Tuesday 2-12-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 06:41 AM

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NBA Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
Lakers vs. Hawks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Los Angeles Lakers have endured a wildly up-and-down stretch on the road and they hope to end it on a positive note -- and enter the All-Star break above .500 -- when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. The Lakers sustained losses at Golden State and Indiana by an average of 28 points while they were surrounded by trade deadline drama, only to pull off a dramatic win at Boston on a last-second shot Thursday night.

They then followed that up with an ugly 143-120 setback at Philadelphia on Sunday, sinking 2 1/2 games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference entering Monday. "We had too many breakdowns," All-Star LeBron James told reporters after Los Angeles allowed the 76ers to shoot 57.7 percent. "Way too many breakdowns. I mean we scored the ball as well as you can score the ball, especially in that first quarter, but we gave up too many paint points." James finished an assist shy of his second straight triple-double and is averaging 22 points, 10.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists in four games since returning from a groin strain. He will take aim at a Hawks squad that allows an NBA-high 118.5 points and has lost five straight at home.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (28-28): Forward Kyle Kuzma is playing like someone who is relieved to have survived last week's trade deadline, first scoring 25 points in the win over the Celtics and then putting up 39 at Philadelphia. "You just kind of know people get traded, people get put on the block and people are always in trade rumors," he told reporters Sunday. "Like I have said before, that was our first time around and a lot of us let it get to us." The 23-year-old is 10-for-16 from 3-point range over the two-game hot stretch.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (18-38): Atlanta was outscored 72-49 over the second and third quarters in Sunday's loss to Orlando as it endured a familiar breakdown on one end of the floor. "Our offense wasn't there too much," rookie guard Kevin Huerter told reporters. "But I think our biggest problem is on the defensive end." Alex Len led the Hawks with 16 points in 19 minutes off the bench while Huerter chipped in 15 as Atlanta fell to 8-16 at home.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hawks PG Trae Young is 7-for-12 from beyond the arc over the last three games.

2. Lakers PG Lonzo Ball has missed nine straight games with a sprained ankle.

3. Los Angeles has won five straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Lakers 117, Hawks 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 06:41 AM

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NBA Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
Celtics vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Philadelphia 76ers made significant improvements at last week's trade deadline and have since played like a team that is headed in the right direction. The Boston Celtics, who visit the 76ers on Tuesday, failed to make any upgrades prior to the deadline and are looking like a team that needed a shake-up.

After a quiet deadline day last Thursday, the Celtics lost on a buzzer-beater to the Los Angeles Lakers and then blew a 28-point lead before falling to the Los Angeles Clippers 123-112 on Saturday in a demoralizing defeat. "I mean, for me, it's not really about the loss," forward Marcus Morris told reporters in an eye-opening session after the game. "It's about the attitude that we're playing with. Guys are hanging their head. It's just not fun, it's not fun. We're not competing at a high level. Even when we're winning it's still not fun. I just don't see the joy in the game." The sour note cast by Morris stands in stark contrast to what's going on in Philadelphia, where the Sixers are coming off impressive wins over the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers since making a series of deadline moves. Joel Embiid went off for 37 points and 14 rebounds in Sunday's 143-120 rout of the Lakers as Philadelphia moved one game ahead of Boston for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE CELTICS (35-21): Saturday's collapse began late in the first half after All-Star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a sprained knee that has him day-to-day entering the week. Gordon Hayward had a team-high 19 points off the bench while Irving's fellow starters combined to shooting 14-for-42 from the floor without their leader. "There's no excuses," coach Brad Stevens told reporters of the Irving injury. "Those things happen and we all have to pick up for that. So, I'll go back and figure out what I can do better, what we can do better, and we'll go from there."

ABOUT THE 76ERS (36-20): Embiid was 12-for-16 from the floor in Sunday's win while newly acquired forward Tobias Harris had 22 points on 9-of-14 in his second game with the team. Point guard Ben Simmons contributed seven assists and stunned the masses with a rare 3-point attempt that rattled in and out, potentially signalling an addition to the dynamic All-Star's repertoire. "I think just being more aggressive, taking more open shots and just trying to grow my game in that way," Simmons, who is 0-for-14 in his career beyond the arc, told reporters. "I think I'm getting there. It just takes time, but I'm going to get there."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Celtics took the first two meetings -- both at home. Irving scored 40 points in an overtime triumph against the Sixers on Christmas Day.

