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

[pm530]

National Hockey League – Trend Sheet

NHL


Tuesday, October 28

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Trend Sheet
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7:00 PM NASHVILLE vs. WASHINGTON
Nashville is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Nashville


7:00 PM PHILADELPHIA vs. ATLANTA
Philadelphia is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia


7:30 PM CAROLINA vs. MONTREAL
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina's last 9 games
Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Montreal's last 12 games when playing Carolina


7:30 PM TAMPA BAY vs. TORONTO
Tampa Bay is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay


9:00 PM COLORADO vs. CALGARY
Colorado is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Calgary
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
Calgary is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games


10:00 PM BOSTON vs. VANCOUVER
Boston is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games on the road
Vancouver is 2-5-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Boston
Vancouver is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games


10:30 PM PITTSBURGH vs. SAN JOSE
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 16 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
San Jose is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh


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[pm530]

National Hockey League – Hot lines

NHL



Tuesday, October 28

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Ice Picks: NHL Bets
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Nashville vs. Washington (-153, 5.5)

The Caps will be without Alexander Ovechkin when they host the Preds Tuesday night, which makes taking Nashville a tempting option. The star winger has returned home to Russia to visit his ailing grandfather and it’s not clear when he’ll return to the team.

But tread with caution. Nashville is the third-worst defensive team in the league with 3.88 goals against per game. The Predators also have a horrible penalty killing unit that has killed penalties at a tragic rate of 61 percent on the road this year.

Ovechkin or no Ovechkin, this Washington team can score with 3.5 goals per game. Alexander Semin ranks second in the league in points and look for him to fill the void with Ovechkin out.

Pick: Capitals


Carolina vs. Montreal (-180, 5.5)

The Habs had a five-game winning streak snapped Saturday night when the Ducks came to town and dropped an unexpected 6-4 loss on them. The score doesn’t tell the whole story for this game, though.

Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere played a sensational game, kicking out 47 saves. He routinely frustrated Montreal on the power play and the Ducks capitalized on two extra-man attacks of their own.

The worst part for Montreal might be the six goals it allowed. The Canadiens normally take pride in their own end and they can’t be happy with Saturday’s porous effort. The most goals the Habs allowed in one game this season before facing Anaheim was three.

Carolina limps into Montreal after a pair of injuries over the weekend to center Brandon Sutter and defenseman Joni Pitkanen.

Pick: Montreal


Philadelphia vs. Atlanta (-120, 5.5)

The Flyers visit their favorite punching bag Tuesday night when they head to Atlanta. Philly has won the last 10 meetings with the Thrash including four last year.

Sooner or later you’d have to think a team gets tired of being bullied. This might be Atlanta’s chance to get some revenge. Even though the Flyers are coming off a pair of wins against the Devils, they are the second-worst defensive team in the NHL with over four goals against per game.

Sparkplug center Daniel Briere is out for up to four weeks with an abdominal injury and three Philly defensemen are also on the shelf.

Pick: Atlanta

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[Udog]

NHL


Tuesday, October 28


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Power Index
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YESTERDAY: 4-2
Season to Date: 76-49, (.608)

Washington* (-178) 1 over Nashville (+178)
Philadelphia (-138) ½ over Atlanta* (+138)
Toronto* (-101) even with Tampa Bay (+101)
Montreal* (-176) 1 over Carolina (+176)
Calgary* (-135) ½ over Colorado (+135)
Vancouver* (-136) ½ over Boston (+136)
San Jose* (-125) ½ over Pittsburgh (+125)


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[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Colorado at Calgary
The Avalanche started the season with three straight losses, capped by a 5-4 defeat at Calgary on October 14. But Colorado will be looking for some revenge tonight as the Avs return to the Saddledome with a five-game winning streak. Colorado is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Avalanche favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+120). Here are all of today's games.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28

Game 1-2: Nashville at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.168; Washington 12.222
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-155); Under

Game 3-4: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 12.691; Atlanta 10.665
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-125); Under

Game 5-6: Carolina at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 11.355; Montreal 12.721
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-190); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-190); Under

Game 7-8: Tampa Bay at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.622; Toronto 12.016
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-145); Over

Game 9-10: Colorado at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 13.232; Calgary 11.918
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+120); Over

Game 11-12: Boston at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 10.929; Vancouver 12.235
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-140); Over

Game 13-14: Pittsburgh at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.904; San Jose 11.570
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+150); Over

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet


Tuesday, October 28


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NASHVILLE (4-4-0-0, 8 pts.) at WASHINGTON (4-3-0-1, 9 pts.) - 10/28/2008, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 20-11 ATS (+4.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 85-126 ATS (+211.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 1-0-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)

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PHILADELPHIA (2-3-0-3, 7 pts.) at ATLANTA (2-4-0-2, 6 pts.) - 10/28/2008, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-50 ATS (+80.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 24-45 ATS (+75.1 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 8-0 (+11.3 Units) against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 8-0-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.0 Units)

