Saturday 2-9-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:38 AM

Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Islanders Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The New York Islanders may not be winning in dominating fashion but they continue to pile up points as they maintain their slim edge for first place in the Metropolitan Division. New York, which has not lost consecutive games in regulation in more than two months, will host the slumping Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon in the front end of a back-to-back.

The Islanders have earned points in 16 of their last 19 (14-3-2) even though they have produced only eight goals over the past five games. "Obviously it's going through a little bit of a lull," forward Matt Martin said. "These stretches happen to every team through the season." The Avalanche, stuck in a two-month rut, have lost five in a row (0-4-1) despite rallying for a pair of third-period goals in Thursday's 4-3 overtime defeat at Washington. "It is definitely a big point to get, it is also a big point to lose," coach Jared Bednar said. "It is definitely something to build on I think and it should give our team a little confidence."

TV: 1 p.m. ET; Altitude (Colorado), MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (22-22-9): Colorado's No. 1 line again led the way against Washington as Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon each scored goals and captain Gabriel Landeskog collected a pair of assists, but keeping the puck out of its own net has been the issue. The Avalanche have been torched for 24 goals during the five-game skid and have held only one opponent to fewer than three tallies in the last 10. "Obviously, everything is magnified when you lose," MacKinnon said. "When you win, those mistakes kind of get covered up and you don't really see them in video or things like that."

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (31-16-6): Forward Andrew Ladd and defenseman Thomas Hickey are both practicing following lengthy injury absences, and coach Barry Trotz said Friday that Hickey -- out since Dec. 17 -- is closer to rejoining the lineup. "We haven't had a lot of practices. Right now, we're healthy and taking our time," Trotz said. "I think it's best for everybody involved. But he's getting really close here." Forward Cal Clutterbuck exited Thursday's 2-1 shootout win at New Jersey in the second period with an undisclosed injury and did not practice Friday, but Trotz said it was not serious.

OVERTIME

1. Islanders G Robin Lehner is 12-2-1 with a 1.44 goals-against average in his last 15 decisions.

2. Landeskog and Rantanen each need three points to reach 400 and 200, respectively, for their careers.

3. Islanders C Mathew Barzal had points in three straight games and three goals in his last five.

PREDICTION: Islanders 3, Avalanche 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:38 AM

Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

After they were again rebuffed in their bid to win back-to-back games for the first time in nearly two months, the Buffalo Sabres will resume a season-long seven-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon. Buffalo has dropped four points out of the second wild card after losing 11 of 16 games (5-9-2) since the Christmas break.

The Sabres need to tighten up defensively, having allowed 17 goals in the first three games of the homestand following Thursday's 6-5 overtime loss to Carolina. "I understand it hasn't been perfectly clean by any means, but the game's wide open," goaltender Carter Hutton said. "I think you look across the league, it's a lot of high-scoring games. It's just the way the league's trending." The Red Wings were trending in the opposite direction, allowing four goals during a three-game winning streak before matching that total in Thursday's 4-3 home loss to Vegas. Detroit will play four of its next five away from home, starting with a three-game road trip that includes visits to Chicago and Nashville.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, MSG-Buffalo

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (21-26-7): Rookie Michael Rasmussen returned to the lineup for the first time in more than a month due to a hamstring injury and responded by scoring one goal and setting up another against the Golden Knights. It was the first multiple-point game for the 6-foot-6, 221-pound Rasmussen, who was selected No. 9 overall in the 2017 draft. "I thought Ras was great. I thought it was the best game he's played all year for us," coach Jeff Blashill said. "He's a menace around the net. As I've said here lots, he's probably going to score 20-plus in the league because he's real good around the net."

ABOUT THE SABRES (26-20-7): Forward Jeff Skinner, who played his first eight years in Carolina before joining Buffalo this season, had a pair of goals against his former team to hike his total to 33 -- four shy of his career best set in 2016-17. Forward Sam Reinhart, moved off the No. 1 line in the hopes of adding more offensive balance to the lineup, has two straight two-point games while Evan Rodrigues continued his recent binge with six goals in the last eight games to establish a career best with eight. "We're scoring enough to win," Rodrigues said. "We're not defending. Simple as that."

