The Bum's NHL Best Bets-Trends-News Etc. !

[StarDust Bum]

NHL roundup: Rangers, Blues advance
April 22, 2017

NEW YORK -- Mats Zuccarello scored two goals and Henrik Lundqvist capped a brilliant first-round series with 27 saves as the New York Rangers eliminated the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-1 victory in Game 6 on Saturday night.

The Rangers won the Eastern Conference best-of-seven series 4-2 and face Ottawa or Boston in the next round. Zuccarello scored both goals in the second period after the Rangers fell behind 1-0 after the first.

Derek Stepan capped the win with an empty-net goal with 17.8 seconds remaining. Lundqvist stopped 195 of 206 shots in six games and made a stretching left pad save to deny Tomas Plekanec and preserve the win in the final minutes.

Alexei Emelin scored for the Canadiens. Carey Price made 20 saves in a losing effort.

Oilers 3, Sharks 1

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Leon Draisaitl and Anton Slepyshev scored breakaway goals 56 seconds apart early in the second period as Edmonton won their Western Conference first-round playoff series with San Jose 4-2.

Cam Talbot stopped 27 shots as the defending West champion Sharks couldn't muster the tying goal despite a late third-period rally. Patrick Marleau's third goal of the series -- and 68th of his 177-game postseason career -- at 12:12 of the third period pulled San Jose to within a goal and brought the SAP Center sellout crowd to life.

The Oilers were guilty of a too-many-men penalty at 15:03 to give the Sharks a third power play, but San Jose could not convert despite captain Joe Pavelski ringing a turn-around backhand effort off the crossbar and goalpost 1:15 into the advantage.

Blues 4, Wild 3 (OT)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Magnus Paajarvi scored at 9:42 of overtime and Jake Allen made 35 saves as St. Louis defeated Minnesota to win their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen and Paul Stastny scored first-period goals for St. Louis, which got its third road victory of the playoffs to win the series 4-1. The Blues open the Western Conference semifinals at home versus Nashville.

Ryan Suter, Mikko Koivu and Jason Zucker scored for the Wild, who had their best regular season in franchise history, but managed only eight goals in five playoff games.

[StarDust Bum]

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

04/22/2017 3-2-0 60.00% +825
04/21/2017 0-2-1 0.00% -1050
04/20/2017 1-4-2 20.00 -1550
04/19/2017 1-5-0 16.67% -1950
04/18/2017 1-4-0 20.00% -1650
04/17/2017 1-3-1 25.00% -1100
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71%+2550
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71% +2550
04/15/2017 1-2-2 33.33% -250
04/14/2017 1-6-0 14.29% -2325
04/13/2017 2-2-1 50.00% +225
04/12/2017 4-5-1 44.44% -940


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

04/22/2017..........2 - 0............+2.85.............0 - 2.....................-2.20
04/21/2017 .........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 1 - 1................-1.10
04/20/2017..........0 - 3.............-3.00.............1 - 1 - 2................-0.10
04/19/2017..........1 - 1............+0.50.............0 - 4....................- 4.40
04/18/2017..........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 3 ....................-3.30
04/17/2017..........1 - 0.............+1.10............0 - 3 - 1................-3.30
04/16/2017..........3 - 0.............+3.20............3 - 1....................+1.90
04/15/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.60............1 - 2....................-1.20
04/14/2017..........1 - 2..............-0.25............0 - 4...................- 4.40
04/13/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.55............1 - 1 - 1..............- 0.10
04/12/2017..........1 - 1 ............+1.00............2 - 2 - 1 .............- 0.20

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo:Sunday's six-pack

— Max Scherzer pitches against the Mets tonight; he is 12-0 in his last 13 starts against NL East teams- Nationals won the 13th game, too.

— Blues 4, Wild 3 OT— St Louis advances, faces Nashville in next round.

— George Springer left the Astros’ game last night with a tight hamstring, much like Troy Tulowitzki did in Toronto’s game Friday. Hamstring usually equals a trip to the DL. Miguel Cabrera is also on the DL in Detroit.

— Hawks 116, Wizards 98— Atlanta was winning this game, 35-13.

— Grizzlies 110, Spurs 108 OT— Series is 2-2; home side won all four games.

— Warriors 119, Trailblazers 113- Steve Kerr was ill, Mike Brown coached the Warriors, who trailed by 17 at one point.

**********

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday……..

13) When Giants open their 2017 season in Dallas against the Cowboys, it’ll be the 4th time in last five years these rivals opened the season against each other.

12) Chicago White Sox were shut out in Jose Quintana’s last two starts; in 18 of his last 26 losses, the Pale Hose either got shut out or scored one run.

