NHL Betting Info. 3/31

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Preview: Toronto at Buffalo
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have suffered through a dismal season, they are showing signs of life down the stretch as they prepare to wind up a three-game road trip with a visit to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The Maple Leafs have knocked off five playoff contenders in their past 12 games, including Tuesday’s 5-2 victory at Florida.
Toronto is 7-4-1 in the past dozen contests, splitting a pair of decisions with the Sabres at home. The Maple Leafs have had their issues in Buffalo, however, losing their last six visits and nine of the past 10. The Sabres have dropped two in a row after blowing an early three-goal lead in a 5-4 shootout loss at Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The team also learned on Wednesday that goaltender Robin Lehner underwent surgery on his ankle and is done for the season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; TSN4 (Toronto), MSG Buffalo, BELL TV, NHL.TV
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (28-37-11): Nazem Kadri registered his third career hat trick Tuesday, including a pair of power-play goals, but also playing a pivotal role was rookie Connor Brown with three assists in his seventh career game. “He does a lot of little things well that people don’t see,” said Toronto forward PA Parenteau, who scored his 100th career goal in the victory. “He’s going to be a big player for the Leafs for a long time.” Rookie netminder Garrett Sparks has allowed at least three goals in five of his last season starts, but limited Buffalo to one on March 19.
ABOUT THE SABRES (31-35-11): Defenseman Casey Nelson is off to a fast start to his NHL career, collecting four assists to become the first Buffalo player to score in each of his first three games since Calle Johansson in 1987-88. “The biggest thing, and it’s real noticeable, is his heads-up play, his heads-up ability to play with the puck and make plays with the puck,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. “That’s a unique ability to see from a kid who’s just stepping in the lineup.” Forward Evander Kane (upper body) missed Tuesday’s contest and is listed as day-to-day.
OVERTIME
1. Parenteau is one goal shy of matching his career high of 20 in 2010-11 with the New York Islanders.
2. Sabres G Chad Johnson is 3-1-1 with a 2.53 goals-against average versus Toronto.
3. The Maple Leafs placed F Ben Smith on waivers Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Sabres 4, Maple Leafs 3

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Preview: Columbus at NY Islanders
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
The New York Islanders look to take a significant step forward toward the playoffs on Thursday when they vie for a five-game season sweep of the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. Speaking of sweeps, the Islanders brushed aside Carolina in a home-and-home set to move within three points of white-hot Pittsburgh for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Kyle Okposo scored the decisive tally in the shootout of Tuesday’s 2-1 triumph over the Hurricanes and collected two goals and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win over Columbus on Dec. 12. Although Okposo publicly complained about the ice conditions at Barclays Center, New York is a blistering 8-1-1 in its last 10 home contests to move a season-high 14 games over .500 in Brooklyn (23-9-4). While the Islanders are in line to secure their third postseason appearance in four years, the cellar-dwelling Blue Jackets look very much like a team playing out the string as they have dropped three in a row and seven of their last nine. Columbus has mustered only six goals in its four losses to New York this season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Columbus), MSG-Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (30-38-8): Nineteen-year-old forward Sonny Milano is about to experience a homecoming of sorts as he is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday. The 16th overall pick of the 2014 draft, Milano was recalled from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League on Wednesday and hails from Massepequa, N.Y. – approximately 10 miles from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the former home of the Islanders. “It’s obviously unbelievable,” Milano told the Columbus Dispatch. “It’s Brooklyn now, but it’s where I’m from, so it’s extra special. I’ll have a lot of family and friends there.”
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (41-25-9): Okposo didn’t mince words after Tuesday’s tilt, telling the New York Post that the ice conditions were “awful” and that the NHL “can’t have it like that. It’s got to change. It’s got to be better than that.” Despite his concerns, the 27-year-old Okposo has recorded 31 (12 goals, 19 assists) of his 57 points at home. Fellow pending unrestricted free agent Frans Nielsen has just one assist in his last seven games after posting eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his previous seven.
OVERTIME
1. Islanders captain John Tavares, who notched his team-leading 59th point on Tuesday, has scored and set up two goals versus the Blue Jackets this season.
2. Columbus is 0-for-14 on the power play in the last five games overall and 0-for-13 with the man advantage versus New York in 2015-16.
3. Islanders C Anders Lee scored on Tuesday and also tallied in a 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Feb. 9.
PREDICTION: Islanders 5, Blue Jackets 1

