The Bum's National Hockey League April's Playoff's Picks - Trends - News - Etc. !!

[StarDust Bum]

5/4 - RESULTS : 0 - 0 - 1 + 0 .00
OVERALL : + 3.07

THURSDAY, MAY 5

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

DAL at STL 08:00 PM

DAL +127

U 5.0


SJ at NAS 09:00 PM

SJ -101

O 5.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

Notes from VegasInsider.com on the Kentucky Derby.......

1) Trojan Nation (50-1)-- Its been 80+ years since a maiden won this race.

3) Creator (10-1)-- One of many closers; has navigated thru traffic before.

4) Mo Tom (20-1)-- Got a lousy ride in the Louisiana Derby.

8) Exaggerator (8-1)-- Ran well in Santa Anita Derby, but on a wet track.

13) Nyquist (3-1)-- Favorite is undefeated in his seven-race career.

17) Mor Spirit (12-1)-- His jockey (Gary Stevens) has won Derby three times.

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here.......

13) Playoff hockey is tremendously tremendous; Nashville scored a goal at 2:05am ET to beat San Jose 4-3 in triple OT and even their series 2-2. Great fun; the effort these players put out is just very impressive. Outstanding entertainment.

12) Houston Astros didn't win consecutive games in April; they're first team in 34 years to make the playoffs one year, then not win consecutive games the next April.

11) Indiana Pacers fired Frank Vogel Thursday; Vogel was 250-181 in the regular season, 31-30 in playoff games, and he gets fired? Not unlike Anaheim Ducks firing their coach last week, after an early playoff ouster. It seems terribly unfair.

10) So far in interleague baseball games this season, over is 25-12.

9) Scott Kerkin pointed this out on Twitter: over the last 22 years, the AL team that had the best April record made the playoffs 18 of those 22 years. That team this year is the Chicago White Sox.

8) The outfield at Marlins Park is a little messed up; they had a Beyonce concert there last weekend and re-sodded the outfield afterwards, but there were complaints about the soft dirt on the warning track. Last night was only fourth time the roof was open at Marlins Park-- it rains a lot in the early evening in south Florida.

7) One more Marlins note; Miami opponents are 0-9 this year when they challenge calls via replay; you wonder what umpires hear from the league office when their calls get overturned. Some umpires have to get overturned more than others.

6) Houston Astros starting pitchers have finished six innings in only six of their last 18 games; they need to improve that, or the bullpen will implode. Teams that win are teams whose bullpens need to get less than nine outs per game.

Wednesday night, Astros are up 9-4 in 5th inning with two outs. Seattle has a couple guys on base and AJ Hinch takes Mike Fiers out, not a great show of faith. Maybe it was the right move, but making the bullpen get 13 outs in that game was curious.

5) Bartolo Colon is older than 14 of the 30 major league managers.

4) Rockies 17, Giants 7-- SF gave up 12+ runs in an inning for second time in last six days. Tim Lincecum has a showcase today; will the Giants be interested?

3) Derek Law is a reliever for the Giants; his dad Joe Law pitched in minors for nine years he was in major leagues for four days, but never got into a game, which seems kind of sad. Even if he only got in once, like Moonlight Graham in the movies.

2) My best friend in first grade was a huge hockey fan; he had one of those rod hockey games in his house, the first one I ever saw. After that year, his parents put him in another school and we went our separate ways. Years later, I found out that he became a state trooper and his son was playing as a defenseman in the AHL.

Looked it up on the Internet; his son got to the NHL briefly and played one game for the Sharks. Must be pretty cool to see your name on hockey-reference.com.

1) Judging from what I heard on TV today, Donald Trump is basically a third-party candidate, and the Republicans are sitting the election out. Lot of these Republicans seem like spoiled rich kids who take their ball and go home if they don't get their way.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Friday, May 6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday's Stanley Cup Playoffs NHL betting preview: Lightning at Islanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The New York Islanders coughed up three leads before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 in overtime Tuesday.

The New York Islanders get a spotlight home game for, probably, the first time since the 1980's as they play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Barclays Center for Game 4.

Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders (A: -115, H: -105, O/U: 5)

Lightning lead series 2-1

Captain John Tavares and Kyle Okposo look to get back on the scoresheet as their New York Islanders try to avoid a deeper hole in the second-round series when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 on Friday. Tavares and Okposo, the team's top two scorers who accounted for 55 goals in the regular season, have gone without a point the last two games as the Islanders dropped both to fall behind 2-1 in the series.

New York coughed up three leads before losing 5-4 in overtime Tuesday while Okposo and Tavares each finished with a minus-2 rating, getting blanked on eight total shots by Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop. “It’s all part of the playoffs,” Islanders forward Josh Bailey, who scored twice Tuesday, told reporters. “You’re going to have these swings, and these ups and downs. It’s all part of the ride.” The Lightning have been successful getting top defenseman Victor Hedman (six points, plus-3 in series) out against Okposo and Tavares as much as possible. Tampa Bay right wing Nikita Kucherov scored the tying goal with less than a minute left in regulation – his seventh of the playoffs – and Brian Boyle won it in overtime Tuesday after Islanders coach Jack Capuano said he unleashed an illegal check on New York defenseman Thomas Hickey.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS

PROBABLE GOALIES:

Lightning - Ben Bishop (W/L 6-2, GAA: 2.27, SAVE %: 0.926)

Islanders - Thomas Greiss (W/L 5-4, GAA: 2.34, SAVE %: 0.926)

INJURY REPORT:

Lightning - RW E. Condra (Questionable Friday, upper body), D M. Carle (Questionable Friday, undisclosed), RW J. Brown (Out Indefinitely, upper body), C S. Stamkos (Early June, arm), D A. Stralman (Out Indefinitely, leg).

Islanders - D T. Hickey (Questionable Friday, head), D B. Strait (Questionable Friday, upper body), D R. Pulock (Questionable Friday, upper body).

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (52-33-5, 38-52 ATS, 37-41 O/U): The script for right wing Jonathan Drouin’s season continues to add twists and turns after he came back from a devastating hit by Hickey early in Game 3 to set up the tying goal -- his sixth assist and seventh point of the playoffs. “He’s a warrior,” Bishop told reporters of Drouin, who was suspended by the Lightning for six weeks early in 2016 and appeared done with them. “. … He’s a big reason why we are where we are right now.” Defenseman Matt Carle (undisclosed) and forward Erik Condra (upper body) could be ready to return after practicing Thursday.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (50-30-11, 38-53 ATS, 38-44 O/U): Capuano said Game 3 was one of the team’s best performances of the season and there were reportedly no changes to his forward lines at practice while defenseman Ryan Pulock (upper body) is still day-to-day. Former first-round pick Ryan Strome was scratched in Game 3 after the return of Bailey, who had one point in seven playoff games before suffering an injury in Game 1. “He’s was flying,” Tavares told reporters of Bailey’s effort in Game 3. “You could see some of those days off helped. … Probably was our best forward out there. Really made a lot happen.”

TRENDS:

* Lightning are 14-3 in their last 17 Conference Semifinals games.
* Islanders are 5-0 in their last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Over is 8-2-4 in Lightning last 14 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 5-1-1 in Islanders last 7 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Lightning are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings in New York.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, May 6

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

TAMPA BAY (52-33-0-5, 109 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (50-30-0-11, 111 pts.) - 5/6/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 15-26 ATS (-13.9 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 16-22 ATS (-11.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 21-6 ATS (+13.2 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 24-17 ATS (+2.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 34-18 ATS (+7.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
TAMPA BAY is 17-5 ATS (+10.8 Units) in the second round of the playoffs since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 32-14 ATS (+12.8 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 10-14 ATS (-8.7 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 6-6 (+0.6 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 6-6-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY 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)

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




NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, May 6

Tampa Bay at NY Islanders, 7:05 PM ET
Tampa Bay: 7-17 SU in road games off a road win scoring 4 or more goals
New York: 25-15 SU after 1 or more consecutive losses




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, May 6

NY Islanders-Tampa Bay (1-1)
Lightning tied Game 3 with 0:39 left to play, won it at 2:48 of OT to grab series lead; Islanders are 5-3 in last eight games with Tampa Bay, winning three of last four played here-- over is 6-1-2 in last nine series games. Islanders lost four of last six games in Brooklyn- under is 3-2-1 in last six games overall. Tampa Bay won six of its last eight games, splitting last six road games. NY is 3-13 on power play in series, Lightning 2-11. Tampa Bay outshot NY 86-40 in periods 2-3 and OT first three games in series. So far in this round, an average of 5.87 goals/game have been scored (5.02 in first round).

