Saturday 2-2-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
Lakers vs. Warriors Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The last time the Los Angeles Lakers played at the Golden State Warriors they earned a big win but also lost superstar LeBron James for over a month to a groin injury. James is finally back and will try to lead the Lakers to another win at Golden State when they visit the Warriors on Saturday.

James returned against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday and collected 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in 40 minutes while leading the Lakers to a 123-120 overtime win. "I'm not feeling particularly great right now," James told reporters after the win. "Definitely ecstatic about being back out there with my guys and getting a great road win versus a team that we're kind of climbing in the playoff race. After being out five weeks, I'm feeling it right now. I wish I could click my shoes together and be home right now in my bed, but it was great to be back out there." The Warriors had an 11-game winning streak come to an end with a 113-104 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday as they returned home from a five-game trip and fell flat. "We kind of lost our energy and intensity and never really found it after that," center DeMarcus Cousins told reporters. "That's on us."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE LAKERS (27-25): Los Angeles went 6-11 in 17 games without James to tumble from a team fighting for homecourt advantage in the Western Conference to out of the top eight. "The message for the team is we're all ready to make this push," James told ESPN. "That's it. Let's make that push. ... We're on the road. We're on the road for the whole month of February. We got two home games. So, if you want to make a push, why not make it on the road? That's the best time where you can come together as a team when you're on the road and it's just us. So, let's do it." The Lakers head east after Saturday and visit Indiana, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta before the All-Star break.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (36-15): Golden State will have something this time that it didn't during the 127-101 Christmas Day loss to the Lakers in the form of Cousins. The former All-Star made his season and team debut in the opener of the road trip and is fitting in quite nicely while averaging 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 22.3 minutes through six games. "Obviously, I'm still not where I want to be," Cousins, who is recovering from Achilles surgery, told reporters. "I'm working my tail off every day to get back to being that player or better. This process isn't over for me."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers SF Lance Stephenson is 11-of-20 from 3-point range over the last four games.

2. Warriors All-Star SG Klay Thompson (illness) sat out Thursday and is questionable for Saturday.

3. Golden State blasted the Lakers 130-111 at Los Angeles on Jan. 21 and took eight of the last nine in the series.

PREDICTION: Warriors 125, Lakers 116

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
Pelicans vs. Spurs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The San Antonio Spurs began their current four-game winning streak with a victory at New Orleans and they look to keep the run going when they host the Pelicans on Saturday. The Spurs picked up a 126-114 win over the Pelicans last Saturday prior to New Orleans star forward Anthony Davis' trade request, and they've tacked on three more victories since.

Derrick White scored a career-high 26 points to lead San Antonio past the Brooklyn Nets 117-114 on Thursday at home. While the Davis drama slowly unfolds with the league's trade deadline looming, the Pelicans are navigating a difficult stretch against many of the Western Conference elites. They knocked off the Houston Rockets without Davis and several other top players before dropping a 105-99 decision against Denver on Thursday. Davis, who has missed six straight games with a finger injury, confirmed with reporters Friday that his desire is to land elsewhere in the coming days.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (23-29): After coach Alvin Gentry on Friday refused to confirm whether Davis would play or not once he is recovered from his injury, Davis told the media about his mindset as the drama plays out. "I just feel like it is my time. Gave the city, organization, fans, everything I felt like I could do," the six-time All-Star said. "I don't know how long I'm going to play this game. Peoples' careers are short. I felt like it is my time to move on." Regulars Nikola Mirotic (calf), Elfrid Payton (ankle), Julius Randle (ankle) and E'Twaun Moore (rest) also joined Davis on the sidelines during the loss to the Nuggets.

ABOUT THE SPURS (31-22): San Antonio is averaging 125.3 points during its winning streak and White averaged 15.3 on 59.7 percent shooting in January. "He's working hard," teammate LaMarcus Aldridge told reporters of White. "He helps this team get better. He's making the right reads, he's growing offensively (and) he's getting to the basket. I think he's that difference maker right now." Aldridge notched his seventh career All-Star nod this week and responded with 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Nets.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Aldridge finished with 28 points and 12 boards in last week's win at New Orleans.

2. Pelicans SG Kenrich Williams is averaging 14.5 points and 12 rebounds over his last two games.

3. Spurs SG DeMar DeRozan had 15 points and 10 boards Thursday in his return from a knee injury that cost him three games.

