NHL Betting Info. 3/29

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Preview: Buffalo at Pittsburgh
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Captain Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are playing their best hockey of the season at just the right time. The white-hot Penguins vie for their ninth win in 10 outings overall and ninth straight against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday when the teams meet at Consol Energy Center.
Crosby scored his first overtime goal of the season in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers to record at least one point in 14 of his last 15 contests. The two-time Hart Trophy winner has scored seven goals and set up 15 others during that stretch to help Pittsburgh move within three points of the second-place Rangers in the Metropolitan Division. Buffalo had showed improvement of late by posting a 4-1-1 mark in its previous six contests before dropping a 3-2 decision to Detroit on Monday. To add injury to insult, Evander Kane suffered an upper-body injury and coach Dan Bylsma told the Buffalo News that he doesn’t expect him to play versus Pittsburgh.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG-B (Buffalo), ROOT (Pittsburgh), Bell TV
ABOUT THE SABRES (31-35-10): Sam Reinhart has scored a goal in back-to-back contests and has three tallies and three assists in his last five outings. Defenseman Casey Nelson is making his presence felt as he followed up an assist in his NHL debut on Saturday with two more versus the Red Wings. Buffalo has struggled in the second half of back-to-back series this season, losing its last three decisions to fall to 5-7-1 in those contests.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (42-25-8): Phil Kessel was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week on Monday after collecting two goals and five assists over the weekend. “I thought his last two games may have been his best since I’ve been here,” coach Mike Sullivan told the team’s website of Kessel, who reached the 50-point plateau for the eighth straight season. Kessel has enjoyed considerable success versus the Sabres, notching an assist in Pittsburgh’s 4-3 win on Oct. 29 and scoring a goal in the 4-3 triumph on Feb. 21 to push his point total to 40 (19 goals, 21 assists) in 53 career encounters with the club.
OVERTIME
1. Pittsburgh G Marc-Andre Fleury has won seven of his last eight starts overall and is 19-5-2 with four shutouts in his career versus Buffalo.
2. The Sabres’ last victory at Consol Energy Center was a 4-1 triumph on April 2, 2013.
3. Penguins D Kris Letang has scored two goals and set up three others in his last five games overall and had three assists in the last meeting with Buffalo.
PREDICTION: Penguins 5, Sabres 1

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Preview: Detroit at Montreal
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
The Detroit Red Wings can strengthen their bid to extend the longest active postseason streak among the four major North American team sports on Tuesday when they visit the Montreal Canadiens. A favorable schedule awaits the Red Wings, who are in the midst of a six-day stretch of playing against three teams already eliminated from postseason consideration.
Detroit got off on the right foot in that regard thanks to Riley Sheahan, who scored in a 3-2 victory over Buffalo on Monday in addition to tallying twice in a 4-3 win over Montreal on Thursday. In pursuit of their 25th consecutive playoff appearance, the Red Wings reside one point behind third-place Boston in the Atlantic Division and are even with Philadelphia – although they have played one more game – for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal doesn’t have to do much scoreboard-watching as its season spun out of control shortly after the initial injury to reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Carey Price. The injury-ravaged Canadiens have lost two in a row and 10 of 14 (4-9-1) overall while dropping two of three this season to their division rival.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, RDS, RSNE (Montreal)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (38-27-11): Rookie Dylan Larkin is showing signs of leaving his scoring slump behind with goals in back-to-back contests. Larkin’s tally on Monday was his fourth in 23 games, however, but his season total of 22 is the most by a Detroit rookie since Henrik Zetterberg netted that many in 2002-03. Speaking of the current captain, Zetterberg notched two assists versus the Sabres and had one in each of the first two meetings with the Canadiens this season.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (34-36-6): Captain Max Pacioretty had no qualms with rookie goaltender Mike Condon being named Montreal’s nominee for the Masterton Trophy on Monday. “Condo was obviously put into a very tough situation, so it’s a huge testament to his character,” Pacioretty – himself a winner of the award in 2011-12 – told the team’s website. “He’s a guy who doesn’t get comfortable or rest on past accomplishments. He’s at the rink every day working very hard on getting better and taking care of his body, and I think that’s a big reason why he’s made it this far.” The 25-year-old Condon stepped in for Price and recorded points in nine of his first 10 outings (7-1-2) before the season went south for Montreal.
OVERTIME
1. Detroit C Pavel Datsyuk, who has seven points in his last seven games, was nominated for the Masterton Trophy on Monday.
2. Montreal is 0-for-13 on the power play in the last five contests.
3. Red Wings C Luke Glendening has tallies in four of his last six games after scoring just three times in the previous 68.
PREDICTION: Red Wings 4, Canadiens 1

