Announcement

**TheGame** · 05-09-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/9

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

Date: May 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

(AP) - Brian Elliott's postseason play is the biggest reason the St. Louis Blues are one win away from their first appearance in the Western Conference final since 2001.

Game after game, the goalie has been handled the pressure.

Protecting a two-goal lead in Game 5 at Dallas on Saturday, the 31-year-old Elliott came up big when needed. The key stop among the 12 saves he made in the third period was thwarting Cody Eakin alone in front of the net.

'Just poised,' forward Alexander Steen said Sunday. 'Just comes across, makes himself big, stops the puck. And it's like, it's business as usual, get the puck and go the other way.'

The Blues have played two long series and Elliott has been there all the way, giving him league highs in minutes (762:03) and saves (384) in 12 games. Elliott seized the job down the stretch of the regular season after Jake Allen was sidelined by injury, and a healthy Allen now can only watch and marvel along with the rest of the team.

'If we take care of second opportunities, he's a guy that smothers pucks,' forward Scottie Upshall said. 'He's flexible, he sees the ice well and he's very underrated playing the puck.'

After ending longstanding postseason frustration by eliminating the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks in the first round, the Blues can close out Dallas at home Monday night.

Coach Ken Hitchcock cautions not to make too much of Saturday's 4-1 victory. The Blues seemingly seized control of the series with a 6-1 rout in Game 3, and then the Stars bounced back with an overtime victory in St. Louis to tie the series at two games.

St. Louis has had standing-room crowds throughout the playoffs. Still, the road team has won two straight and three of five in the series.

The Blues are at their best with relentless forechecking and physical play counteracting a faster opponent. The Stars aren't likely to panic, realizing they dictated much of the pace in Game 5, but lacked favorable bounces.

'We pretty well played close to our best game, we just didn't finish,' Stars coach Lindy Ruff said Sunday. 'There's some puck luck in the game and they had all the puck luck.'

Hitchcock got mileage out of a few lineup changes and juggling lines early on in Game 5, but made no promises about sticking with a winning combination. Dmitrij Jaskin stepped up in his first game of the postseason, showing great hands on a second-chance goal and gives St. Louis more skill than agitators Ryan Reaves and Steve Ott.

'Everything is from feel, how I feel when I get up in the morning or think it through tonight when I get rid of you folks,' Hitchcock told reporters. 'I don't rest on keeping every routine the same.'

Dallas forward Tyler Seguin (lower body) isn't making the trip to St. Louis, although forward Patrick Eaves (leg) could return for Game 6 after missing four games. Ruff has scratched Colton Sceviour, who got the lone goal in Game 3, in the past two games preferring a larger lineup to counteract the Blues.

**TheGame** · 05-09-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/9

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

Date: May 09, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The San Jose Sharks gave a championship-caliber response to a potentially devastating defeat.

And if they can recapture their past success on the road, they'll be playing for a Western Conference title.

In a second-round series where both teams have successfully defended home ice, the Sharks hope to break that trend and eliminate the Nashville Predators in Monday night's crucial Game 6.

San Jose wasn't shaken by consecutive losses in Nashville, most notably Thursday's 4-3 triple-overtime heart-breaker in Game 4 that evened the series. The Sharks proceeded to dominate the final two periods of Saturday's 5-1 rout to move one win from their first conference final since 2011.

The Sharks scored four answered goals after Nashville's Mike Fisher briefly forged a 1-all tie late in the first period, with Joe Pavelski answering less than two minutes later and Logan Couture converting a back-breaking breakaway 35 seconds into the second.

Pavelski added a power-play goal later in the second for his eighth of this postseason. The San Jose captain had one disallowed on goaltender interference during the first overtime of Game 4, in which the Sharks owned a 25-18 shot advantage after regulation.

'The guys really wanted it. We felt after that last game we played a couple really good periods, some of our better periods of the playoffs,' he said. 'We had to carry that. It was up to us to really get that momentum back. Guys did a good job coming out.'

A successful line shuffle also helped the Sharks regain the upper hand. Moved to the wing alongside Couture and Joonas Donskoi, Patrick Marleau recorded a goal and an assist after being held to one point over the previous four games.

'I thought it was Patty's best game of the series, and that line was excellent all night,' coach Peter DeBoer said. 'Some changes work, and (Saturday) that change worked.'

Saturday's result may prompt Peter Laviolette do so some tinkering, as Nashville hasn't received much production beyond the line of Game 4 hero Fisher, James Neal and Colin Wilson. Filip Forsberg has particularly struggled, managing one goal with a minus-8 rating for the series.