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Preview: Nashville at Pittsburgh
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Once teetering on the fringe of the playoff picture, the Pittsburgh Penguins are now sitting pretty after winning nine of their last 10 contests to reside just one point from second place in the Metropolitan Division. The white-hot Penguins vie for their fourth win in a row on Thursday when they wrap up a modest two-game homestand against the Nashville Predators.
“I see a group that has bought in to playing a certain way,” coach Mike Sullivan told the team website on Wednesday, one day removed from seeing his club rally from an early three-goal deficit to post a 5-4 shootout victory over Buffalo. “We can beat any team we face when we play the right way.” Pittsburgh certainly has been doing that to move one point behind the New York Rangers while closing in on punching its ticket for a 10th straight playoff berth. Nashville failed in its initial bid to book a second consecutive trip to the postseason by dropping both ends of a back-to-back set. James Neal notched an assist as the Predators suffered a 5-2 setback to Dallas on Tuesday, but the former Penguin has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in his last eight games and also tallied versus Pittsburgh in a 2-1 overtime loss on Oct. 24.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Tennessee (Nashville), ROOT (Pittsburgh), TVA, NHL Network
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (39-25-13): Ryan Ellis scored a short-handed goal versus the Stars for his third point in four outings before suffering an upper-body injury and did not return. The 25-year-old’s availability versus Pittsburgh is in jeopardy, prompting Nashville to recall fellow defenseman Stefan Elliott from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League on Wednesday under emergency conditions. The 25-year-old Elliott has scored six goals and set up 11 others with the Admirals following a trade from the Arizona Coyotes.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (43-25-8): Defenseman Kris Letang logged a career-high 35 minutes, 14 seconds of ice time versus the Sabres and recorded his personal-best 44th assist to extend his point streak to three games (one goal, three assists). “I want a rest, that’s for sure,” said Letang, who also has a career high in goals (15) and points (59). “For us, in the situation that we are in, I don’t think it really matters who we’re playing. The points are all really precious.” Sidney Crosby notched an assist on Tuesday to record at least one point in 15 of his last 16 games (seven goals, 16 assists), but the captain was held off the scoresheet in the previous meeting with Nashville.
OVERTIME
1. Nashville G Pekka Rinne made 23 saves in the initial encounter with Pittsburgh this season to fall to 1-3-2 in his career versus the club.
2. Penguins LW Chris Kunitz scored in the previous meeting with the Predators and has 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 22 career encounters.
3. Nashville has scored a power-play goal in five of its last seven games, but went 0-for-3 in the initial meeting with Pittsburgh.
PREDICTION: Predators 3, Penguins 2

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Preview: NY Rangers at Carolina
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
Eric Staal will play his first game at PNC Arena as a visitor when the New York Rangers play their next-to-last road contest at the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night. Staal, who was acquired from Carolina at the trade deadline, and the Rangers can clinch a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes for the 10th straight time.
Staal played his entire career with Carolina since the team selected him as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft and served as the captain from January 2010 until he was shipped to New York. “There will be a lot of unique, different emotions in general, because of being there and being there so long,” said Staal, who on Wednesday wrote a personal thank you to the organization and the Hurricanes fans in The Players Tribune. The Rangers are trying to hold off the Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division, leading by one point with six games remaining. Carolina is trying to stave off elimination, trailing Philadelphia by seven points for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; MSG New York, FSN Carolinas, NHL.TV
ABOUT THE RANGERS (43-24-9): Staal scored only 10 times in 63 games with Carolina this season and was mired in a nine-game goalless drought with New York before netting a pair of goals in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Penguins. “Every game, every day, I’m feeling more comfortable, more confident in the way I can help this team,” said Staal, who admitted it will be a “weird feeling” seeing his younger brother Jordan opposing him Thursday. Staal scored 322 goals in 11-plus seasons with the Hurricanes, including a pair of 40-goal campaigns in 2005-06 and 2008-09.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (33-28-16): Although Carolina has points in its last four games (2-0-2), Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout loss at the New York Islanders was its league-high 16th defeat beyond regulation and its fifth in a row over the past nine games. Goaltender Cam Ward is coming off a strong performance with a 30-save effort in the loss to the Islanders, but he has permitted seven goals in dropping both starts to the Rangers this season. The Hurricanes’ power play continues to sputter, converting on 1-of-19 chances over the past eight games.
OVERTIME
1. Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist has allowed four goals in three starts this season to improve to 23-9-1 against Carolina.
2. The Hurricanes recalled F Sergey Tolchinsky from Charlotte of the American Hockey League.
3. New York is 5-for-13 on the power play over the past four games.
PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Hurricanes 1

