Monday 1-21-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 8 - Claiming - 9.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $6000 Class Rating: 65

FOR NATIVE FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD NO GANADORES EN 1 1/8 MILLA DESDE 01/20/2018 AND WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $8,000 OR LESS. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JANUARY 5 ALLOWED 1 LBS. A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 20, 2018 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 20, 2018 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 AERONAUTICO 3/1

# 4 MY MIRACLE BABY 2/1

# 7 TU ESCOGIDO 9/5

AERONAUTICO looks decent to best this field. Has been running soundly in races of this distance, going 1 for 5 under similar conditions. Should compete solidly in the pace contest which bodes well with this group of horses in this race. Have to consider solely on class, with some of the most competitive class figures of this field. MY MIRACLE BABY - Shows evidence of the look of a money-making play, averaging a solid 50 Equibase Speed Figure which is one of the top in this field. The winning percentage shown by horses entered by Bultron running at this distance are the most competitive in this group. TU ESCOGIDO - Is a solid contender based on figs posted recently under today's conditions. With a very good 54 Equibase speed fig last time out, will surely be a factor in this outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Golden Gate Fields
Golden Gate Fields - Race 6

$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $2 Rolling Double $1 Superfecta (.10 min) / $0.50 Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) $1 Rolling Super High Five


Starter Allowance $50,000 • 1 Mile • All-Weather • Ages 4 and up • CR: 95 • Purse: $19,000 • Post: 3:19P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $50,000 OR LESS AND WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. FOUR YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 125 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 1, 2018 ALLOWED 2 LBS. (ONE WIN FOR $20,000 OR LESS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * MR. GEE'S JOURNEY: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (d irt or turf) is at least 50. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. LYMEBYRD: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. BURNTHEWHITEFLAG: Horse's win percentage at tod ay's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. DIGNITAIRE: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed F igure at the distance/surface.
3
MR. GEE'S JOURNEY
8/5

9/2
4
LYMEBYRD
2/1

5/1
6
BURNTHEWHITEFLAG
15/1

8/1
1
DIGNITAIRE
6/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
MR. GEE'S JOURNEY
3

