Friday 2-22-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:52 PM

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis will play when the team visits the Indiana Pacers on Friday, but how much remains to be seen. The Pelicans are trying to navigate through an awkward situation with Davis, who demanded a trade but was not dealt prior to the deadline and has made it clear his future is not in New Orleans.

The NBA is essentially forcing New Orleans to play Davis, though new interim general manager Danny Ferry reportedly plans to re-engage the league in discussions about whether that is in the best long-term interest of either the player or the team. Davis saw his minutes dip in each of the final three games prior to the All-Star break and left a 131-122 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a shoulder injury but did play in the All-Star Game. The Pacers have no such drama on their team and come out of the break in third place in the East despite losing All-Star Victor Oladipo (knee) for the remainder of the season. Indiana had a six-game winning streak come to an end with a 106-97 loss to East-leading Milwaukee in the final game before the break but will play each of the next seven games against teams with losing records.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Indiana

ABOUT THE PELICANS (26-33): New Orleans is looking toward the future with Davis out of the team's long-term plans and is giving extra minutes to center Jahlil Okafor. The 23-year-old former No. 3 overall pick was out of the rotation early in the season but logged at least 23 minutes in each of his last 11 games and posted five double-doubles in that span. "It means a lot," Okafor told the team's website. "I've had a lot of struggles in the NBA, so to have some type of success, it just feels good, and makes you want more. Playing games and watching film, I've been able to see the improvements I can make and how much better I can be. It's exciting to think about it."

ABOUT THE PACERS (38-20): Indiana leads the league in scoring defense (102.9) and held four straight opponents under 100 points before falling to the Bucks before the break. The Pacers are spreading out the scoring with Oladipo out and are getting strong contributions off the bench from power forward Domantas Sabonis, who is shooting 70.8 percent from the floor over the last six games. Shooting guard Wesley Matthews, who was signed after being waived by the New York Knicks, is 4-of-17 from the floor through his first two games with Indiana.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans SG E'Twaun Moore is 6-of-8 from 3-point range over his last two games.

2. Pacers C Myles Turner recorded multiple blocks in each of the last seven contests.

3. Indiana earned a 109-107 victory at New Orleans on Feb. 4.

PREDICTION: Pacers 113, Pelicans 101

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:53 PM

San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
Spurs vs. Raptors Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

DeMar DeRozan will make his first trip back to where he started his career when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday. DeRozan, who was sent to the Spurs in the blockbuster deal last summer that placed Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green in Toronto, is averaging 21.4 points while trying to pull San Antonio into the Western Conference playoffs.

DeRozan was a four-time All-Star for the Raptors and holds the franchise records for games played (675), minutes (22,986) and points (13,296) and is expected to be greeted warmly by the Toronto crowd. "I think it'll definitely be one for the ages," DeRozan told TSN of his impending return. "It's something where you think you've experienced everything, but that will be an interesting moment." The Raptors have done just fine without DeRozan and sit in second place in the Eastern Conference coming out of the All-Star break and went into the break hot with wins in six straight. DeRozan's Spurs are in a more precarious position and went into the break in seventh place in the West after dropping four of the first five on their eight-game Rodeo Road Trip.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, TSN 1/3/4 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE SPURS (33-26): San Antonio struggled through the Western Conference portion of the trip prior to the break, falling at Sacramento, Golden State, Portland and Utah before recovering with a 108-107 victory at Memphis on Feb. 12. DeRozan, who missed out on the All-Star game in his first season with the Spurs, is averaging 23.5 points on the trip while All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge went into the break strong with three straight double-doubles. San Antonio finishes out the trip with a back-to-back at New York and Brooklyn on Sunday and Monday before playing eight of their next 10 at home.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (43-16): Leonard did make the All-Star Game in his first season with Toronto and started for winning Team LeBron, scoring 19 points in as many minutes. The Raptors made a splash ahead of the deadline by bringing former All-Star center Marc Gasol over from the Grizzlies and are undefeated in three games with him in the lineup. Gasol, 34, is still ironing out his place in the rotation and came off the bench in each of his first three games, averaging 10 points in 20 minutes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Spurs PG Derrick White (plantar fasciitis) sat out the last five games but is expected to return Friday.

