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[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Tuesday, May 9


Ottawa @ NY Rangers

Game 3-4
May 9, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa
11.410
NY Rangers
12.555
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
-170
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(-170); Over

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Rangers need win at home for another shot in Ottawa
May 8, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) The Rangers have had a tough time closing out against the Senators in Ottawa, a challenge they're eager to take on again. First, there's business to take care of in New York.

After giving up another late lead before losing in overtime again on the road, the Rangers return home needing a win in Game 6 on Tuesday night to avoid elimination in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against Ottawa.

''We have no time to waste right now,'' Rangers forward Jesper Fast said.

The Senators took the series lead with a 5-4 overtime win in Game 5 on Saturday after tying the score with about 1 1/2 minutes left in the third period. It was the second time in the series Ottawa tied the score in the closing minutes at home before winning in the extra period. In Game 2, the Senators got two goals 2:17 apart late in the third before winning in the second overtime to take a 2-0 series lead.

The Rangers evened it with two 4-1 wins at home before falling short in Ottawa again and will be trying for another big win at Madison Square Garden to force a decisive Game 7 back on the Senators' home ice.

''They've been getting some resilient play in their building,'' New York defenseman Dan Girardi said. ''Twice they tied it last minute - those are things we just got to battle through. We can't do much about that right now. We're just looking forward to getting in front of our fans, having a good start, get on the body, playing hard and hopefully just have a better work ethic out there.''

The Rangers, vying for their fourth trip to the conference finals in six years, have been in this position before in recent years - needing a win in Game 6 to extend a series.

New York lost at home in Game 5 of the East finals against Tampa Bay in 2015, then won Game 6 on the road before losing at home in the deciding game. In the first round in 2013 against Washington, the Rangers lost Game 5 on the road before winning Game 6 at home and Game 7 on the Capitals' ice. In 2012 against the Senators in the first round, New York lost Game 5 at home before evening the series at Ottawa and winning back at the Garden.

''Our group has been through quite a bit of them,'' Rangers center Derek Stepan said. ''Our leadership group and the guys that have been around long enough can let guys know the importance of understanding that it's one game at a time. We'll talk to the group and make sure that we're ready to go and sharp.''

The Senators are seeking their first trip to the conference finals since a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. To do it, Ottawa will need a better effort than the previous two games at MSG, when they trailed 4-0 before avoiding shutouts.

''We got to play more of our game, we got to get off to a better start,'' said forward Kyle Turris, who scored the winner in Game 5. ''We got to play within the defensive structure we played with all year, stick to it.''

The Rangers have been solid at home lately. After a late-season stretch in which they lost eight straight (0-5-3) at the Garden, a lackluster defeat to Montreal in Game 3 in the first round was their sixth straight on home ice in the postseason. However, they've won four straight there since.

''All we can do is focus on tomorrow and do the best we can and force another game,'' goalie Henrik Lundqvist said Monday. ''We believe in ourselves, we believe in the group we have here. We're just going to go out there and try to play our best game of the series and try to force another one. But we know they're going to come hard. We expect a tough one.''

If the Rangers win, Game 7 will be Thursday night in Ottawa.

[StarDust Bum]

Nhl playoffs record: ( as in baseball dogs and totals only)
All picks for the day:

05/08/2017....................... 0-1-0...................... 0.00%............... -5.50
05/07/2017....................... 1-3-0..................... 25.00%.............. -10.50
05/06/2017....................... 1-2-0..................... 33.33%............... -5.50
05/05/2017....................... 2-1-0..................... 66.67%............... +5.00
05/04/2017....................... 0-1-1...................... 0.00%................ -5.00
05/03/2017....................... 1-2-0......................33.33%................ -5.00
05/02/2017....................... 0-2-1....................... 0.00%............... -10.50
05/01/2017....................... 2-0-0..................... 100.00%............. +10.00

Totals:..............................7 - 12 - 1..................36.84%...............- 27.00

Best Bets............ Sides...............................Totals

05/08/2017...........N O P L A Y......................................0 - 1..........00.00%......- 1.10
05/07/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........1 - 1.........50.00%......-0.10
05/06/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........1 - 1..........50.00%......-0.10
05/05/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........2 - 0.........100%.........+2.00
05/04/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........0 - 1.........0.00%........- 1.10
05/03/2017...........1 - 0...........100%............+1.20........0 - 2.........0.00%........- 2.20
05/02/2017...........0 - 1---------0.00%...........- 1.00.........0 - 1 - 1....0.00%.........-1.10
05/01/2017...........1 - 0 ..........100%...........+ 1.00........1 - 0 ........100%.........+1.00

Totals..................2 - 5............28.57%.........-2.80........5 - 7.........41.66%.......-2.50

TUESDAY, MAY 9

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

OTT at NYR 07:30 PM

OTT +150

O 5.0

[StarDust Bum]

Karlsson leads Senators past Rangers into East finals
May 9, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) Erik Karlsson had a goal and an assist to help the Ottawa Senators advance to the Eastern Conference finals with a 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 6 of their second-round series Tuesday night.

Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone scored in the first period to power Ottawa to a fast start, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau added an empty-netter. Clarke MacArthur had two assists, and Craig Anderson stopped 37 shots.

The Senators, headed to the conference finals for the first time since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007, will face either Pittsburgh or Washington in the next round. Their series is headed to Game 7 on Wednesday night.

Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider scored for New York, and Henrik Lundqvist had 22 saves.

The Rangers trailed 3-1 after two periods, but Kreider got them within one just 53 seconds into the third. He skated up the middle, went to his left and put the puck past Anderson for his third goal of the postseason.

New York outshot Ottawa 15-5 in the third but couldn't get the equalizer. Kreider had a chance a little over 5 minutes in, but didn't get a clean shot on a pass from Zibanejad as his attempt from in front trickled off his stick and was stopped by Anderson.

Lundqvist made some stellar saves late in the third, including a stop on Derick Brassard from the right side with 5 minutes left.

Pageau capped the scoring with 6.2 seconds left for his sixth of the series and seventh of the postseason.

Playing with a 2-0 lead, Ottawa was more aggressive to start the second period, outshooting the Rangers 6-1 over the first 7 minutes.

Anderson stopped a shot by Kevin Hayes and then smothered a follow attempt by Michael Grabner in front near the midpoint of the middle period.

Zibanejad got the Rangers on the scoreboard with about 6 1/2 minutes left in the second. He took a pass from Mats Zuccarello, skated in and beat Anderson on the glove side into the top right corner.

Karlsson then beat Lundqvist on the blocker side with 4:07 remaining to restore the Senators' two-goal lead.

The Rangers outshot the Senators 13-10 in the first, but trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes. New York had three power plays and more scoring chances, but Ottawa was aggressive on defense while blocking nine shots in the opening period, and whatever got past the defense was stopped by Anderson.

Hoffman got the Senators on the scoreboard 4:27 into the game. He got the puck behind the net and sent a pass out to MacArthur. He then went in front of the net and deflected a shot from Karlsson past Lundqvist for his fourth of the playoffs.

It came on the Senators' second shot on goal of the game and marked the first time Ottawa scored first in the series.

Anderson had to make a flurry of saves over the next few minutes, including tip attempts by Kreider and Rick Nash about 30 seconds apart.

Lundqvist also had a nice glove stop on a slap shot by Karlsson as he was falling to his left and into the goalpost.

Stone scored with 5:16 left in the first when he got a pass from MacArthur on the left side as he crossed the blue line, skated up and fired a shot past Lundqvist for his fourth of postseason. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault challenged the play for offside, but the goal stood after a review.

NOTES: The NHL announced the Rangers will face the Buffalo Sabres in the Winter Classic at Citi Field, home of baseball's New York Mets. Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement on television during the first intermission. ... The Senators were 0 for 2 on the power play, finishing the series 1 for 18 and falling to 6 for 41 in the postseason. ... The Rangers were 0 for 4 with the man advantage. They finished 2 for 24 in the series and 3 for 39 in the playoffs. ... The Rangers lost for just the second time in their last 10 in a Game 6 or 7.

[StarDust Bum]

Nhl playoffs record: ( as in baseball dogs and totals only)
All picks for the day:

05/09/2017....................... 2-0-0....................100.00%............. +12.50
05/08/2017....................... 0-1-0...................... 0.00%............... -5.50
05/07/2017....................... 1-3-0..................... 25.00%.............. -10.50
05/06/2017....................... 1-2-0..................... 33.33%............... -5.50
05/05/2017....................... 2-1-0..................... 66.67%............... +5.00
05/04/2017....................... 0-1-1...................... 0.00%................ -5.00
05/03/2017....................... 1-2-0......................33.33%................ -5.00
05/02/2017....................... 0-2-1....................... 0.00%............... -10.50
05/01/2017....................... 2-0-0..................... 100.00%............. +10.00

Totals:..............................9 - 12 - 1..................42.85%...............- 14.50

Best Bets............ Sides...............................Totals

05/09/2017...........1 - 0 .......100.00%...........+1.50........1 - 0.........100.00%.....+1.00
05/08/2017...........N O P L A Y......................................0 - 1..........00.00%......- 1.10
05/07/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........1 - 1.........50.00%......-0.10
05/06/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........1 - 1..........50.00%......-0.10
05/05/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........2 - 0.........100%.........+2.00
05/04/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........0 - 1.........0.00%........- 1.10
05/03/2017...........1 - 0...........100%............+1.20........0 - 2.........0.00%........- 2.20
05/02/2017...........0 - 1---------0.00%...........- 1.00.........0 - 1 - 1....0.00%.........-1.10
05/01/2017...........1 - 0 ..........100%...........+ 1.00........1 - 0 ........100%.........+1.00

Totals..................3 - 5............37.50%.........-1.30........6 - 7.........46.15%.......-1.50

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's Game 7 Action
May 9, 2017

A pair of Game 7 matchups take place on Wednesday night in the NHL as the Penguins hook up with the Capitals, while the Oilers look to knock off the Ducks in Anaheim.