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Preview: Toronto at Florida
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
The Florida Panthers enter the final two weeks of the regular season in position to win the Atlantic Division, with all seven remaining games against teams not occupying a playoff spot. The Panthers look to move one step closer to nailing down the second division title in franchise history when they host the league-worst Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
“It’s up to us,” Florida right wing Jaromir Jagr told reporters Saturday after a 5-2 road victory over Tampa Bay. “We have a pretty good schedule, but we can’t take anyone lightly.” The Panthers are tied with the Lightning atop the division with one game in hand and have posted three victories in a row over the Maple Leafs – two this season by a combined score of 9-2. Toronto outshot Tampa Bay 34-18 on Monday despite dropping a 3-0 decision for its second straight loss after winning five of its previous six contests. “We’re not laying down,” Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly told reporters. “We’re into the game right to the end. We’re playing hard. We’re playing with a lot of pride.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN4 (Toronto), FSN Florida
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (27-37-11): Jonathan Bernier was rested against the Lightning and is expected back in net versus the Panthers with a 3-2-0 mark and .954 save percentage in his last five starts. Nazem Kadri recorded six shots but could not add to his team-leading 41 points for the second straight game after notching two goals and two assists against Anaheim on Thursday. Rookie Nikita Soshnikov and Peter Holland both are questionable for Tuesday with lower-body injuries.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (42-24-9): The 44-year-old Jagr continues to put up tremendous numbers with 25 goals and 58 points while the 32-year-old Jussi Jokinen has led the way over the last month. Jokinen has recorded four goals and four assists during a five-game point streak and has landed on the scoresheet in 15 of his last 16 games while Vincent Trocheck has scored in four consecutive contests. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson and Derek MacKenzie could return from lower-body injuries Tuesday.
OVERTIME
1. Jagr, whose 25 goals are his most since returning from the KHL in 2011, and Gordie Howe (20) are the only players in NHL history to score 25 in 18 different seasons.
2. Toronto RW PA Parenteau needs two goals to reach 20 for the second time in his career and is one shy of 100 overall.
3. The Panthers have allowed five power-play goals in their last four contests, but the Maple Leafs are a league-worst 11-for-115 with the man advantage on the road this season.
PREDICTION: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 2

