Thursday 2-14-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Camarero
Camarero - Race 4

Pick 4 (4-7) / Pick 3 (4-6) / Exacta / Trifecta / Daily Double 4-5


Maiden Claiming $14,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 54 • Purse: $7,500 • Post: 4:00P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $14,000, FOR EACH $2,000 TO $10,000 2 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * SECRET WAGER: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equib ase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. TOP OF THE LIST: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. MY LUCKY C: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
4
SECRET WAGER
7/2

7/2
1
TOP OF THE LIST
5/2

7/2
7
MY LUCKY C
5/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
TOP OF THE LIST
1

5/2
Front-runner
76

65

68.2

39.8

34.8
7
MY LUCKY C
7

5/1
Front-runner
59

45

60.8

43.2

34.7
4
SECRET WAGER
4

7/2
Front-runner
68

57

60.7

54.0

49.0
2
SPIRIT IN THE SKY
2

3/1
Alternator/Front-runner
48

27

54.3

38.9

29.9
6
AWESOME CEEBETT
6

10/1
Trailer
44

40

0.8

24.2

13.7
8
IKNOWYOUWANTME
8

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

22.6

23.5

15.5
3
ANTONIO HANSBY
3

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

15.2

5.7








Unknown Running Style: GAMBLER'S LEAP (10/1) [Jockey: Carrasquillo Edwin - Trainer: Jimenez Jose M].

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Charles Town - Race #8 - Post: 10:15pm - Claiming - 6.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 66

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 SAINT TROPEZ (ML=7/2)
#7 SHE'S A LIL PISTIL (ML=3/1)


SAINT TROPEZ - Don't throw this one out due to her last clash at Charles Town where she ended up fourth in the mud. Expect much better today. Lower weight assigned of -7. In my opinion, a movement of 5 is important, so this filly falls into this category. SHE'S A LIL PISTIL - Filly took a little vacation, but has been racing into shape. Have to make this filly a solid contender; she comes off a solid contest on Jan 23rd. Just see her latest rating, 63. That one looks good in this bunch.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 CORKY PUNCH (ML=4/1), #6 REILTIN OIR (ML=9/2), #1 MAXIMA NEVER LATE (ML=6/1),

CORKY PUNCH - Don't think that this filly has value at 4/1 in today's event. REILTIN OIR - Really had to give me more than that in the last race. Never made much of an impact. MAXIMA NEVER LATE - Can't invest in this pony in today's sprint of 6 1/2 furlongs. Hasn't even finished in the money in a sprint race lately.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #4 SAINT TROPEZ on top if we're getting at least 7/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 1

DD (Races 1-2) ($1 min.) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) / Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) Pick 4 (Races 1-2-3-4) (.50 min.) / Superfecta (.10 min.)


Claiming $5,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 64 • Purse: $15,000 • Post: 5:25P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Trailer. CAT'S SHINING STAR is the Lone Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * DEBDURITE: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. CAT'S SHINING STAR: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. BROWN'S MONKEY: Horse has the highest average Equib ase Class Rating at the distance/surface. Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20. ZENS SECRET: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
7
DEBDURITE
5/2

5/2
2
CAT'S SHINING STAR
12/1

8/1
9
BROWN'S MONKEY
20/1

9/1
8
ZENS SECRET
5/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
TRULY THE ONE
5