Pittsburgh eliminated Washington in the conference semifinals last season en route to a Stanley Cup title, but the Pens are on the verge of blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Capitals this time around. Washington goes for its third straight win on Wednesday as the Caps return home for Game 7, even though Pittsburgh has won twice at the Verizon Center in this series.

The Capitals opened as -170 home favorites at most books as Washington has compiled a 3-3 record at home in the playoffs. The Penguins have put together a 10-6 mark on the highway since the start of the 2016 postseason, while facing the Capitals in a Game 7 for the first time since beating Washington in the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Out west, the road team won the first four matchups between the Oilers and Ducks before the home team captured the last two matchups. Edmonton stomped Anaheim in Game 6 at home, 7-1 to force the franchise's first Game 7 since falling in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final to Carolina.

The Ducks have dropped five consecutive Game 7's since 2009, which includes four straight home losses in Game 7's the last four seasons. Anaheim opened as a -130 home favorite, as Edmonton has won twice at the Honda Center, while losing in double-overtime of Game 5. The total is set at 5.5 as the 'over' has hit in five of the first six games.

Road teams have gone 31-34 in this year’s NHL playoffs, while owning a 9-14 mark in the conference semifinals.

There have been 166 all-time Game 7’s in the NHL Playoffs and the home squad owns a 97-69 (58.4%) record.

Recent Game 7 History

Pittsburgh
2016 Conference Finals - Beat Lightning at home 2-1
2014 Conference Semifinals - Lost to Rangers at home 2-1

Washington
2015 Conference Semifinals - Lost to Rangers on road 2-1
2015 Conference Quarterfinals - Beat Islanders at home 2-1

Edmonton
2006 Stanley Cup Final - Lost to Hurricanes on road 3-1
1998 Conference Quarterfinals - Beat Avalanche at home 4-0

Anaheim
2016 Conference Quarterfinals - Lost to Predators at home 2-1
2015 Conference Finals - Lost to Blackhawks at home 5-3

The winning team in six of the last 10 Game 7's scored just two goals, as six of those games finished under the total.

NHL Game 7 Playoff History (2012-2016)

2016
Tampa Bay Lightning 1 at Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Nashville Predators 0 at San Jose Sharks 5
St. Louis Blues 6 at Dallas Stars 1
Nashville Predators 2 at Anaheim Ducks 1
Chicago Blackhawks 2 at St. Louis Blues 3

2015
Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at New York Rangers 0
Chicago Blackhawks 5 at Anaheim Ducks 3
New York Rangers 2 at Washington Capitals 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at Detroit Red Wings 0
Washington Capitals 2 at New York Islanders 1

2014
Los Angeles Kings 5 at Chicago Blackhawks 4 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 6 at Anaheim Ducks 2
Montreal Canadiens 3 at Boston Bruins 1
New York Rangers 2 at Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Philadelphia Flyers 3 at New York Rangers 4
Minnesota Wild 5 at Colorado Avalanche 4
Los Angeles Kings 5 at San Jose Sharks 1

2013
New York Rangers 5 at Washington Capitals 0
Toronto Maple Leafs 4 at Boston Bruins 5 (OT)
Detroit Red Wings 3 at Anaheim Ducks 2
Detroit Red Wings 1 at Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
San Jose Sharks 1 at Los Angeles Kings 2

2012
Ottawa Senators 1 at New York Rangers 2
Washington Capitals 2 at Boston Bruins 1 (OT)
New Jersey Devils 3 at Florida Panthers 2 (2OT)
Washington Capitals 1 at New York Rangers 2

[StarDust Bum]

Stifled Penguins head to Game 7
May 9, 2017

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins spent the better part of five games exploiting the few chances the Washington Capitals gave them, focusing on generating quality scoring chances while the Presidents' Trophy winners seemed more intent on quantity.

In the span of 80 minutes - from the third period of Game 5 through a one-sided Washington victory in Game 6 on Monday - whatever open ice Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the defending Stanley Cup champions enjoyed while building a 3-1 series lead effectively disappeared.

Now the NHL's highest-scoring offense finds itself heading to Wednesday night's Game 7 looking to regain its swagger in time to prevent the kind of collapse that usually befalls their longtime rivals this time of year.

What the Penguins need to do if they want to take the next step in becoming the first Stanley Cup champion in nearly 20 years to repeat is pretty clear. Doing it, however, is another matter entirely.

''We need to get more zone time,'' Crosby said. ''We can wear them down a little bit more there. Get to their zone a little bit more often.''

