NHL Betting Info. 4/21

[TheGame]

Preview: Penguins (48-26) at Rangers (46-27)


Date: April 21, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


One of the most impressive aspects of the Pittsburgh Penguins' hot streak over the last month and a half is that three goaltenders have played a role in it.


First Marc-Andre Fleury got hurt, then standout rookie Matt Murray's injury put Jeff Zatkoff in net for the first two games of this series, seemingly giving the edge to the New York Rangers. But Murray picked up right where he left off in Game 3, and now the Penguins are in position to take a 3-1 lead with another victory Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.


Pittsburgh has won 16 of 19 since March 11 with Fleury posting a 1.98 goals-against average through nine games in that stretch before suffering a concussion. Murray stepped in and won his first six starts before leaving the regular-season finale with a head injury.


Zatkoff made 35 saves in a 4-2 win in Game 1 against the Rangers but struggled somewhat in a 4-2 loss in Game 2. Murray returned to make 16 saves in Tuesday's 3-1 victory.


Fleury practiced Monday before being ruled out, and his status going forward is questionable.


'The nerves were definitely going at the start of the game. That's understandable,' Murray said. 'It was my first playoff game, at MSG no less. I was able to control it and that was all I could ask for.'


He got help offensively as the Penguins outshot the Rangers 31-17. Sidney Crosby tied it on the power play in the second period before Matt Cullen put the Penguins ahead early in the third. Kris Letang added an empty netter.


Pittsburgh has won all three meetings this season at Madison Square Garden and has taken nine of its last 10 on the road.


'Our mindset is playing the right way, doing the things that have got us here. The past is the past," Crosby said. "Right now we want to make sure we are better every game. I think we took a good step here (Tuesday).'


The Rangers hoped the return of captain Ryan McDonagh would help, but they couldn't slow the Penguins' attack enough. McDonagh didn't show any signs of rust, playing a team-high 22:48 after missing the previous five with a hand injury.


Rick Nash scored short-handed in the second period after New York had a goal nullified in the first when video review showed the Rangers had gone offside on Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan's challenge.


"We didn't make it tough on them in their own zone as much," McDonagh said. "It's a little disappointing we can't find a way to get a goal (in the third period) and they get a road win and are up in the series. We have to respond here."


The Rangers have gone 2-3-1 in their last six at home, a stretch that started when Pittsburgh beat them in overtime March 27. They've also scored three goals while dropping their last four playoff games at MSG.


New York didn't give much help to Henrik Lundqvist, who made 28 saves after stopping 29 shots in Game 2. He's helped knock the Penguins out of the last two postseasons and has a 1.52 GAA in his last 11 playoff games against Pittsburgh, including when he left early in Game 1 because of an eye injury.


The Rangers will need plenty more than another solid performance from Lundqvist, though, if they want to head back to Pittsburgh with the series tied.


"Everyone in here wishes the game were (Wednesday) and we can get back out there and play," defenseman Keith Yandle said. "We are real confident. We know this group. We know we can play a better game."

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

Preview: Red Wings (41-30) at Lightning (46-31)


Date: April 21, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


After an anemic offensive display in Game 3, the Tampa Bay Lightning made working on their power play a priority ahead of a pivotal point in the series.


Now the onus is back on the Red Wings to make adjustments after Tampa Bay's breakthrough on special teams left Detroit on the brink of elimination.


With the memory of last year's grueling seven-game first-round series still fresh, the Lightning hope to take care of business on their home ice Thursday night and get some rest.


Tampa Bay made a point of working on its power play after going 1 for 14 over the first three games of this series, including 0 for 3 in Sunday's 2-0 loss at Joe Louis Arena. Coach Jon Cooper said he also made some minor personnel changes.


The moves certainly paid off Tuesday when the Lightning scored three times on five chances with the man advantage. Ondrej Palat's power-play goal with 2:59 remaining gave them a 3-2 victory and a 3-1 advantage in the series.


"We decided to put the puck in the hands of the guys who know what to do with it and challenge them," Cooper told the team's official website. "You don't expect to go 3 for 5, and at some point special teams is going to affect a series."


Nikita Kucherov, who was second on the team during the season with nine power-play goals, scored twice and Jonathan Drouin added three assists. Kucherov has been a handful for Detroit in the four games, totaling five goals and eight points.


The Lightning hope to continue that production and earn their 19th win in the past 25 home games dating to the regular season. Including the playoffs, they've also won 10 of the last 12 home meetings with the Red Wings by a combined 39-20.


Tampa Bay doesn't want the series to drag on like it did a year ago as it tries to move on to the second round in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 12 years.


"When you have a chance to win a series at home, you want to do it," Cooper said. "It's rest, travel, jumping on a plane, more hotels, that's the part that wears on you."


The Red Wings' 25th consecutive postseason appearance could be short-lived if they don't figure out a way to iron out their own special teams issues. Not only did they allow Tampa Bay's outburst, but they've gone 1 for 21 on the power play.


Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist scored their first postseason goals in the second period Tuesday after the Lightning built a 2-0 lead. Tomas Tatar, though, came up empty after finishing with an assist in each of the first three games.