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Preview: Montreal at Tampa Bay
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
The Montreal Canadiens already have made an impact on the Eastern Conference playoff race this week, and they will have a big hand in deciding the Atlantic Division champion over the final five games of the season. The draft lottery-bound Canadiens begin a stretch of four contests against the division co-leaders when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
Montreal rallied to defeat Detroit 4-3 on Tuesday, hampering the postseason chances of the Red Wings, and will take on the Lightning and Florida – who are even in points for first in the Atlantic – two times each over the final 10 days of the campaign. Tampa Bay currently holds the tiebreaker against the Panthers with six contests left after winning four of its last five games, but has been ravaged by injuries and is depending too much on Ben Bishop. The goaltender posted his third shutout in six games Monday as his team was getting outshot by league-worst Toronto 34-18. “You don’t want to play this off-and-on game this close to the playoffs,” Tampa Bay forward Alex Killorn told reporters. “You want to be building yourself up so you’re playing your best hockey.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet East, RDS (Montreal), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (35-36-6): Captain Max Pacioretty still has a chance to reach 30 goals for the third straight season and fourth in five campaigns after netting three in his last three contests to push his total to 27. While defenseman P.K. Subban (neck) still is questionable, the Canadiens could get energetic forward Brendan Gallagher (groin) back in the lineup either Thursday or Saturday at Florida. Alex Galchenyuk has notched four points in his last four games to raise his career-high total to 52 – five fewer than Pacioretty for the team lead.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (44-27-5): Valtteri Filppula returned in the 3-0 win over Toronto on Monday, but fellow forwards Ryan Callahan and Nikita Kucherov still are questionable with lower-body injuries while defenseman Anton Stralman (broken fibula) is out indefinitely. Captain Steven Stamkos is riding a six-game point streak and Ondrej Palat’s run is at five as he has registered eight goals in 13 games this month. Defenseman Victor Hedman, who will see his ice time rise even more with Stralman sidelined, has recorded seven points in his last six games.
OVERTIME
1. The Lightning dropped both of their previous two meetings with Montreal this season after winning nine of 11 in 2014-15 – including the playoffs.
2. St. Cloud State G Charlie Lindgren was signed by Montreal as a free agent Wednesday and will finish the season with the team after G Ben Scrivens was placed on waivers.
3. Tampa Bay RW Erik Condra has notched four points in the last four games after recording six in his first 45 contests with the team.
PREDICTION: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2

