The Bum's National Hockey League March Rated Plays - Trends - News - Etc. !!

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NHL
Short Sheet

Wednesday, March 16

Montreal at Buffalo, 7:05 PM ET
Montreal: 26-14 SU in road games after playing 2 consecutive home games
Buffalo: 1-11 SU in home games after a game where they covered the spread

Philadelphia at Chicago, 8:05 PM ET
Philadelphia: 15-9 SU after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread
Chicago: 0-4 SU in home games revenging a loss where team got shut out

St Louis at Edmonton, 9:35 PM ET
St Louis: 10-3 SU after 2 or more consecutive overs
Edmonton: 2-14 SU off 2 or more consecutive home losses

Winnipeg at Calgary, 10:05 PM ET
Winnipeg: 0-11 SU after allowing 2 goals or less in 2 straight games
Calgary: 30-25 after allowing 4 goals or more

Colorado at Vancouver, 10:05 PM ET
Colorado: 20-14 SU after a game where they failed to cover the spread
Vancouver: 7-12 SU as a home favorite

NY Rangers at Anaheim, 10:35 PM ET
New York: 10-18 SU in a road game where where the total is 5 or less
Anaheim: 18-6 SU revenging a close loss vs opponent of 1 goal or less

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Yesterday's Results: 2 - 1.......+ 1.20
Ytd: 28 - 30...........+ 8.06

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


MON at BUF 07:00 PM

MON +127


PHI at CHI 08:00 PM

PHI +166


STL at EDM 09:30 PM

STL -145

WIN at CAL 10:00 PM

CAL -110


COL at VAN 10:00 PM

VAN -102


NYR at ANA 10:30 PM

NYR +135

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Preview: Wild (32-27) at Devils (33-30)
Date: March 17, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Coach John Torchetti knows blowing a late lead and settling for one point certainly won't help the Minnesota Wild's playoff pursuit.

At least their situation isn't nearly as dire as that of the fading New Jersey Devils.

Minnesota finishes a three-game trip looking to hand New Jersey a fourth consecutive home loss Thursday night.

The Wild (32-27-11) entered Tuesday's matchup with Ottawa having won three straight on the road and were seconds away from earning a critical two points. The Senators, though, scored with 7.1 seconds remaining in regulation to tie it and struck again with 30.4 left in overtime to pull out a stunning 3-2 victory.

Minnesota has gone 1-2-1 following a four-game winning streak as it tries to fend off Colorado in what has become a two-team race for the Western Conference's final playoff spot. The pressure especially is on the Wild to appear in a fourth straight postseason after coach Mike Yeo was fired Feb. 13 following an eighth consecutive defeat.

They've gone 9-5-1 under Torchetti.

"We were lucky we got the extra point," Torchetti said. "Some nights like that, you don't get that extra point and you play a great game. We battled hard. We can learn a lot from that game. We should have won 2-1. Now we're on to New Jersey. We got a point, so just move from there."

The Devils (33-30-7) had their own playoff aspirations, but they've gone 4-9-0 in their last 13 and would have to jump four teams for the East's second wild-card spot. After winning back-to-back games for the first time in nearly a month, they surrendered their most goals of the season in Monday's 7-1 loss at Anaheim.

'We would have been happy to win two out of three (on the road trip), but to finish it like this leaves a bad taste in your mouth,' defenseman Andy Greene said. 'We have to step back and realize that we did take two out of three.'

Keith Kinkaid made his fourth start since Cory Schneider suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in a loss to Dallas on March 4, but he allowed six goals for the second time in that stretch before being pulled in the third period.

'It doesn't matter how badly you lose or how little you lose by. A loss is a loss,' Kinkaid said.

Kinkaid could get the start against the Wild and certainly would appreciate some offensive help. New Jersey has been outscored 13-2 during a three-game home losing streak that is part of a 1-5-0 stretch in Newark.

The Devils did just enough to beat Minnesota 2-1 in the first meeting Jan. 10 and got a goal from Adam Henrique, who has gone without a point in his last four.

Devan Dubnyk didn't start that contest for the Wild but should be in net for this one. He has a 2.10 goals-against average during a 5-1-1 stretch and made 30 saves to beat the Devils the last time he faced them March 10, 2015.

Zach Parise scored in the first meeting for his first goal in four matchups since signing with Minnesota prior to the 2012-13 season, shortly after leading the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final. He didn't have a point in his return to New Jersey on March 20, 2014.

