Tuesday 11-27-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:15 AM

New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NBA Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The New York Knicks are starting to roll with a season-best three-game winning streak and a solid group of veterans stepping up to support the youngsters. The Knicks will try to make it four straight - three in a row on the road - when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

New York earned wins at Boston and over the New Orleans Pelicans before beating the Memphis Grizzlies at their own game and dominating the glass to earn a 103-98 road win on Sunday. "The thing I'm most happy with is the way that we're taking punches and we keep coming and we're figuring out ways to win games now. Whether it's getting stops, a timely executed play, big shot from somebody," Fizdale told reporters. "This young team is starting to figure a couple things out." The Pistons are surging as well with wins in six of eight and knocked off Houston in overtime on Friday before pulling away from the Phoenix Suns late Sunday to kick off the six-game homestand with back-to-back victories. "We just finally executed our game plan in the fourth quarter," Detroit forward Blake Griffin told reporters. "We just didn't do a good job of executing as a team and then - when we turned it up a notch and actually executed - we did what we were supposed to do. It's a good lesson for us."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Detroit LINE: Pistons -7

ABOUT THE KNICKS (7-14): New York is trying to find as many minutes as it can for its young players, but veteran center Enes Kanter keeps demanding a prominent spot in the rotation. Kanter, who at 26 is one of the oldest players on the roster, logged a season high-tying 41 minutes on Sunday and finished with 21 points along with 26 rebounds in the victory for his third-straight double-double. Fellow 26-year-old Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a team-high 22 points but was 6-of-16 from the floor and is 8-of-31 over the last two contests.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (10-7): Small forward Stanley Johnson scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 25 minutes off the bench on Sunday, but it is his defense that continues to draw raves from his teammates and coaches. "Stanley just physically put his will into the game and did a good job of staying in front of him, bodying him and not letting him come off clean with rhythm off pick and rolls," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters of Johnson's effort against Phoenix star Devin Booker. "Even with that, it's tough. But Stanley's size and length did a much better job." Johnson will likely spend some time on Tuesday matched up against Hardaway while Kanter will have to deal with Pistons center Andre Drummond, who collected 19 points, 16 rebounds and five steals in Sunday's 118-107 triumph.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. New York SG Courtney Lee (neck) was cleared to participate in practice and could make his season debut soon.

2. Pistons PG Reggie Jackson is 5-of-22 from 3-point range over the last three games.

3. Detroit took all three meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Pistons 108, Knicks 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:15 AM

Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NBA Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

Dwyane Wade no longer is a perennial all-star selection, but he has shown the ability to positively impact a game coming off the bench for the Miami Heat. The Heat host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, two days after the 36-year-old Wade scored 35 points in 34 minutes off the bench in his third game back following the birth of his child, but Miami needs more contributions as it has dropped seven of their past nine contests.

"It's a shame that kind of game is wasted on a loss," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra told the media after Sunday's 125-115 defeat at Toronto, in which Wade shot 13-of-22 from the field and 4-of-7 from 3-point range - setting a franchise record for most points in a game by a Miami reserve. Sunday also was notable for the Hawks, who snapped a 10-game losing streak with just their fourth victory of the season - a 124-123 home triumph over Charlotte. John Collins blocked a potential game-winning shot just before the buzzer to secure Atlanta's first victory since a 123-118 home win over the Heat on Nov. 3. "We'd been through 19 games, and it just wasn't working," Atlanta guard Kent Bazemore told reporters after scoring 20 points - including the game-winning basket - in a reserve role as rookie Kevin Huerter got the start. "Sacrifice yourself sometimes, and look, the basketball gods took care of me."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), FS Sun (Miami) LINE: Heat -7.5

ABOUT THE HAWKS (4-16): Atlanta has struggled at both ends of the court during the first quarter of the season, allowing a league-worst 118.6 points per contest while scoring 107.7 per game (21st) entering Monday. Rookie point guard Trae Young is tied for sixth in the NBA in assists at 7.7 per contest and leads the Hawks in scoring at 15.7 points per game, despite shooting 38.3 percent from the field. The Hawks got 16 points each from Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry Sunday while Collins led the way with 23.

