NHL Betting Info. 4/27

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Ducks aim to change their Game 7 history
By The Sports Xchange


The Nashville Predators have never played in a Game 7. Ever. The Anaheim Ducks have not won a Game 7 since 2006.
When the teams meet in the deciding game of their first-round Western Conference playoff series Wednesday night in the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., one club is going to change its recent history.
The Ducks will be trying not to think about last year's playoffs, when they faced a similar scenario. Leading the Chicago Blackhawks three games to two, Anaheim lost Game 6 on the road and came back home to drop Game 7 in the Western Conference finals.
On Monday night, the Ducks went on the road and lost 3-1 to the Predators, evening the series at three wins each. The Ducks now head home again. See the pattern?
"It's a new team, new time," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Every year is different. Every day is different. We're looking forward to the game."
The Ducks' last Game 7 win came against the Calgary Flames in 2006. They are 1-5 in similar situations. Boudreau has served as their coach for the last three of those and is 1-6 overall in Game 7s including his time with the Washington Capitals.
"It's a different year, it's a different team with different players, new guys who haven't been here for what we've gone through in the past," Ducks forward Corey Perry said. "You've just got to go out and play hockey and not worry about all the other extra (stuff). You've just got to go out and play and keep pushing."
The team that gets off to a good start could have a leg up. The Ducks are 0-4 in Game 7s when they give up the first goal.
"We need to come out and be willing to out-compete them," Anaheim forward Andrew Cogliano said. "Waiting for something to happen, you lose."
Perry has struggled in the series, producing four assists but no goals after scoring a team-best 34 goals during the regular season. He failed to connect on a close-range shot late in the third period Monday night with the score tied.
On the other side, the Predators might not be feeling as much pressure after never having been to this point in a series. However, their coach by no means is a stranger to the situation.
Nashville coach Peter Laviolette can draw upon his 4-1 record in Game 7s at previous stops, including a 3-1 win with the Carolina Hurricanes over the Edmonton Oilers in the decisive game of 2006 Stanley Cup finals.
"I don't think there's anything better in the Stanley Cup (playoffs) than a Game 7 when everything means something," Laviolette said. "It's a big game, our guys will be excited."
The winner will move into the Western Conference semifinals against the San Jose Sharks, who eliminated the Los Angeles Kings in five games.
The Predators haven't advanced past the first round since 2012, but they figure to have gained confidence from Monday night. It was Nashville's first win after going up 2-0 and then losing three straight to the Ducks.
All-Star goaltender Pekka Rinne has played a key role in the series for the Predators. He made 26 saves Monday, including the critical one against Perry with 6:40 remaining.
Six Predators players have played in Game 7s with other teams.
"(The) mindset is a little bit different," Rinne said. "Just facing Game 7, you know what it means and what's at stake."
Ducks goaltender Frederik Anderson has a 1.26 goals-against average in the series but has unpleasant memories from last year's Game 7 against the Blackhawks, when he gave up two first-period goals in a 5-3 loss.

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Game 7 - Predators at Ducks


The second Game 7 to take place in the quarterfinal round of the NHL playoffs happens in Anaheim on Wednesday night. The Pacific Division champion Ducks are pushed to the limit against the upstart Predators after Nashville won for the first time at home in this series in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory at Bridgestone Arena.


Anaheim dropped the first two games at home to Nashville by one goal apiece, but the Ducks rebounded by crushing the Predators on the road in Games 3 and 4 by three goals each. The Ducks continued their domination of the Predators in a 5-2 home blowout in Game 5, but Nashville stayed alive with its Game 6 triumph at home.


The Ducks head into Wednesday’s Game 7 at the Honda Center as a -160 home favorite, while the total sits at 5. Three games in this series have been pushes on a 5 total, while only one contest has exceeded the ‘over’ of 5, coming in the Game 5 rout by Anaheim where seven goals were scored. In all six games of this series, the losing squad has scored two goals or fewer.