Pavel Datsyuk, who might be leaving Detroit after the playoffs, seeks his first point after having a team-high eight power-play goals during the season.


"We obviously lost the game on special teams, both the power play and the penalty kill," coach Jeff Blashill said. "We'd like to stay out of the box more than that. The fact that they punished us is what I'm most concerned with."


It certainly hasn't helped that Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop has been on his game. He owns a .937 save percentage in the series and hasn't allowed more than two goals in any of his last 10 meetings with the Red Wings, including the postseason.


Detroit's Petr Mrazek could get the nod again after posting a .939 save percentage in past two contests. Jimmy Howard played better than Mrazek at the end of the regular season, but had a .891 mark while losing the first two at Tampa Bay.


'Either you win or you go home and the season's over,' defenseman Niklas Kronwall said.

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

Preview: Ducks (46-25) at Predators (41-27)


Date: April 21, 2016 8:00 PM EDT


A change in net and location changed everything in this series.


One thing the Anaheim Ducks want to remain the same Thursday night is that only the road team wins.


That's been a surprise considering no Western Conference teams had fewer regulation home losses during the regular season than these first-round opponents, and Frederik Andersen can send his Ducks back to California with this series tied by winning in Nashville again.


It was the Predators who were going home happy to begin the week, having won 3-2 in each of the first two games in Anaheim. The Ducks had a West-low 10 home losses in regulation, one fewer than Nashville.


The Pacific Division champions faced a potential 0-3 series deficit as they headed to Bridgestone Arena, where they had lost both visits during the regular season and where the Predators had gone 9-1-4 since Feb. 15.


After John Gibson allowed six goals on 60 shots through two games, coach Bruce Boudreau turned to Andersen even though he had played once in April because of a concussion. The switch paid off as Andersen made 27 saves in the Ducks' 3-0 win.


"We had a business-like mindset," Andersen said. "We wanted to get back into this series. It was a huge game for us. We came ready to play in the first period, and did some of the things right that we wanted to improve upon from the last two games."


One of those things was taking better care of the puck. Anaheim had three giveaways Tuesday after combining for 35 in the first two games.


Boudreau didn't even mind that the Ducks gave up five power-play chances for a second straight game.


'We did control our emotions,' he said. 'The penalties we got, other than the too many men on the ice, they were earned. We'll take them. We are really proud of our penalty killers."


He also had to be proud of Andersen, who has a 17-1-2 record with a 1.89 goals-against average in his last 20 starts. It marked an impressive playoff return for a netminder who was torched for 18 goals in the final four games of last year's conference finals as the Ducks lost in seven to Chicago.


Andersen is 5-1-0 with a 2.36 GAA and .928 save percentage in six starts against Nashville after outplaying Pekka Rinne, who made only 18 saves Tuesday. Rinne had 27 in Games 1 and 2.


How well he plays won't matter much if the Predators don't find a way to score this time, and that would be made tougher if Craig Smith can't go. The second-line forward played just 65 seconds in Game 3 due to a lower-body injury, and his status for Thursday is unclear. Nashville hasn't played without him since December 2013.


Smith has a team-best plus-3 rating in the series with a goal and an assist in Game 2. His 21 goals were third-most on the Predators this season and his six game-winners led the team.


"Obviously you want him out there because he's a key part of our team, but we gotta find a way to shuffle around and just play better as a group," center Mike Fisher said.


Nashville went 0 for 5 on the power play and was outshot 18-14 in the first two periods, during which Anaheim scored all of its goals.


"We weren't quick, we weren't fast, we didn't use our legs and we didn't use our brains as fast as we needed to," center Ryan Johansen said. "That's why it looked easy out there for them."


Not for Corey Perry, who did have an assist on Richard Rakell's goal in Game 3 but hasn't scored in the series after recording a team-leading 34 goals. Perry hasn't gone four straight playoff games without one since 2013.


Game 5 is Saturday in Anaheim.

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

Preview: Blackhawks (47-26) at Blues (49-24)


Date: April 21, 2016 9:30 PM EDT


Andrew Shaw committed an untimely penalty that helped cost the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4, then did something even more dumb that landed him in hot water with the NHL and the league's fan base.


Both incidents are examples of the Blackhawks losing their cool. Now the defending Stanley Cup champions are on the ropes heading into Thursday night's Game 5 in St. Louis, with the rival Blues having a chance to rid themselves of their reputation for faltering in the playoffs.


Shaw's interference penalty with 2:04 left in the third period Tuesday left Chicago short-handed while trying to overcome a one-goal deficit. When he was sent to the box, television cameras clearly showed him directing a homophobic slur toward someone on the ice.


He apologized Wednesday, but the league still suspended him for Game 5 and fined him $5,000. Shaw, who also will be required to undergo sensitivity training, will leave the Blackhawks short-handed again after playing on the top line in Game 4.


'It was hard to see. Emotions got the best of me,' Shaw said after being shown the video. 'I'll never use that word again, that's for sure. ... That's not the type of guy I am.'


The Blackhawks normally aren't the type of undisciplined team they've been in the last two games. Patrick Kane took a four-minute high-sticking penalty late in Game 3 that led to the tiebreaking goal in a 3-2 loss, and Blues grabbed the lead early in the third Tuesday on the power play after Duncan Keith's holding penalty.


