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NHL Grand Salami - December

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI

Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
12/1 5 26.5 31 OVER
12/2 10 55.5 45 UNDER
12/3 4 21 22 OVER
12/4 11 60.5 65 OVER
12/5 3 15.5 24 OVER
12/6 12 64 65 OVER
12/7 4 21.5 21 UNDER
12/8 3 15.5 16 OVER
12/9 10 55.5 54 UNDER
12/10 2 - - -
12/11 10 - - -

Preview: Blackhawks (19-8) at Bruins (15-12)

Date: December 11, 2014 7:00 PM EDT

Regardless of who's in net or who's healthy, the Chicago Blackhawks have proven to be near-impossible to beat lately.

They continue a four-game road trip Thursday night against the Boston Bruins, who could have captain Zdeno Chara back in their lineup for the first time in nearly two months.

Chicago (19-8-1) has rolled to a season-best seven-game win streak and 10 in 11 games despite the absence of two key players. Corey Crawford, who ranks among the league leaders with a 1.87 goals against average, has missed the last four games with a foot injury. In his place, Antti Niemi and rookie Scott Darling have combined to allow seven goals in four wins.

Darling picked up the most recent victory Tuesday in a 3-2 shootout win against New Jersey.

The Blackhawks had also played much of the season - and the first six games of the current win streak - without their leading scorer from last season, Patrick Sharp. Sharp returned Tuesday and picked up his first point since suffering a lower-body injury on Nov. 4.

"We have some momentum right now," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville told the team's official website. "We just want to sustain it."

Momentum is something the Bruins (15-12-1) have been seeking, winning just two of their last seven games (2-4-1). Getting Chara - their captain and best defenseman - back should help in that regard. Chara has missed the last 19 games with a knee injury, but could return Thursday.

"There were a lot of teams happy to plays us with him out of our lineup, no doubt, and there's going to be a lot of teams sad to see him back in our lineup," coach Claude Julien told the team's official website. "So we're excited to have him back soon, and hopefully that happens Thursday."

Chara's presence would certainly be useful against the potent Blackhawks, who are scoring 3.43 goals per game during their streak, while holding opponents to 1.57. Seventeen players have tallied a point in that time, led by Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg, who have eight apiece.

Duncan Keith has five points in that span, including Tuesday's game-tying goal in the third period.

"We've always had confidence in our team, especially in our offensive ability with guys who can put the puck in the net and a mobile defense corps," Keith said. "It's a matter of sticking with it, being patient. We've been in situations where we've been down, but it's not over until the buzzer sounds."

Boston managed to cap off a four-game road trip with a 5-2 win Saturday over Arizona, ending a three-game skid.

'We didn't want to go back home having not won a game,' Julien said. 'I thought we played well enough on this trip that somewhere along the way we should come out with a win. This was our last crack at it, and we found a way to get that win that we desperately needed.'

Prior to Saturday's win, Boston had not scored a power play goal since Nov. 13 or had five or more goals since Nov. 6. They had scored more than two goals just twice in the previous 11 games.

Tuukka Rask should be thrilled to return home. He's 9-3-1 with a 1.99 GAA at TD Garden compared to 3-5-0 with a 3.61 GAA on the road. Since losing to the Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, Rask has allowed two goals in two games against Chicago, including a 3-0 shutout March 27.

The Bruins are 7-1-2 in their last 10 regular-season meetings against the Blackhawks.

Home ice has been far from an advantage for Coyotes
Justin Hartling

The Arizona Coyotes have lost their past seven games in the desert. In the past seven game on home ice, Arizona has been outscored 23-9 and have been shutout on three occasions.

The Coyotes host the Nashville Predators Thursday.

It's been two weeks since Kings posted an over
Justin Hartling

The Los Angeles Kings have a 0-5-1 over/under record in their past six games. Heading into their contest Thursday, it will be 15 days since they were in a game that topped the closing total.

During those six games there has been four shutouts, three in favor of the Kings an one against.

The Kings travel to Ottawa Thursday.

Blackhawks the hottest team on the ice
Justin Hartling

The Chicago Blackhawks are 13-3 in their past 16 contests. The 'Hawks have outscore opponents 54-32 during that span, including winning by two or more goals nine times.

Chicago travels to Boston Thursday.

Flyers have not won consecutive games in a month
Justin Hartling

The Philadelphia Flyers are an abysmal 2-11 in their past 13 contests. Before their current skid the Flyers won three straight, but they have not one consecutive games since Nov. 8.

Philly has been outscored 42-25 during those 13 games, while being shutout on three occasions.

The Flyers will host the New Jersey Devils Thursday.

