Cnotes53 2017 NHL Best Bets-News-Trends-Thru The Stanley Cup ! !

[Cnotes53]

Preview: Panthers (43-30) at Bruins (50-19)
Date: April 08, 2018 7:30 PM EDT

BOSTON -- The math is simple.

If the Bruins get two points -- in any way -- against the out-of-contention Florida Panthers at TD Garden on Sunday night, Boston wins the Atlantic Division and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

While the Bruins were beating the Ottawa Senators 5-1 on Saturday night, the Lightning were surrendering a point to the Hurricanes in Carolina in their 82nd and final game.

So, even though Tampa took a one-point lead, the Bruins can take care of their own business in Sunday's game, which is a makeup of a contest snowed out in January.

Win Sunday and the Bruins face the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the playoffs. Lose or tie and it's the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six matchup.

"Opportunity for us, hopefully we're up to the task," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after Saturday night's 5-2 victory over Ottawa. "I'm sure the guys will be excited tomorrow."

With the game meaningful, Cassidy said he will start Tuukka Rask in goal.

"We're in a position to take it, and that's a credit to the guys," Cassidy said. "We've worked hard to get here. This wasn't by accident. We didn't back in, I don't think. Tampa, they beat us the other night in their building, and they deserved to win that game, and we thought, well it might be a little tougher, but here we are."

The Bruins gave up the first goal Saturday night but then cruised past the Senators. They have allowed the first goal of the game in 43 of their 81 games and still are in position to win the Eastern Conference.

The Panthers, who defeated Buffalo 4-3 on Saturday for their fourth straight win, are 17-5-2 in their last 24 games and 24-8-2 in their last 34. They were eliminated earlier Saturday when the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers in Philadelphia.

This will be the third game meeting in nine days -- and the Panthers won the other two -- with Rask in goal for both. Now, they have a chance to play the role of spoiler after flying in after their home game Saturday.

Saturday night's win gave them a club-record 27th home victory.

"I think everybody in here is disappointed," Vincent Trocheck said after game. "The whole goal this year was to make the playoffs. We made a good push for it in the second half. It's just the first part of the season caught up to us."

Added coach Bob Boughner: "I'm proud of these guys, of what they've done in the second half of the season and the resiliency they've shown. We set the franchise record for home wins. There's a lot of good things. It's tough to recognize that right now, but I want them to finish off hard."

Despite the two recent losses, Rask is a whopping 21-4-1 with a 1.52 goals against average and .949 save percentage lifetime against the Panthers.

James Reimer was in goal for Florida Saturday night, which left the door open for Roberto Luongo to play in the finale. Luongo, who played in his 1,000th game and defeated Boston on Thursday night, had a disastrous 2011 Stanley Cup final against the Bruins and now could have a chance for a second tiny bit of revenge Sunday.

The Panthers will again be without their best player, Aleksander Barkov, out for the weekend games with an upper-body injury suffered when checked by Boston's Colby Cave, who has since been returned to the minors.

The Bruins are expected to have Rick Nash (upper body) back in the lineup Sunday.

 

[Cnotes53]

SUNDAY, APRIL 8
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

FLA at BOS 07:30 PM
BOS -325
U 5.5

 

[Cnotes53]

Panthers spoil Bruins' bid for top seed in East
April 8, 2018

BOSTON (AP) Roberto Luongo came off the bench to shut down Boston in the third period, and the Florida Panthers dashed the Bruins' hopes of getting the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 4-2 win Sunday night.

The Bruins trailed Tampa Bay by a point heading into the regular-season finale but couldn't top a Panthers team that was eliminated from postseason contention Saturday.

Boston will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round beginning Thursday night. The Leafs were 3-1 against the Bruins in the regular season.

Florida starter James Reimer left in the third with an injury, and Luongo came in and stopped eight shots over the last 8:07. The pair combined to make 41 saves.

Henrik Borgstrom, Frank Vatrano, Maxim Mamin and Evgenii Dadonov scored for Florida.

David Backes and David Pastrnak had a goal each for Boston, with Pastrnak cutting it to 3-2 shortly before Reimer was hurt. Tuukka Rask made 22 saves.

After beating the Bruins for the second time in three games, Florida is headed home despite an impressive 25-8-2 run to end the season, including winning their last five.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the third, Boston made a furious surge, outshooting Florida 26-6 but only scoring once.

Pastrnak scored a power-play goal at 9:54 of the third. Pastrnak led the Bruins with 35 goals and had a career-high 80 points.

Dadonov put the game away when he scored an insurance goal with 1:49 remaining.

Boston had been unbeaten in regulation over its last 11 home games and had beaten Florida in 12 of 13 overall.

Boston lost in the first round last year to Ottawa in six games after failing to make the playoffs the two previous seasons.

NOTES: Brad Marchand failed to score in the Bruins' final six games, and David Krejci has one goal in 16 games. ... Borgstrom scored his first career goal. ... Florida D Keith Yandle tied his career high with his 48th assist.

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL playoff format
April 8, 2018

Two of the top four teams in the NHL are guaranteed to be out the playoffs after the second round.

Goodbye Nashville or Winnipeg. Goodbye Boston or Tampa Bay. Thanks for playing.

That's the reality under the divisional playoff format that could pit the top two teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences against each other in round 2 after Pittsburgh and Washington were forced into that predicament in back-to-back playoffs.

''There's not a whole lot of logic there,'' Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik said.

How's this for logic? If ranking teams 1 through 8 in each conference like the old format that was in place from 1993-94 through 2013, the No. 2 seed is facing the No. 4 seed, 3 versus 7, and 5 versus 6 in the first round in the East and the West this year.

A Penguins-Capitals style repeat could happen this year with the Central's Predators and Jets on a crash course for a second-round showdown and the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning locked into a stacked Atlantic bracket with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

''You'd think that'd almost be a third-round series kind of thing, but so be it,'' Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said. ''It is what it is. You're going to have to see a team like that eventually. There's not much you can do to change it.''

Maybe this spring will be enough to spark a change in the oft-criticized format in its fifth season that is agreed to between the league and NHL Players' Association through the 2019-20 season. The Capitals getting knocked out in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Penguins didn't lead to much debate.

''I would assume after his year there'd be a bigger appetite to do it,'' Washington general manager Brian MacLellan said. ''In the past it hasn't affected as many teams as might be required to get that movement. It's basically been us that's been the team that's not benefited from the 1 through 8. But we'll see what happens this year with a couple more really good teams being beat out in the second round.''

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the playoff format is not a burning issue for owners, wasn't discussed by GMs and should be looked at over a long period of time instead of focusing on ''anomalies.''

''It's worked I think for the most part as we anticipated it would work,'' Daly said. ''I do believe in terms of the matchups in the first two rounds of the playoffs, they're better with this format. They're just more intense and more familiar with this format than they were in the old format.''

Reigniting and creating new rivalries was the goal of this playoff format, which mimics the one in place for most of the '80s and early '90s. Inequities have happened, but so has plenty of drama on Cup runs by the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and the Penguins twice.

''I think that as a fan, you want to see matchups against rivals,'' said New Jersey defenseman Ben Lovejoy, who won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016. ''I think that that pits archenemies against each other more often and it can backfire every once in a while. You can get two high seeds playing each other in the first round or the second round and perhaps that's not fair but I think ultimately it's good for the game to have heated playoff series against teams that don't like each other and see each other a lot.''

Heated playoff series make this time of year fun, but Predators versus Jets and Bruins versus Lightning would be just as compelling, if not more so, in the conference finals. Hockey people reluctant to fault the system typically take an approach like Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, who said, ''Whether the format itself is right or wrong, if you want to win the Cup, you have to find a way to get through this format.''

The difficult part is the format isn't created equally, making one road to the third round or the Cup Final potentially easier than another.

