Wednesday 3/9/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

Champions League TODAY 17:00

Zenit

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Benfica

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		21/20	5/2	3	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ZENIT	RECENT FORM
HWALHDALALAD​ Most recent​	1 - 0 3 - 2	AWHLHWAWHWAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Benfica have won 15 of their last 16 matches

EXPERT VERDICT: No team in Portugal is able to lay a glove on Benfica at present and with a goal advantage from the first leg, expect the Eagles to secure their quarter-final berth in St Petersburg. Zenit ended their winter break with a goalless draw at Krasnodar on Saturday but the lack of competitive action could be decisive.

RECOMMENDATION: Benfica
1


REFEREE: Viktor Kassai STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Champions League TODAY 19:45

Chelsea

v

Paris St-G.

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		9/5	12/5	17/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT CHELSEA	RECENT FORM
HWALHWAWAWHD​ Most recent​	2 - 2 2 - 0 0 - 0	HDHWHWALAW*HD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Paris Saint-Germain have failed to score in just two of their last 25 away games

EXPERT VERDICT: Chelsea a 2-1 deficit to overturn at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie and that looks too tall an order against a quality Paris St-Germain outfit. While the Blues have improved under Guus Hiddink they are still not firing on all cylinders and are behind the best sides in Europe; a category in which it’s fair to include PSG.

RECOMMENDATION: PSG
1


REFEREE: Felix Brych STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Europa League Th 10Mar 18:00

B Dortmund

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Tottenham

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		4/7	3	19/4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT B DORTMUND	RECENT FORM
HWAWAWHWAWHD​ Most recent​	Unknown	ADHLHWHWALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Dortmund have scored 20 goals in their six European home games this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Borussia Dortmund deserve to be favourites to win the Europa League and they should put down a marker against Tottenham. However, that is reflected in the prices and a better bet could be goals given the hosts are much better going forward than they are in defensive situations.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2


REFEREE: Cuneyt Cakir STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Europa League Th 10Mar 20:05

Liverpool

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Man Utd

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

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT LIVERPOOL	RECENT FORM
AWADHWND*HWAW​ Most recent​	0 - 1 1 - 2 1 - 0 1 - 2	ALAWHWHWHWAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Liverpool have won only one of their last six matches against Manchester United

EXPERT VERDICT: The Anfield atmosphere will be electric but Liverpool look too short with the draw appearing to be the best value in what is likely to be a tight affair. This fixture has produced only one draw in the last 25 meetings, although the fact this is a two-legged tie could change all that as Liverpool look to snap a four-match losing sequence against Manchester United.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1


REFEREE: Carlos Velasco Carballo STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Europa League Th 10Mar 20:05

Ath Bilbao

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Valencia

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		8/11	5/2	4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ATH BILBAO	RECENT FORM
AWHLHDAWHWAW​ Most recent​	3 - 1 1 - 1 1 - 1 1 - 0	HWAWAWHLAWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Athletic Bilbao have lost just two of their last 16 home fixtures

EXPERT VERDICT: Valencia were 10-0 aggregate winners over Rapid Vienna in the last 32 but face a much tougher task against Athletic Bilbao, starting with the first leg at San Mames. Athletic won 3-0 away to Valencia in La Liga last month and can maintain their supremacy over Gary Neville's side, who are ten points beneath them in the top flight.

RECOMMENDATION: Athletic Bilbao
2

 

[superbeets]

English FA Cup Fr 11Mar 19:55

Reading

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C Palace

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BBC1		21/10	23/10	13/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT READING	RECENT FORM
HDHWHWAWHDAL​ Most recent​	2 - 2 3 - 0 2 - 4 4 - 2	ADHLAWALADHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Palace have lost just six of 17 away games this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Crystal Palace’s slide has been frustrating to watch, but there doesn’t look to be much fundamentally wrong with their squad and they can grind out a win in this FA Cup quarter-final. Reading blow hot and cold and are in the middle of a good run, but they may lack the firepower to shock the Eagles.

RECOMMENDATION: Crystal Palace
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL notebook: Blackhawks F Kruger receives extension
By The Sports Xchange

The Chicago Blackhawks extended the contract of forward Marcus Kruger for three years through the 2018-19 season on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Kruger had one assist in 33 games this season before going on injured reserve Dec. 28.
In 2014-15, Kruger totaled seven goals and 10 assists in 81 regular-season games for the Stanley Cup-champion Blackhawks. He added two goals and two assists in 23 postseason games.