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Preview: Chicago at Minnesota
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Although the Chicago Blackhawks have had their number in the last three playoff series, the Minnesota Wild look to complete a season sweep of the reigning Stanley Cup champions on Tuesday when the Central Division rivals meet at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota, which resides three points ahead of Colorado for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, strengthened its bid for a fourth consecutive postseason berth with wins in five straight overall and six in a row in the regular season with Chicago dating to 2014-15.
Zach Parise has been heating up en route to being named the NHL’s First Star of the Week on Monday, highlighted by his fifth career hat trick and third of the season on Thursday and a two-goal performance two nights later in a 4-0 victory over Colorado. “You knew it was coming,” Wild interim coach and former Blackhawks assistant John Torchetti told the Minneapolis Star Tribune of Parise. “His work ethic is way above the bar.” Chicago knows a thing or two about getting things accomplished, as it punched its ticket to the playoffs for the eighth straight season with a 3-2 victory versus Vancouver on Sunday. Andrew Ladd has three goals and an assist in the first two contests of the four-game road trip for the Blackhawks, who trail Central co-leaders Dallas and St. Louis by four points and lead surging Nashville by four.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago-Plus, FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (44-25-7): Scott Darling and Teuvo Teravainen have stepped up their respective games during the road trip as Chicago looks to get itself back on track. “He was our best player both games,” Ladd told CSN Chicago of Darling, who is expected to make his sixth straight start on Tuesday. “A lot of times, especially in those big penalty kills, he has to come up with big saves. He’s played great for us the last little bit.” Teuvo Teravainen extended his point streak to three games after tallying in back-to-back contests to begin the trek, but the 21-year-old Finn has failed to dent the scoresheet in all seven career encounters with Minnesota.
ABOUT THE WILD (37-28-11): After serving as one of last season’s feel-good stories, Devan Dubnyk continues to add to the current chapter with an impressive 10-1-1 mark and a .930 save percentage in his last 13 appearances. “I really like how we’re going lately,” the 29-year-old Dubnyk told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “Guys are working real hard and getting the job done and making it easy on me.” Dubnyk has been in net for all four of Minnesota’s victories over Chicago this season, stopping 109 of 119 shots.
OVERTIME
1. Chicago is 0-for-23 on the power play in the last eight games while Minnesota has thwarted 24 of its last 25 short-handed situations.
2. Wild LW Ryan Carter returned to practice on Monday after sitting out the last four games with an upper-body injury.
3. Blackhawks D Michal Rozsival was nominated for the Masterton Trophy on Monday.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Wild 2

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Preview: Nashville at Dallas
When: 8:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
The Dallas Stars are locked in a fierce battle with St. Louis for first place in the Central Division and the top seed in the Western Conference with six games remaining. Even in points with the Blues for the top spot in the Central, the Stars go for their fifth win in six games when they host the division-rival Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
Dallas’ last four victories have come against playoff contenders, including wins over Chicago and San Jose on its just-concluded three-game road trip. Although the Stars hold the tiebreaker over St. Louis, Tuesday’s contest could be a potential playoff preview with Nashville holding down the first wild card in the West. The Predators squandered a chance to clinch a postseason berth, falling behind by three goals in the first period of a 4-3 loss to Colorado on Monday. It snapped a three-game winning streak for Nashville, which suffered its first regulation home defeat in 11 games (7-1-3) to remain four points behind the third-place Blackhawks in the Central.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Tennessee (Nashville), FSN Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (39-24-13): Roman Josi scored his 13th goal Monday to give him 10 points in his last eight games and 57 on the season to break the franchise record for a defenseman held by captain Shea Weber. “Josi is probably going to keep breaking my points record, and you will have to keep asking me about it year after year,” said Weber, who established the previous mark during the 2013-14 season. Craig Smith tallied for the second game in a row to reach the 20-goal plateau for the third consecutive season.
ABOUT THE STARS (45-22-9): Defenseman Kris Russell returned to practice Monday and is expected back in the lineup after sitting out the last three games, but forward Brett Ritchie missed practice due to a lower-body injury. Antti Niemi snapped out of an ugly funk with a 34-save performance in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over San Jose to jump back in the mix with Kari Lehtonen for the starting job in the playoffs. “I like the fact that each of them has 20 wins,” coach Lindy Ruff said of his goaltending tandem. “To me, the two-man duo has done a good job for us.”
OVERTIME
1. The Stars have snuffed out 34-of-35 short-handed situations over their last 11 games.
2. Predators G Pekka Rinne, who was yanked after allowing three goals on 10 shots Monday, is 11-6-2 with a 2.77 goals-against average versus Dallas.
3. Stars rookie C Mattias Janmark scored twice versus the Sharks in his return from a six-game injury absence.
PREDICTION: Stars 4, Predators 3