8/5
Front-runner
92

99

99.9

80.7

74.2
6
BURNTHEWHITEFLAG
6

15/1
Alternator/Front-runner
87

88

87.0

84.6

72.1
4
LYMEBYRD
4

2/1
Alternator/Stalker
92

95

95.0

91.2

87.2
5
ENGLISH INVESTOR
5

9/2
Alternator/Stalker
92

88

66.8

69.7

59.7
1
DIGNITAIRE
1

6/1
Trailer
96

91

84.4

82.5

77.5
7
JUMP THE TRACKS
7

8/1
Trailer
93

88

80.6

84.0

77.5
2
SON OF THE SOUTH
2

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
92

89

76.2

76.4

65.4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

01/21/19, GP, Race 8, 3.39 ET
1 1/16M [Turf] 1.38.01 STARTER ALLOWANCE. Purse $38,000.
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $50,000 OR LESS AND WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN OR CLAIMING
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 8-9-10) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 8-9-10-11)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 95, Win Percent 22.11, $1 ROI 1.01, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 7 C Major 8-1 Saez L Pletcher Todd A. TFE 33.00 1.25 23.08 15 65 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
099.3167 3 Zap Daddy 3-1 Ortiz J L Reynolds Patrick L. 61.00 1.98 35.48 11 31 Last Race Weight is LT Todays Weight
098.5955 5 Kulin Rock 6-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Maker Michael J. SC 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
098.0415 1 Morocco 5-1 Landeros C Mott William I. W 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
097.4714 6 Seven Gems 6-1 Velazquez J R Klesaris Steve 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
097.2868 2 Mo Gee 4-1 Lopez P Casse Mark E. J 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
096.7786 11 Themanbehindtheman 10-1 Castellano J Vitali Marcus J. L 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
096.1560 4 Seattle Treasure 8-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Kurtinecz Lilli 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
094.3245 10 Hey Big Guy 15-1 Coa K J Galvan Baltazar 61.00 1.98 35.48 11 31 Last Race Weight is LT Todays Weight
094.3103 9 Major Attitude 30-1 Reyes L Vitali Marcus J. 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
091.0326 8 Caloric 20-1 Batista J A Londono. Jr. Odin J. 61.00 1.98 35.48 11 31 Last Race Weight is LT Todays Weight
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 131, Win Percent 28.24, $1 ROI 0.86, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 7 C Major 8-1 Saez L Pletcher Todd A. TFE 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
099.3504 3 Zap Daddy 3-1 Ortiz J L Reynolds Patrick L. 11.20 1.10 30.91 17 55 Race Distance Is Route
098.6575 6 Seven Gems 6-1 Velazquez J R Klesaris Steve 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
098.4161 2 Mo Gee 4-1 Lopez P Casse Mark E. 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
097.5703 1 Morocco 5-1 Landeros C Mott William I. 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
097.4828 4 Seattle Treasure 8-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Kurtinecz Lilli J 39.60 1.38 46.15 24 52 Horse Best Jockey
097.2150 5 Kulin Rock 6-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Maker Michael J. SC 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
094.9479 11 Themanbehindtheman 10-1 Castellano J Vitali Marcus J. L 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
094.8249 9 Major Attitude 30-1 Reyes L Vitali Marcus J. W 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
092.9642 8 Caloric 20-1 Batista J A Londono. Jr. Odin J. 11.20 1.10 30.91 17 55 Race Distance Is Route
092.0870 10 Hey Big Guy 15-1 Coa K J Galvan Baltazar 11.20 1.10 30.91 17 55 Race Distance Is Route

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Louisiana Downs
Louisiana Downs - Race 7

Exacta / .50 Trifecta / .10 Superfecta


Claiming $5,000 • 220 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 65 • Purse: $6,800 • Post: 3:24P
QUARTER HORSE 220Y, FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * TOAST TO BREEZY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. AINT I LEAVING YOU: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. STREAKIN TO STRUT: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. RIO ROJO SIZZLER: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it gets out of the gate fast. TEE LA JOLLA: Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
5
TOAST TO BREEZY
10/1

6/1
2
AINT I LEAVING YOU
8/1

6/1
6
RIO ROJO SIZZLER
6/1

7/1
3
STREAKIN TO STRUT
2/1

7/1
7
TEE LA JOLLA
20/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
JESS MAKING IT
1

5/2
Fast
62

43

3.3

0.0

0.0
2
AINT I LEAVING YOU
2

8/1
Average
70

58

4.9

0.0

0.0
3
STREAKIN TO STRUT
3

2/1
Average
67

60

4.6

0.0

0.0
4
SHOWED YA
4

8/1
Average
56

53

3.7

0.0

0.0
5
TOAST TO BREEZY
5

10/1
Average
74

61

5.2

0.0

0.0
6
RIO ROJO SIZZLER
6

6/1
Fast
60

58

2.6

0.0

0.0
7
TEE LA JOLLA
7

20/1
Slow
72

54

8.8

0.0

0.0
8
FLOODED HEARTLAND
8

6/1
Fast
67

50

2.3

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Laurel - Race #1 - Post: 12:30pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $18,000 Class Rating: 58

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 EXPECT DRAMA (ML=2/1)


EXPECT DRAMA - Stand by this horse. No other viable pace gives this horse a strong chance at the winner's circle. After the affair aboard this animal on January 4th, the jock is going to be in tune with the gelding much better. I like to bet on this handicapping theory, a thoroughbred coming back off a good outing within the last month or so.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 TRION WINGS (ML=9/5), #4 OY TO THE WORLD (ML=9/2), #2 SUPREME APPEAL (ML=6/1),

TRION WINGS - You should normally bet against probable favorites that haven't raced or show no activity in the morning over the last 3 weeks. OY TO THE WORLD - This gelding garnered a speed rating in his last event which probably isn't good enough in today's event. SUPREME APPEAL - That was merely not a very good showing in the last contest. Showed indications of physical problems in the contest on Jan 5th at Laurel.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #1 EXPECT DRAMA on the nose if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
1 with 6