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Preview: Hurricanes (31-26) at Penguins (37-24)
Date: March 17, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

As the Carolina Hurricanes' offensive struggles have cost them key points, the Pittsburgh Penguins are putting together a run even without one of their top scorers.
The Penguins will go for their third straight win in this series while trying to inch up the hectic Eastern Conference standings when they host the Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Pittsburgh (37-24-8) lost Evgeni Malkin for the rest of the regular season and likely the first round of the playoffs when he exited Friday's 3-2 win at Columbus early with an upper-body injury.

The Penguins, though, followed with Sunday's 5-3 road victory over the New York Rangers before goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury's stellar effort in Tuesday's 2-1 shootout win over the New York Islanders helped move Pittsburgh to 21-10-4 at home.

While Sunday's offensive outburst was nice to see without Malkin, second on the team with 27 goals and 58 points, the tight victory against the Islanders might be the style of game the Penguins need to win down the stretch.

Fleury made 25 saves through overtime and pushed aside all three shots in the shootout. Chris Kunitz scored in regulation and Kris Letang netted the shootout winner.

'Toward the end of the year, it's going to be games like that, one-goal games,' Letang said. 'You have to be comfortable in those.'

The Penguins hold the first wild-card berth in the East and are within three points of the Metropolitan Division's third guaranteed postseason spot as they try to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons.

Fleury's play over the last three weeks is promising for a late push. He is 6-2-0 with a 1.75 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in his last eight starts.

The 12-year veteran has two career shutouts against the Hurricanes, including a 22-save effort in a 5-0 win Jan. 17 in Pittsburgh. Fleury followed that with 29 saves in a 2-1 shootout victory in Carolina on February 12.

Carolina (31-26-13), though, won the first two matchups behind strong play from its goalie. Cam Ward stopped 37 shots in a 2-1 win in Pittsburgh on Dec. 19 and then had 23 saves in a 3-2 overtime home victory Jan. 12.

Eddie Lack was the starter Tuesday and made 29 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss at Washington. The Hurricanes extended their point streak to six games, though three of those resulted in overtime defeats during a five-game OT streak.

The last one was bitter as it seemed the Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov may have been offside before Alex Ovechkin beat Lack in overtime. On-ice officials upheld the goal, which was challenged by the NHL situation room.

Victor Rask, Phillip Di Giuseppe and Jordan Staal are the only three Hurricanes to score in their back-to-back losses, starting with Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss at Buffalo.

Still, Carolina held the NHL-leading Capitals in check to pick up a point and stay within striking distance of the second wild-card spot in the East.

'Outstanding,' coach Bill Peters said. 'I thought the young D did a great job and I thought our forwards competed very hard.'

The Hurricanes will play the fourth game on a five-game road trip which concludes Saturday against Minnesota. They've earned at least one point in five straight away from home, going 2-0-3.

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Preview: Red Wings (34-25) at Blue Jackets (28-33)
Date: March 17, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

After a second straight one-goal defeat added to their March struggles, the Detroit Red Wings can't afford another loss to one of hockey's worst teams.

The Red Wings can get back on track by avoiding a second road defeat in 10 days to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

In a battle to extend North American professional sports' longest playoff streak to 25 seasons, Detroit (34-25-11) hasn't played much like a postseason contender while losing five of seven this month. After falling 1-0 to lowly Toronto at home Sunday, the Red Wings yielded the first two goals en route to opening their four-game trip with a 4-3 loss to surging Philadelphia on Tuesday.

"I know we came into (Tuesday night) knowing we needed to win," coach Jeff Blashill said. "Now we have to go Thursday night and get a win. That's the only thing I worry about."

The Red Wings are feeling a sense of urgency as the number of games dwindle and the pressure mounts. Though Blashill didn't question his team's effort Tuesday, he wants them to respond better when faced with in-game adversity.

Detroit has allowed the first goal in every game this month.

"We didn't show the resilience we need to show (again Tuesday)," Blashill said. "When we get scored on we can't let the momentum get away from us ... We haven't done a good enough job of that."

Though the Red Wings killed all six penalties against the Flyers and 14 of 15 in four games, they're 3 for 24 on the power play in March.

Points leader Henrik Zetterberg doesn't have a point in seven straight on the road, where the Red Wings are 2-7-2 since early February. Their current three-game road skid included a 5-3 loss to Columbus (28-33-8) on March 8.

Jimmy Howard allowed four of those goals on 31 shots in his most recent start but Petr Mrazek could be in net for this one.

