The Bum's National Hockey League December Rated Plays - Trends - News - Etc. !!

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Preview: Panthers (12-12) at Devils (14-11)
Date: December 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Coach John Hynes gave his New Jersey Devils a well-deserved day off in the middle of the week to regroup during a busy stretch that sends them into the NHL's holiday break.

An extra day to get healthy is something Jaromir Jagr and the Florida Panthers could use as well.

The former Devil hopes to return from a one-game absence to try and help Florida end an eight-game road losing streak to New Jersey on Thursday night.

The Devils (16-11-4) on Friday began a stretch where they won't have more than one day between games - including one back-to-back set - through Dec. 22 before a three-day break over the holidays. They followed a listless 4-0 road loss to the New York Islanders on Sunday with Tuesday's 2-0 victory at Buffalo.

Lee Stempniak and Jiri Tlusty scored for New Jersey, which now seeks its first back-to-back wins since Nov. 12 and 14.

'It's a huge win for us,' Stempniak said. 'We didn't play our best against the Islanders. Came back and had a good response, stuck with it, weathered the storm at times and did enough to win.'

Adam Henrique, tied with Kyle Palmieri for the team lead with 13 goals, returned after missing two games with an upper-body injury and had an assist. Hynes hopes having Wednesday off from any activity will help Tuomo Ruutu rest a broken foot that has forced him to miss 27 games.

There's a possibility Ruutu could play in this contest, and Travis Zajac also is nearing his return from an upper-body injury.

"It's important to get points," said Cory Schneider, who had 25 saves in his second shutout of the season. "We keep talking about it. I know it gets old. We get injuries, it's fatigue. We have seven games in 12 days going into the break. Keep ourselves in it and keep clawing away and maybe get to the Christmas break and kind of reset a little bit."

New Jersey has won eight straight home games against the Panthers, including the playoffs, and extended that run when Stempniak, Palmieri, Henrique and Mike Cammalleri scored in a 4-2 victory Dec. 6.

Jagr had two assists in his first game back in New Jersey since the Devils traded him to Florida on Feb. 26. He needs one goal to stand alone in fourth place on the NHL's all-time goal-scoring list, but the flu forced him to sit out Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Islanders.

The Panthers (15-12-4) won for the sixth time in their last eight road games despite also missing two other forwards. Nick Bjustad is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, and Derek MacKenzie will miss at least the Panthers' next two with a lower-body issue.

Reilly Smith scored for the third time in four games. Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau also had goals.

"We're missing some top players," coach Gerard Gallant said. "But hey, that's part of the game, that's part of the NHL. Everybody has injuries and you've got to get through it. We called some guys up and we played a good, solid team game."

Robert Luongo made 33 saves and could be back in net for this one. Luongo, a teammate of Schneider's in Vancouver from 2008-13, has a 1.87 GAA over his last seven starts.

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Preview: Canucks (10-13) at Flyers (12-12)
Date: December 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Vancouver Canucks have been thoroughly outplayed on the first two stops of a six-game trip, putting them closer to matching their longest road losing streak in nearly two years.

A matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night could be just what they need to end that slide.

Vancouver (11-13-8) opened the trip with a 4-0 loss to Chicago on Sunday before giving up a season high in goals in a 6-2 defeat to Minnesota two days later.

The Canucks allowed those teams to go 4 for 7 on the power play, and they failed to generate a power-play opportunity for the first time this season Tuesday after going 0 for 3 against the Blackhawks.

'There's quite a bit that bothered me,' coach Willie Desjardins said after Vancouver fell to 0-3-2 in its last five on the road and 2-5-2 in its past nine overall.

Ryan Miller was pulled after allowing six goals through two periods as he faced 36 shots while the Canucks put 21 on net.

'If things break down, I have to make reads. I was trying to battle and find some pucks, but they just made some plays around us tonight,' Miller said. 'For me, it's just if I can't find a way, regroup and go after the next puck. I can't judge the guys, and I can't sit there and try and coach.'

Miller has a 4.27 goals-against average in going 0-3-1 in his last four road starts.

'Can't blame it on Millsy. It could have been 10-1 after two periods. We kind of left him out to dry tonight,' left wing Chris Higgins said.

Vancouver has been outscored 35-16 in going 1-6-3 in its last 10 on the road, but this stop in Philadelphia might give it a solid chance to avoid losing six in a row away from home for the first time since a seven-game skid - all in regulation - Jan. 31-March 6, 2014.

That's because the Canucks have won two in a row in Philadelphia and are 4-1-0 in their last five visits. Vancouver has also won three straight overall meetings and is 6-1-1 in the past eight.

The Flyers (13-12-6), though, enter this one after beating Carolina 4-3 in overtime Tuesday to earn at least one point for the sixth time in their last seven at home (3-1-3).

Rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was again the hero, scoring for the third time in the extra session to tie for the most OT goals in the NHL.

'It's definitely fun, for sure,' said Gostisbehere, who has six goals and five assists in 15 games. 'It's the guys around me. (Jakub Voracek) with the pass - he's one of the best in the NHL for a reason.'

Voracek had a goal and two assists, and Sean Couturier added one of each. For Voracek, it was just his second goal after scoring at least 22 in each of the last three seasons.

'I played the same way, but I had a couple of lucky bounces,' he said.