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CAROLINA (4-2-0-1, 9 pts.) at MONTREAL (6-1-0-1, 13 pts.) - 10/28/2008, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 5-3 (+0.7 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 5-3-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.4 Units)

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TAMPA BAY (1-3-0-3, 5 pts.) at TORONTO (3-2-0-3, 9 pts.) - 10/28/2008, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 1-6 ATS (-6.5 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 50-104 ATS (+184.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 1-6 ATS (-6.5 Units) first half of the season this season.
TAMPA BAY is 16-34 ATS (-25.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 9-20 ATS (-15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 8-15 ATS (-11.0 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 12-19 ATS (-12.2 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 14-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 6-15 ATS (-15.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-2 (+4.5 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 6-2-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)

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COLORADO (5-3-0-0, 10 pts.) at CALGARY (4-3-0-1, 9 pts.) - 10/28/2008, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 11-15 ATS (-14.8 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 10-7 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
COLORADO is 10-7-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.6 Units)

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BOSTON (4-2-0-3, 11 pts.) at VANCOUVER (4-4-0-0, 8 pts.) - 10/28/2008, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 42-24 ATS (+13.7 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 21-17 ATS (+45.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.

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

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PITTSBURGH (5-2-0-2, 12 pts.) at SAN JOSE (7-2-0-0, 14 pts.) - 10/28/2008, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 101-83 ATS (+196.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 66-45 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 18-5 ATS (+11.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 51-59 ATS (-43.1 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 2-0-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.1 Units)

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[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Tuesday, October 28th

Nashville at Washington, 7:05 ET
Nashville: 20-11 SU after allowing 4+ goals
Washington: 78-122 SU in non-conference games

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7:05 ET
Philadelphia: 8-0 SU vs Atlanta
Atlanta: 8-16 SU at home off a road loss

Carolina at Montreal, 7:35 ET
Carolina: 4-15 SU after a win by 1 goal
Montreal: 48-28 SU when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days

Tampa Bay at Toronto, 7:35 ET
Tampa Bay: 1-6 SU this season
Toronto: 4-0 against Tampa Bay at home

Colorado at Calgary, 9:35 ET
Colorado: 0-7 SU AWAY off 2+ consecutive home wins
Calgary: 18-10 SU after playing 2 consecutive road games

Boston at Vancouver, 10:05 ET
Boston: 19-13 SU after covering 2 of their last 3
Vancouver: 6-17 SU after failing to cover 3 of their last 4

Pittsburgh at San Jose, 10:35 ET
Pittsburgh: 8-1 SU off a loss by 1 goal to a division rival
San Jose: 50-54 SU at home when playing with 2 days rest

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Tuesday, October 28th

Cleveland at Boston, 8:05 ET
Cleveland: 40-24 ATS as road underdog
Boston: 2-5 ATS at home vs. Cleveland

Milwaukee at Chicago, 8:35 ET
Milwaukee: 11-5 Over Away if the total is between 190 and 194.5
Chicago: 23-15 ATS vs. division

Portland at LA Lakers, 10:35 ET
Portland: 49-33 Under last season
LA Lakers: 0-7 ATS vs. Portland

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA


Tuesday, October 28


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THE POWER INDEX
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last season....

NBA POWER INDEX FROM START TO FINISH
THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE TEST PHASE WHICH YOU DIDN'T SEE

900-416, .684

FIGURE WE AREN'T GONNA PLAY EM ALL BECAUSE ML'S WILL BE TOO HIGH FOR QUITE A FEW BUT IF WE GO 2 TO 1...THAT'LL BE GOOD ENOUGH AND IS VERY ATTAINABLE FOR ML PLAY

TODAY'S POWER INDEX

Boston* 7 over Cleveland
Chicago* 10 over Milwaukee
L.A. Lakers* 10½ over Portland

[pm530]

GAME #5

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.

Phils, Rays to resume Game 5 on Wednesday night

PHILADELPHIA – In the middle of all this World Series chaos, Joe Maddon sounded rather calm. Bumped to a hotel in Delaware until Game 5 resumes Wednesday night — if the weather cooperates — the Tampa Bay manager and his young team rode out the storm together. "I referred to it as kind of like getting snowed in, if I could go back to my roots," said Maddon, raised in nearby Hazleton, Pa.

Rain put the Series on hold Monday night, with the Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays suspended in the sixth inning with the score 2-all.

More rain and possible snow showers were expected Tuesday, so commissioner Bud Selig said Game 5 was tentatively set to resume at 8:37 p.m. Wednesday night.

"While obviously we want to finish Game 5 as soon as possible, the forecast for today does not allow for us to continue the game this evening," Selig said. "We are closely monitoring tomorrow's forecast and will continue to monitor the weather on an hourly basis. We will advise fans as soon as we are able to make any final decisions with respect to tomorrow's schedule."