St. Louis also took advantage of defensive miscues in its 4-3 victory in Game 4, as Alexander Steen put his team ahead by two goals in the third when he scored unassisted after stealing Trevor van Riemsdyk's pass.


The Blues have been bounced from the playoffs in the first round each of the previous three seasons, garnering the reputation as a team that can't keep its composure when things aren't going its way. Chicago has been that team in this series, though.


Even goaltender Corey Crawford received a roughing penalty in the second for attacking Robby Fabbri after the rookie got an interference call. Chicago's 78 penalty minutes in Game 4 marked its most in a playoff game since having 90 in a loss to the Minnesota North Stars in 1991.


'We haven't had that great response when tough stuff happens (in the past)," Blues captain David Backes said. "There's a good feeling that we're more cohesive and playing for each other and doing the right things all over the ice than we ever had in this locker room."


St. Louis certainly is playing some of its best postseason hockey since last advancing to the second round in 2012. Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice in Game 4, and the Blues have outscored Chicago 6-3 in the third period and overtime.


Brian Elliott has been a huge part of the reason Kane, the Art Ross Trophy winner, and Jonathan Toews don't have a goal in the series. Elliott made 39 saves Tuesday and has stopped 144 of 151 shots faced in the series.


Now St. Louis is headed back home with a chance to close out the Blackhawks, who picked up their only victory in Game 2 at Scottrade Center.


'We just have a belief that we can beat anybody,' coach Ken Hitchcock said.


Chicago has been in this situation before, though. It trailed Detroit 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinals in 2013, won Game 7 in overtime and went on to win the Stanley Cup.


The Blackhawks will need that same resolve, beginning with Game 5.


"We've got to regroup, go to St. Louis, get excited," coach Joel Quenneville said. "No pressure. Go try to win one game and come back (to Chicago) for Game 6. That's got to be the mindset."

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

NHL Hockey Odds and Picks: Scouting the Week Ahead
by Alan Matthews


In my opinion, the big winner of the first week of the Stanley Cup playoffs was the Western Conference top-seeded Dallas Stars. The big loser? The greater Los Angeles area. I didn't give the Stars a great chance of winning the West because while it's a fabulous offensive team, Dallas wasn't great on defense during the regular season. But with has happened to the two L.A. teams thus far, now I'm rethinking that.


The Stars took a 2-0 series lead against Minnesota into Monday's game in Minneapolis. Kari Lehtonen has been great in goal, although it's against a Wild team missing two of its best forwards due to injury and that's easily the worst club in the postseason. My only worry about Dallas now is the status of star forward Tyler Seguin. He missed the final 10 games of the regular season and first of these playoffs with an Achilles injury. He did play 15:40 in Game 2 but apparently tweaked that injury. NHL teams are notoriously vague about these types of things. Seguin was to miss Game 3 and all Coach Lindy Ruff would say is that what Seguin is dealing with is "not his injury, but it is kind of related."


I don't think the Stars can win the Cup without Seguin at 100 percent, so I'd just sit him the rest of the Wild series to heal up for the conference semifinals. I do think they can win the West without him because now it looks as if Dallas won't have to deal with either the Los Angeles Kings, the Western Conference betting favorites entering the playoffs, or Pacific Division champion Anaheim Ducks in the conference finals.


I'm absolutely shocked that Los Angeles entered Monday's Game 3 of their series at San Jose down 2-0. True, the Sharks led the NHL in road wins during the season and set a franchise record, but I never saw them winning both games in L.A. It was a bad week in L.A. hockey as the Ducks also dropped their first two at home against Nashville, each by the same 3-2 score. John Gibson was in net for both of those, but I think you will see Coach Bruce Boudreau go with Frederik Andersen, who has much more playoff experience, in Game 3 on Tuesday. The Ducks' big guns, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler, have been held to three total points. Perry is minus-three for the series. The Ducks are also taking too many penalties. They have now lost four straight playoff games, three at home, since leading the Blackhawks 3-2 through five games of last season's Western Conference Finals.


Anaheim is a +100 underdog for Tuesday's game in Nashville, which has a 2-0 playoff series lead for the first time in franchise history. The new odds to win the West are: Stars at +250, Blues (+450), Blackhawks (+500), Sharks (+500), Predators (+600), Ducks (+950), Kings (+1000) and the no-chance Wild at +4000.


Chicago faces a near must-win home game on Tuesday against St. Louis, with the Hawks as -155 favorites. They totally let one get away in Sunday's Game 2, leading 2-1 entering the third but falling 3-2. The Blackhawks had been 70-0-4 since the start of last season when they had the lead at the beginning of the third. The Blackhawks had trouble scoring in 5-on-5 play during the regular season, ranking in the bottom third of the NHL, and that has carried over with just one goal at even strength. The Blues finished second in 5-on-5 goals allowed this season and they have outpaced the Hawks in high-danger scoring chances during 5-on-5 play 35-19. I wouldn't bail on Chicago yet as the Hawks typically play inconsistently early in series and then flip the switch.


