Monday 3/28/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

International TODAY 19:00

Ukraine

v

Wales

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BBC2		9/20	11/4	6	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSIN UKRAINE	RECENT FORM
ADAWHLHWADNW​ Most recent​	1 - 1	AWHDALHWHLHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Ukraine have won four of their last five home matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Wales could only draw at home to Northern Ireland on Thursday night and they look vulnerable against a decent Ukraine side. Chris Coleman is missing some key players including Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey so his team could be set for a difficult evening in Kiev.

RECOMMENDATION: Ukraine
2

 

[superbeets]

International Tu 29Mar 19:45

Ireland

v

Slovakia

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
PMSK		5/4	21/10	12/5	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSIN IRELAND	RECENT FORM
HWHWALADHW*HW Most recent	0 - 0 1 - 0	HDHLAWHWHWHD Most recent

KEY STAT: Ireland have lost one of their last 11 matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Ireland continued their good form with a 1-0 win over Switzerland on Friday but they may struggle to double up against fellow Euro 2016 qualifiers Slovakia. Martin O’Neill’s men are missing a number of influential forwards, including Jonathan Walters, and could be held to a draw by the organised visitors.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw

 

[superbeets]

International Tu 29Mar 20:00

England

v

Holland

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
ITV		4/6	13/5	17/4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSIN ENGLAND	RECENT FORM
HWHWAWALHWAW​ Most recent​	2 - 3 0 - 0 0 - 2 4 - 1	HLALAWHLAWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: England have lost one of their last 18 matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Roy Hodgson is set to ring the changes after England beat Germany 3-2 in Berlin on Saturday and those looking to make an impression on the manager can help the Three Lions to another win. Holland failed to qualify for Euro 2016 and are a side in transition, conceding 12 goals in their last five matches.

RECOMMENDATION: England
2

 

[superbeets]

International Tu 29Mar 20:00

Scotland

v

Denmark

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		2	21/10	7/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSIN SCOTLAND	RECENT FORM
ADALHLHDAWAW​ Most recent​	2 - 1 0 - 1 0 - 1 0 - 1	ADALHLALHDHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Denmark have lost four of their last five away games

EXPERT VERDICT: Scotland battled to a 1-0 against the Czech Republic on Thursday and they can reward backers again by following up against Denmark. The Danes have failed to qualify for the finals and their recent away record does not inspire confidence.

RECOMMENDATION: Scotland
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jackets (30-37) at Capitals (53-16)

Date: March 28, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Whether it happens in the next game or next week, the Presidents' Trophy is going to take care of itself for Washington.

What the Capitals might be growing more concerned with heading into Monday night's home meeting with Columbus is ensuring they enter the postseason playing better 5-on-5 hockey than they have in the last two games.

After Saturday's 4-0 home loss to St. Louis and Friday's 1-0 overtime win in New Jersey, Washington (53-16-5) doesn't have a traditional 5-on-5 goal in its last eight periods. The goal against the Devils came in the 3-on-3 format, while the Capitals' third-period tally in Tuesday's 4-2 win in Ottawa was an empty-netter.

Granted, the latest game came against a club that's posted four straight shutouts, but that wasn't what the Capitals were pointing to after the loss.

"I just saw them battling for more inches than we did," Justin WiIliams told the team's official website. "The game is about that, the game is about little plays. The game is about earning your ice out there. They kept us to the outside, and when we had a chance to get to the inside, their goalie made a save. They were just better in the little spots and in the trenches tonight."

As for the defensive zone, coach Barry Trotz said letdowns came because the Capitals were pressing at the other end. But over a 4-3-1 span, Washington has given up at least four goals four times and lost them all.

"We tried to press to break the goose egg and they countered and ended up scoring," said Trotz, whose Caps can clinch their first Presidents' Trophy since 2009-10 with a win or overtime loss. "I thought (goalie) Jake Allen for them was really good tonight. But it should've been a little closer than it was, probably."

Point production at the top has been lacking with team points leader Evgeny Kuznetsov in a season-worst four-game drought, while top goal scorer Alex Ovechkin has one point in his last five and Nicklas Backstrom two in his last six.

The team has had no such scoring issues in the series with the Blue Jackets, going 10-3-3 with 3.56 goals per game dating to Washington's last Presidents' Trophy season. That includes a 2-0-1 record this season after a 6-3 win in Columbus on Jan. 19 behind four assists from Kuznetsov, two Backstrom goals and an Ovechkin goal and assist.

Kuznetsov has six points in the last two meetings, and Backstrom has seven points on a five-game streak against the Blue Jackets.