PREDICTION: Spurs 120, Pelicans 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

Third-year guard Malik Beasley looks to follow up a career-best outing when the Denver Nuggets visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Beasley poured in 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting as the Nuggets won their fifth straight game, 136-122 over the visiting Houston Rockets on Friday.

Beasley played 41 minutes with Jamal Murray (ankle) and Gary Harris (groin) sidelined and has made 21-of-31 shots while averaging 28.5 points over the past two games as Denver continues its rise with 15 wins in the past 19 games. "I think you have to along the way stop and appreciate what we've done," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said during his postgame media session in regard to the club moving into a first-place tie with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference. "It's a fine line because I'm not saying stop and celebrate and think that we've arrived because we haven't. We have so much more to do." Minnesota halted a two-game slide when All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns knocked down a shot as time expired in overtime for a 99-97 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. Towns scored only 16 points after recording 20 or more in 16 of the previous 17 games.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (36-15): Star center Nikola Jokic celebrated being named to play in the All-Star Game with 31 points on 12-of-15 shooting, along with 13 rebounds and nine assists in the win over Houston. "It's a huge accomplishment for me but my teammates gave me that (opportunity)," Jokic said in a postgame television interview after Friday's game. "They've been fighting with me and coach (Malone) gave me the chance. This gives me motivation to be better every day." Forward Torrey Craig scored a career-high 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting Friday during a game in which Denver scored 83 first-half points.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (25-26): Minnesota continues to deal with backcourt injuries though it is possible that Derrick Rose (ankle) could return after a three-game absence. Point guard Jeff Teague (foot) will miss his sixth straight game while backup Tyus Jones (ankle) will sit out his eighth consecutive contest. Forward Robert Covington (ankle) will miss his 15th straight game and there remains no timetable for his return even though he did some light shooting after Friday's practice.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. PF Paul Millsap scored 25 points, which matches a season high, as the Nuggets recorded a 103-101 road win over the Timberwolves on Nov. 21.

2. Denver PG Monte Morris has made 15-of-23 shots over the past two games while averaging 19 points, 7.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds.

3. Minnesota G Jerryd Bayless played 43 minutes at the point and registered a career-high 12 assists against Memphis, and also scored 19 points for his fifth career double-double.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 125, Timberwolves 121

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

James Harden seeks his 26th consecutive 30-point effort when the Houston Rockets visit the Utah Jazz on Saturday. Harden scored 30 to tie Wilt Chamberlain for the third-longest such streak Friday but the Rockets were outplayed in a 136-122 road loss against the Denver Nuggets.

Harden had his streak of 11 straight 35-point outings halted and he also had a 24-game streak of being the game's leading scorer snapped as Denver's Malik Beasley tallied a game-high 35 points. Houston has allowed an average of 128.5 points during a two-game slide as it enters the second contest of a four-game road excursion. Utah has won 10 of its past 12 games and had seven players score in double digits during Friday's 128-112 home win over the Atlanta Hawks. "It's just special. We have good chemistry here and we go to work together," point guard Ricky Rubio told reporters after contributing 22 points and 11 assists. "When somebody is down, we pick them up. This is the best team I've ever been on chemistry-wise."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (29-22): Coach Mike D'Antoni indicated that point guard Chris Paul will likely sit out against the Jazz as he recently returned from missing 17 games because of a hamstring injury. Paul played well in the loss to Denver with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting and is averaging 14 points and seven assists in three games since returning to action. Power forward Kenneth Faried scored 23 points against the Nuggets - his former team - and is averaging 18.8 points and 10.3 rebounds over the past four games.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (30-23): Standout center Rudy Gobert was disappointed to be passed over for an All-Star Game reserve spot and he responded with 25 points and 13 rebounds against Atlanta for his 42nd double-double of the season. Utah has scored 125 or more points in three of the past eight contests but may be reluctant to have a high-octane contest against the potent Rockets. "We know exactly how they are going to come at us," Utah forward Jae Crowder told reporters after Friday's win. "It's about hitting on the key points of the game for us and having the focus on what we need to take away from those guys."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Jazz have limited the Rockets to an average of 94 points while winning two of this season's three meetings.

