Thursday 12-6-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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ARTHUR RALPH

FREE play THURS: Celtics -12

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

DD (Races 1-2) ($1 min.) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) / Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) Pick 4 (Races 1-2-3-4) (.50 min.) / Superfecta (.10 min.)


Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 7 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 51 • Purse: $14,000 • Post: 5:25P
FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Stalker. MANGELSEN is the Dominant Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * MANGELSEN: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. BIERMANN: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. ELDON'S JET: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equib ase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. DREWTEMPO: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
2
MANGELSEN
2/1

7/2
5
BIERMANN
5/1

5/1
6
ELDON'S JET
6/1

7/1
4
DREWTEMPO
3/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
MANGELSEN
2

2/1
Alternator/Stalker
0

0

52.4

43.7

39.2
6
ELDON'S JET
6

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
0

0

40.3

35.8

27.8
5
BIERMANN
5

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
47

39

39.6

34.1

27.1
4
DREWTEMPO
4

3/1
Trailer
46

40

12.8

38.8

30.8
1
CLEVER LAD
1

12/1
Trailer
0

0

0.0

15.2

0.0
7
SNOOP THREE SOCKS
7

8/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

0.9

33.2

24.7
3
SPEEDACTUS
3

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
59

38

45.2

30.1

23.1
8
OHMYMY OHMYYES
8

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

36.7

25.0

12.0
9
SOME OF MERIT
9

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

8.5

24.4

7.4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 7 - Allowance - 300y on the Dirt. Purse: $9000 Class Rating: 83

QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR TWO YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 124 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 8 ENID GIRL 5/1

# 2 HEZA MAGIC CORONAS 5/2

# 9 MOONS FIRST CD 6/1

My selection in this competition is ENID GIRL. The Equibase Speed Figure of 79 from her last affair looks very good in here. Has been running in the most competitive company of the group recently. As of late Vivanco has been on fire which may give the edge to this filly. HEZA MAGIC CORONAS - Looks like a sound candidate for the exotics. With a sound 71 average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance, seems well suited for today's race. MOONS FIRST CD - Ought to be given a chance - I like the figures from the last contest. The average class rating alone makes this one a solid contender.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Golden Gate Fields - Race #1 - Post: 12:45pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $9,000 Class Rating: 80

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 LINDAS BLACK COMET (ML=9/2)


LINDAS BLACK COMET - The jock/conditioner twosome of Solis and Puertas has a strong return on investment together. I like to wager on this angle, a horse coming back off a sharp effort within the last month.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 PRIVATE TERRACE (ML=1/1), #6 GAMBLER'S APPEAL (ML=5/1), #2 CONTESSA B. (ML=6/1),

PRIVATE TERRACE - Last raced on September 30th at Golden Gate Fields, finishing fifth. Unlikely to move up off of that performance in today's race. GAMBLER'S APPEAL - Run-of-the-mill speed figure last race out at Golden Gate Fields at 1 mile. Don't feel this horse will improve too much today. CONTESSA B. - Hard to back any horse with declining Equibase speed figures of 70/60/56. Finished third in her most recent race with a run-of-the-mill speed fig. When I look at today's Equibase class figure, it would take an improved performance to score after that in this field.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#5 LINDAS BLACK COMET is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPER HIGH FIVE WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

12/06/18, GP, Race 7, 3.34 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.01 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $45,000.
FOR STATE BRED MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 7-8-9) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 7-8-9-10)
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 33.33, $1 ROI 0.93, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 2 Double Medal 5-1 Gaffalione T Thomas Jonathan TS
097.8632 4 Hydra 7/2 Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A.
097.1351 3 Brunette Princess 4-1 Saez L Delgado Gustavo FEC
096.8644 12 Charlotte the Brit 6-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Orseno Joseph F. JL
096.4064 10 Elite Appeal 6-1 Lopez P Plesa. Jr. Edward
095.3679 6 How Sweep It Is 12-1 Juarez N Cibelli Jane
094.5909 1 Velvet Isle 8-1 Zayas E J O'Connell Kathleen
093.9097 5 Cory Gal 20-1 Panici L Bates Larry W
091.7463 9 Winnager 15-1 Maragh R R Wismer Troy S.
091.6548 8 Sweet Gelato 20-1 Cruz M R Catanese. III Joseph C
091.3706 11 Law of Attraction 30-1 Martinez O Westlye Kenneth
091.0492 7 Candytap Flower 30-1 Arrieta R Iglesias Diosdado

