Tuesday 12/8/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

Champions League TODAY 19:45

Man City

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Mgladbach

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		7/10	16/5	4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MAN CITY	RECENT FORM
ADHLALHWHWAL​ Most recent​	1 - 1	HDHDHWHWADHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Man City haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last ten at home

EXPERT VERDICT: Manchester City are still throwing in the odd clanger but have generally got their act together at home and should have too much firepower for Borussia Monchengladbach. However, the German side are enjoying an impressive run of form and City are still struggling for clean sheets.

RECOMMENDATION: Man City to win 2-1
1


REFEREE: Danny Makkelie STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Champions League TODAY 19:45

Wolfsburg

v

Man Utd

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		13/10	5/2	23/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WOLFSBURG	RECENT FORM
ALALHWAWADHL​ Most recent​	1 - 3	HWHWAWHDADHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Wolfsburg have scored in four of their five group games

EXPERT VERDICT: Wolfsburg and Manchester United are first and second in Group B but, with PSV likely to leapfrog one of them, both will be looking for a win on matchday six. United ran out 2-1 victors in a enterprising reverse fixture and with everything still to play for, backing both teams to score looks a sensible play.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2


REFEREE: Milorad Mazic STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Champions League We 9Dec 19:45

Chelsea

v

Porto

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		Evs	5/2	16/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT CHELSEA	RECENT FORM
HWALHWAWADHL​ Most recent​	1 - 0 2 - 1 3 - 1	HWAWHLAWAWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Chelsea have scored 11 goals in five group games

EXPERT VERDICT: Struggling Chelsea have saved their best for Europe and can confirm their place in the Champions League last 16 at Stamford Bridge. Porto were poor in defeat to Dynamo Kiev on matchday five and that looks likely to cost them dear with the Ukrainians overwhelming favourites to join the Blues in the next round.

RECOMMENDATION: Chelsea
3

 

[superbeets]

Champions League We 9Dec 19:45

Olympiakos

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Arsenal

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		5/2	14/5	11/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT OLYMPIAKOS	RECENT FORM
HWHWALHWAWAW​ Most recent​	2 - 1 3 - 1 1 - 0	ALHDALHWADHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Olympiacos have scored in every league game this season

EXPERT VERDICT: It’s judgement day for Arsenal as the Gunners head to Greece with their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. Only a win – and probably by a two-goal margin – will suffice if Arsene Wenger’s men are to leapfrog Olympiakos and backing both teams to score looks a sensible play.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2

 

[superbeets]

Europa League Th 10Dec 18:00

FC Sion

v

Liverpool

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		12/5	2	13/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FC SION	RECENT FORM
HDHWADALHLAL​ Most recent​	1 - 2	HLAWHWHWAWAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Liverpool have drawn eight of 17 Europa games

EXPERT VERDICT: A draw in Switzerland will give Liverpool top spot in their Europa League group and it will also qualify Sion along with the Reds. It does not mean the game will finish level, but there is no incentive for either side to go chasing the win and Liverpool have drawn three of their five Europa League games this term.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
2

 

[superbeets]

Europa League Th 10Dec 18:00

Fenerbahce

v

Celtic

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		1/3	15/4	17/2	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FENERBAHCE	RECENT FORM
ADHWAWAWHWAD​ Most recent​	Unknown	HWHLAWHDHLAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Celtic have conceded 11 goals in Group A

EXPERT VERDICT: Celtic have shipped at least two goals in all five of their Europa League group-stage matches and that sorry stat helps to explain why the Bhoys have already been eliminated before this difficult trip to Turkey. Fenerbahce, who have improved as their European campaign has progressed, should win comfortably.

RECOMMENDATION: Fenerbahce to win 2-0
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (16-8) at Blue Jackets (11-16)

Date: December 08, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Kings have built plenty of momentum in time for a stretch which keeps them away from home for just about the rest of 2015.

They'll try for a fifth consecutive victory to open a six-game trip Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Los Angeles (17-8-1) concluded a perfect four-game homestand with Sunday's 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay.

"We're finding ways to win," said Jonathan Quick, who has a 1.46 goals-against average during the club's current 5-0-1 run.

The Kings have won 11 of 13 at home but need to carry over that success to the road, where they'll play 10 of their 11 remaining December games. They've lost three of four away from home ice.

"I know coming back and looking at this homestand, it was four really good hockey teams (Chicago, Vancouver, Pittsburgh and the Lightning)," Quick said. "We're moving on. We've got a big trip ahead of us. We've got to leave this in the past and get ready for the next one."

A respectable 6-3-1 on the road, Los Angeles is poised to remain focused on its own play and not the extended travel.

"We're working on our game, we're trying to get better every game," Quick said. "We need to stay on par with (this) type of winning percentage if we expect to be a playoff team."

Teammate Anze Kopitar is doing his part, recording three goals and six assists in the last eight games with a plus-6 rating. He earned his 400th assist on Brayden McNabb's tiebreaking score early in the second period Sunday.

"He's probably going to get 400 more," coach Darryl Sutter said. "Remember I said that too, because it'll happen."

Teammate Jeff Carter is riding a six-game point streak, and the ex-Blue Jacket has a five-gamer against his former team with four goals and five assists.

Kopitar assisted on Carter's late goal in the clubs' only matchup this season, but Columbus (11-16-1) ended a three-game losing streak in the series with a 3-2 win Nov. 5. Quick had a personal six-game win streak against the Blue Jackets snapped, but he's won his last five starts in Columbus behind a 1.97 GAA.