ABOUT THE HEAT (7-12): Forward Bam Adebayo finished with a career-best 21 rebounds to go along with 16 points Sunday, and the second-year pro has 30 points and 34 boards in his past two games. Center Hassan Whiteside leads the NBA in blocked shots (54) and ranks second in rebounds per game (14.1) through Sunday. The Heat began Monday 20th in the league in points per game (108.4), and their 115 points Sunday represents their highest total since scoring 120 in a victory at Brooklyn on Nov. 14.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta is 1-9 on the road this season and are scoring just 105.6 points per game away from home.

2. Wade is six games shy of 1,000 for his career.

3. Miami G Josh Richardson leads the Heat in scoring at 20.4 points per game, and is 8-of-17 from 3-point range in his past two games.

PREDICTION: Heat 105, Hawks 98

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:15 AM

Toronto Raptors vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NBA Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

Kawhi Leonard may not have been a leader for the San Antonio Spurs, but he is leading the Toronto Raptors to new heights. Leonard will try to guide the Raptors to a sixth consecutive victory and continue the best start in franchise history when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.

Leonard's former coach, San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, made news over the weekend by suggesting that while Leonard was a talented player, he wasn't someone the team looked to for leadership. "I lead by example coming into practice every day," Leonard responded to reporters after collecting 29 points and 10 rebounds in a 125-115 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday. "Just going hard and coming into these games mentally focused. You can't see things once you're playing on the floor. Guys ask me questions about their matchup or if I see something on the floor, I'm telling guys, 'Go here, go there,' just motivating people, do you know what I mean?" The Grizzlies don't lack for veteran leadership with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, but the two couldn't quite pull the team to a win down the stretch on Sunday. "The combination of (Conley) and Marc (Gasol) together is a stress on defenses, there is no doubt about that," Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "So, we depend on (Conley) down the stretch. We live and die with that."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FS Southeast (Memphis) LINE: Raptors -4.5

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (17-4): Leonard is averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds in the last two games after sitting out to rest on the second night of a back-to-back Wednesday and is averaging 24.7 points and 8.5 boards in his first season with Toronto. Leonard is getting some help up front from power forward Pascal Siakam, who scored 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting on Sunday to go over 20 for the fifth time in the last 10 games. Siakam, who reached 20 points once in the first 11 contests, is shooting 63.1 percent from the floor while averaging 14.5 points and 6.7 rebounds.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (12-7): Memphis dropped its last two games but continues to be impressed with the development of rookie power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting while knocking down a career-best four 3-pointers in Sunday's 103-98 loss to the New York Knicks. Jackson, 19, is making his presence felt on the defensive end as well and matched a franchise rookie record with seven blocks on Sunday. "He was a monster on the defensive end," Bickerstaff told reporters. "All the shots that he blocked, the shots that he changed, they switched out to him with a small on him and he kept the small in front of him and ended up blocking his shot - those are the things we need to be able to see."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Grizzlies recorded a franchise-record 19 blocked shots on Sunday.

2. Raptors C Jonas Valanciunas recorded a double-double in two of the last three contests.

3. Toronto took both meetings last season and five of the last six in the series.

PREDICTION: Raptors 111, Grizzlies 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:16 AM

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NBA Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The Denver Nuggets pulled themselves out of a funk and are rolling along again with wins in three straight. The Nuggets will try to make it four in a row on Tuesday when they host a Los Angeles Lakers squad making a brief stop on the road before an extended home stretch.

Denver struggled through a stretch of six losses in seven games but picked up the defensive intensity over the last three contests, capped by a 105-98 victory at Oklahoma City on Saturday in which it held the Thunder to 35.9 percent shooting. The Nuggets are making a one-game stop at home to play the Lakers before heading back out for a five-game trip that includes stops at Portland and Toronto. Los Angeles would be working on a nine-game winning streak right now if it could find its way around the Magic, who knocked off the Lakers 130-117 in Orlando on Nov. 17 before coming to Los Angeles and earning a 108-104 triumph on Sunday. "Disappointing loss," Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters after Sunday's setback. "We gotta get back to valuing the basketball. I thought we played well enough in the first half to have a good-sized lead ... we had 14 turnovers at the half."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBATV, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), Altitude (Denver) LINE: Nuggets -3.5

