Sunday 1-6-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ROB VINCILETTI

The NCAAB Comp play is on Marquette at noon eastern.

The Golden Eagles have covered 6 of 7 as a home favorite and have a better RPI Scale rank at 39 than Xavier does at 74. Marquette has won all 3 home games vs teams ranked in the top 100 and that does not bode well for a Xavier team that has failed to cover both times here as a dog and 18 straight when they lose as a road dog at any venue. The Musketeers have failed to cover 9 of 11 vs .600 or better teams and 5 of 7 on Sundays, Marquette has covered 4 straight on Sundays and 5 of 6 vs winning teams. With Xavier 0-4 vs top 50 teams and the favorite in this series 4-1 to the spread. We will Back Marquette.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NBA Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Los Angeles Lakers are finding life without superstar LeBron James a little difficult with losses in four of the last five games. The Lakers will again be without James when they open a two-game road trip by visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

James, who suffered a groin injury in a win at the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day and is expected to be reevaluated next week, was on the bench watching as Los Angeles suffered a 119-112 home loss to the lowly New York Knicks on Friday. Joining him on the absentee list was veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, who is out at least a month after undergoing finger surgery, and second-leading scorer Kyle Kuzma (18.3 points), who suffered a lower back contusion in a loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday and is questionable for the road trip. The Timberwolves are dealing with their own injury issues but got point guard Jeff Teague (ankle) back from a nine-game absence on Friday and watched him collect 23 points and 10 assists in a 120-103 win over the Orlando Magic. Teague was one of six players to score in double figures for Minnesota as it overcame a 19-point, first-half deficit by turning up the defense after the break.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (21-18): Los Angeles was outscored 33-20 in the fourth quarter on Friday without James around to stabilize both ends of the floor. "It was us," Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters of the fourth quarter. "We fouled. I think they shot 20 free throws in the fourth quarter. ... We have to start making some of these open shots. But that's still not the main reason we lost tonight. We stopped making those extra passes." Small forward Brandon Ingram and point guard Lonzo Ball are trying to step up in the absence of James and Rondo and combined for 11 turnovers in Friday's setback.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (18-21): Minnesota surrendered 68 points in the first half on Friday but cut that number to 35 after the break but got a boost off the bench from power forward Anthony Tolliver and benefited from Teague's strong return in coming back for the win. "We eased into the game, and you can't do that," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "But once we got going, we made a couple hustle plays. That will usually ignite you. Once we did that, the defense got going." Tolliver was out of Thibodeau's rotation for over a month and a half before logging 26 minutes in a loss at Boston on Wednesday and pushing to 30 on Friday while burying 3-of-5 from 3-point range.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 29 points and 15 rebounds on Friday for his sixth straight double-double.

2. Los Angeles C JaVale McGee is averaging 13.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in three games since returning from a bout with pneumonia.

3. The teams split the first two meetings, with Minnesota earning a 124-120 home win on Oct. 29.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Orlando Magic vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NBA Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Orlando Magic are going through some ups and downs on their current road trip, though so far the downs are outweighing the ups. The Magic will try to bounce back from another discouraging loss when they make the fourth stop of a six-game trip by visiting the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Orlando began its trip by getting run off the floor in a 125-100 loss at Charlotte but bounced back by crushing Chicago 112-84 on Wednesday, only to squander a 19-point, first-half lead and drop a 120-103 decision at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. "We were just lazy, undisciplined and soft," Magic forward Aaron Gordon told reporters of the defense against the Timberwolves. "We didn't have it tonight on the defensive end and it's not OK at this point in the season." The Clippers snapped a two-game slide with a 121-111 win at Phoenix on Friday and gave most of the credit to their effort on the defensive end. "We had a tremendous defense," center Marcin Gortat told reporters. "We tried to communicate more and play harder than the last few games. When you play good defense, the offense starts rolling."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (17-21): Orlando put up 68 points in the first half on Friday but watched that number drop to 35 after the break as struggles on the defensive end bled over to the offense. "We didn't have nearly the defensive effort or mentality that we needed," Magic coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "And when things started to slip away, we stopped running the same quality of offense. (The Timberwolves) picked up their ball pressure, they were more physical, and they pushed us out, and that's when you have to be disciplined about running your stuff, playing for each other and moving the ball, which we didn't do." Orlando was also crushed 63-42 on the glass in falling for the sixth time in the last nine games.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (22-16): Los Angeles was once again led on the offense end Friday by small forward Danilo Gallinari, who scored 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go over 20 points for the eighth time in the last 10 games. The 30-year-old, who averages 19.6 points and is shooting 45.5 percent from beyond the arc, added a season-high six assists at Phoenix. Gortat's 18 points and 13 rebounds on Friday both marked season highs for the veteran, who has drifted in and out of coach Doc Rivers' rotation this season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Magic SF Jonathon Simmons (ankle) collected six points, seven assists and six rebounds off the bench on Friday after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury.