Playoffs tally: 1st round-- Home: 23-24, Over: 16-17-14
2nd round-- Home: 10-5, Over: 7-2-6




NHL

Friday, May 6

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

7:05
TAMPA BAY vs. NY ISLANDERS
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
NY Islanders are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 7 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Friday, May 6


Tampa Bay @ NY Islanders

Game 59-60
May 6, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
9.871
NY Islanders
12.645
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 3
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-110
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(-110); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Isles look for win amid improved Lightning
May 5, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) Despite a disappointing overtime loss in their last game, the New York Islanders were pleased with their improved play.

Now, after falling behind in their second-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Islanders know they'll have to keep it up to have a chance to advance to the conference finals.

''It was our best game so far,'' center Frans Nielsen said. ''Just have to come out and try to be even better next game.''

After a bad loss in Game 2 in Tampa, the Islanders came out with the increased aggressive play coach Jack Capuano was looking for back in front of the raucous home crowd in Brooklyn. New York was 39 seconds from taking a 2-1 series lead, but the Lightning's Nikita Kucherov gave the seesaw game its fourth tie, and then Brian Boyle won it less than three minutes into the extra period.

That gave the Lightning the series lead with Game 4 on Friday (7 p.m. EDT, NBCSN) back at Barclays Center before shifting to Tampa for Game 5 on Sunday.

Capuano said the players need to forget the loss and just focus on the things they did well.

''It's a short memory,'' Capuano said. ''It was probably one the best games we played all year so there's a lot of positives you can take. We finally got our D activating more than we want in the offense. ... Hopefully, we can build on some of those things. That was Islander hockey, we played to our identity. And that's the way that we're going to have to play if we're going to have success in this series.''

One of the things they did better was get more shots on goal, finishing with 39 in Game 3 after totaling 42 in the first two games.

The Islanders also were more physical with 44 hits, compared to 34 for the Lightning. Those included several punishing jolts, including the two that gained national attention. The first by New York's Thomas Hickey on Jonathan Drouin, who was knocked out of the game in the second period before returning in the third and assisting on the tying score in the final minute of regulation. The other was by Tampa's Brian Boyle on Hickey in the OT just before Boyle went down the ice and scored.

Capuano believed Boyle's hit was too high and thought he could be suspended a game by the NHL. However, the defenseman was not sanctioned and the Lightning expect the physical play to continue. Tampa Bay, which reached the Stanley Cup Finals last year, isn't taking anything for granted.

''This series has so much more, so long to go,'' Cooper said. ''Everybody that's watching this series is looking forward to Game 4.''

Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman added: ''We're going to have to play at the same level the next game on Friday. It's going to be a tough game again so we have to be ready.''

The Islanders are trailing in a series for the first time this postseason. They alternated wins with Florida in the first five games of the first round before closing it out in Game 6 at home for their first playoff series win in 23 years. Then, they won the opener against the Lightning, but have lost two straight since.

''We just got to keep pushing,'' said forward Josh Bailey, who scored twice in Game 3. ''I think we'll tweak some things, refocus. ... The next game is the most important now and our focus won't change.''

New York needs a win to avoid going back to Tampa in a 3-1 hole.

''It's for sure a must-win for us, it feels like now,'' Nielsen said. ''We just got to come out and play the way we did (Tuesday) and give ourselves a chance to win.''

[StarDust Bum]

Blues' Upshall, Hitchcock keep eye on fire
May 4, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis Blues forward Scottie Upshall has numerous family members who live in Fort McMurray, Alberta, including a brother and his fiancee, plus aunts, uncles and nieces.

Playing Game 3 against the Dallas Stars in the second round of the playoffs was a welcome diversion from thoughts about the devastation wrought by a raging wildfire that has forced the evacuation of about 88,000 residents from the city surrounded by wilderness in the heart of Canada's oil sands region.

''Most of my family was trying not to overplay it at all, but there was nothing to really overplay when something like that happens,'' Upshall said.

