Tuesday 11/15/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

International TODAY 19:45

N Ireland

v

Croatia

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
PMSK		13/5	21/10	23/20	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSIN N IRELAND	RECENT FORM
N LN LA DH WA LH W​ Most recent​	Unknown	N WN D*H DA WA WH W​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Croatia have scored in their last four internationals

EXPERT VERDICT: Northern Ireland have been scoring for fun lately, netting four goals in both of their last two home games against Azerbaijan and San Marino. This friendly tussle won’t be so easy – the visitors beat Spain in Euro 2016 - and boast the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic amongst their ranks.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
3

International TODAY 20:00

England

v

Spain

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
ITV		2	11/5	13/8	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSIN ENGLAND	RECENT FORM
N DN LA WH WA DH W​ Most recent​	1 - 0 0 - 1 3 - 0 0 - 0	N LA WH WA DA WH W​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Seven of the last eight meetings have produced under 2.5 goals

EXPERT VERDICT: Only seven goals have been scored in the last five meetings between England and Spain so expect a tight, low-scoring encounter at Wembley. The Three Lions have not conceded since the European Championship, while Spain have kept four clean sheets in five this season and the draw looks the best bet.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

Championship Fr 18Nov 19:45

Brighton

v

Aston Villa

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		4/5	12/5	15/4	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BRIGHTON	RECENT FORM
A WH DH WA WH WA W​ Most recent​	0 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 1 - 1	A LH DA WH WA DH W​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Villa have drawn nine of their 16 league matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Brighton are in the promotion mix again but they may have to settle for a point against Aston Villa. The visitors have shown signs of improvement under new boss Steve Bruce but Brighton have lost only one of their last 19 matches at the Amex and will prove a tough side to break down.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Senators (9-5) at Flyers (7-7)

Date: November 15, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- If the Ottawa Senators are looking to infuse some goal-scoring into their anemic offense, they are coming to the right place.

The Senators, who rank 27th in the NHL with an average of just 2.20 goals per game, visit the Philadelphia Flyers, who rank last in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.63), on Tuesday night.

The Senators' 9-5-1 record may be proof that playing good defense is more important than scoring goals. The Flyers (7-7-2) are tied for third in the NHL in goals per game (3.31).

Senators captain Erik Karlsson, who leads the team with 13 points, said he and his teammates need to find a way to fight through their offensive struggles. Ottawa has gone nine consecutive games scoring two or fewer goals.

"It's tight right now," Karlsson said. "It's a stretch that we're going through, and we're going to have to find a way to get through that. It's tough for our offensive players, myself included. But we're all professionals. We'll find a way eventually. The sooner the better."

Despite their offensive woes, Ottawa has picked up points in three straight games (2-0-1) and is coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

Craig Anderson (7-3-1, 2.15 goals-against average, .934 save percentage) has been solid between the pipes for the Senators, and Andrew Hammond is back healthy after an injury. With backup Mike Condon also in the fold, Hammond could be sent to the AHL for a short conditioning stint.

The Flyers, meanwhile, are dealing with some goaltending woes. Michal Neuvirth (4-2-0, 3.54 GAA, .859 SP) will be sidelined four to six weeks with a lower-body injury sustained in the Flyers' 3-2 win over the Wild on Saturday night.

Steve Mason (3-5-2, 3.41 GAA, .880) has struggled through most of this season, though he stopped 19 of 20 shots in relief of Neuvirth on Saturday to earn the win.

"I hope it continues to boost his confidence," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said of Mason. "But Mase has nothing to be embarrassed about. He shows up and he battles hard every day. Things might not have gone as well as he would have liked early on, but that's the game. When one part of the team isn't going great, every other part has to pick that piece up a little bit."

With Neuvirth sidelined, the Flyers recalled rookie Anthony Stolarz from AHL Lehigh Valley, but look for Mason to make at least the next three starts. Philadelphia is in the midst of a four-game homestand that continues with games Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets and Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stolarz, a second-round pick of the Flyers in 2012, could make his first NHL start next week in Florida when the Flyers play back-to-back nights against the Panthers and Lightning. He is 6-2-0 this season with the AHL Phantoms.

Flyers leading goal scorer Wayne Simmonds (eight goals) took a maintenance day Monday but is expected to be back on the top line against the Senators.

Ottawa defenseman Marc Methot, who left the Sunday night game with a lower-body injury, practiced Monday and is expected to play.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

In the Crease - Week 6
By Joe Williams

Streaky Teams
Wins and Losses Streak Over/Under Streak
Boston 7-2 past 9 overall Los Angeles Under 9-1-1 past 11
Calgary 1-6 past 7 overall Minnesota Under 6-1-1 past 8
Chicago 8-0-1 past 9 overall Ottawa Under 8-0 past 8
New Jersey 4-0 past 4 overall Pittsburgh Over 6-2-2 past 10
Vancouver 2-9-1 past 12 overall Tampa Bay Under 4-0-1 past 5

Deserted Island
The New York Islanders head into Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with just one win over their past seven outings (1-3-3), and 2-5-3 over their past 10 outings. They were blanked Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and they're averaging just 1.8 goals per game over the past seven games. They dropped a 4-2 decision at Pittsburgh Oct. 27 in their first meeting with the Pens, and they're 1-3-1 over the past two seasons against the Penguins while averaging just 1.4 goals per game.

Montreal Machine
The Montreal Canadiens have dropped their past two road outings, but they have been impenetrable at home. The Habs are a perfect 10-0-0 at home while allowing a total of 12 goals during the impressive span. While that streak is impressive, they also have a unique 0-0-4 record on their past four totals. Carey Price is schedule to start between the pipes Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya is 1-2-1 over his past four starts, while Carey Price is 10-0-0 with a 1.40 Goals-Against Average (GAA) with a .957 save percentage and a pair of shutouts.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, Nov. 15
The Capitals and Blue Jackets do battle in Ohio's capital city. The 'over' has cashed in 12 of the past 14 meetings in Columbus, and 5-1-1 in the past seven meetings overall. The over is 3-1-2 in Washington's past six games overall, while the 'over' is 5-0-2 in the past seven for the Blue Jackets against a team with a winning percentage over .600. ... The under has cashed in eight in a row for Ottawa, and is 4-1 in their past five on the road and 12-3-1 in their past 16 games against a team with a losing overall record. While the over is 5-1-2 in the past eight home games for the Flyers, the under is 4-1-1 in their past six at home against the Senators and 4-1-1 in the past six meetings overall in this series. Ottawa is 3-7 in their past 10 trips to Philly, and the home team is 6-2 in the past eight in this series. ... Calgary has dropped four in a row heading into Tuesday's game in St. Paul, and they're 1-4 in their past five trips to Minnesota, and 1-6 in their past seven overall against the Wild. The over is 3-1-2 in the past six meetings in Minnesota, and 6-2-3 in the past 11 overall in this series.

