Cnotes 2017 NHL Playoffs Trends-Stats-Picks-News !

[CNOTES]

First Round Cheat Sheet
April 10, 2017


Key:
A – Atlantic
M – Metropolitan
C – Central
P – Pacific
W – Wild Card


Eastern Conference


1M Washington vs. 2W Toronto


Capitals: 55-19-8, 118 points
Maple Leafs: 40-27-15, 95 points


Season series: The Capitals and Maple Leafs met three times during the regular season, with the Capitals winning two of the three matchups. In the first meeting on Nov. 26 it was Fredrik Andersen and the Maple Leafs (-102) posting a 4-2 win at Air Canada Centre. The Caps exacted revenge in the nation's capital, winning a wild 6-5 barn burner in overtime. The most recent meeting in Toronto saw the Caps (-130) rout the Leafs 4-1 on April 4.


Previous playoff outcome: The Caps rolled past the Flyers in six games in the first round last season before bowing out to the eventual Stanley Cup champ Penguins in six games in the second round. The Maple Leafs are in the postseason for the first time since 2013, when they blew a three-goal third-period lead in Game 7 in Boston. The Leafs were 51 seconds away from winning the series, but instead lost in overtime. This is the first-ever meeting in the postseason between the two organizations.


1A Montreal vs. 1W N.Y. Rangers


Canadiens: 47-26-9, 103 points
Rangers: 48-28-6, 102 points


Season series: The Canadiens swept three regular-season meetings with the Rangers, but two of the games were decided by one goal. The Habs (-130) rolled past the Blueshirts 5-4 on Jan. 14 at Bell Centre in the only meeting north of the border. The Canadiens (+120) won 3-2 in a shootout at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 21, and also routed the Rangers 4-1 at MSG in the most recent meeting on March 4.


Previous playoff outcome: The Rangers were shown the door in five games last season in the first round by the eventual Cup champion Penguins. They're only two seasons removed from a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, losing in seven games to the Lightning. The Canadiens missed the postseason party last year, and also bowed out against Tampa Bay in 2015, losing in six games in the second round. These teams faced each other in the Conference Finals in 2014, with Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers winning in six games.


2A Ottawa vs. 3A Boston

Senators: 44-28-10, 98 points
Bruins: 44-31-7, 95 points

Season series: The Senators secretly might have been Blue Jackets fans in the regular-season finale. They're 0-4 in four playoff series all-time against the Maple Leafs, but they swept the regular-season series with the Bruins 4-0. A Columbus win Sunday sent Toronto to D.C., and Ottawa gets a crack at Boston. The Sens outscored the B's 12-6 in the four meetings, but the last two matchups were each decided by one goal.


Previous playoff outcome: Neither of these teams made the postseason in 2016. The Senators last made an appearance in the playoffs in 2015, falling in the first round in six games against the Canadiens. Ottawa's last playoff series win came in 2013, topping the Habs in five games. The Bruins were last in the postseason in 2014, topping the Red Wings in five games before losing in seven to the Canadiens in the conference semifinals. These teams have never met in the postseason.


2M Pittsburgh vs. 3M Columbus


Penguins: 50-20-11, 111 points
Blue Jackets: 50-24-8, 108 points

Season series: The Penguins and Blue Jackets split their four meetings during the regular season, with each team protecting home ice in every outing. Two of the four meetings were decided in overtime. Columbus routed Pittsburgh 7-1 on Dec. 22, and the Pens returned the favor by a 4-1 count on April 4 in the Steel City. The Blue Jackets are just 1-4 in their past five trips east on Interstate 70 to the confluence.


Previous playoff outcome: The Penguins won Lord Stanley's Cup last season, topping the Sharks in six games. It was the fourth championship banner raised to the rafters in the Steel City. The Blue Jackets have won just two total playoff games in their history, getting swept by the Red Wings in their playoff debut in 2009, and losing to the Penguins in six games in the first round in 2014.


Western Conference


1C Chicago vs. 2W Nashville


Blackhawks: 50-23-9, 109 points
Predators: 41-29-12, 94 points


Season series: The Blackhawks won each of the past four regular season meetings, outscoring the Predators 18-10. The Preds were 1-4 against the 'Hawks this past season, and they're 9-24 in their past 33 trips to Chicago. The home team has won 11 of the past 15 in this series with the 'over' going 10-2-5 in the past 17 meetings.


Previous playoff outcome: The Blackhawks were ousted in seven games by the Blues in the first round last season, while the Predators took care of the Ducks in the first round in seven before bowing out against the Sharks in seven games in the second round. These teams met in the first round in 2015, with Chicago coming away victorious in six games. They also met in the first round in 2010, with the Predators suffering the same fate.


1P Anaheim vs. 1W Calgary


Ducks: 46-23-13, 105 points
Predators: 41-29-12, 94 points


Season series: The Flames and Ducks met five times, with Anaheim coming away with four victories. That includes a pair of wins in a home-and-home with the Flames April 2-4. The win in Anaheim was the 27th consecutive home win for the Ducks against the Flames. Calgary's only victory of the season against Anaheim came on Dec. 4, an 8-3 laugher.


Previous playoff outcome: Anaheim held a 3-2 series lead against Nashville last season, but the Predators ended up winning the decisive Game 7. The Flames missed the postseason in 2016, but won in six games against the Canucks in the first round of the 2015 season before losing to the Ducks in five games in the second round. These teams have met twice in the postseason, with Anaheim winning in the 2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals in seven games.


2C Minnesota vs. 3C St. Louis


Wild: 49-25-8, 106 points
Blues: 46-29-7, 99 points


Season series: The Blues edged the Wild three games to two in five regular-season meetings. The only time the visitor came away victorious was in the most recent meeting March 7, as the Blues picked up a 2-1 win in St. Paul. While the home team has won four of the past five meetings, the Blues are 5-2 in the past seven matchups.


Previous playoff outcome: The Blues topped the Blackhawks and Stars in a pair of Game 7s, advancing to the Western Conference Finals. They were toppled by the Sharks in six games. The Wild qualified for the postseason last year as well, but their stay ended in six games at the hands of the Stars. These teams met in the first round of the 2015 playoffs, and the Wild came away with a six-game series win.


2P Edmonton vs. 3P San Jose


Oilers: 47-26-9, 103 points
Sharks: 46-29-7, 99 points


Season series: The Sharks won the first two regular-season meetings against the Oilers, but Edmonton has rattled off three straight victories by a combined score of 11-5. The Oilers still have work to do in the head-to-head matchup, as San Jose is 14-6 in their past 20 trips to Edmonton and 25-12 in the past 37 meetings overall.


Previous playoff outcome: The Sharks marched all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, losing in six games against the Penguins. These teams met in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2006, with the Oilers winning in six games. That series was the last time the Oilers skated in the playoffs, losing in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games. Edmonton, a five-time Stanley Cup champ, has an all-time series record of 34-15 in the postseason.

 

[CNOTES]

1st Round Series Odds
April 10, 2017


Home Team listed first - Best of 7 Games (2-2-1-1-1)
(Opening Odds in parentheses)


Eastern Conference - First Round


Washington vs. Toronto
Capitals (-350)
Maple Leafs (+275)


Montreal vs. N.Y. Rangers
Canadiens (-125)
Rangers (+105)


Pittsburgh vs. Columbus
Penguins (-180)
Blue Jackets (+155)


Ottawa vs. Boston
Bruins (-190)
Senators (+165)


Western Conference - First Round


Chicago vs. Nashville
Blackhawks (-200)
Predators (+170)


Anaheim vs. Calgary
Ducks (-165)
Flames (+145)


Minnesota vs. St. Louis
Wild (-155)
Blues (+135)


Edmonton vs. San Jose
Oilers (-130)
Sharks (+100)

 

[CNOTES]

Stanley Cup Matchup Odds
April 9, 2017


The 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Apr. 12 as 16 teams will look to capture the championship.