2. Harden is averaging 30.3 points against Utah this season with a high of 47 and a low of 15.

3. Utah SG Donovan Mitchell scored 15 points on Friday after topping 20 in each of the previous 13 games.

PREDICTION: Jazz 117, Rockets 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

The Phoenix Suns will try to snap a nine-game losing streak when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday and could have Deandre Ayton back in the fold. The 7-1 rookie center, who averages 16.4 points and leads all rookies with 10.6 rebounds per game, has missed the last six contests because of an ankle injury but it sounds like he'll be good to go.

"I feel very light. My legs feel brand new like I just got to the league," Ayton told reporters after practice Friday. "So yeah, it's a good sign." Phoenix, which owns the worst record in the Western Conference, is coming off a 126-124 loss at San Antonio on Rudy Gay's jumper at the buzzer. "Dropping nine straight and losing three or four to game-winners, you realize that you have to be locked in the whole game," Suns guard Devin Booker told reporters. "It's not just the final shot." Atlanta fell to 2-3 on its seven-game road trip with a 128-112 loss to Utah on Friday despite 28 points and nine assists from rookie point guard Trae Young.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (16-35): Young (16.7 points, 7.4 assists) has averaged 26.8 points in his last four games - the best such stretch in his young career - and is shooting 56.9 percent during that span, raising his season number to 41.1. John Collins scored 19 points on Friday and is shooting 58.4 percent from the floor as he tries to surpass Shaquille O'Neal (59.9 percent in 1993-94) for the highest rate by a second-year player in NBA history. Kent Bazemore scored eight points in 17 minutes Friday in his second game with a 20-minute restriction since missing 14 with an ankle injury.

ABOUT THE SUNS (11-42): Devin Booker (team-high 24.8 points per game) recorded his seven career game with at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists, and is one shy of Gail Goodrich's club record. Kelly Oubre Jr. is averaging 14.6 points in 22 games since being acquired from Washington and has reached double figures in 12 consecutive contests. Josh Jackson (10.1 points, 4.3 rebounds) is averaging 15.2 and 6.8 in his last six games while shooting 38.3 percent from the field, dropping his season number to 40.2.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Phoenix shot a season-high 60 percent from the floor Tuesday, losing for only the third time in franchise history (62-3) when reaching that number.

2. Young has 84 3-pointers this season, breaking the previous Atlanta rookie record of 82 set by Salim Stoudamire in 2005-06.

3. The clubs have split the last six meetings with five encounters decided by four or fewer points while the home team has won seven straight.

PREDICTION: Suns 119, Hawks 116

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
76ers vs. Kings Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Philadelphia 76ers will try to avoid a letdown after perhaps their best win of the season when they wrap up a four-game road trip at the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. After splitting the first two games of the trip, the Sixers put up a 42-point third quarter en route to a 113-104 win at Golden State on Thursday, snapping the defending champs' 11-game winning streak.

"It's a fantastic win. This group -- myself included -- we have not beaten Golden State," coach Brett Brown told reporters. "To do it on the road, to do it in front of their fans against a team that is this good and had won that many in a row, it is a good night." Joel Embiid had 26 points and 20 rebounds in the victory as Philadelphia improved to 14-5 against the Western Conference, the top mark in the East. The Kings followed up a 2-4 road trip with a 135-113 rout of the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. Harry Giles recorded a season-high 20 points for Sacramento in the opener of a six-game homestand.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (34-18): Embiid was named an All-Star for the second time while teammate Ben Simmons got added to the roster for the first time before responding with a huge effort against the Warriors. "Ben was a monster," Embiid told reporters after Simmons went for 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. "We can read each other better on the court. It's scary because we have so much potential. I feel like a lot of people haven't seen what I can really do and obviously him, too." Simmons is averaging 21.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists over his last four games.

ABOUT THE KINGS (26-25): Rookie Marvin Bagley III backed Giles' big effort with 17 points and 12 rebounds of his own against Atlanta as the young Duke products provided a potential glimpse of the future for Sacramento. "That was just a big boost tonight," coach Dave Joerger told reporters of the rookies. "Marvin, without a doubt in my mind, had his best game as an NBA player and same thing for Harry. There was enough to go around for everybody and a lot of positive things." Giles and Bagley were part of a bench that produced 80 points on 57.9 percent shooting in Wednesday's win.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Sixers SF Wilson Chandler left Thursday's game with a quadriceps strain and is day-to-day.

