Announcement

**Udog** · 04-21-2015, 10:11 AM

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

-- Running a 26-mile marathon seems unhealthy; then again, if I drive 26 miles, I'm looking for a Wendy's drive-thru window.

-- Cubs face Francisco Liriano tonight, their first game against a lefty starter- they also brought up infield prospect Addison Russell, who will play 2B..

-- North Carolina PG Marcus Paige had his ankle scoped this week; he didn't do lot of practicing this season.

-- San Jose Sharks "fired" Todd McLellan after seven years; he was 311-163-66 as Sharks' coach, but never made the Stanley Cup finals. No one quits these jobs.

-- Why would Oklahoma City fire Scott Brooks? Is it his fault his players were hurt all season? Sometimes coaching an NBA team seems like running an asylum. He has not been fired yet, but rumors are they want to hire Kevin Ollie.

-- Jimmy Butler scored 31 points for the Bulls last night; he didn't have a D-I scholarship offer coming out of high school. He went to Tyler JC for a year, then went to Marquette. Life is funny sometimes.

**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud..........

13) Losing isn't fun; Cincinnati Reds' manager Brian Price went on a 5:34 tirade against a sportswriter, complete with 77 F-bombs and 11 other expletives. My first thought on this was: the season is two weeks old and the guy sounds like he's going to have a nervous breakdown. He might not be cut out for the job.

12) Seriously, 77 F-bombs in 5:34 is tremendous and he got off to a slow start. Worst thing about the whole thing is that his basic point is wrong; its the job of the reporter to give out news on the team. If a manager can't deal with this being the age of instant news via social media, then he shouldn't have the job he has. If he doesn't start winning soon, he won't have it anyway.

11) Sad day for a couple of tough guys: Doug Buffone, 71 and Bob St Clair, 84 two very tough men, passed away Monday. Buffone was a LB for the Bears with Dick Butkus, St Clair was a Hall of Famer for the 49ers. RIP fellas.

10) Anaheim Ducks are first team in NHL history to lead a playoff series 3-0 when they trailed all three games in the third period. Ottawa is down 3-0 in its series with Montreal, losing last two games in OT- they led all three games after the first period.

9) Woman was standing behind the plate in Pittsburgh last night; a foul ball hit the net, the net gave way a little and the ball hit the lady square in the side of the head. She was taken away on a stretcher after a 15-minute delay- can you say "personal injury lawsuit"?

8) Steve Spurrier turned 70 years old this week, is still going strong, playing golf and coaching the Gamecocks. He's had a tremendous career.

7) Adrian Peterson will make $765,000 a game this season, $15M in 2016, $17M in 2017; will another team take a chance on such an expensive player in his 30's? Peterson hasn't played since Week 1 of last season.

6) Kyle Wiltjer is coming back to Gonzaga next year, Jakob Poeltl is coming back to Utah, great news for both those teams.

5) Couple transfers to note: PG Ricky Tarrant goes from Alabama to Memphis and Evan Payne goes from LMU to Long Beach State.

4) Rumors say the Marlins will hire Wally Backman as manager if they can Mike Redmond; Backman is a fiery type who has done well in the minors, but Redmond is highly respected. Two weeks is a little quick to be firing people.

3) 15 of 30 current major league managers caught in the big leagues.

2) Ranger-Penguin series is first time since 2009 Stanley Cup finals that the Penguins haven't had home ice advantage in a series- thats ten series ago.

1) NFL schedule comes out tonight at 8:00; as Bud Grant used to say, "Its not who you play, its when you play them." Steelers-Patriots is early favorite to be the Thursday night season opener.

**Udog** · 04-21-2015, 10:12 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Tuesday, April 21

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TAMPA BAY (51-25-0-8, 110 pts.) at DETROIT (44-26-0-14, 102 pts.) - 4/21/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 6-13 ATS (-9.7 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
TAMPA BAY is 22-7 ATS (+11.5 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 176-189 ATS (+405.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
DETROIT is 21-25 ATS (-8.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 10-16 ATS (-7.2 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 3-8 ATS (-11.2 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
DETROIT is 11-21 ATS (-21.6 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
DETROIT is 87-95 ATS (-80.7 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 8-3 (+4.3 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 8-3-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.4 Units)

