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**Udog** · 04-25-2016, 06:40 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

--Cal Bears got good news; big man Ivan Rabb will be back for his sophomore year in Berkeley; he is the highest-rated returning player in the country.

-- Astros have allowed 27 first inning runs in 19 games, most in MLB.

-- Lakers fired coach Byron Scott; he is 102-292 in his last five years as a coach, but he did have success with the Nets/New Orleans. You need good players to win.

-- Celtics 104, Hawks 95-- Atlanta has now lost 10 overtime games in a row.

-- Islanders 2, Panthers 1 OT-- Florida hasn't won a playoff series since 1996.

-- Prop bet at South Point: Will the Cuibs win 100+ games? Yes +$150, No -$170

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Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend......

13) Tremendous day of games today, lot of good stuff. Washington beat the Twins in 16 innings, in a game with 516 pitches thrown, 27 players used, 14 pitchers. Game took 5:56, with 27 hits and 32 strikeouts. Great fun.

12) Cubs are already 6-1 against Cincinnati this year; they've outscored the Reds 60-20 in those seven games. Reds are not a good baseball team.

11) Yesterday's quiz answer was Hideo Nomo as author of the only no-hitter at Coors Field; Nomo pitched in Denver 10 times. In his other nine starts, aside from the no-hitter, Nomo was 2-1, 9.67, allowing 11 HRs in 44.2 IP.

10) Pitcher Shelby Miller wound up playing left field for Arizona in the 13th inning yesterday, as SS Nick Ahmed got thrown out for arguing balls/strikes and the Snakes were out of position players. Pitchers Zack Greinke and Jon Niese both had pinch-hits in the game.

9) Braves' catcher AJ Pierzynski has 1,999 hits; he will become the 10th catcher ever to get 2,000 hits. Pretty impressive; was surprised when I heard it.

8) Mat Latos is early leader for Comeback Player of the Year; he is 4-0, 0.74 in four starts for the White Sox. In 2014-15, he was a combined 9-15, 4.16 in 37 starts for four different teams.

7) Saturday night in Las Vegas, four guys bet a cab driver $100 he wouldn't drive thru the In 'n Out Burger drive-thru lane in reverse; they lost.

6) Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale's widow, Anne Meyers, who was a great hoop player at UCLA, sold lot of her late husband's memorabilia; his 1963 and 1965 World Series rungs netted just under $200,000 combined.

5) Tanner Roark was awesome Saturday, whiffing 15 Twins in a 2-0 Washington win; he threw 121 pitches, most by any major leaguer this season.

There was a Twitter debate this weekend, where guys were talking about high school coaches having kids throw 160+ pitches in a game. No bueno.

4) Of the 183 NHL teams who trailed playoff series 3-0, only nine forced a Game 7; those nine teams went 4-5 in the Game 7.

3) Do big league teams shift too much? Some ex-players in TV booths this weekend were discussing this- their consensus seemed to be that a star pitcher like Kershaw should have veto rights over any shifts, but you have to earn the right to have veto rights over the manager. It is an interesting debate.

2) Los Angeles Clippers have never led a playoff series, 3-0. Ever.

1) Phil Simms came out and said Jared Goff is the 3rd-best QB in this week's draft; he may be right or may be wrong, but I don't give rat's ass what Simms says about QBs, despite his having been a very good player himself.

Long time ago, Simms shredded Ben Roethlisberger on Mike Francesa's Sunday radio show when Ben was a senior at Miami; he denies it now, but I remember listening to it and then laughing when Big Ben became such a good player.

**Udog** · 04-25-2016, 06:44 AM

NHL

Monday, April 25

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Stanley Cup Playoffs: Monday's NHL betting preview
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The Blackhawks' offense came alive out of desperation Saturday night with five unanswered goals to push their series with the Blues to a seventh game.

It's Game 7 time! The Blues will host the Blackhawks in the final game of their, predictably, awesome first round series. In Monday's only other game the Predators will try to push their series to Game 7 with their backs against the wall against the Ducks.

