Johansson's OT goal gives Capitals series win at Toronto
April 23, 2017
TORONTO (AP) Marcus Johansson stuffed his second goal of the game past Frederik Andersen at 6:31 of overtime, lifting the Washington Capitals t to a series-winning 2-1 victory ove the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 on Sunday night.
Johansson pulled Washington even at 1-1 with less than eight minutes to go in the third period after Auston Matthews broke a scoreless tie with his fourth goal of the series for Toronto. It was the fifth overtime game of the series, and the record-setting 18th in the first round of the playoffs.
Holtby made 37 saves for the Capitals, who will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Andersen was sharp with 34 saves.
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Senators eliminate Bruins 3-2 in OT
April 23, 2017
BOSTON (AP) Clarke MacArthur spent almost two full seasons recovering from a concussion, wondering if he would ever be able to return to the Senators.
''There's nothing like living in the NHL and living in these playoffs,'' he said after scoring a power-play goal 6:30 into overtime to help Ottawa beat Boston 3-2 in Game 6 on Sunday and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
''It (retirement) is something everyone's going to have to deal with one day,'' said the 32-year-old forward, who was injured in the fourth game of last season and didn't come back until four games left in this one. ''But I want to stretch it out as long as I can.''
Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris scored five minutes apart in the second to give the Senators a 2-1 lead, and Craig Anderson stopped 28 shots for Ottawa. The Senators, who hadn't won a postseason series for since 2013, will play the New York Rangers in the second round.
Tuukka Rask made 26 saves for the Bruins, who got goals from Drew Stafford and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins did not get off a shot in the extra period - the fourth overtime game of the series and the 17th of the NHL playoffs, tying the record for an opening round.
''We came in here, took a deep breath (and) realized that, `Hey, tie game. Next shot wins. Let's get back to business,''' Anderson said. ''That's all we did.''
MacArthur sustained a concussion on Oct. 14, 2015 - Game 4 of last season - and hadn't played since, missing 156 games before he finally passed a baseline test in the last weeks of this season and was cleared to return. He played in only four games this year, without recording a point.
''You've been off for a couple of years and you're thinking, `Yeah, I should make this play' or `I should be able to do that,''' he said. ''I've just been trying to stick with it and be patient, and you know it's slowly coming.''
MacArthur scored in Game 2 of the series, and then got past David Pastrnak on his way into the Bruins' zone in overtime, tempting the Boston forward into pulling him down from behind. Just 36 seconds into the power play, MacArthur grabbed a puck that deflected off Tuukka Rask and beat him on the rebound for the series-winner.
''It was off his paddle and went right to me. I was just lucky enough to be in the right spot,'' MacArthur said. ''You get opportunities like that to put them away, you've got to put them away. It's just awesome that we were able to.''
The Bruins made the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, rallying after firing the winningest coach in franchise history and the one that led them to the 2011 Stanley Cup title. They went 18-8 after Bruce Cassidy replaced Claude Julien, but lost their last two to finish third - behind Ottawa - in the Atlantic Division.
That left them matched up with the Senators in the first round - a bad draw against a team that beat them all four times in the regular season and six straight overall. After winning Game 1, Boston lost three in a row before forcing a fifth game with a double-overtime victory on Friday night.
Cassidy, who served out the season as the interim coach, said he ''absolutely, 100 percent'' wants to be back.
''That will be determined by management, whether I continue to be the head coach,'' he said. ''And what players will be here will be determined by management.''
The Bruins were hit with three delay of game penalties in the first period for sending the puck over the glass, but on none of those power plays did Ottawa even manage as much as a shot on goal. Instead, Boston took a 1-0 lead with just under two minutes left in the first when Stafford converted on a tripping penalty against Mark Stone.
But Ryan tied it for Ottawa on a power play early in the second, then Turris gave the Senators a 2-1 lead about five minutes later. It stayed that way until Bergeron tied it about two minutes into the third.
NOTES: The Bruins were without F David Krejci, who injured his knee in a collision with Senators D Chris Wideman in Game 5 on Friday. ... Ryan leads Ottawa with four goals in the playoffs. He also assisted on the game-winner.
April 23, 2017
TORONTO (AP) Marcus Johansson stuffed his second goal of the game past Frederik Andersen at 6:31 of overtime, lifting the Washington Capitals t to a series-winning 2-1 victory ove the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 on Sunday night.
Johansson pulled Washington even at 1-1 with less than eight minutes to go in the third period after Auston Matthews broke a scoreless tie with his fourth goal of the series for Toronto. It was the fifth overtime game of the series, and the record-setting 18th in the first round of the playoffs.
Holtby made 37 saves for the Capitals, who will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Andersen was sharp with 34 saves.
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Senators eliminate Bruins 3-2 in OT
April 23, 2017
BOSTON (AP) Clarke MacArthur spent almost two full seasons recovering from a concussion, wondering if he would ever be able to return to the Senators.
''There's nothing like living in the NHL and living in these playoffs,'' he said after scoring a power-play goal 6:30 into overtime to help Ottawa beat Boston 3-2 in Game 6 on Sunday and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
''It (retirement) is something everyone's going to have to deal with one day,'' said the 32-year-old forward, who was injured in the fourth game of last season and didn't come back until four games left in this one. ''But I want to stretch it out as long as I can.''
Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris scored five minutes apart in the second to give the Senators a 2-1 lead, and Craig Anderson stopped 28 shots for Ottawa. The Senators, who hadn't won a postseason series for since 2013, will play the New York Rangers in the second round.
Tuukka Rask made 26 saves for the Bruins, who got goals from Drew Stafford and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins did not get off a shot in the extra period - the fourth overtime game of the series and the 17th of the NHL playoffs, tying the record for an opening round.
''We came in here, took a deep breath (and) realized that, `Hey, tie game. Next shot wins. Let's get back to business,''' Anderson said. ''That's all we did.''
MacArthur sustained a concussion on Oct. 14, 2015 - Game 4 of last season - and hadn't played since, missing 156 games before he finally passed a baseline test in the last weeks of this season and was cleared to return. He played in only four games this year, without recording a point.
''You've been off for a couple of years and you're thinking, `Yeah, I should make this play' or `I should be able to do that,''' he said. ''I've just been trying to stick with it and be patient, and you know it's slowly coming.''
MacArthur scored in Game 2 of the series, and then got past David Pastrnak on his way into the Bruins' zone in overtime, tempting the Boston forward into pulling him down from behind. Just 36 seconds into the power play, MacArthur grabbed a puck that deflected off Tuukka Rask and beat him on the rebound for the series-winner.
''It was off his paddle and went right to me. I was just lucky enough to be in the right spot,'' MacArthur said. ''You get opportunities like that to put them away, you've got to put them away. It's just awesome that we were able to.''
The Bruins made the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, rallying after firing the winningest coach in franchise history and the one that led them to the 2011 Stanley Cup title. They went 18-8 after Bruce Cassidy replaced Claude Julien, but lost their last two to finish third - behind Ottawa - in the Atlantic Division.
That left them matched up with the Senators in the first round - a bad draw against a team that beat them all four times in the regular season and six straight overall. After winning Game 1, Boston lost three in a row before forcing a fifth game with a double-overtime victory on Friday night.
Cassidy, who served out the season as the interim coach, said he ''absolutely, 100 percent'' wants to be back.
''That will be determined by management, whether I continue to be the head coach,'' he said. ''And what players will be here will be determined by management.''
The Bruins were hit with three delay of game penalties in the first period for sending the puck over the glass, but on none of those power plays did Ottawa even manage as much as a shot on goal. Instead, Boston took a 1-0 lead with just under two minutes left in the first when Stafford converted on a tripping penalty against Mark Stone.
But Ryan tied it for Ottawa on a power play early in the second, then Turris gave the Senators a 2-1 lead about five minutes later. It stayed that way until Bergeron tied it about two minutes into the third.
NOTES: The Bruins were without F David Krejci, who injured his knee in a collision with Senators D Chris Wideman in Game 5 on Friday. ... Ryan leads Ottawa with four goals in the playoffs. He also assisted on the game-winner.
Preds-Blues, Oilers-Ducks open Round 2
April 23, 2017
NEW YORK (AP) The NHL postseason is down to eight teams with the St. Louis Blues hosting the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Edmonton Oilers to start the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday night.
After the two Western Conference series get going, the Ottawa Senators host the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals host the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. Washington versus Pittsburgh is a showdown of the top two teams in the league during the regular season.
The Atlantic Division champion Montreal Canadiens and Central champion Chicago Blackhawks were eliminated in a first round that set a record for the most overtime games with 18.
It was the first time a first round didn't feature a Game 7 in any series since 2001.
April 23, 2017
NEW YORK (AP) The NHL postseason is down to eight teams with the St. Louis Blues hosting the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Edmonton Oilers to start the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday night.
After the two Western Conference series get going, the Ottawa Senators host the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals host the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. Washington versus Pittsburgh is a showdown of the top two teams in the league during the regular season.
The Atlantic Division champion Montreal Canadiens and Central champion Chicago Blackhawks were eliminated in a first round that set a record for the most overtime games with 18.
It was the first time a first round didn't feature a Game 7 in any series since 2001.
Changes coming for Blackhawks after loss
April 22, 2017
CHICAGO (AP) Coach Joel Quenneville will be back next season. Everything else is on the table for the Chicago Blackhawks.
General manager Stan Bowman is promising changes after Chicago was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year. The Blackhawks, who won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015, were swept by Nashville this time around, managing just three goals in 13 periods.
''Standing here April 22 is not the way we expected our season to end. And it's a complete failure when you measure it against the expectations that we have of ourselves,'' Bowman said Saturday. ''We did not come even close to reaching the standard we have set over the years here. And that's unacceptable.
''Any successes that we did experience this year are completely overshadowed by the abrupt ending to our season. It's not close to good enough for anybody. And I think it's time right now to take a look in the mirror and face facts.''
The Blackhawks won the Central Division this season with a 50-23-9 record, finishing with the most points in the Western Conference. When the playoffs started, they were considered one of the favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup.
But it was all Nashville in the postseason, with the Predators skating all over the Blackhawks for most of the short series. It was the first time a No. 1 seed was swept in the first round since the NHL adopted its current playoff format in 1994.
''It was tough to watch and tough to play in,'' goaltender Corey Crawford said. ''It was pretty embarrassing. Like I said, when you think you could go for another great run and to go out in four games, in a series where I don't even think we were that close, it's definitely not fun.''
For a franchise used to postseason success, it was a staggering blow.
''For a lot of us, this is probably the worst feeling we've had after any season,'' said star winger Patrick Kane, who likely will decide this weekend whether to play in the upcoming world championships.
Captain Jonathan Toews made it sound like a wake-up call for him. The center turns 29 next Saturday, and it looks as if the grind of long NHL seasons and international play is catching up to him.
He failed to score when the Blackhawks were eliminated by St. Louis in seven games last year. He set career lows with 21 goals and a plus-7 rating this season, and then struggled when matched up against Nashville's athletic top line in the playoffs. He had a goal and an assist against the Predators.
Toews, who has maintained a strict diet for years, said he plans to adjust his preparation for next season to address the increased emphasis on speed across the league.
''I've got to get back to playing more puck possession, a little bit more speed on the rush,'' he said.
Like Toews, Bowman is heading into one of his most intriguing offseasons since he was promoted to general manager in 2009. While the Blackhawks flopped in the playoffs, they had a successful regular season and have a mix of proven performers and young players who might be much better in the postseason after their experience against the Predators.
Any major moves could be tricky with the salary cap, but it sounds as if Bowman is keeping his options open. He said Quenneville will be back, but he stopped short of guaranteeing pretty much anything else for next season.
''We're going to conduct a thorough review and see where it takes us,'' he said.
Backup goaltender Scott Darling and defenseman Johnny Oduya likely will leave in free agency, and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and center Marcus Kruger could be tempting targets for Las Vegas in the expansion draft. Richard Panik, a restricted free agent who set career highs with 22 goals and 22 assists this season, also is a name to watch this summer.
Brian Campbell, a free agent defenseman with ties to the Chicago area, made it sound as if he will re-sign with the team or retire. Like many of the players, he was still processing everything after the abrupt end to the season.
''I don't want to go anywhere. We'll see,'' said Campbell, who turns 38 next month. ''We'll see where things go. I felt good. My body feels good. But need to take some time to get away from everything and think about it.''
April 22, 2017
CHICAGO (AP) Coach Joel Quenneville will be back next season. Everything else is on the table for the Chicago Blackhawks.
General manager Stan Bowman is promising changes after Chicago was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year. The Blackhawks, who won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015, were swept by Nashville this time around, managing just three goals in 13 periods.
''Standing here April 22 is not the way we expected our season to end. And it's a complete failure when you measure it against the expectations that we have of ourselves,'' Bowman said Saturday. ''We did not come even close to reaching the standard we have set over the years here. And that's unacceptable.
''Any successes that we did experience this year are completely overshadowed by the abrupt ending to our season. It's not close to good enough for anybody. And I think it's time right now to take a look in the mirror and face facts.''
The Blackhawks won the Central Division this season with a 50-23-9 record, finishing with the most points in the Western Conference. When the playoffs started, they were considered one of the favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup.
But it was all Nashville in the postseason, with the Predators skating all over the Blackhawks for most of the short series. It was the first time a No. 1 seed was swept in the first round since the NHL adopted its current playoff format in 1994.
''It was tough to watch and tough to play in,'' goaltender Corey Crawford said. ''It was pretty embarrassing. Like I said, when you think you could go for another great run and to go out in four games, in a series where I don't even think we were that close, it's definitely not fun.''
For a franchise used to postseason success, it was a staggering blow.
