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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blackhawks (22-13) at Penguins (18-15)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming around with impressive special teams, and the Chicago Blackhawks are just coming around.

The defending Stanley Cup champions hit their midway point in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night trying to match their top winning streak of the season, and the Penguins can win three straight for the first time since theirs started to head south two months ago.

Chicago (23-13-4) last strung together four wins from Oct. 17-26 but is in position to after Sunday's 3-0 home victory over Ottawa.

It's scored 14 goals in the last three games with Artem Anisimov scoring in all three. The center has 15 goals in 40 games during his first season in Chicago, which is seven short of his career high set in 81 games with Columbus in 2013-14.

"You look at 15 goals, and his production is high for him when you look at his career," coach Joel Quenneville told the team's official website. "He's been a perfect fit for us. He's so responsible on the other side of the puck, that the offense, to me, is a bonus. That line, with those two wingers (Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin) being special players, they generate so much for our team game and sometimes he gets the finished product by being at the front of the net, like he was tonight."

Kane, meanwhile, has seven points on the winning streak but has been limited to four assists in seven career games against the Penguins. The league's points leader has scored at least one goal against every other NHL team.

Chicago won both meetings last season in shootouts with the teams combining for six regulation goals, but it might need to keep up its recent scoring to beat Pittsburgh this time around.

Since an 0-4-1 mid-December skid, the Penguins (19-15-4) have gone 4-1-1 with 3.33 goals per game.

"It's always nice when the puck goes in," said Sidney Crosby after Saturday's 5-2 home win over the New York Islanders. "I think with the way we're playing, we're earning our bounces and earning our goals. Hopefully, there's more to come."

Crosby scored twice and has five in his last five games - as well as 10 points in his last seven - after scoring six in his first 32. Teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have both posted consecutive three-point games.

Both of Crosby's tallies against the Islanders came on the power play, and Pittsburgh has gone 9 of 23 (39.1 percent) in the last seven games after going 0 for 19 in their previous seven. The penalty kill, meanwhile, is 15 for 15 in the last six games after an 11-for-16 span.

The trends have Pittsburgh back on the playoff cut line, two points back of eighth-place Boston.

"I thought the power play gave us momentum," coach Mike Sullivan told the team's official website. "They're winning faceoffs. They're retrieving pucks. They're sharing the puck and they're moving. When they play that way they're dangerous because they can act on their instincts. They see the game so well at such a high level that they make the plays that are there."

Sullivan has also received some above-average play in goal. Marc-Andre Fleury made 38 saves against New York and has a .932 save percentage over a 3-3-2 span. His .927 overall mark is better than an single season of his career.

Counterpart Corey Crawford, however, is coming off his fourth shutout in his last 10 games. Over a 9-3-0 stretch, Crawford has a 1.66 goals-against average and .946 save percentage.

"Certainly, he's been doing a good job for us," Quenneville said.

Crawford is 4-1-0 with a .942 save percentage against Pittsburgh.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Wild (20-11) at Blue Jackets (13-22)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Teams around the NHL have noticed that the Columbus Blue Jackets have knocked off the NHL's top two teams.

Now they will try to make it three in a row with a goaltender who has never won as a starter as they host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

Columbus (15-22-3) won 6-3 over Western Conference-leading Dallas on Tuesday before a 5-4 shootout win over East-leading Washington on Saturday.

Not bad for the league's worst team.

'We've won two in a row here against the best teams in the league,' coach John Tortorella said. 'Ugly as hell at times but you still find a way to win them."

The Blue Jackets beat the Capitals despite losing Curtis McElhinney to an injury in overtime. Anton Forsberg entered and earned his first career win.

'It's not the situation you thought you would be in,' Forsberg said. 'I couldn't do anything else, just to go in and take it for what it is.'

With McElhinney and regular starter Sergei Bobrovsky both out, Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo are Tortorella's goalies. Forsberg is expected to make his first start of the season after he went 0-4-0 with a 4.69 goals-against average in five last season.

"It's a big opportunity for them and I know they're excited about it, and we're excited for them as well," captain Nick Foligno told the Blue Jackets' official website.

Minnesota (20-11-7) isn't taking anything for granted, taking note of Columbus' strong play as it seeks to avoid its third three-game slide.

