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

[Cnotes53]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, April 14


New Jersey @ Tampa Bay

Game 57-58
April 14, 2018 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
10.245
Tampa Bay
12.275
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-240
6
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-240); Over

Colorado @ Nashville

Game 59-60
April 14, 2018 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
12.374
Nashville
10.918
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-350
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(+280); Over

Toronto @ Boston

Game 61-62
April 14, 2018 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
11.993
Boston
10.450
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-175
6
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+155); Under

San Jose @ Anaheim

Game 63-64
April 14, 2018 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
11.290
Anaheim
12.129
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-135
5
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(-135); Under




NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 14

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

NEW JERSEY (44-30-0-9, 97 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (55-23-0-5, 115 pts.) - 4/14/2018, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 56-28 ATS (+93.5 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 225-232 ATS (+533.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 45-39 ATS (+87.8 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 14-8 ATS (+22.9 Units) on Saturday games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 25-22 ATS (+50.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NEW JERSEY is 19-17 ATS (+45.2 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 8-4 ATS (+14.4 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
TAMPA BAY is 6-4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

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

COLORADO (43-31-0-9, 95 pts.) at NASHVILLE (54-18-0-11, 119 pts.) - 4/14/2018, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 3-20 ATS (+41.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 54-30 ATS (+94.8 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 70-44 ATS (+19.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 19-8 ATS (+6.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NASHVILLE is 11-1 ATS (+9.4 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 32-14 ATS (+11.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 45-23 ATS (+19.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 44-40 ATS (+91.1 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 25-21 ATS (+48.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
COLORADO is 26-24 ATS (+56.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 12-3 (+6.5 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 12-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
12 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+9.7 Units)

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

TORONTO (49-27-0-7, 105 pts.) at BOSTON (51-20-0-12, 114 pts.) - 4/14/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 18-9 ATS (+27.7 Units) when trailing in a playoff series since 1996.
BOSTON is 272-234 ATS (-157.0 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 23-27 ATS (-27.0 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 40-41 ATS (+87.2 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 8-6 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 8-6-0 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)

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

SAN JOSE (46-27-0-10, 102 pts.) at ANAHEIM (44-26-0-13, 101 pts.) - 4/14/2018, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 32-41 ATS (-15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 15-27 ATS (-16.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 64-40 ATS (+5.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 27-14 ATS (+12.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ANAHEIM is 441-441 ATS (-14.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 35-23 ATS (+10.7 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 41-24 ATS (+15.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 8-2 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 22-8 ATS (+10.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
SAN JOSE is 28-22 ATS (+56.6 Units) in road games in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 7-7 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 7-7-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+8.2 Units)

 

[Cnotes53]

Leafs F Kadri suspended three games
April 13, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri was suspended for three games Friday for boarding Boston forward Tommy Wingels during Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

Kadri was assessed a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct midway through the third period in the Maple Leafs' 5-1 loss Thursday night.

Seconds after Wingels caught Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner with a high hit, Kadri left his feet and drove the kneeling Wingels' head into the boards.

Kadri was suspended for the fourth time in his career. He had 32 goals and 23 assists in 80 games during the regular season.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday night in Boston.

 

[Cnotes53]

Avalanche need to slow down Forsberg
April 13, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Yes, Predators forward Filip Forsberg has watched the video of his jaw-dropping goal against Colorado a couple times, and even he agrees putting the puck through not only his legs but a defender's with a dangle ranks as his most creative yet.

''I had some opportunities, but I haven't finished any of them off,'' Forsberg said. ''But it was good.''

The Colorado Avalanche showed that they can give Nashville fits with their speed and too-young-to-know-better attitude with the youngest roster this postseason. Having a chance in this first-round Western Conference series against the NHL's Presidents' Trophy winners will mean figuring out a way to slow down the Predators' top scorer.

Forsberg's two goals in the third period not only rallied Nashville to a 5-2 win in Game 1 , the forward is averaging more than a point per game for his career against Colorado. Forsberg now has 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) and five game-winning goals in 21 games.

He also outscored Colorado's top line as Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen each had assists setting up the Avs' opening goal.

Coach Jared Bednar said he thought his Avalanche, playing without top defenseman Erik Johnson (knee injury), did a nice job on Forsberg most of the game. Sam Girard played 22 minutes, 7 seconds in his postseason debut against the team that drafted him.

''He uses his skill and beats a guy one-on-one,'' Bednar said of Forsberg. ''The go-ahead goal at 3-2 was a lucky bounce. They shot it wide, and he got to the right spot on the ice and hit maybe his stick and a shin pad. He just goes to the hard areas.''

The Avalanche are catching Forsberg at a bad time. The 23-year-old forward from Ostervala, Sweden, now has 32 points in his last 31 games after leading the balanced Predators with 64 points in the regular season.

The Predators have a chance Saturday in Game 2 at something they haven't managed yet as a franchise: Taking a 2-0 series lead in their own building.

''We've got to be better to get this done,'' Forsberg said.

Some things to watch Saturday:

---

Devils at Lightning, Tampa Bay leads 1-0 (3 p.m EDT, NBC/CBNBC)

The Lightning look and sound like a team rejuvenated by playing meaningful games again.

The Atlantic Division champions spent the final three weeks of the regular season essentially biding time while awaiting the start of the playoffs. Captain Steven Stamkos said it was important to re-establish an edge in the series opener, and now the top seed in the Eastern Conference can take a commanding lead on the underdog Devils.

''There's a wealth of experience in this room, with guys that have been in this situation,'' Stamkos said. ''I think you could tell, once the puck dropped, that we were very determined to set the tone and play the right way.''

About half of New Jersey's roster entered this series with no playoff experience. Coach John Hynes expects that to be less of a factor in Game 2.

''I don't really want to get into what the exact message with our team was, but it (basically) was don't get too high, don't get too low,'' Hynes said. ''We have to make sure we understand the areas we've got to be better at, and I think mentally make sure that we're ready to play a certain way.''

---

Maple Leafs at Bruins, Boston leads 1-0 (8 p.m. EDT, NBC)

The Bruins may be without forward Tommy Wingels, who did not skate Friday after taking a hit from Toronto forward Nazem Kadri. Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said Wingels was being evaluated by doctors and lists him as questionable as the Bruins try to take a 2-0 lead.

If Wingels can't play, a possible replacement could be rookie forward Ryan Donato. Cassidy said the former Harvard star could make his postseason debut Saturday. Donato skated with Noel Acciari and David Backes in practice. Cassidy said they have options with Brian Gionta as a right wing and Danton Heinen, who can slide over.