ABOUT THE LAKERS (11-8): The Lakers finished with 18 turnovers in Sunday's setback and superstar forward LeBron James addressed the reasons. "Some of them are being too unselfish, including myself," James told reporters. "I'm making some passes where I have a small window, seeing guys where I should probably hold onto it. A lot of (the turnovers) are unforced. Some of them are attack turnovers. We've got to do a better job of that. We haven't taken care of the ball the last two games." James totaled 11 turnovers in the last two contests and is averaging 3.5 while trying to mold his new team into a playoff contender.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (13-7): Denver small forward Torrey Craig stepped into the starting lineup in place of injured guard Gary Harris on Saturday and made an immediate impact on the defensive end against Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook. "Torrey Craig was sensational tonight," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters. "I love the fact that he took on the challenge of guarding one of the more unguardable guys in the NBA. As I just told the team, we had every reason to make an excuse for tonight's game. Three games in four nights, back-to-back, Gary's not playing. I said, 'We don't make excuses, we find ways.'" Craig grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds while collecting eight points, two blocks and a steal in the victory.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers PG Lonzo Ball grabbed double-digit rebounds in each of the last two games.

2. Harris (ankle) left Friday's win over Orlando before getting Saturday off and is day-to-day.

3. James recorded 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 121-114 home win over Denver on Oct. 25.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 110, Lakers 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:35 AM

Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NBA Predictions 27th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/27/2018

The Indiana Pacers are fresh off their largest margin of victory this season and look to follow it up with another strong showing when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The Pacers lambasted the host Utah Jazz 121-88 on Monday and the 33-point whipping marked their fifth victory by 20 or more points this season.

Star guard Victor Oladipo (knee) will miss his fifth consecutive game but he wasn't needed against the Jazz as seven Indiana players scored a dozen or more points. "It was just a good, professional win by this group," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said during his postgame availability. "They were just about business from the start." The Suns are back home after a 1-3 road trip that included a surprise win over the Milwaukee Bucks before ending with a 118-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. "I think we competed," Phoenix coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters. "I can't say that effort wasn't there. The energy was there. We tried to keep that momentum going. I think we just ran out of gas."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Arizona LINE: Pacers -2.5

ABOUT THE PACERS (12-8): Backup small forward Doug McDermott scored a season-best 21 points against Utah as he aims to put a lackluster start behind him. "They were headhunting me so I had to take advantage of that," McDermott said in a postgame interview in reference to his teammates looking to get him the ball. "We put in a couple new plays to get me moving a little more and I thought it really worked. Obviously, I was aggressive from the start and that is what I have to do every game." McMillan joked "we were looking for him" and he emphasized getting the ball to McDermott and forward Bojan Bogdanovic (eight straight games of 15 or more points) needs to become a priority.

ABOUT THE SUNS (4-15): Rookie center Deandre Ayton scored a season-best 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting against Detroit and is shooting a stellar 62.4 percent from the field. Ayton also collected 12 rebounds against Detroit for his second double-double in three games and 11th of the season. Star guard Devin Booker scored 37 against the Pistons while tallying 35 or more for the fourth this season and he is tied for 10th in the NBA with a 24.9 average.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers won both meetings last season and have prevailed in five of the past six matchups.

2. Indiana PG Darren Collison recorded a season-high 11 assists and matched a season best of four steals against the Jazz.

3. Phoenix F Richaun Holmes has scored in double digits in four straight games and is averaging 11.5 points while making 20-of-27 shots during the stretch.

PREDICTION: Pacers 111, Suns 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:35 AM

Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The struggling Philadelphia Flyers made the first of what could be several changes Monday when general manager Ron Hextall was fired, as they attempt to change the fortunes of a team sitting at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers, who have lost five of six (1-4-1), will try to begin climbing in the standings when they host the equally troubled Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