3/1
Front-runner
52

60

74.5

48.1

29.1
9
BROWN'S MONKEY
9

20/1
Front-runner
66

62

72.2

46.8

34.3
7
DEBDURITE
7

5/2
Front-runner
79

76

69.4

57.4

51.9
8
ZENS SECRET
8

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
68

66

55.5

48.0

38.0
11
SUPERSONICSONG
11

10/1
Alternator/Stalker
67

49

47.6

49.8

34.3
12
MIKEY'S MOUSE
12

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
66

61

29.2

49.0

32.5
2
CAT'S SHINING STAR
2

12/1
Alternator/Trailer
57

61

42.4

51.0

42.5
6
LIL GABE
6

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
60

54

50.4

43.6

30.1
4
TRICKY SLEW
4

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
47

44

50.2

41.4

23.9
3
OLD PEP N STEP
3

9/2
Alternator/Non-contender
64

53

45.4

48.4

37.4
1
KOOL YANKEE
1

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
72

68

37.3

43.1

28.6
10
MY PAL KAY
10

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
69

61

18.2

46.6

39.6

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

02/14/19, GP, Race 9, 4.41 ET
5F [Turf] 00.53.03 CLAIMING. Purse $31,000.
Claiming Price $30,000, if for $25,000, allowed 2 lbs. FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 9-10-11) / $2 HRR - (RED 2,3: 4/5. BLK 1,6,7,9: 1/1. GRN 4,5,8: 10/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 478, Win Percent 27.82, $1 ROI 0.97, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 3 Teak 4-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Navarro Jorge TW 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
098.2996 2 Andronikos 5/2 Jaramillo E Pinchin Jose JFEL 60.30 1.11 32.27 91 282 Race Entries Are Not GT 9
095.6234 9 Visions of You 6-1 Sanchez J Abreu Fernando SC 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
094.6479 6 Thorpe d'Oro 3-1 Ortiz J L Sano Antonio 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
094.2292 7 Shanghai Noon 6-1 Gaffalione T Casse Mark E. 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
093.9003 8 Escarapela 12-1 Meneses M Abarrio Juan Carlos Pe 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
093.3172 4 Dublin Tinker 20-1 Jimenez A Cleary Brian A. 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
092.6713 1 Farley 12-1 Juarez N Sano Antonio 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
091.3476 5 Ranger's Coming 30-1 Sanchez L A Russo Anthony J. 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 539, Win Percent 30.80, $1 ROI 0.82, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 3 Teak 4-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Navarro Jorge JT 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
098.2841 2 Andronikos 5/2 Jaramillo E Pinchin Jose FEWL 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
095.6425 9 Visions of You 6-1 Sanchez J Abreu Fernando SC
095.3510 7 Shanghai Noon 6-1 Gaffalione T Casse Mark E.
095.3314 6 Thorpe d'Oro 3-1 Ortiz J L Sano Antonio
094.9878 8 Escarapela 12-1 Meneses M Abarrio Juan Carlos Pe
094.7158 1 Farley 12-1 Juarez N Sano Antonio 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
092.8820 4 Dublin Tinker 20-1 Jimenez A Cleary Brian A. 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
091.8930 5 Ranger's Coming 30-1 Sanchez L A Russo Anthony J. 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Oaklawn Park - Race #2 - Post: 1:57pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $24,000 Class Rating: 51

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#13 HESLUCK (ML=6/1)
#2 VANS FLYING COWBOY (ML=12/1)


HESLUCK - Faced tougher in the last race at Oaklawn Park. Based on Equibase class figures, this is a weaker field, so I will put this animal on my list of strong contenders. Sprinters that come back to the races quickly are generally good plays. Forgive the off the board finish on the off track last time around the track. On a fast track, has a chance in this field. VANS FLYING COWBOY - Gelding's last race was against tougher open company. He's in with easier 'state breds' today. Garcia drops him down to this level. You don't need too much more from the pp lines to think this animal will be tough to beat at this level. Gets help from Garcia with the addition of Lasix.

Vulnerable Contenders: #4 JAPEDO (ML=3/1), #6 BACK ROAD OUTLAW (ML=4/1), #14 TOO HAMAZING (ML=9/2),

JAPEDO - Unlikely for this participant to make a winning move with no recent success in a short distance event. BACK ROAD OUTLAW - Doesn't look to be worth 4/1 in today's event. Pass on him this time. TOO HAMAZING - 9/2 is just not enough of a price to take on this thoroughbred.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #13 HESLUCK on top if we're getting at least 5/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,13]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 1 - Maiden Claiming - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $10000 Class Rating: 68

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 SARDONYX 8/5

# 1 EASY BID 3/1

# 4 CELTIC RING 5/1

SARDONYX is my choice. Could provide positive returns based on quite good recent Equibase speed figs with an average of 54. Recorded a strong Equibase Speed Figure in the last race. Can run another good one in this race. Has performed well lately in route races, posting a nifty 54 avg speed rating. EASY BID - Is worth a close look and may be a bet - strong Equibase Speed Figures (52 average) at today's distance and surface as of late. Looks quite good versus this group and should be one of the front-runners.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Santa Anita Park

