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**Udog** · 02-27-2017, 09:56 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

— Spurs 119, Lakers 98— San Antonio is a very quiet 45-13.

— Clippers 124, Hornets 121 OT— Blake Griffin had 43 for the Clippers.

— Thunder 118, Pelicans 110— DeMarcus Cousins got his 18th technical, has to sit out the next game.

— Northern Kentucky 82, Valparaiso 78— Valpo’s best player is on crutches.

— Monmouth 79, Iona 73- Hawks’ last loss was January 2 to St Peter’s.

— Washington State 79, Washington 71— Markelle Fultz missed his third game with a bad knee.

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

13) Pretty soon the college basketball coaching carousel will start spinning, which begs the question: is it better to be a big fish in a small pond, or a smaller fish in a big pond?

Shaka Smart bolted VCU for Texas and more $$$, but now he is 30-32 in two years, 15-19 in conference games and Longhorn fans are wondering why Rick Barnes got fired.

Guys like Gregg Marshall (Wichita St), Eric Musselman (Nevada) and Archie Miller (Dayton) are winning big in smaller leagues and will surely get offers from schools like NC State, Missouri, Illinois or whatever other jobs open up, but they all make a lot of money now.

Is it worth it to coach in deeper waters for more money, when it is harder to win there?

12) Watching Gonzaga lose at home to BYU late Saturday night, it occurs to you that they haven’t been tested enough by the lame WCC, which was way down this year, other than St Mary’s—even BYU is very young and isn’t as good as usual.

Gonzaga’s guards looked lost in the last few minutes, when the game was tight and a loss seemed possible. Zags hadn’t played a single-digit game since Dec 3, when they won by 7 over Arizona in Los Angeles. 84 days between close games isn’t that healthy for a team.

11) San Antonio Spurs have had 20 consecutive seasons with a winning road record; that is really a great accomplishment.

10) Arizona State 83, USC 82— ASU played starters 199 out of 200 minutes in their loss to UCLA Thursday; I’ve never seen that before. In this game, they played two subs, one 11:00, another 12:00, but they pulled out a win and improved to 7-10 in the Pac-12.

9) Big West Conference is way down this year, but three of their four games Saturday went to overtime, and the fourth game ended 83-80, so solid night of entertainment in that league.

8) Champ Week starts tonight, with four first-round games in the Atlantic Sun tourney at campus sites. Florida Gulf Coast is the #1 seed, Lipscomb the #2 seed.

Ohio Valley tournament will be next, starting on Wednesday.

7) A U of Louisville sophomore thought he won $38,000 at a women’s basketball game Thursday by hitting a layup, foul shot, 3-pointer and half-court shot during a time-out, but he has been told he is ineligible to receive the prize because he played high school ball and the fine print of the contest says no one can collect if they played organized basketball within the last six years. Too bad- the sponsor would win back the $38K in goodwill if they gave the kid the $$$.

6) San Diego State had a great running back this season, Donnel Pumphrey; the school honored the young man during a timeout in the Aztecs’ basketball game Wednesday, but there was one small problem.

Mr Pumphrey showed up wearing a Dodgers’ hat.

People in San Diego don’t like Los Angeles, and since the Chargers just bolted to LA, that feeling has ramped up a little bit, so Mr Pumphrey took some grief on social media for the hat. Took until the second half for someone at the arena to get him a red Aztecs’ cap.

5) I’m a big fan of college basketball adopting the 8-second half-court rule; would encourage teams to press more and also to run the ball up the floor, instead of walking it up.

4) Do you think Jack Nicklaus sits at home and quietly celebrates because Eldrick Woods’ career is in the dumper, which preserves Nicklaus’ record for most majors won?

3) Toughing moment at Michigan State Sunday; senior Eron Harris blew his knee out earlier this year- his career is over, but he suited up for his last home game Sunday and with 0:11 left and the Spartans safely ahead, Harris checked into the game to get one last ovation.

He knelt down, which wasn’t easy with the big knee brace he had on, and kissed the Spartan logo at midcourt. I’m not sure the average fan realizes how much effort these kids put into their playing careers and how much it means to them. It was a pretty cool moment.

2) I was trying to explain to a young person the other day what basketball was like before the shot clock; in short, it wasn’t as fun. Coaches could dominate the game; the game could have almost no flow at all. The shot clock and 3-point shot have made basketball a way better game.