2. Raptors SG Patrick McCaw (shoulder) sat out the final game prior to the break and is questionable.

3. San Antonio earned a 125-107 home win over Toronto on Jan. 3 behind 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists from DeRozan.

PREDICTION: Raptors 120, Spurs 115

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:53 PM

Washington Wizards vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

Charlotte was the center of the NBA universe last weekend during the All-Star festivities and will now get back to trying to root the Hornets into the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hornets, who sit in seventh place in the East coming out of the break, will try to hold off one of the teams chasing them when they host the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Charlotte is 8-21 on the road but is 19-9 at home, where it will play seven of its next eight games as it tries to hold off the likes of Detroit, Miami, Orlando and the Wizards. The Hornets went 1-3 on a four-game road trip heading into the break and entered the long layoff with a sour taste after getting crushed 127-89 at Orlando on Feb. 14. The Wizards are trying to turn their fortunes as well after dropping seven of 10 heading into the break, capped by losses at Detroit and Toronto. "We have to start winning," All-Star guard Bradley Beal told the Washington Post, referencing Washington as a franchise. "Whatever that looks like, whether that be top-down, whether that be just guys in the locker room, whether that be Coach (Scott Brooks) getting on us more, whatever it may be, we need to do it and win. ... I hate losing. I hate losing more than I like winning."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (24-34): Washington's pre-deadline deals sending away starters Markieff Morris and Otto Porter Jr. while bringing back forwards Wesley Johnson, Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis, seemed to signal a team straddling the line between rebuilding and competing, but Beal is all-in on this season. "I'm locked in; I'm beyond locked in," Beal told reporters after the All-Star Game. "Hopefully my teammates will be the same way because we got a lot of games that we need. These games are imperative and important that we get them. I'm going to make sure that everybody's locked in. I feel good. My body feels good. We're going to hit the ground running." Beal is averaging 25.1 points, 5.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (27-30): Charlotte will host Western Conference powers Golden State and Houston during the current homestand but came back from the break refreshed and focused. "I think our minds are right, spirits are right," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters after the team's first post-break practice on Tuesday. "Now we just have to get after it." All-Star guard Kemba Walker was the team's lone representative on Sunday and is carrying a heavy load on the team while averaging 24.9 points and 20 field-goal attempts.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Parker sandwiched a pair of 20-plus outings around a scoreless effort in his last three games.

2. Hornets SG Malik Monk is 2-of-16 from 3-point range over the last four games.

3. Washington took the first meeting 130-126 at home on Dec. 29 despite 47 points from Walker.

PREDICTION: Hornets 123, Wizards 119

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:53 PM

Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Orlando Magic carried the NBA's second-longest active winning streak into the All-Star break, a run they'll try to continue Friday night at home against the Chicago Bulls. The Magic won their final five games before the intermission and scored at least 122 points in three of those victories.

