Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 3/13

[Udog]

Trends and Indexes

Monday, March 13

Good Luck on day #72 of 2017!

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.
Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.

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Matchup Links

NHL Matchups

NHL Injuries

NHL Hot and Not


NASCAR Schedule

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[Udog]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

— Last year, UNLV fired hoop coach Dave Rice three games into conference play; as an alumnus, he deserved much better. Now Rice is in the NCAA’s as an assistant for Nevada. Have to feel good for the guy.

— Cardinals-Pirates will play a Sunday night game in Williamsport during the Little League World Series in August.

— Random musical knowledge: Michael Jackson did 22 shows at the Tokyo Dome.

— Cleveland Browns have five of the first 65 picks in this year’s NFL Draft and four picks in the first two rounds next season. All they have to do now is pick the right guys.

— Cleveland Browns will start their 5th different QB in last five years in Week 1 in September.

— Showtime has a special on the 1976 Indiana basketball team that finished unbeaten, the last college basketball team to do that. If you like basketball history, it is worth a look.

**********

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Quick thoughts on the field of 68

Some quick thoughts after seeing the pairings and after Champ Week.

13) Must be nice go to college at Arizona; their players were watching the pairings show while sitting outside, in the sun. I’m guessing the North Dakota kids watched the pairings show inside.

12) Early last week, was texting with a friend in Las Vegas, talking about hoop; the two mid-majors who I thought were best positioned to shock the world this week were Tex-Arlington and Monmouth— welllllll……neither one of them made it.

There will be a great set of games at some point in this tournament, I’m just not real sure it’ll be the first round this year. There are jackasses on TV who run their mouths and pick lot of upsets so they can look good if the upsets happen- no way do they really believe those upsets will happen.

11) UCLA is a 3-seed; they play Kent State, then probably the Cincy-Wake-KState survivor. One note of caution about UCLA; Lonzo Ball hurt his left thumb Friday night. No one said anything, and he played the game but you could tell it was bothering him. If he ain’t 100%, the Bruins will go out early. I’m looking at Cincinnati to upset the Bruins in the second round.

10) Providence-USC is a play-in game; Friars beat USC 70-69 in an 8-9 game LY, with Friars scoring on an OB under play at the buzzer. USC led by 5 with 2:21 left. Kris Dunn is in the NBA now, though. Long trip east for the USC kids, and also for the Cal-Davis kids who also play in Dayton Wednesday night.

9) Purdue is a 4-seed, the best seed of any Big 14 team. Was looking at Maryland as a team who would get beat in the first round, but they drew a Xavier squad whose point guard got hurt 13 games ago— Musketeers are 6-7 since he got hurt.

8) Vermont is a 13-seed, second year in row the America East champ was a 13-seed. Since 2006, America East teams are 6-6 vs spread in NCAA’s, but a closer look shows that Albany was 5-1 vs spread in NCAA games, the rest of the league 1-5. Vermont lost to Butler by 12, South Carolina by 18, Providence by 22 this season- their best wins were over Harvard, Wofford.

7) Of the teams who played on Sunday, who has to play Thursday? Princeton and Wisconsin. Thats a quick turnaround, especially if the Thursday games are during the day.

6) Last two years, ACC teams are 9-3 against the spread in the first round.

5) Last year, Wichita State beat Sean Miller’s Arizona Wildcats 65-55 in the NCAA’s; this year, Shockers play Dayton in the first round- Flyers are coached by Archie Miller, Sean’s brother.

4) Westgate Sportsbook in Las Vegas (where it is not expected to snow this week, unlike in beautiful downtown Albany) has Duke at 5-1 to win it all; North Carolina is 6-1, followed by Kansas/Kentucky/Villanova, all at 8-1, then Gonzaga 10-1.

3) Six years ago, New Orleans didn’t have a basketball team; they were out of it for two years as the school considered dropping to Division III. Now the Privateers are in the NCAA’s- they won by 16 at Washington State of the Pac-12. Great coaching job by Mark Slessinger- UNO is 16-5 this season vs teams ranked outside the top 200. Mt St Mary’s is ranked #213.

2) Several teams made the NCAA’s for the first time; Northwestern, Cal-Davis, North Dakota and Jacksonville State; for those teams, everything from this point on is gravy- they’ve already had a fabulous season.

