Wednesday 12/30/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga TODAY 15:00

Real Madrid

v

Sociedad

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		1/10	9	22	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT REAL MADRID	RECENT FORM
AWAWHWHWALHW​ Most recent​	4 - 1 5 - 1 4 - 3 5 - 1	ALALHWADHDHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Real Madrid have scored 22 goals in their last three home games

EXPERT VERDICT: Striker Imanol Agirretxe is enjoying his best ever season for Real Sociedad and alongside Carlos Vela he could cause enough problems for the Real Madrid defence to merit a bet on both teams scoring. Rafael Benitez usually favours cautious tactics but increasing pressure on his side has contributed to them throwing off the shackles at home.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
1

 

[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga TODAY 17:15

R. Vallecano

v

Atl Madrid

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS2		6	11/4	4/7	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT R. VALLECANO	RECENT FORM
HLHWALHLALAL​ Most recent​	0 - 0 2 - 4 2 - 1 0 - 1	AWAWAWHWHWAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Atletico matches feature 1.88 goals per game while Rayo’s see 3.44 per game

EXPERT VERDICT: This match pits a wide open side against a watertight one but industrious Atletico should continue their habit of grinding out victories – they lost last time out but won nine in a row before that. Rayo confidence could be low after a 10-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their last outing and they have key men out through injury and suspension.

RECOMMENDATION: Atletico
2

 

[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga TODAY 19:30

Barcelona

v

Real Betis

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS2		1/20	16	25	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BARCELONA	RECENT FORM
HWADADHDNWNW​ Most recent​	3 - 1 4 - 2 4 - 2 5 - 0	AWHWHDALADHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Betis have scored two goals in their last five La Liga matches

EXPERT VERDICT: This should be as one-sided as the betting suggests with Barcelona’s brilliant front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar capable of running amok against even the best sides, never mind Real Betis. Messi has returned strongly from injury with six goals in as many appearances and should fill his boots against Betis.

RECOMMENDATION: L Messi first goalscorer
1

 

[superbeets]

Premier League TODAY 19:45

Sunderland

v

Liverpool

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		9/2	29/10	7/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SUNDERLAND	RECENT FORM
AWHWALHLALAL​ Most recent​	0 - 1 1 - 3 1 - 1 1 - 0	AWALADHDALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Sunderland have let in just nine goals at home

EXPERT VERDICT: Liverpool’s inconsistency will be a great source of frustration to manager Jurgen Klopp. The Reds especially seem to struggle against teams who deny them space, and Sunderland, who are more resolute since the arrival of Sam Allardyce, are capable of keeping it tight in the opening stages.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw-Liverpool Â*double result
1


REFEREE: Kevin Friend STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga Th 31Dec 15:00

Villarreal

v

Valencia

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		17/20	13/5	10/3	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT VILLARREAL	RECENT FORM
ALHWADHWHWAW​ Most recent​	1 - 3 4 - 1 2 - 2 4 - 2	AWHDHLADHWHD​ Most recent​

EXPERT VERDICT: It’s been a difficult start for Gary Neville, who has drawn both of his La Liga matches as Valencia manager but hosts Villarreal still look a little short in this derby game. Villarreal tend to be involved in tight matches - their goal difference is only plus sixth despite sitting fifth - and a low-scoring game is likely.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[Scott602]

Simons guarantee play.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL notebook: Bruins put C Krejci on IR
By The Sports Xchange

The Boston Bruins center placed David Krejci on injured reserve Tuesday with an upper-body injury and recalled Seth Griffith from Providence of the American Hockey League.
Krejci was hurt Sunday when he collided with Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan near the end of the second period. He sat out the third period and was seen wearing a sling on Monday. The team's co-leader in points this season with 33 will miss the Winter Classic game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Friday. Krejci has 11 goals and 22 assists in 2015-16.
The 22-year-old Griffith was expected to be available for Tuesday night's game against the Senators at TD Garden. He played in 30 games for the Bruins last year and logged six goals nad four assists. This season, Griffin has posted 10 goals and 17 assists for Providence. He has yet to play for the Bruins this year.

---The Tampa Bay Lightning reassigned forward Yanni Gourde to Syracuse of the American Hockey League.
The 24-year-old Gourde has played in two games this season for the Lightning and logged one assist and two penalty minutes. He has seen action in 24 games for Syracuse this season and has posted five goals, 13 points and 19 penalty minutes.