''For a lot of us, this is probably the worst feeling we've had after any season,'' said star winger Patrick Kane, who likely will decide this weekend whether to play in the upcoming world championships.
Captain Jonathan Toews made it sound like a wake-up call for him. The center turns 29 next Saturday, and it looks as if the grind of long NHL seasons and international play is catching up to him.
He failed to score when the Blackhawks were eliminated by St. Louis in seven games last year. He set career lows with 21 goals and a plus-7 rating this season, and then struggled when matched up against Nashville's athletic top line in the playoffs. He had a goal and an assist against the Predators.
Toews, who has maintained a strict diet for years, said he plans to adjust his preparation for next season to address the increased emphasis on speed across the league.
''I've got to get back to playing more puck possession, a little bit more speed on the rush,'' he said.
Like Toews, Bowman is heading into one of his most intriguing offseasons since he was promoted to general manager in 2009. While the Blackhawks flopped in the playoffs, they had a successful regular season and have a mix of proven performers and young players who might be much better in the postseason after their experience against the Predators.
Any major moves could be tricky with the salary cap, but it sounds as if Bowman is keeping his options open. He said Quenneville will be back, but he stopped short of guaranteeing pretty much anything else for next season.
''We're going to conduct a thorough review and see where it takes us,'' he said.
Backup goaltender Scott Darling and defenseman Johnny Oduya likely will leave in free agency, and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and center Marcus Kruger could be tempting targets for Las Vegas in the expansion draft. Richard Panik, a restricted free agent who set career highs with 22 goals and 22 assists this season, also is a name to watch this summer.
Brian Campbell, a free agent defenseman with ties to the Chicago area, made it sound as if he will re-sign with the team or retire. Like many of the players, he was still processing everything after the abrupt end to the season.
''I don't want to go anywhere. We'll see,'' said Campbell, who turns 38 next month. ''We'll see where things go. I felt good. My body feels good. But need to take some time to get away from everything and think about it.''
End of Sharks season could yield changes
April 23, 2017
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) After going through the handshake line of an early playoff loss, an emotional Patrick Marleau stood by the San Jose bench and looked up at the crowd at the Shark Tank.
The end of another season in San Jose could be the end of an era after the Sharks were eliminated in Game 6 of the first round with a 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Saturday night.
With longtime stalwarts Marleau and Joe Thornton heading into potential free agency this summer at age 37, the Sharks could have a very different look next season.
''I'm not even really thinking about that right now,'' Marleau said. ''There will be time to reflect on all that.''
Thornton and Marleau entered the league as the top two picks in the 1997 draft and became teammates in 2005 when Boston dealt Thornton to San Jose. They have made the Sharks one of the league's top teams during their time together, getting to the Stanley Cup Final last year and making two other trips to the conference final together.
Both reached major milestones this year, with Marleau scoring his 500th career goal and Thornton recording his 1,000th assist, and still are playing at a high level.
But how long general manager Doug Wilson wants to commit to them remains a question.
''I love those guys,'' teammate Logan Couture said. ''They play hard. If you guys only knew what they play through. The respect level that I have for those two guys is just through the roof.''
After the Sharks tied the series with a 7-0 win in Game 4 and took a 3-1 lead in the second period of the next game, it looked as if talk of the future for Thornton and Marleau could wait a few more weeks.
But the Sharks allowed the Oilers to tie Game 5 with a late regulation goal and then were dominated in overtime to fall behind in the series. They fell into a 2-0 hole in the opening minutes of the second period when Edmonton scored on a pair of breakaways.
A third-period goal by Marleau breathed life back into the arena, but the comeback hopes were thwarted after Joe Pavelski hit the crossbar and the post with a backhand shot on a power play and then Connor McDavid scored an empty-net goal in the final second to seal the 3-1 win.
''There's nothing you can say or point a finger at,'' Pavelski said. ''You need things to go right at times, getting key goals. It just didn't go for us this time.''
The Sharks appeared to be on the right path midway through March when they had a nine-point lead over Anaheim in the Pacific Division and looked poised for another long playoff run following last year's trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
But six straight regulation losses, key injuries to top two centers Thornton and Couture, and fatigue following a short summer, the World Cup in September and a condensed schedule caught up to them.
''Everyone talked about getting to the Final the year before and how tough the next year is - you always think you can be the team that can do it,'' coach Peter DeBoer said. ''It's hard, it's a grind. I'm not prepared to take inventory of what went wrong. My gut feeling is we ran out of gas in the last month. It's just a reality.''
Thornton injured his left knee on April 2 and missed the final three games of the regular season and first two games of the playoffs. He returned but was not at his usual level, and teammates said he was basically playing on one leg.
Couture had a gruesome injury after a shot by Brent Burns deflected into his face on March 25, knocking out several teeth and making it painful to breathe or eat. He missed the final two weeks of the regular season before returning for the playoffs.
''Excuses are for losers,'' Couture said. ''You have to step up at this time of the year to play at this time of the year. It doesn't matter if you're hurt because there are always guys that aren't healthy. It doesn't matter if you're tired. You have to find a way and they found it and we didn't.''
April 23, 2017
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) After going through the handshake line of an early playoff loss, an emotional Patrick Marleau stood by the San Jose bench and looked up at the crowd at the Shark Tank.
The end of another season in San Jose could be the end of an era after the Sharks were eliminated in Game 6 of the first round with a 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Saturday night.
With longtime stalwarts Marleau and Joe Thornton heading into potential free agency this summer at age 37, the Sharks could have a very different look next season.
''I'm not even really thinking about that right now,'' Marleau said. ''There will be time to reflect on all that.''
Thornton and Marleau entered the league as the top two picks in the 1997 draft and became teammates in 2005 when Boston dealt Thornton to San Jose. They have made the Sharks one of the league's top teams during their time together, getting to the Stanley Cup Final last year and making two other trips to the conference final together.
Both reached major milestones this year, with Marleau scoring his 500th career goal and Thornton recording his 1,000th assist, and still are playing at a high level.
But how long general manager Doug Wilson wants to commit to them remains a question.
''I love those guys,'' teammate Logan Couture said. ''They play hard. If you guys only knew what they play through. The respect level that I have for those two guys is just through the roof.''
After the Sharks tied the series with a 7-0 win in Game 4 and took a 3-1 lead in the second period of the next game, it looked as if talk of the future for Thornton and Marleau could wait a few more weeks.
But the Sharks allowed the Oilers to tie Game 5 with a late regulation goal and then were dominated in overtime to fall behind in the series. They fell into a 2-0 hole in the opening minutes of the second period when Edmonton scored on a pair of breakaways.
A third-period goal by Marleau breathed life back into the arena, but the comeback hopes were thwarted after Joe Pavelski hit the crossbar and the post with a backhand shot on a power play and then Connor McDavid scored an empty-net goal in the final second to seal the 3-1 win.
''There's nothing you can say or point a finger at,'' Pavelski said. ''You need things to go right at times, getting key goals. It just didn't go for us this time.''
The Sharks appeared to be on the right path midway through March when they had a nine-point lead over Anaheim in the Pacific Division and looked poised for another long playoff run following last year's trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
But six straight regulation losses, key injuries to top two centers Thornton and Couture, and fatigue following a short summer, the World Cup in September and a condensed schedule caught up to them.
''Everyone talked about getting to the Final the year before and how tough the next year is - you always think you can be the team that can do it,'' coach Peter DeBoer said. ''It's hard, it's a grind. I'm not prepared to take inventory of what went wrong. My gut feeling is we ran out of gas in the last month. It's just a reality.''
Thornton injured his left knee on April 2 and missed the final three games of the regular season and first two games of the playoffs. He returned but was not at his usual level, and teammates said he was basically playing on one leg.
Couture had a gruesome injury after a shot by Brent Burns deflected into his face on March 25, knocking out several teeth and making it painful to breathe or eat. He missed the final two weeks of the regular season before returning for the playoffs.
''Excuses are for losers,'' Couture said. ''You have to step up at this time of the year to play at this time of the year. It doesn't matter if you're hurt because there are always guys that aren't healthy. It doesn't matter if you're tired. You have to find a way and they found it and we didn't.''
Preds rested, ready to face Blues in semis
April 23, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators finally get a new opponent in the postseason after their surprising sweep of the Western Conference's No. 1 seed.
Their reward?
The St. Louis Blues, fresh off downing the West's second-best team with a 4-1 series victory over the Minnesota Wild that was as stunning as Nashville's sweep. St. Louis coach Mike Yeo said he is well aware of the Blues' next challenge.
''It's pretty easy for us to look at what happened in the last series and not underestimate that opponent,'' Yeo said after St. Louis clinched its opening-round series over Minnesota. ''So they're a great team and that's life in the Central Division for you, and the Western Conference for you. You get to advance from one good team and you get to go play another.''
Minnesota finished the regular season with the second-highest point total, 106, just three fewer than Chicago.
The Predators are hoping for one benefit to playing a second straight Central Division team after last season, when Nashville defeated Anaheim in the first round in seven games, a series that required three flights to California. They had just one off day between Game 7 and the first game of their semifinal series against San Jose, a series that the Sharks won in seven games.
''That was tough with all that travel last year, I remember it pretty clearly,'' center Ryan Johansen said Sunday. ''Getting off and on those flights all the time and bodies being sore and guys being beat up, it was difficult. We definitely have a different situation with Chicago and St. Louis being close and only having to play four games the first series.''
Nashville coach Peter Laviolette gave his team Friday and Saturday off, a precious commodity this time of year, after finishing its sweep of Chicago on Thursday night. The Predators returned to the ice Sunday morning for a high-tempo practice.
''The first priority was just a couple of days of rest and get back out here and just start getting at things,'' Laviolette said.
Nashville won three of its five regular-season matchups against the Blues. The Blues won two of three games played in St. Louis, and they will have home-ice advantage in this semifinal after edging out Nashville for third in the Central. That left Nashville with the second wild card as the No. 8 seed.
This semifinal ensures one Central Division team will be playing for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals, just not the teams expected in the first postseason series between these franchises.
''They are physical, they play fast, they play the right way,'' Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said of the Blues. "They are much like us. We try to do the right things at the right time.''
The Blues and Predators will feature this playoff season's top two goaltenders. Entering Sunday's action, Nashville's Pekka Rinne leads the NHL with a .976 save percentage, with Jake Allen a close second at .956. Rinne allowed just three goals - two on the power play and one at even strength - in four games played against Chicago in the first round. Two of his wins, both in Chicago, were shutouts.
''You saw what they did to Chicago,'' Allen said. ''Obviously they're playing their best games of the year, and they'll be ready.''
Nashville forward Colin Wilson, who missed the entire first round because of a lower-body injury, was a full participant in Sunday's practice. He's hopeful to return against the Blues.
''That first playoff game, I was just dying to get out there, and sure enough, Game 3, our first game at home, it was an even bigger itch,'' Wilson said. ''It was nice to see the boys do real well and get me the opportunity to get back in.''
April 23, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators finally get a new opponent in the postseason after their surprising sweep of the Western Conference's No. 1 seed.
Their reward?
The St. Louis Blues, fresh off downing the West's second-best team with a 4-1 series victory over the Minnesota Wild that was as stunning as Nashville's sweep. St. Louis coach Mike Yeo said he is well aware of the Blues' next challenge.
''It's pretty easy for us to look at what happened in the last series and not underestimate that opponent,'' Yeo said after St. Louis clinched its opening-round series over Minnesota. ''So they're a great team and that's life in the Central Division for you, and the Western Conference for you. You get to advance from one good team and you get to go play another.''
Minnesota finished the regular season with the second-highest point total, 106, just three fewer than Chicago.
The Predators are hoping for one benefit to playing a second straight Central Division team after last season, when Nashville defeated Anaheim in the first round in seven games, a series that required three flights to California. They had just one off day between Game 7 and the first game of their semifinal series against San Jose, a series that the Sharks won in seven games.
''That was tough with all that travel last year, I remember it pretty clearly,'' center Ryan Johansen said Sunday. ''Getting off and on those flights all the time and bodies being sore and guys being beat up, it was difficult. We definitely have a different situation with Chicago and St. Louis being close and only having to play four games the first series.''
Nashville coach Peter Laviolette gave his team Friday and Saturday off, a precious commodity this time of year, after finishing its sweep of Chicago on Thursday night. The Predators returned to the ice Sunday morning for a high-tempo practice.
''The first priority was just a couple of days of rest and get back out here and just start getting at things,'' Laviolette said.
Nashville won three of its five regular-season matchups against the Blues. The Blues won two of three games played in St. Louis, and they will have home-ice advantage in this semifinal after edging out Nashville for third in the Central. That left Nashville with the second wild card as the No. 8 seed.
This semifinal ensures one Central Division team will be playing for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals, just not the teams expected in the first postseason series between these franchises.
''They are physical, they play fast, they play the right way,'' Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said of the Blues. "They are much like us. We try to do the right things at the right time.''
The Blues and Predators will feature this playoff season's top two goaltenders. Entering Sunday's action, Nashville's Pekka Rinne leads the NHL with a .976 save percentage, with Jake Allen a close second at .956. Rinne allowed just three goals - two on the power play and one at even strength - in four games played against Chicago in the first round. Two of his wins, both in Chicago, were shutouts.
''You saw what they did to Chicago,'' Allen said. ''Obviously they're playing their best games of the year, and they'll be ready.''
Nashville forward Colin Wilson, who missed the entire first round because of a lower-body injury, was a full participant in Sunday's practice. He's hopeful to return against the Blues.
''That first playoff game, I was just dying to get out there, and sure enough, Game 3, our first game at home, it was an even bigger itch,'' Wilson said. ''It was nice to see the boys do real well and get me the opportunity to get back in.''