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Preview: New Jersey at Florida
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
A 5-2 setback to Eastern Conference-worst Toronto put a dent in the Florida Panthers’ hopes of winning the Atlantic Division, but a bigger loss was an injury to emerging star Vincent Trocheck. The Panthers, who are tied in points with Tampa Bay atop the division, look to bounce back against the visiting New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Trocheck, tied with Jaromir Jagr for the team lead with 25 goals, will miss the final six games of the regular season after fracturing a bone in his left foot while blocking a shot. “It’s tough,” Jagr said. “Not only did we lose this game, but we lost our best player.” While Florida is behind the Lightning due to a tiebreaker, the Devils are seven points behind Philadelphia for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. “We can only control our games,” New Jersey goaltender Keith Kinkaid said after Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Boston. “We just have to hope there are a few losses from other teams.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; MSG-Plus2 (New Jersey), FSN Florida, NHL.TV
ABOUT THE DEVILS (37-32-8): Starting netminder Cory Schneider, who has been sidelined since March 4 due to a knee injury, could be back in net after he was activated off injured reserve and rookie Scott Wedgewood was sent back to Albany of the American Hockey League. “Whether I play (Thursday) or Saturday we still haven’t determined, but I believe I should be available for both games,” said Schneider, who missed 11 contests. Devils leading scorer Kyle Palmieri, who has recorded nine points in his last seven games, has scored three goals in five contests versus Florida.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (42-25-9): Trocheck was on a tear with goals in four consecutive games before he was hurt Tuesday, opening the door for Nick Bjugstad to move back into the role as No. 2 center between Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith. “Obviously, he took it for the team so we appreciated that, especially at this point of the season,” Bjugstad said. “I’ll definitely do my best to fulfill Trocheck’s role, which is a tough thing to do at this point. Jokinen has six goals and 14 assists over his last 17 games to boost his total to 58 points – one behind Jagr for the team lead.
OVERTIME
1. Jagr has four points during a three-game streak and 94 in 102 games versus New Jersey.
2. Devils C and franchise leading scorer Patrik Elias, out since Dec. 19, could rejoin the team for a season-ending three-game homestand.
3. The Panthers recalled C Rocco Grimaldi from Portland of the AHL.
PREDICTION: Panthers 4, Devils 2

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Preview: Ottawa at Minnesota
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Minnesota Wild can inch closer to a postseason berth and officially end the uphill climb of the Ottawa Senators when the teams meet at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday. Minnesota has won a season-best six games in a row to build a five-point lead over Colorado for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference while Ottawa remained mathematically alive in the East with a 2-1 victory over Winnipeg on Wednesday.
The Wild continued their winning ways by completing a five-game season sweep of nemesis Chicago with a 4-1 triumph on Tuesday. “We’re just trying to get in right now, trying to play as well as possible and take that into the playoffs,” said Erik Haula, who has collected four goals and six assists during his career-high nine-game point streak. Haula set up a goal in the first meeting with Ottawa, but Senators captain Erik Karlsson capped a three-point performance with an overtime goal in a 3-2 triumph on March 15. The two-time Norris Trophy recipient has collected 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in eight career encounters with the Wild but saw his three-game point streak come to an end on Wednesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN5, RDS2, WPCW (Ottawa), FSN North, FSN Wisconsin (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE SENATORS (35-33-9): Mark Stone remained in Manitoba for further examination after he was on the receiving end of a bruising hit by Dustin Byfuglien during the second period. Stone returned to the contest before exiting in the third session with a chest injury. Craig Anderson, who made 23 saves in the first meeting, will look to improve upon his 5-7-2 career record versus Minnesota on Thursday.
ABOUT THE WILD (38-28-11): Nino Niederreiter scored and set up a goal versus the Blackhawks and also tallied in the first meeting with the Senators. The latter contest was the last time Devan Dubnyk tasted defeat, as the netminder has yielded just eight goals during his six-game winning streak and is 11-1-1 in his last 13 decisions. Captain Mikko Koivu has recorded two goals and seven assists over his last seven games and leads the team with 55 points.
OVERTIME
1. Minnesota D Jared Spurgeon has scored three of his career-high 11 goals in his last three contests.
2. Senators C Mika Zibanejad scored and set up a goal in the first meeting with the Wild
3. Minnesota is 27-for-28 on the penalty kill over its last 11 games.
PREDICTION: Wild 4, Senators 2