Bettors can start forecasting on which teams will meet in the Cup Finals in the latest wager from Sportsbook.ag, a major offshore betting site.


Last year, Pittsburgh defeated San Jose in six games and bettors should note that we haven't seen a repeat matchup in the Stanley Cup Finals since 2009 when the Penguins and Red Wings met in back-to-back seasons.


Stanley Cup History (2007-2016)
2016 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. San Jose Sharks
2015 Chicago Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
2014 Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers
2013 Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins
2012 Los Angeles Kings vs. New Jersey Devils
2011 Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks
2010 Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers
2009 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings
2008 Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
2007 Anaheim Ducks vs. Ottawa Senators


All of the odds are listed below with teams from the Eastern Conference listed first.


2017 Stanley Cup Possible Matchups - per Sportsbook.ag


Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks 10/1
Blue Jackets vs. Blues 75/1
Blue Jackets vs. Ducks 35/1
Blue Jackets vs. Flames 50/1
Blue Jackets vs. Oilers 40/1
Blue Jackets vs. Predators 70/1
Blue Jackets vs. Sharks 35/1
Blue Jackets vs. Wild 21/1


Bruins vs. Blackhawks 28/1
Bruins vs. Blues 200/1
Bruins vs. Ducks 100/1
Bruins vs. Flames 140/1
Bruins vs. Oilers 110/1
Bruins vs. Predators 190/1
Bruins vs. Sharks 100/1
Bruins vs. Wild 55/1


Canadiens vs. Blackhawks 18/1
Canadiens vs. Blues 130/1
Canadiens vs. Ducks 65/1
Canadiens vs. Flames 90/1
Canadiens vs. Oilers 75/1
Canadiens vs. Predators 120/1
Canadiens vs. Sharks 65/1
Canadiens vs. Wild 35/1


Capitals vs. Blackhawks 4/1
Capitals vs. Blues 40/1
Capitals vs. Ducks 19/1
Capitals vs. Flames 27/1
Capitals vs. Oilers 22/1
Capitals vs. Predators 35/1
Capitals vs. Sharks 19/1
Capitals vs. Wild 21/2


Maple Leafs vs. Blackhawks 35/1
Maple Leafs vs. Blues 250/1
Maple Leafs vs. Ducks 120/1
Maple Leafs vs. Flames 170/1
Maple Leafs vs. Oilers 140/1
Maple Leafs vs. Predators 230/1
Maple Leafs vs. Sharks 120/1
Maple Leafs vs. Wild 70/1


Penguins vs. Blackhawks 8/1
Penguins vs. Blues 65/1
Penguins vs. Ducks 30/1
Penguins vs. Flames 45/1
Penguins vs. Oilers 35/1
Penguins vs. Predators 60/1
Penguins vs. Sharks 30/1
Penguins vs. Wild 18/1


Rangers vs. Blackhawks 18/1
Rangers vs. Blues 130/1
Rangers vs. Ducks 65/1
Rangers vs. Flames 90/1
Rangers vs. Oilers 75/1
Rangers vs. Predators 120/1
Rangers vs. Sharks 65/1
Rangers vs. Wild 35/1


Senators vs. Blackhawks 30/1
Senators vs. Blues 230/1
Senators vs. Ducks 110/1
Senators vs. Flames 160/1
Senators vs. Oilers 130/1
Senators vs. Predators 220/1
Senators vs. Sharks 110/1
Senators vs. Wild 65/1




Odds Subject to Change - updated 4.9.17

 

[CNOTES]

Kings fire coach Sutter, GM Lombardi
April 10, 2017


The Los Angeles Kings on Monday fired coach Darryl Sutter and general manager Dean Lombardi, who helped guide the franchise to its only two Stanley Cup championships.


Luc Robitaille was named the club president, and fellow former Kings standout and Hockey Hall of Famer Rob Blake was tabbed as the vice president and general manager.


Los Angeles, which won the Stanley Cup in both 2012 and 2014, missed the playoffs for the second time in three years after posting a 39-35-8 mark this season.


Dan Beckerman, president and CEO of AEG, the Kings' parent company, made the announcement on Monday.


"This was an extremely difficult decision and was made with an enormous amount of consideration for what we have accomplished in our past," Beckerman said in a statement. "But the present and future of our organization is the highest priority."


Sutter replaced Terry Murray in December 2011 and guided Los Angeles to a 25-13-11 mark and an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference. The Kings hit their stride in the playoffs, beating the New Jersey Devils to become the first eighth-seeded team to capture the Stanley Cup.


Los Angeles advanced to the Western Conference final the following year before winning three consecutive Game 7s in 2014 and ousting the New York Rangers in five games in the Stanley Cup final.


Lombardi, who was hired by Los Angeles on April 21, 2006, recorded the most wins (425) by a general manager in franchise history.


Robitaille is the Kings' all-time leader in goals (557) and a former captain. He posted 1,394 points (668 goals, 726 assists) in his decorated career, winning a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings while also having his jersey retired by Los Angeles in 2007.


Blake, who was also a former Kings captain, becomes the ninth general manager in team history. He spent 14 of his 20 seasons as a player with Los Angeles, recording 777 points (240 goals, 537 assists) and capturing a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001.


"This restructuring of the front-office will establish a single leader of the organization that will provide a unified vision, focus and alignment between the team side and the business side," Beckerman said in a statement. "It mirrors the same structure we recently implemented with the (Major League Soccer's) LA Galaxy and it will not only enable the integration of these two sides of the club into a single organization but will bring symmetry between the Kings and Galaxy."

 

[CNOTES]

Experienced Blackhawks lead field of Cup contenders out West
April 10, 2017


The Chicago Blackhawks have been here so many times before. They're 16 postseason wins away from a fourth Stanley Cup title in eight years, and their veteran core knows it has the talent and the experience to survive the two-month playoff grind.


Nobody else in the Western Conference playoff picture can say any of that.


None of the other seven teams has won a recent Stanley Cup. In fact, only three of those franchises have raised the Cup at all, and only two players were in their current uniform for it: Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, who won their rings a decade ago.


So is it Chicago's conference crown to lose when postseason play gets underway Wednesday?


The top-seeded Blackhawks have been around for too long to believe anything matters except Game 1 on Thursday night against Nashville.


''I think that energy, that ambition and motivation is back,'' Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. ''We have that feeling again, that every single moment and every single game matters. It's a lot of fun to play at this time of the year. It's why we work all year to get to this point, and as we have said in the past, the real season begins. Obviously, we want to see what we are made of, and I think we are all pretty confident what we are able to do.''


The rest of the West is about to find out if it measures up.


Here's what to watch in the four first-round series beginning this week:


BLACKHAWKS vs PREDATORS

Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Marian Hossa are just part of the veteran group that propelled the Blackhawks down the stretch to the West's top record and the NHL's third-best performance since New Year's Day (58 points).


Yet these Blackhawks have been refreshed by an infusion of youngsters hoping for their first taste of Stanley Cup glory, most notably Artemi Panarin. The high-scoring Russian is in only his second NHL season, and his first postseason run ended abruptly last year with Chicago's first-round loss to St. Louis.