---The Washington Capitals recalled forward Zach Sill from Hershey of the American Hockey League.
The 27-year-old Sill has logged nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 30 games for Hershey this season. He signed with the Capitals as a free agent in July. Sill has one goal, three assists and 96 penalty minutes in 83 career NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

---Forwards Craig Cunningham and Laurent Dauphin were recalled by the Arizona Coyotes from the Springfield Falcons of the AHL.
Cunningham has 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) and 14 penalty minutes in 21 games with the Falcons in 2015. He played in seven games with the Coyotes this season in two previous stints with the team. Dauphin, 20, had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 30 games with Springfield.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sabres (14-17) at Capitals (25-6)

Date: December 30, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Braden Holtby doesn't need much help these days, but the scheduling gods have lined the Washington Capitals' goaltender up with consecutive games against one of the NHL's worst offenses.

Two days after shutting out the Buffalo Sabres, Holtby will try to help the Capitals to their ninth straight win Wednesday night in the conclusion of a home-and-home set at Verizon Center.

Washington (27-6-2) is off to the best start in franchise history and padded its huge lead ahead of both New York teams in the Metropolitan Division with Monday's 2-0 win at Buffalo. The Capitals have a chance to take the season series on Wednesday while winning nine games in a row for the first time since Feb. 26-March 15, 2011.

The Capitals have also won eight games in a row at home and are 14-3-1 at Verizon Center.

Holtby has six wins during Washington's streak, upping his league-leading total to 23. His last regulation loss came on Nov. 10, and he is 15-0-1 since. Holtby holds a 1.68 goals-against average in his last 20 starts and has pushed aside 60 of 61 shots in his last two.

Captain Alex Ovechkin scored his team-leading 18th goal in Monday's win for a team that ranks second in the NHL with 3.09 goals per game. Still, he pointed to the man in net as the difference as Holtby posted the 22nd shutout of his career and second this season.

'We knew he's good,' Ovechkin said. 'He's our best player and probably the best goalie in the league right now.'

Backed by an average of 3.80 goals in the last five games, Holtby will face a team that ranks toward the bottom of the NHL with an average of 2.33. He holds a 1.48 GAA and .944 save percentage in his last four starts against Buffalo, winning the last three.

Buffalo (15-17-4) exploded offensively in Saturday's 6-3 win at Boston, but Holtby handed the Sabres their second shutout in five games and third this season.

The Sabres went 0 for 3 on the power play, extending their scoreless streak on the man advantage to 0 for 17 through six games, while the Capitals have killed off all eight penalties in their last three wins.

"We didn't execute in certain areas (Saturday) night," right wing Brian Gionta said. "We played hard, we limited their chances, but the goals they got came off of mistakes by us."

Chad Johnson figures to get the start in net for Buffalo after Linus Ullmark suffered Monday's loss. Johnson has won three of his last four starts with a 1.47 GAA and .957 save percentage, but he has a 2.61 GAA in three career starts against Washington.

Evander Kane played in his first game on Monday since The Buffalo News reported that Buffalo police were investigating a sex crime allegation against him. Kane, who finished with four shots, said after Monday's morning skate that he's innocent and looks forward to clearing his name.

Washington has won the last three games in this series and has picked up points in nine of the last 10.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Maple Leafs (10-15) at Penguins (16-15)

Date: December 30, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Home ice hasn't been kind to the Pittsburgh Penguins lately, but the Toronto Maple Leafs certainly have.

The Penguins seek just their second home win in over a month Wednesday night when they face the Maple Leafs.

Pittsburgh (17-15-3) finds itself in an unfamiliar position, currently fifth in the Metropolitan Division and out of the playoffs if the season ended today. The Penguins have finished either first or second in eight of the last nine years and haven't sat out the postseason since 2005-06.

The offense has been a big disappointment despite the offseason addition of former Maple Leaf Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh ranks near the bottom of the league in goals per game (2.23) and power-play percentage (16.2).

Evgeni Malkin is one of the team's few players producing at an expected rate with 17 goals and 30 points. Sidney Crosby has only seven goals in 34 games while Patric Hornqvist has six after totaling 47 the past two seasons.

Another problem is the Penguins' less-than-stellar 9-7-2 home record that includes five losses in the last six games. They ended a five-game skid there with a 5-2 win over Columbus on Dec. 21.

Pittsburgh followed that with a 3-1 victory at Minnesota on Saturday, but failed to make it three straight the next night, falling 1-0 at Winnipeg.

Crosby, who had a three-game point streak snapped, said the back-to-back action was no excuse.

'We had a good (Christmas) break,' he said. 'We should be well-rested. They jumped on us early and we got on our heels a bit. A better start definitely would have helped us.'

Crosby and his teammates should be happy to see the Maple Leafs (13-15-7) after winning the first two meetings this season and seven straight in the series, including four in a row at home.