1— Someone in the blur of last week’s TV deluge predicted a 16-seed would beat a 1-seed this season; it has never happened, but look at the four games this year- it still ain’t happening.

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, March 13


Colorado @ Arizona

Game 15-16
March 13, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
10.076
Arizona
11.278
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-140); Over

St. Louis @ Los Angeles

Game 13-14
March 13, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
12.502
Los Angeles
9.382
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-150
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(+130); Under

Boston @ Vancouver

Game 11-12
March 13, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
10.655
Vancouver
12.192
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-185
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver
(+160); Under

Pittsburgh @ Calgary

Game 9-10
March 13, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
12.270
Calgary
9.801
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-120); Over

Winnipeg @ Nashville

Game 7-8
March 13, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
13.850
Nashville
10.093
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg
by 4
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-160
6
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(+140); Over

Carolina @ NY Islanders

Game 5-6
March 13, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
11.251
NY Islanders
12.786
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-150
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(-150); Under

Tampa Bay @ NY Rangers

Game 3-4
March 13, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
10.639
NY Rangers
12.012
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
N/A

Columbus @ Philadelphia

Game 1-2
March 13, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
9.954
Philadelphia
11.835
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
-130
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+110); Over

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, March 13

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COLUMBUS (43-18-0-6, 92 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (31-28-0-8, 70 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 58-59 ATS (-2.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 43-24 ATS (+13.0 Units) in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 8-2 (+7.0 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 8-2-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.1 Units)

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TAMPA BAY (32-26-0-9, 73 pts.) at NY RANGERS (44-23-0-2, 90 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 8-7 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 8-7-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.8 Units)

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CAROLINA (27-27-0-11, 65 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (32-24-0-11, 75 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 27-38 ATS (-12.3 Units) in all games this season.
CAROLINA is 11-18 ATS (-10.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
CAROLINA is 11-17 ATS (-10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CAROLINA is 2-9 ATS (-10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 5-5 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 5-5-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.9 Units)

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WINNIPEG (30-33-0-6, 66 pts.) at NASHVILLE (33-24-0-11, 77 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 10-23 ATS (+33.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 231-191 ATS (+36.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
WINNIPEG is 16-9 ATS (+25.1 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
WINNIPEG is 13-7 ATS (+22.6 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 33-35 ATS (-12.5 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 6-14 ATS (-11.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
NASHVILLE is 13-16 ATS (-8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 7-5 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 7-5-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.8 Units)

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PITTSBURGH (43-16-0-8, 94 pts.) at CALGARY (38-26-0-4, 80 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 25-35 ATS (-21.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 38-30 ATS (+4.8 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 13-5 ATS (+7.9 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 107-66 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 64-34 ATS (+13.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-2 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 3-2-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.4 Units)

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BOSTON (36-26-0-6, 78 pts.) at VANCOUVER (28-31-0-9, 65 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 34-44 ATS (-24.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 232-230 ATS (-121.8 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 9-24 ATS (-18.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 99-120 ATS (-49.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 3-2 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 3-2-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.1 Units)

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ST LOUIS (35-27-0-5, 75 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (33-28-0-6, 72 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 11-6 ATS (+17.6 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 14-3 ATS (+9.9 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 109-90 ATS (+200.5 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
ST LOUIS is 17-6 ATS (+10.5 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 33-34 ATS (-10.1 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 40-40 ATS (-33.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 27-34 ATS (-29.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 4-4 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 4-4-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)

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COLORADO (19-45-0-3, 41 pts.) at ARIZONA (24-35-0-8, 56 pts.) - 3/13/2017, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 19-48 ATS (+90.5 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 1-14 ATS (+29.7 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
COLORADO is 6-22 ATS (+39.2 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
COLORADO is 40-39 ATS (+91.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 26-64 ATS (+121.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 4-17 ATS (+23.9 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 5-3 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
COLORADO is 5-3-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.4 Units)

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[Udog]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, March 13

Columbus won seven of last eight games with Philly; they won three of last five games in this building. Three of last four series games stayed under. Blue Jackets won three of last four games overall, but lost three of last four on road. Five of their last seven games stayed under the total. Flyers lost three of last four games, but won three of last four at home. Four of their last six games stayed under.

Rangers won their last four games with Tampa Bay; over is 5-4-1 in last ten series games. Lightning lost 3-2/6-1 in their last two visits to Manhattan. Tampa Bay won five of its last seven games, but split last four road games- their last four games stayed under. New York won three of last four games overall but lost last four home tilts. Under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games.