2. Clippers G Lou Williams is averaging 24 points over the last six games.

3. Los Angeles eased to a 120-95 win at Orlando on Nov. 2 behind 28 points from Williams.

PREDICTION: Clippers 122, Magic 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NBA Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Brooklyn Nets will try to stay perfect in the new year when they carry a two-game winning streak into a matchup with the host Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon. The Nets opened a three-game road trip with a 109-100 win at Memphis in Friday, avenging a double-overtime loss earlier in the season and winning for the 11th time in their last 14 games overall.

"It was great to get a win on the start the road trip: Just got to keep going," guard D'Angelo Russell told reporters. "We're winning. I haven't won a lot in this league, so for me to get that type of success I'm going to stick with it." Russell recorded at least 22 points and 10 assists in each of his last two games and five others scored in double figures at Memphis as Brooklyn improved to 9-10 on the road. The Bulls have dropped three in a row, including the first two of their three-game homestand. Zach LaVine scored 31 points but Chicago fell 119-116 in overtime to Indiana on Friday, sinking to 5-15 at home.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE NETS (19-21): As the wins pile up, Brooklyn is beginning to establish an identity, and Friday's hard-fought victory over a physical team desperate for a win displayed a new-found toughness. "Now we're catching our groove, playing more physical," veteran forward DeMarre Carroll told reporters. "Last year we weren't that physical, just got beat on the boards. Now we've got more guys that don't mind getting hit." Carroll finished with 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting and is averaging 16.8 while making 14-of-28 3-pointers over his last five games.

ABOUT THE BULLS (10-29): Kris Dunn complemented LaVine's big game with 16 points and a career-high 17 assists in Friday's loss while Lauri Markkanen had 29 points, as Chicago's three big building blocks put forth a promising effort. "Everybody had it going," Dunn told reporters. "There have been multiple games where [the core three] kind of had it, but this was one of those games where all three played at a high level. It's just tough that we couldn't come up with the win." LaVine was injured and Markkanen struggled to eight points in last month's 96-93 loss to the Nets, but Dunn had a season high-tying 24 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls PF Jabari Parker scored four points in 14 minutes Friday after sitting out the previous nine games.

2. Nets C Jarrett Allen has two straight double-doubles and recorded exactly two blocked shots in four consecutive contests.

3. Brooklyn has won four straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Nets 105, Bulls 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NBA Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Miami Heat are back above .500 and see no reason to go back to being a team that hovers around the break-even point. The Heat will try to put some distance between themselves and .500 when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

