Announcement

**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 05:56 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Tuesday, October 28

The NBA tips off the 2008/09 regular season on Tuesday night with three contests, with a pair of college football games also on the schedule. Here's your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

It's Buffalo at Ohio and Houston at Marshall in the two college football games on Tuesday night. The Bulls are coming off a 27-24 win over Army to improve to 3-4 (and 4-3 against-the-spread) on the season, while the Bobcats fell 14-10 to Temple last time out to drop to 2-6 (and 4-2-1 ATS). Ohio opened as a 2.5-point favorite for this matchup.

Meanwhile, the Cougars have won three games in row, and they're coming off a 44-38 victory over Southern Methodist which boosted their record to 4-3 (2-4 ATS). The Thundering Herd have been tagged with the loss in each of their last three games to slip to 3-4 (1-5 ATS) on the season. Houston was opened as an 8-point favorite for this one.

Other Notable Events

The NBA offers up a trio of games on Tuesday night, including the defending-champion Celtics at home against LeBron James and his Cavaliers. The oddsmakers expect a Boston win in that one, as they opened as 7-point favorites (with the total at 179.5 points). The other two matchups are Milwaukee at Chicago (-6), and Portland at the Lakers (-7.5). Greg Oden will make his NBA regular-season debut for the Trail Blazers.

The Rest of the Schedule

The National Hockey League has seven games on tap for Tuesday night as they try and share the sporting stage with their counterparts from the NBA. The top matchup will take place on the west coast, with the 5-2-2 Penguins playing against the 7-2-0 Sharks. Also on the schedule: Nashville at Washington, Philadelphia at Atlanta, Carolina at Montreal, Tampa Bay at Toronto, Colorado at Calgary, and also Boston at Vancouver.

News from the Wire

Celtics guard Rajon Rondo has a sprained ankle, but is probable to play on Tuesday; Cavaliers guard Delonte West is probable as well despite an ankle injury . . . Bulls forward Luol Deng is questionable for Tuesday because of a sore back, guard Larry Hughes (shoulder) will miss the game, and guards Ben Gordon (toe) and Derrick Rose (hip) are both probable to play; Bucks center Andrew Bogut is questionable with a sprained ankle . . . Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is probable for Tuesday despite a sore knee, while Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy (knee) is also probable to be on the floor.

A Peek at the Future

The first ranked college football team in action this week is No. 14 South Florida, who plays on the road at Cincinnati on Thursday night. No. 1 Texas plays at No. 8 Texas Tech on Saturday, while it's No. 24 Florida State at No. 21 Georgia Tech and No. 5 Florida at No. 9 Georgia in two other ranked weekend matchups . . . Notable Week 9 NFL matchups include Green Bay at Tennessee, Dallas at the Giants, and New England at Indianapolis, while it's Pittsburgh at Washington in the next Monday nighter.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 05:57 AM

Six-pack for Tuesday

-- Seems like there was some confusion over the suspended game at the World Series, whether the Phillies would have won if the game had been rained out with Phillies leading 2-1. Bud Selig says no.

-- As of midnight Monday, there was no announced time for Game 5 to resume; the weather forecast for Tuesday isn't good.

-- Rays had already checked out of their hotel, and had to move to a different hotel in Wilmington, Delaware, 35 miles away.

-- If they rain out Tuesday as well, FOX has a problem, since they sold the 8:00-8:30 timeslot Wednesday to Barack Obama, for a 30 minute political infomercial. Will they start after 8:30 Wednesday?

-- Tennessee Titans showed the nation they're legit by beating the Colts, 31-21; they're two games up on everyone in the AFC.

-- NBA season starts tonight; our writeups on the games will start next Tuesday, November 4, when I get back from a mini-vacation to the beautiful state of South Carolina.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 05:58 AM

Tuesday's Den: Wrapping up a college football Saturday

13) All Vanderbilt had to do was beat Duke at home to become bowl eligible- they haven't been to a bowl since 1982. Vandy was favored to win by 10 points- they lost 10-7. Now they're no lock to get that sixth win. If they don't get it, they'll have no one else to blame.

