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**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:46 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Penguins (47-25) at Capitals (55-17)

Date: April 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins played two months before they scored five goals in a game, but suddenly the offensive outbursts are coming with regularity.

Now they're on the cusp of something they haven't done in nearly two decades.

The Penguins will take a crack at putting up five goals in a fifth straight game for the first time since before Mario Lemieux's first retirement Thursday night in Washington, where they can ensure that their playoff opener will be at home with a win over the Capitals.

Pittsburgh (47-25-8) didn't score five in a game until December, but it's hit that mark in six of its last nine while becoming the Eastern Conference's best team behind Washington (55-17-7).

The Penguins spotted Ottawa a 3-0 lead Tuesday before they got going. Sidney Crosby and Carl Hagelin scored two goals apiece and Nick Bonino added three assists as Pittsburgh rallied for a 5-3 win.

'The mindset of the group right now is there's a mental toughness there that we can battle through some of that adversity even though we're not at our best,' coach Mike Sullivan said. 'I didn't think we were. I didn't think we were quite as sharp as we've been, but certainly we found a way to win.'

Pittsburgh has scored five goals in its last four games in regulation and won 5-4 in a shootout before that. The Penguins haven't scored five times in five straight games since Dec. 30, 1996-Jan. 10, 1997 - a stretch in which their current owner tallied four goals and 14 assists.

With a win at the Verizon Center, they'll wrap up the Metropolitan Division's second seed and begin the playoffs at home against the Rangers or Islanders. Those two meet Thursday night, and any combination of two points earned by Pittsburgh or lost by the Rangers over the final two games will give the Penguins that second spot.

Washington will have home-ice advantage as long as it's around in the postseason, so it's easy to see why the runaway Presidents' Trophy winners might lack motivation down the stretch.

There are still a few milestones in play, though. The Capitals are four points shy of matching the 2009-10 team's franchise record of 121 points, and Braden Holtby is a win away from matching Martin Brodeur's single-season league mark of 48.

Holtby seemed to have that in hand with Washington up 3-1 in the third period Tuesday against the Islanders, but he gave up two goals in 1:45 and another in overtime to skate off with a 4-3 loss.

'We played a good enough game to win tonight,' Holtby said. 'That one's on me, and it's one of those ones I'll make up for in the future.'

Holtby could find himself up against the Penguins in the second round of the playoffs, and if that's the case he'd probably like to go in having completely forgotten about his March 20 start in Pittsburgh. He had never given up five goals and been replaced in the same game, but it finally happened in that 6-2 loss.

Coach Barry Trotz's strong words about the Capitals' performance then still seem to apply with his team 4-3-2 in its last nine and the Penguins having won 13 of 14.

"They're in playoff mode, and we weren't," Trotz said. "You can see the difference between playoff mode and not in playoff mode."

While Holtby goes for the record, the Caps figure to get a second look at Matt Murray. Pittsburgh's rookie goaltender, who has won four straight with Marc-Andre Fleury sidelined by a concussion, stopped 34 shots in a 3-2 loss at Washington on March 1.

Neither Crosby nor Alex Ovechkin, the latter three goals away from his seventh 50-goal season, scored in the first four games of this season's series.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:46 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Canadiens (36-38) at Hurricanes (35-29)

Date: April 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Montreal Canadiens will close their collapse without two of their best players.

A day after officially ruling out Carey Price and P.K. Subban for the season's final two games, some new faces will try to help the Canadiens close their road schedule with a win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Montreal's demise has been long and slow since early December, and it links to the absence of last season's Hart and Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender, Price.

The Canadiens (36-38-6) led the Atlantic Division after the first two months of the season but have gone 19-34-4 since Price suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee Nov. 25. They are an NHL-worst 6-20-2 away from home since Dec. 5 and have long been eliminated from playoff contention.

Montreal has surrendered a league-worst 3.14 goals per game since losing Price and has also played lately without its best defenseman, Subban. Last season's Norris Trophy winner has been out since suffering a neck injury March 10 and won't suit up for the final two games.

General manager Marc Bergevin, team Dr. Vincent Lacroix and head orthopedic surgeon Paul Martineau made the decision to shut Price down on Tuesday.

"We just ran out of time at the end of the season. I was really close," Price said. "But at this point of the year with nothing on the line, it made more sense to end it right now."

Rookie Mike Condon has taken on the load in net since Price's injury. However, after allowing eight goals in consecutive losses to Florida following his first career shutout, it will be Charlie Lindgren who will make his first career start Thursday.

Lindgren signed a two-year deal with Montreal last week after posting a 2.08 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in his final season with St. Cloud State University.

