Tuesday 10/27/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Post your request, Comments or concerns here.
Good luck on all your plays.

When not viewing the service plays.
Make sure to enjoy the rest of what the RX has to offer.

First time here at the RX.
Make sure to visit the Newbies Room
Click here to go there now

 

[superbeets]

Scottish League Cup TODAY 19:05

Inverness CT

v

Ross County

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BBC1		11/8	9/4	2	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT INVERNESS CT	RECENT FORM
ADAWHWAWALHL​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 1	HWHWADHLHWAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Ross have not beaten Inverness in six meeting

EXPERT VERDICT: Both teams have scored in the last six Highland derbies at Caledonian Stadium and that looks a trend worth following in this League Cup quarter-final. Inverness won 2-1 at Dingwall in the league earlier this month but Ross County have the better overall seasonal form.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
3


REFEREE: Steven McLean STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

German Cup TODAY 19:30

Wolfsburg

v

B Munich

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT1		5	10/3	1/2	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WOLFSBURG	RECENT FORM
HDALALHWHWAW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 4 - 1 1 - 6 0 - 2	AWHWHWAWALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Both teams have scored in the last six meetings

EXPERT VERDICT: Robert Lewandowski’s incredible nine-minute five-goal demolition job on Wolfsburg saw Bayern Munich beat the Wolves 5-1 at the Allianz Arena last month but that game was reasonably close for 50 minutes. Wolfsburg have already held Bayern at home this season in the Super Cup and can provide a decent test for the champions.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[superbeets]

Italian Serie A TODAY 19:45

Bologna

v

Inter

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		4	12/5	4/5	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BOLOGNA	RECENT FORM
HWALHLALHLAW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 3 1 - 3 0 - 0	AWHWHLADHDAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Inter have lost just one of their last eight Serie A away matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Stuttering Inter have dropped from first to fourth after failing to win any of their last four matches but should get back on track by beating lowly Bologna. Despite the recent poor run Inter remain unbeaten on the road, while Bologna have lost three of their four home fixtures.

RECOMMENDATION: Inter
2

 

[superbeets]

Capital One Cup TODAY 19:45

Sheff Wed

v

Arsenal

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		15/2	17/4	2/5	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SHEFF WED	RECENT FORM
AWAWHWHDADAW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 0 2 - 0 0 - 0	AWHLHWAWHWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Wednesday have scored in all eight home games in all competitions this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Sheffield Wednesday beat Newcastle 1-0 in the League Cup third round despite making ten changes and they’ll fancy their chances against Arsenal. The Gunners may look to rest players after a busy schedule and that could give the high-flying Owls a sniff of another shock.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[superbeets]

French League Cup TODAY 20:00

Bastia

v

Rennes

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		8/5	21/10	9/5	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BASTIA	RECENT FORM
HLALHWALHLAL​ Most recent​	2 - 1 3 - 1 2 - 0 1 - 0	HDADHDADHLAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Rennes have drawn 1-1 in five of their last six league games

EXPERT VERDICT: Rennes have been struggling to convert draws into wins in Ligue 1 and they are worth taking on in their League Cup tie at Bastia. The home side have won three of their five home games – the defeat came against champions Paris St-Germain and a dangerous Nice side – and they can see off their cup visitors.

RECOMMENDATION: Bastia
1

 

[superbeets]

French League Cup We 28Oct 17:30

GFC Ajaccio

v

Guingamp

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		2	21/10	29/20	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT GFC AJACCIO	RECENT FORM
ALHDALHDALHW​ Most recent​	0 - 1	HWALHDAWHDAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Guingamp's only defeat in their last eight league games came at champions PSG

EXPERT VERDICT: Gazelec Ajaccio earned their first league win of the season last weekend, beating free-scoring Nice 3-1 at home, but they may struggle to follow up in the League Cup against a dogged Guingamp side. The visitors have kept three clean sheets in their last four away games in Ligue 1 and a draw in 90 minutes looks the best bet.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist's Bonus Play for Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015

(503) DETROIT PISTONS VS (504) ATLANTA HAWKS

Take: UNDER

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Tuesday, October 27, 2015 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Detroit Pistons and the Hawks in Atlanta. A high total for an NBA opener, and don't expect the offenses to be in mid-season form on opening night. Detroit is not a strong offensive team and heads to Atlanta, with the Hawks No. 5 in the NBA last season in points allowed. The Hawks were also sixth in field goal shooting defense and the under is 4-0 in the Hawks last four home games. And when these Eastern Conference teams clash the under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Atlanta. Play Detroit/Atlanta Under the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jackets (1-8) at Devils (3-3)

Date: October 27, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Brandon Dubinsky and John Tortorella haven't been shy about discussing their tense relationship when the two were together in New York.

Now reunited in Columbus, they've made it clear they'll need each other to help turn around the Blue Jackets - and Dubinsky played a big role in helping them take the first step.

After scoring the winning goal to end the club's awful start, Dubinsky looks to continue his success against New Jersey when the Blue Jackets visit the surging Devils on Tuesday night.

Tortorella coached the center from 2008-12 before the Rangers dealt Dubinsky to Columbus in the Rick Nash trade. Although both remember disagreeing plenty during that period, Dubinsky credited Tortorella for helping his career when the Blue Jackets hired Tortorella to replace the fired Todd Richards on Wednesday.