"I don't think that that's a building that we can just say we can go in and take advantage of them," coach Mike Yeo said. "That's a tough building to play in and I think that's going to be a really, really tough game for us."

The Wild ended a 0-3-2 slide in the series by spoiling Tortorella's first game as Columbus coach in a 3-2 home victory Oct. 22. They have lost three of five at Columbus since Yeo took over in 2011-12.

Minnesota is trying to capture the finale of a four-game trip after Sunday's 2-1 defeat in Florida. The Wild finished with 40 shots for their highest total on the road.

The club went 0 for 4 on the power play to drop to 1 for 17 in the last eight games.

"I don't know," Yeo said. "We keep trying different things, whether it's set-ups or personnel. It's difficult not having practice time right now but this is what we have to deal with and we have to find a way."

Thomas Vanek has one of his team-high 12 goals in his last nine games while Zach Parise is goalless in his last six.

The Blue Jackets' Brandon Saad has six goals and 11 points in a seven-game streak and Foligno has eight points in a six-game streak.

Columbus star Ryan Johansen is enduring a season-high, 14-game goal drought for his longest since going without a goal for the final 25 games in 2011-12.

Tortorella said David Clarkson is out indefinitely after the forward got hurt Saturday. Defenseman Cody Goloubef is expected to return from a 19-game absence due to a broken jaw.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Canadiens (20-15) at Flyers (14-15)
Date: January 05, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Montreal Canadiens could be poised to regroup from a month-long lull, but injury has again impacted a forward group that just returned to full strength.

The Canadiens try for their third win in four games in their first contest without key forward Dale Weise when they visit the sliding Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.

Montreal (22-15-3) opened 2016 with Friday's 5-1 win in the Winter Classic at Boston, seemingly turning the page from a dismal December. Right wing Brendan Gallagher had a goal and an assist in his first game after missing more than a month with two broken fingers on his left hand.

Montreal went 5-11-1 without Gallagher, who despite the missed time is the third on the Canadiens with 10 goals. The improved health of the club's roster didn't last long, however, as Weise was lost for 2-3 weeks Friday.

Weise, whose 11 goals are a career high, left in the second period with an arm injury after the agitating forward recorded his ninth assist of the season.

"I think everybody realizes how important Weise has been for us ever since he was acquired (in February 2014). Every night he gives us energy, plays an important role and he's one of those guys that can spark us when we aren't playing well," Gallagher told the team's official website.

It might not matter, however, with Gallagher back in the lineup, as evidenced by the Canadiens' 17-4-2 mark when he plays.

"It just felt good to be a part of the team again. To get on the ice and battle with the guys, that's the part you miss," he said. "When you are injured you are away from everyone for so long you kind of feel like you're not part of the team really, because you can't help contribute."

The Canadiens hope it's the beginning of them digging out from the significant lows of last month. The club went 1-10 from Dec. 3-26, scoring two or fewer goals nine times in that span.

Montreal, though, has totaled nine goals in its last two wins. The Canadiens, closing an eight-game road stretch that has kept them away from home since Dec. 17, have won three straight over Philadelphia - the first of those coming in the most recent meeting at Wells Fargo Center, 4-3 in a shootout Oct. 11, 2014.

The Flyers (15-15-7) were swept on a three-game road trip that followed a 3-0-1 stretch, totaling five goals. They've lost five straight away from home.

Philadelphia's 2-1 defeat to Los Angeles on Saturday was its fifth game in six with two or fewer goals. The Flyers' 2.11 goals per game is ahead of only Anaheim's 1.89, and it appears coach Dave Hakstol is going to try a big change to shake things up.

Hakstol formed a forward unit of his top point scorers in Claude Giroux (29 points), Jakub Voracek (25) and Wayne Simmonds (21) in Monday's practice and might feature the line Tuesday.

Giroux has recorded one point in his last seven games, but Voracek has 10 in his past eight and Simmonds four in four.

"If we play together next game, I think we need to find chemistry as soon as possible," Giroux said.

Steve Mason, expected to start Tuesday, has won all three of his appearances against Montreal with a 1.63 goals-against average.