OVERTIME

1. Sabres captain Jack Eichel has nine points in his last eight contests overall and nine in 12 games versus Detroit.

2. Red Wings C Dylan Larkin had two assists Thursday, giving him 10 points in his last seven games.

3. Buffalo assigned D Casey Nelson to Rochester of the American Hockey League on a conditioning loan.

PREDICTION: Sabres 4, Red Wings 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:39 AM

Los Angeles Kings vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

Tyler Toffoli is starting to heat up, which is music to the ears of Los Angeles Kings and likely a sour tune for the Boston Bruins. Toffoli and the Kings aim to continue their recent good fortune on Saturday afternoon when the club visits the Bruins in the penultimate contest of its season-high six-game road trip.

Toffoli scored in regulation for his ninth point (four goals, five assists) in his last eight games and also tallied in the shootout for the first time in 11 career attempts to seal Thursday's 3-2 victory versus Philadelphia. The 26-year-old now returns to Boston for the first time since he capped a two-goal performance by scoring off a faceoff with just 0.9 seconds remaining in overtime for a 2-1 win on Oct. 28, 2017. While Los Angeles enters Saturday's matinee with three straight wins to reside just five points behind St. Louis for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the Bruins fell for the fourth time in six games (2-1-3) to sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division. David Pastrnak scored in Wednesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Rangers to boost his team-leading totals in goals (31) and points (65) and extend his point streak to seven games (four goals, eight assists).

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE KINGS (23-27-4): Adrian Kempe scored in his third straight game on Thursday to give him five points (four goals, one assist) in that stretch, but his tally in the shootout -- which was initially ruled as a no goal by on-ice officials -- helped Los Angeles continue its winning ways. "At the moment, I was let's say 90 percent sure it hit the white thing in the back (of the net)," the 22-year-old Swede said of his disputed goal in the third round of the shootout. "That was a good feeling obviously they confirmed it." Jonathan Quick has provided many good feelings for his team against the Bruins, as the Connecticut native owns a 10-5-0 mark with two shutouts, a 1.89 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in 15 career encounters.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (29-17-8): Patrice Bergeron has experienced a great deal during his 1,001 NHL games, although the four-time Selke Trophy recipient is seeing a disturbing trend take shape as Boston allowed yet another third-period lead go by the boards on Wednesday. "It's very upsetting. It's unacceptable," said Bergeron, whose 19th goal of the season in the second period staked the Bruins to a 3-1 advantage. "You're up by two heading to the third on the road, you've got to play a solid third. And obviously we didn't do that." Coach Bruce Cassidy caused a bit of a stir after Bergeron was not one of the seven shooters in the shootout, however, the latter didn't gripe about being left out of the proceedings.

OVERTIME

1. Boston LW Brad Marchand has 10 goals and 13 points in 13 career meetings with Los Angeles.

2. The Kings' 29th-ranked penalty kill has thwarted all 11 short-handed opportunities in its last four contests.

3. Boston owns a 6-2-2 mark versus Pacific Division foes while Los Angeles is just 2-7-1 against Atlantic adversaries.

PREDICTION: Bruins 2, Kings 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:39 AM

Anaheim Ducks vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
Ducks vs. Flyers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

A bizarre sequence in the shootout of their last contest brought about an unceremonious end of the Philadelphia Flyers' season-high eight-game win streak. The resilient Flyers look to rebound from that loss and extend their point streak to 10 games on Saturday afternoon when they host the reeling Anaheim Ducks, who have dropped six in a row and 18 of 20 (2-14-4).

Jakub Voracek scored with 18 seconds remaining in the third period of Thursday's 3-2 shootout setback to Los Angeles, giving him two goals and five assists during his five-game point streak and increasing his point total to 14 (three goals, 11 assists) in his past 12 contests. "I don't think we even deserved a point (on Thursday). I think it was our weakest game out of our last nine (8-0-1)," the 29-year-old Voracek said of the Flyers, who appeared to skate away with the victory after three rounds before video review overturned an apparent no-goal to extend the contest. While Philadelphia's hot streak has it eight points behind Pittsburgh for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, Anaheim heads into the finale of its five-game road trip sitting four points in back of St. Louis for the second wild-card spot in the West despite its pronounced tailspin. "There are some dark clouds over this team right now," forward Corey Perry told the Orange County Register following Thursday's 4-0 loss in Ottawa. "We've got to find a way to get the sunshine back out and play with confidence and have fun again. Hockey is a fun sport to play, but you've got to find a way to dig yourself out of it."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, Prime (Anaheim), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE DUCKS (21-25-9): Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf, who leads the team in assists (23) and points (34), is expected to play in his 967th game on Saturday to snap a tie with Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne for the franchise lead. The 33-year-old Getzlaf has just two points (one goal, one assist) in his last eight contests overall but did set up a goal in the first meeting with Philadelphia. Pennsylvania native John Gibson sustained an undisclosed injury following a collision with teammate Jaycob Megna versus the Senators and could sit out the matinee in favor of Chad Johnson, who turned aside nine of 10 shots in relief on Thursday.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (24-23-7): Sean Couturier, who scored in Philadelphia's 3-2 win over Anaheim on Oct. 30, raised his team-leading goal total to 22 on Thursday by tallying in his third straight contest. The 26-year-old has three goals and three assists during his five-game point streak and has dented the scoresheet in 11 of his last 12 contests, collecting seven goals and nine assists in that stretch. Captain Claude Giroux set up a pair of tallies in the first encounter with the Ducks and did the same versus the Kings, boosting his team-leading totals in assists (42) and points (58).