2. Kings SG Buddy Hield was 34-for-65 from 3-point range at home in January.

3. Sacramento swept last season's two meetings by a total of seven points.

PREDICTION: Kings 115, 76ers 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Edmonton Oilers vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
Oilers vs. Flyers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

Carter Hart and the Philadelphia Flyers hope the success they both enjoyed in January carries over into February. Fresh off being named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for January, Hart looks to send the red-hot Flyers to their season-best seventh straight win on Saturday afternoon when they host captain Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

"Yeah, McDavid's arguably the best player in the NHL. It would be cool to play against him," the 20-year-old Hart said. "At the end of the day, I've just got to stop pucks -- including him." Hart became the 10th goaltender in league history to record a five-game winning streak prior to his 21st birthday when he made 23 saves in a 3-2 victory over Boston. While the Alberta native posted a 6-2-1 mark with a .931 save percentage in January, the Oilers lost three straight heading into their All-Star break and league-mandate bye. McDavid, who leads his team in goals (29), assists (44) and points (73), collected two goals and an assist in Edmonton's 4-1 win over Philadelphia on Dec. 14 to boost his point total to 10 (four goals, six assists) in seven career matches versus the club.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Sportsnet, NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE OILERS (23-24-3): Leon Draisaitl notched three assists in the first encounter with Philadelphia and entered the break with back-to-back multi-point performances to keep him on pace for a career-best season. The 23-year-old German's 27 goals and 34 assists are just two and 14 shy of his career-best totals set after playing in all 82 games of the 2016-17 campaign. Fellow forward Alex Chiasson scored in the first meeting with the Flyers as part of a three-game goal-scoring binge, but he answered a productive December with just one tally in January.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (22-23-6): Jakub Voracek set up Philadelphia's lone goal in the first encounter with Edmonton and has nine assists and 10 points total in his last nine games. Travis Konecny has collected five points (two goals, three assists) in his last four contests and used his considerable speed to draw a tripping penalty on Brad Marchand in overtime Thursday, leading to defenseman Travis Sanheim's game-winning tally. James van Riemsdyk has erupted from a lengthy slumber with seven goals and nine points in the last eight matches, highlighted by a hat trick in a 7-4 win against Minnesota on Jan. 14.

OVERTIME

1. Edmonton's Cam Talbot will get the nod on Saturday while fellow G Mikko Koskinen is expected to be in net on Sunday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

2. Philadelphia's 29th-ranked power play scored twice on Thursday after going 2-for-25 with the man advantage in its previous nine games.

3. Oilers D Oscar Klefbom has participated in practice in back-to-back days and appears poised to return to game action for the first time since sustaining a hand injury in a 6-4 victory over Colorado on Dec. 11.

PREDICTION: Oilers 2, Flyers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

Well-rested and holding down one of the wild cards in the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens will look to carry over the momentum from before the All-Star break when they return to the ice to host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon. The Canadiens, who have been idle since Jan. 23, won five of six entering the break and yielded two goals or fewer in all five wins.

Although Montreal has a better record on the road (14-8-3) than at the Bell Centre (14-10-2), a five-game homestand over the next eight days offers an opportunity to move up in the standings. "We have a chance to bring our home record to a more acceptable level," Canadiens coach Claude Julien said. "We're not a bad home team, but we want to be better." The Devils returned from the break with an impressive 6-3 win at Pittsburgh before dropping a 4-3 decision at home to the New York Rangers. New Jersey has won the past three meetings, including a 5-2 victory over visiting Montreal on Nov. 21, but it sports an NHL-worst 6-17-3 record on the road.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus (New Jersey), TSN2, RDS (Montreal)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (19-24-7): New Jersey is hurting on the blue line after Sami Vatanen was placed on injured reserve Thursday due to a concussion, joining fellow defenseman Ben Lovejoy on the sideline, but captain Andy Greene traveled with the team and is expected to play Saturday despite sitting out Friday's practice. Reigning league Most Valuable Player Taylor Hall missed his 15th consecutive game Thursday due to a lower-body injury and forward Travis Zajac remained in New Jersey after missing practice Friday. Center Pavel Zacha notched a pair of goals against the Canadiens in November but scored just once in 12 games last month.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (28-18-5): Carey Price allowed four goals in winning his last four starts before the break, but he was suspended one game for missing the All-Star Game so backup netminder Antti Niemi will start Saturday. Forward Paul Byron will return to the lineup after serving a three-game suspension while Andrew Shaw could be back Tuesday after an 11-game absence due to a neck injury. "I have to make sure I can come back and start off where I left off," Shaw said after practicing Friday for the first time since he was hurt. "That's what I have to focus on, making sure my timing is right and that everything is perfect before I can come back."

