Da Bum's 2018 NHL Picks/News/Trends/Best Bets - Thru The Stanley Cup !

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, April 6

Toronto at Montreal: The Maple Leafs could potentially knock their Original Six rivals out of the postseason depending on how things shake down over the next couple of days. That should make Saturday's battle very interesting. The Habs haven't had a lot of success against the Leafs lately, with Toronto going 7-0 in the past seven meetings, and the favorite cashing in each of the past five in the series.

Carolina at Philadelphia: The Hurricanes could be playing for their playoff lives on Saturday, or they might simply be jockeying for the seventh seed just to avoid the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs. Either way, this will be an important game. They just beat Philly 5-2 as home favorites on March 30 behind Petr Mrazek, who has won 10 of his past 12 entering play on Thursday. They'll be looking to complete the season sweep against the Flyers, including a home-and-home win on Dec. 31 and Jan. 3. Mrazek won the last game in Philly on Jan. 3 by a 5-3 margin.

Colorado at San Jose: The Avalanche might have already clinched a playoff spot by the time the puck drops, but depending on what happens in the Dallas game on Friday night, the Avalanche could potentially be playing for the first wild-card, and a chance to avoid the Calgary Flames. The Sharks have been sick lately, and not in a good way. They're limping into the playoffs and need a momentum builder. They have won four meetings in a row at home against the Avalanche since Dec. 28, 2016, and the over is an impressive 7-1-1 in the past nine in this series. The home team is also 7-2 in the past nine meetings, with the favorite 3-0 in the past three.

[StarDust Bum]

Hockey bettors could get paid with pressure on Predators, and Saturday's NHL best bets
Monty Andrews

The last day of the NHL's regular season has arrived and with it some intriguing betting-related storylines as the curtain falls on 15 teams. There are plenty of angles to cover on Saturday's action-packed 15-game schedule, including Leon Draisaitl on the verge of making history and the Chicago Blackhawks looking to put a high-scoring bow on a campaign full of Overs. Here are our best bets, predictions, trends and tips to guide you to profit on the final day of the NHL's regular-season calendar:

Look for Leon

The Edmonton Oilers haven't had a 50-goal scorer in 31 long years but they're in good position to end that drought as they close out the season against the rival Calgary Flames. Leon Draisaitl sits just one goal shy of the 50-goal plateau, and with the Oilers well out of the playoff picture and with nothing else to play for, they will almost certainly give Draisaitl every opportunity to reach the milestone. Bettors should take the Draisaitl goal player prop with extreme confidence – after all, his linemate happens to be Connor McDavid, who enters the finale sitting second in the NHL in assists (75) and points (116).

Blackhawks End With a Bang?

Well, that was quite a run. The Chicago Blackhawks went from building an unprecedented string of Overs to becoming the hottest Under play in the league, back to a red-hot Over option. Totals bettors can finally get off the roller-coaster Saturday when Chicago closes out its season against the Nashville Predators. The Blackhawks will finish the season as the only NHL team to convert the Over 50 times, regardless of how they fare against the Predators, and with Chicago boasting a 3-1 O/U mark over its past four games entering Friday's tilt with Dallas, you can bet that there will be plenty of action on the O6.

Chaos Central

Speaking of the Predators, they're in the fight of their lives as they look to lock up the Central Division title. Nashville enters the final night of the season one point ahead of the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues for top spot in the division, meaning that they control their own destiny and can secure top spot with a victory. But a regulation loss, combined with either a Winnipeg win over Arizona or a St. Louis triumph over Vancouver, would give the victorious team the division crown. And should the Preds lose to Chicago and the Jets and Blues both prevail, Nashville would slip to third and lose home-ice advantage in the process.

Time for a Rest?

The Lightning and Boston Bruins will be the first two teams to finish their regular season ledgers when they face off in a Saturday matinee at TD Garden, and don't be surprised to see key players from both sides either absent or in a reduced role. With the Lightning locked into the top seed and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, and the Bruins comfortable in the No. 2 spot with a first-round series with Toronto already secured, there's little incentive for either side. That also brings the Under into play, as both sides could wind up engaging in a good old-fashioned skate-around with fewer scoring chances.

Goalie Profile: Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues

He might not have enough starts under his belt to challenge for the Vezina Trophy, but there's a compelling argument to be made for Binnington as the top netminder in the league this season. Binnington enters the Blues' season finale against the Canucks ranked first in the NHL in goals-against average (1.89) and sitting fourth in save percentage (.927) to go along with an incredible 23-5-1 SU record. But while Binnington was once a lock as an Under play – the Blues went 7-15-1 O/U in his first 22 games – he's 5-2-1 O/U in his last eight thanks in large part to the Blues having averaged 4.5 goals over that span.

Injury Update: F Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild

Parise's quest for a seventh 30-goal campaign has come up just short, with the veteran forward set to miss his team's final game against the host Dallas Stars Saturday. Parise, who is battling both an upper-body injury and an illness, will finish the season with 28 goals in 74 games. The season finale between the Wild and Stars could be missing plenty more star power, with Dallas resting a handful of players for Friday night's matchup with the Blackhawks and expected to do the same for the season finale. The Stars are -175 favorites as of Friday, with the total at 5.5.

Hat Trick Trends

• As expected, the Under will wind up with a significantly larger share of the totals results on the season, going into the final two days with a 52 percent success rate. And things have tightened up considerably down the stretch, with better than 61 percent of all games over the previous seven days of action finishing below the Vegas number.

• While the Lightning are the runaway winner for the most profitable team in the NHL this season (+16.14 units), the New Jersey Devils assume the mantle of worst value play. The Devils enter the final stretch of the campaign with a net loss of 15.63 units, edging out the Buffalo Sabres (-14.18), Edmonton Oilers (-13.42) and Los Angeles Kings (-12.01).

• Looking for the top Stanley Cup odds heading into the postseason? The Lightning are an incredible to hoist Lord Stanley's chalice at season's end, coming in at +200. The Calgary Flames are next in line at +700, followed by the Bruins (+900). The Washington Capitals (+1200) and Predators (+1300) round out the Top 5.

[StarDust Bum]

31Tampa Bay -32 Boston
BOSTON is 10-0 ATS (10 Units) in home games after playing 2 consecutive road games in the current season.

33Vancouver -34 St Louis
VANCOUVER is 20-17 ATS (11.8 Units) against excellent power play teams - scoring on > 19% of their chances in the current season.

35Columbus -36 Ottawa
COLUMBUS are 16-4 ATS (12.3 Units) in road games against terrible defensive teams - allowing 3+ goals/game in the current season.

37Carolina -38 Philadelphia
CAROLINA is 13-5 ATS (8.1 Units) in road games against poor defensive teams - >=29 shots on goal, convert >=17% pp in the 2nd half of the year in the current season.

39Buffalo -40 Detroit
BUFFALO is 2-16 ATS (-17 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season in the current season.

41Toronto -42 Montreal
TORONTO is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games after failing to cover the spread in 2 or more consecutive games in the current season.

43Ny Islanders -44 Washington
NY ISLANDERS are 15-1 ATS (13.9 Units) after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games in the current season.

45Ny Rangers -46 Pittsburgh
NY RANGERS are 6-32 ATS (-21.1 Units) against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

47New Jersey -48 Florida
NEW JERSEY is 4-25 ATS (-19.3 Units) in road games against good offensive teams - scoring 2.85+ goals/game in the current season.