02/14/19, SA, Race 3, 1.35 PT
1M [Dirt] 1.33.02 CLAIMING. Purse $22,000.
Claiming Price $12,500, if for $10,500, allowed 2 lbs. FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $2 Rolling Double - $0.50 Rolling Pick Three (Races 3-4-5) - $0.20 Rainbow Pick Six Starts (Races 3-8) - $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) / $2 HRR - (RED 3,5: 4/5. BLK 4,6: 1/1. GRN 1,2: 5/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 574, Win Percent 27.87, $1 ROI 0.81, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to SA.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 6 Little Scotty 4-1 Espinoza A Cerin Vladimir SEL 108.80 1.27 23.88 48 201 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
099.6106 5 Platinum Equity 9/5 Fuentes R Lerner Andrew FW
098.6078 2 Twirling Tiger 6-1 Baze T Treece Charles S. T
096.8526 1 Elwood J 6-1 Bejarano R Metz Jeffrey J 108.80 1.27 23.88 48 201 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
096.7148 4 Midnight Soot 3-1 Pereira T J Garcia Antonio C
095.0742 3 Muchos Besos 4-1 Flores E Sierra Javier Jose 96.80 1.19 22.44 57 254 Last_Race Was Different Jockey

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 9 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $7100 Class Rating: 77

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JANUARY 14 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 10 SHACKLED 9/2

# 9 TWINKLING KNIGHT 4/1

# 3 BREAK THE DEAL 4/1

SHACKLED has a competitive shot to take this race. Could provide positive profits based on strong recent Equibase speed figs with an average of 72. Should go to the front end and might never look back. Ran a sharp last race. TWINKLING KNIGHT - Is difficult not to consider given the company run in lately. He has been racing solidly recently while recording strong Speed Figures. BREAK THE DEAL - Is a solid contender based on numbers garnered as of late under today's conditions. Should compete strongly in the early speed clash which bodes well with this group of horses in this race.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 2019-02-14

NBA Predictions 13th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/13/2019

The Orlando Magic are suddenly a hot squad but the real test occurs Thursday when they host the Charlotte Hornets. Orlando has dropped 13 straight games against Charlotte and were whipped by 32 and 25 points earlier this season.

The Magic enter with confidence after posting a season-best four straight wins, including a 3-0 road trip in which it beat Milwaukee, Atlanta and New Orleans by an average of 22 points. "You want to go into the (All-Star) break with confidence, and we're doing a pretty good job of that," Orlando shooting guard Evan Fournier told reporters. "Now we have one game remaining against a team that's given us trouble in the past. It's going to be interesting to see how we respond to that." Charlotte has dropped three of its past four games and shot a season-low 32.2 percent from the field in Monday's 99-90 road loss against the Indiana Pacers. "We just went dry," Hornets coach James Borrego said afterward. "We win the boards, only turn it over seven times, but we have our worst shooting night of the season. On the road, you have to make shots."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (27-29): Point guard Kemba Walker will be starting in the All-Star Game in front of the home fans in Charlotte on Sunday and he is on a roll as the break approaches. The three-time All-Star scored 34 points against the Pacers for his fifth straight 30-point outing, matching the franchise mark set by Glen Rice in 1997. Walker, who averages 25.2 points, is set to become a free agent after the season and the trading deadline passed without him being moved, and he has expressed numerous times that he would like to remain with the Hornets.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (25-32): The recent stretch of strong play that includes six wins in the past seven games has given Orlando hope that it can make a run at a playoff spot. "This has been our best stretch of the season and hopefully we can keep it up because we all feel the momentum," All-Star center Nikola Vucevic told reporters. "We have to stick with what we've been doing. We've had stretches where we've played great and stretches where we haven't played so well, and we know that things can turn around quickly in this league and we have to stay focused." Vucevic had 25 points and 17 rebounds in Tuesday's 118-88 road win over New Orleans and has 12 double-doubles in the past 15 games and 40 overall.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Hornets have prevailed in 11 of their last 13 visits to Orlando.

2. Orlando F Jonathan Isaac scored a career-best 20 points against New Orleans and is averaging 18 points over the past three games.