The Predators were Chicago's first-round postseason opponents before the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup title runs in 2010 and 2015. Nashville's record (41-29-12) was nearly identical to last season's mark, but the Predators have made one big change: P.K. Subban replaced Shea Weber as their top defenseman this season, headlining a blue-line corps including Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis in front of goalie Pekka Rinne.


Chicago knows that if Rinne plays at his all-world best, even the Blackhawks could have trouble scoring enough to win.


WILD vs BLUES


Minnesota was cruising toward the Central Division title before a late-season slump, while the Blues surged into the postseason after firing coach Ken Hitchcock and trading top defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.


Both teams are regular playoff qualifiers, but both are hoping for a breakthrough this spring after years of disappointment. Keep an eye on Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk, whose proficiency against Vladimir Tarasenko and the Blues' scorers could determine this series.

DUCKS vs FLAMES


Anybody who is aware of the Flames' 25-game regular-season losing streak at Honda Center could be excused for thinking the Ducks have an astonishing home-ice advantage in this matchup of the five-time defending Pacific Division champions and the West's top wild card.


The Flames are loaded with young talent, but this series rests heavily on Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan Kesler and the rest of Anaheim's veteran core, which simply hasn't been able to finish: The Ducks have lost a Game 7 at home in each of the last four postseasons.


The Ducks streaked into the postseason on an 11-0-3 roll, and they have more talent and experience. But after Anaheim's first-round flop against Nashville last season, the Flames realize they might be facing some sitting Ducks in their quest for a playoff breakthrough.

OILERS vs SHARKS


Connor McDavid will make his Stanley Cup playoff debut at Rogers Place's first postseason game on Wednesday night, and the hockey world can't wait to see what he does next.


McDavid already won the NHL scoring title and led Edmonton back to the postseason after a 10-year absence. The Oilers even finished above the Sharks, who have much the same team that won the West last season.


San Jose might be far from full strength: Centers Joe Thornton and Logan Couture are out with injuries, and it's unclear when they'll return. But Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski are ready to apply their full range of playoff knowledge against the upstart Oilers and McDavid, who might be at the start of the best chapter yet in his remarkable story.

 

[CNOTES]

Bad blood carries over into Ducks-Flames playoff series
April 10, 2017


CALGARY, Alberta (AP) Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving sent a shot across the bow of the Anaheim Ducks on Monday ahead of their playoff series.


''For someone to suggest that Mark Giordano is a dirty player or it was an intentional hit, those are asinine comments,'' Treliving said. ''I don't think making comments about opposing players . . . there's a method to the madness there. It's to try to put something in the officials' heads going into the series.''


Ducks general manager Bob Murray had suggested Giordano went for Cam Fowler's knee when he collided with the Ducks' defenseman in a 3-1 Anaheim home win last Tuesday.


''Well, he's done this before,'' Murray said two days after the game. ''I have no respect for people who go after knees. I'm sorry, but knees, they wreck your careers real quick. I don't like it.''


Murray said Fowler is out 4-6 weeks. Fowler is Anaheim's top-scoring defenseman with 11 goals and 28 assists while averaging a team-high 25 minutes of ice time.


Giordano wasn't penalized on the play. He likely will be the villain at the Honda Centre for the first two games Thursday and Saturday in the best-of-seven series.


''As far as Fowler, I hope he's OK,'' Giordano said. ''It was never my intent to obviously injure a guy. But it's in the past. As a team and as an individual, we're just focusing on the series.''


The Flames reached the second round of playoffs two years ago without Giordano, who'll see his first postseason action in a decade. The 33-year-old from Toronto was a Norris Trophy candidate in 2014-15 before tearing his bicep Feb. 25. He watched from the seats as his team beat Vancouver in six games in the first round and then lost to Anaheim in five.


''We all know what he means to this team,'' Treliving said. ''To get a chance to play at this time of year, I can't think of anybody more deserving and more excited than Mark is.''


The Fowler incident and ensuing comments pour gasoline on the natural animosity between the playoff combatants.


''There's going to be a lot of games within the game,'' veteran forward Matt Stajan said. ''Gio is one of our best players so he'd probably be a target anyway.''


With almost 100 games of playoff experience, winger Troy Brouwer says the post-season isn't the place for vigilante justice. He added the Flames can't afford to be goaded.


''They're not going to do anything that's going to compromise winning hockey games,'' Brouwer said. ''It's going to be a physical series and we can't get sucked into that. We've been one of the most penalized teams throughout the regular season and that's something that really needs to change going into the playoffs. Special teams, a lot of the time, can be the difference in the series.''

Notes: Center Sean Monahan and defenseman Dennis Wideman didn't skate Monday. Treliving said they were fine. ... Goaltender Chad Johnson, who sustained a lower-body injury and was relieved by Brian Elliott just over five minutes into the game in Anaheim, practiced alone prior to the team skate. He took shots from a goaltending coach. Jon Gillies will back up Elliott until Johnson's return.

 

[CNOTES]

Matthews had season for the ages as Leafs reach playoffs
April 10, 2017


TORONTO (AP) It took all of 14 minutes 18 seconds for Auston Matthews to set his first record this season.


On a mid-October night in Ottawa, Matthews became the first player picked first overall at the NHL draft to score two goals in his first period. He finished as the only player in the league's 100-year history to score four times in a debut.


The 19-year-old plays his first playoff game for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Washington later this week. But he has already had a historic rookie season by any measure.


''You knew he had the talent,'' Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said, ''But sometimes it's just a matter of time before it translates to the NHL and obviously he's wasted no time. So you kind of wonder, if that's how he comes out of the gate what's he going to be like in a couple years from now?''


Matthews set franchise rookie records by scoring 40 goals and collecting 69 points, eclipsing marks by Wendel Clark and Peter Ihnacak that had stood for decades.


He's the first rookie since Alex Ovechkin to score 40 goals, one of only 19 in league history and one of only six teenagers. He's only the fourth to hit the mark before his 20th birthday and is now the highest-scoring American rookie in league history. Only Sidney Crosby scored more goals in the NHL (44) this season.


Matthews topped even Crosby, and everyone else, with 32 even-strength goals. That tied him for the sixth-highest total ever for a rookie, matching Eric Lindros, Mario Lemieux and Mike Gartner. He's one of nine rookies to ever score that many and the first since 1993.


Already 6-3 and 216 pounds, Matthews did it with power, speed and electric skill.


''He scores goals different ways and I think that's probably a big reason why he's been so consistent is he's got a great shot, but he can also score from in close and goes to the net hard, too,'' Crosby said.


Matthews finished with 19 wrist shot goals, 10 snap-shot markers, six via tip and another five on the backhand. Matthews set a new Leafs rookie record in firing 279 shots. The only rookies in NHL history with more? Teemu Selanne with 387, Ovechkin with 425, Wayne Gretzky with 284 and Dale Hawerchuk with 339.


Matthews led the NHL in scoring 14 game-opening goals, equaling Dave Andreychuk's franchise record.


Born in California, but raised in Arizona, Matthews learned the game in chilly rinks across the desert where ice time and proper competition wasn't always easy to find. There was no junior hockey league domination like Crosby or Connor McDavid.


What was so impressive to Crosby was how mature Matthews seemed already. There were nights of futility certainly, including against Crosby and Henrik Zetterberg, and he got hammered in the faceoff circle (46.8 percent), but generally Matthews held his own while leading all Leaf forwards in garnering almost 18 minutes of ice time per night.


''I think that the biggest thing that stands out is probably just how complete he is,'' Crosby said.