49Chicago -50 Nashville
CHICAGO is 20-45 ATS (-21.8 Units) against good starting goalies - saving >= 91.5% of shots against over the last 2 seasons.

51Minnesota -52 Dallas
MINNESOTA is 7-22 ATS (-21.1 Units) against good starting goalies - saving >= 91.5% of shots against in the current season.

53Edmonton -54 Calgary
CALGARY is 9-16 ATS (-14.3 Units) in home games against excellent power play teams- scoring on >17.5% of their chances in the 2nd half of the year over the last 2 seasons.

55Winnipeg -56 Arizona
ARIZONA is 15-11 ATS (8.7 Units) against excellent power play teams- scoring on >17.5% of their chances in the 2nd half of the year in the current season.

57Colorado -58 San Jose
COLORADO is 23-29 ATS (-15.6 Units) against poor defensive teams - allowing 2.85+ goals/game in the current season.

59Vegas -60 Los Angeles
VEGAS are 16-19 ATS (-13.3 Units) against poor passing teams - averaging 4 or less assists per game in the 2nd half of the year in the current season.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, April 6


Tampa Bay @ Boston

Game 31-32
April 6, 2019 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
13.007
Boston
11.530
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-115
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-105); Under

Vancouver @ St. Louis

Game 33-34
April 6, 2019 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vancouver
10.751
St. Louis
12.127
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-260
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-260); Over

Toronto @ Montreal

Game 41-42
April 6, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
9.563
Montreal
11.991
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Montreal
by 2 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
-115
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(-115); Under

Columbus @ Ottawa

Game 35-36
April 6, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
9.652
Ottawa
10.886
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
-210
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+180); Over

Buffalo @ Detroit

Game 39-40
April 6, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Buffalo
11.122
Detroit
10.111
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Buffalo
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-125
6
Dunkel Pick:
Buffalo
(+105); Over

New Jersey @ Florida

Game 47-48
April 6, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
10.223
Florida
11.786
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
-230
6
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
(-230); Under

Carolina @ Philadelphia

Game 37-38
April 6, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
11.275
Philadelphia
8.644
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 2 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Carolina
-135
6
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(-135); Under

NY Rangers @ Pittsburgh

Game 45-46
April 6, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Rangers
9.224
Pittsburgh
11.882
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-285
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-285); Over

NY Islanders @ Washington

Game 43-44
April 6, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
12.551
Washington
11.450
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-135
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(+115); Under

Chicago @ Nashville

Game 49-50
April 6, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
11.956
Nashville
11.130
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-250
6
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+210); Over

Minnesota @ Dallas

Game 51-52
April 6, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
11.568
Dallas
10.076
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-160
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+140); Under

Winnipeg @ Arizona

Game 55-56
April 6, 2019 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
11.148
Arizona
9.392
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Winnipeg
-125
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(-125); Over

Edmonton @ Calgary

Game 53-54
April 6, 2019 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
8.953
Calgary
11.816
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Calgary
-150
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
(-150); Over

Colorado @ San Jose

Game 57-58
April 6, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
11.169
San Jose
9.669
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-140
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(+120); Under

Vegas @ Los Angeles

Game 59-60
April 6, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vegas
11.206
Los Angeles
9.226
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vegas
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vegas
-120
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Vegas
(-120); Under

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 6

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

TAMPA BAY (61-16-0-4, 126 pts.) at BOSTON (49-23-0-9, 107 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 1:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 11-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 61-20 ATS (+23.9 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 28-10 ATS (+13.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more this season.
TAMPA BAY is 22-5 ATS (+11.2 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
TAMPA BAY is 31-13 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 250-246 ATS (+519.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 290-243 ATS (-155.2 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 56-61 ATS (-33.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 9-8-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)

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

VANCOUVER (35-36-0-10, 80 pts.) at ST LOUIS (44-28-0-9, 97 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 4:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 29-15 ATS (+2.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
VANCOUVER is 205-235 ATS (+523.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ST LOUIS is 15-22 ATS (-15.5 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 5-3 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 5-3-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

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

COLUMBUS (46-31-0-4, 96 pts.) at OTTAWA (29-46-0-6, 64 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 12-10 ATS (+31.4 Units) on Saturday games this season.
OTTAWA is 62-72 ATS (+168.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 17-6 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
OTTAWA is 115-102 ATS (-13.5 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 5-3 (+0.6 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 5-3-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.2 Units)

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

CAROLINA (45-29-0-7, 97 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (37-36-0-8, 82 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 22-33 ATS (-15.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 29-14 ATS (+9.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 3-10 ATS (-10.5 Units) in home games vs. division opponents this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-52 ATS (+88.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 6-6-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.3 Units)

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

BUFFALO (32-39-0-10, 74 pts.) at DETROIT (32-39-0-10, 74 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 57-107 ATS (+197.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 4-17 ATS (+28.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more this season.
BUFFALO is 11-30 ATS (+47.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
BUFFALO is 14-40 ATS (+68.4 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 6-22 ATS (+35.4 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 1-12 ATS (+18.8 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
BUFFALO is 13-24 ATS (-12.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BUFFALO is 2-16 ATS (-16.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
BUFFALO is 298-281 ATS (+586.1 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
DETROIT is 5-18 ATS (+34.1 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more this season.
DETROIT is 25-60 ATS (+115.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 30-66 ATS (+119.2 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 459-360 ATS (-95.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 7-4 (+2.9 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 7-4-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.6 Units)

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

TORONTO (46-28-0-7, 99 pts.) at MONTREAL (43-30-0-8, 94 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 20-22 ATS (-19.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
MONTREAL is 10-3 ATS (+6.5 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders this season.
MONTREAL is 13-5 ATS (+18.1 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
TORONTO is 13-6 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MONTREAL is 35-61 ATS (-41.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 24-53 ATS (-34.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 10-32 ATS (+46.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 7-4 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 7-4-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

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

NY ISLANDERS (47-27-0-7, 101 pts.) at WASHINGTON (48-25-0-8, 104 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 114-74 ATS (+207.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 66-44 ATS (+0.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 24-11 ATS (+8.2 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 44-23 ATS (+10.9 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 61-41 ATS (+1.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 37-25 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 47-34 ATS (+11.2 Units) in all games this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 9-1 ATS (+8.0 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 27-12 ATS (+39.0 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 17-10 ATS (+27.7 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 11-7 ATS (+20.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-5-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.5 Units)

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

NY RANGERS (31-36-0-14, 76 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (44-26-0-11, 99 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 28-60 ATS (+98.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 30-62 ATS (+100.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 102-77 ATS (+19.1 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 8-14 ATS (-11.9 Units) on Saturday games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 31-32 ATS (-14.7 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 19-18 ATS (-10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 8-4 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 8-4-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+10.0 Units)

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

NEW JERSEY (30-41-0-10, 70 pts.) at FLORIDA (36-32-0-13, 85 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 36-45 ATS (+89.2 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 200-184 ATS (-26.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
FLORIDA is 193-214 ATS (-65.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 6-2 (+4.1 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 6-2-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.8 Units)