---The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled defenseman Luke Witkowski from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, the team announced.
Witkowski, 25, has appeared in four games with Tampa Bay this season and had four penalty minutes. He has played in 20 career NHL games without scoring a point.

---The Toronto Maple Leafs recalled defenseman Viktor Loov from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis, the club announced.
Loov, 23, had two assists in four games with Toronto earlier this season. He has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 53 games with the Marlies.

---The Winnipeg Jets recalled forward Scott Kosmachuk from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, the team announced.
The move was done on an emergency basis. Kosmachuk, 22, has 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 59 games for Manitoba this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Islanders (37-20) at Maple Leafs (21-33)

Date: March 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Jaroslav Halak was key to the New York Islanders' success on their recent road trip, but his potential absence isn't troubling coach Jack Capuano.

With Halak nursing an unknown injury, the Islanders go for their longest winning streak of the season Wednesday night when they visit the NHL-worst Toronto Maple Leafs.

Halak went 4-1-0 with a 1.79 goals-against average and one shutout during New York's 6-1-0 trip and was impressive again Tuesday, making 31 saves in a 2-1 home win over Pittsburgh that moved the Islanders to 11-2-1 in their last 14.

Halak, though, left with 4:22 to play and was replaced by Thomas Greiss, who stopped all three shots he faced.

"We don't have an update. Hopefully we'll know a little bit more where he stands," Capuano said.

With 18 games left and the Islanders (37-20-7) third in the Metropolitan Division, having a healthy Halak ready for the playoffs will be important since Greiss has never started a postseason game. Jean-Francois Berube, third on the depth chart, has played three games in the NHL.

"I got confidence if he does miss some time," Capuano said. "We got some quality goalies here so if we run into a situation, hopefully it's not too long a period that he's out, but we got confidence in the guys that we have here."

Greiss is 7-0-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .925 save percentage in his last 10 games. He's 8-3-0 on the road behind a 2.30 GAA and .930 save percentage, winning his last two starts.

Greiss split a home-and-home set with the Maple Leafs (21-33-11) from Dec. 27-29. He had 30 saves in a 6-3 win at Toronto in the second of those contests.

John Tavares, a native of nearby Mississauga, had a goal and assist in that matchup. The All-Star center has 19 points in 12 visits to Toronto, including seven in the past three.

He enters this one with 23 points in 22 games after scoring his ninth goal over that stretch Tuesday.

Tavares will now try to help the Islanders win five straight for the first time since Nov. 18-26, 2014.

The Maple Leafs are 2-11-2 in their last 15 and have lost six straight following a 4-3 shootout defeat to Buffalo on Monday, their fifth in a row by one goal.

A far greater blow to Toronto is the loss of defenseman Matt Hunwick for the rest of the season due to sports hernia surgery. The injury, however, gives the Leafs a chance to evaluate Frank Corrado and Connor Carrick in preparation for next season.

"Someone else gets a real good opportunity here," coach Mike Babcock said. "If you're Frankie or Connor, it's a chance to show what you got. These kids are getting real good looks."

Babcock also said Martin Marincin will be moved to the top defensive pairing with Morgan Reilly.

"I think the biggest thing for us is just figuring out what we have," Babcock said. "As much as you want to make good decisions on who you acquire and who you add to your lineup, you better make good decisions on the people that are here."

Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau will be back from an upper-body injury that kept him out five games, but his long-term availability is in question since he's scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The right wing has five points in five games against the Islanders since playing with them from 2010-12.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blackhawks (41-21) at Blues (38-20)

Date: March 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks' league-best power play has been especially dangerous of late.

The St. Louis Blues are one of the NHL's top penalty killing teams, though they have yet to shut down Chicago this season.

How those units match up will be a focal point of Wednesday night's meeting in St. Louis between clubs vying for the Central Division title.

Chicago (41-21-5), St. Louis and Dallas are in contention for the Central crown. The Blues (38-20-9) won it last season, although it meant little after a first-round loss to Minnesota.