He is among a big group of newcomers to the Habs. Veteran enforcer John Scott was called up from the AHL to play nine minutes in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Panthers, and rookie defenseman Ryan Johnston played just over 12 in his NHL debut while becoming the 15th defenseman to play for Montreal.

The fresh faces will try to help the Canadiens take two of three games from Carolina (35-29-16) after a 2-1 shootout win Feb. 7. The Hurricanes' 3-2 win Dec. 5 snapped Montreal's five-game winning streak in this series and 4-0-2 run in Carolina.

The Hurricanes, 13-6-4 at PNC Arena since Dec. 26, were eliminated from the postseason race with Saturday's 5-1 loss to Columbus despite logging points in 13 of their last 16 games. The latest dented another team's playoff hopes, winning 2-1 in a shootout at Boston on Tuesday.

"I think it's a meaningful game," coach Bill Peters told the team's official website. "So is game 81. So is game 82."

Jaccob Slavin scored his second goal and fellow rookie Noah Hanifin had the only goal of the shootout in the fifth round.

Cam Ward made 35 saves, moving his save percentage to .947 in his last three starts while dropping his GAA to 1.58. Ward has surrendered three goals with a .958 save percentage in the first two meetings of this season series.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:46 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Islanders (44-26) at Rangers (45-26)

Date: April 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Battered and bruised, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders have overcome key personnel losses to make the playoffs.

That doesn't mean they'll relax yet, with their final matchup of the regular season being a crucial one.

The Islanders can take a big step toward relegating the Rangers to a wild card by completing their first-ever sweep of the season series at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Despite finding out beforehand that captain Ryan McDonagh will miss the final three games of the regular season and is uncertain for the playoffs with an upper-body injury, the Rangers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Tampa Bay 3-2 at home Tuesday. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 19 of 21 shots in a brutal first period for the Rangers, who turned the tide after killing off Tanner Glass' five-minute major late in the first.

Derek Stepan scored twice and Chris Kreider got the winner early in the third as the Rangers (45-26-9) won their second straight, a night after clinching their sixth consecutive playoff berth.

The Rangers and Islanders can still catch Pittsburgh for the second spot in the Metropolitan Division and home-ice advantage in the first round, though the Penguins have a magic number of two points to secure that spot. The bigger battle is likely for third, with the Rangers leading the Islanders by two points with the Isles holding a game in hand.

"The last few games are really big for us because we'd like to have home ice in the (first round of the) playoffs, that's a pretty big advantage," Kreider, who has five goals and three assists in six games, told the team's official website.

Stepan has recorded six goals in his last seven and 14 points in eight.

Earning the third spot will probably require the Rangers to win Thursday, but that means avoiding some dubious history against their bitter rivals. The Islanders held the Rangers to one goal in each of the first two matchups and took the last meeting 6-4 at MSG on March 6.

The Islanders (44-26-9) again overcame their rash of injuries to beat Washington 4-3 in overtime Tuesday and secure a postseason spot, also overcoming a 2-0 hole and a 3-1 deficit in the third.

They've won five of six despite the absence of No. 1 goaltender Jaroslav Halak, top defenseman Travis Hamonic and a handful of other key contributors due to injury.

'Just guys stepping up, just an attitude,' said defenseman Thomas Hickey, who came back from a skate-cut scare to score in OT. 'It's not one or two guys, everyone just sort of pulling on the same strings.'

Thirty Islanders players, including four goalies, have dressed for a game this season.

''I think we might play a little bit more simpler when we have some guys out," forward Kyle Okposo said. "If we can get our full lineup in and get everybody on the same page and playing the way that we need to, we're going to be a pretty good hockey team.'

John Tavares had a goal and two assists Tuesday, giving him five and six in his last eight games.

Though the Rangers are 26-9-4 at home, that might not mean much Thursday. The Islanders have won their last two on the road and dominated at MSG lately, winning six of seven there while averaging 4.3 goals.

"Obviously it's always intense, a lot of fun those games, and this time of the year it's going to be no different," Rangers defenseman Marc Staal said. "The place is going to be rocking and it's going to be a good playoff atmosphere-type test for us at the end of the season. It'll be fun."

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:47 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Maple Leafs (28-41) at Flyers (39-27)

Date: April 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

With little room for error in their final push for the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers hope a return home will help them avoid losing three in a row for the first time in almost two months.

In the first of their final two regular-season home contests, the Flyers try for a fourth straight victory at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night against the lowly Toronto Maple Leafs.

Philadelphia (39-27-13) recorded three straight one-goal victories to sweep its most recent homestand, then was outscored 9-2 in consecutive defeats at Pittsburgh and Detroit. The Flyers, who last dropped three straight Feb. 6-9, recorded 24 shots in the final two periods Wednesday but fell 3-0 to the Red Wings.

