The Chicago Blackhawks attempt to end a six-game road losing streak when they face off against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday. Chicago had no answers for Sam Gagner on Thursday as the Edmonton center tied a franchise record with eight points in the Oilers’ 8-4 victory. SportsOptions and Tony Finn contribute with this Friday night best bet production.
Chicago at Calgary (-115, 5.5 u-130)
Chicago was outscored 17-6 in its two losses at Rexall Place this season. Patrick Sharp provided half of the team’s offense in Thursday’s defeat, scoring a pair of goals in his second game back from a wrist injury that sidelined him for eight contests. Andrew Brunette, who has scored just nine times in 53 matches this season, left Thursday’s setback with an upper-body injury. Corey Crawford was pulled after allowing five goals on 28 shots. The goaltender has surrendered 14 tallies while going 0-3-1 in his last four starts. The tide turns tonight. The home team has won the last eight in this series but the Hawks are overall the better club and in need of a big win.
Take Chicago in a rout: Blackhawks 4, Flames 1
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Phoenix at Houston (-7, 199)
The Houston Rockets have had a winning streak of seven games and a losing streak of four already this season. After back-to-back losses, the Rockets are hoping to avoid another long slide. Never the greatest defensive club, Houston has surrendered 109.5 points in its last two games and squandered an 18-point lead in a loss at San Antonio on Wednesday. With a six-game road trip scheduled to begin Saturday at Minnesota, the Rockets will try to get another win under their belts when they host the struggling Phoenix Suns on Friday. The Suns are no strangers to defensive problems, having been torched for an average of 103.5 points in their 13 losses. Phoenix surrendered 103 points to the hapless New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday but countered with 120 of their own to pick up a win.
Houston allowed an average of 80 points in back-to-back wins last weekend but has fallen off on that end in the last two games. The second half has been a particular concern, with the Minnesota Timberwolves scoring 42 points in the third quarter alone on Monday and San Antonio putting up 60 after the break on Wednesday. Kevin Martin has scored 29 points in back-to-back games but has been little help on the other end.
Houston snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series with a 95-93 home win over Phoenix on March 14, 2011 and Nash, who missed that March 14 meeting, has put up 15.2 points and 8.1 assists, has never had much success in 50 career games against the Rockets.
Houston bounces back big: Rockets 103, Suns 89
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Cleveland St. at Loyola-Chicago (+11, 116)
The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers are ranked 306 for offensive field goal percentage shooting just 39.8% while attempting a mere 46.8 shots per game. The Ramblers shooting percentages include 71.0% for free throw percentage and 30.2% for three point percentage so far this season. These numbers are not good enough to even win at home in Joseph J. Gentile Center, and not near efficient enough to beat the Vikings tonight.
The Cleveland St. Vikings are ranked 113 for offensive field goal percentage shooting 44.8% while attempting 54.3 shots per game. The Vikings shooting percentages include 74.9% for free throw percentage and 37.5% for three point percentage so far this season.
The Ramblers are 3-5 at home this season, 0-11 against conference opponents. Cleveland State is 9-2 while on the road this season, 8-2 against conference opponents.
Take Cleveland State and lay the 11 points. Vikings 68, Ramblers 48
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