Example: February 22, 1980— While the US Olympic hockey team was beating the Russians in the Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid, my college team was playing in the semifinals of their conference tournament, in Buffalo. People in the corner of the small gym were watching the hockey game on Canadian TV in the corner of the gym.

We lost the game that night in four overtimes; the team that won the tip of all four 5:00 OT’s held the ball for the last shot. I’m not kidding, it was that boring— tense is a better word.

In 1979, a North Carolina-Duke basketball game was 7-0 at halftime. Seriously.

1— Watching college hoop games this weekend, one thing is clear; people are tired. Season is a long one; players, coaches, and maybe most of all the officials are tired. Getting to Champ Week gives everyone a little jolt of energy.

**Udog** · 02-27-2017, 10:02 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, February 27

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MONTREAL (33-21-0-8, 74 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (25-25-0-11, 61 pts.) - 2/27/2017, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 6-2 (+3.0 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 6-2-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)

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OTTAWA (33-21-0-6, 72 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (27-25-0-8, 62 pts.) - 2/27/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 208-217 ATS (+506.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
OTTAWA is 33-27 ATS (+61.9 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 31-27 ATS (+65.3 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 47-36 ATS (+84.9 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 27-33 ATS (-8.0 Units) in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 6-4 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 6-4-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

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LOS ANGELES (30-27-0-4, 64 pts.) at MINNESOTA (39-14-0-6, 84 pts.) - 2/27/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 119-111 ATS (-47.3 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 43-57 ATS (-23.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 37-37 ATS (-21.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-20 ATS (+16.8 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 14-4 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 16-21 ATS (-18.1 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-16 ATS (-14.7 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-39 ATS (-4.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-4 (+0.0 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 4-4-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

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NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, February 27

Devils lost four of last five games with Montreal; Habs won four of last five games in the Garden State. Over is 4-2-4 in last ten series games. Canadiens lost seven of their last ten games but won last two road tilts; their last five games stayed under the total. New Jersey lost its last three games overall, four of last six home games. Under is 3-1-3 in their last seven home games.

Tampa Bay won six of its last nine games with Ottawa; under is 6-4 in last ten series games. Senators won six of last nine games overall, four of last five on road. Eight of last nine Ottawa games stayed under the total. Lightning are 5-3 in last eight games overall; they won three of last four at home. Under is 4-1-1 in Tampa Bay’s last six games.

Minnesota won three of last four games with the Kings, who were outscored 12-5 in losing last three games in the Twin Cities. Under is 5-2-1 in last eight series games. Los Angeles lost four of its last six games; they split last six away games. Under is 2-0-2 in their last four. Wild won six of last nine games; they’re 3-0 in game following their last three losses. Seven of their last ten games went over the total.

NHL

Monday, February 27

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. NEW JERSEY
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Montreal's last 9 games on the road
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Montreal
New Jersey is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

8:30 PM
OTTAWA vs. TAMPA BAY
Ottawa is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ottawa's last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games

9:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. MINNESOTA
Los Angeles is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Los Angeles's last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Minnesota's last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Minnesota's last 23 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

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**Udog** · 02-27-2017, 11:19 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, February 27

Los Angeles @ Minnesota

Game 5-6
February 27, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
14.410
Minnesota
11.289
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 3
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(+120); Under

Ottawa @ Tampa Bay

Game 3-4
February 27, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa
12.126
Tampa Bay
10.652
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-170
5
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+150); Under

Montreal @ New Jersey

Game 1-2
February 27, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
9.437
New Jersey
10.521
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Jersey
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
New Jersey
(+100); Over

**Udog** · 02-27-2017, 04:13 PM

NHL betting cheat sheet and odds: Matthews takes Tinseltown

Toronto rookie phenom Auston Matthews makes his first career visit to Los Angeles as the Maple Leafs continue their West Coast swing Thursday night against the Kings.

Our NHL cheat sheet breaks down the best NHL betting notes so you can handicap the week like a pro, including the Toronto Maple Leafs' young superstar Auston Matthews who makes his first visit to Los Angeles.

Hello, Hanzal

Minnesota has made a splash ahead of the NHL trade deadline, and Wild fans will get their first look at the new acquisition as Martin Hanzal is expected to make his debut Monday night against visiting Los Angeles. Hanzal, who was acquired from Arizona over the weekend, should bolster the Wild's offense after recording 16 goals and 10 assists in 51 games with the Coyotes.