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim C Adam Henrique, who has been held off the scoresheet in six straight games overall, has 20 points (13 goals, seven assists) in 27 career encounters versus Philadelphia.

2. Flyers rookie Carter Hart owns an 8-2-1 mark with a 2.36 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in 11 home outings.

3. Ducks LW Jakob Silfverberg (team-leading 12 goals) has just one point -- an assist -- in his last six games.

PREDICTION: Flyers 3, Ducks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:39 AM

Minnesota Wild vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
Wild vs. Devils Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Minnesota Wild have not been able to give themselves any cushion in the race for a playoff spot after four straight losses and look to start moving forward again when they visit the struggling New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon. The Wild have 57 points - two ahead of Vancouver and St. Louis who are tied for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference - after suffering a 4-1 home setback to Edmonton on Thursday.

Minnesota gained points in an overtime loss to Chicago last Saturday and a shootout defeat at Buffalo on Tuesday, but scored only once in both regulation setbacks during the slide while losing captain Mikko Koivu (knee) for the season. "This was sort of the last straw," Wild coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters. "Everybody now has caught us (in the standings) or is within a point, so it's either find your sense of urgency and do what you have to do to win, or bad things are going to happen. If you look at our schedule starting at the end of the month, this is the time that you have to be successful." The Devils, who visit Minnesota on Friday, are 2-5-1 over the last eight games and reside in the Metropolitan Division cellar but battled hard in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday. New Jersey has been without reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall (11 goals, 37 points) since Dec. 23 with a lower-body injury, but veteran goalie Cory Schneider (abdominal) returned for the first time since mid December and stopped 27-of-28 shots Thursday.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota), MSG (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE WILD (26-23-5): Forward Joel Eriksson Ek scored the only goal Thursday after being recalled one day earlier as Minnesota searches to find some more depth offensively. Left wing Zach Parise tops the team in goals (21) and points (46) while Mikael Granlund is next with 44 points after notching five assists in the past five games, but has not scored in 13 contests. Veteran center Eric Staal (17 goals, 37 points) has not been on the scoresheet in three games and defenseman Jared Spurgeon has three of his 10 goals in the past five contests.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (20-25-8): Schneider (0-5-2, 4.11 goals-against average, .866 save percentage) missed 17 games before being recalled from a conditioning stint with Binghamton of the American Hockey League. "It's nice to feel good and play well but it's just one game," Schneider told reporters. "It's all about moving forward. Like I said this week, I want to stay in the moment and not say I had one good game, it's going to happen automatically. You have to keep at it and keep digging and working." Right wing Kyle Palmieri leads the team in goals (23) and points (40), but has only one assist in the past four games.

OVERTIME

1. New Jersey C Nico Hischier has scored three of his 16 goals - four shy of his rookie total last season - in the last four contests.

2. Minnesota C Victor Rask recorded one goal and one assist with a minus-2 rating in seven games since being acquired from Carolina.

3. The Devils have won five of the last six meetings, but the Wild won the last encounter 4-2 in February 2018.

PREDICTION: Wild 4, Devils 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:39 AM

Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

A rookie goaltender and a 10-4-1 run since the calendar flipped to 2019 have vaulted the St. Louis Blues into the Western Conference's second wild-card spot as they host the Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon. St. Louis, which is tied with Vancouver but owns three games in hand, and has six other teams within five points, won at NHL-best Tampa Bay 1-0 in overtime Thursday for its season-high fourth straight victory behind 32 saves from Jordan Binnington.

