Tuesday 11-6-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-05-2018, 11:39 PM

Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Buffalo Bulls Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NCAAF Predictions 5th November 2018 By Charles Jay for Scores And Stats
by Charles Jay Scores & Stats on 11/05/2018

The Kent State Golden Flashes are not going to a bowl game this season, which means they are going to have to make the most of these last three games for first-year head coach Sean Lewis.

The Buffalo Bulls, on the other hand, are possibly headed toward their greatest season ever, with a quarterback who may be bound for the NFL someday and an offensive line that really knows how to protect him.

In the Mid-American Conference's quest for exposure, these teams get together for a Tuesday night showcase at UB Stadium in Buffalo.

TV: ESPNU, 7:30 PM ET. LINE: Buffalo -21.5

ABOUT KENT STATE: When you have an opportunity to get a win, you take it, and so Kent State (2-7 SU, 6-3 ATS) was happy to have encountered a floundering Bowling Green squad last Tuesday night. The Falcons lack defense and have been through a coaching change, and they also went into that game with a 1-7 record, but it was a struggle nonetheless for KSU, which trailed 13-7 at one point but came out of it with a 35-28 victory. Woody Barrett was inconsistent, going just 14 of 24 for 157 yards, but the Flashes really made the ground game work against a defense that was yielding 6.6 yards a carry. Barrett had 77 yards on the ground, but the real standout was Jo-el Shaw, who had 128 yards in place of the injured Justin Rankin. Shaw, from Pittsburgh, was originally committed to Syracuse, where current Kent State head coach Sean Lewis was the co-offensive coordinator. He didn't qualify academically, so he went to junior college. Lewis reached out for him when he got the head job with the Golden Flashes. Lewis' first signee at Kent State was Barrett, who was impressive enough as a high school prospect that he was brought aboard by Gus Malzahn at Auburn, and then transferred to JC ball last spring when there was too much of a logjam at quarterback.

ABOUT BUFFALO: Like Kent State, the Bulls (8-1 SU, 7-2 ATS) played last Tuesday on the ESPN networks, and although they had a difficult time with Miami of Ohio's Gus Ragland, they were almost impossible to stop in their 51-42 victory at home. Tyree Jackson threw for 358 yards, and the guy he repeatedly looked to was Anthony Johnson, who had eight receptions for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson is a downfield passer, averaging almost eight yards an attempt, and he has 23 TD passes. The 6-7 junior has been sacked only eight times. Johnson had only one 100-yard game before last Tuesday; he is actually the team's second-leading receiver, behind KJ Osborn (730 yards). There are a lot of other reasons the Bulls have been successful. They have some balance in the offense, with Kevin Marks and Jaret Patterson both approaching 600 yards rushing. And they've also got a +10 turnover margin. They are very competitive on the stop end, and in fact rank 16th in the nation in Passing Efficiency Defense. Junior linebacker Khalil Hodge ranks sixth in the nation in tackles. Last season he was second. Buffalo currently leads the MAC East division with a 5-0 record.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Buffalo head coach Lance Leipold won six national championships at the Division III level at Wisconsin-Whitewater and was runner-up another occasion. In each case, his team played Mount Union in the title game.

2. Kent State likes to operate with some "tempo," and indeed they are ninth in the nation in "Adjusted Pace." But since they don't generate enough on offense, they are outside the nation's top 100 in Time of Possession.

3. Kent State is dead last in the nation in two categories - Tackles for Loss allowed (10.56 per game) and Penalties Per Game (10.22).

PREDICTION: Buffalo 44, Kent State 21

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-05-2018, 11:39 PM

Michigan St Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NCAAB Predictions 4th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/04/2018

