The Bum's October's NHL POD's-News-Trends-Stats !

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Preview: Sharks (8-0) at Bruins (6-2)

Date: October 24, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


The San Jose Sharks are the NHL's last remaining team without a regulation loss.

It's been over a decade since they experienced one on the road against the Boston Bruins.

The Sharks look to continue their outstanding start by winning a fifth straight visit to Boston on Thursday night.

San Jose (8-0-1) has been the league's most impressive team in the first three weeks. The Sharks lead the NHL with 17 points, have scored the most goals (40) and only two of their victories have come by a margin of one goal, including Monday's 1-0 shootout win at Detroit to open this five-game road trip.

"We scored a lot of goals in our first eight games. We're not going to keep scoring like that," said Logan Couture, who netted the only goal in the tiebreaker.

It would seem a matchup with the Bruins (6-2-0), particularly on the road, would be an ideal way for the Sharks to keep rolling.

San Jose is 4-0-1 in its last five meetings with Boston, and has four wins and a tie over its last five games at TD Garden since a loss there on Dec. 23, 2002. However, the Sharks' most recent visit came on Oct. 22, 2011, and the teams haven't met at all since March 22, 2012, due to the lockout that shortened last season.

One of the keys to the Sharks' fast start has been their depth, with 10 players scoring two goals or more. Patrick Marleau is tied for the team lead with seven, recording at least one point in the first eight games before that streak was halted Monday. He has nine points in his last six games at Boston.

Rookie Tomas Hertl also has seven goals, but only one in six games since he scored four against the New York Rangers on Oct. 8.

Besides leading the NHL with 4.33 goals per game, San Jose's defense has been just as impressive, allowing 16 goals. Antti Niemi has played the biggest role in that success, compiling a 1.64 goals-against average. He stopped 24 shots and turned aside three shootout attempts in Monday's win.

Niemi is 5-0-0 with a 1.77 GAA and one shutout lifetime against the Bruins.

Boston returns home after outscoring opponents 13-4 while sweeping a three-game trip to Florida, Tampa Bay and Buffalo.

The Bruins took advantage of the reeling Sabres on Wednesday, getting two goals apiece from Milan Lucic and Torey Krug in a 5-2 victory. The win, though, may have come at a high cost with forward Loui Eriksson leaving the game after he was blindsided with a hit to the head by John Scott in the third period.

Eriksson remained in Buffalo under observation, and Scott is expected to face a disciplinary hearing with the league.

"He's out there for two reasons and that's either to fight or hurt," coach Claude Julien said of the Sabres' enforcer. "So he did his job."

With backup Chad Johnson winning his season debut Wednesday, Tuukka Rask is likely to be back in net for this game. Rask has allowed more than two goals only once in his seven starts and is third in the league with a 1.29 GAA. He's never faced the Sharks.

San Jose's Joe Thornton, who spent his first seven seasons with the Bruins, has two goals and three assists in seven games against his former team.

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Preview: Blackhawks (6-1) at Lightning (5-3)

Date: October 24, 2013 7:30 PM EDT


While it hasn't hurt them too much in the standings, the Chicago Blackhawks would love to end their habit of giving away two-goal leads, which began in a shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After blowing another such lead their last time out, the Blackhawks will try for a more complete performance in Thursday night's rematch with the Lightning.

Chicago (6-1-2) has gotten off to a strong start despite giving away two-goal leads in four games, as it has managed to come away with two points in all but one of those contests. The Blackhawks led 2-0 after two periods over Florida on Tuesday before giving up two goals in a 2:47 span of the third, but went on to a 3-2 shootout win.

Despite its struggles to hold leads, Chicago would be on a lengthy point streak to start the season if it hadn't allowed the go-ahead goal with 21.1 remaining in its only regulation loss. The club has been largely unaffected by being outscored 10-3 in the third period so far.

'We're not happy with giving up leads in the third period," said forward Patrick Sharp, who had the winning goal in the tiebreaker Tuesday. "We'd like to close teams out by scoring in the third period and get out of here, but when the games get tight we seem to play better and that's important. It would be a lot worse if we were coming away with no points instead of two."

Chicago gave up two third-period goals to Tampa Bay in a 1:43 span and came up empty in three shootout attempts Oct. 5. Martin St. Louis and Teddy Purcell scored for the Lightning and Valtteri Filppula had the only goal in the tiebreaker of a 3-2 win.