Upshall's nieces were among those evacuated, although his brother and fiancee were in St. Louis to watch the game. Officials said the fire had destroyed or damaged an estimated 1,600 structures and that efforts to suppress the blaze had failed.

''It's been a great city, a city that's survived for many years through some tough times and for me, growing up there doesn't seem too long ago,'' said Upshall, who is 32. ''Places that probably aren't standing anymore will be really, really tough to take. But as long as everyone's OK, that's the main thing.''

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock is from Edmonton, about a four-hour drive from Fort McMurray. He interrupted his postgame news conference after Tuesday night's 6-1 victory by issuing condolences to those affected by the fire. Rookie defenseman Colton Parayko played two seasons of junior hockey at Fort McMurray.

Stars coach Lindy Ruff is from a small town near Edmonton.

''That's tragic, close to home for me,'' Ruff said. ''Makes losing the game irrelevant. It's heartbreaking.''

After Tuesday night's game, Hitchcock said he and Upshall were both able to make contact with friends and acquaintances in the city. Hitchcock said he probably knows about 100 people in the city, including close to a dozen former players from the Western Hockey League.

Unseasonably hot temperatures combined with dry conditions are blamed for feeding the wildfire.

''It's tough when it becomes national and global news for a city of 80,000 people,'' Upshall said. ''It's pretty upsetting.''

Upshall said he's gotten several encouraging texts to ''go out and win the game for the city.'' It's been uplifting, juxtaposed with images from a city in flames.

''Yeah, a movie that I don't really want to watch,'' Upshall said. ''I saw the freeway that I used to usually drive in from the airport, and both sides of the roads were kind of just 100-foot flames.''

The Blues and team alumni will donate proceeds from a 50-50 raffle and silent auction by telephone during Game 4 on Thursday night to benefit families displayed by the fires. The silent auction will include game-used items and playoff goal pucks.

Fans can register for the auction at blues.myab.com using a computer or tablet or text ''blues'' to 52182 using a mobile device with bidding starting at 10 a.m. CDT Thursday and closing at the end of the second intermission.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL, Oilers, Flames each donating $100,000 to Fort McMurray
May 5, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) The National Hockey League and the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are each donating $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross relief efforts in fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Wildfires have forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents. The Canadian Red Cross will facilitate care by providing shelter, food, accommodation and comfort.

''The National Hockey League family stands with all who have been affected by the devastating fires in Fort McMurray,'' NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday. ''We send thoughts of support and encouragement to our neighbors as they confront the physical and emotional impacts of this disaster.''

The NHL's charitable arm, the NHL Foundation, is providing the donation. The NHL also encouraged fans to visit www.redcross.ca to make a contribution.

The Edmonton Eskimos are leading a Canadian Football League initiative that includes a combined $50,000 donation to the Red Cross from all nine teams.

Help is coming from outside the province as well, with the St. Louis Blues donating the proceeds of their 50/50 raffle at their Stanley Cup playoff game Thursday night toward relief efforts. Blues forward Scottie Upshall is from Fort McMurray.

Canadian golfer Graham DeLaet pledged $500 for every birdie he makes this week to the Canadian Red Cross. He is playing in the PGA's Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lightning (46-31) at Islanders (45-27)
Date: May 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) - Despite a disappointing overtime loss in their last game, the New York Islanders were pleased with their improved play.

Now, after falling behind in their second-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Islanders know they'll have to keep it up to have a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

'It was our best game so far,' center Frans Nielsen said. 'Just have to come out and try to be even better next game.'

After a bad loss in Game 2 in Tampa, the Islanders came out with the increased aggressive play coach Jack Capuano was looking for back in front of the raucous home crowd in Brooklyn. New York was 39 seconds from taking a 2-1 series lead, but the Lightning's Nikita Kucherov gave the seesaw game its fourth tie, and then Brian Boyle won it less than three minutes into the extra period.

That gave the Lightning the series lead with Game 4 on Friday night back at Barclays Center before shifting to Tampa for Game 5 on Sunday.

Capuano said the players need to forget the loss and just focus on the things they did well.

'It's a short memory,' Capuano said. 'It was probably one of the best games we played all year so there's a lot of positives you can take. We finally got our D activating more than we want in the offense. ... Hopefully, we can build on some of those things. That was Islander hockey, we played to our identity. And that's the way that we're going to have to play if we're going to have success in this series.'