Two of the top teams in the nation face off in a season-opening contest when top-ranked Kansas and No. 10 Michigan State battle in the State Farm Champions Classic in Indianapolis on Tuesday. The Jayhawks and Spartans lost key players from last season's squads but bring back experienced players as well as some top recruits to make themselves into title contenders again.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo would like to have NBA lottery picks Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. back, but he has three starters returning including point guard Cassius Winston, the team's leading returning scorer (12.6 points) and the Big Ten's assist leader (6.9). Forward Nick Ward will be the key for the Spartans down low after averaging 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 18.9 minutes as a sophomore. Ward and the Spartans could have a tough time in the paint against Kansas thanks to the presence of 7-0 junior center Udoka Azubuike (13 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks last season), who is a load on both ends of the floor. Jayhawks fans are excited about the brother duo of Dedric and K.J. Lawson, who are eligible to play after transferring from Memphis, where they averaged 19.2 and 12.3 points, respectively, in 2016-17.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2017-18: 30-5): Ward and Winston have garnered a majority of the preseason headlines and accolades, but for Izzo and Michigan State, the most important returning junior starter is likely guard Joshua Langford. The junior was the only Spartan to start every game last season, averaged 11.7 points, but was inconsistent with his shot and his scoring output. For example, one game after opening the NCAA Tournament with 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, Langford was 1-of-12 -- including 1-of-7 from 3-point range -- against the zone defense of Syracuse, one of the reasons for the Spartans' upset loss to the Orange.

ABOUT KANSAS (2017-18: 31-8): With the departure of the team's leading scorer and assist man, Devonte' Graham, coach Bill Self has to figure out a new starter at the point guard position, though he has a few options. To start the season, Self will likely go with highly regarded freshman Devon Dotson, a McDonald's All-American, who averaged seven points and three assists in the team's two exhibition contests. If Dotson struggles, Self can turn to California transfer Charlie Moore, who led the Golden Bears in assists as a freshman, though both will certainly see plenty of time throughout the season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Winston led the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage in 2017-18, hitting 49.7 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

2. Azubuike led the nation and set the Kansas and Big 12 single-season record for field goal percentage at 77.0 in 2007-18.

3. Michigan State has lost three of its last four contests at the Champions Classic, though that one win was over Kansas in 2015.

PREDICTION: Kansas 82, Michigan State 72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-05-2018, 11:39 PM

Duke Blue Devils vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NCAAB Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

A major showdown will take place on the opening night of the season when No. 2 Kentucky faces No. 3 Duke in the State Farm Champions Classic in Indianapolis on Tuesday. The Wildcats have a deep incoming class while also landing Stanford transfer Reid Travis, and the Blue Devils unveil the nation's top three recruits in RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish.

Travis brings 98 games of experience to a young roster and is looking forward to a top-level opponent in his first game at Kentucky. "The mood is a lot of excitement," Travis said in a press conference. "Taking it game by game, but obviously we're getting to the real big games so it's a lot of excitement in the locker room. We want to get better, and just continue to prepare to grow." Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is still defining roles but will throw his freshman trio of stars into the fire and see how things play out. "We'll face different tempos and obviously Kentucky will be one of the most talented teams that we will play, but we just have to keep moving," Krzyzewski said during a press conference. "We're developing really good habits."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT DUKE (2017-18: 29-8): The college debut of Williamson has been an anticipated event since early in his high school career and Kentucky was one of the schools he shunned. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson has mixed well with fellow forwards Barrett and Reddish as well as another incoming freshman in point guard Tre Jones while also impressing his older teammates. "He's so much more than just an incredible athlete," junior forward Jack White said during a press conference. "One thing that sticks out to me is his passing ability. He can really pass the ball. He's a really smart player. He always seems to make the right play. He makes his teammates better."

ABOUT KENTUCKY (2017-18: 26-11): Travis (19.5 points, 8.7 rebounds) and sophomore forward PJ Washington (10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds) give the Wildcats a solid frontcourt duo that ranks among the best in the nation. Sophomore guard Quade Green (9.3) was a part-time starter last season and freshman Tyler Herro is expected to be a major 3-point threat, but Kentucky may get some answers about some of the other newcomers during the game against the Blue Devils. "We've got a couple of days to prepare for this next one, that will be a hard game," Kentucky coach John Calipari said at a press conference. "Now may be harder than I thought. We need more energy defensively and the game Tuesday will be great for film to see who needs to do what."