"This is a great way to finish off our road trip," Binnington told reporters after improving to 8-1-1 with a 1.70 goals-against average and .931 save percentage. "We've really come together as a team. We're playing smart hockey, disciplined hockey, and hopefully we're going to keep this going and continue to make a push." Nashville has won five of its last six games after Thursday's 3-2 victory over Dallas on Ryan Johansen's overtime goal and trails first-place Winnipeg by one point in the Central Division. "Ryan has been steady,'' Predators coach Peter Laviolette told reporters. "He's been terrific. He's been a good leader in our room through it all. And he's kind of shined through in a year where we've been banged up and lost a lot of key personnel." The Blues snapped a six-game losing streak in the series with a 6-2 victory in the last meeting Nov. 23 behind a goal and an assist apiece from Ryan O'Reilly, Brayden Schenn and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (33-19-4): Johansen also had an assist against Dallas and leads the club with 47 points after recording 11 in his last 10 games. Brian Boyle made his Nashville debut Thursday and was a minus-1 with two hits in 14 minutes, telling reporters: "It was great. What a fun place to play. It was fun before, and this is a different level, really. This was a memorable one." Kyle Turris on Thursday returned to the lineup after missing 17 games with a lower-body injury and was a minus-1 in 16:07.

ABOUT THE BLUES (25-22-5): Schenn (10 goals, 32 points in 48 contests) snapped an 11-game scoreless streak Thursday but had seven assists during that span. Vladimir Tarasenko (18 goals, 37 points) assisted on Schenn's goal and has three scores and five assists during a six-game point streak. Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson, who has played only 18 games this season, did not play against Tampa Bay because of an upper-body injury while David Perron (upper body) could return Saturday after missing the past six contests.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville D Mattias Ekholm and F Colton Sissons are tied for sixth in the league at plus-26 with Predators C Nick Bonino eighth (plus-25).

2. The Predators are 1-for-37 on the power play over their last 11 games while St. Louis is 1-for-15 on the power play over the past eight contests.

3. Blues C Ryan O'Reilly (team highs of 20 goals, 53 points) saw his eight-game point streak end Thursday on his 28th birthday.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Blues 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:39 AM

Winnipeg Jets vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

Matt Duchene said he thought a couple of the defeats the Ottawa Senators endured during a five-game losing streak were undeserved, and he did his part to help snap the skid while giving his team a boost heading into Saturday's home contest against the Winnipeg Jets. Duchene scored twice Thursday as the Senators shut out struggling Anaheim 4-0, providing plenty of support as Anders Nilsson made 45 saves for an Ottawa team that had dropped 10 games below .500.

"It was nice (Thursday) to get rewarded," Duchene told the media postgame, after he and Mark Stone combined for three goals and an assist. "I thought we were really sound, we got great goaltending tonight and I thought it was a great effort, top to bottom." The Jets began the weekend leading the Central Division by one point over Nashville and trailing Calgary by two points for the Western Conference lead, but rides a two-game losing streak into Saturday after falling 5-2 at Montreal on Thursday. Following Tuesday's overtime loss at home to San Jose, Winnipeg gave up 53 shots on goal as an early 1-0 lead evaporated quickly, and it would have been worse without 48 saves from Connor Hellebuyck. "You've got a goalie that's standing on his head that found a way to make a 5-2 score more flattering," Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters afterward, finding enough humor to add, "you don't have a game too often where the coach is no good, the players are no good, the food was no good, and you just hope the plane works."

TV: 2 p.m. ET, CBC, Sportsnet, Sportsnet One, TVA

ABOUT THE JETS (34-17-3): Mark Scheifele scored his team-leading 27th goal Thursday but it was all downhill from there for Winnipeg, which has dropped back-to-back games for the second time in its past seven contests. Hellebuyck has faced 91 shots in the losses to San Jose and Montreal, but remains tied for third in the NHL with 24 wins. Winnipeg remains one of the top offenses in the league, ranking fifth in goals per game (3.46) and fourth in power play (26.5 percent).

ABOUT THE SENATORS (20-29-5): Duchene has scored in three of his past four games (four total) and owns the team lead in goals with 24. Stone tops the Senators in points with 54, making the scoresheet in three of his past four games, and his 23rd goal of the season Thursday snapped a five-game drought. Nilsson recorded his first shutout with Ottawa, a welcomed sight for a defense that ranks last in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.69).