Columbus (30-37-8) has also had some scoring struggles recently, managing six goals over a 1-3-0 span after Saturday's 5-1 loss in Nashville started a four-game trip. The Blue Jackets have matched a season-high five-game road skid while scoring four times and never more than once.

"Totally overwhelmed, totally overwhelmed," said coach John Tortorella, whose team lost by at least four goals for the third time over a 3-7-0 span. "That's all you need to know. I am not going to answer or dissect or talk about the game. It won't do anybody any good for me to go any further than we were overwhelmed from the start of the game to the end."

It might not come any easier with Washington's Braden Holtby likely back in goal after Philipp Grubauer faced St. Louis. Holtby is coming off the shutout of the Devils and has posted a 1.85 goals-against average and .928 save percentage over a 4-1-0 span.

Sergei Bobrovsky, on the other hand, hasn't held a team under two goals in his last eight games, going 2-5-0 with a 3.34 GAA and .885 save percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jets (31-38) at Flyers (36-25)

Date: March 28, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Splitting a four-game road trip seemed to be only one of the Philadelphia Flyers' worries when Claude Giroux exited the finale.

The injury scare to Giroux is over, and the captain will try to help the Flyers create some breathing room in the playoff race Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets.

Philadelphia (36-25-13) is tied with Detroit for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the Flyers have one game in hand on the Red Wings.

Philadelphia concluded a 2-1-1 trip with Saturday's 2-1 loss at Arizona, but the team seemed to be dealt a major blow when Giroux left with an apparent head injury late in the third period.

He's reportedly fine, and the Flyers' top scorer with 62 points will be available after his three-game goal streak ended against the Coyotes.

"We've battled hard this entire road trip," coach Dave Hakstol told the team's official website. "We battled pretty hard but came up on the short end.

"We go home off this trip in control of our own destiny."

The Flyers are opening a three-game homestand, where they're 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. After facing Winnipeg, Philadelphia faces league-leading Washington on Wednesday in what might be a first-round playoff preview.

Giroux has 10 points over his last eight home games, and he's got 13 in the past 12 overall against Winnipeg. He had two assists in a 3-0 road win over the Jets on Nov. 7 as Philadelphia improved to 7-1-1 over the last nine matchups.

Wayne Simmonds has nine points over that stretch, including two goals and one assist over the last two meetings. He found the net against Winnipeg earlier this season, snapping a seven-game drought.

Simmonds enters this matchup without a goal in six straight games.

The Jets (31-38-6) have lost seven of their last nine on the road after blowing a two-goal, first-period lead to fall 3-2 at Buffalo on Saturday to be officially eliminated from playoff contention.

"This group," right wing Drew Stafford told the team's official website, "we might be young, but we've got to learn how to play with a lead and learn how to protect it.

"It's a matter of skating. We weren't doing that well enough, and were extending our shifts a little too much. That's a recipe for disaster."

Mark Scheifele continues to be a bright spot. The center's team-leading 24 goals are a career high and his assist against the Sabres gave him a personal-best 50 points.

Scheifele has four points in three games and 23 in the last 19. He didn't get a point against the Flyers in November after getting one in each of the previous three matchups.

Blake Wheeler doesn't have a point in five straight games against Philadelphia after totaling 17 over the previous 14. He has five points over the past four games, and his 67 overall are two shy of his career high set in 2013-14.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Maple Leafs (27-36) at Lightning (43-27)

Date: March 28, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Even if injuries derail the Tampa Bay Lightning's chances of winning the Atlantic Division, their main focus is getting as healthy as possible come playoff time.

Ryan Callahan, Valtteri Filppula and Nikita Kucherov could return as soon as Monday night's matchup with the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, but that won't help fill the gaping hole left on the blue line with Anton Stralman out.

Tampa Bay (43-27-5) had won three in a row to move into first place despite Callahan missing that entire stretch with a lower-body injury and Filppula out since suffering an upper-body ailment March 13.

The biggest blows came in Friday's win over the New York Islanders, as Kucherov, whose 62 points are tied with Steven Stamkos for the team lead, took a shot off of his foot and Stralman fractured his left fibula. Kucherov sat out Saturday's 5-2 loss to Florida that dropped it two points back of the Panthers with seven games left.

Stralman is out indefinitely, and it'll likely take a deep playoff run for him to have a chance of returning this season.

'He's such a huge part of our club,' center Brian Boyle said. 'The way he plays, the way he is here inside the (locker) room. It's a loss, we understand that, but we can't dwell on it. Everybody needs to work to get better, support one another.'

Stamkos and Tyler Johnson scored in the third of a six-game homestand. Tampa's lead for second place and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs was cut to three points after Boston beat the league-worst Maple Leafs 3-1 on Saturday.