Sergei Bobrovsky beat him in the first meeting by stopping 31 shots. He has a 1.44 GAA in his last 10 starts after making 27 saves Saturday and helping Columbus snap an 0-2-1 slide with a 4-1 victory at Philadelphia.

The win came one day after coach John Tortorella benched veteran Scott Hartnell for Friday's 2-1 shootout loss to Florida and questioned his team's overall effort following the contest. Hartnell responded by recording a goal and two assists as the Blue Jackets improved to 11-9-1 since Tortorella replaced the fired Todd Richards in October.

'That has to be the standard and it will be the standard," said forward Nick Foligno, who had two goals with an assist.

"(Tortorella) is very serious about the standard he is setting here, and Hartnell handled it like a pro. When you sit him out, it sends a shock wave through the room. Message received.'

Hartnell is tied for the team lead with 19 points but had gone without one in his previous four games. His power-play goal Saturday ended Columbus' 0-for-23, nine-game drought.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Islanders (13-8) at Flyers (10-11)

Date: December 08, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Both the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers will hit the Wells Fargo Center ice Tuesday night looking to bounce back after having four-game winning streaks snapped.

One team saw significantly more silver linings in its defeat.

The Islanders managed to earn a point in a seventh straight game despite blowing a third-period lead, while the Flyers didn't take any sort of consolation after a loss in which they were never competitive.

New York (15-8-5) seemed to be cruising to a fifth straight win up 2-0 midway through the third period Saturday at Ottawa, but it allowed the tying goal with 37 seconds left and fell 3-2 in overtime. It was the third time the Islanders have lost when leading after two, a number only Vancouver (six) has topped.

"The frustrating part is that we gave up that two-goal lead, and that's something we have to address," defenseman Travis Hamonic said. "As of late we've been good in these games so it's not like it's a huge issue for us, but you don't want that to creep into your game. We have to do a better job of bearing down."

Coach Jack Capuano didn't seem too disappointed as New York earned a fifth point during its three-games-in-four-nights stretch - particularly considering all three went past regulation.

"We've just got to be more consistent in certain areas, but I like the way we've been playing lately," he said.

Capuano certainly enjoyed the way the Islanders played a 3-1 victory against the Flyers (11-11-5) on Nov. 25 in which they outshot Philadelphia 36-18. That was the first game of the point streak (5-0-2), which can now get to eight for the first time since an 8-0-3 stretch in April 2013.

The last meeting got physical, with Nick Leddy and Claude Giroux squaring off before Matt Martin and Wayne Simmonds went at it later in the second period.

"Those games are fun," Islanders center Casey Cizikas said. "When they get testy like that, when they get physical like that, that's what makes the game of hockey so much fun. I think we thrived off of that."

That was the Flyers' last loss before Saturday, when the positive feelings from a post-Thanksgiving home win and a three-game road sweep were sullied with a 4-1 loss to visiting Columbus. The Blue Jackets scored twice while outshooting Philadelphia 13-4 in the first period.

"We didn't compete 100 percent of the time," said Wayne Simmonds, who three-game goal streak ended. "I'm not saying all the time because there were shifts where we did, but it wasn't 100 percent of the time and that's why we've been playing good hockey."

Much like it was Saturday, the Flyers' biggest issue may be the opening 20 minutes. Philadelphia has been outscored 25-12 in the first period this season.

"I believe we will come back to work," coach Dave Hakstol said. "We've got to go and prove that as we move forward. ... Everybody's got to do better from every guy on the roster through."

The Flyers have lost five straight to the Islanders in which Simmonds has played, and their second-leading scorer has gone without a point in the past four. New York's John Tavares has eight goals and six assists in his last 12 against Philadelphia.

Tavares may find more room to skate with Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn out for two weeks with a lower-body injury, and the man replacing him will be familiar to Capuano's club. It's former Islander Andrew MacDonald, who has spent all of 2015-16 in the AHL just one season after signing a six-year, $30 million contract.

Fellow defenseman Radko Gudas is also out as he completes his three-game suspension for a headshot last week against Ottawa.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Senators (11-8) at Panthers (10-10)

Date: December 08, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

While a slow start doomed Florida during a streak-snapping loss, Ottawa's mini-run ended when its offense didn't show up at all.

Each team will look to get back on track when the Senators visit the Panthers on Tuesday night for a meeting between Atlantic Division foes.

Florida (13-10-4) had won five straight - the last four to begin a five-game trip - before the streak ended in disappointing fashion due mainly to a poor opening period Sunday at New Jersey.

The Panthers surrendered a goal just 26 seconds in and another midway through the first en route to a 4-2 loss. They were outshot 11-7 in the first 20 minutes before holding a 29-7 edge over the final 40.

"It's a frustrating loss because we thought we had a good thing going," defenseman Erik Gudbranson told the team's official website. "We felt like we could come out with that game, but unfortunately we didn't start the game on time and it came back to bite us."

Florida's defense and goaltending carried it through the season-best win streak, surrendering just six goals combined, but the Devils ended the club's streak of four consecutive games allowing just one.

Roberto Luongo earned the first four wins during the streak, but New Jersey's four goals on 18 shots gave the veteran a .778 save percentage that was his worst in 46 games.