It could earn him the Leafs' first Calder trophy in 51 years, making him Toronto's first rookie of the year since Brit Selby in 1966. S


''Obviously (Matthews) is a special talent,'' Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. ''More importantly, Matthews is a special person. That's going to allow him to be a good leader because he does it right every day. In the end, that'll allow him to drive a franchise and it'll allow him to win. I think he's a real good player and a real good man and has a chance to be a special player.''

 

[CNOTES]

Postseason here, Predators hope trade for Subban pays off
April 10, 2017


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The adjustment period is over for P.K. Subban along with the regular season, and now expectations for the All-Star defenseman could not be higher.


The Nashville Predators swapped their captain and own All-Star defenseman Shea Weber to Montreal last June , believing that Subban could provide both a boost to the offense and help a franchise that has never gotten out of the second round finally win its first Stanley Cup.


Well, the playoffs start Thursday night with the eighth-seeded Predators in Chicago against the Blackhawks.


The former Norris Trophy winner, who had to get used to living in the United States for the first time in his life, understands that for all the fun of learning about Music City and his new teammates that the postseason is the biggest reason why he is here.


''Me coming into this team was about helping us win a Stanley Cup and being a part of that,'' Subban said. ''And now we have our opportunity, so I'm really excited about everything.''


So are the Predators and their fans. This franchise has reached the postseason 10 of the past 13 years, advancing to the second round three times.


They came closest to the Western Conference Final a year ago by pushing San Jose to seven games . The Predators start this postseason Thursday night in Game 1 against the West's No. 1 seed, the Chicago Blackhawks.


With Subban, the Predators are scoring more goals (238) than a year ago (224), a two-spot jump to 11th in the league. Subban ranked 22nd among defensemen with 40 points in 66 games. Weber finished with 42 points over 78 games.


The Predators' biggest improvement came after Subban returned from an upper-body injury that kept him out 16 games . After the All-Star break, the Predators were the NHL's seventh-best scoring team with 102 goals.


Subban wasn't the only injury Nashville dealt with in its defensive group. Roman Josi missed 10, while Ryan Ellis was out 11. Playing with new defensive partners also slowed the process.


''He's been a great addition,'' Josi said of Subban. ''I mean we know he's a big-time player, so we're looking forward to him to be a big player for us in the playoffs.''


That's where Subban is expected to make the biggest impact. He has 38 points in 55 playoff games - 10 more than Weber in 59 postseason games - and was nearly a point a game player for Montreal in 2014, scoring 14 points in 17 playoff games.


Nashville captain Mike Fisher said the Predators are excited to see that part of Subban.


''He brings a lot of enthusiasm and offensive ability to our team, and he's had a great year,'' Fisher said Monday. ''I think he's poised for an even better playoff.''


Nashville doesn't see Subban only as an offensive threat. Coach Peter Laviolette has been impressed by Subban's defensive skills too so much that the Predators regularly pit Subban and Mattias Ekholm against an opponent's heaviest players.


''He's delivered for us from an offensive standpoint, and our defensemen scoring is still in a good place and he's a big part of it,'' Laviolette said. ''I think he and Eky have done a great job defensively handling the other team's biggest customers.''


Now that the postseason is here, general manager David Poile and Laviolette want to make clear that this isn't a one-man show.


''It's not just hinging on him,'' Laviolette said. ''I've said Chicago has got a good team. We're going to have to play good hockey. P.K.'s going to have to play well. All of our guys are going to have to play well.''

Notes: The Predators signed forward Tyler Moy to a two-year, entry-level contract Monday. Moy played 36 games for Harvard, scoring a team-high 22 goals. A native of La Jolla, California, Moy helped Harvard reach the Frozen Four. He was the 175th pick overall in 2015 by Nashville and finished with 101 points in 131 games over four seasons at Harvard.

 

[CNOTES]

Playoff time means Bruce Boudreau is back, with another team
April 10, 2017


ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Another prosperous NHL regular season has ended for Bruce Boudreau. Now with Minnesota, and in his ninth trip to the playoffs, comes the hard part.


One of the most unique characters to color the NHL coaching ranks and one of the game's true player-friendly coaches, Boudreau has the best regular season record of any of his current peers. No head coach in the history of the league who has lasted more than three years has a better points percentage than Boudreau with his .658 mark from 458 wins, 217 regulation losses and 88 overtime or shootout losses.


Since he landed his first such NHL job early in the 2007-08 season with Washington, Boudreau has been to the playoffs every year but one. That was 2011-12, after he was hired by Anaheim on the heels of his firing by the Capitals.


''He's a great coach. There's no other way to put it,'' Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said. ''He knows hockey. He knows how to get guys to work hard. He expects a lot out of guys, and they play hard for him.''


Yes, even in those ill-fated Game 7s, when he's just 1-7 - part of a lackluster playoff record that hangs over any discussion of Boudreau at this time of year.


The Minnesota Wild, after just seven months of playing for him, are determined to make this Boudreau's best postseason experience yet.


''You can't sit there and say that a guy can't win in playoffs. He's coaching the team the same way,'' goalie Devan Dubnyk said. ''We're going to try our best not to think about that and to focus on just winning.''


The Wild, who start the Western Conference quarterfinals at home on Wednesday against St. Louis, didn't just make the playoffs for a fifth straight year. They set a franchise record with 106 points, going 49-25-8. The season included a troubling monthlong skid, with a 4-11-2 stretch minimized by a four-game winning streak to finish the schedule last week, but it also featured a 12-game winning streak during December.


''When we're skating, when we're pressuring the puck all over the ice, we like to think we give ourselves a good chance to win every game,'' defenseman Marco Scandella said. ''Our `D' are mobile. They have the ability to break the puck out on their own. When we're going well, we're a tough team to beat.''


This is just the second time in eight appearances in the playoffs that the Wild have had home-ice advantage in the first round. They're 4-7 all time in series.


Boudreau is 5-8, with only one trip past the second round. That came in 2014-15 with the Ducks, who reached the Western Conference finals. Only twice in these nine trips to the playoffs has Boudreau's team finished lower than second in its conference. With four each with Washington and Anaheim, this is the only time the 62-year-old Boudreau has entered the postseason without a division title.


His own unfulfilled playing career, with parts of six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs as the apex, has helped fuel his drive. He's confident enough in himself and his status to quickly make a joke at his own expense. When his team has been underachieving or struggling, Boudreau has been known to be moody, unable or unwilling to hide his emotions. Perhaps his deep passion for winning and seeing his players succeed has ultimately hurt him.


''Bruce has high expectations of himself. I know the hockey world holds high expectations of him because of how good he does in the regular season,'' said Edmonton Oilers center Matt Hendricks, who played for Boudreau with the Capitals. ''You would believe with those records that he has and the championships that he has in the regular season that they should translate into Stanley Cups, and that's not always the way it is. There's only one team that wins at the end of every season, and it's usually the team that's playing the best at that time of the year.''


As fluky and unpredictable as results in the playoffs can be in this sport, the contrast between Boudreau's regular season and postseason record is stark. Thus, it's an unavoidable topic in the story of his winding career that has encompassed employment with a whopping 25 professional hockey teams , from Adirondack to Mississippi to San Francisco.


Boudreau was asked the day before training camp began how the feeling-out period went with previous teams as his players have adapted to his personality.


''Ah, I think it's worked pretty well,'' Boudreau said, pausing for effect. ''Until Game 7.''