They've won seven of eight overall, including a 127-89 rout of Charlotte prior to the break, and emerged from the intermission just a half-game out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. "We feel good about ourselves and we want to do this, and we feel that we have a good chance to do it. But it's on us to do it," All-Star center Nikola Vucevic told reporters of the team's playoff push. "If we do the right things and play the same way that we did over the last eight games - obviously we're not going to blow people out by 20 or 30 - but if we bring that same mindset and attitude, we'll have a chance against these teams. But it's got to start on Friday and from now on we can't have any bad nights." The Bulls have had plenty of those bad nights but they did enter the break on a good note by topping Memphis 122-110 on Feb. 13. Chicago is averaging just 88.3 points in three meetings with the Magic, winning once.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN-TV (Chicago), FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE BULLS (14-44): Chicago is likely headed toward the draft lottery again and could benefit from dropping more games down the stretch, but don't tell that to coach Jim Boylen. "From my vantage point, I'm worried about us growing, and you grow when you have pressure put on you," Boylen told reporters when asked about the team tanking to improve draft position. "You grow when you have something at stake. So I'm going to keep pushing these guys to grow as a team and -- I've said it before -- push them without being combative, push them without having them get frustrated. The benefit of that for the team and the franchise is valuable, too." Newcomer Otto Porter Jr. had the look of a player that wants to finish strong in the win over the Grizzlies by scoring a career-high 37 points on 16-of-20 shooting.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (27-32): Coach Steve Clifford is confident the lengthy break will not upset the team's momentum, and he knows the key to sustaining the team's recent success. "It's going to be the same thing - what you have to be concentrating on is playing well," Clifford told reporters. "In our last 10 (games), we were first in defense in the league and 14th in offense. Actually, since Jan. 1 - even though we had that tough stretch - we're fourth in defense. So, (the defensive success) has been sustainable and our offense is getting better." Orlando held four opponents under 90 points during its 7-1 surge.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Vucevic had a double-double in each of the five straight wins and entered Thursday fourth in the NBA with 41.

2. Bulls C Robin Lopez scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting in the win over the Grizzlies and is shooting 68.8 percent from the floor over his last seven games.

3. Orlando shot 57.9 percent in the most recent encounter, a 112-84 win at Chicago on Jan. 2.

PREDICTION: Magic 111, Bulls 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:53 PM

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The New York Knicks picked up a very rare win headed into the All-Star break but still have their sights set on a top draft pick as they resume action Friday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. A 106-91 win at Atlanta on Feb. 14 snapped the Knicks' franchise-record 18-game losing streak and left them in second-to-last place in the overall NBA standings coming out of the break.

Their eyes are likely on consensus overall top pick Zion Williamson of Duke, and fans in New York were holding their breath when the athletic big man suffered a knee injury Wednesday against North Carolina. Friday's contest opens a four-game homestand for the Knicks, who have lost a franchise-high 17 straight at home. The Timberwolves also hit the break with some momentum by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets at home while averaging 125.5 points. They entered Thursday four games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference and will be playing 11 of 16 games on the road out of the intermission.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (27-30): Minnesota has hovered near the .500 mark all season but the team sees itself getting very close to making a push in the right direction. "You're a few plays away from making a jump in those rankings," point guard Tyus Jones told reporters when asked about some tight statistical categories that could make all the difference. "It's something that we can continue to get better at, but we've got to want to as a team, we've got to want to come in and learn from the film, listen to our coaches, try to break some of the habits that we've got, and then once we see it work in the game, it'll start to become a regular." Jones is close to returning from an ankle injury, as is forward Robert Covington, who sat out 20 games in a row due to a bone bruise.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (11-47): New York has a potential logjam at point guard with newly acquired Dennis Smith Jr. about to be joined by Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) and Frank Ntilikina (groin), who are both close to returning from their respective injuries, but some see it as a positive. "No doubt, Dennis is great at getting downhill, creating for others, and it just gives us two ball handlers out there," Mudiay told reporters of the possibility of playing alongside Smith. "Me and him got a pretty good relationship already." Kadeem Allen has been getting plenty of minutes at the position as well and is averaging 16.5 points and 6.3 assists over his last four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. All-Star C Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 23.5 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to help the Timberwolves sweep two meetings last season.

2. Minnesota PG Jeff Teague averaged 23 points and 11 assists in the back-to-back wins prior to the All-Star break.

3. New York's last home victory was on Dec. 1, a 136-134 overtime triumph against Milwaukee.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 111, Knicks 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:53 PM

Detroit Pistons vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Detroit Pistons entered the All-Star break winning five of their final seven games to vault into a tie for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, but realize how they play in the final 26 games of the season starting Friday at the Atlanta Hawks will determine if they reach the postseason. The Pistons rode the strong play of Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson during their recent surge that lifted Detroit from three games out of the postseason picture into a tie with Miami.