Kunitz, Ruhwedel return to practice for well-rested Penguins
April 23, 2017
PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz returned to practice on Sunday, giving the defending Stanley Cup champions hope the veteran forward can contribute at some point during the team's postseason run.
Kunitz wore a non-contact jersey during the workout. The 37-year-old hasn't played since being diagnosed with a ''longer term'' lower-body injury following a victory over the New York Rangers on March 31. The Penguins have been off since eliminating Columbus from the playoffs in five games last Thursday.
Pittsburgh's second-round series begins this week and Kunitz's appearance is a promising sign the two-time Cup winner will be available sooner rather than later.
''Hopefully I'm not too far off,'' said Kunitz, who has nine goals and 20 assists this season. ''Playoff hockey is a different animal and you want to be prepared for that.''
Coach Mike Sullivan said the team will see how Kunitz's body responds before deciding whether Kunitz will practice Monday. Kunitz is one of Pittsburgh's most physical players, carving out a niche during his 13-year career by getting to the front of the net.
Kunitz is second behind Washington defenseman Brooks Orpik in playoff hits over the last 11 seasons with 437. He has played 106 of his 141 career playoff games for the Penguins, a mainstay for a team perennially among the Stanley Cup contenders. Kunitz is in the final year of his contract and with a glut of young forwards, it's uncertain whether he be back next season.
''I think anytime you miss games in the playoffs, you never know if you're going to get another game in,'' Kunitz said.
Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel also skated in a non-contact jersey on Sunday. Ruhwedel missed the first round with an upper-body injury.
''They're that much closer,'' Sullivan said. ''That's really encouraging from our standpoint.''
April 23, 2017
PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz returned to practice on Sunday, giving the defending Stanley Cup champions hope the veteran forward can contribute at some point during the team's postseason run.
Kunitz wore a non-contact jersey during the workout. The 37-year-old hasn't played since being diagnosed with a ''longer term'' lower-body injury following a victory over the New York Rangers on March 31. The Penguins have been off since eliminating Columbus from the playoffs in five games last Thursday.
Pittsburgh's second-round series begins this week and Kunitz's appearance is a promising sign the two-time Cup winner will be available sooner rather than later.
''Hopefully I'm not too far off,'' said Kunitz, who has nine goals and 20 assists this season. ''Playoff hockey is a different animal and you want to be prepared for that.''
Coach Mike Sullivan said the team will see how Kunitz's body responds before deciding whether Kunitz will practice Monday. Kunitz is one of Pittsburgh's most physical players, carving out a niche during his 13-year career by getting to the front of the net.
Kunitz is second behind Washington defenseman Brooks Orpik in playoff hits over the last 11 seasons with 437. He has played 106 of his 141 career playoff games for the Penguins, a mainstay for a team perennially among the Stanley Cup contenders. Kunitz is in the final year of his contract and with a glut of young forwards, it's uncertain whether he be back next season.
''I think anytime you miss games in the playoffs, you never know if you're going to get another game in,'' Kunitz said.
Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel also skated in a non-contact jersey on Sunday. Ruhwedel missed the first round with an upper-body injury.
''They're that much closer,'' Sullivan said. ''That's really encouraging from our standpoint.''
Nhl playoffs record: ( as in baseball dogs and totals only)
All picks for the day:
04/23/2017 2-1-1 66.67% +675
04/22/2017 3-2-0 60.00% +825
04/21/2017 0-2-1 0.00% -1050
04/20/2017 1-4-2 20.00 -1550
04/19/2017 1-5-0 16.67% -1950
04/18/2017 1-4-0 20.00% -1650
04/17/2017 1-3-1 25.00% -1100
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71%+2550
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71% +2550
04/15/2017 1-2-2 33.33% -250
04/14/2017 1-6-0 14.29% -2325
04/13/2017 2-2-1 50.00% +225
04/12/2017 4-5-1 44.44% -940
Best Bets............ Sides...............................Totals
04/23/2017..........1 - 0............+1.35.............1 - 0 - 1...............+1.00
04/22/2017..........2 - 0............+2.85.............0 - 2.....................-2.20
04/21/2017 .........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 1 - 1................-1.10
04/20/2017..........0 - 3.............-3.00.............1 - 1 - 2................-0.10
04/19/2017..........1 - 1............+0.50.............0 - 4....................- 4.40
04/18/2017..........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 3 ....................-3.30
04/17/2017..........1 - 0.............+1.10............0 - 3 - 1................-3.30
04/16/2017..........3 - 0.............+3.20............3 - 1....................+1.90
04/15/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.60............1 - 2....................-1.20
04/14/2017..........1 - 2..............-0.25............0 - 4...................- 4.40
04/13/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.55............1 - 1 - 1..............- 0.10
04/12/2017..........1 - 1 ............+1.00............2 - 2 - 1 .............- 0.20
All picks for the day:
04/23/2017 2-1-1 66.67% +675
04/22/2017 3-2-0 60.00% +825
04/21/2017 0-2-1 0.00% -1050
04/20/2017 1-4-2 20.00 -1550
04/19/2017 1-5-0 16.67% -1950
04/18/2017 1-4-0 20.00% -1650
04/17/2017 1-3-1 25.00% -1100
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71%+2550
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71% +2550
04/15/2017 1-2-2 33.33% -250
04/14/2017 1-6-0 14.29% -2325
04/13/2017 2-2-1 50.00% +225
04/12/2017 4-5-1 44.44% -940
Best Bets............ Sides...............................Totals
04/23/2017..........1 - 0............+1.35.............1 - 0 - 1...............+1.00
04/22/2017..........2 - 0............+2.85.............0 - 2.....................-2.20
04/21/2017 .........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 1 - 1................-1.10
04/20/2017..........0 - 3.............-3.00.............1 - 1 - 2................-0.10
04/19/2017..........1 - 1............+0.50.............0 - 4....................- 4.40
04/18/2017..........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 3 ....................-3.30
04/17/2017..........1 - 0.............+1.10............0 - 3 - 1................-3.30
04/16/2017..........3 - 0.............+3.20............3 - 1....................+1.90
04/15/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.60............1 - 2....................-1.20
04/14/2017..........1 - 2..............-0.25............0 - 4...................- 4.40
04/13/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.55............1 - 1 - 1..............- 0.10
04/12/2017..........1 - 1 ............+1.00............2 - 2 - 1 .............- 0.20
Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack
— This is an open recruiting period for college hoop; UConn offered three 10th graders this weekend off the same AAU team in Georgia.
— Mets are 8-17 in their last 25 games with Washington- they visit our nation’s capital this weekend.
— Brewers 11, Reds 7- Eric Thames hit two more HR’s, has 10 for the season; he has 7 HR’s in 21 PA’s against Cincinnati.
— Raptors 118, Bucks 93— Toronto won last two games by 11-25 points, have 3-2 series lead.
— Hawks 111, Wizards 101— Home team won all four series games.
— Giants 2, Dodgers 1– Buster Posey picked Justin Turner off 2B to end the game with Adrian Gonzalez at the plate. Oy.
**********
Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but………
13) Get well soon, Steve Kerr; the Warriors’ coach has had severe pain/discomfort since he had surgery on his spine a couple years ago. Fluid leaked from his spine and has created problems so unique that doctors aren’t even sure what the real problem is now.
Kerr seems like a genuinely decent and normal guy; we wish him the best in getting healthy.
12) Oklahoma City lost at home to Houston Sunday; they were +14 in 39:00 Russell Westbrook was on the court, -18 in 9:00 he was on the bench.
Billy Donovan has forgotten more basketball than I will ever know, but if I’m him, I might just leave Westbrook out there the whole 48:00 and see what happens. There are enough TV timeouts to get him a decent amount of rest.
11) Thursday night the Mariners lost a tough game in Oakland; at one point, a ground ball single went thru the legs of CF Leonys Martin, who actually went to one knee to stop the ball, but still whiffed on it. Ball took an odd hop, but not a REAL bad hop.
Sunday, the Mariners designated Martin for assignment, which means they are done with him. I’m guessing that error Thursday night was a part of that decision.
10) Pro wrestler Jon Cena’s grandfather Tony Lupien played in 614 big league games as a first baseman for the Red Sox, Phillies, White Sox. Sunday would’ve been Mr Lupien’s 100th birthday.
By the way, Jon Cena does more stuff for kids in the Make-a-Wish program than any other celebrity. He is incredibly generous with his time and makes a lot of kids smile. Good for him.
9) You think about how much the Rams paid Tennessee last year for their first pick in the draft that turned into Jared Goff and a big part of that was a belief that there is no great QB prospect in this draft, so if LA was going to draft a young QB, it had to be done last year.
Mel Kiper doesn’t give any QB’s first round grades this year; that is telling.
8) Phillies were 1-1 in 8th inning Sunday, then they hit three consecutive homers against the Atlanta bullpen- that doesn’t happen much.
7) Runs batted in by outfielders this season:
Miami 46, Washington 37
Kansas City 11, San Diego/Toronto, 12 each.
6) Houston Astros are 6-2 on the road which obviously is very good but a red flag; Astros haven’t led any of those games (0-5-3) after five innings- their deep lineup beats up on middle relievers.
5) Best records in games decided by 1-2 runs: Orioles 10-1, Rockies 10-2, Astros 6-2, Nationals 9-3……..Worst records? Toronto 2-10, Dodgers 3-6, Minnesota 2-6.
4) Former Cowboys’ executive Gil Brandt points out on Twitter that Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett had 31 career sacks at Texas A&M, but only 14 of them came in SEC games— Aggies’ non-league opponents were mostly Sun Belt/C-USA teams (UTSA, Rice, ULM).
3) From Wikipedia: The Wonderlic Personnel Test is a popular group intelligence test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 12 minutes.
How much do Wonderlic scores matter when NFL teams are drafting players this week?
I have to ask around, seeing as this is NFL draft week; I think I remember being told a few years ago that some teams care about the results, some do not.
I’ll get back to you on this.
2) Red Sox threw behind Manny Machado’s head Sunday, causing a ruckus, after his slide into second base Saturday sent Dustin Pedroia to the pines. Hopefully this will all go away, but Machado does have a way of annoying opponents— he got into it with Josh Donaldson in Oakland a few years ago.
1— New York Giants used to have training camp here in Albany; friend of mine’s adult son wanted Eli Manning’s autograph, so he went to camp with a friend of his, who happened to be an exotic dancer. The young lady called for Eli, he came over to them, and my friend’s son asked Eli to sign the Giants’ mini-helmet he had.
He hands Eli the helmet and a silver Sharpie, but Eli wouldn’t sign with the silver pen; he had a black Sharpie he used, and he was insistent that he use it.
“I won’t be able to read your signature” the young man complained.
“You’ll be able to read it just fine” Eli replied, signed the helmet and that was that.
Thats how they tell the difference between the stuff Eli signs for Steiner Sports and those he just signs for free, by the color pen he signs with.
I’ll say this: if you pay extra for “game-used” items, you’re a damn fool, because demand exceeds supply, which means the “game-used” stuff you’re getting probably isn’t.
— This is an open recruiting period for college hoop; UConn offered three 10th graders this weekend off the same AAU team in Georgia.
— Mets are 8-17 in their last 25 games with Washington- they visit our nation’s capital this weekend.
— Brewers 11, Reds 7- Eric Thames hit two more HR’s, has 10 for the season; he has 7 HR’s in 21 PA’s against Cincinnati.
— Raptors 118, Bucks 93— Toronto won last two games by 11-25 points, have 3-2 series lead.
— Hawks 111, Wizards 101— Home team won all four series games.
— Giants 2, Dodgers 1– Buster Posey picked Justin Turner off 2B to end the game with Adrian Gonzalez at the plate. Oy.
**********
Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but………
13) Get well soon, Steve Kerr; the Warriors’ coach has had severe pain/discomfort since he had surgery on his spine a couple years ago. Fluid leaked from his spine and has created problems so unique that doctors aren’t even sure what the real problem is now.
Kerr seems like a genuinely decent and normal guy; we wish him the best in getting healthy.
12) Oklahoma City lost at home to Houston Sunday; they were +14 in 39:00 Russell Westbrook was on the court, -18 in 9:00 he was on the bench.
Billy Donovan has forgotten more basketball than I will ever know, but if I’m him, I might just leave Westbrook out there the whole 48:00 and see what happens. There are enough TV timeouts to get him a decent amount of rest.
11) Thursday night the Mariners lost a tough game in Oakland; at one point, a ground ball single went thru the legs of CF Leonys Martin, who actually went to one knee to stop the ball, but still whiffed on it. Ball took an odd hop, but not a REAL bad hop.
Sunday, the Mariners designated Martin for assignment, which means they are done with him. I’m guessing that error Thursday night was a part of that decision.
10) Pro wrestler Jon Cena’s grandfather Tony Lupien played in 614 big league games as a first baseman for the Red Sox, Phillies, White Sox. Sunday would’ve been Mr Lupien’s 100th birthday.
By the way, Jon Cena does more stuff for kids in the Make-a-Wish program than any other celebrity. He is incredibly generous with his time and makes a lot of kids smile. Good for him.
9) You think about how much the Rams paid Tennessee last year for their first pick in the draft that turned into Jared Goff and a big part of that was a belief that there is no great QB prospect in this draft, so if LA was going to draft a young QB, it had to be done last year.
Mel Kiper doesn’t give any QB’s first round grades this year; that is telling.
8) Phillies were 1-1 in 8th inning Sunday, then they hit three consecutive homers against the Atlanta bullpen- that doesn’t happen much.
7) Runs batted in by outfielders this season:
Miami 46, Washington 37
Kansas City 11, San Diego/Toronto, 12 each.
6) Houston Astros are 6-2 on the road which obviously is very good but a red flag; Astros haven’t led any of those games (0-5-3) after five innings- their deep lineup beats up on middle relievers.