Anaheim Ducks at Nashville Predators (A: -110, H: -110, O/U: 5)

Ducks lead series 3-2

The Nashville Predators flew home last week in control of their first-round playoff series and looking to push the Anaheim Ducks to the brink of elimination. Three straight losses later, the Predators returned home with a far different agenda - needing a victory Monday night to keep their season going as they prepare to host the Ducks in Game 6.

Since dropping a pair of one-goal decisions at home, Anaheim has outscored Nashville 12-3 to seize a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. "Just like our season," Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "We started off terrible and then got good. It's a race to four and we still have to win another game. But I don't think there's a single guy in this room that didn't think we'd be in this position." The No. 7 seed Predators also didn't expect to be in this position after taking their first two-game series lead in franchise history - on the road no less - before dropping three in a row to the Pacific Division champions. "It's do or die," Nashville center Ryan Johansen said. "It's about finding a way to get it in the net and keeping them from scoring. We have to throw them everything we've got."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, CNBC, Sportsnet, TVAS

PROBABLE GOALIES: Ducks - F. Andersen (0.922%), Predators - P. Rinne (0.906%).

ABOUT THE DUCKS (49-27-11, 42-45 ATS, 33-35 O/U): Every move seems to be working for Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau, including the surprise top-line promotion of Ryan Garbutt, who put his team ahead to stay in Game 5 with a second-period goal that accounted for his first point of the series. "He's as good a forechecker as we have, he's responsible defensively, and if people take liberties, he's not afraid to mix it up," Boudreau said of the decision to pair Garbutt with Getzlaf and David Perron. "I just thought it was a good fit." Frederik Andersen has been spectacular since taking over for John Gibson in net, turning aside 84-of-87 shots for a .966 save percentage.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (43-30-14, 36-51 ATS, 34-34 O/U): Forward Craig Smith, who finished third on the team with 21 goals, has essentially missed three contests after suffering a lower-body injury in the opening minutes of Game 3, but he was back at practice Sunday and remains listed as day-to-day. Nashville must find a way to solve Anaheim's penalty-killing unit, which ranked No. 1 during the regular season and has snuffed out 14 straight power-play chances over the past three games and 21-of-22 in the series. The Predators led the league with 55 goals from their defensemen but have managed only a pair of assists from captain Shea Weber in the past three games.

TRENDS:

* Ducks are 9-2 in their last 11 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Predators are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
* Under is 3-0-1 in Ducks last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Over is 4-1-3 in the last 8 meetings in Nashville.

Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues (A: -105, H: -115, O/U: 5)

Series tied 3-3

The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues are no strangers to many elements of the current script, with the former ultimately overcoming a two-game deficit in 2014 to defeat the latter in a hard-hitting first-round playoff series. The reigning Stanley Cup-champion Blackhawks look to repeat the feat on Monday when the bitter Central Division rivals play a winner-take-all Game 7 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo did his best to put a positive spin on the position of the Blues, who are perilously close to being bounced in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season - despite having home-ice advantage in each series. "We worked 82 games this year to get that home ice," Pietrangelo said after seeing Chicago score five unanswered goals en route to a 6-3 victory in Game 6 on Saturday. "If there's a time to use it, it's right now." The Blackhawks overcame a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate a rival in 2013, having done so versus Detroit in a second-round matchup.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, CSN-Chicago

PROBABLE GOALIES: Blackhawks - C. Crawford (0.923%), Blues - B. Elliott (0.930%)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (50-28-10, 39-49 ATS, 33-33 O/U): Although Brent Seabrook scored the overtime goal to oust the Red Wings three years ago, the defenseman isn't taking his team's success for granted heading into Monday's pivotal contest. "I don't think you ever learn how to play in a Game 7," Seabrook told the Chicago Sun-Times. "When you play in more of them, you get — comfortable's not the right word — but you get not as nervous, I guess." Seabrook has recorded at least a point in all four of his previous Game 7s, including a goal to help Chicago oust Anaheim in the 2015 Western Conference final.