TIP-INS

1. Kentucky leads the series 12-9, but Duke has prevailed in seven of the past nine meetings.

2. Junior C Marques Bolden (3.9 average) is the Blue Devils' leading returning scorer.

3. Travis scored 20 or more points on 18 occasions and posted 16 double-doubles in his final season at Stanford.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 76, Duke 75

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-05-2018, 11:40 PM

Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NBA Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The Charlotte Hornets look to defeat Atlanta for the eighth time in the past nine meetings when they host the Hawks on Tuesday. Charlotte is 2-1 on a four-game homestand with double-digit wins over the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers along with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Hornets notched their largest winning margin (32 points) of the season when they rolled a 126-94 victory over the Cavaliers on Saturday. Star guard Kemba Walker scored a season-low 18 points in the contest but he was one of seven players in double figures. The Hawks halted a four-game slide with a 123-118 win over the Heat on Saturday as they recorded their second-highest scoring output of the campaign. Rookie point guard Trae Young contributed 24 points and a season-best 15 assists for his second straight double-double and third of the season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta, Charlotte)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (3-6): Young has made an immediate impact and is averaging team-best marks of 19.1 points and 7.9 assists. He has scored 20 or more points on four occasions and reached double figures in all nine games but his 3-point shooting (18-of-56) has been inconsistent. Forward Taurean Prince ranks second in scoring at 15.4 points and he tallied 15 points against Miami after averaging just seven on 7-of-35 shooting over a three-game stretch.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (5-5): Backup guard Jeremy Lamb scored a season-best 19 points against Cleveland and has reached double digits in eight of the first 10 games. Lamb is averaging 11.9 points while sparking the second unit and coach James Borrego is pleased with the 26-year-old's production. "I thought he was fantastic," Borrego told reporters after the win over the Cavaliers. "Just his aggressiveness and a lot of it wasn't just settling for shots, he was getting to the rim, into the paint, he put pressure on the defense."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Hornets won last season's four meetings by an average of 13.5 points.

2. Charlotte PG Tony Parker has scored in double digits in each of his past five games and is averaging 16.2 points during the stretch.

3. Atlanta released an update of F John Collins (ankle) on Monday, saying he was re-evaluated and may return to practice later this week.

PREDICTION: Hornets 106, Hawks 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-05-2018, 11:40 PM

Washington Wizards vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NBA Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The Dallas Mavericks aim to snap a six-game losing streak when they host the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The good news for Dallas is seeing the Wizards on the schedule as the Mavericks have won the last four meetings and 15 of the past 16.

Dallas lost by single digits in each of the first five games of its slide before suffering a 118-106 setback against the New York Knicks on Friday. "At this point, we've got to get angry," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "We've got to get more together. We've got to have two great practice days. That's where we are." Washington is off to a miserable start but is coming off a solid 108-95 defensive-minded win over the Knicks on Sunday. "It was nice to see below 100," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "We haven't seen that. I think the guys competed. We started off the game with our best defense of the early season and then we finished that."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Washington, FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (2-7): Center Dwight Howard had a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) on Sunday after scoring 20 points two nights earlier in his season debut. Howard is bothered by a strained muscle in his buttocks that makes it extremely painful to try to sit down but his first two efforts were encouraging considering the circumstances. "If you want me to judge him after two games, he did pretty good," Brooks told reporters. "I like his enthusiasm. I like his smile. He's a good-looking guy, and he uses it all the time."

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (2-7): Standout rookie forward Luka Doncic is dealing with an ankle injury but he returned to practice on Monday and his availability will be firmed up on Tuesday. Doncic has been an impact player with Dallas and is averaging 19.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists through nine games. "He's unique as an NBA rookie because he's been a professional for six years already (in the EuroLeague)," Carlisle told reporters. "That is an advantage for him coming into this. He's played in a lot of high stakes competition both in the EuroLeague and internationally with Slovenia. Those games with the national team are high pressure games for national pride, and it's a big deal."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Mavericks won last season's two meetings by an average of 18.5 points.

2. Dallas backup PG Devin Harris (hamstring) is making progress but Carlisle termed it an unlikely that Harris will play against the Wizards.

3. Washington SF Otto Porter Jr. (toe) returned to practice after sitting out Sunday's game.

PREDICTION: Wizards 116, Mavericks 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-05-2018, 11:40 PM

Brooklyn Nets vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NBA Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
Nets vs. Suns Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The Phoenix Suns missed Devin Booker when he wasn't in the lineup and look to post a second straight win when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Booker drained the decisive shot in Sunday's 102-100 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies to end Phoenix's seven-game slide.