Tampa Bay (5-3-0), though, couldn't generate any offense in a 5-0 loss to Boston on Saturday as it failed to win a third straight.

"I'm confident to say that tonight was an aberration in the way we play," coach Jon Cooper said. "It's just disappointing and sometimes you're going to have these (performances).

"Right from the outset and in the couple of shifts, we just weren't executing and this is what happens. To play we did against a good team and this is the result."

Tampa Bay has performed much better in recent matchups with Chicago, winning four in a row with three going past regulation.

Quenneville said former Lightning goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin could start as the Blackhawks attempt to end their skid in the series.

Khabibulin, who has played in one game this season, has gone 2-0-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average in three games against his former team since leaving Tampa Bay.

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Preview: Ducks (7-2) at Canadiens (5-4)

Date: October 24, 2013 7:30 PM EDT


The Anaheim Ducks and Montreal Canadiens would both like to forget about Tuesday night.

After both teams blew 2-0 leads in their latest losses, they'll try to bounce back Thursday night in Montreal.

The Ducks (7-2-0) won seven in a row before Tuesday's 4-2 loss at Toronto. The streak would still be alive had Anaheim been able to hold a lead after Nick Bonino and Mathieu Perreault each scored their fourth goal of the year.

Perreault has goals in consecutive games for the second time this year and has a four-game point streak, but the Ducks were left lamenting a sour start to their season-high eight-game road trip.

"We played really good for the first 30 minutes of the game. I mean, as good as we can play," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "But I think the big thing is we just lost our composure for 10 minutes. And we've got to get it back."

Goaltender Viktor Fasth has missed three games with a lower-body injury after being hurt in practice last Thursday.

That's led to an added workload for Jonas Hiller. After winning his first four starts with a 1.44 goals-against average and .954 save percentage, things haven't gone so well in his last two starts. He allowed four goals on 23 shots in Toronto and was pulled after allowing three first-period goals to Dallas on Sunday, a game Anaheim came back to win 6-3.

The Ducks have outshot seven of nine opponents this season and are second in the league with 36.2 per game. Their power play, however, went 0 for 4 Tuesday and is now a league-worst 3 for 36 (8.3 percent).

The Canadiens (5-4-0) got first-period goals from Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher before falling 4-3 to Edmonton at home Tuesday. Three of their four losses have come on home ice, and they've lost back-to-back games for the first time this year.

"We can't expect to play one period and win," said right wing Brian Gionta, who scored the Canadiens' third goal with 3 seconds left in the third. "We had a great start, we did what we wanted to, we stuck to our game plan for the first period, and we didn't adjust after that."

P.K. Subban assisted on Gionta's goal and now has two goals and nine assists through nine games to lead all NHL defensemen in points after winning the Norris Trophy last season.

Gallagher leads the Canadiens with five goals and has scored in consecutive games for the second time in October.

The Ducks' Dustin Penner didn't travel with the team to Toronto after being knocked out of the Dallas game with a suspension-inducing hit from Ryan Garbutt.

Daniel Briere, the latest Montreal player to be lost to injury, is expected to miss his second game with a concussion.

The Ducks are 5-0-1 against the Canadiens since the 2004-05 lockout. They last met on Nov. 30, 2011, a 4-1 Ducks win in Anaheim as Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry each had a goal and an assist.

Saku Koivu will play in Montreal for the second time since leaving for Anaheim in 2009-10 after 13 seasons with the Canadiens that included his battle with and return from Burkitt's lymphoma.

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Preview: Jets (4-5) at Predators (5-4)

Date: October 24, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


Coach Barry Trotz wasn't very happy with the Nashville Predators' latest performance.

Having to play without his top goaltender for the next month might not improve his mood.

Playing without Pekka Rinne, the Predators attempt to rebound from their worst offensive showing of the season and continue their success against the visiting Jets on Thursday night.

Nashville (5-4-1) was held to a season-low 16 shots in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota on Tuesday after scoring 13 goals and averaging 31.8 shots during a 4-0-1 stretch.

"We just didn't come out with a lot of energy," Trotz told the team's official website. "We didn't manage the puck very well, we lost too many battles."

That hasn't been the case for his team against Winnipeg (4-5-1). The Predators are 7-1-1 over the past nine meetings with the team formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers. That includes Sunday's 3-1 road victory, during which Nashville did all its scoring on seven shots in the second period.