"We thank Ron for his many significant contributions, but it has become clear that we no longer share the same philosophical approach concerning the direction of the team," Philadelphia team president Paul Holmgren said in a statement Monday. Coach Dave Hakstol is likely on the hot seat as well for the Flyers, who entered Monday 29th in the league in goals against per game and have three goalies out with injuries, while Ottawa has lost four in a row as it completes a four-game road trip. The Senators have allowed 23 goals during their slide that has sent them tumbling into last place in the Atlantic Division after dropping a 4-2 decision at the New York Rangers on Monday. One of the few bright spots for Ottawa has been the play of 19-year-old rookie forward Brady Tkachuk, who had two assists Monday and boasts 13 points (seven goals) in his first 13 NHL contests.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN5, RDS2 (Ottawa), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE SENATORS (9-12-3): Right wing Mark Stone scored twice Monday to take over the team lead with 11 goals and move within one point of defenseman Thomas Chabot (27) for second on the team. Center Matt Duchene tops Ottawa with 30 points after notching an assist Monday and boasts six goals to go along with 12 assists in his last 10 contests, including four three-point efforts. Defenseman Cody Ceci and forward Ryan Dzingel combined for six shots against the Rangers, but remained one point shy of 100 for their career as the the Senators fell to 2-8-1 on the road.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (10-11-2): Philadelphia is coming off perhaps its worst game of the season after giving up four goals in the first period en route to a 6-0 loss at Toronto, allowing 41 shots on net. The Flyers have managed one or fewer goals in three of the last six games, but captain Claude Giroux is still building a solid season with 28 points - six over his last four contests. Cal Pickard, who was coming off his first shutout of the season, was pulled after giving up four goals on six shots Saturday and Anthony Stolarz made his first NHL appearance since April 2017 - turning aside 33 of 35 shots.

OVERTIME

1. Ottawa D Mark Borowiecki (upper body) missed the last two games and is questionable for Tuesday.

2. Philadelphia RW Jakub Voracek (five goals, 12 points) is mired in a five-game point drought.

3. The Flyers are 6-1-2 in their last nine meetings with the Senators, including a 7-4 triumph at Ottawa on Oct. 10.

PREDICTION: Flyers 5, Senators 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:36 AM

San Jose Sharks vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The surprising Buffalo Sabres keep finding ways to win and look to match a franchise record with their 10th straight victory when they host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. Buffalo, which last won 10 in a row to start the 2006-07 season, prevailed at Detroit 3-2 on Saturday in a shootout - the sixth time it has won after regulation during the streak - to sit one point out of the top spot in the league after finishing last in 2017-18.

"The biggest thing is a lot of us have been through tough times in this room," Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe told the Buffalo News. "Now we're finding some success and we're just rolling with it. We're having a blast doing it." Jeff Skinner registered four of his 18 goals in the last three games for the Sabres, who will look for revenge after suffering a 5-1 setback at San Jose on Oct. 18 to extend their losing streak to four against the Sharks. San Jose looks to rebound from a dispiriting 6-0 loss at Vegas on Saturday that opened a five-game road trip, following a 4-1-1 homestand. "Part of me thinks we've been pretty consistent," Sharks captain Joe Pavelski told the San Jose Mercury News. "We just came off a pretty good homestand. ... We cleaned a few things up on the back end of that. (Saturday), for whatever reasons, it was a game that completely got away from us."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, NBCS California (San Jose), MSG Buffalo

ABOUT THE SHARKS (12-8-4): Pavelski has cooled off with one point in his last three games after recording six of his 13 goals and four assists over a potent four-game stretch. Defenseman Brent Burns leads the team with 24 points after notching nine assists in the last 11 contests, while Timo Meier (13 goals) and Logan Couture (five points, last four games) are tied for second with 22. Martin Jones, who is 4-1-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .925 save percentage against Buffalo in his career, will likely be back in net after Aaron Dell's two-game shutout streak ended Saturday.

ABOUT THE SABRES (16-6-2): Captain Jack Eichel has put together a six-game point streak, collecting one goal and eight assists, and leads the team with 28 points - two better than Skinner, who boasts a plus-13 rating. Rookie defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, the first pick in last June's draft, has raised his production level with one goal and seven assists in his last eight contests and is a plus-5 overall. Carter Hutton (11-6-1, 2.53 GAA, .919 SP), signed as a free agent in the offseason, allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his last 10 appearances with a .931 SP during that stretch.