The star shooting guard missed three games with a hamstring injury before returning for Friday's loss against the Toronto Raptors and looked on his game Sunday when he scored 25 points and hit the game-winning shot with 1.7 seconds remaining. "It's new life around here," Booker told reporters. "New energy. You see a lot of smiles. Hopefully, we like this feeling and want to come out and play that much harder versus Brooklyn." The Nets are just 1-4 on the road as they begin a stretch in which they play four straight and seven of nine in enemy venues. Brooklyn is coming off a strong performance in which it rolled to a 122-97 triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE NETS (4-6): Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson enjoyed his top offensive performance of the season against Philadelphia by scoring 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Hollis-Jefferson is just finding his stride after missing all of the preseason due to an adductor strain and anything he provides offensively is a bonus as he typically makes a big impact on the defensive end. "Whatever he adds on the offensive end or wherever else, I think that's just the cherry on top," point guard D'Angelo Russell told reporters. "But he's always going to be that work hard, scrappy guy, make the play, but he has offensive skills as well. I think he's falling into his rhythm. He needed that game just to get that confidence right."

ABOUT THE SUNS (2-7): Rookie forward Mikal Bridges contributed 14 points in the win over Memphis, two games after scoring a season-high 16 against the San Antonio Spurs. Bridges has played more than 20 minutes in four of the past five games and is carving himself a role while impressing his teammates. "I love being on the floor with him," Booker told reporters. "He does everything it takes to win. He spaces the floor, he defends, he's long and lanky, he has really good instincts that not a lot of people have and he's well-coached at Villanova. They know how to win."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Nets have won five of the past six meetings.

2. Brooklyn SG Caris LeVert has scored 20 or more points in back-to-back games and six times overall this season.

3. Phoenix waived C Tyson Chandler after agreeing to a buyout of his contract.

PREDICTION: Suns 114, Nets 111

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-05-2018, 11:40 PM

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NBA Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The Milwaukee Bucks have matched the best nine-game start in franchise history and look to add another victory when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Milwaukee has won eight of its first nine games to join the 1971-72 squad led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the franchise's top mark.

The Bucks continued their strong opening stretch by rolling to a 144-109 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Milwaukee set a franchise record with 22 made 3-pointers and also registered its most points in a non-overtime game since racking up 147 against the San Antonio Spurs on March 18, 1979. Portland has won four of its last five games and pounded the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-81 on Sunday to improve to 7-3. "To be sitting where we are now, I'm sure people didn't expect it," star point guard Damian Lillard told reporters. "I think we're playing good basketball. We've been pretty consistent with the things that we need to do to win games and it's showing."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE BUCKS (8-1): Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo posted his second triple-double of the season and 12th of his career with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in the rout of the Kings. Antetokounmpo was one of eight players to reach double digits against Sacramento as solid ball movement was evident throughout the easy victory. "Hopefully, one of the keys to Giannis being great is everybody around him being great," Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "We can also talk about a lot of other guys who played well, too. So, that's a great sign for Giannis and a great sign for us."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (7-3): The victory over Minnesota came one night after a stunning home loss against the Los Angeles Lakers and Lillard liked how his team bounced back against the Timberwolves, who were without guards Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose. "I think it speaks to our maturity," Lillard told reporters. "In the past, we might have let that one slip (Saturday) and then come back and been, I guess, too emotional about it, like a younger team would be, kind of holding on to it. It would carry over to (Sunday)." Center Jusuf Nurkic has posted back-to-back double-doubles after recording 19 points and 12 rebounds against Minnesota and has five for the season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Bucks won both of last season's meetings and prevailed in six of the past seven.

2. Milwaukee SF Khris Middleton has made three or more 3-pointers in eight of the first nine games.

3. Portland backup SG Nik Stauskas (quadriceps) is questionable after departing Sunday's game.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 112 Bucks 110

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-06-2018, 09:00 AM

Dallas Stars vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NHL Predictions 6th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/06/2018

The Dallas Stars' three-game winning streak may be over, but they hope to continue their run of points when they conclude a six-game road trip Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dallas began the trek with a loss in Detroit but reeled off three straight victories before dropping a 2-1 overtime decision in Boston on Monday.