Ben Scrivens will make his second start for Montreal after being acquired from Edmonton on Dec. 28. He made 27 saves in a 3-1 loss at Florida the next day.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Jets (18-19) at Predators (17-13)
Date: January 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Winnipeg's slide is almost entirely due to two months of awful results on the road, and the worst among them was a trip to Nashville.

The Predators again host their now-last place Central Division foes Tuesday night as the Jets make the fourth stop on a season-high five-game trip.

After Sunday's 4-1 loss in Anaheim, the Jets (18-19-2) have suffered through a 2-12-1 road stretch since Nov. 5. All but one of the regulation losses in that time have come by at least two goals, but coach Paul Maurice felt this one stood out from the rest.

"We were the slower team on the ice from start to finish," Maurice told the team's official website. "We had a few good chances and their guy made some good saves, but not enough to warrant us being tight to that game.

"We didn't play very well tonight and that's the first (game) in an awfully long time where we weren't as good as they were. ... They were better and they deserved to win. We'll leave that game here."

Winnipeg might also want to abandon its special teams with both units in danger of falling to the bottom of the NHL. The power play has gone 2 for 30 over the last 10 games and fallen to 13.9 percent overall, while the penalty kill (76.3) is 28 for 41 in the previous 11 contests.

The club's top goal scorers have also gone quiet. Drew Stafford is the only one among their five players with at least 10 goals to tally in his last three games, but he's been limited to one in his last eight, while Blake Wheeler hasn't scored in 10.

The scoring has come no easier against the Predators, who won 7-0 at home Nov. 14 for their third win in four meetings while holding the Jets to five goals in that span.

Nashville (19-13-7) has this home game sandwiched among seven away contests and avoided being swept in the first three with Saturday's 2-1 overtime win at Carolina. It was the Predators' first win in the extra period since the format changed to 3-on-3.

"I thought we had the puck a little bit more," coach Peter Laviolette told the team's official website. "We held on to it, we were patient. There were some overtimes earlier in the year when we had chances to win the game, and when it didn't happen, it went back quick the other way. Tonight it was nice to get the win."

Mattias Ekholm scored the winner and had a goal and an assist for the second time in three games, and he did the same in the last meeting with the Jets.

More importantly, the Predators bounced back from a 1-2-1 span in which they gave up 15 goals. Pekka Rinne was in need of a bounce-back performance and did so with 27 saves against the Hurricanes. Rinne had posted a 3.70 goals-against average and .869 save percentage over a 1-2-0 stretch. He was in goal for the shutout of the Jets two months ago to get to 8-1-0 with a 1.56 GAA and .942 save percentage as a starter in the series.

Potential counterpart Michael Hutchinson started and gave up three goals on seven shots in the first meeting. Hutchinson is 0-9-1 with a 3.87 GAA and .873 save percentage in his starts since the beginning of November, so Connor Hellebuyck could be back in goal. Hellebuyck has a 1.26 GAA and .955 save percentage over a 3-1-0 span.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lightning (17-16) at Flames (17-18)
Date: January 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Calgary Flames seemed invincible on home ice not long ago. A lack of scoring, however, has since left them vulnerable there.

The Flames look to build on a promising road victory in the opener of a four-game homestand Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, winners of six of seven at the Saddledome.

Calgary (18-18-2) was riding high with a franchise-record 11-game home winning streak that was snapped with a 1-0 loss to Anaheim last Tuesday. The Flames had outscored opponents 41-25 during the last 10 of that run.

Another trend seems to be emerging in the Flames' past two home contests, however, as they fell 4-1 to Los Angeles on Thursday. The club has totaled 38 shots in losing two straight at home for the first time since opening the season with four consecutive losses at the Saddledome.

Johnny Gaudreau, with team highs of 17 goals and 22 assists, had 15 and seven during the home winning streak before going scoreless in the last two.

Calgary beat Colorado 4-0 on Saturday in a road contest bridging a pair of four-game homestands. After being a healthy scratch in the previous four, Josh Jooris had a goal and an assist.

"He didn't play for quite a bit of time, and every day at practice I'm watching him, he's got a great attitude, he's working hard, he's stayed in shape, and look at the game he gave us," coach Bob Hartley told the team's official website.

Jiri Hudler, though, could be sidelined after he didn't play in the third period because of a lower-body injury. Hudler has been a disappointment with five goals this season after tying for the team lead with 31 in 2014-15.