12) When was the last time LSU gave up 52 points at home?

11) Oklahoma had 55 points at Kansas State Saturday...at the half.

10) Memphis beat Southern Miss 36-30, despite playing with their #3-4 QBs. USM is now 2-6, but at least they score a lot of points, unlike when Jeff Bower was coach, when they struggled to score but rarely struggled to win.

9) Tennessee was outgained 366-173 at home by Alabama, in a 29-9 loss, which isn't good for Phil Fulmer's job security; Michigan lost at home to Michigan State 35-21, which isn't good for Rich Rodiguez' stomach. Tough times for two of America's proud programs.

8) Virginia Tech's top two QBs are now hurt; Hokies lost on road for second week in row. Meanwhile, Bobby Bowden 'noles are now 6-1 after getting by Virginia Tech 30-20.

7) Army, Navy and Air Force all won at home this week; the three service academies combined to throw a total of 10 passes, with Army throwing nine of them. Navy crushed SMU with zero pass attempts.

6) UConn trailed Cincinnati 13-10 at the half, but won 40-16, using a +6 turnover ratio and holding Bearcats to 0-14 on third down plays.

5) Tim Brewster better get votes for national Coach of Year, after his Gophers won 17-6 at Purdue, Minnesota is 7-1 (they were 1-11 LY).

4) Rutgers QB Teel had 311 yards and five passing TDs at Pitt....... in the first half. Scarlet Knights scoring 54 points was shocking, but maybe Panthers were just looking ahead to their trip to Notre Dame.

3) Penn State had no penalties, no turnovers, outrushed Ohio State, 160-61, and did our nation's football fans a great service by knocking Buckeyes out of BCS picture, winning 13-6 in Columbus. Now the Nittany Lions need either Texas, Alabama to lose give Joe Paterno one more national title opportunity.

2) Al Groh's Virginia Cavaliers won at Georgia Tech, now look good to go bowling; in late September, they looked like a great bet for the coaching carousel, but Groh just keeps coaching, and winning.

1) Houston Nutt went back to Arkansas and beat the players that he recruited, 23-21; his Ole Miss team is 4-4. I'm guessing Nutt is a hell of a lot happier this year than he has been last couple of seasons.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:00 AM

NOTE: The following post was not available until late Monday, thus we are posting it now for your information.

Monday's 2nd List of 13: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday........

13) Matt Ryan is going to be really good; I had a perfect view of his 55-yard TD pass in the second quarter Sunday-- that throw defined the term "threading the needle". Falcons looked like a playoff team Sunday, even in defeat. Westbrook carried the day for the Eagles.

12) How fitting was it that in a game featuring Buddy Ryan's sons as the two defensive coordinators, the first score of game was a safety?

11) Norv Turner figures to get fired should the Chargers miss out on the playoffs, but what about the guy who dumped Drew Brees and kept Philip Rivers? At this point, that looks like a very bad decision. By the way, 81 passes in London Sunday, but no sacks, as British fans saw NFL football at its high-scoring best.

10) Not many NFL teams go -3 in turnovers and win; the INT Favre threw that put Chiefs up 24-21 with 7:48 left was really bad, but he recovered and pulled Jets over the top at the end. Tyler Thigpen was 25-36/250 passing, a bad omen for Gang Green.

9) I can't figure the Dolphins out, simple as that, but they forced four turnovers, averaged 9.9 pards/pass, which trumped their one TD and three FG performance in five trips to Buffalo red zone. Miami had a 16-yard advantage in average starting field position.

8) Total yardage in Cowboys' 13-9 win vs Tampa-- 262-172, Bucs. Next up for Dallas is the Giants, then a much-needed bye week. As for Brad Johnson, averaging 2.8 yards/pass attempt just isn't good.

7) Rams host Kurt Warner and the Cardinals this week-- if they win, they're still alive in playoff hunt. No exaggeration that this is biggest game of Marc Bulger's career, as Warner is still revered in St Louis, and well, lets just say that right now, Bulger isn't.