Columbus lost its first eight - including Tortorella's debut against Minnesota on Thursday - before Dubinsky scored in the third period to give the Blue Jackets a 4-3 win at Colorado on Saturday.

The start was the worst in the NHL since the Rangers lost their first 11 of 1943-44.

"If there's one guy I'm familiar with, it's him," Tortorella said of Dubinsky. "He's just a competitor. He was huge at the end with faceoffs, blocked shots, and he played in all situations.

"I'm happy for him. He wanted to win this. He wanted to will it, and he found a way."

Dubinsky double-shifted at times after Ryan Johansen was scratched because of an illness. Dubinsky also could see his role increase against the Devils (4-3-1) with Johansen not making the trip.

"Joey just doesn't feel well," Tortorella told the team's official website. "He lacks energy, and so we'll list him as day-to-day. We're gonna leave him alone and see if we can get that straightened out. We don't think it's long-term."

The Blue Jackets won the final two meetings of last season 3-2 with Dubinsky scoring in both. He has five goals and seven assists in his past seven against the Devils (4-3-1), winners of four straight.

Each victory has come by one goal, with Adam Henrique's short-handed tally in the third helping New Jersey beat Buffalo 4-3 on Saturday. Henrique also scored in the first and assisted on David Schlemko's goal in the second.

Mike Cammalleri had a goal and two assists, giving him two and six during a four-game point streak.

"We're on a great run, set some short-term goals for ourselves and we've had a great week," Henrique said. "Got that first win under our belt, we turned things around, stuck with things and really put the work in. We keep preaching that we can't be satisfied."

Cammalleri scored his second goal in the third period of the last meeting with the Blue Jackets on March 31, and Jack Johnson scored in overtime. Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves.

Bobrovsky has a 4.45 goals-against average in seven starts but made 31 saves to get the win Saturday. He's gone 3-1-0 with a 2.28 GAA in his last four against the Devils.

That average is identical to the mark Cory Schneider has posted during his 4-1-1 start to the season. He stopped 26 shots Saturday and has been in net for each game of New Jersey's winning streak.

Schneider is 9-3-2 with a 2.04 GAA against Columbus, though he's dropped his last two matchups.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hurricanes (2-6) at Red Wings (4-3)

Date: October 27, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Detroit Red Wings completed a weak four-game road trip on a high note and won't have to think about another prolonged away stretch until Christmas.

They begin a home-heavy span Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes as the teams meet for the third time in their first nine games with the season series on the line.

Detroit (4-3-1) defeated Vancouver 3-2 in overtime Saturday after managing one point from the first three games of the Canadian trip. The Red Wings trailed 2-0 entering the third, but Teemu Pulkkinen and Tomas Tatar tied it before Gustav Nyquist's overtime goal ended a four-game skid.

"Losing four in a row shouldn't happen for this team," Nyquist said. "It's not acceptable. How we play in the last four games showed that, it's not how we play as a team. I think in the second we really addressed that and guys really showed up in the third. This time it worked. Most nights it probably won't work to just play real hard in one period, we gotta start on time. But this will give us energy for sure coming back home."

Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek have split goaltending duties thus far with slightly more success in front of Howard. The veteran is 2-1-1 with a 2.24 goals-against average, though the regulation loss came against Carolina. The 5-3 home defeat Oct. 16 dropped him to 3-3-0 with a 2.51 GAA versus the Hurricanes, while Mrazek played in a 4-3 win in Carolina on Oct. 10 to get to 3-0-0 with a 1.33 mark and .966 save percentage in the series.

Whoever plays will be starting a span of 19 of 26 games at Joe Louis Arena.

"How big it was, we'll help determine that by how we play on Tuesday though," said coach Jeff Blashill of the latest win. " ... But we were staring at one point out of six going into the third period there and we were able to get three on the trip and it's not what we wanted, but it's certainly better than one."

The teams are completing their three-game series less than three weeks in. The Red Wings have won 10 of the last 13 meetings, and Pulkkinen has scored three goals in the two this month. The 23-year-old has four goals in eight games after managing five in his previous 34.

The Hurricanes (2-6-0) started a seven-game road trip in Detroit and are stopping back before concluding it Thursday against the New York Islanders. It began with wins in two of three, but after Saturday's 5-2 defeat in San Jose, they've lost two in a row. Since the five-goal effort in Detroit, they've managed four in four games.

"It's hard to score goals in this league but we believe we have the team to do it," forward Brock McGinn said. "We started out in the second very strong and we were getting pucks on the net but we weren't able to continue it."

Cam Ward figures to be back in goal after he replaced Eddie Lack in the second period against the Sharks. Lack gave up four goals on 13 shots, while Ward is 1-1-0 with a 1.19 GAA in his last three games after a poor start. Ward gave up seven goals in the two games against the Red Wings and has a 2.88 GAA over a 2-4-1 span in the series.

Detroit was without defensemen Mike Green (upper body) and Kyle Quincey (concussion) against Vancouver in addition to already absent forwards Pavel Datsyuk (ankle), Johan Franzen (concussion) and Brad Richards (back).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Avalanche (2-4) at Panthers (4-3)

Date: October 27, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Patrick Roy isn't alarmed by the Colorado Avalanche's struggles, but he's concerned enough to shuffle the lines in search of answers.

Having Tyson Barrie back could make the biggest impact.

After losing all three games with Barrie suspended, the visiting Avalanche attempt to snap the skid Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers.