The Lightning currently hold the tiebreaker over both Florida and the Bruins with more non-shootout victories.

"We have to understand that (Sunday) is a day off and we can't let it linger," Boyle said. "We have to come out flying Monday. This game is over. What's done is done."

Toronto (27-36-11) plays five of its final eight on the road, including the next three. It has been doing its best to play the role of spoiler, though, and won five of its previous six prior to Saturday's setback.

That stretch included a 4-1 victory over the Lightning on March 15, when rookie Zach Hyman had a goal and an assist. Young players like Hyman and 19-year-old William Nylander are being given a chance to impress coach Mike Babcock as the Maple Leafs focus on the future.

He wasn't happy with how Toronto performed against the Bruins, though.

"We turned the puck over," Babcock said. "When you turn the puck over in the second period and then they keep putting it in and you keep turning it over, they make you look slow."

The Lightning won the first three meetings this season and have won four in a row at home over the Leafs, including when Stamkos scored on the power play in a 1-0 victory Jan. 27.

It's the only point Stamkos has this season against Toronto, which could go with Jonathan Bernier in net in this contest. Bernier, who has a 1.43 goals-against average over his last five outings, allowed that goal, but he's stopped 54 of the 56 shots he's faced in two starts against Tampa Bay on the season.

Ben Bishop hasn't started against the Leafs this season but has beaten them the last two times he's been in goal. He's 10-2-1 with a 1.77 GAA since Feb. 20.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sabres (31-34) at Red Wings (37-27)

Date: March 28, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Desperation is starting to set in for the Detroit Red Wings as their playoff hopes will be decided over the final two weeks of the regular season.

A favorable schedule gives them a chance to improve their odds at extending the longest active postseason streak in the four major sports in North America.

The Red Wings will try to bounce back from one of their most embarrassing losses of the season by continuing their dominance of the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.

Detroit (37-27-11) is tied with Philadelphia for the second wild-card spot and three points back of Boston for third in the Atlantic Division, giving the Red Wings two avenues to reach the postseason.

With seven games left in the regular season, a 5-7-0 record this month doesn't have the Red Wings inspiring much confidence in extending their streak to 25 straight postseason appearances dating back to 1990.

Detroit's latest effort left much to be desired, resulting in a 7-2 rout by Pittsburgh after surrendering four goals on 10 shots in the second period Saturday.

"Well, there's a lot of talk but I think again, that's enough talk," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "We've got to get out there and actually do something about it. Doesn't matter how much you do with talking, you've got to be able to do it out there too.

"We have to be better, pretty simple."

Detroit has that chance with three of its next four games coming against Buffalo (31-34-10), Montreal and Toronto - all eliminated from postseason contention.

The Red Wings are 29-3-2 with one tie over their last 35 meetings with the Sabres, winning the most recent contest 3-0 at Buffalo on Jan. 22.

They've won 16 of the past 18 home matchups, but Petr Mrazek gave up two goals in the third of a 2-1 loss Dec. 14.

Mrazek has a 4.34 goals-against average over his last four games. He was pulled in the second period Saturday after surrendering four goals on 27 shots.

He's 5-1-0 with a 2.55 GAA in seven career meetings with Buffalo, making 19 saves in his shutout Jan. 22.

Dylan Larkin had a goal and assist in that matchup, and his team-high 21 tallies are the most by a Red Wings rookie since Henrik Zetterberg had 22 in 2002-03. Larkin, though, has only scored three times over the last 22 games.

Pavel Datsyuk has seven points during the past six games and 23 in 24 career meetings with Buffalo.

The Sabres have won three of four games and are on the verge of matching their season-high three-game winning streak from Nov. 7-12.

Sam Reinhart and fellow rookie Jack Eichel scored in the third period to rally Buffalo for a 3-2 win over Winnipeg on Saturday.

"I really don't look at them as rookies or young players anymore," coach Dan Bylsma said. "They're players that are stepping up for our team and leading our team in a lot of ways."

Eichel's 23 goals are second among rookies and the most by a first-year player for Buffalo since Thomas Vanek's 25 in 2005-06. Eichel, though, has just eight tallies on the road and one in the past 11 contests. He scored twice in a 4-3 loss to Detroit on Jan. 2 but failed to get on the score sheet in the other three matchups this season.

Reinhart, who has 10 points in 10 games, also had a goal against the Red Wings on Jan. 2.

Hudson Fasching scored in his NHL debut Saturday after signing a contract last week.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Avalanche (38-33) at Predators (39-23)

Date: March 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Desperation is beginning to set in for the Avalanche after back-to-back losses to clubs also fighting for their playoff lives dealt serious blows to Colorado's postseason fate.