'We didn't get the job done so we just have to pivot real quick and look at the two points (Thursday) night,' Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol said.

Philadelphia is tied with Boston for the final wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers hold that spot by having a game in hand over the Bruins.

"We have to have a killer instinct now," goaltender Steve Mason told the Flyers' official website. "We can't let these games get away from us."

The Bruins host the Red Wings on Thursday and Ottawa in Saturday's finale.

Philadelphia concludes its home schedule Saturday against Pittsburgh then ends the regular season at the New York Islanders the next day.

The Flyers went 0 for 6 on the power play against the Penguins and Red Wings, but were 4 for 7 in the last two at home.

Mason allowed seven goals in the last two games, but has a 1.72 ERA while winning seven of his last eight at home. However, he has yielded three goals each in two games against the Maple Leafs this season.

Philadelphia won 5-4 in overtime at Toronto on Feb. 20 after falling 3-2 to the Maple Leafs (28-41-11) on Jan. 19.

The owner of a league-low 67 points, the Maple Leafs have dropped four in a row and six of seven. Morgan Rielly opened the scoring in the second period Wednesday with a short-handed goal but Columbus took over to hand Toronto a 5-1 defeat in its home finale.

'There's lots of good things that are going on in the organization,' Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. 'But (Wednesday) wasn't one of those things though, so let's not kid ourselves. That effort and the execution of that effort is not good enough and it's unacceptable."

Toronto, which will pick no worse than fifth in the June draft, hasn't had the No. 1 overall selection since 1985 when it took Wendel Clark.

'There's no question we've got lots of work to do,' Babcock said. "The reality is this isn't what you want. The exciting time of the year is just about ready to start."

Rielly has recorded three of his career-high 36 points in three games after failing to record one in his previous four contests.

Philadelphia rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has scored two of his 16 goals against Toronto this season, but has none in the last 11 contests after tallying four in a four-game span.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:47 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Lightning (45-30) at Devils (37-35)

Date: April 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Returning to the Stanley Cup Final will be a tall order without Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman, and Tampa Bay's playoff outlook will be even more bleak if Ryan Callahan and Victor Hedman's injuries carry beyond the regular season.

Having home-ice advantage in the first round could help a little, though.

The Lightning aren't sure if Callahan or Hedman will play Thursday night as they look to clinch second place in the Atlantic Division by beating the host New Jersey Devils.

Stamkos has missed the last three games and will be out at least a month after being diagnosed with blood clots. The loss of the two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner marked another devastating blow to Tampa Bay (45-30-5) after Stralman suffered a fractured left leg on March 25 that will keep him out into the postseason.

Callahan doesn't have a point in his last 12 games and sat out Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers with a lower-body injury. Hedman also didn't play because of an upper-body ailment, and there's a chance both will miss at least the final two games.

"I can't sit here and say if they are going to be back for the rest of the regular season or not," coach Jon Cooper said. "They might be. They might not be, so I'll give them a little rest here and re-evaluate."

The Lightning have dropped four of their last six after blowing a two-goal lead against the Rangers, but they clinched a playoff spot after Boston lost to Carolina. A victory against the Devils (37-35-8) or any combination of two points over their final two would guarantee they'd host their first two playoff games because they hold the first tiebreaker over both Detroit and the Bruins.

"We've got to get some wins, obviously," said center Brian Boyle, who scored Tuesday. "We need two points so we can get that two seed (in the Atlantic) and home-ice in that first round. We've got to feel good about our game though with a win."

Boyle scored in Saturday's 3-1 home win over New Jersey that marked Tampa's third straight in the series. Adam Henrique scored for the Devils, who have lost three straight while being eliminated from playoff contention.

They haven't scored more than twice during a 1-4-1 stretch, and five of their last six goals have come on the power play despite going just 1 for 6 with the man advantage in each of their last three.

'These games are about playing for each other,' coach John Hynes said after Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Buffalo. 'They are about playing for the jersey, they are about playing for the organization. Things we've done all year long and taken pride in. We have to discuss why we had a performance like we had (Tuesday). We don't want to have a repeat.'

Patrik Elias played for the first time since Dec. 19 because of knee surgery rather than extend his rest period into the offseason. The Devils' all-time leading scorer broke in with the club in 1995-96 and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

'It wasn't that bad,' said Elias, who turns 40 on April 13. 'Physically I was fine. Hockey-wise, I was a little rusty on a couple of the plays."