Colorado (2-4-1) lost four games in a row three times last season, most recently from Feb. 5-12. Roy is taking steps to avoid doing it for the first time in 2015-16 after the Avalanche blew a third-period lead to fall 4-3 to previously winless Columbus on Saturday.

"Maybe for some people it seems that we're far, but for us we feel that we're really close to winning some hockey games," Roy said. "I'm not going to panic here. I think we're under control.

"I believe right now it just needs to be about our game management. If we can just be a bit better in some decisions that we make, these could be wins for us."

Roy, though, will reportedly make changes to Colorado's lines. The most prominent switch is expected to be Jack Skille going from the fourth to the first line with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, who have combined for seven goals and six assists.

Skille has two goals in the last four games, netting one Saturday.

"Be hard on the forecheck. Good on the blue lines. Simple," Skille said. "Try to create space for them by playing the hard way and basically the way I've been trying to play so far this season."

Barrie is back after serving a suspension for a hit on Anaheim's Simon Despres in a 3-0 win Oct. 16. The defenseman has two assists in four games after getting a career-high 53 points to lead all Avalanche blue liners a year ago.

"It was frustrating," Barrie said. "It was definitely a long wait for me, so I'm excited to get back in there."

Barrie had two goals and one assist in last season's two meetings with the Panthers, getting one of each in a 4-2 win in Florida on Jan. 15.

The Panthers (4-3-1) got a lift from some line changes in Saturday's 6-2 win at Dallas that ended their three-game skid. Nick Bjugstad was moved up to the top line with Jaromir Jagr and Jonathan Huberdeau. It paid off with the line totaling two goals and four assists with Bjugstad accounting for one of each.

"Guys play with different guys. The lines aren't going to be the same all year, so I thought obviously (Bjugstad) had a good game. Huberdeau had a good game," coach Gerard Gallant said. "The Jagr line showed they played really well."

Jagr in particular has been outstanding, ranking among the league leaders with six goals and 10 points. The 43-year-old right wing has one goal in each of the last two games but has none in his last three meetings with Colorado.

Roberto Luongo should be back in net after being rested in favor of backup Al Montoya, who made 33 saves Saturday. Luongo has a 3.00 goals-against average while losing his last three starts.

He made 25 stops and was charged with a loss against Colorado in January after winning his previous seven matchups with a 1.38 GAA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Oilers (3-5) at Wild (5-1)

Date: October 27, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The 10th game of the season isn't just a trivial yardstick for the progress of Connor McDavid.

If he takes the ice Tuesday night in Minnesota, the 18-year-old's entry-level contract kicks in, a minor league club can stop hanging onto hope for a drastic spike in attendance, and the Edmonton Oilers figure to be dealing with a significantly higher salary cap hit a year earlier when the initial deal expires.

Reporting that McDavid will in fact remain with the Oilers (3-6-0) is the trivial part because the play of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft has made the decision nothing more than a formality.

"We can clarify that," coach Todd McLellan joked to the team's official website of the decision. "It's made."

McDavid has five goals and four assists in his last seven games and a five-game point streak after notching an assist in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Los Angeles, giving him the team goals and points lead with his NHL stay about to become permanent.

"If you look at it in a nine-game perspective, you start on the road in some tough buildings, the team plays well enough to be in games but doesn't win," McLellan said. "He feels a lot of pressure on himself because he hasn't scored.

"Finally, he gets one and gives himself permission, I believe, to really get going. He's been a dynamic player ever since. He's dangerous every time he's on the ice. I think he's getting much wiser to the pace and what he can and can't get away with. It's fun to watch him. He energizes a lot of our players right now."

That hasn't been enough in consecutive losses following a three-game winning streak, but much of that has fallen on the defensive end and goaltending with 10 goals allowed.

The Wild, meanwhile, have been strong offensively with 3.00 goals per game led by Zach Parise's seven, though they faltered on the other end in Sunday's 5-4 loss in Winnipeg.

The Wild (5-2-1) are beginning a span of five of six in Minnesota, but the schedule gets difficult after the Oilers with Chicago visiting and a trip to St. Louis before returning home to face Nashville, Tampa Bay and Winnipeg.

Both teams figure to prefer their No. 1 goaltenders after recent struggles from backups, though Minnesota's Devan Dubnyk is dealing with knee pain.

Darcy Kuemper gave up four goals on 18 shots against the Jets before being replaced by Dubnyk. The former Edmonton goalie took the loss after Minnesota tied the game, but he has a 1.14 goals-against average over a 2-1-0 span. He doesn't see the ailment as something that'll disrupt his season, though coach Mike Yeo isn't certain he'll play.

"I'm told that I'm not supposed to be worried about it," Yeo told the team's official website. "I've been assured that it shouldn't be a problem. We'll make sure that he gets the treatment that he needs, and certainly we'll look at the big picture. If there is any risk of him damaging this further, then he won't be in the net."

Dubnyk faced the Oilers three times after arriving in Minnesota in January from Arizona, going 2-1-0 with a 1.01 GAA.

Edmonton newcomer Cam Talbot started against the Kings after replacing Anders Nilsson in a 7-4 home loss to Washington on Friday. Talbot is 2-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA in his last four games, and he's 1-1-0 with a 1.52 GAA against the Wild.

Minnesota won two of three against the Oilers last season and has taken 17 of 23 in the series.