There aren't any so-called pushovers remaining on the schedule, either.

The Nashville Predators host the Avalanche twice during that final stretch and can wrap up a playoff berth with a victory Monday night.

Colorado (38-33-4) had won three in a row heading into Thursday's matchup with Philadelphia, but it allowed the final three goals in a 4-2 defeat. Then, after coming up empty despite a strong push in the first period, the Avalanche fell apart in a 4-0 loss to Minnesota on Saturday that dropped it five points behind the Wild for the West's final playoff spot.

Both of those defeats came without Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon, who are battling knee injuries. Forward Mikko Rantanen was reassigned to the AHL following Saturday's contest, meaning at least one could be returning against the Predators (39-23-13) or at St. Louis on Tuesday.

Having their top two scorers healthy would be a big boost, especially with playoff teams Washington, Dallas and Anaheim also featured on the remaining slate.

"When you think about where we were in November, we never quit. Then why should we quit (now)?" coach Patrick Roy said. "I know the schedule doesn't favor us, I hear that. But at the same time, we have a game in hand (on Minnesota). Let's just play our games and play the way we're capable of. Let's go on the road and see what we can do."

Nashville is feeling much more comfortable with the playoffs approaching. It is 11 points clear of Colorado in the wild-card race and has pulled to within two of Chicago for the Central Division's last guaranteed postseason spot by winning five of six.

The Predators will clinch a playoff berth with a win Monday after routing Columbus 5-1 on Saturday. Shea Weber moved into second place on the franchise's goal-scoring list and James Neal netted his 30th.

Roman Josi had three assists, giving him 44 to set the single-season team record for a defenseman. Neal's goal gave Nashville two 30-goal scorers for the first time since 2005-06.

"In parts of the season, one of us has been hot at different times, and that's been good," said Filip Forsberg, who has 31 goals after scoring in each of the previous three. "We always try to shoot a lot of pucks, and (Neal's) got an unbelievable shot. He's been really showing the fans and the team what he can do. It's been unbelievable to watch him."

The Avalanche won in Nashville on Dec. 12, but the Predators are 7-0-3 at home since Feb. 15 and will host Colorado again on April 5.

Weber and Neal scored, Forsberg had a goal and an assist and Pekka Rinne made 34 saves in a 5-2 win at Colorado on March 5. Rinne has won his last five starts with a 1.78 goals-against average, and he should be in net again for this one. He's 7-0-2 with a 1.87 GAA at home since Feb. 18.

Semyon Varlamov has started the last two for the Avs, but Roy hasn't announced his plans for the back-to-back set. He could decide to go with Calvin Pickard, who beat Edmonton 3-2 in his last outing March 20.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Ducks (41-23) at Oilers (30-41)

Date: March 28, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Anaheim has had to work for its points in the first four of a five-game trip, but it might be rewarded for all the trouble in the finale before heading back to Southern California for its final four home games.

For nearly nine years the Ducks have dominated play in Edmonton, and continuing the trend Monday night inches them closer to clinching home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Saturday's 4-3 overtime win in Ottawa was Anaheim's third overtime game on what's thus far been a 2-1-1 trip with all four games decided by a goal.

It didn't look like the game against the Senators would work out that way with the Ducks (41-23-10) trailing 3-0 entering the third period. But Ryan Getzlaf, Jakob Silfverberg and Hampus Lindholm all scored to force overtime, and Rickard Rakell got his 20th of the season on a power play midway through the extra period.

"Everyone stuck together," Lindholm told the team's official website. "Getzy had a little speech in the locker room. He had good words for us to get us going. We came out and played the way we should've from the start."

On the trip, Anaheim is 4 of 12 on the power play as part of a 15-4-2 span on which it's converted at a 36.8 percent rate, so an overtime double minor felt like a sure thing.

"Our power play has been good lately," Lindholm said. "Everyone was calm on the bench. We had four minutes. We knew we were going to score. It was a good win for us."

In the standings, it pushed the Ducks four points clear of San Jose for second place in the Pacific Division and kept them three back of Los Angeles. Anaheim has a game in hand on each, so the division title remains a very real possibility, and especially so considering the coming schedule. The homestand comes versus Calgary, Vancouver, Dallas and Winnipeg, so the Ducks play the West's four worst teams in the next five games.

They're 7-0-1 in the series since the start of last season, limiting the Oilers to 13 goals. Anaheim has won its last four visits to Edmonton as part of a 15-1-1 run there dating to Dec. 27, 2007, with the Oilers averaging 1.76 goals per game. That's likely a welcomed stat for a Ducks team that's given up 13 goals in the last three games.