Karri Ramo stopped 26 shots Saturday for his first shutout of the season. He's posted a 1.82 goals-against average over his last 10 starts and has a 1.99 mark in four career starts against Tampa Bay (19-16-4).

Brian Boyle and Tyler Johnson have presented problems for the Flames recently, with Boyle recording four goals and two assists in his last seven meetings and Johnson two and two in his past three. Johnson, though, has gone six games without a goal.

Boyle, Steven Stamkos and Johnson scored against Ramo in a 3-1 home win Nov. 12. Ben Bishop made 30 saves and has a 3-1-0 record and 1.51 GAA in his last four starts against Calgary.

Tampa Bay seeks its fifth win in seven road games after closing out a 3-2-1 homestand with a 3-2 shootout victory over Minnesota on Saturday. Nikita Kucherov extended his point streak to eight with a second-period goal, giving him three and nine assists in the run.

Ondrej Palat added an assist following an eight-game absence due to a leg injury.

"For somebody who's missed as many games as he has and to play the way he did, (Palat) was a difference-maker," coach Jon Cooper told the team's official website.

Bishop is expected to be back and in net after missing the contest with an undisclosed issue.

The Jonathan Drouin saga took another turn Sunday when the third overall pick in the 2013 draft requested a trade, one day after the Lightning assigned him to the AHL to get more playing time. Drouin has been limited to 19 games due to injury.

Tampa Bay has won three in a row and 11 of 15 against Calgary.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using money line in Home games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 1 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (-10.55 units)

NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using money line in All games when playing with 3 or more days rest
The record is 7 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-18.75 units)

NHL > (3) MINNESOTA@ (4) COLUMBUS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS using money line in All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 22 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.3 units)

NHL > (1) DALLAS@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in All games
The record is 27 Wins and 18 Losses for the last two seasons (+17.25 units)

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NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON in Home games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 1 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (-10.55 units)

NHL > (7) WASHINGTON@ (8) BOSTON | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON in All games when playing with 3 or more days rest
The record is 7 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-18.75 units)

NHL > (3) MINNESOTA@ (4) COLUMBUS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS in All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 22 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.3 units)

NHL > (1) DALLAS@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON DALLAS in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+9.7 units)

NHL > (1) DALLAS@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play ON DALLAS in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 12 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+9.7 units)

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NHL TOTALS

NHL > (11) MONTREAL@ (12) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-01-05 19:35:00 - 2016-01-05 19:35:00
Play UNDER MONTREAL on the totalin All games on Tuesday nights
The record is 4 Overs and 18 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.65 units)

NHL > (13) WINNIPEG@ (14) NASHVILLE | 2016-01-05 20:05:00 - 2016-01-05 20:05:00
Play UNDER NASHVILLE on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 12 Overs and 32 Unders for the last two seasons (+19.5 units)

NHL > (5) CHICAGO@ (6) PITTSBURGH | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the totalin All games in non-conference games
The record is 23 Overs and 51 Unders for the last three seasons (+25.45 units)

NHL > (13) WINNIPEG@ (14) NASHVILLE | 2016-01-05 20:05:00 - 2016-01-05 20:05:00
Play UNDER NASHVILLE on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season
The record is 2 Overs and 12 Unders for the last two seasons (+9.55 units)

NHL > (15) TAMPA BAY@ (16) CALGARY | 2016-01-05 21:05:00 - 2016-01-05 21:05:00
Play UNDER CALGARY on the totalin Home games after 3 or more consecutive unders
The record is 31 Overs and 69 Unders for the since 1992 (+34.35 units)

NHL > (3) MINNESOTA@ (4) COLUMBUS | 2016-01-05 19:05:00 - 2016-01-05 19:05:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 12 Overs and 29 Unders for the last two seasons (+15.6 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Odds to win this year's Super Bowl

9-2-- Arizona, New England-- Carson Palmer has zero playoff wins.

5-1-- Carolina-- Underrated team.

6-1-- Denver-- Only team to win a game this year without scoring a TD on offense and they did it twice, in Weeks 1-5

13-2-- Seattle-- Whacked Vikings 38-7 here five weeks ago.
11-1-- Pittsburgh-- Favorites are 10-6 vs spread in this round since 2011.