Still, the division title and top seed in the Western Conference are targets for these teams separated by two points. The Blackhawks can take a major step toward reaching those goals in this two-game trip that includes Friday's game against the Stars.

'We've got a lot of division games coming up,' captain Jonathan Toews said. 'Those aren't going to be easy ones. It'll be good preparation for the end of the year. We don't want to look too far ahead.'

Chicago's power play is clicking at 24.1 percent on the season, and the club has gone 6 for 12 in the last four games and 14 for 28 in nine.

"It comes with confidence," Toews said. "If you have a stretch where pucks are going in, it just adds to the rest of your power play, what you do with the puck, your break-outs, your entries, retrieving pucks off of initial shots that maybe don't go in in their zone."

Patrick Kane has seven power-play points and Brent Seabrook, Artemi Panarin and Duncan Keith each have six within the last nine contests. Keith and Artem Anisimov scored with the man advantage in Sunday's 4-1 home win over Detroit.

Kane added his eighth goal in 13 games to increase his NHL-best point total to a career-high 89. He has 13 points in a nine-game overall run against St. Louis, including three postseason games.

The Blues are killing off 86.6 percent of penalties, though the Blackhawks have gone 3 for 11 on the power play against them in 2015-16 with Kane scoring twice and Andrew Shaw once. Chicago went 2-0-1 in those games.

St. Louis returns home on a three-game win streak, capping a 3-1-0 trip with Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Wild. Jori Lehtera and Ryan Reaves scored first-period goals as the Blues never looked back after a strong start.

'This is the playoff stretch right now,' Reaves said. 'We're playing a lot of teams that we're in the mix with and tied with and chasing, so these are points we've really got to steal and start getting some separation.'

While the Blackhawks have the West's top goal scorer in Kane with 38, the Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko is not far behind with 30. He has three goals and an assist against Chicago this season.

Each team will likely start a goalie who has won three straight outings, with the Blues expected to go with Jake Allen and the Blackhawks Corey Crawford.

Chicago winger Marian Hossa practiced Tuesday and might return after missing the last eight games with a lower-body injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Predators (34-21) at Flames (27-34)

Date: March 09, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

The Nashville Predators have built a sizable lead in the Western Conference wild-card race during a franchise-record point streak that they haven't had any trouble extending to start their trip.

Plenty of teams have departed Calgary with a victory lately, and Nashville can match the club record with a seventh straight road victory by beating the struggling Flames on Wednesday night.

The Predators (34-21-12) have gone 9-0-4 since a regulation loss to Washington on Feb. 9, building an eight-point lead over Minnesota and Colorado for the West's first wild card in the process.

They beat the Avalanche 5-2 on Saturday to begin a five-game trip and defeated Winnipeg 4-2 on Tuesday despite going 0 for 9 on the power play in those contests.

Craig Smith had two goals against the Jets to give him five with five assists during a five-game point streak, and Ryan Johansen snapped a 14-game goal drought.

Colton Sissons, recalled from the AHL on Monday to replace the injured Paul Gaustad for at least the rest of the trip, had a goal and an assist in his first NHL game since Dec. 26. His goal broke a first-period tie as the Predators moved to the verge of matching the team-record road winning streak set Oct. 16-Nov. 4, 2006.

"I think the past month and a half, two months, everybody has settled into where they're going to be," Smith said. "That only helps in games where you need goals, can rely on each other and be predictable."

The Predators snapped a four-game losing streak in the series by winning 2-1 at Calgary on Jan. 27 with help from a power-play goal by Shea Weber, who has two goals and four assists during a four-game point streak that has come after he missed three straight with a lower-body injury.

The Flames (27-34-5) have dropped into a tie for last in the West with Edmonton and Winnipeg while going 2-9-2 since Feb. 12, a stretch that includes dropping five of six at home. Joe Colborne's goal with 1:22 remaining in the third period tied visiting San Jose on Monday, but the Sharks scored 19 seconds into overtime for a 2-1 win.

"We're a young team and sometimes it doesn't always go our way, but the one thing that we have to respect from our team is the effort," coach Bob Hartley said. "The commitment to leave everything on the ice, to play with energy, to play with passion - we're getting this and that's step one in the right direction."

Veteran center Mikael Backlund had scored in two straight before being held without a point against the Sharks. He has eight goals and 12 assists over his last 16.

