NHL Betting Info. 5/11

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Blues, Stars meet in Game 7


The Stars and Blues will meet in a decisive Game 7 on Wednesday from American Airlines Center in Texas. Dallas stayed alive on Monday by capturing a 3-2 victory at St. Louis, cashing as a plus-145 underdog.


Including that result, the visitor has won four of the first six games in this best-of-seven matchup.


Oddsmakers opened Dallas as a minus-120 favorite while St. Louis is a plus-110 underdog. The total on this game is sitting at 5 and shaded to the ‘over’ (-140).


Road teams have gone 34-35 in this year’s NHL playoffs and visitors have fared very well historically in the Stanley Cup postseason.


There have been 163 all-time Game 7’s in the NHL Playoffs and the home squad owns a 95-68 (58.6%) record, which includes a 1-1 record in this year’s postseason.


Recent Game 7 History


St. Louis
2016 Conference Quarterfinals - Beat Blackhawks at home 3-2


Dallas
2008 Conference Quarterfinals - Lost at Canucks 4-1


The winning team in five of the last seven Game 7's scored just two goals, as five of those games finished under the total.


NHL Game 7 Playoff History (2012-2016)


2016
Nashville 2 at Anaheim 1
Chicago 2 at St. Louis 3


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

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/11

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


Date: May 11, 2016 8:00 PM EDT


DALLAS (AP) - Home ice belongs to the Dallas Stars for Game 7 of their second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues.


The advantage? Well, the visiting team has dominated so far.


'I have the benefit of the match at home,' Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. 'I don't know if that's going to make any difference in the game, though.'


Dallas hosts Game 7 on Wednesday night after avoiding elimination with a 3-2 win at St. Louis on Monday. The Stars led 3-0 in the first period and held on for the third consecutive victory in the series by the visiting team - and fourth overall.


'We've been able to put some good road games together, some simple road games together,' Blues right wing Troy Brouwer said.


The Blues, who finished only two points behind Dallas in the regular-season standings for the Western Conference's top seed, are 4-2 on the road this postseason and have already played a seven-game series. St. Louis won its first-round clincher at home, when Brouwer scored the Game 7 winner against defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago.


'We obviously know the stage,' Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. 'It's going to be a little different now that we're on the road, but I think overall, we know what the pressure is, we know what it's going to be.'


Brouwer is playing in his NHL-record eighth consecutive playoff series to go seven games. He also had Games 7s with Washington and Chicago the previous five seasons.


'Same mindset we had last series, going to take one more win to finish the series and it's what we want to do,' Brouwer said.


The Blues won 4-1 in Game 5 at Dallas on Saturday to go home with a chance to clinch the series. But now they need a third win this month at the American Airlines Center, which hadn't even opened the last time the Stars hosted a Game 7 - on May 27, 2000, when St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock was still coaching the Stars, and they beat Colorado at Reunion Arena in the Western Conference finals.


Dallas has played only one seven-game series since, losing at Vancouver in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. That was just weeks before the Stars used their fifth-round pick in the draft to select Jamie Benn, now their captain and with an NHL-high 15 points this postseason.


'I'm sure there's going to be some nerves for the first couple shifts,' Benn said. 'But after that, I think it'll be fun.'

[TheGame]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/11

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


Just one team entering Monday has reached the conference finals, and it's a club I didn't think would get there without two of its best players in center and captain Steven Stamkos and defenseman Anton Stralman: the Tampa Bay Lightning.


They closed out the New York Islanders in Game 5 on Sunday 4-0. The team's other top defenseman, Victor Hedman, had two goals and is now a leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy. He probably would have won the award last season had the Lightning not lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games in the Stanley Cup Finals. In 10 playoff games, Hedman, has four goals and five assists and is a plus-4. In 26 playoff games last year, he had one goal and 13 assists and was a plus-11. Hedman had eight points in the series against the Islanders and helped hold New York star center John Tavares without a point in the final four games - all Lightning wins - in which Tavares was minus-5.




Bolts goalie Ben Bishop had his fifth career playoff shutout Sunday, fourth in the deciding game of a series. That's tied with Martin Brodeur and Jacques Plante for second all-time behind Chris Osgood's five. Bishop also shut out Detroit 1-0 in Game 5 to end that first-round series and two Game 7s without allowing a goal last year. He has a 1.89 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in this postseason.


Tampa Bay is currently +500 to win the Cup and +210 to win the Eastern Conference. The Lightning don't yet know which team they will face. Washington is in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night in Game 6 of that series with the Penguins leading 3-2. The Pens are +300 favorites for the Cup and -120 in the East.