6) Cardinals dropped back to pass 53 times, ran ball 14 at Carolina- they go to St Louis in game with big division title implications this week, and I'm guessing they'll want to run ball more more than that.

5) Redskins scored six points on three trips inside Detroit red zone, but Santana Moss' explosive punt return broke open a close game, as Washington improved to 6-2. Can the Lions really go 0-16?

4) Looking down stat sheet of Browns-Jaguars game, hard to figure how Cleveland won; only stat Browns clearly owned was a 12-yard advantage in starting field position, though their erratic passing game did average 8.4 yards/attempt. Season is slipping away for the Jags.

3) Giants outsacked Steelers 5-0, were +4 in turnovers, got safety as Steelers' second-string long snapper launched ball through end zone in 14-12 game. Pitt had a 53-yard TD pass called back when they had a 14-9 lead. Giants' schedule in second half has no easy days in it.

2) Shaun Hill replaced JT O'Sullivan in second quarter, as Singletary made his mark in Day One of his regime. Odd that he went off like a modern-day Ditka in his first game as coach. Also hard to imagine if Singletary becomes permanent coach, that he would keep Martz as offensive coordinator. Think Buddy Ryan/Kevin Gilbride.......

1) Texans had TD drives of 91-84-86 yards, in drubbing a Cincinnati team that may have packed it in for season. Without Carson Palmer, this is a lost team. Houston was 10-13 on third down, averaged 9.5 yards/pass attempt, were +3 in turnovers and a PR for a TD. What we need is a Lion-Bengal game, just so one of them can get a win.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:02 AM

This Day in MLB

MLB

Tuesday, October 28

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This day in Baseball….
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On October 28 in Baseball History...

* 1953 - Red Barber resigns from the Dodgers broadcast booth and takes a job with the rival New York Yankees.

* 1954 - Major league owners vote down the sale of the Athletics to a Philadelphia syndicate. A week later Arnold Johnson buys a controlling interest in the Athletics from the Mack family for $3.5 million and moves the team to Kansas City.

* 1958 - Construction began on the new ballpark for the Giants in San Francisco. The rocks in the area resembled candlesticks.

* 1981 - The Los Angeles Dodgers, behind Pedro Guerrero's five RBIs, beat the New York Yankees, 9-2, to win the World Series in six games.

* 1961 - Ground is broken for the Flushing Meadows stadium, the future home of the New York Mets.

* 1979 - George Steinbrenner announces that Billy Martin is fired (again) as a result of his barroom fight with a marshmallow salesman. Dick Howser is named to replace Martin.

* 1989 - The Oakland Athletics completed a sweep of San Francisco in the World Series with a 9-6 win over the Giants.

* 1995 - The Braves won their first World Series since moving to Atlanta with a 1-0 win over Cleveland in Game 6. Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combined on a one-hitter and David Justice homered in the sixth inning.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:05 AM

MLB - World Series

Due to heavy rain, Game Five was suspended in the sixth inning Monday night. It's tied 2-2 going to the bottom of the sixth.

There are hopes to resume at 8:00 pm EDT Tuesday night, however, weather predictions do not look favorable.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:06 AM

Major League Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up

Tuesday, October 28

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Game 5 was suspended in middle of sixth inning, with game tied 2-2. In Las Vegas, sadly, the game reverts back to fifth inning, so you had to invest in Phillies to cash a ticket. They haven't announced a time for the game to be resumed yet.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:10 AM

National Basketball Association – Long Sheet

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, October 28

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CLEVELAND (52 - 43) at BOSTON (82 - 26) - 10/28/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 67-40 ATS (+23.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 50-32 ATS (+14.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 9-4 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-7 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MILWAUKEE (26 - 56) at CHICAGO (33 - 49) - 10/28/2008, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 71-91 ATS (-29.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-4 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-1 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PORTLAND (41 - 41) at LA LAKERS (71 - 32) - 10/28/2008, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 7-0 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 4-3 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:12 AM

National Basketball Association – Write up

NBA
Write-up

Tuesday, October 28

NBA writeups start November 4, when the NBA teams get a couple of games under their belts.