NBA Inside the Paint - Thursday
By Chris David

Despite starting the season 5-7 straight up and 4-8 against the spread, oddsmakers at Sportsbook.ag never removed Cleveland as the top betting choice (3/1) to win this year’s NBA Finals.

Unlike the NFL where the so-called pundits flip-flop every Monday morning, those following the Association understand that the season is a marathon and it takes time to develop chemistry.

Some may forget that when LeBron James joined Miami in the 2010-11 season, the Heat started the season with a pedestrian 9-8 record. They quietly closed with a 49-16 (.753) record and reached the NBA Finals.
Is it déjà vu for LeBron in Cleveland?

Since the sluggish start, the Lebron and the Cavaliers have ripped off eight straight wins. During this run, they’ve helped bettors with a 5-3 record versus the number.

At 13-7, it might be hard for Cleveland to eclipse its regular season Win Total of 58 ½ set by the oddsmakers but you just never know, especially when you play in the Eastern Conference.

It should be noted all of the Cavaliers' wins during their current eight-game winning streak were against opponents in the East.

Overall, Cleveland is 11-3 versus the East and just 2-4 both SU and ATS against the Western Conference.

The Cavaliers have a chance to improve on that record against the West when it visits Oklahoma City (8-13 SU, 11-10-1 ATS). The Thunder have started out slow due to key injuries but they’re finally healthy and appear to be in solid form heading into the final three quarters of the season.

Since the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant made his season debut on Dec. 2, the Thunder have gone 3-1. However, be aware that the three victories were against the 76ers, Pistons and Bucks, which tells you that this matchup is a big test for Oklahoma City as well. Durant is averaging just under 30 minutes in the four games but should see extended time for this game.

Oddsmakers opened Oklahoma City as a 2 ½-point home favorite over Cleveland.

Despite not having LeBron on its roster, Cleveland has gone 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS in its last four encounters against Oklahoma City, which includes a 114-104 road victory last season as 15-point underdogs.

Oklahoma City has gone 5-5 SU and 8-2 ATS this season while Cleveland has gone 6-3 SU and 4-5 ATS on the road.

The Cavaliers have been underdogs twice this season and they’ve produced outright wins at Chicago (114-108) on Oct. 31 and at Toronto (105-91) on Dec. 5.

Total bettors should note that Oklahoma City (15-6) and Cleveland (11-7-2) have both leaned to the ‘under’ this season.

The numbers on the Thunder are a tad misleading since their offense was limited early in the season but the Cavaliers are looking solid defensively. During their current winning streak, they’re holding opponents to 91.6 points per game.

Offensively, Cleveland has picked it up as well. In the same eight games, the Cavaliers are averaging 106.3 PPG.

The total on Thursday’s matchup opened 201 and was spiked up to 203.

TNT will provided coverage of this game at 8:05 p.m. ET.

Houston (16-4 SU, 11-9 ATS) at Sacramento (11-11 SU, 13-8-1 ATS)

The TNT double-header concludes on the West Coast at 10:35 p.m. ET as the Kings and Rockets clash from Sleep Train Arena in Northern California. Oddsmakers didn’t post an overnight line on this matchup due to key injuries for both squads.

James Harden (back) is ‘questionable’ and Dwight Howard (knee) is ‘doubtful’ for Houston while the Kings are likely to see DeMarcus Cousins (illness) sit out again.

Houston could be fatigued for this game after playing at Golden State last night. This will be the sixth game this season that the Rockets will be playing on zero days rest. In the first five situations, Houston has produced a solid 4-1 record both SU and ATS. Another factor that could have you backing the Rockets on Thursday is their 8-1 record (6-5 ATS) on the road.

Sacramento has been steady at home (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS) but not having Cousins hurts the team. He’s missed seven games due to viral meningitis and the Kings are 2-5 during this span, three of the losses coming at home.

The Rockets ran past the Kings 102-89 on Nov. 26 as 4 ½-point home favorites. Last season, the pair split the four head-to-head meetings and both teams captured a road victory.

Total Trend

Those of you reading my NFL Total Talk columns know that I like to inform you of seasonal trends that could help your handicapping. With that being said, the national TNT games have created a trend that’s worth noting.