Anaheim fell short in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals last season to Chicago at home, 5-3 to be eliminated in a Game 7 for the third straight postseason. In the lockout-shortened season of 2013, the Ducks were knocked out by the Red Wings in the conference quarterfinals, followed by getting bounced by the rival Kings in the 2014 conference semifinals in seven games. The last time that Anaheim was victorious in a Game 7 of the playoffs came in the 2006 conference quarterfinals against Calgary.


The Predators are taking the ice in a Game 7 for the first time in franchise history as Nashville last advanced past the opening round in 2012 before bowing out to the Coyotes in the conference semifinals.


There have been 162 Game 7’s in the NHL Playoffs and the home squad owns a 95-67 (58.6%) record. In this season’s playoffs, the home team is 1-0 in Game 7’s, as home squads won three of five times in Game 7 in 2015.


Recent Game 7 History


Anaheim


2015 – Chicago Blackhawks 5 at Anaheim Ducks 3 (Conference Finals)
2014 – Los Angeles Kings 6 at Anaheim Ducks 2 (Conference Semifinals)
2013 – Detroit Red Wings 3 at Anaheim Ducks 2 (Conference Quarterfinals)


Nashville


First Game 7


NHL Game 7 Playoff History (2012-2015)


The winning team in four of five Game 7's in 2015 scored just two goals, as four of those games finished 'under' the total. The road team captured Game 7 victories in each of the conference finals last season (Chicago and Tampa Bay), while the Lightning were the only team to win a pair of Game 7's.


2015
Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at New York Rangers 0
Chicago Blackhawks 5 at Anaheim Ducks 3
New York Rangers 2 at Washington Capitals 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at Detroit Red Wings 0
Washington Capitals 2 at New York Islanders 1


2014
Los Angeles Kings 5 at Chicago Blackhawks 4 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 6 at Anaheim Ducks 2
Montreal Canadiens 3 at Boston Bruins 1
New York Rangers 2 at Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Philadelphia Flyers 3 at New York Rangers 4
Minnesota Wild 5 at Colorado Avalanche 4
Los Angeles Kings 5 at San Jose Sharks 1


2013
New York Rangers 5 at Washington Capitals 0
Toronto Maple Leafs 4 at Boston Bruins 5 (OT)
Detroit Red Wings 3 at Anaheim Ducks 2
Detroit Red Wings 1 at Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
San Jose Sharks 1 at Los Angeles Kings 2


2012
Ottawa Senators 1 at New York Rangers 2
Washington Capitals 2 at Boston Bruins 1 (OT)
New Jersey Devils 3 at Florida Panthers 2 (2OT)
Washington Capitals 1 at New York Rangers 2

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Preview: Islanders (45-27) at Lightning (46-31)


Date: April 27, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Steven Stamkos is serving as an inspiration for the Tampa Bay Lightning as the defending Eastern Conference champions attempt to make a deep playoff run without him.


The team's captain and leading scorer was back on the ice with teammates Tuesday, participating in shooting and skating drills for the first time since undergoing surgery for a blood clot discovered near his right collarbone this month.


Stamkos and coach Jon Cooper, however, stressed the two-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner is not anywhere close to being ready to face the New York Islanders in a second-round series that begins Wednesday night.


'Nothing's changed from the original timeline,' said Stamkos, who wore a red non-contact sweater during an hour-long practice at Amalie Arena.


'Naturally we all want him back, but it's not taking away from the task at hand,' Cooper said. 'We just went through a series without him, and we're fully expecting to go through another series without him.'


When Stamkos underwent surgery April 4 to treat a type of Vascular Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, the Lightning said the 26-year-old would be sidelined one to three months.


He's maintained a relatively low profile since being released from the hospital, rehabbing and supporting teammates but careful to not draw attention to himself during Tampa Bay's first-round series win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Islanders advanced in six games against the Florida Panthers.


'It's kind of a fine line. ... You definitely don't want to be a distraction in the playoffs,' Stamkos said in his first public comments since surgery. 'I've tried to be there, obviously, for games and practices and to interact with the guys. That's never going to change.'


Teammates were happy to see him back on the ice, and being out there lifted Stamkos' spirits, too.


'That was fun, but it's really just a waiting game now. Obviously you can't rush back into things of this magnitude. I'd say nothing's changed in that regard,' Stamkos said.