2. Hayward averages 9.4 points while shooting 25.9 percent from 3-point distance on the road, compared to 11.8 on 36.4 percent at home.

3. Sixers PG T.J. McConnell is 8-for-8 from the floor with zero turnovers in 33 minutes over his last two games.

PREDICTION: 76ers 111, Celtics 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 06:41 AM

Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NBA Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Anthony Davis saga continues to hang over the New Orleans Pelicans as they host the suddenly hot Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Davis will be playing in front of the home fans for the second time since his trade request wasn't honored and he heard many jeers Friday in his first outing since the deadline.

Davis played 34 minutes on the second end of a back-to-back in Saturday's 99-90 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Pelicans considered not playing him again for the rest of the season when they didn't move him but the NBA reportedly threatened the team with a $100,000 per game fine if a healthy Davis was benched. Orlando has matched its season best of three straight victories while winning five of its last six games, including back-to-back road wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. "I mean, it feels great, but at the same time we can't get comfortable because we're still behind and we're still not in the place that we want to be right now," point guard D.J. Augustin told reporters. "So we've got to keep fighting until the end of the season. Hopefully, we can fight our way and earn our way into the playoffs."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE MAGIC (24-32): All-Star center Nikola Vucevic is playing superb with double-doubles in 11 of the past 14 games and 39 overall to lead Orlando's surge. He had 19 points and 12 rebounds in Sunday's 124-108 win over the Atlanta Hawks and received help from second-year forward Jonathan Isaac, who had 17 points and tied a career best with five blocked shots - his sixth straight outing of two or more rejections. "It's just about comfortability for me," Isaac told reporters. "The more and more comfortable that I get and the more time I spend playing the game at this level, the better I feel that I'm going to do. I think that's showing offensively and defensively now and I just want to keep it rolling."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (25-32): Rookie guard Kenrich Williams recently began receiving increased playing time and had his first career double-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in the loss to Memphis. Williams has played 30 or more minutes in each of the past seven contests and has a high scoring game of 21, a high rebounding game of 16 and twice made four or more 3-pointers during the stretch. "He is going to play a good game almost every night because he is going to do something on the floor that can help you and (Saturday) I thought he came up with a lot of offensive rebounds that were just strictly hustle rebounds," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after the loss.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Davis averaged 29.5 points and 10.5 rebounds as the team's split last season's two meetings.

2. Orlando reserve swingman Terrence Ross is averaging 23.8 points over the past four games.

3. New Orleans backup C Jahlil Okafor (ankle) could miss his third straight game.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 106, Magic 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 06:41 AM

San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NBA Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The San Antonio Spurs are winless midway through their annual Rodeo Road Trip and they look to halt their season-worst, four-game losing streak when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. San Antonio has lost by an average of 20.8 over the first four games of the trip that occurs when a rodeo show takes over its home arena for most of February.

The Spurs have been horrendous defensively on the excursion by allowing an average of 130 points and Saturday's 125-105 loss to the Utah Jazz represents the fewest they have given up during the trip. "We've got to stay in front of guys," shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters of the defensive issues. "It's our job as guards to stay in front of our man and not let that penetration get in and cause stress on our defense and let them get easy shots, easy layups, and put them on the free-throw line. That's been a killer." Memphis has won three of its past four games and was stout defensively in Saturday's 99-90 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans, a result coming just two days after franchise stalwart Marc Gasol was traded to the Toronto Raptors. "I think with the changes that we made and the amount of bodies that came in and moved out, this is a new team," Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "Stylistically, I think it will look different on both sides of the ball. We're looking at it as a blank slate with this group and an opportunity to build something positive."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), FS Southeast (Memphis).

