Tuesday 10-30-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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LA Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Clippers vs. Thunder Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The Oklahoma City Thunder finally left the ranks of the winless with a 117-110 home win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday and intend to continue an upward trajectory. The Thunder will try to make it back-to-back victories when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

Oklahoma City's uneven start had a lot to do with Russell Westbrook missing the first two games and most of training camp following knee surgery, and Sunday's performance looked more like the Thunder team the front office envisioned. "We're going to keep building off that win and we're going to keep getting better," point guard Dennis Schroder, who shared the court at times with Westbrook and Paul George on Sunday as part of a package designed to let Westbrook work off the ball, told reporters. The Clippers, who breezed to a 108-92 home win over the Westbrook-less Thunder on Oct. 19, come in hot after averaging 134.5 points in back-to-back wins. "Unselfishness," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "They don't care. No one's hunting points, you know, they're hunting the open guy and that's a good way to play; it's the only way we can play, it's the only way we'll be good."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (4-2): Los Angeles' offensive surge over the last two games has a lot to do with the improved play of shooting guard Avery Bradley, who averaged 4.3 points on 25.8 percent shooting in the first four games before combining for 29 points on 12-of-22 in the last two contests. "I'm starting to pick my spots and try to find out how to play off Tobias (Harris), (Danilo Galliniari), Pat (Beverley); we're trying to learn how to play with each other," Bradley told the Los Angeles Times. "We knew it would take time but it's good it's flowing a little better now." Nine players scored in double figures in Sunday's 136-104 win over the Washington Wizards, led by Harris' 22 points.



ABOUT THE THUNDER (1-4): Schroder is one of a few newcomers to Oklahoma City this season and is joined by power forward Nerlens Noel, who is trying to resurrect his career after a pair of down seasons with Philadelphia and Dallas. Noel, 24, got the start on Sunday in place of injured center Steven Adams (calf) and responded with 20 points, 15 rebounds and four steals in 26 minutes. "It's just being a professional, ready for whatever is thrown at me in this position," Noel told reporters. "It's being able to be ready no matter what."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Adams, who is averaging 14 points and 12.3 rebounds, is day-to-day.

2. Los Angeles PF Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) sat out the last two games and is questionable for Tuesday.

3. Oklahoma City won both meetings at home last season by an average of 8.5 points.

PREDICTION: Thunder 113, Clippers 111

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Wizards vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Wizards vs. Grizzlies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The Memphis Grizzlies look like a much different team at home in the early going and will try to improve to 3-0 in their own arena when they host the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The Grizzlies are averaging 124 points in two home games while posting an average of 89 in three games on the road.

Memphis, which begins a three-game road trip on Friday at Utah, opened its two-game homestand by blasting Phoenix 117-96 on Saturday while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor and handing out 30 assists on 44 made field goals. "We want to be a versatile team where you can't key in on one or two guys to shut us down," Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "It's good to see a bunch of guys get double-figure points. That means we're sharing the ball well, that we're moving and doing all the little things well that we preach." The Wizards are having some trouble practicing what they preach and suffered through another terrible effort in a 136-104 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, two days after stars Bradley Beal and John Wall called out teammates for selfishness at the defensive end. Washington is last in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing an average of 125 points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (1-5): Washington is at the end of a five-game road trip that began with a 125-124 overtime win at Portland but quickly turned sour with three consecutive losses. The worst of the performances may have come on Sunday, when the Wizards allowed the Clippers to shoot 54.4 percent from the floor, including 16-of-29 from 3-point range, while struggling to 39.2 percent and 5-of-27 from beyond the arc on their own end. Beal managed to keep alive his streak of scoring at least 20 points in each game this season with 20 on 8-of-16 shooting but was 1-of-6 from 3-point range.



ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (3-2): Center Marc Gasol scored a season-high 19 points in Saturday's win and is trying to lead his younger teammates to bigger things. "We have to be consistently growing and do more of what we do well and not be afraid to get in the paint," Gasol told reporters. "We can do both. Guys here are really athletic and long, so you can be in the paint and take things away." The Grizzlies shot 66 percent from inside the arc on Saturday as guards Mike Conley, Shelvin Mack, MarShon Brooks and Garrett Temple attacked the paint.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies SF Chandler Parsons (knee) sat out the last two games and is not expected to return by Tuesday.

2. Wizards PF Markieff Morris (concussion) left Sunday's game and is questionable for Tuesday.

3. Washington took both meetings last season, earning a 102-100 triumph in Memphis on Jan. 5 behind 34 points from Beal.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 113, Wizards 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The Houston Rockets are off to a dreadful 1-4 start and attempt to snap a three-game slide when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Reigning MVP James Harden (hamstring) will miss second straight game for a squad that has lost its three previous home games by an average of 16.7 points.

The Rockets won an NBA-best 65 games and took the Golden State Warriors to a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals last season but have been colossal disappointments at the start of the current campaign. "It's a different team. It's not the same team," forward PJ Tucker told reporters. "I hate talking about last year anymore because it's gone. It's not the same team so we have to figure it out." Portland is 2-1 on a four-game road excursion after posting a 103-93 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday - the points being the fewest the Trail Blazers have allowed this season. Star point guard Damian Lillard scored a season-low 16 points after scoring more than 40 in consecutive games.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (4-2): Second-year big man Zach Collins scored a career-best 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting against the Pacers and is making a strong case for more playing time. Collins has scored at least 13 points in each of the past three games and has reached double digits four times overall while averaging 11.8 points. Shooting guard CJ McCollum also had 17 points on Monday and he has reached double figures in all six games, including three 20-point efforts.



ABOUT THE ROCKETS (1-4): Forward Carmelo Anthony made his first start of the season in Friday's 133-113 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and he made six 3-pointers en route to a season-best 24 points. The 34-year-old, who scored 22 against Utah two nights earlier, is in his first season with the team and he is unsure why the troubles have been so substantial. "I can't really pinpoint it at this point right now," Anthony told reporters. "We're still all trying to just figure it out. I know we keep saying that it's early but there's some things we have to figure out quickly just to try to get this thing rolling."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets won all four of last season's meetings and have prevailed in seven of the past eight matchups.

2. Portland SF Maurice Harkless (knee) is expected to miss his second straight contest.

3. Houston SG Eric Gordon is 8-of-35 shooting over the past two games, including 2-of-18 from 3-point range.

PREDICTION: Rockets 120, Trail Blazers 118

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The Columbus Blue Jackets look to string three wins together for the first time this season when they host the rejuvenated Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night before heading to California for the next three games. The Blue Jackets, who play at San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim later in the week, scored seven times to win at St. Louis on Thursday before Cam Atkinson's goal in overtime beat Buffalo 5-4 on Saturday at home.

"We've got a good group here. I really like the team," Columbus coach John Tortorella told reporters of his Blue Jackets, who coughed up a two-goal lead in the third period Saturday. "I think we're beginning to show more personality but you never know. It's like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get shift to shift at certain times." Most of this season has left a sour taste in the mouths of the Red Wings, but they left the ice with smiles after Sunday's 4-2 triumph over Dallas for their first home win of the season. "Tonight, we got rewarded (for playing well)," Detroit forward Tyler Bertuzzi told reporters after the victory. "We scored four goals and that's going to win a lot of hockey games." The Red Wings have posted their two wins in the last four contests and will need another strong effort to snap a seven-game losing streak against Columbus, which included a 3-2 overtime loss at home on opening night.