OVERTIME

1. The Canadiens announced Friday that D Noah Juulsen will be sidelined indefinitely with a vision-related issue.

2. Devils F Marcus Johansson had a goal and an assist Thursday to run his point streak to three games.

3. Niemi is 4-1-2 with a 1.95 goals-against average versus New Jersey.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Devils 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Winnipeg Jets certainly cannot keep chasing games in the third period, but it has made for back-to-back thrilling comebacks for the Central Division leaders entering Saturday's home contest against the struggling Anaheim Ducks. The Jets rallied in the final period before outlasting Boston in a shootout Tuesday, then scored twice in the final 12 minutes against Columbus on home ice Thursday to earn a 4-3 triumph on Kyle Connor's game-winning marker with 1:14 to play.


It is not surprising to see Winnipeg do some of its best work in the final 20 minutes, considering the Jets have netted 39.7 percent of their goals this season (70 of 174) in the third period. "I don't know what it is," Connor told reporters after recording his third third-period goal in two games after he scored twice in the third Tuesday. "I think we tend to get stronger throughout the game." Anaheim is mired in a stretch of 14 losses in 16 games (2-10-4) after falling 5-1 at home to St. Louis on Jan. 23, but the Ducks are hopeful 10 days off and the season debut of forward Corey Perry will help reverse their fortunes. "How much of a positive impact can he have helping that group," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle told reporters after paring Perry with Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell in Thursday's practice. "Because the group has been starving for offense."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet West (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (21-21-9): Perry has missed the first four months following right knee surgery, and joins a team ranked 30th in the NHL in scoring at 2.29 goals per game. Forward Jakob Silfverberg, whose 12 goals leads the Ducks, has missed the past four games with a hamstring injury but Anaheim hopes he can play Saturday. Forward Daniel Sprong scored in the loss to St. Louis, giving him six points (three goals) in his past seven games.

ABOUT THE JETS (33-16-2): Connor, who also netted the shootout winner against Boston, has scored nine goals (13 points) in his past 11 games filling in on the top line while Nikolaj Ehlers heals from an upper-body injury. Center Mark Scheifele scored his team-leading 26th goal Thursday while forward Blake Wheeler contributed an assist, his 54th of the season as he ranks second in the NHL in that category. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is tied for second in the league in wins (23) and owns a .918 save percentage in his past eight games.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim G John Gibson gave up two goals on 68 shots in victories over Minnesota and New Jersey on Jan. 17 and Jan. 19, but surrendered five goals on 31 shots against St. Louis.

2. Winnipeg has won six home games in a row and is a conference-best 19-6-2 at home this season.

3. The Jets edged the Ducks 4-3 in overtime at home on Jan. 13 as F Bryan Little netted the game winner.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Ducks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Blues vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Columbus Blue Jackets are mired in their longest losing streak of the season, a slide they will look to end when they host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. The Blue Jackets have dropped four in a row, including three straight one-goal decisions, after returning from the All-Star break with a 5-4 home loss to Buffalo and a 4-3 setback at Winnipeg on Thursday night.

Coach John Tortorella was satisfied with his team's effort at Winnipeg after berating the players following the loss to the Sabres, but Columbus needs to get back on track after falling into fourth place in the Metropolitan. "Our division is tight," defenseman Zach Werenski said. "It's been tight every year since we've been here. We know every game is important and every point is important." The Blues earned points in six of eight games (5-2-1) during a road-heavy slate leading up to the All-Star break, capped by a 5-1 win over Anaheim in their last game. "I feel like we're building something really good inside here, especially after the last game," star forward Vladimir Tarasenko said. "Now we're ready to make a push and keep it in the right direction."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE BLUES (22-25-5): One of the reasons for St. Louis' resurgence is the play of rookie netminder Jordan Binnington, who has supplanted Jake Allen as the starter and is expected to get the nod against Columbus. "Right now, he's played really well," interim coach Craig Berube said of Binnington. "He's got one overtime loss. He's winning games and he's doing what he has to to win games." Although forward David Perron was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Zach Sanford and Tyler Bozak returned to the lineup in the final contest before the break and rookie Robert Thomas could be back Saturday after missing seven games with a shoulder injury.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (28-19-3): Columbus received a blow prior to Thursday's game when leading goal scorer Cam Atkinson had to be scratched during warmups after taking a puck to the mouth, which pushed back one tooth and required four stitches to close a cut. Boone Jenner already had been ruled out with an infected cut on the ankle that will sidelined him for one to three weeks while fellow forward Anthony Duclair was benched after just one shift. Atkinson, who has scored 28 goals, is expected to be back Saturday, providing another dangerous weapon for a revived power play that has converted in three straight games and six of eight.