''I think Ryan played really well when he was here for his 12 games,'' said Cassidy. ''We plan on using Ryan, just want to pick the right time.''

The Maple Leafs know they have to play better on special teams after giving up three power-play goals. They also spent Friday waiting to learn what punishment the NHL would give Kadri.

''I don't know what they're going to do so might as well get prepared,'' Toronto coach Mike Babcock said.

---

Sharks at Ducks, San Jose leads 1-0 (10:30 p.m. EDT, NBCSN)

The Ducks looked largely lifeless as they gave away their home-ice advantage by failing to maintain the momentum from their impressive finish to the regular season. This is a familiar pattern for the veteran Ducks, who have lost Game 1 at home in four of their last five playoff series over the past three seasons. They won two of those series.

Perhaps Evander Kane's gritty two-goal performance in his playoff debut will get the Ducks' attention, reminding them that they can't play into the Sharks' hands by skating on the perimeter of the ice and failing to generate consistent traffic in front of Martin Jones.

Or maybe the Sharks are hitting their stride after losing five of their final six games in the regular season. San Jose was better on both ends to win the opener 3-0 .

''They played how you're supposed to play in the playoffs,'' Anaheim forward Andrew Cogliano said of the Sharks. ''They played patient and played the right way. When you get chances, you have to score on them. You just execute the game plan. They did that. It seemed like we were stuck in the regular season and trying to make plays in the neutral zone, or turning the pucks over.''

San Jose coach Peter DeBoer cautioned against getting excited about seeing Sharks center Joe Thornton on the ice in pregame warmups. Thornton has not played since Jan. 25 because of an injured right knee. DeBoer said the 38-year-old veteran is improving or wouldn't be on the ice.

''It's not gamesmanship,'' DeBoer said. ''He wants to be around the group, and he's getting closer.''

 

[Cnotes53]

Vanek, Nash among players seeking playoff redemption
April 14, 2018

Thomas Vanek learned early in his career how tough it is to win in the playoffs.

When Vanek and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in 2006 to advance, the rookie winger looked across the locker room at 37-year-old Teppo Numminen, who was on the verge of tears. Numminen had never made it out of the first round in his previous 16 NHL seasons and was overjoyed.

''It hit me right there and then, `Man this is hard,''' Vanek said.

Vanek is now on the other side. In the playoffs for the seventh time, he is the Columbus Blue Jackets' oldest player at 34. Just like Rick Nash in Boston, postseason struggles and inconsistencies have followed Vanek his entire career. Based on his play down the stretch and in Game 1 against Washington, he looks poised for some playoff redemption.

''A very consistent scorer throughout his year and has a lot to prove and wants to win the Stanley Cup,'' Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Friday. ''That's why he's excited to be here. He wants to prove people wrong, if they think that he can't do it in the playoffs. He wants to show that he can, and he had a good start.''

Vanek had a goal and an assist to help the Blue Jackets take a 1-0 series lead on the Capitals, and young teammate Artemi Panarin scored the game-winner to finish with three points - two more than he had in Chicago's first-round sweep at the hands of the Predators a year ago. Kekalainen pointed out Panarin was a point-a-game player for the Blackhawks in the playoffs two years ago, so hold up on the reputation rehab there.

The same goes for Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has been up and down in the playoffs. The 25-year-old from the same town in Russia as Panarin already has more goals in one game this year than he did in the 2016 playoffs, when Washington lost in the second round.

Vanek and Nash know they're running out of time to win the Cup and make a difference on that journey.

Nash, who drew two penalties and played over 17 minutes in his return from injury in the Bruins' Game 1 blowout of the Maple Leafs, has seen his goal production drop by half from the regular season to the playoffs over the course of his career. The 33-year-old trade-deadline pickup should get plenty of chances to show he can still be a playoff performer.

''He's an important player for us,'' Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. ''That deal was made for a reason. He's an elite player ... makes us more of a threat (as) a team. He's just a proven player in this league that can finish, that can win pucks and get to the net.''

Getting to the net has never been a problem for Vanek, whose power-play goal in Game 1 came from crashing the crease. But he hasn't always found it easy to score in the playoffs and has struggled with a minus-16 rating in six previous appearances with the Sabres, Canadiens and Wild.

Vanek didn't know how he would fit in with Columbus, though the reviews from coach John Tortorella are positive - and honest. Vanek's propensity for defensive miscues and mistakes with the puck, and his sometimes frustrating inconsistencies, have given Tortorella and others grey hairs.

''I think he really is thriving and is excited about the role he has, that he was and we were in a playoff hunt and now he's in the playoffs,'' Tortorella said. ''I can see why he gives coaches nightmares in some of the things he does. I get that. But I think sometimes you need to ignore some of that and allow him to play and not get in his way. I think he's been terrific.''

Several times leading up to the start of the playoffs and even after his goal, Vanek was asked about making an important contribution in the playoffs. Each time he changed the subject to the need for someone, anyone, on the team to have success.

''You can tell how excited everyone is,'' Vanek said. ''It doesn't matter if you score or not.''

Scoring or not, making a long run a reality would be Vanek's real redemption.

 

[Cnotes53]

SATURDAY, APRIL 14
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

COL at NAS 03:00 PM
COL +290
U 5.5

NJ at TB 03:00 PM
NJ +220
O 6.0

TOR at BOS 08:00 PM
TOR +140
U 6.0

SJ at ANA 10:30 PM
ANA -135
U 5.0

 

[Cnotes53]

Predators outlast Avs, take 2-0 lead
April 14, 2018

BOSTON (AP) David Pastrnak had a hat trick and three assists to help Boston blow out the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second straight game, leading the Bruins to a 7-3 victory Saturday night and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series.

Pastrnak shattered his previous career high of four points, scoring his third goal with 1:36 left to bring two trash cans full of caps and winter hats fluttering down to the ice. Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron each had four assists, and Torey Krug had three.

Tuukka Rask stopped 30 shots for Boston, and David Krejci, Rick Nash, Jake DeBrusk and Kevan Miller also scored.

Two nights after Frederik Andersen allowed five goals in the series opener, he gave up three more on five shots in the first 12:13 before he was replaced by backup Curtis McElhinney. The Bruins added another power-play goal - their second of the night and fifth of the series - to make it 4-0 after one.

Mitch Marner, Tyler Bozak and James Van Riemsdyk scored for the Maple Leafs, who never got closer than three goals down after that. McElhinney stopped 19 of the 23 shots he faced.