The Canucks beat the visiting Flyers 4-1 on Nov. 2 and have outscored them 12-2 in the last three meetings.

Miller has won each of his last three starts against Philadelphia behind a 0.32 GAA.

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Preview: Kings (17-9) at Canadiens (19-9)
Date: December 17, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens are atop their divisions, but neither are particularly happy about the way they're playing.

The Kings look to avoid losing three in a row for the first time since the opening week of the season Thursday night when they visit a Canadiens team that's trying to avoid a sixth defeat in seven games.

Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter described his team's play as "tired" and said it made "fatigued mistakes" in Monday's 5-3 loss to Ottawa. Jonathan Quick had one of his worst performances of the season with 16 saves as the Kings (19-9-2) yielded four second-period scores and gave up their most goals since a 5-1 defeat to San Jose in the opener.

In Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to Buffalo, Los Angeles had 21 shots - its fewest since a loss to Vancouver on Oct. 13 in its third game as part of an 0-3-0 start.

"We've lost two games in a row so it's not where we want to be at," said Tyler Toffoli, who notched his second goal in 15 games Monday for his team-leading 12th. "We want to be winning games and digging deep and finding a way to come back if we're down. These last two games are a little bit of a wake-up call for us. We got to be winning games and separating ourselves from the rest of the guys in our division."

Despite the back-to-back losses that followed a six-game winning streak, the Kings are still nine points ahead of second-place San Jose in the Pacific Division.

Montreal's Atlantic Division lead has taken a hit during a 1-5-0 stretch after it had an 11-point advantage Dec. 1.

The Canadiens (20-9-3) are coming off a sloppy performance in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Sharks, with costly turnovers leading to all of San Jose's goals.

"It's tough to feel good about yourself when it's 3-0 and they didn't even have to work hard for their goals," left wing Max Pacioretty said.

Montreal had plenty of scoring chances, holding a 27-18 advantage in shots, but again struggled to get anything past the opposing goalie. In six games since Dec. 3, the Canadiens' average of 33.3 shots on goal is one of the best in the NHL, but their 5.5 shooting percentage is one of the worst.

Dale Weise, second on the team with 10 goals, ended an 11-game stretch without a score Tuesday for Montreal, which has totaled 11 goals in the last six.

"We have so many excuses where we can say the puck's just not going in, but sometimes you've just got to look in the mirror," Pacioretty told the Canadiens' official website. "We definitely moved the puck well on the power play in the third period, but we can't keep calling it bad luck. We've got to figure it out."

Neither the Canadiens nor Kings are finding success on the power play, and it will be tough for either team to get it going.

In the last six games, Montreal hasn't scored on 18 power-play opportunities but has killed 15 of 17 penalties.

Los Angeles is 3 for 25 on the man advantage in the last 10 but has only allowed two goals in 19 times short-handed in the past six.

These teams split the 2014-15 series with each winning at home. The Kings have lost 13 of 15 in Montreal.

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Preview: Sharks (14-14) at Maple Leafs (7-13)
Date: December 17, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

After snapping their longest losing streak of the season, the San Jose Sharks can focus on maintaining their dominance of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

However, the Sharks might need to do so without one of their top forwards Thursday night in Toronto.

Joe Pavelski had a goal with an assist and San Jose (15-14-1) made the most of its 18 shots to snap an 0-5-1 skid with Tuesday's 3-1 victory at Montreal.

'It took a real team effort from everyone," said Sharks coach Peter DeBoer, whose team opened a five-game trip by improving to 11-5-1 on the road.

Three nights removed from a 2-0 loss to Minnesota, the Sharks scored the initial goal for the first time in seven games.

"Getting the first goal for us was important," DeBoer added.

Looking to win consecutive contests for the first time since a six-game run from Nov. 13-22, the Sharks hope for that same early intensity especially if Tomas Hertl is unable to play. Hertl, who has 13 points, skated in pregame with top-liners Joe Thornton and Pavelski, but sat with a lower-body injury.

"(Hertl) had tweaked something last game," DeBoer said. "We thought he was going to be fine, and it kind of flared up after morning skate."

Joining Pavelski and Thornton, Dainius Zubrus scored for the first time in nine games since signing with the Sharks on Nov. 24.

"Some of those games that we lost, I thought we still created enough chances to score goals, but none were going in," Zubrus said.

"It's not easy to stay positive when you're losing like that, but I believe in our game, I believe in our guys and the system. I think if we play like this, there will be more wins to come."

Whether it's Zubrus or Hertl on the top line, San Jose should feel confident while trying for a 10th win in the last 11 games against Toronto. The Sharks have outscored the Maple Leafs 19-7 during a five-game winning streak.

Pavelski has five goals and four assists while winning all eight games he's played against Toronto.

Following back-to-back victories, the Maple Leafs (10-13-6) try to bounce back from falling 5-4 in overtime to Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

'Any time you get four, you have more than enough to win,' said Toronto coach Mike Babcock, whose team has recorded 10 non-shootout goals in the last three games. 'Lots of nights we haven't had run support. We had run support (Tuesday), we were unable to get it done.'

