Tyler Johnson (shoulder) is expected to be back in the lineup after missing the season opener and has been skating with center Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde at practice this week. Coach Jon Cooper is keeping Alex Killorn, Anthony Cirelli and rookie Mathieu Joseph together for now after the trio produced a strong effort with six shots combined against the Panthers and the only goal - Cirelli's short-handed tally. "Cirelli might have been one of the best players on the ice for us," Cooper told reporters. "You work that (hard) and do so many things right, you're eventually going to get the chance and he did."

OVERTIME

1. Vancouver G Jacob Markstrom has an .883 save percentage in the first three games but backup G Anders Nilsson could get the start Thursday.

2. McDonagh led the Lightning with five shots and an assist in the opener while RW Nikita Kucherov was held without shot, but ended the game with a shootout goal.

3. Canucks C Bo Horvat recorded a pair of goals and an assist in the early going, but has matched Boeser with a team-worst minus-7 rating.

PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Canucks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:25 AM

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

Auston Matthews and John Tavares have already made history in 2018-19, as the two centers became the third set of teammates in NHL history to each score at least six goals in the first four games of a season. Matthews (seven goals) and Tavares (six) aim to continue their torrid stretch as the Toronto Maple Leafs bid to remain perfect on their road trip on Thursday when they face the Detroit Red Wings.

Matthews, who joined Tavares in scoring twice in Tuesday's 7-4 win against Dallas, is the sixth player in Toronto history to score at least one goal in the first four games. "When it's going in, it's always a really good feeling. You want to keep it going, keep getting those opportunities and continue to generate chances because it's going to get harder and harder as the season goes along," the 21-year-old Matthews said. While the Maple Leafs have scored seven goals in back-to-back games, Detroit has mustered just two in each of their three fruitless contests this season. Tyler Bertuzzi scored for the second time in three games in Monday's 3-2 shootout loss to Anaheim and also tallied in the Red Wings' last encounter with Toronto -- a 4-3 Maple Leafs' win on March 24.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN4 (Toronto), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (3-1-0): Tavares has paid immediate dividends since signing a seven-year, $77 million contract to join his hometown team and enters Thursday's tilt with five goals in his last two outings. "We've got talent and we do the right thing and we compete and play hard and develop an identity within our group. I think we believe in creating opportunities with the skill sets we have," the 28-year-old Tavares said. Defenseman Morgan Rielly, who notched four assists on Tuesday to match Matthews with a team-high 10 points, scored and set up a goal in Toronto's 6-3 win over Detroit in the teams' first meeting last season (Oct. 18).

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (0-1-2): Veteran defenseman Niklas Kronwall is feeling confident that he'll make his season debut on Thursday after being plagued by a lower-body injury, and the timing couldn't be better for Detroit. The potential addition of the 37-year-old Swede will help an ailing defense that already is without Mike Green (virus), Jonathan Ericsson (upper body) and Trevor Daley (upper body) while rookie Dennis Cholowski remains in question with an upper-body injury. "It really is crazy," Kronwall said of the injuries. "But in saying that, we've been able to see the younger guys even more, I think they've done a tremendous job so far."

OVERTIME

1. Detroit G Jimmy Howard owns a 6-4-2 mark with a 2.44 goals-against average and .904 save percentage in 14 career encounters with Toronto.

2. Maple Leafs C Mitch Marner answered back-to-back two-point efforts with a goal and three assists at Dallas on Tuesday.

3. Red Wings LW Justin Abdelkader, who has been held without a point this season, failed to dent the scoresheet in four games versus Toronto in 2017-18.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 5, Red Wings 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:25 AM

Calgary Flames vs. St. Louis Blues Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
Flames vs. Blues Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

The Calgary Flames and their red-hot first line consisting of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm visit the struggling St. Louis Blues on Thursday. The trio has combined for eight goals and 16 points in three games, including three goals and three assists in Tuesday's 3-0 victory at Nashville, as the acquisition of Lindholm in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Hurricanes during the offseason appears to be working out.