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

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (2-7-2): Left wing Justin Abdelkader and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson each scored their first goals of the season Sunday and right wing Anthony Mantha posted his second in the victory. Dylan Larkin recorded a pair of assists to take over the team lead with nine points - one better than fellow forward Gustav Nyquist - as Detroit earned the win despite being outshot for the ninth straight game. Veteran center Frans Nielsen (six assists) is not expected to play and versatile forward Andreas Athanasiou (four goals) is questionable for Tuesday's contest due to undisclosed injuries.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (6-4-0): Left wing Artemi Panarin, who leads the team with 15 points, has played a big role in the last two games with a pair of goals and four assists to go along with a plus-5 rating. Atkinson has also recorded five of his 11 points in the past three contests and defenseman Zach Werenski owns a goal and five assists during a five-game point streak. Backup Joonas Korpisalo is 4-0-0 with an .897 save percentage, including wins in the last two contests, while Sergei Bobrovsky is just 2-4-0 with an .872 SP but owns a 12-4-1 record .936 SP and 1.98 goals-against average lifetime versus Detroit.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit G Jimmy Howard allowed two goals in three of his last four games and is 12-6-6 career against Columbus.

2. The Blue Jackets are 22nd in the league on the power play (15.4 percent) and 25th on the penalty kill (72.7).

3. Red Wings rookie D Dennis Cholowski had one of his two goals against Columbus in the opener.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Islanders vs. Penguins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

While the Pittsburgh Penguins were about to put the finishing touches on a perfect four-game road trip, a surrounding neighborhood of the Steel City found itself as the scene of an attack as 11 people were killed and six others injured in a shooting at Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue. The Penguins will play their first home game since the attack on Tuesday when they open a home-and-home series against the visiting New York Islanders.

"(We) try to play for the city, as we always do, but especially in times like this," captain Sidney Crosby said on Monday. "It's a terrible thing that happened and we're thinking about everyone involved. Hopefully we can do all we can to help and support them right now." The two-time Hart Trophy winner was named the NHL Star of the Week after scoring twice in Saturday's 5-0 romp in Vancouver to give him five goals and three assists during his four-game point streak. While Pittsburgh posted a pair of shutouts and outscored its foes by a 23-6 margin on the lengthy trek, New York aims to follow in the footsteps of its Metropolitan Division rival as it bids for a sweep of its road trip on Tuesday. Captain Anders Lee and fellow forward Josh Bailey extended their respective point streaks to four and five games, respectively, as the former deflected the latter's feed for a power-play goal in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Carolina.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Sportsnet1, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (5-4-1): Mathew Barzal was held off the scoresheet on Sunday for just the third time this season, although the reigning Calder Trophy winner scored and set up a goal in a 4-1 triumph over Pittsburgh on March 20. Lee also tallied in that contest and matched Barzal with two goals and an assist in the season series versus the Penguins. Robin Lehner struggled in a pair of starts against Pittsburgh last season (0-1-1, 4.49 goals-against average) while fellow goaltender Thomas Greiss could draw the nod after turning aside 38 shots versus the Hurricanes to record his 100th career win.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (6-1-2): Matt Murray answered a rough start in which he surrendered 11 goals in the first two contests of the season with two strong outings during his three starts on the road trip. "It was a great road trip in every way, I think. We got all the points that were on the table and we had some fun at the same time," the 24-year-old Murray said. Pittsburgh certainly is having fun with the league's top-ranked offense (4.4 goals per game) and fifth-best power play (29.2) heading into its tilt with New York, against which the Penguins won three of four meetings last season and five of the last six home encounters overall.

OVERTIME

1. Pittsburgh C Evgeni Malkin continued his torrid stretch on Saturday by scoring two goals and setting up another to extend his point streak to seven games, during which he has four tallies and 11 assists.

2. New York has won its last five games versus Metropolitan Division rivals dating to last season.

3. A moment of silence will be observed before Tuesday's game and a special collection will be held to benefit victims and families of Saturday's shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Penguins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Bruins vs. Hurricanes Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The last team in the NHL to lose on home ice, the Boston Bruins will try to bounce back when they open a brief two-game road trip at the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. The Bruins have struggled away from home this season but swept all three meetings against the Hurricanes in 2017-18, including a 6-4 win at Carolina.