Edmonton's Justin Schultz is expected to miss the game with an undisclosed injury suffered against the Kings. Fellow defenseman Griffin Reinhart (undisclosed) is nearing a return but won't face Minnesota.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lightning (5-2) at Blues (5-2)

Date: October 27, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Prior to the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning might have pegged this stretch against four of the Central Division's five playoff teams from 2014-15 as their most difficult road trip.

The first three have been tight games requiring at least overtime, so how they grade the trip's results leans heavily on the outcome of Tuesday night's matchup with the St. Louis Blues.

After Saturday's 1-0 overtime loss to Chicago, the Lightning are 1-0-2 on the trip, which started with a 5-4 shootout loss against Nashville and 4-3 victory over Winnipeg.

Even though the Stanley Cup Final rematch again left Tampa Bay (5-2-2) on the wrong side, coach Jon Cooper drew positives.

"We're on a pretty tough road trip here going through the Central Division, and we've pointed in every game," Cooper told the team's official website. "We'll take that as a positive."

A negative has been the production of Tyler Johnson. The center had 13 goals in 26 playoff games after scoring a career-best 29 during the regular season, but he's still waiting for his first. He's scored in two of his last three against the Blues, as has Steven Stamkos.

In goal, rookie Kristers Gudlevskis faced the Blackhawks, so Ben Bishop figures to conclude the trip. Bishop, who played the first eight games, might have been showing some fatigue with a 3.21 goals-against average over a 2-1-1 span. He's 1-2-1 with a 3.28 mark against the Blues.

St. Louis (5-2-1) has won the last three meetings and five of six while limiting the Lightning to 11 goals, though it's out to end a two-game skid after Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders.

It was the Blues' first game without Jaden Schwartz after he broke his ankle Friday in practice, and they've already been without Paul Stastny (broken foot). The absence of two key forwards has them with two goals in two contests, but coach Ken Hitchcock was pleased with the bulk of the game.

Alexander Steen sent it to overtime after the Blues entered the third down 2-0, and the forward has two goals and three assists in his last three against Tampa Bay.

"I thought we played great in the second and third," Hitchcock said. "Guys gave a lot, gave a lot in the second and gave a ton in the third."

But he also noted the disruption caused by the injuries. The Blues were also without defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (lower body) and Robby Fabbri (concussion), but both are expected to rejoin the lineup Tuesday.

"It just seems to be one of those weeks, it really threw us for a curve," Hitchcock said. "We jumbled lines all over the place."

The defeat began a five-game homestand, and an 0-for-8 mark in the consecutive losses has their power play (13.8 percent) near the bottom of the league. Tampa Bay, though, is near the bottom in penalty kill at 72.0 percent even after a 10-for-10 effort over the last four games.

The Blues will start Jake Allen in goal with Brian Elliott dealing with an illness. Allen, the team's first choice for the playoffs, has ceded time to Elliott after a slow start.

Allen is 1-2-0 with three goals allowed in each game, though all came on the road. He went 6-2-0 with a 1.61 GAA in his last nine at home in 2014-15, surrendering more than a goal twice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (4-3) at Jets (4-2)

Date: October 27, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Kings started slowly last season before running off a long winning streak, but failed to produce enough victories down the stretch and missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.

They certainly hope that situation doesn't repeat itself after getting off to a very similar start this season.

Los Angeles looks to win a sixth straight by avoiding a third consecutive loss to the host Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night.

The Kings dropped their first two of 2014-15 before recovering to win their next six, but the defending Stanley Cup champions finished fourth in the Pacific Division - two points out of a postseason spot.

Los Angeles was outscored 12-2 during its 0-3-0 start to this season before winning its last five, with Jonathan Quick stopping 113 of 117 shots while starting four times during that run.

His controversial save in the final seconds that held up after a review gave the Kings a 3-2 victory over Edmonton on Sunday. Jeff Carter and Anze Kopitar scored before Tanner Pearson's power-play goal with 3:26 remaining.

Los Angeles has gone 4 for 8 with the man advantage over its last three after a 1-for-21 start. The Kings also have killed 10 of 11 penalties in the past three.

"We're just playing our game," Kopitar said. "Our PK and special teams in general have picked up the pace. We're sticking to our system which we pride ourselves for and have to continue doing that."

Pearson broke his left leg in a 5-4 shootout loss at Winnipeg on Jan. 10 and missed the rest of the season, with the Kings dropping seven of nine immediately following his injury.

He thrived on the "That 70s Line" with Carter and Tyler Toffoli - he had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Jets in last season's first meeting - before getting hurt, and now is adjusting to different linemates in Kopitar and Dustin Brown.

Sunday's goal was Pearson's first of the season.

"It's kind of a new thing," Pearson said. "We've talked a lot and I think both are pretty simple guys, get the puck in and create chances."

Winnipeg ranks among the league leaders with 28 goals. The Jets (5-2-1) allowed one 10 seconds into Sunday's game against Minnesota, then netted five unanswered before holding on for a 5-4 win to snap a two-game skid.

Drew Stafford scored twice in the first 4:34 of the second period to give him four goals over his last three.

"He was outstanding. He's found what will make a player very valuable," coach Paul Maurice said. "For him to take on a pretty big shutdown role and play like this ... He hasn't cheated for any of that to happen to him."

Blake Wheeler also has been productive with a team-high 11 points after recording two of his seven assists Sunday. His eight-game point streak is the longest in franchise history to begin the season.