Wednesday, Nov. 16
The Penguins and Capitals renew acquaintances Wednesday in the nation's capital. The Caps, who play in Columbus Monday, are just 1-4 in their past five games with zero days' rest. While the Penguins have won five of the past six meetings in this series, the home team is a perfect 5-0 in the past five meetings. The under is 10-4-1 in the past 15 meetings in Washington. ... The home team has won 14 of the past 19 meetings between the Coyotes and Flames. Arizona has won four of the past five in this series, although they're just 2-8 in their past 10 trips to southern Alberta. The under is 5-2-1 in the past eight meetings in the Saddledome, and 6-1 in the past seven meetings overall in this series.

Thursday, Nov. 17
The Panthers and Maple Leafs meet in Toronto for the second time this season. The Maple Leafs won the first meeting at the Air Canada Centre Oct. 27 by a 3-2 score as Fredrik Andersen bested Roberto Luongo. It was a rare win for the Leafs, who are just 3-8 in the past 11 meetings. Toronto is also just 1-4 in their past five games at home against Florida. ... San Jose meets St. Louis for the first time this season. The teams met in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs with the Sharks winning in seven. In five regular season and playoff games in St. Louis, the Sharks won four meetings. ... The Kings host the Oilers in the first meeting this season. Los Angeles swept the five-game series last season, and L.A. is a perfect 9-0 in their past nine home games against the Oilers dating back to Nov. 3, 2011. The Kings have outscored the Oilers 37-13 during the nine-game span.

Friday, Nov. 18
The Flames host the Blackhawks for the third meeting between the teams, and first in Calgary. The Blackhawks blasted the Flames 5-1 in the most recent meeting Nov. 1, while the Flames surprised the Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout Oct. 24 in the first matchup. ... The Rangers invade Columbus Friday night. New York swept all four meetings last season, winning both games at Nationwide Arena by a 4-2 count. The Blue Jackets have lost seven straight in this series since their last win over the Blueshirts Oct. 11, 2014.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sharks (9-6) at Hurricanes (4-6)

Date: November 15, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The San Jose Sharks are aiming to repeat their epic November road trip from a year ago.

The soon-to-be Western Conference champions reeled off six consecutive road wins last season over a nine-day period after a mediocre start.

Now, San Jose is 3-0-0 on its current six-game Eastern Conference swing, having outscored Washington, Florida and Tampa Bay -- three pretty good teams -- by a combined 10-3 heading into a game at Carolina on Tuesday night as part of another six-game road trip.

Sharks goalie Martin Jones has a .959 save percentage during the road trip, raising his season save percentage to .913. He finished at .918 last season.

"They are one of the better teams in the league overall, not just in the West," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "It looks liked their same timing from a year ago, getting on a roll. They are a good veteran team and are good on the back end. (Defenseman) Brent Burns is a special player back there with the fact that he's up the ice a lot and is unpredictable and can shoot it, so we have to know where he is on the ice. They have a nice, deep team."

Carolina, last in the Metropolitan Division and in the middle of a five-game homestand, has had surprising success against the Sharks, going 8-3 over the past 11 meetings despite missing the playoffs the last seven seasons.

"They are a good team and have had success in the past, but I don't know if you get extra motivated to play them," said Carolina's leading scorer, Jeff Skinner. "You should be motivated anyway, but we're all aware how good a team they are, so you have to come in knowing it's a good opportunity to rise to the challenge."

Peters didn't rule out the return of two-time All-Star defenseman Justin Faulk, although it is more likely Faulk could return Friday against the red-hot Montreal Canadiens.

"He's close; he was able to do everything in practice but the battles," Peters said of his star defenseman, who has missed two games with an upper-body injury.

Peters juggled his lines Saturday night in a 5-1 win against the Capitals after the Hurricanes had gotten off to another slow start to the season. The new line of Jordan Staal, Teuvo Teravainen and Sebatian Aho picked up 11 points vs. Washington.

"We're trying to find the right spot for a lot of different guys," Peters said.

Defenseman Matt Tennyson made his Carolina debut against Washington, and he will be in action again Tuesday against his former team.

"He deserves the opportunity to stay in the lineup," Peter said. "The whole trick is no matter how many minutes you get is to be productive on those minutes, and he managed the puck well the other night. He looked like he was real composed out there."

On Monday, the Hurricanes terminated the contract of Jakub Nakladal. The 28-year-old defenseman was signed by Carolina as a free agent Oct. 9. He appeared in three games and did not register a point and was minus-4, averaging 14:30 of ice time.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Capitals (9-4) at Blue Jackets (7-4)

Date: November 15, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Washington Capitals play the first of back-to-back games Tuesday as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

The Capitals (9-4-1, 19 points) have lost two of their last three games and face a Columbus team that is 5-0-0 at home since Oct. 15.

The Blue Jackets (7-4-2, 16 points) scored 10 goals against Montreal earlier this month and eight goals against St. Louis in their last game, with both of those games at home.

Washington's offense is ranked 16th in the NHL with 2.64 goals per game. The Blue Jackets are ranked 2nd in the league with 3.46 goals per game.

In an effort to spark some offense from his team, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz made some line changes ahead of Tuesday's game with Columbus.

"One thing that resonates with me a lot is that you have to have a balance of will and skill," he told The Washington Post. "Sometimes we forget that we need the will and the skill to work together. I made a lot of changes, even for my standards in some way, but at the same time, the players that have played well are going to move up and get an opportunity. You never know."

The Capitals points leader is left winger Marcus Johansson, with seven goals and five assists for 12 points. He is followed by left winger Alex Ovechkin, with seven goals and four assists for 11 points.

They are backstopped by goaltender Braden Holtby, with a record of 7-3-1 in 11 games. He has a 2.16 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage and sits 10th in the league in save percentage (minimum 10 games played).

Although the Blue Jackets' penalty-killing unit allowed four goals on five power-play opportunities in their last game, their power play still sits atop the NHL with a 33.3 power-play percentage. The Capitals convert 12.5 percent of their man-advantage opportunities and sit 24th in the league.

Neither the players nor head coach John Tortorella left the arena happy after Saturday's 8-4 win over St. Louis, much of the discomfort due to their sloppy play.

The team held an intense practice Monday, in order to keep them from becoming complacent despite a decent start to their season.

"It's been a struggle with our coverages because we don't initiate the contact and win the one-on-one battle and it allows (an opponent) to play (in our end) and brings in different kind of coverages, sometimes we have to switch," Tortorella said to the Columbus Dispatch.

"It causes too many problems when that initial battle isn't won and we haven't won enough of those."