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:18 AM

National Basketball Association – Trend Sheet

NBA

Tuesday, October 28

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Trend Sheet
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8:00 PM CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

8:30 PM MILWAUKEE vs. CHICAGO
Milwaukee is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Milwaukee is 8-15-1 ATS in its last 24 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home

10:30 PM PORTLAND vs. LA LAKERS
Portland is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Portland is 2-16 SU in their last 18 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games
LA Lakers are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:19 AM

National Basketball Association - Tips & Trends

NBA

Tuesday, October 28

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Tips and Trends
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Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics [TNT | 8 PM ET]

Cavs: Cleveland visits Boston for the first time since last year's epic second-round series, and LeBron James may just have added the sidekick he needs to help him take the title away from the defending NBA champs. Mo Williams joins James after averaging 17.2 points per game with the Bucks last season. Williams could be the missing link for a team that took the Celtics to the limit a year ago in the playoffs and will get the opportunity to prove his worth right away against Boston's Rajon Rondo.

Cavs are 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
The UNDER is 8-3 in Boston's last 11 games vs. Atlantic Division.

Key Injuries - F Darnell Jackson (wrist) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 88 (Side Play of the Day)

Celtics (-7, O/U 179.5): The biggest issue for Boston in defending the NBA crown will be age, as the "Big Three" of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are all more than 30 years old. The team's depth has also been impacted by the defection of defensive stopper James Posey, who left as a free agent and signed with the Hornets. A healthy Tony Allen figures to replace Posey in that key role off the bench after coming back from knee surgery.

Celtics are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 home games.
Celtics are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall.

Key Injuries - G Rajon Rondo (ankle) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 92

Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls [WGN | 8:30 PM ET]

Bucks: Former Bulls head coach Scott Skiles returns to the United Center for the second time in five days after the Bucks lost 112-104 to the Bulls there on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams. Skiles hopes to bring a defensive-minded approach to Milwaukee after the team surrendered 103.9 points per game a year ago (23rd in the NBA). New faces on the Bucks that will try to help him accomplish that are Richard Jefferson, Luke Ridnour and rookie Joe Alexander.

Bucks are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games.
The OVER is 7-2 in Milwaukee's last 9 games vs. Central Division.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 94

Bulls (-6, O/U 194.5): Rookie point guard Derrick Rose begins a new era in Chicago along with new head coach Vinny Del Negro. The Bulls ranked dead last in the league in field-goal percentage (43.5 percent) and are hoping Rose can help turn things around after averaging 13.9 points and five assists in eight preseason games. Chicago has won five straight against the Bucks at home along with 12 of the last 14 meetings.

Bulls are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Central Division.
The OVER is 10-4-1 in Chicago's last 15 vs. Central Division.

Key Injuries - G Ben Gordon (toe) is questionable.
G Larry Hughes (dislocated shoulder) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 100

Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers [TNT | 10:30 PM ET]

Blazers: Portland has the youngest team in the NBA but seems to be ready to take that next step and become a playoff team this year. Former #1 overall pick Greg Oden is set to return for the Blazers after missing all of last season following knee surgery, and leading scorer Brandon Roy also is coming off knee surgery. If Oden can make an immediate impact like most insiders believe he can, Portland will have one of the best frontcourts in the West.

Blazers are 21-5 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
The UNDER is 10-3 in Portland's last 13 games overall.

Key Injuries - G/F Martell Webster (foot) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 92 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Lakers (-7.5, O/U 196.5): The defending Western Conference champs didn't make any significant moves in the offseason, but they will be getting one key player back in center Andrew Bynum. LA will also have forward Pau Gasol for a full season to play alongside Bynum, who dislocated his left kneecap in January. Gasol was criticized for playing soft in the NBA Finals against the Celtics but will be able to play power forward with Bynum returning. The Lakers are hoping that combo inside will provide the perfect complement for Kobe Bryant and be the difference this year in winning a championship.