"He's been maybe our best player in the last month or two," Colborne told the team's official website. "Playing with him ... it's a treat. He's so smart with the puck and so responsible. If you have the puck, he's somewhere close by to give you an outlet."

Joni Ortio has gone 1-6-3 with a 3.04 goals-against average in eight starts and three relief efforts, but has a .924 save percentage over the last three. He'll get the start against the Predators, who could go with Carter Hutton after Pekka Rinne made 21 saves Tuesday.

Hutton has a 2.16 GAA in 11 starts, the last of which came when he made 25 saves in a win over Toronto on Feb. 23. He stopped 26 shots to beat Calgary in January.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Ducks (37-19) at Avalanche (34-30)

Date: March 09, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Though the Anaheim Ducks' franchise-record winning streak is over, they remain in pursuit of history on the road.

The Ducks can equal the club mark with a seventh consecutive road victory Wednesday night against the Colorado Avalanche.

Ryan Getzlaf scored his 10th goal and John Gibson made 31 saves, but Anaheim (37-19-9) had its 11-game winning streak snapped with Monday's 2-1 shootout loss to league-leading Washington.

'A streak is a streak, but it's not do-or-die right now,' defenseman Kevin Bieksa said. 'We're trying to get points and move up in the standings, but more importantly, play the right way.'

The Ducks did see their lead atop the Pacific Division dip to one point over Los Angeles, which hosts the Capitals on Wednesday.

Amid a remarkable 20-2-2 run, Anaheim has earned a point in 14 straight games - two shy of a team record-run to open the 2006-07 season. That's the same season in which the Ducks won a franchise-record seven in a row on the road.

'It's stressful winning every game, because you try so hard to keep that going,' coach Bruce Boudreau said. 'It wears you out.'

Though the Ducks' run of 11 straight games with a power-play goal (19 for 43) also ended with an 0-for-4 effort Monday, they've gone 11 of 22 while scoring at least one in the last six away from home.

Colorado (34-30-4) has killed 29 of 30 penalties in the last 10 games, and Anaheim is 0 for 27 on the power play in the past eight matchups but has won four of them.

Corey Perry looks to avoid going three straight games without a point after recording five goals - four on the power play - and three assists in the previous three contests. Perry's four-game point streak against Colorado ended in a 3-0 home loss Oct. 16 in the teams' only meeting this season.

Reto Berra made 35 saves for the Avs that night but was waived last week, and Semyon Varlamov is expected to be in net Wednesday. Varlamov sat out two consecutive games after posting a 4.80 goals-against average in his previous three starts but returned Monday to stop 37 shots in a 3-1 victory over Arizona.

"He was really good. He looked like a No. 1," coach Patrick Roy told the Avalanche's official website. "He was solid, and that's the Varly we wanted to see. It was a good thing for him to rest and be ready for this one.

"Now he needs to be ready for the next one against the Ducks."

Varlamov has a 4.38 GAA during an 0-2-1 stretch against Anaheim.

Matt Duchene set a career high Monday with his 28th goal for the Avs, who are tied with Minnesota for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference but have played one more game than the Wild.

"I'm not trying to think about it too much," Duchene said of his accomplishment. "It would be nice to get two more hopefully this year and get to that 30-goal mark but with that, it's all about the team.

"It's all about me playing my role and doing what I'm capable of doing to help this team get in the playoffs."

Anaheim's Frederik Andersen made 22 saves against the Avs in October, and he's 12-0-2 with a 1.76 GAA as a starter in 2016.

Gibson has a league-low 2.04 GAA, including 1.74 during his 4-0-1 stretch.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Coyotes (28-32) at Canucks (25-28)

Date: March 09, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Both 10 points back of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks are trying to generate something positive in the final month of their disappointing seasons.

The Coyotes look to avoid a franchise-record 10th straight road defeat Wednesday night against the Canucks, who have lost nine of 11 at home.

"(Arizona has) been right with us the whole year," Vancouver star Daniel Sedin said.

That's not a good thing for two clubs each with 62 points and in position to miss the playoffs.

Times have been particularly rough of late for Arizona (28-32-6), which has dropped eight of nine and has a West-low 14 points since Jan. 13 to drop from sixth in the conference to 11th. The Coyotes have scored 16 goals in their last 11 road games, losing the past nine to equal the record set in 1979-80 when the franchise was in Winnipeg.