Mrazek, who didn't yield more than two goals in four starts prior to giving up all four Tuesday, stopped 28 shots in a 2-1 home shootout victory over the Blue Jackets on Feb. 23.

Columbus followed last week's win over Detroit with home losses to Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. The Blue Jackets trailed 1-0 after two periods Sunday, but the Lightning scored two straight short-handed goals and broke things open on just nine third-period shots en route to a 4-0 victory.

"That's frustrating," said Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, whose team has allowed 19 goals while losing three of five in March. "It needs to be a lesson learned that we need to stay with it, and hopefully we can learn from it."

Columbus' Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed seven goals in two games since missing 19 with a groin injury.

Boone Jenner has a goal in each game with the Red Wings this season and Cam Atkinson had two with an assist in last week's matchup.

Columbus will be without defenseman Dalton Prout after he drew a one-game suspension for sucker punching Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov.

Detroit's Tomas Tatar has two goals and three assists in his last three at Columbus.

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Preview: Panthers (39-22) at Maple Leafs (24-34)
Date: March 17, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Jaromir Jagr isn't hung up on the Florida Panthers winning the Atlantic Division, but that might take care of itself if the team accomplishes what the veteran is aiming for.

"Playing very good hockey going into the playoffs" will most certainly include beating the worst team in the league, and the Panthers play three of their final 12 games against Toronto beginning with Thursday night's matchup to conclude a three-game road trip.

The Maple Leafs, however, are a game away from matching their top winning streak of the season.

After Tuesday's 4-1 win in Montreal, the Panthers (39-22-9) again find themselves atop the Atlantic, with Boston a point back and Tampa Bay two behind. Jagr is focused on the ice rather than the numbers.

"Through my experience, it's nice to win a division, but the main thing is to be playing very good hockey going into the playoffs, if we make it," the 44-year-old said. "I saw a lot of teams that clinch five or 10 games before.

"They are resting players and then, in the first round, they're upset. The team wasn't ready to play against teams that were fighting until the last game to make the playoffs. It's good to win it, but on the other side, I'd rather fight to the end."

Over a 3-1-1 span, things have improved offensively for the Panthers, averaging 4.00 goals after managing seven over a 1-3-0 stretch.

Aleksander Barkov scored for a third straight game Tuesday and has four in his last five, Nick Bjugstad has scored in consecutive contests, while Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau each have eight points in five games. Trocheck had a goal and an assist against the Canadiens and has 24 of his 48 points in the last 23 games.

"He's playing very well lately," Jagr told the team's official website. "He's skating and he's got a lot of confidence, and he's shooting the puck with a lot of confidence. He's a very underrated player. I'm glad he's underrated. People don't pay attention to him too much, but on the team we know how good he is."

Special teams have factored into the five-game span with a 4-of-15 mark on the power play while going 10 of 11 on the penalty kill. Toronto, meanwhile, hasn't given up a power-play goal in 15 chances over the last six games.

The series started with Florida's 5-1 home win Jan. 26 with a goal and an assist from Trocheck, Reilly Smith and Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers have won six of the last seven matchups behind 4.00 goals per game.

The Maple Leafs (24-34-11), however, have limited their last two opponents to one goal. That came in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Tampa Bay to begin a six-game homestand, putting them in position for their third three-game win streak of the season.

It was also the first time they scored four non-shootout goals since a 5-4 overtime loss to Philadelphia on Feb. 20, going 3-7-1 between those efforts with 1.73 goals per game.

"We want to establish a winning feeling in this room and over the last week or so I think we've improved on that, and it's always good for your confidence when you're winning games," said Ben Smith, who scored his first goal in 15 games this season and added an assist. "You want to keep bringing that effort and improve on the things that we're not doing as well."

Goaltending has been a big part of the back-to-back wins with Jonathan Bernier posting a .985 save percentage.

Likely counterpart Roberto Luongo is 2-2-0 with a 3.66 goals-against average and .871 save percentage in his last five games, but he's 5-0-0 with 1.83 and .932 marks in his past six against Toronto.

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Preview: Islanders (38-21) at Predators (35-22)
Date: March 17, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Nashville Predators are one of the league's hottest teams and have taken control of the Western Conference wild-card race to all but assure another trip to the postseason.

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Now their mission is to keep that push going over their final 12 games and head into the playoffs on a roll.

Nashville begins a tough three-game stretch against likely playoff-bound foes Thursday night as it looks to beat the visiting New York Islanders for the first time in five meetings.