Patric Hornqvist had one of those goals - his team-leading third of the season - giving him four points in the past three matchups with the Jets/Thrashers franchise.

Backup Carter Hutton made 38 saves Sunday for his first NHL win in his first start of the season, and is expected to get another crack with Rinne sidelined.

Rinne will miss at least four weeks after he has arthroscopic surgery on his hip. The two-time Vezina Trophy finalist had surgery on his left hip May 9 and recovered in time to start the season.

General manager David Poile said Rinne felt something was wrong Tuesday night after the Predators returned from Minnesota.

'When he got back to Nashville after the plane ride home, he developed some soreness and stiffness in his hip and got a little bit of a fever,' Poile said. 'A series of tests determined that he had a spontaneous bacterial infection.'

The Jets are opening a four-game road trip after concluding a 2-3-1 homestand with Tuesday's 5-4, six-round shootout loss to Washington.

Coach Claude Noel's team hasn't beaten the Predators since Dec. 6, 2010.

"I think when we go into Nashville, we owe Nashville a game," Noel said. "We have to put our best foot forward and play the way we're capable of playing. The road is always good, especially early in the season. It gives your team a chance to build some cohesiveness in your group, and that's not a bad thing."

Continued production from Bryan Little would surely help. The center is tied with Evander Kane for the team lead with five goals, scoring twice against the Capitals to snap a five-game drought.

Little hasn't managed much offensively against Nashville, recording one point over the past five meetings and none Sunday while he was a minus-2.

Kane had a goal in that meeting and added an assist two days later. He has five points - four goals - over the past five games.

Winnipeg is 0 for 14 on the power play over the last five games and ending that skid won't be easy against Nashville, which hasn't allowed a goal while short-handed in six consecutive games, spanning 18 chances.

The Jets may not have to contend with Nashville's Mike Fisher, who has missed three straight games with a lower body injury. The center has five points in seven games.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Hurricanes (4-2) at Wild (4-3)

Date: October 24, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


The Carolina Hurricanes have looked quite comfortable away from home in October, and in the next two nights they'll get a couple of more chances to prove their early road play isn't a fluke.

They're hoping their early woes against the Western Conference are just that.

The Hurricanes look for their first four-game road winning streak in more than 30 months Thursday night as they try to avoid dropping all four of their matchups against the West when they face the Minnesota Wild.

Carolina (4-2-3) lost nine of its final 11 road games last season en route to finishing with the East's third-fewest points, but it's having no such issues away from home early in 2013-14. After falling 5-2 at Pittsburgh on Oct. 8, the Hurricanes have won their last three road contests.

Those have all been by a goal apiece - seven of Carolina's first nine have been decided by one goal - including last Thursday's 3-2 victory in Toronto and Saturday's 4-3 win at the New York Islanders.

"We've played a lot of consistent hockey so far. We're working hard for 60 minutes," center Jordan Staal said after scoring his first goal of the season against the Islanders. "Once we get going, we don't stop."

The Hurricanes, who also visit Colorado on Friday, haven't gotten much going against the West. They went 0-1-2 against Western opponents during a recent three-game homestand, a small part of the West's overall early dominance in going 42-16-7 in interconference matchups.

Carolina hasn't won four straight on the road since winning its last five games of the 2010-11 regular season.

The Wild (4-3-3) haven't exactly done their part against the East, going 1-2-1 on a recent four-game road trip, but they got back to their defensive ways Tuesday. Minnesota outshot Nashville 13-3 in the first period and 29-16 overall in a 2-0 victory.

"It's all about wins right now, and we haven't been winning, so tonight was a step in the right direction," said Josh Harding, who lowered his goals-against average to 0.96 - second in the league behind Colorado's Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Minnesota's struggling to score - its 6.9 shooting percentage is among the league's worst - but along with Harding's stellar play between the pipes, it seems to be setting itself up for success. The Wild are allowing 21.2 shots per game, the fewest in the league and exactly 10 less than the Hurricanes give up on average.

With Minnesota looking for a boost offensively, coach Mike Yeo threw rookie winger Justin Fontaine onto the top line with Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise against the Predators, and the second-period move paid immediate dividends. Fontaine scored the game's first goal late in the second on a rebound.

Fontaine practiced with Koivu and Parise again Wednesday, an indication he'll be sticking on that first unit against the Hurricanes.