"I think they understand and know what we're facing these last 26 games," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters after Wednesday's practice. "We've got to play in a desperate mode." The Hawks were projected to be the NBA's worst team as they entered the season embracing a full rebuild and started 6-22, but went 12-13 afterward before dropping four of five entering the break. Rookie Trae Young has impressed through the growing pains, but the Hawks were disappointed in their final game before the break - a 106-91 loss to New York that ended the Knicks 18-game losing streak, two days after a spirited victory over the Lakers. "We can't start the game like we did and expect to get a win," Young told reporters after the Knicks loss. "We've just got to learn from it and get better and regroup after the All-Star game."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit Plus, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (26-30): Drummond averaged 22.8 points and 15.7 rebounds while shooting 66.7 percent from the field in the past 10 games, while Jackson is hitting 48.4 percent from 3-point range in that span while averaging 18.7 points and 5.9 assists. Blake Griffin is tied for ninth in scoring at 26.9 points per game and closed the pre-break schedule with back-to-back 30-plus point contests. Detroit is sixth in the NBA in offensive rebounding per game (11.3) and ninth in points allowed (108.7).

ABOUT THE HAWKS (19-39): Young, who put on a show in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend, ranks seventh in the league in assists (7.6) and averages 16.9 points. John Collins leads Atlanta in scoring at 19.1 points and rebounding (9.5) while shooting 57.4 percent from the field (10th in the NBA). The Hawks allow 118.2 points per game and commit 17.8 turnovers, ranking last in the league in both categories.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons play six back-to-back games out of the final 26, including a key matchup Saturday at Miami (Detroit currently holds the tiebreaker with the Heat based on better conference record).

2. The Hawks signed G Jaylen Adams to a multi-year contract Wednesday; Adams averaged 15.8 points for Erie (G-League) and played sparingly for Atlanta in 10 games this season.

3. Atlanta and Detroit split their first two meetings this season, with each winning on the road.

PREDICTION: Pistons 117, Hawks 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:53 PM

LA Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Los Angeles Clippers resume pursuit of a playoff spot when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday in their first contest since play began after the All-Star break. Los Angeles has possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference as it makes a two-game trip to Memphis and the Denver Nuggets.

The Clippers are planning to again start a rookie backcourt of Shea Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet as the latter was recently acquired in the deal that sent forward Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers. "Youth is not an excuse and that's what we are telling our guys," Rivers told reporters. Memphis also is in transition mode after dealing franchise icon Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors and point guard Mike Conley sees the situation as a positive. "I told the guys that this is like a new season for all of us," Conley told reporters. "And it's not just including our new guys. For me, for everybody that's been here throughout the season. We're having to re-teach, relearn, refocus and kind of start that process all over again."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (32-27): The playoff race in the West is jumbled up as Los Angeles has room to move up but also has the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers in pursuit. "Our mindset doesn't change," Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. "Still trying to be a higher seed in the playoffs than we're in right now." Sixth man Lou Williams was superb prior to the break by averaging 37.5 points on 25-of-41 shooting over the past two games and he has scored at least 30 points in five of the past 11 games.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (23-36): Veteran small forward Chandler Parsons (knee) practiced on Thursday and will be back in the rotation after earlier coming to a standstill with the organization when the team wanted him to go to the G-League. Memphis was unable to move the 30-year-old Parsons before the trading deadline and now he will test his balky knee over the final 23 games of the season. "For me, it's always been health," Parsons told reporters. "If I'm healthy, I can play. If I'm not, I'm not very good. I think that's it for me. If I can find ways to stay healthy and stay on the floor, I can find ways to help this team win, make shots, play-make and do what I do. But that's up to (coach) J.B. (Bickerstaff). I'm just here to help any way I can."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split two meetings earlier this season but the Clippers have won 10 of the past 15 meetings.

2. Memphis SG Avery Bradley averaged 24 points over the past two games - he was acquired at the trading deadline from the Clippers for F JaMychal Green and G Garrett Temple.

3. Los Angeles SF Wilson Chandler (quadriceps) and PF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (knee) didn't make the trip.