3. Charlotte backup PG Tony Parker (back) will likely miss his fourth straight game.

PREDICTION: Magic 113, Hornets 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-14

NBA Predictions 14th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/14/2019

The New York Knicks own the worst record in the NBA and haven't won a game since Jan. 4. New York looks to halt its franchise-worst 18-game losing streak when it visits the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday for both teams' final game before the All-Star break.

The Knicks fell for the 31st time in 33 games when they shot just 40 percent from the field in Wednesday's 126-111 home loss to Philadelphia. "I just go day to day," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters regarding how he handles the situation. "I stay in the moment. I don't linger in the past too much. I don't let myself drift into where we're going to end up. I just try to stay in the moment every day, so that way I can lead these guys." Atlanta is 1-3 on its seven-game homestand after producing a solid 117-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Second-year power forward John Collins, who recorded 22 points and eight rebounds, has topped 20 points in six of his last 11 contests.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-47): Recent acquisition Dennis Smith Jr. is averaging just 12 points on 14-of-44 shooting over his last three contests after a stellar two-game run. The second-year point guard, who came to New York in the deal in which Kristaps Porzingis was sent to Dallas, averaged 28 points in back-to-back contests against Detroit, including a career-best 31 on Friday. Rookie center Mitchell Robinson registered 14 points and a career-high 13 rebounds against the 76ers for his second double-double in five games and fifth straight double-digit scoring effort.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (19-38): Rookie point guard Trae Young overcame shaky 6-of-19 shooting to record 22 points and 14 assists - his 17th double-double of the season - against the Lakers. Young matched his season high of 38 minutes with Atlanta short on point guards due to the buyout of Jeremy Lin and an ankle injury to rookie Jaylen Adams, and was happy his club could beat a Los Angeles team that is getting strong play from LeBron James. "I try to live in big moments," Young told reporters. "I feel like I belong here. He's one of the best players of all-time. But when I'm out on the court, I'm trying to compete and get a win."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Knicks are 2-1 against the Hawks this season.

2. New York rookie SG Allonzo Trier recorded 19 points versus Philadelphia after scoring in single digits in each of his first six games this month.

3. Atlanta rookie SG Kevin Huerter (ankle) is listed as probable.

PREDICTION: Hawks 115, Knicks 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2019-02-14

NBA Predictions 13th February 2019 by Gracenote
Thunder vs. Pelicans Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/13/2019

Oklahoma City star point guard Russell Westbrook looks to extend his record streak of triple-doubles to 11 when the Thunder visit the wobbly New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Westbrook had 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in Monday's 120-111 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers to break legendary Wilt Chamberlain's record of nine straight triple doubles in 1968.

Westbrook's latest stellar outing - and his 23rd triple-double of the campaign - led streaking Oklahoma City to its 11th win in the past 12 games. "I just go play the game the right way," Westbrook told reporters after the win. "It's what I do. Go out and compete every night and leave it on the floor, and whatever happens, happens. I'm very, very blessed to be able to go out and play, and I don't take it for granted." The Pelicans are badly unraveling with 10 losses in the past 14 games and disgruntled star Anthony Davis had three points on 1-of-9 shooting in a 118-88 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. "Obviously I missed a lot of shots, a lot of easy shots - layups and stuff that I normally make - early in the game," Davis told reporters. "But they came out more desperate. They played like they were playing for something, and they showed it."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE THUNDER (37-19): Star forward Paul George got into the triple-double act with the third of his career as he poured in 47 points and added 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Portland. George decided not to leave as a free agent after last season and he and Westbrook are meshing on the court and off in their second season as teammates. "The chemistry is probably one of the best I've ever seen," veteran point guard Raymond Felton told reporters. "When you got your two superstars on your team that are connected the way they are - them two are like brothers. When those two are at that level and connected with each other like that, it's easy for everybody else to fall in suit."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (25-33): Veteran guard Jrue Holiday termed the 30-point home loss as "definitely embarrassing" as the atmosphere around the team remains surly after Davis requested a trade and wasn't dealt prior to last Thursday's deadline. Davis played only 24 minutes against the Magic in his third game since he wasn't moved and coach Alvin Gentry said he is tired of having to address the Davis situation. "Whatever our new normal is, we want to get back to that and put all the other stuff behind us and just start playing and trying to win basketball games, and trying to compete and try to get our young players better," Gentry told reporters. "That's all I want to do. That's it. And I'm not going to talk about it anymore. I'm done talking about it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder are 2-1 against the Pelicans this season with the loss coming in New Orleans on Dec. 12 when Davis scored 44 points.