Wheeler had a goal and an assist in the last two meetings with the Kings in 2014-15, and Andrew Ladd scored twice in a 5-2 victory in the most recent March 1.

Ondrej Pavelec could be back in net despite allowing four goals in each of his last two starts before Michael Hutchinson got the nod against the Wild.

Quick has gone 1-2-0 with a 3.72 goals-against average in three career starts in Winnipeg.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Canadiens (9-0) at Canucks (2-2)

Date: October 27, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

Basking in early season success would undermine the plan for everything the Montreal Canadiens hope accomplish roughly eight months from now.

The Canadiens can become the third team in history to open with 10 wins by extending their point streak against the host Vancouver Canucks to 10 on Tuesday night.

Only Toronto in 1993-94 and Buffalo in 2006-07 have started 10-0-0. Both of those clubs reached the conference finals, but the Canadiens have their sights set on winning their first championship since 1992-93 whether or not they beat the Canucks (3-2-3).

'Our goal is not to break records, it's to win a Stanley Cup,' defenseman P.K. Subban said after registering a goal and an assist in Saturday's 5-3 win over Toronto. 'I think we'll save the champagne or whatever anyone expects us to do for another day.

'Personally, I think all we've accomplished is a good start. That's really all it is. There's a lot of hockey left to be played. Everybody's going to be talking about a lot of things over the next couple of days and that's fine, but for our team, it's about the next game and getting ready to play our best.'

Montreal has outscored the opposition 35-12 while setting an NHL mark by winning its first nine in regulation. Carey Price has a 1.29 goals-against average and .961 save percentage in seven starts after the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner recorded 49 saves Saturday.

"We have to be aware of something: From now on, we are going to see the best from every hockey team," coach Michel Therrien said. "That's a huge challenge mentally to be at the top at this time of the year. The story of (Saturday's) game is simple. Our special teams units were good and Carey Price was outstanding."

Price faced only 16 shots while winning 3-1 on Dec. 9 in the last meeting with Vancouver, giving the Canadiens a 7-0-2 mark in the past nine matchups. He has posted a 1.60 GAA while starting eight of those.

Montreal had won three straight at Vancouver before Daniel Sedin's overtime goal gave the Canucks a 3-2 victory Oct. 30. Vancouver, though, is 0-2-3 at Rogers Arena and in danger of finishing winless on a five-game homestand.

Vancouver had a one-goal lead heading into the third period Thursday before losing 3-2 to Washington, then squandered a two-goal edge in the final 20 minutes Saturday before Detroit won 3-2 in overtime.

'If we knew why (we can't hold a lead) it would be a lot easier," said center Brandon Sutter, who scored his third goal. 'It's not fun when you have a homestand like this. You look at the hockey we've played through it all, we've played pretty well. We've just have five- or 10-minute lapses where we're mentally not sharp and not doing things right.'

The Canucks have at least put their power-play woes behind them, going 3 for 7 over the last two after starting the season 1 for 22. Montreal's opponents have come up empty 30 times in 33 opportunities with the man advantage, though.

Ryan Miller has started each contest this season and has a 2.98 GAA over the last four after posting a 1.21 mark during a 3-0-1 start. He has a 3.13 GAA in his last seven against the Canadiens.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Devils won last four games, all by one goal, three in OT/SO.
-- Flyers won four of their last five games.
-- Minnesota won its first three home games, allowing four goals.
-- Los Angeles won last five games, allowing five goals. Winnipeg is 5-3 in first eight games.
-- Dallas Stars won five of their last six games.
-- Montreal won first nine games, eight by 2+ goals.

Cold teams
-- Bruins lost first four home games. Arizona lost four of its last six games.
-- Columbus lost eight of its first nine games.
-- Sabres lost four of their last five games.
-- Hurricanes lost six of their first eight games. Detroit lost four of its last five.
-- Colorado lost last three games, scoring four goals. Florida lost three of last four games.
-- Lightning lost four of its last six games. St Louis lost last two games, 3-0/3-2ot.
-- Edmonton lost six of its first nine games.
-- Ducks lost seven of their first eight games.
-- Vancouver lost its last four games, two in OT.

Series records
-- Bruins won their last seven games with Arizona.
-- Blue Jackets are 5-3 in last eight games with New Jersey.
-- Flyers won five of last six games with Buffalo.
-- Red Wings won four of last five games with Carolina.
-- Road team won last four Colorado-Florida games.
-- Blues won five of last six games with Tampa Bay.
-- Oilers lost seven of last ten games with Minnesota.
-- Kings lost four of last five visits to Winnipeg.
-- Ducks won four of last five games with Dallas Stars.
-- Canadiens won seven of last nine games with Vancouver.

Totals
-- Over is 3-0-1 in last four Arizona-Boston games.
-- Under is 2-0-2 in last four Columbus-New Jersey games.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Philly games.
-- Three of last four Carolina games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Colorado games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Tampa Bay-St Louis games went over.
-- Five of last six Edmonton-Minnesota games stayed under.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six LA-Winnipeg games.
-- Last three Anaheim-Dallas games stayed under.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Montreal-Vancouver games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA notebook: James healthy for Cavaliers' opener
By The Sports Xchange

LeBron James' aching back is on the mend and the Cleveland superstar says he will play in the Cavaliers' season-opening contest against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
James missed nearly two weeks of practice after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection in his lower back. He has practiced the past two days and will be on the floor to extend his streak of playing in the season opener to 13 straight seasons.
James said he was never worried about missing the contest despite speculation that he might need to sit out. Now he is just concerned about playing basketball.
"We're not going to put too much on the first game of the season," James told reporters. "We've put in a lot of work over the last few weeks, and you can only try to get healthy, work your habits, work your rhythm and our last few practices have been very good."
Chicago point guard Derrick Rose will also be in his club's lineup after missing most of the preseason due to a broken left orbital bone.
Rose has been wearing a protective mask and is still dealing with some blurred vision and swelling beneath his left eye.