ABOUT THE SPURS (32-26): San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said "there's no time for sulking" after the loss to Utah but the defensive issues have been glaring. The Spurs are a middle-of-the-pack defensive unit by allowing an average of 111.4 points per game and have given up more than 100 in each of the past 16 games. DeRozan scored 23 points against Utah and is averaging 27.3 points on 34-of-62 shooting over his last three games.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (23-34): Seldom-used Joakim Noah has an opportunity to see more action with Gasol gone and he was splendid against the Pelicans with season highs of 19 points and 14 rebounds. "Ton of credit to Joakim," Bickerstaff told reporters of Noah. "He had a flashback to a few years ago. He was all over the place, and I think he led the charge with his energy." Noah is averaging 5.1 points and 4.7 rebounds in 14 minutes per game and both of his double-doubles this season have occurred this month.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split two meetings in San Antonio earlier this season.

2. Spurs F Rudy Gay (ankle) hopes to return after missing Saturday's contest.

3. Memphis SG Avery Bradley had eight points on 3-of-10 shooting in 25 minutes against New Orleans in his team debut after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers.

PREDICTION: Spurs 109, Grizzlies 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 06:41 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NBA Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The lava-hot Golden State Warriors look for their 16th victory in the past 17 games when they host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. The Warriors have scored at least 100 points in 26 consecutive games, the franchise's best run since a 36-game streak during the 2016-17 campaign.

Forward Kevin Durant (39 points on Sunday) and guards Klay Thompson (29) and Stephen Curry (25) have each scored 25 or more points in 12 straight games after the club rallied from a 19-point deficit to record a hard-fought 120-118 home win over the Miami Heat. "We started off sluggish," Durant told reporters afterward. "They made shots; they were excited to play against us. We treated it like it was a Sunday walk in the park. ... After a while we just locked in." Utah has won 14 of its last 18 games and is coming off an impressive 125-105 home win over the San Antonio Spurs. "I liked the way we played," standout center Rudy Gobert told reporters after the win. "We came locked in from the beginning and there was no slippage."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (40-15): DeMarcus Cousins made the decisive two free throws with 5.4 seconds left against the Heat and coach Steve Kerr said he is impressed with the effect the big man has had on the squad since returning from an Achilles injury. "He's basically single-handedly negated the dog days, he really has," Kerr told reporters. "DeMarcus has come in and energized our team. ... He's just bringing this excitement and energy every game and he's getting better and better and fitting right in with the group." Durant hit a tying 3-pointer before Cousins' free throws and he has scored 30 or more points on 18 occasions this season.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (32-24): Gobert had 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and collected 13 rebounds against San Antonio for his fourth straight double-double and 14th in the past 16 outings. Gobert, the reigning NBA Defensive of the Year, is viewed as one of the biggest snubs for the All-Star Game and has blocked two or more shots in each of the past 14 games. Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points against the Spurs and has topped 20 in 16 of the past 17 games, averaging 27.2 points during the stretch.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Jazz have won four of the past five meetings, including a split of two matchups with the Warriors this season.

2. Golden State swingman Andre Iguodala (hamstring) could miss his second straight game.

3. Utah reserve F Royce O'Neale is averaging 14 points on 15-of-22 shooting over the past three games.

PREDICTION: Warriors 117, Jazz 110

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:00 PM

Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Washington Capitals attempt to put more distance between themselves and the Columbus Blue Jackets when they begin a six-game road trip on Tuesday against their Metropolitan Division rivals. Washington moved four points ahead of Columbus for second place in the division with Monday's 6-4 home triumph over Los Angeles.

Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded two goals and two assists while captain Alex Ovechkin netted his league-leading 38th tally and set up two others as the Capitals completed their season-high six-game homestand at 4-1-1. The 33-year-old Ovechkin is closing in on the 10th 40-goal season of his career for the Capitals, who have lost three straight on the road. Columbus returns home from a perfect three-game road trip that concluded Saturday with a 4-3 triumph in Vegas. Cam Atkinson scored twice in a span of 2:33 late in the third period to erase a deficit and produce a victory for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped three in a row at home.

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

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (31-18-7): Kuznetsov is riding a four-game point streak during which he has collected five goals and as many assists. The 26-year-old Russian has registered five multi-point performances over his last eight contests. Center Nicklas Backstrom has been kept off the scoresheet in four of his last five games and has been caught by Kuznetsov for second on the team in scoring (53 points).