"When you play the minutes that we play and get the opportunities on special teams that we get and stuff like that, it's our job to produce," Monahan told reporters. "And if you're not producing, obviously you're going to not get that playing time. So I think you put that pressure on yourself to be those guys. Right now, we're putting the puck in the net so we have to continue to build on that." St. Louis is coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to Chicago on Saturday and has started the season with two losses for the first time since 2006-07. The Blues have allowed 10 goals in two games with No. 1 goaltender Jake Allen stopping 45 of 55 shots. "We start playing. That's it, right now," Blues coach Mike Yeo told reporters. "Let's quit playing shinny hockey and let's start playing real hockey. It's correctable. It's just a matter of us figuring out how long we want it to take before we decide if we want to be a good team or be a team that plays the game without purpose and as far as doing the little things and things it takes to win hockey games."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Flames, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

ABOUT THE FLAMES (2-1-0): Monahan tied Daymond Langkow's club record of four goals in a season's first three games set in the 2007-08 campaign. Gaudreau has a goal and six assists while Lindholm, who averaged 13.8 goals in his last four seasons with Carolina, has three and one. Mike Smith (2-1-0) recorded his 37th career shutout Tuesday after allowing eight goals on 42 shots in his first two games.

ABOUT THE BLUES (0-1-1): Newly acquired center Ryan O'Reilly leads the team in points with four - all assists - while Vladimir Tarasenko, who averaged 34 goals in his first five full seasons, has a club-most two. Defenseman Joel Edmundson (minus-1, 20:44 average ice time in 2017-18) missed the first two games with a groin injury but is expected to make his season debut Thursday. Coach Mike Yeo also said "there's a very real possibility" that defenseman Jakub Jerabek, who was acquired from Edmonton on Oct. 1 and joined the team Monday after getting his visa in Canada, could play Thursday.

OVERTIME

1. Lindholm has a minus-2 rating while Gaudreau and Monahan are even.

2. O'Reilly has won 33 of 45 faceoffs this season with his 73.3 percent success rate tops among regulars in the circle.

3. Calgary won the season series 2-1 in each of the last two years with the home team winning all three meetings in 2017-18 and the road club prevailing in all three 2016-17 encounters.

PREDICTION: Blues 3, Flames 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:25 AM

Winnipeg Jets vs. Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
Jets vs. Predators Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

Kyle Connor led all NHL rookies in goals scored a season ago and his sophomore season is off to a great start as the Winnipeg Jets travel to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday, in a matchup of the top two teams in the 2017-18 regular season who later met in a grueling playoff series. Connor has scored a goal in each of the first three games this season, none bigger than his power-play marker that served as the game winner in Tuesday's 2-1 home victory over Los Angeles.

Connor scored 31 goals a season ago and already has four points this season for the Jets, who rebounded from a subpar performance in Saturday's 5-1 loss at Dallas by outshooting the Kings 39-17 and getting 16 saves from Connor Hellebuyck. Now Winnipeg heads to Nashville, where it beat the Predators in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals last spring to win a physical series. Nashville looks for a bounce back of its own after suffering its first regular-season shutout loss at home since February 2017 on Tuesday, falling 3-0 to Calgary despite 43 shots on goal. Nashville opened the season with two road victories, getting two goals from Viktor Arvidsson and two assists each from defensemen P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE JETS (2-1-0): Connor, Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele have combined for five goals and 10 points through three games, and Connor owns a team-high plus-4 rating. Hellebuyck gave up the five goals in Dallas but has allowed just one in his other two outings, good for a .926 save percentage overall. The Jets played much better on defense Tuesday after allowing 77 shots through two games, winning 63.8 percent of their faceoffs and killing off a late Tyler Myers penalty.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (2-1-0): Goaltender Pekka Rinne, who struggled against the Jets in the playoffs, has given up five goals in two games while starting the season 1-1. One area of concern is Nashville's special teams, which finished 0-for-4 on the power play Tuesday and is scoreless in six opportunities, while the penalty kill has allowed three goals. Subban and Ekholm each have three points, while Colton Sissons leads the team at plus-3.

OVERTIME

1. Winnipeg, which finished 32-7-2 at home in 2017-18, opens a six-game homestand Sunday against Carolina.

2. Jets F Nikolaj Ehlers, a 29-goal scorer last season, has not scored since April 3 - a span of 20 games (including 15 playoff contests).

