Friday Trends and Indexes 10/23 (NHL, CFL, Misc.)

[pm530]

NHL


Friday, October 23

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips and Trends
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carolina Hurricanes at Colorado Avalanche [9:05 PM ET]

Hurricanes: The Hurricanes haven’t visited Denver since Dec. 11, 2006, when they lost 5-2 to the Avalanche. The teams last met Feb. 22, with Carolina winning, 5-2, at home. Matt Cullen scored three goals in that matchup. The Hurricanes (2-4-2) have yet to get going after reaching the Eastern Conference finals last year. They’ve lost four games in a row. In six of their eight games, the Hurricanes have scored two or fewer goals. The Panthers fell to New York on Wednesday in their last game, 4-3, in a shootout. Cam Ward has provided good goaltending, though, for Carolina with a 1.90 GAA in his last three games. Ward has never started at the Pepsi Center and has yet to win on the road this season going 0-3-1. Carolina is 0-5 in its last five games versus teams with a winning record.

The Over is 9-4 in Carolina’s last 13 games against Northwest Division competition.
The Under is 11-5-5 in Carolina’s last 21 games versus a team with a winning record.

Key Injuries - Defenseman Tim Gleason (upper body) is questionable

PROJECTED SCORE: 2

Avalanche (-$1.01, O/U 5.5): Colorado is a surprising 6-1-2 and leading the Western Conference going into its first home game in nearly three weeks. The Avs picked up 10 points during a stretch of seven straight road games. Goalie Craig Anderson has played a big part in Colorado’s early success. Anderson has a 2.06 GAA. He stopped 24 shots on Wednesday night in a 3-2 shootout loss to Minnesota. Defenseman Kyle Quincey had a goal and an assist in the losing cause. Colorado is 15-7-2 in its last 24 home games following a road trip of seven or more days. However, the Avs have lost seven of their past nine home contests. They are 1-8 during their last nine Friday matchups. Another angle working against Colorado is being 6-20 after scoring two goals or less during its previous game. Colorado is 6-0 the past six times it has hosted Carolina.

The Under is 13-4 in Colorado’s past 17 games.
The Under is 12-4 in Colorado’s last 16 games when playing on one day rest.

Key Injuries - Winger Cody McLeod (eye) is questionable

PROJECTED SCORE: 3 (Side of the Day)


Note: Today’s “Tips and Trends” Total of the Day is in NCCAF

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

[pm530]

CFL
Long Sheet


UPDATED: Top Trends section for Friday's games

Week 17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, October 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAMILTON (6 - 9) at TORONTO (3 - 12) - 10/23/2009, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-3 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 6-3 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

EDMONTON (7 - 8) at CALGARY (8 - 6 - 1) - 10/23/2009, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in all games this season.
EDMONTON is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in all lined games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 6-3 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 6-3 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

[pm530]

CFL


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian Bacon: CFL Week 17 preview and picks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, October 23

Hamilton Tiger Cats at Toronto Argonauts (+3.5)

The Tiger Cats are coming to Toronto with the memories of an overtime loss to the Argos still in their heads. Kevin Glenn will once again be Hamilton’s starting QB. If he stays precise against the Argos, he should have a much more pleasant evening than last week’s loss. Especially considering that Toronto is doomed to finish dead last in the East, even if it wins its last three games. The Tiger Cats and the Blue Bombers will square off on November 8.

In Toronto the players can only wish to save their jobs for the 2010 season. Even head coach Bart Andrus has let it be known he would be contempt to see his team win at least one of the last three games of the regular season, if only not to have a worst record than last year. But remember that two of the three Toronto wins this season have been registered against its Southern Ontario rivals. Is that enough to think they will go all out against the Tiger Cats? The Argos have one of the best defensive squads in the CFL but their miserable offence doesn’t give any reason to be optimistic in Toronto.

Pick: Hamilton -3.5


Edmonton Eskimos at Calgary Stampeders (-6)

This will be the fourth showdown between these two teams in 2009. The Stampeders won the last two contests in September (32-8 and 35-34). Edmonton had won the first one, on August 13. The rivalry between these two teams is such that one must take all statistics and analysis with a grain of salt. The Eskimos have a tendency to shoot themselves in the foot more than the Stampeders, as the turnover ratio shows - a +7 for the Stamps and a -13 for the Eskimos, whose aerial attack has also been struggling. Fortunately for them, RB Arkee Whitlock has been successful. The Eskimos should also have Calvin McCarty back in action, which would provide them with a potent duo of running backs.

The Stampeders have a very efficient RB of their own in Joffrey Reynolds, who scored three touchdowns and gained 137 yards rushing last week. Henry Burris, after some sort of a drought, seems to be back to his usual top form. But don’t underestimate the Eskimos, who desperately need to win to get back in race for first place in their division. It will undoubtedly be a frantic game in Calgary.

Pick: Edmonton +6


Saturday, October 24

Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+3.5)

The Alouettes are looking for their seventh win in a row and could match a team record with 14 wins in a season - a feat established in 2004 under Don Matthews. The perspective of a 16-2 record, the best in CFL history, also remains very attractive. But No. 1 QB Anthony Calvillo has a calf injury and might have to sit this one in favor of backup Adrian McPherson. McPherson completed 10-of-11 passes while replacing Calvillo in the middle of the third quarter last Sunday, leading the Alouettes to a 41-38 triumph over the Tiger Cats.

Whether in practice or in the few occasions he was used during games, McPherson has shown he’s got the stuff to become a quality starter in this league. He will have to beware of the Bombers defensive squad which leads the CFL with 29 picks. After an atrocious outing against the Tiger Cats, the Alouettes defence will likely play with urgency and demonstrate why they are the best D in the CFL.