"They've been playing well, they're a fast team, they transition very fast," Boston forward Jake DeBrusk said of Carolina. "They've also got some new bodies in there as well. It's a little bit of a different team." The Bruins' potent No. 1 line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak has been held off the scoresheet in consecutive games -- a 3-0 win over Philadelphia and Saturday's 3-0 loss to visiting Montreal. After scoring 21 goals during an early four-game winning streak, Carolina's offense has cooled off during its current 2-4-0 stretch, managing a combined five goals in the past four defeats. Sebastian Aho set up the only goal against the New York Islanders to extend his season-opening point streak to 11 games, matching the franchise record.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Carolina

ABOUT THE BRUINS (6-3-2): Boston defenseman Torey Krug is poised to make his season debut for an injury-ravaged blue-line corps that sustained another setback when Matt Grzelcyk was hurt in Saturday's loss. "I've played one game since May," Krug said. "It's been a long time. I'm interested to get back into a routine and try to remember what I've done for games." Backup netminder Jaroslav Halak, who has yet to lose in regulation (3-0-2), will start versus Carolina.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (6-4-1): Goaltender Scott Darling, sidelined since the preseason due to a lower-body injury, completed his conditioning assignment in the minors and could make his season debut Tuesday. Carolina is laboring with its special teams, ranking 30th overall on both the power play and the penalty kill. "Our power play needs to get us a goal," captain Justin Williams said. "Certainly, when we lose the special-teams battle, it's an uphill battle most of the game."

OVERTIME

1. Aho joined Wayne Gretzky and Ken Linseman (12 games apiece) as the only players with an assist in each of the first 11 games.

2. Pastrnak, who had a team-high 10 goals, had a hat trick in the last meeting versus the Hurricanes.

3. Carolina has scored once on the power play in the past six games.

PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Hurricanes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Calgary Flames vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 30th October 2018 by Gracenote
Flames vs. Sabres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/30/2018

Jeff Skinner's debut season with the Buffalo Sabres got off to a slow start, but the 26-year-old left wing has been on fire of late. Skinner looks to extend his point streak to six games when the Sabres host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

Skinner, who was selected seventh overall by Carolina in the 2010 draft and proceeded to win the Calder Trophy the following season, has collected five goals and five assists during his run. He helped set up Casey Mittelstadt's game-tying goal in the third period Saturday as Buffalo stretched its point streak to four contests (3-0-1) with a 5-4 overtime loss in Columbus. The Flames halted their three-game slide (0-2-1) with a 3-1 triumph at Toronto on Monday as Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm each recorded a goal and an assist. Monahan snapped a scoreless tie 5:39 into the third period while Lindholm scored 55 seconds later to register his 200th career point.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), MSG (Buffalo)

ABOUT THE FLAMES (6-5-1): Lindholm, who was acquired from Carolina in a five-player deal in June, leads the team with eight tallies. The 23-year-old Swede is well on his way toward eclipsing the career high of 17 goals he recorded in 2014-15. Michael Frolik netted his fifth tally of the season Monday but remains in search of his first assist, which will be the 200th of his career.

ABOUT THE SABRES (6-4-1): Jake McCabe notched a pair of assists Saturday but suffered an upper-body injury in the contest and missed Monday's practice. The 25-year-old defenseman, who has recorded all seven of his points this season over his last six games, is considered day-to-day. Tage Thompson, who was acquired from St. Louis in the deal involving Ryan O'Reilly over the summer, registered an assist against the Blue Jackets for his first point with the Sabres.

OVERTIME

1. Sabres LW Evan Rodrigues practiced Monday after missing the Columbus game because of the birth of his son.

2. Calgary D Mark Giordano has registered three assists in his last two contests.

3. Buffalo C Jack Eichel has notched six assists in his last four games but has gone eight contests without a goal.

PREDICTION: Flames 3, Sabres 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Devils vs. Lightning Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

Kyle Palmieri and his linemates look to continue their hot start Tuesday night when they open a season-long seven-game road trip against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs last April. Palmieri has produced eight goals in the first eight games of the campaign and his line - with reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall and 19-year-old Nico Hischier - is averaging four points per contest.