3. Nashville won three of five meetings in the regular season in 2017-18, but the Jets scored four goals or more five times against the Predators in the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Predators 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 06:25 AM

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild Preview and Predictions 10-11-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 10th October 2018 by Gracenote
Blackhawks vs. Wild Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/10/2018

The Chicago Blackhawks have stormed out of the gates offensively, while the Minnesota Wild have done anything but. Minnesota hopes to break out as it comes off a four-day layoff to host its Central Division rival Thursday.

Chicago has scored a total of 15 goals over its first three contests but needed overtime to decide each one, including a 7-6 setback against Toronto in its home opener Sunday. Captain Jonathan Toews (five goals) and Patrick Kane have been major contributors for the Blackhawks, combining for nine of their tallies as each enter the matchup with six points. The Wild, meanwhile, have scored once in each of their first two games but came away with a point versus Vegas on Saturday as they began a three-game homestand with a 2-1 shootout loss. Defenseman Matt Dumba scored versus Vegas after registering a career-high 14 goals last season while Zach Parise tallied in Minnesota's season-opening 4-1 defeat in Colorado.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago); FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (2-0-1): Toews, who already has recorded 25 percent of his goal total from last season and is three shy of 300 for his career, was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week on Monday. The 30-year-old tallied in each of Chicago's first three contests, scoring in overtime Saturday to complete his fifth career hat trick in a 5-4 triumph at St. Louis. Kane made history against Toronto, becoming the first player to record two game-tying goals in the final 90 seconds of regulation.

ABOUT THE WILD (0-1-1): Luke Kunin, who suffered a torn ACL on March 4 that ended his rookie season, has been cleared for game action and assigned to Iowa of the American Hockey League. "I'm very excited. It's the longest I've been not playing a game my whole life, I think," the 20-year-old center, who notched two goals and two assists in 19 contests in 2017-18, told the team's website. "I understand the process. (Minnesota) is where I want to be, and I'm not there, so that drives me and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get up there." Devan Dubnyk has kept the Wild in their first two games, allowing three goals on 80 shots for a .963 save percentage.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks LW Andreas Martinsen (back), who did not play against the Maple Leafs, missed Tuesday's practice and is day-to-day.

2. Both teams have yet to score on the power play, with Chicago going 0-for-10 and Minnesota 0-for-5.

3. Chicago recalled LF Alexandre Fortin from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Wild 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 08:23 AM

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park
RACE #7 - BELMONT PARK - 4:41 PM EASTERN POST
8½ FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $62,500.00 OPTIONAL CLAIMING $80,000.00 PURSE

#5 WEATHER WIZ
#6 ROCKY TOUGH
#1 CHRIS AND DAVE
#3 PAPA SHOT

#5 WEATHER WIZ is the overall speed leader in this O.C. field this afternoon, and has hit the board in four of his last five starts, with three of those "board hit efforts," including a pair of wins, also qualifying as "POWER RUNS." Jockey Javier Castellano has been in his irons on one previous occasion, posting a win, and is back today for his 2nd ride, gunning for another "Circle Trip." #6 ROCKY TOUGH, a 4-1 shot, has posted "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in each of his last five "adventures," hitting the board in four, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 4th race back.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-11-2018, 08:23 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Charles Town - Race #4 - Post: 8:24pm - Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 83

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 PROSPECTOR ALLEY (ML=9/5)

PROSPECTOR ALLEY - If this gelding gets out of the gate cleanly, he'll be tough to catch. Should move well on the rail coming out of the number one post.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 FEELIN GREAT (ML=8/5), #4 EMBLEM'S ESTATE (ML=4/1),

FEELIN GREAT - While Equibase's speed ratings are strong, I would cast aside the high one from the September 17th in the slop. Some animals just run well on the off going. May bounce off of that last physical exertion. EMBLEM'S ESTATE - Based on the pace scenario in this event, this equine doesn't fit in here. With a single front-runner and this horse having to race from behind, he sure has a tough assignment.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#1 PROSPECTOR ALLEY is the play if we get odds of 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
1 with 6

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

Thursday 10-11-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Thursday 10-11-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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