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

CHICAGO (36-33-0-12, 84 pts.) at NASHVILLE (46-29-0-6, 98 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 8:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 16-33 ATS (-19.9 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 14-11 ATS (+29.0 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CHICAGO is 24-18 ATS (+46.9 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 56-49 ATS (-12.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 9-7 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 9-7-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.6 Units)

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

MINNESOTA (37-35-0-9, 83 pts.) at DALLAS (42-32-0-7, 91 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 8:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 37-44 ATS (-16.9 Units) in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 22-34 ATS (-17.3 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 13-25 ATS (-14.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
DALLAS is 28-18 ATS (+6.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 29-9 ATS (+16.0 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 231-155 ATS (+33.0 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 13-9 ATS (+24.0 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 10-7 ATS (+20.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-6 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 7-6-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.5 Units)

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

EDMONTON (34-38-0-9, 77 pts.) at CALGARY (50-24-0-7, 107 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 10:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 71-93 ATS (-33.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 17-38 ATS (-24.4 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 8-4 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 8-4-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.5 Units)

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

WINNIPEG (46-30-0-5, 97 pts.) at ARIZONA (39-34-0-8, 86 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 10:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 42-42 ATS (+95.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 19-20 ATS (+39.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WINNIPEG is 27-14 ATS (+12.1 Units) in April games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 6-2 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 6-2-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

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

COLORADO (38-29-0-14, 90 pts.) at SAN JOSE (45-27-0-9, 99 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 10:38 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 38-43 ATS (-14.1 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 16-51 ATS (+98.8 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 94-83 ATS (+184.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 187-158 ATS (-91.0 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 228-164 ATS (-53.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 5-2 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 5-2-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.0 Units)

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

VEGAS (43-31-0-7, 93 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (30-42-0-9, 69 pts.) - 4/6/2019, 10:38 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VEGAS is 43-38 ATS (-16.2 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 46-21 ATS (+15.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
VEGAS is 44-22 ATS (+12.2 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
VEGAS is 21-8 ATS (+10.0 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 10-18 ATS (+33.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
LOS ANGELES is 19-25 ATS (-23.6 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 20-24 ATS (-27.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 24-54 ATS (-33.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 20-42 ATS (+66.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 8-4 (+2.3 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 8-4-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.7 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

SATURDAY, APRIL 6
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TB at BOS 01:00 PM
U 6.5

VAN at STL 04:00 PM
O 5.5

NJ at FLA 07:00 PM
NJ +180

NYI at WAS 07:00 PM
NYI +103
U 5.5

NYR at PIT 07:00 PM
O 6.5

TOR at MON 07:00 PM
TOR +103
U 6.5

CLB at OTT 07:00 PM
OTT +159
O 6.5

BUF at DET 07:00 PM
U 6.0

CAR at PHI 07:00 PM
O 6.0

MIN at DAL 08:00 PM
U 5.5

CHI at NAS 08:00 PM
CHI +209
O 6.0

WIN at ARI 10:00 PM
ARI +112
O 5.5

EDM at CAL 10:00 PM
EDM +158
O 6.5

COL at SJ 10:30 PM
COL +145
O 6.5

VEG at LA 10:30 PM
O 5.5

[StarDust Bum]

Lightning beat Bruins 6-3, tie NHL record with 62nd win
April 6, 2019
By The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning won their NHL record-tying 62nd game, getting a short-handed goal by Steven Stamkos during a three-goal second period in a 6-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday in the teams' regular-season finale.

Nikita Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli, Erik Cernak and Braydon Coburn also scored for Tampa Bay (62-16-4), which tied the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings for most victories during the regular season. Third-string goalie Edward Pasquale stopped 30 shots and Tyler Johnson added an empty-netter.

Six of the wins, though, came in shootouts. The league introduced shootouts to decide ties after overtime at the start of the 2005-06 season. Before that, games ended in ties after overtime, which was brought in for regular-season games in 1983.

David Krejci, Danton Heinen and Matt Grzelcyk each had a goal for Boston (49-24-9). Tuukka Rask made 16 saves.

It was the Lightning's 30th road win, making them just the second team in league history to reach that total. The 2005-06 Red Wings had 31.

PREDATORS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Viktor Arvidsson scored the go-ahead goal at 3:33 of the third period, and Nashville won its second straight Central Division title by rallying from an 0-2 deficit to beat Chicago.

The Predators, who will face Dallas in the opening round of the playoffs next week, now are assured of home-ice advantage through at least the first two rounds.

Arvidsson set the franchise record with his 34th goal of the season 22 seconds into the man advantage.

Filip Forsberg and Nick Bonino each had a goal and had an assist, and Dante Fabbro scored his first NHL goal for Nashville, which now has won five of six. Colton Sissons added an empty-netter with 2:09 left.

Pekka Rinne made 31 saves to finish 30-19-4, his eighth season with at least 30 wins.

Brendan Perlini and Drake Caggiula each scored for Chicago, which lost three of its final five.

ISLANDERS 3, CAPITALS 0

WASHINGTON (AP) - Valtteri Filppula scored twice in his return from injury, Robin Lehner stopped all 29 shots he faced and the Islanders beat Washington to clinch home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Matt Martin scored an empty-net goal with 2:33 left to seal it.

Coach Barry Trotz's team came into the game against his former team needing at least one point to secure a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division, just behind Washington. The Islanders will open the playoffs at home for the first time since 1988 against Pittsburgh.

The Capitals will face Carolina in the first round as they try to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Backup goaltender Pheonix Copley started and made 18 saves.

BLUES 3, CANUCKS 2

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Jordan Binnington stopped both shots he faced in the shootout as St. Louis beat Vancouver, but the Blues fell a point short of first place in the Central Division.

Binnington finished with 23 saves and closed out his breakthrough season with a 24-5-1 record.

Vladimir Tarasenko and Brayden Schenn scored in regulation for the Blues. Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron converted in the tiebreaker.

Nashville won the Central Division for the second straight year with a win over Chicago. St. Louis (45-28-9) will face Winnipeg in the first round of the playoffs.

Elias Pettersson and Tanner Pearson scored for Vancouver (35-36-11). Thatcher Demko made 34 saves for the Canucks, who missed the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.

BLUE JACKETS 6, SENATORS 2

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - Pierre-Luc Dubois scored two goals and Columbus routed Ottawa.

The Blue Jackets finished 47-31-4 and secured the second wild card in the East. They'll face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.

Alexandre Texier, Riley Nash, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Markus Nutivaara also scored for the Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo made 27 saves.

Thomas Chabot and Mikkel Boedker scored for the Senators (29-47-6). Anders Nilsson stopped 17 shots after replacing starter Craig Anderson, who was pulled midway through the first after giving up three goals on seven shots.

The Senators finished last in the NHL standings for the first time in 23 years.

HURRICANES 4, FLYERS 3

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jordan Staal scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Carolina hung on to beat Philadelphia for its fourth win in five games.

The Hurricanes finished in the top wild-card spot in the East, and will play the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in the opening round of the playoffs.

Warren Foegele, Justin Faulk and Teuvo Teravainen scored in the first period for the Hurricanes.

Carolina also set a franchise record with its 22nd road win this season.

Oskar Lindblom, Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier had goals for the Flyers, who missed the playoffs.

SABRES 7, RED WINGS 1

DETROIT (AP) - Jeff Skinner scored twice to reach the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career and Buffalo beat Detroit in the season finale for both teams.