A missed penalty shot by Jonathan Huberdeau while the Panthers trailed 3-2 late in the second period along with a flurry of other missed opportunities in the final two periods left the Panthers with an empty feeling.

"We had some good chances the second part of the game, but we kept playing from behind," coach Gerard Gallant said. "It was a battle, but we lost the game in the first period. We talked this morning about playing 60 minutes and we didn't do it."

Luongo has lost his last two starts against Ottawa after winning his previous 10. He has a 1.98 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in those 12 starts.

Ottawa (14-8-5) had its two-game winning streak end and dropped its third in five games with a 4-1 loss at the New York Rangers on Sunday that opened a four-game trip.

Marc Methot scored his first goal in 20 games, but the Rangers scored twice in the first period and two more times in the third.

"It was a gallant effort," coach Dave Cameron said. "We just weren't good enough. ... We have to just do better."

The Senators were held to just one goal for the first time in 10 games and are 0 for 5 on the power play in their last two.

"We're just trying to get pucks deep and be smart about our energy; maximize and take advantage of our opportunities," Kyle Turris said. "We weren't able to do that."

Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson stopped 27 of 30 shots in his 11th consecutive start before a late empty-netter sealed it. Anderson has lost three of his last four against Florida with a 2.54 GAA and .932 save percentage, though he earned a shutout last October.

Florida has won four of the last six in the series with one victory in overtime. The two sides have traded wins and losses over the last eight meetings in Sunrise.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (12-10) at Maple Leafs (7-13)

Date: December 08, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

After almost three decades as general manager of the New Jersey Devils, Lou Lamoriello is set to watch his old team while in the early stages of trying to revive his new one.

Hoping to turn things around in Toronto, Lamoriello faces the visiting Devils for the first time since becoming the Maple Leafs' GM on Tuesday night.

With Lamoriello in charge the past 27 seasons, New Jersey made 21 playoff appearances and won three Stanley Cups. But after moving to team president following Ray Shero's appointment to Devils GM in May, the 73-year-old Lamoriello resigned on July 23 to take his current job in Toronto.

"When you're used to having absolute control of an organization. â?¦ Lou was obviously president and Ray was GM, and I think it was just a different situation for him," Devils co-owner Josh Harris told the NHL's official website at the time. "I think it's relatively easy to see why he might consider a great team like Toronto as an opportunity."

Lamoriello took out advertisements in local newspapers thanking Devils fans, and was reported as saying last week that he has no hard feelings toward the current New Jersey front office.

While the Devils (14-10-3) under Shero are trying to reach the postseason for the first time since 2012, Lamoriello's job in Toronto appears more difficult. The Maple Leafs (9-13-5) have made the playoffs once in the last 10 seasons, managed 68 points in 2014-15 and are currently tied for the fewest points in the Eastern Conference.

"I understand it is not something that is going to happen overnight," Lamoriello said.

Looking to end an 0-3-1 slide against New Jersey, Toronto will try to win two straight for the first time since Nov. 17 and 20. The Maple Leafs had lost five of six and trailed within the first two minutes Saturday at St. Louis, but Nazem Kadri scored twice and Leo Komarov and Roman Polak each had two assists in the 4-1 victory.

"We're starting to become better with adversity than we used to be," Kadri said.

Though Toronto broke out after totaling one goal in the previous two games, it went 0 for 9 on the power play during the three-game trip. However, it's among the league leaders converting 26.7 percent at home.

"The bar to compete has to get higher and higher," coach Mike Babcock said. "The more guys we get to buy into being competitive, the more games we'll win."

With James Reimer (lower body) out at least one more game and the extent of Jonathan Bernier's AHL conditioning assignment uncertain, rookie Garret Sparks could be in net. Sparks shut out Edmonton on 24 saves in his NHL debut last Monday, allowed six goals at Winnipeg on Wednesday, then stopped 27 shots against the Blues.

Looking for a fourth consecutive road win, New Jersey has earned a point in three straight overall following Sunday's 4-2 home win over Florida. Adam Henrique had a goal with two assists and linemate Mike Cammalleri added one of each as the Devils prevailed despite recording 18 shots for the second consecutive contest.

Cammalleri has four goals and three assists in the last three games while Henrique has five with four assists in the last eight.

"Our line just wants to keep things going," Henrique told the Devils' official website. "We've set team goals for ourselves and need to find a way to keep producing offensively."

Teammate Cory Schneider, who made 34 saves Sunday, is 4-0-2 with a 1.60 goals-against average against the Maple Leafs.

Toronto winger and New Jersey native James van Riemsdyk is tied for the team lead with 16 points, but has been blanked in the last three.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Wings (14-8) at Capitals (17-5)

Date: December 08, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Although the Detroit Red Wings are scoring goals in bunches during a lengthy point streak, few teams have been as stingy defensively as the Washington Capitals.

It'll be strength vs. strength when the Capitals return home Tuesday night for a matchup between two of the Eastern Conference's hottest teams.

The Red Wings (15-8-4) enter Verizon Center having earned a point in 10 consecutive games, while Washington had won six straight prior to Saturday's 2-1 loss to Winnipeg in the conclusion of a three-game trip.

Detroit is 7-0-3 during its longest point streak since a 10-0-2 stretch March 11-April 3, 2010. The club has racked up 14 goals in closing out a six-game homestand with three straight wins, the latest a 5-4 comeback win over Nashville in overtime Saturday.