25-1-- Kansas City, Cincinnati-- Lewis/Dalton combo is 0-4 in playoffs.

35-1-- Green Bay, Minnesota-- At this point, wouldn't bet Packers with your money; they looked awful the last two weeks.

50-1-- Washington-- Won NFC East for second time in four years.

90-1-- Houston-- Won lousy division after starting season 2-5.

Late Night Update: Kansas 109, Oklahoma 106 (3OT)

-- One of best college basketball games I've ever seen.

-- Oklahoma was 16-33 from arc, Kansas 11-22, in a 55:00 game where eight kids played 43:00+. Buddy Hield played 54:00, scored 46 points, had 7 assists.

-- Sooners went 21:02 in this game without subbing once.

-- It is possible these teams could play three more times: Feb 13 in Norman, again in Big X tournament, then in Final Four????

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Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but........

13) Jets' owner Woody Johnson is finance manager for Jeb Bush's Presidential campaign, so of course Donald Trump had to bust his chops when the Jets didn't make the playoffs. 30 years ago, Trump tried to become an NFL owner; now world history may be different because he didn't get a team.

12) LSU hired a new defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, who comes to the bayou from Wisconsin. What makes it interesting is that LSU-Wisconsin open next football season against each other at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

11) Since start of the 1997 season, Dallas Cowboys are 152-152.

10) North Carolina 106, Florida State 90-- Brice Johnson had 39 points, 23 boards for Tar Heels, who ran all over the spineless Seminoles in Tallahassee.

9) West Virginia 95, TCU 87--- West Virginia's athletic department sold the hoop team down the river when they joined the Big X. Find a map and locate West Virginia. The other nine teams in the league are in Iowa, Kansas (2), Oklahoma (2), Texas (4). Not a lot of short road trips in that group-- Ames, Iowa is their shortest one.

For second game in row, a West Virginia player got a technical for doing a chin-up on the rim after a dunk- this kid got an loud earful from Bob Huggins.

8) Tom Coughlin's firing (you really think he quit?) ends an NFL-record streak of 183 straight games with same starting QB/head coach. Eli Manning has never played for another head coach in the NFL. 183 games is 11.5 years; thats a record that may go a long time before it is broken, same starting QB and head coach.

7) If I owned the Cleveland Browns, I hire Coughlin to run the whole operation; he had the expansion Jaguars in the playoffs in his second year there-- the guy still has a lot to offer and the Browns need structure and continuity.

6) Bobby Hurley has four technical fouls in his first 14 games as basketball coach at Arizona State; he went all-WWE Sunday night, getting thrown out of the game with 0:59 left in a home loss to Arizona. By way of contrast, someone posted on Twitter Monday that Northeastern coach Bill Coen has been there nine years and has never gotten even one technical foul.

5) Washington Huskies have a basketball player named Malik Dime who, fittingly, wears number 10. Mr Dime is an excellent shot blocker for the improved Huskies, who beat USC Sunday after being down 22 at one point.

4) Upset of the Day: Colts gave Chuck Pagano a contract extension, a total upset after they let the guy coach this year as a lame duck. It was just assumed Pagano was a goner, especially after the Colts struggled with Andrew Luck hurt, but Jim Irsay is the Colts' owner and he is an unusual guy. I think this was a good decision; you wonder if the GM will go, since Pagano and he have been at odds over personnel issues.

3) There is this guy on latenight TV commercials who looks like Rollie Fingers and sells pillows- they never say how much the pillows cost, but if you buy one, you get a second one for free. I had to look it up; the two pillows will set you back around $100- I am told that is too expensive, so I passed- they're supposedly good pillows.

2) It is my experience that the first foul shot of a game is the most difficult for most players; even really good shooters. If you're looking for a guy to foul at the end of the game, pick out someone who hasn't taken a free throw yet in that game.

1) If you're chilly this week (it is 7 degrees outside as I type this), keep in mind the PGA Tour starts Thursday in Kapalua. At least it is warm somewhere.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, January 5

Hot teams
-- Blue Jackets won their last three home games.
-- Chicago won its last three games, scoring 14 goals. Penguins won four of last six games.
-- Florida won last nine games, allowing 11 goals.