The forecast for Wednesday called for clearing skies by the early afternoon, with temperatures in the upper 30s by night.

The Phillies lead three games to one, needing one more win for their first championship since 1980. There has never been a rain-shortened game in Series history, and this was the first suspension.

"I can't tell you tonight when we'll resume," Selig said Monday night when the suspension was announced. "We'll stay here if we have to celebrate Thanksgiving here."

By the time Carlos Pena hit a tying, two-out single in the sixth for the Rays, every pitch and every hit had become an adventure.

"It was terrible. The field wasn't bad, but it was the worst conditions I've ever played in," Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria said.

A puddle formed on home plate and umpire Jeff Kellogg resorted to using a towel rather than the usual whisk broom to wipe it clean.

Batters kept blinking back the rain drops and pitchers struggled with their footing. Strong gusts dropped the wind-chill factor into the 30s, and fielders covered their bare hands between pitches.

All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies chased a popup all over and dropped it for a tough error in the fifth. There were pools of water at every base and the Phillie Phanatic wore a rain slicker for his routine.

"The infield was tough. The ball would do funny things," Phillies second baseman Chase Utley said. "It was in bad shape. It was not playable."

Whenever this one resumes, it will pick up where it left off, with the Phillies about to bat in the bottom of the sixth.

Ace pitcher Cole Hamels is set to lead off for the Phils. For sure, the Phillies will send up a pinch-hitter against Grant Balfour, who'd previously relieved starter Scott Kazmir.

Then what? Do the Rays counter with another pitcher, and immediately pull Balfour?

If Pena had not tied it, Selig said he would not have let the Phillies win with a game that was called after six innings.

"It's not a way to end a World Series," he said. "I would not have allowed a World Series to end this way."

Fine by the Rays.

"The World Series always should be decided by nine innings with somebody making the final out, not the weather or natural disasters or whatever," reliever Trever Miller said. "That's what fans pay to see. That's what we work hard for all year."

Tuesday was supposed to be a travel day, if necessary. Instead, the teams will stay in the area and then head back to Tropicana Field if the Rays win.

The delay, however, forced the Rays to find a comfortable hotel in Wilmington, Del., about 25 miles away.

About 10 minutes after the game was officially suspended, an announcement was made telling fans wrapped in plastic sheets they were done for the night.

By then, many had left their seats and streamed into the concourses. They crowded six or seven deep, trying to see any of the game before the umps signaled for the tarp.

Because it was only lightly raining when the game started, MLB hoped it could play a full nine innings. It quickly became apparent this rain wouldn't quit.

By the middle innings, the grounds crew was running shuttles onto the field, carrying bags of a drying agent — baseball's version of cat litter — to absorb the water.

No luck.

"A lot of guys couldn't believe we were still playing," Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett said.

B.J. Upton beat out an infield hit with two outs in the sixth on a ball that Rollins bobbled. Upton stole second and made an impressive dash home on Pena's hit, navigating the slippery basepaths and sliding in when left fielder Pat Burrell's throw plopped into a puddle.

Fans showed up hoping they'd be witnesses to a World Series championship. Shane Victorino got them cheering with bases-loaded single in the first for a 2-0 lead off Kazmir.

Maddon tinkered with his lineup, dropping the slumping Pena and Longoria one spot each — they were a combined 0-for-29 with 15 strikeouts after four games.

The Tampa Bay stars ended their hitless ruts in the fourth when Pena doubled off the right-field wall and Longoria followed with an RBI single up the middle that made it 2-1.

A few innings later, it was time to go.

"You couldn't do anything you normally do out there," Rays outfielder Carl Crawford said.

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – Weather

MLB


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MLB – Weather
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Weather May Complicate Wednesday Night Game

PHILADELPHIA -- New analysis from Fox 29 chief meteorologist John Bolaris may rain on baseball's plan for a resumed game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

The latest forecast from Fox 29 shows that rain and snow showers will be ending right at Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. It will also around 38 degrees at game time and windy - not ideal baseball conditions.

Fox 29 has also learned that Major League Baseball is considering a scenario where Game 5 would resume at 5 p.m. ET.

However, Bolaris says the chances of even nastier weather are greater at 5 p.m., raising the chance that Major League Baseball would have to call another rain delay once the game starts.

Complicating the matter is Fox's commitment to air a 30-minute paid political show from Barack Obama at 8 p.m. ET.

On Tuesday, MLB said it would try to resume the Series "as soon as possible" and did not actually commit to a Wednesday night re-start.

"We will advise fans as soon as we are able to make any final decisions with respect to tomorrow’s schedule," said Commissioner Bud Selig

Selig came under fire for using the National Weather Service on Monday night to make key decisions about playing and stopping game 5.

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