The Red Wings rallied from a 4-2 third-period deficit with three unanswered goals capped by Gustav Nyquist's winner 45 seconds into OT.

"I thought it was great character by our guys," coach Jeff Blashill said. "We did a good job of staying patient and staying with it. We just kept coming and coming the second half of the game."

Rookie Dylan Larkin and Justin Abdelkader also scored during the comeback. Abdelkader has four goals over a three-game streak, while seven of Larkin's team-high 11 have come in the last 10. Nyquist has compiled three goals and four assists over his last five.

"I think it's good to see that we're finally scoring some goals," Nyquist told the team's official website. "We struggled with that most part of the season so far but the last few games we've been able to put the puck in the net and that's a big thing, obviously, for us."

The Red Wings found offense harder to come by in two meetings with Washington (18-5-2) last month in Detroit. They earned a 1-0 victory Nov. 10 behind Petr Mrazek's 38 saves, but the Capitals came through with a 2-1 overtime win eight days later.

Detroit has mustered one goal in four straight matchups with the Capitals - three ending in Washington wins and all four started by Braden Holtby, the league's current leader in goals-against average (1.95).

Holtby had 34 saves against Winnipeg but his career-best eight-game win streak ended on a disputed goal by Mark Scheifele late in overtime. Coach Barry Trotz challenged the call, arguing that the Jets' Blake Wheeler was offsides, but it stood after a long review.

"We thought it was (offside) when it was originally live and then you look at the three different angles, it's no question," Trotz said. "But, they'll give you an inconclusive statement, I'm sure, protect their guys, but it is what it is."

Holtby has a 1.70 GAA while winning seven straight home starts and is 10-2-0 with a 1.84 GAA at Verizon Center, where the Capitals are 10-3-1 and have won four in a row.

Nicklas Backstrom scored against the Jets on the power play, where the Capitals are 7 for 16 in the last five and second in the NHL with a 25.6 percent success rate.

Playing without key penalty killer Drew Miller, who is out six weeks after breaking his jaw Thursday against Arizona, the Red Wings allowed three power-play goals to the Predators' Shea Weber on Saturday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Coyotes (13-13) at Blues (14-8)

Date: December 08, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The St. Louis Blues are confused as to why they are failing to stick with the game plan while turning in some mediocre hockey over the last few weeks.

They'll try to end a season-high three-game slide Tuesday night by handing the visiting Arizona Coyotes a fifth straight defeat.

St. Louis (15-8-4) finished with one goal for the third straight game in Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Toronto. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his team-high 15th goal 1:51 into the contest as the Blues got off to a good start before faltering the rest of the way to drop to 4-5-3 in their last 12 games.

'It's not the right way to play, the players know it, especially the veteran players,' coach Ken Hitchcock said. 'I'm not sure what it's going to take for us to get back to what we are capable of. That's why we're a .500 hockey club the last little while.'

The Blues average 6.2 giveaways for one of the league's lowest marks but that figure is up to 9.7 over the last three games. St. Louis last dropped four straight in a 0-3-1 stretch Dec. 18-27.

"I don't know why we want to get cute," center David Backes said. "We've built this thing for a long time on playing the right way, on playing hard-nosed, blue-collar hockey, getting it in, grinding it out, occupying the o-zone and just wearing teams down almost to submission."

The Blues' woes pale in comparison to those of the Coyotes, who have been outscored 20-9 in losing the first four on a five-game trip. Arizona's five-game road slide is its longest since losing seven in a row Feb. 10-March 16.

Sunday's 5-4 loss to Carolina was especially frustrating. Arizona (13-13-1) rallied from a goal down in the final period to take a 4-3 lead only to concede the tying goal with 4:22 to go and the winner with 17 seconds left while being short-handed after Martin Hanzal took a high-sticking penalty with 2:15 remaining.

"It comes right back to where our whole trip has been," coach Dave Tippett told the Coyotes' official website. "We're making some bad mistakes and we have below-average goaltending. It's as simple as that. Poor mistakes and turnovers, bad penalties and our goaltenders haven't cleaned a lot of messes for us. That's where we are."

Anders Lindback faced the Hurricanes after Mike Smith started the first three games of the trip, allowing 11 goals and getting pulled early once.

The Coyotes will count on offense from Max Domi, second among rookies with a team-high 23 points.

They also may give Viktor Tikhonov his first Arizona appearance this season after the winger was claimed off waivers Saturday after playing 11 games for Chicago and failing to register a point.

This is Tikhonov's second stint with the club after he played for it in 2008-09.

St. Louis will be without Steve Ott, who will be sidelined for three months with a hamstring injury suffered in the first period Saturday.

The Blues have outscored the Coyotes 20-5 in winning the last five meetings. Backes had five goals in three games last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Predators (12-8) at Blackhawks (14-9)

Date: December 08, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Chicago's franchise-record point streak is Patrick Kane's, as is the top run for an American-born player. Wayne Gretzky's NHL record will also be his - in another 30 games.

So rather than worry about likely unreachable records, Kane and the Blackhawks get back to work Tuesday night on tracking down four Central Division teams, among them the visiting Nashville Predators for the teams' first meeting since last postseason to start a home-and-home set.

The team-record 22-game point streak came in Sunday's 3-1 home victory over Winnipeg with Kane assisting on Artemi Panarin's empty-net goal via a legal hand pass with under two minutes remaining.

"It's not your usual point, I guess," Kane said.