Rookie defenseman Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and an assist, and Sam Reinhart, Conor Sheary, Zemgus Girgensons and Brandon Montour scored for Buffalo. Linus Ullmark made 23 saves.

Anthony Mantha scored for Detroit. Jimmy Howard stopped shots 21 shots before being pulled in favor of Kaden Fulcher in the second period. Fulcher made nine saves in his NHL debut.

RANGERS 4, PENGUINS 3, OT

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Ryan Strome scored 2:09 into overtime and New York beat Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale.

Brendan Smith, Brady Skjei and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for New York, long eliminated from playoff contention for the second straight year. Alexandar Georgiev stopped 36 shots while starting for the second straight night. The Rangers snapped a three-game skid and won for just the fifth time in their final 21 games (5-10-6).

Sidney Crosby, Nick Bjugstad and Jake Guentzel scored for the Penguins, who earned a point to secure third-place in the Metropolitan Division and a matchup with the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs. Matt Murray finished with 26 saves.

DEVILS 4, PANTHERS 3, OT

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) - Travis Zajac scored the winning goal on the power play in overtime, lifting New Jersey over Florida.

Nathan Bastian scored twice in regulation, Pavel Zacha also scored a goal and Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 37 shots for the Devils in the season finale for both teams.

On the winner, Zajac fired a shot from the high slot that got past Roberto Luongo at 4:04 of 4-on-3 overtime.

Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Mike Hoffman scored for the Panthers. Roberto Luongo made 23 saves.

CANADIENS 6, MAPLE LEAFS 5, SO.

MONTREAL (AP) - Ryan Poehling recorded a hat trick and added the shootout winner in his NHL debut as Montreal beat Toronto.

Jordan Weal and Andrew Shaw also scored for the Canadiens (44-30-8), who were eliminated from playoff contention Friday. Goalie Charlie Lindgren, in his first game of the season, stopped 44 of 49 shots.

Zach Hyman, Jake Gardiner, Trevor Moore, William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen scored for the Maple Leafs (46-28-8), who will face the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs. Frederik Andersen stopped 44 of 49 shots.

STARS 3, WILD 0

DALLAS (AP) - Tyler Seguin broke open a scoreless game with two third-period goals, and Dallas beat Minnesota to take the Western Conference's top wild-card spot.

Ben Bishop made 22 saves for his career-high seventh shutout of the season, and Tyler Pitlick also scored for the Stars. Dallas will open the postseason against Nashville.

Minnesota's Alex Stalock stopped 41 shots.

OILERS 3, FLAMES 1

JETS 4, COYOTES 2

SHARKS 5, AVALANCHE 2

KINGS 5, KNIGHTS 2

[StarDust Bum]

NHL APRIL RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !


DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

04/06/2019 12-10-0 54.54% +14.55
04/05/2019 0-4-0 0.00% -21.50
04/04/2019 12-7-0 63.16% +27.25
04/03/2019 2-3-0 40.00% -2.10
04/02/2019 6-9-0 40.00% -13.40
04/01/2019 3-13-0 18.75% -52.55

Totals.............35-46-0 43.20% -47.25


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


BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS

04/06/2019.............3 - 5......................-2.95....................7 - 7.................-3.50..............-6.45
04/05/2019.............0 - 1......................-5.00....................0 - 3.................-16.50............-21.50
04/04/2019.............2 - 3......................-0.75....................8 - 4.................+18.00...........+17.25
04/03/2019.............2 - 0......................+14.50.................0 - 3.................-16.50.............-2.00
04/02/2019.............1 - 4......................-10.90..................6 - 3.................+13.50...........+2.60
04/01/2019.............1 - 5......................-19.75..................2 - 6..................-23.00............-42.75

Totals....................9 - 14......................-24.85................23 - 26................-28.00............-52.85

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday’s 6-pack

Next six Final Four sites:

2020: Atlanta

2021: Indianapolis

2022: New Orleans

2023: Houston

2024: Phoenix

2025: San Antonio

Quote of the Day
“I could lie to you and tel you I knew I was going to knock those down, but I was terrified.”
Kyle Guy

Sunday’s quiz
Which current Big East basketball coach was the coach at Virginia before Tony Bennett?

Saturday’s quiz
When the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, Terry Francona was their manager.

Friday’s quiz
Russell Westbrook played his college basketball at UCLA


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

Sunday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday……

13) Virginia 63, Auburn 62— Wow. Virginia led 57-47 with 5:03 left, then went in the ashcan, not scoring again until they hit a 3-ball with 0:07.4 left, after Auburn had scored 14 consecutive points. Auburn fouled a 3-point shooter with 0:00.6 left; the kid makes all three foul shots and the Cavaliers are playing for the national title.

12) Texas Tech 61, Michigan State 51— Defense ruled in Minneapolis Saturday; Texas Tech held Spartans to 31% from floor in a slow 60-possession slugfest, and advance to their first national title game. Spartans were 8-23 inside arc, 7-24 on the arc. Tom Izzo drops to 2-6 in national semifinal games; you have to win a hell of a lot to get to eight Final Fours.

11) Not sure why this happened, but Cubs/Red Sox still haven’t played a home game yet, and both teams are off to ugly starts, Chicago at 2-6, Boston at 2-8.

Cubs especially look like a team that didn’t have any spring training; they’re first team since at least 1960 to commit catcher’s interference three games in a row.

10) Since 1984, 68 baseball teams started the season 1-6; only 3 of those 68 teams made the playoffs that year.

9) Rockets 120, Knicks 96— Houston led this game 72-43 at halftime Friday night, so it was never in doubt, but with 1:47 left and the subs playing out the string, the Rockets’ bench was mostly empty, with the starters off to the locker room, in a surprising show of disrespect. Only guy who stuck around on the Houston bench was former Knick Iman Shumpert.

Houston coach Mike D’Antoni missed the game with the flu; assistant Jeff Bzdelik was coaching the team. There is no rule against this, but it shows a lack of class.

8) 26 of first 55 (47.3%) replay reviews this baseball season resulted in a reversal.

7) Coaching carousel:
— Vanderbilt hired Jerry Stackhouse as its new basketball coach.
— Buffalo promoted assistant Jim Whitesell to head coach.
— Georgia State hired former Siena coach/Tennessee ass’t Rob Lanier as its coach.
— Elon hired Mike Schrage as its coach.

6) Antoine Pettway is an assistant basketball coach at Alabama; he will be working for his 4th different head coach in Tuscaloosa next season. New coach Nate Oats retained Pettway when he was hired last week. Unusual for an assistant coach to stay so long at one place, but he also played at Alabama, and his wife went to school there, too.

5) St John’s assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih left for Nebraska; now his big recruit for the Red Storm this year, JC point guard Cam Mack has asked for his release from St John’s.

4) Since 2000, only one major league pitcher has thrown 140+ pitches in an April game; that was Sterling Hitchcock in 2000, and he had Tommy John surgery before 2000 was over.

3) Baseball injuries:
— Colorado Rockies put Ryan McMahon on the IL wit a sprained elbow. Rockies called up Josh Fuentes to replace him; Fuentes is Nolan Arenado’s cousin.
— Red Sox put IF Brock Holt (scratched cornea) on the IL after his 2-year old son poked him in the eye.

2) Vlade Divac, Sidney Moncrief, Al Attles and Jack Sikma were among 12 people voted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend.