Laviolette did re-insert Mike Ribeiro into the lineup after making him a healthy scratch in Games 3 and 4. The veteran center has just one assist in 10 games this postseason.

The Predators can draw confidence from their resilient showing in the opening round, where they rallied from a 3-2 series deficit to oust Anaheim. Nashville was also blown out on the road in Game 5 of that matchup before regrouping for a 3-1 win at home.

"We've been in this position before, backs against the wall," defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "It usually brings out the best in people. "It did last series, hopefully it does for us this time."

Pekka Rinne certainly came through in the Anaheim series, stopping 62 of 64 shots in the final two wins. He was outstanding as well in Nashville's two home victories of this one, registering 26 saves in Tuesday's 4-1 victory in Game 3 and 44 in Thursday's thriller.

San Jose has lost in eight of its last nine visits to Bridgestone Arena, though it posted a league-best 28-10-3 road record during the regular season and won all three games at Los Angeles in the first round.

The Sharks' power play hasn't been quite as potent away from home during these playoffs, however. San Jose, which led the NHL with 62 power-play goals during the regular season, is 7 for 17 on home ice and 3 for 21 on the road. The Sharks went 1 for 9 in the two losses in Nashville.

**Satch** · 05-09-2016, 10:36 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/9

Preview: Dallas at St. Louis

When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, May 9, 2016
Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri

Matchup Edge

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

The St. Louis Blues look to secure their first Western Conference final berth in 15 years on Monday when they attempt to eliminate the Central Division-rival Dallas Stars in Game 6 at Scottrade Center. Although St. Louis inched closer to the Promised Land with a 4-1 triumph in Game 5 on Saturday afternoon in Dallas, forward Alex Steen cautioned his club that it shouldn't look too far ahead.

"It doesn't really change much," Steen told reporters. "We expect their best and obviously we're going to bring ours and it's going to be a heck of a hockey game again. It's no real different situation. We've got to win another hockey game." Blues goaltender Brian Elliott has been the primary reason the Blues are on the brink of their first conference title appearance since 2001, making 27 saves on Saturday - with two coming from point-bank range on Game 4 overtime hero Cody Eakin. Despite seeing his team pushed to the edge, Stars coach Lindy Ruff isn't overly concerned as the series shifts back to the Show Me State. "I'm confident. These guys, they've given us everything they've had all year and we've had some tough situations, and they'll pull out of it," Ruff told reporters.

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

ABOUT THE STARS: After going 4-for-19 on the power play in its first-round series, Dallas has converted just once in 16 opportunities with the man-advantage versus St. Louis - a far cry from the 22.1 percent efficiency it showed in the regular season. Despite the team's struggles, captain Jamie Benn insists the Stars aren't getting down on themselves. "There's not too much (frustration with the power play)," said Benn, who scored 17 times with the man advantage in the regular season but has yet to do so in the playoffs. "We've just got to go out there as a group of five and try to make a difference."

ABOUT THE BLUES: Veteran forward Troy Brouwer has received his wake-up call with four goals and three assists in the past seven contests after being held off the scoresheet in each of his previous five in the playoffs. Robby Fabbri joined Brouwer in scoring in Game 5 and added an assist for his fourth multi-point performance of the postseason - with his 10 points (two goals, eight assists) leading all rookies. "It's pretty awesome, to think last year I was sitting watching (the playoffs) and a year later, I'm in them," the 20-year-old Fabbri told reporters. "It's been a great ride, just have to keep going here."

OVERTIME

1. Dallas' Patrick Eaves (lower body) is in line to return from a four-game absence and play on Monday, but fellow F Tyler Seguin (Achilles) has been ruled out.

2. St. Louis C Paul Stastny has two goals and two assists during his three-game point streak.

3, Blues D Kevin Shattenkirk has 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) in 27 career contests versus the Stars - playoffs included.

PREDICTION: Blues 3, Stars 2

**Satch** · 05-09-2016, 10:38 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/9

W/L Trends

Dallas

Stars are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Stars are 17-4 in their last 21 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Stars are 5-2 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Stars are 24-10 in their last 34 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Stars are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. a team with a winning record.
Stars are 9-4 in their last 13 Monday games.
Stars are 15-7 in their last 22 overall.

St. Louis

Blues are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Blues are 14-5 in their last 19 vs. Western Conference.
Blues are 16-6 in their last 22 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blues are 13-5 in their last 18 vs. Central.
Blues are 21-9 in their last 30 overall.
Blues are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a win.
Blues are 3-8 in their last 11 Conference Semifinals games.