The Predators (35-22-13) hold a sizable lead for the West's first wild card thanks to a 10-1-5 stretch. They earned seven of a possible 10 points over a five-game road trip after James Neal recorded a hat trick in Monday's 3-2 win over Edmonton.

"Every game is going to be tough down the stretch," said Neal, who has five goals and two assists in seven games this month. "I thought we did a good job to stay on the right side of the puck (Monday) and got some timely goals and managed to get a big win."

Although Nashville had success on its trip, only Colorado has a realistic shot of making the playoffs with the other opponents sitting toward the bottom of the West. The competition gets tougher over the next week with a visit from the Islanders (38-21-9) and a trip to face NHL-leading Washington on Friday, followed by Monday's home matchup with Pacific-leading Los Angeles.

The Predators have earned nine of a possible 12 points at home since Feb. 15.

"We got the job done (Monday), and there's a good feeling in the room," center Ryan Johansen said. "Going back home now with eight home games and four on the road to finish up this season, it was a big, tough road trip."

Nashville had a two-goal lead in the first meeting with New York on Oct. 15 before John Tavares and Anders Lee had a goal and an assist apiece to help the Islanders rally for a 4-3 victory.

They've outscored the Predators 16-9 during their four-game winning streak in the series, but they're 1-1-2 since March 9 after falling 2-1 in a shootout at Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Lee assisted on Kyle Okposo's tying goal with 5:25 remaining before Okposo, Tavares and Frans Nielsen all missed in the shootout. Coach Jack Capuano decided to rest Brock Nelson and Shane Prince and inserted Mikhail Grabovski, who hadn't played since Feb. 19 because of an upper-body injury.

"I'm real proud of the guys and the effort they put forth," Capuano said. "You come into this building against a really high-quality team on a back-to-back with long travel and come out with a point."

The Islanders are fighting with the Rangers and Penguins for home-ice advantage in the first-round of the playoffs, but they've lost three straight on the road after winning six of their previous seven.

'It would've been nice to get two (points Tuesday), obviously,' defenseman Travis Hamonic said. 'It's a pretty obvious thing, but you get them the best way you can this year. You try to gather them and I think we battled hard."

Jean-Francois Berube played well in his third NHL start as New York moves on without Jaroslav Halak, who will be out for at least the rest of the regular season with a lower-body injury.

Thomas Greiss could be back in net against the Predators, who will have to decide how to approach the back-to-back set with Pekka Rinne. He's started on consecutive days only once this season.

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Preview: Lightning (40-25) at Stars (41-21)
Date: March 17, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The Dallas Stars ended a stretch against their top Western Conference competition with a clunker this week.

The Tampa Bay Lightning suffered a similar disappointment at the hands of the NHL's worst team.

While the Stars seek a rebound win to reignite their bid for the West's top spot, the Lightning hope to keep pace in the East's Atlantic Division when they meet in Dallas on Thursday night.

Dallas (41-21-9) opened a key five-game homestand with Friday's 5-2 victory over Chicago and Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to St. Louis, the two other teams battling for the Central title.

Then the Stars' bid for the West's best record took a hit with Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Pacific-leading Los Angeles. Dallas' five-game point streak ended as it fell to 22-11-2 at American Airlines Center, tightening the four-team race at the top of the conference.

The Stars' goaltending concerns grew louder as they allowed at least five goals for the sixth time since Feb. 18. They are the league's only team with a 4.00 goals-against average while playing 13 games in that span.

Antti Niemi made 31 saves but allowed all five goals to the Blues, and he relieved an ineffective Kari Lehtonen against the Kings. Lehtonen surrendered four goals on 11 shots and was pulled just 1:07 into the second period before Niemi stopped 10 of the final 11 shots.

'This was a big letdown for us,' coach Lindy Ruff said. 'I thought we came out flat. We knew that it was going to be a rough, tough game. They came out good, we came out casual.'

Lehtonen had just made 21 saves in the win over Chicago but remains neck and neck with Niemi at the bottom of the league in save percentage - owning a .903 mark, just better than Niemi's .901.

Both are on pace to be the worst marks in a Dallas uniform since Marty Turco's .898 in 2008-09 - though Lehtonen did finish at .903 last season.

Usually Dallas' offensive explosiveness is good enough to offset its defensive issues, but leading scorers Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were held without a point for just the 16th time. The Stars are 3-8-5 in those contests.

Each scored and assisted in Dallas' 5-3 win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 15. Five different Stars players tallied a goal for just their second win in the last seven games of this series.

The Lightning (40-25-5) have won five of six in Dallas since 2002-03, and they have won seven of their last nine road games.