Islanders lost five of last seven games with Carolina; four of last five series games went over the total. Hurricanes won three of last four visits to Long Island. Carolina lost six of last eight games overall, three of last four on road; three of their last four games stayed under total. Islanders are home for first time in 23 days; they went 5-4 on their nine-game road trip. Five of their last seven games went over.

Nashville won three of last four games with Winnipeg; over is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Jets lost four of last six visits to Music City. Winnipeg lost its last three games, outscored 13-6; they split last four road games- this is their first road game in 20 days. Predators lost four of last five overall but won three of last four at home. Over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games.

Calgary won its last three games with Pittsburgh, but Penguins won four of last five games in the Saddledome; four of last six series games stayed under the total. Penguins won their last five games, with last three on road. Five of their last six road games stayed under. Flames won their last nine games, shutting out their last two opponents. Under is 3-1-2 in their last six games.

Canucks are 5-3 in their last eight games with Boston (over 5-3). Teams split last four series games in this building. Bruins won six of their last eight games; they split their last four away games. Over is 3-0-1 in their last four road games. Vancouver lost three in row, seven of last nine games; they lost their last six home games. Three of their last four games stayed under.

Kings lost three of last four games with St Louis; home side won six of last eight series games. Blues lost three of last four games in Staples Center. St Louis won its last four games, allowing total of seven goals; they won last two road games, 3-0/2-1. Four of their last six games stayed under total. Los Angeles won three of its last four games, all at home; over is 2-0-1 in their last three games.

Colorado won six of its last nine games with Arizona; they’ve won three of last four games in the desert. Three of last four series games stayed under. Avalanche lost five of last seven games; they were outscored 16-4 in losing last four road games. Under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Coyotes lost four of their last six games; they split last four home games. Three of their last four home games stayed under.

[Udog]

NHL

Monday, March 13

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Trend Report
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7:30 PM
CAROLINA vs. NY ISLANDERS
Carolina is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Carolina's last 12 games
NY Islanders are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 7 games

8:00 PM
COLUMBUS vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Columbus is 4-7-1 SU in its last 12 games ,when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Philadelphia's last 9 games at home

8:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. NY RANGERS
Tampa Bay is 6-17 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
NY Rangers are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
NY Rangers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home

9:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. NASHVILLE
Winnipeg is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Winnipeg's last 23 games
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Nashville's last 16 games

10:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CALGARY
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 15 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Calgary's last 15 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

11:00 PM
BOSTON vs. VANCOUVER
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games on the road
Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games
Vancouver is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games

11:00 PM
COLORADO vs. ARIZONA
Colorado is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Colorado is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado

11:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games
St. Louis is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing St. Louis
Los Angeles is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against St. Louis


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[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, March 13


Colorado @ Arizona

Game 15-16
March 13, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
10.076
Arizona
11.278
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-140); Over

St. Louis @ Los Angeles

Game 13-14
March 13, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
12.502
Los Angeles
9.382
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-150
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(+130); Under

Boston @ Vancouver

Game 11-12
March 13, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
10.655
Vancouver
12.192
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-185
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver
(+160); Under

Pittsburgh @ Calgary

Game 9-10
March 13, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
12.270
Calgary
9.801
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-120); Over

Winnipeg @ Nashville

Game 7-8
March 13, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
13.850
Nashville
10.093
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg
by 4
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-160
6
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(+140); Over

Carolina @ NY Islanders

Game 5-6
March 13, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
11.251
NY Islanders
12.786
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-150
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(-150); Under

Tampa Bay @ NY Rangers

Game 3-4
March 13, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
10.639
NY Rangers
12.012
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
N/A

Columbus @ Philadelphia

Game 1-2
March 13, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
9.954
Philadelphia
11.835
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
-130
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+110); Over

[Udog]

NHL betting cheat sheet and odds: Don't forget the Flames

The Flames face a difficult week with the Penguins, Bruins, Stars, and Kings on their schedule over the next seven days.

Monte Andrews' cheat sheet breaks down the best NHL betting notes so you can handicap the week like a pro, including the red-hot Calgary Flames who are riding a nine-game winning streak and have gone from postseason afterthought to Western Conference powerhouse.