'When you're not getting rewarded for your effort that's where the little bit of frustration comes in,' coach Dave Tippett said.

Arizona felt that was the case Monday despite getting down three goals in a 3-1 loss at Colorado. Players and coaches believe the team skated hard and spirits were high, but the numbers continue to tell a different story.

The Coyotes have yielded an average of 3.7 goals in the last nine games. They've gone 2 for 37 on the power play in the past 10 away from home and totaled three goals in the last three despite averaging 33 shots.

"We're going to have to regroup ... move on," said Antoine Vermette, whose 28 points include just seven on the road - one in his last seven games away from home.

The Coyotes move on possibly without points leader and star defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who is day to day with an upper body injury.

Arizona has dropped both home meetings with the Canucks (25-28-12) but won 3-2 in Vancouver on Jan. 4.

Henrik Sedin has a five-game point streak against the Coyotes but could miss a second consecutive game with an upper body injury.

The Canucks are mired in a 5-11-1 stretch and are the lowest-scoring team in the West at 2.35 goals per game. They haven't scored more than two in any of the losses during a 2-8-1 span at home, where they'll try to avoid a fourth straight loss after splitting a two-game trip with Monday's 5-1 defeat at Los Angeles.

"You want to put out a good effort on the ice," said defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who reached the 300-point mark by scoring his only two goals of the season in the last two contests.

"That's how you sleep at night. That's just the professionalism we expect in this dressing room. We need to keep learning and keep building our game."

Ryan Miller has lost three straight starts with a 3.47 goals-against average. However, he's 9-1-0 with a 1.58 GAA against the Coyotes after winning his only game against them this season, making 33 saves in a 2-1 road victory Feb. 10.

Daniel Sedin has three goals and two assists in his last three home games against Arizona.

Shane Doan has four goals in his last four games at Vancouver.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Capitals (49-13) at Kings (39-22)

Date: March 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

One possible reason the Washington Capitals may like their chances of finally winning a Stanley Cup is that they added a pair of players who have lifted it.

Those players, Justin Williams and Mike Richards, are finally returning to the place where they won those championships together.

They will go on the road and face the Los Angeles Kings for the first time Wednesday night since leaving that franchise and joining the Capitals.

The receptions for Williams and Richards could be very different, even though both helped Los Angeles (39-22-4) capture Stanley Cups in 2012 and 1014.

Williams, who also won the Cup with Carolina in 2006, developed into one of the Kings' most beloved players in his six seasons with them between 2009-15. The winger shined in the 2014 postseason, amassing 25 points and earning Conn Smythe Trophy honors as the playoffs' most valuable player.

He joined Washington (49-13-4) as an unrestricted free agent before this season.

The circumstances surrounding Richards' return after spending his previous four seasons with the Kings are far less rosier because his contract with Los Angeles was terminated in the offseason. He had been sent to the minor leagues after his play and production dropped off and was arrested at the Canadian border in June for possession of a controlled substance.

Richards eventually settled a grievance with the Kings and was out of the NHL until the Capitals signed him in January.

Both Williams and Richards played in the Capitals' 3-1 home win over the Kings on Feb. 16, with Williams assisting on Evgeny Kuznetsov's go-ahead goal with 2:02 to play.

"It's weird playing against them," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said after that contest. "We understand they're not a part of our team anymore. We'll always have those memories with them and we'll never forget. Now they're on the opposite side. Next time we play them, we've got to beat them."

Los Angeles has taken its last five home meetings with Washington.

The Kings won for the sixth time in eight games Monday in a 5-1 victory over Vancouver. Jeff Carter scored twice and Anze Kopitar added a goal and two assists.

All six wins in the eight-game run have seen Los Angeles yield two or fewer goals.

'We always play good defensive hockey. I mean, it's not our team motto, but it's something we're known for,' Doughty said. 'We take a lot of pride in playing good defense, and we always have good goaltending. That's how you win hockey games.'

The Capitals won 2-1 on Monday in a shootout that ended Anaheim's eight-game home win streak. Andre Burakovsky scored the tying goal early in the third period in a tight game that came after Washington began this four-game trip with Saturday's 2-1 overtime victory over Boston.