5) Best records in games decided by 1-2 runs: Orioles 10-1, Rockies 10-2, Astros 6-2, Nationals 9-3……..Worst records? Toronto 2-10, Dodgers 3-6, Minnesota 2-6.
4) Former Cowboys’ executive Gil Brandt points out on Twitter that Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett had 31 career sacks at Texas A&M, but only 14 of them came in SEC games— Aggies’ non-league opponents were mostly Sun Belt/C-USA teams (UTSA, Rice, ULM).
3) From Wikipedia: The Wonderlic Personnel Test is a popular group intelligence test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 12 minutes.
How much do Wonderlic scores matter when NFL teams are drafting players this week?
I have to ask around, seeing as this is NFL draft week; I think I remember being told a few years ago that some teams care about the results, some do not.
I’ll get back to you on this.
2) Red Sox threw behind Manny Machado’s head Sunday, causing a ruckus, after his slide into second base Saturday sent Dustin Pedroia to the pines. Hopefully this will all go away, but Machado does have a way of annoying opponents— he got into it with Josh Donaldson in Oakland a few years ago.
1— New York Giants used to have training camp here in Albany; friend of mine’s adult son wanted Eli Manning’s autograph, so he went to camp with a friend of his, who happened to be an exotic dancer. The young lady called for Eli, he came over to them, and my friend’s son asked Eli to sign the Giants’ mini-helmet he had.
He hands Eli the helmet and a silver Sharpie, but Eli wouldn’t sign with the silver pen; he had a black Sharpie he used, and he was insistent that he use it.
“I won’t be able to read your signature” the young man complained.
“You’ll be able to read it just fine” Eli replied, signed the helmet and that was that.
Thats how they tell the difference between the stuff Eli signs for Steiner Sports and those he just signs for free, by the color pen he signs with.
I’ll say this: if you pay extra for “game-used” items, you’re a damn fool, because demand exceeds supply, which means the “game-used” stuff you’re getting probably isn’t.
Second Round Series Odds
April 25, 2017
Home Team listed first - Best of 7 Games (2-2-1-1-1)
(Opening Odds in parentheses)
Eastern Conference - Second Round
Ottawa vs. N.Y. Rangers (-)
Senators (+130)
Rangers (-150)
Pittsburgh vs. Washington (-)
Penguins (+120)
Capitals (-140)
Western Conference - Second Round
St. Louis vs. Nashville (-)
Blues (+110)
Predators (-130)
Anaheim vs. Edmonton (-)
Ducks (-140)
Oilers (+120)
Odds Subject to Change - Updated 4.25.17
Exact Game Props - Prior to Series (4/24/17)
Odds per Sportsbook.ag
Senators vs. Rangers
6 Games Rangers Win 3/1
5 Games Rangers Win 9/2
7 Games Rangers Win 9/2
7 Games Senators Win 9/2
6 Games Senators Win 5/1
5 Games Senators Win 8/1
4 Games Rangers Win 17/2
4 Games Senators Win 17/1
Penguins vs. Capitals
6 Games Penguins Win 4/1
7 Games Capitals Win 4/1
6 Games Capitals Win 9/2
7 Games Penguins Win 9/2
5 Games Capitals Win 5/1
5 Games Penguins Win 13/2
4 Games Capitals Win 14/1
4 Games Penguins Win 14/1
Blues vs. Predators
6 Games Predators Win 7/2
7 Games Blues Win 4/1
7 Games Predators Win 4/1
6 Games Blues Win 5/1
5 Games Blues Win 6/1
5 Games Predators Win 13/2
4 Games Predators Win 12/1
4 Games Blues Win 13/1
Ducks vs. Oilers
7 Games Ducks Win 7/2
6 Games Oilers Win 4/1
5 Games Ducks Win 9/2
7 Games Oilers Win 9/2
6 Games Ducks Win 5/1
5 Games Oilers Win 7/1
4 Games Ducks Win 13/1
4 Games Oilers Win 15/1
Odds Subject to Change
April 25, 2017
Home Team listed first - Best of 7 Games (2-2-1-1-1)
(Opening Odds in parentheses)
Eastern Conference - Second Round
Ottawa vs. N.Y. Rangers (-)
Senators (+130)
Rangers (-150)
Pittsburgh vs. Washington (-)
Penguins (+120)
Capitals (-140)
Western Conference - Second Round
St. Louis vs. Nashville (-)
Blues (+110)
Predators (-130)
Anaheim vs. Edmonton (-)
Ducks (-140)
Oilers (+120)
Odds Subject to Change - Updated 4.25.17
Exact Game Props - Prior to Series (4/24/17)
Odds per Sportsbook.ag
Senators vs. Rangers
6 Games Rangers Win 3/1
5 Games Rangers Win 9/2
7 Games Rangers Win 9/2
7 Games Senators Win 9/2
6 Games Senators Win 5/1
5 Games Senators Win 8/1
4 Games Rangers Win 17/2
4 Games Senators Win 17/1
Penguins vs. Capitals
6 Games Penguins Win 4/1
7 Games Capitals Win 4/1
6 Games Capitals Win 9/2
7 Games Penguins Win 9/2
5 Games Capitals Win 5/1
5 Games Penguins Win 13/2
4 Games Capitals Win 14/1
4 Games Penguins Win 14/1
Blues vs. Predators
6 Games Predators Win 7/2
7 Games Blues Win 4/1
7 Games Predators Win 4/1
6 Games Blues Win 5/1
5 Games Blues Win 6/1
5 Games Predators Win 13/2
4 Games Predators Win 12/1
4 Games Blues Win 13/1
Ducks vs. Oilers
7 Games Ducks Win 7/2
6 Games Oilers Win 4/1
5 Games Ducks Win 9/2
7 Games Oilers Win 9/2
6 Games Ducks Win 5/1
5 Games Oilers Win 7/1
4 Games Ducks Win 13/1
4 Games Oilers Win 15/1
Odds Subject to Change
Second Round Cheat Sheet
April 25, 2017
Key:
A – Atlantic
M – Metropolitan
C – Central
P – Pacific
W – Wild Card
Eastern Conference
2M Pittsburgh vs. 1M Washington
Capitals: 55-19-8, 118 points
Penguins: 50-21-6, 111 points
Season series: The Capitals won the Metropolitan Division by seven points, winning the President's Trophy with 118 points. The Penguins finished in second place with 111 points. These two sides met four times during the regular season with each team winning on home ice. The most recent meeting on Jan. 16 featured fire-wagon hockey, as the Pens outlasted the Caps 8-7 in overtime. There were a total of 35 goals scored in the four meetings, with the 'over' going 3-0-1.
Previous playoff outcome: The Penguins topped the Capitals in six games in the second round last season en route to their fourth Stanley Cup championship. The Caps are hoping history doesn't repeat itself. The clubs also met in the Conference Semifinals back in 2009 with the Pens upsetting the Caps in seven games. The lower seeded Penguins were also victorious in 2001, topping the third-seed Penguins in six games, while the seven-seed Pens ousted the two-seed Caps in five games in the first round back in 2000. Pittsburgh also ended Washington's season in the 1995 and 1996 postseason, winning each series in the opening round. The Capitals topped the Penguins in 1994 in six games in the Conference Quarterfinals, but have lost six straight series against their Metro Division rivals since.
1W N.Y. Rangers vs. Ottawa
Senators: 44-28-6, 98 points
Rangers: 48-28-6, 102 points
Season series: The Rangers and Senators met three times during the regular season and Ottawa was victorious in two of the meetings. That includes a 2-0 win at Madison Square Garden back on Nov. 27, and a 3-1 win at home on April 8 in the penultimate game of the regular season. The home team has won four of the past five meetings, while the 'under' is 32-10-9 in the past 51 meetings. That includes a 16-6-7 'under' mark in the past 29 meetings in Canada's capital city.
Previous playoff outcome: The Rangers and Senators have met just one time before in the postseason with New York ending Ottawa's season in seven games in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals back in 2012. The Senators have participated in the Conference Semifinals six times in franchise history, losing four times in the round. Meanwhile, the Blueshirts have won three of their past four appearances in the Conference Semis.
Western Conference
3C St. Louis vs. 2W Nashville
Blues: 46-29-7, 99 points
Predators: 41-29-12, 94 points
Season series: The Predators and Blues hooked up five times during the regular season with Nashville coming away with three wins. St. Louis outscored Nashville by a 15-11 count during the span. The Preds haven't had a lot of success over the years against the Blues, going 8-18 in the previous 26 meetings, including 1-6 in their past seven trips to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. The 'under' is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings in Missouri, and 52-22-8 in the past 82 meetings overall in this series. The home team has won five of the past six battles.
Previous playoff outcome: The Predators do not have a lengthy postseason history, and they have never meet St. Louis in their previous nine forays into the playoffs. Nashville has appeared in the Conference Semifinals on just three previous occasions, bowing out to the Canucks in six games (2011), Coyotes in five games (2012) and Sharks in seven games (2016). The Blues knocked off the Stars in seven games last season in the second round for their first trip to the Conference Finals since 2001.
2P Edmonton vs. 1P Anaheim
Ducks: 46-23-13, 105 points
Oilers: 47-26-7, 99 points
Season series: The Ducks and Oilers hooked up five times during the regular season with Edmonton winning three of the outings. The two most recent meetings resulted in one-goal games, including a 3-2 overtime win by the Oilers on April Fool's Day, so you can likely expect a tight series between these Pacific Division rivals. The Oilers haven't had a lot of success over the years against the Ducks, going 8-27 in the previous 35 meetings, including 2-9 in their past 11 skates on 'The Pond'.
Previous playoff outcome: Anaheim and Edmonton have met just once before in the postseason and it didn't end well for the Ducks, as the Oilers won the series in five games in the Western Conference Finals back in 2006. The Ducks have been ousted three times in the past four appearances in the Conference Semifinals. It's been a long wait for the Oilers, as they hadn't been in the playoffs since that 2006 season until now. They ousted the Sharks in six games, and are making just their second appearance in the Conference Semis since 1998.
April 25, 2017
Key:
A – Atlantic
M – Metropolitan
C – Central
P – Pacific
W – Wild Card
Eastern Conference
2M Pittsburgh vs. 1M Washington
Capitals: 55-19-8, 118 points
Penguins: 50-21-6, 111 points
Season series: The Capitals won the Metropolitan Division by seven points, winning the President's Trophy with 118 points. The Penguins finished in second place with 111 points. These two sides met four times during the regular season with each team winning on home ice. The most recent meeting on Jan. 16 featured fire-wagon hockey, as the Pens outlasted the Caps 8-7 in overtime. There were a total of 35 goals scored in the four meetings, with the 'over' going 3-0-1.
Previous playoff outcome: The Penguins topped the Capitals in six games in the second round last season en route to their fourth Stanley Cup championship. The Caps are hoping history doesn't repeat itself. The clubs also met in the Conference Semifinals back in 2009 with the Pens upsetting the Caps in seven games. The lower seeded Penguins were also victorious in 2001, topping the third-seed Penguins in six games, while the seven-seed Pens ousted the two-seed Caps in five games in the first round back in 2000. Pittsburgh also ended Washington's season in the 1995 and 1996 postseason, winning each series in the opening round. The Capitals topped the Penguins in 1994 in six games in the Conference Quarterfinals, but have lost six straight series against their Metro Division rivals since.
1W N.Y. Rangers vs. Ottawa
Senators: 44-28-6, 98 points
Rangers: 48-28-6, 102 points
Season series: The Rangers and Senators met three times during the regular season and Ottawa was victorious in two of the meetings. That includes a 2-0 win at Madison Square Garden back on Nov. 27, and a 3-1 win at home on April 8 in the penultimate game of the regular season. The home team has won four of the past five meetings, while the 'under' is 32-10-9 in the past 51 meetings. That includes a 16-6-7 'under' mark in the past 29 meetings in Canada's capital city.
Previous playoff outcome: The Rangers and Senators have met just one time before in the postseason with New York ending Ottawa's season in seven games in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals back in 2012. The Senators have participated in the Conference Semifinals six times in franchise history, losing four times in the round. Meanwhile, the Blueshirts have won three of their past four appearances in the Conference Semis.
Western Conference
3C St. Louis vs. 2W Nashville
Blues: 46-29-7, 99 points
Predators: 41-29-12, 94 points
Season series: The Predators and Blues hooked up five times during the regular season with Nashville coming away with three wins. St. Louis outscored Nashville by a 15-11 count during the span. The Preds haven't had a lot of success over the years against the Blues, going 8-18 in the previous 26 meetings, including 1-6 in their past seven trips to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. The 'under' is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings in Missouri, and 52-22-8 in the past 82 meetings overall in this series. The home team has won five of the past six battles.
Previous playoff outcome: The Predators do not have a lengthy postseason history, and they have never meet St. Louis in their previous nine forays into the playoffs. Nashville has appeared in the Conference Semifinals on just three previous occasions, bowing out to the Canucks in six games (2011), Coyotes in five games (2012) and Sharks in seven games (2016). The Blues knocked off the Stars in seven games last season in the second round for their first trip to the Conference Finals since 2001.
2P Edmonton vs. 1P Anaheim
Ducks: 46-23-13, 105 points
Oilers: 47-26-7, 99 points
Season series: The Ducks and Oilers hooked up five times during the regular season with Edmonton winning three of the outings. The two most recent meetings resulted in one-goal games, including a 3-2 overtime win by the Oilers on April Fool's Day, so you can likely expect a tight series between these Pacific Division rivals. The Oilers haven't had a lot of success over the years against the Ducks, going 8-27 in the previous 35 meetings, including 2-9 in their past 11 skates on 'The Pond'.