But there's been plenty lately he has been able to take pride in, scoring 13 goals with 23 assists on his way to a league-leading 42 points, and his 36 on the streak are more than anyone else has for the season. Kane's 1.56 points per game mark is 0.39 higher than his previous career best from 2012-13.

He's tied with Dany Heatley for the third longest dating to 2005-06, during which Sidney Crosby's 2010-11 25-game streak is the league's longest.

Kane's line with Panarin and Artem Anisimov was for once overshadowed by Chicago's top line of Marian Hossa, Teuvo Teravainen and Jonathan Toews. Hossa had a goal and an assist after recording two points in his previous seven contests.

"(Hossa) had a great game," coach Joel Quenneville told the team's official website. "That was his best game of the year. He scored, made a great play at the net, made a couple great back checks tonight and that line had a great start to the third period. Teuvo scores a big goal for us as well. Nice to get some contributions away from (the second) line."

The win ended a 0-1-2 span, and another in regulation would push Chicago (14-9-4) past Nashville (14-8-5) by a point. Last season, the Blackhawks eliminated the Predators in six games in the first round to complete a 7-3-0 season series.

Hossa had three goals in the last two regular-season meetings, and Toews had eight points in the playoff series.

Nashville is concluding a three-game road trip seeking its first consecutive wins since Nov. 14-17. It won 3-2 in Boston on Monday but has allowed 3.10 goals per game over a 3-5-2 span. Roman Josi, who has three goals and three assists in his last four games, tied it in both the first and second periods before Viktor Arvidsson scored for the second straight game with just under five minutes remaining. Shea Weber had two assists, giving him three goals and five assists in his last four.

"We thought we played some really good games lately and kind of found a way to lose and tonight we found a way to win that game," Josi told the team's official website. "We stayed disciplined tonight and it was a good win."

Both of Josi's goals came on the power play, giving the Predators a 5-for-11 mark in the last two games. The problem is they also allowed a power-play goal, and their penalty kill is just 9 for 17 in the last six contests.

Carter Hutton faced the Bruins, so Pekka Rinne will try to right things against the Blackhawks. The Nashville No. 1 has a 3.16 goals-against average and .867 save percentage on a 1-4-2 span and went 0-3-1 with a 3.19 GAA in Chicago last season.

He'll face Corey Crawford, who has leveled out with 2.21 and .926 marks over a 3-1-1 span after struggling through most of November. He only played three games in the playoff series against the Predators and is 4-4-0 with a 3.51 GAA and .870 save percentage in his last nine games against them.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hurricanes (10-13) at Stars (19-5)

Date: December 08, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged that his team ran into a hot goalie in losing the finale to a
That's not an issue against the next opponent.

Opening a stretch of five of six at home Tuesday night, the Western Conference-leading Stars look to bounce back against a Carolina Hurricanes team that has allowed at least four goals in four of its last five games.

Dallas (20-5-2) fired 43 shots on Edmonton's Anders Nilsson on Friday, but only Mattias Janmark scored in a 2-1 overtime loss. Tyler Seguin, held without a point for just the second time in 11 games, had seven shots while Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza had five apiece for the Stars, who were limited to fewer than two goals for the second time this season.

"He made some great saves," Ruff said of Nilsson. "Right off the start, we probably could have had three or four (goals)."

The Stars, one of the league's highest-scoring teams at 3.4 per contest, still managed to earn a point for a 10th time in 11 games and go 2-1-1 on their trip.

"We can't be disappointed with six out of eight points on a road trip," Ruff said. " ... We got the points you need in a four-game block. These last two games we've really played well. We're missing too many really good opportunities to put teams away."

One area where the Stars have squandered chances is with the man advantage.

They are converting 24.1 percent of their power-play opportunities for the West's best mark but are 0 for 11 in the last four games.

Dallas has a prime opportunity to get its power play on track against the Hurricanes, who are killing 69.0 percent of penalties on the road for one of league's lowest success rates.

The Stars have also totaled 13 goals in their last three games against Carolina, winning 4-1 on Nov. 6 behind third-period scores from Patrick Sharp, Radek Faksa and Jason Demers.

The Hurricanes (10-13-4) have given up an East-worst 3.13 goals per game since the beginning of November, with the save percentages of Cam Ward (.889) and backup Eddie Lack (.872) ranking among the NHL's worst in that span.

Carolina has surrendered 14 goals during a four-game road losing streak but is coming off a pair of encouraging home wins following a 2-5-4 stretch.

A night after beating East-leading Montreal 3-2, the Hurricanes rallied for a 5-4 win over Arizona on Sunday. Ron Hainsey tied the game with 4:22 to go and Justin Faulk scored the winner with 17 seconds left.

"Big win last night, and to roll it over is huge," Faulk said. "It started with a high compete level, and that's what you need to do every night to win in this league. ... If we continue to bring that every night it's going to be huge for us going forward."

Faulk's goal was his ninth of the season - all on the power play. In 27 games, he has already tied the team record for power-play goals by a defenseman, set by Anton Babchuk in 72 games in 2008-09.

Faulk is essentially the only scoring threat with the man advantage as Victor Rask, Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal have tallied the only other three power-play goals for Carolina, which has the league's second-worst conversion rate at 13.3 percent.

The Stars have killed all nine penalties in the last four games and have been getting strong play in goal from Kari Lehtonen, who seems likely to start after Antti Niemi got the call Friday.