Between 2:29 into the third period of Game 5 and 12:29 into the third of Game 6, the Capitals ripped off eight straight goals. The first three rallied Washington from a 2-1 deficit to keep its season alive. The next five overwhelmed Pittsburgh on its home ice to tie the series for the first time since the puck dropped in Game 1.

Pittsburgh registered just one shot in the first 17 minutes of Game 6, that one a 136-foot knuckler on a clear by defenseman Brian Dumoulin that just happened to make its way to Washington goaltender Braden Holtby. The Penguins finished with just 18 over the course of the game, a pair of late goals by Malkin and budding rookie star Jake Guentzel making the final score a bit more respectable but no less decisive.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has become an expert in his 18 months on the job expertly pressing all the right buttons. Game 6 was the rare misfire. He reunited the ''HBK'' line of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel that worked so well during last spring's Cup run and the trio responded by generating one shot on goal.

By Tuesday the reunion was already in the rearview mirror, with all three players on separate lines during a brief by spirited practice. Though ''HBK'' was hardly the only group that had issues. Crosby played 20 mostly ineffective minutes, his most notable sequence coming in the first period when he became tangled with Washington defenseman John Carlson and ended up going headfirst into the end boards.

A week removed from a concussion that sidelined him for a game, Crosby ended up skating slowly off the ice after what he described as having the wind knocked out of him. He didn't miss a shift and stressed he felt fine.

''I mean, if you're looking for a test if you're back, it's a good one,'' he joked.

Consider the play symbolic of the way Washington has bottled up the Penguins while evening the series. The Penguins are fine with getting outshot so long as they're not outscored. Now they're doing neither. Just as troubling as the lack of pucks they've sent Holtby's way over the last two games is where those pucks have come from. Save for a couple of tight saves in the middle of Game 5 that kept the Capitals within striking distance, Holtby has rarely been tested.

''I don't think we've given ourselves the opportunity to establish the way we want to play,'' Sullivan said. ''But you have to give Washington credit too. We've got to execute to handle that pressure.''

While Pittsburgh takes a fair amount of history into Game 7 - where the franchise is 5-0 in winner-take-alls on the road - the Penguins also have fizzled out. They lost a 3-1 lead to the New York Rangers in the second round of 2014, scoring just three goals over the final three games, a meltdown that cost coach Dan Bylsma and Ray Shero their jobs.

That wasn't an issue last May as the Penguins won a pair of elimination games in the conference finals to reach the Cup on the way to their fourth championship. Despite the blowout in Game 6, they're still right there.

''If we do a little bit better job of (playing in their end), everything else will fall into place,'' Crosby said.

[StarDust Bum]

Capitals, Ducks confront Game 7 demons vs. Penguins, Oilers
May 9, 2017

Game 7 may be the most exciting phrase in sports to a lot of people. Probably not for the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks.

The Capitals have lost six of nine Game 7s in the Alex Ovechkin era, and the Ducks have lost five in a row with stars Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, including a heartbreaker in each of the last four years. Wednesday night is the chance for each team to confront its Game 7 demons as Washington hosts the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim hosts the Edmonton Oilers with spots in the conference finals at stake.

''I don't know whether from coaching or playing whether you get into a mental block or not,'' said Bruce Boudreau, who coached in Game 7 four times with the Capitals and four times with the Ducks. ''I think Washington for sure is due to win. I've said it for four years in Anaheim we're due to win, but in the end your best players have got to be your best players.''

For the Capitals, that means more production from Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov, and strong goaltending from Braden Holtby when the puck drops against the Penguins (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN) for the chance to meet the Ottawa Senators in the East final. In those nine Game 7s, Ovechkin has three goals and three assists, and at the moment he is earning praise from teammates and coach Barry Trotz in this series for accepting a demotion to the third line.

Getzlaf and Perry have combined for only seven points in six chances in Game 7 going into another one at home against Edmonton (10 p.m. ET, NBCSN). Goaltender John Gibson was pulled from his only Game 7 start in 2014 after allowing four goals on 18 shots, and he's coming off another hook after three goals on six shots in a 7-1 drubbing in Game 6 on Sunday.

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle didn't blame Gibson and said it's about the entire team being better.

''Obviously there's more at stake when it's the final game,'' said Carlyle, who won the Cup in 2007 but hasn't won a Game 7 since 2006. ''Now it boils down to one. ... I'm sure that you could poll 100 people, and 99 of them would say they'd rather play at home. It's our turn to serve, and holding serve means that we go on. If we don't hold serve, then it's not what we're looking for.''

Boudreau, who is 1-7 in his NHL coaching career in Game 7 after success in that spot in the minors, thinks goaltending will be the difference. Trotz doesn't think it'll have anything to do with history.

''I don't know if there's any hump to get over,'' said Trotz, who is 1-1 with the Capitals in two Game 7 opportunities in 2015. ''I just think with this group that I've been with, our Game 7s have been pretty solid. You're not going to win every one. But I thought our game was really, really quite good in both those Game 7s.''