Radek Faksa scored the lone goal in the setback for the Stars, who are 3-3-1 overall on the road this season and have recorded a total of four tallies in the defeats. Columbus looks to avoid a third consecutive loss after falling 3-2 in overtime at Anaheim on Sunday. Pierre-Luc Dubois netted both tallies for the Blue Jackets, giving him five in his last seven contests and pulling him within one of Josh Anderson (seven) for the team lead. Artemi Panarin leads Columbus with 15 points but has been kept off the scoresheet in each of his last four contests.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, FS Southwest Plus (Dallas), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE STARS (8-5-1): Tyler Seguin leads the team with 14 points but has scored only three goals after registering a career-high 40 last season. The 26-year-old center has gone 11 games without a tally, notching just six assists in that span. Captain Jamie Benn, who tops the club with six goals, was kept off the scoresheet Monday after recording two tallies and an assist during a three-game point streak.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (7-6-1): Despite a lack of offensive production, Markus Hannikainen has earned the favor of coach John Tortorella over the last six games after being scratched for each of the team's first eight contests. "He's not coming out of the lineup," Tortorella told the team's website of the 25-year-old Finnish left wing, who has recorded two assists in six games. "He's played that well as far as his effort and around the puck." Brandon Dubinsky has recorded an assist in two games since returning from an oblique injury, giving him three points in four contests this season.

OVERTIME

1. Blue Jackets LW Anthony Duclair is three points shy of 100 for his career.

2. Dallas G Ben Bishop will be in the crease Tuesday after Anton Khudobin made his fourth start of the season in the loss to Boston.

3. Columbus has gone 0-for-20 on the power play over its last five games while allowing three short-handed goals.

PREDICTION: Stars 4, Blue Jackets 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-06-2018, 09:00 AM

Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NHL Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The New York Rangers attempt to extend their season-high winning streak to four games when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday for a battle between Original Six teams. New York had not recorded consecutive victories this campaign prior to its current run, which was stretched with Sunday's 3-1 home triumph over Buffalo.

Jimmy Vesey ended his six-game goal-scoring drought with authority as he registered his second two-goal performance of 2018-19 for the Rangers, who have posted four of their six wins at home. New York could be without a pair of forwards against Montreal as Ryan Spooner (lower body) is day-to-day while rookie Brett Howden, who has recorded a goal and four assists in his last five games, exited Sunday's win after crashing face-first into the end boards. The Canadiens are hoping to register consecutive victories for just the second time this season after edging the New York Islanders 4-3 in a shootout on Monday. Montreal rallied from a 3-1 deficit and improved to 3-1-2 on the road when Joel Armia scored the lone goal of the bonus format in the fifth round.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (8-4-2): Max Domi has been wielding a hot stick for Montreal, registering at least one of his team-leading 15 points in nine of his last 10 games after notching a goal and an assist on Monday. The 23-year-old center, who is the son of former NHL enforcer Tie Domi, has tallied in seven of his last nine contests. The Canadiens are hoping forward Jonathan Drouin also is heating up, as the 23-year-old scored a goal and set up another versus the Islanders after recording just one assist in his previous five games.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (6-7-1): Mats Zuccarello has notched seven points in his last nine games and leads the team with seven assists. The 31-year-old Norwegian's next assist will be his 221st, snapping a tie with Phil Esposito for 25th place on the franchise list. Henrik Lundqvist has posted back-to-back victories following an 0-3-1 stretch and needs two wins to tie the legendary Jacques Plante (437) for seventh place on the all-time list.

OVERTIME

1. Lundqvist has gone 4-0-0 with one shutout, a 0.94 goals-against average and a .967 save percentage in his last four appearances - including playoffs - versus the Canadiens.

2. Montreal LW Artturi Lehkonen scored the game-tying goal on Monday, his first tally since the season opener at Toronto on Oct. 3.

3. The Rangers recalled 20-year-old C Lias Andersson, who recorded a goal and an assist in seven games with the club last season, from Hartford of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Canadiens 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-06-2018, 09:00 AM

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NHL Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

While the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to taste defeat on the road, their home cooking has left a bit to be desired heading into Tuesday's contest versus the visiting Vegas Golden Knights. The Maple Leafs have seen their offense take a significant dip in front of the home folks, registering just 2.0 goals per game at home (3-5-0) after recording a gaudy 5.33 on the road (6-0-0).