11) Blake Griffin is out for the season with an injury to his big toe; those can be tough, since you push off with that part of your foot. Jack Lambert was a damn tough linebacker for the Steelers; his career ended because of an injury to his big toe.

10) Chicago Blackhawks were first #1 conference seed swept in an NHL first-round series since 1993, when the St Louis Blues swept Chicago.

9) Something to remember in September: Over the last 20 years, New Jersey Jets are 15-5 against the spread in their first road game of the season. Jets open this year in Buffalo.

8) Was nice of the Mets’ TV guys to crush the Washington Nationals’ 3B coach when Daniel Murphy got thrown out at the plate Saturday on a throw from right field.

If that happens to the Mets, those guys wouldn’t say boo; maybe they’ll call it questionable to send the guy but no way do they bash the 3B coach.

7) Toronto Blue Jays have already used seven starting pitchers in the first three weeks of the season; they used seven starting pitchers all of last season.

6) Buffalo Bills play Miami twice a year, since they’re division rivals, but their two meetings this year are in Weeks 15-17, very late in the season. Unusual.

5) Kevin Chappell has a one-shot lead after 54 holes of the Valero Open; he is the sixth golfer this year to lead by one stroke after 54 holes- none of the other five won that tournament.

Chappell has never won on Tour, but he has finished 2nd six times, which also adds up to a lot of cash.

4) Thru Thursday’s major league games, 70 calls had been overturned already this season by instant replay— 44% of plays reviewed were overturned. Replay is a useful tool.

3) Former Tennessee Vols RB Jalen Hurd is transferring to Baylor, where he can play in 2018 and is expected to be a wide receiver then.

2) Cleveland Browns/Jacksonville Jaguars are only two NFL teams who won’t be on this season in prime-time- they both get a Sunday morning game from England.

1— I neither know nor care who the NBA’s MVP will be; it is the most overrated topic in sports today. That said, I know damn well WHO THE BEST PLAYER in the NBA is.

He wears number 23 for the Cavaliers. Used to play for Miami. Great, great player. The best player right now.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 23

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

OTTAWA (47-30-0-10, 104 pts.) at BOSTON (46-32-0-9, 101 pts.) - 4/23/2017, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 47-40 ATS (+89.7 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 15-12 ATS (+30.2 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 20-14 ATS (+35.1 Units) after a division game this season.
OTTAWA is 35-25 ATS (+63.9 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 68-55 ATS (+127.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 23-15 ATS (+41.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
OTTAWA is 14-10 ATS (+28.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 129-122 ATS (+277.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 22-25 ATS (-12.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 22-24 ATS (-27.1 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 7-10 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
BOSTON is 16-23 ATS (-17.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 13-5 (+13.4 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 13-5-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.4 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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

WASHINGTON (58-20-0-9, 125 pts.) at TORONTO (42-28-0-17, 101 pts.) - 4/23/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 5-11 ATS (-11.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
TORONTO is 18-8 ATS (+27.0 Units) when trailing in a playoff series since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 120-61 ATS (+26.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 48-36 ATS (+89.8 Units) in road games in April games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 37-15 ATS (+10.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
TORONTO is 21-33 ATS (+59.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 50-92 ATS (+169.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 23-51 ATS (+85.2 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 3-9 ATS (-7.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 10-4 (+3.8 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 10-4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.3 Units)

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




NHL
Short Sheet

Sunday, April 23

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Best of 7 – Game 6 – OTT Leads 3-2

Ottawa at Boston, 3:05 PM ET
Ottawa: 24-19 SU after playing a home game
Boston: 5-12 SU in home games after 2 consecutive division games

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Best of 7 – Game 6 – WAS Leads 3-2

Washington at Toronto, 4:05 PM ET
Washington: 36-11 SU when playing their 4th game in 7 days
Toronto: 2-8 SU after playing a game where 3 or fewer total goals were scored




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 23

Bruins are 0-22 in their history in series when down 3-1, the most series without a comeback win of any NHL franchise- they need home win here to force Game 7 in Ottawa. Boston was outshot 102-81 in losing last three games- they still haven’t scored first period goal in series. Ottawa is 7-2 vs Boston this season; road team won four of five gams in this series. Senators won six of last nine games overall. Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Boston games. Senators are 3-23 on power play in series, Boston is 2-14.

Washington leads Toronto 3-2; four of the five games went OT. Washington won ten of last 13 games overall vs Toronto, with home side 8-4 in last 12. Caps won three of last five games in this arena. Teams played combined total of 44:18 of overtime so far. Caps are 5-15 on power play in series, Leafs are 3-17. Over is 5-3 in last eight series tilts, 3-1 in last four. Capitals won ten of last 14 games overall, four of last five on the road. Toronto lost six of last nine games.