Lehtonen has a 1.98 goals-against average in winning his last seven starts, which includes beating the Hurricanes last month, and is 6-1-0 with a 2.55 GAA in his last eight versus Carolina.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sharks (13-12) at Flames (9-14)

Date: December 08, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The Calgary Flames might be last in the Western Conference, but they continue to play well at home.

They can extend their winning streak at the Saddledome to seven games by handing the San Jose Sharks a season-high fourth consecutive defeat Tuesday night.

After opening with four straight losses at home and scoring 15 times over the first seven there, Calgary (10-14-2) has recorded 18 non-shootout goals in the last five on its own ice. In the second of a five-game home stretch Friday, the Flames beat Boston 5-4 in overtime to win six straight there for the first time since an eight-game run during the lockout shortened 2012-13 season.

Calgary, which has won three of the last four against the Sharks at home, has a chance Tuesday to win three straight overall for the first time this season.

"Keep going," coach Bob Hartley said. "We want to take advantage of this homestand. We basically have to win every game. There has to be a sense of urgency ... and there is."

Johnny Gaudreau continues to pace Calgary's success at the Saddledome by recording seven goals and 10 assists during a nine-game home point streak. He posted his second career hat trick and first four-point game Friday.

"He's like a car in the NASCAR race in the pit. He's spinning on the bench," Hartley told the Flames' official website. "He wants to go.

'When (Gaudreau) shows up at the rink, his biggest asset is he wants to be the game changer, he wants to make the difference. He has such high expectations of himself that it makes him very special.'

In his second season, Gaudreau leads the Flames with nine goals but only one has come on the power play. Owner of a league-low 12.2-percent conversion rate, Calgary is 1 for 28 with the man advantage in the last nine games.

"We're going to keep working," Hartley said.

Gaudreau was held without a point while the Flames went 0 for 3 with the man advantage to lose 5-2 at San Jose (14-12-0) on Nov. 28. The Sharks, however, have been outscored 10-4 while losing three straight since then.

San Jose averaged 3.3 goals during a seven-game road winning streak that ended with Friday's 1-0 loss at Anaheim. A day later, the Sharks matched a season high for power-play opportunities while going 3 for 8 in a 4-3 home defeat to Tampa Bay. The Sharks are converting 29.6 percent of their power-play opportunities in the last six contests.

"We've had games when we only got one or two chances," San Jose captain Joe Pavelski told the NHL's official website. "It's good to see it coming around. It can create momentum."

Only two of Pavelski's team-leading 12 goals have come on the power play. He has not scored in any fashion over the last five games, but has five assists. Pavelski had two assists against the Flames last month, and has five in his last four in the series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Los Angeles won five of its last six games.
-- Islanders, Flyers won four of their last five games.
-- Florida won five of its last six games. Senators won six of their last nine games.
-- New Jersey won its last three road games.
-- Washington won six of last seven games. Red Wings won four of their last five.
-- Dallas Stars won seven of last ten games.
-- Calgary won last four home games, last three in OT/SO.

Cold teams
-- Blue Jackets lost three of their last four games.
-- Maple Leafs lost five of their last seven games.
-- Arizona lost last four games, allowing five goals in each one. St Louis lost four of its last five games.
-- Nashville lost seven of its last ten games. Chicago lost three of its last four.
-- Carolina won last two overall, but lost last three road games, scoring six goals
-- San Jose lost its last three games, scoring four goals.

Series records
-- Kings won six of their last eight games with Columbus.
-- Islanders won five of last six games with Philly.
-- Panthers won four of their last six games with Ottawa.
-- Devils won their last four games with Toronto.
-- Red Wings lost three of last four games with Washington.
-- Blues won eight of last nine games with Arizona.
-- Blackhawks won six of last eight games with Nashville.
-- Dallas Stars won six of last eight games with Carolina.
-- Flames won six of their last eight games with San Jose.

Totals
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Los Angeles games.
-- Under is 4-1-2 in last seven Islander games.
-- Five of last seven Ottawa games went over total.
-- Last three New Jersey games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Detroit games went over total.
-- Last five Arizona games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Chicago-Nashville games went over.
-- Over is 3-0-1 in last four Carolina games.
-- Five of last six San Jose games went over the total.

Back-to-backs
-- Nashville is 0-3 when it played the night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Hockey Odds and Picks: Scouting the Week Ahead
by Alan Matthews

how's this for a prop idea: Which streak ends first: Golden State's record 22-game winning streak to open a season or Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane's mark of 22 straight games with a point? Both will be on the line for No. 23 Tuesday night.

Kane's streak is already a record for an American-born player, and he got an assist on Sunday in very unlikely fashion. With time winding down against Winnipeg, the Jets pulled their goaltender trailing 2-1. The Chicago bench knew Kane's streak was about to end, so Coach Joel Quenneville was yelling: "Pass it to Kaner!" Instead, Kane would get a point without the puck even touching his stick. He swatted the puck out of the air with his left hand and right to rookie Artemi Panarin, who fired the puck into the vacant net. That broke the Chicago franchise record of 21 straight games with a point held by Hall of Famer Bobby Hull. Kane still has a mile to catch Wayne Gretzky's uncatchable record of 51 in a row. When Gretzky did that, teams averaged 3.94 goals a game combined (the Oilers averaged 5.86 per game that year). This season, teams are averaging just 2.65 combined goals per game (Hawks at 2.7). Kane has either scored or assisted on 57.4 percent of Chicago's scoring throughout this streak, compared to 51.2 percent for Gretzky during his 1983-84 run.