ABOUT THE BLUES (52-26-10, 39-49 ATS, 35-41 O/U): Vladimir Tarasenko scored his series-leading fourth goal and 14th in 19 career playoff games on Saturday to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead before the roof caved in. The 24-year-old Russian reportedly was upset after seeing limited time during a power play despite scoring 12 of his career-best 40 goals with the man advantage, but coach Ken Hitchcock told reporters that St. Louis had the puck in the offensive zone and couldn't get Tarasenko on the ice. Veteran Troy Brouwer will play in his seventh consecutive Game 7 on Monday, having competed in one with Chicago in 2011, two with Washington the following year, one in 2013 and two more with the Capitals in 2015.

TRENDS:

* Blackhawks are 8-2 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Over is 9-2-6 in Blackhawks last 17 games following a win.
* Over is 11-2-3 in Blues last 16 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

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**Udog** · 04-25-2016, 06:49 AM

NHL
Short Sheet

Monday, April 25

Anaheim at Nashville, 8:05 PM ET
Anaheim: 17-6 SU after scoring 3 goals or more in 2 straight games
Nashville: 1-7 SU at home revenging a loss where opponent scored 5 or more

Chicago at St Louis, 8:35 PM ET
Chicago: 5-12 SU in road games after having won 2 of their last 3
St Louis: 25-11 SU after one or more consecutive overs

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 25

St Louis-Chicago (3-3)
Chicago won last two games to force Game 7, rallying from down 3-1 in Game 6; Blues won five of last eight games with Chicago, with four wins by one goal, three in OT/SO; but you have to wonder if the Blues believe they can win. Chicago lost five of their last eight games overall, with three losses in OT. Over is 6-2-3 in last 11 Chicago games. Blues won ten of their last 15 games- they're 5-16 on power play in series, but had only one last game; Chicago is 5-18 on power play in series, 2-3 in last game. Five of six games in series have been decided by one goal.

Nashville-Anaheim (A 3-2)
Anaheim won last three games after falling behind 2-0 in series; they won last two games 4-1/5-2, killing all nine Nashville power plays. Over is 10-1-4 in last 15 series games; Under is 5-2-3 in last nine Anaheim games overall, 4-2-3 in last nine Nashville games. In 17 years of existence, Nashville has only won two playoff series, first round series in 2011, 2012; they've been over .500 in 11 of last 12 years, so you know there is doubt in their minds now. Ducks are 3-2 in last five visits here. Anaheim is 2-19 on power play in series, Predators 1-22.

Playoffs tally: Home: 21-23, Over: 16-15-13

NHL

Monday, April 25

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
ANAHEIM vs. NASHVILLE
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Anaheim's last 15 games when playing Nashville
Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

8:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. ST. LOUIS
Chicago is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games at home
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

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**Udog** · 04-25-2016, 10:52 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, April 25

Anaheim @ Nashville

Game 69-70
April 25, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim
12.450
Nashville
13.447
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(-105); Over

Chicago @ St. Louis

Game 71-72
April 25, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
9.992
St. Louis
13.174
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-105); Over

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, April 25

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ANAHEIM (49-27-0-11, 109 pts.) at NASHVILLE (43-30-0-14, 100 pts.) - 4/25/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 214-172 ATS (+425.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 172-108 ATS (+19.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 39-25 ATS (+12.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 72-38 ATS (+15.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 44-21 ATS (+13.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 41-19 ATS (+15.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 31-10 ATS (+12.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 43-44 ATS (-41.1 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 19-34 ATS (+54.4 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
ANAHEIM is 9-5 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 9-5-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+8.7 Units)

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CHICAGO (50-28-0-10, 110 pts.) at ST LOUIS (52-27-0-9, 113 pts.) - 4/25/2016, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 52-36 ATS (+7.4 Units) in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 22-13 ATS (+5.6 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ST LOUIS is 15-4 ATS (+9.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 27-18 ATS (+2.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO is 417-405 ATS (+845.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 14-13 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 14-13-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
12 of 21 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.1 Units)

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Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 4/25

Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 4/25

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