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to make his 13th start in 14 games against the Capitals. He has a record of 7-4-1, with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage and sits 6th in save percentage in the NHL (minimum 10 games played).

No lineup changes appear to be imminent for the Blue Jackets for Tuesday's game against the Capitals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Panthers (7-7) at Canadiens (13-2)

Date: November 15, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

MONTREAL -- The Florida Panthers rallied for a crucial win in their most recent outing. Now they're hoping it gives them some momentum as they embark on a four-game road trip.

Trailing 2-0 in the third period against the Islanders on Saturday, the Panthers tied it late in regulation and emerged victorious when rookie Denis Malgin scored late in overtime. With the win, Florida continued its pattern of alternating wins and losses in its past seven games.

"That was a big win for us," goaltender Roberto Luongo told reporters after the game. "Not just the matter of getting a win, but something of a rallying point for guys. Hopefully, we can build around, take the momentum, the emotions of the win and carry it through the next little while here."

Last season's Atlantic Division champions, the Panthers (7-7-1) entered the 2016-17 campaign expected to once again challenge for the title. But early-season injuries to key players have plagued the club, which finds itself sixth in the division, albeit only five points out of second place. The team' infirmary is starting to clear out, however. Veteran Jussi Jokinen recently returned and center Nick Bjugstad could make his season debut later in the week.

Jonathan Marchessault has been a pleasant surprise for Florida and leads the team with eight goals and 14 points. The early season hasn't been as kind to star defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who finds himself with two points on the year thus far, both goals.

"I got to get into the offensive zone, I got to get pucks to the net," he told the Sun-Sentinel. "I can't be looking to pass or make plays. My job is getting pucks to the net, not be the rush, but be supportive in it."

In his third NHL season, Ekblad started the year as now the mentor after being the protege to former Panthers Brian Campbell and Willie Mitchell. Head coach Gerard Gallant paired him with rookie Mike Matheson, a Montreal native, but the duo struggled and was split up before Saturday's game, putting Ekblad with Mark Pysyk.

"It takes time to gel, time to get used to each other, time to build that kind of chemistry," Ekblad said to the Sun-Sentinel. "I always had an older guy to lean on. Now, after three years, it's my job to instill that knowledge that I learned from them on him and support him and work off each other."

It's the first of four meetings between the two clubs. Last year, Florida swept the season series.

The Canadiens (13-2-1) are coming off just their second regulation loss of the season after falling to the Blackhawks on Sunday night in Chicago. After a one-and-done road trip, the Habs return to the cozy confines of the Bell Centre, which hasn't been welcoming to visitors this season.

Montreal is a perfect 10-0-0 at home, outscoring its opponents 37-12 in those games. Only one team has managed to get more than two goals into the Canadiens' net at the Bell Centre. It broke a franchise record and is the second-longest home winning streak to start an NHL season, tying the 1924-25 Ottawa Senators.

The 1963-64 Chicago Blackhawks hold the record, which stands at 11. The Canadiens can match that with a win against the Panthers.

A large part of Montreal's success -- at home and overall -- has been the remarkable play by Carey Price between the pipes.

"The way Carey is playing, he gives us a lot of confidence as a team," coach Michel Therrien said following Saturday's home win over Detroit. "He's a true leader."

Center David Desharnais was slated to sit out a second straight game on Saturday but drew back in after Brian Flynn was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. The Canadiens had the day off on Monday but they did call up forward Chris Terry from the AHL's St. John's IceCaps. Terry leads the AHL club with 15 points in 10 games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sabres (5-6) at Blues (7-6)

Date: November 15, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS -- Coach Ken Hitchcock hopes the combination of a lopsided loss, a day off and a good practice on Monday will result in a better performance when the St. Louis Blues host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.

"There's building times and this is it," Hitchcock told NHL.com. "We've got a real opportunity right now."

The Blues have lost three games in a row and five of their last seven, including a 3-1 defeat at Nashville and an embarrassing 8-4 loss at Columbus on Saturday night, a game in which they trailed 7-1 at one point.

Three of those recent losses came in games in which the Blues allowed five or more goals.

"There's spots in games where we're doing everything we want to do, then all of the sudden, things turn the other way and it's going negative," said defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. "It's got to come from within this room. Nobody's going to help us. Everything's getting magnified. We're not being as assertive as we usually are. You identify a check, you know that's you're guy and you're going to play him hard. If someone makes a mistake, you're there to help your teammate out right away.

"We're getting spread out in our end, we're not communicating the way we need to communicate, and that's resulting in glaring opportunities, whereas in the past, if those were there, it didn't seem like they were obvious opportunities. I think when we get more assertive and play teams harder, be tougher to play against, it's going to work in a positive direction."

Jake Allen, who was pulled in the second period against the Blue Jackets after allowing four goals, will get the start in net against Buffalo.

As a team, the Sabres can relate to what the Blues are going through. They are winless in their last four games, including both a shootout and an overtime loss. They have scored a combined four goals in those games.

Just like the Blues, the Sabres have had a problem staying out of the penalty box. They have been called for five or more penalties in four of their last five games. The Blues have been called for the most minor penalties in the league (76) while Buffalo ranks 11th with 58 minor penalties.

"We've got to stay out of the box," Sabres right winger Kyle Okposo told NHL.com. "That's something that needs to be addressed and needs to be executed. There are some penalties that you have to take and other ones that are just undisciplined penalties. We've got to stay away from the undisciplined ones."

Center Ryan O'Reilly, who has missed two of the last three games, could play against the Blues, according to coach Dan Bylsma. Buffalo still is expected to recall at least one forward and a defenseman from the minor leagues before Tuesday night's game.

The Sabres have fallen to last in the NHL with an average of 1.93 goals per game.

"Maybe the biggest surprise is we haven't got to the power play as much as we need to to get opportunities to score," Bylsma told the Buffalo News. "We should be playing the way where teams have to take penalties against us. Given the lineup we have, we need to manufacture goals in a hard and difficult way."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blackhawks (11-3) at Jets (8-7)

Date: November 15, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

WINNIPEG -- Hands up who predicted at the beginning of the season that Tuesday night's game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets would be a battle between the Central Division's top two teams?

The Jets come into Tuesday's game having picked up points in four consecutive games (3-0-1), including a 3-2 shootout victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, which has propelled them into second place in the ultra-tough Central Division.

The positioning could be temporary as the Jets have 18 points in 17 games while the Minnesota Wild sit just one point back with three games in hand.

The Jets performance, however, is all the more remarkable considering the team has enough call ups from the farm to be called the Winnipeg Moose. (The Jets AHL affiliate is the Manitoba Moose.)

Over the past two weeks, they have called up forwards Marko Dano, Nic Petan, Andrew Copp and Quinton Howden. On Monday, Chase De Leo was added to the list when rookie forward Kyle Connor was placed on injury reserve with an upper body injury after being slammed into the boards on Sunday.