Miami squandered a pair of opportunities to move above .500 since Christmas but finally accomplished the feat by earning a win at Cleveland on Wednesday and knocking off the Washington Wizards 115-109 at home on Friday. "Let's just take off," Heat center Hassan Whiteside told reporters after being asked about moving above .500. "I think it's on defense. Defense is the key with us and that's what's really going to get us there. We've got a lot of defenders and that's what's going to be the key for us." The Hawks are not quite at the same point on the competition curve and were swept on a three-game road trip, capped by a 144-112 loss at Milwaukee on Friday. "They're playing with an edge and we saw that tonight," Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce told reporters of the Bucks. "We just didn't have it. That's part of growing pains and that's part of our growth, to understand that you have to go through these things. It's encouraging to see a group that had been through this come out and play with an edge."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE HEAT (19-18): Miami won eight of its last 10 games and did the bulk of that damage with small forward Justise Winslow serving as the team's point guard. Winslow collected 13 points and 10 assists in Friday's triumph - his sixth straight game scoring in double figures. "I'm asking him to do a lot for this basketball team. There is a lot on his plate," coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters of Winslow. "He's playing a new position, trying to get us organized, trying to get us to our game, to our strengths and then find places where he can be aggressive. And then yes, of course, I'm still asking him to be near the top or at the top of our list on our defensive numbers and charts."

ABOUT THE HAWKS (11-27): Atlanta was never in the game on Friday after falling behind 43-14 at the end of the first quarter but continues to develop its young roster and placed seven scorers in double figures in the loss. Rookie point guard Trae Young collected 13 points and 10 assists for his fifth double-double in the last 12 games and third-year small forward DeAndre' Bembry scored a team-high 19 points off the bench while scoring in double figures for the third time in four games. Second-year power forward John Collins is one of 17 NBA players averaging a double-double at 18.5 points and 10.2 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hawks C Miles Plumlee (knee) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

2. Heat SG Dion Waiters (ankle) sat out Friday after making his season debut on Wednesday as the team eases him back into action.

3. Atlanta took each of the first two meetings this season, including a 123-118 home win on Nov. 3.

PREDICTION: Heat 108, Hawks 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Wizards vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NBA Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
Wizards vs. Thunder Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Oklahoma City Thunder are winners of three straight after earning a rare victory in Portland on Friday and continue to hang out among the leaders in the Western Conference. The Thunder will try to make it four consecutive wins when they begin a four-game homestand by hosting the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Oklahoma City won in Portland for the first time since 2014 with Friday's 111-109 triumph as Paul George and Russell Westbrook led the way. "I thought about that yesterday when I landed," Westbrook told reporters of the losing streak at the Trail Blazers. "Hell yeah. So, it's a personal thing for me." Westbrook plays with an edge that seems to make every game a personal thing and will find the motivation against the Wizards, who are 4-17 on the road while suffering through a disappointing season. Washington opened its three-game trip with a 115-109 setback at Miami on Friday to stretch its road losing streak to eight in a row.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington-plus, FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (15-24): Shooting guard Bradley Beal continues to step up since All-Star point guard John Wall (heel) was ruled out for the remainder of the season and kept Washington in the game on Friday with 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. "We could've made some more shots," Beal told reporters. "Definitely down the stretch we missed some easy ones. I think we did enough to win the game. I think effort wise, defensively, rebounding, we did a good job of (limiting their offensive rebounds) as much as possible." Tomas Satoransky is starting at point guard in place of Wall and struggled at Miami with eight points, three assists and a pair of turnovers in 33 minutes.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (25-13): Westbrook managed a triple-double in a win at the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday but was just 3-of-20 from the floor as his jump shot consistency remains at work in progress. The former MVP was better on Friday with 31 points on 13-of-28 shooting and flirted with another triple-double at nine rebounds and seven assists. "He tried to get downhill and he made some really good passes and got some guys some shots," Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan told reporters of Westbrook. "He got his areas a few times and made some of those shots. I think he did some good things."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards SF Otto Porter Jr. is 1-of-8 from 3-point range in two games since returning from a 10-game absence due to a knee injury.

2. George is averaging 33 points in four games since returning from a quad injury.

3. Oklahoma City earned a 134-111 victory at Washington on Nov. 2 behind 23 points and 12 assists from Westbrook.

PREDICTION: Thunder 126, Wizards 112

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The Indiana Pacers' last loss came on Dec. 19 at Toronto, and they'll have a chance to avenge that defeat when they carry a six-game winning streak into a matchup with the host Raptors on Sunday. The Pacers began their five-game road trip with a 119-116 overtime triumph at Chicago on Friday, putting them one victory away from their second seven-game winning streak since the start of December.