However, Tampa Bay is coming off Tuesday's bitter 4-1 loss at Toronto. The Lightning have scored just eight goals in a 1-3-1 span, half coming from Sunday's 4-0 win at Columbus to open a four-game trip.

The Maple Leafs have the fewest points in the NHL but managed to snatch two away from Tampa Bay, which is in a tight race with Florida and Boston in the Atlantic.

'That was a really disappointing game,' coach Jon Cooper said. 'One team came out to win a hockey game and the other team came out thinking they were going to win the hockey game. That was it. The right team won.'

Ben Bishop took the night off but has been solid in net with a 7-1-1 record since Feb. 20 and .957 save percentage in seven games since Feb. 26. He made 37 saves against the Blue Jackets for his fourth shutout.

However, he allowed all five goals on 22 shots in the October loss to the Stars and has an .868 save percentage in three career starts against them.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sharks (39-24) at Coyotes (30-32)
Date: March 17, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Brent Burns isn't the sole reason San Jose is thriving at the moment, but there's no denying the defenseman's ability to get on the score sheet regularly gives the Sharks a unique advantage.

They've also continued the strange trend of being far better on the road than at home.

San Jose can win a fifth straight road game by remaining unbeaten against the Arizona Coyotes this season in the first of two matchups in four days Thursday night.

Burns has set career highs with 26 goals and 64 points while tying Sandis Ozolinsh's team records for a defenseman in 1993-94. His 38 assists are five short of matching his career best after recording one on Joonas Donskoi's winning goal in the third period of Tuesday's 3-2 victory over Boston.

His goal in the second tied it and is one of six to go along with seven assists over his last eight. Burns is closing in on becoming the first defenseman to finish with at least 30 goals since Mike Green netted 31 for Washington in 2008-09.

'I'm not going to lie, it's a pretty cool honor,' Burns said. 'I just think it means I'm playing with a lot of great players. You're the recipient of a lot of great plays by guys.'

Joe Thornton helped set up Burns' goal Tuesday and has four goals and 12 assists over his last 12. His and Burns' production have helped the Sharks (39-24-6) win seven of nine with their sights set on catching Los Angeles, which they trail by five points for the Pacific Division lead.

'The guy's unbelievable,' Thornton said of Burns. 'He plays in all situations. When he's out there you feel like something can happen every shift. What a year he's having. Right now he's playing great hockey.'

San Jose could earn home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs by finishing first or second in the Pacific, but it might actually be better off staying where it is. Its 25 road wins are the most in the league while posting a 14-15-3 mark at home.

The Sharks have plenty of opportunities to improve that home record, as this matchup with the Coyotes (30-32-7) is their only one on the road in a 10-game stretch that began last Thursday.

San Jose won the first meeting 3-1 on the road Jan. 21 before Burns had two assists in a 4-1 victory Feb. 13, its fifth in the last six matchups. The Coyotes visit the Sharks on Sunday, and they'll complete the season series in both teams' finale April 9 in San Jose.

Arizona didn't have Mike Smith in either of the previous meetings after he missed 40 games following surgery to repair a core muscle injury, but it's likely he'll be in net for this one. Smith returned Saturday and made 44 saves to beat Edmonton 4-0.

"I didn't feel good," Smith said. "The goal wasn't to come in and feel unbelievable. It's part of the process. But saying that, it's definitely a confidence builder."

Antoine Vermette scored twice and had an assist to give him four goals and five assists over his last five. The Coyotes have won back-to-back games following a 1-8-1 stretch.

"We want to establish a good culture around here and create good habits, regardless of where we are in the standings," Vermette said.

Martin Jones stopped 45 of 47 shots to help the Sharks win the first two meetings and could be back in goal Thursday.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (13) SAN JOSE@ (14) ARIZONA | 2016-03-17 22:05:00 - 2016-03-17 22:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA using money line in All games after a division game
The record is 17 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+15.9 units)

NHL > (7) FLORIDA@ (8) TORONTO | 2016-03-17 19:35:00 - 2016-03-17 19:35:00
Play ON FLORIDA using money line in Road games after a division game
The record is 7 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+8.55 units)

NHL > (7) FLORIDA@ (8) TORONTO | 2016-03-17 19:35:00 - 2016-03-17 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 3 Wins and 19 Losses for the this season (-14.2 units)

NHL > (3) CAROLINA@ (4) PITTSBURGH | 2016-03-17 19:05:00 - 2016-03-17 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH using money line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 22 Wins and 34 Losses for the last two seasons (-25.6 units)