One of the things they did better was get more shots on goal, finishing with 39 in Game 3 after totaling 42 in the first two games.

The Islanders also were more physical with 44 hits, compared to 34 for the Lightning. Those included several punishing jolts, including the two that gained national attention. The first by New York's Thomas Hickey on Jonathan Drouin, who was knocked out of the game in the second period before returning in the third and assisting on the tying score in the final minute of regulation. The other was by Boyle on Hickey in the OT just before Boyle went down the ice and scored.

Capuano believed Boyle's hit was too high and thought he could be suspended a game by the NHL. However, the defenseman was not sanctioned and the Lightning expect the physical play to continue. Tampa Bay, which reached the Stanley Cup Final last year, isn't taking anything for granted.

'This series has so much more, so long to go,' coach Jon Cooper said. 'Everybody that's watching this series is looking forward to Game 4.'

Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman added: 'We're going to have to play at the same level the next game on Friday. It's going to be a tough game again so we have to be ready.'

The Islanders are trailing in a series for the first time this postseason. They alternated wins with Florida in the first five games of the first round before closing it out in Game 6 at home for their first playoff series win in 23 years. Then, they won the opener against the Lightning, but have lost two straight since.

'We just got to keep pushing,' said forward Josh Bailey, who scored twice in Game 3. 'I think we'll tweak some things, refocus. ... The next game is the most important now and our focus won't change.'

New York needs a win to avoid going back to Tampa in a 3-1 hole.

'It's for sure a must-win for us, it feels like now,' Nielsen said. 'We just got to come out and play the way we did (Tuesday) and give ourselves a chance to win.'


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Islanders at Lightning
Wed, Apr 27 Final 5 to 3
Recaps

GAME 2
Islanders at Lightning
Sat, Apr 30 Final 1 to 4
Recaps

GAME 3
Lightning at Islanders
Tue, May 3 Final 5 to 4
Recaps

GAME 4
Lightning at Islanders
Fri, May 6 - 7:00PM EDT

GAME 5
Islanders at Lightning
Sun, May 8 - 3:00PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

5/5 - Results: 2 - 1 + 1.27
Overall : + 4.14

FRIDAY, MAY 6

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TB at NYI 07:00 PM

NYI -105

U 5.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

-- Spurs 100, Thunder 96-- Spurs are 16-4 in series if they have a 2-1 lead.

-- Cavaliers 121, Hawks 108-- Do they really have to play anymore?

-- Thunder 2, Islanders 1 OT-- Tampa Bay wins both games in Brooklyn in OT.

-- Golfer Zac Blair was DQ'd after he used a putter that he bent when he smacked himself in the head with it. No bueno.

-- Marlins 6, Phillies 4-- Miami has won 11 of its last 12 games.

-- KLWheat likes Mohaymen in the Kentucky Derby.

**********

Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: DD Lohaus handicaps the Kentucky Derby....

First Saturday in May; must be Kentucky Derby Day!

Snuck up on me this year which again proves that the older you get, the faster time flies.

As I write this analysis and give my picks, the weather for Saturday looks gorgeous and should allow for all runners to give their best efforts. It is with that assumption that I make my analysis and selections.


The conversation begins with Nyquist. He has done nothing wrong and has been on quite a run since last year. He has beaten another top contender in this race (Exaggerator) three times! This team has won the Derby (and Preakness) before and Nyquist will likely be favored for the race. He is a logical favorite and his versatile running style makes him very dangerous.

Mohaymen came up short in the much anticipated race with Nyquist in the Florida Derby. Trainer calls it 'a throw out' and this guy looked fantastic in his last workout (46.8). May be a bit too fast to have enough left to handle this group but also could be peaking at the right time; maybe he didn't like losing his last (and first) in Florida and will be extra motivated to turn the tables on Nyquist. A lot to like if you're willing to throw out the last.

Gun Runner, for Steve Asmussen, is a the prototypical 'sharp-looker' from a high octane outfit. Has a steady race tab and been winning quite nicely. He will have to be on his toes for this one but may be ready to step forward. Like the 6F workout; not necessarily the time but the distance; tells me he has some bottom... I would not be surprised if this one makes some noise.