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (31-20-3): Atkinson increased his team-leading total to 31 tallies on Saturday, reaching the 30-goal plateau for just the second time in his career. The 29-year-old right wing is four goals away from matching the personal best he recorded in 2016-17 and needs three game-winners to equal the career high of nine he set that same season. Artemi Panarin, who has collected 11 points over his last seven contests and 296 in 295 career games, has not been kept off the scoresheet in back-to-back matches since Dec. 15 and 20.

OVERTIME

1. Atkinson's next appearance will be the 500th of his NHL career.

2. Washington RW Brett Connolly has scored four goals in as many contests following a 13-game drought.

3. Columbus recalled LW Eric Robinson from Cleveland of the American Hockey League, assigned C Mark Letestu to the Monsters and traded D Blake Siebenaler to Pittsburgh for a 2019 conditional draft pick.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Capitals 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:00 PM

New York Islanders vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The New York Islanders have won three in a row and are 9-1-2 in their last 12 games to strengthen their grip on first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders bid to add to those totals and post a sixth win in seven outings over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday when the clubs meet at KeyBank Center.

Robin Lehner has been instrumental in the ascent of the Islanders, posting a 13-2-1 mark with a 1.53 goals-against average and .947 save percentage in his last 16 decisions. Included in that stretch is a season-high 39-save performance in a 3-1 win against his former team, which represented the 27-year-old Swede's first visit to Buffalo since he departed a game on March 29 against Detroit because of a panic attack -- he was subsequently treated for alcohol addiction and also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD and PTSD. Captain Jack Eichel extended this point streak to five games (two goals, four assists) with the Sabres' lone goal in Sunday's 3-1 setback to Winnipeg, dropping the club to 2-2-1 on its season-high seven-game homestand while keeping it just outside of the postseason picture. "Other teams are getting points and moving up the standings and we're not," the 22-year-old Eichel said. "I think the moral victories are a thing of the past at this point."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus2 (New York), MSG-B (Buffalo)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (33-16-6): Ryan Pulock scored in New York's first game versus Buffalo on New Year's Eve and answered a one-point performance in January with two goals and five assists in his last five contests. The 24-year-old set up fellow defenseman Devon Toews' power-play goal in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Minnesota. "We're at the top of our division," Pulock told Newsday. "There are all those teams below us trying to catch us. It's good, though. If we keep winning, they're not going to be able to catch us."

ABOUT THE SABRES (27-21-7): While Eichel leads the team in assists (41) and points (59), Jeff Skinner (club-best 33 goals) set up the captain's second-period goal versus the Jets for his 50th point of the season. Rookie Rasmus Dahlin picked up the secondary assist on Eichel's tally for his 31st point, tying him with Jim Benning (Toronto, 1981-82) and former Sabre Doug Bodger (Pittsburgh 1984-85) for the third-most recorded by an NHL defenseman before his 19th birthday. Dahlin won't have to look far to find one of the members on that list, with Buffalo coach Phil Housley (57) and Bobby Orr (38) having more as an 18-year-old blue-liner.

OVERTIME

1. Former Islander RW Kyle Okposo was the lone Sabre to solve Lehner in the teams' first encounter, although he has just three points -- all goals -- in his last 11 games.

2. New York owns a 7-1-1 mark in its last nine road contests.

3. Buffalo went 0-for-5 on the power play Sunday on the heels of a 5-for-10 stretch in its previous four games.

PREDICTION: Sabres 3, Islanders 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:00 PM

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Boston Bruins are among three teams battling for second place in the Atlantic Division, but they like their chances down the stretch after snapping out of a recent funk. Boston has won four of five and is riding a seven-game point streak (4-0-3) as they prepare to host the sizzling Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night in a matchup of Original Six rivals.