Victor Oladipo capped a 36-point effort with a 3-pointer in the final second of OT in the win over the Bulls as Indiana improved to 12-7 on the road. "You got to stay calm and make the right play," Oladipo told reporters after matching his best offensive output of the season. "That's what we did down the stretch." The Raptors had four players reach the 20-point mark in Saturday's 123-116 win at Milwaukee to move into a virtual tie atop the Eastern Conference with the Bucks - 1 1/2 games ahead of Indiana. The victory came two nights after an 18-point loss at San Antonio in which Toronto played for the sixth straight time without star guard Kyle Lowry, who remains sidelined with a back issue.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV, FS Indiana, Sportsnet One (Toronto)

ABOUT THE PACERS (26-12): Myles Turner - who recorded 10 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots in the loss to Toronto last month - is questionable for this one due to a shoulder injury. Domantas Sabonis registered 23 points and 12 rebounds at Chicago while making 9-of-13 shots to raise his field-goal percentage to 63.1 - fourth in the league entering Saturday. Oladipo averages 22.7 points on the road, compared to 17.9 at home.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (29-12): Coach Nick Nurse told reporters before Saturday's game that Kawhi Leonard, who has yet to play both ends of a back-to-back set, might be available against the Pacers one night after scoring 30 points at Milwaukee. However, Leonard played 38 minutes in the win, his highest total since Dec. 19 - leaving some doubt as to whether or not the team will gamble on his health. Forward Pascal Siakam also scored 30 points versus the Bucks and is averaging 22 on 62 percent shooting over a four-game span.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers PF Thaddeus Young is 28-for-41 from the field over his last four games.

2. Raptors PG Fred VanVleet tied his season high with 21 points on Saturday while handing out eight assists with zero turnovers.

3. Toronto has won four straight overall meetings with Indiana and 10 in a row at home.

PREDICTION: Raptors 111, Pacers 110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NBA Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Charlotte Hornets entered their longest road trip of the season on a sour note and were unable to turn the tide in the opener of the six-game trek against Western Conference teams. They will try to bounce back against the worst team in the West when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Three days after an embarrassing 122-84 home loss to Dallas on Wednesday, Charlotte began the trip with a 123-110 setback at West-leading Denver to fall to 4-12 on the road. It will try to improve upon that mark against a Suns team that showed signs of progress with a recent 5-2 surge but has since lost five in a row to begin a season-high seven-game homestand. Opponents are averaging 125 points during the string, and the Los Angeles Clippers had a 55-36 advantage on the glass in Friday's 121-111 win at Phoenix. "After a day of practice, of going over it, we just didn't come out mentally ready," Suns guard Devin Booker told reporters. "Same old problem that we're still looking for the solution for."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (18-20): A bright spot in Saturday's loss was the 16-point, 12-rebound effort by center Bismack Biyombo, who was making his first start. "I think he gave us great energy, a presence down inside," coach James Borrego told reporters of the veteran big man. "We need that from him every single night." Biyombo has recorded 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting over his last two games after producing a total of 20 over his first 11 contests this season.

ABOUT THE SUNS (9-31): Booker scored 23 points and T.J. Warren added 20 in the loss to the Clippers, but rookie center Deandre Ayton was held to a season low-tying four while attempting just three shots - more than nine below his average. "You know (coach) Larry Brown used to say, 'You need the touches, you go get it,'" coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters of Ayton's quiet outing. "(Three) touches? It's on all of us." Phoenix finishes its homestand against Sacramento on Tuesday before playing 15 of its next 21 on the road, where it owns a 4-15 record.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets G Kemba Walker is averaging 16.5 points - nearly nine below his season mark - on 32.3 percent shooting over his last two games.

2. Booker has scored at least 20 points in each of his 11 contests since returning from a hamstring strain.

3. Charlotte has won three straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Hornets 117, Suns 115

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NHL Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Carolina Hurricanes need a big surge to climb back into playoff contention and may be building one as they go for a season high-matching fourth straight win Sunday afternoon against the host Ottawa Senators. The Hurricanes swept a home-and-home set with Philadelphia before taking a three-goal lead and holding on for a 4-2 victory over Columbus on Friday.