1) Some people never learn, I mean really never learn.

A Florida man was arrested and charged with burglary after police say he broke into cars in the parking lot of the jail from which he had just been released on grand theft charges.

Oy.

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s 6-pack

Odds for 1st round NHL playoff series:

— Tampa Bay -$334 vs Columbus +$250

— Boston -$145 vs Toronto +$115

— Washington -$150 vs Columbus +$121

— Pittsburgh -$143 vs NY Islanders +$115

— Nashville -$179 vs Dallas +$150

— Calgary -$224 vs St Louis +$175

— Winnipeg vs St Louis, even

— San Jose -$118 vs Vegas =$105

Quote of the Day
“I think in the last five years, not counting this year, there’s been 380 or thereabouts go out early for the draft, and 25 percent of those guys didn’t even get drafted. And another 25 percent weren’t on the team in three years. So, that means 50 percent of the guys that went out early for the draft had failed grades. “But if you look at the number of guys that were first- and second-round draft picks, there were very few guys that had failed careers. Now, we have guys that have no draft grades, seventh-round grades, free-agent grades, fifth-round grades that are going out of the draft. And the person that loses in that is the player.”
Nick Saban

Tuesday’s quiz
Before Monday night, when was last time the national title game went to overtime?

Monday’s quiz
Nick Saban was head coach at Michigan State before LSU, the Dolphins and Alabama; his QB in East Lansing was Tony Banks.

Sunday’s quiz
DePaul coach Dave Leitao was the coach at Virginia before Tony Bennett.


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

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

13) Virginia 85, Texas Tech 77 OT— Random thoughts on this game:
— Game went over the total by 44 points.
— Virginia made 11-24 on arc; teams has been shooting under 30% on arc vs Texas Tech.
— Virginia’s last three wins: two OT games, third win by one point.
— Cavaliers’ two Final Four opponents both had a starter get hurt just before they played Virginia.
— Last year, Virginia was the first #1-seed to lose in the first round; they took a ton of grief for that. The value of sports is learning from adversity, keeping your head up and doing better the next time. Tony Bennett showed tremendous class; hope he enjoys this a lot.

12) From 2014-17, eight baseball teams finished 10+ games above .500 in one-run games; those eight teams, the next season, went a combined 169-178 in one-run games. Very tough to replicate success in close games two years in a row.

11) Exception to the rule; Seattle Mariners went 26-15 in one-run games two years ago, then went 36-21 LY. So the Mariners went 62-36 in one-run games for two years but didn’t make the playoffs either year, then they did almost a total rebuild this past winter. Unusual.

10) Must be noted that in 2015, the Cubs went 34-21 in one-run games, then only 22-23 the next year, but that next year was when they won the World Series- they were 66-25 in games decided by 3+ runs.

9) In 2016, Texas Rangers went 95-67 and made the playoffs; they were an amazing 36-11 in one-run games. Since then, Texas went 78-84 in 2017, then 67-95 in ‘18, fired their manager last winter after going 25-43 in one-run games. Success is difficult to sustain.

8) Over the last five years, the Reds are 85-145 in one-run games, winning 68 or fewer games each of the last four seasons.

7) Last three years, Minnesota is 45-68 in one-run games, even though they jumped from 57 to 85 wins in 2017- they were 15-18 in one-run games that season.

6) Mariners 12, Royals 4— Whit Merrfield has a 29-game hitting streak; he’s gotten a hit in his first AB in nine of those 29 games.

Daniel Vogelbach has homered in four straight games for Seattle. Felix Hernandez left the game in the 2nd inning with “flu-like symptoms”

5) Louisville basketball coach Chris Mack posted a picture of himself on Twitter Monday; he is in the hospital this week, getting a knee replaced. Must be a dead period for recruiting.

4) Cubs 10, Pirates 0— Good news for the Cubs; they scored six runs in the second inning and jogged to a win in their home opener.

Bad news for the Cubs; Jon Lester left in the 3rd inning with a hamstring injury.

3) Underrated baseball record: Ted Williams reached base safely in 84 consecutive games, which is the all-time record. Tampa Bay’s Tommy Pham has now reached base 43 games in a row, so he’s more than halfway to the record.

2) Jon Rothstein of CBS is reporting that Chris Mullin will step down as coach at St John’s this week. Apparently they’re going after Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley, who is from New Jersey, but he could be in line to replace Mike Krzyzewski at Duke when that time comes.

If I ran St John’s, we’d give Bruce Pearl a call. Think he would be big in New York City, but not sure where he stands with the NCAA.

1) Thought this was a poor season of college basketball; quality of play is down, the most talented players are mostly 18 years old,. Kids either jump to pro ball or transfer to a bigger name school every time they make two layups in a row. Far less continuity in teams from year to year now, which decreases the quality of play.

[StarDust Bum]

First Round Cheat Sheet
April 8, 2019
By VI News

First Round Series Odds

Key:
A – Atlantic
M – Metropolitan
C – Central
P – Pacific
W – Wild Card

Eastern Conference

1A Tampa Bay vs. 2W Columbus

Lightning: 62-16-4, 128 points
Blue Jackets: 47-31-4, 98 points

Season series: The Lightning rolled through the NHL this season by tying the league record for most wins in a season with 62. Three of those victories came against old friend John Tortorella and the Blue Jackets, as Tampa Bay outscored Columbus, 17-3. The Bolts crushed the Blue Jackets in the first meeting in Tampa, 8-2 in mid-October, followed by a 4-0 shutout in January. In Tampa Bay's lone visit to central Ohio, the Lightning cruised past the Jackets, 5-1 for their sixth straight win in the series dating back to the start of the 2017-18 season.

Previous playoff outcome: Tampa Bay reached the Eastern Conference finals after eliminating New Jersey and Boston in five games each. The Lightning fell in seven games to eventual champion Washington in spite of owning a 3-2 series lead, as Tampa Bay was blanked in Games 6 and 7. Columbus had an opportunity to end Washington's title run early in the playoffs by leading the Capitals, 2-0. However, Washington won the final four games of the series to advance, marking the second straight season the Jackets were bounced in the opening round.

1M Washington vs. 1W Carolina

Capitals: 48-26-8, 104 points
Hurricanes: 46-29-7, 99 points

Season series: The defending champion Capitals pulled off the four-game season sweep of the Hurricanes, while limiting Carolina to four goals in the final three victories. The Caps outlasted the Hurricanes in the first matchup, 6-5 in the shootout in Raleigh as Alex Ovechkin posted a hat trick for Washington. The Caps captured the next two meetings in D.C. by a combined 7-2 score, while netting a pair of third period goals in the final meeting in Carolina, 3-2 in late March.

Previous playoff outcome: Washington hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history last June after rolling through Columbus, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Vegas. The Capitals actually lost the series opener in three of four instances, including twice at home to the Blue Jackets and Penguins. However, the Capitals helped themselves with a strong 10-3 road record, while clinching each series on the highway. The Hurricanes are in the playoffs for the first time since 2009, as they made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before getting swept by Pittsburgh. This marks the first time ever that the Capitals and Hurricanes are meeting in the postseason.