Tuesday, Oct. 28
Dallas 100 San Antonio 101 (Under 203)
Houston 108 L.A. Lakers 90 (Under 207)

Thursday, Oct. 30
New York 95 Cleveland 90 (Under 204)
Oklahoma City 90 L.A. Clippers 93 (Under 205.5)

Thursday, Nov. 6
San Antonio 81 Houston 98 (Under 179)
Dallas 87 Portland 108 (Under 209.5)

Thursday, Nov. 13
Chicago 100 Toronto 93 (Under 196.5)
Brooklyn 99 Golden State 107 (Under 210.5)

Thursday, Nov. 20
L.A. Clippers 110 at Miami 93 (Over 197.5)
Chicago 88 at Sacramento 103 (Under 195.5)

Thursday, Nov. 27
No Games (Thanksgiving)

Thursday, Dec. 4
Cleveland 90 at New York 87 (Under 198)
New Orleans 85 at Golden State (Under 206.5)

Based on the above, you can see that the ‘under’ has gone 11-1 in the first 12 games played on TNT this season. Personally, I’m a believer that all things will eventually balance out but I would still handicap the games based on matchups and keep this trend in your back pocket.

Game of the Day: Cavaliers at Thunder

Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5, 203.5)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have overcome a slow start to surge to the top of the Central Division, and the now-healthy Oklahoma City Thunder hope to follow their lead. The Cavaliers put their eight-game winning streak on the line when they travel to Oklahoma City on Thursday. The Thunder are aiming for their fourth straight win and their sixth in seven games.

The Thunder are trying to make up ground in the loaded Western Conference after a 3-12 start while playing without stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. "We're still trying to work things out," Durant told reporters. "I'm sure a lot of people are expecting us to be back to playoff-type basketball right now, but we're just like any other team, just trying to continue to just build and keep getting better." The Cavs seem to have solved their early-season issues, as they rallied from a 14-point deficit to edge Eastern Conference-leading Toronto 105-101 on Tuesday for their eighth straight victory following a 5-7 start.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

INJURY REPORT: Cavaliers - F Mike Miller (Ques-Concussion) Thunder - F Mitch McGary (Ques-Foot)

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Thunder are glad to have their dynamic duo, Kevin Durant and Michael Westbrook, back in the lineup. With OKC a dominant 21-5 SU and 20-6 ATS in this series when playing off a win, expect a focused effort by the host against the new Big 3 tonight." - Marc Lawrence

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "The Cavs are hot and the betting public has jumped back on the ship as quickly as it got off. OKC has been a good bet at home and the atmosphere at the Thunderdome should be lively for this one. I assume we’ll get good two-way action for the spread -- we rarely miss on these primetime games. My lean would be the under, and I expect it could come down a bit as the wiseguys get involved." - John Lester.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (13-7 SU, 9-11 ATS, 8-11-1 O/U): A big reason for Cleveland's improvement has been the increased role for power forward Kevin Love (17.4 points, 10.0 rebounds), who has recorded double-doubles in five of the past six games. Love's reemergence at the offensive end gives the Cavs a formidable trio along with LeBron James (24.8 points, 7.7 assists, 5.5 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (20.8 points, 5.1 assists). Love's presence in the post also seems to have rejuvenated center Anderson Varejao's offensive game, as the veteran is averaging 10.1 points and 6.9 rebounds after a down year last season.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (8-13 SU, 10-10-1 ATS, 6-15 O/U): Oklahoma City is beginning to look like itself again with Durant (22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists) and Westbrook (24.3 points, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds) back in the mix, and the Thunder put up a season-high for points in Tuesday's 114-101 win over Milwaukee. The Thunder have averaged 103.2 points on 46.7 percent shooting over their past six games after putting up 89.6 points on 41.6 percent shooting during their 3-12 start. Jeremy Lamb (12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds) has seen an uptick in his production since getting the two stars back, averaging 13.7 points over the past six contests while going 12-of-18 from 3-point range.

TRENDS:

*Thunder are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
*Under is 6-0-1 in Cavaliers last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
*Under is 6-1 in Thunder last 7 home games.
*Home team is 12-5 ATS in the last 17 meetings.

CONSENSUS: 57.55 percent are backing the Cavs +2.5 with 67.1 percent on the over.

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Monticello Raceway

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 1 - Post: 12:25 - 1 mile. TROT - Class Rating: 73 - Purse:$2900 - $4000 CLAIMING/ALLOWANCES J RYAN 3 OVER 2 J DEVAUX 5 OVER 1


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 4 MY MAN BEN 5/2


# 1 YOU'RE NEXT 8/1


# 5 E R KAYLA 3/1


MY MAN BEN very likely seems to be the nice horse to beat in this one. This nice horse looks very good. Look at the 76 average speed fig. Looks like a strong pick in this field of starters and his better than average winning percentage says he has the ability to take the whole enchilada in this race. Quite possibly think these two have some sort of connection going. Taggart in the sulky means a very good chance to get the ultimate prize. YOU'RE NEXT - Parker has been blazing hot over the last 30 days, winning at a very nice 23 percent. Gelding has one of the strongest win percents in the field of horses and that could be the deciding factor when they cross the wire. E R KAYLA - Comes into this competition with respectable TrackMaster class statistics relative to the grouping - take a good look. Is a very promising choice given the 71 TrackMaster Speed Rating from her most recent race.