Perhaps because Jonathan Bernier struggled in making 22 saves in his return from an AHL conditioning assignment - that followed a lower-body injury - to make his first NHL appearance since Nov. 28. Bernier, 0-8-2 with a 3.45 goals-against average, could give way to rookie Garret Sparks in this contest with James Reimer still dealing with a groin injury.

Sparks is 3-1-0 with a 2.21 GAA.

Teammate James van Riemsdyk has a goal in two straight games after failing to score in the previous eight contests. He doesn't have any goals in eight games against the Sharks.

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Preview: Predators (13-10) at Blues (17-10)
Date: December 17, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Jake Allen's shutout against Nashville in November came at the tail end of a strong start to the season for St. Louis and a similar performance in the next meeting could help the Blues get back on track.

St. Louis seeks a third consecutive victory over its Central Division rivals and first win streak in over a month when the struggling Predators visit Thursday night.

One of Allen's four shutouts was a 4-0 win at Nashville on Nov. 7 in which he had a career-high 45 saves - the most by any NHL goaltender in a shutout this season.

While it was just the Blues' second straight win in a series that has split the last six meetings, St. Louis improved to 13-4-0 against the Predators since Feb. 23, 2012. That span includes a 6-2-0 mark at Scottrade Center.

St. Louis (18-10-4), which opened the season 11-3-1, is seeking its first back-to-back victories since winning three in a row Nov. 4-10. The Blues are 7-7-3 since then and have traded wins and losses in their last six games.

Tuesday's 4-3 victory at Winnipeg helped drown out the bitterness of a 2-3-0 homestand. Thursday's contest is the Blues' eighth in 10 games at Scottrade Center, where they are 9-6-2 overall but just 2-4-0 in their last six. In the pair of wins, St. Louis has owned a scoring advantage of 7-1, but that flips to 14-5 in the four losses.

Five of St. Louis' eight remaining games in December will come at home.

"We still have a lot of games left on this home stretch," Kevin Shattenkirk told the team's official website. "We have to get it back in our favor. We haven't played our best hockey here at home and there's no dancing around that."

Shattenkirk extended his point streak to five games with a pair of assists against the Jets, giving him 18 in his last 16 games (four goals, 14 assists). David Backes also pushed his point streak to five games with an assist, while Alexander Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko finished with a goal and two assists each.

The tallies from Steen and Tarasenko came on the power play, and the Blues penalty-kill unit improved to 21 for 21 in the last nine games by nixing two Jets opportunities.

Nashville (15-10-6) fell to 4-7-3 in its last 14 with Tuesday's 2-1 overtime loss to Calgary, closing a three-game homestand 1-1-1.

The Predators have lost each of their last six overtime games and have yet to score in the extra period. Their only two wins after regulation came with back-to-back shootout victories in mid-October. Nashville is 2-4-2 in its last eight away from home.

"You're going to go through some slumps during the season, and I think it happens to every team," Roman Josi told the team's official website. "You want to win every game if you can, but that's just not going to happen and that's not possible in this league."

Predators defenseman Barret Jackman faced his former team for the first time in November and is set to play his first game as a visitor in St. Louis, where he spent the first 13 seasons of his career.

Goaltender Pekka Rinne suffered the loss in Nashville on Nov. 7, allowing four goals on 28 shots. He is 16-13-4 with a 2.20 goals-against average in 33 starts against St. Louis - the most against any team in his career.

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Preview: Rangers (18-9) at Wild (16-7)
Date: December 17, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Wild's eight-game point streak is all the more impressive considering how little offense they've generated during that stretch.

Although that formula has worked fine throughout the streak, the Wild would happily take more results similar to their most recent one.

After blowing out its latest opponent with a season-high goal total, Minnesota looks to shut down the visiting New York Rangers on Thursday night.

Thomas Vanek scored one of the Wild's three power-play goals and added three assists, leading his team to a 6-2 romp over Vancouver on Tuesday. Minnesota (16-7-6) had managed to go 4-0-3 in its previous seven games despite totaling 13 goals.

'It kind of got boring. That's not our style of play,' defenseman Ryan Suter said, sarcastically, after the win over the Canucks. 'But it's good to see guys get some points and be able to take it a little easy in the third. We've been playing well, guys are buying in defensively, and it was bound to happen.'

Mikko Koivu also scored and had three assists for the Wild, while Zach Parise added a goal and two assists and backup Darcy Kuemper made 29 saves in another sharp performance.

'We've been getting chances. It's just not been going in in a lot of those,' said Koivu, who won 18 of 23 faceoffs. 'Tonight I think everything seemed to find the net, and for sure that's a good sign.'

The Wild's shooting percentage of one goal every 9.7 shots is in the top 10 in the NHL. Perhaps holding them back is their per-game shot average of 28.1 that's near the bottom of the league.

However many goals they score, though, Minnesota can draw confidence from its goaltending. Kuemper went 3-0-2 with a 1.32 goals-against average while Devan Dubnyk was out with a strained groin.

Dubnyk is ready to return and expected to start Thursday. He hasn't allowed a goal in 127 minutes, 2 seconds over his last three starts.

His return probably isn't welcome news for the Rangers (19-9-4), who snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 home victory over Edmonton on Tuesday but are 3-6-2 in their last 11. New York has also dropped five in a row and six of seven on the road.

The Rangers, though, have won four of their last five meetings with the Wild and three of four at Xcel Energy Center, and they beat Dubnyk and the Wild 3-2 at Madison Square Garden on April 2 in the latest meeting.

Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves in that game for his third straight win in the series.

Lundqvist stopped 18 shots Tuesday and has given up two or fewer goals in four of his last five starts. He had allowed five before getting pulled in a 7-5 defeat at Edmonton in his previous start Friday.

'This was just so needed, this win, I think for so many reasons,' he said after the Rangers ended the Oilers' six-game winning streak.

Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello each had a goal and an assist and defenseman Dylan McIlrath scored his first NHL goal.

New York had allowed 14 goals and 96 shots during its 0-2-1 swing through Western Canada that ended Saturday.

'We're used to being a top defensive team in the league,' defenseman Marc Staal said. 'We were making some plays that are uncharacteristic.'

Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi did not make the trip and will miss at least two more games with a swollen knee.

Wild center Jarret Stoll, claimed off waivers from New York on Tuesday, could be in the lineup Thursday.

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Preview: Oilers (12-16) at Blackhawks (17-11)
Date: December 17, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Having ended his franchise-record point streak, Patrick Kane can turn his attention toward helping the Chicago Blackhawks continue their recent mastery of the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Kane has played a significant role in his team's success against the Oilers.

Kane had a 26-game point streak snapped - the longest in the NHL since 1995-96 - in a 3-0 loss to visiting Colorado on Tuesday. The league's leading scorer had 40 of his 46 points (16 goals, 24 assists) during the longest run by a U.S.-born player and one that topped Bobby Hull's 21-game streak in 1971-72.

"Didn't have it tonight, so now I can just focus on playing hockey," he said. "It was a good run, but when you have to talk about it every day it gets taxing."

Kane and the Blackhawks will seek to bounce back with their ninth win in 10 games against Edmonton, their fourth in a row and third this season.

The line of Kane, Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov accounted for every goal and five assists in a 4-2 victory Nov. 8. Kane matched a career high with four points (one goal, three assists) and Panarin scored twice in Chicago's fourth consecutive win over Edmonton (14-16-2) at the United Center.

Kane has racked up 36 points in his last 21 matchups (11 goals, 25 assists), his most versus any opponent since the beginning of the 2009-10 season.

The Oilers had a chance to enter this game with their longest win streak in 15 seasons but couldn't earn a seventh consecutive victory Tuesday, falling 4-2 at the New York Rangers in the second of back-to-back games.

Edmonton rallied twice from one-goal deficits but didn't respond to Rick Nash's power-play score late in the second period despite getting three power-play opportunities in the third.

"We definitely felt the effects of a back-to-back," defenseman Brandon Davidson said. "The difference was special teams tonight. I think if we could have taken care of that a little better, we would have had a better fate."

Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, the team's two goal scorers Tuesday, will try to stay hot as the Oilers continue a four-game road trip. In the past six games, Hall has six goals and four assists while Eberle has tallied five goals and eight points.

Hall has one goal and two assists in his last four games against Chicago after producing eight goals and 11 assists in his first 13 matchups. Eberle has a goal in each of the two meetings this season, including a 4-3 overtime loss in Edmonton on Nov. 18.

Marian Hossa scored the winning goal for Chicago while Panarin had one goal and two assists.

Leon Draisaitl sent the game into an extra period by scoring with 2:46 left in regulation. The Edmonton center had seven goals and 10 assists in his first 10 games after being called up from the minors Oct. 29 but has two goals and eight assists in his past 12.

Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford has won his past six starts against the Oilers while posting a 1.97 goals-against average.

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Preview: Flames (13-14) at Stars (22-6)
Date: December 17, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

The Calgary Flames entered this month tied for the fewest points in the NHL. They're now the league's hottest team, and it started with a stirring victory over the league-best Dallas Stars.

The Flames go for their longest winning streak in 10 years Thursday night when they face the Stars again.

Calgary (14-14-2) ended a five-year postseason drought last spring and won a round for the first time since losing to Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final in 2004. This latest run was looking more like a fluke as the Flames' 18 points after 24 games tied them with Edmonton in the league's cellar.

Things weren't looking very good Dec. 1 when Calgary gave up the first three goals to Dallas (23-6-2) before rallying in the third period and winning 4-3 in a shootout. It was the start of a six-game winning streak that's turned the Flames' season around.

They haven't put together a longer winning streak since an eight-game run from Nov. 1-16, 2005.

"I think we got off to a bad start, but our blue line has really stepped up but at the same time also I think our team game has been real good," coach Bob Hartley said.

Defenseman Kris Russell came through Tuesday, scoring his second goal of the season in overtime of a 2-1 win over Nashville in the opener of this four-game road trip.

Calgary is 4-9-2 on the road compared to 10-5-0 at home, including a nine-game winning streak.

"Our record on the road isn't as good as home obviously so it was a big win for us to have a good start on this road trip," center Mikael Backlund said. "To find a way to win tough road games, so we're going to have to build on that."

Doing it in Dallas will be daunting since the Stars are 12-3-0 there, winning four straight after beating Columbus 5-1 on Tuesday. However, coach Lindy Ruff wasn't happy with the Stars' slow start, which included being outshot 16-8 in the opening period before it ended with them ahead 1-0.

