Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Detroit Red Wings (12-35-4) visit the New York Rangers (23-21-4) Friday at Madison Square Garden for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Red Wings-Rangers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Red Wings at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Jimmy Howard vs. Igor Shesterkin

Howard remains in search of his first win since Oct. 29. He has gone 0-14-2 in that time and is now 2-19-2 on the season with a .883 save percentage and 4.12 goals against average.

Shesterkin, 24, will make his fourth NHL start. He is 2-1-0 on the season with eight goals allowed through three games. He has stopped 104 of 112 shots faced.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Red Wings at Rangers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Rangers 5, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The RANGERS (-222) are heavy home favorites but remain the play, as are most teams when going up against the Red Wings (+180). Detroit is mired in another six-game losing streak and it has gone 2-7-1 over its last 10 games. The Wings are just 4-19-2 on the road for the season and buried firmly in last place with a minus-90 goal differential.

New York is well worth swallowing the chalk in what has become nearly an automatic win for most teams in the NHL this season. It is 4-6-0 over its last 10 games but 13-10-2 at home. The Rangers beat the Wings 5-1 in the season’s first head-to-head meeting Nov. 6.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Even the unproven Shesterkin has a significant edge in the goaltending battle when facing Howard. Back the RANGERS (-1.5, +125) to win by at least 2 goals at a much more profitable number. The Rangers are 31-17 against the spread overall and 16-9 at home. The Red Wings are 20-31 ATS overall and 10-15 on the road.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 6.5 (+125) on a small wager. New York is 6-3-1 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games, while Detroit is 4-5-1 over the same sample size. Expect the Rangers to handle the bulk of the scoring while handing Howard his usual 4-plus goals allowed.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 189-178

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Kyrie Irving is Jayson Tatum’s ‘favorite player to watch’

While there are some in Boston who aren’t very fond of Kyrie Irving, one of his old Celtics teammates still enjoys watching him from afar.

One of Kyrie Irving’s ex-Boston Celtics teammates that’s never seemed to have an issue with the now-Brooklyn Nets point guard is Jayson Tatum. When the Celtics visited Barclays Center on Black Friday, several of Irving’s old teammates met him at half court to check-in. But he and Tatum’s moment was a bit different.

“I miss them both,” Tatum recently said to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan about Irving and former Celtic turned New York Knicks forward Marcus Morris. “They were my guys.”

Tatum also expressed how he is still friends with Irving, and they speak “from time to time,” per MacMullan. The Celtics wing also explained why does not expect that will change anytime soon:

Kyrie and I are genuinely friends, always will be, no matter what people think. If you’re my friend, I’m always going to have your back. And so, I had Kyrie’s back.

Also, for the Nets fans who love to watch Irving go to work, know Tatum is right there with you:

He’s my favorite player to watch. After playing with him my first two years, I saw what he was capable of. Now, when I’m sitting on my couch watching him, sometimes I know what he’s going to do before he actually does it.

Lady Vols edge Vanderbilt in Nashville

Lady Vols edge Vanderbilt in Nashville.

NASHVILLE — The Lady Vols traveled to Nashville to face in-state rival Vanderbilt, and they fell behind early.

The Commodores proved to be a valiant foe, but Tennessee left the mid-state with a 78-69 victory Thursday night in a Southeastern Conference game played at the Memorial Gymnasium.

The Lady Vols, who were arguably their own worst enemy, committed 13 turnovers in the first half. Tennessee (17-4 overall, 7-1 in the SEC) fell behind Vanderbilt (12-9, 2-5) early and trailed 21-15 by the end of the first quarter.

But UT would prevail as it boasted a balanced scoring attack.

Rennia Davis again led the way as she scored 22 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds for the No. 22 Lady Vols. Jazmine Massengill added 14 points while Jordan Horston and Rae Burrell finished with 11 points each.

Koi Love scored 16 points for the Commodores.

Which awards should Ravens win for 2019

The Ravens could be hauling in quite a few awards for their work this season, but which ones should they win at the NFL Honors ceremony?