Previous playoff outcome: Anaheim and Edmonton have met just once before in the postseason and it didn't end well for the Ducks, as the Oilers won the series in five games in the Western Conference Finals back in 2006. The Ducks have been ousted three times in the past four appearances in the Conference Semifinals. It's been a long wait for the Oilers, as they hadn't been in the playoffs since that 2006 season until now. They ousted the Sharks in six games, and are making just their second appearance in the Conference Semis since 1998.
Series Prices - Best Bets
April 24, 2017
The first round of the 2017 NHL playoffs have come and gone and while there were multiple surprises (Chicago AND Minnesota being eliminated), that wasn't as surprising over here as the fact that there were no Game 7's despite the plethora of OT games we saw across the league. Nearly every game was tight in that regard and there were multiple series' that could have gone either way. It goes to show you that the margin of error in the NHL during this time of year is razor thin and sometimes the difference is a lucky bounce or two, or avoiding running into a hot goalie.
My first round series predictions were hit AND miss as I expected at least one of Chicago or Minnesota to be eliminated (both were) and also had Montreal and Boston meeting in the 2nd round (neither made it). So with the second round matchups set and series price odds released, let's try this again and hope for the clean sweep – no pun intended.
Series Price Notes #1: The St Louis Blues will beat Nashville in 7 Games (+400 odds)
The Nashville Predators looked dominant in dismantling the Hawks in the first round, sweeping away the West's top seed with relative ease. That performance has helped earn Nashville the role of favorites in Round 2 with -130 odds to win the series over the Blues at Sportsbook.ag and you can confident in assuming that line will likely go up prior to Wednesday's Game 1.
Bettors that are heavily influenced by advanced analytics in the NHL were all over the Predators in Round 1 as the numbers suggested their series with Chicago was more of a coin flip then many expected, and Nashville's strong analytical stats give them an advantage on paper again here. However, history has a funny way of repeating itself and it's important to note that Nashville's sweep of Chicago was the first time a #1 seed in the conference was swept in the first round since 1993.
Back in those 1993 NHL playoffs it was actually the St Louis Blues who swept the #1 Chicago Blackhawks in a surprising upset to move on to the second round, the same position Nashville finds itself in this year. Well, the 1993 Blues went on to meet Toronto in the second round and it was the Leafs who came out on top in seven games in a highly competitive series. So fading the team that swept the #1 seed proved profitable in 1993 and it could very well be the same story in 2017 as well.
The Blues have the hottest goalie in the world right now in Jake Allen and the core of this team is still looking to improve on last year's disappointing loss in the Western Conference Finals. St Louis capitalized on the limited scoring chances they had in their series with Minnesota, and if things play out in a similar fashion vs. Nashville, it will be the Blues who move on.
St Louis does have home ice advantage in this matchup and although they were just 2-3 SU vs. Nashville in the regular season, all three of those defeats came prior to January 1st back when questions of St Louis possibly punting on the 2016-17 season were prevalent.
There is no question St Louis is a much better team now then they were then – the lone meeting between these two since January 1st was a 4-1 St Louis win at home – and while this series will be tight throughout, just like in 1993, the team that swept the top seed falls in seven games here.
Series Price Notes #2: North America's Nation Capital's will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals
Over in the East we've got the NY Rangers vs. Ottawa and Pittsburgh vs. Washington. All eyes will likely be on the Pens/Caps series to see if Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals can finally get past their hated rivals from Pittsburgh and reach their first Conference Finals in the Ovechkin era.
Pittsburgh/Washington has the best chance to be the most entertaining second round series in the NHL, but the Caps are deeper then they've ever been for this matchup and they should finally get that monkey off their back.
Going through a tough, grinding series with the upstart Maple Leafs will serve Washington well going forward and a (-130) price tag is a little short in my opinion. Part of that is because of Washington's perceived struggles with the Leafs while Pittsburgh rolled over Columbus, but I'm happy to take the value with the President Trophy winners.
On the other side of the coin are the Ottawa Senators (Canada's Capital) as (+130) series underdogs despite having home ice. The Rangers are clearly the more popular team and have much better numbers on paper, but Ottawa prevailed in a tough 1st round series themselves and have never minded playing the role of underdog.
Back in 2007 when the Senators franchise made their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, they were a team that was counted out by many in matchups vs. #5 Pittsburgh, #2 New Jersey and #1 Buffalo and thrived in those underdog roles, winning each series in five games.
Beating the Rangers this year likely will take another game or two, but they proved that their regular season sweep of Boston was no fluke by winning Round 1, and the Sens were 2-1 SU against the Rangers in the regular season as well. The value on this series price clearly lies with the Senators and having a potential Game 7 at home could be enough to push them through to the Eastern Conference Finals.
April 24, 2017
The first round of the 2017 NHL playoffs have come and gone and while there were multiple surprises (Chicago AND Minnesota being eliminated), that wasn't as surprising over here as the fact that there were no Game 7's despite the plethora of OT games we saw across the league. Nearly every game was tight in that regard and there were multiple series' that could have gone either way. It goes to show you that the margin of error in the NHL during this time of year is razor thin and sometimes the difference is a lucky bounce or two, or avoiding running into a hot goalie.
My first round series predictions were hit AND miss as I expected at least one of Chicago or Minnesota to be eliminated (both were) and also had Montreal and Boston meeting in the 2nd round (neither made it). So with the second round matchups set and series price odds released, let's try this again and hope for the clean sweep – no pun intended.
Series Price Notes #1: The St Louis Blues will beat Nashville in 7 Games (+400 odds)
The Nashville Predators looked dominant in dismantling the Hawks in the first round, sweeping away the West's top seed with relative ease. That performance has helped earn Nashville the role of favorites in Round 2 with -130 odds to win the series over the Blues at Sportsbook.ag and you can confident in assuming that line will likely go up prior to Wednesday's Game 1.
Bettors that are heavily influenced by advanced analytics in the NHL were all over the Predators in Round 1 as the numbers suggested their series with Chicago was more of a coin flip then many expected, and Nashville's strong analytical stats give them an advantage on paper again here. However, history has a funny way of repeating itself and it's important to note that Nashville's sweep of Chicago was the first time a #1 seed in the conference was swept in the first round since 1993.
Back in those 1993 NHL playoffs it was actually the St Louis Blues who swept the #1 Chicago Blackhawks in a surprising upset to move on to the second round, the same position Nashville finds itself in this year. Well, the 1993 Blues went on to meet Toronto in the second round and it was the Leafs who came out on top in seven games in a highly competitive series. So fading the team that swept the #1 seed proved profitable in 1993 and it could very well be the same story in 2017 as well.
The Blues have the hottest goalie in the world right now in Jake Allen and the core of this team is still looking to improve on last year's disappointing loss in the Western Conference Finals. St Louis capitalized on the limited scoring chances they had in their series with Minnesota, and if things play out in a similar fashion vs. Nashville, it will be the Blues who move on.
St Louis does have home ice advantage in this matchup and although they were just 2-3 SU vs. Nashville in the regular season, all three of those defeats came prior to January 1st back when questions of St Louis possibly punting on the 2016-17 season were prevalent.
There is no question St Louis is a much better team now then they were then – the lone meeting between these two since January 1st was a 4-1 St Louis win at home – and while this series will be tight throughout, just like in 1993, the team that swept the top seed falls in seven games here.
Series Price Notes #2: North America's Nation Capital's will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals
Over in the East we've got the NY Rangers vs. Ottawa and Pittsburgh vs. Washington. All eyes will likely be on the Pens/Caps series to see if Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals can finally get past their hated rivals from Pittsburgh and reach their first Conference Finals in the Ovechkin era.
Pittsburgh/Washington has the best chance to be the most entertaining second round series in the NHL, but the Caps are deeper then they've ever been for this matchup and they should finally get that monkey off their back.
Going through a tough, grinding series with the upstart Maple Leafs will serve Washington well going forward and a (-130) price tag is a little short in my opinion. Part of that is because of Washington's perceived struggles with the Leafs while Pittsburgh rolled over Columbus, but I'm happy to take the value with the President Trophy winners.
On the other side of the coin are the Ottawa Senators (Canada's Capital) as (+130) series underdogs despite having home ice. The Rangers are clearly the more popular team and have much better numbers on paper, but Ottawa prevailed in a tough 1st round series themselves and have never minded playing the role of underdog.
Back in 2007 when the Senators franchise made their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, they were a team that was counted out by many in matchups vs. #5 Pittsburgh, #2 New Jersey and #1 Buffalo and thrived in those underdog roles, winning each series in five games.
Beating the Rangers this year likely will take another game or two, but they proved that their regular season sweep of Boston was no fluke by winning Round 1, and the Sens were 2-1 SU against the Rangers in the regular season as well. The value on this series price clearly lies with the Senators and having a potential Game 7 at home could be enough to push them through to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack
Big East basketball has been re-configured for four years now; here are cumulative standings:
Villanova 63-9 conference play: 9-3 in NCAA’s
Xavier 42-30, 6-4
Providence 41-31, 1-4
Butler 38-34, 4-3
Creighton 37-35, 1-2
Seton Hall 34-38, 0-2
Georgetown 32-40, 1-1
Marquette 31-41, 0-1
St John’s 28-44, 0-2
DePaul 14-58, 0-0
**********
Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Mid-week musings……..
13) “There are no coincidences.” Friend of mine used to say that a lot.
So when Saints @ Vikings shows up as a Week 1 Monday Night Football game, and then five days later, former Viking Adrian Peterson signs a two-year, $7M contract with the Saints, you have to think the league knew about it in advance and had them delay the announcement until after the schedule was released.
12) Tuesday was a rainy night in the northeast; games in Boston, NYC, Philly were all rained out, which screws up fantasy league owners who had two-start (Tues/Sun) pitchers this week, but now will only make one start.
11) Detroit 19, Seattle 9— I wish it rained in Detroit, seeing as how Felix Hernandez is on my fantasy team; he got shelled in two lousy innings of work. Mariners are now 2-10 on the road. Detroit had 19 hits, just in the first five innings.
10) St Bonaventure is 35-19 in conference play the last three basketball seasons; look at a map and find Olean, NY- it is in the middle of freakin’ nowhere, on the Southern Tier of New York. There aren’t any big-time basketball high schools anywhere near Olean.
How has no big money college not hired Bonnies’ coach Mark Schmidt to run their program? This guy is a very good coach who should be working on a bigger stage.
9) Dodgers 2, Giants 1: Dodgers are 5-17 in their last 22 games in San Francisco, losing last six of last seven games there.
Dodgers called up top outfield prospect Cody Bellinger, who is expected to play almost every day while Joc Pederson (groin strain) is on the DL.
8) PGA Tour event in New Orleans this week is a team event; two-man teams, first time there has been one on the PGA Tour since 1981.
7) Los Angeles Angels traded for Atlanta minor league pitcher David Hernandez, who was immediately added to the Halos’ big league roster. Hernandez was at a Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert when he was notified of the trade.
6) Astros star Jose Altuve left Tuesday’s game in Cleveland in the 8th inning with what looked like a sore jaw after he collided with RF Teoscar Hernandez, who looked like he had a much more severe injury to his left leg.
5) Kansas has three hoop transfers who will be sitting out next year, then will be eligible to play in 2018-19; the Lawson brothers from Memphis and PG Charlie Moore from Cal. That reduces their eligible scholarship players for next year to 10 at the most- their bench could be thin.
4) When TNT replays NBA playoff games in the middle of the night, they replay the whole game, even the halftime shows. ESPN cuts a decent amount of their NBA game replays: “Due to time constraints we move ahead to further action”. Not sure why they do that.
3) ESPN was supposed to show Tigers-Indians this coming Monday night, but after the Red Sox threw at Manny Machado Sunday, they dropped that game and added Orioles-Red Sox to their Monday night programming.
2) 182 underclassmen (137 college, 45 foreign) have declared for the NBA Draft, in which only 60 players are drafted. Lot of the kids do not have agents and can go back to school, but there will also be several players heading to the D-League or Europe, having gotten poor advice.
You can make good money playing in Europe, but it ain’t the NBA.
1— I’ve whined a decent amount this year about NBA players needing “maintenance days” to rest up, either mentally/physically, from the grind of a long season.
Then there is the NHL; it came out after they lost to Edmonton in the playoffs that San Jose Sharks’ Joe Thornton played four games, with a torn ACL and MCL.
Let me repeat that: he played four hockey games WITH AN ALMOST TOTALLY SHREDDED KNEE!!! No maintenance days in pro hockey. Just really tough guys.
Big East basketball has been re-configured for four years now; here are cumulative standings:
Villanova 63-9 conference play: 9-3 in NCAA’s
Xavier 42-30, 6-4
Providence 41-31, 1-4
Butler 38-34, 4-3
Creighton 37-35, 1-2
Seton Hall 34-38, 0-2
Georgetown 32-40, 1-1
Marquette 31-41, 0-1
St John’s 28-44, 0-2
DePaul 14-58, 0-0
**********
Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Mid-week musings……..
13) “There are no coincidences.” Friend of mine used to say that a lot.
So when Saints @ Vikings shows up as a Week 1 Monday Night Football game, and then five days later, former Viking Adrian Peterson signs a two-year, $7M contract with the Saints, you have to think the league knew about it in advance and had them delay the announcement until after the schedule was released.
12) Tuesday was a rainy night in the northeast; games in Boston, NYC, Philly were all rained out, which screws up fantasy league owners who had two-start (Tues/Sun) pitchers this week, but now will only make one start.
11) Detroit 19, Seattle 9— I wish it rained in Detroit, seeing as how Felix Hernandez is on my fantasy team; he got shelled in two lousy innings of work. Mariners are now 2-10 on the road. Detroit had 19 hits, just in the first five innings.