'I feel great. That's kind of the tough part for me. Feeling physically ready to play almost, but obviously with this type of injury and the blood thinners and stuff like that, you have to take your time. ... Any contact, any bruising, anything like that can lead to complications,' he added. 'We have to be careful in that regard, even on the ice in practice.'


Stamkos said when he'll be ready to come off blood thinners is the 'million dollar question.'


For now, the Lightning are excited to have him around as much as possible.


'It makes everybody feel better,' the coach said. 'There's just the uncertainty of when he can come back. But every step he takes to get closer back with our team, for sure it's motivating.'


Things to know about the Islanders and Lightning:


STOP THE PUCK: Goalie play will be one of the keys to the series. The Islanders' Thomas Greiss gave up just 13 goals on 234 shots in the first round for a 1.79 goals-against average and a .944 save-percentage. Bishop faced 160 shots against the Red Wings, allowing eight goals in five games for a 1.61 GAA and .950 save percentage.


SLOWING TAVARES: One of more intriguing matchups in the series figures to feature Islanders star John Tavares and Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman, the first two players selected in the 2009 draft. Tavares had five goals and four assists in the first round. 'He's a world-class player, one of the best players in the league,' Hedman said. Tavares respect's Hedman's game, too. ''He's got such great physical abilities, a high hockey IQ, so every time we've played against him it's a great challenge,' Tavares said. 'He had a great playoff last year, really put that D corps on his shoulder in many ways and was huge for their run last year.'


STEPPING UP: With Stamkos out, Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Alex Killorn have stepped up offensively for the Lightning, coming for 10 goals and 10 assists. The rest of the team combined for two goals.


ADVAVTAGE?: While the Lightning had nearly a week's rest after eliminating Detroit, the Islanders have a quick turnaround after advancing with a double overtime victory Sunday night. 'You can look at it both those ways. Their team's had a lot of time to rest, work on some things,' Tavares said. 'And we're obviously coming off an emotional, intense couple of games and want to carry over that intensity. So it can really go either way.'


WE RESPECT `EM: The team met three times during the regular season with the Islanders winning twice. Tampa Bay lost four of five games to Florida, so coach Jon Cooper understandably is impressed with New York's first-round victory. 'We know what to expect,' Cooper said. 'And just the mere fact that they knocked out one heck of a Florida team shows how well they're playing right now.'

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


Date: April 27, 2016 10:00 PM EDT


What's uncharted territory for the Nashville Predators is a haunting reminder for the Anaheim Ducks.


After forcing the first Game 7 in team history, the Predators attempt to end the Ducks' season in the exact fashion the previous three have concluded Wednesday night.


Monday's 3-1 loss in Nashville can't help but conjure memories of Anaheim's recent playoff failures as it returns home for the finale of this opening-round series. The Ducks also owned a 3-2 series lead over Chicago in last year's Western Conference finals before losing Game 6 on the road and Game 7 at Honda Center.


That same scenario unfolded against Los Angeles in the second round in 2014 and against Detroit in the 2013 quarterfinals.


'It's a new team, new time,' coach Bruce Boudreau said. 'Every year is different. Every day is different. We're looking forward to the game.'


Still, history isn't exactly on the Ducks' side. They've lost four consecutive Game 7s since defeating Calgary in 2006 and Boudreau, behind the bench for the last three such defeats, is 1-5 in winner-take-all games.


"Nothing needs to be said," captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "We've got to go out and do it. There's no big speech or anything when it comes to Game 7. Everyone knows what they're doing, and we've got to go out and execute better than the other group."


Though Nashville has never been in this position, its coach has plenty of experience - and success - in these situations. Peter Laviolette is 4-1 in Game 7s, the most notable a 3-1 win over Edmonton in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final with Carolina.


'I don't think there's anything better in the Stanley Cup (playoffs) than a Game 7 when everything means something,' he said. 'It's a big game, our guys will be excited.'


Nashville still has some work to do to reach its first conference semifinal since 2012. The Predators are 1 for 23 on the power play in the series and have had a tough time against Frederik Andersen in the Anaheim goaltender's four starts.