It's not as if the recruits have only been playing in garbage time, either. Against the Kings, Dano played alongside the league's leading point-getter (Mark Scheifele) and the goal-scorer (Patrik Laine). Petan centred the Jets' No. 2 line and spent some time on the second powerplay unit while Copp has proven to be an effective penalty-killer.

"When you get brought up you want to play and act like you fit in and you belong in this position," Petan told the Winnipeg Free Press. "I think, for the most part, the three or four of us who've been up, we've played and held our own pretty good."

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, beat the NHL's top team on Sunday, a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, handing the bleu, blanc et rouge just their second regulation loss of the season.

The win boosted the Blackhawks record to 11-3-2 for 24 points.

The highlight of the night was Patrick Kane's game-winning goal in the second period, during which he dangled past Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry deep in the offensive zone, fought off a world-class hook from captain Max Pacioretty and -- while flying through the air -- flipped the puck over Al Montoya.

You might have seen the goal on every hockey highlight package across North America a few million times ever since.

"It was so beautiful," forward Marian Hossa marveled to the Chicago Tribune. "He showed his quick hands. It was just beautiful, he went through the two guys and he saw the goalie coming to him, too, and just a quick flip to the top shelf. Not many guys can do that."

Coach Joel Quenneville was also getting out his pom-poms.

"That had the wow factor all over it. All of a sudden (he) makes a play with a guy draped all over him and makes a great shot falling on the ice. Spectacular goal by a great player, fun to watch."

Hossa has been no slouch himself. He has scored in eight of his last nine games and his nine goals puts him third in the NHL. Laine leads all goal scorers with 11.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (12-4) at Canucks (6-9)

Date: November 15, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The Vancouver Canucks face another early-season character test on Tuesday night -- against familiar foes.

The struggling Canucks (6-9-1) will host the red-hot New York Rangers (12-4-0) on Tuesday night at Rogers Arena. The contest offers the Canucks a chance to build momentum following their dramatic 5-4 comeback overtime victory against the Dallas Stars on Sunday.

Rookie defenseman Troy Stecher suggested the Canucks, who have only two wins in the past 12 games, do have the character that they need to climb up the standings. He was inspired by veterans' actions Sunday as Vancouver overcame deficits of 2-1 after the first period, 3-1 after the second and 4-3 in the third.

"We came in here (in the dressing room) after the first period and some things were said from some of the leadership guys, and that's huge for myself and for the rest of the guys in the room, with the young guys that we've got -- that it's unacceptable to keep losing," said Stecher, a 22-year-old Richmond, B.C., native who scored the goal that forced overtime Sunday.

Tuesday's affair also gives the Canucks an opportunity to show that their convincing 5-3 victory over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden a week ago was no fluke. The win in New York was the lone bright spot as the Canucks went 1-5 on their recent road trip.

The Rangers' entourage includes coach Alain Vigneault, who become Vancouver's all-time winningest coach before he was unceremoniously fired after the 2013-14 season and promptly hired by New York.

The Rangers also feature Michael Grabner, a former Canucks first-round draft pick (2006, 14th overall) who never stuck before being traded to Florida prior to the 2010-11 season. He never played a regular-season for the Panthers and bounced to the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs before winding back in the Big Apple with the Blueshirts.

Grabner, a 29-year-old Villach, Austria, native, leads the Rangers in scoring with 10 goals -- one more than he had with Toronto last season -- and three assists following his reunion with Vigneault. He maintained his hot scoring Sunday night by scoring two goals in a 3-1 victory over the Oilers in Edmonton.

"When I signed here, I knew how they were playing would benefit my style -- a fast-paced game," Grabner, who joined the Rangers as free agent on a two-year, $3.3 million contract from the Maple Leafs in the offseason, recently told The Vancouver Province. "It's been perfect from training camp to right now and it helped knowing Vigneault and (Rangers assistant Scott Arniel) from my days with the Moose."

Grabner was referring to Vancouver's former Manitoba Moose farm club in the American Hockey League.

Arniel formerly served as a Canucks assistant under Vigneault as well as head coach of the Moose. Ironically, their rare trip back to Vancouver could be a factor as Canucks ownership and management evaluate current coach Willie Desjardins, who earned a reprieve with the win over Dallas.

Vigneault definitely knows a few things about the Canucks. Vancouver's core players expanded their skills significantly under his watch. He guided them within one victory of the Stanley Cup in 2010-11. So the Canucks will likely try to mix a few things up. One of the change-ups will likely involve more duty for Brandon Sutter on the top line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin -- or at least the power play with them.

Sutter was moved to the top line in the third period Sunday and scored a power-play goal -- Vancouver's first man-advantage marker in 11 games -- and assisted on Markus Granlund's overtime winner after winning a face-off.

"Sometimes when it's not working and we're not getting anything going, it's good to try and shuffle it up a bit," said Sutter. "We did it and a couple lines got a few things going, and we went from there. It's just one of those things where you have to change things up."

Coach Desjardins may also try to change things up by inserting second-year winger Jake Virtanen back into the lineup after he was recalled Sunday from Utica of the AHL, where he completed a two-game conditioning stint. Virtanen, 20, is one of Vancouver's few naturally gifted scorers -- when he is on his game. But he has not been lately.

Meanwhile, Vigneault is expected to adjust his lineup by inserting rookie winger Cristoval (Boo) Nieves, who was called up from Hartford of the AHL on Monday after injured forwards Chris Kreider (upper body) and Pavel Buchnevich (back spasms) could not play Sunday. If he gets the nod, Nieves, a 22-year-old Baldwinsville, N.Y., native who had one goal and five assists with Hartford this season, will make his NHL debut.

Nieves will give the Rangers a full complement of forwards after Vigneault was short one Sunday and dressed an unused extra defenseman, Adam Clendening, who is also a former Canuck. Chances are that Clendening would have been used as a forward -- if Vigneault felt that he needed him up front.

But the Rangers had little difficulty improving to 4-1 in their last five road games -- a stat that provides another reason why Tuesday's contest is a character test for the Canucks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (7-8) at Avalanche (6-8)

Date: November 15, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Kings are limping to the end of their five-game road trip, but they're not alone in injury woes.

The Colorado Avalanche are nursing some key injuries as well.

The Kings (7-8-1) are expected to be without Anze Kopitar due to an upper-body injury while the Avalanche's leading scorer, Matt Duchene, is still out with concussion-like symptoms. That means two of the most important players for both teams won't be on the ice when they meet at Pepsi Center on Tuesday night.

Kopitar is not officially ruled out for the game but according to the team website, he is taking anti-inflammatories and is in "a holding pattern, and until the area improves he won't be able to do much."