OVERTIME

1. San Jose D Erik Karlsson owns two goals and six assists over his last six contests after a seven-game point drought.

2. Buffalo F Conor Sheary left practice early Monday with an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision.

3. The Sharks are 21-of-22 on the penalty kill over the last nine games while the Sabres are 24-of-26 in the past 11.

PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Sabres 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:36 AM

Anaheim Ducks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The Tampa Bay Lightning have scored 10 goals combined in the first period during the last three games and red-hot right wing Nikita Kucherov helped set up half of them while also posting a power-play tally. Kucherov attempts to extend his point streak to seven games as the Lightning look to get the jump in the opening 20 minutes again when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

Kucherov, who had 100 points last season to finish third in the league, has scored twice and recorded 12 assists during his six-game streak to take over the team lead with 32 points - one more than linemate Brayden Point. "Teams are definitely watching him out there for sure," Point told reporters of Kucherov. "I think you just try to get open for a guy like that. He sees the ice so well and is so good at getting the puck to guys in good spot." The Ducks, who won at Tampa Bay last season, saw their four-game point streak overall (2-0-2) come to an end with a injury-depleted defense corps after a 5-2 loss at Nashville on Sunday to open a five-game road trip. "To me, it's about defense," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle told reporters. "We can be criticized for lack of offense, but the reality is, we need to be able to hold the opposition to one goal or two goals. ... Where we're set up, the way we are with this group right now and the personnel that we have in place, we have to win the 1-0 game or the 2-1 game. Simple as that."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (10-10-5): Top-pair defenseman Hampus Lindholm (lower body) participated in the morning skate Sunday and could be closing in on a return to the lineup after missing the last four games. Defenseman Brandon Montour had a minus-2 rating Sunday, but posted an assist and extended his point streak to four games (one goal, five assists) while doubling his total on the season to 12 points. Captain Ryan Getzlaf has two goals and three assists in the last four contests to lead the team with 17 points - one more than Rickard Rakell, who has three in the past two games.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (17-6-1): Point tops the team with 17 goals and has eight in the past six games after being credited with a pair in Sunday's 5-2 victory over New Jersey - Tampa Bay's fifth win in six contests. "The way he plays the game, the way he skates and makes reads, he's always in the right spot defensively," defenseman Victor Hedman told reporters of Point. "He's a treat to watch and a treat to have him on the team. He's a complete player." Tyler Johnson, the third player on the red-hot line with Point and Kucherov, has three goals in two games to reach 10 on the season.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim G John Gibson has a .934 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average against the Lightning in his career, but only a 2-3-0 record.

2. Tampa Bay G Louis Domingue has made seven straight starts and owns six wins over the last eight outings to go along with a .913 SP in November.

3. Former Lightning Ds Jake Dotchin and Andrej Sustr could be in the lineup for the Ducks on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Ducks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:36 AM

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

Captain Shea Weber is in line to make his season debut as the skidding Montreal Canadiens aim to snap a four-game winless skid on Tuesday against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. Sidelined following offseason knee surgery, Weber will be a welcome sight for sore eyes for a Canadiens' defense that has been extremely generous as well as provide a booming shot for the power play.

"It sounds like a cliche, but we're going to expect him to keep his game simple," coach Claude Julien told reporters of the 6-4, 236-pound Weber. "But at the same time, he's going to be a big boost for our hockey club. His physicality, his leadership and all that stuff. It's going to be a big boost for us." Weber was paired with David Schlemko during Monday's practice, although Julien said that Victor Mete fared well while playing with the 33-year-old last season. While Montreal has scored just two goals in each of the last three contests of its four-game skid, Carolina netted 11 during a three-game winning streak before dropping a 4-1 decision to the New York Islanders on Saturday. Captain Justin Williams scored for the third time in four games and gave the Hurricanes a power-play tally in seven of their last nine outings.

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

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (11-9-3): Sebastian Aho leads the team in both assists (18) and points (25), however the 21-year-old Finn scored twice in Carolina's 3-1 win over Montreal last Dec. 27. Aho has collected eight points (three goals, five assists) in his last eight games while countryman Teuvo Teravainen has seven (two goals, five assists) in that same stretch. Micheal Ferland, who has scored a club-best 11 goals, has been held off the scoresheet in seven of 11 contests this month.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (11-8-5): The expected return of Weber gave Montreal the go ahead to place fellow defenseman Karl Alzner on waivers. The 30-year-old Alzner has recorded one point (an assist) in eight games this season and 12 (one goal, 11 assists) in 82 contests in 2017-18 after signing a five-year, $23.125 million deal prior to the latter campaign. "It kind of just reminds you that hockey's a business," the 31-year-old Schlemko told reporters. "As great as a guy Alzy is, that's a management decision and we all wish him the best. Hopefully he lands somewhere and gets his feet underneath him."