"We're running out of time to wait for that run," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters. "Every team that's up there we're chasing has done it at some point. If we want to get up there we've got to do it. If you get two, you've got to get three. Get three, you've got to get four." Brind'Amour said he liked his team's performance Friday and the Hurricanes have a chance to extend their winning streak in the series to five games against struggling Ottawa, which has lost seven in a row (0-6-1). The Senators coughed up a pair of leads and dropped a 4-3 decision against Minnesota at home on Saturday afternoon and have not won since Dec. 17 when they edged Nashville 4-3 in overtime. Right wing Mark Stone scored for the fourth time in five games Saturday to reach 20 goals for the fifth straight season and leads Ottawa with 46 points -- 22 in the last 19 contests.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Carolina), RDS2, TSN5 (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (18-17-5): Leading scorer Sebastian Aho (43 points) has warmed up with a goal and three assists in the last two games while fellow forward Micheal Ferland snapped an 11-game goal drought Friday. Curtis McElhinney (three goals allowed his last two games) and Petr Mrazek (3-2-0, 11 goals allowed his last five) have been giving Carolina some solid goaltending of late. Veteran center Jordan Staal (upper body), who has been out since Dec. 22, was placed on injured reserve Friday and forward Greg McKegg registered a goal to go along with an assist after being recalled on Friday.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (15-22-5): Center Matt Duchene scored Saturday and is second on the team in both goals (17) and points (41) while left wing Ryan Dzingel recorded three tallies and two assists in his past three contests. Goalie Anders Nilsson, who was acquired from Vancouver recently, made his Ottawa debut Saturday by turning aside 22 of 26 shots, but rookie Marcus Hogberg (0-2-1, .895 save percentage) is expected to start Sunday. Forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who averaged 15 goals the last three seasons, is slated to make his 2018-19 debut Sunday after suffering an Achilles injury at training camp.

OVERTIME

1. Ottawa F Rudolfs Balcers, who was acquired in the Erik Karlsson trade, had one hit in 7:45 of ice time in his NHL debut Saturday.

2. Carolina D Dougie Hamilton has scored in back-to-back games and leads the team with 133 shots.

3. The Hurricanes lead the NHL in shots per game (36.8) and the Senators allow more than anyone in the league (37.3).

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 6, Senators 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Rangers vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NHL Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The one constant for the New York Rangers for more than the past decade has been their goaltending, primarily due to the sustained excellence of Henrik Lundqvist since he joined the club in 2005-06. The Rangers are in need of a strong performance from Lundqvist when they continue a three-game road trip Sunday afternoon at the Arizona Coyotes.

Lundqvist was pierced for six goals by Pittsburgh in his first start of the new year and backup Alexandar Georgiev surrendered the same total in Friday's drubbing at Colorado, a game in which the Avalanche had a staggering 10 power plays. "... You have zero chance to win a hockey game that way," New York coach David Quinn told reporters. "I've never been part of a game where you take (10) penalties and have to kill over 20 minutes of penalties in a game." The Coyotes dropped their third game in a row Friday, falling 3-2 in a shootout to New Jersey as their offensive woes continued. "They've worked hard the last two games, I don't care what anybody says. They've tried," coach Rick Tocchet told reporters after Arizona was limited to two goals or fewer for the seventh time in 10 games.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE RANGERS (17-16-7): Center Kevin Hayes, who had a nine-game point streak snapped in a 2-1 victory at St. Louis on New Year's Eve, sat out Friday's loss due to an upper-body injury and was termed day-to-day by Quinn. Hayes scored one goal and set up another in last month's 4-3 overtime loss to the Coyotes, a game in which the Rangers squandered a three-goal lead to end their nine-game winning streak in the series. Although Lundqvist was victimized for four goals in last month's matchup, he has dominated Arizona in 10 career starts, posting an 8-1-1 record and 2.14 goals-against average

ABOUT THE COYOTES (17-21-3): Arizona has dropped 11 of its last 15 (4-10-1) since ripping off four straight wins as November turned into December and Tocchet pointed to a injuries as the main culprit. "When we were healthy we were playing well," Tocchet told reporters. "Obviously this rash of injuries (arrives) and then all of a sudden people get played in different positions and stuff like that. ... You can tell the skill level wasn't there sometimes, so we're just grinding away." Leading scorer Clayton Keller, the team's lone selection for the All-Star Game, is mired in a 16-game goal-scoring drought dating to Dec. 1.