2. New Orleans F Darius Miller is 8-of-31 shooting over the past three games
.
3. Oklahoma City F Jerami Grant (ankle) is expected to miss his second straight game, while PG Dennis Schroder (birth of child) also could sit out his second consecutive contest.

PREDICTION: Thunder 133, Pelicans 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Islanders vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-14

NHL Predictions 13th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/13/2019

The Columbus Blue Jackets have answered a season-high five-game losing skid with four straight victories. The Blue Jackets bid to match a campaign-best winning streak on Thursday's when they host the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus, which last won five in a row from Dec. 17-27, moved to within two points of second-place Washington in the Metropolitan with a 3-0 triumph over the Capitals on Tuesday. Sergei Bobrovsky made 13 of his 20 saves in the third period of that contest to improve to 4-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in February after recording a 2-5-0 mark with a 4.18 GAA and .858 SP in January. The Islanders got the better of the two-time Vezina Trophy recipient in the first meeting at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, but have been outscored 24-6 while losing all four of their encounters in Columbus over the last two seasons. Casey Cizikas scored to snap a tie in the third period of New York's 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Dec. 1 and extended his career high in goals to 13 on Tuesday, but the Islanders sustained their second regulation loss in 13 outings (9-2-2) with a 3-1 setback to Buffalo.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus (New York), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (33-17-6): Captain Anders Lee (team-leading 18 goals) was critical of New York's performance on Tuesday, telling reporters that it took far too long for the team to get into the game. "We only played one good period and it was the third," the 28-year-old Lee said. "...We got away from our game because of it and we weren't making plays the first two periods." Lee joined Anthony Beauvillier in scoring in the second period of the first meeting with Columbus, but the former has just one point in his last 10 contests while the latter has the same total in an eight-game span.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (32-20-3): Fast starts and a strong penalty kill have been pivotal to the success of Columbus, which owns a 22-5-2 mark when scoring the first goal in a game this season while it has thwarted 39-of-40 short-handed situations since Dec. 31. Artemi Panarin also has played a significant role, as the electric forward scored into an empty net on Tuesday to give him 19 (nine goals, 10 assists) of his team-high 64 points in his last 13 contests. Fellow forward Josh Anderson picked up an assist on Panarin's tally to extend his point streak to four games (three goals, two assists) while defenseman Seth Jones set up captain Nick Foligno's third-period goal to boost his assist streak to a career high-tying four consecutive contests.

OVERTIME

1. New York C Mathew Barzal, who leads the club in assists (32) and points (48), has been held off the scoresheet in three straight games.

2. The Blue Jackets boast an 8-1-0 mark in their last nine games versus Metropolitan Division representatives.

3. New York RW Josh Bailey has collected 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 26 career encounters with Columbus.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Islanders 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Calgary Flames vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-14

NHL Predictions 13th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/13/2019

The Calgary Flames have lost the top spot in the Pacific Division during their mini slump and look to begin moving in a positive direction again when they visit the fading Florida Panthers on Thursday night. The Flames saw the San Jose Sharks move ahead of them after losing four of their last five (1-3-1), capped by a disappointing effort Tuesday in a 6-3 loss at NHL-best Tampa Bay.

"Our details were nowhere near where we need to be," Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano told reporters after the setback. "I feel we've let that slip in the last few (games). We'll be ready Thursday, we'll be a way more focused group and we really have to pull out of this." Giordano scored and right wing Michael Frolik added a goal and two assists as the Flames defeated Florida 4-3 on Jan. 11 - during an 8-0-1 stretch - for their fifth win in the last six games during the series. The Panthers had begun to creep back into the edges of the playoff chase with a 6-2-0 run, but dropped the last two games after going 0-for-4 on the power play in a 3-0 loss to Dallas at home Tuesday. "We didn't lose the game because we played bad in our own end or we had a ton of breakdowns," Florida coach Bob Boughner told reporters Tuesday. "We lost the game because we didn't generate any offense and they did."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS Florida

