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

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Tuesday, April 16


Tampa Bay @ Columbus

Game 37-38
April 16, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
11.261
Columbus
13.067
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-140
6
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(+120); Over

NY Islanders @ Pittsburgh

Game 39-40
April 16, 2019 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
12.878
Pittsburgh
10.702
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-170
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(+150); Under

Winnipeg @ St. Louis

Game 41-42
April 16, 2019 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
10.280
St. Louis
11.796
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-150
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-150); Under

San Jose @ Vegas

Game 43-44
April 16, 2019 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
9.306
Vegas
10.693
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vegas
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vegas
-160
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Vegas
(-160); Over

[StarDust Bum]

TUESDAY, APRIL 16
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TB at CLB 07:00 PM
CLB +115
O 6.0

NYI at PIT 07:30 PM
NYI +152
O 5.5

WIN at STL 09:30 PM
STL -144
O 5.5

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

[Udog]

NHL Stanley Cup playoffs best bets and prop predictions: Blue Jackets on the verge of betting history
Monty Andrews

Can the Columbus Blue Jackets complete the most improbable four-game sweep in NHL playoff history? They'll certainly try their best as they host the record-setting Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of their first-round series Wednesday night.

The Lightning racked up 62 regular season wins (and were -340 favorites to win this series) but are down 3-0 in this one – though oddsmakers aren't quite ready to write off the Presidents' Trophy winners quite yet. Here are the top NHL trends and best bets for the Stanley Cup playoffs to monitor as the first round chugs along:

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING AT COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Moneyline Odds: Tampa Bay -140/Columbus +120
Over/Under: 6 goals
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Series: Columbus leads 3-0

The Blue Jackets have been on fire since falling behind 3-0 in the first period of Game 1, having outscored the Lightning by an absurd 12-2 margin over the previous eight periods. But while Columbus has been a defensive juggernaut since that fateful first period in their series opener, Tampa Bay is slowly becoming stronger on the defensive end itself, and will almost certainly need to channel the back-end dominance that saw it allow the seventh-fewest goals during the regular season. The teams are 24-9-1 to the Under in their last 34 meetings, and are a good bet to extend that trend Tuesday.


NEW YORK ISLANDERS AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Moneyline Odds: New York +145/Pittsburgh -165
Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
Series: New York leads 3-0

Speaking of strong totals plays, the Islanders and Penguins share the lowest Over/Under NHL odds of the night, but even that might not be low enough to dissuade Under bettors. Coming off a 4-1 win in Pittsburgh in Game 3 to come within a game of a sweep, the Islanders are now 20-6-2 to the Under in their past 28 road games dating back to the early portion of the regular season. And the Penguins are right there with them, having gone 5-1-1 to the Under in their past seven home games. The Under 5.5 offers a modest -135 payout, but if you feel adventurous, the Under 4.5 alternate total is set at +200.


WINNIPEG JETS AT ST. LOUIS BLUES

Moneyline Odds: Winnipeg +130/St. Louis -150
Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Start Time: 9:30 p.m. ET, Enterprise Center, St. Louis
Series: St. Louis leads 2-1

The Jets and Blues both ranked in the Top 10 in first-period goals during the regular season but you wouldn't know it through the first three games of their opening-round Western Conference playoff series. The Central Division rivals have combined for 19 goals so far, but only four of those have come in the opening 20 minutes. And while it makes some sense given that the Blues allowed the fourth-fewest first-period goals during the season, Winnipeg only ranked in the middle of the pack in opening-period defense. Bettors should take a nice, long look at the Under 1.5 on the first-period total in Game 4 (-120).


SAN JOSE SHARKS AT VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Moneyline Odds: San Jose +135/Vegas -155
Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Start Time: 10:30 p.m. ET, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Series: Vegas leads 2-1

If the Sharks have any hope of evening this series – and eventually prevailing – they'll need to find a way to slow down the Golden Knights' most dangerous line. Paul Stastny, Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty rank 1-2-3 in the NHL in playoff scoring, having combined for a whopping 22 points – 12 of them coming in Sunday's 6-3 victory over San Jose in Game 3. Stone had a hat trick and added two assists, while Stastny added two goals and three helpers. Consider goal props for both Stone and Stastny while they remain red-hot, and don't forget about Pacioretty, who has six points in three games.