Cory Schneider has an .881 save percentage while dropping his last six starts despite making 33 saves against Tampa in the last meeting. He'll likely oppose Ben Bishop, who has stopped 90 of 94 shots with two shutouts while winning his last four against the Devils.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:47 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Red Wings (41-28) at Bruins (41-30)

Date: April 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

After keeping close tabs on one another for several weeks, neither the Detroit Red Wings nor the Boston Bruins need to resort to scoreboard-watching in their next game.

When the Atlantic Division members face off Thursday night in Boston, one can secure a playoff spot and the other essentially needs to win for a shot to get there.

The penultimate regular-season game for both teams carries enormous implications for each, especially for the Bruins. Two points behind the Red Wings for third in the division, Boston (41-30-9) would have a tough time earning a wild-card berth over Philadelphia if it loses.

Detroit did the Bruins somewhat of a favor with Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Flyers, keeping Philadelphia tied with Boston with 91 points. The Flyers hold a game in hand, however, and host last-place Toronto on Thursday.

Boston, which has lost eight of 10 since March 15, concludes the regular season at home against Ottawa on Saturday.

"You have to be confident and believe," center Patrice Bergeron told the Bruins' official website. "But at the same time there's no more chances here. This is our last chance and we have to seize it and go out there and do it."

Detroit (41-28-11) greatly helped its own cause with Wednesday's result. It can clinch a top-three finish in the Atlantic and extend its playoff streak to 25 seasons with a win of any kind over Boston.

Though they had an eight-game run with at least one power play goal end by going 0 for 4, the Red Wings excelled on the penalty kill to record their third straight win and seventh in 10 games. They staved off four Philadelphia chances and received a huge short-handed breakaway goal from rookie Andreas Athanasiou to take a 2-0 lead late in the second period.

'From day one, we've had to grind out wins. Everything's been close,' coach Jeff Blashill said. 'We've never been truly comfortable in a playoff spot. At times, we've been on the outside looking in.'

Detroit also got another sharp performance from a resurgent Jimmy Howard, who stopped 30 shots for his first shutout since the season opener. He's yielded four goals over the winning streak.

"I've got to give a lot of credit to the guys in front of me, guys sacrificing their bodies the last three games," he said. "As a goalie when you see guys doing that it makes your job that much more enjoyable and you want to come up with big saves for the guys."

Howard could draw another start with Petr Mrazek having struggled both down the stretch and in the season series. Mrazek hasn't played since being pulled after allowing two quick goals at Montreal on March 29 and owns a 4.69 goals-against average over his last five appearances.

Mrazek has allowed 11 in three 2015-16 meetings with Boston, losing the first two and making just 17 saves in a 6-5 home win on Feb. 14 that halted Detroit's six-game series skid.

Tuukka Rask is coming off a 27-save effort in Tuesday's 2-1 shootout loss to Carolina, in which the Bruins salvaged an important point on Loui Eriksson's tying goal in the third period.

Eriksson has three goals and four assists over a six-game point streak against Detroit, while Bergeron has four goals over his last five games.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:47 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Panthers (46-25) at Senators (36-35)

Date: April 07, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

There isn't much else to accomplish in this record-setting regular season, but the Florida Panthers don't sound like a team that's going to lie down over the final two games.

Following a subdued observance of its first division title in four years, Florida looks to stay sharp with a fifth consecutive victory when it visits the Senators on Thursday night.

The Panthers secured home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs and set a club record for points with Monday's 4-3 win at Toronto.

They then wrapped up their second division title and first since 2011-12 on Tuesday with a 4-1 victory at Montreal and Tampa Bay's 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.

"We didn't have champagne or anything, but I don't think we really need champagne for that," center Nick Bjugstad told the team's official website. "We've come a long way the last couple of years, so definitely a proud group of guys and keep rolling."

Despite having nothing left to play for in the final two contests, Florida (46-25-9) can extend its longest road winning streak in three months to five and add to a 10-4-0 stretch.

The Panthers have averaged 3.66 goals over their last 15 after scoring 2.63 per game before that stretch. Jonathan Huberdeau has six goals and four assists and Aleksander Barkov five and six in seven-game point streaks.

They should have a good chance to extend those runs against an Ottawa team that ranks near the bottom of the NHL with 2.99 goals allowed per game.

"We're happy that we're able to accomplish what we did, but at the same time we know that the real season begins next week," Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo said.

The Senators, who will miss the postseason for the second time in three years, couldn't hold a three-goal lead Tuesday in their second straight loss, 5-3 to visiting Pittsburgh.

Already without a number of veterans, Ottawa (36-35-9) lost Bobby Ryan to a lower-body injury in the second period. Coach Dave Cameron said he's day-to-day.

'The way our season has gone is a tough pill to swallow,' goalie Andrew Hammond said. 'It never gets easier. It feels the same way it did Game 50 or Game 10. It's just not fun."