The series moves to Toronto for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Thursday. Game 5 would be back in Boston on Saturday, if necessary.

PREDATORS 5, AVALANCHE 4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Ryan Hartman's empty-net goal with 1:09 left wound up the winner as Nashville held off Colorado for a 2-0 lead in the first-round Western Conference series.

After Hartman gave the Predators a 5-3 lead, Alexander Kerfoot pulled Colorado to 5-4 with 35.8 seconds left. But the Avalanche couldn't get another puck past goalie Pekka Rinne.

The Presidents' Trophy winners started slowly, giving up a goal on Colorado's first shot for a second straight game. Yet the Predators rallied again to take their first 2-0 lead when starting a best-of-seven series in their own building.

Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist, and Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen and Austin Watson scored a goal apiece. P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm each had two assists for Nashville, which has won 12 straight over the Avalanche. Rinne made 26 saves. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist, and Gabriel Bourque and Gabriel Landeskog each added a goal for Colorado.

Game 3 is Monday night in Denver.

LIGHTNING 5, DEVILS 3

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Alex Killorn scored twice during a four-goal second period, helping Tampa Bay beat New Jersey for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference series.

The Lightning scored three times in a 2:47 span in the second period, and the reeling Devils pulled goalie Keith Kinkaid after Killorn's third goal in two games made it 5-1 with 6:48 remaining in the period. Kinkaid, whose stellar play since January helped New Jersey finish strong and claim its first playoff berth since 2012, yielded five goals on 15 shots.

Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson also scored for Tampa Bay, which is up 2-0 in the series after going 0-2-1 against the Devils during the regular season.

Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 41 shots, limiting the Devils to rookie Nico Hischier's unassisted goal in the opening period, Sami Vatanen's sixth career playoff goal late in the second, Blake Coleman's third-period tally that trimmed Tampa Bay's lead to 5-3 with eight minutes left.

Game 3 is Monday night in Newark, New Jersey.

SHARKS 3 DUCKS 2

 

[Cnotes53]

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY APRIL 15, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
3:00 PM Pittsburgh Penguins Philadelphia Flyers Wells Fargo Center
7:00 PM Winnipeg Jets Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center
7:30 PM Columbus Blue Jackets Washington Capitals Capital One Arena
10:30 PM Vegas Golden Knights Los Angeles Kings Staples Center


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


nhl playoff record:

04/14/2018 1-6-1 14.29% -27.75
04/13/2018 2-3-1 40.00% -11.50
04/12/2018 4-5-1 44.44% -4.00
04/11/2018 4-2-0 66.67% +9.50

Totals...........11-16-3.........40,74%....- 33.75


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


Sunday?s 6-pack

? Warriors 113, Spurs 92? Gregg Popovich has won five NBA titles, so he gets away with being a jerk during in-game interviews and in press conferences. No bueno.

? Why do NBA warmup jackets have hoods on them?

? Denver Broncos will have eight new assistant coaches this season.

? Tampa Bay P Jake Faria?s family had season tickets to the Angels growing up; both his mom and his stepfather are powerlifters.

? Former NBA star Dan Majerle turned down a chance to interview for the Phoenix Suns? head coaching job, to stay on as coach at Grand Canyon University.

? Washington center Marcin Gortat got a foul on the opening tap of the Wizard-Raptor game. Don?t see that happen too much.

Quote of the Day
?I?m a perfectionist, so I thought I could have done better. I felt that I helped myself out, and my agent [Leigh Steinberg] felt the same way. My thing is, I can throw with all these guys; I just don?t have the experience they do because I sat behind Pat the last two years. But as far as getting out there and throwing, I think I?m right up there with these guys.?
Texas Tech QB Nic Shimonek, who threw for 3,963 yards, 33 TD?s, 10 INT?s as Tech?s starting QB in 2017, and now hopes to play in the NFL

Sunday?s quiz
Steve Kerr was once the GM of which NBA team?

Saturday?s quiz
Kevin Durant began his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics, in 2007-08. Sonics then moved to Oklahoma City the next year.

Friday?s quiz
Phil Mickelson?s brother/caddy used to be the golf coach at Arizona State.

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


Sunday?s List of 13: Wrapping up a cloudy Saturday

13) Philadelphia Phillies gave rookie 2B Scott Kingery a 6-year, $23M contract with options beyond that, before he ever played a major league game.

OF Nick Williams played 83 games as a rookie for the Phillies LY; he hit .283 with 55 RBI, pretty solid production. Not only is he still making the $553,000 league minimum, they don?t start him anymore, now that Rhys Hoskins has moved to the outfield. He started in Tampa Bay this weekend because its an AL park so they have the DH.

Williams must be really freakin? happy.

12) QB Josh Allen will be the first Wyoming Cowboy taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1976, when they had two players taken in first round.

11) Weird stat: Rangers? DH/OF Joey Gallo has 53 career home runs, 50 career singles.

10) Foot of snow in Minnesota this weekend; why didn?t these geniuses put a retractable dome on their new baseball stadium? Twins might not play for close to a week; I have Jose Abreu on my fantasy team? he?s getting the second half of this week off. No bueno.

Seriously; Sunday?s doubleheader was postponed at 4:00 Saturday. Awesome.

9) UCLA fired assistant basketball coach/Air Force veteran David Grace, a decorated military veteran who served in the Air Force during Operation Desert Storm.

He?s been given credit for bringing in some of UCLA?s top recruits over the last several years, including T.J. Leaf, Ike Anigbogu and Jaylen Hands.

8) Weirdness; A?s are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their first season in Oakland this year, while the Royals are celebrating their 50th season in Kansas City this year.

A?s started playing in Oakland in ?68, after leaving Kansas City. Royals started play when divisional play started, in ?69.

7) Miami Marlins drew 6,150 fans for a home game with the Mets Wednesday; their AA team in Jacksonville drew 6,960 fans that same night for their Southern League home opener vs Mobile.

6) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be on Dancing With the Stars this fall; he could?ve made a freakin? fortune in endorsements during/after his career, but he is very quiet and never showed much personality so once he stopped playing ball, he kind of disappeared.

Kareem will by 71 on Monday; good to see him enjoying himself now. I?ve said this before here and I firmly believe it? he was the most dominant basketball player ever.

5) Masters champ Patrick Reed sat behind the plate as the Astros game Saturday wearing his green jacket; he was also at a Rockets? game and went to the drive-thru window at Chick-fil-A wearing the jacket. At what point does he hang the jacket in his closet and go back to playing golf?