10) St Bonaventure is 35-19 in conference play the last three basketball seasons; look at a map and find Olean, NY- it is in the middle of freakin’ nowhere, on the Southern Tier of New York. There aren’t any big-time basketball high schools anywhere near Olean.
How has no big money college not hired Bonnies’ coach Mark Schmidt to run their program? This guy is a very good coach who should be working on a bigger stage.
9) Dodgers 2, Giants 1: Dodgers are 5-17 in their last 22 games in San Francisco, losing last six of last seven games there.
Dodgers called up top outfield prospect Cody Bellinger, who is expected to play almost every day while Joc Pederson (groin strain) is on the DL.
8) PGA Tour event in New Orleans this week is a team event; two-man teams, first time there has been one on the PGA Tour since 1981.
7) Los Angeles Angels traded for Atlanta minor league pitcher David Hernandez, who was immediately added to the Halos’ big league roster. Hernandez was at a Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert when he was notified of the trade.
6) Astros star Jose Altuve left Tuesday’s game in Cleveland in the 8th inning with what looked like a sore jaw after he collided with RF Teoscar Hernandez, who looked like he had a much more severe injury to his left leg.
5) Kansas has three hoop transfers who will be sitting out next year, then will be eligible to play in 2018-19; the Lawson brothers from Memphis and PG Charlie Moore from Cal. That reduces their eligible scholarship players for next year to 10 at the most- their bench could be thin.
4) When TNT replays NBA playoff games in the middle of the night, they replay the whole game, even the halftime shows. ESPN cuts a decent amount of their NBA game replays: “Due to time constraints we move ahead to further action”. Not sure why they do that.
3) ESPN was supposed to show Tigers-Indians this coming Monday night, but after the Red Sox threw at Manny Machado Sunday, they dropped that game and added Orioles-Red Sox to their Monday night programming.
2) 182 underclassmen (137 college, 45 foreign) have declared for the NBA Draft, in which only 60 players are drafted. Lot of the kids do not have agents and can go back to school, but there will also be several players heading to the D-League or Europe, having gotten poor advice.
You can make good money playing in Europe, but it ain’t the NBA.
1— I’ve whined a decent amount this year about NBA players needing “maintenance days” to rest up, either mentally/physically, from the grind of a long season.
Then there is the NHL; it came out after they lost to Edmonton in the playoffs that San Jose Sharks’ Joe Thornton played four games, with a torn ACL and MCL.
Let me repeat that: he played four hockey games WITH AN ALMOST TOTALLY SHREDDED KNEE!!! No maintenance days in pro hockey. Just really tough guys.
NHL
Dunkel
Wednesday, April 26
Edmonton @ Anaheim
Game 3-4
April 26, 2017 @ 10:30 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
11.468
Anaheim
12.243
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(-130); Under
Nashville @ St. Louis
Game 1-2
April 26, 2017 @ 8:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
10.242
St. Louis
13.357
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-120); Under
NHL
Long Sheet
Wednesday, April 26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASHVILLE (45-29-0-12, 102 pts.) at ST LOUIS (50-30-0-7, 107 pts.) - 4/26/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 13-19 ATS (-10.1 Units) after a division game this season.
NASHVILLE is 11-17 ATS (-11.0 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
NASHVILLE is 11-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
NASHVILLE is 6-12 ATS (-10.5 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 109-80 ATS (+27.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 8-2 ATS (+5.0 Units) in April games this season.
ST LOUIS is 31-19 ATS (+10.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 23-17 ATS (+0.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 13-8 ATS (+4.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NASHVILLE is 236-193 ATS (+27.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 25-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 17-8 ATS (+25.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 8-12 ATS (+8.0 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-7-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDMONTON (51-27-0-10, 112 pts.) at ANAHEIM (50-23-0-13, 113 pts.) - 4/26/2017, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 20-7 ATS (+11.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ANAHEIM is 8-1 ATS (+6.4 Units) in April games this season.
ANAHEIM is 32-16 ATS (+12.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 22-11 ATS (+5.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ANAHEIM is 17-4 ATS (+10.5 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
ANAHEIM is 24-14 ATS (+24.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ANAHEIM is 25-15 ATS (+5.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 15-7 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 32-18 ATS (+7.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 24-11 ATS (+8.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
EDMONTON is 8-3 ATS (+11.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 10-4 (+4.8 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 10-4-0 straight up against EDMONTON 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)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHL
Short Sheet
Wednesday, April 26
Western Conference Semifinals – Best of 7 – Game 1
Nashville at St Louis, 8:00 PM ET
Nashville: 13-30 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +150
St Louis: 26-14 SU after 2 consecutive division games
Western Conference Semifinals – Best of 7 – Game 1
Edmonton at Anaheim, 10:30 PM ET
Edmonton: 19-29 SU in a road game where where the total is 5 or less
Anaheim: 31-12 SU in home games
NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up
Wednesday, April 26
There are no NHL playoff games tonight.
Second round NHL series
NY Rangers (-$150) vs Ottawa (+$130)
Pittsburgh (+$110) vs Washington (-$130)
St Louis (+$110) vs Nashville (-$130)
Anaheim (-$135) vs Edmonton (+$115)
NHL First round series:
East
Washington-Toronto
Wash 3-2 OT
Tor 4-3 2OT
Tor 4-3 OT
Wash 5-4
Wash 2-1 OT
Wash 2-1 OT
Capitals win series, 4-2
Pittsburgh-Columbus
Pitt 3-1
Pitt 4-1
Pitt 5-4 OT
CBJ 5-4
Pitt 5-2
Penguins win series, 4-1
Montreal-NY Rangers
NYR 2-0
Mtl 4-3 OT
Mtl 3-1
NYR 2-1
NYR 3-2 OT
NYR 3-1
Rangers win series 4-2
Ottawa-Boston
Bos 2-1
Ott 4-3 OT
Ott 4-3 OT
Ott 1-0
Bos 3-2 OT
Ott 2-1 OT
Senators win series, 4-2
West
Chicago-Nashville
Nash 1-0
Nash 5-0
Nash 3-2 OT
Nash 4-1
Predators win series, 4-0
Minnesota-St Louis
StL 2-1 ot
StL 2-1
StL 3-1
Minn 2-0
StL 4-2 OT
Blues win series, 4-1
Anaheim-Calgary
Ana, 3-2
Ana 3-2
Ana 5-4 OT
Ana 3-1
Ducks win series, 4-0
Edmonton-San Jose
SJ 3-2 ot
Edmonton 2-0
Edmonton 1-0
SJ 7-0
Edmonton 4-3 OT
Edmonton 3-1
Oilers win series, 4-2
Home teams: 20-22
Over: 13-21-8
NHL
Wednesday, April 26
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. ST. LOUIS
Nashville is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing St. Louis
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville
10:30 PM
EDMONTON vs. ANAHEIM
Edmonton is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Dunkel
Wednesday, April 26
Edmonton @ Anaheim
Game 3-4
April 26, 2017 @ 10:30 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
11.468
Anaheim
12.243
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(-130); Under
Nashville @ St. Louis
Game 1-2
April 26, 2017 @ 8:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
10.242
St. Louis
13.357
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-120); Under
NHL
Long Sheet
Wednesday, April 26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASHVILLE (45-29-0-12, 102 pts.) at ST LOUIS (50-30-0-7, 107 pts.) - 4/26/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 13-19 ATS (-10.1 Units) after a division game this season.
NASHVILLE is 11-17 ATS (-11.0 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
NASHVILLE is 11-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
NASHVILLE is 6-12 ATS (-10.5 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 109-80 ATS (+27.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 8-2 ATS (+5.0 Units) in April games this season.
ST LOUIS is 31-19 ATS (+10.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 23-17 ATS (+0.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 13-8 ATS (+4.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NASHVILLE is 236-193 ATS (+27.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 25-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 17-8 ATS (+25.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 8-12 ATS (+8.0 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-7-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDMONTON (51-27-0-10, 112 pts.) at ANAHEIM (50-23-0-13, 113 pts.) - 4/26/2017, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 20-7 ATS (+11.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ANAHEIM is 8-1 ATS (+6.4 Units) in April games this season.
ANAHEIM is 32-16 ATS (+12.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 22-11 ATS (+5.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ANAHEIM is 17-4 ATS (+10.5 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
ANAHEIM is 24-14 ATS (+24.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ANAHEIM is 25-15 ATS (+5.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 15-7 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 32-18 ATS (+7.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 24-11 ATS (+8.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
EDMONTON is 8-3 ATS (+11.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 10-4 (+4.8 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 10-4-0 straight up against EDMONTON 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)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHL
Short Sheet
Wednesday, April 26
Western Conference Semifinals – Best of 7 – Game 1
Nashville at St Louis, 8:00 PM ET
Nashville: 13-30 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +150
St Louis: 26-14 SU after 2 consecutive division games
Western Conference Semifinals – Best of 7 – Game 1
Edmonton at Anaheim, 10:30 PM ET
Edmonton: 19-29 SU in a road game where where the total is 5 or less
Anaheim: 31-12 SU in home games
NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up
Wednesday, April 26
There are no NHL playoff games tonight.
Second round NHL series
NY Rangers (-$150) vs Ottawa (+$130)
Pittsburgh (+$110) vs Washington (-$130)
St Louis (+$110) vs Nashville (-$130)
Anaheim (-$135) vs Edmonton (+$115)
NHL First round series:
East
Washington-Toronto
Wash 3-2 OT
Tor 4-3 2OT
Tor 4-3 OT
Wash 5-4
Wash 2-1 OT
Wash 2-1 OT
Capitals win series, 4-2
Pittsburgh-Columbus
Pitt 3-1
Pitt 4-1
Pitt 5-4 OT
CBJ 5-4
Pitt 5-2
Penguins win series, 4-1
Montreal-NY Rangers
NYR 2-0
Mtl 4-3 OT
Mtl 3-1
NYR 2-1
NYR 3-2 OT
NYR 3-1
Rangers win series 4-2
Ottawa-Boston
Bos 2-1
Ott 4-3 OT
Ott 4-3 OT
Ott 1-0
Bos 3-2 OT
Ott 2-1 OT
Senators win series, 4-2
West
Chicago-Nashville
Nash 1-0
Nash 5-0
Nash 3-2 OT
Nash 4-1
Predators win series, 4-0
Minnesota-St Louis
StL 2-1 ot
StL 2-1
StL 3-1
Minn 2-0
StL 4-2 OT
Blues win series, 4-1
Anaheim-Calgary
Ana, 3-2
Ana 3-2
Ana 5-4 OT
Ana 3-1
Ducks win series, 4-0
Edmonton-San Jose
SJ 3-2 ot
Edmonton 2-0
Edmonton 1-0
SJ 7-0
Edmonton 4-3 OT
Edmonton 3-1
Oilers win series, 4-2
Home teams: 20-22
Over: 13-21-8
NHL
Wednesday, April 26
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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. ST. LOUIS
Nashville is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing St. Louis
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville
10:30 PM
EDMONTON vs. ANAHEIM
Edmonton is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
NHL playoff betting cheat sheet: Pens and Caps highlight second round
By: Monty Andrews
The opening round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs provided plenty of drama and plenty of surprises. Will the upsets continue in Round 2?
Predators Eye Second Sweep
The Nashville Predators came into the Stanley Cup playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference - but bettors are taking them much more seriously after a stunning four-game sweep of the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks in Round 1. Nashville (-138) is a slight favorite in the second round of the postseason despite opening on the road against the St. Louis Blues (-102), who were also impressive in rolling past the Minnesota Wild in five games. The Predators won three of five meetings between the Central Division rivals in the regular season, with those games going 1-3-1 O/U.
Can Ducks Avoid Oil Spill?
The Anaheim Ducks weren't seriously challenged on the way to a four-game first-round sweep of the Calgary Flames. The Ducks (-135) will look to make it 2-for-2 against Alberta-based teams as they open their second-round series against the visiting Edmonton Oilers (-103) on Wednesday night. The Oilers, who last made the postseason in 2006, are proving they're not just happy to be here, orchestrating a six-game victory over the San Jose Sharks despite not getting a multi-point game from league scoring champion Connor McDavid. Anaheim owned a 2-1-2 edge in the season series, with the teams going 1-2-2 O/U.
Best of the Best
The NHL's playoff structure is full of quirks - and a second-round meeting between the teams with the two best regular-season records in the league is one of them. The Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals (-121) host the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins (-116) in Game 1 on Thursday night after surviving a six-game battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs that included five overtime games. The Penguins had a much easier time of it in their first-round series with Columbus, cruising past the Blue Jackets in five games. The Capitals went 2-0-2 in the season series, with the teams going 3-0-1 O/U.
A Sens-ational Showing
The Ottawa Senators overcame long odds - and a painful injury to their best player - to get past the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Now the Senators (+109) look to make it two upset wins in a row as they entertain the New York Rangers (-152) in the series opener Thursday night. Ottawa is coming off a six-game triumph over the Bruins, but learned Monday that defenseman Erik Karlsson is playing with two fractures in his left heel. The Senators won two of three meetings with the Rangers in the regular season, with the teams combining to go 1-2-0 O/U.
Injury News
* The Penguins might be getting some reinforcements up front for their second-round tilt with Washington. Winger Chris Kunitz (lower body) is considered a game-time decision for Game 1, while center Carl Hagelin (lower body) has resumed skating drills and could return sometime in the series.
* The Ducks will have one of their most important players back in the lineup in time for Game 1 of their second-round series with the Oilers. Defenseman Cam Fowler is expected to return Wednesday night after missing Games 3 and 4 of the series against the Flames with a right knee injury.