2A Boston vs. 3A Toronto

Bruins: 49-24-9, 107 points
Maple Leafs: 46-28-8, 100 points

Season series: Boston captured three of four meetings from its Original Six rival, while dominating the Leafs in a pair of wins at TD Garden. The Bruins crushed the Leafs as -145 home favorites in November, 5-1, but Toronto rebounded for a 4-2 home triumph 16 days later as -160 favorites. Boston took the remaining two matchups, including a 3-2 win at Toronto as a short underdog back on January 12.

Previous playoff outcome: Toronto is probably not thrilled it has to hook up with Boston in the postseason as the Maple Leafs haven't had much luck with the Bruins. Back in the opening round in 2013, the Maple Leafs held a commanding 4-1 lead in the third period of Game 7 at TD Garden. The Bruins roared back to score three goals to force overtime and eventually won it, 5-4. Last season, the Maple Leafs rallied from a 3-1 series deficit in the first round to force Game 7 in Boston as Toronto led 4-3 headed to the third period. Boston scored the final four goals to knock out Toronto, who hasn't advanced past the opening round since 2004. The Bruins routed the Lightning in the first game of the second round, but Tampa Bay won the final four contests to eliminate Boston in five games.

2M N.Y. Islanders vs. 3M Pittsburgh

Islanders: 48-27-9, 103 points
Penguins: 44-26-12, 100 points

Season series: If evidenced by the four meetings this season, this series should be one of the more intriguing ones in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins and Islanders split the four-game season series as each team won once at home and once on the road. Pittsburgh swept the three-game series in 2017-18, but the Islanders knocked off the Penguins twice in a span of three days with Halloween sandwiched in between. The Penguins bounced back with a pair of wins over New York in a five-day stretch in early December as these teams haven't met in 2019.

Previous playoff outcome: The Penguins had their two-year stretch of Stanley Cup titles come to an end last May as Pittsburgh was bounced in the second round in six games by Washington. Pittsburgh has advanced past the opening round in each of the last three seasons, while eliminating the Islanders in the first round of the 2013 playoffs in six games. The Islanders are back in the postseason for the first time since 2016 as they downed the Panthers in the first round before succumbing to the Lightning in five games.

Western Conference

1P Calgary vs. 2W Colorado

Flames: 50-25-7, 107 points
Avalanche: 38-30-14, 90 points

Season series: The Flames took care of the Avalanche in all three meetings this season, which included a pair of one-goal victories. Calgary edged Colorado at Pepsi Center in overtime, 3-2 back in October as the Flames scored the final three goals after trailing 2-0. The next two matchups easily eclipsed the OVER as the Flames defeated the Avalanche, 6-5 on November 1 at the Saddledome, followed by a 5-3 victory in Alberta in early January. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, the Flames have owned the Avs by winning eight of the last nine meetings, including a 5-0 home mark.

Previous playoff outcome: Calgary is making its second postseason appearance in the last three seasons as the Flames were swept in the opening round by the Ducks in 2017. The Flames are facing the Avalanche in the playoffs for the first time ever, as Colorado is back in the postseason for the second straight year after getting knocked out in the first round by Nashville. Colorado hasn't reached the second round since 2008, while Calgary has escaped past the first round only once since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2004.

1C Nashville vs. 1W Dallas

Predators: 47-29-6, 100 points
Stars: 43-32-7, 93 points

Season series: The Predators grabbed three of five meetings from the Stars, while the road team won four times. The only time the home team came out victorious was in early February when the Predators slipped past the Stars, 3-2 in overtime at Bridgestone Arena. Although Dallas failed to win at home in two meetings, the Stars topped the Predators twice in Nashville as substantial underdogs, while limiting the Preds to one goal in those victories. The three matchups in Nashville finished UNDER the total, while the two games in Dallas sailed OVER the total.

Previous playoff outcome: For the fifth straight season the Predators are in the playoffs, as Nashville couldn't get out of the second round in 2018 after losing in seven games to Winnipeg. Nashville will hook up with Dallas in the playoffs for the first time ever, marking the fifth division opponent they have faced in the postseason since 2017. The Stars are in the postseason for the third time since 2009, as Dallas last made the playoffs in 2016 and reached Game 7 of the second round before getting blown out by St. Louis.

2C Winnipeg vs. 3C St. Louis

Jets: 47-30-5, 99 points
Blues: 45-28-9, 99 points

Season series: It's been a tale of two seasons for St. Louis, who sat in last place in January, but finished within one point of the Central division title. Why that's relevant for this discussion is the Jets took care of the Blues three times in the first two months of the season, while outscoring St. Louis, 18-9. In an 8-4 Winnipeg blowout in November, Jets' star Patrik Laine scored five goals, but the Blues blanked the Jets, 1-0 in the final matchup on December 7.

Previous playoff outcome: The new Jets were one round away from their first ever Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2018, but upstart Vegas eliminated Winnipeg in five games. Winnipeg knocked off Minnesota and Nashville in the first two rounds as it squares off with St. Louis for the first time in the playoffs since the franchise moved from Atlanta in 2011. The Blues are in the postseason for the seventh time in eight seasons, while reaching the second round in their last playoff appearance in 2017.

2P San Jose vs. 3P Vegas

Sharks: 46-27-9, 101 points
Golden Knights: 43-32-7, 93 points

Season series: The Sharks and Golden Knights split four matchups this season, as Vegas scored six and seven goals in the two wins. Both Vegas victories came by at least three goals, while each San Jose win came by one goal each. The most recent meeting occurred on March 30 at SAP Center as the Sharks edged the Golden Knights, 4-3 in overtime. Each of these division rivals struggled down the stretch as the Sharks dropped nine of their final 12 games, while Vegas lost seven of its last eight contests.

Previous playoff outcome: Vegas is back in the postseason for the second straight year after its improbable run to the Stanley Cup after eliminating Los Angeles, San Jose, and Winnipeg before losing to Washington in five games. The Golden Knights took care of the Sharks in six games of the second round, including three wins at San Jose. The Sharks are in the playoffs for the 13th time in 14 seasons since the lockout, as San Jose has advanced past the first round eight times in this stretch.

[StarDust Bum]

Pro Hockey Trend Report

COLUMBUS (47-31-0-4, 98 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (62-16-0-4, 128 pts.) - 4/10/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 62-20 ATS (+40.1 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 36-14 ATS (+9.9 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
TAMPA BAY is 32-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 251-246 ATS (+564.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 65-55 ATS (+126.7 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 6-3 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 6-3-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.4 Units)


PITTSBURGH (44-26-0-12, 100 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (48-27-0-7, 103 pts.) - 4/10/2019, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 44-38 ATS (-13.3 Units) in all games this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 48-34 ATS (+82.3 Units) in all games this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 10-1 ATS (+8.8 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 18-10 ATS (+29.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 18-9 ATS (+27.6 Units) after a division game this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 20-10 ATS (+9.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 22-17 ATS (+42.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 5-7 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-5-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)


ST LOUIS (45-28-0-9, 99 pts.) at WINNIPEG (47-30-0-5, 99 pts.) - 4/10/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 28-7 ATS (+19.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 15-4 ATS (+8.8 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 33-13 ATS (+15.1 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 30-15 ATS (+8.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 24-16 ATS (+40.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 12-4 ATS (+16.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 10-3 (+6.5 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 10-3-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.7 Units)