The Bruins posted a pair of overtime wins over the weekend, squeezing past the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche to remain wedged between Toronto and Montreal in the division. "We are starting to find our stride. We have won games 4-0, 5-2," forward Noel Acciari said. "We are also winning games 1-0, 2-1. I think that shows just how our team is and what we can do when we are on." Chicago, meanwhile, has been dominant during its seven-game winning streak, outscoring the opposition 37-20 after thumping Detroit 5-2 on Sunday. "We're a tough team to contend with when we're playing the right way," said forward Dylan Strome, named the league's Third Star of the Week. "We've got four good lines, and everyone brings something different to the table."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVAS, Sportsnet East/Ontario/Pacific, NBCS Chicago, NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (23-24-9): There was good news all around on the goaltending front for Chicago on Monday as top netminder Corey Crawford went through his first full practice since suffering a concussion on Dec. 16 and rookie Collin Delia agreed to terms on a three-year contract. "I feel great, back to normal," Crawford said. "I would jump in the net right away, but honestly, we haven't really discussed that at this point. We're just trying to figure out days when we can practice with the team and getting the timing back." Cam Ward had four wins and Delia three during the winning streak.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (31-17-8): Center Patrice Bergeron capped what was a whirlwind past few days by being named the league's Second Star of the Week on Monday. Bergeron elevated his play when the spotlight was brightest, scoring a pair of goals on the night he became the fifth player in franchise history to appear in 1,000 games before adding the OT game-winner against Los Angeles and setting up the decisive tally in Sunday's win over Colorado. Linemate Brad Marchand also is on a tear with four consecutive multiple-point games and has five goals and nine assists in 12 career contests versus the Blackhawks.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks F Patrick Kane has 11 goals and 20 assists during a 14-game point streak.

2. Bruins G Tuukka Rask is 5-2-1 with a 2.36 goals-against average versus Chicago.

3. Strome had two goals and seven points in three games last week while linemate Alex DeBrincat has 15 points during an eight-game streak.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Bruins 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:01 PM

Calgary Flames vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

Nikita Kucherov ended two droughts with authority last time out and the NHL's point leader looks to get on a roll again when his league-best Tampa Bay Lightning host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. Kucherov had gone 11 games without a goal before scoring twice in Sunday's 5-2 victory at Florida and posted three points after being blanked in two consecutive contests to push his season total to 84.

"Listen, you go through ups and downs in a season," Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos told reporters. "Kuch is going to be Kuch. That's why we have other guys on our team step up when you go through a little spurt like that. But it happens to the best of players. We weren't too worried. This will really get him going again." Kucherov registered a pair of assists in a 5-4 shootout win at Calgary on Dec. 20 and the Flames will try to tighten up defensively after giving up 11 goals while losing the last two meetings with the Lightning. Calgary, which entered Monday leading the Western Conference with 74 points, has dropped three of its last four contests (1-2-1) after suffering a 4-3 shootout setback at Vancouver on Saturday despite posting 47 shots. "Frustrated, right?" Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic told the Calgary Sun. "You need these points at this time of the year. It's a grind, right? So every point matters and teams are close, things are tight. We thought it was a pretty good game on our part. We carried a lot of the play, but we just couldn't get it."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE FLAMES (34-15-6): Left wing Matthew Tkachuk has been kept off the scoresheet in five straight contests and will try to break out of that slump as he plays his 200th NHL game Tuesday. Left wing Johnny Gaudreau has cooled off a bit with three of his team-leading 75 points in the last five games while center Sean Monahan managed only two assists in his past five contests to place second on the team with 63 points. Forward Elias Lindholm made the scoresheet in 11 of his last 12 games, including three goals in four contests, and boasts a career-high 61 points.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (41-11-4): Right wing Ryan Callahan was told by the team recently he was relegated to being the 13th forward, but took advantage of a chance with left wing Ondrej Palat (upper body) out Sunday to score the game-winner and register seven hits. "Obviously, it felt good," Callahan told reporters. "I just tried to take the approach of working every day and making sure if I got the opportunity or when I got the opportunity I was ready to go and ready to contribute." Stamkos is one away from his sixth 30-goal season and first since 2015-16 after scoring Sunday.

OVERTIME

1. Calgary RW James Neal is expected to return after having two teeth knocked out Saturday with coach Bill Peters telling reporters: "That's why there are dentists."

2. Tampa Bay LW Alex Killorn, who boasts a plus-15 rating this season, is two goals shy of 100 for his career but has one in the last 18 games.