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Santa Anita Park

01/21/19, SA, Race 3, 1.03 PT
6F [Dirt] 1.07.00 CLAIMING. Purse $33,000.
Claiming Price $25,000, if for $22,500, allowed 2 lbs. FOR FILLIES FOUR YEARS OLD
$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta /$2 Rolling Double - $0.50 Rolling Pick Three (Races 3-4-5) / $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) - $1 Rolling Super High 5 / $2 HRR - (RED 2,1: 1/1. BLK 4,7,6: 1/1. GRN 3,5: 10/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 124, Win Percent 29.03, $1 ROI 0.91, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to SA.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 2 Amers 5/2 Figueroa H Wong Jonathan JTFC 42.00 1.60 22.86 8 35 Last Race Was Different Jockey with Worse WPC
097.3360 1 D D's Lute 4-1 Talamo J Sherlock Gary W 27.60 1.25 37.50 21 56 Last Race Weight is LT Todays Weight
095.9617 4 Easter Dream 3-1 Bejarano R Hess. Jr. Robert B. 21.00 1.14 36.99 27 73 Last Race Is Not 1st Race After 45 Days Off
095.5368 7 Uno Trouble Maker 4-1 Pereira T J Spawr William S 21.00 1.14 36.99 27 73 Last Race Is Not 1st Race After 45 Days Off
094.8325 6 Come On Kat 5-1 Gryder A T Chew Matthew E 42.00 1.60 22.86 8 35 Last Race Was Different Jockey with Worse WPC
093.5859 5 Empress of Lov 12-1 Fuentes R Lerner Andrew 21.00 1.14 36.99 27 73 Last Race Is Not 1st Race After 45 Days Off
092.8434 3 Naughty Sophie 8-1 Maldonado E A Sierra Javier Jose L 42.00 1.60 22.86 8 35 Last Race Was Different Jockey with Worse WPC

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 3 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $33000 Class Rating: 92

FOR FILLIES FOUR YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $25,000, IF FOR $22,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 NAUGHTY SOPHIE 8/1

# 6 COME ON KAT 5/1

# 2 AMERS 5/2

I lean toward NAUGHTY SOPHIE for this race and is a solid value bet given the line. Vaunts sound Equibase Speed Figures on average overall when compared with the rest of this group of animals. Looks quite good against this group of horses and will most likely be one of the leaders. Have to consider solely on class, with some of the top class figures of this group of horses. COME ON KAT - Must be considered here on the basis of the figures in the speed department alone. Will likely be one of the leaders of the bunch going into the halfway point of the outing. AMERS - Looks strong for the conditions of this contest today, showing solid numbers in dirt sprint races recently. This filly has a strong win percent in dirt sprint races.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Turf Paradise - Race #6 - Post: 3:15pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,300 Class Rating: 60

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#8 SHESAHEATSEEKER (ML=6/5)


SHESAHEATSEEKER - Stevens is right back for another race today after getting on board this equine for the first try on Jan 7th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. I think that a sprinter coming off a layoff will usually run her best in the 3rd or 4th start back. I like when a horse has dropped in class at least 5 class points like this one did last time around the track and then runs against a similar field right back. Davis must've found the right level. In the last race, finished fifth on a muddy track at Turf Paradise. I'd expect a better race in this event.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 BIG JOSIE (ML=7/2), #2 GOOD TIME DOLLAR (ML=5/1), #5 A J'S MUSIC (ML=8/1),

BIG JOSIE - Can't invest in this racer in today's sprint of 6 furlongs. Hasn't even hit the board in a short distance affair recently. GOOD TIME DOLLAR - I'd like to see more hospitable recent efforts with oddsmaker's morning line of 5/1. The speed figure in the last race doesn't fit very well in this contest when I look at the class rating of today's event. Mark this thoroughbred as a questionable challenger. A J'S MUSIC - This filly is always in the mix, but just doesn't win. Tough to wager on her on the win end.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Hal - SHESAHEATSEEKER - Analysis shows this mare's last speed number of 44 is as good as any. Don't overlook this mare in your wagering.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #8 SHESAHEATSEEKER to win if you can get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview and Predictions 2019-01-21

NHL Predictions 20th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/20/2019

Peter Laviolette has seen a pair of slow starts derail his bid to become the second United States-born head coach to win 600 games in the NHL. After dropping two in a row and four of their last five (1-3-1), the Nashville Predators hope a stronger start leads to better results on Monday when they open a three-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche.