OVERTIME

1. Carolina G Curtis McElhinney will receive the start on Tuesday, per The Raleigh News & Observer.

2. Canadiens C Paul Byron took part in Monday's practice after missing 13 games with a lower-body injury, although Julien said he would not face the Hurricanes.

3. Carolina D Jake Bean, 20, is expected to make his NHL debut after joining F Valentin Zykov in being recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:36 AM

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The Vegas Golden Knights have had several days to savor the flavor of extending their win streak to three games via back-to-back shutouts, but the bitter pill of life of the road awaits the second-year franchise. The Golden Knights bid to improve on their 5-9-0 mark on the road on Tuesday when they open a three-game trek against the Chicago Blackhawks.

NHL Second Star of the Week Marc-Andre Fleury pushed his personal win streak to four outings by turning aside the last 62 shots he faced in a 2-0 win versus Calgary on Friday and a 6-0 triumph against San Jose the following night. "We've said it from Day One that he's the best player on this team," forward Reilly Smith told reporters of the 33-year-old Fleury, who leads the NHL with five shutouts and is tied with reigning Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne for 23rd place all-time with 53 career blankings. Chicago is rested after snapping an eight-game road winless skid with Saturday's 5-4 overtime victory over Florida, although its ensuing off day resulted in acquiring Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for fellow forward Nick Schmaltz. "We got two NHL players on our team for one," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman told reporters. "You have to give to get. We're not going to get two really good players like that by not trading away a really good one."

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

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (12-12-1): Max Pacioretty recorded his second multi-goal performance in three outings to push his point streak to five games (six goals, one assist) and give him nine points in the last seven after notching just two in his previous 14. Smith also is riding a five-game point streak (one goal, seven assists) after setting up two goals against the Sharks. Alex Tuch has scored and set up a goal in back-to-back contests to boost his point total to 12 (four goals, eight assists) in his last 10 games.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (9-10-5): Alex DeBrincat scored with two seconds to play in regulation against the Panthers before defenseman Eric Gustafsson tallied in overtime to celebrate his 100th career contest. Former Hart Trophy recipient Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist versus Florida to raise his team-leading totals in both categories to 13 and 14, respectively. Brandon Saad set up Kane's tally to give him five points (three goals, two assists) in his last five outings heading into a game against Vegas, against which he had three assists in three encounters last season.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago G Corey Crawford has yielded four goals in back-to-back games after turning aside 98 of 100 shots in his previous three.

2. Vegas C William Karlsson has recorded 10 of his team-leading 12 assists on the road this season.

3. Blackhawks captain C Jonathan Toews, who saw his six-game point streak halted on Saturday, scored and set up a goal against the Golden Knights in 2017-18.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:36 AM

Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The NHL's top scoring line of Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog continues to pile up video game numbers but the Colorado trio faces a stiff test when the Avalanche visit the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. Rantanen and MacKinnon are Nos. 1-2 in the league in points with 38 and 35 while Landeskog (14 goals) is in the top 10 in scoring after the trio combined for eight goals and 16 assists in the last four games - all victories.

The line has helped springboard the Avalanche into third place in the Central, arguably the NHL's toughest division, five points behind first-place Nashville. The Predators share the best record in the league with the Tampa Bay Lightning after kicking off a five-game homestand with a 5-2 victory over Anaheim on Sunday for their fourth victory in five contests. Nashville's depth was on full display Sunday as Kyle Turris (third on the team with 17 points) was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, but Austin Watson took advantage of prime ice time to record his first career hat trick. The Predators prevailed in the first of four meetings this season 4-1 in Colorado on Nov. 7 behind Colton Sissons' second career hat trick, the first encounter since Nashville ousted the Avalanche four games to two in the first round of the 2018 playoffs.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Altitude 2 (Colorado), FS Tennessee

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (13-6-4): One of Colorado's lesser point-producers is coming through of late as J.T. Compher has scored four of his six goals this season in the last three games, including a pair of short-handed goals -- during the same power play -- Friday at Arizona. Landeskog, MacKinnon (15) and Rantanen (10) have combined for 39 of the Avalanche's 86 goals this season with Carl Soderberg's seven fourth-most on the club. Semyon Varlamov (8-5-2, 2.34 goals-against average, .926 save percentage) is expected to start in goal Tuesday after winning his fourth straight start, 3-2 over Dallas on Saturday.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (17-6-1): Nick Bonino, another of Nashville's prized depth players, recorded a goal and an assist against his former team Sunday and has scored in consecutive games for the second time in six contests. Forsberg paces the team with 14 goals and shares the club lead in points (21) with Ryan Johansen (team-high 17 assists). P.K. Subban (upper body), who has 298 career assists, is eligible to return from injured reserve after missing the last six games but general manager David Poile said recently that the defenseman could be out "a little while longer."