Pick: Montreal -3.5


B.C. Lions vs Saskatchewan Roughriders (-7)

First place in the west, although provisional, is what will be at stake in this game. The Roughriders and the Stampeders have a share of the top spot in the division but the Lions are only one point behind. The Riders show a balanced attack which is second in points scored in the CFL after 15 games. With four quality receivers that each had at least one 100-yard game this season (Fantuz, Dressler, Getzlaf and Bagg) and 21 rushing touchdowns (the best in the league), the Roughriders are dangerous when throwing or running the ball.

On the Lions side, the QB position remains problematic. Travis Lulay did well against the Bombers, although his receivers didn’t make his task easy by dropping too many easy catches. However, he suffered a shoulder injury like Buck Pierce. Wally Buono has no other choice to rely on Casey Printers, under contract in Vancouver for less than a month, even if he hasn’t played football in the last 10 months. Printers knows the Lions’ offensive schemes but has he found his rhythm and synchronism? If he should fail, Buono will have to rely on fifth-stringer Zac Champion. Another important fact to consider, RB Martell Mallett might miss a second game in a row with a foot injury.

Pick: Saskatchewan -7

Last Week 2-2, season 34-26

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

[pm530]

Len’s Top Five

Friday, October 23

Len's Top 5

TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for October 23, 2009 from Len Berman Sports.

1. Quick Hits

* The Angels beat the Yankees 7-6 and force a 6th game tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees still lead 3 games to 2.

* Major League Baseball will reportedly only use the most experienced umps for the World Series. What took them so long? This is in response to all the blown calls.

* Raiders coach Tom Cable will not face charges for a training camp incident where he allegedly broke the jaw of one of his assistant coaches. By they way, when I saw the headline "No Charge for Cable," I knew the story wasn't about Cablevision.

2. A Second Guesser's Delight

Game 5 last night in Anaheim. More umpire blown calls. And managerial questions galore. But forget the umps and the managers. It all comes down to the players. The Angels wiggled out of a bases loaded jam in the 9th and the series lives. One thought. If the Yankees have to play a game 7, and should they win, they won't have CC Sabathia on regular rest for game 1 of the World Series. Just a thought. Now you can go back to bashing the managers.

3. Pie in the Sky

Long before A.J. Burnett started smashing pies in teammates faces, there was Soupy Sales. "Soup" made taking the pie in his own face an art-form. His kids TV show was just as much for adults, with his "wink-wink" comments. I used to run into Soupy around the city. I got a kick out of talking sports and stickball with one of the TV legends of my youth. He loved the Sports Fantasy feature I used to do on television. Soupy died yesterday at the age of 83. For those old enough to remember him and his goofy puppets White Fang and Black Tooth, memories of watching Soupy can only make you smile.

4. Friday Mailbag

As for Hiroshima and Nagasaki teaming up for an Olympic bid, the two Japanese cities on which the U.S. dropped A-bombs, E.G. wrote: "Not only would it be weird having "The Star-Spangled Banner" played over the loudspeakers in those cities each time an American won a gold medal, but maybe kind of inappropriate as we hit the part about "the bombs bursting in air..."

As for the Steve Phillips affair: E.M. writes: "I understand that the Mets are seriously thinking about rehiring Steve Phillips...they need SOMEONE in the organization who can score!"
And B.M. added: "Steve broke a cardinal rule-- it's gospel-- never fool around with someone who has less to lose than you."

When I wrote that Washington Nationals fan Stephen Krupin went to 19 Nats games, and they went 0-19, J.C. wrote: "I sure wouldn't want to sit next to him on an airplane."

As for the Bosnia-Herzegovina soccer team that's doing better now that the coach has his players kiss each other on the lips. D.P. pointed out that kissing leads to more scoring.
Editor's Note: Scoring seems to be a big theme with Top 5 subscribers.

And A.A. wrote: "We watch baseball in HD. We can now see everything, and I mean everything. My question is, is there a spitting school that baseball players attend to learn how to spit? We're able to identify different styles of spitting by different players: curve, sinker, slider, fast ball, high inside, outside, etc."
Editor's Note: Yup, and a scratching school too!

5. Quote of the Week

A New York anchorman inadvertently called former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, "former top cock."
I can relate. When I worked with Chuck Scarborough and Sue Simmons I rarely tossed it back to them by name. I was always afraid of screwing it up and saying "now back to you, Suck and Chue."

Happy Birthday: The one and only, Brazilian soccer great Pele. 69.
Bonus Birthday: Talk about greatness. Johnny Carson would have been 84 today.

Today in Sports: The Brooklyn Dodgers sign Jackie Robinson to play for their farm team in Montreal. He's on his way to breaking the Major League color barrier. 1945.
Bonus Event: Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The first national horseshoe tossing championships are held in Kellerton, Iowa. 1915.

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

[pm530]

CFL
Long Sheet


UPDATE: Friday and Saturday games - complete.

Week 17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, October 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAMILTON (6 - 9) at TORONTO (3 - 12) - 10/23/2009, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-3 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 6-3 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

EDMONTON (7 - 8) at CALGARY (8 - 6 - 1) - 10/23/2009, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in all games this season.
EDMONTON is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in all lined games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 6-3 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 6-3 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, October 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONTREAL (13 - 2) at WINNIPEG (6 - 9) - 10/24/2009, 2:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games versus division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 6-3 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 5-4 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

BRITISH COLUMBIA (8 - 7) at SASKATCHEWAN (8 - 6 - 1) - 10/24/2009, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 135-102 ATS (+22.8 Units) in all games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 135-102 ATS (+22.8 Units) in all lined games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 123-92 ATS (+21.8 Units) in games played on turf since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 79-50 ATS (+24.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 6-5 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 7-4 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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