OVERTIME

1. Winnipeg D Dustin Byfuglien played 25:32 Thursday in his return after missing 15 games with a left foot injury, and the Jets are hopeful D Josh Morrissey can return after sitting out with a lower-body injury.

2. Ottawa D Cody Goloubef made his Senators debut Thursday after recording six points in nine games with Belleville (AHL), following a Jan. 11 trade with Boston.

3. Starting with Thursday's matchup, the Jets play six road contests in a nine-game span.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Senators 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:39 AM

Dallas Stars vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Dallas Stars are seeing double this week as they try for their 10th straight victory over Arizona when they visit the Coyotes on Saturday. Dallas won at Nashville 3-1 on Feb. 2 and defeated Arizona 5-4 on Monday with four goals in the third period before seeing its five-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 overtime loss at the Predators on Thursday.

"It's good for us because it's more like a playoff series," Stars coach Jim Montgomery told the media about the scheduling quirk. "We're playing each other so recently, so adjustments that you make, you're going to see what they do and you have to be on your toes as a coach." Dallas sits third in the Central Division, four points ahead of Minnesota, after its 5-0-1 stretch moved them six points clear for at least a wild-card spot. Arizona, which last defeated the Stars on March 24, 2016, is going in the other direction after a 4-2 loss to Columbus on Thursday extended its losing streak to five (0-4-1). "We've had a lot of what-ifs the last bunch of games and we've got to figure out a way to get some wins here," Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet told reporters. "The last few games, (in) losing, we could have made that play to win but the other team is making that play."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE STARS (28-21-5): Ben Bishop (19-12-2, 2.30 goals-against average, .924 save percentage), who has won four straight starts, missed Thursday's game (undisclosed) but "should be fine for Arizona,'' Montgomery said. Tyler Seguin (team highs of 22 goals, 51 points) has recorded four goals and two assists during a four-game point streak. Defenseman John Klingberg (team-high 25 minutes per game, 26 points in 36 games) has scored in each of the two meetings with the Coyotes this season.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (23-26-5): Clayton Keller (team-high 37 points) recorded two assists versus Dallas on Monday while Oliver Ekman-Larsson (team-worst minus-17) scored - their only appearances on the scoresheet in the last four games. Defenseman Kyle Capobianco, a third-round pick in 2015, left Thursday's game - the third of his career - with an apparent knee injury, and Tocchet told reporters "it didn't look good." Defenseman Jordan Oesterle recorded a goal and an assist Thursday, extending his point streak to three games, and has recorded nine of his 17 points in the last 11 games.

OVERTIME

1. Dallas won the first of three meetings this season 3-0 on Oct. 4 behind 30 saves from Bishop.

2. The Stars have scored on the power play in only two of their last 10 games, going 5-for-28 during that span, and have killed 17-of-18 penalties in their past six contests.

3. Arizona hasn't scored a power-play goal in its last four games (15 tries) and is 6-for-11 on the penalty kill in its past three contests.

PREDICTION: Stars 3, Coyotes 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:40 AM

Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Washington Capitals are finding ways to win games again, and look to continue their climb back into a comfortable playoff position when they host the Florida Panthers on Saturday night. The Capitals gave up the final two goals of regulation before knocking off Colorado 4-3 in overtime Thursday for their third win in four contests after a baffling seven-game losing streak in which they gave up a whopping 36 goals.

"There was more than one (thing) tonight that didn't go our way," Washington coach Todd Reirden told reporters after Thursday's triumph. "But we stayed with our game plan. Frustration was at a very low level on our bench. And that's what top teams do, is you find ways to get points when things aren't going our way." The Capitals must turn things around in the series after dropping four of the last five games against the Panthers, including a 6-5 shootout setback Oct. 19 in Washington. Florida still has a way to go to get back into the wild-card chase, but it has won five of the last seven games after getting a goal from defenseman Mike Matheson in overtime to beat Pittsburgh 3-2 on Thursday. "Even when they got that last goal (to tie in the third period), we turned it up and played in their end and didn't get rattled," Panthers coach Bob Boughner told reporters after the win. "We had a bunch of guys grinding it out tonight."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida, NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (22-22-8): Right wing Evgenii Dadonov snapped an eight-game goal drought with a power-play tally Thursday and is one goal from reaching 20 for the second straight season. "He's snake-bitten and getting upset and frustrated by it," Boughner told reporters. "I've had lots of talks with him. He's working hard and he finally got paid off (Thursday), which is nice to see." Captain Aleksander Barkov boasts eight (two goals, six assists) of his team-leading 52 points in the last five games and is one ahead fellow forward Jonathan Huberdeau while left wing Mike Hoffman tops the team with 24 goals.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (30-18-6): Center Evgeny Kuznetsov is beginning to find his scoring touch again after recording two goals, including the winner, Thursday and accumulating 10 points the past six contests. "His speed seems re-energized, refocused, and he's been a major factor in these games," Reirden told reporters of Kuznetsov (48 points). "When he's playing like that, he's huge asset to our team. You see the success we can have." Captain Alex Ovechkin (team-high 60 points) leads the league with 37 goals - four in his past five games - while fellow forward T.J. Oshie has 10 points in the past seven contests.