The Oilers (30-41-7), who only have four games remaining, are beginning a three-game homestand having also given up 13 goals in their last three after a 1-2-0 trip ended with Saturday's 6-4 defeat in Los Angeles. They have managed 10 goals in their last two and did the Ducks the favor of winning 6-3 in San Jose on Thursday.

Patrick Maroon has three goals and two assists in the last two games heading into his first game against his former team since being traded Feb. 29. Jordan Eberle has scored in three straight and five of his last seven, and Connor McDavid has 10 points on the second seven-game streak of his short career.

"When we use our quickness, we can give anybody a tough time," coach Todd McLellan said. "We have some skill and some players who can dart in and out, and if they're given opportunities, they can score."

John Gibson has done a good job suppressing that, winning both of his career games against the Oilers with a 0.50 goals-against average and .979 save percentage.

Frederik Andersen has also been effective at 6-0-1 with 1.99 and .919 marks.

Edmonton's Cam Talbot is 1-2-1 with a 2.01 GAA and .941 save percentage against the Ducks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Flames (31-38) at Coyotes (34-34)

Date: March 28, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

It's likely both the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames will each miss the playoffs, though one is currently playing like it belongs.

The Coyotes seek to complete a perfect homestand Monday night with a chance to earn a season sweep of the struggling Flames.

Though a long shot to reach the postseason, the Coyotes' strong recent play would make them a tough out if they somehow get there. They've won six of eight overall and the first three of this four-game homestand after edging contending Philadelphia 2-1 on Saturday.

I think we want to play like we're in the playoff games," goaltender Mike Smith said. "If we want to move forward and be a playoff team, I think we need to match that intensity and match that work ethic.'

Arizona (34-34-7) is still 10 points back of eighth-place Minnesota in the West with seven games remaining, with its current surge prompting thoughts of what might have been had Smith been healthy all season.

Smith has allowed six goals in winning four of five starts since returning from a three-month absence recovering from core muscle surgery. He was particularly sharp against Philadelphia, recording 34 saves and carrying a shutout into the final minute on a night the Coyotes were outshot 35-17.

"I thought he probably deserved a shutout but that's the way the game goes," coach Dave Tippett said. "We'll take the win and move on.'

Smith has yielded two goals or less in each outing since coming back. Calgary (31-38-6) has lost 21 straight when scoring two or fewer and has mustered one each in losing all four previous matchups with Arizona this season.

The Flames won all five 2014-15 meetings with the Coyotes en route to a surprising playoff appearance, but they won't be returning this year in large part due to shoddy defense and poor results away from home. They've surrendered a league-high 235 goals and own one of the NHL's worst road marks at 11-22-3.

Calgary has been outscored 15-5 over a three-game losing streak it brings into a four-game trip coach Bob Hartley hopes can serve as a springboard for next season.

"We have a goal for the remaining games that we never want to get outworked," he said. "We want to play smart, we want to play the game the right way because that's where we need to learn.

"We need to maintain that level that allows us to get better and to have a better season next year."

The Flames did show some fight in Saturday's 4-1 loss to Chicago, recording a 32-28 shot advantage and keeping the outcome in doubt until the Blackhawks scored two late empty-net goals.

Joni Ortio stopped 23 of 25 shots in his first appearance since March 18 and is expected to start again.

Shane Doan and Michael Stone had second-period goals for Arizona on Saturday before both exited in the third with injuries. Tippett said Doan's departure was precautionary but Stone, who's posted seven points in seven games, will likely miss time with a lower-body issue.

Doan has five points and Oliver Ekman-Larsson three goals and two assists in three games against Calgary this season. Brad Richardson scored twice in the teams' last meeting, a 4-1 win in Calgary on March 11.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (45-25) at Sharks (41-28)

Date: March 28, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

At this point, no one would blame San Jose for actively avoiding home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

After all, the Sharks have the fewest home points among postseason contenders in either conference, and they've lost three consecutive games at SAP Center with an opportunity to secure a playoff berth.

It seems ludicrous to consider such a notion, but losing to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night to complete a six-game homestand would give further reason for the Sharks to be content if they remain in third place in the Pacific Division.

San Jose (41-28-6) has been far better away from home this season with its 10 regulation defeats on the road the second fewest in the league. It's been constantly scrutinized for a disappointing home record that sits at 16-18-3 following Saturday's 4-2 loss to Dallas, which came two nights after allowing six goals to an Edmonton team that ranks near the bottom of the NHL in scoring.

Opponents no longer fear coming into the Shark Tank, where San Jose is on the verge of losing 19 games in regulation for the first time since 1997-98 - current Kings coach Darryl Sutter's first of six seasons behind the Sharks' bench.