Cold teams
-- Rangers lost 13 of last 18 games. Dallas Stars lost three of last four.
-- Minnesota lost five of its last eight games.
-- Bruins lost four of their last five games. Washington lost last two games after winning previous nine.
-- Sabres lost five of their last six games.
-- Canadiens lost 11 of their last 14 games. Philly lost last three games, scoring six goals.
-- Nashville is 4-6 in its last ten games. Winnipeg lost six of its last seven road games.
-- Lightning, Flames are both 3-4 in their slast seven games.

Series records
-- Dallas Stars won four of last six visits to Manhattan.
-- Blue Jackets won five of last six games with Minnesota.
-- Blackhawks won five of last seven games with Pittsburgh.
-- Bruins lost their last four games with Washington.
-- Panthers won eight of last ten games with Buffalo.
-- Canadiens won their last three games with Philadelphia.
-- Predators won three of last four games with Winnipeg.
-- Lightning won five of last six games with Calgary.

Totals
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten Ranger games.
-- Under is 5-0-1 in last six Minnesota games.
-- Under is 6-3-1 in last ten Chicago games.
-- Last three Washington games went over.
-- Last five Florida games stayed under total.
-- Three of last four Philly games went over.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Nashville games.
-- Four of last five Tampa Bay-Calgary games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- None

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Tuesday, January 5

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. PITTSBURGH
Chicago is 2-7-2 SU in its last 11 games ,when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago

7:00 PM
DALLAS vs. NY RANGERS
Dallas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
NY Rangers are 7-13-3 SU in their last 23 games ,when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 8 of the NY Rangers last 10 games

7:00 PM
FLORIDA vs. BUFFALO
Florida is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games on the road
Buffalo is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Buffalo is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. COLUMBUS
Minnesota is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Columbus is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games

7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Washington
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

7:30 PM
MONTREAL vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Montreal is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Montreal

8:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. NASHVILLE
Winnipeg is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Winnipeg is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Nashville is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games

9:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Tuesday, January 5

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DALLAS (28-9-0-4, 60 pts.) at NY RANGERS (21-14-0-4, 46 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 44-23 ATS (+12.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 28-13 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 34-21 ATS (+57.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 33-20 ATS (+10.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 19-10 ATS (+29.1 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
DALLAS is 18-10 ATS (+29.8 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-3 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DALLAS is 12-3 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 52-61 ATS (-41.2 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 176-206 ATS (-137.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 2-2 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 2-2-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

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MINNESOTA (20-11-0-7, 47 pts.) at COLUMBUS (15-22-0-3, 33 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 1-7 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-7 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.
COLUMBUS is 86-88 ATS (+177.5 Units) in January games since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 27-21 ATS (+51.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 24-22 ATS (+49.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 22-12 ATS (+35.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 171-151 ATS (+327.2 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 8-17 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 4-1 (+3.8 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 4-1-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.0 Units)

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CHICAGO (23-13-0-4, 50 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (19-15-0-4, 42 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 12-16 ATS (-17.6 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 11-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
PITTSBURGH is 63-62 ATS (-29.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 78-101 ATS (-42.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 22-29 ATS (-24.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 31-40 ATS (-27.8 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-1 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 3-1-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

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WASHINGTON (28-7-0-3, 59 pts.) at BOSTON (20-13-0-4, 44 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 159-141 ATS (+308.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 28-10 ATS (+12.4 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 4-10 ATS (-12.6 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 6-13 ATS (-9.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
BOSTON is 9-18 ATS (-15.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-2 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-2-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.7 Units)

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FLORIDA (23-12-0-4, 50 pts.) at BUFFALO (15-20-0-4, 34 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 258-219 ATS (+8.6 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
FLORIDA is 23-16 ATS (+39.1 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 10-3 ATS (+13.1 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
FLORIDA is 38-34 ATS (+80.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 8-1 ATS (+6.8 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
FLORIDA is 21-10 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 0-13 ATS (+19.0 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 19-68 ATS (+136.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 8-3 (+3.6 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 8-3-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.6 Units)