OVERTIME

1. Florida's Roberto Luongo (1,028) will tie Patrick Roy for the second-most games among goalies in NHL history with his next appearance. Martin Brodeur played 1,266 contests.

2. Washington recalled D Christian Djoos (lower body) from his conditioning stint and he could play his first game since Dec. 11 as soon as Saturday.

3. Florida F Jayce Hawryluk (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Friday while D Bogdan Kiselevich was recalled.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Panthers 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:40 AM

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning still lead the league in scoring, but are going through an uncharacteristic offensive slump as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. The Lightning have managed seven goals in five games since the NHLPA-mandated/All-Star break and were blanked twice in that stretch, including a 1-0 overtime loss to St. Louis at home Thursday.

"You're not going to score at the rate we've been scoring all year," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper told reporters. "Sometimes you have to go through some of these trying times to see ultimately what doesn't work. But in saying that, we've played a couple 0-0 hockey games (through regulation) in the past week that have been outstanding." The Lightning split a pair of games with the Penguins this season, including a 4-2 setback at Pittsburgh on Jan. 30, and are a mediocre 4-3-2 over the last nine games despite holding a 13-point lead in their division. The Penguins have dropped three straight games and are 5-7-1 since winning a season-high eight in a row, but battled back to get a point Thursday with a 3-2 overtime loss at Florida. "We want to make sure that we're playing the same way every night," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby told reporters. "We know what this is. It's another thing to do it. We've got to put games together and find a way to do that consistently."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh, FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (28-19-7): Forward Jared McCann scored his first goal in four games Thursday since being acquired from Florida in a four-player deal. "I thought (McCann) had a strong game," coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after the loss. "He can really skate. He was real good on the penalty kill. He gets a huge goal for us, short-handed. ... I think he's getting more comfortable with how we're trying to play." Crosby leads the team with 61 points, but has been left off the scoresheet in two straight games, while Phil Kessel (57 points, 798 in his career) has been blanked the past three contests.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (39-11-4): Right wing Nikita Kucherov leads the league with 81 points, but has not scored a goal in nine games while adding six assists to his total during that stretch. Center Brayden Point leads the team with 31 goals - three more than captain Steven Stamkos, who has notched a point in nine of the last 11 games with five goals and nine assists in that span. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (21-7-4, .927 save percentage) has turned aside 109 of the 112 shots he has faced in the last three games, but managed one victory in a shootout 1-0 against the New York Islanders on Feb. 1.

OVERTIME

1. Pittsburgh G Matt Murray (15-9-1) participated at practice Friday and could return after missing Thursday's game with an upper-body injury.

2. The next game for Tampa Bay D Braydon Coburn (three goals, nine assists) will be the 900th of his career.

3. Penguins D Justin Schultz (leg) is close to returning after being out since mid October while C Evgeni Malkin (lower body) is questionable.

PREDICTION: Lightning 3, Penguins 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:40 AM

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Toronto Maple Leafs have matched the Montreal Canadiens by winning three straight contests to remain one point ahead of their Original Six rival for second place in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs look to defeat the Canadiens for the sixth straight time on Saturday night when the clubs meet at Bell Centre.