"That's all in the attitude. That's what you bring to the rink and bring to the game. It has to be better," Laviolette told reporters after sluggish starts led to both Thursday's 5-1 setback to Winnipeg and Saturday's 4-2 loss to Florida. Nashville didn't have that issue in its two encounters with Colorado this season, as Colton Sissons highlighted his hat trick with two first-period goals in a 4-1 win on Nov. 7 before Ryan Hartman also tallied in the first of a 3-2 setback on Nov. 27. The Avalanche made up for an uneventful first period on Saturday as Mikko Rantanen tallied twice to highlight a franchise record-tying six goals in the second during a 7-1 romp over Los Angeles. The 22-year-old Finn (club-best 50 assists, 73 points) boosted his point total to 11 (six goals, five assists) in his last seven games before exiting the contest with a lower-body injury, although coach Jared Bednar and captain Gabriel Landeskog told reporters that the decision was made for precautionary reasons.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, FS Tennessee (Nashville), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (28-18-4): Nick Bonino echoed Laviolette's displeasure with the team's slow starts after he joined Austin Watson by collecting a goal and an assist versus the Panthers in the third period. "It wasn't good enough, and a lot of our problems stem from our starts," the 30-year-old Bonino told reporters. "We feel games out, don't compete enough right away, and then we have to play catch up. When we turn it on, we're really hard to play with, but in this league it's too little to late sometimes." Bonino, who had three assists in the first two meetings with Nashville, resides one goal shy of 100 for his career.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (22-18-8): Landeskog had a goal and an assist against the Kings to record his fourth multi-point performance in the last seven outings for Colorado, which posted just its third win in 13 games (3-8-2). The 26-year-old Swede leads the team with 29 goals, although he has been held off the scoresheet in both encounters with the Predators this season. Nathan MacKinnon, who has scored twice and set up another versus Nashville in 2018-19, notched a pair of assists against Los Angeles for his second straight multi-point effort and fourth this month.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville's 29th-ranked power play has failed to convert on its last 21 opportunities.

2. Colorado C Carl Soderberg has five points (four goals, one assist) in his last three outings while D Tyson Barrie is riding a three-game point and assist streak.

3. Predators C Ryan Johansen, who is the team leader in assists (34) and points (42), will serve the second contest of his two-game suspension for a high-sticking incident involving Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Predators 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Blues vs. Los Angeles Kings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-21

NHL Predictions 20th January 2019 by Gracenote
Blues vs. Kings Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/20/2019

The St. Louis Blues have recorded at least a point in five of their last six games (4-1-1) to elevate to the NHL's version of .500. The Blues bid to move closer toward a potential wild-card spot in the Western Conference on Monday when they open a five-game road trip against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson scored the go-ahead goal with 7:44 remaining in the third period of Saturday's 3-2 win over Ottawa. "He's hot. He's playing well for us. Obviously, a big goal for us (Saturday), sneaking in from that left side. It's nice to see him get rewarded," center Brayden Schenn said of the 32-year-old Swede, who has scored in back-to-back games and recorded at least a point in a career-high five straight in which he has played (two goals, three assists). Los Angeles enjoyed a rare positive in its disastrous season by posting a 2-0-1 mark in its last three contests before seeing the bottom fall out with a six-goal second period in Saturday's 7-1 shellacking by Colorado. "We left our goalies out to dry again. We're sick of doing that," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty told reporters. "When we win games, we leave them out to dry. When we lose games, we leave them out to dry. It's about time we play for them."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE BLUES (21-21-5): Ryan O'Reilly has scored four goals and set up 12 others in his last 13 games to boost his team-leading totals in assists (31) and points (48). The 27-year-old's 17 goals are tied with David Perron, who saw his career-high 13-game point streak come to a halt after an upper-body injury forced him to sit out versus the Senators. Coach Craig Berube told reporters that Perron probably will not accompany the Blues on the two-game trip to the Golden State prior to the All-Star break.