Whether it was Marc-Andre Fleury stopping Ovechkin on a breakaway in 2009, Jaroslav Halak stopping 41 of 42 shots in 2010, losing by one goal to the New York Rangers in 2012, getting shut out by the Rangers in 2013 or losing in overtime at the Rangers in 2015, Game 7 just hasn't been kind to the Capitals.

''At the end of the day they're a different team,'' said Adam Oates, who coached the Capitals' 5-0 Game 7 loss in 2012. ''I think they're the better team right now, so hopefully they play that way. Based on (Monday) night I don't see any reason why they won't.''

Beating the Penguins emphatically 5-2 in Game 6 in Pittsburgh is why Boudreau believes the Capitals will win Game 7. Their last Game 7 victory at home came in the first round in 2009 with Boudreau behind the bench when Sergei Fedorov scored the winner to knock off the Rangers.

''I've got to believe that (the momentum from Game 6 is) going to roll over, that they're finally sick and tired of hearing that they haven't gone to the third round and will break through,'' Boudreau said.

DEFENSIVE CROSBY

Concussed on May 1, Sidney Crosby returned five days later and didn't look at his best Monday after crashing headfirst into the boards. But Crosby and coach Mike Sullivan said he was checked by a doctor and not put into the NHL's concussion protocol.

Crosby continues to play but isn't pleased that he keeps getting questioned. ''You talk to the doctor,'' Crosby said Tuesday. ''We can sit here and I can explain for 10 minutes what concussion protocol is and all that stuff but I don't really want to do it.''

HOLY FLEURY

Fleury has allowed nine goals on 58 shots the past two games after nine on 142 shots the first four games against the Capitals. Some of that is the play in front of him, especially with Pittsburgh defenseman Trevor Daley missing Game 6 with a lower-body injury.

If the Capitals have found a hole on the goaltender's glove side they're not saying.

''We're just trying to shoot where there is open spot,'' Kuznetsov said.

MR. GAME 7

Justin Williams has a chance to add to his legend as ''Mr. Game 7'' in his first chance with Washington. A three-time Cup winner, Williams is 7-0 with seven goals and seven assists in seven chances in Game 7.

UNFAMILIAR OILERS

This is the first NHL Game 7 for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Cam Talbot and the majority of the Oilers, who as a franchise last played in one in 2006. That was a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the Cup Final that as, you guessed it, Williams sealed it with an empty-netter.

SEVEN DEGREES OF GAME 7

The Hurricanes' coach in that Game 7 against Edmonton was none other than Peter Laviolette, who's waiting for the Ducks or Oilers in the Western Conference final with the Nashville Predators. Laviolette's Predators are looking to become the third eighth seed in the salary-cap era that began in 2005-06 to reach the Cup Final. The first two? The '06 Oilers he beat and the 2012 Los Angeles Kings, who got 15 points during their run from Williams.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

Odds for the Players Championship this weekend in Florida:
7-1—Dustin Johnson
10-1—Rory McIlroy
12-1—Jordan Spieth
15-1—Sergio Garcia
20-1—Day-Rahm-Rose-Fowler-Matsuyama
30-1—Scott-Stenson-Thomas-Koepka-Casey

**********

Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Mid-week musings……..

13) Reds’ rookie pitcher Amir Garrett is 3-2, 4.25 in his first six major league starts, but was sent back to AAA by the Reds this week, to “manage his innings” according to the Reds. Teams don’t like younger pitchers to throw 20%+ more innings than they did the year before, they say it leads to injuries.

Here is what it really is: Cincinnati wants to manage Garrett’s service time, so they can keep him an extra year before he becomes arbitration-eligible. They’re pretty sure now that Garrett is a keeper, so they’re going to keep him in AAA for a few weeks, again to control his big league service time.

But here’s the thing; the Reds are in first place- you’d think that would matter to them, and they’d try to drum up some enthusiasm in the community, instead of sending a promising young pitcher down to save a few bucks down the road.

12) At one point last year, the Chicago Cubs were 40-16; as I type this, they’re 17-16 this year, so it isn’t inconceivable that the NL Central could be wide open this season.

11) Miami Marlins are having a hard time with Joe West’s umpiring crew this week; Don Mattingly got tossed the last two nights- last nite, he was told to take a hike in the bottom of the 1st inning, after Adam Wainwright had thrown 11 pitches. Christian Yelich got called out on an awful pitch and he got tossed, too. Marlins have injury issues; which makes Yelich getting tossed early even more damaging.

10) Orioles will be without closer Zach Britton (forearm) until the All-Star break, very bad news for them.

9) I wasn’t aware that starting pitchers work out after they come out of games; Kendall Graveman did his workout Monday night after his seven innings, then took a shower and put uniform gear back on to watch the 11th inning in the dugout as the A’s beat the Angels 3-2.