Auston Matthews continued to pay immediate dividends after signing a five-year, $58.17 million contract extension on Tuesday, scoring a goal in Toronto's 5-4 victory versus Ottawa the following night to boost his point total to five (four goals, one assist) in his last five games. The 21-year-old Matthews has tormented Montreal in his short career with nine goals and 11 points in eight meetings, including capping a two-goal performance by scoring 1:01 into overtime of a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens in the season opener. Montreal improved to 8-1-1 in its last 10 games following Thursday's 5-2 win over Winnipeg, with Jonathan Drouin scoring two goals and setting up two others for his first career four-point performance. The 23-year-old Quebec native has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his last three contests while linemates Phillip Danault (three goals, four assists during a four-game point streak) and Brendan Gallagher (two goals, three assists in his last two outings) have also excelled.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBC, Sportsnet1 (Toronto), CITY, TVAS (Montreal)

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (33-17-3): John Tavares recorded his 17th multi-point performance after scoring and setting up a goal for the second time in as many outings. The 28-year-old hit the ground running right out of the chute, scoring in the first game versus Montreal before adding five goals and four assists in his next four contests. Morgan Rielly tallied in the third period versus the Senators to lead all NHL defensemen in even-strength goals (13) and even-strength points (38).

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (31-18-6): Carey Price extended his winning streak to seven games for the fifth time in his career after turning aside 32 shots against the Jets. The former Hart and Vezina Trophy recipient has posted a 1.43 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in that stretch heading into the tilt versus Toronto, against which he owns a 23-14-3 mark with four shutouts in 40 career encounters. Max Domi, the son of former Maple Leafs agitator Tie Domi, set up two goals versus Toronto in the season opener and leads Montreal in assists (30) and points (47).

OVERTIME

1. Montreal rookie C Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the first 18-year-old to score in four consecutive games since Sean Monahan accomplished the feat with Calgary in 2013-14.

2. Toronto LW Andreas Johnsson has five points (three goals, two assists) in his last two contests overall and 21 (11 goals, 10 assists) of his 26 points on home ice.

3. Canadiens LW Artturi Lehkonen, who scored in the first game versus the Maple Leafs, last tallied on Dec. 28.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Maple Leafs 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:40 AM

San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The San Jose Sharks are surging up the standings in the Pacific Division and they are doing it in impressive fashion, knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champions and a pair of Western Conference division leaders during their four-game winning streak. The Sharks go for their 12th victory in 15 games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.

San Jose pulled within two points of first-place Calgary in the Pacific with a dominating 5-2 road win over the Flames on Thursday night. "Those points are so valuable," Sharks forward Evander Kane said after scoring twice and adding an assist at Calgary. "It's a four-point game against a team we're chasing." Edmonton was sliding in the opposite direction of San Jose before finally halting a six-game losing streak with a 4-1 road win over the Minnesota Wild. "The team we're playing tomorrow is as good as there is in the NHL and playing probably as well as anyone," Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock said of the Sharks, who have scored seven goals in each of the last two meetings with Edmonton.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS California (San Jose), Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360 (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (32-16-7): Tomas Hertl matched Kane by scoring twice and collecting an assist against Calgary and has established career highs with 24 tallies and 49 points after registering nine goals and setting up five others over his last 10 contests. Defenseman Brent Burns, who has a goal and four assists in three matchups versus Edmonton this season, also had three points against the Flames to give him three goals and eight assists during a six-game point streak. Martin Jones has won four straight starts but has allowed eight goals in two meetings with the Oilers this season.

ABOUT THE OILERS (24-25-3): Edmonton is two points out of a playoff spot in the tightly bunched West but it must improve its play at home, owning a 12-14-1 mark after dropping 10 of the last 12 at Rogers Place. Even though he has elite scorers in captain Connor David and Leon Draisaitl, Hitchcock said the Oilers need to play hockey's version of small ball. "I'd like to see us play with more grit in the right areas rather than trying to hit home runs," he said. "The one thing we do really well on the road is not try and hit home runs, and at home we're trying to do that and it gets away from us sometimes."

OVERTIME

1. Kane notched two goals and an assist versus Edmonton on Jan. 8 and needs one point to reach 400 for his career.

2. Draisaitl has scored five times in his last three games and has five points in three matchups versus San Jose this season.

3. Sharks C Joe Thornton will play in his 1,540th game Saturday to tie Johnny Bucyk and Shane Doan for 15th place on the career list.

PREDICTION: Sharks 5, Oilers 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:40 AM

Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

Sean Monahan wants to put the memory of the Calgary Flames' most recent loss in their rearview mirror as the team begins a four-game road trip on Saturday versus the Vancouver Canucks. The Pacific Division-leading Flames have answered an 8-0-1 stretch with losses in two of their last three contests, including Thursday's 5-2 setback to second-place San Jose.