'It was two good teams battling it out,' coach Barry Trotz said. 'It was a good test for us, because I didn't know what we would have (in the tank), fifth game in seven nights and getting across the country."

Washington has played 11 straight one-goal games since the victory over Los Angeles, although that margin ended at two thanks to an empty-net tally by Jason Chimera. The Capitals have played 18 games in a row decided by either one goal or two with an empty-net score.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - March

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

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

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

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
3/1 8 48.5 49 OVER
3/2 3 16.5 17 OVER
3/3 12 65.5 69 OVER
3/4 3 15.5 20 OVER
3/5 11 58 62 OVER
3/6 6 30.5 34 OVER
3/7 7 36 38 OVER
3/8 8 44.5 41 UNDER
3/9 6 - - -
3/10 6 - - -
3/11 5 - - -
3/12 12 - - -
3/13 3 - - -
3/14 6 - - -
3/15 8 - - -
3/16 6 - - -
3/17 8 - - -
3/18 6 - - -
3/19 11 - - -
3/20 7 - - -
3/21 4 - - -
3/22 10 - - -
3/23 2 - - -
3/24 11 - - -
3/25 3 - - -
3/26 14 - - -
3/27 3 - - -
3/28 8 - - -
3/29 9 - - -
3/30 3 - - -
3/31 10 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Islanders won seven of their last eight games.
-- St Louis won its last three games, scoring 13 goals. Blackhawks won three of their last four games.
-- Predators won seven of their last eight games.
-- Anaheim won 11 of its last 12 games.
-- Washington won four of its last five games. Los Angeles won six of its last eight games.

Cold teams
-- Toronto lost its last six games, scoring ten goals.
-- Calgary lost eight of its last nine games.
-- Colorado lost three of its last five games.
-- Arizona lost eight of its last nine games. Vancouver lost four of its last five.

Series records
-- Toronto lost five of last seven games with the Islanders.
-- Chicago is 6-4 in its last ten games with St Louis.
-- Flames won four of their last five games with Nashville.
-- Ducks won three of their last four games in Colorado.
-- Canucks won four of last five games with Arizona.
-- Kings won five of last seven games with Washington.

Totals
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Islander games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven St Louis games.
-- Last four Nashville games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Anaheim-Colorado games stayed under.
-- Seven of last nine Arizona-Vancouver games stayed under.
-- Under is 7-2-2 in last eleven Los Angeles games.

Back-to-backs
-- Islanders won six of last seven games if they played night before.
-- Nashville won its last three games if it played night before.

CFL information
Playoffs
Grey Cup
Edmonton (15-4) vs Ottawa (13-6) (@ Winnipeg)-- Ottawa is in Grey Cup in its second year in league; they've won last five games overall, four by 7 or less points- they won 27-20 here Oct 24. Edmonton is 4-0 vs Ottawa, beating RedBlacks 46-17/23-12 in two meetings this year; three of the four games stayed under total, with average total 38.5. Eskimos won their last nine games, scoring 40 ppg in last three- last four Edmonton games went over total. Ottawa covered three of last four as an underdog; Eskimos are 2-3 in last five as a favorite. Edmonton is in Grey Cup for first time in decade; they're 13-11 in Grey Cups, beating Montreal 38-35 in last appearance in '05.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Fallen Maple Leafs Host Islanders March 9, 7:00 EST

The Toronto Maple Leafs (21-33-11) might not be the best team in the NHL, but at least they play hard. Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres (–115 away) made it five straight games that Toronto has lost by a single goal, all since the February 29 trade deadline. Next up for the Leafs is Wednesday's game (7 PM ET, TSN) against the visiting New York Islanders, who are back in playoff position in the East at 36-20-7.

Toronto has been alternating goalies since the deadline; if the pattern holds, Jonathan Bernier (.897 save percentage) will get the start at the ACC. Bernier hasn't played as well between the pipes as his new co-pilot, Garret Sparks (.913 SV%). However, the Maple Leafs are starting fresh in front of Bernier with a new crop of blue-chip prospects, including right wing William Nylander (drafted No. 8 overall in 2014) and right wing Kasperi Kapanen (No. 22 in 2014).