OVERTIME

1. The Rangers have won in their last four visits to Arizona.

2. Ex-Ranger Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist against New York last month, matching his output in his last 10 games.

3. New York is 9-6-3 against the Western Conference this season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Coyotes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Jersey Devils vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NHL Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Vegas Golden Knights have vaulted up the standings in the Pacific Division and will look to run their winning streak to a season-high six games when they host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon. Not only have the red-hot Golden Knights won five in a row, but they are riding an eight-game point streak (6-0-2) overall and have points in 10 straight at home (8-0-2).

"As the year goes on, you are going to have your surges and a couple times when you're not playing that well, but I thought our guys, even when we're down in the game or we're not playing that well, we find ways to get ourselves back in," Vegas defenseman Nate Schmidt told reporters after Friday's 3-2 win at Anaheim. The Golden Knights are 16-3-3 in their last 22 but one of the losses came after blowing a pair of three-goal leads in a 5-4 overtime loss at New Jersey on Dec. 14. Nico Hischier scored for the fifth time in 11 games for the Devils on Friday, a stretch that started with the overtime game-winner against Vegas. New Jersey has split the first two of a four-game road trip and is 4-1-0 without leading scorer Taylor Hall, who will miss his sixth straight game Sunday.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, MSG Plus (New Jersey) AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Vegas)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (16-17-7): Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made a splashy entrance into the NHL by recording consecutive shutouts in his third and fourth starts, but he exited Friday's game at Arizona due to a lower-body injury and did not practice Saturday for what the team termed precautionary reasons. Keith Kinkaid stopped both attempts in the shootout Friday after replacing Blackwood and also turned aside 14 of 15 shots in relief in last month's win over the Golden Knights. Blake Coleman registered a season-high eight shots on net and notched the tying goal Friday, leaving him one shy of his career high of 13.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (25-15-4): Max Pacioretty had plenty to celebrate in his return to the lineup Friday, scoring the game-winning goal on the same night that his wife gave birth to the couple's son. With Pacioretty back with the team, Vegas surprisingly demoted forward Brandon Pirri, who was spectacular in the seven games since he was recalled from the minors, amassing six goals and three assists. "We're thrilled with Brandon's play," assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon told reporters. "He's improved, he's made a great impression and he'll be back with our team. I think it's important that our fans understand that."

OVERTIME

1. Golden Knights F William Karlsson has two goals and two assists in 10 games since scoring twice at New Jersey last month.

2. Coleman and fellow Devils F Travis Zajac each have two goals and an assist in three games versus Vegas.

3. Golden Knights G Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 11 goals in three starts versus the Devils since joining Vegas.

OVERTIME: Golden Knights 4, Devils 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NHL Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Winnipeg Jets have hit a rough patch in their schedule, and now injury concerns are mounting entering Sunday's home matchup with the Dallas Stars. Already missing defenseman Dustin Byduglien to an ankle injury, forward Nikolaj Ehlers suffered a shoulder injury in Friday's loss at Pittsburgh that will sideline him for at least a month.

"Every team is going to lose key guys," Jets head coach Paul Maurice told reporters Saturday, the day after his club lost for the third time in four games. "We may look a little bit different because of it, but it doesn't change what you'd like to think you're capable of doing." Dallas has won four of its past five following Friday's 2-1 victory over Washington, getting two goals from forward Tyler Seguin -- including the game-winning marker in overtime. "We've just got to keep harping on the details we believe in, keep harping on the process," Stars first-year head coach Jim Montgomery told the media afterward. "The second and third periods weren't good enough. We were lucky." The Stars come into Sunday in third place in the Central Division with 48 points, four points behind Winnipeg.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), TSN3 (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE STARS (22-16-4): Seguin extended his point streak to four games (four goals, two assists) to help Dallas improve to 4-0-1 in its past five contests. Anton Khudobin stopped 36 shots against Washington and has allowed just one goal on 86 shots in back-to-back victories. Sunday starts a three-game road swing for the Stars, who are 8-11-2 away from home.