That's a tough break for a team that is already without its No. 1 goaltender, Jonathan Quick, for a significant stretch. Backup Jeff Zatkoff left Friday's game with groin spasms so veteran and former Avalanche top goalie Peter Budaj, who started the season in the American Hockey League, will probably start against Colorado.

Budaj has been in net for all seven of the Kings' victories, and he's looking forward to playing against Colorado.

"It's great to come back," he told the team's website. "I think Montreal is definitely a special place. I'd been there three years but Colorado is more like my home -- I mean obviously I'm Slovakian so that's my home -- but I lived here, I started my professional NHL career here, so it's a very special place."

Budaj will face a team struggling in coach Jared Bednar's first season at the helm. The Avalanche (6-8-0) are coming off a 2-0 home loss to Boston on Sunday in which they were outshot 44-21. It was the fourth time this season Colorado has been shut out, and the second time at home.

The Avalanche have just 17 goals in their last 12 games and are 3-for-25 on the power play in the last five games.

Not having Duchene for the second straight game will hurt. He was scheduled to skate Monday but didn't feel well enough to get on the ice. The hope is he can be out for the morning skate Tuesday.

"He didn't feel he was ready to skate (Monday) morning with the group, so (the training staff) gave him the morning (off) to see what comes of it (Tuesday)," Bednar told HockeyBuzz.com Monday.

Colorado is going to have lineup changes for the game against Los Angeles. Forward Blake Comeau is back after missing four games with a groin injury and A.J. Greer, who made his NHL debut Sunday as an emergency call-up, will be back in San Antonio of the AHL.

In addition, defenseman Patrick Wiercioch is expected to replace Eric Gelinas in the lineup, but Colorado still has to fix its offensive woes.

"We're not getting enough shots through to the net is one issue from our blue line," Bednar told HockeyBuzz.com. "We can do a better job of finding some lanes and getting some playable pucks down to the net. A lot of it is some fancy plays, east-west plays, when we can be driving the net more. It's what teams are doing against us and having success."

After Sunday's shootout loss in Winnipeg, the Kings are 1-2-1 on their road trip and could finish .500 with a win Tuesday.

The Avalanche are trying to even their record on this four-game homestand before heading out for three games. Getting the offense going might be as simple as scoring a few goals to get the confidence back.

"Sometimes when you go through scoring slumps you start to maybe press a little more," Comeau told HockeyBuzz.com. "I think it's going to take one game where everything's clicking, where we get some greasy goals, get the confidence back and go from there."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Tuesday’s games

Ottawa lost three of last four visits to Philly, under is 4-1-1 in last six series games. Flyers are 6-4 in last ten series games overall. Senators are 3-3 on road with four of last five away games staying under total; they’re 5-3 in last eight games overall. Flyers lost three of last four games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven home games. Philly split its eight home games this season.

Carolina won six of last eight games with San Jose; last three series games went over total. Sharks lost three of last four visits to Raleigh. San Jose won its last three games by combined score of 10-3; they won last three away games. Under is 6-1 in their last seven road games. Carolina lost five of its last seven games, losing three of last four at home. Over is 3-0-1 in their last four home games.

Washington won four of its last five games with Columbus; over is 5-1-1 in last seven series games. Caps won three of last four visits to Ohio. Washington won six of last eight games overall; over is 3-1-1 in their last five. Caps are 4-2 at home this year. Blue Jackets won five of their last seven games, including last five at home; four of their last six home games stayed under the total.

Tampa Bay won seven of last eight games with Detroit; home side won nine of last 10 series games. Lightning lost three of last four visits to Motor City, but won last one- they’re 4-3 in last seven games overall, but lost four of last six road games. Last four Tampa Bay games stayed* under total. Detroit lost six of its last eight games, with three of last four staying under total. Red Wings lost four of their last five home games.

Florida won its last four games with Montreal, winning 4-1/4-1 in last two visits here. Five of last eight series games pushed the total. Panthers are 4-3 in last seven games overall; they’re 1-5 on road (over 3-2-1). Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games overall. Canadiens won eight of last 10 games; their last four games all pushed the total. Montreal is 10-0 at home this season.

Nashville won four of last five games with Toronto; road team won seven of last ten series tilts. Predators won last three visits to Toronto, outscoring Leafs 16-6 in those games. Nashville won its last three games by combined total of 11-2; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Preds are 1-6 on the road. Maple Leafs won four of last six games with three of last four going over the total.

Blues won their last eight games with Buffalo; under is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Sabres lost last four visits to St Louis, outscored 15-6. Sabres lost last four games, outscored 12-4; they’re 4-5 on road. Nine of last ten Buffalo games stayed under total. St Louis lost its last three games, outscored 13-6; Blues won three of last four home games. Under is 7-3 in their last ten games.

Minnesota won six of its last seven games with Calgary; three of last four series games went over total. Flames lost four of their last five visits to Minnesota. Calgary lost its last four games, outscored 17-4; they’re 3-5 on road. Four of Flames’ last five games stayed under. Minnesota is 5-3 in its last eight games overall, 4-1 at home; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games.

Chicago won six of its last seven games with Winnipeg; four of last five series games stayed under total. Blackhawks won four of last five games in this building. Chicago won eight of its last nine games; under is 3-1-2 in their last six- they won last three road games. Jets won three of their last four games, with last three staying under. Winnipeg is 5-4 at home this season.

Dallas Stars won three of last four games with New Jersey; over is 2-0-1 in last three series games. Devils lost three of last four visits to Texas. New Jersey won its last four games, allowing six goals, with two wins in OT/SO; they’re 2-5 on road, but won last two road tilts. lost seven of last ten games with four of last five going over total; they’re 3-3 at home this season.

Colorado won its last two games with Los Angeles after losing previous six; three of last four series games stayed under total. Kings won three of last four visits to Denver. LA lost its last four games, outscored 9-4; they’re 2-7 on road. Under is 8-1-1 in Kings’ last 10 games. Avalanche lost five of their last seven games; under is 6-3 in their last nine. Colorado is 3-4 at home this season.

Vancouver won three of last four games with the Rangers; over is 3-1-1 in last five series games. New York won three of last four visits here, in series where road team won four of last six series games. Rangers won seven of last eight games with four of last six going over total- they’re 4-2 on road. Canucks lost eight of last ten games, with four of last five going over the total.

Anaheim won eight of last nine games with Edmonton; three of last four series games stayed under the total. Oilers lost three of last four games in this building. Edmonton lost three in row and six of last eight games; under is 7-3 in their last ten games. Oilers are 5-3 on road. Ducks are 3-2 in their last five games; over is 3-2 in their last five home games. Anaheim is 4-2 at home this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Oilers (9-6) at Ducks (7-6)

Date: November 15, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The surprising Edmonton Oilers will face their first big divisional test when they play the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night at the Honda Center.