This season's two victories, however, came with Marc-Andre Fleury in net and he hasn't played since Dec. 14 due to a concussion. Although Fleury returned to practice Tuesday for the first time, coach Mike Sullivan declined to offer a timetable for his return.

"I felt pretty good out there today," Fleury said in comments tweeted by the Penguins. "I'm not sure when I'm going to be back. It's going to be gradual."

Jeff Zatkoff made 27 saves in Sunday's loss and dropped to 0-4-1 with a 2.97 goals-against average in his last five starts.

Rookie Matt Murray is 2-1-0 with a 1.68 GAA in his first three NHL games.

Either Zatkoff or Murray will be facing a Toronto team that was cooled off with Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the visiting New York Islanders. The Leafs won the opener of that home-and-home set 3-1 on Sunday, and had recorded at least one point in seven of eight games (5-1-2).

Jonathan Bernier struggled mightily, allowing six goals on just 15 shots before he was replaced by James Reimer to start the third period.

'I don't think I was ready. I wasn't good enough tonight,' Bernier said. 'Wasn't my game, I wasn't good and I just have to be better next game.'

Reimer's appearance was his first after missing seven games with a groin injury. He's likely to start this contest given his 4-0-2 record and 2.27 GAA against the Penguins.

Another victory, however, will be a challenge with Toronto 0-6-2 this season in the second game of back to backs.

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang also practiced Tuesday after he was held out Sunday as a precaution. He took a shot to the head against the Wild.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (16-14) at Senators (15-13)

Date: December 30, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Coach Dave Cameron should be happy to return home, where the Ottawa Senators are on the cusp of their longest winning streak in almost six years.

The New Jersey Devils are just trying to win back-to-back games for the first time in seven weeks.

After their struggles on the road continued, the Senators seek a bounce-back effort Wednesday night against the Devils.

Ottawa (18-13-6) is 10-4-4 at home this season, winning seven of its last eight and five in a row. The Senators haven't put together a longer winning streak as host since a seven-game run from Jan. 19-Feb. 11, 2010.

Their recent home success has been undermined by losing eight of their past nine road games, including six in a row after falling 7-3 at Boston to split a home-and-home set Tuesday.

"I hate losing and I lost, so it was a bad taste," Cameron told the team's official website. "Upset, whatever, I hate losing."

Ottawa has done that in the last two matchups with New Jersey (18-14-5), squandering a two-goal, third-period lead to fall 5-4 in a shootout Oct. 22.

Lee Stempniak set up Adam Henrique's goal before scoring himself with 32 seconds left in regulation and netting the decisive shootout attempt. That gave New Jersey its third victory during a season-high four-game winning streak.

The Devils have only managed to string together back-to-back wins on three separate occasions since, most recently Nov. 12 and 14.

New Jersey has a chance to do it again after scoring twice in the third period to beat Carolina 3-2 on Tuesday.

"We talked about wanting to get back to our identity, play hard and play for each other," said defenseman David Schlemko, who scored the go-ahead goal with 3:05 remaining. "We thought our game was alright tonight and we stuck with it."

Kyle Palmieri scored the equalizer Tuesday and has a goal in three straight games. The right wing is one game shy of the longest scoring streak of his career, set from Dec. 4-11.

He also has a personal-best and team-leading 16 goals.

Palmieri, though, has only one assist in four career meetings with Ottawa.

Cory Schneider is 4-1-1 with a 1.61 goals-against average against the Senators, making 35 saves and turning aside three of four shootout attempts Oct. 22.

He should be back in net after being rested Tuesday in favor of Keith Kinkaid, who had 24 saves.

The Senators may counter with Andrew Hammond after Craig Anderson made 30 saves against the Bruins. Hammond lost his only meeting with the Devils in October, stopping 28 shots before giving up goals on two of four shootout tries.

Mike Hoffman scored his team-leading 18th goal Tuesday, snapping a five-game drought. The left wing has seven goals and five assists during a seven-game point streak at home. He's tallied twice in three home meetings with New Jersey, getting one in October.

Erik Karlsson ranks fourth in the league and tops all defensemen with 41 points, collecting nine during a seven-game streak. He's totaled 11 while recording at least one point in five straight home games.

Karlsson, though, has failed to get a point in the last two matchups with the Devils after he had seven over the previous five.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (19-13) at Lightning (17-15)

Date: December 30, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Alain Vigneault is trying to shake the New York Rangers out of their funk, so he's shuffling the lines. And right now, there's no room for the struggling Kevin Hayes.