First round series:
East
Washington-Toronto
Wash 3-2 OT
Tor 4-3 2OT
Tor 4-3 OT
Wash 5-4
Wash 2-1 OT
Pittsburgh-Columbus
Pitt 3-1
Pitt 4-1
Pitt 5-4 OT
CBJ 5-4
Pitt 5-2
Penguins win series, 4-1
Montreal-NY Rangers
NYR 2-0
Mtl 4-3 OT
Mtl 3-1
NYR 2-1
NYR 3-2 OT
NYR 3-1
Rangers win series 4-2
Ottawa-Boston
Bos 2-1
Ott 4-3 OT
Ott 4-3 OT
Ott 1-0
Bos 3-2 OT

West
Chicago-Nashville
Nash 1-0
Nash 5-0
Nash 3-2 OT
Nash 4-1
Predators win series, 4-0
Minnesota-St Louis
StL 2-1 ot
StL 2-1
StL 3-1
Minn 2-0
StL 4-2 OT
Blues win series, 4-1
Anaheim-Calgary
Ana, 3-2
Ana 3-2
Ana 5-4 OT
Ana 3-1
Ducks win series, 4-0
Edmonton-San Jose
SJ 3-2 ot
Edmonton 2-0
Edmonton 1-0
SJ 7-0
Edmonton 4-3 OT
Edmonton 3-1
Oilers win series, 4-2

Home teams: 20-20
Over: 13-20-7




NHL

Sunday, April 23

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

3:00 PM
OTTAWA vs. BOSTON
Ottawa is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Ottawa is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Ottawa

7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. TORONTO
Washington is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Washington's last 12 games on the road
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Sunday, April 23

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins (-170, 5)

Senators lead series 3-2

ABOUT THE SENATORS (47-29-7–4 SU 51-36 ATS, 34-49 O/U): Despite squandering a 2-0 lead, one of the bright spots in Game 5 for Ottawa was a much-anticipated goal from Stone, who notched his first career playoff tally and halted a 19-game drought overall dating to Feb. 19. The Senators managed only five shots on goal in the third period but coach Guy Boucher dismissed the notion that his team went into a protective shell. "It's different during the regular season," Boucher said. “We weren’t scared to lose. I thought we did a good job at that. It’s one of those games that could go either way and it didn’t go our way.”

ABOUT THE BRUINS (46-32-6-3 SU, 39-48 ATS, 39-39 O/U): Sean Kuraly played in only eight games during the regular season and was a healthy scratch for Games 3 and 4, but coach Bruce Cassidy inserted the rookie in the lineup and he temporarily saved Boston's season. Kuraly scored his first NHL goal late in the second period to tie the score at 2-2 before before delivering the decisive tally midway through the extra session, sweeping in a backhand off a rebound. "He was buzzing," goaltender Tuukka Rask said. "Hardworking guy, he does the right things. ... It just goes to show that when you do that you get rewarded. Great example."

LINE HISTORY: The Bruins opened as -166 money line home chalk in this pivotal Game 6 matchup. The total hit the betting board at 5.

INJURY REPORT:

Senators - D Mark Borowiecki (Questionable Sunday, lower body), LW Tom Pyatt (Questionable Sunday, upper body)

Bruins - D Brandon Carlo (Questionable Sunday, upper body), C David Krejci (Questionable Sunday, lower body), D Adam McQuaid (Out Indefinitely, upper body), D Torey Krug (Out Indefinitely, lower body)

TRENDS:

* Senators are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Bruins are 0-6 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Senators are 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
* Senators are 9-2 in the last 11 meetings.
* Road team is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.




Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs (+125, 5.5)

Capitals lead series 3-2

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (58-19-5-5 SU, 37-50 ATS, 39-33 O/U): Tom Wilson made his mark with an overtime goal in Game 1, igniting a three-tally barrage in the first four contests of the series before being benched in Game 5 after the Toronto native put forth an undisciplined performance. "I thought Tom had lots of energy, but you cannot take four penalties in a playoff game," coach Barry Trotz told CSN Mid-Atlantic. "So he didn't see the ice after that last one." Washington's third-ranked power play continues to make its presence known with a goal in four of the five contests this series, going 5-for-15 overall (33.3 percent).

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (42-28-9-8 SU, 50-37 ATS, 40-45 O/U): Auston Matthews continued his goal-scoring surge on Friday, becoming the fourth rookie in franchise history to tally in three or more consecutive playoff games. Fellow first-year forward William Nylander and Zach Hyman notched an assist on the second-period goal to extend their respective point streaks to three games, with the former collecting one goal and three assists on his stretch while the latter has scored a goal and set up two others in his run. "(Matthews is) a good player, they're all good players on that line," coach Mike Babcock said. "There's not a lot of room and you've got to compete. The way Hyman is at the net and how strong he is, Willy can shoot it and pass it and skate. It's a good line."