ABOUT THE KINGS (19-26-4): Captain Anze Kopitar answered being held off the scoresheet in three of his previous four contests by setting up Ilya Kovalchuk's power-play goal in the third period on Saturday, boosting his team-leading total to 32 points. Kopitar sealed Los Angeles' 2-0 win over St. Louis on Nov. 19 with an empty-net goal, giving the Kings just their third victory versus the Blues in the last nine encounters. Doughty set up the 31-year-old Slovenian's tally in that contest and has an assist in each of his last two outings to boost his team-leading total in that category to 23 while moving within one point of 450 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Los Angeles G Jonathan Quick owns just an 8-12-3 mark in 23 career encounters versus St. Louis despite sporting a 2.38 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.

2. Blues RW Vladimir Tarasenko has answered a difficult December in which he recorded just two points by registering eight (five goals, three assists) in nine games this month.

3. Kovalchuk has two goals and an assist in his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Blues 2, Kings 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 2019-01-21

NHL Predictions 20th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/20/2019

The Minnesota Wild answered the bell in their last outing after getting knocked out by a team that was mired in a franchise-worst 12-game winless skid. The Wild bid to put up a strong fight on Monday when they open a three-game road trip versus the Vegas Golden Knights, who boast a sterling 16-4-3 mark at T-Mobile Arena this season.

Zach Parise answered a frustrating night in which he unleashed a franchise-record 11 shots on goal in Minnesota's 3-0 setback to Anaheim on Thursday by reaching the 20-goal plateau for the ninth time in 14 NHL seasons in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Columbus. "I don't know where the standings are going to shake out, but we're still right there in the mix regardless of how dark it's been at times the last little while, we're still right there," the 34-year-old Parise told reporters. While the Wild are keeping tabs on a wild-card spot, Vegas is riding a 10-2-2 run to reside one point behind second-place San Jose in the Pacific Division. Jonathan Marchessault (team-leading 17 goals) collected his second career hat trick in Saturday's 7-3 victory versus Pittsburgh after tallying twice in his previous 16 outings.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Vegas)

ABOUT THE WILD (24-21-3): Devan Dubnyk, who owns a 2-0-1 mark with a 1.62 goals-against average and .948 save percentage in three meetings with Vegas, followed up a strong relief performance versus the Ducks by turning aside 19 shots on Saturday. The 32-year-old netminder made 41 saves and Charlie Coyle set up injured defenseman Matt Dumba's goal in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Golden Knights on Oct. 6. The 26-year-old Coyle has two goals and two assists in four career meetings versus Vegas, while Eric Staal (four goals, two assists) and defenseman Jonas Brodin (one goal, four assists) have also fared well in the series.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (29-17-4): Max Pacioretty scored in the first meeting against Minnesota this season to boost his career total to 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 12 contests versus the club. The 30-year-old had a goal and an assist versus the Penguins on Saturday to give him three and four, respectively, in seven games this month. Marc-Andre Fleury defeated his former team and has yielded just 17 goals during his sizzling 7-2-0 run, but is just 3-8-0 with a 3.31 GAA and .890 SP in 11 starts versus the Wild.

OVERTIME

1. Vegas RW Alex Tuch, who is a former first-round pick of the Wild, has 12 (three goals, nine assists) of his club-best 38 points in the last 11 games.

2. Minnesota newcomers LW Pontus Aberg and C Victor Rask set up Parise's first-period goal on Saturday to notch their first points with the club since being traded earlier in the week from Anaheim and Carolina, respectively.