3. Flames G David Rittich (20-4-5, .915 save percentage), who stopped 32-of-36 shots against Tampa Bay in December, has one regulation loss in his last 14 games.

PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Flames 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:01 PM

Dallas Stars vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Dallas Stars look to steady the ship after two straight losses and solidify their playoff position in the Western Conference when they visit the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The Stars, who are two points up on St. Louis and Minnesota for third place in the Central Division, started their five-game road trip with a 3-2 overtime loss at Nashville on Thursday and a 3-2 regulation setback at Arizona two days later.

"You have to play 60 minutes, that's the bottom line," Dallas forward Alexander Radulov told reporters after his team scored the final two goals in the third period of Saturday's loss. "It's not enough to play two periods or 50 minutes, it's a 60-minute game. We have to understand that, embrace it and be better." The Stars, who host Florida on March 19, have earned at least a point in the last three meetings (2-0-1) but arrive in the Sunshine State with a Western Conference-low 10 wins on the road. The Panthers are well behind in the Eastern Conference wild-card race despite winning six of their last nine, although they came up short Sunday with a 5-2 setback against NHL-best Tampa Bay at home. "That's a team you can't chase," Florida forward Frank Vatrano told reporters after the loss. "You've got to play with a lead and stay with it. We were trying to chip away at it but at the end of the day it didn't happen, so we have to regroup and get ready for the next one."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Florida

ABOUT THE STARS (28-22-5): No. 1 goaltender Ben Bishop (19-12-2, .924 save percentage) is out with an upper-body injury and Anton Khudobin (9-10-3, .924 SP) will have to take the baton for the near future. Center Tyler Seguin has recorded four of his team-high 22 goals in the last five games and leads Dallas with 51 points - seven more than Radulov, who scored his 15th goal Saturday and is tied with Seguin at 29 assists. Captain Jamie Benn owns three assists in his last three games, but has managed one goal in 10 contests as he remains one shy of his ninth season with at least 20 in 10 years.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (23-23-8): Vatrano has recorded six goals in his last nine games to tie for second on the team with a career-high 19 - behind only left wing Mike Hoffman (25), who was blanked Sunday despite five shots. Captain Aleksander Barkov has registered six of his team-high 53 points in the last five contests and forward Jonathan Huberdeau is next with 52 after recording only two in the past five games. Roberto Luongo (12-12-1, .895 SP) came on in relief Sunday, moving past Patrick Roy for second on the NHL's all-time list in goalie appearances with 1,030, and is one win behind Ed Belfour (484) for third.

OVERTIME

1. Florida C Riley Sheahan, acquired from Pittsburgh on Feb. 2, recorded an assist in each of his last three contests.

2. Dallas D Roman Polak suffered an upper-body injury after being boarded Saturday and is considered day-to-day.

3. The Panthers placed F Colton Sceviour (upper body) on injured reserve and recalled veteran F Jamie McGinn.

PREDICTION: Panthers 4, Stars 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:01 PM

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Carolina Hurricanes continue pursuit of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference when they conclude a five-game road trip Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Carolina saw its three-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a 3-2 loss at New Jersey, missing out on a chance to pass Pittsburgh and move into the final playoff position.

"Every game is big,'' Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen, who is one point shy of 200, told reporters. "Right now, every game is the biggest game of the year, so we have to get ready for the next one. It's just a big game after a big game." The Senators will try to match a season high with their third straight victory after beginning the three-game homestand with a 4-0 win over Anaheim on Thursday and a 5-2 verdict over Central Division-leading Winnipeg on Saturday behind 44 saves by Anders Nilsson. "He's been good ever since he got here," Ottawa right wing Mark Stone told reporters about Nilsson. "I think he's given us a chance to win every game he's been in there. ... '' Ottawa, which has a league-low 47 points, snapped a five-game losing streak in the series with a 4-1 victory at Carolina on Jan. 18 with Nilsson stopping 33 shots.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Carolinas, TSN5, RDS (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (28-22-6): Sebastian Aho leads the team with 24 goals and 63 points after recording his 100th career assist Saturday, giving him 12 points (three goals) in his last nine games. Teravainen (15 goals) has 11 of his 49 points - five goals and six assists - in the last nine contests. Justin Williams (13 goals) is third on the club with 33 points and has five assists in six February games while Andrei Svechnikov owns three of his 14 goals in the last nine contests.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (21-29-5): Stone (team-high 56 points, plus-15 rating) and Matt Duchene (53 points, minus-1) lead the club with 25 goals apiece after combining for seven in the last three games with Duchene scoring in three straight and Stone two. Duchene, who played his 700th game Saturday, has 10 goals and five assists in 12 games since the calendar flipped to 2019. Nilsson (9-12-1, 2.70 goals-against average .916 save percentage this season) is 6-4-0, 2.21, .937 in 10 games since being acquired from Vancouver and will start Tuesday, according to coach Guy Boucher.