ABOUT THE JETS (25-13-2): Winnipeg's high-powered offense has been limited to one goal or less in five of its past seven games. Forward Blake Wheeler ranks third in the NHL in assists with 44, while forward Patrik Laine is tied for seventh in the league with 24 goals. Connor Hellebuyck has lost three of his past four outings, giving up 11 goals in that span.

OVERTIME

1. Ehlers had scored 10 goals in 16 game (including two hat tricks) before getting injured.

2. Dallas F Jamie Benn did not play Friday due to an upper-body injury, but is expected to return to the lineup Sunday.

3. Jets C Mark Scheifele is pointless in his past four games, after not going more than two games without a point this season.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Stars 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Capitals vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NHL Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Washington Capitals look to match their effort in the final 40 minutes of regulation last time out and snap a three-game losing streak when they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. The Capitals outshot Dallas 29-10 in the final two periods before dropping a 2-1 road decision in overtime Friday after surrendering 11 goals combined in setbacks against Nashville and St. Louis.

"The message from me was that if we play a second and third period like that, then we're going to win a lot of games," Washington coach Todd Reirden told reporters. "That's the lowest shot total (two) we've held an opponent to in a third period. ... It's a shame we only leave with one point." The Capitals have earned at least a point in 10 straight games (8-0-2) in the series after recording a pair victories this season against the Red Wings, who snapped a six-game losing streak Friday with a 4-3 overtime triumph against Nashville. Detroit, which was 1-7-3 in their previous 11 contests, rallied from a two-goal deficit but gave up a late third-period goal for a tie before leading scorer Dylan Larkin recorded the winner in the extra session. "You keep getting kicked and life is always about getting back up," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill told the Detroit Free Press. "Our guys have continued to get back up. We've got a big game ahead of us on Sunday. But we've been able to do a good job of keeping our focus on getting better, individually and collectively as a group."

TV: 5 p.m. ET, NHL Network, NBCS Washington, FS Detroit

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (24-12-4): Washington has dropped to 10th in the league on the power play (22.1 percent) entering the weekend after converting just one of 27 attempts over the last nine contests. Captain Alex Ovechkin, who leads the league with 30 goals and the team with 46 points, has been part of the problem with just one tally in his last eight contests while veteran center Nicklas Backstrom (44 points) has just four assists during the same stretch. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov has also cooled off after a hot start to the season, managing two points in the past six games.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (16-20-7): Veteran forward Thomas Vanek scored his 364th career goal - seventh of the season - in his 1,000th NHL game Friday with plenty of family and friends in attendance. "I was a kid in Austria dreaming about playing one game in the NHL, and now I've got a thousand, I get a goal and we win," Vanek told the media. " ... It was perfect." Larkin (40 points) also tops the team in goals (18) and notched at least one point in 15 of his last 16 contests while fellow forward Andreas Athanasiou has registered four of his 15 tallies in the last five games.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit RW Anthony Mantha (hand) had three shots and two hits in his return to the lineup Friday after missing 15 games.

2. Washington G Braden Holtby, who allowed 11 goals in his last two games, is 11-2-2 with a .926 save percentage all time versus Detroit.

3. The Red Wings have had power-play problems of their own, going just 1 of 17 in the past seven contests.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NHL Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The Anaheim Ducks are in the midst of their second seven-game losing streak of the season, but help may be on the way. Rickard Rakell and defenseman Cam Fowler could return from lengthy absences when the Ducks continue their six-game homestand Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers.