PREDICTION: Clippers 104, Grizzlies 98

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:54 PM

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Denver Nuggets look to record their 40th victory of the season when they face the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Denver would become the fourth team to reach the mark this season as it enjoys a solid campaign that is surely going to end a five-season playoff drought.

The Nuggets own the second-best record in the Western Conference and will return home for four games after the visit to Dallas. Denver All-Star center Nikola Jokic finished play before the All-Star break with seven triple-doubles in 12 games and he has 12 on the season. The Mavericks have lost three of their last four games and stand 12th in the West but the club is operating under the assumption it can make up the five-game deficit it currently faces for the final playoff spot. "We're going to play these games to win them," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "We have 25 games left, we want to learn as much as we can, of course, but we're trying to win. We don't want to compromise winning to find out if a guy can make a left-handed hook shot over a shot-blocker or anything like that."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (39-18): Shooting guard Gary Harris (groin) is expected to return from a seven-game absence and coach Michael Malone said he would be cautious with the amount of minutes he receives. "He missed three weeks, he missed seven games, so I'm not going to throw him out there for 30 minutes the first game and risk having him hurt," Malone told reporters of Harris. "(We will) really monitor his minutes these last 25 games so we don't overextend him, because we don't want Gary going out again." Harris is averaging 14.8 points in 32 games and Malone made this declaration: "When Gary Harris is on the court, we're a much better defensive team."

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (26-31): Due to forward Dirk Nowitzki getting the farewell treatment at the All-Star Game, the assumption is that the 21-year-veteran is playing the final 25 games of his career. But Carlisle said that isn't necessarily the case despite the fact Nowitzki is averaging just 4.7 points and 11 minutes in 26 games off the bench. "You're wrong to assume that it is his last season," Carlisle told reporters. "We don't know. He's been very consistent, really, for multiple years saying that he'll always leave it open and decide in the offseason, which I respect."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Nuggets have won six of the past eight meetings, including a 126-118 home victory on Dec. 18.

2. Dallas rookie SF Luka Doncic is averaging 23.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and seven assists in the past six games.

3. Denver backup F Trey Lyles (hamstring) could miss approximately two weeks after being injured during Wednesday's practice.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 112, Mavericks 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:54 PM

Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NBA Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

Oklahoma City star point guard Russell Westbrook seeks to extend his record streak of consecutive triple-doubles to 12 when the Thunder host the Utah Jazz on Friday. Westbrook is averaging 21.9 points, 13.5 assists and 13.3 rebounds during the stretch and has 24 triple-doubles on the season.

The Thunder have won 15 straight regular-season home games against Jazz with Utah's last win in Oklahoma City being a 120-99 rout on Oct. 31, 2010. The Thunder lost in the first round of the playoffs to Utah last season but won this season's first two meetings. "We know this team," star forward Paul George said of the Jazz. "This is probably the best team we could have played coming out of the (All-Star) break just because of our series last year, and this is going to be a tough one. It's hard to beat a team three times in a row, but we're up for the challenge." Utah headed into the break on a 14-5 run and stands in sixth place in the Western Conference while the Thunder are in third.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE JAZZ (32-25): Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell overcame a slow start with a vengeance and he has scored 20 or more points in 18 of the past 19 games. Mitchell has tallied at least 25 points on 12 occasions during the stretch, including four outings of 33 or more points. Utah came up empty in its bid to land Memphis point guard Mike Conley at the trading deadline and will play the season out with Ricky Rubio, who has scored in double digits in eight of the past 10 games.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (37-20): Recently signed forward Markieff Morris is expected to make his team debut after missing the last eight weeks due to a neck injury. Morris averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 34 games for the Washington Wizards before the injury and said he is ready to play a role in helping Oklahoma City make a deep playoff run. "I just came to be a vet, man," Morris told reporters. "I came to try to help the team keep pushing toward the ultimate goal and that's to win a championship. I'm just ready to play. I'm excited to be here. I know a bunch of guys on the team already and I'm ready to go."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder are 2-0 against the Jazz this season and have won the past five regular-season matchups.

