NHL Betting Info. 5/5

[TheGame]

Preview: Stars (50-23) at Blues (49-24)


Date: May 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT


It's not clear which goalie will start for the Dallas Stars in a pivotal Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series.


It's also not clear if it will matter the way the St. Louis Blues are playing.


The Blues have been tough to handle for Antii Niemi and Kari Lehtonen, and one of those players will be in the crosshairs Thursday night in St. Louis.


The Blues took a 2-1 series lead with Tuesday's 6-1 rout in their first home game in this series. Niemi got his first start of the series after he was effective in Game 2 by stopping 19 of 20 shots in relief of Lehtonen.


He wasn't up to snuff in Game 3, yielding three goals on 12 shots before Lehtonen entered and allowed three more.


"It hasn't been a goalie issue, really," said defenseman Alex Goligoski, who was beaten on one goal and had a second go in off his skate. "We're giving up some big chances, at bad times, early in games.


"Lost confidence in our goalies is not an issue. It's our game."


Alexander Steen and David Backes had two goals apiece for St. Louis. Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists after going three straight games without a point, and Troy Brouwer had a goal and an assist in the Blues' first win this postseason by more than one goal.


"Credit everybody in the room that they bought in," said Backes, who scored in overtime to win Game 2. "We had probably our most complete effort of the postseason, and a good time to have it."


Dallas has scored first in every game, but St. Louis has turned in huge responses within the opening period of the last two. The Blues held a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes in Game 2, and Steen and Backes gave them a 2-1 lead after one period Tuesday.


"We should be better as a group, that's the bottom line," Stars captain Jamie Benn said.


Cody Eakin is the only Dallas skater with more than two points in the series thanks to his three-assist effort in Game 2. No one has scored more than once for the Stars, the league's highest-scoring team in the regular season with an average of 3.2 goals.


Dallas badly needs to move on after unraveling at the end of Game 3. Curtis McKenzie fought the Blues' Ryan Reaves in the closing minutes after defenseman Stephen Johns was penalized for boarding for a hit on Alex Pietrangelo with a check from behind.


"You gotta put that behind you, you gotta look forward," coach Lindy Ruff said. "I think the team got frustrated with some of the calls. I know I got frustrated they may have taken on my personality."


Ruff said forward Patrick Eaves could return Thursday after missing the last two games with a lower body injury.


Brian Elliott was sharp Tuesday for St. Louis with 25 saves. The Blues have killed off all 11 Dallas power plays in the series while scoring four times in the last two games with the man advantage.


"We're a team that it's really everybody that it takes to win and not one guy's going to do it, but guys (are) stepping up in every role," Elliott said.

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/5

Preview: Sharks (46-30) at Predators (41-27)


Date: May 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT


The Nashville Predators have a chance to return to San Jose with their Western Conference semifinal series all tied up. Another standout performance by their special teams could go a long way toward getting them to that goal.


The Predators try for that pivotal win over the Sharks - the league's best road team - in Thursday night's Game 4.


Nashville went 2 for 5 on the power play while killing off all four San Jose chances in a 4-1 victory Tuesday. The Predators had allowed six goals in their previous 18 short-handed situations and were 2 for 31 with the man advantage to start this postseason.


James Neal, who scored the tying goal in the second period, and Filip Forsberg allowed the Predators to match that power play output in Game 3. Shea Weber also tallied his 13th career postseason goal, tying him with David Legwand for the most in Nashville history.


"(Special teams are) something we definitely need to be better at," Neal said. "I thought we had some decent looks, but ultimately it changes games when you score on the PP and you get big kills. We did that tonight and got a big win."


The Predators dealt the Sharks their first loss in four road games in these playoffs and just their second in 12 contests since Feb. 27. San Jose was 28-10-3 away from home in the regular season and 18-20-3 on its own ice.


"You're not going to win every game," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. "It's the Stanley Cup playoffs. This might take seven games. It's that time of year. They're a good team. You have to give them credit.