The Islanders are 10-2-1 in their last 13 games, but they'll be playing on zero days of rest Wednesday night after hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. At press time, it's believed that Jaroslav Halak (.917 SV%) will start both those games for New York.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pelicans (24-38) at Hornets (34-28)

Date: March 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

As Kemba Walker continues to flourish amid his career season, the Charlotte Hornets are determined to keep surging.

With Walker in position to record his first four-game streak with at least 30 points, the Hornets can win a season-high five straight for the second time in a month Wednesday night against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.

Walker scored 21 of his 34 points in the third quarter to help Charlotte (34-28) win for the 10th time in 12 games, 108-103 over Minnesota on Monday. Sixth in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets are closing in on second-place Atlanta in the Southeast Division and are just 2 1/2 games back of first-place Miami.

"(We're) feeling pretty good but we don't want to relax," Walker said. "We need to stay hungry if we want to keep on winning and get into the playoffs."

With career highs of 21.2 points per contest, 43.3 percent shooting and 4.4 rebounds, Walker has shown his hunger by averaging 32.3 in three games and hitting 49.0 percent of his shots in the last nine. He's gone 15 of 29 from 3-point range as the Hornets have posted a 4-0 mark this month.

In Walker's five seasons, Charlotte is 20-5 when he scores at least 30.

"I just want to continue my good play," he told the NBA's official website. "That's what I've been focused on, just keep on getting better and trying to win."

Charlotte, which won five straight Feb. 6-21, has averaged 115.3 points and 42.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc in March. It can win six in a row at home for the second time this season.

"I think we've played with intensity and good confidence all year," coach Steve Clifford said. "I think our team has been a confident team from the get-go. ... I think that when they play well we're good. They have a good understanding of who we are and what we have to do."

Walker scored 31 in a 98-94 home win over the Pelicans last season. He and teammate Nicolas Batum each had 25 points in a 109-107 loss at New Orleans on Jan. 15.

Ryan Anderson hit six 3-pointers and finished with 32 points while Anthony Davis scored 22 in that contest for the Pelicans (24-38).

Davis had 31 and 11 rebounds to help New Orleans climb out of a 17-point hole and snap a four-game skid with Monday's 115-112 victory over Sacramento.

'No matter what the score is or what the situation is - playoffs or no playoffs - we're going to keep playing,' said Davis, who scored 23 in the second half.

The Pelicans shot 47.9 percent after hitting 40.2 and averaging 91.7 points in the previous three contests.

"We've been a work-in-progress for almost a year now, so we just continue to try to plug guys in to certain situations and spots and see how it can work out," coach Alvin Gentry said. "We'll just keep plugging away and try to do the best we can and try to answer some questions as far as rotations and things like that."

Gentry said he wanted to see if Jrue Holiday is worthy of being a consistent starter after the veteran guard had 20 points and 10 assists Monday in his first start since Dec. 1.

Holiday, who scored 22 against Utah two days earlier, looks like he'll get that opportunity after New Orleans announced Tuesday that guard Eric Gordon had surgery to repair a fractured right ring finger and will miss the remainder of the season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockets (31-32) at 76ers (8-55)

Date: March 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

It shouldn't come as a surprise that James Harden's highest-scoring effort of the season came against the woeful Philadelphia 76ers.

The NBA's second-leading scorer is poised for another big performance as the Houston Rockets look to send the 76ers to a 13th straight loss Wednesday night.

Harden has averaged 34.7 points over his last six meetings with Philadelphia, and Houston (31-32) has won four straight and five of those games. The guard practically beat the 76ers on his own Nov. 27, pouring in 50 points with nine rebounds and eight assists in a 116-114 victory. He was one point short of matching his career high from an April 1 win over Sacramento.

Harden looks capable of making another run at that personal record, averaging 35.2 points over the last 11 games. He scored 40 and added 14 assists in a 113-107 win at Toronto on Sunday, the fourth time this season he's had at least 40 and 10. The rest of the league has four such games combined.

Harden will now try to capitalize on the league-worst 76ers (8-55), who are surrendering an average of 115.0 points during their 12-game skid. They haven't held a team under 100 points since a 98-92 overtime loss against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 8 - the first defeat of this stretch.

While Harden's 29.0 points per game rank only behind Golden State's Stephen Curry (30.7), he's more concerned with helping the Rockets solidify a fourth straight playoff berth. They're eighth in the Western Conference.