2. George is averaging 37.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals against the Jazz this season.

3. Utah backup PG Dante Exum (ankle) resumed practicing but will miss his 18th straight game.

PREDICTION: Thunder 119, Jazz 111

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:54 PM

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NHL Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a few days to hopefully cure all that ails them, including an illness that kept Artemi Panarin out of their last contest. The Blue Jackets bid to avoid a third straight loss and get back on the right side of the playoff picture on Friday as they visit the NHL-worst Ottawa Senators, who have dropped nine of their last 12 games.

Friday's game features a bevy of attractive names ahead of Monday's NHL trade deadline, including Panarin and two-time Vezina Trophy recipient Sergei Bobrovsky for Columbus while unrestricted free-agent forwards Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and former Ohio State star Ryan Dzingel reportedly are being shopped by Ottawa. Panarin, who leads the Blue Jackets in assists (43) and points (67), sat out Tuesday's 3-2 setback in Montreal but is expected to play in his 300th career game on Friday. The same likely can't be said for Stone (team-leading 28 goals, 61 points), Duchene and Dzingel, who all were scratched prior to Thursday's 4-0 setback in New Jersey for precautionary reasons. Dzingel, who scored twice in Ottawa's 6-3 loss to Columbus on Dec. 31, reportedly is being pursued by the Blue Jackets prior to the deadline.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), TSN5, RDS (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (33-23-3): Panarin set up a pair of goals versus Ottawa on New Year's Eve to boost his point total to eight (two goals, six assists) in eight career contests against the club. Bobrovsky, who made 22 saves in that meeting, has regained his form after a disastrous January by posting a 5-2-0 record with a 2.30 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this month as Columbus sits one point behind Carolina for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Josh Anderson scored into an empty net to seal the win in the first match with the Senators and has recorded six of his career-high 21 goals over his last 10 games.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (22-33-5): After watching Anders Nilsson yield all four goals versus the Devils, Craig Anderson will attempt to snap a six-game losing streak when he gets the nod on Friday. The 37-year-old Anderson, who has overcome a concussion and an eye injury in recent months, has struggled in his last two trips to the crease as he's allowed nine goals in offensive-slugfest losses in Toronto and Chicago after permitting just eight in his previous three appearances. Anderson owns a 12-6-0 record with two shutouts, a 2.47 GAA and a .915 save percentage in 18 career encounters with Columbus.

OVERTIME

1. Columbus C Boone Jenner has registered seven points (one goal, six assists) in his last seven games.

2. Senators RW Bobby Ryan has collected 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 35 career meetings with the Blue Jackets.

3. Columbus has scored a power-play goal in six of its last eight road contests.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Senators 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:54 PM

Minnesota Wild vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NHL Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Minnesota Wild recorded a much-needed victory on the road last time out after being shut out in the final two contests of their 0-3-1 homestand. They attempt to strengthen their tenuous hold on a wild-card spot in the Western Conference when they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.

Minnesota, which had lost five straight overall and is 2-6-3 since the All-Star break, posted a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers on Thursday as Zach Parise recorded a goal and an assist to increase his team-leading point total to 51 and halt his three-game drought. A day after being acquired from Boston, Ryan Donato notched a pair of assists in his debut for the Wild, who are one point ahead of both Colorado and Chicago for the second wild card. Detroit seeks its first victory on its five-game homestand after falling to Philadelphia in the opener on Sunday and Chicago in overtime three nights later. Andreas Athanasiou scored twice in the third period as the Red Wings rallied from a three-goal deficit against the Blackhawks before suffering their third straight overall setback (0-1-2) and sixth in eight contests (2-4-2).