---The Detroit Pistons waived forward Danny Granger.
Granger, 32, was acquired from the Phoenix Suns on July 9. The 10-year NBA veteran, who has appeared in 586 regular-season games (431 starts) with the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat, owns averages of 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 31.5 minutes per game.

---The Los Angeles Lakers waived guard Jabari Brown.
In 19 games (five starts) for the Lakers last season, Brown averaged 11.9 points, 2.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game.

---The Brooklyn Nets waived forward Justin Harper and guard/forward Dahntay Jones.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Harper appeared in six preseason games with averages of 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 19.1 minutes. The 6-6, 215-pound Jones averaged 7.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in four preseason games.

---The Indiana Pacers waived guard Toney Douglas. The 6-foot-2 Douglas played in five preseason games and averaged 6.6 points and 1.6 assists.

---The Memphis Grizzlies waived veteran center Ryan Hollins to get down to the mandatory 15-player limit.
Hollins, 31, was signed by Memphis on Sept. 28 and averaged 5.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in seven preseason games.

--The Philadelphia 76ers waived guards Pierre Jackson, Jordan McRae, J.P. Tokoto and Scottie Wilbekin as well as forward Furkan Aldemir.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Early NBA Betting'

The eagerly anticipated NBA regular season tips-off Tuesday with Cleveland visiting Chicago, Detroit travelling to Atlanta and New Orleans visiting NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.

If you’re like most bettors, you probably choose to tread lightly in the NBA during October-November time periods. However, you might be missing out on early season opportunities. A five year study of October-November time frames has shown the betting market struggles assigning home court advantage and/or disadvantage. This is verified by our trusted NBA Betting number crunching machine that tells us, home teams cash tickets just 44.3% of the time split between 302-366-19 ATS as home chalk (43.9%), 135-157-7 ATS taking points (45.2%).

There is no end to the amount of research you can do to find different October-November situations that provide an advantage. But, for this exercise we hone in on home favorites seemingly given too much respect by oddsmakers. Breaking numbers down by line range the Oct-Nov Home Favorite laying -3.5 or less provides the 'Best Play-Against' scenarios. Wildly betting against these home favorites would have produced a 56.7% return rate as teams were a cash draining 74-107-8 ATS.

Nothing wrong with cashing 56.7% of tickets but the hit rate can be improved to 68.8% 'Playing-Against' a Home Favorite of -3.5 or less off win facing a team off loss (9-24-2 ATS) and/or cash 66.7% of tickets 'Playing-Against' a Home Favorite of -3.5 or less off loss hosting a division foe off win (2-6-1 ATS).

These don't pop up often but given the hit rate paying attention can pay off handsomely. Best of luck this season but above all enjoy the games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tuesday's Top Action

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (0-0) at CHICAGO BULLS (0-0)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -3, Total 198.5

The NBA season tips off Tuesday night with an Eastern Conference showdown between the Cavaliers and Bulls.

Cleveland is coming off a conference title season thanks in large part to the return of LeBron James after a four-year hiatus in Miami. The Cavs won 67 games (53 in regular season), but were just 49-53 ATS including playoffs. The team was also a losing wager on the road (24-27 ATS), but was 16-10 ATS (62%) with at least two days' rest.

Chicago also had a strong season at 56-38 SU (47-47 ATS) including playoffs, and was also a profitable wager with at least a couple days off, going 13-9 ATS (59%) in that scenario. But the team's season ended with three straight losses in the second round of the postseason to this same Cleveland team, including 94-73 blowout in Game 6. Before those three wins, these clubs had split their previous 12 meetings 6-6 SU, including 7-5 ATS in favor of Chicago.

Although the Cavaliers are 4-1 SU in their past five visits to United Center, the Bulls are 10-3 SU in their past 13 home games.

Two major injuries for Cleveland are PG Kyrie Irving, who remains out indefinitely with a knee injury, and SG Iman Shumpert (wrist), who will be out until January. SF LeBron James, sat out the preseason with a bad back, but he'll be ready to go when the regular season begins. For Chicago, oft-injured star PG Derrick Rose is questionable for this game with an eye injury while SF Mike Dunleavy (back) is out until December.

Cleveland's offense was very effective last season with 103.1 PPG (8th in NBA) on 45.8% FG (8th in league) and 36.7% threes (5th in NBA). The team hoisted the league's second-most tries from behind the arc (27.5 per game) and attempted the second-fewest shots inside the three-point line (54.7 per game).

The defensive numbers weren't anything special with 98.7 PPG allowed (13th in league) on 45.6% FG (20th in NBA), but the Cavs defended the three-point shot pretty well (34.3%, 9th in league) and opponents attempted the fewest free throws in the league (19.9 per game).