OVERTIME

1. Blue Jackets F Artemi Panarin has seven goals and 12 points over the past eight games.

2. Blues C Ryan O'Reilly has three goals and eight assists during a seven-game point streak.

3. Columbus killed off 25 of 26 opposing power plays in January.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Blues 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Islanders Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

A nine-day layoff did not disrupt the New York Islanders' point streak, but it did have an effect on the team's offense. New York looks to earn at least one point in an eighth straight game when it hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

The Islanders returned to action on Friday for the first time since Jan. 22 due to the All-Star break and a bye week but were unable to get on the scoreboard as they dropped a 1-0 shootout decision to league-leading Tampa Bay at home. New York also failed to score in the bonus format, where it has recorded a total of three goals while posting a 2-5 record. The Kings are hoping they aren't also affected by rust as they've been idle for 11 days after going 3-1-1 over its final five games before the lengthy rest. Los Angeles is kicking off a six-game trip along the East Coast but has recorded a Western Conference-low eight wins on the road this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, KCOP-13 (Los Angeles), MSG Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE KINGS (20-26-4): Los Angeles parted ways with Jake Muzzin during the All-Star break, trading the defenseman to Toronto for 21-year-old Swedish right wing Carl Grundstrom, the rights to blue-liner Sean Durzi and a 2019 first-round draft pick. The 29-year-old Muzzin was a member of the Kings' Stanley Cup-winning team in 2014, recording six goals and six assists in 26 playoff contests en route to the championship, and registered 51 tallies and 162 assists in 496 regular-season games with the club. Grundstrom, who was assigned to Ontario of the American Hockey League, helped the Toronto Marlies to the Calder Cup championship last season before notching 13 goals and 16 assists in 42 contests with the club this campaign.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (29-15-6): Robin Lehner, who likely will be in the crease Saturday after serving as Thomas Greiss' backup against the Lightning, was named the NHL's Second Star of the Month for January on Friday. The 27-year-old Swede posted a 6-1-1 record, 1.73 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in eight games last month and leads the league in the latter two categories (2.02, .931). Left wing Andrew Ladd (lower body) and defenseman Thomas Hickey (upper body), who have been sidelined for a significant amount of time, participated in Friday's optional skate and are close to joining the team for regular practices.

OVERTIME

1. Kings RW Dustin Brown, who hasn't gone back-to-back contests without a point since Dec. 6 and 8, is four shy of 600 for his career.

2. New York has gone 5-0-2 during its point streak and 15-3-2 in its last 20 games overall.

3. Los Angeles recalled LW Austin Wagner, C Mike Amadio, RW Matt Luff and D Sean Walker from Ontario of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Islanders 5, Kings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

The Ottawa Senators began their post All-Star break schedule with a thud, falling for the third straight time to remain in the basement of the NHL with just 43 points. The Senators look to put a halt to their current troubles and defeat the Detroit Red Wings for the third time in 2018-19 on Saturday when the Atlantic Division rivals meet in Canada's capital city.