DALLAS (43-32-0-7, 93 pts.) at NASHVILLE (47-29-0-6, 100 pts.) - 4/10/2019, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 25-42 ATS (-26.7 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 59-33 ATS (+12.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 9-5 (+2.2 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 9-5-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.0 Units)


VEGAS (43-32-0-7, 93 pts.) at SAN JOSE (46-27-0-9, 101 pts.) - 4/10/2019, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VEGAS is 43-39 ATS (-17.8 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 20-20 ATS (-14.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
VEGAS is 46-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
VEGAS is 53-39 ATS (+8.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 9-5 (+3.9 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 9-5-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.5 Units)


TORONTO (46-28-0-8, 100 pts.) at BOSTON (49-24-0-9, 107 pts.) - 4/11/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 20-23 ATS (-21.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 13-1 ATS (+10.9 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
TORONTO is 13-7 ATS (+5.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 290-244 ATS (-155.4 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 11-8 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 11-8-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.4 Units)


CAROLINA (46-29-0-7, 99 pts.) at WASHINGTON (48-26-0-8, 104 pts.) - 4/11/2019, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 67-101 ATS (-44.1 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996.
CAROLINA is 23-33 ATS (-14.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 26-54 ATS (+86.2 Units) in road games after a 3 game unbeaten streak since 1996.
CAROLINA is 16-44 ATS (+74.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 114-75 ATS (+193.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 66-45 ATS (-0.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 44-24 ATS (+9.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 44-23 ATS (+10.7 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-8 ATS (+12.6 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 61-42 ATS (+2.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 37-26 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 30-14 ATS (+10.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
CAROLINA is 19-8 ATS (+7.7 Units) after a division game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 9-3 (+4.4 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 9-3-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.6 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)


COLORADO (38-30-0-14, 90 pts.) at CALGARY (50-25-0-7, 107 pts.) - 4/11/2019, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 38-44 ATS (-15.0 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 16-52 ATS (+100.3 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 0-6 ATS (-7.3 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 8-1 (+7.0 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 8-1-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.1 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

First Round Series Odds
April 8, 2019
By VI News

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

Eastern Conference - First Round

Tampa Bay vs. Columbus
Lightning (-380)
Blue Jackets (+300)

Washington vs. Carolina
Capitals (-145)
Hurricanes (+145)

Boston vs. Toronto
Bruins (-165)
Maple Leafs (+145)

N.Y. Islanders vs. Pittsburgh
Islanders (+120)
Penguins (-140)

Western Conference - First Round

Calgary vs. Colorado
Flames (-185)
Avalanche (-115)

Nashville vs. Dallas
Predators (-185)
Stars (+160)

Winnipeg vs. St. Louis
Jets (-105)
Blues (-115)

San Jose vs. Vegas
Sharks (-110)
Golden Knights (-110)

Exact Game Props - Prior to Series

Odds per Sportsbook.ag

Tampa Bay vs. Columbus
5 Games Lightning Win 11/4
6 Games Lightning Win 7/2
7 Games Lightning Win 4/1
4 Games Lightning Win 5/1
6 Games Blue Jackets Win 17/2
7 Games Blue Jackets Win 17/2
5 Games Blue Jackets Win 18/1
4 Games Blue Jackets Win 40/1

Washington vs. Carolina
7 Games Capitals Win 4/1
5 Games Capitals Win 9/2
6 Games Capitals Win 9/2
6 Games Hurricanes Win 9/2
7 Games Hurricanes Win 11/2
5 Games Hurricanes Win 8/1
4 Games Capitals Win 11/1
4 Games Hurricanes Win 16/1

Boston vs. Toronto
5 Games Bruins Win 4/1
6 Games Bruins Win 4/1
7 Games Bruins Win 4/1
6 Games Leafs Win 11/2
7 Games Leafs Win 6/1
4 Games Bruins Win 9/1
5 Games Leafs Win 9/1
4 Games Leafs Win 18/1

N.Y. Islanders vs. Pittsburgh
6 Games Penguins Win 33/10
7 Games Islanders Win 9/2
7 Games Penguins Win 5/1
5 Games Penguins Win 11/2
6 Games Islanders Win 6/1
5 Games Islanders Win 7/1
4 Games Penguins Win 10/1
4 Games Islanders Win 16/1

Calgary vs. Colorado
5 Games Flames Win 7/2
7 Games Flames Win 7/2
6 Games Flames Win 4/1
6 Games Avalanche Win 11/2
7 Games Avalanche Win 13/2
4 Games Flames Win 8/1
5 Games Avalanche Win 12/1
4 Games Avalanche Win 25/1

Nashville vs. Dallas
5 Games Predators Win 4/1
7 Games Predators Win 4/1
6 Games Predators Win 9/2
6 Games Stars Win 5/1
7 Games Stars Win 6/1
4 Games Predators Win 8/1
5 Games Stars Win 10/1
4 Games Stars Win 20/1

Winnipeg vs. St. Louis
6 Games Blues Win 4/1
7 Games Jets Win 9/2
6 Games Jets Win 5/1
7 Games Blues Win 5/1
5 Games Blues Win 6/1
5 Games Jets Win 6/1
4 Games Blues Win 12/1
4 Games Jets Win 14/1

San Jose vs. Vegas
6 Games Knights Win 4/1
7 Games Sharks Win 4/1
7 Games Knights Win 5/1
5 Games Sharks Win 11/2
6 Games Sharks Win 11/2
5 Games Knights Win 13/2
4 Games Knights Win 12/1
4 Games Sharks Win 14/1


Odds Subject to Change - Updated 4.8.19

[StarDust Bum]

Playoffs Futures Preview
April 9, 2019
By Sportsbetting.ag

2019 NHL Playoffs Futures Betting Preview

It's a great time of year to be a sports bettors as the playoffs in both the NHL and NBA are about to get going, and for both leagues, it's a two-month grind towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Without question the quest for the Stanley Cup is more physically demanding for the players, and with much more parity in the NHL to begin with, the NHL playoffs can turn into a magical time of year for hockey fans and bettors.

All of that parity also means that finding success in the NHL playoff market can be tough, but it never hurts to have a few futures tickets in your pocket with the hopes that at worst, some possible hedging opportunities arise. With that in mind, here are some plays for this year's playoffs with the goal of cashing at least a few units by mid-June.

Sportsbetting.ag First Round Series Winner – Favorite Best Bet:

Pittsburgh Penguins (-151) over New York Islanders

The Penguins shot at a three-peat last year came up short when they lost to eventual champion Washington in the 2nd round, but after all that hockey played for their core group of guys over the previous few seasons – in the NHL and internationally – getting that longer off-season could be something that pays off this spring.

The Crosby-Malkin core isn't getting any younger in Pittsburgh these days and they know that they've likely only got a few more legitimate cracks at another Stanley Cup in the coming years, and that they'd better make the most of those opportunities.

Pittsburgh and New York split the season series two games apiece, and while they haven't met since early December, it was those final two meetings that went the Penguins way. Against an Islanders team that's got way fewer playoff battles under their belt on the whole, and no real dominant line to count on to produce when the going gets tough, even having home ice isn't going to save the Islanders from another 1st round playoff exit in the franchise's long history of doing just that since the glory days of the early 1980's.