"I still think we've got a better game to show. We didn't show it (Thursday)," Monahan said after his minus-3 performance versus the Sharks. "It's an important road trip now and we've got to flip the camera and look forward." The 24-year-old scored two goals and set up another in the first two encounters with the Canucks to begin the season before being held off the scoresheet in Vancouver's 3-2 overtime win on Dec. 29. The Canucks lost the final three contests (0-2-1) of their four-game road trip with a 4-3 overtime setback in Chicago on Thursday. "It's nice to get a point, but in overtime I had a breakaway. It is what it is. It (stinks), to be honest, but we have to get better," said rookie Elias Pettersson, who has six points (three goals, three assists) in six games since returning from a right knee injury.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, CBC, Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet 1, CITY

ABOUT THE FLAMES (34-15-5): Coach Bill Peters and goaltender David Rittich cleared the air on Friday after the former pulled the latter following two goals on six shots versus the Sharks. "It's part of my job and part of hockey," Rittich told reporters. "You've never had a bad day at work? It's the same as me. I had a bad night last night so I just want to move on, be better next time and be more prepared for the game." Captain Mark Giordano scored one goal and set up two others in a 7-4 win versus Vancouver on Oct. 6 and has nine tallies since Nov. 27, tying him with Montreal's Shea Weber for the most goals in that stretch.

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (24-24-7): While Pettersson leads Vancouver in both goals (25) and points (48), Brock Boeser has been heating up on the offensive end with eight points (three goals, five assists) in his past seven games. The 21-year-old scored and set up a goal in his last encounter with Calgary after being held off the scoresheet and totaling a minus-4 rating in the first two meetings. Jacob Markstrom, who has lost eight of his last 11 starts, has turned aside 94 of 103 shots to win two of the three matches with the Flames this season.

OVERTIME

1. Vancouver D Alex Edler, who scored in overtime in the last contest with Calgary, has missed two straight games with a concussion.

2. Flames D Travis Hamonic exited in the third period against the Sharks after injuring his hand, but he was back at practice the following day and expects to play versus the Canucks.

3. Vancouver is mired in a 3-for-33 stretch on the power play in the last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Canucks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-09-2019, 10:40 AM

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NHL Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights each appear to be back on track, posting consecutive wins following long losing streaks. After dropping five straight, Columbus rebounded with wins at Colorado and Arizona and looks to wrap up a perfect three-game road trip on Saturday against the Golden Knights, who will play their next four and eight of nine at home.

"We're just focused on our game," Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner said. "We've got one more game on this road trip and have got to close it out the right way." The saga of Columbus leading scorer Artemi Panarin took the spotlight Friday when he revealed he switched agents and told reporters: "I want to test free agency." Vegas halted a four-game slide with wins at league-best Tampa Bay and Detroit and now looks to take advantage of the cluster of games at T-Mobile Arena. "We usually play real good in our building," coach Gerard Gallant said. "Hopefully we can gain a lot of points over the next eight or nine games."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN-Plus, FS Ohio (Columbus), AT&T Sportsnet-Rocky Mountain (Las Vegas)

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (30-20-3): Forward Josh Anderson is coming alive at the right time for Columbus, scoring the tiebreaking goal in the third period at Colorado before delivering the game-winner to beat Arizona. "Josh has a chance to really lead this team in that type of position as a power forward to help us get over the hump," Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. "He's a good hockey player. He can do a lot of different things to change the momentum of the game." Anderson has scored in three of the last four games to give him 18 goals, one shy of last season's career high.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (31-21-4): Jonathan Marchessault, who had scored in only two of 17 games -- one was a hat trick -- entering the finale of the road trip, had a pair of goals at Detroit to move within one of reaching 20 for the third consecutive season. Also breaking out of a lengthy slump was 2017-18 leading scorer William Karlsson, who scored one goal and set up another after collecting just one tally and a pair of assists in the previous 14 games. Backup netminder Malcolm Subban, sidelined since he was hurt against New Jersey on Jan. 6, was activated off injured reserve Friday.

OVERTIME

1. Blue Jackets G Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves in a 1-0 shutout over Vegas on Dec. 17.

2. Golden Knights G Marc-Andre Fleury is 9-5-2 with a 2.32 goals-against average versus Columbus.

3. Panarin signed with the agent who represents Bobrovsky. Both players will be unrestricted free agents in July.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 3, Blue Jackets 2

Saturday 2-9-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 2-9-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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