My original Western Conference picks to advance were Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and Anaheim. Not looking great there at the moment.


In the Eastern Conference, Washington is now a huge -105 favorite to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. The Capitals looked to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Flyers in Philly on Monday night. The Penguins are next at +500 to win the East, followed by the Lightning (+750), Rangers (+750), Islanders (+900), Panthers (+1100), Flyers (+3500) and Red Wings (+3500). I'm sticking with my first-round selections: Washington, the two New York teams and Detroit.


Easily the most interesting series in the East has been Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers, especially in net. Blueshirts star Henrik Lundqvist left Game 1 with an eye injury and New York lost. He was a game-time call for Game 2 on Saturday but was in net and led a 4-2 victory to even the series at one. The Penguins have played both games with third-stringer Jeff Zatkoff in net and he's expected to be in there against Tuesday with Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray still recovering from injuries. It was because of Zatkoff that I liked New York in this series. The Penguins did welcome back star forward Evgeni Malkin in Game 2; he had been out since March 11 and was supposed to be out at least six weeks. Malkin played nearly 20 minutes Saturday and had an assist. The Rangers are actually +101 underdogs for Tuesday. On the series line, the Pens are -165 and Rangers +145. Blueshirts captain Ryan McDonagh hasn't played yet in the series and is doubtful for Tuesday. He did practice Monday for the first time since being hurt two weeks ago.

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

NHL


Thursday's games


Detroit-Tampa Bay (T 3-1)
All three Lightning goals in Game 4's 3-2 win came in 7:16 when they had man advantage- Tampa Bay had been 1-13 on power play in first three games. Home side won eight of last nine Detroit-Tampa Bay games; under is 5-2-2 in those nine games. Over is 4-1-3 in last seven Tampa Bay games- Lightning won four of last six games, allowig total of five goals in winning last three at home. Detroit is 1-21 on power play in series; Lightning scored a goal in all nine periods in its three series wins. Red Wings lost five in a row at Tampa Bay and its last four road games overall.


NY Rangers-Pittsburgh (P 2-1)
Rangers lost four of last five games with Pittsburgh; road team won eight of last eleven games in this rivalry. Penguins won four of last five visits here. Over is 3-1-1 in last five series games Rangers got outshot 31-17 in Game 3- they haven't scored first period goal in series, but over is 8-1-4 in their last 13 games. Pittsburgh won ten of its last 12 games, seven of its last ten games went over the total. Rangers are 1-12 on power play in series; Penguins are 4-13. Rangers lost four of their last six home games overall.


St Louis-Chicago (S 3-1)
Blues won five of last six games with Chicago, with four wins by one goal, three in OT/SO; under is 4-1-2 in last seven series games. Blackhawks lost three of last five visits here, .five of their last six games overall, with three losses in OT; they outshot Blues 88-56 in pair of games in Windy City, but lost both games. Over is 5-2-2 in last nine Chicago games. Blues won ten of their last 13 games, but are 2-3 in last five home games. St Louis is 4-12 on power play in series; Chicago 3-14. All four games in series have been decided by one goal.


Nashville-Anaheim (N 2-1)
Road team won all three series games. Ducks lost four of last six games with Nashville (over is 9-1-3 in last 13); Anaheim lost two of last three visits here- they've lost four of last seven games overall, but won four of their last five road games; under is 5-1-2 in their last eight games overall. Nashville won four of last six games overall, but is 2-3 in last five at home; under is 4-1-2 in its last seven games. In 17 years of existence, Nashville has only two playoff series, first round series in 2011, 2012; they've been over .500 11 of last 12 years. Anaheim is 1-7 on power play in series, Predators 1-13.


Playoffs tally: Home: 15-15, Over: 9-10-11

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Thursday's NHL betting preview


There are four great matchups on the NHL schedule for Thursday night with both the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks facing elimination and the New York Rangers and the Anaheim Ducks looking to avoid going down three-games-to-one.




Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning (A: +145, H: -165, O/U: 5)


Lightning lead series 3-1


The short-handed Tampa Bay Lightning can advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a victory when they host the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 on Thursday. The Lightning, playing without captain Steven Stamkos (blood clot) and top-pair defenseman Anton Stralman (broken fibula), received three goals from their much-maligned power play for a 3-2 victory in Detroit on Tuesday to take a 3-1 lead in the series.


“Hopefully this keeps going, because that’ll be a huge boost for us,” Tampa Bay center Tyler Johnson told reporters of the power play, which finished 28th during the regular season and was 1-for-14 before Tuesday in the postseason. “. … We worked on it, and it paid off.” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill told the media that special teams lost Game 4 and the Red Wings must find a way to ignite their power play, which is 1-for-21 in the series. Detroit has managed only two goals in each game and do not have a player who has scored more than one as Tomas Tatar leads the team with three points. “We feel like when we do it right, we can play with anybody,” Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall told reporters. “But it’s a matter of doing it every night. … We have to be better. We have to be more desperate.”


TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS2, FSN Detroit, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)


ABOUT THE RED WINGS (42-33-11, 32-54 ATS, 32-37 O/U): Detroit will need its big guns to step up if it is to stay alive in the postseason and none more than veteran center Pavel Datsyuk, who has no points and a team-high 15 shots on goal in the series. Gustav Nyquist scored for only the second time in 21 games Tuesday, captain Henrik Zetterberg has managed two goals in his last 28 outings - including one in Game 3 - and rookie Dylan Larkin has tallied once with only six shots in the series. “I have to be better, and have to produce more,” Zetterberg told reporters. “I’ve got a chance (Thursday) to improve on that.”


ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (49-32-5, 36-50 ATS, 35-40 O/U): Jonathan Drouin had assists on all three power-play goals Tuesday, including a nifty centering pass to Ondrej Palat for the winner with 2:59 left. “He’s a guy with unbelievable skill,” Johnson said of Drouin, who was suspended for almost two months earlier this season when he left his minor league team after requesting a trade. “Some of the things he does, it’s just remarkable. I think he just needed the confidence to be able to do that in the game.” Nikita Kucherov has five goals in the series - two Tuesday - and Johnson is one point behind him with seven.


TRENDS:


* Red Wings are 1-7 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 6-1-5 in Red Wings last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 8-2-1 in Lightning last 11 games following a win.
* Red Wings are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Tampa Bay.




Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers (A: -118, H: -105, O/U: 5)


Penguins lead series 2-1


The Pittsburgh Penguins wasted no time reclaiming home-ice advantage and can put a stranglehold on their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series when they visit the New York Rangers on Thursday night in a pivotal Game 4. The Penguins rebounded from a 4-2 home loss in Game 2 with a stifling defensive effort in Tuesday's 3-1 victory.


"We understand if you want to win games, that's how you're going to have to win them this time of year," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said after the Rangers were limited to 17 shots. Pittsburgh also earned a victory of sorts off the ice Wednesday when the NHL decided not to punish star defenseman Kris Letang for a high-sticking incident that knocked out some teeth from New York's Viktor Stalberg. “We might feel that it seems deliberate,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "So just gotta deal with it and focus on the next game." Of more concern for New York is the fact that the team has lost its last four playoff games at Madison Square Garden.


TV: 7 p.m. ET, CNBC, TVAS, Sportsnet, ROOT (Pittsburgh), MSG (New York)


ABOUT THE PENGUINS (50-27-8, 39-46 ATS, 38-33 O/U): After being forced to start third-string netminder Jeff Zatkoff in the first two games, Pittsburgh received a boost when backup goaltender Matt Murray returned from a concussion to earn the victory in the postseason debut. With starter Marc-Andre Fleury sidelined since March 31 with a concussion and his status remaining day-to-day, Murray's return looms large after he won four consecutive starts before he was injured in a meaningless regular-season finale. "The nerves were definitely going at the start of the game. That's understandable," Murray admitted. "It was my first playoff game, at MSG no less. I was able to control it and that was all I could ask for."


ABOUT THE RANGERS (47-29-9, 40-45 ATS, 38-29 O/U): Daptain Ryan McDonagh, sidelined since Apri 4 with a hand injury and not expected to play in Game 3, not only returned to the lineup but led the team with 22:48 of ice time while blocking one shot and delivering five hits. “Obviously he’s a big part of our group, no doubt about it,” Rangers center Derek Stepan said of McDonagh. “He’s our leader. He’s an All-Star, too. It always helps your lineup when you can put him back in. I thought he did a good job.” Fellow defenseman Dan Girardi, who returned to the lineup for the series opener only to sit out the past two games due to an undisclosed injury, was at Wednesday's practice but no update was given on his status.


TRENDS:


* Penguins are 10-1 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games.
* Over is 9-1-2 in Penguins last 12 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Over is 6-0-3 in Rangers last 9 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Penguins are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.




Anaheim Ducks at Nashville Predators (A: -110, H: -110, O/U: 5)


Predators lead series 2-1


Home-ice advantage has been anything but that for the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators, with the away team prevailing in each of the first three contests. The Ducks, fresh off what could have been a postseason-saving 3-0 victory on Tuesday, look to continue the trend of road dominance when they visit the Predators in Thursday night's Game 4.


After suffering a pair of 3-2 losses at home, Anaheim returned to the formula that netted the team the Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed in Tuesday's triumph. "When we play defense first, the other things tend to work themselves out," said Ducks forward Chris Stewart, who scored one of the goals. "If we've got to win 1-0, 2-0, that's fine. We've been doing that the majority of the year, and that's when we're at our best." The Predators haven't suffered back-to-back regulation losses at home since Feb. 2-4 and closed the regular season with a 9-1-4 run at Bridgestone Arena. "It's a really good hockey team there and we're still leading 2-1," Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne said. "Now it's a series."


TV: 8 p.m. ET NHL Network, TVAS 3, FX Canada, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), FSN Tennessee (Nashville)


ABOUT THE DUCKS (47-27-11, 40-45 ATS, 32-35 O/U): While no one was pointing a finger at goaltender John Gibson for the two losses in Anaheim, coach Bruce Boudreau opted to start Frederik Andersen in Game 3 and was rewarded with a 27-shutout performance that earned the third-year netminder the nod for Game 4. Boudreau made a more subtle change in his lineup by replacing Chris Wagner with veteran forward Shawn Horcoff, who set up the game's opening goal by Jamie McGinn. “With Horcoff, here’s a guy that went to Game 7 in the Stanley Cup final," Boudreau told reporters. "My thought with him is experience, especially when you’re in a sort of a desperation situation, (that) would be really come forward.”