Exaggerator, as mentioned earlier is a top contender but hasn't figured out how to be Nyquist. A prime post position should give him lots of choices. Not sure I like to pick a horse that's been beaten three times by the expected race favorite. He is a hard knocker who gives an honest effort and maybe he just needed to figure things out. I think he's more likely to get a minor award.

Destin has had eight weeks off since his last race; a win in the Tampa Derby. This one has the looks of a runner flying under the radar for Todd Pletcher (if that's possible). Not thrilled with his latest workout, but I wouldn't be shocked if this one shows well on Saturday. This one will offer some value and worth playing underneath top ones.

The Bets:

$20WP Mohaymen: I think this guys turns the table and runs BIG on Saturday.

$10Ex Mohaymen/Nyquist, Gun Runner, Exaggerator, Destin

$5Ex Nyquist, Gun Runner, Exaggerator, Destin/Mohaymen

$1ExBx Nyquist/Gun Runner/Exaggerator/Destin

$2Tri Mohaymen/Nyquist/Gun Runner, Exaggerator, Destin

Total Bets: $118.00

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, May 7

Pittsburgh-Washington (P 3-1)
Hornqvist scored at 2:34 of OT to put Caps' bacl to wall here. Washington D Orpik is suspended one more game; he is their most physical defenseman, and a solid penalty killer; Penguins get LeTang back. Home team is 3-1 in this series. Penguins won four of last six visits here, but are 0-14 on power play in series, Washington 1-12. Pens won 11 of last 14 games; over is 7-3-3 in their last 13 games. Capitals lost two of last three home games, five of last seven games overall. Under is 6-2-3 in Washington's last 11 games.

St Louis-Dallas (2-2)
Eakin scored at 2:58 of OT to tie series, give Dallas home ice edge. St Louis won eight of last 11 games with Dallas overall-- home team won six of last nine series games, with the over 3-1-1 in last five series games. Four of last five St Louis wins in series came in OT or SO. Over is 5-1-2 in St Louis' last eight games. Dallas won eight of last 12 games overall; over is 5-1-2 in their last eight games. Stars are 1-14 on power play in series, St Louis 5-17. Blues won three of their last five visits to Lone Star State. .

Nashville-San Jose (2-2)
Home side won all four series games; Fisher scored 51:12 into OT, after Nashville tied game with 4:21 left in game. Sharks won seven of last ten games overall, four of last five vs Nashville in this building. Over is 3-0-2 in their last five games. Predators lost five of last nine games, three of last four on road; they've won last five times they scored 3+ goals; they're 1-5 in last six games scoring two or less goals. San Jose is 4-14 on power play in series, Nashville is 3-15. Under is 6-4-2 in last 11 series games. Very long game less than 48 hours ago with long plane trip mixed in there. Lot of tired legs.

Playoffs tally: 1st round-- Home: 23-24, Over: 16-17-14
2nd round-- Home: 10-6, Over: 7-3-6




NHL

Saturday, May 7

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

1:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. DALLAS
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Dallas
St. Louis is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Dallas is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing St. Louis

7:15 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. WASHINGTON
Pittsburgh is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Washington
Pittsburgh is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Washington is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

10:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. SAN JOSE
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Nashville is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
San Jose is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, May 7


Pittsburgh @ Washington

Game 61-62
May 7, 2016 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
12.664
Washington
11.552
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-155
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(+135); Over

St. Louis @ Dallas

Game 63-64
May 7, 2016 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
13.003
Dallas
12.198
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(+105); Over

Nashville @ San Jose

Game 65-66
May 7, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
10.298
San Jose
13.101
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 3
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-165
5
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-165); Under




NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, May 7

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

PITTSBURGH (55-27-0-9, 119 pts.) at WASHINGTON (61-22-0-9, 131 pts.) - 5/7/2016, 8:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 61-31 ATS (+25.0 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 48-27 ATS (+17.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 55-36 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 19-12 ATS (+31.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
PITTSBURGH is 37-17 ATS (+13.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
PITTSBURGH is 91-80 ATS (+178.9 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 26-13 ATS (+8.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 11-6 (+4.5 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 11-6-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.7 Units)