"The other two guys on my line, they're pretty world-class players," Palmieri told NJ.com. "They can make some of those mannequins that are sitting in the hallway look pretty good. We're working well together, creating chances for each other." New Jersey answered three straight losses (0-2-1) with a 3-2 victory over Florida on Saturday and hope to avenge a 4-1 series loss against the Lightning last spring in its first trip to the playoffs since 2012. The Devils will run into an angry team Tuesday after Tampa Bay ended an otherwise successful five-game trip with a 7-1 setback at Arizona on Saturday after posting at least a point in seven straight contests. "It's a tough schedule, but at the same time, it's not good enough," Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan told the Tampa Bay Times. "You can't come in here and lose that game like that. ... We have to be better than that."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (5-2-1): Hall owns a seven-game point streak and boasts 11 overall - two behind team leader Palmieri - while Hischier produced multiple points in three of the last four games to push his season total to eight. Defenseman Damon Severson, who was a healthy scratch in Game 1 of the playoffs against Tampa Bay last season, is off to a strong start with one point in seven of the first eight contests of 2018-19. Keith Kinkaid (5-2-1, 2.12 goals-against average, .925 save percentage) has played every minute in net and will likely be joined by Cory Schneider (hip) in a rotation soon after the latter was activated following three rehab games in the American Hockey League.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (7-2-1): Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who gave up two or fewer goals in six of his first seven starts, will likely be back in net after being rested in favor of backup Louis Domingue on Saturday. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman is out at least a few more games with an upper-body injury and left wing Ondrej Palat (lower body) is not expected to play Tuesday and possibly Thursday against Nashville. Adam Erne, who replaced Palat in the lineup, scored Tampa Bay's only goal Saturday and Yanni Gourde notched an assist to tie fellow forwards Brayden Point (team-high six goals), J.T. Miller and Nikita Kucherov for the club lead with nine points.

OVERTIME

1. The Lightning lead the league in penalty killing (95.1 percent) and the Devils are fifth (87.9).

2. New Jersey RW Joey Anderson logged 8:30 of ice time during his NHL debut Saturday.

3. Tampa Bay D Mikhail Sergachev posted a minus-6 rating Saturday after being a plus-6 in the season's first nine games.

PREDICTION: Lightning 3, Devils 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Stars vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Stars vs. Canadiens Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The Montreal Canadiens hope to continue their surprising start to the season with a fifth win in the first six contests at home when they host the road-challenged Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. The Canadiens have posted 16 goals in their four home wins and are coming off a strong effort on the other side of the ice as they recorded a 3-0 victory at Boston on Saturday with 33 saves from former Hart Trophy winner Carey Price.

"I thought it was a great road win by our guys," Price told the Montreal Gazette. "We did a good job utilizing our speed. Under the conditions, I thought we did an excellent job, especially in the third period. We're doing a good job staying positive this year." Montreal has won four of the last five meetings against Dallas, including a 4-2 triumph at home in March, and the Stars are the only Western Conference team without a road victory this season (0-3-0). Dallas is 5-2-0 with 27 goals in its first seven home games and has been outscored 11-3 in the first three on the road after a 4-2 loss at Detroit on Sunday. "It's really unacceptable, to be honest," Stars goalie Ben Bishop told reporters of the setback against the Red Wings (2-7-2). "We come in here against a team that's been struggling, and we go out and kind of just play to their level. We just went out there, and we just kind of played hockey. We did some good things. We did some bad things. We didn't take control."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), RDS, TSN2 (Montreal)

