Corey Crawford completed the task to perfection on Sunday night as he made Andrew Shaw’s goal stand up in a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets that stretched the Blackhawks’ NHL-record, season-opening point streak to 18 games.

The Blackhawks are 15-0-3 and show no signs of slowing down.

Crawford earned his seventh NHL shutout and second this season in his first start since Feb. 12. He outdueled Columbus’ Steve Mason, who stopped 26 shots including some sensational point-blank chances.

“I’m seeing the puck well,” Crawford said. “Everyone is doing their job, chipping in. It makes it a lot easier for me.

“Overall I felt good.”

Chicago coach Joel Quenneville thought Crawford (8-0-3) looked just fine in his return, too.

“He was quick,” Quenneville said. “(He was) big, especially on the side-to-side plays on the power play. He tracked the puck well, looked like he wasn’t off for any time at all.

“He had a couple extras days there, got ready. A great response.”

Crawford had been sidelined after he sustained an upper-body injury in a 3-2 shootout loss to Anaheim on Feb. 12. Ray Emery started and won four games in his absence.

Crawford had returned to the lineup as Emery’s backup on Friday when the Blackhawks set the NHL record with at least one point in the first 17 games of a season with a 2-1 win over San Jose. That topped the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks, who started 12-0-4.

Shaw provided all the offense in the second period on Sunday for the Blackhawks, who have earned 33 of 36 possible points.

The Blackhawks also improved to 9-0-3 in games decided by one goal.

“We’re playing the score” Quenneville said. “We’re playing to win. Being on the right side of pucks in a game like today was a good test for us.

“They work hard. It’s the type of game you make sure you don’t try to manufacture things. We took too many penalties, but got better as the game went on.”

Chicago has won nine straight against Columbus, dating to Feb. 18, 2011.

The 18-game point streak is also a team record for the Blackhawks, who have only lost in shootouts this season.

The Blue Jackets (5-12-2), who have an NHL-low 12 points, went 0 for 5 on the power play. Mason kept the game close as he started for the first time in over a week.

He had been on the bench the past three games while Sergei Bobrovsky started.

“I felt good,” Mason said. “I had about a week’s worth of practice to get ready for this game.

“We knew it was going to be a big one with them being the only undefeated team in the NHL. We would have liked to have come in and ended that streak, but that didn’t happen.”

The Blackhawks dominated territorially and in puck possession through the first two periods, but only managed to get one shot past the Blue Jackets goalie.

Both teams had a handful of scoring chances in the first period. Mason made a point-blank pad save on Marian Hossa with 8:30 left, and Crawford stopped Derick Brassard from the slot two minutes later.

Mason denied Hossa on a breakaway 5:30 into the second after Hossa stole the puck from James Wisniewski at the Columbus blue line.

The Blue Jackets failed to convert several close-in attempts during a power-play late in the second, including when Vinny Prospal’s shot hit the crossbar to cap a breakaway.

Shaw finally broke through with 1:27 left in the second from the low edge of the left circle. He took Bryan Bickell’s backhanded feed from the back boards and ripped a high one-timed shot that beat Mason high on the stick side.

“He saw me coming,” Shaw said. “But I wasn’t sure, so I gave him a holler and he put it in a perfect area.”

Mason made a point-blank pad save on Patrick Kane midway through the third period after Kane made a spectacular spin move and cut across the crease alone.

Game notes

The Ducks went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2007. … Blackhawks C Dave Bolland missed the game because of an undisclosed upper-body injury. … Columbus went 1-5 on its six-game road trip. …The Blue Jackets placed D Jack Johnson (upper-body), on the injured list on Sunday. C Brandon Dubinsky (lower body) and C Artem Anisimov (upper body) were also out.

The post Blackhawks stretch season-opening points streak to 18 appeared first on IdealCapper.

Fielding a lineup that featured nine Barcelona players, Spain had the bulk of the early possession and the best chances in the match in Doha. It took the lead in the 16th minute when a long strike from Cesc Fabregas went through the hands of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera.

Uruguay drew level in the 32nd minute when Cristian Rodriguez got behind two defenders and took a pass from Martin Caceres.

But in the second half, it was all Spain. Pedro gave Spain the lead in the 51st after taking a pass from substitute Gerard Pique, and added his second 24 minutes later.

The post Pedro, Fabregas score as Spain coasts appeared first on IdealCapper.

Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks
When: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN (Detroit), CSN (Chicago)
Prediction: Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2.

Oddsmakers currently have the Blackhawks listed as 142-moneyline favorites versus the Red Wings, while the game’s total is sitting at 5½.

Detroit played without three of its top six defensemen on Friday. Jonathan Ericsson and Carlo Colaiacovo were out with a shoulder injury while Ian White missed the contest with a lacerated leg. The Red Wings did get a player back on the blue line, however, as Jakub Kindl returned from a groin injury to make his season debut. Bertuzzi missed the first three games of the season with the flu, although he initially was diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Detroit won its last outing, a 5-3 result against the Wild on January 25. Bettors who backed the Red Wings at -115 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (8) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 5-0-0 SU, ATS
Current streak: won 5 straight games.
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games at home
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Columbus are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

Right wing Jamal Mayers played in his second consecutive game after being scratched for Chicago’s first three contests. The rugged Mayers saw only 4:44 of ice time on seven shifts and was involved in a fight with Columbus’ Jared Boll in the second period. “I’m not going to change how I’ve played for the last 17 years,” Mayers said. “I’m just going to play hard and keep it simple and skate and do the things I’ve done my whole career.”