"From here on out there's 20 games left (19 actually), so each and every game counts, so we've got to find a way to come away with wins," Harden said.

Finishing sixth would avoid a first-round matchup with the Warriors or San Antonio, but coach J.B. Bickerstaff is confident in his team and just wants to qualify.

"In a seven-game series, the group that we have, the talent that we have, the only thing that matters is winning," Bickerstaff said. "There's no doubt of what we're capable of, we've just got to get ourselves to that spot and that's been a struggle."

The entire season has been a struggle for the Sixers, who are coming off Sunday's 103-98 loss at Miami in the back end of a home-and-home set. They led by two with 4:39 remaining but were outscored 18-11 the rest of the way.

Ish Smith had 21 points, giving him that as an average while making 51.6 percent from the floor and 8 of 15 3-pointers over the last four games.

Jahlil Okafor will miss a fifth straight game with shin and knee injuries, though Nerlens Noel is expected back after a knee injury sidelined him for the last two.

"I see it with Nerlens, I see it with my young guys," coach Brett Brown told the 76ers' official website. "It's a long season for 19- and 20-year-olds. We're trying to be wise with them and help them get through it."

A knee injury prevented Noel from facing the Rockets earlier this season. Robert Covington had 28 points with eight steals, seven boards and five assists in that meeting, while Isaiah Canaan chipped in with 23 points.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Grizzlies (38-25) at Celtics (38-26)

Date: March 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

After pulling off an improbable road upset without four starters, the Memphis Grizzlies have certainly garnered the attention of the Boston Celtics.

With Zach Randolph looking to torment Boston again in his return, the Celtics insist they'll be cautious not to overlook the banged-up Grizzlies when they chase their longest home winning streak in over 25 years Wednesday night.

Memphis (38-25) is already missing leading scorer Marc Gasol, but things got worse Monday when Randolph, Mike Conley, Chris Andersen and Matt Barnes were sidelined against the Eastern Conference's best team.

Tony Allen, however, stepped up with a season-high 26 points after missing eight games with a knee injury, Mario Chalmers and Lance Stephenson scored 17 apiece and JaMychal Green had 16 in a shocking 106-103 win at Cleveland.

"It was just a game for us to get better," Allen said. "When you've got all the guys from one through 15 (and) they believe, then the sky is the limit."

The Grizzlies have won eight of 11 as they try to reel in a 3 1/2-game deficit to the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers for home-court advantage in the West playoffs. Despite all their injuries, they're playing well offensively with 105.9 points per game and a 48.0 field-goal percentage in their last 16.

Randolph averaged 18.6 points over a 13-game stretch before struggling in Sunday's loss to Phoenix and sitting Monday. He's expected to return against a Boston team he torched for 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 101-98 home win Jan. 10.

Conley did not play in that contest and he's out again due to a sore left foot. Barnes (hamstring) and Andersen (shoulder) will also remain sidelined.

After LeBron James admitted the Cavaliers "didn't respect" the short-handed Grizzlies, the Celtics (38-26) are focused on taking them seriously as they try to win 14 in a row at home for first time since an 18-game run Nov. 14, 1990-Jan. 11, 1991.

"I don't know if that impacts your preparation, them going into Cleveland and winning," coach Brad Stevens said. "You have to play well to beat these guys. This is a team that has won regardless of who has been on the floor."

Stevens' club has scored 112.1 points per game during its run at home. Isaiah Thomas has totaled 62 in the past two at TD Garden, while Jae Crowder has averaged 17.8 over his last six there.

Boston is a half-game ahead of Miami for third place in the East after winning 16 of 21 overall. The Celtics, though, look to avoid their first back-to-back losses since Jan. 18 and 20 following Saturday's 120-103 defeat to Cleveland.

Jared Sullinger, who had 17 points and 13 rebounds, is questionable with a skin infection that landed him in the hospital. Kelly Olynyk, however, could play after missing the past nine games because of a shoulder injury.

The Celtics have the January meeting fresh in their minds. Even though Thomas scored 35, they couldn't hold a 21-point lead while getting outscored 63-45, outrebounded 35-14 and committing 10 turnovers in the second half.

"They pretty much manhandled us in the last game," Stevens recalled.

The Grizzlies have won six of seven in this series, losing 95-92 in the most recent meeting at Boston last March 11.