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 6 - Claiming - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $7600 Class Rating: 70

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 6 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 1 LAKOTA ROSE 4/1

# 7 MARGARITA ATTACK 15/1

# 8 EPPUR SI MUOVE 9/2

My selection in this competition is LAKOTA ROSE. With a sound 56 average speed fig at the distance, seems well suited for today's contest. Displays the look of a profitable play, averaging a solid 60 speed fig which is one of the top in this field. Poulos has shown excellent profits (+9 return on investment ) with horses in dirt route events. MARGARITA ATTACK - With a reliable 64 average speed figure at the distance, seems well suited for today's outing. EPPUR SI MUOVE - Is difficult not to examine based on Equibase Speed Figures which have been very good - 54 avg - of late.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Los Alamitos (Thoroughbred)
Los Alamitos (Thoroughbred) - Race 3

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta / $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 3-4-5) $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) / $2 Pick Six Starts (Races 3-8)


Claiming $12,500 • 1 Mile • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 92 • Purse: $16,000 • Post: 1:58P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $10,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. SPIRIT MISSION is the Lone Front-runner of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * JERSEY'S HEAT: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMa ster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. TYPHOON HARRY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/ surface. RONTON: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. ODYSSEY EXPLORER: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse's average winning d istance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race).
6
JERSEY'S HEAT
3/1

4/1
5
TYPHOON HARRY
4/1

7/1
1
RONTON
7/2

7/1
4
ODYSSEY EXPLORER
6/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
SPIRIT MISSION
3

5/2
Front-runner
79

80

67.6

65.6

59.1
1
RONTON
1

7/2
Stalker
87

88

92.6

81.2

70.7
2
LATITUDE
2

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
93

82

88.0

62.0

52.0
5
TYPHOON HARRY
5

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
94

80

87.2

83.4

76.4
6
JERSEY'S HEAT
6

3/1
Alternator/Stalker
94

94

61.2

90.6

86.1
4
ODYSSEY EXPLORER
4

6/1
Trailer
93

84

64.6

77.5

72.0
8
MANY TREATS
8

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
100

64

79.6

32.2

21.2
7
LUCKY PEGASUS
7

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
75

66

53.8

53.8

38.3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Turfway Park - Race #3 - Post: 7:11pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,100 Class Rating: 73

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#8 SITEENPARKSIDELANE (ML=5/1)


SITEENPARKSIDELANE - Look for this gelding to show much better in this event. Last event at Indiana Downs finishing sixth in the mud is no indication of his true ability. Is ranked number one in the field in earnings per race. A solid try right here will add to that total.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 PISTOL BOX (ML=2/1), #4 PRAY FOR KITTEN (ML=6/1), #10 FIGHTING FOR GRACE (ML=6/1),

PISTOL BOX - This gelding in all probability won't be close at the finish line. PRAY FOR KITTEN - You always think this horse has a shot to be victorious, but he comes up short most of the time. Should be difficult for this animal to beat this group off of that last speed figure. Unlikely to improve enough to run a figure anywhere near today's class figure, so put him on the vulnerable contenders list. FIGHTING FOR GRACE - Didn't end up on the board on Oct 17th at Indiana Downs. Followed it up with another less than stellar try.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#8 SITEENPARKSIDELANE is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans Preview and Predictions 2018-12-06

NFL Predictions 4th December 2018 by Gracenote
Jaguars vs. Titans Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/04/2018

The Tennessee Titans were 15 minutes away from a third consecutive loss that would have all but snuffed out their postseason hopes, but a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback on Sunday has the team back in contention. The Titans will look to sweep the Jacksonville Jaguars for the second straight season when the AFC South Division rivals square off on Thursday in Nashville, Tenn.

Tennessee erased an early 16-point deficit in Sunday's 26-22 victory over the New York Jets but is among four teams trailing the Baltimore Ravens by one game for the sixth and final playoff slot in the AFC. "When you're playing on Monday night and Thursday night, you're playing good football and getting more TV games," Titans safety Kevin Byard said. "We have to take advantage of those and worry about us, not any of those other teams in the hunt." The Jaguars showed they haven't given up on the season, halting a seven-game losing streak by pitching a shutout in a 6-0 win over the red-hot Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. "The best we can do is play a bunch of spoilers to a bunch of teams who are in the hunt," Jacksonville safety Tashaun Gipson said. "We want to end the season in the right way. Who says we can't win five out?"