Sportsbetting.ag First Round Series Winner – Underdog Best Bet:

Dallas Stars (+155) over Nashville Predators

The Dallas Stars made a point this year to tighten up things tremendously on the defensive end after years of their run-and-gun style lead to long summer vacations. It worked enough to get them a Wildcard spot in this year's playoffs, and that type of focus in your own end is a tried and true blueprint for finding success in playoff hockey.

And yet, even with that defensive focus, this Stars team is still loaded up front with skilled goal scorers who have been deep in the playoffs before throughout their careers (Seguin, Spezza, Zuccarello, Radulov,) and if they see an offensive spike during this series with the Predators – a team that prides themselves on defense as well – then this could be a series that the Stars easily steal.

With two of the best three teams in the league in terms of goals allowed per game squaring off here, with a +155 price tag, it's not hard to root for a few bounces to go the Stars way in what should be a tight series filled with 3-2 type of games.

Sportsbetting.ag Conference Winner Futures Best Bets:

Calgary Flames to win West (+350)
Pittsburgh Penguins to win East (+700)

The Tampa Bay Lightning have dominated the entire league this year and are the popular (and easy) choice to go the distance, and it's really hard not to like their chances to at least get to the Eastern Conference Final. But at +125 to win the conference, there isn't a whole lot of value in backing that type of play now.

Enter the play on Pittsburgh at +700 as with the bracket format you know a team coming from the Metropolitan side of things will be opposing Tampa (or someone else) with a berth in the Stanley Cup Final on the line, and should it be a Penguins/Lightning matchup, well then some nice hedging opportunities will arise.

I don't think you can ignore the Penguins pedigree at this time of year, and while they are all a year older and that means many more hockey miles on their body, off a relatively long summer a year ago, Pittsburgh is more than capable of making a deep run again this year. You already know my thoughts on them getting by the Islanders in Round 1, and with Washington or Columbus up next after that, I don't believe either of those teams will be able to get past Crosby and company this year.

Out in the West, it is the #1 seed I'm backing with at a near 4-1 price tag, as Calgary may not have the experience that many other teams do in this 'tournament', but their speed and scoring ability is what led them to the top of a very physical Western Conference, and while playoff hockey is 'heavier', as long as the Flames get solid goaltending throughout, they should be the first Canadian team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals since the Vancouver Canucks did it in 2011.

Sportsbetting.ag Stanley Cup Winner Future Bet:

Pittsburgh Penguins to win Stanley Cup (+1400)

If all goes according to this plan and we do get a Calgary/Pittsburgh Final, the Flames will follow suit in terms of what happened to the 2011 Vancouver Canucks team, hopefully without the riots afterwards. It might not take seven games for the Flames to fall to Pittsburgh, but at +1400, the time is now to potentially cash in on what may end up being the last hurrah for Crosby and Malkin.

For every team not named Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh's arguably got the easiest path to the Conference Finals, and from there it's just a matter of them showing up and knocking off the President Trophy winners.

It's well known that the President's Trophy winners don't exactly have the best track record in terms of winning the Stanley Cup – has only happened twice since the 2002-03 season, and only once in the past five years have they even made it to the Conference Finals. This Penguins franchise is responsible for eliminating two of those past winners (Washington in 2016 and 17), and the only other President's Trophy team to win the award by a margin of 20+ points in the standings – 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings – fell in the Conference Finals to eventual Stanley Cup winner Colorado.

Pittsburgh could follow that same script this year, giving Crosby hist 4th Stanley Cup – two more than his mentor Mario Lemieux – and cementing this organization as the best in the league during the latter half of this decade.

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

More very early over/under NFL win totals:

— Raiders 6, over +$120

— Eagles 9.5

— Steelers 9, under -$115

— 49ers 8, under -$115

— Seattle 8.5, over -$120

— Tampa Bay 6, over -$120

Quote of the Day
“The past four years at St. John’s University have been one of the most thrilling and challenging points of my career. I am proud of our accomplishments. NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday will be a lifetime memory. I am forever grateful to St. John’s for giving me the opportunity to hear Carnesecca Arena and Madison Square Garden roar again for college basketball and especially for our players.”
Chris Mullin

Wednesday’s quiz
Who was the Lakers’ coach the last time they made the playoffs?

Tuesday’s quiz
Kansas beat Memphis 75-68 in OT in the 2008 national title game.

Monday’s quiz
Nick Saban was head coach at Michigan State before LSU, the Dolphins and Alabama; his QB in East Lansing was Tony Banks.

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

Wednesday’s List of 13: Mid-week musings……

13) Magic Johnson abruptly stepped down Tuesday night as president of the Lakers.

NBA continues to get stranger by the day. Doesn’t seem like there are a lot of happy people there. League is profitable, lot of folks getting rich. You’d think they’d be happier.

12) UCLA ended its 100-day coaching search by hiring Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin, who will get $24M for six years. Cronin made the NCAA’s the last nine years with the Bearcats, but made Sweet 16 only one time, and has never been in an Elite 8.

Cronin was at Cincinnati for 13 years; his record in NCAA games there? 6-9. They got turned down by Rick Barnes and Jamie Dixon, neither of whom will get confused with John Wooden. I’m guessing the fanbase won’t be thrilled.

11) On the other hand, where does Cincinnati turn now? They just upgraded their facilities, and have a pretty impressive history of winning. AAC is an improving league; this is a good job for somebody. Question is whats the better open job, Cincinnati or St John’s?

10) Avery Johnson, Chris Mullin, Mike Dunleavy all coached in the NBA, all got told to take a hike this spring by colleges that employed them. Recruiting is a grind, and no one wins without really good players. Guys who worked in the NBA aren’t always thrilled by the seemingly endless treadmill that recruiting can be.

9) When they announced the 2019 inductees for the Naismith Hall of Fame this weekend, part of me was surprised that Zion Williamson wasn’t inducted; if you listen to ESPN, he’s the greatest college ballplayer since Bill Walton. ESPN”s #1 goal is promoting the NBA, and thats where Williamson will be for the next 12-15 years.

8) One thing you never want to see, Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore posting a map of your hometown on Twitter, with the accompanying radar of an approaching storm. Not good.

7) Pirates’ P Chris Archer got suspended for five games after starting Sunday’s fracas with the Reds, but he didn’t get thrown out of that game after he threw behind Derek Dietrich.

6) Baseball injuries:
— Cleveland put P Mike Clevinger (back) on the IL.
— Cubs put P Jon Lester (hamstring) on the IL.
— Colorado put P Tyler Anderson (knee) on the IL.
— Dodgers put Hyun-Jin Ryu (leg) on the IL.
— Luis Severino went back to New York for another MRI on his shoulder.

5) Cincinnati Reds/St Louis Cardinals are playing two games in Monterrey, Mexico this weekend, bit of an unusual schedule.

4) Virginia won its six NCAA tournament games by a total of 45 points, 2nd-lowest total for a champion in the shot clock era. 1997 Arizona Wildcats won their six games by total of 32 points. ’97 UConn Huskies won their six games by total of 47.

3) From 2015-17, 18 baseball teams won 10+ more games than they did the year before; those 18 teams, in the third year, regressed by an average of 4.89 wins per year.

There are five such teams this year: Braves, Brewers, A’s, Phillies, Rays.

2) TV ratings for Monday night’s Virginia-Texas Tech game were 23% higher than last year’s national title game.

1) Since 1989, the Big 14 has won only one national title in basketball, when Michigan State won the championship in 2000 in Indianapolis.