John Tavares' numbers have followed suit, as he has mustered just four points (one goal, three assists) in eight games in Toronto as opposed to 12 (seven goals, five assists) in six road contests - including a goal and an assist in Saturday's 5-0 romp in Pittsburgh. "A textbook win on the road, nice to get that feeling back. We have to try and have a little bit of that mindset (at home), simplify things maybe, trust who we are as a team and individually," the 28-year-old Ontario native told reporters. While Toronto has prospered on the road, Vegas has struggled away from Sin City with losses in five of seven such contests heading into the opener of its four-game road trip. Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside all 34 shots he faced in Saturday's 3-0 triumph over Carolina to record his 50th career shutout, although the three-time Stanley Cup winner is just 2-3-0 with a 2.81 goals-against average on the road.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Vegas), TSN4 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (6-7-1): Erik Haula notched a two-assist performance for the second time in four games on Saturday and had a goal and an assist as Vegas split its season series with Toronto in 2017-18. Fellow forward William Karlsson tallied three times and set up another goal in the Golden Knights' 6-3 romp over the Maple Leafs on New Year's Eve. The 25-year-old Swede has yet to find the back of the net on the road this season, although he does have five of his team co-leading seven assists away from T-Mobile Arena.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (9-5-0): Morgan Rielly tallied twice against the Penguins to take the lead among all NHL defensemen in goals (six) and points (18) this season. The 24-year-old already has matched his goal total from last season - in 62 fewer games, no less - and hopes his good fortune on the road translates to the rest of his team at home. "We feel good about the road, but it's time we assert ourselves in our own building," Rielly told reporters.

OVERTIME

1. Vegas RW Ryan Reaves has scored four goals in his last seven games after failing to notch a point in each of his previous seven contests.

2. Toronto C Mitch Marner has seven assists in his last six contests.

3. Golden Knights D Shea Theodore is riding a three-game assist streak.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 3, Golden Knights 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-06-2018, 09:00 AM

Edmonton Oilers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NHL Predictions 6th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/06/2018

Two of last season's three 100-point scorers will be on display when the improving Edmonton Oilers visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday for a high-octane battle. Edmonton captain Connor McDavid is well on his way to a third-straight 100-point campaign with 21 and Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov is averaging a point per game in the early going for the Eastern Conference-leading Lightning.

Tampa Bay became the first team in the East to reach 10 wins on Sunday, when it tied the game with 33 seconds remaining and won it on Yanni Gourde's goal 14 ticks into overtime for a 4-3 victory at Ottawa. "I really thought our guys chipped away, and it did not come easy," Lightning coach Jon Cooper told reporters after his team recorded a 37-12 advantage in shots over the last two periods and the extra session. "They had to continue to work, obviously all the way to the very end, but the group has showed that this year with us, and I thought they deserved the two points." Edmonton earned a point in six of seven games (5-1-1) before dropping a 4-2 decision at Washington on Monday as has split the first two contests of its four-game road trip that concludes at Florida on Thursday. McDavid scored his 10th goal in Monday's loss, giving him six tallies and five assists during his eight-game point streak.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE OILERS (8-5-1): Ryan Nugent-Hopkins set up both goals on Monday and ranks second on the team with 16 points - trailing only McDavid (22), who is second in the league behind Colorado's Mikko Rantanen (24). Leon Draisaitl scored his eighth goal in the setback for Edmonton, which has gotten unexpectedly big production from Alex Chiasson (six goals) and Drake Caggiula (five). Ty Rattie (abdomen) could return to the lineup on Tuesday, with underachieving forwards Jesse Puljujarvi (one goal) and Ryan Strome (zero points) being candidates to sit out if he does.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (10-3-1): Rookie Mathieu Joseph, who has impressed with speed and grit to earn a consistent spot in the lineup, scored his first NHL goal Sunday in his 14th game. "You can see on the bench, everyone is excited for him," captain Steven Stamkos told reporters. "When you're in a stretch like that, you just keep going and, eventually, one will go in. It's even more special coming in the win." Brayden Point recorded the tying goal and set up the winner Sunday to push his team-leading point total to 17 - eight of which have come in the last four contests.