"I'm frustrated because we had a total lack of mental focus. I know we won 5-1, but we'll lose games when we play like that," Ruff told the team's official website. "We've worked hard to get to where we're at, and we're on a bit of a roller coaster ride with how we're playing right now. I have to straighten that out."

Tyler Seguin scored twice in a 30-second span of the second period Tuesday, giving him three goals and seven points over the past four games. He's second in the league with 42 points, one ahead of Jamie Benn.

Benn, the NHL leader with 20 goals, has six points in the last four games after getting none over the previous three, including the matchup in Calgary. The left wing had 15 points over his previous seven meetings with the Flames, and he's got 25 in 21 career matchups.

Seguin was also held off the score sheet against them earlier this month after collecting 13 points over his first eight games.

Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau has one goal in each of his last three meetings with the Stars, plus he scored in the shootout Dec. 1. The left wing has seven goals and four assists during the Flames' winning streak.

T.J. Brodie assisted on Gaudreau's goal against Dallas earlier this month as part of his career-high seven-game point streak.

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Preview: Blue Jackets (11-19) at Coyotes (14-14)
Date: December 17, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The Columbus Blue Jackets are still searching for their first victory in a start by a backup goaltender.

Arizona Coyotes goalies have the second-worst goals-against average in the league, and the club will be forced to start a backup in its next game Thursday night.

The Coyotes figure to turn to Anders Lindback as they look to hand the visiting Blue Jackets a sixth straight loss.

Sergei Bobrovsky is out with a lower-body injury and his absence makes the league's worst team even worse. Columbus (11-19-3) is 0-7-1 in games Bobrovsky has not started.

Rookie Joonas Korpisalo was given his first two starts in the last two games for Columbus, but was pulled in favor of Curtis McElhinney after two periods of Tuesday's 5-1 loss at Dallas.

"I thought our young guy, and it's his second game, he just didn't look the same as I saw in the first one," coach John Tortorella said.

McElhinney has not posted a regulation win as a starter since Feb. 19, a 14-game drought. He's gone 2-10-2 with a 3.27 goals-against average in his last 14 starts with two shootout victories.

Arizona (14-14-2) has a 3.17 GAA and Lindback has taken over as the No. 1 goalie after the club announced Tuesday that Mike Smith is expected to miss at least two months after undergoing abdominal surgery. Lindback is 4-3-1 with a 3.14 GAA in eight starts.

"Obviously that's not what we hoped for and hopefully he'll get back quick here, but it's a big opportunity for me and something you work hard for," Lindback told the Coyotes' official website. "I just want to make the most of it and get out there every game and try to help this team get as many points as we can."

Lindback is 0-3-0 with a 3.42 GAA in three starts against Columbus.

Louis Domingue will serve as Lindback's backup. Domingue, who has yet to see action this season, posted a 2.73 GAA in seven games - four starts - in 2014-15.

Columbus is 0-3-2 in its last five and 1-5-3 in nine after Tuesday's defeat, and held a players-only meeting afterward.

'It's really none of my business,' Tortorella said. 'I'm not sure what went on in there and I won't ask any questions. That room has to sustain itself a little bit through some of these things. It can't be me going in there all the time.'

Ryan Johansen has no goals in eight games this month and six this season after totaling 59 over the previous two. He saw only 11:03 of ice time Tuesday for his lowest total in the last four years.

Arizona hasn't played since opening this six-game homestand with a pair of weekend overtime games, beating Minnesota 2-1 on Friday and losing 5-4 to Carolina the next night. Anthony Duclair had two goals and an assist Saturday.

Duclair is fourth among rookies with 18 points with teammate Max Domi second with 25.

William Karlsson scored twice and Boone Jenner added a goal and two assists in the Blue Jackets' 5-2 home win over Arizona on Nov. 14. The chippy contest featured the ejection of Coyotes captain Shane Doan, a 10-minute misconduct penalty for Jenner and 12 roughing penalties.

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Preview: Islanders (15-9) at Avalanche (15-16)
Date: December 17, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

Despite suffering their first regulation loss in three weeks, the New York Islanders continue to play outstanding hockey on the penalty kill.

The same can be said lately of Colorado, and while the Avalanche have failed to capitalize on nearly every power play in their last nine games, they haven't been devastated by those failures entering Thursday night's matchup at Pepsi Center.

The Islanders (18-9-5) rode a 10-game point streak (8-0-2) into second place in the Metropolitan Division before matching a season worst for goals allowed in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Florida that was their first in regulation since Nov. 22. They also dropped back into third in the division behind the rival Rangers, who beat Edmonton 4-2.

"It's not the way you expect the streak to end," center Frans Nielsen told the team's official website. "Losing stinks, always does. We can't be happy just because we had 10 in a row with points, we have high expectations of ourselves every night."

Brock Nelson scored his 10th goal, but Jaroslav Halak had a rough night in net while facing only 16 shots. It was just the sixth time among the 66 career games in which he's allowed at least four goals that it took less than 20 shots to do it.

"I'm sure he'd like to have a few of those back," coach Jack Capuano said of Halak, who had gone 4-0-2 in his previous six starts.

Even though they allowed as many goals as they had in the prior three games combined, the Islanders shut the Panthers down on three power-play opportunities to improve to 23 for 24 over the last nine contests.