''I don't necessarily agree with how it is, but it's the way it is,'' said winger Wayne Simmonds, whose Flyers open against the Penguins. ''You have to have a mindset that you're going to play teams in your division first and foremost and that's just the way it is.''

Orpik said players can't wait to revisit the format when the agreement is up, which could be part of the next round of collective bargaining talks. But there's no consensus on what would be better - a return to 1 through 8, league-wide 1 through 16 or something else. The expected addition of a 32nd team in Seattle could spur change, too.

''You can play a 1-to-16 playoff pool, but I would suggest to you that there'll be inequities in that,'' Predators GM David Poile said, referencing travel among the issues. ''Pick your poison. I think you change that and you come up with the next idea, you'd run into the same thing. ... I don't think there's any exact playoff plan that everybody would say is perfect.''

 

[Cnotes53]

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 11, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Minnesota Wild Winnipeg Jets Bell MTS Place
7:00 PM Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena
10:00 PM Los Angeles Kings Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM New Jersey Devils Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena
7:00 PM Toronto Maple Leafs Boston Bruins TD Garden
7:30 PM Columbus Blue Jackets Washington Capitals Capital One Arena
9:30 PM Colorado Avalanche Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena
10:30 PM San Jose Sharks Anaheim Ducks Honda Center

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY APRIL 13, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena
7:30 PM Minnesota Wild Winnipeg Jets Bell MTS Place
10:00 PM Los Angeles Kings Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY APRIL 14, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
3:00 PM Colorado Avalanche Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena
3:00 PM New Jersey Devils Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena
8:00 PM Toronto Maple Leafs Boston Bruins TD Garden
10:30 PM San Jose Sharks Anaheim Ducks Honda Center

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL Playoffs 2018: Here are the confirmed first-round matchups

The Stanley Cup playoffs will get underway this week, kicking off what typically serves as one of the most thrilling postseason experiences in all of sports. The road to raising the Cup is a long one, but most of the first-round matchups are set and we can look forward to a number of intriguing and promising matchups right from the jump

Here's a breakdown of the confirmed matchups we'll see in the opening round.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils

After a neck-in-neck race with the Bruins to close out the season, the Lightning finished as the top seed in the Eastern Conference and will draw the New Jersey Devils, who are back in the playoffs for the first time since making the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. The Lightning will boast one of the league's deepest teams heading to into the postseason and are led by some serious firepower up front with the likes of Steven Stamkos (who has been battling a lower body injury late in the season) and Hart candidate Nikita Kucherov. The Devils, who are led by a Hart candidate of their own in Taylor Hall, won all three of their games against Tampa this year, but will have their work cut out for them in the opening round.

Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Capitals finished tops in the Metropolitan division for the third straight year. They'll await the Blue Jackets, who finished the season in the Eastern Conference's first Wild Card slot. Alexander Ovechkin led all players with 49 goals this year, and he'll be opposed by one of the league's top defensive pairings in Columbus' Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. The Caps took three of their four meetings against Columbus this season.

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Bruins and Maple Leafs -- the second and third-place finishers in the Atlantic division, respectively -- will reignite their playoff rivalry in what should be an exciting, fast-paced series featuring plenty of youth. The last time these two teams met in the postseason was back in 2013, when the Bruins famously came back from a three-goal deficit late to win in overtime of Game 7 in the opening round. Toronto won three of their four meetings this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

After sneaking into third place in the Metropolitan division with a win in their final game of the season, the Flyers will face their cross-state rival and back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champions in the Penguins, who finished second in the Metro. Pittsburgh -- led by the superstar duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin -- dominated the Flyers in their season series, taking all four contests (though two needed overtime). Hart candidate Claude Giroux will attempt to extend Philadelphia sports' stretch of success with the Flyers' first playoff series win since 2012.

Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche

The Predators entered last season's playoffs as the eighth seed before going on a Cinderella run that carried them all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. This year, they'll be the Western Conference's one-seed after finishing as the NHL's Presidents' Trophy winners. Opposite Nashville in round one will be the Avalanche, who are back in the playoffs just one season after finishing as the league's worst team. They'll be led by 22-year-old Nathan MacKinnon, who could be a Hart Trophy finalist this year. The Predators won all four of their matchups against Colorado this season.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild

The Jets's 114 points during the regular season was good enough for second-most in the entire league, but they had the misfortune of being in the same conference as Nashville. As a result, they finished second in the Central and will draw the Wild, who finished third. The Jets are loaded with offensive talent -- including sophomore phenom Patrik Laine -- and are looking for their first postseason win since relocating from Atlanta in 2011. Winnipeg took three of their four games against Minnesota this year.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Golden Knights had an incredible season as the league's newest expansion team, setting a number of records during the most successful inaugural season in league history and winning a division title in the process. They'll look to build on a rivalry with a divisional foe in the Kings, who finished as the first Wild Card in the west. Los Angeles hasn't won a playoff series since 2014, when they won the Stanley Cup. Vegas and LA split their season series, taking two games apiece.

Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks

California battles have made for some of the most entertaining Stanley Cup playoff seres in the past handful of years, and this should continue that trend. The Ducks jumped the Sharks in the standings after their final game of the season, giving Anaheim second place in the Pacific and home ice advantage in the first round. However, San Jose took three of the four meetings during the regular season, with the one loss coming in overtime.

 

[Cnotes53]

16 NHL BETTING NOTES FOR 16 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF CONTENDERS


One of the most exciting tournaments in professional sports gets underway Wednesday as the Stanley Cup playoffs open with eight first-round matchups. Each series should produce plenty of thrilling moments - not to mention ample betting opportunities for those looking to add a little profit to their hockey-watching enjoyment.

Here are the key betting notes for each of this year's 16 playoff participants:

Eastern Conference

Tampa Bay Lightning

Everyone knows that officials tend to swallow their whistles in the postseason, making for tighter, lower-scoring games that lead oddsmakers to roll primarily with 5s and 5.5s on the totals side. But bettors should consider the Over when betting on the Lightning, who enter the playoffs having scored a league-best 196 goals at 5-on-5; in fact, only the Toronto Maple Leafs finished within 10 goals of the Lightning, who will finish with the most 5-on-5 goals by any team since the 2009-10 Washington Capitals.

Boston Bruins

It takes guts to bet on a team to win despite allowing its opponent to score first - that's why you'll usually get odds ranging from +170 to +190 on those plays. But the Bruins represent the strongest option to come through on that wager, entering the playoffs with a league-high 21 victories when surrendering the opening goal of the game. In fact, Boston's 21-17-6 record in games in which it allows the first goal is good for a .477 winning percentage that leads the NHL.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals are a healthy +1,000 underdog to win the Stanley Cup title, but they'll need to work on how they perform offensively when tied or ahead. Washington ranks among the worst teams in the league in net shot attempts at 5-on-5 in those two key areas, sitting at -182 attempts when tied and a positively dreadful -264 when playing with the lead. Consider live bets on the Capitals' opponent and take advantage of how shaky Washington has been in situations when not playing from behind.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are one of the top Eastern Conference contenders, thanks in large part to their success rate in close games. The Leafs have reeled off 25 one-goal victories this season, tied with the New Jersey Devils for the most in the league. Toronto has also won nearly 66 percent of all one-goal games in which it has been involved, second only to the Tampa Bay Lightning. If you like the Leafs to win, don't hesitate to take a shot on them prevailing by exactly one goal.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins continue to boast one of the most potent offenses in the NHL, and have been particularly adept at piling up the goals late in the game - making them the perfect play for the "last goal of the game" prop. Pittsburgh is the only team in the league to have scored more than 100 goals in the third period of games this season at 101 - and added another 12 in overtime - three more than the next-closest team. No team closes like the Pens - and that could lead them right to a Stanley Cup three-peat.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets are +2,500 to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history - but they won't even get out of the first round if they can't figure out how to make headway with the man advantage. Columbus has scored just 39 power-play goals while surrendering seven shorthanded tallies; that +32 differential on the PP is third-worst in the league, ahead of only the lottery-bound Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Coyotes. Bettors should give this major consideration when mulling over Blue Jackets totals wagers.

