Dec 30, 2022
Morning Coffee: Canucks still perfect under Boudreau
J.T. Miller scored the overtime winner just 26 seconds into the extra frame as the Canucks (-115) beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 in their return to the ice on Wednesday night to keep Vancouver perfect under head coach Bruce Boudreau. Here’s the TSN EDGE Morning Coffee for Thursday Dec. 30, 2021.
The 2022 World Junior Championship was officially cancelled on Wednesday.
The IIHF, following the recommendation of the tournament COVID-19 medical group and the IIHF medical committee, made the decision to ensure the health and safety of the participants.
While positive tests among the players led to games officially being forfeited, the IIHF also considered positive tests among on-ice officials as part of its decision.
For the players and coaches, hopefully the IIHF can reschedule the event at a later date when it is safer for all of those involved to play the games.
For all the hard-working people who sacrificed to make sure that the WJC would have a chance to go forward as planned, thank you for all that you did to make it happen.
Here’s the TSN EDGE Morning Coffee for Thursday Dec. 30, 2021.
Miller keeps Canucks perfect under Boudreau
J.T. Miller scored the overtime winner just 26 seconds into the extra frame as the Vancouver Canucks (-115) beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 in their return to the ice on Wednesday night.
THAT'S 7 IN A ROW! pic.twitter.com/dwCc7gPF1o
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) December 30, 2021
Vancouver improved to 7-0-0 under head coach Bruce Boudreau. The Canucks have allowed two goals or fewer in five of those seven wins.
The final score has gone under the total in four of those games, including last night’s win.
Highest points-per-game by a player with the @Canucks franchise (minimum of 20 GP):
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) December 30, 2021
1.12- Pavel Bure
0.99- J.T. Miller (Via registering a goal and assist in his team's 2-1 overtime defeat of the Ducks on Wednesday)
0.99- Alexander Mogilny
0.98- Mike Walton
0.91- Patrik Sundstrom pic.twitter.com/APpZ9XqmO8
Despite their recent surge, Vancouver is still considered a long shot to get into the postseason.
As of this morning, the Canucks are +470 to make the playoffs and -750 to miss the playoffs. That +470 translates to a 17.5 per cent implied probability that it happens.
.@jamiemclennan29: Boudreau allowing Canucks players to create, play with confidence.
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2021
VIDEO: https://t.co/YQimNYgTIe pic.twitter.com/ZlW82oaLZA
NHL favourites went 5-1 on Wednesday night to improve to 8-1 since the NHL returned on Tuesday.
Last night’s lone upset went to the Philadelphia Flyers, which beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 in overtime as a +120 underdog.
With seven games on the schedule for tonight, it will be interesting to see if that trend continues.
LeBron shines in another Lakers’ loss
LeBron James went for 37 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists but the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately fell short in a 104-99 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
LeBron, who celebrates his 37th birthday today, couldn’t help the Lakers avoid losing for the sixth time in their past seven games.
Join us in wishing @KingJames of the @Lakers a HAPPY 37th BIRTHDAY! #NBABDAY #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/s1etltFBLU
— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2021
Ja Morant was the hero for Memphis, scoring 25 of his game-high 41 points in the second half.
Los Angeles led by as many as 14 points in the second half but couldn’t hold off the Grizzlies in the loss.
Ja Morant had 41 points tonight, and had 40 points against the Lakers on Oct. 24th.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 30, 2021
He's the 2nd player to have multiple 40-point games against LeBron James in a single season. He joins Carmelo Anthony, who did it once in the regular season and once in the playoffs in 2011-12. pic.twitter.com/vHRFqioXSJ
The second choice to win the title at the start of the season at +400, the Lakers are now the fifth choice to win it all at +1200.
NBA favourites went 5-3 straight up and 4-4 against the spread, including L.A. covering as a six-point road underdog.
Watch the weather ahead of NFL Week 17
With no Thursday Night Football, we’ll have to wait a couple more days before Week 17 in the NFL plays out on Sunday.
While the absence of TNF might have you staring down Sunday’s slate looking for a little action, it’s important to keep in mind the potential for weather and COVID-related issues to impact the outlook for games that will be played three days from now.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills are both double-digit favourites for this week’s games against the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons, respectively.
However, heavy winds, rain and snow could be a major factor in whether those teams can cover.
same energy tbh.#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/G8oqmwm3bE
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 28, 2021
Meanwhile, weather could also have a major impact on scoring totals.
Sunday’s game between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears already features the lowest total on the board at 37.5, but that number could come down even further with some awful conditions expected in Chicago.
Another total to keep an eye on is this week’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans, which is currently down to 40.5.
Meaningful football in January! 🏈 #MIAvsTEN
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 30, 2021
Help @LncSmth get the team ready for Sunday and see your hype speech on the big screen at Nissan Stadium.
Upload your video here: https://t.co/HRKIEINUjj pic.twitter.com/DJ2K1VWvCx
Bad weather could bring that number down even further this weekend, so if you’re already leaning towards taking the under, you might want to lock it in now before it drops any further.