The Avalanche (15-16-1) have scored only once in their last 24 chances and may find it difficult to get going against New York, which ranks fourth with an 86.3 success rate on the kill and held them in check all three times in a 5-3 home win Nov. 30. Those struggles go back even further for the Avs, who went 1 for 13 in the last five meetings.

Halak wasn't in net Nov. 30 in Brooklyn, giving way to backup Thomas Greiss, who could again get the nod after Halak's poor performance Tuesday.

Halak, however, rebounded from his only other four-goal game this season with a 29-save shutout of Calgary on Oct. 26 and has won six of the last eight he's played right after allowing at least that many.

The Avalanche sit in the middle of the pack on the kill overall but have also been stellar in their last nine with a 20-of-22 mark to counter their absentee power play.

However, the weak man-advantage play hasn't done much to hurt Colorado, which got its sixth win in those nine contests with a 3-0 victory at Chicago on Tuesday that ended Blackhawks star Patrick Kane's franchise-record point streak at 26 games.

Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 shots for the Avs, who capped an unbeaten trip through Nashville, St. Louis and Chicago. Not only did Varlamov play a part in keeping Kane off the score sheet for the first time in two months, he also helped silence the Blackhawks' power play for just the 11th time this season.

"I thought we did a good job offensively, defensively, in the neutral zone," coach Patrick Roy said. "I liked our game tonight, and our goalie was really solid in key moments in the game."

Varlamov, who had 29 saves against the Islanders on Nov. 30, improved to 5-1-0 with a 1.16 goals-against average in his last six starts.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (3) VANCOUVER@ (4) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-12-17 19:05:00 - 2015-12-17 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHILADELPHIA using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 15 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-26.75 units)

NHL > (17) CALGARY@ (18) DALLAS | 2015-12-17 20:35:00 - 2015-12-17 20:35:00
Play ON CALGARY using money line in All games in December games
The record is 6 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+7.1 units)

NHL > (21) NY ISLANDERS@ (22) COLORADO | 2015-12-17 21:05:00 - 2015-12-17 21:05:00
Play AGAINST COLORADO using money line in Home games in non-conference games
The record is 0 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (-7.45 units)

----------------------

NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (3) VANCOUVER@ (4) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-12-17 19:05:00 - 2015-12-17 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHILADELPHIA in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 15 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-26.75 units)

NHL > (17) CALGARY@ (18) DALLAS | 2015-12-17 20:35:00 - 2015-12-17 20:35:00
Play ON CALGARY in All games in December games
The record is 6 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+7.1 units)

NHL > (21) NY ISLANDERS@ (22) COLORADO | 2015-12-17 21:05:00 - 2015-12-17 21:05:00
Play AGAINST COLORADO in Home games in non-conference games
The record is 0 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (-7.45 units)

-----------------------

NHL TOTALS

NHL > (17) CALGARY@ (18) DALLAS | 2015-12-17 20:35:00 - 2015-12-17 20:35:00
Play UNDER CALGARY on the totalin All games in a road game where where the total is 5.5
The record is 9 Overs and 29 Unders for the last two seasons (+17.8 units)

NHL > (1) FLORIDA@ (2) NEW JERSEY | 2015-12-17 19:05:00 - 2015-12-17 19:05:00
Play UNDER FLORIDA on the totalin All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 0 Overs and 7 Unders for the this season (+7.35 units)

NHL > (7) SAN JOSE@ (8) TORONTO | 2015-12-17 19:35:00 - 2015-12-17 19:35:00
Play OVER TORONTO on the totalin Home games after allowing 4 goals or more
The record is 19 Overs and 6 Unders for the last two seasons (+12.95 units)

NHL > (15) EDMONTON@ (16) CHICAGO | 2015-12-17 20:35:00 - 2015-12-17 20:35:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin All games in a home game where where the total is 5.5
The record is 8 Overs and 24 Unders for the last two seasons (+14.7 units)

NHL > (21) NY ISLANDERS@ (22) COLORADO | 2015-12-17 21:05:00 - 2015-12-17 21:05:00
Play OVER COLORADO on the totalin Home games after a win by 2 goals or more
The record is 9 Overs and 1 Unders for the last two seasons (+8.55 units)

NHL > (1) FLORIDA@ (2) NEW JERSEY | 2015-12-17 19:05:00 - 2015-12-17 19:05:00
Play UNDER NEW JERSEY on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 9 Overs and 27 Unders for the last three seasons (+16.9 units)

NHL > (9) LOS ANGELES@ (10) MONTREAL | 2015-12-17 19:35:00 - 2015-12-17 19:35:00
Play UNDER MONTREAL on the totalin All games in December games
The record is 3 Overs and 13 Unders for the last two seasons (+10.05 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Ducks (10-13) at Sabres (12-16)
Date: December 17, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Idle for nine of the past 10 days, the Anaheim Ducks are about to get much busier on this four-game East Coast swing.

The underachieving Ducks are looking to capitalize on their time off to get this trip off to a strong start and beat the Buffalo Sabres for a fifth straight meeting Thursday night.

Anaheim (11-13-5) has won three straight Pacific Division titles and finished with the most points in the Western Conference last season. The Ducks currently own the fewest in the West, and that's partly due to having the last five days off after falling 5-1 to Carolina to conclude a 3-2-1 homestand.