"I thought we came out and played a pretty good game. They won the special teams battle tonight. We won it the other night. That's how this works this time of year."


San Jose reeled off four consecutive wins after its only other defeat in the playoffs but has gone 1-6-1 in its last eight in Nashville, including postseason. The lone victory was 3-2 in a shootout April 2.


"It's a different series, but any time you can be up in a series it's a good thing," San Jose goaltender Martin Jones told the league's official website. "We want to make sure we come with a better mindset next game and a better effort. This isn't a team you want to let back in the series."


The Predators are hoping to keep their depth intact by having Colton Sissons available. The forward hit his left knee while sliding into the goal post in the third period Tuesday and required assistance to get off the ice.


He returned to skate a late shift.


"It was just in a lot of pain right away. It kind of wrapped around the post a little bit," Sissons said. "It didn't feel good right away, but it settled down and I was able to get back out there."


It's unclear if Pontus Aberg will play in his second NHL game for Nashville. The forward made his debut Tuesday when Peter Laviolette made struggling veteran Mike Ribeiro a healthy scratch.


Ribeiro has one assist and a minus-3 rating in nine games this postseason.


"(Aberg), I thought, came in and gave us some good speed," coach Peter Laviolette said. "He was a good player for (AHL affiliate) Milwaukee down the stretch. He brings speed and skill, and this is a fast game right now against San Jose.


"I thought he did a really good job just using his speed and playing a good game, a smart game."


Nashville is 1-6 in its last seven Game 4s and has lost its past five of those at home. San Jose has won three of its last four Game 4s but has dropped four of the last five such road contests.

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/5

NHL


Thursday's games


St Louis-Dallas (S 2-1)
St Louis won eight of last ten games with Dallas overall-- home team won six of last eight series games, with seven of last 11 staying under total. Four of last five St Louis wins in series came in OT or SO. Blues won three of last four games overall; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven. Dallas won seven of last 11 games overall; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven games, 3-0-1 in last four on road. Stars are 0-11 on power play in series, St Louis 4-14.


Nashville-San Jose (SJ 2-1)
Home side won all three series games; Sharks lost four of last five visits here; they've won seven of last nine games overall. San Jose won seven of last nine games overall; over is 2-0-2 in their last four games. Predators lost five of last eight games; under is 2-0-2 in their last four home games. Nashville won last four times they scored 3+ goals; they're 1-5 in last six games scoring two or less goals. San Jose is 3-9 on power play in series, Nashville is 3-10. Under is 6-3-2 in last 11 series games. Most of scoring this series has come in third period.


Playoffs tally: 1st round-- Home: 23-24, Over: 16-17-14
2nd round-- Home: 9-4, Over: 6-2-5

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/5

Preview: Dallas at St. Louis

When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, May 5, 2016
Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri

Matchup Edge

DAL	Edge in:	STL
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

The Dallas Stars owned the league's most potent attack during the regular season, but the St. Louis Blues are putting on an offensive show in the second-round series between the Central Division rivals. Coming off a six-goal outburst, the Blues can push the visiting Stars to the brink of elimination in Game 4 on Thursday night.

After salvaging a split in Dallas with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 2, St. Louis steamrolled the Stars 6-1 on Tuesday night, but Blues coach Ken Hitchcock sounded a cautionary tone with the media on Wednesday. "We have a 2-1 lead in a playoff series very much up in the air," Hitchcock told reporters. "They (the Stars) get the game tomorrow and they're thinking they have home ice back again." Emotions were high toward the end of Game 3 and there could be a carry-over effect after St. Louis forward Ryan Reaves blew a kiss to the Dallas bench following a fight with Curtis McKenzie. "Our guys were embarrassed last night, and that's stuff you take to heart," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said of the incident. "That's stuff you use."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS

ABOUT THE STARS: Ruff has masterfully alternated goaltenders Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen, who each registered 25 wins during the regular season and took turns picking up one another in the postseason before each stumbled in the past two games against St. Louis. Lehtonen was yanked after allowing three goals on five shots in the Game 2 loss before Niemi was pulled after surrendering three goals on 12 shots in Tuesday's rout, giving Ruff a tough decision for Game 4. "It hasn't been a goalie issue, really," Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski told reporters. "We're giving up some big chances at bad times, early in games. ... But losing confidence in our goalies is not an issue. It's our game. It's been that way all season."