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Rideau Carleton

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 5 - Post: 7:50 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 66 - Purse:$4900 - FILLIES AND MARES, NW $15,000 OR 1 RACE LIFETIME.


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 6 CONATA 2/1


# 2 IMPRESSIVE DALY 4/1


# 1 KESONS SILHOUETTE 3/1


Hard not to like CONATA as the top play this time. Had one of the strongest speed ratings of the pack in her last gathering. Must use in your bets. Look for Gagnon and this interesting entrant to score for this race. Exemplary in the top three stat for the driver/horse match. Don't count out this race horse, especially with Gagnon as the trainer. In the money percent is strong. IMPRESSIVE DALY - Her 70 average has this mare among the most solid TrackMaster SRs today. Good for a win wager just off the terrific prior class markings. Have to like this fine animal. KESONS SILHOUETTE - She has been going to post very well and the speed figures are among the most solid in the grouping. Certainly did like this filly's last race. Ran a big 66 speed rating. Major player.

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Aqueduct

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 1 - Claiming - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $23000 Class Rating: 92

INNER DIRT FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE MARCH 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500



RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 5 BEST PLAY 12/1


# 3 PISCESBYMOONLIGHT 2/1


# 7 SOLLY'S MISCHIEF 5/2


I lean toward BEST PLAY for this race especially at a such a nice price. Might best this group of horses in this race here, showing quite good figures of late. Looks very good for the conditions of this contest today, showing solid figs in dirt route races recently. PISCESBYMOONLIGHT - Could provide positive gains based on very good recent speed figs with an average of 81. The speed figure of 95 from his last contest looks decent in here. SOLLY'S MISCHIEF - Should land on the board without any worries. In this field, this one is in the upper half of earnings per start in dirt route events.

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turfway Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 5 - Optional Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $26000 Class Rating: 88

FOR TWO YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR STATE BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $50,000. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF $18,600 AT A MILE OR OVER ALLOWED 2 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN CLAIMING ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $50,000



RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 1 BOTTOM LINE 2/1


# 5 GOO BIRD 4/1


# 3 WINDING BAY 4/1


BOTTOM LINE has a respectable shot to take this race. The average Equibase class rating of 78 makes this horse tough to beat. Formidable average speed figs in dirt route races make this racer a definite contender. Recent figures for the jock - 16 win percent - make this colt stand out in this field. GOO BIRD - Has some interesting handicapping angles which make this entrant a bet. Shows reliable Equibase Speed Figures on average overall when compared with the rest of this field. WINDING BAY - Have to wager on this filly with the formidable earnings per start in dirt route contests.

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Hawthorne - Race #8 - Post: 4:25pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $11,000 Class Rating: 84

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 CHICA BONITA (ML=9/2)
#8 STEPHENSCLASSYGAL (ML=3/1)
#3 XTRA SPECIAL (ML=4/1)


CHICA BONITA - Sanjur comes to ride after getting to know the mare in the last contest. Taking this jock/trainer combination is a good decision. STEPHENSCLASSYGAL - Speed is always important in horse racing, but the lone speed horse is always dangerous. Have to give this filly a chance. Ran a good effort last out within the last month. XTRA SPECIAL - This filly is in exceptional physical condition right now. Finished first last out and comes back soon. This filly's last speed figure is good enough to win here, I'll wager on her back again today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 MARVELOUS MOLLY (ML=7/2), #2 SHAMEONSUAVE (ML=6/1), #4 RECKLESS MOMENT (ML=8/1),

MARVELOUS MOLLY - No pace in this race to help this closer's hopes. SHAMEONSUAVE - Nice race on November 22nd at Hawthorne, but the fact that there are no workouts since has to make one a little worried. Tough for this closer animal to get up today. Without a hot pace to stir things up, the lone pace is going to make it awfully hard to get the job done. RECKLESS MOMENT - If you keep betting these kind of 'hanger' types, you're going to be let down frequently. This mare registered a speed rating in her last affair which likely isn't good enough today.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - XTRA SPECIAL - I scan the TrackMaster Platinum PPs for this type of horse. Has the top Power Rating by at least 5 points.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#7 CHICA BONITA is the play if we get odds of 4/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,7,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None