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

ST LOUIS (55-28-0-10, 120 pts.) at DALLAS (56-25-0-11, 123 pts.) - 5/7/2016, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 56-36 ATS (+15.3 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 25-17 ATS (+45.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 55-38 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 26-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ST LOUIS is 18-10 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 20-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 25-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ST LOUIS is 30-20 ATS (+8.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 19-11 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
DALLAS is 30-36 ATS (-8.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 11-8-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
10 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.3 Units)

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

NASHVILLE (47-32-0-14, 108 pts.) at SAN JOSE (52-32-0-7, 111 pts.) - 5/7/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 47-46 ATS (-14.2 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 19-30 ATS (-16.8 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 23-36 ATS (+60.3 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 29-14 ATS (+29.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
SAN JOSE is 21-10 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NASHVILLE is 201-149 ATS (+27.2 Units) on Saturday games since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 10-16 ATS (-11.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
SAN JOSE is 25-28 ATS (-24.7 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 2-7 ATS (-9.6 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 8-5 (+4.7 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 8-5-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.6 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Penguins (48-26) at Capitals (56-18)
Date: May 07, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins keep on proving the time-worn adage that it isn't how you start, but how you finish.

The NHL's best team over the regular season's final month enters Saturday night's Game 5 of its Eastern Conference semifinal with a chance to send yet another promising Washington Capitals' campaign to a bitter playoff ending.

A matchup between the Presidents' Trophy winners and the league's hottest team down the stretch has so far gone in favor of the latter. The Penguins have registered three straight one-goal victories following a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 to put Washington on the brink of elimination as the series shifts back to Verizon Center.

Pittsburgh has moved a big step closer to its first Stanley Cup final since 2009 with consecutive 3-2 wins, with rookie Matt Murray's 47 saves the difference in Monday's Game 3 and Patric Hornqvist playing the hero Wednesday by scoring 2:43 into overtime.

Despite an 0-for-14 showing on the power play and being outshot in each of the last two matchups, the Penguins hold a 3-1 series advantage by making the most of their even-strength opportunities and the 21-year-old Murray outplaying Vezina Trophy favorite Braden Holtby.

"They're a good defensive team and it's the playoffs, it's hard to get scoring chances," Hornqvist said. "But when we get them, we score, and that's part of why we win the game."

Pittsburgh's season-long resiliency continues to show up as well. Murray is 6-1-0 with a 1.81 goals-against average in these playoffs filling in for a now-healthy Marc-Andre Fleury, and the Penguins overcame Kris Letang's Game 4 absence after the cornerstone defenseman was suspended one game for an illegal hit in Monday's win.

Trevor Daley did his part to offset Letang's departure with a huge Game 4. The in-season acquisition scored Pittsburgh's first goal and was a plus-3 in a team-best 28:41 of ice time while helping keep Alex Ovechkin off the scoresheet.

'It wasn't a perfect game by any stretch but we're playing against a pretty good opponent and Tanger's a tough guy to replace,' coach Mike Sullivan said. 'Guys had to play more minutes, more significant roles. I thought the group of them did a tremendous job."

Such performances have been par for the course for Pittsburgh since Sullivan replaced Mike Johnston in mid-December. The Penguins were ninth in the East at the time, but vaulted to second in the Metropolitan Division after a 14-2-0 finish with star forward Evgeni Malkin sidelined for nearly that entire run.

Washington, which went a league-leading 27-6-8 in one-goal games en route to a franchise-record 120 points, returns home in an all-too-familiar position. The Capitals have been a No. 1 or 2 seed three times previously since 2009 and failed to reach the conference finals each time.

The Capitals have recovered from a 3-1 deficit to win a series once in the 11-year Ovechkin era, rallying past the New York Rangers in the 2009 quarterfinals before falling to eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh in the second round.

'We have the experience, the composure,' said Holtby, who has allowed three or more goals in three of the four games. 'It's just a matter of putting it to use now and keep pushing forward. Hopefully the bounces will go our way sooner or later.'

Getting production from sources other than Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and John Carlson, who have accounted for 12 of the Capitals' 23 postseason goals, would help as well. Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov have been particularly quiet, recording just one assist each in the series after both had at least 70 points in the regular season.

Washington will attempt to stay alive with defenseman Brooks Orpik still unavailable as the ex-Penguin finishes serving a three-game suspension for a high hit on Olli Maatta in Game 2.