ABOUT THE BLUES: St. Louis captain David Backes had a spotty playoff history with only five goals in his previous past five postseasons combined, but he has matched that total with five goals in 10 games against Chicago and Dallas. Three of those have been game-winning tallies for Backes, including a pair in overtime, to join Brett Hull and Scott Young as the only players in franchise history with three in one postseason. "He's stepping up to the plate right now," Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo told reporters. "I think that's three game-winning goals for us, that's what we need from our leader. He's obviously a big influence in the dressing room every single day, but he's really stepping up to the plate right now."

OVERTIME

1. The Blues have snuffed out all 11 power-play chances by Dallas.

2. Stars F Patrick Eaves, injured in the series opener, and F Tyler Seguin will sit out Game 4.

3. Blues F Vladimir Tarasenko, who scored once and set up two goals Tuesday, has 15 goals and 20 points in 23 career playoff games.

PREDICTION: Blues 4, Stars 3

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/5

Preview: San Jose at Nashville

When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, May 5, 2016
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee

Matchup Edge

SJ	Edge in:	NAS
	Offense
	Defense
	Power Play
	Penalty Kill
	Face Offs
	Discipline
	Goaltending

The San Jose Sharks will look to rebound from their first road loss of the postseason when they visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday night in Game 4 of their second-round series. The Predators bounced back from a pair of losses in San Jose with a 4-1 victory in Game 3, handing the Sharks their first defeat on the road since March 17.

"You're not going to win every game," San Jose coach Peter DeBoer told reporters after Tuesday's loss. "It's the Stanley Cup playoffs. This might take seven games." The Sharks posted an NHL-best 28-10-3 record away from home in the regular season and had won all three road games in Los Angeles in the first round. Nashville erupted for its highest output of the postseason by cranking up a power play that was 2-for-31 through nine playoff games before converting on 2-of-5 opportunities in Game 3. "The biggest thing for us is staying out of the box and staying disciplined, but when we do get called upon, we've got to make a difference," Predators captain Shea Weber told reporters.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, CNBC, Sportsnet, TVAS 2

ABOUT THE SHARKS: San Jose has been dominant with the man advantage, scoring eight power-play goals in its first seven playoff games and burning Nashville on 3-of-5 chances in Games 1 and 2 before it failed on four chances in Tuesday's setback. "We had a couple different looks, but it definitely could have been better," said captain Joe Pavelski, who has six goals in the postseason. "They were better on their penalty kill, which we expected, and we need to step up our game." Veteran Patrick Marleau tallied in Game 3, his 11th goal in 13 playoff games versus Nashville.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: One of the huge storylines for Nashville entering Game 3 was coach Peter Laviolette's decision to hold out veteran Mike Ribeiro, who had accounted for only one assist in the playoffs following a 50-point regular season. “He’s been a great player for us the last couple of years, and it’s just a signal for all of us,” Predators goalie Pekka Rinne said of Ribeiro, who sat in favor of rookie Pontus Aberg. “We all have to step up.” One of the players who continues to step up is forward Colin Wilson, who established a franchise record with five goals in a playoff series a year ago and has dimmed the memory of his dismal six-goal regular season with three tallies and five assists in the postseason.