OU Trends

Dallas

Over is 5-0-3 in Stars last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 2-0-2 in Stars last 4 overall.
Over is 2-0-2 in Stars last 4 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 3-0-2 in Stars last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 2-0-2 in Stars last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
Over is 2-0-2 in Stars last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 20-6-1 in Stars last 27 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 18-6-3 in Stars last 27 vs. Central.
Over is 21-7-1 in Stars last 29 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 8-3 in Stars last 11 following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 18-7-3 in Stars last 28 road games.
Under is 5-2-1 in Stars last 8 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

St. Louis

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

Head to Head

Over is 2-0-2 in the last 4 meetings.
Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in St. Louis.
Stars are 3-9 in the last 12 meetings.
Stars are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in St. Louis.

**Satch** · 05-09-2016, 10:39 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/9

Preview: San Jose at Nashville

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

Matchup Edge

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

Although they've held serve at home, the San Jose Sharks can punch their ticket to their fourth Western Conference final appearance should they show the mettle that made them the top road team during the regular season. Boasting an NHL-best 28-10-3 mark away from home, the Sharks look to quiet Music City on Monday when they face off against the host Nashville Predators in Game 6.

"We know it's a tough challenge to win in Nashville. (Monday's) a huge game," San Jose veteran Joe Thornton told reporters. "They're going to play desperate. We got to play just as desperate. I expect their 'A' game and our 'A' game too. Can't wait." Nashville's second line of Mike Fisher, Colin Wilson and James Neal has collected seven goals in the last three contests - including the club's lone tally in a 5-1 setback in Game 5 on Saturday. "We just need to go into Nashville and have a better game," Neal told reporters. "Our team will. I believe in the guys. We'll regroup."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, CNBC, Sportsnet, TVAS2

ABOUT THE SHARKS: Joe Pavelski scored twice in Game 5 to raise his postseason total to a team-high eight, one shy of the NHL lead held by Tampa Bay's young stud Nikita Kucherov. Logan Couture also tallied on Saturday for his 13th point, joining defenseman Brent Burns for club-best honors while residing just one behind Dallas' Jamie Benn. "That's what we're supposed to do; we're supposed to go out and contribute offensively and score goals and play well," Couture told reporters of the team's veteran leadership. "When we're winning games, most nights the big guys are contributing. That's just expected."

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: After mustering just one point (a goal) in Nashville's seven-game series with Anaheim, Fisher has erupted for four tallies and two assists against San Jose. Speaking of the first round, the Predators must repeat the feat of winning Games 6 and 7 should they wish to reach the conference final for the first time in franchise history. Nashville needs more out of Filip Forsberg, who had 33 goals in the regular season but has mustered just two in the playoffs and is a staggering minus-8 in the series.

OVERTIME

1. San Jose has scored five power-play goals in each round of the playoffs.

2. Nashville is 4-for-44 (9.1 percent) with the man advantage in the postseason.

3. The Sharks last appeared in a conference final in 2011.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Sharks 1

**Satch** · 05-09-2016, 10:40 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/9

W/L Trends

San Jose

Sharks are 5-0 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 Monday games.
Sharks are 16-5 in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Sharks are 19-7 in their last 26 road games.
Sharks are 8-3 in their last 11 overall.
Sharks are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Western Conference.
Sharks are 5-2 in their last 7 games following a win.
Sharks are 81-36 in their last 117 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Nashville

Predators are 4-1 in their last 5 Monday games.
Predators are 5-2 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Predators are 5-2 in their last 7 home games.
Predators are 3-8 in their last 11 Conference Semifinals games.
Predators are 2-8 in their last 10 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Predators are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.

OU Trends

San Jose

Over is 3-0-3 in Sharks last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-0-3 in Sharks last 7 overall.
Over is 1-0-3 in Sharks last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 2-0-3 in Sharks last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 2-0-2 in Sharks last 4 games following a win.
Under is 3-0-1 in Sharks last 4 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0-3 in Sharks last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 3-0-2 in Sharks last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Sharks last 5 road games.
Over is 6-2 in Sharks last 8 Monday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Sharks last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 25-10-5 in Sharks last 40 vs. Central.
Under is 17-8-3 in Sharks last 28 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Nashville

Over is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 overall.
Over is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 vs. Pacific.
Over is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Over is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 7-2-5 in Predators last 14 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-2 in Predators last 6 home games.
Under is 5-2-4 in Predators last 11 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2-6 in Predators last 13 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-2-4 in Predators last 11 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 7-3-2 in Predators last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

Head to Head

Over is 3-0-2 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in Nashville.
Home team is 41-18 in the last 59 meetings.
Sharks are 1-8 in the last 9 meetings in Nashville.

Announcement

NHL Betting Info. 5/9

NHL Betting Info. 5/9

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