 

[CNOTES]

Capitals favored to come out of East, but it won't be easy
April 10, 2017


Armed with playoff experience and facing a first-round opponent lacking it, the NHL-best Washington Capitals are again favored to come out of the East.


Of course, it won't be easy.


Beyond the Capitals being in this position before and continually falling short, the path through the Metropolitan Division and rest of the Eastern Conference is a minefield. To reach the conference final, Washington would have to beat the rookie-heavy Toronto Maple Leafs and then either the Columbus Blue Jackets or defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins - and the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers are formidable on the Atlantic Division side.


''It's still a heck of a road and teams can really heat up at this time,'' Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said. ''Whoever comes out of the East is going to be well-deserving, and we hope that it's us.''


Alex Ovechkin and linemates Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie are clicking and the Capitals won 11 of their final 14 games. They lost seven of their last 14 games a year ago before the Penguins knocked them out in the second round.


''We definitely have improved from last year in that area,'' goaltender Braden Holtby said. ''That was one of the areas we wanted to get better at. I think our ability to realize what we're doing well and not well, even when we're having success, has helped us throughout the year. I think we've put in the work to prepare for playoffs.''


It helped the Capitals that they had to play well to beat out the Penguins, Blue Jackets and West-leading Chicago Blackhawks for the Presidents' Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.


Pittsburgh dealt with its share of injuries down the stretch, and Columbus stumbled to the finish line with eight losses in its last 11 games. Those two teams needing to meet in the first round is one reason NBC Sports analyst Ed Olczyk thinks it's the Capitals' year.


''That Pittsburgh-Columbus series to me is going to be one of those where it's going to go a long while and if it's six games, then it's going to feel like eight and a half or nine games,'' Olczyk said. ''If Washington could have their way with the Leafs fairly quickly, that six- or seven-game series might feel like 10 or 11 and end up taking its toll.''


---


Here are some more things to watch on the Eastern Conference side of the playoffs:


PENGUINS vs BLUE JACKETS


The Penguins will be without top defenseman Kris Letang and no team has repeated since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. But they still have 2016 playoff MVP Sidney Crosby and more.


''The potential we have is there,'' defenseman Olli Maatta said. ''We can't go out and expect anything. We have to go out and work hard.''


The first-round rivalry series also features John Tortorella facing longtime assistant Mike Sullivan a year after his good friend and former understudy matched him with one championship.

RANGERS vs CANADIENS


The Atlantic Division champion Canadiens and the Rangers are meeting in the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 East final that featured tensions rising and suspensions getting handed out. New York's Chris Kreider ran into Montreal goaltender Carey Price, injuring him and knocking him out of the series. Players have long memories, so expect it to be another physical series.

MAPLE LEAFS vs CAPITALS


The Capitals aren't the perfect opponent for Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs' first playoff series. Toronto has nine players who haven't played in an NHL playoff game, but coach Mike Babcock doesn't want anyone to wade into games this time of year.


''If you want to dip your toe into the water you're going to find out its boiling,'' Babcock said. ''You might as well just jump in. Run down the dock and just jump right in.''


BRUINS vs SENATORS


Coming off shattering his career high with 85 points - and being suspended for spearing - Brad Marchand will have to be the key if the Bruins make a run. The suffocating Senators are up first and have home ice, but if Marchand can get on a roll and pile up the points, Boston won't be an easy out for anyone.

INJURY QUESTIONS


From the Penguins' Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin to the Senators' Marc Methot, Bruins' Brandon Carlo and Canadiens' Alexei Emelin, there are plenty of injury situations to watch. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said he's ''optimistic'' about Malkin being ready, while Ottawa, Boston and Montreal will likely at least begin the playoffs without an important defenseman.

 

[CNOTES]

Sharks Cs Thornton, Couture day to day heading into playoffs
April 10, 2017


SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks are hobbling into the playoffs instead of rolling into them.


With their top two centers nursing injuries that have placed their status in doubt and a late-season stumble having cost them home-ice advantage in the first round, the Sharks head into their series against Edmonton trying to find the form that helped them win the Western Conference last year.


The most pressing questions surround the health of Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. Thornton missed the final three games of the regular season with an injured left knee and Couture sat the final seven after taking a deflected puck to the face.


Both took part in practice Monday with Couture skating the entire time on a line with Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson and Thornton participating only for the beginning of practice, mostly with the extra forwards. Whether they can be ready for the opener Wednesday night remains unknown.


''They're day to day, they're on the ice, they're skating,'' coach Peter DeBoer said. ''We'll see tomorrow and we'll keep taking those steps. There's no plan here. There nothing I can tell you guys that you don't see that's right in front of you.''


Couture said it was good to get back on the ice as he tries to get back into condition after sitting for two weeks. He is still in pain from the injury that knocked out several teeth and has forced him to have wires on the bottom teeth to keep them in place. The top three were bonded in root canal surgery.


Couture is wearing a full cage to protect his face but does not know how he would handle the contact that would assuredly come if he gets back in for a playoff game.


''It's not completely healed,'' he said. ''It's going to take a long time for my face to completely heal. So anything to the face, it could possibly hurt it again. Who knows? I'm wearing as much protective gear as you can possibly wear and trying to be careful.''


Thornton looked good skating but didn't do many sudden stops or changes of direction that could put pressure on the knee. He will not talk to the media until Tuesday.


The availability of Thornton and Couture is crucial to San Jose's success. Thornton is the team's top-line center who had 50 points this season and is a key part of the power play.


Couture is the team's top two-way center, who would be counted on to match up with NHL scoring leader Connor McDavid in this series if healthy. Couture also provides considerable offense with 25 goals, including a team-high 11 on the power play.


But the Sharks have to prepare for the possibility that one, or both, could be unavailable.


''Nothing changes,'' defenseman Justin Braun said. ''I think it puts a little more pressure on maybe some of the younger guys to get it done. It's a chance to really make your name in this league, set yourself up for a good career. If they're not in, some of these guys have a good chance to get their career going in the right direction. I think it's exciting for them to get that opportunity.''


The Sharks spent much of the season at the top of the Pacific Division and had a nine-point lead after beating Buffalo on March 14. They lost six straight games in regulation after that and won only three of their final 13 games to fall into third place, sending them on the road to start the playoffs.


Two of those losses came against the Oilers, including on Thursday night when the Sharks blew a 2-1 lead after two periods to fall 4-2.


''Maybe it makes us a little bit more aware of what we need to do,'' Pavelski said. ''We didn't win those games so we need to be better. We played well at times but they found ways to get the job done on the power play, on the penalty kill, on the 5 on 5. We have to be better. Hopefully, it's a wakeup call.''

 

[Kaboom]

Good stuff bro ... amazing info .... Thank you !

 

[CNOTES]

Your welcome Kaboom............cheersgif

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack


Prop bets for the NFL Draft, from SouthPoint sportsbook


— Number of Alabama players taken in first round of the 2017 NFL Draft:
over 4.5, -$140, under 4.5, +$120


— Number of LSU players taken in first round of the 2017 NFL Draft:
over 2.5, -$110, under 2.5, -$130


— Number of SEC players taken in first round of the 2017 NFL Draft:
over 11.5, even, under 11.5, -$120


— Conference to have more first round draft picks: SEC -5.5 vs Pac-12


— Conference to have more first round draft picks: SEC -4.5 vs Big 14


— Conference to have more first round draft picks:
Pac-12 +0.5 (+$130) vs Big 14 -0.5 (-$150)


**********

Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Mid-week musings……..