Andersen temporarily turned the series in the Ducks' favor after replacing John Gibson following a 3-2 home loss in Game 2. He stopped 84 of 87 shots to lead Anaheim to wins in the next three.


Outplayed by Andersen in each, Pekka Rinne was more than up to the challenge Monday. The All-Star made 26 saves, including a point-blank stop of Corey Perry with 6:40 left that protected a 2-1 lead.


Mattias Ekholm and James Neal put Nashville ahead with second-period goals and Shea Weber had an empty-netter in the final seconds that sealed the Predators' first Game 6 win when facing elimination. They had been 0-8.


'They're fighting for their lives, and we knew that we were going to get their best,' said Getzlaf, held off the scoresheet after producing two goals and three assists over the first five games.


Andersen owns a 1.26 goals-against average in the series. However, he struggled against Chicago in Game 7 last year, yielding two first-period goals and stopping just 21 shots in a 5-3 defeat.


San Jose awaits Wednesday's winner after dispatching Los Angeles in five games.

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NHL


Wednesday's games


NY Islanders-Tampa Bay (0-0)
Islanders won four of last five games with Tampa Bay, but lost three of last four visits here, in a series where hisme side won six of last seven games- over is 4-1-1 in last six. Islanders just beat Florida in six tough games; their last three wins were all in OT. NY won four of last five road games overall. Tampa Bay won four of its last five games, allowing eight goals in dispatching Red Wings in five games- they had three extra days to rest here. Lightning won its last four home games, allowing five goals.


Nashville-Anaheim (3-3)
First-ever Game 7 for Predators, who've won only two playoff series in franchise history, last of which was in 2012. Ducks are 2-5 in Game 7's, losing last four. Home side won last two series games, after losing first four; in last 16 series games, over is 10-2-4, 3-0-2 in last five played here. Predators are 2-3 in last five visits here, 2-1 in this series. Under is 5-2-3 in last ten Nashville games overall, 6-2-3 in last eleven Duck games. Anaheim is 3-21 on power play in the series, Nashville 1-23, 0-10 last three games.


Playoffs tally: Home: 23-23, Over: 16-16-14

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'Game 7 for Predators, Ducks'


There's one more game left in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Nashville Predators will visit the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday night (10 PM EST) for Game 7 of their Western Conference quarterfinal; Nashville extended the series Monday with a 3-1 victory, as Pekka Rinne made 26 of 27 saves for the Preds.


The Ducks (46-25-11) during the regular season were expected to make short work of Nashville (41-27-14) after winning their fourth straight Pacific Division title, all under head coach Bruce Boudreau. Anaheim was available at +800 on the Stanley Cup futures market going into the playoffs, compared to +2500 for the Predators. But Nashville has knotted this series despite getting outscored 17-12.


The Preds might have already eliminated Anaheim had forward Craig Smith (21 goals, 37 points) not gotten injured early in Game 3, after Nashville won the first two games at the Honda Center. Smith returned Monday and played right wing on the second line with Calle Jarnkrok (16 goals, 30 points) on the left and Mike Ribeiro (seven goals, 50 points) in the middle; Smith also took his usual turn on the power play, logging 14:23 of total ice time.

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 4/27

NHL Hockey Betting Trends – Wed – April, 27
NY Islanders at Tampa Bay, 7:05 PM ET
NY Islanders: 25-14 SU after covering 2 of their last 3
Tampa Bay: 6-11 SU revenging a loss where opponent scored 4 or more goals
Nashville at Anaheim, 10:05 PM ET
Nashville: 4-15 SU as an underdog
Anaheim: 58-33 SU after playing a road game