3. Golden Knights C Paul Stastny has 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 63 career matches against the Wild.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Jose Sharks vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-21

NHL Predictions 20th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/20/2019

The Florida Panthers have gotten much healthier in the last week and look to make one last run at being a playoff contender as they go for a third straight victory Monday night against the visiting San Jose Sharks. The Panthers got Nick Bjugstad back a little over a week ago and fellow forward Vincent Trocheck has recorded three points in two games since returning from a two-month absence with an ankle injury.

"Confidence, I think, is the No. 1 thing coming from these two games," Trocheck said of wins over Toronto (Friday) and Nashville (Saturday). "With the team that we have, I think we definitely have the personnel here to win a lot of hockey games. ... It's just a matter of us getting our confidence back and playing the way that we know how we can play." The Panthers, who will have 11 days off through the All-Star break after the contest, will face a San Jose team that has given up six goals each in a pair of losses since winning seven consecutive victories. The Sharks finished with a 39-26 edge in shots Saturday despite losing 6-3 at Tampa Bay as Evander Kane scored twice to give him three goals and three assists in the past three contests. "I didn't think the score was super indicative of how the game went," Kane told reporters after Saturday's setback. "I thought we carried the play to be honest for most of the game. But every mistake we made or when we took penalties, they capitalized on those opportunities."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet, NBCS California (San Jose), FS Florida

ABOUT THE SHARKS (28-15-7): Two-time Norris Trophy defenseman Erik Karlsson (40 assists) was a late scratch from Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury. "He's been dealing with something for a little while here and he felt that he was going to be able to play through and just couldn't," San Jose coach Peter DeBoer told reporters. "We'll see how he feels (Sunday and Monday). ... We're not going to risk anything with him." Brent Burns leads the team in scoring (52 points) despite being kept off the scoresheet in three straight games, and fellow defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (wrist) is close to returning after missing nine contests.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (19-20-8): Trocheck had a goal an assist in the 4-2 victory over Nashville on Saturday and told reporters: "I've only played 20 games this year, so I have fresh legs. I would give it up to that." While Trocheck has been added to the mix, the team's top two point producers have cooled off as left wing Jonathan Huberdeau (48 points) managed just one in four games and captain Aleksander Barkov (44 points) was kept off the scoresheet in the same span. Mike Hoffman scored five of his team-leading 23 goals in nine January games and fellow forward Frank Vatrano boasts four of his career-high 15 tallies in the past six contests.

OVERTIME

1. San Jose C Logan Couture, who is tied for second on the team with Karlsson at 43 points, has just one in the past seven games.

2. Florida D Aaron Ekblad had a goal and an assist at Nashville and boasts seven points in his past 10 contests, following a nine-game drought.

3. Sharks captain F Joe Pavelski leads the team with 26 goals, but managed just one in his past seven contests.

PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Panthers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Maryland Terrapins vs. Michigan St Spartans Preview and Predictions 2019-01-21

NCAAB Predictions 20th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/20/2019

Michigan State looks for its 12th straight victory and to stay in first place in the Big Ten when it hosts Maryland on Monday in a key conference contest between ranked teams. The No. 6 Spartans are coming off a 70-64 victory at Nebraska on Thursday, while the No. 22 Terrapins enter on a seven-game winning streak after a 75-61 win at Ohio State on Friday.