New Jersey Devils

That the Devils have won nearly 60 percent of their one-goal games is impressive - especially when you consider that they've been terrible in the faceoff circle. The Devils have won just 47 percent of their draws on the season, and join the Avalanche as the only teams in the league to draw less than 48 percent in all three zones on the ice. They've also lost more than 200 more faceoffs than they've won in tied or one-goal games. Ignore that one-goal win trend and avoid live-betting the Devils in close games.

Philadelphia Flyers

It took until the second-last day of the regular season for the Flyers to secure a playoff spot, but they could be a dangerous out. The Flyers have been the most prolific team in the league when it comes to winning two-goal games, going 13-5 in such situations - good for a 72.2-percent win rate. With nearly a third of their total victories coming by two goals - in an era where one-goal victories are all the rage - the Flyers might just be a sneaky good moneyline play either as the favorite or as the underdog.

Western Conference

Nashville Predators

You won't find many weaknesses on the Presidents' Trophy-winning roster, which goes into the playoffs as a +400 favourite to hoist the Stanley Cup this June. But Nashville would do well to stay out of the penalty box; its 482 minutes, 49 seconds of shorthanded play is easily the most in the league, and its -42:53 PP/PK differential is better than only six other teams. That trend, combined with Nashville boasting a top-six penalty kill, suggests that the Under might be a prudent play until the Preds behave themselves.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets have rewarded live bettors handsomely in more than one way this season. They've been the most successful team in the league at rallying from a first-period deficit, having won eight of 18 games in which they trailed after 20 minutes (44.4 percent). And when they lead after two periods, you might as well turn off the television - Winnipeg is a league-leading 42-1-1 when going into the third period with an edge. If the Jets trail after one period, or lead after two, you should leap on the live bet.

Vegas Golden Knights

Teams that score first are expected to win - in fact, oddsmakers generally offer odds between -200 and -300 on that prop, meaning you'll have to place a nice-sized wager to make a tidy profit. But the expansion Vegas Golden Knights - in addition to creating plenty of excitement on the Strip - have been a spectacularly strong play in this regard, winning nearly 83 percent of the games in which they've scored first; only the Lightning have been more successful. Lean on Vegas to prevail when opening the scoring.

San Jose Sharks

The middle period can feel like a bit of a drag sometimes - but the Sharks have made it a great time for bettors to hop on board. San Jose ranks ninth in the NHL with 89 second-period goals while allowing the fifth-fewest goals against in that frame (71). The Sharks also boast a plus-45-minute PP/PK differential for the month. The Sharks are +2,200 longshots to win the Stanley Cup, but they should win you a few second period props along the way - so bet confidently.

Minnesota Wild

Given the nature of NHL games, the third period is almost always the most prolific - and oddsmakers build that fact into their highest-scoring period odds, with the final 20 minutes carrying slightly lower odds than the other two. If you're looking for an edge here, look no further than the Minnesota Wild, who have scored the fourth-most third-period goals (94) while allowing the second-most (96). No team produces more late-game fireworks than the Wild - so lock in their third periods as the highest-scoring of the game.

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks have perennially been among the NHL's biggest problem children - and this year is no different, which should give bettors pause when considering both results and totals. Anaheim was handed an average of 3.59 minor penalties per 60 minutes during the regular season, fourth-most in the league. Compounding things is the fact that the Ducks drew just 2.69 minors per 60 minutes, giving them the worst differential in the NHL. Look for that extra shorthanded time to limit Anaheim's live betting appeal.

Los Angeles Kings

Slow starts can sink a team - and the Los Angeles Kings know that better than anyone. The Kings have a reputation for emerging as legitimate Stanley Cup threats despite looking somewhat non-threatening during the regular season - but to do so in 2018, they'll need to get better in the first period. Los Angeles has just 52 first-period goals - third-fewest in the NHL - while boasting a -27 goal differential for the period. If you're looking for a solid choice for your first-period winner prop, look elsewhere.

Colorado Avalanche

A Saturday win over the St. Louis Blues vaulted the Avalanche into the final post-season spot in the Western Conference - but their playoff run won't last long if they can't improve in the faceoff dot. Colorado posted the worst faceoff success rate in the NHL this season at 44.2 percent - including a dreadful 43.6-percent mark in its own zone. That played a role in the Avalanche winning just 42.3 percent of their one-goal games - so steer clear of live-betting Colorado when the game is tied.

 

[Cnotes53]

First Round Series Odds
April 9, 2018

Home Team listed first - Best of 7 Games (2-2-1-1-1)
(Opening Odds in parentheses)

Eastern Conference - First Round

Tampa Bay vs. New Jersey
Lightning (-300)
Devils (+235)

Washington vs. Columbus
Capitals (-140)
Blue Jackets (+110)

Boston vs. Toronto
Bruins (-160)
Maple Leafs (+130)

Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia
Penguins (-235)
Flyers (+190)

Western Conference - First Round

Nashville vs. Colorado
Predators (-400)
Avalanche (+300)

Vegas vs. Los Angeles
Golden Knights (-135)
Kings (+105)

Winnipeg vs. Minnesota
Jets (-200)
Wild (+165)

Anaheim vs. San Jose
Ducks (-140)
Sharks (+110)

Odds Subject to Change - Updated 4.9.18

 

[Cnotes53]

First Round Cheat Sheet
April 9, 2018

First Round Series Odds

Key:
A ? Atlantic
M ? Metropolitan
C ? Central
P ? Pacific
W ? Wild Card

Eastern Conference

1A Tampa Bay vs. 2W New Jersey

Lightning: 54-23-5, 113 points
Devils: 44-29-9, 97 points

Season series: Even though the Lightning own home-ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, Tampa Bay has struggled with New Jersey this season. The Devils pulled off a three-game season sweep of the Lightning, with all three wins coming by one goal apiece. In New Jersey?s 4-3 triumph at Tampa Bay in mid-February, the Devils allowed 51 shots on goal, but cashed as +190 underdogs.

Previous playoff outcome: Tampa Bay reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 before losing in six games to Chicago, while dropping a seven-game series to Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016. The Lightning fell short of the playoffs last season, as the Bolts are facing the Devils in the postseason for the first time since 2007. New Jersey ended a five-year playoff hiatus with this season?s late charge to the postseason, as the Devils made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 prior to falling to Los Angeles.

2A Boston vs. 3A Toronto

Bruins: 50-20-12, 112 points
Maple Leafs: 49-26-7, 105 points

Season series: The Bruins slipped to second place in the Atlantic division after losing their season finale to the Panthers at home. Boston may be kicking themselves because not only did they lose out on home-ice advantage through the first three rounds, but it drew Toronto. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins three of four times this season, including a pair of one-goal victories at Air Canada Center. Dating back to the start of last season, Toronto owns a 7-1 mark against Boston, including a perfect 4-0 record at home.

Previous playoff outcome: Boston failed to qualify for the postseason in 2015 and 2016, while getting bounced in the first round last season against Ottawa. The Bruins outlasted the Maple Leafs in seven games of the opening round in 2013, capped off by the epic Game 7 comeback in which Boston erased a three-goal third period deficit to win in overtime. The Leafs have not advanced past the first round since 2004, while reaching Game 6 against Washington last season before getting eliminated.