The Lightning could get both Stamkos and Stralman back for that series, although obviously they will be hoping it goes seven games to delay the start of it until this weekend. Stamkos has been sidelined since having surgery to remove a blood clot near his collarbone on April 4. At the time, doctors told him he would be out for between one and four months. He has been practicing. Stralman fractured his left leg on March 25, but he nearly played on Sunday. If those two can get back healthy, I'd favor the Lightning against the Penguins or Capitals even those oddsmakers wouldn't.


If you are wondering, Tampa Bay was 3-0 against Pittsburgh this season, each game high scoring (all at least six goals scored). The Lightning were 0-3 against Washington. The Lightning and Penguins have met once in the playoffs: Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh in seven games in the first round in 2011. Tampa Bay defeated Washington in each of their two postseason series (2003, 2011).


The Penguins are -130 favorites for Tuesday's game against Washington. The Caps will get defenseman Brooks Orpik back after he was suspended three games for a big hit on Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta in Game 2. Maatta has yet to return to the Penguins lineup.


There's talk that Penguins coach Mike Sullivan could turn to goalie Marc-Andre Fleury for Game 6 even though he hasn't played since suffering a concussion on March 31. Fleury has been Matt Murray's backup for the past three games. Murray wasn't sharp in Game 5, however, allowing three goals on 19 shots. Fleury finished the regular season with a 35-17-6 record, tying his career high with a .921 save percentage and setting a new career low with a 2.29 goals against average. I'd frankly be surprised if the Pens make a change, although not for a potential Game 7. Sullivan hasn't tipped his hand yet. Murray has played 21 games in his NHL career (he has never faced the Lightning). Fleury has appeared in more than 700.


In the Western Conference, St. Louis can close out its series in Game 6 at home vs. Dallas on Monday, while San Jose can do the same in Nashville. I predicted Blues-Sharks before the conference semifinals and will stick with that. St. Louis is the +130 favorite in the West and +350 for the Cup. And I'd take the Blues over either San Jose or Nashville. I believe the Blues finish things off Monday night but that the Predators force a Game 7, which would be Thursday (same as Penguins-Capitals Game 7).


Awards Update


We now know all the finalists for the major NHL awards. I'm unable to currently find any Hart Trophy odds for NHL MVP but those will be coming. And Chicago's Patrick Kane will be a favorite. The league's leading scorer is a finalist with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Dallas' Jamie Benn -- it was a minor upset that Washington's Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's top goalscorer, wasn't a finalist.


Kane, who had 106 points, is looking to become the first Blackhawks player to win the Hart Trophy since Stan Mikita won the second of back-to-back MVP honors in 1968. Crosby won it in 2013 and 2007. He finished with 85 points this season. Benn was second to Kane with 89 points. He is the first player in Stars franchise history to be named a finalist for the Hart Trophy.


For the Vezina Trophy as top goalie, the finalists are Washington's Braden Holtby, Tampa Bay's Bishop and the Kings' Jonathan Quick. Holtby is a -10000 favorite, with Bishop at +1700 and Quick at +3000. Holtby is going to win this as he tied Brodeur's single-season record of 48 wins.


All winners will be announced June 22 during the NHL awards ceremony in Las Vegas, which is probably getting an NHL team in two years. That could be made official any day.

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/11

Blues-Stars in Game 7 Showdown


After trading punches in their Western Conference semifinal, the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars will meet in the decisive Game 7 this Wednesday. Dallas staved off elimination Monday night with a 3-2 victory in Game 6, cashing in as +155 away dogs despite just 14 shots on goal. The road team has won four times in this series – twice in St. Louis, and twice in Dallas.


The big question on everyone's mind: Will Tyler Seguin suit up for the Stars? He hasn't played since Game 2 of the opening round versus the Minnesota Wild, when Seguin (33 goals, 73 points during the regular season) was ineffective in his return from a partially torn Achilles tendon. It remains unclear whether he'll be available for Game 7. Veteran fourth-liner Travis Moen is also iffy for Wednesday's game with an undisclosed injury.


The Blues are unusually healthy for this time of year, but with Monday's loss, they fall to 1-3 in elimination games. The lone victory was the game that counted the most: Game 7 of the first round, when they beat the defending Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 as +100 home dogs.

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/11

NHL

Wednesday's games

St Louis-Dallas (3-3)
Dallas scored goals 0:20 apart in first 6:00 of Game 6, held on to tie series. Blues outshot Dallas 37-14 Monday. Road team won four of six series games. Blues won nine of last 13 games overall with Dallas-- visiting team is 3-2 in this series- Dallas didn't score in last 49:02 of Game 5, last 43:11 of Game 6. Over 3-1-3 in last seven series games. Four of last six St Louis wins in series came in OT or SO. Over is 5-1-4 in St Louis' last ten games. Dallas won nine of last 14 games overall; over is 5-1-4 in their last ten. Stars are 2-17 on power play in series, St Louis 5-21. Dallas lost three of last four at home; Blues won three of last five road games.