ABOUT THE PREDATORS (43-28-14, 36-49 ATS, 33-34 O/U): Nashville must deal with the potential absence of forward Craig Smith, who was third on the team with 21 goals and topped the club with six game-winning tallies. Smith suffered a lower-body injury in the opening moments of Game 3 and is listed as day-to-day after missing Wednesday's practice session. “Obviously he’s been a great player for us and gives us some depth, so it’s time for other guys to step up — if it’s going to be extended — and fill his role,” Predators captain Shea Weber told reporters following the contest. Colin Wilson, who scored six times during the regular season but has six goals in his last nine postseason games, will likely take Smith's spot.


TRENDS:


* Ducks are 5-1 in their last 6 road games.
* Predators are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
* Under is 6-0-1 in Ducks last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Predators last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Ducks are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Nashville.




Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues (A: +110, H: -130, O/U: 5)


Blues lead series 3-1


After losing in the first round in each of the last three years, the St. Louis Blues have a chance to oust the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks from the playoffs when the Central Division rivals play Game 5 in the Gateway City on Thursday. Vladimir Tarasenko increased his series point total to five (three goals, two assists) and his playoff goal tally to 13 in 17 career games after he scored twice and added an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 victory.


"I don't know if it's just Chicago; we have the belief that we can beat anybody," coach Ken Hitchcock told reporters after St. Louis seized a 3-1 advantage in the series. Andrew Shaw collected one goal and two assists, but the Blackhawks' first-line forward's costly interference penalty late in the third period sealed his team's fate on Tuesday. The 24-year-old compounded his problems by making an inappropriate gesture toward an official and mouthing a homophobic slur toward someone on the ice in full view of television cameras - actions for which he apologized the following day. The Blackhawks said they were "extremely" disappointed by the incident and the league took action by suspending Shaw for Game 5, issuing a $5,000 fine and ordering him to undergo sensitivity training.


TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TVAS, SN, CSN Chicago, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)


ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (48-28-10, 37-49 ATS, 31-33 O/U): While Shaw is set to serve his one-game suspension, defenseman Duncan Keith has scored three goals and set up another since completing his six-game ban for a hit on Minnesota's Charlie Coyle. "We know it takes four to win a series, so we're going to do everything we can to make sure we have our best game. We have to," Keith told reporters. "We're facing elimination and we've got to leave it all out on the ice." Keith's four points have him tied for the team lead with Shaw (two goals, two assists) as well as Patrick Kane (four assists), who joins captain Jonathan Toews and veteran Marian Hossa in search of their first goal in the series.


ABOUT THE BLUES (52-25-9, 39-47 ATS, 33-41 O/U): After failing to record a point in his last four regular-season contests in addition to the series opener, Jaden Schwartz has gotten hot in a hurry with an assist in Game 2, a goal in Game 3 and one of each on Tuesday. "We're going to have to (overcome adversity) to beat this team," the 23-year-old Schwartz told reporters. "We're going to have to find a way to come back when we're down, find a way to get some insurance goals ... do all the little things. We're enjoying battling for each other right now." Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk also has recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in the series and has at least one in eight of his last 10 games.


TRENDS:


* Blackhawks are 3-12 in their last 15 vs. Central.
* Blues are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. Central.
* Over is 8-2-3 in Blackhawks last 13 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 9-0-3 in Blues last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Blackhawks are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.