"I just hope [Kane] breaks the record and then goes on and chases Gretzky. It's only 30 (more games). It's not a big deal. He can get 30 more, I'm sure," Hull said after Sunday's game.

Kane leads the NHL with 42 points in 27 games. He has 13 goals and 23 assists during the streak during which the Hawks are 12-6-4. So he has scored more points during the streak than any other player has scored for the season. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin of the Stars are tied for second in the NHL in scoring with 35 points each entering the week. Sidney Crosby (25) and Dany Heatley (22) are the only current active players to ever have a streak of that long in one season. Kane has scored in 392 of his 603 career regular-season games, so about 65 percent of the time. A player with a 65 percent chance of scoring on any given night thus would have a 1-in-13,000 chance of scoring in 22 straight games with all other things being equal.

Chicago hosts Nashville on Tuesday night -- no early line -- with the Predators playing the second of a back-to-back. The Hawks then visit the Preds on Thursday, host Winnipeg on Friday and Vancouver on Sunday. Chicago and Nashville haven't played this season. Kane had one assist in four regular-season games vs. the Predators last season. Pekka Rinne is one of the NHL's best goaltenders. The Preds didn't start him Monday in Boston so he could play here.

Here are some other games to watch this week:

Detroit at Washington, Tuesday (-155, 5): The Capitals remain Stanley Cup favorites at Bovada at +700 along with Dallas. The Caps had their season-high six-game winning streak snapped on Saturday in a 2-1 overtime loss at Winnipeg. Top goalie Braden Holtby has played seven straight games -- he had won a career-high eight in a row -- so you might see him get this one off with the winning streak over. Caps defenseman Brooks Orpik is close to returning from an injury that has kept him out since Nov. 12 but he won't play Tuesday. Winger Marcus Johansson (lower body) didn't skate Monday and is questionable for Tuesday. So is defenseman Karl Alzner (upper body) and he has played in 401 straight games. The Red Wings have won three straight and are starting to close the gap on first-place Montreal in the Atlantic Division. Detroit's forward depth took a blow last week against Arizona as both Teemu Pulkkinen (dislocated shoulder) and Drew Miller (broken jaw) suffered major injuries and they are likely to miss six weeks each. The Wings and Caps have split two one-goal games this season.

Boston at Montreal, Wednesday: The Bruins are really starting to play well because goaltender Tuukka Rask is. Rask is 4-0-2 with a 1.71 goals-against average, a .941 save percentage and two shutouts in his past six games. The Habs are starting to miss Carey Price as they have dropped two straight and three of four. Montreal has had Boston's number this season, winning a pair of 4-2 games. Price was in net for one and backup Mike Condon the other. Rask started one for Boston and Jonas Gustavsson the other.

Ottawa at Tampa Bay, Thursday: I keep waiting for the Lightning to finally flip a switch and ascend to the top of the Eastern Conference but it hasn't happened yet. They have a goals differential of just plus-1 on the season. Superstar Steven Stamkos has gone six games without a goal. The Bolts almost had disaster strike when goalie Ben Bishop took a stick to his right eye through his mask in Saturday's game. Bishop himself said he was very worried immediately as there was immediate pain and blurred vision, but he's OK. It's not often you will see a defenseman lead the NHL in assists but former Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson of the Senators is tied for the league with Kane at 26 helpers. This is the first meeting of the season between the Lightning and Senators.

Los Angeles at Pittsburgh, Friday: The Kings enter the week having won four straight and they are pulling away in the Pacific Division. They just completed a 4-0 homestand and this is part of a six-game road trip. The Kings hosted the Penguins on Saturday and won 5-3. Los Angeles had three goals from defensemen in a game for the first time since 2007; the Kings entered the game with only eight goals from their defensemen all season. It was the first time that L.A. reached five goals this year. Olli Maatta scored for Pittsburgh in his return from a six-game injury absence. Crosby also found the net, only his sixth goal.

Injury Report

San Jose could get arguably its best player back Tuesday in center Logan Couture, who has missed the past 23 games with a fractured right fibula. He returned to practice on Monday, the same day he was activated off injured reserve. Couture had one assist and a plus-1 rating in three games.

Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk has a mild groin strain and won't play again until Friday at the earliest. Dubnyk, who is second in the NHL with 13 wins, left the Wild's 3-0 victory Saturday against the Avalanche with 9:05 left in the second period after making 11 saves. Backup Darcy Kuemper completed the shutout with nine saves for Minnesota and is the temporary No. 1 now.

Nashville's Mike Fisher, perhaps better known as Carrie Underwood's husband, is dealing with a lower-body injury and may not play this week; he's on injured reserve. Fisher has five goals and two assists and is minus-2.

Vancouver has lost center Brandon Sutter for 4-6 weeks due to surgery to repair a sports hernia. The 26-year-old has been out of the lineup since Nov. 10. Sutter was one of the team's big offseason acquisitions, coming over in trade from Pittsburgh and then signing a five-year extension with the Canucks. He had four goals and four assists in eight games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Warriors (22-0) at Pacers (12-7)

Date: December 08, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

There's a growing debate whether Stephen Curry is eclipsing LeBron James as the NBA's best player after winning his first title and league MVP a season ago.