OVERTIME

1. Edmonton RW Tobias Rieder, who has notched seven assists in his first season with the team, has not scored in 18 straight games - including playoffs.

2. Tampa Bay G Andrei Vasilevskiy is tied for the league lead with seven wins and among the leaders with a 1.98 goals-against average.

3. The home team has won each of the last five meetings while the Lightning are 5-1-1 in the last seven matchups.

PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Oilers 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-06-2018, 09:00 AM

New Jersey Devils vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NHL Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The New Jersey Devils earned a much-needed two points last time out and look to conclude their first set of back-to-back games of the campaign with a pair of victories when they visit the struggling Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Brian Boyle recorded his first career hat trick as the Devils won 5-1 at Pittsburgh on Monday after dropping six of their previous seven contests (1-5-1).

Defenseman Will Butcher registered a season-high three points in the triumph for New Jersey, which had been outscored 15-6 while losing its previous three contests, and captain Andy Greene blocked four shots while making his 800th NHL appearance. The Senators, who have earned at least one point in their last six matchups (4-0-2) against the Devils, have faded since a strong start to the season - registering just one win in their last seven contests (1-4-2) after a dispiriting 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Ottawa surrendered a goal with 33 seconds left in regulation against the Eastern Conference-leading Lightning before giving up the winner just 14 ticks into the extra session. "As a group, collectively, we've got to take some ownership for our play and our results," Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki told reporters. "It's been a few too many years here for us where the players haven't taken ownership. ... We're going through a rough patch here, and this is where it's a true test of our personalities and a true test of the group we have in here."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), TSN5, RDS2 (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (6-5-1): Kyle Palmieri set up a goal to increase his team-leading total to 15 points while reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall notched his team-best 12th assist in Monday's victory. Former third-round pick Joey Anderson recorded his first NHL point with an assist in his third game and Marcus Johansson registered his 200th career assist. Keith Kinkaid made 35 saves to post his sixth win of the season on Monday, which could give Cory Schneider (0-1-0, 3.24 goals-against average, .913 save percentage) the crease in Ottawa, but coach John Hynes reportedly has not committed to a starter.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (5-6-3): Ottawa has yielded at least four goals in six of its last seven contests after recording three straight victories and is last in the league in goals allowed at 4.21 per game. Defenseman Thomas Chabot has collected four assists in his last three contests to push his team-leading total to 17 points and Mark Stone (99 career goals) has set up five goals in the same span to rank second with 13. Ottawa's defense corps is averaging one goal per game and rookie blue-liner Maxime Lajoie scored on Sunday to pull even with Ryan Dzingel for the team lead with five tallies.

OVERTIME

1. Ottawa LW Mikkel Boedker has recorded an assist in three straight contests after enduring a four-game point drought.

2. New Jersey C Travis Zajac is one assist shy of 300 for his career.

3. The Senators are 4-for-9 on the power play over their last three games and ranked fifth in the league (27.3 percent) through Sunday.

PREDICTION: Devils 4, Senators 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-06-2018, 09:01 AM

Vancouver Canucks vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NHL Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The Sedin twins were the face of the Canucks franchise for 18 seasons before retiring but starstruck Vancouver fans aren't seeing double anymore thanks to 19-year-old rookie Elias Pettersson. The fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft hopes to continue his fast start - nine goals in nine games - when the Canucks kick off their second six-game road trip of the season Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings.