4) Cubs 14, Braves 10? Atlanta led this game 10-2 in 6th inning on a hideous, cold, rainy day in Wrigley Field. Braves? bullpen got 8 outs, allowed 11 runs.

This game shouldn?t have been played; the weather was awful.

3) Golfer Kelly Kraft missed the cut by a stroke at Hilton Head this week, in large part because his tee shot on the par-3 14th hole hit a bird and fell into the water? he double-bogeyed the hole. Because the bird is not a man-made object, Kraft had to play the ball where it lied, or take a penalty; had he hit an airplane, apparently he would get relief. Go figure.

2) Former Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops and legendary Arizona hoop coach Lute Olson recently had statues of themselves put up on the schools? campuses.

1? In 1997, Barry Levinson wrote a movie called Wag the Dog, where just before a Presidential election, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer got together to fabricate a war in order to cover up the President?s sex scandal. Sound familiar?

HBO and Levinson are in the process now of creating a Wag the Dog comedy series, but the idea just isn?t funny anymore.

 

[Cnotes53]

Sunday's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds

The opening round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues Sunday with four games on the ice, including the Jets and Golden Knights looking to take commanding three game leads in their respective series.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers (-110, 6)

Series tied at 1-1.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Flyers opened as -100 at most shops at money coming in on Philadelphia has seen that number jump to -110 as of Saturday night. The total hit the betting board and has yet to move off the opening number.

INJURY REPORT:

Penguins - RW Carter Rowney (Out Indefinitely, Upper Body).

Flyers - G Michal Neuvirth (Questionable, Lower Body).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Penguins are 6-0 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Over is 7-0 in Penguins last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Over is 6-1 in Flyers last 7 games following a win.
* Over is 6-0-1 in the last 7 meetings.
* Penguins are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.




Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild (-110, 5.5)

Jets lead series 2-0.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: Minnesota opened as high as -133 chalk for a must win Game 3, money coming in on the road team has driven that number down as low as -105 at some books. The total opened at 5.5 and has held firm at that number.

INJURY REPORT:

Jets - C Mathieu Perreault (Questionable, Shoulder), D Toby Enstrom (Questionable, Lower Body), LW Matt Hendricks (Questionable, Lower Body), D Dmitry Kulikov (Late April, Back).

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

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Jets are 8-0 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Wild are 1-7 in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 4-0 in Jets last 4 overall.
* Under is 6-1 in Wild last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Jets are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.




Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals (-155, 5.5)

Blue Jackets lead series 1-0.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: In Sunday's only Game 2 the Capitals opened as low as -150 home chalk and that number wasn't high enough for bettors who bet the line up to -155. The total hit the board at 5.5 and has not moved.

INJURY REPORT:

Blue Jackets - C Alexander Wennberg (Doubtful, Upper Body), LW Lukas Sedlak (Out Indefinitely, Head).

Capitals - D Michal Kempny (Probable, Head), C Travis Boyd (Questionable, Illness), RW Jay Beagle (Questionable, Upper Body).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Blue Jackets are 10-1 in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Over is 7-0 in Blue Jackets last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Over is 4-0 in Capitals last 4 overall.
* Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
* Blue Jackets are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.




Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings (-145, 5)

Golden Knights lead series 2-0.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Kings opened this must win Game 3 as -137 home faves and that wasn't enough high enough as money continued to come in on LA raising the line to -145 at most books. The total hit betting boards at 4.5 and has been bet up slightly to 5.

INJURY REPORT:

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

Kings - D Jake Muzzin (Questionable, Upper Body), D Drew Doughty (Eligible Sunday, Suspension), D Derek Forbort (Out Indefinitely, Lower Body).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Golden Knights are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Kings are 0-4 in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 6-1 in Golden Knights last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 7-0 in Kings last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Under is 5-0-1 in the last 6 meetings.

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL

Sunday, April 15

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 11 games
Pittsburgh is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Philadelphia's last 14 games
Philadelphia is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh


Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 5 games
Winnipeg is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Winnipeg is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Winnipeg's last 10 games on the road
Winnipeg is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Winnipeg is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 11 games
Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Minnesota is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Winnipeg


Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Columbus is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games
Columbus is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Columbus is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Washington
Columbus is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing Washington
Columbus is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington Capitals
Washington is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Washington is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games at home
Washington is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Columbus
Washington is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Columbus
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Columbus
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus


Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Vegas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Vegas's last 20 games
Vegas is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games on the road
Vegas is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Vegas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Vegas's last 11 games on the road
Vegas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Los Angeles is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Los Angeles is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vegas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Vegas

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL
Dunkel

Sunday, April 15


Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia

Game 19-20
April 15, 2018 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
12.376
Philadelphia
10.631
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-115
6
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-115); Under

Winnipeg @ Minnesota

Game 21-22
April 15, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
11.030
Minnesota
12.173
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-110
5
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-110); Under

Columbus @ Washington

Game 23-24
April 15, 2018 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
12.507
Washington
11.038
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-160
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(+140); Over

Vegas @ Los Angeles

Game 25-26
April 15, 2018 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vegas
11.600
Los Angeles
10.250
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vegas
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vegas
(+125); Under

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 15

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

PITTSBURGH (48-30-0-6, 102 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (43-27-0-14, 100 pts.) - 4/15/2018, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 10-16 ATS (-9.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more this season.
PITTSBURGH is 2-7 ATS (-7.8 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-19 ATS (+1.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 14-7 ATS (+6.6 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 21-5 ATS (+14.6 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 63-59 ATS (-3.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 21-8 ATS (+10.4 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 116-67 ATS (+16.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 47-25 ATS (+12.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 15-7 ATS (+22.8 Units) in road games when tied in a playoff series since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 25-9 ATS (+10.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
PITTSBURGH is 15-2 ATS (+12.0 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 254-265 ATS (-18.7 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 10-4 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 10-4-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+8.3 Units)

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

WINNIPEG (54-20-0-10, 118 pts.) at MINNESOTA (45-28-0-11, 101 pts.) - 4/15/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 1-7 ATS (-7.1 Units) in road games after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
MINNESOTA is 104-64 ATS (+23.3 Units) in home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
WINNIPEG is 54-31 ATS (+12.0 Units) in all games this season.
WINNIPEG is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 31-14 ATS (+9.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
WINNIPEG is 10-1 ATS (+8.5 Units) on Sunday games this season.
WINNIPEG is 36-21 ATS (+14.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 27-17 ATS (+6.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WINNIPEG is 17-7 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 72-77 ATS (-16.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 10-6 (+5.9 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 10-6-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.8 Units)