1M Washington vs. 1W Columbus

Capitals: 49-26-7, 105 points
Blue Jackets: 45-30-7, 97 points

Season series: The Capitals busted the 100-point mark for the fourth straight season, but have not advanced past the second round in any of the previous three postseasons. Washington draws Columbus in the opening round as the Caps grabbed three of four matchups this season. The Caps scored four goals in each of their two home victories against the Jackets, while Columbus avoided the season sweep with a 5-1 blowout at Nationwide Arena in late February.

Previous playoff outcome:Washington has not reached the Stanley Cup Final since 1998, as the Capitals are coming off consecutive second round exits the last two seasons to eventual champion Pittsburgh. Columbus is participating in the playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history, coming off a 4-1 defeat in the first round to Pittsburgh last season. The Jackets have never advanced past the first round, while facing the Capitals in the playoffs for the first time ever.

2M Pittsburgh vs. 3M Philadelphia

Penguins: 47-29-6, 100 points
Flyers: 42-26-14, 98 points

Season series: These Keystone State rivals renew acquaintances after the Penguins pulled off a four-game season sweep of the Flyers. Pittsburgh scored exactly five goals in each victory, while each home win came in overtime. The Pens dominated the Flyers in both matchups at Wells Fargo Center by 5-2 and 5-1 outcomes, while all four meetings sailed OVER the total.

Previous playoff outcome: The Penguins are seeking their third consecutive Stanley Cup title after avoiding an upset against the Predators for the championship last June. The Flyers missed the playoffs last season, while searching for a first round playoff victory for the first time since 2012. In fact, the last time Philadelphia advanced past the opening round, the Flyers knocked out the Penguins in six games six seasons ago.

Western Conference

1C Nashville vs. 2W Colorado

Predators: 53-18-11, 117 points
Avalanche: 43-30-9, 95 points

Season series: What a difference a year makes as the Predators were the last team in the Western Conference playoffs in 2017 and are the owners of the President?s Trophy in 2018. Nashville had its way with Colorado this season by sweeping the four-game series, while netting at least four goals in each victory. The Avalanche have dropped 10 straight meetings with the Predators dating back to 2016.

Previous playoff outcome: The Predators are coming off their most successful playoff run in franchise history after upsetting the Blackhawks, Blues, and Ducks to capture their first Western Conference title. Although Nashville fell in six games of the Stanley Cup Final to Pittsburgh, the Preds are heading to their fourth consecutive playoff appearance for the second time in franchise history. The Avalanche ended a three-year playoff drought by edging the Blues for the final postseason spot. Colorado and Nashville are hooking up in the postseason for the first time.

2C Winnipeg vs. 3C Minnesota

Jets: 52-20-10, 114 points
Wild: 45-26-11, 101 points

Season series: These Central division rivals haven?t met since mid-January, as the Jets captured three of four matchups from the Wild. Winnipeg won both home meetings with Minnesota, while the Wild routed the Jets in the final matchup, 4-1 on January 13 at XCel Energy Center. The Jets closed the season by winning 11 of 12 games, while the Wild dropped six of 10 down the stretch, including four defeats past regulation.

Previous playoff outcome: Winnipeg is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015, as the Jets were swept by the Ducks in the opening round. Minnesota returns to the postseason for the sixth consecutive year, but the Wild have been bounced in the first round in each of the last two seasons. The Jets and Wild have never hooked up in the playoffs, while each squad has never reached the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.

1P Vegas vs. 1W Los Angeles

Golden Knights: 51-24-7, 109 points
Kings: 45-29-8, 98 points

Season series: The Golden Knights surpassed expectations by posting the best record for an expansion team in NHL history. Vegas split four matchups with Los Angeles this season, as the two games at Staples Center went to overtime. The Golden Knights defeated the Kings at home, 4-2 in November, while the Kings swept a home-and-home series in late February.

Previous playoff outcome: Vegas heads to the playoffs for the first time, while Los Angeles has missed the playoffs in two of the past three seasons. The Kings lost to the Sharks in the opening round of the 2016 playoffs, but are seeking their third Stanley Cup title since 2012.

2P Anaheim vs. 3P San Jose

Ducks: 44-25-13, 101 points
Sharks: 45-27-10, 100 points

Season series: These two teams won?t have to leave California for this series as the two Pacific division rivals were separated by one point this season. Three of four regular season meetings went to the shootout, as San Jose captured three victories over Anaheim. The only game decided in regulation was a 6-2 road blowout by the Sharks in late January at Honda Center. Nine of the past 10 meetings between these squads have been decided by one goal, with Anaheim holding a 5-4 edge in those nine close affairs.

Previous playoff outcome: Anaheim and San Jose are hooking up in the playoffs for the first time since 2009 quarterfinals when the Ducks eliminated the Sharks in six games. The Ducks have reached the conference finals in two of the past three seasons, including an appearance last season before bowing out to the Predators. San Jose played for the Stanley Cup two seasons ago, but lost to Pittsburgh in six games. The Sharks followed up that effort with an early exit last season to upstart Edmonton in six games.

 

[Cnotes53]

Matchup dynamics make East tough
April 9, 2018

Seeding means nothing in the giant game of rock, paper, scissors that is the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Top-seeded Tampa Bay lost all three meetings this season against eighth-seeded New Jersey, Toronto beat Boston three out of four times and records don't matter when Pittsburgh and Philadelphia meet in another battle of Pennsylvania. The Penguins are the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champions while the Lightning and Bruins are among the best teams in the NHL - and yet there isn't one obvious team to beat.

''In the East, anybody can beat anybody,'' said Devils defenseman Ben Lovejoy, who won it all with the Penguins in 2016. ''When we're playing our best game, I think we can beat anybody, and I think that the opposite is true. We have to be dialed in no matter who we're playing, and we've done a really good job of that against the best teams in the league this year.''

The Devils certainly match up better against the Lightning than they would have against the Bruins, who are in for a tough series against the Maple Leafs. Washington has had a lot of success in recent years against Columbus but has a big question of who to start in goal and the Capitals have not played the Blue Jackets and their additions at the trade deadline.

Before stubbing their toe in game 82 and failing to win the Atlantic, the Bruins looked like they had the potential to be a buzz saw with Tuukka Rask in goal and enough depth to withstand injuries all season. They still might be.

''You don't want to downplay how good every other team is, but you want to be the team to beat,'' Boston defenseman Torey Krug said. ''We try to play like the team that we are and play to our strengths and make sure that other teams are changing the way that they play to play against us.''

That's half the fun of the playoffs, where matchups matter more than anything than points earned during the regular season.

''There's no sitting here saying, `Who's the best matchup?''' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. ''You need health. You need luck. You need so many things to go your way to win in the playoffs.''

Goaltending doesn't hurt, either. If Tampa Bay gets the kind of Vezina Trophy-caliber play out of Andrei Vasilevskiy that he delivered for much of the season, it could go on a deep run, though the same could be said for Pittsburgh with Matt Murray, Washington with Braden Holtby or Philipp Grubauer, Columbus with Sergei Bobrovsky or Toronto with Frederik Andersen.

LIGHTNING VS. DEVILS

The East's top team for much of the year, Tampa Bay hopes Steven Stamkos is healthy after dealing with a nagging lower-body injury late in the season. Stamkos, 100-point scorer Nikita Kucherov and top defenseman Victor Hedman make the Lightning a scary opponent. The Devils aren't scared. They have Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall, star rookie Nico Hischier and enough veteran playoff experience to not look out of place.

''We've been in a playoff spot all year long and we've earned the right to be here, so that's what we understand as a group,'' said Devils center Brian Boyle, who went to the 2014 final with the Rangers and then the next year with the Lightning. ''We believe in what we have. The way we play, our foundations, systems, are what got us here.''