LINE HISTORY: The Maple Leafs opened as +127 home dogs with their backs against the wall and the line hasn’t moved off the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 5.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Capitals - D Karl Alzner (Questionable Sunday, upper body)

Maple Leafs - D Roman Polak (Out for season, leg), LW Josh Leivo (Out Indefinitely, undisclosed), RW Nikita Soshnikov (Out Indefinitely, undisclosed), C Eric Fehr (Out Indefinitely, hand), LW Joffrey Lupul (IR, conditioning), D Stephane Robidas (Out for season, knee), RW Nathan Horton (Out for season, spine)

TRENDS:

* Capitals are 6-1 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Maple Leafs are 1-8 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 9-2-1 in Capitals last 12 road games.
* Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Toronto.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Sunday, April 23


Washington @ Toronto

Game 61-62
April 23, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
12.329
Toronto
9.742
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-145); Over

Ottawa @ Boston

Game 59-60
April 23, 2017 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa
11.732
Boston
10.757
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-170
5
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+150); Under

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

OTT at BOS 03:00 PM

OTT +135

U 5.0

WAS at TOR 07:00 PM

TOR +130

U 5.5

[StarDust Bum]

Johansson's OT goal gives Capitals series win at Toronto
April 23, 2017

TORONTO (AP) Marcus Johansson stuffed his second goal of the game past Frederik Andersen at 6:31 of overtime, lifting the Washington Capitals t to a series-winning 2-1 victory ove the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 on Sunday night.

Johansson pulled Washington even at 1-1 with less than eight minutes to go in the third period after Auston Matthews broke a scoreless tie with his fourth goal of the series for Toronto. It was the fifth overtime game of the series, and the record-setting 18th in the first round of the playoffs.

Holtby made 37 saves for the Capitals, who will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Andersen was sharp with 34 saves.

**************************

Senators eliminate Bruins 3-2 in OT
April 23, 2017

BOSTON (AP) Clarke MacArthur spent almost two full seasons recovering from a concussion, wondering if he would ever be able to return to the Senators.

''There's nothing like living in the NHL and living in these playoffs,'' he said after scoring a power-play goal 6:30 into overtime to help Ottawa beat Boston 3-2 in Game 6 on Sunday and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

''It (retirement) is something everyone's going to have to deal with one day,'' said the 32-year-old forward, who was injured in the fourth game of last season and didn't come back until four games left in this one. ''But I want to stretch it out as long as I can.''

Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris scored five minutes apart in the second to give the Senators a 2-1 lead, and Craig Anderson stopped 28 shots for Ottawa. The Senators, who hadn't won a postseason series for since 2013, will play the New York Rangers in the second round.

Tuukka Rask made 26 saves for the Bruins, who got goals from Drew Stafford and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins did not get off a shot in the extra period - the fourth overtime game of the series and the 17th of the NHL playoffs, tying the record for an opening round.

''We came in here, took a deep breath (and) realized that, `Hey, tie game. Next shot wins. Let's get back to business,''' Anderson said. ''That's all we did.''

MacArthur sustained a concussion on Oct. 14, 2015 - Game 4 of last season - and hadn't played since, missing 156 games before he finally passed a baseline test in the last weeks of this season and was cleared to return. He played in only four games this year, without recording a point.

''You've been off for a couple of years and you're thinking, `Yeah, I should make this play' or `I should be able to do that,''' he said. ''I've just been trying to stick with it and be patient, and you know it's slowly coming.''

MacArthur scored in Game 2 of the series, and then got past David Pastrnak on his way into the Bruins' zone in overtime, tempting the Boston forward into pulling him down from behind. Just 36 seconds into the power play, MacArthur grabbed a puck that deflected off Tuukka Rask and beat him on the rebound for the series-winner.

''It was off his paddle and went right to me. I was just lucky enough to be in the right spot,'' MacArthur said. ''You get opportunities like that to put them away, you've got to put them away. It's just awesome that we were able to.''

The Bruins made the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, rallying after firing the winningest coach in franchise history and the one that led them to the 2011 Stanley Cup title. They went 18-8 after Bruce Cassidy replaced Claude Julien, but lost their last two to finish third - behind Ottawa - in the Atlantic Division.

That left them matched up with the Senators in the first round - a bad draw against a team that beat them all four times in the regular season and six straight overall. After winning Game 1, Boston lost three in a row before forcing a fifth game with a double-overtime victory on Friday night.

Cassidy, who served out the season as the interim coach, said he ''absolutely, 100 percent'' wants to be back.

''That will be determined by management, whether I continue to be the head coach,'' he said. ''And what players will be here will be determined by management.''