8) Astros 8, Braves 3—Houston scored five runs before they made an out in this game. Bartolo Colon is struggling badly this season- his ERA is 7.22. Tuesday was 15th anniversary of a game in 2002 when AJ Hinch homered off of Colon—Hinch is the Astros’ manager now.

7) Orioles 5, Nationals 4 (12)– This was 10th time since joining Washington that Max Scherzer carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, the most in the major leagues during that time.

Whatever Buck Showalter makes managing the Orioles, it ain’t enough. He is the best manager in baseball. Look at his pitching staff and explain to me how they’re 22-10.

6) Brewers 11, Red Sox 7—Eric Thames hit his 13th homer here; someone who is playing in Korea this year is going to get a major league look next year, based in part on Thames’ success in Milwaukee this season. Whatever he worked on in his three years in Korea, it sure as hell has worked for him.

5) Senators 4, Rangers 2—Couple of Canadian teams are still alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ottawa advances to play the Pittsburgh-Washington survivor.

4) Spurs 110, Rockets 107 OT—Hard-fought game between two really good teams; Kawhi Leonard got hurt, which is huge going forward. Houston was only 16-48 on the arc.

3) Rangers-Sabres will freeze their butts off outdoors in Queens next winter on New Years’ Day, as the NHL Winter Classic comes to New York City. These events have been popular; I personally can’t think of a worse way to spend a winter afternoon than being outdoors.

2) Jonathan Simmons once paid $150 to try out for a D-League team; now he’s a key contributor for the Spurs. Is this a great country or what?

1) Former President Jimmy Carter came out this week and said he voted for Bernie Sanders for President; yikes. These are certainly strange times we’re living in.

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s NHL Stanley Cup Betting Preview and Odds

Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals (-170, 5.5)

Series tied 3-3

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (57-24-7-5, 53-35 O/U): The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't thrilled with the path they've traveled to get to Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Washington Capitals, but the road ultimately has been kind at the end of their previous trips. Pittsburgh sports a perfect 5-0 record on the road in its previous Game 7 clashes heading into Wednesday's winner-take-all clash with Washington at the Verizon Center. Evgeni Malkin isn't letting his team's recent fortunes cloud his thinking as Pittsburgh has its third and final chance to record the fourth victory of the series. "We won three games before. It's just one more game," the 30-year-old Russian said on Tuesday, one day after scoring a goal to extend his point streak to five games (three goals, four assists) while increasing his playoff total to a league-best 18 points (five goals, 13 assists). Fellow forward Jake Guentzel extended his franchise record for goals by a rookie in a single postseason with his league-leading ninth on Monday and also tied Jaromir Jagr (1991) for most points (13) by a Penguins rookie in a single postseason.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (62-22-5-5, 42-37 O/U): While the Penguins' 8-7 all-time mark in Game 7s trumps that the Capitals (4-10), the latter boasts a 2-1 mark in series in which it has rallied from a 3-1 series deficit. Washington also boasts the presence of the appropriately nicknamed "Mr. Game 7" Justin Williams, who has recorded seven goals and as many assists and owns a perfect 7-0 mark in Game 7s in his career. Coach Barry Trotz was matter of fact with his response as to why he elected to "demote" Alex Ovechkin to the third line in favor of Andre Burakovsky. "Sometimes you just have to try because if you don't try then you may regret it in the end," the 54-year-old Trotz said on Tuesday, one day after the 22-year-old Burakovsky collected his second straight multi-point performance with a pair of goals in a 5-2 romp. Play-making pivot Nicklas Backstrom recorded his third multi-point effort of the series with a goal and an assist and has a team-leading 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in these playoffs and 24 in 24 playoff games over the past two seasons.

LINE HISTORY: The Capital opened as -165 home favorites in this Game 7 clash and they were quickly bet up to -170. The total hit the board at 5.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Penguins - D T. Daley (Questionable, lower body), G M. Murray (Out Indefinitely, lower body), D K. Letang (Out For Season, neck).

Capitals - No injuries to report.

TRENDS:

* Penguins are 5-0 all-time in Game 7 road games.
* Capitals are 10-3 in their last 13 vs. Metropolitan.
* Over is 4-1 in Penguins last 5 road games.
* Under is 8-2 in Capitals last 10 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.




Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks (-125, 5.5)