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

COLUMBUS (46-30-0-7, 99 pts.) at WASHINGTON (49-26-0-8, 106 pts.) - 4/15/2018, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 50-34 ATS (+15.6 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 23-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 20-7 ATS (+9.8 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 26-16 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLUMBUS is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 28-13 ATS (+12.5 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 7-11 ATS (-13.1 Units) in home games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 42-52 ATS (-42.5 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 9-5 (+2.2 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 9-5-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.6 Units)

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

VEGAS (53-24-0-7, 113 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (45-31-0-8, 98 pts.) - 4/15/2018, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VEGAS is 54-31 ATS (+16.5 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 10-1 ATS (+8.6 Units) on Sunday games this season.
VEGAS is 22-9 ATS (+9.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
VEGAS is 27-15 ATS (+11.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOS ANGELES is 84-83 ATS (-15.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 18-23 ATS (-14.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 7-13 ATS (-15.8 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 43-48 ATS (-29.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 13-18 ATS (-10.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
LOS ANGELES is 16-27 ATS (-19.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 4-2 (+1.4 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 4-2-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.1 Units)

 

[Cnotes53]

SUNDAY, APRIL 15
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PIT at PHI 03:00 PM
PIT -135
U 6.0

WIN at MIN 07:00 PM
MIN -105
U 5.5

CLB at WAS 07:30 PM
CLB +135
O 5.5

VEG at LA 10:30 PM
VEG +130
O 5.0

 

[Cnotes53]

Sidney Crosby scores, Penguins beat Flyers 5-1
April 15, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) Matt Calvert scored 12:22 into overtime, Sergei Bobrovsky made 54 saves and the Columbus Blue Jackets overcame two goals from Alex Ovechkin beat the Washington Capitals 5-4 on Sunday night to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Calvert's goal held up after the NHL situation room reviewed the play for a possible offside. Calvert was just onside when Josh Anderson brought the puck into the zone.

Columbus heads home for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Thursday two victories away from advancing to the second round for the first time in franchise history. The Blue Jackets stunned the Metropolitan Division-champion Capitals with back-to-back overtime wins.

Cam Atkinson scored twice, Anderson had a goal at even strength and Zack Werenski added one on the power play for the Blue Jackets, who have the odds on their side. In Stanley Cup playoff history, 86.4 percent of teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win it.

Jay Beagle and T.J. Oshie also scored for Washington, with Oshie tying it on a power play with 3:35 left in the third period.

PENGUINS 5, FLYERS 1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists and Matt Murray stopped 26 shots to help Pittsburgh silence a raucous Philadelphia crowd and take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Two of the so-called fiercest rivals in the NHL have provided three lopsided games: Pittsburgh's 7-0 win in Game 1 and Philadelphia's 5-1 victory in Game 2 could about qualify as nail-bitters in this series.

Game 4 is Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

Crosby scored his fourth goal of the series in the first period, and Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin and Brian Dumoulin scored in the second to make it 4-0. Malkin and Dumoulin scored 5 seconds apart.

Justin Schultz made it 5-1 in the third on Pittsburgh's third power-play goal of the game.

Brian Elliott, yanked in Game 1, had another rough outing and might need to borrow fellow Wells Fargo Center tenant Joel Embiid's black mask to have a better look at the puck.

WILD 6, JETS 2

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise scored power-play goals in the first period for the spark Minnesota was missing on the road, and the Wild used a four-goal second to roar back against Winnipeg the Western Conference series.

The Wild will try to tie the best-of-seven series 2-2 in Game 4 at home Tuesday night.

Jordan Greenway scored his first NHL goal just 20 seconds after Eric Staal sent a wrist shot past past a struggling Connor Hellebuyck, who was pulled for Steve Mason at the second intermission.

Matt Dumba and Marcus Foligno bookended the furious middle frame with goals for the Wild, who won a postseason home game for only the second time in their last nine contests. Mikko Koivu and Nick Seeler each had two assists and Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves, keeping the crowd loud all night.

Blake Wheeler and Tyler Myers scored for the Jets.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3 KINGS 2

 

[Cnotes53]

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY APRIL 16, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Boston Bruins Toronto Maple Leafs Air Canada Centre
7:30 PM Tampa Bay Lightning New Jersey Devils Prudential Center
10:00 PM Nashville Predators Colorado Avalanche Pepsi Center
10:30 PM Anaheim Ducks San Jose Sharks SAP Center at San Jose

SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY APRIL 17, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:30 PM Washington Capitals Columbus Blue Jackets Nationwide Arena
8:00 PM Winnipeg Jets Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center
10:30 PM Vegas Golden Knights Los Angeles Kings Staples Center

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 18, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Pittsburgh Penguins Philadelphia Flyers Wells Fargo Center
7:30 PM Tampa Bay Lightning New Jersey Devils Prudential Center
10:00 PM Nashville Predators Colorado Avalanche Pepsi Center
10:30 PM Anaheim Ducks San Jose Sharks SAP Center at San Jose

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY APRIL 19, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Boston Bruins Toronto Maple Leafs Air Canada Centre
7:30 PM Washington Capitals Columbus Blue Jackets Nationwide Arena
10:00 PM Los Angeles Kings Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY APRIL 20, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
12:00 AM Colorado Avalanche Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena
12:00 AM Minnesota Wild Winnipeg Jets Bell MTS Place
12:00 AM Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena
12:00 AM San Jose Sharks Anaheim Ducks Honda Center

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
12:00 AM Columbus Blue Jackets Washington Capitals Capital One Arena
12:00 AM New Jersey Devils Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena
12:00 AM Toronto Maple Leafs Boston Bruins TD Garden
12:00 AM Vegas Golden Knights Los Angeles Kings Staples Center

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY APRIL 22, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
12:00 AM Anaheim Ducks San Jose Sharks SAP Center at San Jose
12:00 AM Nashville Predators Colorado Avalanche Pepsi Center
12:00 AM Pittsburgh Penguins Philadelphia Flyers Wells Fargo Center
12:00 AM Winnipeg Jets Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center

Updated Mon Apr 16 1:02 AM EDT


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

NHL PLAYOFF RECORD:

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

04/15/2018 5-1-2 83.33% +21.25
04/14/2018 1-6-1 14.29% -27.75
04/13/2018 2-3-1 40.00% -11.50
04/12/2018 4-5-1 44.44% -4.00
04/11/2018 4-2-0 66.67% +9.50

TOTALS..........20-17-5.......54.05%.....-12.50

 

[Cnotes53]

Monday?s 6-pack

? Idaho is the fastest growing state in this country.