SF LeBron James has averaged 28.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 6.0 APG in 44 career meetings with the Bulls, and dropped 26.2 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 8.8 APG, 1.7 SPG and 1.7 BPG in the playoff series win versus Chicago. SG J.R. Smith averaged 12.8 PPG on 50% FG and 44% threes in that series, and will likely take on a heavy scoring load Tuesday with PG Kyrie Irving questionable and SG Iman Shumpert out.

The key to this team getting back to the NBA Finals could be PF Kevin Love, who has been slowed by a shoulder injury recently. Love nearly averaged a double-double (16.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG) for a sixth straight season in his first stint with Cleveland.

The team also needs C Timofey Mozgov to keep improving after a strong first initial campaign with the Cavs where he contributed 9.7 PPG and 7.3 APG in 25.3 minutes per game.

Chicago's offense did some nice things last season with 100.8 PPG (15th in NBA), 35.3% three-point FG (10th in league), 78.3% FT (3rd in NBA) and 45.7 total RPG (3rd in league). However, the Bulls made only 44.2% FG overall (22nd in NBA) and 47.4% FG on two-point tries (23rd in league), and were average in both assists (21.7 APG, 14th in NBA) and turnovers (14.0 TOPG, 12th in league).

Defensively, this team was difficult to score on with its 43.5% FG defense (4th in NBA) and 33.5% threes (3rd in league), but still gave up more points than it would have liked (97.8 PPG, 9th in league).

A big reason for the opponents low shooting percentage was the Bulls' hefty 5.8 blocks per game (5th in NBA) but they averaged the third-fewest steals in the league (6.3 SPG).

Three players averaged at last 17 points last season in SG Jimmy Butler (20.0 PPG), C Pau Gasol (18.5 PPG) and PG Derrick Rose (17.7 PPG). But the trio wasn't as effective in the playoff series loss to Cleveland with Rose's 21.7 PPG coming on 38.5% FG and Butler's 21.0 PPG with only 40.7% FG. Gasol played just four games in that series and posted a pedestrian 11.5 PPG and 5.8 RPG.

But head coach Fred Hoiberg is excited about the improvement of PF Nikola Mirotic (10.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG), who is expected to be in the starting lineup on Tuesday. But Mirotic will need to shoot much better than his 30.6% FG clip he produced for the Bulls last postseason.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (0-0) at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (0-0)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Line: Golden State -9.5, Total 215.5

The NBA champion Warriors begin defense of their title on Thursday night when they open the season as heavy favorites versus superstar Anthony Davis and the Pelicans.

New Orleans is coming off a strong 45-37 season where it earned the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. Meanwhile, Golden State had a banner year with a franchise record 67 regular-season wins and its first NBA Championship since 1975.

These teams met in the first round of last year's playoffs with the Warriors winning all four games by relatively close margins of 7, 10, 4 and 11 points, which made the Pelicans 3-1 ATS in the series. Although New Orleans won the 2014-15 regular season finale between the two (103-100 at home), that was the only game that Golden State has lost in this head-to-head matchup in the past three seasons where it is a dominant 14-1 SU (8-6-1 ATS).

The last time New Orleans left Oakland with a win was on April 24, 2012, which is a span of seven straight Golden State victories (4-3 ATS). But the Pelicans were a strong road wager last season at 23-19-1 ATS (55%), including 17-11 ATS (61%) as a road underdog. However, the Warriors were 31-19-2 ATS (62%) at Oracle Arena where they lost just four times outright in 52 games.

Both teams have some injury concerns for Tuesday's season opener, especially New Orleans, which will be without SF Tyreke Evans (knee), SF Quincy Pondexter (knee) and PG Norris Cole (ankle) for at least two more weeks. Three other Pelicans players are questionable for the game in C Omer Asik (calf), SF Luke Babbitt (hamstring) and C Alexis Ajinca (hamstring).

Golden State is in much better shape, but C Andrew Bogut (broken nose) could be limited and rookie PF Kevon Looney could miss half the season after undergoing hip surgery in August.

New Orleans was able to earn its first playoff berth in four seasons with an efficient offense that shot 45.7% FG (10th in NBA) and 37.0% threes (4th in league), but averaged only 99.4 PPG, which ranked 16th out of 30 teams. The club didn't turn the ball over much with 13.3 TOPG (6th in NBA) while dishing out 22.0 APG (11th in league). The defense was top-notch as well, limiting teams to 98.6 PPG (11th in NBA) and 33.5% threes (2nd in league). But despite an NBA-leading 6.2 blocks per game, opponents still shot 49.4% from inside the arc (21st in NBA) and 45.6% FG overall (23rd in league).

C Anthony Davis made 1st Team All-NBA last season with 24.4 PPG (4th in NBA) on 53.5% FG (7th in league) with 10.2 RPG (8th in NBA) and a league-leading 2.9 BPG. The Warriors had no answer for Davis in the 2015 postseason as he averaged 31.5 PPG (54% FG), 11.0 RPG and 3.0 BPG in the four defeats.

SF Dante Cunningham (5.2 PPG 3.9 RPG in 25.0 MPG) is expected to start for injured SF Tyreke Evans (16.6 PPG, 6.6 APG, 5.3 RPG), but Cunningham hasn't developed his offensive game enough to be counted on for double-digit points.

Fortunately the Pelicans have a strong offensive backcourt of PG Jrue Holiday (14.8 PPG, 6.9 APG, 1.6 SPG) and SG Eric Gordon (13.4 PPG, 45% threes, 3.8 APG) to help cover for Evans' absence.