But it isn't like Minnesota needed much help: the Wild enter the week with the best record in the West, and have scored more goals (195) than any other team in the conference. That has helped Minnesota to a 30-21-8 O/U mark for the season.

Matthews Takes Tinseltown

Toronto rookie phenom Auston Matthews makes his first career visit to Los Angeles as the Maple Leafs continue their West Coast swing Thursday night against the Kings. The Arizona native reached the 30-goal plateau in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens, making him just the third Leafs rookie to do so.

Toronto has benefited greatly from Matthews' recent scoring barrage, having earned a point in 12 straight games (10-0-2) in which the No. 1 pick has lit the lamp. But he could find the sledding tough against a Los Angeles team allowing the fifth-fewest goals per game in the league (2.43).

Tennessee Shootout?

Two of February's highest-scoring teams do battle in a Saturday night Central Division showdown as the Nashville Predators host the Chicago Blackhawks. Coming into the week, no team in the NHL has been more prolific this month than the 'Hawks, who have racked up 44 goals through 10 February games while going 9-1-0 over that stretch.

But they'll meet their match in the Predators, who have scored 43 goals in 12 games this month en route to a 7-4-1 record. The teams are 2-0-2 O/U through four meetings this season, with the Blackhawks having won three of the four games.

Injury Updates

* A debilitating mumps outbreak has decimated the Vancouver Canucks' dressing room - and it is having a predictably damaging impact on the team's flickering playoff chances. The Canucks come into the week having dropped back-to-back games and nine of their last 12, and have been outscored 36-24 in February.

* The Winnipeg Jets are down three starting defensemen, and it has certainly showed. Joining Tyler Myers (lower body) and Tobias Enstrom (lower body) on the sidelines is Jacob Trouba, who will serve the second game of a two-game suspension this week against Minnesota. The Jets have struggled in February, allowing a whopping 3.50 goals per game.

Player Notes

* It has been a rough year for Jamie Benn and the rest of the Dallas Stars, but the team's scoring leader has caught fire in February, scoring seven goals and adding eight assists in 11 games. He ranks third in points for the month entering Monday, and has helped the Stars lead the league in scoring for the month at 3.73 goals per game.

* Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews is coming off one of the most sensational weeks of his career. Toews had four goals and five assists in three Chicago victories last week, and leads the league with 18 points this month. Teammate Patrick Kane has also had a hot February with nine goals and seven assists in 10 games.

* Nobody can blame Max Pacioretty for the Montreal Canadiens' offensive struggles this month. Pacioretty has been in on 11 of the Canadiens' 16 goals in February, scoring five times and adding six assists. Forward Alex Galchenyuk and defenseman Andrei Markov are the only other Montreal players with five points in February.

Stanley Cup Futures

* That red-hot February has surged the Blackhawks into contender range, at least from an odds standpoint. According to Sports Interaction, the Blackhawks are now +800 to hoist the Stanley Cup this June, second only to the Minnesota Wild among Western Conference teams. Chicago trails Minnesota by one point in the standings.

* It will be interesting to see how the acquisition of netminder Ben Bishop will help the Kings in their quest for a third Stanley Cup championship in six seasons. Los Angeles, which acquired Bishop from the Tampa Bay Lightning over the weekend to provide relief for recently returned starter Jonathan Quick, comes into the week with +2,500 Stanley Cup odds.

* Vancouver was a longshot even before its mumps outbreak - and now, only the hardiest bettors would dare put money on the Canucks to win it all. They're at an astronomical +15,000 to secure their first Stanley Cup championship this season - and even that might be generous, with 10 players on the injury report as of Monday.

Over/Under Trends

* Tight, low-scoring games have become the norm for the Ottawa Senators, who have played to the Under in eight of their last nine coming into the week. The Senators been one of the strongest Under plays in the league at 23-35-2 O/U for the season, including a remarkable 10-21-1 at home.

* Referee Ghislain Hebert has been an Over magnet so far this season. Games he has worked have gone 34-24 O/U for a net Over profit of +1,016; Brad Watson is second among referees at +967, while Jean Hebert comes into the week ranked third at +888. Wes McCauley is ranked last at -1,512 in relation to the Over.

Announcement

Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 2/27

Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 2/27

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