The Bruins were hit with three delay of game penalties in the first period for sending the puck over the glass, but on none of those power plays did Ottawa even manage as much as a shot on goal. Instead, Boston took a 1-0 lead with just under two minutes left in the first when Stafford converted on a tripping penalty against Mark Stone.

But Ryan tied it for Ottawa on a power play early in the second, then Turris gave the Senators a 2-1 lead about five minutes later. It stayed that way until Bergeron tied it about two minutes into the third.

NOTES: The Bruins were without F David Krejci, who injured his knee in a collision with Senators D Chris Wideman in Game 5 on Friday. ... Ryan leads Ottawa with four goals in the playoffs. He also assisted on the game-winner.

[StarDust Bum]

Preds-Blues, Oilers-Ducks open Round 2
April 23, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) The NHL postseason is down to eight teams with the St. Louis Blues hosting the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Edmonton Oilers to start the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday night.

After the two Western Conference series get going, the Ottawa Senators host the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals host the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. Washington versus Pittsburgh is a showdown of the top two teams in the league during the regular season.

The Atlantic Division champion Montreal Canadiens and Central champion Chicago Blackhawks were eliminated in a first round that set a record for the most overtime games with 18.

It was the first time a first round didn't feature a Game 7 in any series since 2001.

[StarDust Bum]

Changes coming for Blackhawks after loss
April 22, 2017

CHICAGO (AP) Coach Joel Quenneville will be back next season. Everything else is on the table for the Chicago Blackhawks.

General manager Stan Bowman is promising changes after Chicago was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year. The Blackhawks, who won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015, were swept by Nashville this time around, managing just three goals in 13 periods.

''Standing here April 22 is not the way we expected our season to end. And it's a complete failure when you measure it against the expectations that we have of ourselves,'' Bowman said Saturday. ''We did not come even close to reaching the standard we have set over the years here. And that's unacceptable.

''Any successes that we did experience this year are completely overshadowed by the abrupt ending to our season. It's not close to good enough for anybody. And I think it's time right now to take a look in the mirror and face facts.''

The Blackhawks won the Central Division this season with a 50-23-9 record, finishing with the most points in the Western Conference. When the playoffs started, they were considered one of the favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup.

But it was all Nashville in the postseason, with the Predators skating all over the Blackhawks for most of the short series. It was the first time a No. 1 seed was swept in the first round since the NHL adopted its current playoff format in 1994.

''It was tough to watch and tough to play in,'' goaltender Corey Crawford said. ''It was pretty embarrassing. Like I said, when you think you could go for another great run and to go out in four games, in a series where I don't even think we were that close, it's definitely not fun.''

For a franchise used to postseason success, it was a staggering blow.

''For a lot of us, this is probably the worst feeling we've had after any season,'' said star winger Patrick Kane, who likely will decide this weekend whether to play in the upcoming world championships.

Captain Jonathan Toews made it sound like a wake-up call for him. The center turns 29 next Saturday, and it looks as if the grind of long NHL seasons and international play is catching up to him.

He failed to score when the Blackhawks were eliminated by St. Louis in seven games last year. He set career lows with 21 goals and a plus-7 rating this season, and then struggled when matched up against Nashville's athletic top line in the playoffs. He had a goal and an assist against the Predators.

Toews, who has maintained a strict diet for years, said he plans to adjust his preparation for next season to address the increased emphasis on speed across the league.

''I've got to get back to playing more puck possession, a little bit more speed on the rush,'' he said.

Like Toews, Bowman is heading into one of his most intriguing offseasons since he was promoted to general manager in 2009. While the Blackhawks flopped in the playoffs, they had a successful regular season and have a mix of proven performers and young players who might be much better in the postseason after their experience against the Predators.

Any major moves could be tricky with the salary cap, but it sounds as if Bowman is keeping his options open. He said Quenneville will be back, but he stopped short of guaranteeing pretty much anything else for next season.

''We're going to conduct a thorough review and see where it takes us,'' he said.

Backup goaltender Scott Darling and defenseman Johnny Oduya likely will leave in free agency, and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and center Marcus Kruger could be tempting targets for Las Vegas in the expansion draft. Richard Panik, a restricted free agent who set career highs with 22 goals and 22 assists this season, also is a name to watch this summer.

Brian Campbell, a free agent defenseman with ties to the Chicago area, made it sound as if he will re-sign with the team or retire. Like many of the players, he was still processing everything after the abrupt end to the season.

''I don't want to go anywhere. We'll see,'' said Campbell, who turns 38 next month. ''We'll see where things go. I felt good. My body feels good. But need to take some time to get away from everything and think about it.''