BRUINS VS. MAPLE LEAFS

Plenty has changed since Boston beat Toronto in seven games in 2013.The Maple Leafs added Mike Babcock as coach, Andersen in goal and have young stars Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

''It's a very exciting team, a very dynamic team,'' Maple Leafs deadline addition Tomas Plekanec said. ''A lot of young talent on this team.''

The Bruins can go punch-for-punch with the Maple Leafs and just about anyone in the league. Led by the top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, they have handled injuries to Bergeron, Rick Nash, captain Zdeno Chara and others and just keep clicking.

''We feel we've got a pretty strong lineup and that's been a constant all along even though we've missed guys,'' coach Bruce Cassidy said. ''That's just what it's been this year. It's just how we're going to be. It's become a bit of our fight song, so to speak, that, hey, we can do it and different guys in and out, guys are prepared to step in and play with whoever they're asked to play with.''

CAPITALS VS. BLUE JACKETS

Despite losing several key players last offseason, the Capitals won the Metropolitan Division for the third consecutive year. Their reward: a matchup against Bobrovsky, Artemi Panarin and the John Tortorella-coached Blue Jackets.

''We've always thought that they've been a pretty good team for the last few years, not just the last couple where they've had more success,'' Holtby said. ''I think we've always had a good challenge against them. We play better against solid teams, teams that are coached well and it's always fun to play against them. I think it'll be a good series.''

At the very least, it probably won't be a short series.

PENGUINS VS. FLYERS

These two teams don't like each other, which should make for some fireworks in the first round. Since they last met in 2012, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins have won the Cup twice, but something about Philadelphia-Pittsburgh makes for good games.

''They're really fun games to play,'' Flyers MVP candidate Claude Giroux said. ''They're not easy games to play, but it's easy to get up and play some hockey when you know you're playing the Penguins.''

CONFERENCE FINAL PREDICTION

Toronto over Pittsburgh in seven games. Matthews outscores Crosby and the Maple Leafs make their first trip to the Cup Final since they won it all in 1967.

 

[Cnotes53]

Preds, Golden Knights reflect change
April 9, 2018

The Predators have the Presidents' Trophy, and the NHL-expansion Golden Knights carry the buzz entering the Western Conference playoffs, which have the potential of resembling nothing from the past.

So step aside Chicago, which missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and say bye to the Blues, whose six-year playoff run is over.

The changing of the West's guard begins at the top, where Nashville clinched its first Central Division title by running away with the league's best record. And then there's Vegas, which broke every measureable NHL expansion record for success by going 51-24-7 to win the Pacific Division.

Add in the talent-laden Winnipeg Jets, making their franchise's third playoff appearance, and youth-filled Colorado Avalanche, who clinched their second berth in eight years, and it results in three of four first-time postseason matchups: Nashville versus Colorado, Vegas versus Los Angeles and Winnipeg facing Minnesota.

The fourth matchup has Anaheim facing San Jose for only the second time after the Ducks eliminated the Sharks in six games during a 2009 first-round series.

Of the eight teams, only three have won the Stanley Cup (Colorado, Anaheim and Los Angeles), while two have never won a playoff game (Vegas and Winnipeg, formerly Atlanta).

The weight of expectations falls mostly on the Predators , who won't be underestimated a year after the eighth-seeded team's surge to the Final ended in a six-game loss to Pittsburgh. It was a run Nashville began against Chicago in becoming the first team to sweep a No. 1 seed in the opening round since the current playoff format was set in 1994.

''I think our guys are well aware of what went on last year,'' Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. ''For me, this group is looking down the tunnel at something, and all that other stuff is noise.''

That's not to say Laviolette didn't play the ''everyone's picking Chicago'' card as motivation a year ago.

''I might have used it,'' he said with a wink.

The Avalanche know their history, with forward Gabriel Landeskog listing how several No. 8 seeds have made deep playoff runs, including the 2012 Cup champion Kings.

''Anything can happen in the playoffs. That's kind of the mindset we've had,'' Landeskog said of the Avalanche , who enjoyed a 47-point turnaround after finishing last a year ago. ''This is a big accomplishment to make after such a tough season. We're not done.''

PREDATORS vs AVALANCHE

Nashville finished seventh in the league with 261 goals without any player scoring 30. The Predators' balanced attack is fueled by a group of speedy, playmaking defensemen who combined for a league-best 206 points (56 goals, 150 assists). Pekka Rinne went 42-13-4 to finish third in victories, and his 2.31 goals-against average was third among goalies playing 40 or more games.

Though Nashville has won 10 straight against Colorado, beware of the Presidents' Trophy curse. Of the 31 teams to finish first since 1986 when the trophy was established, only eight have won the Cup, the last being Chicago in 2013.

Nathan MacKinnon entered the MVP discussion by leading Colorado with 97 points, including a league-leading 12 game-winning goals. Colorado tied with Arizona with the youngest roster at 25.8 years old.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS vs KINGS

A Golden Knights team put together with other teams' discards spent the season using a ''why not us?'' mantra in setting expansion-team records for most wins (51), home wins (29), road wins (22) and longest point streak (10-0-2). Vegas features six 20-goal-scorers, including trade-deadline addition Tomas Tatar.

The Golden Knights closed the season 6-3-2, with the regulation losses coming against non-playoff teams: Arizona, Edmonton and Calgary. Marc Andre-Fleury went 29-13-4, but allowed six goals on 18 shots in a season-ending 7-1 loss at Calgary.

The defensive-minded Kings allowed a league-low 202 goals and had the league's best penalty-killing unit. Jonathan Quick's 2.40 goals-against average was sixth among goalies appearing in 40 games.

JETS vs WILD

The Jets closed their most successful season in both victories and points on a 20-5-1 run, including winning the final nine home games. Winnipeg is still searching for its first playoff victory after being swept in two previous appearances: by Anaheim in 2015, and by the Rangers in 2007, when Jets were based in Atlanta.

Paul Stastny's trade-deadline addition provided the NHL's second-best offense with six 50-plus point producers. Third-year goalie Connor Hellebuyck went 44-11-9, and broke the single-season record for victories by U.S.-born goalies set by Tom Barrasso.

The Wild limp into their sixth straight playoff appearance with defensemen Ryan Suter (broken right ankle) and Jared Spurgeon (torn right hamstring) sidelined, though Spurgeon is expected back from a 17-game absence in this series. Eric Staal's 76 points (42 goals, 34 assists) were third-most in team history.

DUCKS vs SHARKS

The Ducks earned home-ice advantage with a 3-0 season-ending win over Arizona, coupled with the Sharks' season-ending 6-3 loss to Minnesota. Anaheim went 25-10-4 since the bye break, and is 14-1-2 at home since Jan. 23. Goalie John Gibson went 21-7-3 in his final 31 decisions, but missed the final week and is listed day to day with an upper body injury.

The Sharks went 19-13-3 over their final 35 games since Joe Thornton was sidelined with a knee injury. Martin Jones allowed five goals on 19 shots against Minnesota, and is 1-4 in his past five while allowing 17 goals.

CONFERENCE FINAL PREDICTION

Nashville over Anaheim in five games. Nashville's too deep and talented to avoid a letdown, while the Ducks have the experience to get through the injury-depleted Pacific and untested Vegas. Too bad the Predators and Jets face a potential second-round matchup more befitting of a West final.

 

[Cnotes53]

Sharks' Kane eager for 1st playoffs
April 9, 2018

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Evander Kane followed a similar timeline after each of his first eight NHL regular seasons.

Pack up the locker, say goodbye to teammates and get frustrated watching other players compete in the playoffs rather than getting his own opportunity on the big stage.

A late-season trade to San Jose changed all that for Kane, who is excited for his first chance at the postseason after 574 career games when the Sharks open their first-round series in Anaheim on Thursday night.