Craig Anderson will be back in net after Hammond surrendered four goals on 27 shots. Anderson has a 3.23 goals-against average in his last 10 starts.

Florida roughed him up March 10 for its third win in four meetings, 6-2 at the BB&T Center. Jaromir Jagr had two goals and Vincent Trocheck added one with three assists.

Trocheck, however, is out for the final two games with a foot injury and defenseman Erik Gudbranson could miss his second straight due to an upper-body injury.

Luongo is expected to get the nod after posting a 1.26 goals-against average in winning his last four road starts. He's gone 11-3-0 with a 1.84 mark in his past 14 overall against Ottawa.

Erik Karlsson has three goals and four assists in his last seven games for the Senators. He's recorded three goals and eight assists in 11 career home meetings with Florida.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:48 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Coyotes (35-38) at Predators (40-26)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

There is no jostling for postseason position left for the Nashville Predators. Still, a couple victories to close out their schedule would do wonders in helping them move past a recent drought.

While awaiting their first-round opponent, the Predators look to build on their first win in a week and a half when they host the slumping Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.

Nashville (40-26-14) picked up one point during a four-game losing streak that kept it from challenging for a top-three spot in the Central Division. The club is locked into the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference and will likely meet the Pacific winner in the first round, either Anaheim, Los Angeles or San Jose.

Nashville avoided matching its longest skid of the season while eliminating Colorado from playoff contention with Tuesday's 4-3 home win. Filip Forsberg scored his 32nd goal to pull within one of Jason Arnott's single-season team record set in 2008-09 and Ryan Johansen had two assists to extend his point streak to four games.

The Predators close at Dallas on Saturday.

'We still have a little ways to go in how we want to play, but it's just nice to be back on the winning side of things,' Johansen said. 'There were a few big plays from some guys in here (Tuesday).'

Pekka Rinne made 25 saves to help Nashville improve to 22-11-7 at Bridgestone Arena, including 8-1-4 in their last 13.

Rinne wasn't tested often in a 5-2 win over Arizona on Dec. 1, making 13 saves for Nashville's fourth straight home victory in this series. However, the Coyotes snapped the Predators' six-game overall winning streak with a 4-0 victory Jan. 9 against backup Carter Hutton.

Rinne is in line to return for the finale, seeking his sixth straight win over the Coyotes. He's 14-6-1 with a 2.00 goals-against average against them in his career.

Arizona (35-38-7), long eliminated from postseason contention, continues a daunting six-game season-ending stretch against playoff-bound opponents - five coming away from home, where the Coyotes have lost four straight and 14 of 16.

The run started with last Thursday's 4-1 loss at Dallas. Mike Smith logged his third shutout in Saturday's 3-0 home win over Washington, but a season-ending four-game trip opened with Monday's 5-2 loss to St. Louis and Tuesday's 6-2 defeat to Chicago.

The Coyotes close against the Sharks on Saturday.

Smith surrendered five goals against the Blues before Louis Domingue was beaten six times by the Blackhawks.

Even with Smith's shutout, the Coyotes have allowed 20 goals while losing four of their last five.

'That was a combination of really poor execution by our team and really below-average goaltending, and that's what you get,' coach Dave Tippett said after Tuesday's game.

Smith made 36 saves but surrendered four goals Dec. 1, his sixth straight regular-season defeat against Nashville while with Tampa Bay and the Coyotes. He's posted a 3.99 GAA during that time.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:48 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Avalanche (39-37) at Stars (48-23)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The Dallas Stars control their own fate in pursuit of their first division title in 10 years and the accompanying reward of having home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.

There's also a chance they'll open the postseason on the road if they stumble in their final two games, though.

Dallas can do its part toward eliminating some suspense by beating the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night, and it should know by game's end if another division rival provided the necessary help for it to wrap up the Central.

The Stars (48-23-9) are tied with St. Louis atop the West but hold the first tiebreaker with three more regulation and overtime victories and two games left for both clubs. If Dallas beats Colorado (39-37-4) and Nashville on Saturday, it would clinch its first division title since winning the Pacific in 2005-06.

It has a chance to celebrate the Central crown sooner, though, with a win over the Avalanche and a St. Louis loss at Chicago on Thursday.

"We got two left. We want to win them both," coach Lindy Ruff said.

Winning one at least would secure home-ice advantage in the first round. The Stars would open the postseason on the road only if it loses both games in regulation, the Blues get one point and Chicago wins out with at least one regulation or overtime victory.