With Hayes a healthy scratch for the first time this season, the Rangers attempt to snap their longest road losing streak in almost seven years Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

New York (20-13-4) is mired in a 4-10-2 stretch after falling 5-3 at Nashville on Monday. That extended the Rangers' skid outside Madison Square Garden to eight games (0-6-2) for the first time since going 0-7-2 from Jan. 18-Feb. 25, 2009.

Though Vigneault is looking for a spark with his switches, the most notable move is scratching Hayes, who hasn't scored in 16 games. He has just six goals after netting 17 as a rookie last season.

"I think Kevin has had an extra-long leash, especially considering (Derek Stepan) was out for quite some time, but there's just nothing going on," Vigneault told the team's official website. "At the end of the day we're at the point now where we have to make some decisions in the best interest of the team.

"In Kevin's case we made it all clear about our expectations for him and what we thought he could do, and they were very high. Obviously he has not lived up to that. I know what we are seeing now is not good enough."

That could be said of the rest of the Rangers, too. The new-look lines are expected to have Rick Nash drop down from the first to the second with Stepan and Jesper Fast. J.T. Miller replaces him on the top line, joining Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, while Chris Kreider moves to the third line with rookie Oscar Lindberg and Emerson Etem.

Vigneault may opt to go with Henrik Lundqvist, but he's 2-4-0 with a 4.48 goals-against average over his last seven games and has been pulled in three of his last six starts. He was lifted midway through the third period Monday after giving up five goals on 35 shots.

"Tonight was nothing about Henrik," Vigneault said. "They were teeing it up from the ladies' tee. At 5-1, I thought it was time to give him a break. He gave us a chance. As a team, we need to respond better."

Lundqvist has a 3.65 GAA while losing five straight regular-season meetings with the Lightning. He made 26 stops in a 2-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Nov. 19 after compiling a 3.03 GAA in the Rangers' seven-game series loss to the Lightning in last season's Eastern Conference final.

Tampa Bay (18-15-4) is having its own problems, alternating wins and losses over its last eight home games. The Lightning seemed on their way to breaking that trend Monday, scoring twice in a span of 21 seconds in the third period before giving up a goal 32 seconds later and losing 4-3 in a shootout to Montreal.

"We found a way to get the lead in the third, and we have to close it out," said captain Steven Stamkos, who was pointless after scoring five goals with one assist over the previous four games.

Stamkos has 31 points in 30 career meetings with the Rangers, including the playoffs. However, he doesn't have a point in three straight after scoring a goal in each of the previous four, adding an assist in three of them.

Nikita Kucherov had eight points against New York in the playoffs but failed to get any last month.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Flyers (14-13) at Sharks (16-16)

Date: December 30, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

The San Jose Sharks looked sluggish throughout one of their worst efforts of the season following the holiday break as their inexplicable home struggles continued.

Time off didn't prove any better for the Philadelphia Flyers, who could be undergoing a bit of a roster shake-up.

San Jose looks to snap a four-game home losing streak by beating Philadelphia for a fifth straight time Wednesday night.

No longer are opponents intimidated by the SAP Center, where the Sharks (17-16-2) for years dominated on home ice. They own the league's worst home record at 4-10-0 and are still involved in a tight Pacific Division race largely because they're tied for the second-most road victories.

San Jose went 3-1-1 on a road trip before the break, then returned Monday with a 6-3 home loss to Colorado. It hadn't allowed a power-play goal in any of its previous seven before allowing four while taking six penalties - four in the first period - against the Avalanche.

The Sharks, who tied their season high for goals allowed, hadn't given up more than two power-play goals in a game all season.

'When you take tripping, hooking or holding penalties, to me, you're not moving your feet,' coach Peter DeBoer said. 'I liked the way we started. Our penalty kill has been arguably the best in the league over the last two months. They were making plays through us. That's a bad formula."

Martin Jones faced a tough task with the Sharks short-handed so often and has a 3.96 goals-against average over his last four starts.

Melker Karlsson scored in overtime and Jones made 34 saves in a 1-0 win over Philadelphia on Nov. 19 for San Jose's fourth straight victory in the series. The Flyers (15-13-7) rank near the bottom of the league in scoring and failed to reach three goals for the third time in four games in Sunday's 4-2 loss at Anaheim.

Jakub Voracek and Michael Raffl scored for Philadelphia, which was coming off a 3-0-1 stretch prior to the holiday break.

"We're still a confident team right now and we're confident we can beat anybody," Voracek said. "We just have to make sure we put a lot of work in and get back at it."

Coach Dave Hakstol hinted at adjusting his lines at Tuesday's practice but didn't discuss specifics. What's more clear is that changes should be coming to the defense.