OVERTIME

1. Carolina averages the most shots on goal in the league at 35.5 and yields the fewest (27.9) while Ottawa allows the most (36.6).

2. The Senators are 16-for-16 on the penalty kill over their last eight games.

3. The Hurricanes are the only team in the Eastern Conference that is above the NHL's version of .500 (14-13-2) on the road but not in playoff position.

PREDICTION: Senators 3, Hurricanes 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:01 PM

New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Winnipeg Jets found a way to break through and end a three-game losing streak Sunday at Buffalo, and return home to host the New York Rangers on Tuesday looking to build another winning streak as they fight for the Western Conference's top spot. As usual, it was one of the Jets' biggest stars leading the way as forward Blake Wheeler scored the go-ahead goal with 3:55 to play Sunday - his third goal in five games to go along with 55 assists this season.

"We did a good job of staying patient with that game, kind of doing all of the things that we preach before the game, and we got rewarded," Wheeler told reporters after the Jets rebounded from allowing five goals in back-to-back games by killing all five Buffalo power-play opportunities. The Rangers wrapped up a five-game homestand Sunday with a 4-1 victory over Toronto, highlighted by goaltender Alexandar Georgiev making 55 saves to win on his 23rd birthday. "I tried not to concentrate on the birthday wishes," Georgiev told reporters afterward. "I had an important game in front of me." Center Mika Zibanejad continued his hot streak with his 11th goal in his past 10 games.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), TSN3 (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE RANGERS (24-23-8): Zibanejad's hot streak has pulled him within four goals of his career high of 27 set last season, and his 54 points already represent a career best. Georgiev faced a withering 22 shots in the opening 20 minutes against Toronto (allowing his only goal in that frame), improving to 8-9-0 on the season in relief of Henrik Lundqvist. New York finished 2-2-1 on its homestand and open a four-game road trip sitting seven points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

ABOUT THE JETS (35-18-3): Center Mark Scheifele scored his team-leading 28th goal into an empty net with seven seconds left Sunday, adding to his assist on Wheeler's winner. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck gave up five goals in Thursday's loss at Montreal but made 48 saves in that contest, and responded Sunday by stopping 35-of-36 shots. The Jets entered the week leading Nashville by two points in the Central Division while trailing conference-leader Calgary by one point, and their plus-34 goal differential ranked second in the West to the Flames (plus-41).

OVERTIME

1. Rangers F Chris Kreider, who leads the team with 24 goals, finished with two assists Sunday.

2. Jets D Josh Morrissey has recorded an assist in four consecutive games.

3. Scheifele scored a goal in regulation and recorded the game-winning tally in a shootout as the Jets downed the Rangers 4-3 on Dec. 2 in New York.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Rangers 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:03 PM

New Jersey Devils vs. St. Louis Blues Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
Devils vs. Blues Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

Their best player is in the midst of a torrid stretch and so are the St. Louis Blues, who have found their stride and will vie for their seventh consecutive victory against the visiting New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. The season-high winning streak has vaulted the resurgent Blues into the top wild-card spot on the tightly bunched Western Conference.