ABOUT THE STARS (5-5-0): Alexander Radulov (lower body), who had 10 points in the first six games of the season, could be closing in on a return to the lineup after missing the past four contests. Fellow forward Brett Ritchie (upper body) joined Radulov on the sidelines Sunday and Gemel Smith scored his first goal on the season after replacing him in the lineup, while defenseman John Klingberg had two assists to give him five points in three games. Center Tyler Seguin had three goals and 10 points in the first four games of the season, but managed just a pair of assists in the last six contests despite 31 shots in that stretch.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (6-2-2): Center Max Domi is making a strong impression in his first season with Montreal, leading the team with 11 points, and he boasts five goals during his current six-game point streak. Domi's primary linemates Jonathan Drouin (eight points, last seven games) and Artturi Lehkonen (three assists, last two contests) have also contributed and Brendan Gallagher tops the team with six goals - including five in his last seven outings. Noah Juulsen (one assist, plus-9 rating) missed the Boston game with a lower-body injury and is questionable while fellow defenseman Jeff Petry owns four points in the last four contests.

OVERTIME

1. Dallas captain F Jamie Benn had eight points in the first four games of the season, but has been blanked in the last six and is not expected to skate on a line with Seguin on Tuesday.

2. Price passed Patrick Roy for second on Montreal's all-time wins list with 290 on Saturday and is 6-4-0 lifetime versus Dallas.

3. Bishop has played well against the Canadiens in the past, going 11-4-3 in a .933 save percentage in 19 games.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Stars 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The Nashville Predators have hit a bump in the road while playing at home, splitting their six games at Bridgestone Arena while dropping two of three overall. The Predators look to avoid consecutive losses for the first time this season and give the Music City fans a thrill on Tuesday as they host the Vegas Golden Knights.

Filip Forsberg has been exciting the fans with nine goals in his last seven games, including his franchise-best sixth career hat trick in Saturday's 5-3 setback to Edmonton. "Right now, Filip's playing on a really high level," Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. "In the last two games, he probably has close to 25 attempts at the net. When he puts the puck at the net like that, it's going to go in the back of the net. He just has to continue to release it." Vegas wrapped up a successful homestand in style as Jonathan Marchessault scored on a penalty shot in overtime as his team improved to 3-1-1 on that stretch following Sunday's 4-3 win versus Ottawa. "I was excited," the 27-year-old Quebec native told the Las Vegas Sun. "As a group, we really needed that game."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (5-5-1): The injury bug seems to have taken a liking to coach Gerard Gallant's club, with Max Pacioretty sustaining an upper-body ailment against Tampa Bay on Friday before fellow forward Cody Eakin was felled two nights later following a hit from Ottawa defenseman Mark Borowiecki. Alex Tuch tallied twice versus the Senators and has three points in as many contests since signing a seven-year contract extension. The 22-year-old collected just 37 points last season before scoring six goals and setting four others during Vegas' run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (8-3-0): Forsberg isn't going it alone as Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson have aided in the line collecting 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists) and a plus-25 rating this season -- including 16 (nine goals, seven assists) in the last four. "'Joey' and 'Arvi' are playing great hockey," the 24-year-old Forsberg said of his linemates. "All three of us are playing well right now. We're all playing fast and simple hockey and trying to take the puck to the net as quick as we can. It's been working well lately." Arvidsson scored in the first encounter with Vegas, a 4-3 shootout loss in Nashville on Dec. 8.

OVERTIME

1. Vegas is just 4-for-37 on the power play this season.

2. Nashville G Juuse Saros has surrendered 12 goals in his last three games with countryman Pekka Rinne nursing an undisclosed injury.

3. Golden Knights G Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 55 of 56 shots in a pair of meetings with the Predators last season, but finished with a 1-1-0 mark.