The Oilers, who finished last in the Pacific Division last season, hold first place by two points over the third-place Ducks. Before this season, Edmonton finished last or next-to-last nine times in the past 10 seasons after reaching the 2006 Stanley Cup final.

Connor McDavid, the first overall selection in the 2015 draft, has become the Oilers' centerpiece and captain at 19. After missing three months of his rookie season because of a broken clavicle, McDavid leads the NHL with 14 assists and ranks third with 19 points in just his second season.

"He's a very mature young man. It's surprising he's only 19-years old, the way he carries himself," left winger Milan Lucic told Sportsnet.ca.

A former Oiler and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame went further in his praise of McDavid.

"I think he's the best 19-year-old hockey player I've ever seen," Wayne Gretzky told todaysslapshot.com. "His teammates idolize him and believe he's the guy who is going to lead them to the Promised Land."

But Edmonton brings a three-game losing streak into Anaheim. In each of those losses, the opposing team began the scoring within the first two minutes.

"I think that's been a little bit of our problem lately, gripping the sticks a little too tight," Lucic told the Edmonton Journal after Sunday night's 3-1 loss at home to the New York Rangers. "You know, that confidence and that swagger that we had in the first eight games seemed to get away from us. We haven't had it in the last eight games."

Tuesday night's game also will feature the home debut of Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who entered the season as a restricted free agent. The 22-year-old Swede signed a six-year contract worth $31.5 million on Oct. 27 but had to wait for a visa before rejoining the Ducks on Wednesday in Columbus for a 3-2 overtime loss. After three games, Lindholm owns a plus-1 rating but has yet to register a point or a penalty.

Meanwhile, goalie Jonathan Bernier is providing stiff competition for John Gibson, Anaheim's undisputed starter as the season began. Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in July for a conditional draft pick, Bernier ranks eighth among NHL goalies with a .934 save percentage and owns a 2.08 goals-against average despite playing just six games. The 28-year-old veteran also won both of his starts this season.

Gibson, however, allowed 13 goals in his past four starts, lost two of three decisions and watched Bernier relieve him in both defeats.

Despite Gibson's recent slump, right winger Jakob Silfverberg believes the Ducks are lucky to have two interchangeable starting goalies, a pattern Anaheim followed last year with Gibson and Frederik Andersen.

"It just brings calmness to the team when he steps up and makes some big saves at key times," Silfverberg told the Orange County Register in referring to Bernier. "We've been very fortunate, in my opinion, to have two very good goalies. I think that's exactly the same case this year."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lightning (9-6) at Red Wings (8-7)

Date: November 15, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

DETROIT -- The Tampa Bay Lightning are coming off a big win while the Detroit Red Wings will be trying to rebound from their biggest and most embarrassing loss of the season.

The Lightning (9-6-1) visit the Red Wings (8-7-1) at Joe Louis Arena in a 7:30 p.m. game on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay shut out the New York Islanders 4-0 in Brooklyn on Monday night. Detroit, however, suffered a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday night.

Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 34 saves, including 20 in the third period, for the Lightning.

"We sat back probably a little too much in the third and put (Vasilevskiy) in a tough position to make some big saves and earn that shutout," Tampa Bay captain Steve Stamkos said. "But the first two periods were pretty good."

Stamkos had two assists, Nikita Kucherov a goal and an assist and J.T. Brown, Ryan Callahan and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for the Lightning.

Despite his heavy work load in the third period, Vasilevskiy appreciated the way his team played in front of him.

"They did a good job on the (penalty kill). We blocked shots and made good plays," he said. "I just want to say thank you to our guys and thank you for the shutout."

Meanwhile, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill told www.mlive.com that his team got "slapped in the face in the 5-0 loss at Montreal Saturday."

The game exposed Detroit's inability to win puck battles. So, one-on-one drills were the focus of Monday's practice at Joe Louis Arena.

"Every guy in this room can be a little better and it starts with one-on-one battles," center Luke Glendening said. "You've got to be better than the guy across from you.

"It's in the offensive zone, it's in the defensive zone, it's at our net, at their net, face-offs."

The Red Wings will obviously have to be better to be competitive against the Lightning, who have eliminated Detroit in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past two seasons.

"We talked about identity and being relentless and being fast and being competitive," Blashill said. "You can't win in this league if you're not highly competitive and I thought in Montreal we got out-competed."

Winning more puck battles will lead to improvement in the Red Wings breakouts and forechecking, which have both been lacking at times this season.

"All of us take our jobs very seriously and are very professional about it," Justin Abdelkader said. "Today was a good day for us to come back and get to work and focus on some of the things that we need to get better at. It is a long season, but at the same time you don't want to be as streaky as we've been. We want to try to be a little more consistent."

Ben Bishop will likely get the start in goal for Tampa Bay and, after Jimmy Howard started four consecutive games, look for Petr Mrazek to be the starter for Detroit.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - November

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
11/1 12 66.5 57 UNDER
11/2 3 16.5 16 UNDER
11/3 12 65.5 65 UNDER
11/4 3 16 24 OVER
11/5 13 69 70 OVER
11/6 6 32 33 OVER
11/7 3 15 14 UNDER
11/8 10 55.5 60 OVER
11/9 3 15.5 11 UNDER
11/10 10 54.5 54 UNDER
11/11 6 31.5 30 UNDER
11/12 11 56.5 61 OVER
11/13 6 32 28 UNDER
11/14 1 5.5 4 UNDER
11/15 13 - - -
11/16 2 - - -
11/17 10 - - -
11/18 5 - - -
11/19 11 - - -
11/20 5 - - -
11/21 7 - - -
11/22 5 - - -
11/23 12 - - -
11/24 2 - - -
11/25 11 - - -
11/26 9 - - -
11/27 6 - - -
11/28 2 - - -
11/29 12 - - -
11/30 3 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Predators (6-5) at Maple Leafs (6-6)

Date: November 15, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Nashville Predators are a confident team after overcoming a slow start.

They will take a 4-0-2 November record (6-5-3 overall) into their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs (6-6-3) on Tuesday at Air Canada Centre.

"Even when we weren't scoring, we knew we had players that were capable of scoring goals," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "It just wasn't happening. I go back to those two shootout losses, and there were 50 quality chances in two games, and we're just not getting that third goal.

"If you could get that third goal, or fourth goal, there's a chance you're going to win the hockey game."

The Predators have scored 20 goals in six November games, one more than they totaled in eight October games.

They have won three games in a row, including a 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday led by two goals from James Neal, who has scored five times in his past four games.

The Maple Leafs are coming off a weekend of contrasting results.

They scored four unanswered goals in the third period in a 6-3, comeback win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the ACC on Friday. Then they went on the road and lost 4-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

The game on Friday impressed Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock.