13) Angels 6, Rangers 5 (10)— Halos did it again; they trailed this game 5-0 in 7th inning, but won and are now 6-2 and atop the AL West. Angels scored seven runs in bottom of the ninth to stun the Mariners 10-9 on Sunday.


There have been 61 games already this season where a team trailed by 3+ runs in the ninth inning; Angels are 2-0, everyone else is 0-59.


12) Three years ago, December of 2013, my buddy Mike and I watched a Christmas tournament here in Las Vegas, at Bishop Gorman HS— Gorman’s third-string center was a sophomore named Zach Collins, who went on to play at Gonzaga this season, scoring 10 ppg in 17.2 mpg.


Now the young man is off to the NBA, following in the footsteps of his HS teammate Stephen Zimmerman, who played one year at UNLV and now plays for Orlando’s D-League team.


Wish the kid well, but I am skeptical this is the best thing for his development as a player- he only played 17.2 minutes/game this year, now all of a sudden he is a pro?


11) Sacramento’s Georgios Papagiannis got a technical foul last night; it was the Kings’ first technical foul since they traded DeMarcus Cousins February 20- they had been the only NBA team without a technical during that time.


10) Why did Tony Romo suit up for the Dallas Mavericks last night?


9) When Fred Couples won The Masters 25 years ago, he drove the ball 20 yards shorter than he did this past weekend, at age 57. Golf equipment has made golf courses a lot shorter.


8) Monday night, Washington Nationals were first big league team in four years to have an error from all four infield positions in the same game.


7) Buster Posey goes on the 7-day concussion DL; you wonder if he will wind up moving out from behind the plate to avoid more of this in the future, though this one came when he was batting, not catching?


6) If Erik Spoelstra wins NBA Coach of the Year and Miami misses the playoffs (they were 11-30 at one point), would that be the first time it ever happened?


5) Quinnipiac transfer Mikey Dixon signs on with St John’s; from what I read on the Interweb Tuesday, this is a good get for Chris Mullin’s team.


4) New Mexico hired its new basketball coach; Paul Weir, who comes from rival New Mexico State, which should make the two Lobo-Aggie games next season more interesting.


Weir has strong recruiting connections in Canada; Aggies will have their third coach in three seasons next year- -Marvin Menzies left Las Cruces LY to be the coach at UNLV.


3) Longest NFL playoff droughts: Buffalo 17 years, Cleveland 14 years, Rams 12 years.


2) I’m convinced that defensive shifts in baseball are overdone, especially early in innings vs players with excellent bat control. Why is it done so much? Maybe to justify the analytics people having their jobs- there have to be some pitchers who cringe about shifts. Behind closed doors, I’m guessing there almost has to be debate about the validity of shifting so much.


1— Matt Harvey left his start last night in the sixth inning with a tight hamstring; Mets led 10-2, so not sure if it was just a precaution, but the Mets need Harvey healthy this season.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel


Wednesday, April 12



Boston @ Ottawa


Game 9-10
April 12, 2017 @ 7:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Boston
11.318
Ottawa
12.212
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+105); Over


San Jose @ Edmonton


Game 7-8
April 12, 2017 @ 10:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
12.525
Edmonton
10.990
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Edmonton
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(+125); Under


St. Louis @ Minnesota


Game 5-6
April 12, 2017 @ 9:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
10.629
Minnesota
12.313
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-150
5
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-150); Under


Columbus @ Pittsburgh


Game 3-4
April 12, 2017 @ 7:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
10.237
Pittsburgh
8.830
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-165
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(+145); Under


NY Rangers @ Montreal


Game 1-2
April 12, 2017 @ 7:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
NY Rangers
12.099
Montreal
9.065
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 3
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(+125); Under




Thursday, April 13



Calgary @ Anaheim


Game 15-16
April 13, 2017 @ 10:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
10.858
Anaheim
10.133
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-155
5
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
(+135); Under


Nashville @ Chicago


Game 13-14
April 13, 2017 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
10.296
Chicago
12.433
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
-170
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-170); Under


Toronto @ Washington


Game 11-12
April 13, 2017 @ 7:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
10.883
Washington
12.330
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-200
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-200); Over

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet


Wednesday, April 12


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NY RANGERS (48-28-0-6, 102 pts.) at MONTREAL (47-26-0-9, 103 pts.) - 4/12/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 14-28 ATS (-14.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 11-18 ATS (-10.5 Units) after a division game this season.
NY RANGERS are 14-8 ATS (+22.8 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 13-4 ATS (+8.4 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
NY RANGERS are 23-11 ATS (+9.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 7-2 (+5.8 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 7-2-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.2 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COLUMBUS (50-24-0-8, 108 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (50-21-0-11, 111 pts.) - 4/12/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 8-21 ATS (+37.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 47-24 ATS (+10.8 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 50-32 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all games this season.
COLUMBUS is 13-3 ATS (+8.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
COLUMBUS is 23-11 ATS (+10.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 7-5 (+4.0 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 7-5-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (46-29-0-7, 99 pts.) at MINNESOTA (49-25-0-8, 106 pts.) - 4/12/2017, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 18-5 ATS (+10.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ST LOUIS is 40-30 ATS (+8.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 18-8 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 53-41 ATS (+7.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 7-3 ATS (+11.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 46-52 ATS (-13.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 10-10-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN JOSE (46-29-0-7, 99 pts.) at EDMONTON (47-26-0-9, 103 pts.) - 4/12/2017, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 6-12 ATS (-8.7 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
SAN JOSE is 45-46 ATS (-23.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 18-7 ATS (+18.0 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
EDMONTON is 18-7 ATS (+7.9 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
SAN JOSE is 38-22 ATS (+14.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games in April games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 15-6 ATS (+8.2 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 26-20 ATS (+52.1 Units) in road games in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 21-13 ATS (+35.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 7-7 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 7-7-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.4 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON (44-31-0-7, 95 pts.) at OTTAWA (44-28-0-10, 98 pts.) - 4/12/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 4-10 ATS (-10.1 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 19-24 ATS (-13.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
BOSTON is 24-33 ATS (-21.0 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 44-38 ATS (-6.2 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 46-34 ATS (+82.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 28-17 ATS (+10.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 20-13 ATS (+34.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 20-10 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 189-214 ATS (+459.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 10-3 (+11.4 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 10-3-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thursday, April 13


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (40-27-0-15, 95 pts.) at WASHINGTON (55-19-0-8, 118 pts.) - 4/13/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 48-89 ATS (+153.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 4-11 ATS (-8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
WASHINGTON is 55-27 ATS (+24.7 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 34-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
WASHINGTON is 0-6 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-2 (+4.9 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 7-2-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NASHVILLE (41-29-0-12, 94 pts.) at CHICAGO (50-23-0-9, 109 pts.) - 4/13/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 41-41 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 0-6 ATS (-6.8 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.
NASHVILLE is 9-19 ATS (-15.1 Units) after a division game this season.
CHICAGO is 50-32 ATS (+82.2 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 235-193 ATS (+26.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 195-170 ATS (+370.4 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
CHICAGO is 1-6 ATS (-9.8 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 14-6 (+7.6 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 14-6-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
10 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.5 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALGARY (45-33-0-4, 94 pts.) at ANAHEIM (46-23-0-13, 105 pts.) - 4/13/2017, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 53-24 ATS (+19.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 19-6 ATS (+10.3 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 15-4 ATS (+8.5 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
ANAHEIM is 410-410 ATS (-103.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 24-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 45-37 ATS (+5.2 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 25-14 ATS (+11.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
CALGARY is 43-33 ATS (+79.3 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 16-5 ATS (+10.9 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 16-4 (+11.3 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 16-4-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
13 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.6 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[CNOTES]