San Jose is four points behind Anaheim for second in the Pacific and has one of the league's best power plays at 22.1 percent, but it came up empty on six chances against the Stars.

"It was a game where you come back to the room and wonder why you didn't get a couple more goals out there," center Joe Pavelski said. 'If you give our PP unit that much time, we have to get one. We have to really find a way to produce, not just chances but goals. We still be to be cleaner.'

The Sharks have split four meetings with first-place Los Angeles (45-25-5), but the Kings have won both in San Jose. They've won five of their last six visits there, including Game 7 of their 2014 first-round series that completed a historic comeback after losing the first three games.

Los Angeles dropped all three games on its road trip before returning home and beating Edmonton 6-4 on Saturday. It combined for that many goals in its previous four.

Tyler Toffoli had two goals and two assists, Jeff Carter scored twice and added an assist, and Milan Lucic had three assists in the Kings' best offensive performance since beating Boston 9-2 on Feb. 9.

"With all of the chances that we had in Minnesota and Winnipeg (in the last two games of the trip) and not being able to bury those opportunities, we put a lot of onus on that heading into (Saturday)," Lucic said. "For us, it was a great job offensively to get the goals and make it count."

Jonathan Quick lost all three games on the trip and wasn't at his best Saturday, either. He's allowed nine goals in two starts against the Sharks this season after posting a 1.58 goals-against average in his previous eight against them, including the playoffs.

Martin Jones has a 1.71 GAA in his last 10 starts for San Jose and has been in net for each of the previous four meetings. It's unclear if coach Pete DeBoer with go with Jones or James Reimer, who has two shutouts in five starts since being acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline.

Sharks forward Joonas Donskoi is uncertain after missing Saturday's contest with a lower-body injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - March

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
3/1 8 48.5 49 OVER
3/2 3 16.5 17 OVER
3/3 12 65.5 69 OVER
3/4 3 15.5 20 OVER
3/5 11 58 62 OVER
3/6 6 30.5 34 OVER
3/7 7 36 38 OVER
3/8 8 44.5 41 UNDER
3/9 6 32.5 32 UNDER
3/10 6 32.5 29 UNDER
3/11 5 26.5 28 OVER
3/12 12 63.5 66 OVER
3/13 3 16 13 UNDER
3/14 6 30 41 OVER
3/15 8 43.5 40 UNDER
3/16 6 32.5 32 UNDER
3/17 8 43.5 51 OVER
3/18 6 32 26 UNDER
3/19 11 56.5 53 UNDER
3/20 7 37 34 UNDER
3/21 4 20.5 25 OVER
3/22 10 54.5 51 UNDER
3/23 2 10.5 11 OVER
3/24 11 59.5 68 OVER
3/25 3 15 16 OVER
3/26 14 72.5 84 OVER
3/27 3 15 15 PUSH
3/28 8 - - -
3/29 9 - - -
3/30 3 - - -
3/31 10 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Washington won four of its last six games.
-- Toronto won five of its last seven games. Lightning won three of last four.
-- Sabres won three of their last four games. Detroit won three of its last five.
-- Nashville won five of its last six games.
-- Arizona won its last three games, allowing four goals.

Cold teams
-- Columbus lost six of its last eight games.
-- Winnipeg lost three of its last four road games. Flyers lost three of last five games.
-- Colorado lost 4-0/4-2 in its last two games.
-- Anaheim lost four of its last six road games. Oilers lost three of last four overall.
-- Calgary lost four of their last five games.
-- Sharks lost last three games, scoring five goals. Los Angeles lost three of last four games.

Series records
-- Blue Jackets lost three of last four games with Washington.
-- Flyers won their last four games with Winnipeg.
-- Lightning won five of last seven games with Toronto.
-- Red Wings won six of last seven games with Buffalo.
-- Colorado won three of last four games with Nashville.
-- Ducks won seven of last eight games with Edmonton.
-- Coyotes won their last four games with Calgary.
-- Kings won four of last six games with San Jose.

Totals
-- Eight of last ten Columbus-Washington games went over.
-- There are no totals trends worth noting for this game.
-- Four of last five Tampa Bay games went over total.
-- Five of last six Detroit games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Colorado games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Edmonton games.
-- Eight of last ten Arizona-Calgary games stayed under.
-- Under is 6-3-1 in last ten San Jose games.