"I think it's the first time since I've been here that we came back like that," Babcock said. "It says we have talent and skill. It says we stayed calm. We executed and finished. I liked our team (Friday) night."

It was a different game against the Stanley Cup champion Penguins. Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen faced 49 shots. The Leafs have allowed 40 or more shots in four of their past six games.

"Three of the (Penguins' goals), we could have done a better job," Babcock said. "That part is disappointing. You can't play like that. I know we played (Friday) and I understand all that. But you rely on your structure and your ability to play defense and you wait for your chances."

Babcock shuffled his lineup Saturday and likely will again Tuesday.

Defenseman Frank Corrado played in his first game of the season against the Penguins after being a healthy scratch for the first 14 games. Defenseman Matt Hunwick returned from injured reserve Saturday, and fourth-line center Peter Holland played for the first time since Oct. 25.

Defensemen Roman Polak and Connor Carrick and right winger Ben Smith were scratched. Center Zach Hyman did not skate with the team Monday but could play Tuesday.

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, who earned his 41st career shutout Saturday, is 4-0-2 with seven goals allowed in his past six starts.

"He's been so strong," Laviolette said. "He's seeing it really well right now; he's in position, and I think our guys are feeding off of that in front of him."

Rinne said, "I thought that I had a good end of the season last year and good playoffs, but it's ups and downs. But my main goal is to be consistent and be able to maintain a level where I felt like I'm playing my best game every night. This home stretch has been really good for me and my teammates, and hopefully we can keep it going. We haven't been great on the road so far, but hopefully we can play well, too."

The Predators are 1-4-2 on the road, and the Maple Leafs are 5-2-0 at home.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Flames (5-10) at Wild (8-5)

Date: November 15, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- When their team scores a goal at home, Calgary Flames fans are used to fire shooting from strategic points in their building's ceiling, not from the home team's bench.

Still, Flames first-year coach Glen Gulutzan is finding himself on an increasingly hot seat with less than 20 percent of the season's games played as Calgary sinks further and further back in the Western Conference standings.

The Flames come to Minnesota on Tuesday having lost four in a row, and owning a 5-10-1 mark, which is second-worst in the league (ahead of only the Arizona Coyotes).

All of that recent losing had Gulutzan juggling his lines on Monday at practice before the team boarded a Minnesota-bound plane, looking for a new spark.

"When you lose four in a row, you've got to make some changes," Gulutzan said, without revealing the exact combinations the Wild will be expected to counter on Tuesday, although it looks as if Alex Chiasson will move to the second line and be replaced by Troy Brouwer, who will play with regular top-liners Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. "Any guy we've got here we've got a chance of putting in, so we'll see how the lineup transpires."

The Flames have scored just four goals during the four-game skid, and speculation is growing in Calgary that an early-season coaching change may be needed. However, Gulutzan, who coached the Dallas Stars for two seasons and is in his second head-coaching gig in the NHL, is less concerned about offense and focusing more on his team's inability to consistently stifle the opponents' offense.

"Everybody's talking about the points, but the reality is we've given up 60-some goals, 50-some goals," Gulutzan said. "If you go back a year from now, one of the reasons we didn't have success is we gave up 260-some goals. The top teams in the league don't do that."

After a brief power outage in early November, the Wild (8-5-1) are back to looking like one of the top teams in the league, coming home after two weeks away and having just collected four of a possible six points on a three-game eastern road trip. And the health news is even better in Minnesota, after star left winger Zach Parise skated in practice on Monday and may return to the lineup after a two-week absence caused by a lower-body injury.

"It's good. It beats skating on your own," Parise said Monday after practice. "It's one of those things I needed to get the progress and get back to feeling good again. It was good to be practicing with the team."

Parise said he felt fine and would make his case to coach Bruce Boudreau about a return to the ice against the Flames on Tuesday, hoping to join Charlie Coyle and Eric Staal on the team's top line.

It is the start of a whirlwind stretch in which Minnesota will play seven games in 12 days -- five of them at home.

The Wild defense is on a roll, having allowed just nine goals in the past eight games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA roundup: Porzingis, Knicks mash Mavs
By The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- Kristaps Porzingis posted his first double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 rebounds as the New York Knicks beat the Dallas Mavericks 93-77 Monday.
Carmelo Anthony also contributed 24 points as the Knicks snapped a two-game overall losing streak and a five-game losing streak to the Mavericks. Justin Holiday ignited the Knicks with 16 points off the bench. He scored 12 in the second half when New York took control of the game.
Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki warmed up before the game but determined that his sore right Achilles tendon was not ready for game action. He missed a fourth straight game. Harrison Barnes led the Mavericks with 20 points.

Pistons 104, Thunder 88
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Aron Baynes scored 20 points in place of injured Andre Drummond, and Detroit remained undefeated at home with a win over Oklahoma City.
Drummond, the NBA's second-leading rebounder, missed the game due to a sprained right ankle. Baynes, making his first start of the season, also grabbed eight rebounds as the Pistons improved to 5-0 at home. The backup center wound up one point shy of tying his career high. Tobias Harris delivered a team-high 22 points and six rebounds for the Pistons.
Oklahoma City lost its fourth straight despite getting 33 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists from Russell Westbrook.

Pacers 88, Magic 69
INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Indiana head coach Frank Vogel returned to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, and his old team marked the occasion by playing some stingy defense in a victory over Orlando.
The points allowed were easily a season low for the Pacers, who were known to have one of the league's better defenses during the Vogel era from 2011 to 2016.
C.J. Miles led the Pacers with 16 points. Evan Fournier topped the Magic with 14 points, but he missed 11 of 15 shots from the floor.

Pelicans 106, Celtics 105
NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis scored 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and Tim Frazier made two foul shots in the final seconds to lift New Orleans to its first home victory of the season.
Frazier stole a late inbounds pass from Amir Johnson and was fouled. He made one foul shot to extend the New Orleans lead to 105-103 lead with 14.8 seconds left. After Isaiah Thomas tied it at 105 with a left-handed layup, Frazier drew a foul on a pump fake and made one free throw for the winning margin.
Langston Galloway scored 21 points for the Pelicans. Thomas finished with a game-high 36 points, and Avery Bradley had 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Rockets 115, 76ers 88
HOUSTON -- James Harden flirted with a third consecutive triple-double and Houston raced past Philadelphia.
Harden produced 33 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in just 34 minutes for the Rockets, who led by as many as 29 points. Trevor Ariza added 17 points, and Eric Gordon had 16.
Sixers center Joel Embiid made his first road start of the season and posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Fellow rookie Dario Saric chipped in 11 points as five 76ers scored in double figures.