Sunday's 3-1 loss at Anaheim that snapped a four-game winning streak didn't help the Stars' cause. Dallas killed both Ducks power-play opportunities and opponents are now 2 for 44 with the man advantage over the last 15 games, but the Stars failed to convert on four power-play chances.

"Clearly the power play let us down. A couple of mistakes went the wrong way," said forward Patrick Sharp, whose four-game point streak ended. "You are not always going to score on the power play, but you don't want to change momentum going the other way."

Although Dallas' postseason situation remains tense, the Avalanche certainly are envious. They've dropped four straight and officially were eliminated from the wild-card race with Tuesday's 4-3 loss at Nashville.

Matt Duchene had two assists in his third game back after missing the previous six, but Nathan MacKinnon sat out for the eighth consecutive time with a knee injury.

Duchene and MacKinnon suffered their injuries during a three-game winning streak that increased Colorado's chances for the West's last playoff spot, but it has lost six of seven since. The collapse will keep the Avs out of the postseason for the second straight year after winning the Central in Patrick Roy's first season behind the bench.

"We expect more from this team," Roy said. "We had some bad luck toward the end, losing Duchene and MacKinnon at the wrong time. I get it. It is such a fine line for any team to make the playoffs.

"It bothers me a lot. I'm in Denver to win the Stanley Cup."

The Avalanche have won the last four meetings in Dallas and took the first two matchups this season to extend their winning streak in the series to eight. John Klingberg's overtime goal gave the Stars a 4-3 victory Feb. 4.

It's unclear if Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen will be in net for this one, though Niemi had an ugly .821 save percentage in starting the first three against the Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov, who has a 4.12 goals-against average in dropping four straight starts, could get the call for Colorado.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:48 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Blues (48-23) at Blackhawks (47-26)

Date: April 07, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

A potent offense has the St. Louis Blues on an impressive roll despite the absence of some key contributors. The exact same thing can be said of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Central Division rivals are on a potential collision course for a postseason matchup, and that could move closer to reality Thursday night when the teams meet at the United Center.

As the season enters the final few days, there is still plenty left to be determined in the Western Conference. St. Louis (48-23-9) and Dallas are tied for the Central lead and Chicago trails by four points. Finishing as the top seed would give the Blues a first-round matchup with Minnesota, while a second-place finish in the division would send them into a series with the Blackhawks.

'We have a lot at stake right now,' Blues goaltender Brian Elliott said. 'It's funny how it always comes down to the last games no matter what.'

Outside of Pittsburgh, which has won 13 of 14, no teams appear more formidable right now than St. Louis and Chicago (47-26-7).

The Blues have won seven of eight, averaging 3.75 goals with five in each of the last three games. Kyle Brodziak scored two of their five unanswered in a 5-2 victory over Arizona on Monday.

'I think we just weren't as sharp as we needed to be and sometimes that happens (when) you come home late,' Brodziak said. 'I thought the energy in the room after the first was really, really good and we got ourselves re-focused.'

Elliott continued his stellar run with 25 saves and improved to 12-1-1 with a 1.74 goals-against average and four shutouts since the All-Star break. He'll need to carry the load in net with backup Jake Allen (lower body) out for the rest of the regular season.

Also sidelined for the final two games is captain David Backes (lower body), second on the team with 21 goals and fourth with 45 points.

St. Louis will get absolutely no sympathy from Chicago, which is currently without goaltender Corey Crawford, forwards Marian Hossa (lower body), Andrew Shaw (upper body) and Artem Anisimov, and star defenseman Duncan Keith (suspension).

Anisimov left in the second period of Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Coyotes after taking a bit hit from Antoine Vermette.

'We'll know more tomorrow, but we'll say day to day, upper body, he should be OK,' coach Joel Quenneville said.

The loss of Anisimov, who centers a high-scoring line with Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin, would be a big one, but the Blackhawks have managed to win five of six despite those absences. Their offense has somehow been better lately, totaling 17 goals during a three-game win streak with help from a power play that's 6 for 12 after an 0-for-26 drought.

Jonathan Toews has two goals and five assists during a five-game point streak.

"We want to get our game together and play the complete game that we're going to need in the playoffs, but at the same time, it's a lot easier to play at the highest level when the playoffs come around and that motivation's right there in front of your face," Toews said.

Chicago's captain is far from the only Blackhawks player that will take a hot streak into this contest. Panarin has 10 points in his last three games to give him 75 on the season.

Kane, the league leader with 102 points, has five goals and three assists in the team's three-game run

Scott Darling is expected to make his 11th straight start and first against St. Louis. He's 5-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA in the last six.

Elliott has not fared well against Chicago, going 1-3-0 with a 3.32 GAA in his past five starts.