"When you don't get any points in nine days, other teams pass you and go by you," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "There's a sense of urgency to get points. Everybody knows the importance of that this week.

"The thing is, we have to win. We have to win because players want to win. They're used to winning and don't like losing, and we want to be where we should be."

The Ducks, 3-8-1 on the road, have outscored the Sabres 21-7 while winning four straight matchups.

After facing the Sabres (13-16-3), Anaheim's next three games come in a four-day span in the New York metropolitan area.

"The time off had given us time to work on things," center Shawn Horcoff said. "We worked a lot on special teams and we had some really hard practices. I think we're trying to keep the tempo high. We know the importance, as an organization, of this situation we're in. It's never easy playing one game with nine days off. I've never had it before."

Anaheim's power play is 1 for 16 over the past six games and has come up empty on its last 10.

Corey Perry leads the Ducks with 10 goals after scoring three times in the last five games. The star right wing has found the net six times in his last four meetings with Buffalo, including a hat trick in the latest.

The Sabres have lost four of their last six games after falling 2-0 to New Jersey on Tuesday.

"The guys are playing pretty well," Tyler Ennis said. "It's been a tough schedule. The last game (Buffalo's third in four nights) we might have been a little tired, but we've been in every game. There's a lot of good things the guys are doing well."

Ryan O'Reilly is looking to bounce back after his eight-game point streak ended against the Devils. The left wing had 11 points during that run before finishing as a minus-2.

O'Reilly has six goals and six assists in his last 15 meetings with Anaheim, while Rasmus Ristolainen has no points in four games.

Jack Eichel is mired in a five-game point drought. The star rookie has seven of his nine goals and three of his five assists at home.

The Ducks will be without center Nate Thompson, who was suspended three games without pay for an illegal check to the head of Carolina's Justin Faulk. Thompson was assessed a major for elbowing and a game misconduct.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

According to ESPN.com, six of the biggest strength of schedule mismatches in the bowl games that start this weekend.........

-- Southern Miss vs Washington (#21 SOS)-- USM was 4-32 last three years.

-- Air Force vs California (#7 SOS)-- Golden Bears in first bowl in four years.

-- Marshall vs UConn (#69 SOS)-- Huskies are 3-2 all-time in bowl games.

-- Wisconsin vs USC (#3 SOS)-- How did Badgers play the #70-ranked schedule?

-- Central Michigan vs Minnesota (#25 SOS)-- Gophers have a new coach.

-- Arizona (#50 SOS) @ New Mexico-- Lobos are playing on their home field.

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.......

13) Golden State is obviously best NBA team right now, but 3-4 years ago, when I was at the Las Vegas Summer League, it was striking that the Warriors had way more fans than any other team. I remember telling a friend of mine that if you didn't know, you would assume the Warriors were the best team in the NBA because of their big following, but at the time, they were nowhere near that. Strong, loyal fanbase.

12) Lebron James is making $22,970,580 this year; Kevin Love $19,689,000. Just seems a little weird; is Lebron underpaid or Love overpaid? Or both?

11) Bartolo Colon bags a $7.25M deal with the Mets for next year; not even sure if Colon will be in the rotation once Zack Wheeler comes back next summer.

10) Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo turned BYU down, will stay with Navy next season. You wonder if BYU being an independent hurts them as they try and get a new coach? Cougars aren't on national TV every week like Notre Dame.

9) UNLV has made a 3-pointer in 952 straight games, which is every game they've played since the 3-point shot came into college ball 30 years ago.

8) White Sox acquired 3B Todd Frazier from the Reds in a 3-team deal with Reds and Dodgers; scouts were criticial of the return Cincinnati got back, while thinking that the Dodgers are trying to stockpile young talent to make a run at Jose Fernandez in a potential trade with the Marlins.

7) NHL ratings are up 12% this year on NBC Sports Network telecasts.

6) There have been 24 head coaching changes in college football this year; 11 of the 24 teams are playing in bowls. Bowling Green-Georgia Southern is a bowl where both teams have had really good seasons but both head coaches are gone already.

5) If a team plays badly in a mid or lesser-level bowl game, does that automatically mean "They didn't want to be there"? You hear guys on TV say this all the time, but sometimes team play badly in big games too and you know everyone wanted to be in that game. I'm thinking coaching turnover might have more to do with preparation for a bowl game. Players tend to enjoy games no matter when/where they are.

4) UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone was hospitalized this week with a blood clot in his lung. Bruins play Nebraska in a bowl game next week, so obviously their prep for that game has been disrupted. Get well soon, coach.

3) Texas A&M has QB issues; Kyle Allen is transferring and Kyler Murray missed practice Wednesday, amidst rumors that he will be gone too, but it was reported last night that Murray will be back practicing Thursday and will start the Aggies' bowl game on December 30 against Louisville.

2) Ryan Mallett signed on with QB-starved Ravens; Houston cut him after he acted like a 10-year old when Brian Hoyer was named starter, then later missed a team flight. It says a lot that it took him so long to latch on with another team.