[StarDust Bum]

End of Sharks season could yield changes
April 23, 2017

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) After going through the handshake line of an early playoff loss, an emotional Patrick Marleau stood by the San Jose bench and looked up at the crowd at the Shark Tank.

The end of another season in San Jose could be the end of an era after the Sharks were eliminated in Game 6 of the first round with a 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Saturday night.

With longtime stalwarts Marleau and Joe Thornton heading into potential free agency this summer at age 37, the Sharks could have a very different look next season.

''I'm not even really thinking about that right now,'' Marleau said. ''There will be time to reflect on all that.''

Thornton and Marleau entered the league as the top two picks in the 1997 draft and became teammates in 2005 when Boston dealt Thornton to San Jose. They have made the Sharks one of the league's top teams during their time together, getting to the Stanley Cup Final last year and making two other trips to the conference final together.

Both reached major milestones this year, with Marleau scoring his 500th career goal and Thornton recording his 1,000th assist, and still are playing at a high level.

But how long general manager Doug Wilson wants to commit to them remains a question.

''I love those guys,'' teammate Logan Couture said. ''They play hard. If you guys only knew what they play through. The respect level that I have for those two guys is just through the roof.''

After the Sharks tied the series with a 7-0 win in Game 4 and took a 3-1 lead in the second period of the next game, it looked as if talk of the future for Thornton and Marleau could wait a few more weeks.

But the Sharks allowed the Oilers to tie Game 5 with a late regulation goal and then were dominated in overtime to fall behind in the series. They fell into a 2-0 hole in the opening minutes of the second period when Edmonton scored on a pair of breakaways.

A third-period goal by Marleau breathed life back into the arena, but the comeback hopes were thwarted after Joe Pavelski hit the crossbar and the post with a backhand shot on a power play and then Connor McDavid scored an empty-net goal in the final second to seal the 3-1 win.

''There's nothing you can say or point a finger at,'' Pavelski said. ''You need things to go right at times, getting key goals. It just didn't go for us this time.''

The Sharks appeared to be on the right path midway through March when they had a nine-point lead over Anaheim in the Pacific Division and looked poised for another long playoff run following last year's trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

But six straight regulation losses, key injuries to top two centers Thornton and Couture, and fatigue following a short summer, the World Cup in September and a condensed schedule caught up to them.

''Everyone talked about getting to the Final the year before and how tough the next year is - you always think you can be the team that can do it,'' coach Peter DeBoer said. ''It's hard, it's a grind. I'm not prepared to take inventory of what went wrong. My gut feeling is we ran out of gas in the last month. It's just a reality.''

Thornton injured his left knee on April 2 and missed the final three games of the regular season and first two games of the playoffs. He returned but was not at his usual level, and teammates said he was basically playing on one leg.

Couture had a gruesome injury after a shot by Brent Burns deflected into his face on March 25, knocking out several teeth and making it painful to breathe or eat. He missed the final two weeks of the regular season before returning for the playoffs.

''Excuses are for losers,'' Couture said. ''You have to step up at this time of the year to play at this time of the year. It doesn't matter if you're hurt because there are always guys that aren't healthy. It doesn't matter if you're tired. You have to find a way and they found it and we didn't.''

[StarDust Bum]

Preds rested, ready to face Blues in semis
April 23, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators finally get a new opponent in the postseason after their surprising sweep of the Western Conference's No. 1 seed.

Their reward?

The St. Louis Blues, fresh off downing the West's second-best team with a 4-1 series victory over the Minnesota Wild that was as stunning as Nashville's sweep. St. Louis coach Mike Yeo said he is well aware of the Blues' next challenge.

''It's pretty easy for us to look at what happened in the last series and not underestimate that opponent,'' Yeo said after St. Louis clinched its opening-round series over Minnesota. ''So they're a great team and that's life in the Central Division for you, and the Western Conference for you. You get to advance from one good team and you get to go play another.''

Minnesota finished the regular season with the second-highest point total, 106, just three fewer than Chicago.

The Predators are hoping for one benefit to playing a second straight Central Division team after last season, when Nashville defeated Anaheim in the first round in seven games, a series that required three flights to California. They had just one off day between Game 7 and the first game of their semifinal series against San Jose, a series that the Sharks won in seven games.

''That was tough with all that travel last year, I remember it pretty clearly,'' center Ryan Johansen said Sunday. ''Getting off and on those flights all the time and bodies being sore and guys being beat up, it was difficult. We definitely have a different situation with Chicago and St. Louis being close and only having to play four games the first series.''

Nashville coach Peter Laviolette gave his team Friday and Saturday off, a precious commodity this time of year, after finishing its sweep of Chicago on Thursday night. The Predators returned to the ice Sunday morning for a high-tempo practice.

''The first priority was just a couple of days of rest and get back out here and just start getting at things,'' Laviolette said.