Mark Streit has been on long-term injured reserve with a groin injury since mid-November and is ready to return. The Flyers need to clear cap space in order to have Streit and rookie standout Shayne Gostisbehere on the roster, forcing them to place forward Sam Gagner on waivers.

Gagner had five points in 18 games before suffering a concussion Nov. 23. He hasn't played since, and if he clears waivers he'll likely play for the club's AHL affiliate.

"We've kept our forward group pretty similar over the last little while here," Hakstol said. "I'm not saying we're definitely going to make a lineup change up front, but it's on the table and it's a possibility. Probably won't make that decision until we get to game day."

The Flyers have dropped three straight on the road and could give Steve Mason a fifth consecutive start in goal. Mason made 20 saves in the first meeting and has a 1.59 GAA in his last three against the Sharks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - December

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
12/1 10 53.5 51 UNDER
12/2 4 22.5 18 UNDER
12/3 8 41.5 37 UNDER
12/4 7 36 33 UNDER
12/5 10 52 54 OVER
12/6 7 36 37 OVER
12/7 3 16 15 UNDER
12/8 9 48.5 55 OVER
12/9 4 21.5 20 UNDER
12/10 7 37 44 OVER
12/11 7 36 37 OVER
12/12 10 52 47 UNDER
12/13 3 15 12 UNDER
12/14 5 25.5 24 UNDER
12/15 11 58.5 61 OVER
12/16 2 10.5 6 UNDER
12/17 11 59.5 56 UNDER
12/18 6 30.5 38 OVER
12/19 10 52 46 UNDER
12/20 6 31 42 OVER
12/21 8 42.5 54 OVER
12/22 10 54.5 45 UNDER
12/23 No games scheduled - - -
12/24 No games scheduled - - -
12/25 No games scheduled - - -
12/26 9 47.5 48 OVER
12/27 9 49.5 37 UNDER
12/28 6 30.5 35 OVER
12/29 10 55.5 69 OVER
12/30 5 - - -
12/31 9 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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

I don't watch a ton of regular-season hockey. Oh, I follow it closely but I just don't get too excited about watching the games. It really is true that watching the NHL is vastly more different in person than on TV. It might be the best game to watch of the four major U.S. sports in person, especially if you are sitting along the boards. It also helps you can see the puck much better than on your screens.

That said, I do generally watch some of the Winter Classic each year -- always the highest-rated NHL game -- even if it doesn't involve the team I am a fan of. And this year's Classic on New Year's Day features an Original Six matchup between Montreal and Boston at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Boston is the first team to host a second Classic. It beat Philadelphia 2-1 in overtime at Fenway Park in 2010. It's the first time for Montreal in the Classic. The NHL generally hasn't included teams from Canada because obviously that would hurt American TV ratings and interest.

I think the reason I and many others enjoy the Classic is because of the chance these guys will be playing in the snow like some of us did back in the day on frozen lakes or ponds. The weather conditions in Foxboro for Friday afternoon sadly don't include any snow. It's listed as a high of 42 with zero percent chance of precipitation. We also won't be seeing one of the NHL's best players in the game as Montreal goaltender Carey Price, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, remains out with a leg injury. The Habs have been in a funk of late without Price, winning just twice in their past 12 games entering Tuesday. For a while there, Montreal was the Stanley Cup favorite. Now it's +2000 to win the Cup, which are only the seventh-best odds. Boston is at the same price and has lost three straight entering Tuesday. The Canadiens are 2-1 vs. Boston this year. They made a trade on Monday in acquiring goalie Ben Scrivens from Edmonton. So that might mean the Habs don't think Price will be back soon.

Bruins No. 1 netminder Tuukka Rask, who will certainly be in there Friday barring injury, is 1-1 with a 2.02 goals-against average vs. the Canadiens this year. The Bruins will be without center David Krejci, who is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He was hurt Sunday. Krejci has 11 goals and 22 assists this season.

Here are some other games to watch this week.

Buffalo at Washington, Wednesday: The Capitals, who are -220 favorites here, look like clearly the Eastern Conference's best team, and they lead the East by far with 56 points. They also bring an eight-game winning streak into this one and are +500 favorites for the Stanley Cup. The Caps beat these Sabres in Buffalo 2-0 on Monday behind goals from Alex Ovechkin and Jay Beagle and the second shutout of the season for Braden Holtby, who is your Vezina Trophy favorite this season. Holtby hasn't lost in regulation since Nov. 10, when the Detroit Red Wings defeated Washington 1-0. Washington defenseman John Carlson missed Monday's game with a lower-body injury, ending his streak of 412 consecutive games played. The Sabres went 0-for-3 on the power play and are 0-for-17 in the past six games. Buffalo star rookie Jack Eichel, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, has 11 goals and nine assists this year.