He'll see a familiar face when he enters the offensive zone Thursday in Carolina defenseman Justin Faulk, a St. Paul native and Fontaine's former teammate at Minnesota-Duluth during the Bulldogs' 2010-11 national championship season.

The Wild, meanwhile, will be without their top young defenseman Thursday - and likely for a little while longer. Jonas Brodin, the 10th overall pick in the 2011 entry draft, broke his cheekbone Tuesday and is out indefinitely.

Mathew Dumba will take Brodin's spot on the second unit of a power play that's among the league's best at 25.0 percent. The Wild's penalty kill, however, is among the NHL's worst (74.4 percent).

The Hurricanes have won four straight meetings with Minnesota.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Flames (4-3) at Stars (3-5)

Date: October 24, 2013 8:30 PM EDT


Kari Lehtonen's injury has had a big effect on the Dallas Stars, whose goaltending has been sorely lacking in his absence.

They expect him back Thursday night when they host the Calgary Flames, who have several players that have had success against Dallas recently.

The Stars (3-5-0) have been without Lehtonen since a 4-1 win at Winnipeg on Oct. 11, which he left due to a lower-body injury. He is 2-1-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average in three games.

With Lehtonen sidelined, Dallas has lost four of five while allowing five or more goals three times. Dan Ellis and rookie Jack Campbell haven't proved reliable in his place, combining for a 4.40 goals-against average since the injury, the worst in the league during that span.

Campbell started a 6-3 loss at Anaheim on Sunday in which the Stars squandered a 3-1 lead after the first period.

Lehtonen was activated from injured reserve Monday and is expected to play after being a full participant in Tuesday's practice. He's had mixed results against Calgary, going 6-3-2 with a 2.85 goals-against average.

"It takes a little time to be a good goalie again, and we are on the right track," he told the team's official website. "Being a goalie is not painful anymore. I am able to make saves. A week ago, I wasn't able to do much.

"Every day we've been able to do more and more, and we are almost there."

Calgary (4-3-2) has lost three of four on a five-game trip, falling 4-2 to Phoenix on Tuesday. The Flames tied the game in the third period after trailing 2-0 midway through the second.

"The second period, we got going," coach Bob Hartley said. "I really liked our last 40 minutes. We gave ourselves a chance to win the game."

Lee Stempniak and Jiri Hudler continued their strong starts, with Stempniak scoring his third goal for his eighth point. Hudler was credited with an assist to extend his point streak to nine games, during which he's totaled 12 points.

Hudler has six goals in his last six matchups with Dallas, while Stempniak has recorded at least one assist in each of his past four.

Calgary's Michael Cammalleri, who returned from a hand injury to play the last two games, has eight goals and seven assists in his past nine games against the Stars.

The Flames have also received some of the worst goaltending in the league with a 3.44 GAA.

Calgary is the worst penalty killing team in the NHL, having allowing nine goals in 29 opportunities (31.0 percent) and five on 15 chances over the last three games. Dallas hasn't been much better, surrendering seven goals on 32 power plays (21.9 percent).

The Flames have won three of the last four meetings, going 8 for 17 on the power play.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Capitals (4-5) at Oilers (3-6)

Date: October 24, 2013 9:30 PM EDT


Alex Ovechkin has led the NHL in goals four times and won three league MVPs, but it's been some time since the Washington Capitals' superstar has started a season so well.

His solid performance against Edmonton last week helped Washington begin its surge, and he'll look to stay hot Thursday night as the Capitals seek only their second road victory over the Oilers in 10 tries.

Ovechkin had two goals over his first nine games in the lockout-shortened 2013 season, but he finished with 32 to win the Maurice Richard Trophy on his way to capturing another Hart Trophy.

He's scored nine goals in his first nine games for the second time in his career - the other being in 2009-10 - after netting two and adding an assist in Tuesday's 5-4 shootout win over Winnipeg to begin a five-game road trip.

"You've got to get in positions where you can get the puck and score," said Ovechkin, who leads the league in goals. "The most important thing, if I shoot and score goals, is that we win the game. It's working right now."

The Capitals (4-5-0) have won three of four, a stretch that began when Ovechkin had a goal and an assist and Nicklas Backstrom added three assists in a 4-2 win over Edmonton on Oct. 14.

Coach Adam Oates, though, wasn't exactly pleased with the effort against the Jets and said Washington will need to be much better Thursday.