The Baltimore Ravens might not have finished the season the way they wanted but they exceeded almost all expectations along the way. With the NFL Honors ceremony the night before Super Bowl 54, the Ravens are in line to win some serious hardware for their work this season.

But out of all the awards that will be handed out, which ones should Baltimore actually win? Let’s take a look at four awards I believe the Ravens are frontrunners for.

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

MVP: Lamar Jackson

This seems like a pretty obvious one and it would be shocking if Jackson didn’t win the NFL’s MVP award. Jackson was easily the most electric player on the field this season, creating a whole list of highlights that have to be seen to be believed. But the MVP award isn’t just about cool plays. However, Jackson has the stats to back up his case.

Jackson led the NFL in touchdown passes (36), TD% (9.0%), perfect passer ratings (2 games), broke Michael Vick’s single-season rushing record with (1,206 yards) and led the league in rushing average (6.9 YPC). In total, Jackson combined for 4,333 total yards and 43 touchdowns, while winning five Offensive Player of the Week awards, a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl nod.

As if the stats and broken records weren’t enough to warrant the award, Jackson completely redefined the position as we know it. That makes him the most valuable player in the NFL in my book.

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Mountain West Basketball Transfer Game: Ranking The Most Impactful Incoming Transfers Playing This Season

Who has helped bring your team success this year? A list of immediately eligible, sit out, division I or Juco transfers who have taken the court this season for your team and made the most impact. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Mountain …

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Who has helped bring your team success this year?

A list of immediately eligible, sit out, division I or Juco transfers who have taken the court this season for your team and made the most impact.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Mountain West conference’s most impactful incoming transfers taking the court this season.

Transfers can be the life blood of a program or it’s downfall and that really just depends on if they are coming in or out of your program. Many teams sitting atop the current Mountain West standings have utilized transfers and with major success. While some bring them in just to try and compete.

Our list of all traceable transfers that left the Mountain West with eligibility was released two weeks ago and many enjoyed catching up with familiar faces still playing college basketball across the country at many different levels. But to cover the topic completely here is a ranking of incoming transfers having the most impact on their new teams.

Things to note:

  • Players listed are graduate transfers, players given immediate eligibility through the acquisition of waivers, sit out transfers and players that came from the junior college ranks.
  • Players currently sitting out due to transfer rules were not listed.
  • The eligibility estimator is an estimated amount of seasons and games that player is expected to have left. The amount of games left in the current season could extend out depending on that team’s success in the postseason. Many factors could also cut a career short. Or that player could simply transfer out of the program at years end.
  • This list is for first year Mountain West players only, if someone transferred into the conference but played last year they aren’t listed below.

First Off,

Honorable Mention

Mustafa Lawrence, junior guard Fresno State

Previous Stop: Tallahassee C.C. (Region 8/Panhandle Conference)

Past Stats: 13.1 PPG 2.8 RPG 2.2 aPG (18-19, 29 games/7 starts)

Current Stats: 6.8 PPG 3.1 APG 1.5 RPG in 17 games/8 starts

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 1 year and 9 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Jordan Campbell, Redshirt freshman guard Fresno State

Previous Stop: Oregon State

Past Stats: 2.0 PPG 0.5 RPG 0.3 APG (18-19, 6 GMS/no starts)

Current Stats: 5.2 PPG 2.3 RPG 0.7 APG in 6 games/no starts

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 3 Years and 9 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

John Carlos Reyes, Redshirt senior forward (GS) Nevada

Previous Stop: Boston College (ACC)

Past Stats: 1.9 PPG 1.0 RPG 0.1 BPG (18-19, 29 GMS/5 starts)

Current Stats: 4.7 PPG 4.4 RPG 0.9 BPG in 22 games/21 starts

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 9 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Robby Robinson, sophomore forward Nevada

Previous Stop: San Diego City College (California Community College Athletic Association)

Past Stats: 15.3 PPG 10.0 RPG  2.0 APG(18-19, 29 games/28 starts)

Current Stats: 9.5 PPG 4.3 RPG 1.1 APG

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 2 years and 9 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Vante Hendrix, Redshirt Sophomore guard New Mexico