Curry could help the unbeaten Golden State Warriors match one of James' distinguished marks Tuesday night.

The Warriors can improve to 23-0 and post their 27th straight regular-season victory when they visit an Indiana Pacers team that features the Eastern Conference's top scorer in Paul George.

Already with the best overall start to a season in NBA history, Golden State can become the first team to open 13-0 on the road and can tie the second-longest regular-season win streak in league history. James' 2012-13 Miami Heat won 27 straight, with the NBA's only longer run being the 33-game streak by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.

The Warriors were severely tested Sunday in Brooklyn, blowing an early 17-point lead and falling behind by five in the third quarter. That's the period in which Curry scored 16 of his 28 points, and Golden State pulled away in the fourth for a 114-98 victory.

'Just trying to see if I could get some room and figure out a way to impact the game,' Curry said, 'and things started to click.'

Curry, who will likely be defended in this contest by George Hill, totaled 84 points in his previous two games and averages a league-best 32.4. His average of 17.8 points against the Pacers is his second-worst against an opponent.

George is averaging 27.6 points this season after the Indiana swingman scored a career-high 48 in Saturday's 122-119 overtime loss at Utah.

He and the Pacers (12-7) feel they match up well as they search for a seventh straight home victory.

"We're definitely geared with our personnel to match up with this team," George said. "It looks good on paper, we've just got to go out and execute."

While the Warriors lead the league with 115.1 points per game, the Pacers have also been potent with 103.3. Indiana is averaging 112.8 in a 6-2 stretch.

These are the league's best 3-point shooting teams, with Golden State at 43.7 percent and Indiana at 40.1. Curry is shooting 47.2 percent on 3s and George is at 45.4 to rank among the NBA's leaders.

Curry can match the record Rashard Lewis set from 2007-09 by making a 3-pointer in his 87th straight road game Tuesday. His 11.2 3-point attempts per game would mark the most in NBA history since 1979-80.

Indiana knows that Golden State has more than Curry. Klay Thompson is averaging 17.2 points, including 22.0 through four games of this seven-game trip, and Draymond Green leads all forwards with a team-high 7.2 assists per game.

"Steph gets a lot of attention because he's incredible but they're a great team," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said.

One edge for Indiana is that it is one of the best defensive teams in steals (9.2 per game) and forcing turnovers (17.3 per game). Golden State averages 16.0 turnovers for one of the NBA's worst marks.

The Pacers have received an offensive boost from Rodney Stuckey, averaging 19.3 points in his last three games.

Warriors forward Harrison Barnes will miss his sixth straight game with a sprained left ankle. Former Pacers guard Brandon Rush is expected to again start in his place.

Center Andrew Bogut returned to the lineup Sunday after missing Saturday's victory at Toronto with back spasms.

George was out when these teams split their 2014-15 meetings, with Curry sitting out the Warriors' 104-98 road loss with a foot injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (9-13) at Cavaliers (13-7)

Date: December 08, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Stating the obvious is to say the Cleveland Cavaliers aren't the same without LeBron James. Less clear is exactly where they will be with him back but a couple other key pieces still on the mend.

James will return from his brief absence Tuesday night as the Cavaliers look to snap their losing streak against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers.

Cleveland (13-7) has lost three straight games, the last Saturday's 99-84 defeat at Miami after coach David Blatt decided to rest James for the first time this season.

The Cavaliers shot just 36.5 percent from the floor as James watched from the bench a little more than a month after stating he would like to play all 82 games.

Blatt's decision followed Friday's 114-108 overtime loss at New Orleans. James played 45 minutes and the Cavaliers didn't settle into their Miami hotel room until about 5 a.m.

'It's totally different,' J.R. Smith said of playing without James. 'He's like a coach on the floor on top of being the best player.'

Cleveland is shooting 38.1 percent during its losing streak and 27.5 percent from 3-point range. The Cavaliers have posted their two lowest point totals of the season within the last three games.

"It's not about talk, it's about going out and doing it," James said. "There's going to be games where you just don't make shots, but you've got to be able to defend and make timely shots when it has to be there. And you live with the results."

Offensive help would come with the impending return of Kyrie Irving after offseason knee surgery. Irving practiced on Monday but was ruled out for Tuesday, as was defensive specialist Iman Shumpert, who hasn't played due to a wrist injury. They're both on track to return this month.

Portland (9-13) seemed to find a rhythm with Thursday's 123-111 win over Indiana followed by Saturday's 109-103 victory over Minnesota to open a four-game road trip.

But the Trail Blazers were denied their sixth win in nine games Monday when Milwaukee stole a 90-88 victory in the final minute.

Portland led 88-87 with possession and 16.3 seconds left, but a jump ball was called off the inbounds pass. The Bucks won it, followed with a go-ahead layup and the Trail Blazers' final shot was blocked.

Portland, which shot 38.4 percent and fell to 0-7 when failing to score 100 points, trailed by as many as 14 in the first half.

"It was a good comeback and a good effort on the road," coach Terry Stotts told the team's official website. "It hurts to lose a game like this, but at the same time on the road and when you're struggling offensively to stay in the game, that's a positive. But it still stings to lose one."

Damian Lillard finished with 23 points and C.J. McCollum added 17. Ed Davis had 10 points and 13 boards off the bench.

Despite not having James for the last matchup with Portland, the Cavaliers won 99-94 on Jan. 28 in Cleveland behind Irving's 55 points.