Nashville won three of its five regular-season matchups against the Blues. The Blues won two of three games played in St. Louis, and they will have home-ice advantage in this semifinal after edging out Nashville for third in the Central. That left Nashville with the second wild card as the No. 8 seed.

This semifinal ensures one Central Division team will be playing for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals, just not the teams expected in the first postseason series between these franchises.

''They are physical, they play fast, they play the right way,'' Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said of the Blues. "They are much like us. We try to do the right things at the right time.''

The Blues and Predators will feature this playoff season's top two goaltenders. Entering Sunday's action, Nashville's Pekka Rinne leads the NHL with a .976 save percentage, with Jake Allen a close second at .956. Rinne allowed just three goals - two on the power play and one at even strength - in four games played against Chicago in the first round. Two of his wins, both in Chicago, were shutouts.

''You saw what they did to Chicago,'' Allen said. ''Obviously they're playing their best games of the year, and they'll be ready.''

Nashville forward Colin Wilson, who missed the entire first round because of a lower-body injury, was a full participant in Sunday's practice. He's hopeful to return against the Blues.

''That first playoff game, I was just dying to get out there, and sure enough, Game 3, our first game at home, it was an even bigger itch,'' Wilson said. ''It was nice to see the boys do real well and get me the opportunity to get back in.''

[StarDust Bum]

Kunitz, Ruhwedel return to practice for well-rested Penguins
April 23, 2017

PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz returned to practice on Sunday, giving the defending Stanley Cup champions hope the veteran forward can contribute at some point during the team's postseason run.

Kunitz wore a non-contact jersey during the workout. The 37-year-old hasn't played since being diagnosed with a ''longer term'' lower-body injury following a victory over the New York Rangers on March 31. The Penguins have been off since eliminating Columbus from the playoffs in five games last Thursday.

Pittsburgh's second-round series begins this week and Kunitz's appearance is a promising sign the two-time Cup winner will be available sooner rather than later.

''Hopefully I'm not too far off,'' said Kunitz, who has nine goals and 20 assists this season. ''Playoff hockey is a different animal and you want to be prepared for that.''

Coach Mike Sullivan said the team will see how Kunitz's body responds before deciding whether Kunitz will practice Monday. Kunitz is one of Pittsburgh's most physical players, carving out a niche during his 13-year career by getting to the front of the net.

Kunitz is second behind Washington defenseman Brooks Orpik in playoff hits over the last 11 seasons with 437. He has played 106 of his 141 career playoff games for the Penguins, a mainstay for a team perennially among the Stanley Cup contenders. Kunitz is in the final year of his contract and with a glut of young forwards, it's uncertain whether he be back next season.

''I think anytime you miss games in the playoffs, you never know if you're going to get another game in,'' Kunitz said.

Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel also skated in a non-contact jersey on Sunday. Ruhwedel missed the first round with an upper-body injury.

''They're that much closer,'' Sullivan said. ''That's really encouraging from our standpoint.''

[StarDust Bum]

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

04/23/2017 2-1-1 66.67% +675
04/22/2017 3-2-0 60.00% +825
04/21/2017 0-2-1 0.00% -1050
04/20/2017 1-4-2 20.00 -1550
04/19/2017 1-5-0 16.67% -1950
04/18/2017 1-4-0 20.00% -1650
04/17/2017 1-3-1 25.00% -1100
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71%+2550
4/16/2017 6-1-0 85.71% +2550
04/15/2017 1-2-2 33.33% -250
04/14/2017 1-6-0 14.29% -2325
04/13/2017 2-2-1 50.00% +225
04/12/2017 4-5-1 44.44% -940


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

04/23/2017..........1 - 0............+1.35.............1 - 0 - 1...............+1.00
04/22/2017..........2 - 0............+2.85.............0 - 2.....................-2.20
04/21/2017 .........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 1 - 1................-1.10
04/20/2017..........0 - 3.............-3.00.............1 - 1 - 2................-0.10
04/19/2017..........1 - 1............+0.50.............0 - 4....................- 4.40
04/18/2017..........0 - 1.............-1.00.............0 - 3 ....................-3.30
04/17/2017..........1 - 0.............+1.10............0 - 3 - 1................-3.30
04/16/2017..........3 - 0.............+3.20............3 - 1....................+1.90
04/15/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.60............1 - 2....................-1.20
04/14/2017..........1 - 2..............-0.25............0 - 4...................- 4.40
04/13/2017..........1 - 1.............+0.55............1 - 1 - 1..............- 0.10
04/12/2017..........1 - 1 ............+1.00............2 - 2 - 1 .............- 0.20

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

— This is an open recruiting period for college hoop; UConn offered three 10th graders this weekend off the same AAU team in Georgia.