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MONTREAL (22-15-0-3, 47 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (15-15-0-7, 37 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-28 ATS (+60.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 49-36 ATS (+85.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 34-25 ATS (+61.0 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 33-15 ATS (+14.3 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 27-12 ATS (+12.6 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-76 ATS (-62.4 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 4-2 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 4-2-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.1 Units)

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WINNIPEG (18-19-0-2, 38 pts.) at NASHVILLE (19-13-0-7, 45 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 120-93 ATS (-3.8 Units) in January games since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 17-4 ATS (+11.1 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 42-33 ATS (+76.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 42-25 ATS (+67.7 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 7-10 ATS (-7.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NASHVILLE is 7-10 ATS (-9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 7-4 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 7-4-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.3 Units)

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TAMPA BAY (19-16-0-4, 42 pts.) at CALGARY (18-18-0-2, 38 pts.) - 1/5/2016, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-1 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 4-1-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.7 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Tuesday, January 5


Dallas @ NY Rangers

Game 1-2
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
11.134
NY Rangers
12.609
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(-115); Over

Minnesota @ Columbus

Game 3-4
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
14.134
Columbus
11.037
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 3
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-130
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-130); Under

Chicago @ Pittsburgh

Game 5-6
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
11.173
Pittsburgh
12.609
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-125); Over

Washington @ Boston

Game 7-8
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
12.174
Boston
10.719
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-115); Under

Florida @ Buffalo

Game 9-10
January 5, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Florida
12.470
Buffalo
9.072
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 3 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
-135
5
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
(-135); Under

Montreal @ Philadelphia

Game 11-12
January 5, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
9.293
Philadelphia
10.687
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-120); Over

Winnipeg @ Nashville

Game 13-14
January 5, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
12.047
Nashville
11.210
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-180
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(+160); Under

Tampa Bay @ Calgary

Game 15-16
January 5, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
9.641
Calgary
11.115
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
N/A

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Tuesday, January 5


Under goes 5-0 in five NHL games Monday and is 268-234 season to date.

[StarDust Bum]

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


DAL at NYR 07:00 PM

NYR -116

O 5.5 BEST BET


MIN at CLB 07:00 PM

CLB +111

U 5.5 BEST BET


CHI at PIT 07:00 PM

CHI +113 BEST BET

U 5.0


WAS at BOS 07:00 PM

WAS -117

U 5.5


FLA at BUF 07:00 PM

FLA -134

O 5.0


MON at PHI 07:30 PM

MON +102 BEST BET

U 5.0


WIN at NAS 08:00 PM

WIN +152 BEST BET

U 5.5


TB at CAL 09:00 PM

TB -129

U 5.5

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Maple Leafs (11-15) at Ducks (15-15)
Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

After an awful start to the season, the Anaheim Ducks have climbed back into the thick of a crowded division race, so maybe there's still hope for the Toronto Maple Leafs to do the same.

Mike Babcock's team doesn't have the benefit of a division with the bottom six teams all within five points of each other, but Wednesday night's trip to Anaheim is its next shot at continuing some strong play that's now lasted a month.

The Maple Leafs (15-15-7) have two fewer points than the Ducks (16-15-7) in one less game but have a double-digit deficit between themselves and third place in the Atlantic Division, while Anaheim could be in second in the Pacific with a strong week. But circumstance isn't discouraging Toronto, which is enjoying a 7-2-2 span after Saturday's 4-1 home win over St. Louis.

Toronto is averaging 3.64 goals in those 11 contests and gone 4-1-1 against the Western Conference heading into a three-game trip against the Pacific. For the season, it's 10-5-1 against the West and 5-10-6 versus the East.

"We seem to have had some success against Western Conference opponents and we definitely want to keep that rolling now that we head out to their neck of the woods," said center Peter Holland after breaking a 1-all tie at the start of the third period.

"We feel like we're playing a really good brand of hockey right now and we know we're going to be competitive every night if we play the way we're supposed to play."

James van Riemsdyk scored to extend his point streak to six games and has seven goals with five assists in his last 10.

Toronto has also been able to rely on Jonathan Bernier quite a bit more often. He's won consecutive starts with a 1.44 goals-against average and .963 save percentage and has gone 5-2-0 since opening 0-8-3 with a 3.46 GAA. He'll start again with James Reimer missing time with a groin injury, and Bernier is 5-2-1 with a 2.15 GAA against the Ducks.