Maatta is expected to miss a third straight game after sustaining an upper-body injury on the play. Pittsburgh will have forward Eric Fehr back after the key penalty killer sat out Game 4 with an undisclosed injury.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Penguins at Capitals
Thu, Apr 28 Final 3 to 4
Recaps

GAME 2
Penguins at Capitals
Sat, Apr 30 Final 2 to 1
Recaps

GAME 3
Capitals at Penguins
Mon, May 2 Final 2 to 3
Recaps

GAME 4
Capitals at Penguins
Wed, May 4 Final 2 to 3
Recaps

GAME 5
Penguins at Capitals
Sat, May 7 - 7:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blues (49-24) at Stars (50-23)
Date: May 07, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Kari Lehtonen might have ended the Dallas Stars' recent goaltender carousel after leading them to a crucial overtime victory. Coach Lindy Ruff wasn't exactly forthcoming, however, choosing a deadpan statement over a ringing endorsement.

In all likelihood, Lehtonen will stand between the pipes for the Stars' attempt to take command of their Western Conference semifinal series against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Lehtonen made 24 saves in a 3-2 win Thursday that tied the series at 2-all and became the first Stars goaltender to complete a start in three contests. He was pulled after the first period in Game 2 and replaced Antti Niemi early in the second in Game 3, a 6-1 drubbing Tuesday.

"I think Kari stepped up to the plate tonight and brought us a great game. Made some big saves in there," captain Jamie Benn told the league's official website. "It was definitely huge for this hockey club."

With the Stars alternating Lehtonen and Niemi for much of this season, Ruff is likely accustomed to playing it close to the chest on who will serve as his starter.

"Now we've got a decision to make again next game with these two goalies," Ruff said before giving a sideways glance and a slight smirk.

Dallas is hoping its return home resembles its 2-1 victory in the series opener with Lehtonen in net rather than its 4-3 overtime defeat in Game 2.

"It's best two out of three now," forward Jason Spezza said. "We're excited to be going home. We've got to go home and try to win a game."

The teams have split four matchups in Dallas this season, and Lehtonen has yielded one goal on 54 shots in the two wins.

"They've got home-ice advantage again. We've got our work cut out for us," St. Louis captain David Backes said. "We've got to put this one behind us like we put the other ones behind us and worry about going in there Saturday afternoon and winning a game."

The Blues will try to steal back home-ice advantage while adding to their recent special-teams prowess. They are 5 for 15 on the power play in the past three games after going 1 for 3 on Thursday.

St. Louis has given up one goal in their 14 times short-handed in this series, Patrick Sharp's second-period tally in Game 4.

That helped lead to Dallas' first overtime victory in three tries in this postseason, coming on Cody Eakin's first goal of the playoffs. St. Louis is 2-2 in the extra period.

"I said it's time for us to man up, and I thought we did," Ruff said. "I thought our leaders were our leaders. I thought Jamie Benn was great again, and I thought some young guys played really well."

Benn is among the NHL playoff leaders with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) after producing two assists Thursday. He had one goal and one assist in the first three games of this series.

Tyler Seguin (lower body) and Patrick Eaves (leg) are expected to sit out again. The Blues might replace rookie defenseman Joel Edmundson, who committed a costly turnover in Game 4, with Robert Bortuzzo.

St. Louis' Vladimir Tarasenko will try to stay in the groove after totaling two goals and three assists in the two home games. Tarasenko, who has a team-best six goals and five assists in this postseason, was held without a point in the two games in Dallas.

St. Louis is 0-4 in Game 5s since closing out its opening-round series against San Jose in 2012.

The Stars have lost their last two Game 5s, including 5-4 in overtime to Minnesota in the opening round.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1

Blues at Stars
Fri, Apr 29 Final 1 to 2
Recaps

GAME 2
Blues at Stars
Sun, May 1 Final 4 to 3
Recaps

GAME 3
Stars at Blues
Tue, May 3 Final 1 to 6
Recaps

GAME 4
Stars at Blues
Thu, May 5 Final 3 to 2
Recaps

GAME 5
Blues at Stars
Sat, May 7 - 1:00PM EDT

GAME 6
Stars at Blues
Mon, May 9 - 8:00PM EDT