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, FS North Plus, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE WILD (28-27-6): Mikael Granlund scored his third goal in six contests on Thursday, which proved to be his career-high fifth game-winner of the season, while Eric Staal ended his nine-game point drought with two assists. With his goal against the Rangers, defenseman Jared Spurgeon set a new career high of 11 and matched the point total of 37 he amassed last season - one shy of the personal best he registered in 2016-17. Rookie Jordan Greenway netted his first tally in 13 games on Thursday to become the eighth player to hit double digits in goals with the team this campaign.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (23-29-9): Athanasiou's two-goal performance on Wednesday was his second in four games and gave him a total of five tallies in as many contests following an 11-game drought. Dylan Larkin, who also scored twice versus Chicago, has collected eight goals and nine assists while landing on the scoresheet in 11 of his last 14 contests. Gustav Nyquist, who leads the team with 33 assists, has gone eight games without one and is six points shy of 300 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Red Wings RW Anthony Mantha notched a career-high four assists on Wednesday after recording a total of 10 over his first 45 games of the season.

2. Minnesota RW J.T. Brown was recalled from Iowa of the American Hockey League on Thursday and posted a plus-1 rating in 10 minutes, 19 seconds of ice time versus New York.

3. Detroit LWs Justin Abdelkader (flu) and Darren Helm (undisclosed) missed Thursday's practice and are day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Red Wings 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:55 PM

Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NHL Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks have taken different paths toward the wild scramble for the final two postseason spots in the Western Conference. A lengthy slump after a fast start appeared to derail Colorado while the Blackhawks are digging their way out of a deep hole and look to continue their surge when they host the Avalanche on Friday night.

Chicago has climbed out of the basement in the Central Division by winning 10 of 12 games and is part of the seven-team scrum in the tightly bunched West. "We still need to work on our game," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "Our game isn't where it needs to be for us to compete in the playoffs, and we're going to have to play better to get the points we need coming down the stretch." The Avalanche appeared to slide out of contention following an eight-game slide, but they responded by winning three of four, including back-to-back victories for the first time since November. "Right where we want to be -- destiny's in our hands," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "We've got a lot of season yet to go. This is going to go right down to the bitter end."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TVAS, Sportsnet1, Sportsnet East/Ontario/Pacific, Altitude2 (Colorado), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (25-24-11): Colorado broke up its high-powered top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and captain Gabriel Landeskog to provide balance to the offense and the team responded by scoring 10 goals in wins over Vegas and Winnipeg. Carl Soderberg, who anchors the No. 2 line with Matt Nieto and Rantanen, scored one goal and set up two others while registering a career-best plus-4 versus Winnipeg. "It's fun to play with those two," Rantanen said. "Sods is a great two-way centerman who can still make plays and sees the ice well. He has great foot speed and can pass, too. It's fun to play with those two."

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (26-26-9): Patrick Kane has been the driving force for Chicago, scoring his second goal in overtime to cap Wednesday's 5-4 victory over Detroit and extending his point streak to 19 games. Kane, who has 16 goals and 26 assists during his torrid stretch, also put together a 26-game point streak in 2015-16 and now owns the two longest by an American-born player. "He's been great for us. I don't know where we'd be without him," Alex DeBrincat said. "It's fun to watch him out there and he's creating a play every time he touches the puck. Definitely cool to be on his team and fun to watch him play."

OVERTIME

1. DeBrincat has eight goals and 18 points in 10 games this month.

2. Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov has yielded four goals in his last four starts and is 13-6-3 lifetime versus Chicago.

3. Blackhawks F Brandon Saad has three goals and five points in the last four games.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Avalanche 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:55 PM

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NHL Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Calgary Flames have regained their footing following a four-game winless drought and will go for their fourth consecutive victory when they wrap up a three-game homestand against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. Calgary has reclaimed first place in the Pacific Division on the heels of the winning streak but it has won only five of the past 20 meetings against the Ducks.