Vladimir Tarasenko registered a hat trick as St. Louis earned its fourth straight one-goal decision with a 5-4 overtime win in Nashville on Sunday to complete a back-to-back sweep of the Predators. "We're going to need him to keep doing that," Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said of Tarasenko, who has seven goals during an eight-game point streak. "He's on a roll." While St. Louis has matched its longest winning streak since March 2018, the Devils are well out of contention in the Eastern Conference and relegated to playing spoiler. New Jersey, which is tied for the fewest road wins in the NHL with seven, lost its ninth straight (0-8-1) in the series and six in a row at St. Louis.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus (New Jersey), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (21-26-8): Center Nico Hischier logged more than 23 minutes in back-to-back games last week but made the most of a reduced workload against Carolina to collect three assists, leaving him one point shy of 40. "He's got so much hockey in him," linemate Marcus Johansson said of the 2017 No. 1 overall pick. "His hockey sense, and he battles every night, every situation. He's improving every day I think. He's got a big role on this team, and he's taking it very well. He's playing the right way every night." Johansson had his first multiple-goal effort of the season in Sunday's win.

ABOUT THE BLUES (27-22-5): Rookie netminder Jordan Binnington has been instrumental in St. Louis' charge up the standings and on Monday was named the NHL's First Star of the Week after going 3-0-0 with a 1.31 goals-against average, which was highlighted by a shutout of league-best Tampa Bay. Binnington is 9-1-1 with a 1.72 GAA since he was summoned from the minors on Jan. 7 and has won five consecutive starts. "Probably over that stretch, he's been the best player in the league," said fellow netminder Jake Allen, who registered 40 saves Sunday in his first appearance since Jan. 17.

OVERTIME

1. Tarasenko's hat trick put him over 20 goals for the sixth straight season and gave him 200 for his career.

2. New Jersey claimed F Kenny Agostino off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens.

3. The Blues are 8-for-73 on the power play since Dec. 1.

PREDICTION: Blues 4, Devils 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-12-2019, 02:03 PM

Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions 2019-02-12

NHL Predictions 11th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/11/2019

The Nashville Predators had won five of six to make a charge toward the top of the Central Division before dropping a home-and-home series to one of their chief rivals. The Predators attempt to pick themselves off the mat on Tuesday when they play the second contest of their three-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings.

Viktor Arvidsson scored twice in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to St. Louis to give him 12 of his team-leading 24 goals in the last 14 games. "I just try to work hard and try to get the puck to Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen," the 25-year-old Swede said, via the Nashville Post. "(Filip) Forsberg is making plays and (Ryan) Johansen is, too. ... I try to be around the net as much as I can. I just have my stick down." The Red Wings, who have dropped three in a row heading into the finale of their three-game road trip, found themselves chasing the game with a two-goal deficit following the first period in Sunday's 5-2 setback to Chicago. "Brutal start, not nearly good enough. As the game went along, halfway in we started playing with more jam, more competitiveness, more like we have the last month. ... We can't be a team that spots the other team two goals on the road," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (21-28-7): Detroit overcame a two-goal deficit in its last encounter with Nashville, as Dylan Larkin scored 4:36 into overtime to net the Red Wings a 4-3 win on Jan. 4. The tally ignited a stretch of six of his team-leading 23 goals and 13 of his club-best 52 points in his last 13 contests. Gustav Nyquist, who leads the team in assists (33), scored versus the Blackhawks to collect his 10th point (four goals, six assists) in his last 10 games.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (33-20-5): Johansen, who leads the team in assists (39) and points (50), set up a pair of goals in Sunday's contest to boost his point total to 14 (three goals, 11 assists) in the past dozen games. The 26-year-old also tallied in Nashville's overtime loss to Detroit, but he has just four goals in 21 career meetings with the Red Wings. Like Johansen, Forsberg is riding a four-game point streak after he tallied on Sunday to become the first player in franchise history with five 20-goal seasons.

OVERTIME

1. Despite losing to Detroit in the first meeting, Nashville boasts a 16-5-3 mark against the Eastern Conference and an 8-2-2 record versus Atlantic Division foes.

2. Red Wings C Andreas Athanasiou has recorded just five of his 17 goals on the road this season.

3. Predators captain Roman Josi has two goals and five assists during his four-game point streak.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Red Wings 1

Tuesday 2-12-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Tuesday 2-12-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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