Looming unrestricted free agents Matt Duchene, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel contributed on the scoresheet in Ottawa's 5-3 setback in Pittsburgh on Friday, with the 28-year-old Duchene scoring on a breakaway to give him six goals and five assists in his last nine games. Mark Stone (team-leading 22 goals, 51 points) collected his 300th career point with an assist on Mikkel Boedker's power-play tally while the 26-year-old Dzingel also set up a goal to boost his point total to 14 (seven goals, seven assists) in his last 12 contests. Dylan Larkin also has been keeping the scoreboard operator busy of late with four goals and four assists in his last six games, during which Detroit owns a 4-2-0 mark. The 22-year-old Larkin scored late in the third period of Friday's 3-2 overtime win over Toronto to pad his team-leading totals in goals (22) and points (49).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit-Plus, CITY, TVAS (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (20-25-7): Perhaps it was fitting that a defenseman would lead the way on Friday as Danny DeKeyser scored 2:40 into overtime on a night that Detroit retired the jersey of former Norris Trophy recipient and Hockey Hall of Famer Red Kelly. Andreas Athanasiou set up three goals against the Maple Leafs and has five assists in his last two games after mustering just 11 others this season. Gustav Nyquist has 11 of his club-best 33 assists in his last 14 games.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (19-27-5): Craig Anderson, who is expected to get the nod on Saturday, memorably stymied the Red Wings on a pair of penalty-shot attempts in the third period of Ottawa's 2-1 win on Nov. 15. The 37-year-old made 34 saves in that contest and turned aside another 26 as he downed Detroit again on Dec. 14 to improve to 9-8-5 versus the club in 25 career appearances. Colin White, who had two assists in the latter meeting, returned from a five-game absence due to a shoulder injury and won a team high-tying seven faceoffs on Friday.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit has dropped 12 of 17 games (5-8-4) against Atlantic Division representatives.

2. Ottawa RW Bobby Ryan has three goals in his last four contests.

3. Red Wings LW Tyler Bertuzzi will sit out his second straight game due to an upper-body injury.

PREDICTION: Senators 3, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

The Vegas Golden Knights hope to pull themselves out of a slump when they continue their four-game road trip Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The Golden Knights won seven straight games after Christmas to threaten for first place in the Pacific Division but have dropped five of seven since after Friday's 5-2 loss at Carolina and scored just eight times in those five setbacks.

Marc-Andre Fleury, who leads the league with 27 wins and six shutouts. sat out Friday's loss but is expected back in the crease for Vegas as he is 16-8-2 with a .925 save percentage against the Panthers in his career. Florida, which split a pair of contests with the Golden Knights last season, saw its three-game winning streak end Friday with a 4-1 loss to Nashville after the organization made a big trade. The Panthers dealt forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann to Pittsburgh for centers Derick Brassard and Riley Sheahan - both of whom will be unrestricted free agents after the season - and three draft picks. "We got two good players that can help us in the run here, that have experience and have talent and fit a need for us," Florida general manager Dale Tallon told reporters. "We've rebuffered from a draft situation for the next two seasons, which is always a helpful thing, and also we freed up a lot of (cap) space for an aggressive summer in free agency. It was kind of like a hat trick for us, and that's what made this so appealing."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet-Rocky Mountain (Vegas), FS Florida

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (29-20-4): Defenseman Shea Theodore scored both goals Friday to push his career-high total to eight this season and has notched 24 points, leaving him five away from matching his career-best total from 2017-18. Alex Tuch was kept off the scoresheet against Carolina despite recording five shots and leads the team with 40 points - including 14 in his last 14 contests. Jonathan Marchessault, who needs one assist to reach 100 in his career, and Max Pacioretty both have registered three goals and an assist in the last four games.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (20-21-8): Sheahan (seven goals, nine points) and Brassard (nine, 15), who is nursing an upper-body injury, did not play Friday and it is uncertain whether or not they will make their debuts against Vegas. Jonathan Huberdeau scored the only goal for Florida on Friday to increase his team-leading total to 50 points - the fourth time in five seasons he has reached that plateau. Captain Aleksander Barkov is second on the team with 47 points, including three assists in his last two games, and Mike Hoffman tops the Panthers with 23 goals.

OVERTIME

1. Florida C Frank Vatrano scored six goals in 11 games last month and has notched 11 points in his last 12 contests overall.

2. Vegas C William Karlsson, who led the team with 78 points last season, has registered just two of his 32 this campaign in the last 12 games.

3. Panthers C Vincent Trocheck was held without a point Friday for the first time in four games since returning from an ankle injury.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 4, Panthers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

The Pittsburgh Penguins were not about to wait for the trade deadline to ramp up their roster for the stretch run, swinging a deal with the Florida Panthers on Friday to acquire forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann. The duo made it into the lineup with minutes to spare Friday and will play their first road game for the Penguins at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