Player Notes
* The Capitals will need to be wary of the Penguins' firepower after Pittsburgh placed four players in the top 10 in scoring in Round 1. Center Evgeni Malkin leads all scorers in the postseason with 11 points in five games, while linemate Phil Kessel is tied for second with eight points. Sidney Crosby (seven) and Jake Guentzel (six) also had terrific series.
* Don't expect much scoring in the Predators-Blues second-round series - at least, if first-round trends hold up. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne and Blues netminder Jake Allen combined to allow just 11 goals in their nine games played, with Rinne recording a pair of shutouts against the Blackhawks. Game 1 has a total of 5.
Stanley Cup Futures (odds provided by Sports Interaction)
* The Capitals remain the odds-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup at +350, but the Penguins are right on their heels at +400. Whoever survives their second-round series will likely see those odds drop significantly, as both teams will be considered heavy favorites against either the Senators (+1,000) or Rangers (+750).
* They aren't favored to win their second-round series against the Ducks, but the Oilers do have the best odds of winning the Stanley Cup among Western Conference teams (+500). The Ducks are a close second at +550, while both the Predators and Blues are installed at +650 to win the championship.
Over/Under Trends
* It was a tale of two trends in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, during which teams went 13-20-9 O/U. The playoffs opened with an under bonanza, as teams went 1-9-2 O/U over the first three days of competition - but things stabilized considerably after that, as the league combined to go 12-11-7 O/U from the fourth day onward.
By: Monty Andrews
The opening round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs provided plenty of drama and plenty of surprises. Will the upsets continue in Round 2?
Predators Eye Second Sweep
The Nashville Predators came into the Stanley Cup playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference - but bettors are taking them much more seriously after a stunning four-game sweep of the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks in Round 1. Nashville (-138) is a slight favorite in the second round of the postseason despite opening on the road against the St. Louis Blues (-102), who were also impressive in rolling past the Minnesota Wild in five games. The Predators won three of five meetings between the Central Division rivals in the regular season, with those games going 1-3-1 O/U.
Can Ducks Avoid Oil Spill?
The Anaheim Ducks weren't seriously challenged on the way to a four-game first-round sweep of the Calgary Flames. The Ducks (-135) will look to make it 2-for-2 against Alberta-based teams as they open their second-round series against the visiting Edmonton Oilers (-103) on Wednesday night. The Oilers, who last made the postseason in 2006, are proving they're not just happy to be here, orchestrating a six-game victory over the San Jose Sharks despite not getting a multi-point game from league scoring champion Connor McDavid. Anaheim owned a 2-1-2 edge in the season series, with the teams going 1-2-2 O/U.
Best of the Best
The NHL's playoff structure is full of quirks - and a second-round meeting between the teams with the two best regular-season records in the league is one of them. The Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals (-121) host the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins (-116) in Game 1 on Thursday night after surviving a six-game battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs that included five overtime games. The Penguins had a much easier time of it in their first-round series with Columbus, cruising past the Blue Jackets in five games. The Capitals went 2-0-2 in the season series, with the teams going 3-0-1 O/U.
A Sens-ational Showing
The Ottawa Senators overcame long odds - and a painful injury to their best player - to get past the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Now the Senators (+109) look to make it two upset wins in a row as they entertain the New York Rangers (-152) in the series opener Thursday night. Ottawa is coming off a six-game triumph over the Bruins, but learned Monday that defenseman Erik Karlsson is playing with two fractures in his left heel. The Senators won two of three meetings with the Rangers in the regular season, with the teams combining to go 1-2-0 O/U.
Injury News
* The Penguins might be getting some reinforcements up front for their second-round tilt with Washington. Winger Chris Kunitz (lower body) is considered a game-time decision for Game 1, while center Carl Hagelin (lower body) has resumed skating drills and could return sometime in the series.
* The Ducks will have one of their most important players back in the lineup in time for Game 1 of their second-round series with the Oilers. Defenseman Cam Fowler is expected to return Wednesday night after missing Games 3 and 4 of the series against the Flames with a right knee injury.
Player Notes
* The Capitals will need to be wary of the Penguins' firepower after Pittsburgh placed four players in the top 10 in scoring in Round 1. Center Evgeni Malkin leads all scorers in the postseason with 11 points in five games, while linemate Phil Kessel is tied for second with eight points. Sidney Crosby (seven) and Jake Guentzel (six) also had terrific series.
* Don't expect much scoring in the Predators-Blues second-round series - at least, if first-round trends hold up. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne and Blues netminder Jake Allen combined to allow just 11 goals in their nine games played, with Rinne recording a pair of shutouts against the Blackhawks. Game 1 has a total of 5.
Stanley Cup Futures (odds provided by Sports Interaction)
* The Capitals remain the odds-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup at +350, but the Penguins are right on their heels at +400. Whoever survives their second-round series will likely see those odds drop significantly, as both teams will be considered heavy favorites against either the Senators (+1,000) or Rangers (+750).
* They aren't favored to win their second-round series against the Ducks, but the Oilers do have the best odds of winning the Stanley Cup among Western Conference teams (+500). The Ducks are a close second at +550, while both the Predators and Blues are installed at +650 to win the championship.
Over/Under Trends
* It was a tale of two trends in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, during which teams went 13-20-9 O/U. The playoffs opened with an under bonanza, as teams went 1-9-2 O/U over the first three days of competition - but things stabilized considerably after that, as the league combined to go 12-11-7 O/U from the fourth day onward.
NHL
Wednesday, April 26
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Wednesday's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds
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Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues (-120, 5)
Series tied 0-0
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (45-29-8-4, 41-36 O/U): Nashville finished as the eighth seed in the West but turned up its game in the postseason with a stunning four-game sweep of the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks. Pekka Rinne posted his fewest wins (31) in a full season since 2008-09 but the veteran netminder turned back the clock against the Blackhawks, stopping 123 of 126 shots and coming within 5 1/2 minutes of posting three shutouts in the series. Nashville's No. 1 line features 31-goal scorers Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson flanking center Ryan Johansen, who tied for the team lead in scoring during the regular season and torched Chicago with a goal and five assists. The Predators also feature an elite blue-line corps headed by the pairings of Roman Josi-Ryan Ellis and P.K. Subban-Mattias Ekholm, who each logged at least 20 minutes in all four games versus the Blackhawks.
ABOUT THE BLUES (50-30-5-2, 35-39 O/U): The Blues were not as dominant in the opening round as the Predators, but they continued their stellar play since Yeo replaced Ken Hitchcock behind the bench and needed only five games to dispatch the Minnesota Wild, which finished seven points above St. Louis in the Central. Like Rinne, Jake Allen had his share of rocky moments in net during the regular season - to the point where he was left home during a road trip just prior to the All-Star break. Allen set the tone against the Wild with a 51-save performance on the road in Game 1 and turned aside 174 of 182 shots in the series, boosting his save percentage to .942 since Yeo took over for Hitchcock. While St. Louis forward Vladimir Tarasenko is the most dangerous offensive player on the ice for either side with 116 goals over the past three seasons, the return of linemate Paul Stastny from a month-long injury absence and the late-season addition of Vladimir Sobotka from the Kontinental Hockey League bolsters the team's balance.
LINE HISTORY: The Blues opened as -135 home favorites for Game 1 but that moneyline was quickly bet down to -120. The total opened at 5 and has not moved.
INJURY REPORT:
Predators - LW C. Wilson (Questionable, lower body), RW C. Smith (Questionable, undisclosed), LW V. Fiddler (Out Indefinitely, upper body).
Blues - C R. Fabbri (Out For Season, knee).
TRENDS:
* Predators are 1-6 in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
* Blues are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Central.
* Over is 4-0-3 in Predators last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
* Under is 5-1 in Blues last 6 overall.
* Predators are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in St. Louis.
Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks (-130, 5)
Series tied 0-0
ABOUT THE OILERS (51-27-5-5, 34-45 O/U): Coach Todd McLellan took issue with the notion that Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid was seemingly held in check with just four points (two goals, two assists) versus the Sharks. "It's not about winning a scoring title in the playoffs," McLellan told reporters. "Connor was tremendous. His line was excellent. They played with tenacity and wore the other team down so the other lines could go out and create some offense." McDavid collected two goals, five assists and a plus-4 rating versus the Ducks this season, and that's with five-time Selke Trophy finalist Ryan Kesler shadowing his every move.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (50-23-10-3, 29-37 O/U): After making short work of one Alberta representative, the Pacific Division champion Anaheim Ducks would love to take the first step in repeating the feat against the other on Wednesday as they begin their second-round series against the visiting Edmonton Oilers. Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf has been blistering hot with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in his last 22 games overall. Although Anaheim's defense received a jolt from the offensive contributions of rookie Shea Theodore (two goals, three assists) in the first round, the back line is expected to be strengthened all the more by the potential returns of All-Star Cam Fowler and top-four Sami Vatanen. "They should be made available to us if they continue to heal the way they are. We're happy to have them back in the fold," coach Randy Carlyle told reporters. Fowler, who has been sidelined since April 4 with a knee injury, admitted to "no restrictions" following his second straight day of skating on Tuesday and Vatanen is ready to go after playing in just one game versus the Flames due to an upper-body injury.
LINE HISTORY: The Ducks opened as -135 favorites for Game 1 but that number was bet down slightly to -130. The total hit the betting board at 5 and has not moved.
INJURY REPORT:
Oilers - D O. Klefbom (Probable, flu), D A. Ference (Out For Season, hip), RW T. Pitlick (Out For Season, knee).
Ducks - D C. Fowler (Probable, knee), D H. Lindholm (Probable, undisclosed), C N. Thompson (Probable, upper body), D S. Vatanen (Probable, upper body), D C. Stoner (Out Indefinitely, abdominal), D S. Despres (I-R, concussion).
TRENDS:
* Oilers are 4-0 in their last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
* Ducks are 15-2 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 9-2 in Oilers last 11 Conference Semifinals games.
* Over is 3-0-2 in Ducks last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
* Oilers are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings in Anaheim.
Wednesday, April 26
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Wednesday's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues (-120, 5)
Series tied 0-0
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (45-29-8-4, 41-36 O/U): Nashville finished as the eighth seed in the West but turned up its game in the postseason with a stunning four-game sweep of the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks. Pekka Rinne posted his fewest wins (31) in a full season since 2008-09 but the veteran netminder turned back the clock against the Blackhawks, stopping 123 of 126 shots and coming within 5 1/2 minutes of posting three shutouts in the series. Nashville's No. 1 line features 31-goal scorers Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson flanking center Ryan Johansen, who tied for the team lead in scoring during the regular season and torched Chicago with a goal and five assists. The Predators also feature an elite blue-line corps headed by the pairings of Roman Josi-Ryan Ellis and P.K. Subban-Mattias Ekholm, who each logged at least 20 minutes in all four games versus the Blackhawks.
ABOUT THE BLUES (50-30-5-2, 35-39 O/U): The Blues were not as dominant in the opening round as the Predators, but they continued their stellar play since Yeo replaced Ken Hitchcock behind the bench and needed only five games to dispatch the Minnesota Wild, which finished seven points above St. Louis in the Central. Like Rinne, Jake Allen had his share of rocky moments in net during the regular season - to the point where he was left home during a road trip just prior to the All-Star break. Allen set the tone against the Wild with a 51-save performance on the road in Game 1 and turned aside 174 of 182 shots in the series, boosting his save percentage to .942 since Yeo took over for Hitchcock. While St. Louis forward Vladimir Tarasenko is the most dangerous offensive player on the ice for either side with 116 goals over the past three seasons, the return of linemate Paul Stastny from a month-long injury absence and the late-season addition of Vladimir Sobotka from the Kontinental Hockey League bolsters the team's balance.
LINE HISTORY: The Blues opened as -135 home favorites for Game 1 but that moneyline was quickly bet down to -120. The total opened at 5 and has not moved.
INJURY REPORT:
Predators - LW C. Wilson (Questionable, lower body), RW C. Smith (Questionable, undisclosed), LW V. Fiddler (Out Indefinitely, upper body).
Blues - C R. Fabbri (Out For Season, knee).
TRENDS:
* Predators are 1-6 in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
* Blues are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Central.
* Over is 4-0-3 in Predators last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
* Under is 5-1 in Blues last 6 overall.
* Predators are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in St. Louis.
Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks (-130, 5)
Series tied 0-0
ABOUT THE OILERS (51-27-5-5, 34-45 O/U): Coach Todd McLellan took issue with the notion that Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid was seemingly held in check with just four points (two goals, two assists) versus the Sharks. "It's not about winning a scoring title in the playoffs," McLellan told reporters. "Connor was tremendous. His line was excellent. They played with tenacity and wore the other team down so the other lines could go out and create some offense." McDavid collected two goals, five assists and a plus-4 rating versus the Ducks this season, and that's with five-time Selke Trophy finalist Ryan Kesler shadowing his every move.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (50-23-10-3, 29-37 O/U): After making short work of one Alberta representative, the Pacific Division champion Anaheim Ducks would love to take the first step in repeating the feat against the other on Wednesday as they begin their second-round series against the visiting Edmonton Oilers. Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf has been blistering hot with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in his last 22 games overall. Although Anaheim's defense received a jolt from the offensive contributions of rookie Shea Theodore (two goals, three assists) in the first round, the back line is expected to be strengthened all the more by the potential returns of All-Star Cam Fowler and top-four Sami Vatanen. "They should be made available to us if they continue to heal the way they are. We're happy to have them back in the fold," coach Randy Carlyle told reporters. Fowler, who has been sidelined since April 4 with a knee injury, admitted to "no restrictions" following his second straight day of skating on Tuesday and Vatanen is ready to go after playing in just one game versus the Flames due to an upper-body injury.