? Penguins 5, Flyers 1? Pittsburgh scored two goals 0:05 apart.

? Mets 3, Brewers 2? Wilmer Flores hit a walk-off homer on a cold day in Queens.

? Cardinals 3, Reds 2? Cincinnati is off to a 2-13 start this season.

? Celtics 113, Bucks 107 OT? Milwaukee?s Khris Middleton sent game to OT with a 3-pointer at the buzzer of regulation.

? Satoshi Kodaira won his first PGA tournament, beating Si Woo Kim in a playoff on Hilton Head. He started Sunday six shots out of the lead- it is 6th year in a row the winner of this tournament started the final round 3+ shots out of the lead.

Quote of the Day
?When all is said and done, more is said than done.?
Aesop

Monday?s quiz
What team did Bartolo Colon begin his major league career with?

Sunday?s quiz
Steve Kerr was once the GM of the Phoenix Suns.

Saturday?s quiz
Kevin Durant began his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics, in 2007-08. Sonics then moved to Oklahoma City the next year.

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

Monday?s List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend

13) Idea for a reality TV show: Pro teams do exit interviews with players after each season; would be television gold to see some of them, especially with disgruntled players, or with guys who are delusional about their abilities. Kind of like a postseason Hard Knocks.

For instance, Cowboys/Dez Bryant exit interview in December must?ve been a good one.

12) Los Angeles Angels used nine different starting pitchers in their first 15 games this year, the most by any team in their first 15 games since the 1960 Baltimore Orioles.

11) Monday morning?s 11am Orioles-Red Sox game was postponed late Sunday afternoon, so no need to post your fantasy lineups early Monday. This is first time since 1984 the Patriots Day game was rained out.

It also means I get to sleep later Monday morning 🙂

10) Odd managing in the Brewers-Mets game Sunday; Mets led 1-0 in top of 5th inning, Brewers had a guy on 3rd with two men out, and pitcher Jhoulys Chacin was due up, you think they?d pinch-hit for him, but Chacin grounded out to shortstop. Since Chacin hit, you assume he?ll pitch the bottom of the 5th inning, right?

Wrong. Milwaukee takes Chacin out after not pinch-hitting for him with the tying run on third base. Go figure. Must be an analytics thing.

9) Boston media will be happy; Angels? rainout in Kansas City Sunday means that Shohei Ohtani will make his next start against the Red Sox in Anaheim Tuesday night.

8) Six baseball postponements Sunday; the only time in last 20 years with six postponements in one day was September 12, 2008.

7) Oakland starting pitchers have finished the 6th inning in 3 of their 16 games; three times by Sean Manaea, zero times by everyone else.

For the record, the A?s traded Ben Zobrist for Manaea, back when they helped he Royals win the World Series with that trade- now it is paying off for them.

6) Saturday night in Dodger Stadium, Arizona?s Deven Marrero hit a home run, but passed the runner on first base, who was going back to tag up, thinking the ball might be caught.

Play results in a 2-run single for Marrero, but he does not score because he passed a runner, so he was out on the play- that doesn?t happen very often.

5) Matt Harvey hasn?t gotten an out in the 6th inning in any of his starts since May 28, 2017 vs Pittsburgh- thats 11 starts in a row. Harvey is a free agent after this season; good luck there.

4) NFL Draft note: New England drafted a DL/LB with its first pick in five of last six drafts.

3) Pacers 98, Cavaliers 80? Lebron James teams had won their last 21 first round playoff games, but that streak was ended rudely here.

2) Twins had a miserable baseball-free weekend at home, with a foot of snow falling; now they head to Puerto Rico to play a couple of games with the Indians in San Juan.

1) They had 23 inches of snow in Green Bay this weekend, in mid-April. Oy.

 

[Cnotes53]

'Bread' is the man in playoff surge for the Blue Jackets
April 16, 2018

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Artemi Panarin turned out to be everything the Columbus Blue Jackets were looking for when they traded for him last summer: A dead-eye sniper and deft puck distributor who can get game-breaking goals and make everyone around him better.

And, the Blue Jackets hope, a guy who can get them deeper into the playoffs.

So far, so good. Columbus heads home to Nationwide Arena after taking a 2-0 lead over Washington in their first-round series on Sunday night, a come-from-behind 5-4 overtime win in which Panarin contributed a pair of key assists.

That came three nights after Panarin won the series opener in overtime. With two assists already in regulation, he drove down the left side, slipped past Capitals defenseman Dimitry Orlov and snapped a shot over goalie Philipp Grubauer's shoulder.

''There's very few people who can make that shot,'' Washington coach Barry Trotz said.

''He can make a play from nothing,'' Orlov said. ''He's so smooth.''

The Blue Jackets probably wouldn't be playing in the postseason without the 26-year-old Russian they call the ''Bread Man.'' He was a steady presence and consistent scorer through a bumpy season of slumps and injuries to other key players.

Panarin led Columbus with 27 goals and 55 assists, and his 82 points were the most in a single season in franchise history. His plus/minus of 23 and average of just over 20 minutes on the ice per game were career highs.

Panarin - sounds like Panera Bread, hence the hockey nickname of ''Bread Man'' or just ''Bread'' - has embraced being a featured star after playing in the large shadow of Patrick Kane in Chicago in his first two years in the league.

''In Chicago, I played with Kane and got a lot of assists from him,'' Panarin said. ''But I always wanted something more, to put more of the game on myself and be more accountable for the result. Here, I got that, what I wanted.''

Panarin, who won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL in 2015-16, was acquired from the Black Hawks last June along with forward Tyler Motte for forward Brandon Saad and goalie Anton Forsberg. Saad was a reliable player for Columbus for two seasons.

''Bread is a different type player because he can make a special play to win a game,'' Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. ''I just think for you to get through and find your way and try to be a better playoff team, you have to have some players that are dynamic. You're not coaching it, they just see something, they seize a moment and they win you a game. Or they make a huge play to get you back in the game in another way.''

With the Blue Jackets on a power play and down 3-2 in the second period on Sunday, Panarin dribbled the puck and patiently waited for a lane to open up before delivering a pinpoint circle-to-circle pass to Cam Atkinson , who scored the tying goal.

Panarin's line mates, veteran winger Atkinson and 19-year-old rookie center Pierre-Luc Dubois, have benefited from his skills. Atkinson - who had two goals on Sunday - has come on strong after missing time with injuries, finishing the regular season with 14 goals and 14 assists in February and March. Dubois had 20 goals and 28 assists in the regular season, making him the most productive rookie in Blue Jackets history.