OVERTIME

1. Forsberg and C Calle Jarnkrok also have hat tricks for Nashville this season.

2. Thirty-two of the combined 99 points recorded by Rantanen, MacKinnon and Landeskog have come on the power play, which is second in the league at 30.37 percent. The trio has 12 of the 24 man-advantage goals.

3. The Predators are 6-for-18 with the extra man over their last five games, raising the league's third-worst power-play percentage entering Monday to 15.2.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Avalanche 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:37 AM

Arizona Coyotes vs. Minnesota Wild Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The Minnesota Wild are a well-rested and happy group as they try to cap a 3-0-0 homestand when the struggling Arizona Coyotes visit Tuesday. Minnesota is tied with Colorado for second place in the Central after a rough-and-tumble 4-2 victory over division-rival Winnipeg on Friday, while Arizona has dropped four in a row - the last two by a combined 11-2 - after Sunday's 6-1 setback to Calgary included three short-handed goals by the Flames.

The Coyotes are hoping the acquisition of Nick Schmaltz from Chicago on Sunday will help reignite an offense that has produced eight goals in the last six games and averages 2.36 this season - the third-worst mark in the league. "He's a guy that has top-line potential," Coyotes general manager John Chayka told reporters about Schmaltz. "Speed, skill, creativity ... Our offense hasn't been what we would have hoped through a quarter of the season, so hopefully he can give us a boost in that regard." Schmaltz, who has 29 goals and 91 points in 162 NHL games, told reporters about the trade: "It was a shock. But at the same time, I know a lot of players on the Coyotes so it's really exciting. It's a young group, and a lot of skill up front, so I'm really excited to get started." The Wild won the first of three meetings this season 2-1 on Oct. 16 behind 31 saves by Devan Dubnyk, who was scratched Friday with an illness but is expected to play Tuesday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Arizona Plus, FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE COYOTES (9-11-2): Clayton Keller (team-most 14 points) recorded his sixth goal of the season Sunday and shares the club scoring lead with Derek Stepan and Brad Richardson. Darcy Kuemper (4-5-2, 2.71 goals-against average, .914 save percentage) is day-to-day with a lower-body injury but could return Tuesday to face his former club. Arizona is 2-for-21 with the man advantage over the last six games - "The power play is horrendous," coach Rick Tocchet told reporters - and has allowed an eye-popping five short-handed goals in the last two contests.

ABOUT THE WILD (14-7-2): Mikael Granlund (team-high 23 points) has recorded four assists in his last two games after recording one Friday and shares the club lead in goals (10) with Zach Parise and defenseman Matt Dumba. Parise scored Friday for the third time in four games while Dumba had two assists, extending his point streak to six games (five goals, four assists). Captain Mikko Koivu (19 points), who had his five-game point streak snapped Friday, has eight goals and 24 assists in 40 games versus the Coyotes.

OVERTIME

1. Schmaltz has two goals and four assists in 10 career games versus Minnesota.

2. The Wild went 0-for-6 on the power play Friday after going 7-for-18 in their previous five games.

3. Minnesota is 13-2-3 versus Arizona in the last 18 meetings.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Coyotes 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:37 AM

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
Penguins vs. Jets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

There are plenty of words to describe a hot streak for a player, but what Patrik Laine did last week for the Winnipeg Jets almost defies any label. The Jets host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and their 20-year-old forward certainly will be in the spotlight, after the NHL's first star of the week scored 11 goals in four games - culminating with a franchise-record five-goal performance in Winnipeg's 8-4 victory Saturday at St. Louis.