The Blackhawks are 2-0-2 against the Blues this season, losing the last in a six-round shootout March 9 in St. Louis.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:49 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Canucks (30-37) at Flames (33-40)

Date: April 07, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

A porous defense prevented the Calgary Flames from a return playoff trip, while a sporadic offense is a main reason why the Vancouver Canucks won't be playing beyond this week.

Both teams enter Thursday night's matchup off disappointing results that can be attributed to each's main weakness.

Calgary (33-40-7) heads into its home finale tied with the Canucks for 12th in the Western Conference and having allowed a league-high 256 goals. It's permitted four or more five times during a 2-5-1 stretch that dashed an already minuscule chance of a second consecutive postseason berth.

The Flames did deliver one of their best defensive performances in Saturday's 5-0 victory at Edmonton, but their bad habits returned Tuesday against Los Angeles. Calgary twice blew a third-period lead in a 5-4 overtime defeat, with the Kings forcing extra time on Kris Versteeg's goal with 35.1 seconds left in regulation.

It's a familiar outcome for a team that failed to build off last season's surprising 97-point output despite a 30-goal sophomore campaign from Johnny Gaudreau, a second straight strong season from fellow youngster Sean Monahan and an injury-free one from captain Mark Giordano, who scored his 21st goal Tuesday to record the highest total for a Flames defenseman since Al MacInnis' 28 in 1993-94.

"Every guy in this locker room that is having a career year would much rather replace it to be in the playoffs and be playing for the Stanley Cup." Gaudreau told the Flames' official website.

Vancouver (30-37-13) will miss the playoffs in large part due to ranking 29th in the NHL with 180 goals.

The lowest point occurred during an 0-8-1 run from March 14-29 in which the Canucks mustered eight goals and were shut out four times. They rebounded to win a season-high three straight prior to Wednesday's 6-2 defeat to an emotionally charged Edmonton team playing its final game at Rexall Place.

Vancouver trailed 3-0 after two periods before goals from Matt Bartkowski and Bo Horvat avoided a 10th shutout loss this season.

"I thought we'd have a little more intensity in our game," coach Willie Desjardins said. "We accepted being average. We didn't fight through enough."

The Canucks did score at will in a season-opening 5-1 victory at the Saddledome on Oct. 7 but totaled five goals in losing the series' past three matchups, including a 5-2 setback at Calgary on Feb. 19.

Jonas Hiller was in net for each of those wins but will give way in this game to Joni Ortio, who attempts to bounce back from Tuesday's 21-save effort. The 24-year-old had posted a 1.82 goals-against average over his previous six starts and had 28 saves against Edmonton for his second NHL shutout.

After Jacob Markstrom struggled in Wednesday's loss, the Canucks turn back to Ryan Miller. The veteran recorded his second consecutive win with 40 saves in Monday's 3-2 victory over Los Angeles.

Miller has yielded six goals in three 2015-16 meetings with Calgary and stopped 29 of 30 shots in the season opener.

Horvat enters the matchup with three goals and two assists over a four-game point streak.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:49 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Ducks (44-24) at Kings (47-28)

Date: April 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Anaheim's victory in Los Angeles a month ago gave the Ducks sole possession of first place in the Pacific for the first time all season, an accomplishment that seemed unlikely considering the sizable deficit they faced not long before.

Another victory Thursday night at Staples Center would be a major step toward finishing atop the division.

The Ducks (44-24-11) have won the last three meetings with the Kings (47-28-5), who held a 16-point advantage Jan. 20. Anaheim stormed back and went 5 for 7 on the power play over a 4-2 home win over Los Angeles on Feb. 28 and 3-2 victory March 5.

It could have clinched the division with a win over Winnipeg on Tuesday and a regulation victory in this contest, but the Jets scored with less than four minutes in the third before winning 2-1 in overtime. The Kings then forced a tie at 99 points with a 5-4 overtime win at Calgary that night.

"Having a lead late in the game like that, we'd like to close it out," captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "You're not going to win them all, but we would've preferred to have two points. We have to get ready for the next one now."

Anaheim has a game in hand and can put the pressure on the Kings with any kind of victory Thursday even though Los Angeles holds the first tiebreaker with more regulation and overtime wins. The Ducks would need two points over their final two in order to win the Pacific with a victory in overtime or a shootout, but a regulation win would require them to pick up just one.

They have won 11 of the last 14 regular-season meetings with the Kings and are 6-0-1 at Staples Center since the start of 2013-14, but Los Angeles can put itself in the driver's seat with a regulation victory in this one.

If the Kings win before overtime, they'd have a chance to wrap up the Pacific with a victory in Saturday's season finale against visiting Winnipeg despite having lost six of their previous eight before beating the Flames.