Pittsburgh at Detroit, Thursday: The Red Wings annually host a New Year's Eve game -- it's a big deal in Motown. The Wings are banged up, without defensemen Jonathan Ericsson (shoulder) and Kyle Quincey (ankle) along with forwards Johan Franzen (concussion), Drew Miller (broken jaw) and Teemu Pulkkinen (dislocated shoulder). The Penguins remain without goalie Marc-Andre Fleury due to a concussion. There's still no timetable for his return, although he has been skating some. And top defenseman Kris Letang was injured in Saturday's game and sat out Sunday. He might have a concussion, although the Penguins aren't saying that yet. This is the first meeting of the regular season between these teams. The Wings did blow out the Penguins twice in the preseason, for what that's worth.

NY Rangers at Florida, Saturday: The second-hottest team in the NHL behind Washington? That would be Florida, which took a six-game winning streak into Tuesday and could take the division lead from Montreal. The winning streak is Florida's longest in eight years. The Panthers aren't very good offensively, ranking 17th in scoring and 20th on the power play, but they allow only 2.3 goals per game, which is third in the league. Roberto Luongo has been great in net, with a 2.20 GAA and .924 save percentage. He and Jaromir Jagr (10 goals, 15 assists) are likely the only Panthers players most people would even know. New York hasn't been playing well since late November largely because goalie Henrik Lundqvist is in a bit of a funk. He is 3-5-1 this month with a 3.41 GAA and .890 save percentage. New York won the lone meeting thus far with Florida, 5-4 in overtime in south Florida on Nov. 21. Rick Nash had a hat trick, including the winner. It was New York's seventh straight win in the series.

Dallas at NY Islanders, Sunday: The Stars continue to pace the Western Conference in points and lead the NHL by far in scoring. Their 1-2 forward punch of Jamie Benn (49 points, second in NHL) and Tyler Seguin (47 points, No. 3) is second to none. It's not clear if the Isles will have top goalie Jaroslav Halak here. He missed Tuesday's game in Toronto, not even traveling with the team, due to an upper-body injury. What's up with Isles star John Tavares? My pick for the Hart Trophy, Tavares has only four points this month and is minus-4. It's the first meeting of the season between these teams and the Stars' only visit to Brooklyn.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Washington won last eight games, allowing 11 goals.
-- Maple Leafs won three of last four road games.
-- Lightning is 5-0 in game following its last five losses.
-- Philly is 7-5 in its last twelve games.

Cold teams
-- Sabres are 4-6 in their last ten games.
-- Pittsburgh won eight of its last eleven games.
-- Devils lost four of their last six games. Ottawa lost six of its last nine.
-- Rangers lost 12 of their last 16 games.
-- San Jose lost three of its last four games.

Series records
-- Washington won four of last five games with Buffalo.
-- Penguins won their last seven games with Toronto.
-- Devils won four of last six games with Ottawa.
-- Rangers lost five of last seven games with Tampa Bay.
-- Flyers lost nine of last ten games with San Jose.

Totals
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Buffalo road games.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Toronto road games.
-- Four of last five New Jersey road games stayed under.
-- Seven of last nine Ranger road games went over.
-- Last five San Jose games went over the total.

Back-to-backs
-- Toronto is 0-8 if it played night before;
-- New Jersey is 1-3 if it played night before. Ottawa is 1-3; teams are 4-7 night after playing the Bruins.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA notebook: Kings await discipline against Cousins
By The Sports Xchange

General manager Vlade Divac expects the NBA to discipline Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins for his temper tantrum on the court Monday.
Cousins was healthy for the first time in three meetings with the Golden State Warriors this season but found foul trouble early and wound up playing only 13 minutes before getting ejected.
After sitting out most of the first half in foul trouble while Sacramento built a lead of 11 in the second quarter, Cousins lost his cool after getting called for his fifth foul in the third quarter. Official Monty McCutchen called a technical on Cousins for the outburst and that enraged him further. The outburst led to another technical and an ejection. Cousins had to be restrained by teammates and was escorted off the court.

---Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks was to undergo surgery in Salt Lake City to aid the healing process of his broken left leg.
Dr. Charles L. Saltzman, an ankle and foot specialist who is chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics at University of Utah Health Care, was to perform the procedure. Burks was injured during a fall in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 23. The team said Burks will stay in Salt Lake City for rehabilitation and then will go with the Jazz on road trips after he receives clearance from the medical staff.
Burks, a fifth-year guard, was averaging a career-high 14.3 points and a career-best 38.7 percent on 3-point shooting and also 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28 games. His 14.4 points per game as a reserve rank third in the NBA.

---Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe had season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
The Suns said in a statement that Bledsoe' prognosis "is for a return to full playing status for the start of training camp next fall."
Bledsoe, the Suns' leading scorer, sustained the injury on Saturday during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He was averaging 20.4 points and 6.1 assists in 31 games this season as a starter.

---The Memphis Grizzlies signed center Ryan Hollins and waived guard Russ Smith.
The 7-foot Hollins, 31, was with the Grizzlies during training camp and averaged 5.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in seven games. He most recently played in five games for the Washington Wizards, starting three times, before he was waived on Dec. 23.
The 24-year-old Smith was acquired by the Grizzlies in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans last January. He averaged 2.0 points and 0.7 assists in 27 career games with the Grizzlies and Pelicans.

---Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook has drawn his fair share of technical fouls through the years and he's not going to take them anymore. The emotional Westbrook isn't getting mad, he's trying to harness his emotions on the court.
Last season, Westbrook drew more technicals (17) than any other player in the NBA and he rationalized after reviewing each during the offseason that the referees didn't change the call on any of them after his protests.
Westbrook hasn't gone completely cold turkey, drawing four technicals this season, which is tied for ninth most in the NBA. But he appears to be harnessing his emotions better in an attempt to cut down on the 52 technicals he received during the past four seasons.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nets (9-22) at Magic (18-13)

Date: December 30, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Orlando Magic are hitting their stride on offense.

It's what Tobias Harris hoped would happen following a recent win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Harris and the Magic will aim for a second win this month against the Nets as they wrap up a four-game homestand Wednesday night.

Orlando (18-13) shot 53.9 percent from the field and led by as many as 26 points during a 105-82 win in Brooklyn on Dec. 14, outscoring the Nets 53-37 in the second half to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.

"We played great basketball today and we've got to keep it going," Harris said afterward. "We've got to play like this consistently."

The offense has.

Starting with the victory over Brooklyn, the Magic have averaged 104.5 points and shot 51.9 percent from the field while going 6-2. That roll continued Monday with an easy 104-89 win over New Orleans as Orlando shot 54.9 percent - its fourth straight game at 51 percent or better.

Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 28 points to lead Orlando, which is an Eastern Conference-best 12-5 since Nov. 25.

"We got a 9-0 lead at the start of the game, strictly by moving the ball and seeing people," said Magic coach Scott Skiles, whose team has a 2.36 assist-to-turnover ratio the past four games - well above its season mark of 1.57. "At one point, we were 14 for 19 from the field when we had three or more passes on a possession. It's easy to see how good we can be when we're playing that way."

While the offense has thrived, Orlando's defense has wilted some.

The Magic allowed an average of 100.0 points over their past five games, up nearly nine over their previous three.

"We're not exactly sure what is happening," Skiles said. "The fact we've had an uptick in shot-making and scoring shouldn't be a reason to quit on the defensive end and have all kinds of breakdowns. We're trying to teach these guys that it's important to play well at both ends."

The Nets (9-22) rallied from 16 points down early in the third quarter for a 111-105 win at Miami on Monday, just their second victory in their last nine games.

Reserve guard Wayne Ellington tied a career high by making seven 3-pointers en route to a season-high 26 points, and Brook Lopez also scored 26 in Brooklyn's biggest comeback of the season and largest second-half rally in almost a year.

It was the first time in 18 games this season the Nets shot worse than their opponent and won.

Ellington's previous game with seven 3s also came against the Heat on Nov. 11, 2012, when he played for Memphis.

"I get a little hot against the Heat, I guess," said Ellington, who was 7 of 9 from long range.

The teams play each other again in Brooklyn on Jan. 8.

The status of Magic point guard Elfrid Payton is unknown after he missed practice on Tuesday with an ankle injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Clippers (19-13) at Hornets (17-13)

Date: December 30, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Clippers have been able to weather the loss of their biggest offensive weapon by getting outsized contributions from their bench.

The Clippers will look for more production from their reserves as they try to win a third straight game without Blake Griffin while extending a recent history of success against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

Chris Paul had 23 points and the Clippers led all the way in a 108-91 victory at Washington on Monday, extending their winning streak to three games, one off their season best.

Los Angeles (19-13) led by double digits most of the game, allowing Paul and the rest of the starters to sit the entire fourth quarter. The Clippers still managed to outscore the Wizards in the final 12 minutes as the bench finished with 54 points, led by Jamal Crawford's 21.

The reserves have averaged 49 points in Griffin's absence, up from 26 in the previous four games. Crawford, Wesley Johnson and Paul Pierce have been the biggest contributors, combining to score 84 of the 98 points.