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX, NFL Network. LINE: Titans -4. O/U: 37.5

ABOUT THE JAGUARS (4-8): Jacksonville's only loss in September was a 9-6 setback to the visiting Titans in Week 3 but that was without star running back Leonard Fournette, who also sat out Sunday's victory while serving a one-game suspension. Quarterback Cody Kessler, taking over for a benched Blake Bortles, posted his first win in nine NFL starts by throwing for 150 yards and completing 18 of 24 against Indianapolis. The running game managed only 79 yards in the absence of Fournette, who rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns in his previous two games. The Jaguars, who held Tennessee to 233 yards of total offense in the first matchup, blanked an Indy offense that averaged more then 34 points in its previous five games.

ABOUT THE TITANS (6-6): An ailing Marcus Mariota came off the bench to lift Tennessee over Jacksonville in Week 3 and produced another comeback last week by leading the Titans to 13 points in the fourth quarter, including a winning touchdown pass with 36 seconds left. "I'd rather him not have to do it, but if we have to, that has really been fun to watch," coach Mike Vrabel said. "It is exciting to have him be able to do that and keep his composure, find the guys, make plays." Wide receiver Taywan Taylor provided a spark to the offense Sunday, returning from a three-game absence with three receptions for 104 yards -- all in the fourth quarter. The Titans rank in the top 10 in total and passing yards allowed but give up 119.8 on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tennessee has limited Jacksonville to 32 points while winning the past three meetings.

2. Fournette has 197 yards from scimmage and a TD in two matchups against the Titans.

3. Mariota has eight TD passes and two interceptions in seven games versus the Jaguars.

PREDICTION: Jaguars 19, Titans 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2018-12-06

NBA Predictions 5th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/05/2018

The Boston Celtics have won three straight games and figure to be fully refreshed when they host the New York Knicks on Thursday. The Celtics last played Saturday and then had four full days without a game to rest up for the Knicks' arrival.

Boston won by an average of 19.7 points during its winning streak and guard Marcus Smart was one of the many players who enjoyed the break in the schedule for a team that played 14 of its first 23 games on the road. "Just to get our bodies back right and to get our minds right and get the focus back and regroup and everything like that," Smart told reporters of the benefits. "... Sometimes you need that, especially with the schedule we've been having and constantly on the go." The Knicks have lost three of their past four games and were outscored by 15 points in the third quarter of Monday's 110-107 loss to the Washington Wizards. "We didn't come out ready," center Enes Kanter told reporters. "They had more energy and we just couldn't respond."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE KNICKS (8-17): Veteran guard Courtney Lee made his season debut against Washington and scored seven points in 16 minutes off the bench. Lee was just thankful to be on the court after suffering a scary neck injury during a preseason practice when he collided with teammate Ron Baker. "It felt good to be honest, because (my teammates) have seen the battle that I was going up against," Lee told reporters. "They saw how I came in the first day that it happened. I couldn't move my whole upper body. So it felt good to be able to be back out there because I was definitely nervous that it could have been a career-ending injury. It felt good to have my guys behind me."

ABOUT THE CELTICS (13-10): Small forward Gordon Hayward displayed his former All-Star form in Saturday's 118-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves when he posted season highs of 30 points and eight assists and matched his season best of nine rebounds. Hayward was off to a slow start in his return from a horrific broken left ankle suffered in last season's opener but flashed his former outside shooting prowess (4-of-5 from 3-point range) and ability to get to the line (10-of-10) against the Timberwolves. "It's slowly coming along. I think my confidence is slowly coming back, too," Hayward told reporters. "I'm still not where I want to be, but for sure, me attacking is better for our team and not being hesitant or passive."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The squads have split two meetings this season with the road team winning each time.

2. Boston SG Jaylen Brown (back) is hopeful of playing after missing the previous three games.

3. New York G Trey Burke (knee) will miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: Celtics 110, Knicks 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-06

NBA Predictions 5th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/05/2018

The slumping Portland Trail Blazers look to take advantage of struggling Phoenix when they host the Suns on Thursday. Portland has lost three straight games and six of its last seven games as it entertains a Phoenix squad with six straight setbacks and the NBA's worst record.