Rakell, who led Anaheim in goals (34) and points (69) last season, has missed 12 games with a sprained ankle while Fowler has been sidelined for 23 contests due to facial fractures. The Ducks are 0-1-2 on their stretch at Honda Center - and 0-5-2 on their skid - after dropping a 3-2 decision to Vegas on Friday. Edmonton ended a six-game slide that included five straight at home when it began its four-game road trip with a 3-1 triumph at Arizona on Wednesday, but the relief didn't last as it was blanked 4-0 in Los Angeles three nights later. The Oilers registered only 16 shots as they were shut out for the second time this season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, Sportsnet360 (Edmonton), Prime Ticket (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE OILERS (19-19-3): Alex Chiasson was back in action for Edmonton on Saturday after missing three games with a knee injury and delivered two hits in 17 minutes, 22 seconds of ice time. The 28-year-old right wing has scored a career-high 16 goals this season - his fourth in a row with a new team. Defenseman Kris Russell was held out of his 10th straight contest on Saturday due to a groin injury but could be ready to return against the Ducks.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (19-16-7): Ryan Getzlaf leads the team with 29 points despite being kept off the scoresheet in each of his last six games. The 33-year-old captain also has gone seven contests without a goal as he is one away from having reached double digits in each of his 14 NHL seasons. Pontus Aberg is tied for first on the club with 11 goals but has scored just once in his last 10 games.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim's Hampus Lindholm needs one assist to break a tie with Chris Pronger (114) for fifth place on the franchise list among defensemen.

2. Edmonton captain C Connor McDavid, who leads the team with 61 points, had his streak of five consecutive games with multiple points halted on Saturday.

3. Ducks general manager Bob Murray will become the fifth person in NHL history with 1,000 games as both a player and a GM on Sunday, joining Bobby Clarke, Bob Gainey, Bob Pulford and Doug Wilson.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Oilers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 2019-01-06

NHL Predictions 5th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/05/2019

The Pittsburgh Penguins were having trouble buying a win just over a month into the season and were looking nothing like the team that had hoisted the Stanley Cup twice in the previous three seasons. That seems like a distant memory for the white-hot Penguins, who are seeking their ninth consecutive victory when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night.

Pittsburgh matched its longest winning streak since a 15-game run in March 2013 with a 4-0 drubbing of Central Division-leading Winnipeg on Friday night. "If you go through a season and you don't face a lot of adversity you're inevitably going to face it in the playoffs," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. "The adversity this team has faced early in the season has made us a better team." The Blackhawks had been on a roll with wins in five of six games before dropping a 4-2 decision to Boston in the Winter Classic and falling to the New York Islanders 3-2 in overtime despite 47 saves from rookie Collin Delia. All-Star Patrick Kane scored against the Islanders to give him eight goals in his last seven games.

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

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (15-21-7): Delia has yet to lose in regulation in four career starts (3-0-1), helping to offset the absence of top netminder Corey Crawford, but he is not the only rookie making an impact for Chicago. Czech forward Dominik Kahun bounced back from a nine-game goal drought by scoring in back-to-back contests while playing on a line with captain Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad. "Hard work gets paid off," Kahun told the Chicago Sun-Times. "That's what I've done since I was little. I never got something given to me. I always had to do it myself. I try to work as hard as possible, and it's coming."

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (23-12-6): Goaltender Matt Murray staggered through the first six weeks of the season, permitting at least four goals in seven of his first 10 starts, but he has elevated his game since missing nearly a month due to injury. In seven starts since returning to the lineup on Dec. 15, Murray has been magnificent with a 7-0-0 record, including a pair of shutouts, along with a 1.27 goals-against average and .962 save percentage. "From that standpoint I think he's in a whole different place than he was mentally earlier in the year when it was a struggle not just for Matt but all of us," Sullivan told reporters.

OVERTIME

1. Pittsburgh will honor members of its 2009 Stanley Cup championship team in a pregame ceremony on Sunday night.

2. Chicago F Drake Caggiula, recently acquired from Edmonton, joined the team for his first practice Saturday after resolving his visa issues.

3. Penguins captain C Sidney Crosby and D Kris Letang are each riding six-game point streaks.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Blackhawks 1