Lakers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The UNDER is 8-3 in LA's last 11 games overall.

Key Injuries - G Kobe Bryant (knee) is probable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 101

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:21 AM

National Basketball Association – Hot lines

NBA

Tuesday, October 28

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Pick ‘n’ Roll: Best NBA bets
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Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers (-7.5, 196.5)

You can't ask for a better team to start this Pick 'n' Roll section than the Laker show. I get goosebumps just thinking about this one. Now before you jump the gun and start muttering to yourself about my Laker allegiance, let me assure you that I really like the Blazers in this spot. I know the preseason can resemble a faulty gauge, but I like what I saw in this Portland team.

Therefore, instead of rambling on about Los Angeles, I will just say that Portland will be a team to be reckoned with this season. They've got their work cut out for them at the Staples Center, but what a great opportunity for them to show that they mean business.

Tuesday we'll get to see if Greg Oden can beat his nerves and show L.A. that he's NBA-ready after spending the whole season last year on the shelf. I believe there'll be fireworks when Oden and Bynum and Aldridge and Gasol collide. Plus, we have the apprentice taking on (or is more like learning from?) the master, as Roy tries to keep up pace with Kobe - who will be jacked to finally be able to play with Bynum, Gasol and Odom all at the same time. It's like planets have finally aligned.

It should be a ripper of an opening night and although the Zen Master should steer his team to their first win of the season, I believe the young and talented Blazers will keep this within the number

Pick: Blazers +7.5

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:26 AM

National Basketball Association - Dunkel Index

NBA
Dunkel Index

Cleveland at Boston
The defending champs open up at home where they are 10-5 ATS over the past three seasons when favored between 6 1/2 and 9 points. Boston is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-6 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28

Game 501-502: Cleveland at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 121.876; Boston 130.154
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 8; 176
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 6 1/2; 179 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-6 1/2); Under

Game 503-504: Milwaukee at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 106.849; Milwaukee 113.986
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 7; 197 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 6; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-6); Over

Game 505-506: Portland at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 119.562; LA Lakers 124.443
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 5; 191 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7 1/2; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+7 1/2); Under

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**pm530** · 10-28-2008, 06:32 AM

National Hockey League – Write up

NHL
Write-up

Tuesday, October 28

Hot teams
-- Hurricanes are 3-2 in their first five road games. Canadiens won five of their last six games.
-- Leafs won last two games, allowing four goals, after losing previous five contests.
-- Flames won their last three games, allowing five goals. Colorado won its last five games, scoring 20 goals.
-- Bruins won last two games, allowing four goals; three of their last four road games went OT/SO.
-- Penguins won three of their last four games. Sharks won seven of their first nine games; they're 4-0 at home, outscoring foes 17-5.

Cold teams
-- Predators lost three of their four road games. Washington lost three of its last four games.
-- Thrashers lost six of their last seven games.
-- Lightning are 1-6 with three losses in OT/SO.

Series Records
-- Road team won last two Nashville-Washington games.
-- Flyers won their last ten games against the Thrashers.
-- Visiting team won last six Carolina-Montreal games.
-- Maple Leafs are 7-2 in last nine games against Tampa Bay.
-- Flames won four of last six games against Colorado.
-- Sharks won last two games against Pittsburgh, 3-2/2-1so.

Totals
-- Last five Nashville games all went over the total.
-- Under is 8-1 in last nine Atlanta-Philadelphia games.
-- Under is 6-2 in Carolina's last eight visits to Montreal.
-- Under is 6-3-2 in last eleven Tampa Bay-Toronto games.
-- Under is 5-2 in last seven Calgary-Colorado games.
-- Six of nine Boston games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-1 in last eight Pittsburgh games.

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Announcement

Tuesday Trends and Indexes 10/28 (World Series, NBA, NHL, Misc.)

Tuesday Trends and Indexes 10/28 (World Series, NBA, NHL, Misc.)

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