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Preview: Arizona at Dallas
When: 8:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Although the Dallas Stars have their eyes set on the top seed in the Western Conference, the Central Division leaders have experienced an unexpected rough ride when facing the Arizona Coyotes this season. Winners of two in a row and five of their last six, the Stars look to prevent a season sweep at the hands of the Coyotes on Thursday when the clubs meet American Airlines Center.
Captain Jamie Benn scored twice in Tuesday’s 5-2 win over Nashville and has three tallies in two games for Dallas, which is even in points with St. Louis but holds the tiebreaker of regulation and overtime wins. While the Stars have already clinched a postseason berth, Arizona is clinging to the last shred of hope as it can be eliminated with a loss on Thursday or if Minnesota earns a point versus visiting Ottawa. Anthony Duclair scored twice in Monday’s 5-2 setback to Calgary and has notched four assists in two meetings this season with Dallas. Fellow rookie Max Domi, who admitted he was “humbled” to be a Masterton Trophy nominee, collected two goals and an assist in the Coyotes’ 6-3 win over the Stars on Feb. 18.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN Southwest (Dallas), NHL.TV
ABOUT THE COYOTES (34-35-7): Veteran goaltender Mike Smith has returned from a 40-game absence with a flourish, posting a 4-1-0 mark with a 1.20 goals-against average and .965 save percentage. Captain Shane Doan is in line to return after he experienced concussion-line symptoms following a physical contest with Philadelphia on Saturday. “All indications says he’s fine,” coach Dave Tippett told the team’s website of Doan, who has been held off the scoresheet in both outings with Dallas.
ABOUT THE STARS (46-22-9): Veteran Jason Spezza scored for the ninth time in 13 games on Thursday to reach the 30-goal mark for the fifth time in his career. “I was pretty hot there for a while,” Spezza told the Dallas Morning News. “… I’m just trying to get myself ready to go for playoffs and play as well as I can.” With Spezza joining Benn (39 goals) and Tyler Seguin (33) in the 30-goal club, Dallas is the first team with three such players in one season since 2011-12, when New Jersey and San Jose each accomplished the feat.
OVERTIME
1. Dallas RW Ales Hemsky has scored two goals and set up three others during his five-game point streak.
2. Arizona LW Alex Tanguay has recorded 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 12 contests since being acquired from Colorado at the trade deadline.
3. Stars D Kris Russell will miss his fifth consecutive game and RW Brett Ritchie will sit out his second straight, both with lower-body injuries.
PREDICTION: Stars 5, Coyotes 2

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Preview: Calgary at Los Angeles
When: 10:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
The Los Angeles Kings attempt to regain first place in the Pacific on Thursday, when they host the division-rival Calgary Flames. Los Angeles, which has lost four of its last five games, fell one point behind Anaheim for the top spot in the division when the Ducks cruised past Calgary 8-3 on Wednesday.
The Kings, who are riding a six-game point streak at home (5-0-1), sit three points ahead of San Jose for second place in the Pacific and home-ice advantage in a potential first-round playoff matchup. Calgary continues a four-game road trip on which it split the first two contests. The Flames have lost four of their last five overall contests, surrendering a total of 25 goals in that span. Los Angeles outscored the Flames 6-2 in winning the first two contests of their four-game season series, which concludes in Calgary on Tuesday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (32-39-6): Defenseman Mark Giordano scored Wednesday to reach the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career. The captain, who has recorded a career-high 53 points this season, joined Al MacInnis, Gary Suter, Paul Reinhart and Dion Phaneuf as the only blue-liners in franchise history to hit the 20-goal mark. Joni Ortio, who is 3-1-1 in his last five starts, is expected to be in net against Los Angeles after being a healthy scratch Wednesday.
ABOUT THE KINGS (45-26-5): Anze Kopitar needs two points to reach 70 for the sixth time in his 10 seasons in the league. The 28-year-old Slovenian leads the team in scoring but has recorded just one goal in his last six contests. Kris Versteeg, who has been sidelined since suffering a foot injury while blocking a shot on March 19 against Boston, is unsure when he will return to the lineup but is making the most of his time on the sidelines. “Hopefully, I can just learn as much as I can while I’m out and take all the knowledge and try to come back in and help out again in whatever way I can,” he told lakingsinsider.com.
OVERTIME
1. Kings C Tyler Toffoli tops the club with 29 goals and has notched five points in his last two contests.
2. Calgary LW Johnny Gaudreau, who leads the team in goals (28), assists (45) and points (73), has yet to play on the road trip because of an upper-body injury.
3. Los Angeles has allowed a total of 20 goals during its last five games.
PREDICTION: Kings 4, Flames 2