1) Los Angeles Angels have been in top 10 in salary the last 12 years, but missed the playoffs five of last six years. They won a World Series under Mike Scioscia, but it was in 2002. In lot of places, Scioscia would have another job by now.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, December 17


San Jose @ Toronto

Game 7-8
December 17, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
13.104
Toronto
10.630
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-120); Over

Los Angeles @ Montreal

Game 9-10
December 17, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
12.474
Montreal
10.889
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-115); Under

Nashville @ St. Louis

Game 11-12
December 17, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
10.667
St. Louis
13.104
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-140); Over

NY Rangers @ Minnesota

Game 13-14
December 17, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Rangers
13.104
Minnesota
11.623
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(+105); Over

Edmonton @ Chicago

Game 15-16
December 17, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
12.507
Chicago
11.414
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Edmonton
by 1
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
-220
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Edmonton
(+185); Under

Calgary @ Dallas

Game 17-18
December 17, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
13.013
Dallas
12.112
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-230
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
(+195); Under

Columbus @ Arizona

Game 19-20
December 17, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
10.583
Arizona
9.168
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(+100); Over

NY Islanders @ Colorado

Game 21-22
December 17, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
12.992
Colorado
9.952
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 3
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(-115); Under

Florida @ New Jersey

Game 1-2
December 17, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Florida
12.208
New Jersey
10.683
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Jersey
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
(+110); Under

Vancouver @ Philadelphia

Game 3-4
December 17, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vancouver
12.168
Philadelphia
10.577
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-135
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver
(+115); Over

Anaheim @ Buffalo

Game 5-6
December 17, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim
12.168
Buffalo
10.061
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-135
5
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(-135); Under

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, December 17

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FLORIDA (15-12-0-4, 34 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (16-11-0-4, 36 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 121-178 ATS (+302.3 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 5-2 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 5-2-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.2 Units)

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VANCOUVER (11-13-0-8, 30 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (13-12-0-6, 32 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 11-21 ATS (-11.5 Units) in all games this season.
VANCOUVER is 11-21 ATS (-11.5 Units) first half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 1-7 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-35 ATS (+50.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 11-22 ATS (-16.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 4-1 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 4-1-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

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ANAHEIM (11-13-0-5, 27 pts.) at BUFFALO (13-16-0-3, 29 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 11-18 ATS (-11.2 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 11-18 ATS (-11.2 Units) first half of the season this season.
BUFFALO is 8-3 ATS (+12.4 Units) in home games in December games over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 23-8 ATS (+12.3 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 197-158 ATS (+29.9 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 22-12 ATS (+9.4 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 30-14 ATS (+11.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 4-18 ATS (+30.2 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 19-60 ATS (+134.5 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 4-0-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.0 Units)

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SAN JOSE (15-14-0-1, 31 pts.) at TORONTO (10-13-0-6, 26 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 55-57 ATS (-28.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 23-27 ATS (-24.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 14-18 ATS (-15.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
SAN JOSE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games this season.
TORONTO is 114-127 ATS (-56.7 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 4-0-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

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LOS ANGELES (19-9-0-2, 40 pts.) at MONTREAL (20-9-0-3, 43 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 59-53 ATS (-18.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-30 ATS (-13.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 12-20 ATS (-11.7 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 3-9 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 132-93 ATS (+21.5 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 44-25 ATS (+12.1 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 36-24 ATS (+5.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 21-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 66-57 ATS (+132.0 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 3-1 (+2.1 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 3-1-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.0 Units)

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NASHVILLE (15-10-0-6, 36 pts.) at ST LOUIS (18-10-0-4, 40 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 197-156 ATS (+35.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 179-157 ATS (+344.3 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-3 (+4.4 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 8-3-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.4 Units)

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NY RANGERS (19-9-0-4, 42 pts.) at MINNESOTA (16-7-0-6, 38 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 83-50 ATS (+15.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 27-17 ATS (+9.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 18-8 ATS (+9.1 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 15-5 ATS (+10.0 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 9-1 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 3-1 (+2.1 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 3-1-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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EDMONTON (14-16-0-2, 30 pts.) at CHICAGO (17-11-0-4, 38 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 22-48 ATS (+86.7 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 37-11 ATS (+16.0 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 6-1 ATS (+7.3 Units) in December games this season.
CHICAGO is 297-315 ATS (+628.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 158-161 ATS (-73.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-1 (+4.9 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-1-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.3 Units)

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CALGARY (14-14-0-2, 30 pts.) at DALLAS (23-6-0-2, 48 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 23-8 ATS (+32.7 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 23-8 ATS (+8.9 Units) first half of the season this season.
DALLAS is 31-18 ATS (+10.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 64-59 ATS (+135.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in December games this season.
DALLAS is 10-18 ATS (-16.3 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-4 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 4-3-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.0 Units)

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COLUMBUS (11-19-0-3, 25 pts.) at ARIZONA (14-14-0-2, 30 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 14-11 ATS (+29.8 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 130-126 ATS (+277.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 25-17 ATS (+46.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 1-11 ATS (+12.1 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 14-42 ATS (+72.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 3-2 (+0.7 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 3-2-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.1 Units)

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NY ISLANDERS (18-9-0-5, 41 pts.) at COLORADO (15-16-0-1, 31 pts.) - 12/17/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 109-94 ATS (-15.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 165-138 ATS (+16.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
NY ISLANDERS are 43-26 ATS (+15.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 0-6 ATS (-7.1 Units) in home games in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 3-2 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 3-2-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)