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Preview: Colorado at St. Louis
When: 8:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri
The St. Louis Blues are in the midst of an historical run and can become the second NHL team in the expansion era to register five consecutive shutouts when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. The spectacular shutout streak is part of a 10-2-0 stretch that has the surging Blues even in points with Dallas for first place in the Central Division.
Brian Elliott, who will get the start Tuesday, authored the first three shutouts during the franchise-record stretch and on Monday was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week. “The goalies have been just outstanding,” St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock told reporters. “They are the story of the team this year, and they’re keeping us afloat again.” The Avalanche kept alive their playoff hopes with a 4-3 victory at Nashville on Monday, drawing within three points of Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Colorado won all three of its previous meetings with the Blues this season, surrendering a total of five goals.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (39-33-4): Colorado produced its highest regulation goal total since Feb. 11 despite missing its top two scorers in Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon, who have been sidelined for five and four games, respectively. Semyon Varlamov may get the call for both ends of the back-to-back, given his 3-0-0 record against the Blues this season. Colorado faces a brutal closing stretch with two matchups against St. Louis sandwiched around a date with NHL-leading Washington before closing the season with games at Nashville and Dallas and a home encounter versus Anaheim.
ABOUT THE BLUES (45-22-9): While St. Louis will be without defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Carl Gunnarsson, it will welcome back Alex Steen, who returns after missing 15 games due to an upper-body injury. Steen, who remains second on the team in scoring with 47 points, was centering captain David Backes and Patrik Berglund prior to the injury. “It looks like that’s where I’ll be playing,” Steen told reporters. “I thought I was playing some pretty good hockey right up until the injury. It will be exciting to try and jump back in and try to get to where I was before.”
OVERTIME
1. The 1927-28 Ottawa Senators hold the NHL record with six consecutive shutouts.
2. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is one tally shy of his fourth 20-goal season, but he’s scored only once in 18 games versus St. Louis.
3. Elliott is 8-0-0 in his last nine starts overall and 5-2-2 with a 2.26 goals-against average versus Colorado.
PREDICTION: Blues 3, Avalanche 1

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Preview: San Jose at Vancouver
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
With a postseason berth finally under wraps, the San Jose Sharks take to the road Tuesday as they begin their second home-and-home series with the Pacific Division-rival Vancouver Canucks this month. San Jose halted its three-game skid as it concluded a 3-3-0 homestand Monday with a 5-2 triumph over division-leading Los Angeles, but it already had clinched a playoff spot by virtue of Arizona’s regulation loss to Calgary earlier in the night.
Defenseman Justin Braun scored the first and last goals for the Sharks, who trail the Kings by five points and are four behind Anaheim for second place in the division and home ice in the first round of the postseason. The season cannot end soon enough for Vancouver, which enters Tuesday’s contest with an eight-game losing streak (0-7-1). The Canucks, who have been shut out four times during the slide, returned home from an 0-2-1 road trip Sunday and dropped a 3-2 decision to Chicago. San Jose, which split a home-and-home set with the Canucks on March 3 and 5, won both of its previous two visits to Vancouver this season.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CSN California (San Jose), Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (42-28-6): Joe Thornton scored his 18th goal Monday to maintain a share of the team scoring lead with captain Joe Pavelski, who recorded a tally and an assist to raise his point total to 73. Thornton has not been kept off the scoresheet in consecutive games since Dec. 4 and 5. By doubling his season total Monday, Braun matched his career high of four goals set in 2013-14 while also equaling his personal-best point total of 23 from last season.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (27-35-13): Vancouver has scored fewer than three goals in each game during its skid, averaging one per contest. Sven Baertschi has had a solid season, recording 15 goals in 67 games after scoring 10 during his first 69 contests in the NHL, while Alex Burrows needs one in his final seven games to avoid finishing below double digits for the first time in a season not plagued by injuries since 2006-07 (three in 81 games). Daniel Sedin leads the team with 59 points but has been kept off the scoresheet in five of his last six contests.
OVERTIME
1. Canucks RW Jannik Hansen is one tally shy of reaching the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career.
2. San Jose can finish the season with six 20-goal scorers, as C Tomas Hertl is one goal shy of the mark while Thornton is two away.
3. Following Tuesday’s contest, Vancouver will play four of its final six games on the road.
PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Canucks 1