NHL


Wednesday, April 12


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


7:00 PM
BOSTON vs. OTTAWA
Boston is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing Boston
Ottawa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

7:00 PM
NY RANGERS vs. MONTREAL
NY Rangers are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing Montreal
NY Rangers are 16-8 SU in their last 24 games on the road
Montreal is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Rangers
Montreal is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against NY Rangers

7:30 PM
COLUMBUS vs. PITTSBURGH
Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus

9:30 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. MINNESOTA
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis

10:00 PM
SAN JOSE vs. EDMONTON
San Jose is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home




------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NHL
Short Sheet


Wednesday, April 12


NY Rangers at Montreal, 7:05 PM ET
New York: 15-7 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +200
Montreal: 0-5 SU in home games after 3 consecutive division games


Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7:35 PM ET
Columbus: 13-3 SU when playing with 2 days rest
Pittsburgh: 8-9 SU off a close loss by 1 goal to a division rival


St Louis at Minnesota, 9:35 PM ET
St Louis: 30-21 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +200
Minnesota: 3-8 SU in home games after having won 4 of their last 5


San Jose at Edmonton, 10:05 PM ET
San Jose: 10-1 SU in road games after 2 consecutive division games
Edmonton: 82-84 SU in home games after a 2 game unbeaten streak


Boston at Ottawa, 7:05 PM ET
Boston: 4-10 SU when playing with 3 or more days rest
Ottawa: 20-14 SU after one or more consecutive overs




Thurs – April. 13


Toronto at Washington, 7:05 PM ET
Toronto: 18-23 SU after 1 or more consecutive unders
Washington: 32-9 SU in home games


Nashville at Chicago, 8:05 PM ET
Nashville: 0-6 SU when playing with 3 or more days rest
Chicago: 10-0 SU after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games


Calgary at Anaheim, 10:35 PM ET
Calgary: 25-14 SU revenging a loss versus opponent as a favorite
Anaheim: 21-24 SU off a win or tie in their previous game

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, April 12

Montreal won six of last seven games with the Rangers; road team won five of those seven games. New York lost three of last four games in the Bell Centre. Over is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Rangers were outscored 16-8 in losing last four road games; they’re 2-5 in last seven games overall- their last three games stayed under. Canadiens won six of last eight games, three of last four at home. Under is 7-2-1 in their last ten. Rangers won their last four first round series; Montreal missed playoffs LY- they split last six first round series, over last eight years.

Home side won six of last seven Columbus-Pittsburgh games; Blue Jackets lost four of last five games in Steel City. Under is 5-3 in last eight series games. Jackets lost six of last seven games overall, five of last six on road- under is 7-2-1 in their last ten. Pittsburgh is 4-6 in its last ten games but won last two at home. Penguins won Stanley Cup LY, won first round series three of last four years- this is their 10th year in row in playoffs. Columbus is in playoffs for just third time, first time since 2014; their coach won Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004.

St Louis won five of last seven games with Minnesota; teams split last four series games played in Twin Cities. Over is 3-2-1 in last six series games. Blues won six of last eight games, three of last four on road- over is 3-1 in their last four. Minnesota won its last four games by a combined 17-9; they won last three home tilts. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Blues are in playoffs for 6th straight year; they lost first round series three of last four years. Minnesota is in playoffs for 5th year in row; they’re 4-3 overall in first round series.

Boston lost its last six games with Ottawa, including last five played in this building. Three of last four series games stayed under total. Bruins won six of last eight games, including last two road games. Under is 7-1 in their last eight. Senators won three of last four games; they won last three home games. Under is 3-1 in their last four games. Bruins missed playoffs last two years, which is part of why they changed coaches during season; they won five of last six first round series. Ottawa lost four of last five first round series- they missed playoffs two of last three years.

Edmonton is in playoffs for first time since 2006, when they lost Cup final; they’ve lost four of last five first round series. San Jose lost Stanley Cup final LY; they’re 9-3 in last 12 first round series. Oilers won last three games with San Jose- they also won three of last four visits here; road side won five of last seven series games. Over is 3-1-2 in last six series games. Sharks lost five of last six road games, but won three of last four overall (under 3-1). Edmonton won its last nine home games; they’ve won eight of last nine overall- over is 3-0-1 in its last four.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Wednesday, April 12


Heading into NHL playoffs, 2016-17 regular season produced 529-549-152 Over/Under record (50.93% Under) with average of 5.54 goals per game.


Western Conference has produced more Overs than East in first round of NHL playoffs since 2013: 46-31-18 O/U (60% Over). 39-22-12 O/U L3Y.


Eastern Conference producing more Unders than West in opening round of NHL playoffs since 2013: 38-40-16 O/U. 14-26-7 O/U L2Y (65% Unders).​

​

 

[CNOTES]

NHL


Wednesday, April 12


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds
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The Edmonton Oilers end their 11 year playoff drought when they host the Sharks Wednesday in their first round matchup.


The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Wednesday with several intriguing series on the schedule, including Connor McDavid bringing the Oilers back to the postseason for a first round showdown with the Western Conference defending champion Sharks. We break down the betting angles for each and every matchup.


New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens (-150, 5)


ABOUT THE RANGERS (48-28-6, 40-36-6 O/U): New York ranked among the top five teams in scoring and had four players record at least 22 goals, led by Kreider, who establish career highs with 53 points and a team-leading 28 goals. In his fifth season, Chris Kreider has registered 20 goals in 65 postseason games and vowed not to let the incident with Carey Price alter his style. “For me to be effective, I need to get to the crease. That’s where I’m going to score goals,” Kreider said. “It’s the playoffs. I think everyone’s going to try to lift their physical play a little bit."


ABOUT THE CANADIENS (47-26-9, 29-38-15 O/U): Price emerged from a midseason funk and allowed seven goals while winning all three matchups against New York, but Montreal's other indispensable player, Max Pacioretty, provided a waiting-to-exhale moment at Tuesday's practice. The team's leading goal scorer by far with 35 tallies, Pacioretty was forced to leave the ice when he was inadvertently high-sticked in the left side of the face by teammate Michael McCarron. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday, but coach Claude Julien said: "We're very optimistic he'll be OK."


LINE HISTORY: The Habs opened the game listed as -130 home favorites and they have since been bet up to -147. The total is on the board at 5.


INJURY REPORT:


Rangers - RW J. Fast (Questionable Wednesday, undisclosed), G A. Raanta (Questionable Wednesday, knee).


Canadiens - LW M. Pacioretty (Probable Wednesday, face), D J. Benn (Probable Wednesday, upper body), D S. Weber (Probable Wednesday, lower body), D B. Davidson (Questionable Wednesday, Flu), D. A Emelin (Out Wednesday, lower body).


TRENDS:


* Rangers are 0-5 in their last five games following a win.
* Rangers are 1-6 in the last seven meetings.
* Under is 5-1-1 in Rangers last seven games playing on two days rest.
* Under is 5-1-1 in Canadiens last seven games following a win.




Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators (+110, 5)


ABOUT THE BRUINS (44-31-7, 37-37-8 O/U): Brad Marchand, who has a team-high 39 goals and scored 22 times in 41 games on the road, will return to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for spearing Tampa Bay's Jake Dotchin, but Boston has some major health worries. Defensemen Torey Krug (lower body) and Brandon Carlo (upper body) and rookie forward Noel Acciari have been ruled out of the series opener while third-leading goal scorer David Krejci and Dominic Moore missed Tuesday's practice. That puts more of an onus on Tuukka Rask, who set career highs this season with 37 wins and eight shutouts.