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WASHINGTON (46-27-0-12, 104 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (49-29-0-7, 105 pts.) - 4/21/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 23-10 ATS (+8.3 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
WASHINGTON is 26-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 29-35 ATS (-7.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 57-86 ATS (-32.7 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 7-7 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 7-7-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.2 Units)

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NASHVILLE (48-26-0-11, 107 pts.) at CHICAGO (50-29-0-6, 106 pts.) - 4/21/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 1-6 ATS (-6.7 Units) in April games this season.
NASHVILLE is 8-14 ATS (-11.5 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
NASHVILLE is 8-16 ATS (-10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 47-16 ATS (+16.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 187-147 ATS (+36.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
CHICAGO is 25-23 ATS (-9.0 Units) second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 11-6 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 11-6-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)

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VANCOUVER (49-31-0-5, 103 pts.) at CALGARY (47-31-0-7, 101 pts.) - 4/21/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 41-50 ATS (-19.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 47-38 ATS (+86.4 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 26-20 ATS (+1.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
CALGARY is 24-8 ATS (+14.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CALGARY is 21-10 ATS (+10.6 Units) after a division game this season.
VANCOUVER is 124-113 ATS (+245.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 21-15 ATS (+36.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CALGARY is 3-14 ATS (+18.8 Units) when leading in a playoff series since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 12-5 (+5.3 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 12-5-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)

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NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, April 21

Tampa Bay outshot Detroit 76-38 in first two games, 31-10 in third period; they went 2-4 on power play in Game 2, after being outscored 1-0 on seven power plays in Game 1. Lightning won eight of their last 11 games with Detroit- seven of those 11 stayed under the total. Tampa Bay won four of its last five games overall, allowing nine goals; they split last four visits to Motor City. Under is 4-2-1 in Lightning's last seven games. Red Wings lost three of last four at home.

Islanders scored 0:15 into OT Sunday, 6th-fastest OT goal in NHL history; they're 5-7 in last dozen games overall, with over 5-3-1 in last nine. Isles are 0-6 on power play in series-- only eight penalties total were called in last two games. Caps won six of their last ten games with over 7-3-1 in last 11- they outshot Islanders 24-14 in third period last two games, but Islanders outshot them 33-13 in first two periods Sunday. Home side won six of last seven series games. Isles are 3-2 in last five here.

Nashville lost eight of last nine games overall after 4-2 loss here Sunday; Predators lost five of last seven games with Chicago, with last four going over total- they'e 2-12 on power play in series, are down 2-1 despite not allowing third period goal in series. Chicago won last three series games in this building, with two of three going OT/SO; all three games in this playoff series have gone over total. Nashville lost its last three road games by combined score of 11-5.

Calgary finally scored couple of first period goals in 4-2 win Sunday; five of their seven series goals have come in third period, on 34 shots. Flames have now won seven of last ten games; under is 5-2-1 in last eight Calgary games. Home crowd helped underdog Flames in Game 3; they can gra commanding series lead here. Calgary won four of last five games with Vancouver, despite scoring eleven goals in four games. Vancouver is 2-7 on power play in series. Under is 3-1-2 in last five series games.

Home teams are 15-8 in this round; over is 11-8-4.

2015 NHL playoffs
Montreal vs Ottawa
Mtl 4-3, -$140, O5
Mtl 3-2 OT, -$140, N5
Mtl 2-1 OT, +$110, U5

Tampa Bay vs Detroit
Det 3-2, +$155, U5.5
TB 5-1, -$200, U5.5

NY Rangers vs Pittsburgh
NYR 2-1, -$180, U5
Pitt 4-3, +$175, O5
NYR 2-1, even U5

Washington vs NY Islanders
NYI 4-1, +125, N5
Wash 4-3, -$135, O5.5
NYI 2-1 OT, -$140, U5.5

St Louis vs Minnesota
Minn 4-2, +$125, O5
StL 4-1, -$140, N5
Minn 3-0, -$135, U5

Nashville vs Chicago
Chi 4-3 OT, +$105, O5
Nash 6-2, -$120, O5
Chi 4-2, -$160, O5

Anaheim vs Winnipeg
Ana 4-2, -$150, O5
Ana 2-1, -$150, U5
Ana 5-4 OT, +$120, O5

Vancouver vs Calgary
Cal 2-1, +$135, U5
Van 4-1, -$155, N5
Cal 4-2, -$115, O5

NHL

Tuesday, April 21

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Detroit is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Tampa Bay

7:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NY ISLANDERS
Washington is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Washington is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
NY Islanders are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
NY Islanders are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games at home

9:30 PM
NASHVILLE vs. CHICAGO
Nashville is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Nashville

10:00 PM
VANCOUVER vs. CALGARY
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
Vancouver is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Calgary
Calgary is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Vancouver
Calgary is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

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**Udog** · 04-21-2015, 10:17 AM

NHL

Tuesday, April 21

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Tuesday's NHL Playoffs betting cheat sheet
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Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings (-105, 5.5)

Series tied 1-1

Nikita Nesterov scored in the series opener before notching two assists on Saturday as Tampa Bay recorded its first postseason victory since 2011. The defenseman is riding a five-game point streak dating to the regular season, collecting two goals and four assists during the run after mustering just one and three, respectively, in his first 24 career contests. Tyler Johnson tallied twice in Game 2 after recording seven multi-goal performances in the regular season.

Coach Mike Babcock told reporters defenseman Brendan Smith will return to the lineup after being scratched since making a mental error against Montreal on April 9. "Tampa is a high-speed skating team, and when Smith plays, he can really skate with the puck, and he can keep up with their forwards," captain Henrik Zetterberg told the Detroit Free Press. "I think he's a good fit for the series." Smith sat out the regular-season finale and then saw rookie Alexey Marchenko play in his place to begin the series.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Detroit.
* Lightning are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
* Red Wings are 8-20 in their last 28 vs. Atlantic.

Washington Capitals at New York Islanders (-135, 5.5)

Islanders lead series 2-1

Eric Fehr will miss the next two games after suffering an upper-body injury on a hit from Kyle Okposo during his second shift of Sunday's tilt. "(Fehr) is out for the next two games, and we will re-evaluate after that," coach Barry Trotz said after Monday's practice. Captain Alex Ovechkin has scored just once in the series after netting a league-high 53 goals this season, while defensemen Mike Green and Matt Niskanen have notched two assists apiece.

With Travis Hamonic sidelined by a suspected left knee injury, fellow defenseman Johnny Boychuk has assumed the majority of the responsibility of keeping Ovechkin in line. "It's just your job," Boychuk told Newsday after blocking four shots in Game 3 and eight overall in the series. "(Ovechkin's) an excellent player, the best goal scorer in the game right now. You have to pay attention to him at all times. If you don't, you're probably going to be going home early." Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky has notched two assists and is a team-best plus-4 in the series.

TRENDS:

* Islanders are 0-8 in their last eight games following a win.
* Home team is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
* Over is 4-1-2 in Capitals last seven vs. Metropolitan.

Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks (-165, 5.5)

Blackhawks lead series 2-1

With stud defenseman Weber sidelined due to an injury to his lower right leg, Nashville's top blue-line pairing of Roman Josi and Seth Jones each finished with a minus-3 and was unable to contain Chicago's No. 1 line of captain Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad, which accounted for five points Sunday. "You're facing the best defenseman in the league, and all of a sudden when he's not there, you have to take advantage of it," Hossa said. "I think that's what we did." Goaltender Pekka Rinne's late-season struggles have continued, allowing 24 goals over his last seven starts and four tallies in four of them.

Hossa finished third on the team in scoring with 61 points during the regular season and has thrived in the series, collecting a pair of assists in both Games 1 and 3 while registering a team-high six shots on goal Sunday. "He makes it seem a lot easier than it really is," Toews said of the 36-year-old Hossa. "To think of where you’ll be at if you have the chance to play as long as he has, how that might feel, I kind of cringe thinking about it. It is pretty impressive.” Andrew Desjardins, acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline, saw his first playoff action and notched his first tally since joining Chicago.

TRENDS:

* Predators are 1-4 in the last five meetings.
* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Blackhawks are 6-1 in their last seven Conference Quarterfinals games.

Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames (-120, 5)

Flames lead series 2-1

Alex Burrows will be in the lineup Tuesday as he avoided disciplinary action from the league for his part in the late antics of Game 3. The 34-year-old received an instigator penalty in the final five minutes of the contest, which normally warrants an automatic suspension, but the league has the right to lift the ban if several criteria for the penalty are not met - which was the case in Burrows' situation. A loss on Tuesday puts Vancouver in a 3-1 series hole, but a victory evens the matchup and regains home-ice advantage for the club - a fact not lost on Kevin Bieksa. "We'll come in and play a nice, solid road game, hopefully get the two points, and momentum will be on our side going back home," he said.