Chicago won its last outing, a 3-2 result against the Blue Jackets on January 26. Bettors who backed the Blackhawks at -165 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (5) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 2-2-0 SU, ATS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Chicago
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

The post Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Cincinnati at Houston
When: 4:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 5, 2013
Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
Oddsmakers currently have the Texans listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Bengals, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.
Prediction: Texans 19, Bengals 17

Cincinnati’s defense has been sensational in the second half of the season, not allowing more than 20 points and limiting six of its last eight opponents to 13 points or fewer. The only defeat in the final eight games came on a last-second field goal to Dallas. The Bengals ranked second in the league with 51 sacks and showed their defensive mettle by winning at Pittsburgh 13-10 in Week 16 to clinch a playoff slot. Cincinnati rested many of its starters in the regular-season finale, but has questions about its running game after 1,000-yard rusher BenJarvus Green-Ellis was held to 15 yards by the Steelers. He is also dealing with a sore hamstring. Second-year quarterback Andy Dalton has tossed only two TD passes in the past three games but, like Schaub, has an elite wideout in A.J. Green, who registered 97 receptions and 11 touchdowns.

The Bengals were a 23-17 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Ravens. They covered the 5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (40) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Team records:
Cincinnati: 10-6 SU, 9-6-1 ATS
Houston: 12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing in January are 2-8
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 7-3

Houston managed a single offensive touchdown the past two games in squandering a pair of chances to sew up a first-round bye. But while many point to the 42-14 beating at New England on Dec. 10 as the start of the Texans’ skid, they have been inconsistent for the past seven weeks, beginning with consecutive overtime wins over Jacksonville and Detroit. Quarterback Matt Schaub has thrown only one TD pass against three interceptions in the past four games. WR Andre Johnson has been the only reliable target in that span, hauling in 38 catches to finish the season with 112 receptions and 1,598 yards. Running back Arian Foster rushed for 1,424 yards and scored a league-high 17 touchdowns. Defensive end J.J. Watt had 20 1/2 sacks to anchor a defense that was the league’s best for much of the season but allowed at least 28 points in four of the last seven games.

In their last action, Houston was a 28-16 loser on the road against the Colts. They failed to cover the 6.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (44) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Houston most recently:
When playing in January are 3-4
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Cincinnati is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati’s last 8 games
Cincinnati is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Houston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games

[oddswidgets widget=9nG60tHrUY domain=widget.oddswidgets.com]

The post Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans Free NFL Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 1-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game’s total is sitting at 182.

Miami was a 101-91 loser in its last match on the road against the Celtics. They failed to cover the 2.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 192 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

The post Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

The Dodgers will give the ball to starter Hiroki Kuroda in this one. Righthander Kuroda is 8-14 this season with a 2.88 ERA.

Starting this game for the Rockies will be Jason Hammel. The righthander has a 4.97 ERA to go along with a 7-11 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Rockies listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Dodgers, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

Last time out for Los Angeles, they were a 5-1 winner as they battled the Brewers on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Dodgers at -120 were rewarded, while the 6 combined runs moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Colorado won its last outing, a 12-5 result against the Marlins on August 17. Bettors who backed the Rockies at -117 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (17) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team records:
Los Angeles: 56-67 SU
Colorado: 58-67 SU

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Colorado most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing LA Dodgers are 3-7
After playing Florida are 4-6
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Colorado’s last 19 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado’s last 9 games

The post Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies appeared first on IdealCapper.

The Orioles will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Jo-Jo Reyes in this game. Reyes has a 6-9 record and a 5.33 ERA this season.

It’ll be Dan Haren toeing the rubber for the Angels in this contest. Righthander Haren is 11-6 with a 2.96 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Angels listed as 240-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total is sitting at 7½.

In their last action, Baltimore was a 6-5 loser on the road against the Athletics. Bettors on Oakland at -159 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (11) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.

Los Angeles was a 2-1 winner in its last match at home against the Rangers. They won as -137 favorites, while the total score of 3 made winners of UNDER bettors.

Current streak:
Baltimore has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Baltimore: 47-74 SU
Los Angeles: 66-59 SU

Baltimore most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing LA Angels are 5-5
After playing Oakland are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Baltimore are 5-5
After playing Texas are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games when playing LA Angels
Baltimore is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels’s last 6 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels’s last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Angels’s last 10 games
LA Angels are 15-7 SU in their last 22 games at home

The post Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Angels appeared first on IdealCapper.

The Marlins will trot Chris Volstad out to the mound in this one. Righthander Volstad has a 5-9 record and a 5.60 ERA this season.

Volstad’s opponent in this one will be Wade LeBlanc. The Padres lefthander has a 4.54 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Padres listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game’s total is sitting at 7.

In their last action, Florida was a 3-1 loser on the road against the Padres. Bettors on San Diego at -120 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

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Current streak:
Florida has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Florida: 57-67 SU
San Diego: 56-70 SU

Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing San Diego are 4-6
After playing San Diego are 2-8
After a loss are 2-8

San Diego most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing Florida are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Florida is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida’s last 8 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Florida is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida’s last 6 games on the road
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego’s last 8 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone OVER in 12 of San Diego’s last 17 games at home

The post Florida Marlins vs. San Diego Padres Odds & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.