Spurs 94, Heat 90
SAN ANTONIO -- Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points, including five straight in a key stretch of the fourth quarter, and grabbed 12 rebounds as San Antonio outlasted Miami.
LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points, all in the first half, and San Antonio and got 12 points from Pau Gasol.
The Heat (2-7) dropped their fifth consecutive game despite a game-high 27 points (on 26 shots) from Dion Waiters. Hassan Whiteside had 23 points and 17 rebounds.

Grizzlies 102, Jazz 96
SALT LAKE CITY -- Marc Gasol scored 22 points, and Vince Carter added 20 off the bench to help Memphis hold off a second-half Utah rally.
Zach Randolph and Mike Conley added 18 points apiece to help the Grizzlies earn their second win in five games. Memphis finished with a 44-29 rebounding advantage.
Jazz forward Joe Ingles scored a career-high 20 points while starting in place of Rodney Hood. Trey Lyles added a season-high 18 points, and Shelvin Mack chipped in 17 points off the bench.

Clippers 127, Nets 95
LOS ANGELES -- Chris Paul had 21 points, nine assists and five steals, leading Los Angeles to a romp over Brooklyn.
Blake Griffin added 20 points, six rebounds and six assists, while J.J. Redick contributed 18 points for the Clippers. Los Angeles captured its seventh straight win and six consecutive decision at Staples over the Nets.
Brooklyn played without leading scorer Brook Lopez, who rested in order to avoid playing back-to-back games. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 18 points, and Sean Kilpatrick finished with 14 for the Nets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (8-3) at Stars (6-6)

Date: November 15, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

DALLAS -- Looking at their last 10 games, the New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars are definitely heading in opposite directions.

New Jersey (8-3-3) defeated Buffalo 4-2 at Prudential Arena on Saturday for its fourth consecutive victory. The Devils, who have a plus-5 goal differential, fifth-best in the Eastern Conference, are also 7-1-2 over their past 10 games.

"Four wins in a row is huge for our confidence," Devils center Taylor Hall told NHL.com after the win against the Sabres. "The one thing it does do is put other teams on guard that we're a strong team. We're going to face these teams at their best, so we have to be ready for that."

New Jersey is also allowing 2.1 goals per game, third-lowest in the league.

As for the Stars, who host the Devils on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, they return home from their longest road trip of the season -- a five-game trek to Chicago, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver that saw them go 2-1-2.

Dallas punctuated the trip with a 5-4 overtime loss against the Canucks at Rogers Centre on Sunday night, and understandably Stars coach Lindy Ruff didn't have a lot to say after a tough defeat where Dallas blew a 3-1 lead after two periods.

"You got to move on," Ruff said postgame in Vancouver.

The Stars are still without key offensive cogs Jason Spezza (lower body) and Patrick Sharp (concussion), and fellow veteran forward Jiri Hudler continues to be sidelined with an illness.

And even though Dallas took six of a possible 10 points on the trip, the Stars are just 3-4-3 over their past 10 games, a mark which captain Jamie Benn knows is simply not good enough.

"Disappointing, give up four goals in 20-something minutes and lose a hockey game. It's no good and unacceptable," Benn said postgame in Vancouver.

The good news for Dallas is starting a three-game homestand against the Devils, Colorado Avalanche (on Thursday) and the Oilers (on Saturday). The Stars are 3-2-1 on home ice.

Dallas hopes to get Sharp, Spezza and maybe even Hudler back on the ice soon. Without so many key personnel thus far, the Stars have posted several distressing numbers, like a minus-11 goal differential, which is tied for fourth-worst in the Western Conference.

The Stars are also allowing 3.4 goals per game, a number which ranks 26th out of the 30 teams in the league.

But even with their current winning streak, the Devils will be without veteran forward Michael Cammalleri, who is out due to personal reasons.

And if there's one thing New Jersey hasn't done well over its past five games, it's execute on the power play -- the Devils are 0-for-19 with the man advantage during that span.

However, teams who seem to be effective in limiting Dallas' ability to use their speed and make it a complete back-and-forth game have given the Stars fits over the past few seasons.

Still, as the man wearing the "C" for the Stars puts it, the style of play on Tuesday night is irrelevant but the ultimate goal never changes.

"We just got to be better," Benn said postgame on Vancouver. "Haven't found a way to win lately."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (7-2) at Cavaliers (8-1)

Date: November 15, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan is doing things that haven't been accomplished in the NBA in 30 years, which is fitting since DeRozan is a type of throwback player. He also is invoking the name of Michael Jordan, which is the type of effort it will take for the Raptors to overthrow the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

DeRozan was named the Eastern Conference's Player of the Week Monday after averaging 34.7 points and shooting 54 percent from the floor during Toronto's 3-0 week. DeRozan leads the league in scoring, averaging 34 points per game.

He is the first player to score at least 30 points in eight of his first nine games to start a season since Jordan did it during the 1986-87 season. DeRozan is doing it with a flurry of drives and mid-range jumpers and very few 3-pointers.

"He's playing at an All-Star level," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "Getting bumped, getting hit, still finishing the play. He's playing an old man's game with physicality. The game has slowed down for him and the key is he's converting those plays."

DeRozan's weekly award from the league ends LeBron James' streak. James won the first two weekly awards of the season in the East and remains an imposing road block to the Raptors, who lost to James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in last season's conference finals.

The two best teams in the Eastern Conference in 2015-16 meet again Tuesday in Cleveland for already the second time this season. The Cavs beat the Raptors last month at Air Canada Centre. Now the defending champions might be even better than they were last season.

Cleveland has made at least 10 3-pointers in every game this season, breaking a record set by the Houston Rockets two years ago. While it's early, the Cavaliers are on pace to make more 3-pointers than any team in history -- and coach Tyronn Lue still isn't completely happy.

"I think we can shoot better," Lue said. "It's been sporadic."

Mike Dunleavy, acquired from the Chicago Bulls over the summer, is off to a terrible start shooting 3-pointers. A career 37-percent 3-point shooter, Dunleavy is making just 27 percent of them (7 of 26) this season. Lue, however, isn't concerned with Dunleavy's struggles.

"He's a great shooter and he's always been over his career," Lue said. "You come from playing 32, 34 minutes and being a starter and now you're coming off the bench when you're playing 16 minutes a game, it's tough to try to find your rhythm."

The Raptors didn't win any games at Quicken Loans Arena last season -- including the three during the playoffs. They lost the series when James dominated Game 6 at Air Canada Centre. That's why Toronto players have already discussed the importance of home-court advantage over the Cavaliers in the playoffs.

In order to get there, the Raptors likely will have to win a game in Cleveland at some point. They learned how difficult it can be to beat a motivated James in the postseason.

"He just took over. He took it to another level," Casey said of James. "Mentally, physically, defensively, offensively, he wasn't going to let them lose. He can have an imprint on the game in whatever way that night calls for."