Panarin makes $6 million a year on a contract that runs through next season. He'll be due a sizeable salary bump if the Blue Jackets decide to keep him around after that.

So far, he's been an ideal fit.

''When they first traded me, of course for a couple days, I worried,'' he said. ''But then I calmed down and understood that this is all good for me. I understood that here I would progress as a player first and foremost. What's most important to me isn't money, but the whole game.''

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, April 16


Boston @ Toronto

Game 27-28
April 16, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
11.874
Toronto
9.569
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-105); Over

Tampa Bay @ New Jersey

Game 29-30
April 16, 2018 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
10.083
New Jersey
11.437
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Jersey
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-140
6
Dunkel Pick:
New Jersey
(+120); Over

Nashville @ Colorado

Game 31-32
April 16, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
12.583
Colorado
11.009
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-160
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(-160); Over

Anaheim @ San Jose

Game 33-34
April 16, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim
11.258
San Jose
13.162
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-140); Under




NHL

Monday, April 16

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Trend Report
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Boston Bruins
Boston is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games
Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games on the road
Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Toronto's last 22 games
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Toronto is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 15 games at home
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston


Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Tampa Bay's last 14 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
Tampa Bay is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
Tampa Bay is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New Jersey Devils
New Jersey is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games
New Jersey is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games at home
New Jersey is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
New Jersey is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
New Jersey is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey's last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay


Nashville Predators
Nashville is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games
Nashville is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Nashville is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games on the road
Nashville is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Colorado
Nashville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing Colorado
Nashville is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Nashville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Nashville's last 7 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado is 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games
Colorado is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games
Colorado is 18-5 ATS in its last 23 games at home
Colorado is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games at home
Colorado is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Nashville
Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing Nashville
Colorado is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Colorado's last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville


Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Anaheim is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Anaheim is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games on the road
Anaheim is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Jose
Anaheim is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games when playing San Jose
Anaheim is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Jose
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
Anaheim is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Anaheim's last 7 games when playing on the road against San Jose
San Jose Sharks
San Jose is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
San Jose is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of San Jose's last 16 games
San Jose is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games at home
San Jose is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
San Jose is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing Anaheim
San Jose is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
San Jose is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Anaheim
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing at home against Anaheim

 

[Cnotes53]

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, April 16

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BOSTON (52-20-0-12, 116 pts.) at TORONTO (49-28-0-7, 105 pts.) - 4/16/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 139-113 ATS (+20.5 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 8-7 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 8-7-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

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

TAMPA BAY (56-23-0-5, 117 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (44-31-0-9, 97 pts.) - 4/16/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 45-40 ATS (-16.3 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 8-1 ATS (+9.1 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs this season.
NEW JERSEY is 25-23 ATS (+66.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
TAMPA BAY is 57-28 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 226-232 ATS (+490.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 5-17 ATS (+24.6 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 7-4 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 7-4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)

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

NASHVILLE (55-18-0-11, 121 pts.) at COLORADO (43-32-0-9, 95 pts.) - 4/16/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 44-41 ATS (-17.9 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 25-22 ATS (+63.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
COLORADO is 26-25 ATS (+88.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
COLORADO is 12-4 ATS (+7.8 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
COLORADO is 19-15 ATS (+35.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
COLORADO is 15-8 ATS (+6.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 55-30 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 71-44 ATS (+12.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 20-8 ATS (+8.7 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NASHVILLE is 27-12 ATS (+8.6 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
NASHVILLE is 11-1 ATS (+9.6 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games this season.
NASHVILLE is 33-14 ATS (+14.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 19-7 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 13-3 (+7.5 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 13-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
13 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+10.7 Units)

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

ANAHEIM (44-27-0-13, 101 pts.) at SAN JOSE (47-27-0-10, 104 pts.) - 4/16/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 13-17 ATS (-10.2 Units) after a division game this season.
SAN JOSE is 23-8 ATS (+12.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ANAHEIM is 557-443 ATS (+38.8 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 14-8 ATS (+24.6 Units) in road games when trailing in a playoff series since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 27-15 ATS (+9.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ANAHEIM is 441-442 ATS (+907.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 48-31 ATS (+12.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 178-150 ATS (-80.4 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 16-27 ATS (-15.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 8-7-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
9 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+8.2 Units)

 

[Cnotes53]

Monday's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds

The opening round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues Monday night with the puck dropping on four games. Home ice has dominated these series except out West where the Sharks won both games in Anaheim and look to put a stranglehold on the series in Game 3.

Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs (-110, 5.5)

Bruins lead series 2-0.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are making back-to-back appearances in the postseason for the first time in 14 years but they appear headed for a second straight first-round exit barring a stunning turnaround. Toronto has been manhandled in its Eastern Conference first-round series against the Boston Bruins and hopes a return home to Air Canada Centre will get it back on track in Monday night's Game 3.

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Center Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand form the other two-thirds of Boston's top line and each collected four assists in Saturday's romp, but Pastrnak has been the driving force in helping the unit amass a staggering 20 points in the first two games. "A lot of people in Boston already know how good he is," Bergeron said of Pastrnak, who scored 35 goals in the regular season. "I think people on the outside are getting to know." Defenseman Torey Krug collected all three of his assists in the first-period outburst Saturday to give him five for the series.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS: Toronto has concerns from one end of the ice to the other, but the biggest are the lack of productivity of its own No. 1 line and the suddenly shaky play of netminder Frederik Andersen, who was yanked in Game 2 after surrendering three goals on five shots. "You've got to give your goalie a chance to be good and we haven't done that," Babcock said Sunday. "Freddy's our guy and he'll be back tomorrow." With Nazem Kadri serving a three-game suspension, the pressure is even greater on Auston Matthews and the top line, which has yet to score a point.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Maple Leafs have been get pumped by Boston and still opened as -118 home chalk. However, money coming in on Boston has driven that line down to -110 or lower at some shops. The total hit the betting board at 5.5 and has held firm.

INJURY REPORT:

Bruins - C Riley Nash (Questionable, Ear), RW Tommy Wingels (Questionable, Upper Body), D Brandon Carlo (Out For Season, Ankle), LW Anders Bjork (Out For Season, Shoulder).

Maple Leafs - C Leo Komarov (Questionable, Lower Body), C Nazem Kadri (Eligible to return April 21, Suspension), LW Joffrey Lupul (I-R, Conditioning).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Bruins are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
* Maple Leafs are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 2-0-2 in Bruins last 4 overall.
* Over is 6-0-1 in Maple Leafs last 7 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.