Series tied 3-3

ABOUT THE OILERS (54-28-7-5, 39-46 O/U): Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl recorded a hat trick to highlight his five-point performance in Game 6 and increased his point total to 16 (six goals, 10 assists) in his last 12 games after being held off the scoresheet in his first four playoff tilts. The Oilers own a 6-3 all-time record in Game 7s, although they will play in their first since a 3-1 loss to Carolina in the 2006 Stanley Cup final. Draisaitl's five-point performance was just one better than that of Mark Letestu, who scored two goals and set up two others to increase his point total to 11 (five goals, six assists) in 12 postseason games. Captain Connor McDavid also has five tallies in the playoffs, but surprisingly saw his goal-scoring streak come to a halt in the lopsided victory on Sunday - not that the 20-year-old cares. "It's always a different story. It doesn't matter how we won Game 6, it just matters we won," McDavid said on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (53-26-10-3, 34-38 O/U): The Anaheim Ducks are no strangers to competing in Game 7s, it's just the results haven't been too friendly. With Game 7 losses in each of the last four years and a 2-6 overall mark in the series deciding contest, the Ducks look to alter their fortunes on Wednesday when they play the finale of their Western Conference semifinal set against the visiting Edmonton Oilers. Rickard Rakell scored a goal for the fourth consecutive contest and Corey Perry notched an assist to extend his point streak (one goal, four assists) to three games on Sunday. Injuries remain the primary concern for Anaheim, as Patrick Eaves (foot) was seen with crutches on Tuesday to all but officially rule him out for the fourth straight contest. Kevin Bieksa, who has been sidelined since the series opener, skated prior to practice and is generously listed as day-to-day while fellow defensemen Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour have received significant ice time in his absence.

LINE HISTORY: The Ducks opened as -135 home favorites for Game 7 and the public was all over the Oilers, dropping the moneyline to -125. The total opened at 5.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Oilers - D Andrej Sekera (Out Indefinitely, lower body), D Andrew Ference (Out For Season, hip), RW Tyler Pitlick (Out For Season, knee), D O. Klefbom (Probable, upper body).

Ducks - RW Patrick Eaves (Doubtful, lower body), RW Ondrej Kase (Questionable, upper body), D Clayton Stoner (Out Indefinitely, abdominal), D Kevin Bieksa (Questionable, lower body), D Simon Despres (Out Indefinitely, concussion), RW L. Shaw (Doubtful, lower body).

TRENDS:

* Oilers are 7-1 in their last 8 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Ducks are 11-2 in their last 13 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Over is 4-0 in Oilers last 4 overall.
* Under is 5-0 in Ducks last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Oilers are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings in Anaheim.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, May 10

Visitors won four of six Washington-Pittsburgh games; over is 6-3 in last nine games between these rivals. Penguins are 2-3 in last five games in this building. Washington won three of last four games after losing Games 1-2 at home; they’re just 3-4 in last seven home games overall. Pittsburgh is just 6-7 in its last 13 road games overall, 3-2 in playoffs. Caps are 5-21 on power play in series (they had two power play goals in Game 6), Penguins are 3-15. Washington is +67 in shots on goal in series.

Visitors won four of six Edmonton-Anaheim games in this series, but home side won last two; five of the six games have gone over the total. Two of Ducks’ three series wins came in OT- they were down 3-0 at home with 3:30 left in Game 5 at home, but rallied to win, which is why they’re still playing. Oilers won four of last six road games; over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Ducks are 3-2 at home in playoffs. Anaheim is 4-26 on power play in series (0-15 in last four games), Edmonton 7-25 (4-13 in last three games).

Second round NHL series
NY Rangers (-$150) vs Ottawa (+$130)
Ottawa 2-1
Ottawa 6-5 OT
NYR 4-1
NYR 4-1
Ottawa 5-4 OT
Ottawa 4-2
Senators win series, 4-2

Pittsburgh (+$110) vs Washington (-$130)
Penguins 3-2
Penguins 6-2
Wash 3-2 OT
Penguins 3-2
Wash 4-2
Wash 5-2

St Louis (+$110) vs Nashville (-$130)
Nashville 4-3
St Louis 2-1
Nashville 3-1
Nashville 2-1
St Louis 2-1
Nashville 3-1
Predators win series, 4-2

Anaheim (-$135) vs Edmonton (+$115)
Edmonton 5-3
Edmonton 3-2
Anaheim 6-3
Anaheim 4-3 OT
Anaheim 4-3 2OT
Edmonton 7-1

Home: 11-12 (31-34)
Over: 11-10-2 (24-31-10)




NHL

Wednesday, May 10

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

7:30 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing Washington
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games at home

10:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. ANAHEIM
Edmonton is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Edmonton is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Anaheim is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing Edmonton

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Wednesday, May 10


Edmonton @ Anaheim

Game 9-10
May 10, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
11.089
Anaheim
12.622
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(-120); Over

Pittsburgh @ Washington

Game 7-8
May 10, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
10.534
Washington
12.020
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-180
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-180); Over




NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, May 10

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

PITTSBURGH (57-24-0-12, 126 pts.) at WASHINGTON (62-23-0-9, 133 pts.) - 5/10/2017, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 30-40 ATS (-21.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 62-32 ATS (+27.1 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 41-18 ATS (+4.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
WASHINGTON is 29-10 ATS (+11.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
WASHINGTON is 28-14 ATS (+2.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 121-78 ATS (+5.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 78-46 ATS (+11.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 27-14 ATS (+7.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
PITTSBURGH is 52-29 ATS (+9.6 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 14-6 ATS (+20.7 Units) in road games when tied in a playoff series since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 36-15 ATS (+14.4 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 30-11 ATS (+13.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 13-12 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 13-12-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
11 of 21 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.6 Units)