Leafs Face Florida Test

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a stiff test this week as they look to keep their Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive. The Maple Leafs make their second of two trips to the Sunshine State this season, visiting the Florida Panthers in Miami on Tuesday before heading off to Tampa for a Thursday date with the Lightning. Toronto was successful in its first trip to Florida, winning both games in extra time; things were a lot worse prior to this season, with Toronto going just 3-9-0 SU and 5-6-1 O/U in the previous 12 games in Florida dating back to the start of the 2013-14 season.


We're Going Streaking

Two of the hottest teams in the league do battle Thursday night in the Canadian capital as the Ottawa Senators square off against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Senators come into the week riding a six-game winning streak that has lifted them into a tie with the Montreal Canadiens atop the Atlantic Division. Even more impressively, the last three victories have come on the road, where Ottawa is now a red-hot 20-12-0 on the season and 16-15-1 O/U. But the Sens might have their hands full with a Chicago team that won 12 of 13 games over a five-week stretch (before dropping games on both Thursday and Friday of last week) and has an impressive 20-11-1 road mark of its own entering the week.


Don't Forget the Flames

The Calgary Flames have gone from postseason afterthought to Western Conference powerhouse as they enter the week on a league-high nine-game winning streak. But the Flames have a difficult week ahead; they'll face the defending-champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night, then host a Boston Bruins team with wins in 10 of its previous 13 games Wednesday. A game against the always-dangerous Dallas Stars' offense follows, while the Flames end the week with a contest against a Los Angeles Kings team that has prevailed in five of its last six meetings with Calgary.


Injury Updates

* The Florida Panthers have struggled mightily without the services of starting netminder Roberto Luongo, who hasn't played since March 2 due to a lower-body injury. The Panthers have lost all four games since Roberto Luongo went down, and have allowed a whopping 17 goals over that span.

* The Ottawa Senators might be without talented winger Kyle Turris for their pivotal Thursday night tilt with the Blackhawks. Turris has missed the previous three games with a finger injury and is questionable to return Tuesday versus Tampa Bay; luckily, the Sens haven't missed a beat, scoring 12 goals in his absence.


Player Notes

* No player has been more prolific this month than Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel, who has five goals and five assists in six games so far in March. While that scoring run hasn't exactly helped the Sabres in the standings - Buffalo has lost four of the six games - it has done wonders for the total, with Buffalo going 5-1 O/U in that span.

* The Penguins are once again reminding teams that they have big scoring threats beyond Sidney Crosby. Second-line center Evgeni Malkin is scorching opposing goaltenders so far this month, racking up six goals in six games while adding three assists; it'll come as no surprise that Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU over that span with 21 goals in their last five games.

* On the flip side, new Florida Panthers forward Thomas Vanek isn't exactly having the kind of impact his new team was expecting when it acquired him from Detroit at the trade deadline. Vanek has just one goal and zero assists in five games with the Panthers, and his minus-9 rating is the worst of any player in the league over that span.


Stanley Cup Futures

* The Blackhawks' scintillating February has put them near the top of Sports Interaction's Stanley Cup futures odds. Chicago comes into the week at +600 to win the title, and looks like one of the strongest plays on the board. It is worth noting, however, that the Blackhawks will play nine of their final 14 regular-season games on the road.

* So how has a six-game winning streak helped the Senators' Stanley Cup odds? They're listed at +2000 to take home their first NHL championship in franchise history. But the road to a high postseason seed is still a rocky one for Ottawa, which has three more games left against the rival Canadiens in the regular season.

* The Bruins looked like playoff afterthoughts once upon a time, but are surging back up the Eastern Conference standings and are within striking distance of both the Senators and Canadiens in the Atlantic. The Bruins enter Monday at +2200 to win the Stanley Cup, and have a favorable sked down the stretch with eight of their final 10 games played at home.


Over/Under Trends

* Few teams in recent memory have been as allergic to the Over play as this year's edition of the San Jose Sharks. Going into Sunday, the Sharks were 1-7-1 O/U in their previous nine games and have played just 16 Overs through their first 67 games, easily the lowest total in the NHL.

* The Minnesota Wild have been all over the place from a totals perspective, playing four straight Overs to close out the month of February - and following that up with four straight Unders to open March. An 11-goal slug-fest with the Tampa Bay Lightning followed, putting the Wild at 33-25-8 O/U going into Sunday.