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Preview: Vancouver at San Jose
When: 10:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
The San Jose Sharks remain within striking distance of first place in the Pacific Division but they are running out of games with only five left in the regular season. Trailing division-leading Anaheim by four points and Los Angeles by three for second place, the Sharks look to complete a home-and-home sweep when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.
San Jose posted its Western Conference-best 26th road win by knocking off the Canucks 4-2 on Tuesday, its second straight victory following a three-game skid. The road prowess could serve the Sharks well if they open the postseason on the road against either the Ducks or Kings. “We’re going to start that (playoff) preparation process behind closed doors as a coaching staff,” San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. “The players have to concentrate on their game the last (five) games, but of course you start thinking about it.” Vancouver is thinking about next season while mired in a nine-game losing streak, one shy of tying a franchise record.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET; Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver) CSN California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (27-36-13): Vancouver forward Jake Virtanen received a two-game suspension from the NHL on Wednesday for a blindside hit on Sharks defenseman Roman Polak during Tuesday’s contest. “We agree with the league’s take, but we don’t want it to take away from the way Jake plays,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning of the hit that the NHL termed “violent.” Vancouver has been shut out four times and scored a combined eight goals during the dismal 0-8-1 stretch to fall into a tie with Toronto and Edmonton for the fewest points in the league.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (43-28-6): Center Logan Couture snapped a 10-game goalless drought by recording his first career hat trick to spark Tuesday’s win over the Canucks, boosting San Jose’s record to 29-13-5 with him in the lineup and 14-15-1 without him. “We’re a different team with him,” DeBoer said. “We missed him.” Defenseman Brent Burns was the beneficiary of a scoring change from Monday’s victory over Los Angeles and was credited with his 27th goal, establishing a franchise single-season record for blue-liners.
OVERTIME
1. San Jose has won three of four versus the Canucks this season, but it has dropped five in a row at home to Vancouver.
2. Canucks G Ryan Miller is 0-3-1 in his last four starts but is 9-4-0 with a 2.41 goals-against average versus San Jose.
3. Sharks C Joe Thornton has a six-game point streak against the Canucks and is one point behind Mike Gartner (1,335) for 30th place all-time.
PREDICTION: Sharks 5, Canucks 2

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/31

Hot teams
— Islanders won three of their last four games.
— Penguins won nine of their last ten games.
— Maple Leafs won six of their last nine games. Buffalo won three of last four home games.
— Rangers won three of their last four games.
— Lightning won four of their last five games.
— Minnesota won its last six games, allowing eight goals.
— Arizona won six of its last nine games. Dallas Stars won five of their last six.
Cold teams
— Columbus lost seven of their last nine games.
— Predators lost 5-2/4-3 in last two games.
— Carolina lost seven of its last nine games.
— New Jersey lost three of its last four road games. Florida lost three of its last five games.
— Montreal lost six of its last nine games.
— Senators lost four of their last six games.
— Calgary, Los Angeles both lost four of their last five games.
— Canucks lost their last nine games, outscored 29-8. Sharks lost three of last four at home.
Series records
— Islanders won their last four games with Columbus.
— Penguins won six of last seven games with Nashville.
— Sabres won three of their last four games.
— Rangers won their last nine games with Carolina.
— Devils won six of last nine games with Florida.
— Canadiens won four of last five games with Tampa Bay.
— Ottawa won eight of its last ten games with Minnesota.
— Home side won eight of last ten Arizona-Dallas games.
— Kings won three of last four games with Calgary.
— Road team won last ten Vancouver-San Jose games.
Totals
— Three of last four Columbus-Islander games stayed under total.
— Over is 4-0-1 in last five Nashville games.
— Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Toronto-Buffalo games.
— Over is 4-0-2 in last six Ranger games.
— Over is 5-1-1 in last seven New Jersey-Florida games.
— Last four Montreal games went over the total.
— Six of last eight Ottawa games stayed under the total.
— Seven of last nine Arizona games stayed under the total.
— Four of last five Calgary games went ovee the total.
— Over is 3-0-1 in last four San Jose games.
Back-to-backs
— Ottawa is 3-8 if they played the night before.
— Calgary lost six of last seven if they played the night before.