The Flames surrendered 16 goals during their 0-2-2 slide but have permitted two tallies in each of their past two wins over Arizona and the New York Islanders. "We have to be that air-tight moving forward and we are capable of playing that game," Calgary coach Bill Peters said. "We need to maintain our strong offensive game while being sound defensively." Anaheim has responded well since general manager Bob Murray replaced Randy Carlyle behind the bench, winning three of four following a woeful seven-game losing streak. "I think when you stick together through a time like we went through, you come out of it on the other side a closer team and a better team because of it," center Ryan Kesler said.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS West (Anaheim), Sportsnet West (Calgary)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (24-27-9): Forward Jakob Silfverberg has been mentioned as a potential trade target leading up to Monday's deadline, but he will be staying put after agreeing to terms on a five-year contract extension worth a reported $5 million annually. The 28-year-old Silfverberg, who scored a career-high 23 goals in 2016-17, is up to 16 on the season after scoring four times in the past four games. Ryan Miller, who returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing more than two months due to injury, has been impressive in winning both his starts, including a 31-save performance in his first shutout of the season.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (37-16-7): Johnny Gaudreau and Calgary's top offensive players had been struggling but he put an end to a nine-game goal drought by scoring his 30th against the Islanders to take over the team lead and match his career high from 2015-16. Peters did some minor tinkering with his top six forwards, shifting Matthew Tkachuk alongside Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on the No. 1 unit while dropping Elias Lindholm to the second line with Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik. The Flames have received offense from an unexpected source as Austin Czarnik scored in three straight to tie his career high with five.

OVERTIME

1. Ducks C Ryan Kesler scored at Minnesota on Tuesday to end a 38-game goal drought and 25-game point drought.

2. Flames G Mike Smith has made four straight starts since David Rittich allowed six goals at Tampa Bay.

3. Anaheim assigned F Patrick Eaves to San Diego of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Ducks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-21-2019, 11:55 PM

Winnipeg Jets vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 2019-02-22

NHL Predictions 21st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/21/2019

The Winnipeg Jets looked every bit the serious contender in the Western Conference heading into February, but that appearance is a bit cloudy after a pair of lopsided losses to Colorado during their three-game losing streak and two defeats to lowly Ottawa in a 2-4-2 stretch. The Jets look to get back on track Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, who have lost six of their last seven at home (1-5-1).

"We were terrible. Unacceptable," Winnipeg forward Adam Lowry said in a brutally frank assessment of the team following Wednesday's 7-1 rout at the hands of the Avalanche. "I'm surprised. We knew they'd be hungry. They're fighting for a playoff spot. I guess we're fat and comfortable where we're at because the effort wasn't there." Kyle Connor, who scored in the third period to snap the Jets' 0-for-21 run on the power play, netted a short-handed and empty-net goal in a 4-1 victory versus Vegas on Jan. 15. That contest marked the first between the teams since the Golden Knights jolted the Jets in five games during the Western Conference Final. Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 129 of 135 shots in the last four contests of that series,but the three-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender has yielded 16 goals during his current four-game losing skid (0-3-1).

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountains (Vegas)

ABOUT THE JETS (36-20-4): Captain Blake Wheeler set up Lowry's goal on Wednesday to boost his team-leading totals in assists (57) and points (69), but the offensive contribution didn't hold much water in the bigger picture perspective. "I'm going to be looking in the mirror, trying to figure out what I've been doing," the 32-year-old Wheeler said. "I haven't been doing enough, playing well enough, getting this group motivated enough to compete at this level." Wheeler had a pair of assists in the first encounter versus Vegas and Mark Scheifele (club-best 30 goals) scored and set up a goal.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (32-25-5): Reilly Smith scored and set up a goal in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Boston to lift his point total to seven (one goal, six assists) in his last seven games. Paul Stastny set up Brandon Pirri's third-period tally against Winnipeg as part of his 13-point stretch in 13 contests before being held off the scoresheet in his last two games. The 27-year-old Pirri is mired in an offensive drought, mustering just two points since his goal versus the Jets.

OVERTIME

1. Vegas RW Alex Tuch recorded a pair of his club-best 26 assists and 42 points in February while C Jonathan Marchessault has scored two of his team-leading 19 goals in his last 12 games.

2. Jets C Mathieu Perreault has just two points since scoring versus the Golden Knights.

3. Vegas has won all three of its home contests versus Winnipeg, including victories in Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Final last spring.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 3, Jets 2

Friday 2-22-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 2-22-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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