"We made every mistake you can make basically in the course of the game," Oates said. "(Edmonton has) the fastest rink in the league and you've got to be prepared for that. It's a mental adjustment."

Ovechkin has five goals and three assists in his last four games against the Oilers, but the Capitals have dropped eight of their past nine visits to Edmonton.

The Oilers (3-6-1) are returning home after dropping the first four games on their road trip before winning the final two. They earned an emotional 4-3 victory over Montreal on Tuesday after Canadiens' winger Lars Eller called Edmonton a "junior team" before the contest.

"When you've got some young player who's trying to get his feet wet calling an organization a junior team, people take notice," coach Dallas Eakins said. "I knew it was going to turn. It makes for great banter in our dressing room."

Ryan Jones, taking the place of Taylor Hall who is expected to be out multiple weeks with a knee injury suffered in Saturday's 3-1 win over Ottawa, scored his first goal of the season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added two assists as the Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit.

"It's what we needed at that point," Nugent-Hopkins said. "We were losing battles, we weren't playing with the passion that we need to win games in that situation."

Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves to earn the victory and is 2-4-1 with a 4.01 goals-against average. He's never faced the Capitals, who are likely to counter with Braden Holtby after he made 43 saves Tuesday.

Holtby, 3-4-0 with a 3.03 GAA, has won both of his career starts against the Oilers while posting a 1.00 GAA after making 28 saves in last week's matchup.

Washington has won three of the last four overall meetings with Edmonton.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Coyotes (6-2) at Kings (6-4)

Date: October 24, 2013 10:30 PM EDT


Mike Ribeiro has a seven-game point streak and so do the Phoenix Coyotes.

Ribeiro and the Coyotes try to extend their streaks in Thursday night's road game against the Los Angeles Kings, a team that hasn't been too kind to either of late.

Ribeiro notched his first point in a Coyotes sweater on Oct. 10 at Detroit and he hasn't stopped. His team has gone 5-0-2 for its first seven-game stretch with at least one point since it went all 12 games in February 2012 without a regulation loss.

The Coyotes (6-2-2) are off to their best 10-game start since going 7-1-2 to open the 2000-01 season.

Ribeiro has four goals in his last two games, including a pair in Tuesday's 4-2 victory against Calgary. He scored the winner, breaking a 2-all tie at 5:47 in the third.

"He likes to make a difference in games and he's doing that for us right now," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said.

Ribeiro's point streak is his longest since an eight-game run (three goals, eight assists) with Dallas in February 2012.

"It took a while for me to get comfortable with the guys and for them to know me and, I guess to like me," said Ribeiro, who didn't record a point in Phoenix's 1-2-0 start. "So now that we did that, I'm comfortable and it's fun to come to work."

Ribeiro, however, has no goals and three assists in his last seven against the Kings, while Radim Vrbata - tied with Ribeiro for the team lead in goals with five - hasn't scored in his last eight in the series.

Phoenix played Tuesday without captain Shane Doan, who has a lower-body injury and is considered a game-time decision against Los Angeles. Doan has six goals in his last seven games in this series.

The Coyotes, though, haven't been very good against their Pacific Division rivals recently. Including the 2012 Western Conference finals, Phoenix is 3-7-0 in its last 10 games versus Los Angeles.

The Kings (6-4-0) didn't have similar success Monday against another Pacific club, falling 3-2 at home to Calgary. After giving up just four power-play goals through their first nine games, they allowed three against the Flames - including the back-breaker with 29.7 seconds in the third period.

"I thought we looked fatigued," coach Darryl Sutter said. "Tonight was 10 (games) in 19 (days), and the other team was clearly fresher than ours. It made a big difference."

No even-strength goals were scored in the game. Jeff Carter scored a short-handed goal for the Kings to tie it at 2 while Drew Doughty scored on the power play. Carter has a team-high five goals after finishing fourth in the NHL with 26 last season.

After going a combined 27-5-1 at home in the regular season and playoffs last year, the Kings are off to a 2-2 start at Staples Center.

Center Anze Kopitar enters Thursday without a goal in his last 26 regular-season games.. Fellow center Mike Richards is also without a goal this year, though they've combined for 14 assists.

Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith was 4-2-1 with a 1.00 goals-against average and two shutouts in his first seven career starts in Los Angeles before giving up seven goals in a pair of losses there last season.