PREDICTION: Predators 4, Golden Knights 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 30th October 2018 by Gracenote
Wild vs. Oilers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/30/2018

With the exception of a shutout loss to Nashville, Connor McDavid has recorded at least one point in every game of the young season for the Edmonton Oilers. The captain looks to extend his goal-scoring streak to five contests while the Oilers seek their fourth straight win when they host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

The two-time reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, who has registered six multi-point performances through 10 games, is fifth in the NHL with 17 points. McDavid produced a huge goal Sunday, scoring 53 seconds into overtime to give Edmonton a 2-1 triumph in Chicago, and is five away from 100 for his career. The Wild continue their seven-game road trip after suffering a 5-2 setback at Vancouver on Monday, ending the team's five-game winning streak. Mikael Granlund enters Tuesday's contest with an eight-game point streak after notching an assist against the Canucks.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE WILD (6-3-2): Jordan Greenway had a game he'll never forget as he scored his first career goal Monday - one day after being recalled from Iowa of the American Hockey League, with whom he registered a hat trick Saturday. The 21-year-old left wing, who was a second-round pick in the 2015 draft, recorded one assist in his first nine games this season and one in six contests last campaign. Zach Parise failed to land on the scoresheet Monday, keeping him four points shy of 700 for his career.

ABOUT THE OILERS (6-3-1): While not as hot as McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have been contributing offensively at a nice pace. Draisaitl has notched at least one point in seven of Edmonton's 10 games while Nugent-Hopkins has landed on the scoresheet in six contests. Milan Lucic, a five-time 20-goal scorer, has not tallied since the season opener.

OVERTIME

1. Half of McDavid's eight goals this season have come on the power play.

2. Granlund has collected five goals and five assists during his point streak.

3. After opening the season with back-to-back losses, Edmonton has earned at least one point in seven of its last eight contests (6-1-1).

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Wild 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ottawa Senators vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The Arizona Coyotes have made a stunning turnaround after a wretched start to the season and will go for their fourth consecutive victory against the visiting Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. A win will put the Coyotes above the .500 mark for the first time since the regular-season opener in 2016-17.

Arizona was blanked three times in the first four games this season but has erupted for 15 goals during its three-game winning streak, capped by a 7-1 drubbing of Tampa Bay on Saturday. "We just weren't scoring," Coyotes forward Michael Grabner said. "Now the puck is going in for a lot of guys, and it is easier to be confident out there with the puck." Ottawa has dropped three in a row following Sunday's 4-3 loss at Vegas on a penalty shot in overtime and will look to avert a winless three-game road trip. "The composure was there the entire game," Senators coach Guy Boucher said of the loss to the Golden Knights. "That's a big building block for us."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, RDSI, TSN5 (Ottawa), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE SENATORS (4-4-2): Ottawa will be short-handed after defenseman Mark Borowiecki was handed a three-game suspension by the NHL on Monday for an illegal check to the head of Vegas' Cody Eakin. Borowiecki, who was in his first game back after serving a one-game suspension for elbowing against Boston on Tuesday, received a five-minute major and game misconduct for the hit on Eakin. Defenseman Thomas Chabot has a team-best 13 points after collecting two assists Sunday.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (5-5-0): Despite the early offensive woes, Arizona has been strong in its own end and is tied with the New Jersey Devils for the fewest goals allowed with 20. "As a group, our forwards, 'D' and goalies are working hard and working together, and we're really focused on keeping the puck out of our net," Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton said. Grabner scored a pair of short-handed goals against the Lightning to give Arizona a league-high five in the category.

OVERTIME

1. Coyotes G Antti Raanta has a 2.13 goals-against average in seven starts.

2. Senators F Matt Duchene has four goals in his last four games overall and 11 tallies in 27 contests versus Arizona.

3. The Coyotes rank No. 2 on the penalty kill, thwarting 25 of 28 power-play chances.

PREDICTION: Coyotes 3, Senators 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Flyers vs. Ducks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

The fortunes of the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers have taken a tumble of late, with former answering a sterling 5-1-1 start by surrendering 19 goals over five straight losses (0-4-1) while the latter has been outscored 13-2 during its three-game losing skid. One team will take a step toward getting back on track Tuesday as the struggling Ducks and Flyers meet at Honda Center.