OVERTIME

1. The Predators improved to 3-10 all time in the postseason against San Jose with Tuesday's victory.

2. San Jose hasn't lost back-to-back road games since Dec. 18-20.

3. Nashville F Filip Forsberg, the team's leading scorer in the regular season, halted a seven-game point drought with his second goal of the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Predators 2

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W/L Trends

Dallas

Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Stars are 20-6 in their last 26 Thursday games. Stars are 16-5 in their last 21 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Stars are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record. Stars are 14-6 in their last 20 overall. Stars are 23-10 in their last 33 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Stars are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. Central. Stars are 11-5 in their last 16 vs. Western Conference.

St. Louis

Blues are 16-5 in their last 21 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 12-4 in their last 16 vs. Central. Blues are 22-8 in their last 30 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Blues are 20-8 in their last 28 overall. Blues are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Blues are 37-15 in their last 52 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Blues are 17-7 in their last 24 games following a win. Blues are 41-19 in their last 60 Thursday games. Blues are 39-19 in their last 58 vs. Western Conference. Blues are 2-7 in their last 9 Conference Semifinals games.

OU Trends

Dallas

Over is 5-0-1 in Stars last 6 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 3-0-1 in Stars last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Over is 5-1-1 in Stars last 7 overall. Over is 5-1-1 in Stars last 7 vs. Western Conference. Over is 20-6 in Stars last 26 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 19-6-1 in Stars last 26 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 21-7 in Stars last 28 following a loss of 3 or more goals. Over is 18-7-2 in Stars last 27 road games. Over is 18-7-1 in Stars last 26 vs. Central. Under is 5-2 in Stars last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 36-16-1 in Stars last 53 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.

St. Louis

Over is 4-0-1 in Blues last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 2-0-2 in Blues last 4 home games. Under is 6-1-1 in Blues last 8 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 6-1-1 in Blues last 8 Thursday games. Over is 6-1 in Blues last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-1-3 in Blues last 9 overall. Under is 5-1-1 in Blues last 7 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-1-3 in Blues last 9 vs. Central. Over is 5-1-3 in Blues last 9 vs. Western Conference. Over is 13-3-5 in Blues last 21 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 4-1-1 in Blues last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 4-1-1 in Blues last 6 games following a win. Over is 3-1-1 in Blues last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Head to Head

Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in St. Louis. Home team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. Stars are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings. Stars are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in St. Louis.

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/5

W/L Trends

San Jose

Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 overall. Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Sharks are 16-5 in their last 21 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Sharks are 16-5 in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Sharks are 17-6 in their last 23 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Sharks are 19-7 in their last 26 road games. Sharks are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Sharks are 7-3 in their last 10 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Sharks are 1-5 in their last 6 Thursday games.

Nashville

Predators are 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Predators are 1-4 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.

OU Trends

San Jose

Over is 1-0-3 in Sharks last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 2-0-3 in Sharks last 5 overall. Over is 4-0 in Sharks last 4 Thursday games. Over is 2-0-2 in Sharks last 4 vs. Central. Over is 2-0-3 in Sharks last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 5-1-2 in Sharks last 8 Conference Semifinals games. Under is 8-2-2 in Sharks last 12 road games. Under is 7-2-1 in Sharks last 10 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 3-1-1 in Sharks last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 14-6-1 in Sharks last 21 following a loss of 3 or more goals.

Nashville

Under is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Under is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 home games. Under is 4-1-1 in Predators last 6 games following a win. Under is 6-2-4 in Predators last 12 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 3-1-1 in Predators last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 3-1-2 in Predators last 6 Thursday games. Under is 3-1-2 in Predators last 6 Conference Semifinals games. Under is 5-2-5 in Predators last 12 overall. Under is 5-2-6 in Predators last 13 vs. Pacific. Under is 5-2-5 in Predators last 12 vs. Western Conference. Under is 5-2-5 in Predators last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.

Head to Head

Under is 10-3-3 in the last 16 meetings. Home team is 39-18 in the last 57 meetings. Sharks are 1-7 in the last 8 meetings in Nashville.