LINE HISTORY: The Ducks opened as -135 favorites for Game 1 but that number was bet down slightly to -130. The total hit the betting board at 5 and has not moved.
INJURY REPORT:
Oilers - D O. Klefbom (Probable, flu), D A. Ference (Out For Season, hip), RW T. Pitlick (Out For Season, knee).
Ducks - D C. Fowler (Probable, knee), D H. Lindholm (Probable, undisclosed), C N. Thompson (Probable, upper body), D S. Vatanen (Probable, upper body), D C. Stoner (Out Indefinitely, abdominal), D S. Despres (I-R, concussion).
TRENDS:
* Oilers are 4-0 in their last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
* Ducks are 15-2 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 9-2 in Oilers last 11 Conference Semifinals games.
* Over is 3-0-2 in Ducks last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
* Oilers are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings in Anaheim.
Team Open Line Movements Current Puck Line Scores
8:00 PM EDT
1 NASHVILLE PREDATORS 5u20 5u20 / 5u25 5u15 +1.5(-325)
FREE
2 ST. LOUIS BLUES -135 -121 / -120 / -118 -117 -1.5(+260) HOT PICK
NAS-G-Pekka Rinne-Probable | STL-G-Jake Allen-Probable | TV: NBCS, TVA, DTV: 220
FREE MATCH UPFREE PICKSTOP POWER LINESVEGAS ODDSEXPERT ADVICEBOX SCORERECAPPREDICTIONBET NOW
10:30 PM EDT
3 EDMONTON OILERS 5 5o20 / 5o18 / 5o20 5o15 +1.5(-295)
4 ANAHEIM DUCKS -140 -140 / -130 / -128 -127 -1.5(+235)
EDM-G-Cam Talbot-Probable | ANA-G-John Gibson-Probable | TV: NBCS, TVA, DTV: 220
BEST BETS:
1 - NASHVILLE +100..............OVER 5
2- - EDMONTON + 115...........UNDER 5
8:00 PM EDT
1 NASHVILLE PREDATORS 5u20 5u20 / 5u25 5u15 +1.5(-325)
FREE
2 ST. LOUIS BLUES -135 -121 / -120 / -118 -117 -1.5(+260) HOT PICK
NAS-G-Pekka Rinne-Probable | STL-G-Jake Allen-Probable | TV: NBCS, TVA, DTV: 220
FREE MATCH UPFREE PICKSTOP POWER LINESVEGAS ODDSEXPERT ADVICEBOX SCORERECAPPREDICTIONBET NOW
10:30 PM EDT
3 EDMONTON OILERS 5 5o20 / 5o18 / 5o20 5o15 +1.5(-295)
4 ANAHEIM DUCKS -140 -140 / -130 / -128 -127 -1.5(+235)
EDM-G-Cam Talbot-Probable | ANA-G-John Gibson-Probable | TV: NBCS, TVA, DTV: 220
BEST BETS:
1 - NASHVILLE +100..............OVER 5
2- - EDMONTON + 115...........UNDER 5
NHL Playoff Capsules
April 26, 2017
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Adam Larsson scored his second goal of the third period with 4:40 to play, and the Edmonton Oilers blew a two-goal lead in a wild third period before beating the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 on Wednesday night in their second-round playoff series opener.
Mark Letestu scored two power-play goals and Cam Talbot made 33 saves for the upstart Oilers, who seized home-ice advantage from the Ducks with a four-goal final period.
Jakob Silfverberg scored the tying goal with 9:13 to play in regulation for the Ducks, who lost in regulation for the first time in 19 games since March 10.
Larsson scored just four goals in his first 85 games this season, but the Swedish defenseman improbably got two goals in 7 1/2 minutes.
Game 2 is Friday night in Anaheim.
PREDATORS 4, BLUES 3
ST. LOUIS (AP) - P.K. Subban had a goal and two assists and Vernon Fiddler scored with 5:05 left, sending Nashville to the road win in Game 1 of its second-round playoff series.
The Predators lost Kevin Fiala to an ugly leg injury in the second period and blew a 3-1 lead before Fiddler poked a loose puck by Jake Allen in the third. It was the fifth career playoff goal for the 36-year-old Fiddler, who did not play in Nashville's first-round sweep of Chicago.
Colin Wilson and Filip Forsberg also scored for Nashville, and Pekka Rinne made 27 saves.
Colton Parayko, Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Sobotka scored for St. Louis. Allen finished with 28 stops.
Game 2 is Friday night.
April 26, 2017
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Adam Larsson scored his second goal of the third period with 4:40 to play, and the Edmonton Oilers blew a two-goal lead in a wild third period before beating the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 on Wednesday night in their second-round playoff series opener.
Mark Letestu scored two power-play goals and Cam Talbot made 33 saves for the upstart Oilers, who seized home-ice advantage from the Ducks with a four-goal final period.
Jakob Silfverberg scored the tying goal with 9:13 to play in regulation for the Ducks, who lost in regulation for the first time in 19 games since March 10.
Larsson scored just four goals in his first 85 games this season, but the Swedish defenseman improbably got two goals in 7 1/2 minutes.
Game 2 is Friday night in Anaheim.
PREDATORS 4, BLUES 3
ST. LOUIS (AP) - P.K. Subban had a goal and two assists and Vernon Fiddler scored with 5:05 left, sending Nashville to the road win in Game 1 of its second-round playoff series.
The Predators lost Kevin Fiala to an ugly leg injury in the second period and blew a 3-1 lead before Fiddler poked a loose puck by Jake Allen in the third. It was the fifth career playoff goal for the 36-year-old Fiddler, who did not play in Nashville's first-round sweep of Chicago.
Colin Wilson and Filip Forsberg also scored for Nashville, and Pekka Rinne made 27 saves.
Colton Parayko, Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Sobotka scored for St. Louis. Allen finished with 28 stops.
Game 2 is Friday night.
NHL notebook: Bruins bring back Cassidy
April 26, 2017
The Boston Bruins removed the interim tag from Bruce Cassidy's title on Wednesday, announcing he will be back as head coach next season.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney officially named Cassidy as the 28th head coach in franchise history.
The Bruins went 18-8-1 under Cassidy, who replaced the fired Claude Julien on Feb. 7, and finished third in the Atlantic Division.
Boston qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2013-14. The Bruins were eliminated on Sunday, losing to the Ottawa Senators in six games in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Since Cassidy assumed head coaching responsibilities on Feb. 9, the Bruins ranked first in the NHL in goals per game (3.37), first in the NHL in fewest shots allowed (741), tied for second in the NHL in wins (18), tied for second in the NHL in power-play percentage (27.8), tied for third in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.30), tied for fifth in the NHL in faceoff percentage (53.6) and tied for sixth in the NHL in takeaways (229).
Before joining Boston as an assistant prior to the start of the 2016-17 campaign, Cassidy spent five seasons (2011-16) as head coach of the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. He spent the three previous seasons (2008-11) with the club as an assistant.
--The Vancouver Canucks officially named Travis Green as their coach.
Green replaced Willie Desjardins, who was fired as coach on April 10 after Vancouver (30-43-9) finished with the second-fewest points in the NHL and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Desjardins went 109-110-27 in three seasons.
"It's a proud day for me, something I've been working at for a long time," Green told the team's website. "To get the opportunity here in Vancouver is extra special. I'm confident I'm ready and I'm really excited for the challenge."
Green served as the coach of the Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets, for the last three seasons. The 46-year-old British Columbia native guided the Comets to a 120-78-20 record and an appearance in the Calder Cup Final two seasons ago.
--Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and is expected to be ready for training camp in September, general manager Jim Nill said.
"It's something that bothered him all season, and he could have waited to do it sometime after next season and tried to play through it," Nill said of Seguin's decision to have surgery, which was performed Tuesday. "But with the time we had, we decided it was best to get it fixed."
Seguin is expected to spend the next two to four weeks in a sling and have another month of rehab before he can resume skating.
Seguin collected 26 goals and 46 assists for a team-leading 72 points while playing in all 82 games this season for the Stars, who finished with a 34-37-11 mark. The 25-year-old has scored 133 goals and set up 173 others in four seasons with Dallas.
April 26, 2017
The Boston Bruins removed the interim tag from Bruce Cassidy's title on Wednesday, announcing he will be back as head coach next season.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney officially named Cassidy as the 28th head coach in franchise history.
The Bruins went 18-8-1 under Cassidy, who replaced the fired Claude Julien on Feb. 7, and finished third in the Atlantic Division.
Boston qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2013-14. The Bruins were eliminated on Sunday, losing to the Ottawa Senators in six games in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Since Cassidy assumed head coaching responsibilities on Feb. 9, the Bruins ranked first in the NHL in goals per game (3.37), first in the NHL in fewest shots allowed (741), tied for second in the NHL in wins (18), tied for second in the NHL in power-play percentage (27.8), tied for third in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.30), tied for fifth in the NHL in faceoff percentage (53.6) and tied for sixth in the NHL in takeaways (229).
Before joining Boston as an assistant prior to the start of the 2016-17 campaign, Cassidy spent five seasons (2011-16) as head coach of the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. He spent the three previous seasons (2008-11) with the club as an assistant.
--The Vancouver Canucks officially named Travis Green as their coach.
Green replaced Willie Desjardins, who was fired as coach on April 10 after Vancouver (30-43-9) finished with the second-fewest points in the NHL and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Desjardins went 109-110-27 in three seasons.
"It's a proud day for me, something I've been working at for a long time," Green told the team's website. "To get the opportunity here in Vancouver is extra special. I'm confident I'm ready and I'm really excited for the challenge."
Green served as the coach of the Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets, for the last three seasons. The 46-year-old British Columbia native guided the Comets to a 120-78-20 record and an appearance in the Calder Cup Final two seasons ago.
--Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and is expected to be ready for training camp in September, general manager Jim Nill said.
"It's something that bothered him all season, and he could have waited to do it sometime after next season and tried to play through it," Nill said of Seguin's decision to have surgery, which was performed Tuesday. "But with the time we had, we decided it was best to get it fixed."
Seguin is expected to spend the next two to four weeks in a sling and have another month of rehab before he can resume skating.
Seguin collected 26 goals and 46 assists for a team-leading 72 points while playing in all 82 games this season for the Stars, who finished with a 34-37-11 mark. The 25-year-old has scored 133 goals and set up 173 others in four seasons with Dallas.
Nhl playoffs record: ( as in baseball dogs and totals only)
All picks for the day:
04/26/2017 2-1-0 66.67% +525
04/23/2017 2-1-1 66.67% +675
04/22/2017 3-2-0 60.00% +825
04/21/2017 0-2-1 0.00% -1050
04/20/2017 1-4-2 20.00 -1550
04/19/2017 1-5-0 16.67% -1950
04/18/2017 1-4-0 20.00% -1650
04/17/2017 1-3-1 25.00% -1100
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71%+2550
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71% +2550
04/15/2017 1-2-2 33.33% -250
04/14/2017 1-6-0 14.29% -2325
04/13/2017 2-2-1 50.00% +225
04/12/2017 4-5-1 44.44% -940
Best Bets............ Sides...............................Totals
04/26/2017..........1 - 0............+1.15............ 1 - 1....................-0.10
04/23/2017..........1 - 0............+1.35.............1 - 0 - 1...............+1.00
04/22/2017..........2 - 0............+2.85.............0 - 2.....................-2.20
04/21/2017 .........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 1 - 1................-1.10
04/20/2017..........0 - 3.............-3.00.............1 - 1 - 2................-0.10
04/19/2017..........1 - 1............+0.50.............0 - 4....................- 4.40
04/18/2017..........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 3 ....................-3.30
04/17/2017..........1 - 0.............+1.10............0 - 3 - 1................-3.30
04/16/2017..........3 - 0.............+3.20............3 - 1....................+1.90
04/15/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.60............1 - 2....................-1.20
04/14/2017..........1 - 2..............-0.25............0 - 4...................- 4.40
04/13/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.55............1 - 1 - 1..............- 0.10
04/12/2017..........1 - 1 ............+1.00............2 - 2 - 1 .............- 0.20
All picks for the day:
04/26/2017 2-1-0 66.67% +525
04/23/2017 2-1-1 66.67% +675
04/22/2017 3-2-0 60.00% +825
04/21/2017 0-2-1 0.00% -1050
04/20/2017 1-4-2 20.00 -1550
04/19/2017 1-5-0 16.67% -1950
04/18/2017 1-4-0 20.00% -1650
04/17/2017 1-3-1 25.00% -1100
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71%+2550
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71% +2550
04/15/2017 1-2-2 33.33% -250
04/14/2017 1-6-0 14.29% -2325
04/13/2017 2-2-1 50.00% +225
04/12/2017 4-5-1 44.44% -940
Best Bets............ Sides...............................Totals
04/26/2017..........1 - 0............+1.15............ 1 - 1....................-0.10
04/23/2017..........1 - 0............+1.35.............1 - 0 - 1...............+1.00
04/22/2017..........2 - 0............+2.85.............0 - 2.....................-2.20
04/21/2017 .........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 1 - 1................-1.10
04/20/2017..........0 - 3.............-3.00.............1 - 1 - 2................-0.10
04/19/2017..........1 - 1............+0.50.............0 - 4....................- 4.40
04/18/2017..........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 3 ....................-3.30
04/17/2017..........1 - 0.............+1.10............0 - 3 - 1................-3.30
04/16/2017..........3 - 0.............+3.20............3 - 1....................+1.90
04/15/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.60............1 - 2....................-1.20
04/14/2017..........1 - 2..............-0.25............0 - 4...................- 4.40
04/13/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.55............1 - 1 - 1..............- 0.10
04/12/2017..........1 - 1 ............+1.00............2 - 2 - 1 .............- 0.20