ABOUT THE FLAMES (34-16-6): Center Sean Monahan scored a pair of goals Tuesday to pull within two of matching his career high of 31 and tie linemate Johnny Gaudreau (team-high 77 points) for the team lead. Giordano, who entered Wednesday second in the league with a plus-28 rating, is one point away from tying his career high of 56 that he set in 2015-16. Forward Elias Lindholm, who skates with Monahan and Gaudreau, set up three goals Tuesday and has made the scoresheet in 12 of his last 13 games while extending his career-high point total to 64.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (23-24-8): Captain Aleksander Barkov, who leads the team with 53 points, has been kept off the scoresheet the last two games after posting two goals and four assists in the previous four. Left wing Jonathan Huberdeau (52 points) has cooled off with two assists in the last six games, but did record 13 shots on net the past three contests. Mike Hoffman leads the team with 25 goals - four away from matching his career high with Ottawa in 2015-16 - while fellow forward Frank Vatrano has six of his career-best 19 goals in his last 10 games.

OVERTIME

1. Florida LW Jamie McGinn returned from a back injury to play his first NHL game this season Tuesday and his next will be the 600th of his career.

2. Calgary's 21-year-old LW Matthew Tkachuk played his 200th NHL contest Tuesday, but has gone six games without a point.

3. The Panthers are third in the league on the power play (25.9 percent) despite going 0-for-8 the last two games.

PREDICTION: Flames 5, Panthers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Stars vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 2019-02-14

NHL Predictions 13th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/13/2019

One of the major reasons the Tampa Bay Lightning have a healthy lead on everyone else in the league with 88 points is their depth and they hope to put it on display again Thursday night against the visiting Dallas Stars. The Lightning had six goal scorers, including at least one from each forward line, and 11 players posted a point in Tuesday's 6-3 triumph against Western Conference heavyweight Calgary.

"We've got the top guys going and we're getting scoring contributions from the other guys as well," Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos told reporters. "Pretty dangerous combination to have. That's why I think we're having a lot of success is we're getting contributions from everyone. That's when we're at our best is when everyone's rolling and it's tough to keep up with everyone." The Lightning have won the last four meetings, including a 35-save performance by Andrei Vasilevskiy in a 2-0 victory Jan. 15 at Dallas, which held Tampa Bay to 21 shots in the encounter. The Stars are 1-1-1 on their five-game road trip after blanking Florida 3-0 on Tuesday as red-hot center Tyler Seguin scored twice and set up another while Anton Khudobin turned aside 30 shots. "We had to have a couple guys get X-rays just to make sure their bones weren't broken from blocked shots," Dallas coach Jim Montgomery told reporters. "I mean, that's a team commitment to our identity, and I'm just really proud of the positive talk on the bench. It was a real good group effort."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Pacific, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE STARS (29-22-5): Seguin leads the team in goals (24) and points (54) after scoring six times, setting up three others and posting a plus-7 rating in six contests during February. "Over the (All-Star) break I just took some time to - I don't want to say reset, but it was a good break," Seguin told reporters. "It was refreshing for me. I just felt a little more boost of energy. Personally just feeling good and glad the puck is going in." Right wing Alexander Radulov registered five of his 46 points in the last five games while captain Jamie Benn owns four assists in the past four, but scored only one goal in his last 11 contests.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (42-11-4): Tampa Bay managed only seven goals in five games coming out of the NHLPA-mandated bye week/All-Star break, but have recorded 16 during a three-game winning streak. "We stick to the same routine and stay confident," right wing Nikita Kucherov, who leads the league with 88 points after notching seven the past two games, told reporters Tuesday. "We're just trying to play the same way every time. Sometimes pucks go in, sometimes they don't." Stamkos reached 30 goals for the sixth time in his career and fellow center Brayden Point scored his career-high 33rd against Calgary on Tuesday.

OVERTIME

1. Dallas D Esa Lindell scored his career-high eighth goal Tuesday and is a plus-6 in six games this month.

2. Tampa Bay D Erik Cernak (lower body) and Ondrej Palat (upper body) missed Tuesday's game, but could be back as soon as Thursday.

3. The Lightning lead the NHL on the power play (29.6 percent) and the Stars are fifth on the penalty kill (83.2).

PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Stars 1