Playoffs tally: 1st round-- Home: 23-24, Over: 16-17-14
2nd round-- Home: 15-8, Over: 10-5-8

[Satch]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/11

Preview: St. Louis at Dallas

When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

Matchup Edge

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

The Dallas Stars staved off elimination with a huge road victory and now have a chance to clinch a spot in the Western Conference final on their home ice when they host the St. Louis Blues in Wednesday night's winner-take-all Game 7. Dallas is seeking its first Game 7 victory since beating Colorado in the 2000 Western Conference final.

The top-seeded Stars stunned the Blues by jumping out to a quick three-goal lead and holding on for a 3-2 victory in Game 6 to bring the series back to Dallas. "We still have to win two in a row, which we have not been able to do in this series," Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen said. "That's something that's our goal. It's still alive so we just need to relax now and get ready for the next one." Monday's loss dropped St. Louis to 1-3 in potential series clinchers, but the Blues did eliminate reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago in Game 7 of the first round and have won twice in Dallas in this series. "I know one thing: We're going to come and we're going to come after them, big-time," St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVAS

ABOUT THE BLUES: Hitchcock opened some eyes following Game 6 when he told the media that "I want to sleep on" a decision for his starting netminder for Game 7 after Brian Elliott was yanked in the first period for allowing three goals on seven shots. Although St. Louis has a viable alternative in Jake Allen, who opened the season as the team's No. 1 netminder before getting hurt, Elliott has started every game in the postseason after posting a 23-8-6 mark and 2.07 goals-against average in the regular season. "He's the ultimate pro," Allen said of Elliott. "He'll definitely be ready. He's been the best player on our team the whole playoffs and he'll be ready to go again."

ABOUT THE STARS: Although Dallas was the league's highest-scoring team in the regular season, the Stars turned to a rope-a-dope tactic following the early goal outburst in Game 6 and nearly squandered the lead while registering a season-low 14 shots on goal. "So far in the playoffs, we haven't been a good team with a three-goal lead," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "Even with a four-goal lead, we weren't a good team. We're a team that's still learning. And a lot of players it's their first kick at this." Jason Spezza, who scored 33 times during the regular season and added four tallies in the first-round win versus Minnesota, netted his first goal of the series Monday.

OVERTIME

1. Ruff is 0-3 in Game 7 matchups while Hitchcock is 4-2.

2. Blues star F Vladimir Tarasenko has six points in the last four games but has been held off the scoresheet in all three games in Dallas.

3. Stars F Tyler Seguin skated at practice Tuesday but will not play in Game 7.

PREDICTION: Blues 3, Stars 2 (OT)

[Satch]

Re: NHL Betting Info. 5/11

W/L Trends

St. Louis

Blues are 9-2 in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Blues are 12-3 in their last 15 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 19-7 in their last 26 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Blues are 19-7 in their last 26 road games. Blues are 14-6 in their last 20 vs. Western Conference. Blues are 13-6 in their last 19 vs. Central. Blues are 21-10 in their last 31 overall. Blues are 3-9 in their last 12 Conference Semifinals games.

Dallas

Stars are 6-0 in their last 6 Wednesday games. Stars are 9-3 in their last 12 home games. Stars are 10-4 in their last 14 vs. a team with a winning record. Stars are 16-7 in their last 23 overall. Stars are 11-5 in their last 16 vs. Central. Stars are 13-6 in their last 19 vs. Western Conference. Stars are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win. Stars are 0-4 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Stars are 0-4 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

OU Trends

St. Louis

Over is 2-0-3 in Blues last 5 overall. Over is 1-0-3 in Blues last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 2-0-3 in Blues last 5 vs. Central. Over is 2-0-3 in Blues last 5 vs. Western Conference. Over is 1-0-3 in Blues last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 2-0-3 in Blues last 5 Conference Semifinals games. Over is 2-0-3 in Blues last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 3-1-2 in Blues last 6 road games. Over is 6-2-2 in Blues last 10 Wednesday games. Over is 3-1-2 in Blues last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 13-5-8 in Blues last 26 games playing on 1 days rest.

Dallas

Over is 5-0-4 in Stars last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 2-0-3 in Stars last 5 overall. Over is 3-0-1 in Stars last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 3-0-1 in Stars last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. Over is 2-0-3 in Stars last 5 vs. Western Conference. Over is 2-0-3 in Stars last 5 Conference Semifinals games. Over is 2-0-3 in Stars last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 5-1-1 in Stars last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Over is 3-1-1 in Stars last 5 games following a win. Over is 18-6-4 in Stars last 28 vs. Central. Over is 32-15-4 in Stars last 51 Wednesday games.

Head to Head

Over is 2-0-3 in the last 5 meetings. Blues are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Dallas. Blues are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings. Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.