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NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (13) SAN JOSE@ (14) ARIZONA | 2016-03-17 22:05:00 - 2016-03-17 22:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA in All games after a division game
The record is 17 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+15.9 units)

NHL > (7) FLORIDA@ (8) TORONTO | 2016-03-17 19:35:00 - 2016-03-17 19:35:00
Play ON FLORIDA in Road games after a division game
The record is 7 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+8.55 units)

NHL > (7) FLORIDA@ (8) TORONTO | 2016-03-17 19:35:00 - 2016-03-17 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 3 Wins and 19 Losses for the this season (-14.2 units)

NHL > (3) CAROLINA@ (4) PITTSBURGH | 2016-03-17 19:05:00 - 2016-03-17 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 22 Wins and 34 Losses for the last two seasons (-25.6 units)

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NHL TOTALS

NHL > (1) MINNESOTA@ (2) NEW JERSEY | 2016-03-17 19:05:00 - 2016-03-17 19:05:00
Play UNDER NEW JERSEY on the totalin Home games in non-conference games
[B]The record is 5 Overs and 18 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.3 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rangers (40-23) at Kings (42-22)
Date: March 17, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Kings can thank the New York Rangers for some breathing room atop the Pacific Division, but they're aiming for the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Kings look to extend their recent surge Thursday night and continue their success against the Rangers.

Los Angeles (42-22-5) leads the Pacific by four points over second-place Anaheim with 13 games remaining. The Kings maintained that edge after the Rangers beat the Ducks 2-1 on Wednesday.

Los Angeles overtook Anaheim during a 9-2-1 stretch that also put it two points behind Dallas and St. Louis for first in the West. The Kings have two games in hand on the Stars and three on the Blues.

They may be able to at least pull level with idle St. Louis since Dallas hosts Tampa Bay.

Coach Darryl Sutter is expecting both the division and conference races to go down to the wire.

"The league has changed a lot in terms of the way the game's played in the last couple months of the season, and as you're going down the stretch, it's not for the faint of heart," Sutter said. "Now, everybody's the same going down the stretch. It's the big difference in the game. There's no nights off."

Los Angeles, though, is coming off two of its most impressive performances of the season, winning 5-0 at Chicago on Monday and 5-2 at Dallas the following day.

"We play the same way every night, and we've done it all year," Sutter said. "It doesn't matter who it's against. Sometimes we don't score enough, and sometimes there's little things that make a difference, but our team shows up."

That's certainly true for Tyler Toffoli, who scored in each victory to match his production from the previous 23. Despite the slump, he's still the team leader with a career-high 26 tallies and needs one more point to match his personal-best 49 set last season.

Toffoli hasn't scored in the last eight meetings with New York, including the 2014 Stanley Cup Final won by the Kings in five games.

Jonathan Quick should be back in net after Jhonas Enroth made 24 saves Tuesday. Quick has a 1.45 goals-against average while going 3-0-1 over his last four starts, including a 32-save shutout of the Blackhawks.

He's 7-3-0 with a 1.97 GAA in 10 career meetings with the Rangers, including the Cup Final.

New York (40-23-7) is second in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of the third-place New York Islanders.

Kevin Klein provided the difference in the standings Wednesday with his first two-goal game in his 11-season career. The goals also came after he was stripped of the puck in the defensive zone leading to the Ducks' tally in the first period.

"It's nice, but the two points is the big thing," Klein said. "Just to chip in, I'm happy about that."

The Rangers should have Henrik Lundqvist back in net after Antti Raanta stopped 22 shots Wednesday. Lundqvist, though, has lost his last three starts with a 3.71 GAA after posting a 1.69 GAA while winning eight of the previous 10.

He hasn't faced the Kings since making 48 saves before allowing a goal by Alec Martinez in overtime of a 3-2 loss at Staples Center in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Rangers avoided a major scare Wednesday when Ryan McDonagh was hit in side of the face by an Anaheim shot as time expired. He collapsed to the ice in pain but skated off on his own after trainers tended to him.

Coach Alain Vigneault said the Rangers captain is "OK, as far as I know."

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Six of the more interesting first round games the next two days.........

-- Gonzaga-Seton Hall-- Zags won their last seven first round games. Seton Hall is on heels of winning first Big East tournament since 1993.

-- Wichita State-Arizona-- Wildcats are only favored by 1.5 points.

-- Iona-Iowa State-- Fast-paced game with thin rosters in high altitude.

-- Providence-USC-- How far can Dunn/Bentil carry the Friars?