Tampa Bay Lightning at New Jersey Devils (+120, 6)

Lightning lead series 2-0.

The Tampa Bay Lightning look to continue their offensive production and take a stranglehold of the Eastern Conference first-round series when they visit the New Jersey Devils for Game 3 on Monday night. The Lightning scored 10 times while winning the first two games of the series, going 3-for-4 on the power-play and getting multiple goals from three players.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Alex Killorn has often saved his best hockey for the postseason and he is off to another strong start with three goals in the first two games of the series after scoring twice Saturday. ?You play all season for this,? Killorn, who has 18 goals and 36 points in 49 career playoff games, told reporters. ?Playoff hockey is great. There are a few more cameras around, a couple more people watching, but I think we like that pressure.? Forwards Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson have also scored twice in the first two games while defenseman Ryan McDonagh and left wing Ondrej Palat each boast three assists.

ABOUT THE DEVILS: Cory Schneider, who has not won a game since Dec. 27 while struggling with injuries and an .863 save percentage since, stopped all 10 shots he faced in relief of Keith Kinkaid on Saturday and could get the start Monday. ?It was good to give him an opportunity to get in there,? coach John Hynes told reporters, ?and I thought he came in and made huge saves, looked solid, so that?s a positive for us moving forward.? Hynes went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen Saturday while inserting blue liner Damon Severson (three shots, 16:41 of ice time) into the lineup and hinted there could be more changes for Game 3.

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Lightning opened as +120 road favorites at most books and money coming in on the home team has seen that number bet down to +115. The total hit the board 5.5 and has been bet up slightly to an even 6.

INJURY REPORT:

Lightning - D Dan Girardi (Questionable, Undisclosed), RW Ryan Callahan (Questionable, Upper Body), LW Adam Erne (Out Indefinitely, Lower Body).

Devils - LW Marcus Johansson (Questionable, Concussion).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Lightning are 4-0 in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 5-0 in Devils last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Over is 6-1 in Devils last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.




Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche (+140, 5.5)

Predators lead series 2-0.

The Colorado Avalanche are banking that the Rocky Mountain air will breathe new life into their Western Conference first-round series with the Nashville Predators. The Avalanche, who matched franchise records for consecutive home wins (10) and total victories on the season (28), have dropped 12 straight to the Predators -- including the first two heading into Monday's Game 3.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: Nashville has spread its offense around in the first two games of the series, with eight players responsible for the team's 10 goals. Filip Forsberg and Austin Watson have each scored twice, with the former netting five goals in his last three contests while latter has tallied in three straight. Ryan Johansen scored in Game 2 to extend his point streak to four contests while defenseman P.K. Subban set up two goals on Saturday to boost his point total to seven (one goal, six assists) in his last eight outings.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE: While MacKinnon has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last seven games, captain Gabriel Landeskog has seven (two goals, five assists) in that stretch after scoring and setting up a goal in Game 2. While the statistics are piling up, the wins are not -- but Landeskog told reporters that a victory in Game 3 would eliminate any lingering doubts on his club and generate some for the opponent. "I think it's win Game 3 and all of a sudden you are feeling good and they start second-guessing themselves," the 25-year-old Swede said. "We just got to make sure we take care of these two at home, that's the bottom line. Especially Game 3, we can't look too much further ahead than that, but make sure we win Game 3 and then after that get rolling."

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Predators opened as +120 road chalk and that number wasn't high enough as money rolled in on Nashville pushing the line as high as +140. The total opened at 6 and has been bet down slightly to 5.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Predators - C Calle Jarnkrok (Questionable, Upper Body), D Yannick Weber (Questionable, Upper Body).

Avalanche - D Samuel Girard (Questionable, Upper Body), G Semyon Varlamov (Out Indefinitely, Knee), D Erik Johnson (Late May, Knee).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Predators are 8-0 in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Avalanche are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
* Over is 6-1 in Predators last 7 games following a win.
* Over is 5-0 in Avalanche last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Predators are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in Colorado.
* Over is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings in Colorado.




Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks (-140, 5)

Sharks lead series 2-0.

The Anaheim Ducks are in a familiar -- albeit uncomfortable -- position, having lost the opening two games at home for the third time in their last five postseason appearances. The Ducks will have to find a way to claw back into their Western Conference first-round series on the road against a Pacific Division rival when they head north to face the San Jose Sharks on Monday night.

ABOUT THE DUCKS: Anaheim, which entered the postseason with the fewest goals of any of the 16 teams, now must attempt to duplicate last season's series against Edmonton, when it dropped the first two at home before rally to prevail in seven games. ?Sure, we can draw on that,? said Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who scored one goal and set up another Saturday. ?People have not been believing in us all year but we know what we?re capable of.? Rickard Rakell, the team's leading goal (34) and overall scorer, has been limited to two shots on goal through the first two games.

ABOUT THE SHARKS: Goaltender Martin Jones won only once in his final five starts of the regulation season but he has turned away 53 of 55 shots in the series and has surrendered only seven goals in five matchups against the Ducks this season. Captain Joe Pavelski, who has collected three assists in the first two games, said a key factor for San Jose was to not get rattled by the relentless physical play of Anaheim. "Nothing we haven't taken before," Pavelski said. "Maybe they are coming a little bit harder. Be poised. Make some plays. Stick to what we are trying to do."

SERIES PRICE (PER SPORTS INTERACTION):

LINE HISTORY: The Sharks opened as high as -161 home chalk and that number was too high and money coming in on Anaheim has dropped that moneyline down as low as -135 at some books. The total hit the betting board at 5 and has yet to move off the opening number.

INJURY REPORT:

Ducks - D Cam Fowler (Mid May, Shoulder), RW Patrick Eaves (Out For Season, Illness).

Sharks - C Joe Thornton (Questionable, Knee), RW Barclay Goodrow (Questionable, Upper Body).

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Sharks are 8-2 in their last 10 games following a win.
* Under is 7-1 in Ducks last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Under is 6-0-1 in the last 7 meetings in San Jose.
* Ducks are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings.

 

[Cnotes53]

MONDAY, APRIL 16
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BOS at TOR 07:00 PM
TOR -115
O 5.5

TB at NJ 07:30 PM
TB -155
O 6.0

NAS at COL 10:00 PM
NAS -150
U 5.5

ANA at SJ 10:30 PM
SJ -155
O 5.0