Jeff Carter scored 40 seconds into overtime after Kris Versteeg tied it with 35.1 seconds left in the third. Milan Lucic scored twice and Anze Kopitar had a pair of assists.

"We've been struggling (to get points) the last few games, and it's nice to get them, especially to come back like that at the end," center Vincent Lecavalier said. "It's good to get the two points and go home, practice and be ready for our next game."

Even if the Kings don't wind up winning the division, returning to the playoffs is satisfying in itself. Another victory would set a franchise record a year after they missed the postseason, a major disappointment after they won their second Stanley Cup in three seasons in 2013-14.

Winning out would give Los Angeles 103 points, which would be its most since setting a team record with 105 in 1974-75.

'You get 47 wins in a year and your goal going into the year is to try and get 100 points, and we're that close,' coach Darryl Sutter said. 'That's pretty good for a team that didn't make the playoffs last year.'

Jonathan Quick rested against Calgary and will get the start in this one. He has a 3.62 goals-against average while starting each of the previous four meetings with the Ducks, though.

John Gibson has a 1.45 GAA over his last five starts and continues to get the majority of the work with Frederik Andersen nursing a concussion. Gibson has a 2.20 GAA while winning four of his five regular-season starts against the Kings.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:49 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Jets (33-39) at Sharks (45-29)

Date: April 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Although they've fallen out of the Pacific Division title race, the San Jose Sharks still have plenty to play for during their final two regular-season games.

Then again, fighting for home-ice advantage might not serve San Jose's best interests.

After closing out a record-setting season on the road, the Sharks still have an outside chance to finish second in the Pacific as they host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

Despite winning four of its last five games, San Jose (45-29-6) can no longer claim its first division title since a four-year run from 2007-11 after Anaheim and Los Angeles picked up points Tuesday. While the Sharks can max out with 100, the winner of Thursday's showdown between the Ducks and the Kings will move up to 101.

That result will clear up the possibilities for the Sharks, who must win to have any chance of finishing second in the division and earn home-ice advantage in a first-round playoff matchup with either Anaheim or Los Angeles.

That might not sound as exciting for a team that has dropped four of its past five in San Jose and whose 17 home victories are easily the fewest of any Western Conference team. The Sharks set a franchise single-season record for road wins with an NHL-best 28-10-3 mark.

'I think it's a great accomplishment what they did and through the season setting the road record,' coach Peter DeBoer said. 'To be able to do that, I think, is a testament to how these guys prepare themselves and the grittiness of the group.'

They achieved the feat Tuesday with a 3-0 victory at Minnesota as Patrick Marleau led the way with two goals. Logan Couture contributed a goal and an assist, giving him five goals over his last four games.

Eleven of Couture's 15 goals have come on the road. Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton are tied for second in the league with 44 points on the road, and Marleau has 27. At home, however, Pavelski has totaled 32, Thornton has 35 and Marleau only 19.

They'll try to reverse that trend against a Winnipeg team that ranks in the bottom third of the league with 2.86 goals allowed per game but has only given up one in two straight.

Following a 5-1 home win over Minnesota on Sunday, the Jets (33-39-8) pulled off a 2-1 victory at Anaheim on Tuesday on Blake Wheeler's overtime goal. They haven't won three in a row all season.

Wheeler has six goals and six assists over a nine-game point streak. The right wing has three goals and six assists in his last six against the Sharks.

Ondrej Pavelec was given the night off Tuesday but is expected to be back in net. He's 3-0-2 with a 1.96 goals-against average in his last five starts. Pavelec owns a .934 save percentage over six career games versus the Sharks.

The Jets will have a big impact on what happens in the Pacific. After topping the Ducks and facing the Sharks, they'll take on the Kings on Saturday to close out this season-ending trip.

"We'll see how we measure up," Wheeler told the team's official website.

The road team has taken each of the first two matchups in this series. Winnipeg won 4-1 at San Jose on Jan. 2 before the Sharks got even with a 4-1 victory Jan. 12.

Both games were before James Reimer's arrival in San Jose. He's 6-1-0 with a 1.42 GAA in his last seven starts but has lost five straight to the Jets with a 4.28 GAA.

Pavelski has four goals and six assists in his past eight against Winnipeg.

**TheGame** · 04-07-2016, 08:50 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/7

Grand Salami - April

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
4/1 5 25 36 OVER
4/2 11 58 57 UNDER
4/3 5 26 34 OVER
4/4 5 25.5 32 OVER
4/5 11 59.5 62 OVER
4/6 3 16.5 17 OVER
4/7 13 - - -
4/8 1 - - -
4/9 15 - - -

Announcement

NHL Betting Info. 4/7

NHL Betting Info. 4/7

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