''I've said it in the past: I think I'm a playoff player,'' Kane said Monday. ''I've watched the playoffs and when I look at the style of play and it's something I was jealous because I wasn't involved in it. Now I get that opportunity and I have to back those words up.''

Kane has had plenty of personal success since making his debut for Atlanta as an 18-year-old in 2009 after being the fourth overall pick that year. But his teams never had success in Atlanta, Winnipeg or Buffalo and he always spent the spring as a spectator rather than as a participant.

He joins a franchise that has been a playoff regular, making the postseason for the 13th time in the past 14 seasons under general manager Doug Wilson, including a run to the Stanley Cup Final two years ago.

''Fans and players in this organization are spoiled when it comes to that,'' center Logan Couture said. ''You make the playoffs 13 of 14 years - obviously it starts at the top with Doug and the coaching staffs they've brought in here. It's pretty remarkable really to make the playoffs that many times. I missed it once and it's devastating when you miss it. We're lucky to play for this organization.''

That's why Kane was so excited about the trade to San Jose on Feb. 26 for two draft picks and a prospect.

Kane has made a big impact on the Sharks since arriving. He stepped right onto the top line with captain Joe Pavelski and has used his speed and physical play to deliver nine goals and five assists in 17 games.

His presence sparked an eight-game winning streak in March that helped San Jose clinch a playoff berth and he has helped fill a scoring void created when Patrick Marleau left as a free agent for Toronto last summer and then Joe Thornton went down with a knee injury in January.

''In the short period he's been here, he's brought speed which backs teams off, he's brought a physical presence, which keeps some people honest,'' coach Peter DeBoer said. ''For me, the biggest thing is he's probably added a goal a night for us. When Patty Marleau left, and we asked guys to take a step, you're not scoring as much as you normally would, and there was a lot of 2-1 games and we found a way to battle things out. Eventually, Jumbo going down, it started to catch up with us. That extra goal a game that he's added to our lineup, whether it's him scoring himself or creating a goal, that's a difference in this league.''

Kane was hampered late in the season by an undisclosed injury that forced him to miss two games before returning for the season finale against Minnesota on Saturday.

Kane didn't look like his usual self that game but said it was important to get rid of some ''cobwebs'' before the playoffs started and he gets the chance to back up his belief that he can thrive at this time of year.

''It's a fast, hard-nosed game,'' he said. ''The intensity ramps up and the style of play. It's hard to score. There are a lot of 2-1 games, 3-2 games, and you have to find different ways to score. I've always prided myself on being able to score in different ways and I think the physical element as well. That's a big part of the playoffs. Guys who have 20 hits all year the next thing you know they have 20 hits in two games. It's definitely a different animal and I'm looking forward to experiencing it.''

NOTES: DeBoer said he expects all his players to be available for Game 1 on Thursday with the exception of Thornton, who has been out since Jan. 23.

 

[Cnotes53]

Tuesday?s 6-pack

Odds to win the Super Bowl:

5-1? Patriots

8-1? Steelers, Eagles

10-1? Rams

12-1? Vikings, Packers

16-1? 49ers

18-1? Saints Jaguars Texans Chiefs

Quote of the Day
?It?s a fine line between who makes a team and who doesn?t in the NFL. We don?t have a minor league of professional football. Those players get a chance to continue playing even if they don?t play at the highest level and then maybe someday they play well enough to go to the highest level.?
Steve Spurrier

Tuesday?s quiz
Giancarlo Stanton was traded this past winter after hitting 59 homers last year; who is the only other player who was traded after a season where he hit 50+ home runs?

Monday?s quiz
Bill Belichick was the last coach of the old Cleveland Browns, before they moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens? he was 37-45 as coach of the Browns, with one playoff win? against the Patriots.

Sunday?s quiz
Houston Texans? coach Bill O?Brien coached Penn State?s football team, after Joe Paterno and before current coach James Franklin.

*********************

Tuesday?s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but??

13) Was watching Invincible Sunday night, a movie about a 30-year bartender who tried out for the 1976 Philadelphia Eagles and wound up playing three years in the NFL. True story.

Things have changed a lot in 42 years; in training camp back then, the Eagles had six straight weeks of 2-a-day practices, and also had six preseason games.

Nowadays, teams rarely hit in practices, there are four preseason games; any coach who tried to run 2-a-days on consecutive days would probably get scolded by the league or just told he couldn?t do it.

12) ?The hockey rink is the gathering place for our people throughout Canada. You want to know what?s going on in town? Go to the rink. We?ve got no movie theater in Nipawin, no casino. We?ve got a hockey rink. That?s how so much of Canada is. That?s why this hits us so hard.?
Dan Ukrainetz, a radio announcer in Nipawin, Saskatchewan, talking about the Humboldt bus tragedy this past weekend

11) Saturday is the earliest the Atlanta Braves can bring up top prospect Ronald Acuna and keep him under contractual control for an extra year.

10) After playing in 384 games over 10 years in the G-League, 32-year old Andre Ingram finally got the call Monday; the Lakers called him up to the NBA.

Can you imagine how exciting that must be, after 10 years to finally make it to the NBA, when he had to have thought it was never going to happen? Ingram played four years at American U; good for him.

9) Cubs were supposed to open at home Monday, the last team to do so, but it snowed so they will try again today. Lot of cruddy weather so far in April.

Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo (back) is on the DL now.

8) When Masters champ Patrick Reed was 10, he stopped wearing shorts and wore long pants at tournaments in hot weather, because he knew pros had to wear long pants, and he wanted to be a pro. All the other kids were wearing shorts.

7) Reed won the Masters Sunday with 13 clubs in his bag that were made by five different manufacturers, which is very unusual for a touring pro.

6) Through Sunday, Astros, White Sox, Pirates, Diamondbacks were only four teams whose starting pitcher went 5+ innings in every game so far early in this season.

5) Eli Manning gets a $500,000 bonus for going to the Giants? ?voluntary? off-season workouts. OT Ereck Flowers was only Giant who didn?t ?volunteer? to work out Monday.

4) Last year, Evan Longoria, Logan Morrison, Steven Souza and Kevin Keirmaier all hit 20+ homers for Tampa Bay; they were all traded over the winter.

That was the first time EVER a team traded away four players in the same off-season, all of whom had hit 20+ HR?s the year before.

3) Baltimore Orioles turned a 1-2-5 double play over the weekend; pitcher to home to third, with two force plays- that is the first time the Orioles have ever done that- the last one anywhere in the major leagues was in September of 2012 by the Astros.

2) NHL trivia: Tampa Bay Lightning scored 196 goals while teams were 5-on-5 this season, the most 5-on-5 goals by any team since the 2009-10 Washington Capitals.

1? Northwestern poached Evansville?s 6-6 Ryan Taylor, who scored 21 ppg for the Purple Aces last year? he is a graduate transfer, so he will eligible to play in the fall.