Jonathan Quick is 3-2-0 with a 0.81 GAA and two shutouts in his last five home starts versus Phoenix.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

San Jose at Boston
The Sharks look to build on their 4-0 record in their last 4 games in Boston. San Jose is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Sharks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: San Jose (+100). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

Game 51-52: San Jose at Boston (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.932; Boston 12.121
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-120); 5
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (+100); Over

Game 53-54: Vancouver at New Jersey (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 12.089; New Jersey 10.413
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-125); 5
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-125); Under

Game 55-56: NY Rangers at Philadelphia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.440; Philadelphia 9.901
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 57-58: Anaheim at Montreal (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 11.725; Montreal 11.149
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+110); Over

Game 59-60: Chicago at Tampa Bay (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.447; Tampa Bay 10.863
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-135); Under

Game 61-62: Winnipeg at Nashville (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 11.697; Nashville 10.755
Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (+120); Over

Game 63-64: Carolina at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.313; Minnesota 11.265
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-165); 5
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+145); Over

Game 65-66: Calgary at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 10.328; Dallas 11.857
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-175); Under

Game 67-68: Washington at Edmonton (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.648; Edmonton 11.382
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-125); Under

Game 69-70: Phoenix at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.122; Los Angeles 11.338
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-155); 5
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+135); Over

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, October 24

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SAN JOSE (8-0-0-1, 17 pts.) at BOSTON (6-2-0-0, 12 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 332-322 ATS (-117.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
BOSTON is 135-118 ATS (+264.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 15-5 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 160-130 ATS (+23.7 Units) in road games first half of the season since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 166-177 ATS (+380.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 149-110 ATS (+30.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 63-73 ATS (-45.8 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
BOSTON is 31-44 ATS (-39.3 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 2-0 (+2.2 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 2-0-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.0 Units)

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VANCOUVER (6-4-0-1, 13 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (1-5-0-3, 5 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 31-23 ATS (+4.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 106-93 ATS (+205.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 139-102 ATS (+36.8 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 1-8 ATS (-9.9 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 1-8 ATS (-8.0 Units) first half of the season this season.

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

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NY RANGERS (2-5-0-0, 4 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (1-7-0-0, 2 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 9-1 (+8.0 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 9-1-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.8 Units)

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ANAHEIM (7-2-0-0, 14 pts.) at MONTREAL (5-4-0-0, 10 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 155-130 ATS (+286.4 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
MONTREAL is 36-59 ATS (+100.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 7-16 ATS (-12.7 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 1-8 ATS (-9.2 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 2-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 83-102 ATS (-53.6 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
MONTREAL is 7-19 ATS (+7.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 2-12 ATS (-11.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 1-0-0 straight up against MONTREAL 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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CHICAGO (6-1-0-2, 14 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (5-3-0-0, 10 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 330-341 ATS (+719.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 2-0 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 2-0-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

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WINNIPEG (4-5-0-1, 9 pts.) at NASHVILLE (5-4-0-1, 11 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 22-12 ATS (+9.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 154-138 ATS (+293.7 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 15-3 ATS (+11.5 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 2-0 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 2-0-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

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CAROLINA (4-2-0-3, 11 pts.) at MINNESOTA (4-3-0-3, 11 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 5-21 ATS (+29.5 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 1-0-0 straight up against MINNESOTA 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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CALGARY (4-3-0-2, 10 pts.) at DALLAS (3-5-0-0, 6 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 173-113 ATS (+19.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 4-3 (+0.7 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 4-3-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.3 Units)

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WASHINGTON (4-5-0-0, 8 pts.) at EDMONTON (3-6-0-1, 7 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 119-164 ATS (-67.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
EDMONTON is 7-16 ATS (-9.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 6-17 ATS (+24.4 Units) 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
EDMONTON is 1-1 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 1-1-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)

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PHOENIX (6-2-0-2, 14 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (6-4-0-0, 12 pts.) - 10/24/2013, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 294-264 ATS (+24.0 Units) first half of the season since 1996.
PHOENIX is 95-97 ATS (+227.7 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1996.
PHOENIX is 73-77 ATS (+175.9 Units) in road games after a division game since 1996.
PHOENIX is 193-166 ATS (+24.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
PHOENIX is 36-29 ATS (+68.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 134-128 ATS (+284.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 10-6 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 10-6-0 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, October 24

Hot teams
-- Sharks won eight of their first nine games. Boston won six of first eight.
-- Canucks won four of their last six road games.
-- Anaheim won seven of its last eight games.
-- Blackhawks won five of their last six games. Tampa Bay won five of last seven.
-- Predators won four of their last six games.
-- Carolina won its last three road games, scoring 10 goals.
-- Washington won three of its last four games. Edmonton won last two games, after losing seven of its first eight.
-- Coyotes/Kings both won five of their last seven games.