— Mets are 8-17 in their last 25 games with Washington- they visit our nation’s capital this weekend.

— Brewers 11, Reds 7- Eric Thames hit two more HR’s, has 10 for the season; he has 7 HR’s in 21 PA’s against Cincinnati.

— Raptors 118, Bucks 93— Toronto won last two games by 11-25 points, have 3-2 series lead.

— Hawks 111, Wizards 101— Home team won all four series games.

— Giants 2, Dodgers 1– Buster Posey picked Justin Turner off 2B to end the game with Adrian Gonzalez at the plate. Oy.

**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but………

13) Get well soon, Steve Kerr; the Warriors’ coach has had severe pain/discomfort since he had surgery on his spine a couple years ago. Fluid leaked from his spine and has created problems so unique that doctors aren’t even sure what the real problem is now.

Kerr seems like a genuinely decent and normal guy; we wish him the best in getting healthy.

12) Oklahoma City lost at home to Houston Sunday; they were +14 in 39:00 Russell Westbrook was on the court, -18 in 9:00 he was on the bench.

Billy Donovan has forgotten more basketball than I will ever know, but if I’m him, I might just leave Westbrook out there the whole 48:00 and see what happens. There are enough TV timeouts to get him a decent amount of rest.

11) Thursday night the Mariners lost a tough game in Oakland; at one point, a ground ball single went thru the legs of CF Leonys Martin, who actually went to one knee to stop the ball, but still whiffed on it. Ball took an odd hop, but not a REAL bad hop.

Sunday, the Mariners designated Martin for assignment, which means they are done with him. I’m guessing that error Thursday night was a part of that decision.

10) Pro wrestler Jon Cena’s grandfather Tony Lupien played in 614 big league games as a first baseman for the Red Sox, Phillies, White Sox. Sunday would’ve been Mr Lupien’s 100th birthday.

By the way, Jon Cena does more stuff for kids in the Make-a-Wish program than any other celebrity. He is incredibly generous with his time and makes a lot of kids smile. Good for him.

9) You think about how much the Rams paid Tennessee last year for their first pick in the draft that turned into Jared Goff and a big part of that was a belief that there is no great QB prospect in this draft, so if LA was going to draft a young QB, it had to be done last year.

Mel Kiper doesn’t give any QB’s first round grades this year; that is telling.

8) Phillies were 1-1 in 8th inning Sunday, then they hit three consecutive homers against the Atlanta bullpen- that doesn’t happen much.

7) Runs batted in by outfielders this season:
Miami 46, Washington 37

Kansas City 11, San Diego/Toronto, 12 each.

6) Houston Astros are 6-2 on the road which obviously is very good but a red flag; Astros haven’t led any of those games (0-5-3) after five innings- their deep lineup beats up on middle relievers.

5) Best records in games decided by 1-2 runs: Orioles 10-1, Rockies 10-2, Astros 6-2, Nationals 9-3……..Worst records? Toronto 2-10, Dodgers 3-6, Minnesota 2-6.

4) Former Cowboys’ executive Gil Brandt points out on Twitter that Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett had 31 career sacks at Texas A&M, but only 14 of them came in SEC games— Aggies’ non-league opponents were mostly Sun Belt/C-USA teams (UTSA, Rice, ULM).

3) From Wikipedia: The Wonderlic Personnel Test is a popular group intelligence test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 12 minutes.

How much do Wonderlic scores matter when NFL teams are drafting players this week?

I have to ask around, seeing as this is NFL draft week; I think I remember being told a few years ago that some teams care about the results, some do not.

I’ll get back to you on this.

2) Red Sox threw behind Manny Machado’s head Sunday, causing a ruckus, after his slide into second base Saturday sent Dustin Pedroia to the pines. Hopefully this will all go away, but Machado does have a way of annoying opponents— he got into it with Josh Donaldson in Oakland a few years ago.

1— New York Giants used to have training camp here in Albany; friend of mine’s adult son wanted Eli Manning’s autograph, so he went to camp with a friend of his, who happened to be an exotic dancer. The young lady called for Eli, he came over to them, and my friend’s son asked Eli to sign the Giants’ mini-helmet he had.

He hands Eli the helmet and a silver Sharpie, but Eli wouldn’t sign with the silver pen; he had a black Sharpie he used, and he was insistent that he use it.

“I won’t be able to read your signature” the young man complained.

“You’ll be able to read it just fine” Eli replied, signed the helmet and that was that.

Thats how they tell the difference between the stuff Eli signs for Steiner Sports and those he just signs for free, by the color pen he signs with.

I’ll say this: if you pay extra for “game-used” items, you’re a damn fool, because demand exceeds supply, which means the “game-used” stuff you’re getting probably isn’t.