Anaheim figures to counter with John Gibson, who's put Bernier's numbers to shame. The rookie made 19 saves in Sunday's 4-1 home win over Winnipeg and has posted a 0.75 GAA and .963 save percentage with two shutouts over a personal four-game winning streak. He hasn't allowed more than three goals in 15 games this season and was named December's Rookie of the Month.

In large part because of him, the Ducks have enjoyed a 4-0-1 span on which they've been limited to one goal three times.

"If we're not scoring a lot of goals, we better play pretty well defensively," coach Bruce Boudreau told the team's official website. "The guys have really taken to it. You can hear them talking on the bench about doing the right things. (Ryan) Kesler said it a couple of weeks ago. He said he was tired of losing."

Kesler scored for the second straight game after managing four goals in his first 36. This one came on the power play, and while the Ducks still aren't generating tons of chances with the advantage, they've gone 6 for 11 in the last five games following an 0-for-9 span over the previous five.

This all follows a hideous start that included four points from 10 October games.

"You never want to put yourself in that position, but with the start we had, the one fortunate thing is that our whole conference, almost, had that start," captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "We were able to stay in the picture. Hopefully we take advantage of it."

These teams split two meetings last season, but the Maple Leafs have won six of the last seven with 4.14 goals per game.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Hurricanes (16-17) at Canucks (12-16)
Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the league's stingiest teams over the last few weeks, thanks in large part to solid play in net from Cam Ward and Eddie Lack.

The issue is that they're scoring at the exact same rate during that time.

Carolina looks to avoid a third straight defeat by beating the Canucks in Vancouver for the first time in more than 16 years Wednesday night.

The Hurricanes (16-17-7) have given up just 15 goals over their last nine games, with Ward posting a .939 save percentage in six starts and Lack having a .944 mark in the other three.

They've scored the same amount of goals in that span, though, and have left points on the table during a 4-3-2 stretch. Carolina scored first in a 2-1 overtime loss to Nashville on Saturday before losing again in overtime Monday, 1-0 at Edmonton.

The Hurricanes have failed on all 12 power-play chances over the last seven games, including their only one against the Oilers that came late in the third period.

'I don't think they got our best game, but we got a point and we've got to take that and come out with a better effort against Vancouver,' said forward Eric Staal, who has had a hand in six of Carolina's 13 goals over the last seven. 'It's a big stretch for our team, a good chunk of hockey games that we want to get points and get wins.'

Lack was in net against the Predators before Ward made 26 saves Monday. Lack said earlier in the week he was looking forward to facing the Canucks, for whom he posted a 2.43 goals-against average in 72 starts and 10 relief appearances over the last two seasons.

Dealt to the Hurricanes for third- and sixth-round picks in June, Lack celebrated his 28th birthday Tuesday in Vancouver and will face his former teammates for the first time.

"I'll get in the crease and see what he has to say. Some goalies like to talk more than others," Canucks forward Jannik Hansen said. "Guys get traded so much in this league, but it's about the two points."

Carolina has been outscored 12-3 while dropping the last four meetings with the Canucks and has lost all seven matchups in Vancouver since last winning there Oct. 15, 1999. The Hurricanes lost 4-1 in Vancouver last season as Ryan Miller made 29 saves, then he had 28 in a 3-0 home win over Carolina.

Miller, though, is dealing with a groin injury. He skated Monday but didn't practice Tuesday, making it likely that Jacob Markstrom, who won his only career start against Carolina in 2013, will make a sixth straight start.

The Canucks (15-16-9) have split the first four of a seven-game homestand after falling 3-2 to Arizona on Monday despite Markstrom's 26 saves. Bo Horvat scored and Daniel Sedin added a goal in the third period after a few of his teeth were knocked out from a puck to the face in the first.

Horvat's power-play goal was a positive sign after Vancouver went 0 for 20 with the man advantage over its previous nine.

"That was a step in the right direction," coach Willie Desjardins said. "It was good we battled back and got one in the third and we had a couple chances that didn't go."

Defenseman Alexander Edler didn't practice Tuesday because of the flu, but winger Sven Baertschi is expected to return after a two-game absence because of an upper-body injury.