The Trail Blazers got off to a strong 12-5 start but losses by 43 to the Milwaukee Bucks and 28 to the Golden State Warriors began the stretch of substandard play that continued with Tuesday's 111-102 road loss against the Dallas Mavericks. "We know that we're much better than what we've been doing," star point guard Damian Lillard told reporters. "The things that we're losing games on, it doesn't come down to ability a lot of times." Phoenix has experienced a lot of low points this season but found itself trailing 36-9 after one quarter of Tuesday's 122-105 home loss to the Sacramento Kings. "We lost the game in the first quarter, then from there it was just competing to show we had character, which we did in the second half," Suns coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters afterward. "No excuses, the effort wasn't there."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE SUNS (4-20): Phoenix is struggling with star shooting guard Devin Booker (hamstring) and productive forward T.J. Warren (ankle) out of the lineup with injuries. The Suns have lost by an average of 14.5 points during their skid - only one of the defeats has been by single digits - and the home fans mocked the club with derisive cheers when they finally reached double digits 14-plus minutes into Tuesday's contest. "It is really hard to play a game where we don't make shots. There are going to be times like that," forward Josh Jackson told reporters afterward. "It's basketball, but the times we don't make shots we have to make sure we play good defense and not let the other team score."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (13-11): Frustration is adding up for a Portland squad that has made five straight playoff appearances and was playing like one of the best teams in the Western Conference earlier in the campaign. "This game was very similar to the last two we played," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters after Tuesday's setback. "Get off to a slow start, get down at halftime, make a good comeback and fall short. I think we're all getting tired of it." Lillard scored 25 of his 33 points in the second half and has tallied 30 or more in four of the past five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Trail Blazers went 4-0 against the Suns last season and have prevailed in seven straight meetings.

2. Portland PF Al-Farouq Aminu is averaging 17.3 points (on 19-of-24 shooting) and 9.7 rebounds over the past three games.

3. Phoenix SG Jamal Crawford is just 9-of-32 shooting over the past four games.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 117, Suns 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz Preview and Predictions 2018-12-06

NBA Predictions 5th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/05/2018

The Utah Jazz established a season high for points in their last outing and look to keep the offense churning when they host the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Utah has won four of its last six games and knocked down a franchise-record 20 3-pointers in Tuesday's 139-105 trouncing of the visiting San Antonio Spurs.

The Jazz set their 3-point mark in just 33 attempts and 10 different players connected on at least one from behind the arc during the impressive victory. "When you make a lot of 3s, it definitely helps for sure," Utah star guard Donovan Mitchell told reporters after making four 3-pointers. "But just continuing to drive the ball, finding guys on the perimeter, finding the big fella (Rudy Gobert) for the lob, whatever it may be, just making the right play was huge for us." The Rockets were at the other end of the spectrum in Monday's 103-91 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves as they scored just 29 second-half points, including nine in the fourth quarter. "For whatever reason, the second half we played without any kind of spirit or energy," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "Things were going great in the first half, and then at the end of the first half we let them come back."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (11-12): Houston had topped 100 points in 11 straight games prior to the flat second half that occurred in the opener of a three-game road swing. "In the second half, we just laid an egg," Rockets guard Eric Gordon told reporters. "They had everything going. You could tell by their confidence. They just played better defensively." Star guard James Harden scored 29 points for his 13th consecutive 20-point outing and 18th of the campaign while center Clint Capela scored 24 to top 20 for the sixth time in the past 11 games.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (12-13): Swingman Kyle Korver played his first home game of his second stint with the club and performed in style by making 3-of-4 from 3-point range and scoring 15 points in 15 minutes against the Spurs. Korver was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Alec Burks and two second-round draft picks and he expressed excitement for being back in the arena he played in from 2007-10. "It was a great first night back," Korver told reporters after the contest. "I have a lot of good memories of this place. We played really good basketball. The ball was moving. We were playing for each other."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mitchell scored 38 points as the Jazz posted a 100-89 road victory on Oct. 24 to snap a four-game losing streak against the Rockets in the regular season.

2. Houston PG Chris Paul scored a season-low five points on 1-of-8 shooting versus the Timberwolves.

3. Utah PG Ricky Rubio is averaging 16 points on 19-of-34 shooting over the past three games.

PREDICTION: Jazz 123, Rockets 120

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 2018-12-06

NHL Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The New York Islanders have successfully navigated the waters within the parameters of the Metropolitan Division far better than they have outside of it this season. Boasting a 10-2-0 mark in the division, the Islanders bid for their third win in as many meetings with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday when the clubs reconvene at PPG Paints Arena.