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL
Dunkel

Wednesday, April 11


Minnesota @ Winnipeg

Game 3-4
April 11, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
10.335
Winnipeg
11.887
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Winnipeg
-170
6
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(-170); Under

Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh

Game 5-6
April 11, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
11.181
Pittsburgh
12.726
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-180
6
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-180); Under

Los Angeles @ Vegas

Game 7-8
April 11, 2018 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
11.226
Vegas
9.724
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vegas
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(+125); Over


Thursday April 12

New Jersey @ Tampa Bay

Game 9-10
April 12, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
10.738
Tampa Bay
11.782
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-230
6
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-230); Under

Toronto @ Boston

Game 11-12
April 12, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
10.264
Boston
11.178
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-155
6
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-155); Over

Columbus @ Washington

Game 13-14
April 12, 2018 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
11.869
Washington
10.419
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(+125); Over

Colorado @ Nashville

Game 15-16
April 12, 2018 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
11.988
Nashville
10.303
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-275
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(+235); Over

San Jose @ Anaheim

Game 17-18
April 12, 2018 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
9.969
Anaheim
14.450
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 4 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-150
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(-150); Under

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (45-26-0-11, 101 pts.) at WINNIPEG (52-20-0-10, 114 pts.) - 4/11/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 72-75 ATS (-31.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 14-19 ATS (-11.7 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
WINNIPEG is 52-31 ATS (+18.5 Units) in all games this season.
WINNIPEG is 23-4 ATS (+17.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
WINNIPEG is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 34-21 ATS (+11.0 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 26-13 ATS (+26.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
WINNIPEG is 16-5 ATS (+7.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 11-3 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 8-6 (+3.9 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 8-6-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.8 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA (42-26-0-14, 98 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (47-29-0-6, 100 pts.) - 4/11/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 254-264 ATS (-89.9 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 20-7 ATS (+7.5 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 18-4 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
PITTSBURGH is 22-7 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 46-24 ATS (+11.1 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 36-13 ATS (+11.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 22-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 62-58 ATS (+131.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 9-3 (+4.8 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 9-3-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+7.3 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOS ANGELES (45-29-0-8, 98 pts.) at VEGAS (51-24-0-7, 109 pts.) - 4/11/2018, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 43-46 ATS (-24.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 25-33 ATS (-23.9 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 16-25 ATS (-11.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
VEGAS is 52-31 ATS (+18.2 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 20-9 ATS (+10.7 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
VEGAS is 25-15 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 2-2 (+0.0 Units) against the spread versus VEGAS over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 2-2-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, April 12

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW JERSEY (44-29-0-9, 97 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (54-23-0-5, 113 pts.) - 4/12/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 224-232 ATS (+533.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 45-38 ATS (+86.3 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 19-16 ATS (+43.6 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 20-19 ATS (+44.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEW JERSEY is 8-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 4-5 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 5-4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.6 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (49-26-0-7, 105 pts.) at BOSTON (50-20-0-12, 112 pts.) - 4/12/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 2-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
BOSTON is 8-13 ATS (-14.2 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 271-234 ATS (-158.8 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 22-27 ATS (-28.2 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 34-41 ATS (-21.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 37-43 ATS (-19.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 8-5 (+4.7 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 8-5-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.7 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COLUMBUS (45-30-0-7, 97 pts.) at WASHINGTON (49-26-0-7, 105 pts.) - 4/12/2018, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 19-37 ATS (+59.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 50-33 ATS (+16.2 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 23-9 ATS (+23.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 32-10 ATS (+13.4 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 26-15 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLUMBUS is 37-20 ATS (+15.3 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-5 ATS (+19.2 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 6-11 ATS (-11.3 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 42-51 ATS (-40.9 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 9-4 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 9-4-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.6 Units)

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COLORADO (43-30-0-9, 95 pts.) at NASHVILLE (53-18-0-11, 117 pts.) - 4/12/2018, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 53-30 ATS (+92.1 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 18-8 ATS (+7.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NASHVILLE is 31-14 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 44-23 ATS (+18.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 44-39 ATS (+89.3 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 25-20 ATS (+46.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
COLORADO is 26-23 ATS (+54.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
COLORADO is 17-14 ATS (+34.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
COLORADO is 19-14 ATS (+35.4 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 11-3 (+5.5 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 11-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
11 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+8.7 Units)

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SAN JOSE (45-27-0-10, 100 pts.) at ANAHEIM (44-25-0-13, 101 pts.) - 4/12/2018, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 31-41 ATS (-16.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 14-27 ATS (-18.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 13-3 ATS (+8.3 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 16-4 ATS (+9.1 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 27-13 ATS (+40.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ANAHEIM is 441-440 ATS (-109.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 35-22 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 40-24 ATS (+14.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 58-43 ATS (+106.5 Units) in road games in April games since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 21-8 ATS (+9.7 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
SAN JOSE is 7-1 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games this season.
ANAHEIM is 5-11 ATS (-8.4 Units) after shutting out their opponent in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 7-6 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 7-6-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+7.0 Units)

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL

Wednesday, April 11

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Trend Report
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Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games
Minnesota is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Winnipeg is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Winnipeg's last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Winnipeg is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota


Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 12 games
Philadelphia is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Philadelphia is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games
Pittsburgh is 18-3 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games at home
Pittsburgh is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Pittsburgh is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia


Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Los Angeles is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vegas's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Vegas's last 18 games
Vegas is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Vegas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vegas's last 6 games at home

 

[Cnotes53]

Oddsmakers post first 6-goal total in NHL playoff game since 2013
Ashton Grewal

No sport has a more distinct separation from its regular season and postseason than the National Hockey League. From the players? beards to the barrage of blocked shots, the Stanley Cup playoffs are a different animal than its regular season cousin and hockey bettors need to adjust accordingly.

In March 2017, scoring was way up in the league and many wondered if the trend would carry over into the postseason. It did not. Average goals per game in March 2017: 6.03. Average goals per game in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs: 4.55.

A 1.48 drop in goals per game meant a big win for any NHL bettors banking on lower-scoring games in the postseason. The Under went 13-20-9 in the first round. Oddsmakers set the total at 5.5 goals in just 13 of the 42 games in the first round and the other 29 games all saw 5-goal totals.

That won?t be the case this time around ? at least, not with the scoring we?ve seen this season. Of the 1,271 regular season games played this past campaign, just 18 games had a 5-goal Over/Under line. There were six instances of these 5-goal totals after the New Year and each contest involved the St. Louis Blues. The Colorado Avalanche eliminated the Blues from the playoffs on the final day of the regular season.

The odds for the first two days of NHL playoff games are on the board and so far there are two 6-goal totals, five 5.5-goal O/U lines and one 5-goal number. This is the first time NHL bettors have seen a 6-goal total in the postseason since 2013.

Does this set up well for Under bettors? Will we see a repeat of last spring?s low-scoring first round games? The early signs aren?t great.

The Over hit at a 55.8 percent win rate (120-95) in the final 30 days of the regular season. Games in the month of April (first week and change) averaged 6.18 goals per contest with some of the highest scoring teams (Flyers, Jets, Ducks, Capitals, Blue Jackets, Wild, Lightning, Maple Leafs and Penguins) all advancing to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The rise of scoring in the NHL hit heights we haven?t seen for years and there?s a temptation to think it?ll carry over into the playoffs. It very well could. The Over went 48-29-16 in the first round of the playoffs in 2014 but that was with a majority 5-goal totals.

There has been a decline in goals per game from the regular season to the playoffs three years in a row. The average goals scored per game during the 2016-2017 campaign ? as opposed to just March as we mentioned at the top of the story ? was 5.45. In the playoffs the number dropped to 5.16; the year before (2015-16), 5.33 to 5.25 and the year before that 5.32 to 5.03.

Will bettors see the same dip in goal production this postseason? We?ll find out together when the puck drops Wednesday night.

 

[Cnotes53]

Wednesday's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds

The puck drops Wednesday on the first three games of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the opening game of what should be a great series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Minnesota Wild at Winnipeg Jets (-180, 5.5)

Series tied 0-0.

ABOUT THE WILD (45-26-8-3, 41-37 O/U): Minnesota surged in the second half of the season and posted the third-best record in the Western Conference since Jan. 1 at 25-10-8, but is just 9-6-4 since the beginning of March. Ryan Suter will miss the playoffs with a broken ankle, and fellow defenseman Jared Spurgeon will be a game-time decision for the opener due to a torn hamstring. Forward Zach Parise is healthy after early-season surgery, entering the playoffs with 12 goals in his last 18 games. Minnesota finished 11th in the NHL in scoring (3.05), but the defense - particularly without Suter and with Spurgeon coming off a month-long layoff - is a concern against Winnipeg?s high-octane offense. The Wild are 25/1 to hoist the Stanley Cup entering play Wednesday.