-- VCU-Oregon State-- Beavers' first appearance in NCAAs since 1990.

-- South Dakota State-Maryland-- Jackrabbits get a shot at one of the big boys.

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Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Welcome to best four days of year.....

These are my favorite four days of the year; wall-to-wall basketball; I've been retired for over a year now, but the last time I worked this week was in 1986. Ha!!!! Here are some tidbits you might find interesting while you watch today's games.

13) I'll start by amusing you with my Final Four pick:
West Virginia-Kansas-St Joseph's-Michigan State

12) Teams that won Big East tournament are 6-2-1 vs spread in their first NCAA tournament game; thats Seton Hall this year- they play a Gonzaga squad thats won its last seven first round games.

11) Over last decade, teams that lost those Big East tournament finals are 6-4 vs spread in their first tournament game- that would be Villanova this year.

10) Arizona is 10-3 in its last 13 first round games; its losses came when they were seeded 8-8-10th- they're a 6 this year. Last time Arizona lost in first round as higher than an 8-seed was 1999, when they lost to West Virginia as a 4-seed.

9) Utah-Fresno State pits the Pac-12 against Mountain West. So far this season, teams from Pac-12 are 14-1 against Mountain West teams, 10-5 against the spread.

8) Since 2003, Ivy League champ is 1-3 vs spread in NCAAs if they're an underdog of less than 10 points; they're 5-4 if getting 10+ points (they're always underdogs). Yale is getting 5.5 points from Baylor- we're rooting for our old friend James Jones.

7) When Holy Cross plays Oregon Friday, and the TV guys start talking about Bob Cousy and Tom Heinsohn back in the 50's, one of your kids might ask you who Bob Cousy is. Show them this clip, from the movie Blue Chips-- I'm guessing your kids have heard of Shaquille O'Neal- he was in this movie, too.

6) There are two first-round matchups where both teams rank in bottom 50 in the country, in terms of tempo. Northern Iowa-Texas, Pitt-Wisconsin. Slow-paced games.

5) Iona-Iowa State is only first round game where both teams are in top 100 as far as tempo goes. Neither team is deep, game is in high altitude of Denver.

4) Stony Brook-Kentucky is only first round game where both teams won regular season in their league and then also won the conference tournament.

3) Since 2003, underdogs are 31-21 vs spread in games with 8-9 seeds playing.

2) Big Sky teams are 0-9 in NCAAs since Montana beat Nevada in a 2006 first round game. Wolf Pack beat Montana 79-75 last night, in a CBI game.

1) Last 22 years, the #12 seed in the midwest is 17-5 vs spread in its first round game. That #12 seed this year is Ark-Little Rock, getting nine points from Purdue.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, March 17


San Jose @ Arizona

Game 13-14
March 17, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
12.441
Arizona
9.232
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 3
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-165
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-165); Under

New Jersey @ Los Angeles

Game 15-16
March 17, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
10.355
Los Angeles
11.924
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-170
5
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-170); Over

Minnesota @ New Jersey

Game 1-2
March 17, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
11.936
New Jersey
10.145
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-150
4 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-150); Over

Carolina @ Pittsburgh

Game 3-4
March 17, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
10.172
Pittsburgh
12.835
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 2 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-230
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-230); Under

Detroit @ Columbus

Game 5-6
March 17, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
9.669
Columbus
10.712
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(+110); Over

Florida @ Toronto

Game 7-8
March 17, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Florida
10.353
Toronto
11.851
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
-160
5
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+140); Over

NY Islanders @ Nashville

Game 9-10
March 17, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
11.924
Nashville
10.818
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 1
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(+125); Over

Tampa Bay @ Dallas

Game 11-12
March 17, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
13.682
Dallas
12.504
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(+100); Under

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 17

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MINNESOTA (32-27-0-11, 75 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (33-30-0-7, 73 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 32-38 ATS (-16.3 Units) in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 12-22 ATS (-15.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 27-32 ATS (-14.2 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 12-16 ATS (-10.1 Units) in non-conference games this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-20 ATS (-13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NEW JERSEY is 15-12 ATS (+31.0 Units) in non-conference games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 15-11 ATS (+29.9 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
MINNESOTA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games in March games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 3-2 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 3-2-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.3 Units)

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CAROLINA (31-26-0-13, 75 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (37-24-0-8, 82 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 19-48 ATS (+86.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 14-8 ATS (+22.0 Units) after a division game this season.
PITTSBURGH is 81-75 ATS (+184.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 85-104 ATS (-39.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 40-42 ATS (-34.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 22-34 ATS (-29.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 5-7 (+0.4 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-5-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.5 Units)