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Preview: NY Islanders at Tampa Bay
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Captain John Tavares leads the way as the New York Islanders enter the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 1993 on Wednesday when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 1. Tavares scored the tying and winning goals in the series-clinching 2-1 double-overtime victory over Florida on Sunday, finishing with nine points in six games.
“When he plays the right way, it’s contagious for our group,” New York coach Jack Capuano told reporters. “I just think that’s what he’s done since I’ve been here. He’s got great creativity as we know, but he’s a great leader for our hockey club.” The Lightning come in with almost a week of rest after dispatching of Detroit in five games as Nikita Kucherov registered five goals and three assists while Ben Bishop posted a .950 save percentage. Tampa Bay is not expected to get captain Steven Stamkos (blood clot) back soon, but top-pair defenseman Anton Stralman (broken fibula) could return by the end of the series. “It’s only going to get harder, and I know our group’s ready for it,” said Tavares, who owns 25 points in 23 career games versus the Lightning. “We’re looking forward to the next challenge.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS:
Kyle Okposo contributed six points, Frans Nielsen (three goals) had four and late-callup Alan Quine had three in the tight series against the Panthers. Jaroslav Halak (groin) has been skating, but the net belongs to Thomas Greiss after he went 23-11-4 in the regular season and more than did his part with a 1.79 goals-against average and .944 save percentage in the first round. Josh Bailey suffered an upper-body injury in Game 6 and will likely be replaced by fellow forward Ryan Strome in the lineup.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING:
Stamkos, who scored a team-high 36 goals this season, practiced with the team for the first time this month on Tuesday but will be on blood thinners for an undetermined amount of time. The Lightning will need others to step up again in the second round, including forwards Tyler Johnson (seven points), Alex Killorn (three goals, two assists) and Jonathan Drouin (four assists). Defenseman Victor Hedman led all Tampa Bay players in ice time at 27:02 per game in the first round and was second behind Kucherov (15) in shots with 14.
OVERTIME
1. The Islanders won two of three meetings this season, outscoring the Lightning 12-11, and are 4-1-0 in the last five.
2. Tampa Bay allowed one power-play goal in 25 attempts in the first round, but the Islanders were 3-for-8 against the Lightning’s penalty kill during the regular season.
3. New York D Nick Leddy had three assists and averaged 30 minutes in the first round.
PREDICTION: Lightning 3, Islanders 1

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Preview: Nashville at Anaheim
When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
The Anaheim Ducks have been bounced from the playoffs in each of the past three seasons via a Game 7 loss at home, a dubious streak they will try to end when they host the Nashville Predators on Wednesday in a winner-takes-all matchup. The Predators forced the deciding contest with a 3-1 victory on Monday to advance to the first Game 7 in franchise history.
Predictably, the Ducks were not thinking about their past history and their inability to close out an opponent despite holding a 3-2 series lead three years running. “It’s a new team,” Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters following Monday’s setback. “New time. Every year is different. Every day is different. And we’re looking forward to the game.” So are the Predators, who advanced to Game 7 the hard way, losing three straight after winning the opening two games of the series in California. “We did everything all year to push ourselves to this point,” Nashville forward James Neal said. “Why not win one more game?”
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TVAS, Sportsnet, FSN Tennessee (Nashville), FSN West (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS:
Netminder Pekka Rinne has not enjoyed his best season and the uneven play extended into the playoffs, surrendering 11 goals as Nashville dropped Games 3 through 5, but he was at his best with his team facing elimination and is embracing the prospect of a win-or-go-home matchup. “Just facing Game 7, you know what it means and what’s at stake,” Rinne said. “To be going to Anaheim, they have their home crowd, but I feel like we’ve been playing really well in their building. Just really excited about this one.” Neal, held off the scoresheet since Game 1, scored on goal and set up another Monday.
ABOUT THE DUCKS:
Corey Perry topped Anaheim by a wide margin with 34 goals — the sixth time in the past eight seasons he has scored at least 30 times — but he has yet to tally in the series against the Predators, although he has four notched four assists. Perry’s frustration reached its peak with just over 6 1/2 minutes remaining in the third period of Game 6 as he took a pass all alone in the slot, only to have his point-blank tying attempt swallowed up by Rinne. “Those are ones I’ve got to bear down,” Perry said. “I just think I rushed the shot more than anything. Those things are just going like that right now.”
OVERTIME
1. The winner of the series advances to the next round to play San Jose.
2. Ducks C Ryan Kesler has scored in back-to-back games and has three goals in the series.
3. Nashville failed on its lone power play in Game 6 and is 1-for-23 in the series.
PREDICTION: Ducks 4, Predators 2