Pontus Aberg recorded his first career multi-goal performance with two tallies in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to San Jose while captain Ryan Getzlaf notched his second straight multi-point effort with a pair of assists. "We have to come to work again," said the 33-year-old Getzlaf, who is tied with four others for the team lead in points (seven). "It's all about buying into our system and doing the things we want to do. Having fun again, and trying to play hockey at a high level." The Flyers aren't having much fun of late, so much so that captain Claude Giroux told reporters that the team's four-game road trip might be just what the doctor ordered to turn things around. "That's what we need right now," the 30-year-old said. "We need to get closer as a team, we need to go out there and play for each other, and this road trip is going to be very important for the season."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, Sportsnet1, FS West (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE FLYERS (4-7-0): Perhaps there's something to Giroux's words as Philadelphia answered a 10-game winless skid last season with a road trip that saw it defeat Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The Flyers will need to find their offense as Giroux has been held without a goal in five straight games, fellow forward Sean Couturier does not have an assist in his last 11 and puck-moving defenseman Ivan Provorov has yet to score this season and has a minus-8 rating after netting 17 goals in 2017-18. Jori Lehtera scored his first goal of the campaign in Saturday afternoon's 6-1 setback to the New York Islanders.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (5-5-2): Although Anaheim is mired in its worst losing streak in three years, coach Randy Carlyle cautioned his charges to keep their heads up. "There is our fair share of work that needs to be done, but for us it's about taking the next step," Carlyle said. "Right now, we're a hockey club that has to try to create an identity, and we did that in the last 30 minutes of (the San Jose) game." The Ducks' defense has been quite generous with John Gibson seeing 49 shots against the Sharks, although the Pennsylvania native boasts a 4-0-1 mark in five career encounters versus the Flyers.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia has allowed the first goal in 10 of 11 games this season.

2. Anaheim C Adam Henrique resides one point shy of 300 for his career.

3. Flyers F Nic Aube-Kubel will make his NHL debut versus the Ducks after being recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Flyers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 10-30-2018 in NHL

NHL Previews 29th October 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Sharks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/29/2018

Aside from the Eastern portion of a five-game road trip earlier this month, the San Jose Sharks have been among the league's most consistent teams during their ascent to the top of the Pacific Division. The Sharks will get a chance to avenge one of their losses when they host the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

Defenseman Brett Burns is riding an eight-game point streak, including a pair of assists in San Jose's 3-2 overtime defeat at New York on Oct. 11. The Sharks, who played eight of their first 11 away from home, take a five-game point streak (4-0-1) into Tuesday's matchup. New York is still seeking its first win away from home, falling to 0-4-1 on the road after giving up a last-minute goal in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. "It doesn't get any easier," Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello said. "We've just got to stay positive and back each other up. We'll stay a team."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), NBCS California (San Jose)

ABOUT THE RANGERS (3-7-1): New York drew the ire of first-year coach David Quinn with some careless penalties against Los Angeles, including the fifth infraction this season for too many men on the ice. "At the end of the day, we have to stop beating ourselves," Quinn said. "It's hard enough in this league to beat teams without beating yourself. It has to stop. It's on me." Vladislav Namestnikov, Dustin Brown and Ryan Spooner all scored their first goals Sunday.

ABOUT THE SHARKS (6-3-2): Timo Meier capped his first career three-point performance by delivering the game-winner in overtime Sunday to extend his point to a personal-best eight games. San Jose's first-round pick (No. 9 overall) in the 2015 draft, Meier has scored five times in four games to boost his season total to eight and already has 12 points after notching 36 in 2017-18. Defenseman Erik Karlsson had seven shots on goal Sunday after going back-to-back games without one.

OVERTIME

1. Meier and Burns are the third set of San Jose teammates to ever have simultaneous eight-game point streaks.

2. Rangers D Adam McQuaid (lower body) is expected to sit out his second game in a row.

3. Sharks F Logan Couture has 11 points and F Tomas Hertl has nine during their respective six-game point streaks.

PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Rangers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Marc Lawrence Incredible Stat of the Day:

The Sacramento Kings are 13-2 ATS without rest at Orlando