"Obviously its nice to get some recognition from the league, and I thought I had a good week so I was kind of waiting for that," Laine joked with reporters after Monday's practice in referencing the week that vaulted him into the NHL goal-scoring lead with 19. "It feels good and I had a great week, and now I just got to keep going." The Penguins have won two of three since an ugly 1-7-2 stretch and also have a hot hand offensively, as forward Jake Guentzel netted six goals in his past seven games. Guentzel's first career regular-season hat trick lifted Pittsburgh past Columbus 4-2 on Saturday. "He just has a high intellect and reads plays well," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan told the media afterward. "But when he scores, he helps us win."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, TSN3 (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (9-8-5): Center Sidney Crosby has five points (four assists) in three games since returning from an upper-body injury, setting up Guentzel's first two goals Saturday. Forward Phil Kessel brings an eight-game point streak into Tuesday (three goals, eight assists) while center Evgeni Malkin rides a seven-game streak (two goals, eight assists). Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 37 saves Saturday to improve to 5-3-3 on the season.

ABOUT THE JETS (13-7-2): Laine began his week with a hat trick Nov. 19 at Vancouver and currently is on a five-game point streak (11 goals, one assist). His linemates - center Bryan Little and forward Kyle Connor - each finished with four assists against the Blues and combined for 13 assists on Winnipeg's four-game road trip. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who was knocked out of a 6-3 defeat Wednesday at Calgary and allowed three third-period goals Friday at Minnesota, is expected to start.

OVERTIME

1. Pittsburgh began the week seventh in the NHL on the power play (25 percent) and ninth in penalty killing (81.8 percent).

2. The Jets allowed 14 goals in the final three games of their road trip.

3. Winnipeg C Andrew Copp did not skate Monday and remains sidelined with a concussion.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Penguins 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-27-2018, 09:37 AM

Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers Preview and Predictions 11-27-2018

NHL Predictions 26th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/26/2018

The Dallas Stars visit the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday in a matchup of struggling teams with optimistic coaches. Edmonton (2-7-1 in its last 10 games) fell to 1-1-1 since veteran Ken Hitchcock took the reins from Todd McLellan with a 5-2 loss at Los Angeles on Sunday while Dallas and first-year coach Jim Montgomery squandered a lead in the final three minutes of a 3-2 setback at Colorado on Saturday for the team's third loss in four games.

"Our ceiling is very high as far as how much growth we can have by the end of the year," Montgomery told reporters. "If we compete like that, your growth is going to start climbing quite significantly and quickly." Hitchcock, who won the 1999 Stanley Cup with the Stars and is third all-time with 824 victories, also remains upbeat. "I'm really excited by the potential,'' Hitchcock said. "I know we can get better and I know that it's there." Dallas won the last two meetings, taking the 2017-18 season series 2-1, with captain Jamie Benn (four goals) and Alexander Radulov (three) combining for nearly half of the Stars' 15 markers.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE STARS (12-10-2): Radulov (20 points), who recorded his 100th career goal earlier this month, has five assists in his last three games and four scores and six assists in his past eight. Benn has scored in each of the last two games, giving him a team-high nine goals -- four on the power play -- and 19 points. Anton Khudobin (4-5-1, 3.07 goals-against average, .905 save percentage) owns a 1-3-0 mark with a 4.72 GAA and .863 SP since taking over for injured No. 1 goaltender Ben Bishop (lower body).

ABOUT THE OILERS (10-11-2): Connor McDavid, the two-time reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, is riding a six-game point streak (three goals, including the 100th of his career, seven assists) and boasts club highs of 13 goals and 20 assists. Alex Chiasson scored both goals Sunday and has four of his 10 this season in the last five games, prompting Hitchcock to tell reporters: "He doesn't have great foot speed, but he's got great offensive instincts and where he's really good is down low. He gets himself into great spots. ..." Hitchcock also hinted that Chiasson could be elevated to the McDavid line after the tandem combined for a power-play goal Sunday.

OVERTIME

1. Dallas owned the league's No. 8 penalty-killing unit entering Monday at 81.9 percent, extinguishing 13-of-15 opportunities over the last six games, but its power play is 1-for-22 over the past seven contests.

2. Edmonton C Leon Draisaitl (13 goals, 26 points) has been kept off the scoresheet in the last two contests after recording three goals and six assists during a five-game point streak.

3. Stars C Tyler Seguin (team-high 23 points) has an assist in each of his last two games, and two goals and four assist in his past five.

PREDICTION: Oilers 3, Stars 2

Tuesday 11-27-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Tuesday 11-27-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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