[Satch]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

“Stanley Cup Playoffs”
Thursday’s NHL betting preview
There are four great matchups on the NHL schedule for Thursday night with both the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks facing elimination and the New York Rangers and the Anaheim Ducks looking to avoid going down three-games-to-one.
Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning (A: +145, H: -165, O/U: 5)
Lightning lead series 3-1
The short-handed Tampa Bay Lightning can advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a victory when they host the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 on Thursday. The Lightning, playing without captain Steven Stamkos (blood clot) and top-pair defenseman Anton Stralman (broken fibula), received three goals from their much-maligned power play for a 3-2 victory in Detroit on Tuesday to take a 3-1 lead in the series.
“Hopefully this keeps going, because that’ll be a huge boost for us,” Tampa Bay center Tyler Johnson told reporters of the power play, which finished 28th during the regular season and was 1-for-14 before Tuesday in the postseason. “. … We worked on it, and it paid off.” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill told the media that special teams lost Game 4 and the Red Wings must find a way to ignite their power play, which is 1-for-21 in the series. Detroit has managed only two goals in each game and do not have a player who has scored more than one as Tomas Tatar leads the team with three points. “We feel like when we do it right, we can play with anybody,” Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall told reporters. “But it’s a matter of doing it every night. … We have to be better. We have to be more desperate.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS2, FSN Detroit, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (42-33-11, 32-54 ATS, 32-37 O/U):
Detroit will need its big guns to step up if it is to stay alive in the postseason and none more than veteran center Pavel Datsyuk, who has no points and a team-high 15 shots on goal in the series. Gustav Nyquist scored for only the second time in 21 games Tuesday, captain Henrik Zetterberg has managed two goals in his last 28 outings – including one in Game 3 – and rookie Dylan Larkin has tallied once with only six shots in the series. “I have to be better, and have to produce more,” Zetterberg told reporters. “I’ve got a chance (Thursday) to improve on that.”
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (49-32-5, 36-50 ATS, 35-40 O/U):
Jonathan Drouin had assists on all three power-play goals Tuesday, including a nifty centering pass to Ondrej Palat for the winner with 2:59 left. “He’s a guy with unbelievable skill,” Johnson said of Drouin, who was suspended for almost two months earlier this season when he left his minor league team after requesting a trade. “Some of the things he does, it’s just remarkable. I think he just needed the confidence to be able to do that in the game.” Nikita Kucherov has five goals in the series – two Tuesday – and Johnson is one point behind him with seven.
TRENDS:
* Red Wings are 1-7 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 6-1-5 in Red Wings last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 8-2-1 in Lightning last 11 games following a win.
* Red Wings are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Tampa Bay.
OVERTIME
1. Red Wings D Alexei Marchenko (upper body) missed Game 3 and is considered day-to-day.
2. Tampa Bay G Ben Bishop has allowed two goals or fewer in 21 of his 28 career playoff games.
3. Detroit G Petr Mrazek earned a shutout in Game 5 last season before the Red Wings went on to lose the series 4-3.
PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Red Wings 1

[Satch]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers (A: -118, H: -105, O/U: 5)
Penguins lead series 2-1
The Pittsburgh Penguins wasted no time reclaiming home-ice advantage and can put a stranglehold on their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series when they visit the New York Rangers on Thursday night in a pivotal Game 4. The Penguins rebounded from a 4-2 home loss in Game 2 with a stifling defensive effort in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory.
“We understand if you want to win games, that’s how you’re going to have to win them this time of year,” Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said after the Rangers were limited to 17 shots. Pittsburgh also earned a victory of sorts off the ice Wednesday when the NHL decided not to punish star defenseman Kris Letang for a high-sticking incident that knocked out some teeth from New York’s Viktor Stalberg. “We might feel that it seems deliberate,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. “So just gotta deal with it and focus on the next game.” Of more concern for New York is the fact that the team has lost its last four playoff games at Madison Square Garden.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CNBC, TVAS, Sportsnet, ROOT (Pittsburgh), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (50-27-8, 39-46 ATS, 38-33 O/U):
After being forced to start third-string netminder Jeff Zatkoff in the first two games, Pittsburgh received a boost when backup goaltender Matt Murray returned from a concussion to earn the victory in the postseason debut. With starter Marc-Andre Fleury sidelined since March 31 with a concussion and his status remaining day-to-day, Murray’s return looms large after he won four consecutive starts before he was injured in a meaningless regular-season finale. “The nerves were definitely going at the start of the game. That’s understandable,” Murray admitted. “It was my first playoff game, at MSG no less. I was able to control it and that was all I could ask for.”
ABOUT THE RANGERS (47-29-9, 40-45 ATS, 38-29 O/U):
Daptain Ryan McDonagh, sidelined since Apri 4 with a hand injury and not expected to play in Game 3, not only returned to the lineup but led the team with 22:48 of ice time while blocking one shot and delivering five hits. “Obviously he’s a big part of our group, no doubt about it,” Rangers center Derek Stepan said of McDonagh. “He’s our leader. He’s an All-Star, too. It always helps your lineup when you can put him back in. I thought he did a good job.” Fellow defenseman Dan Girardi, who returned to the lineup for the series opener only to sit out the past two games due to an undisclosed injury, was at Wednesday’s practice but no update was given on his status.
TRENDS:
* Penguins are 10-1 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games.
* Over is 9-1-2 in Penguins last 12 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Over is 6-0-3 in Rangers last 9 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Penguins are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
OVERTIME
1. New York owns a 9-2 record at home in Game 4 of a playoff series since the start of the 2007 postseason.
2. Pittsburgh is 4-for-13 on the power play in the series.
3. Rangers F Rick Nash has one point in all three playoff games after scoring the lone goal in Tuesday’s loss.
PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Penguins 2