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

EDMONTON (54-29-0-11, 119 pts.) at ANAHEIM (53-26-0-13, 119 pts.) - 5/10/2017, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 53-39 ATS (+11.1 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 35-19 ATS (+5.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 17-4 ATS (+10.2 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 25-14 ATS (+7.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ANAHEIM is 18-6 ATS (+8.5 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
ANAHEIM is 245-184 ATS (+42.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 15-4 ATS (+10.2 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
ANAHEIM is 12-3 ATS (+8.2 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
ANAHEIM is 25-7 ATS (+13.7 Units) in home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 28-18 ATS (+5.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 18-10 ATS (+7.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 54-40 ATS (+3.4 Units) in all games this season.
EDMONTON is 35-21 ATS (+7.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 27-14 ATS (+7.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
EDMONTON is 21-8 ATS (+10.0 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
EDMONTON is 20-8 ATS (+9.6 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
EDMONTON is 10-4 ATS (+14.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 13-7 (+4.3 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 13-7-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.5 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

Nhl playoffs record: ( as in baseball dogs and totals only)
All picks for the day:

05/09/2017....................... 2-0-0....................100.00%............. +12.50
05/08/2017....................... 0-1-0...................... 0.00%............... -5.50
05/07/2017....................... 1-3-0..................... 25.00%.............. -10.50
05/06/2017....................... 1-2-0..................... 33.33%............... -5.50
05/05/2017....................... 2-1-0..................... 66.67%............... +5.00
05/04/2017....................... 0-1-1...................... 0.00%................ -5.00
05/03/2017....................... 1-2-0......................33.33%................ -5.00
05/02/2017....................... 0-2-1....................... 0.00%............... -10.50
05/01/2017....................... 2-0-0..................... 100.00%............. +10.00

Totals:..............................9 - 12 - 1..................42.85%...............- 14.50

Best Bets............ Sides...............................Totals

05/09/2017...........1 - 0 .......100.00%...........+1.50........1 - 0.........100.00%.....+1.00
05/08/2017...........N O P L A Y......................................0 - 1..........00.00%......- 1.10
05/07/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........1 - 1.........50.00%......-0.10
05/06/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........1 - 1..........50.00%......-0.10
05/05/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........2 - 0.........100%.........+2.00
05/04/2017...........0 - 1...........0.00%............-1.00.........0 - 1.........0.00%........- 1.10
05/03/2017...........1 - 0...........100%............+1.20........0 - 2.........0.00%........- 2.20
05/02/2017...........0 - 1---------0.00%...........- 1.00.........0 - 1 - 1....0.00%.........-1.10
05/01/2017...........1 - 0 ..........100%...........+ 1.00........1 - 0 ........100%.........+1.00

Totals..................3 - 5............37.50%.........-1.30........6 - 7.........46.15%.......-1.50


WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PIT at WAS 07:30 PM

PIT +165

O 5.5

EDM at ANA 10:00 PM

EDM +100

O 5.5

[StarDust Bum]

NHL roundup: Penguins, Ducks win Game 7s
May 11, 2017

WASHINGTON -- Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist scored goals, Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves, and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals 2-0 on Wednesday in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Pittsburgh, which continued its postseason mastery of Washington, will face the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference finals. Rust made it 1-0 midway through the second period, and Hornqvist doubled the lead early in the third.

The Penguins eliminated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals in the conference semifinals for the second season in a row, and Pittsburgh has won nine of 10 postseason series between the teams. During that time, the Penguins are 4-0 in Game 7s.

Pittsburgh is 3-0 versus the Capitals in series played during the Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin era. The previous two times the Penguins eliminated Washington, they went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Ducks 2, Oilers 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Nick Ritchie scored the decisive third-period goal, and John Gibson made 23 saves as Anaheim defeated Edmonton in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

The Ducks advance to the Western Conference finals to meet the Nashville Predators. The series is scheduled to start Friday in Anaheim. The Ducks won a Game 7 for the first time in five playoff seasons. They had been eliminated from the postseason at home each of the previous four campaigns.

Drake Caggiula scored the Edmonton goal in the first period, and Andrew Cogliano responded for the Ducks in the second period. Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot made 28 saves.

[StarDust Bum]

Conference Finals Odds
May 11, 2017

Betting Odds provided by Sportsbook.ag

Home Team listed first - Best of 7 Games (2-2-1-1-1)
(Opening Odds in parentheses)

Eastern Conference - Conference Finals

Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa
Penguins ()
Senators ()

Western Conference - Conference Finals

Anaheim vs. Nashville
Ducks ()
Predators ()

Exact Game Props - Prior to Series (5/12/17)

Odds per Sportsbook.ag

Penguins vs. Senators

Ducks vs. Predators

Odds Subject to Change