Pettersson, who like Henrik and Daniel Sedin hails from Sweden, became the youngest Vancouver player to record five points in a game when he had two goals and three assists in Friday's 7-6 overtime victory over Colorado. "We knew he was supposed to be a pretty good player. And he's been all of that," Canucks coach Travis Green told reporters about the 6-2, 165-pound Pettersson, who was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week on Monday and has 15 points despite missing six games with a concussion. Pettersson needed only 23 shots to become the 16th player in NHL history with at least nine goals in his first nine games and only the sixth after the league's inaugural season. Detroit is coming off a 4-3 loss to Edmonton on Saturday that snapped a three-game winning streak after a 1-7-2 start.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (9-6-0): Brock Boeser, a Calder Trophy finalist after scoring 29 goals in 62 games last season, had two goals and two assists Friday and owns four goals along with 11 points in 2018-19 while skating on a line with Pettersson. Defenseman Christopher Tanev (minus-4, 21:27 ice time per game) has missed the last five contests with a hip bone bruise but made the trip and could play Tuesday. Jacob Markstrom (6-3-0, 3.27 goals-against average, .899 save percentage) has allowed five or more goals in four games this season, winning for the first time in such contests Friday, and a total of nine in the other five contests.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (4-8-2): Dylan Larkin leads the team with six goals and 15 points after scoring twice and recording six assists during a four-game point streak. The Red Wings are thin up front as Frans Nielsen and Andreas Athanasiou missed their third straight games Saturday with undisclosed injuries while Thomas Vanek (lower body) has been out for two contests. Tyler Bertuzzi (five goals) has scored in three of his last four games while 11 of Gustav Nyquist's 12 points are assists.

OVERTIME

1. Pettersson set a Vancouver record for points in a regular-season game by a rookie Saturday and eclipsed the previous mark for youngest to score five points in franchise history set by 20-year-old Trevor Linden in the 1990-91 season.

2. Detroit D Jonathan Ericsson, who missed the first seven games of the season with an upper-body injury, did not play Saturday (undisclosed).

3. The Red Wings have won three of the last four meetings with the road team winning the past three encounters.

PREDICTION: Canucks 3, Red Wings 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-06-2018, 09:01 AM

Carolina Hurricanes vs. St. Louis Blues Preview and Predictions 11-06-2018

NHL Predictions 5th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/05/2018

The Carolina Hurricanes opened the season with a flourish, erupting for 22 goals in their first five games (4-0-1) before mustering just 16 during their current 2-6-1 slide. The Hurricanes aim to end a four-game losing skid on Tuesday when they play the third contest of their four-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues.

"You can feel sorry about yourself and hang your head, but nobody cares about that," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters. "We're going to get back to work and keep trying to get better. That's the only thing you can do." Sebastian Aho was held off the scoresheet for the second consecutive contest in Saturday's 3-0 setback versus Vegas after starting the season with a 12-game point streak (four goals, 13 assists) for the Hurricanes, who mustered just three goals in a pair of losses to the Blues in 2017-18. St. Louis had been keeping scoreboard operators busy with 24 tallies in their previous five games (3-1-1) before dropping a 5-1 decision to Minnesota on Saturday. "We were trending, we were going in the right direction, but we laid an egg there (Saturday). Let's not kid ourselves. That was a bad one," Blues coach Mike Yeo told reporters. "Now where are we after that? That's what I'm anxious to see (in Tuesday's) game. Are we still trending in the right direction or are we starting at ground zero again?"

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

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (6-6-2): Carolina's goaltender carousel is expected to turn to either Scott Darling or Curtis McElhinney after fellow netminder Petr Mrazek was unable to practice on Monday due to the lower-body injury he sustained during Friday's 4-3 overtime loss at Arizona. "I just talked to (Mrazek), and he said he's feeling better," Brind'Amour told the media. "I know Petr is not ready to play, but the other two guys are." Darling has yielded three goals in losses to both Boston (Oct. 30) and Vegas while McElhinney owns a 3-1-0 mark - although his last game action came on Oct. 20 in a 3-1 setback against Colorado.

ABOUT THE BLUES (4-5-3): Ryan O'Reilly tallied against the Wild to give him four goals and eight assists during his seven-game point streak, which is one shy of matching his career best that he set on two different occasions. Vladimir Tarasenko set up O'Reilly on Saturday to give him four goals and one assist in the first four contests of the season-high seven-game homestand. The 26-year-old Russian has also recorded at least one point in four straight encounters with Carolina, registering one goal and four assists in the span.

OVERTIME

1. St. Louis has scored a power-play goal in five consecutive contests and 10 of 12 games this season.

2. Carolina captain RW Justin Williams has just two points (two assists) in his last nine outings.

3. Yeo told reporters that Blues C Brayden Schenn did not practice on Monday due to soreness in his upper body and is questionable to play versus the Hurricanes.

PREDICTION: Blues 5, Hurricanes 2

Tuesday 11-6-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Tuesday 11-6-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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