Cold teams
-- Devils lost eight of their first nine games.
-- Rangers lost four of their last five games. Flyers lost last four games, outscored 14-6.
-- Canadiens lost last two games, are 2-3 at home this season.
-- Winnipeg lost six of its last eight games.
-- Minnesota lost three of last four games overall, but won three in row at home.
-- Dallas Stars lost four of their last five games. Calgary lost three of last four.

Series records
-- Sharks won four of last five games against Boston.
-- Devils lost their last four games against Vancouver, scoring five goals.
-- Rangers won 11 of last 13 games with Philadelphia.
-- Ducks won last five games with Montreal, scoring 22 goals.
-- Lightning won last four games vs Chicago, with three wins in OT.
-- Predators won four of last five games with Winnipeg.
-- Hurricanes won last four games with Minnesota.
-- Flames won three of last four games with Dallas.
-- Oilers lost three of their last four games with Washington.
-- Kings won 12 of their last 17 games with Phoenix.

Totals
-- Three of last four San Jose games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Vamcouver games.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in Philly games this season.
-- Six of last eight Montreal games stayed under the total.
-- Last eight Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Nashville games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Minnesota games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Edmonton games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Phoenix games went over the total.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Thursday, October 24

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NY RANGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA
NY Rangers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
NY Rangers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
SAN JOSE vs. BOSTON
San Jose is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
San Jose is 4-5-3 SU in its last 12 games ,when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
VANCOUVER vs. NEW JERSEY
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New Jersey is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Vancouver
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:30 PM
ANAHEIM vs. MONTREAL
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games on the road
Montreal is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal's last 8 games

7:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. TAMPA BAY
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Chicago's last 25 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 11 games when playing at home against Chicago

8:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. MINNESOTA
Carolina is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games

8:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. NASHVILLE
Winnipeg is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Winnipeg is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Nashville
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Winnipeg
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Winnipeg

8:30 PM
CALGARY vs. DALLAS
Calgary is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing Calgary

9:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. EDMONTON
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Washington is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Edmonton's last 12 games
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington

10:30 PM
PHOENIX vs. LOS ANGELES
Phoenix is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Los Angeles
Phoenix is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
Los Angeles is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, October 24

San Jose at Boston, 7:05 ET
San Jose: 15-5 SU in all games
Boston: 30-39 SU in home games after playing 3 consecutive road games

Vancouver at New Jersey, 7:05 ET
Vancouver: 64-41 SU after a game where both teams scored 4 goals or more
New Jersey: 1-8 SU in all games

NY Rangers at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
NY Rangers: 0-3 SU after a blowout loss by 4 goals or more in their previous game
Philadelphia: 367-271 SU in home games

Anaheim at Montreal, 7:35 ET
Anaheim: 5-20 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +150
Montreal: 72-59 SU off a close home loss by 1 goal

Chicago at Tampa Bay, 7:35 ET
Chicago: 11-1 SU after 2 or more consecutive unders
Detroit: 5-1 SU off a loss by 2 goals or more to a division rival

Winnipeg at Nashville, 8:05 ET
Winnipeg: 4-7 SU after a game where both teams scored 4 goals or more
Nashville: 22-12 SU vs. division opponents

Carolina at Minnesota, 8:05 ET
Carolina: 5-21 SU after a division game
Minnesota: 25-17 SU after scoring 2 goals or less in 5 straight games

Calgary at Dallas, 8:35 ET
Calgary: 14-5 SU after allowing 2 goals or more in the third period last game
Dallas: 177-105 SU off a road loss

Washington at Edmonton, 9:35 ET
Washington: 0-8 SU in road games off a road win
Edmonton:0-13 SU after a road game where both teams score 3 or more goals

Phoenix at Los Angeles, 10:35 ET
Phoenix: 10-4 SU in road games after playing 2 consecutive home games
Los Angeles: 179-175 SU in home games after playing a home game