Griffin, who is averaging 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, is out at least two weeks with a partially torn left quadriceps tendon.

"Our bench was amazing tonight," Paul said. "I was probably the biggest cheerleader because I was saying I didn't want any more action."

Charlotte (17-13) is seeking a third consecutive win as it wraps up a four-game homestand.

Kemba Walker scored 18 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Hornets to a 108-98 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. Walker played 42 minutes, including the entire fourth quarter, and is among the NBA leaders in minutes per game.

"We were up four and he said, 'I'm good,'" coach Steve Clifford said. "We can't keep doing that with him and Nic (Batum), but at this part of the season where you want to get a cushion, especially with your January (schedule), you leave him in there and let him go."

The Clippers have won eight of the last nine meetings with Charlotte, including both last season. Griffin was a big factor in those victories, averaging 20.5 points and 13.5 rebounds, but Paul has had historic success against the club.

The veteran point guard is one of only three players since the 1985-86 season to average 15 or more points and 10 or more assists against Charlotte, posting 16.8 and 10.9 in 19 games.

Charlotte has shot just 41.2 percent from the field in the last nine meetings against the Clippers, including 26.8 percent from 3-point range. That's a bad omen for a team leading the Eastern Conference in 3-point attempts this season.

Indeed, the Hornets continued shooting 3s even after Clifford griped about his players' tendency to fire from long range. They were just 6 of 25 from behind the arc against the Lakers.

Batum (hand), Jeremy Lin (ankle) and Spencer Hawes (back) are questionable to play for the Hornets. The Clippers traded Hawes and Matt Barnes to Charlotte in June for Lance Stephenson.

Stephenson returns to face the Hornets after one disappointing season with the team. He averaged 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 61 games for Charlotte in 2014-15.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lakers (5-27) at Celtics (18-13)

Date: December 30, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Kobe Bryant revealed a fact earlier this week that would likely make Los Angeles Lakers fans cringe.

His favorite color is green.

Bryant will get his fill Wednesday night when he visits the Lakers' eternal rival, the Boston Celtics, for the final time.

As expected of a Lakers player, Bryant said he has eschewed buying green clothing because of his franchise's enmity with the Celtics. He added that former Los Angeles star and general manager Jerry West won't even wear that color on his underwear.

"It's been my favorite color forever," Bryant said. "I've always loved it. It's a little weird, isn't it?"

The NBA's third all-time leading scorer is expecting a "love-hate fest" for his final game in Boston and plans to have his family in attendance.

"I'm looking forward to them getting the chance to see the city a little bit and then just experience the green," he said. "It's just a different green. I want them to be able to see that."

Bryant won the latest of his five championships in 2010 against the Celtics, winning the final two games of the seven-game series in Los Angeles and earning the second of his back-to-back Finals MVP awards.

Boston, though, also finished off one of his two NBA finals defeats with a 131-92 drubbing at the TD Garden on June 17, 2008. That is the Celtics' lone title in the past 29 seasons.

Bryant's final game in Boston will come against a team that hardly resembles those Celtics squads. Their Big Three has scattered with Kevin Garnett back in Minnesota, Paul Pierce on the West Coast with the Los Angeles Clippers and Ray Allen no longer in the league.

This Boston team has experienced some of its success of old lately with a season-high four consecutive wins. The Celtics (18-13) fended off visiting New York 100-91 on Sunday, with Isaiah Thomas scoring eight of his 21 points in the final three minutes and are off to their best start since 2010-11, their last 50-win campaign.

"Our focus can't be on (Kobe). It's got to be on us. It's got to be on us playing well. It's got to be on us getting better," coach Brad Stevens said. "I don't think there's any question that all of our players respect and appreciate all that he's accomplished as a player."

Well on pace for a third straight losing season, the Lakers (5-27) are even further removed from their halcyon days. Bryant visited the team that drafted him, Charlotte, in the middle of this three-game road trip and scored 20 points on 5-of-20 shooting in a 108-98 loss.

That visit included a pregame tribute from Hornets owner Michael Jordan.

"It's been remarkable. The fans have shown him a lot of love and rightfully so," Lakers coach Byron Scott said. "He's put in 20 hard years and he's given everything he's got every single night. I think everywhere we've gone the fans are showing their appreciation and it's a beautiful thing.

"(The atmosphere in Boston) is going to be interesting. The Celtics fans are very knowledgeable about the game, and I think they'll show their appreciation as well."

The Lakers have won seven of nine over the Celtics heading into the first matchup this season but have lost in two of their last three games in Boston.

Bryant has missed three of the past four meetings and made his lone appearance in that stretch at the Garden in a 113-96 loss Dec. 5, 2014.