Back-to-backs
-- None

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Buffalo Sabres at Detroit Red Wings March 28, 7:00 EST

The Red Wings taken behind the woodshed spanked 7-2 by Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday have the perfect opponent on tap for a bounce back. The Red Wings already 3-1 vs Sabres this season have a 14-2 winning stretch skating against Buffalo. Home ice suits Red Wings in this series. In the last nine the result has been 8 wins, 1 loss. Going back eighteen meeting on Detroit ice surface the tally is 16 wins, 2 losses. Adding fuel Red Wings prevail, the Sabres have an 0-6 skid following back-2-back wins.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA notebook: Clippers PF Griffin begins suspension
By The Sports Xchange

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin has been medically cleared for all basketball activities and will begin serving his four-game suspension, the team announced Sunday.
The team-imposed suspension began with Sunday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers said Griffin will return to action on Sunday, April 3 against the Washington Wizards.
Griffin missed 41 games due to the partially torn left quad tendon and right hand fracture.
The suspension is for a Jan. 23 incident in which Griffin broke his hand while punching equipment manager Matias Testi during an argument at a Toronto restaurant.
Griffin was suspended for four games by the team and also docked five games' pay of $859,442 for the altercation.

---The Brooklyn Nets signed center Henry Sims to a second 10-day contract.
Sims, originally signed to a 10-day contract on March 17, has appeared in four games with the Nets, averaging 4.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13.3 minutes.
The 6-foot-10, 248-pound Sims, 26, has appeared in 125 NBA games (57 starts) in parts of three seasons with New Orleans, Cleveland and Philadelphia, recording averages of 7.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.

--The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Xavier Munford to a second 10-day contract.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Munford has appeared in five games with the Grizzlies after signing his first 10-day contract on March 16 and has averaged 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.2 minutes.
The 23-year-old Munford was called up from the NBA Development League's Bakersfield Jam, where he appeared in 41 games (37 starts) and averaged 20.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 33.7 minutes.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nets (21-51) at Heat (42-30)

Date: March 28, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

With a motivated Hassan Whiteside performing at his best, the Miami Heat opened an advantageous stretch in their schedule with a much-needed victory.

The Heat will try to give themselves another boost in two hotly contested races by topping the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

Whiteside matched a career high with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked five shots in a 108-97 victory against Orlando on Friday. Miami's super sub is averaging 18.0 points and 13.7 rebounds while shooting 60.5 percent in his last 18 games.

"I think about the days I sat out of the league and everybody said I couldn't do this, I couldn't play here," he said. "It was just a journey just to get here."

The win helped keep the Heat (42-30) within one game of Atlanta for the Southeast Division lead and one-half game back of Boston for home-court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Miami is also one-half game ahead of Charlotte in both races.

Miami appears to have a good chance to make a push with three more matchups against teams well out of playoff contention. The Heat visit the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento later this week as part of a three-game Western trip.

Brooklyn, though, has beaten a pair of playoff-contending teams in its last two games, including East-leading Cleveland 104-95 on Thursday. The Nets then rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a 120-110 victory against Indiana on Saturday.

"I think we have made a lot of strides the past couple of weeks," said center Brook Lopez, who is averaging 24.7 points in his last three games. "We've got guys out here that want to work, want to play. They realize the chance we have these last two weeks to get better and make our team better."

Brooklyn (21-51) has lost five straight on the road and dropped two of three overall against the Heat this season. The Nets, however, ended a seven-game skid against Miami - including the playoffs - with a 111-105 victory in Florida on Dec. 28.

Wayne Ellington matched a career high with seven 3-pointers while scoring 26 points, and Lopez also provided 26 in Brooklyn's end to a five-game losing streak in South Beach, including the postseason.

The Heat have won eight of 10 at home heading into this matchup.

"No game is guaranteed. We know we have to come out here and still play Miami Heat basketball," Whiteside said. "We're not looking at the team we're facing. We're playing by our standard."

Whiteside has totaled 38 points on 14-of-20 shooting in two games against the Nets this season. He sat out a 102-98 victory in Brooklyn on Jan. 26 because of a strained left hip.

Dwyane Wade is averaging 26.3 points while connecting at 62.0 percent in this season's series, his highest scoring mark and best shooting accuracy versus any East opponent.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Thunder (51-22) at Raptors (49-23)

Date: March 28, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Oklahoma City doesn't have much to play for between now and mid-April, and that lack of pressure is leading to a whole lot of winning. Toronto still has a chance at the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but is trying to balance rest with a postseason mentality.

The Raptors might have to sacrifice one or the other Monday night with the Thunder visiting as the hottest team in basketball as Toronto goes for the season sweep.

Oklahoma City (51-22), which will play seven of nine remaining games on the road, pushed its winning streak to seven with Saturday's 111-92 home victory over San Antonio to complete a three-game homestand. And while the win looks more impressive at first glance than it actually might have been with the Spurs resting Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, the Thunder only concerned themselves with their own momentum.