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

10/22/13 8-*7-*1 53.33% -*225 Detail
10/21/13 2-*4-*0 33.33% -*1965 Detail
10/20/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*355 Detail
10/19/13 17-*9-*0 65.38% +*2775 Detail
10/18/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1185 Detail
10/17/13 13-*10-*1 56.52% +*315 Detail
10/16/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1300 Detail
10/15/13 18-*5-*1 78.26% +*5775 Detail
10/14/13 3-*0-*1 100.00% +*1500 Detail
10/13/13 7-*1-*0 87.50% +*2850 Detail
10/12/13 14-*5-*1 73.68% +*4175 Detail
10/11/13 8-*4-*0 66.67% +*1300 Detail
10/10/13 11-*8-*1 57.89% +*25 Detail
10/09/13 2-*4-*0 33.33% -*1250 Detail
10/08/13 11-*4-*1 73.33% +*3175 Detail
10/07/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*900 Detail
10/06/13 0-*4-*0 0.00% -*2300 Detail
10/05/13 9-*13-*0 40.91% -*3225 Detail
10/04/13 3-*7-*0 30.00% -*2700 Detail
10/03/13 6-*7-*3 46.15% -*1000 Detail
10/02/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*85 Detail
10/01/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*735 Detail

Totals 145-*109-*10 57.09% +6135


Thursday, October 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

San Jose - 7:00 PM ET Boston -108 500
Boston - Over 5 500

Vancouver - 7:00 PM ET Vancouver -116 500
New Jersey - Over 5 500

NY Rangers - 7:00 PM ET NY Rangers +129 500 POD # 2
Philadelphia - Under 5.5 500

Anaheim - 7:30 PM ET Anaheim +111 500 POD # 3
Montreal - Over 5.5 500

Chicago - 7:30 PM ET Chicago -115 500
Tampa Bay - Over 5.5 500

Winnipeg - 8:00 PM ET Nashville -131 500
Nashville - Under 5 500

Carolina - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota -145 500
Minnesota - Under 5 500

Calgary - 8:30 PM ET Dallas -151 500
Dallas - Over 5.5 500

Washington - 9:30 PM ET Washington -123 500
Edmonton - Over 5.5 500

Phoenix - 10:30 PM ET Phoenix +138 500 POD # 1
Los Angeles - Over 5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

10/24/13 11-*7-*2 61.11% +*1775 Detail
10/22/13 8-*7-*1 53.33% -*225 Detail
10/21/13 2-*4-*0 33.33% -*1965 Detail
10/20/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*355 Detail
10/19/13 17-*9-*0 65.38% +*2775 Detail
10/18/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1185 Detail
10/17/13 13-*10-*1 56.52% +*315 Detail
10/16/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1300 Detail
10/15/13 18-*5-*1 78.26% +*5775 Detail
10/14/13 3-*0-*1 100.00% +*1500 Detail
10/13/13 7-*1-*0 87.50% +*2850 Detail
10/12/13 14-*5-*1 73.68% +*4175 Detail
10/11/13 8-*4-*0 66.67% +*1300 Detail
10/10/13 11-*8-*1 57.89% +*25 Detail
10/09/13 2-*4-*0 33.33% -*1250 Detail
10/08/13 11-*4-*1 73.33% +*3175 Detail
10/07/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*900 Detail
10/06/13 0-*4-*0 0.00% -*2300 Detail
10/05/13 9-*13-*0 40.91% -*3225 Detail
10/04/13 3-*7-*0 30.00% -*2700 Detail
10/03/13 6-*7-*3 46.15% -*1000 Detail
10/02/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*85 Detail
10/01/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*735 Detail

Totals 156-*116-*12 57.35% +7910


Friday, October 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

NY Islanders - 7:00 PM ET Pittsburgh -185 500

Pittsburgh - Over 5.5 500

Toronto - 7:00 PM ET Toronto +113 500 POD # 1

Columbus - Under 5.5 500

Anaheim - 7:30 PM ET Ottawa -147 500

Ottawa - Under 5.5 500

Buffalo - 7:30 PM ET Florida -138 500

Florida - Over 5 500

Vancouver - 8:00 PM ET Vancouver +171 500 POD # 2

St. Louis - Under 5.5 500

Carolina - 9:00 PM ET Carolina +193 500 POD # 3

Colorado - Under 5.5 500