New York swept a home-and-home set versus Pittsburgh on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 to improve to 5-1-3 in its last nine games in the season series. Captain Anders Lee scored in the Islanders' 3-2 shootout victory versus the Penguins on Nov. 1 and has netted the team's first goal in three consecutive contests, including Tuesday's 3-1 setback versus Winnipeg. Pittsburgh's Patric Hornqvist matched a personal best with a four-point performance on Tuesday as he scored three times in 2:47 for the fastest hat trick in franchise history in a 6-3 win over Colorado. The 31-year-old Swede has 13 points in his last nine games, although he was held off the scoresheet in both encounters with the Islanders this season.

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

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (13-10-3): Lee's scoring notwithstanding, New York has been held to a single goal in three of its last five contests (2-2-1). "One goal doesn't do it in this league," reigning Calder Trophy recipient Mathew Barzal said. "We've got to find a way to get on the board, whether that's the power play or 5-on-5." Barzal notched two of his team-leading 18 assists in the Islanders' 6-3 victory at Pittsburgh on Oct. 30.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (11-10-5): Captain Sidney Crosby has tormented New York throughout his career, recording a staggering 110 points (35 goals, 75 assists) in 64 games for his highest total against any team. Crosby collected a goal and an assist in the first meeting while fellow former Hart Trophy recipient Evgeni Malkin scored in both encounters this season. Fellow forward Jake Guentzel, who set up one tally in two matches with the Islanders this season, scored his 50th career goal on Tuesday to extend his point streak to a career-high five games (four goals, three assists).

OVERTIME

1. Pittsburgh RW Phil Kessel has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in his last 12 games.

2. New York is 0-for-17 on the power play in the last eight contests.

3. Penguins G Casey DeSmith has yielded 12 goals in his last five games (4-1-0).

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Penguins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-06

NHL Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

Scoring goals hasn't been too difficult a task of late for Cam Atkinson, who has pumped in 13 to go along with six assists during his career-best 11-game point streak. Although Atkinson set a franchise record with his sixth career hat trick in his last outing, the Blue Jackets were left shaking their head after being gouged for nine goals heading into Thursday's road tilt versus the Philadelphia Flyers.

"It's embarrassing for the group. We need to be way better than that, especially in front of our home fans," said Atkinson, who saw his team answer a sizzling 8-2-1 stretch by falling for the second straight time following Tuesday's 9-6 setback to Calgary. The 29-year-old boosted his goal total to 11 in 23 career encounters versus Philadelphia after he tallied twice in the second period of Columbus' 6-3 win on Oct. 18. The Blue Jackets are a sterling 16-4-1 in their last 21 meetings with the Flyers, who spent Wednesday formally introducing Chuck Fletcher as the eighth different general manager in franchise history. "You want to get his trust as fast as you can," said captain Claude Giroux, who leads Philadelphia in assists (21) and points (30) and has recorded 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 26 contests versus Columbus.

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

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (15-10-2): Defenseman Seth Jones mirrored Atkinson's take on Tuesday's offensive slugfest with the Flames despite extending his assist and point streaks to four and five (one goal, four assists), respectively. "Anytime there's nine goals scored, it's not always the goalie's fault. You can't always blame the goalie," the 24-year-old said. "You can't blame the forwards for not reloading. It's our job as defensemen at the end of the day to keep the puck out of the net." Sergei Bobrovsky was gashed for eight of the nine goals in that contest, but the two-time Vezina Trophy winner improved to 11-3-1 against his former team after turning aside 32 shots in the first encounter with the Flyers.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (11-12-2): Philadelphia's generous defense has come under the microscope this season, so much so that struggling blue-liner Shayne Gostisbehere appeared to tread lightly with the team undergoing a major overhaul at the top. "Anything in life, you only get one first impression, so you obviously want to be on your game. Hopefully, we can string some wins," said the 25-year-old Gostisbehere, who owns a minus-15 rating. Jakub Voracek collected a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-2 win over Pittsburgh and has 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 22 career meetings with the team (Columbus) that selected him with the seventh overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia C Sean Couturier, who has a team-leading 10 goals, has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 23 career matches with Columbus.

2. Blue Jackets LW Artemi Panarin had two of his club-best 22 assists in the first meeting with the Flyers.

3. Philadelphia has dropped eight of 13 (5-7-1) games at Wells Fargo Center this season.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Flyers 1