Previous Stop: Utah (PAC-12)

Past Stats: 7.8 PPG 3.0 RPG 1.5 APG (18-19, 4 games/0 starts)

Current Stats: 10.1 PPG 4.3 RPG 1.5 APG 1.0 SPG in 11 games/4 starts

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 2 years and 9 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Trey Pulliam, junior guard San Diego State

Previous Stop: Navarro College (NJCAA Region 5)

Past Stats: 11.6 PPG 4.9 APG 3.6 RPG (18-19, 28 games/22 starts)

Current Stats: 3.8 PPG 1.8 RPG 2.2 APG in 22 games

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 1 year and 8 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Ralph Agee, junior forward San Jose State

Previous Stop: East Los Angeles C.C. (California Community College Athletic Association)

Past Stats: 4.7 PPG 3.0 RPG 0.4 APG (18-19, 29 games/5 starts)

Current Stats: 6.3 PPG 4.7 RPG 0.4 BPG in 22 games/11 starts

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 1 year and 9 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Richard Washington, junior guard San Jose State

Previous Stop: Tallahassee C.C. (Region 8/Panhandle Conference)

Past Stats: 16.6 PPG 8.1 RPG 3.1 APG (18-19, 29 games/26 starts)

Current Stats: 8.5 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.0 APG in 22 games/no starts

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 1 year and 9 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Jonah Antonio, junior guard UNLV

Previous Stop: South Plains College (NJCAA Region 5)

Past Stats: 11.6 PPG 4.5 RPG 1.9 APG (18-19, 34 games/32 starts)

Current Stats: 9.5 PPG 4.3 RPG 1.1 APG in 16 games/12 starts

How long do you have them for? (Eligibility estimator): 1 year and 10 games (19-20 season games remaining with 1 guaranteed conference tournament game)

Next up, the top ten:

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Latest Super Bowl Sunday 2020 odds, spread, point total

The latest Super Bowl 54 betting odds, including moneyline, spread, over/under entering Super Bowl Sunday.

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After almost two weeks of Super Bowl LIV sports betting odds being available around the huge Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers 2020 Super Bowl matchup in Miami Sunday, the sports betting lines have not changed much from when they opened following the AFC and NFC Championship games.

Sports bettors continue to watch the lines like hawks, waiting for an advantage to surface between what is anticipated a razor-thin margin between the 49ers and Chiefs. Despite some big wagers coming in recently, the spread, moneyline and point total remain largely on par with where they opened.

Latest Super Bowl 54 Odds

Betting odds via BetMGM Sportsbook; last updated Friday at 10 a.m. ET.

Super Bowl LIV Moneyline

Kansas City Chiefs -121

San Francisco 49ers +105

Super Bowl LIV Spread

Chiefs -1.5 (-106)

49ers +1.5 (-112)

Super Bowl LIV Point Total – Over/Under

Over 54.5  (-106)

Under 54.5 (-112)

Special sports betting line for the big game

Bet $1, WIN $200 (in free bets) if either team scores a touchdown during the big game February 2, 2020. Regardless of the outcome, you win with a touchdown! Bet now.

New customer offer; visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Also see:

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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5 reasons for optimism for Bears in 2020

Believe it or not, despite a disappointing 2019 season, there are reasons to be optimistic about the Bears in 2020.

Believe it or not, following a disappointing 8-8 season, there are reasons to be optimistic about the Chicago Bears heading into 2020.

While there were plenty of causes for concern, especially on the offensive side of the ball, remember that the core from the 2018 playoff team remains in tact. There are certainly areas of concern that need to be addressed, but there are reasons to believe that this Bears team can be better in 2020.

The offseason has just begun, and the Bears are expected to make plenty of moves. But if the season were to start today, here are five reasons to be optimistic about the Bears in 2020.

1. Defense remains a top unit

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

While the 2019 season was considered an overall disappointment, the Bears defense was a top-five unit in the NFL. Chicago allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league at 18.6 points per game. There’s no doubt that the Bears defense regressed in 2019, which was bound to happen considering their production and the lack of injuries the season before.