ABOUT THE SENATORS (44-28-10, 32-47-3 O/U): Ottawa, unlike the Bruins, is as healthy as it has been for much of the season, with the lone exception being defenseman Marc Methot, who is dealing with a finger injury resulting in a slash from Sidney Crosby. Coach Guy Boucher shuffled his lines at Tuesday's practice by moving Zack Smith (sidelined the past six games) to center on the fourth line while pairing Jean-Gabriel Pageau with forwards Mike Hoffman and slumping Mark Stone. Goaltender Craig Anderson, who took a leave from the team while his wife battled cancer, won all four starts against Boston this season.


LINE HISTORY: The Senators opened this game as home underdogs at +109 and have been faded to +115. The total is on the board at 5.


INJURY REPORT:


Bruins - G A. Khudobin (Probable Wednesday, illness), C D. Moore (Probable Wednesday, undisclosed), C D. Krejci (Probable Wednesday, undisclosed), RW J. Hayes (Questionable Wednesday, lower body), D T. Krug (Out indefinitely, lower body), C N. Acciari (Out Wednesday, upper body), D B. Carlo (Out Wednesday, upper body).


Senators - C Z. Smith (Probable Wednesday, upper body), D E Karlsson (Probable Wednesday, heel), D M. Methot (Questionable Wednesday, finger.)


TRENDS:


* Bruins are 4-0 in their last four first round playoff games.
* Senators are 6-0 in the last six meetings.
* Under is 4-0 in the Bruins last four games overall.
* Under is 5-0 in Senators last five games playing on two days rest.




Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins (-155, 5.5)


ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (50-24-8, 32-44-6 O/U): Rookie Zach Werenski (upper body) returned to practice Tuesday and is expected to end a four-game absence by suiting up against Pittsburgh. "That's huge for us he's back, just with his ability on the ice and what he does on the back end," captain Nick Foligno said of the 19-year-old offensive-minded defenseman, who rejoined Seth Jones on the first pair Tuesday. Werenski recorded 21 (four goals, 17 assists) of his 47 points on the power play and his return could provide a spark for Columbus, which led the league by going 32-for-124 with the man advantage in its first 41 games before converting on just 10-of-87 opportunities the rest of the way.


ABOUT THE PENGUINS (50-21-11, 47-30-5 O/U): Pittsburgh's postseason success could greatly hinge on the health of former Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin (33 goals, 39 assists), who is expected to return Wednesday from a 13-game absence due to an upper-body injury. "I will play tomorrow, for sure. A couple extra days for me. ... I'm ready to play," the 30-year-old Malkin said Tuesday after taking part in a full-contact practice while skating between Bryan Rust and Phil Kessel (team-high 47 assists). While Malkin is set to return, fellow forwards Carl Hagelin (lower body) and Chris Kunitz (lower body) as well as defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (upper body) are expected to be spectators after sitting out practice on Tuesday.


LINE HISTORY: The Penguins open their defense of the Stanley Cup as hefty -167 faves against the Blue Jackets, but they have been faded slightly to the current number of -155. The total is on the board at 5.5.


INJURY REPORT:


Blue Jackets - D Z. Werenski (Probable Wednesday, shoulder).


Penguins - C E. Malkin (Probable Wednesday, shoulder), D C. Ruhwedel (Doubtful Wednesday, upper body), LW C. Kunitz (Out indefinitely, lower body), LW C. Hagelin (Late April, lower body).


TRENDS:


* Blue Jackets are 1-6 in their last seven games overall.
* Home team is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Blue Jackets last eight road games.
* Under is 7-1-1 in Penguins last nine homes games vs. a team with a winning road record.




St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild (-160, 5)


ABOUT THE BLUES (46-29-7, 34-35-13 O/U): St. Louis won’t have veteran center Paul Stastny (foot) to start the series and rookie Ivan Barbashev is expected to take the top-line center role between Tarasenko (75 points) and Jaden Schwartz (55). Vladimir Sobotka, who was signed to a three-year deal late in the regular season after a three-year stay in Russia, reportedly will play with Jori Lehtera and Alex Steen on another line while Patrik Berglund centers a third unit. Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was solid down the stretch while recording two goals and four assists in his last four games.


ABOUT THE WILD (49-25-8, 42-31-9 O/U): Devan Dubnyk, who struggled through the month of March with an .889 save percentage, has won all three of his starts this month to finish with a career-high 40 wins. Reportedly, Erik Haula is expected to play on the wing with captain Mikko Koivu and leading scorer Mikael Granlund (69 points) as coach Bruce Boudreau tries to even out his lines while 20-year-old rookie Joel Eriksson Ek likely will be in the lineup for Game 1. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon (lower body) missed the last two regular-season games but hopes to play Wednesday.


LINE HISTORY: The Wild opened this matchup as moderate -143 faves and have seen the majority of support since then, with bettors moving the line to Minnesota -160. The total is on the board at 5. Check out the complete line history here.


INJURY REPORT:


Blues - D R. Bortuzzo (Questionable Wednesday, upper body), RW N. Yakkupov (Questionable Wednesday, undisclosed), C P. Stasny (Doubtful Wednesday, foot).


Wild - D J. Spurgeon (Questionable Wednesday, lower body), D V. Bartley (Out indefinitely, tricep).


TRENDS:


* Blues are 6-1 in their last seven road games.
* Wild are 6-0 in their last six games playing on three or more days rest.
* Under is 12-3-3 in the Blues last 18 games vs. Western Conference opponents.
* Over is 5-0-1 in Wild's last six days playing on three or more days rest.




San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers (-150, 5)


ABOUT THE SHARKS (46-29-7, 22-37-23 O/U): Couture and Thornton both have practiced each of the last two days but are not guaranteed to rejoin the lineup Wednesday. "Both those guys are day-to-day," coach Peter DeBoer told reporters on Tuesday. "They both looked good today at practice, but that will be a game-time decision." More will be expected from Joe Pavelski should Couture and Thornton not play as the captain shared the team lead with 29 goals during the regular season and has scored 40 in 105 career playoff games, including 14 during the team's run to the Final in 2016.


ABOUT THE OILERS (47-26-9, 32-42-8 O/U): McDavid, who also led the league with 70 assists, joined Wayne Gretzky as the only Oilers to win the regular-season scoring title and was the first member of the franchise to reach the 100-point plateau since Doug Weight in 1995-96. He became the third-youngest player in NHL history - behind Sidney Crosby and Gretzky - to capture the Art Ross Trophy at 20 years, 86 days as Edmonton made the largest increase in points (33) in the league after placing 29th last season. Leon Draisaitl finished second on the team in both goals (29) and points (77) and ended the campaign nearly as hot as McDavid, landing on the scoresheet in 12 of the final 14 games (six goals, 15 assists).


LINE HISTORY: It may be the Oilers first playoff game in 11 years, but bettors like them in Game 1. Since opening at -131 Edmonton has moved to -150.


INJURY REPORT:


Sharks - C L. Couture (Questionable Wednesday, teeth), C J. Thornton (Questionable Wednesday, knee).


Oilers - No injuries to report.


TRENDS:


* Sharks are 1-6 in their last seven road games.
* Oilers are 9-0 in their last nine home games.
* Over is 9-3-3 in Sharks last 15 first round playoff games.
* Under is 8-2 in Oilers last 10 games playing on two days rest.