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/31

NHL Hockey Betting Trends – Thurs – March, 31
Columbus at NY Islanders, 7:05 PM ET
Columbus: 13-8 SU in road games when playing with 2 days rest
NY Islanders: 7-15 SU off a home win
Nashville at Pittsburgh, 7:05 PM ET
Nashville: 25-10 SU revenging a loss where team scored 1 or less goals
Pittsburgh: 7-11 SU off an home win scoring 4 or more goals
Toronto at Buffalo, 7:05 PM ET
Toronto: 5-22 SU vs. division opponents
Buffalo: 8-3 SU in home games after allowing 4 goals or more
NY Rangers at Carolina, 7:05 PM ET
NY Rangers: 12-1 SU off a loss against a division rival
Carolina: 7-29 SU revenging 2 straight losses where opponent scored 3 or more
New Jersey at Florida, 7:35 PM ET
New Jersey: N/A
Florida: N/A
Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7:35 PM ET
Montreal: N/A
Tampa Bay: N/A
Ottawa at Minnesota, 8:05 PM ET
Ottawa: 31-24 SU in non-conference games
Minnesota: 1-11 SU after 3 straight wins by 2 goals or more
Arizona at Dallas, 8:35 PM ET
Arizona: 9-2 SU off a loss against a division rival
Dallas: 5-10 SU after a blowout win by 3 goals or more
Calgary at Los Angeles, 10:35 PM ET
Calgary: 10-27 SU after playing a road game
Los Angeles: 19-5 SU after a division game
Vancouver at San Jose, 10:35 PM ET
Vancouver: 19-9 SU off a loss against a division rival
San Jose: 5-10 SU in home games after playing a road game

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/31

COLUMBUS (30-38-0-8, 68 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (41-25-0-9, 91 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 7:05 PM


Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 1-10 ATS (+14.6 Units) in road games after a division game this season.
COLUMBUS is 8-20 ATS (+32.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 39-23 ATS (+14.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 21-20 ATS (+49.6 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-7 ATS (+22.8 Units) in road games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-8 ATS (+24.0 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 23-19 ATS (+48.5 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 171-225 ATS (+442.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 7-5 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 7-5-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.9 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)


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NASHVILLE (39-25-0-13, 91 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (43-25-0-8, 94 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 7:05 PM


Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 39-38 ATS (-14.5 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 15-31 ATS (+47.3 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 17-28 ATS (-11.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 212-168 ATS (+34.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 87-76 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 24-28 ATS (-15.9 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 15-26 ATS (-16.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 4-1 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 4-1-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.1 Units)


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TORONTO (28-37-0-11, 67 pts.) at BUFFALO (31-35-0-11, 73 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 7:05 PM


Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 58-100 ATS (+177.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 23-61 ATS (+102.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 5-22 ATS (+36.3 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
TORONTO is 23-43 ATS (-23.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 9-26 ATS (+35.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 263-230 ATS (+20.0 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
BUFFALO is 8-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
BUFFALO is 19-15 ATS (+39.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BUFFALO is 6-17 ATS (+25.6 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 6-6 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 6-6-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.7 Units)


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NY RANGERS (43-24-0-9, 95 pts.) at CAROLINA (33-28-0-16, 82 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 7:05 PM


Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 11-20 ATS (-9.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
NY RANGERS are 107-70 ATS (+14.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 66-38 ATS (+15.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 33-22 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 45-23 ATS (+13.8 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 50-22 ATS (+14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 26-7 ATS (+14.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 33-63 ATS (+117.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 11-1 (+9.5 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 11-1-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.2 Units)


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NEW JERSEY (37-32-0-8, 82 pts.) at FLORIDA (42-25-0-9, 93 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 7:35 PM


There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 5-3 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 5-3-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.3 Units)


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MONTREAL (35-36-0-6, 76 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (44-27-0-5, 93 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 7:35 PM


There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 12-9 (+2.1 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 12-9-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
11 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.1 Units)


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OTTAWA (35-33-0-9, 79 pts.) at MINNESOTA (38-28-0-11, 87 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 8:05 PM


Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 21-7 ATS (+12.8 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 31-24 ATS (+56.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 38-39 ATS (-7.1 Units) in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 18-23 ATS (-16.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 11-16 ATS (-12.9 Units) after a division game this season.
MINNESOTA is 13-17 ATS (-9.2 Units) in non-conference games this season.
MINNESOTA is 17-21 ATS (-9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 3-2 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 3-2-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.4 Units)