[Satch]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

Anaheim Ducks at Nashville Predators (A: -110, H: -110, O/U: 5)
Predators lead series 2-1
Home-ice advantage has been anything but that for the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators, with the away team prevailing in each of the first three contests. The Ducks, fresh off what could have been a postseason-saving 3-0 victory on Tuesday, look to continue the trend of road dominance when they visit the Predators in Thursday night’s Game 4.
After suffering a pair of 3-2 losses at home, Anaheim returned to the formula that netted the team the Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed in Tuesday’s triumph. “When we play defense first, the other things tend to work themselves out,” said Ducks forward Chris Stewart, who scored one of the goals. “If we’ve got to win 1-0, 2-0, that’s fine. We’ve been doing that the majority of the year, and that’s when we’re at our best.” The Predators haven’t suffered back-to-back regulation losses at home since Feb. 2-4 and closed the regular season with a 9-1-4 run at Bridgestone Arena. “It’s a really good hockey team there and we’re still leading 2-1,” Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne said. “Now it’s a series.”
TV: 8 p.m. ET NHL Network, TVAS 3, FX Canada, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), FSN Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (47-27-11, 40-45 ATS, 32-35 O/U):
While no one was pointing a finger at goaltender John Gibson for the two losses in Anaheim, coach Bruce Boudreau opted to start Frederik Andersen in Game 3 and was rewarded with a 27-shutout performance that earned the third-year netminder the nod for Game 4. Boudreau made a more subtle change in his lineup by replacing Chris Wagner with veteran forward Shawn Horcoff, who set up the game’s opening goal by Jamie McGinn. “With Horcoff, here’s a guy that went to Game 7 in the Stanley Cup final,” Boudreau told reporters. “My thought with him is experience, especially when you’re in a sort of a desperation situation, (that) would be really come forward.”
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (43-28-14, 36-49 ATS, 33-34 O/U):
Nashville must deal with the potential absence of forward Craig Smith, who was third on the team with 21 goals and topped the club with six game-winning tallies. Smith suffered a lower-body injury in the opening moments of Game 3 and is listed as day-to-day after missing Wednesday’s practice session. “Obviously he’s been a great player for us and gives us some depth, so it’s time for other guys to step up — if it’s going to be extended — and fill his role,” Predators captain Shea Weber told reporters following the contest. Colin Wilson, who scored six times during the regular season but has six goals in his last nine postseason games, will likely take Smith’s spot.
TRENDS:
* Ducks are 5-1 in their last 6 road games.
* Predators are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
* Under is 6-0-1 in Ducks last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Predators last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Ducks are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Nashville.
OVERTIME
1. The Predators are 1-for-13 on the power play against Anaheim’s top-ranked penalty kill.
2. Andersen, who improved to 15-7 in the postseason, has posted two straight shutouts after blanking Washington in the regular-season finale.
3. Smith scored one goal and set up another in Game 2 and is plus-3 for the series.
PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Predators 2 (OT)

[Satch]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/21

Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues (A: +110, H: -130, O/U: 5)
Blues lead series 3-1
After losing in the first round in each of the last three years, the St. Louis Blues have a chance to oust the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks from the playoffs when the Central Division rivals play Game 5 in the Gateway City on Thursday. Vladimir Tarasenko increased his series point total to five (three goals, two assists) and his playoff goal tally to 13 in 17 career games after he scored twice and added an assist in Tuesday’s 4-3 victory.
“I don’t know if it’s just Chicago; we have the belief that we can beat anybody,” coach Ken Hitchcock told reporters after St. Louis seized a 3-1 advantage in the series. Andrew Shaw collected one goal and two assists, but the Blackhawks’ first-line forward’s costly interference penalty late in the third period sealed his team’s fate on Tuesday. The 24-year-old compounded his problems by making an inappropriate gesture toward an official and mouthing a homophobic slur toward someone on the ice in full view of television cameras – actions for which he apologized the following day. The Blackhawks said they were “extremely” disappointed by the incident and the league took action by suspending Shaw for Game 5, issuing a $5,000 fine and ordering him to undergo sensitivity training.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TVAS, SN, CSN Chicago, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (48-28-10, 37-49 ATS, 31-33 O/U):
While Shaw is set to serve his one-game suspension, defenseman Duncan Keith has scored three goals and set up another since completing his six-game ban for a hit on Minnesota’s Charlie Coyle. “We know it takes four to win a series, so we’re going to do everything we can to make sure we have our best game. We have to,” Keith told reporters. “We’re facing elimination and we’ve got to leave it all out on the ice.” Keith’s four points have him tied for the team lead with Shaw (two goals, two assists) as well as Patrick Kane (four assists), who joins captain Jonathan Toews and veteran Marian Hossa in search of their first goal in the series.
ABOUT THE BLUES (52-25-9, 39-47 ATS, 33-41 O/U):
After failing to record a point in his last four regular-season contests in addition to the series opener, Jaden Schwartz has gotten hot in a hurry with an assist in Game 2, a goal in Game 3 and one of each on Tuesday. “We’re going to have to (overcome adversity) to beat this team,” the 23-year-old Schwartz told reporters. “We’re going to have to find a way to come back when we’re down, find a way to get some insurance goals … do all the little things. We’re enjoying battling for each other right now.” Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk also has recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in the series and has at least one in eight of his last 10 games.
TRENDS:
* Blackhawks are 3-12 in their last 15 vs. Central.
* Blues are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. Central.
* Over is 8-2-3 in Blackhawks last 13 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 9-0-3 in Blues last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Blackhawks are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
OVERTIME
1. St. Louis G Brian Elliott has stopped 144-of-151 shots in the series.
2. Chicago is trailing 3-1 in a series for the first time since the 2014 Western Conference final. The Blackhawks lost that series to Los Angeles following an overtime loss in Game 7.
3. The Blues were denied on their first five power-play opportunities in the series before scoring twice with the man advantage in both Games 3 and 4.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Blues 2