Third-string C Kendrick Perkins might be starting down low if C Omer Asik (7.3 PPG, 52% FG, 9.8 RPG) and C Alexis Ajinca (6.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG) can't play due to injuries. The 35-year-old Perkins averaged a pedestrian 3.6 PPG and 4.7 RPG in 16.9 MPG for Oklahoma City and Cleveland last season.

Golden State's offense was potent last season with 110.0 PPG on 47.8% FG and 39.8% threes, all of which led the NBA. The Warriors also posted a league-best 27.4 APG while grabbing 44.7 RPG (6th in NBA) and shooting 76.8% FT (9th in league). This was also a strong defensive team that led the NBA in shooting defense (42.8% FG) and finished fifth in defending the three (33.7%). They forced 16.2 turnovers per game (5th in league) which kept opponents to a middling 99.9 PPG (15th in NBA) which was pretty good considering Golden State played the fastest pace of any team in the league.

PG Stephen Curry took home his first regular-season MVP Award with 23.8 PPG (6th in NBA) on blistering shooting clips of 49% FG and 44.3% threes (4th in league) while adding 7.7 APG (6th in NBA). Curry also had a monster 2015 postseason series versus New Orleans when he averaged 33.8 PPG (42% threes), 7.3 APG, 5.3 RPG and 1.3 SPG. His "Splash Brothers" partner SG Klay Thompson also shot lights-out that series at 49% FG and 49% threes, averaging 25.0 PPG and 3.3 RPG in the sweep. Thompson made his first All-Star appearance and finished the season with 21.7 PPG (9th in NBA) on 46% FG and 43.9% threes (5th in league).

Versatile PF Draymond Green did everything against the Pelicans in last year's playoffs with 15.8 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2.5 SPG and 1.3 BPG.

He made the 1st Team All-NBA Defensive Team during a regular season where he averaged 1.6 SPG and 1.3 BPG to go along with 11.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 3.7 APG. SF Harrison Barnes (10.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG) was also a key piece to this championship team with 10.6 PPG during the postseason, and SG Andre Iguodala (7.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.0 APG) was named NBA Finals MVP last season when he averaged 16.3 PPG on 52% FG and 40% threes, with 5.8 RPG and 4.0 APG in the six games versus Cleveland.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cavaliers (0-0) at Bulls (0-0)

Date: October 27, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

LeBron James has declared himself ready for his 13th NBA season since the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar's lower back is feeling better.

Fellow former MVP Derrick Rose may have only one good eye, but he insists he will be ready to go for the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavaliers eliminated the Bulls in last season's conference semifinals and look to spoil Fred Hoiberg's coaching debut for Chicago on Tuesday night at the United Center.

James' return to Cleveland in 2014-15 was a resounding success, leading the club to a 53-29 season and its second NBA Finals appearance with a six-game loss to Golden State. The four-time MVP had two triple-doubles, tied for most ever, and averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the Finals as the Cavaliers played without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.

James practiced each of the last two days after sitting out nearly two weeks since receiving an anti-inflammatory injection for his back. He is ready for Tuesday - a contest he isn't emphasizing.

'We're not going to put too much on the first game of the season,' he said. 'We've put in a lot of work over the last few weeks, and you can only try to get healthy, work your habits, work your rhythm and our last few practices have been very good. But you don't put too much onus on if this will be the team that we'll be long-term tomorrow.'

Rose needed surgery to repair a fractured left orbital suffered on the first day of practice, an injury that was not as serious as the torn ACL in his left knee or the torn meniscus in his right knee that derailed the Bulls in recent seasons. He returned for the club's final preseason game and will play Tuesday.

'I was playing with one eye, and you can't tell that I was playing with one eye,' he said. 'In any profession, that's just like you all with having just one arm or one hand, something like that, and typing. If you're able to do it, you're able to do it. If not, you've got to sit down.'

Rose and Chicago represent perhaps the biggest threat to Eastern Conference supremacy for Cleveland after the Bulls finished 50-32 last season. They lost in six games to the Cavaliers, getting eliminated by a James-led club for the third time in five seasons and dismissed defensive-oriented coach Tom Thibodeau.

Hoiberg, who played for Chicago between 1999-2003, is now the man in charge after a successful stint coaching alma mater Iowa State. He has a long history with Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman, an assistant under Tim Floyd at Iowa State when Hoiberg played there.

'It's been a fun group to be around,' Hoiberg said. 'I think we've made strides since we opened up our training camp.'

The coach has already made one major lineup change, saying Nikola Mirotic will start up front with Joakim Noah expected to come off the bench.

Cleveland will welcome back Love from the dislocated left shoulder suffered in the first round of the playoffs.

Irving, who came into the league in 2011-12, is still recovering from surgery on a broken kneecap and is still weeks away from his season debut. This marks the 12th time in 16 regular-season meetings between the Bulls and Cavaliers during Irving's career in which either he or Rose has been out.

Cleveland captured three of four in the regular season from Chicago last season. The Cavs started 1-3 in 2014-15, with the lone victory an overtime win at the United Center that ended Chicago's six-game win streak in home openers.

Love and company are looking forward to repeating the feat.

'We'll be on the road. It will be us, our traveling staff, our traveling team against those 20,000 fans and the Bulls, so it's going to be a tough environment,' Love said. 'When that ball goes in the air, I think we'll be ready.'