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ARIZONA (34-35-0-7, 75 pts.) at DALLAS (46-22-0-9, 101 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 8:35 PM


Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 18-54 ATS (+107.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 20-7 ATS (+28.8 Units) after a division game this season.
DALLAS is 22-32 ATS (-16.3 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 17-23 ATS (-16.5 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-3 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 5-3-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.7 Units)


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CALGARY (32-39-0-6, 70 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (45-26-0-5, 95 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 10:35 PM


Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 19-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) after a division game this season.
CALGARY is 119-118 ATS (+259.7 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1996.
CALGARY is 33-27 ATS (+66.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 27-20 ATS (+51.6 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 85-73 ATS (+188.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 43-40 ATS (-29.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 7-5 (+6.6 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 7-5-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.2 Units)


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VANCOUVER (27-36-0-13, 67 pts.) at SAN JOSE (43-28-0-6, 92 pts.) - 3/31/2016, 10:35 PM


Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 27-49 ATS (+83.2 Units) in all games this season.
VANCOUVER is 10-27 ATS (+46.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 7-14 ATS (-12.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
SAN JOSE is 21-25 ATS (-23.3 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 12-14 ATS (-12.9 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 152-133 ATS (-75.6 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 2-6 ATS (-8.0 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs this season.
SAN JOSE is 13-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 10-13 ATS (-10.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN JOSE is 7-11 ATS (-16.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 8-5-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/31

COLUMBUS vs. NY ISLANDERS
Columbus is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
NY Islanders are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Columbus
NY Islanders are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Columbus


NASHVILLE vs. PITTSBURGH
Nashville is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Nashville
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home


NY RANGERS vs. CAROLINA
NY Rangers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 6 games
Carolina is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Carolina is 1-9 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against NY Rangers


TORONTO vs. BUFFALO
Toronto is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Buffalo is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Buffalo is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games at home


MONTREAL vs. TAMPA BAY
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Montreal is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games


NEW JERSEY vs. FLORIDA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games when playing Florida
New Jersey is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games at home


OTTAWA vs. MINNESOTA
Ottawa is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Ottawa's last 8 games
Minnesota is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Ottawa
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games


ARIZONA vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Arizona is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games


CALGARY vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Calgary's last 7 games on the road
Calgary is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Los Angeles is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Los Angeles is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary


VANCOUVER vs. SAN JOSE
Vancouver is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Vancouver is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
San Jose is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Vancouver
San Jose is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing Vancouver

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/31

Columbus at NY Islanders, 7:05 PM ET
Columbus: 13-8 SU in road games when playing with 2 days rest
NY Islanders: 7-15 SU off a home win


Nashville at Pittsburgh, 7:05 PM ET
Nashville: 25-10 SU revenging a loss where team scored 1 or less goals
Pittsburgh: 7-11 SU off an home win scoring 4 or more goals


Toronto at Buffalo, 7:05 PM ET
Toronto: 5-22 SU vs. division opponents
Buffalo: 8-3 SU in home games after allowing 4 goals or more


NY Rangers at Carolina, 7:05 PM ET
NY Rangers: 12-1 SU off a loss against a division rival
Carolina: 7-29 SU revenging 2 straight losses where opponent scored 3 or more


New Jersey at Florida, 7:35 PM ET
New Jersey: N/A
Florida: N/A


Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7:35 PM ET
Montreal: N/A
Tampa Bay: N/A


Ottawa at Minnesota, 8:05 PM ET
Ottawa: 31-24 SU in non-conference games
Minnesota: 1-11 SU after 3 straight wins by 2 goals or more


Arizona at Dallas, 8:35 PM ET
Arizona: 9-2 SU off a loss against a division rival
Dallas: 5-10 SU after a blowout win by 3 goals or more


Calgary at Los Angeles, 10:35 PM ET
Calgary: 10-27 SU after playing a road game
Los Angeles: 19-5 SU after a division game


Vancouver at San Jose, 10:35 PM ET
Vancouver: 19-9 SU off a loss against a division rival
San Jose: 5-10 SU in home games after playing a road game