Bjugstad collected an assist in Friday's 5-3 win over visiting Ottawa, part of a whirlwind day in which he and McCann arrived on Pittsburgh's bench at the start of the national anthem. "I thought they had strong games tonight under difficult circumstances," coach Mike Sullivan said. "We're really excited about both guys. They're really good guys. I think they're excited to be Pittsburgh Penguins." Toronto also unveiled its latest acquisition in Friday's 3-2 overtime loss at Detroit as defenseman Jake Muzzin played just over 18 minutes in his debut four days after he was brought in from the Los Angeles Kings. The Maple Leafs were playing for the first time since snapping a four-game home losing streak with a 6-3 win over Washington on Jan. 23.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN-Plus, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, CBC, Sportsnet1, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific (Toronto)

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (28-17-6): Pittsburgh traded centers Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan along with three draft picks for Bjugstad, 26, and McCann, 22, a pair of former first-round picks who struggled offensively this season but each established career highs in 2017-18 with 48 and 28 points, respectively. Captain Sidney Crosby helped spark Friday's victory by setting up a pair goals by Jake Guentzel, who has scored 10 times in 12 games since the calendar turned to 2019. Center Evgeni Malkin, who notched a pair of goals and an assist in a 3-0 win at Toronto on Oct. 28, will sit out his second straight game due to an upper-body injury.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (30-17-2): Patrick Marleau was elevated to Toronto's No. 1 line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in the final game before the break and the results were mixed, but the unit had much more success Friday in accounting for both goals against the Red Wings. Matthews scored his 22nd goal of the season off an assist from Marleau before returning the favor in setting up the the veteran for the tying goal with just over two minutes remaining. "I thought that group was better," coach Mike Babcock said. "I'm going to move things around tomorrow, just for the matchup against Pittsburgh, we'll see what happens."

OVERTIME

1. Toronto has won five of the last seven meetings, but Pittsburgh has emerged victorious in five straight against Atlantic Division foes.

2. Penguins G Matt Murray is 3-1-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average versus Toronto.

3. Maple Leafs F John Tavares had a goal and an assist in a 5-0 win at Pittsburgh on Nov. 3 but has only 11 tallies in 45 games versus the Penguins.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Penguins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Stars vs. Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NHL Predictions 2nd February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/02/2019

The Nashville Predators didn't let their combined NHLPA-mandated bye/All-Star break bother them and will try for their fourth straight victory when they host the Dallas Stars on Saturday in the first of three meetings between the Central Division rivals in 19 days. Nashville rolled to a 4-1 win at Florida on Friday, pulling within two points of first-place Winnipeg, while Dallas also is riding a three-game winning streak after Friday's 3-1 triumph over Minnesota.

"We want to start the second half the right way, just like everybody else does," Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban told reporters on Thursday. "The standings are close pretty much in every division, every conference. I think how guys start - definitely after the break - is definitely going to be a big difference." The Predators' eight-day layoff did nothing to wake up the power play as the unit went 0-for-2 on Friday and is 0-for-27 in its last eight games, falling to last in the league at 12.99 percent with Montreal at 13.04. The Stars had their legs Friday after defeating Buffalo 1-0 two days earlier, leapfrogging the Wild and moving into third place in the Central - 10 points behind Nashville. The clubs split the first two of their five meetings this season, with the road team winning each time as Anton Khudobin - who likely will be in the crease on Saturday - made a career-high 49 saves in Dallas' 2-0 victory on Dec. 27.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest Plus (Dallas), FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE STARS (26-21-4): Tyler Seguin scored twice on Friday, giving him team highs of 20 goals and 47 points with four multi-goal performances in his last 11 contests. Andrew Cogliano recorded his first points with Dallas - a goal and an assist - in his fifth game since being acquired from Anaheim on Jan. 14. Alexander Radulov, who is second on the club with 41 points, has notched only two in his last seven games after recording eight in his previous four contests.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (31-18-4): Viktor Arvidsson scored his team-leading 20th and 21st goals on Friday and has recorded 12 since the calendar flipped to January. Filip Forsberg (32 points) notched three assists versus Florida for his eighth multi-point effort of the season and third in the last nine contests. Pekka Rinne (18-12-3, 2.47 goals-against average, .915 save percentage) is expected to play against Dallas after Juuse Saros made 27 saves Friday.

OVERTIME

1. Stars C Jason Dickinson (five goals, 11 points in 37 games) is expected to miss his second straight game after leaving Wednesday's contest with a lower-body injury.

2. Subban has recorded only one point in his last eight games and is five shy of 400 for his career.

3. Dallas is 1-6-0 in the second half of back-to-back sets this season while Nashville is 3-2-1.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Stars 2