Though they're no chance of tracking down the Spurs for the West's No. 2 seed and clinching the No. 3 spot is a mere formality, the Thunder matched their longest winning streak of the season.

A victory Monday would give them their best stretch since a 10-game run from Jan. 16-31, 2014.

"Another opportunity for us to keep growing and building our habits," said Kevin Durant, who scored a game-high 31 points with 10 rebounds and hit 5 of 7 from 3-point range. "It wasn't on us that they didn't play their starters. We just had to continue to play our game and do what we do."

Oklahoma City shot 51.8 percent for its fifth effort over 50 on the winning streak, during which it's averaged 117.0 points. Durant has shot 58.1 percent in his last five, while Russell Westbrook is three total rebounds off averaging a triple-double on the streak - 20.0 points, 11.0 assists and 9.6 rebounds.

The Raptors (49-23) started the season series with a 103-98 win in Oklahoma City on Nov. 4, but the teams have traded wins and losses for the last six. DeMar DeRozan had 28 points in the first meeting and has averaged 25.3 in the last four.

Dwane Casey said last week he's not going to risk any of his players' health to chase anyone in the standings, but DeRozan sounded intent on making the most of every minute after Saturday's 115-91 win in New Orleans.

Toronto, which remains 2 1/2 games back of Cleveland for the top spot in the East, now takes its first shot at the first 50-win season in franchise history.

"We've got to understand the second half of the season is where it counts, where it matters, where we understand who we are and what we've got to do to win," DeRozan said. 'Because it's not just for the season, it's for the postseason going in and understanding we've got to be a defensive team and have to get stops."

It was the fifth time on a 5-2 span the Raptors have held an opponent to 94 points or fewer. At the other end, DeRozan had 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting as the Raptors shot 53.4 percent and bounced back from just their second set of consecutive losses dating to Jan. 6.

Kyle Lowry, who was part of Casey's rest plan three games ago in Boston, brought that shooting percentage down some. The guard was 3 of 13 from the field and has averaged 14.7 points on 25.5 percent in his last three games, including 4 of 22 from 3-point range.

He's also been limited to 14.1 points while shooting 35.0 percent in his last seven against the Thunder.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (20-53) at Timberwolves (24-49)

Date: March 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Timberwolves had their run of high-scoring efforts snapped this weekend but could get another streak going with a matchup against one of the league's worst defensive teams.

The Timberwolves have usually had no problem scoring in recent home games against the Phoenix Suns and will try for another such performance Monday night.

Minnesota (24-49) averaged 113.0 points on 50.6 percent shooting over a 3-3 stretch, 11.7 more than in its first 66 contests, but connected at 38.1 percent in a 93-84 loss to Utah on Saturday. With 23 points, Ricky Rubio was one of three Timberwolves in double figures in his team's fourth game in six days.

"The thing I like about our guys, the focus was there, the effort was there," coach Sam Mitchell said. "The bodies just weren't there."

Minnesota will next face a team that's giving up 107.6 points per game and an average of 114.5 in its last four road losses.

The Timberwolves beat the Suns 117-87 at home Jan. 17, and are averaging 114.8 points in the last four meetings at the Target Center. Minnesota shot 56.5 percent in the January matchup and had seven players in double figures, led by 18 from Rubio and Andrew Wiggins.

Rubio had a career high-tying 17 assists and Zach Levine scored 28 at Phoenix on March 14, but the Suns won 107-104 on Mirza Teletovic's 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left.

Phoenix (20-53) dropped back-to-back games this weekend, coming up just short from a 20-point third-quarter deficit in Saturday's 102-99 loss to Boston.

"We understand the way we played the second half is the way we need to start the game," coach Earl Watson said.

Devin Booker scored 21 points, giving him an average of 25.0 in his last three contests, but Phoenix is shooting 25.4 percent from 3-point range in its last two.

The Suns are on track for their worst finish since going 16-66 in their inaugural 1968-69 season.

They need at least five wins in their final nine games to avoid matching the 2011-12 team for the second-worst in franchise history. Playing five of those on the road wouldn't appear to help their cause as they're 7-29 away from home and have lost 21 of 24 there.

Minnesota could face a short-handed team in this game as the statuses of big men Tyson Chandler (back spasms) and Jon Leuer (illness) are unclear for Phoenix.

If those players are missing, Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns will try to take advantage and boost his 24.6-point average in his last five games.

In three games against the Suns, however, the rookie is averaging 13.0 points - tied for his lowest against any Western Conference foe.

LaVine has helped pick up the scoring slack, averaging 22.3 points in three matchups - his best against any West club.

Booker is averaging 13.5 points in the last two games versus Minnesota.