ABOUT THE JETS (52-20-8-2, 41-39 O/U): The Winnipeg Jets authored the greatest regular season in franchise history and enter the Stanley Cup playoffs as a legitimate championship contender, hosting the Minnesota Wild for Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals on Wednesday. The Jets entered the season at even money (-110 for both "Yes" and "No") to even qualify for the postseason and 60/1 long shots to win the cup - currently 8/1 to win the championship. They are here thanks to a powerful offense that includes 44-goal scorer Patrik Laine and multiple scoring options, but spring success will rest in large part on the shoulders of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The 24-year-old began the season as Steve Mason?s backup, but blossomed into a top-tier goaltender while posting a .924 save percentage and 2.36 goals against average en route to 44 wins (most ever by a U.S.-born netminder).

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Jets opened as -150 favorites and heading into game day and that number has been bet up to -180. The total hit betting boards at 5.5 and has not moved.

INJURY REPORT:

Wild - D Jared Spurgeon (Questionable, Hamstring), D Gustav Olofsson (Questionable, Upper Body), D Ryan Suter (Out For Season, Ankle), C Luke Kunin (Out For Season, Knee).

Jets - D Jacob Trouba (Probable, Ankle), D Toby Enstrom (Out, Lower Body), D Dmitry Kulikov (Mid April, Back), LW Matt Hendricks (Mid May, Lower Body).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Wild are 1-5 in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Jets are 0-8 in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 12-5-2 in Wild last 19 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 17-6 in Jets last 23 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
* Over is 7-0 in the last 7 meetings in Winnipeg.




Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins (-185, 6)

Series tied 0-0.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (42-26-7-7, 43-37 O/U): The Keystone State rivals are meeting in the postseason for the first time since their epic series in 2012, which saw the teams combine for 56 goals before the Flyers advanced in six games. Captain Claude Giroux has bolstered his candidacy for the Hart Trophy with eight goals in his last five contests to highlight a 10-game point streak. Fellow forward Jakub Voracek, who scored the overtime winner in Game 1 of the 2012 series, enters the postseason with one goal and four assists in his last four outings. Philadelphia G Brian Elliott owns a 7-3-2 career mark versus Pittsburgh, but was gashed for nine goals on 66 shots in two meetings this season.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (47-29-4-2, 47-33 O/U): Sidney Crosby has flustered the Flyers throughout his career with 93 points (38 goals, 55 assists) in 63 games, and this season has been no exception as he has erupted for nine (two goals, seven assists) to help the Penguins win all four encounters with their in-state rivals. Pittsburgh scored five goals in each of those meetings and finished the season on an 11-4-2 surge to secure second place in the Metropolitan, two points ahead of a third-place Philadelphia squad that posted a 7-1-3 mark down the stretch. The Penguins enter the playoffs as third favorite at 6/1 to win their third straight championship.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Pens opened as big -200 favorites for Game 1 and action on the Flyers has dropped that number down to -185 heading into game day. The total hit betting boards at 5.5 and has been bumped up to 6.

INJURY REPORT:

Flyers - G Michal Neuvirth (Questionable, Lower Body), D Johnny Oduya (Out Indefinitely, Lower Body).

Penguins - C Derick Brassard (Questionable, Groin), RW Carter Rowney (Out Indefinitely, Upper Body).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Flyers are 1-4 in their last 5 road games.
* Penguins are 7-1 in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 9-1 in Flyers last 10 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Over is 23-9 in Penguins last 32 overall.
* Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.




Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights (-130, 5.5)

Series tied 0-0.

ABOUT THE KINGS (45-29-7-1, 37-43 O/U): Los Angeles finished fourth in the Pacific and has not won a postseason series in a while, but it is accustomed to the bright lights -- hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 -- and plays a bruising style that translates well into the playoffs and contrasts dramatically to the speed of Vegas. Captain Anze Kopitar is among the front-runners for the Hart Trophy, rebounding from a dismal 52-point campaign in 2016-17 to amass a career-best 92 points -- 31 more than second-leading scorer Dustin Brown. Jonathan Quick had a career-high 28 losses, but the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner posted a .921 save percentage and five shutouts in backboning a defense that surrendered the fewest goals (203) in the league.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (51-24-4-3, 42-38 O/U): After shattering a slew of league records for a first-year team en route to winning the Pacific Division title, the Golden Knights prepare for their first foray into the postseason when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. The Knight entered the season at an incredible 500/1 to win the Stanley Cup but come into the postseason at 10/1 after their incredible regular season. The Golden Knights dominated Pacific foes, posting a 20-6-3 mark in division play (including two meaningless losses to close the season), and split the four-game series with the Kings, although they dropped both ends of a home-and-home on Feb. 26-27.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: Vegas opened the betting period for Game 1 as -145 favorites and action on the Kings has dropped that number down to -130 heading into game day. The total hit betting boards at 5.5 and has not moved.

INJURY REPORT:

Kings - D Jake Muzzin (Questionable, Upper Body), C Alex Iafallo (Questionable, Lower Body), C Torrey Mitchell (Questionable, Illness), D Derek Forbort (Out Indefinitely, Lower Body).

Golden Knights - LW David Perron (Probable, Undisclosed), C Jonathan Marchessault (Probable, Undisclosed), D Luca Sbisa (Questionable, Hand), D Clayton Stoner (Out Indefinitely, Abdominal).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Kings are 10-1 in their last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Golden Knights are 10-1 in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Under is 6-2 in Kings last 8 vs. Pacific.
* Under is 5-1 in Golden Knights last 6 home games.
* Under is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings.

 

[Cnotes53]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PHI at PIT 07:00 PM
PIT -205
O 6.0

MIN at WIN 07:00 PM
WIN -215
U 5.5

LA at VEG 10:00 PM
LA +110
O 5.5

 

[Cnotes53]

Crosby has hat trick, Penguins rout Flyers 7-0
April 11, 2018

PITTSBURGH (AP) Sidney Crosby had his third career postseason hat trick, Evgeni Malkin added a highlight-reel goal and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins opened the playoffs with a 7-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

Crosby batted a shpt out of the air and past goalie Brian Elliott in the second period for his first goal, tapped in one from the doorstep against Petr Mrazek 7:41 into the third and then deflected in another just over three minutes later.

Jake Guentzel had a goal and three assists for Pittsburgh. Bryan Rust and Carl Hagelin also scored. Matt Murray stopped 24 shots for his third straight playoff shutout.

Game 2 is Friday night in Pittsburgh.

Elliott stopped 14 of 19 shots and was pulled in favor of Mrazek after Crosby's latest bit of wizardry pushed Pittsburgh's lead to 5-0 just 9:01 into the second. Mrazek wasn't much better, getting beaten by Crosby twice more as Philadelphia's return to the playoffs after a one-year absence started with a thud.

JETS 3, WILD 2

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) - Defenseman Joe Morrow broke a tie with 6:13 left and Winnipeg beat Minnesota n Game 1 for the first playoff victory in franchise history.

In its only other playoff appearances since joining the NHL in 1999 in Atlanta, the franchise was swept in 2007 by the New York Rangers and 2015 by Anaheim.

Nikolaj Ehlers set up the Morrow at the point for a one-timer that beat goalie Devan Dubnyk. Morrow was acquired at the trade deadline from Montreal in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick this summer.

Mark Schiefele, with a power-play goal, and Patrik Laine also scored for Winnipeg, and Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves. Matt Cullen and Zach Parise scored for Minnesota, and Dubnyk stopped 37 shots.

Game 2 is Friday night in Winnipeg.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1 KINGS 0