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DETROIT (34-25-0-11, 79 pts.) at COLUMBUS (28-33-0-8, 64 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 7-15 ATS (-12.2 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 15-20 ATS (-12.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
COLUMBUS is 40-37 ATS (-2.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-7 ATS (+20.7 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 37-19 ATS (+16.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 2-8 ATS (-7.1 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
COLUMBUS is 6-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-19 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 5-3 (+3.6 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 5-3-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

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FLORIDA (39-22-0-9, 87 pts.) at TORONTO (24-34-0-11, 59 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 158-195 ATS (-79.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.
FLORIDA is 39-31 ATS (+5.3 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 14-6 ATS (+7.0 Units) after a division game this season.
FLORIDA is 15-5 ATS (+8.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
TORONTO is 54-97 ATS (-54.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 19-58 ATS (-43.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 3-19 ATS (+34.1 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
TORONTO is 31-67 ATS (+113.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 116-129 ATS (-78.6 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 7-2 (+4.6 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 7-2-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)

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NY ISLANDERS (38-21-0-9, 85 pts.) at NASHVILLE (35-22-0-13, 83 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 208-167 ATS (+35.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NY ISLANDERS are 19-7 ATS (+9.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
NASHVILLE is 35-35 ATS (-11.5 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 5-12 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 15-25 ATS (+41.1 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
NY ISLANDERS is 4-1 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 4-1-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.1 Units)

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TAMPA BAY (40-25-0-5, 85 pts.) at DALLAS (41-21-0-9, 91 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 209-137 ATS (+27.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 28-11 ATS (+13.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 13-5 ATS (+18.1 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 195-204 ATS (+435.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
DALLAS is 13-19 ATS (-18.5 Units) second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 3-2 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 3-2-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.1 Units)

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SAN JOSE (39-24-0-6, 84 pts.) at ARIZONA (30-32-0-7, 67 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 37-37 ATS (-26.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 27-28 ATS (-23.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 13-6 ATS (+20.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 14-10 ATS (+25.1 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ARIZONA is 17-6 ATS (+24.8 Units) after a division game this season.
SAN JOSE is 12-4 ATS (+7.1 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
ARIZONA is 22-55 ATS (+84.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 22-56 ATS (+112.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 16-52 ATS (+85.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 7-30 ATS (+57.0 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 8-3 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 8-3-0 straight up against ARIZONA 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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NY RANGERS (40-23-0-7, 87 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (42-22-0-5, 89 pts.) - 3/17/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 104-67 ATS (+14.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 58-45 ATS (+12.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 63-35 ATS (+15.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 15-4 ATS (+10.9 Units) in road games when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 18-8 ATS (+26.1 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 19-9 ATS (+29.1 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.
LOS ANGELES is 82-69 ATS (+2.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 7-3 (+3.5 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 7-3-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.2 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 17

Hot teams
-- Pittsburgh won its last three games, allowing six goals.
-- Florida, Toronto both won three of their last four games.
-- Nashville won seven of its last ten games.
-- San Jose won seven of its last nine games. Arizona won its last two games, 4-0/4-1.
-- Los Angeles won five of last seven games. Rangers won three of their last four road games.

Cold teams
-- Devils lost last three home games, outscored 13-2. Minnesota lost three of last four games.
-- Carolina lost six of its last nine games; their last five games all went OT/SO.
-- Red Wings lost five of their last seven games. Columbus lost three of its last four.
-- Islanders lost three of their last four games.
-- Tampa Bay lost four of its last five games. Dallas Stars lost three of their last four.

Series records
-- Devils won three of last four games with Minnesota.
-- Carolina won three of its last five visits to Pittsburgh.
-- Columbus won five of last seven games with Detroit.
-- Florida won six of its last seven games with Toronto.
-- Islanders won their last four games with Nashville.
-- Dallas Stars lost five of last seven games with Tampa Bay.
-- Sharks won five of their last six games with Arizona.
-- Rangers lost seven of last nine games with Los Angeles.

Totals
-- Four of last six New Jersey games went over total.
-- Three of last four Penguin games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Detroit-Columbus games.
-- Over is 4-0-2 in last six Florida games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Nashville games.
-- Eight of last nine Tampa Bay-Dallas games went over.
-- Four of last five San Jose games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Ranger games.

Back-to-backs
-- Rangers are 8-5 if they played the night before.