Junior guard Anthony Cowan Jr., Maryland's leading scorer at 17.9 points per game, has been heating up lately, scoring 20 or more in his last four outings. The Terrapins have a rare pair of big men in 6-10 sophomore Bruno Fernando (14.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, Big Ten-best 2.2 blocks) and 6-10 freshman Jalen Smith (12.1, 7.1), who could pose a problem for a strong Spartans' front line that doesn't have a regular player taller than 6-9. Michigan State has been relying on point guard Cassius Winston (18.2 points, Big Ten-best 7.3 assists) to lead the way, especially with third-leading scorer Joshua Langford sidelined for the last five games with an ankle injury, and is coming off a career-best 29 points against Nebraska. A big key will be how 6-9 junior forward Nick Ward (16.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 63.9 percent shooting) deals with the height of the Maryland front line as he's struggled against taller defenders throughout his career with the Spartans.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT MARYLAND (16-3, 7-1 Big Ten): While Cowan and Fernando are getting a lot of headlines for their play over the last few weeks - and rightfully so - coach Mark Turgeon will point to freshman guards Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins as big reasons for the Terrapins' success as well. Ayala is hitting 48.4 percent from 3-point range and ranks second on the team in assists (2.4 per game), helping to take some pressure off of Cowan when he is drawing extra defensive attention. Wiggins, playing off the bench, is hitting 41.9 percent from 3-point range and ranks second on the team in steals (17) as Turgeon tries to make sure he doesn't put too much on Cowan's plate on both ends of the floor.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (16-2, 7-0): Coach Tom Izzo continues to juggle his rotation because of the injuries to Langford and Kyle Ahrens, meaning he's been using his freshman wing players more. Aaron Henry has stepped into the starting lineup with the veterans sidelined, averaging 8 points and 22 minutes in two starts, including tying his career high with nine points in the win over Nebraska. When Henry got into early foul trouble against the Cornhuskers, Izzo went to another freshman, Gabe Brown, who has set career highs with 21 minutes and four rebounds in each of the last two contests, giving Izzo more confidence that he can trust his freshmen in key times even when Langford and Ahrens return.

TIP-INS

1. Maryland shot 58.1 percent from the field against Ohio State, its highest percentage in league play this season, and had a season-best 64.7 percent shooting from 3-point range.

2. Michigan State is holding opponents to 65.2 points per game and 36.2 percent shooting from the floor during its winning streak.

3. The Spartans and Terrapins are the top teams in the Big Ten in rebounding margin at plus-11.6 and 10.9, respectively.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 82, Maryland 80

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Preview and Predictions 2019-01-21

NCAAB Predictions 20th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/20/2019

A key early-season ACC matchup between two ranked teams goes Monday evening as North Carolina welcomes Virginia Tech. The Hokies got back into the win column on Saturday with a win over Wake Forest, while the Tar Heels won their second in a row by beating Miami on the road.

Virginia Tech bounced back nicely after being clobbered by No. 1 Virginia in its previous game, shooting 57 percent from the field and holding the Demon Deacons to 37.5 percent shooting. "I thought we were much more us," Hokies coach Buzz Williams told reporters after the 87-71 blowout victory. North Carolina has won two straight following a shocking home loss to Louisville with its most recent win coming in an 85-76 victory at Miami on Saturday that left the opposing coach very impressed. "Did they miss a shot in the second half? I don't remember if they did," Miami coach Jim Larranaga told reporters sarcastically after the game. "That was a terrific performance by North Carolina and a valiant effort by our guys."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (15-2, 4-1 ACC): Sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the team's leading scorer at 18.3 points per game, scored a team-high 24 on 7-of-12 shooting while also chipping in with seven rebounds and four assists. The Hokies also stepped up their defense and took care of the ball against Wake Forest, forcing 16 turnovers while giving it away 11 times. Virginia Tech will have to stay out of foul trouble on Monday, however, after committing 24 personal fouls, leading to 38 free-throw attempts for the Demon Deacons.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (14-4, 4-1): The Tar Heels were red-hot with their shooting on Saturday, going 33-of-60 (55 percent) from the field, including 18-of-30 (60 percent) in the second half where they pulled away from a 37-37 halftime tie. Senior guard Cameron Johnson scored a game-high 22, including back-to-back 3-pointers with under seven minutes remaining in a tight game. The Tar Heels outrebounded Miami 38-23, improving their rebounding margin to plus-10.3, the sixth-best mark in the nation.

TIP-INS

1. North Carolina leads the all-time series 31-7, though Virginia Tech snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Tar Heels with a win in Blacksburg, Va., last season.

2. Tar Heels F Luke Maye is second in the ACC in rebounding with 10 per game, trailing only Notre Dame's John Mooney (10.7).

3. Hokies G Justin Robinson is averaging 5.4 assists per game, second in the conference to Duke's Tre Jones' 5.7.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 80, Virginia Tech 76