Chicago’s defense isn’t without its flaws — it needs to force more turnovers and better the pass rush. But with their core players in place, this defense remains one of the best in the league — and if the offense can get going, could be a championship-caliber unit.

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Former Longhorn Kyle Shanahan listed his dreams in 2001 Texas football media guide

Former Longhorn Kyle Shanahan listed his future goals in the 2001 Texas football media guide, it appears he’s reaching them.

Each of us have very specific dreams when we’re young, but few get to live them.

Former Longhorn and current San Francisco 49’ers head coach Kyle Shanahan listed his dreams and aspirations in the 2001 Texas football media guide.

It appears Shanahan had a vision and plan to reach his goals, as he’s well on his way to achieving them.

Anthony Geronimo, sports producer for CBS Austin, was able to locate this blast from the past.

In the media guide, Shanahan’s playing career as a wide receiver was highlighted. While reading the ‘Shanahan File’ that lists random tidbits of information, you wouldn’t think much of his nickname, favorite movie, or favorite actor.

But the record he’d dream of breaking and what he’d like to accomplish after his playing career is worth noting. Shanahan not only dreamed of becoming a coach in the National Football League, he imagined himself breaking the record for most Super Bowls won by a head coach.

Shanahan was named the head coach of the 49’ers in 2017. Three years later, the 49’ers will be competing against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

At only 40 years of age, Shanahan has plenty of time to break the record he’s always dreamed of. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is currently the all-time leader with six Super Bowl wins.

 

 

2020 Super Bowl: The avocado pitting strategy you need to know for your game day party

How not to get “avocado hand” while pitting an avocado.

Avocados are everywhere nowadays, and Super Bowl Sunday is no exception. Seven-layer dip and guacamole are two popular items people serve, and, of course, they’re both are made with avocados (although they’re obviously the most dominant ingredient in one).

In fact, avocados play such a major role in Super Bowl spreads that the California-based Hass Avocado Board predicts 153 million pounds worth of avocados will be eaten Sunday for Super Bowl LIV, The Wall Street Journal reported this week.

The problem is that when people make these dishes, they tend to injure themselves while cutting or pitting avocados, leading to what is apparently called “avocado hand.” The boost in avocado consumption — thanks, millennials — has also led to an increase in hospital visits for avocado-related injuries, and those could spike around Super Bowl Sunday.

MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

According to the WSJ:

Researchers at Emory University, who examined the avocado-hand phenomenon in a study published last year, called the rise in cases “an epidemic of hand injury.” They used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which collects information on injuries related to consumer products.

The researchers estimate 50,413 avocado-related knife injuries occurred from 1998 to 2017, with more than half of them—27,059—happening since 2013. The study said it “likely underestimates the true national incidence of avocado-related knife injuries” because the data only looks at patients who go to the emergency room.

Now, there are a number of different ways to pit an avocado besides the blatantly dangerous method of digging the pit out with the tip of a sharp knife. You can dig the pit out with a spoon, remove the half of the avocado out of its skin with a spoon and then take out the pit or even buy a specific kitchen tool to make it work.

Well here’s one more, extremely simple option. A chef at a restaurant I worked at years ago taught me this easy trick that’s never failed, and — knock on wood — I’ve never injured my hand doing it.

Just follow these three steps:

1. Cut the avocado in half (duh).

2. Hack it (carefully)

With a sharp knife, gently hack the blade directly at the pit so it’s lodged in there.

3. Twist it

Once the blade is in the pit, rotate the knife in any direction, and easily pull the pit out.

Remember: Ripe avocados are the easiest to work with and often translate to the best tasting food. And a dull knife can be more dangerous than a sharp one.

Enjoy your avocado food on Super Bowl Sunday, and don’t cut your hand off!

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Luke Kennard available in trade discussions

Luke Kennard: This is where things get spicy. Before knee tendinitis sidelined him, Kennard was averaging a career-high 15.8 points and 4.1 assists while shooting 39.9 percent from 3 on a decent number of attempts. He has been considered part of the Pistons’ future. Yet a source said Kennard, who is guaranteed $5.2 million next season, has been made available in trade discussions.