The goals by Brodie and Monahan in Game 3 were the first of their postseason careers, but Bennett's tally was even more special - it was his first in the NHL. "It's a moment that I've thought about for a very long time," said the 18-year-old, whose goal turned out to be the game-winner. "It definitely feels great to get it out of the way. I couldn't have dreamed a better situation." The fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft, Bennett became the second-youngest player in team history to score a playoff goal at 18 years, 303 days - six days older than Jarome Iginla.

TRENDS:

* Canucks are 1-4 in the last five meetings.
* Over is 11-3-3 in the last 17 meetings in Calgary.
* Flames are 21-6 in their last 27 vs. Pacific

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**Udog** · 04-21-2015, 10:18 AM

NHL

Tuesday, April 21

Blues continue horrendous road play in playoffs

With a 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild Monday, the St. Louis Blues stretch their playoff road losing streak to nine consecutive games. In those nine games, dating back to the Blues 2011-2012 playoff series with the LA Kings, St. Louis has been outscored 28-11.

Those nine games have seen the Blues shutout three times, while losing by two or more goals on five occasions.

Game 4 between the Blues and Wild take place Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center.

Late-game collapses persist for the Jets

The Winnipeg Jets imploded yet again in their Game 3 loss the the Anaheim Ducks, which continues a startling trend. Through the first three games of their playoff series, the Jets have been outscored 7-0 after the second period.

What makes it even more painful, is that the Jets have led heading into the third period in every game so far in the series.

The Ducks now have a 3-0 series stranglehold, with Game 4 on Wednesday.

**Udog** · 04-21-2015, 10:48 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Tuesday, April 21

Nashville Predators @ Chicago Blackhawks

Game 61-62
April 21, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville Predato
9.312
Chicago *********
12.265
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago *********
by 3
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago *********
-175
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago *********
(-175); Under

Vancouver Canucks @ Calgary Flames

Game 63-64
April 21, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vancouver Canucks
12.944
Calgary Flames
10.320
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver Canucks
by 2 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Calgary Flames
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver Canucks
(+100); Under

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Detroit Red Wings

Game 57-58
April 21, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay Lightni
10.324
Detroit Red Wings
11.404
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit Red Wings
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay Lightni
-125
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit Red Wings
(+105); Over

Washington Capitals @ New York Islanders

Game 59-60
April 21, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington Capita
10.163
New York Islander
12.761
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York Islander
by 2 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York Islander
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New York Islander
(-145); Over

**Udog** · 04-21-2015, 10:55 AM

NHL

Tuesday, April 21

Blackhawks-Predators cashing Over tickets

The Over has gone a perfect 3-0 through the first three games of the series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators.

The teams have combined for 21 goals thus far in the series, with Game 2 registering eight goals in the Preds' 6-2 shellacking.

Oddsmakers have adjusted accordingly for Game 4, with books posting a total of 5.5.

Ovechkin, Capitals struggle in road playoff losses

The Washington Capitals continue their series with the New York Islanders while trying to cease their string of consecutive road playoff losses at six. The Caps have been outscored 20-13 during those road losses.

Alexander Ovechkin has been almost non-existent in those six games with just one assist, that came in the first game during that stretch, while posting a plus/minus of -2.

The Caps are +122 for Game 4 on Long Island Tuesday.

**Udog** · 04-21-2015, 06:24 PM

NHL
Short Sheet

Tuesday, April 21

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - Best of 7 - Game 4

Tampa Bay at Detroit, 7:05 ET
Tampa Bay: 22-7 SU after playing 3 consecutive home games
Detroit: 9-14 SU revenging a same season loss vs opponent

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - Best of 7 - Game 4

Washington at NY Islanders, 7:35 ET
Washington: 7-1 SU in road games off a road loss
NY islanders: 9-13 SU after playing a game where 4 or fewer total goals were scored

Western Conference Quarterfinals - Best of 7 - Game 4

Nashville at Chicago, 9:35 ET
Nashville: 6-14 SU after 2 or more consecutive overs
Chicago: 18-3 SU in home games after 2 or more consecutive overs

Announcement

Tuesday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 4/21

Tuesday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 4/21

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