[Udog]

NHL Playoffs Betting Stats - Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Favorites Moneyline: 9-14 SU
Favorites Puckline: 6-17 ATS
Home Teams: 13-11 SU

Over/Under: 10-12-2

[StarDust Bum]

Lightning swept by Columbus after historic regular season
April 16, 2019
By The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning ended up on the wrong side of NHL history, getting swept in the first round of the playoffs after one of the best regular seasons ever.

The Columbus Blue Jackets capped a stunning sweep of the Presidents Trophy winners with a 7-3 victory Tuesday night. Tampa Bay became the first team in the expansion era, which began in 1967-68, to go winless in the first round of the playoffs after leading the league in points during the regular season.

And what a season it was. Tampa Bay tied the NHL record for wins with 62 and amassed 128 points, fourth in NHL history.

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, didn't clinch the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot until the 81st game. But they outplayed the Lightning with a smothering forecheck and stellar goaltending by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Columbus won its first-ever playoff series in its fifth try and advances to play the winner of the Boston-Toronto series, which the Maple Leafs lead 2-1.

Rookie Alexandre Texier scored twice for the Blue Jackets. Pierre Luc-Dubois had a goal and a pair of assists. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored the go-ahead goal after Tampa Bay tied it at 3.

Steven Stamkos, Cedric Paquette and Brayden Point scored for Tampa Bay, which never led in this elimination game.

ISLANDERS 3, PENGUINS 1

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Jordan Eberle scored for the fourth straight game, Robin Lehner stopped 32 shots and New York finished off Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh to pull off a stunning sweep.

Josh Bailey set up Brock Nelson's go-ahead goal late in the first period and added an empty-net score with 38 seconds remaining as the Islanders easily captured the franchise's second playoff series victory in 26 years.

The Islanders trailed for less than five minutes across four games against the Penguins, whose 13th straight postseason appearance ended quietly. Pittsburgh managed just six goals in the series, including Jake Guentzel's first of the postseason 35 seconds into the game.

It wasn't nearly enough to stop the Islanders.

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang whiffed while trying to pinch into the New York zone, creating a 2-on-1 the other way that Eberle finished to even it at 1 just 1:34 after Guentzel had put Pittsburgh in front.

JETS 2, BLUES 1, OT

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Kyle Connor scored 6:02 into overtime and Winnipeg beat St. Louis to tie their Western Conference series at two games apiece.

Mark Scheifele also scored and Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves for the Jets, who arrived in St. Louis down 2-0. It is the only first-round series in which the home team has failed to win a game.

Game 5 is Thursday night back in Winnipeg.

Vladimir Tarasenko scored early in the third period and Jordan Binnington made 36 saves for the Blues.

Scheifele tied it at the 7:33 mark, tipping in a feed from Connor.

Connor ended it when he banged home a feed from Scheifele for his third goal in two games.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5, SHARKS 0

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:08 PM Boston Bruins Toronto Maple Leafs Scotiabank Arena
8:08 PM Nashville Predators Dallas Stars American Airlines Center
10:08 PM Calgary Flames Colorado Avalanche Pepsi Center


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


NHL PLAYOFF RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !


DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD


04/16/2019 3-5-0 37.50% -10.35
04/15/2019 1-1-0 50.00% -0.40
04/14/2019 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
04/13/2019 5-1-0 83.33% +20.00
04/12/2019 1-7-0 12.50% -42.60
04/11/2019 1-2-0 33.33% -5.50
04/10/2019 5-2-1 71.43% +14.95


Totals.............20-22-1..... 47.61%.... -25.90


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


BEST BETS:

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

04/16/2019..............2 - 1....................+8.35...................1 - 3..............-11.50................-3.15
04/15/2019..............1 - 0....................+5.10...................0 - 1...............-5.50.................-0.40
04/14/2019..............1 - 0....................+8.25...................2 - 2...............-1.00.................+7.25
04/13/2019..............0 - 1.....................-5.00...................4 - 0...............+20.00..............+15.00
04/12/2019..............0 - 0.....................+0.00..................1 - 3................-11.50...............-11.50
04/11/2019..............0 - 1.....................-5.00...................1 - 2.................-6.00................-11.00
04/10/2019..............1 - 1.....................+0.10..................4 - 0................+20.00............+20.10


Totals......................5 - 4.....................+11.80................13 - 11.............+4.50.............+16.30

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

— There have been 210 NHL playoff series where a team led 3 games to 0:

— Team leading 3-0 was 128-82 in Game 4 (now 130-82).

— Team leading 3-1 was 59-23 in Game 5

— Team leading 3-2 was 14-9 in Game 6.

— Team that led 3-0 was 5-7 in Game 7.

— Columbus/Islanders were underdogs that led series 3-0 this week.

Quote of the Day
“If you can’t hit the fastball, I can’t help you.”
Unnamed hitting coach to Nomar Garciaparra, many years ago. He told the story on the air during the Dodger game last night.

Wednesday’s quiz
When Gerald Ford became President in 1974, who was his Vice President?

Tuesday’s quiz
Terry Francona has managed the Phillies, Red Sox and Indians.

Monday’s quiz
Russell Wilson played college football for NC State and Wisconsin.

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

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

13) 4:50am late Monday night/early Tuesday morning, my phone starts beeping; figured some other terrible thing must’ve happened in the world, but instead they announced that Russell Wilson signed a 4-year, $140M extension with the Seahawks.

At 4:50am, 1:50am in Seattle.

I’m guessing they could’ve waited a couple of more hours to announce it, but no……

12) Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes was asked directly if he would have left for UCLA if the Bruins had covered his $8M buyout: “I think I would have been the coach at UCLA.”

Why would he say that now, if he was happy in Knoxville? Once he turned down the UCLA job, why would he talk about it again?

11) Baseball injuries:
— Tampa Bay Rays’ ace Blake Snell (toe) goes on the IL- Apparently a granite pole fell on his foot in his bathroom at home. Seriously.
— Brewers put P Freddy Peralta (shoulder) on the IL.

10) When Golden State led the Clippers by 31 points Monday night, some courageous (or drunk) person in Las Vegas wagered $50 on the Clippers to win the game SU, at 100-1 odds. He/she collected $5,000 when the Clippers won, which buys a lot of alcohol.

9) As of Tuesday at 2pm, there were 683 college basketball players in the transfer portal; with 353 D-I college basketball teams, that works out to 1.93 players per team, and it is a big part of what is hurting the quality of play in college basketball.

There is so little continuity from year to year; look at Nevada, which just hired Steve Alford to replace Eric Musselman. Right now, Nevada has zero players who will be eligible to play when the season starts in November. Not one. None. Bupkis.

8) In 2013, Aaron Rodgers signed a deal that pays him $23M a year, and ate up 17.9% of the Packers’ salary cap. In 2019, Seattle just signed Russell Wilson to a $35M a year contract that will eat up 18.7% of the Seahawks’ salary cap.

7) Phillies 14, Mets 3— Phillies scored eight runs in this game before they made an out; Mets made four errors in first inning. This was only 2nd time ever the Mets allowed 10+ runs in the first inning, other time coming in July 1988.

Steven Matz is first MLB pitcher since Paul Wilson in 2005 to allow eight runs without getting anyone out, although the shortstop did make two errors behind him.

If you like to plan ahead, baseball’s 2026 All-Star Game will be held in Philadelphia, to help commemorate our country’s 250th birthday.

6) New York 8, Boston 0— Chris Sale is now 0-4, 8.50 this season; Boston is paying him $15M this year, then $164M more from 2020-25.

Red Sox found a scapegoat for their 6-11 start when they DFA’d catcher Blake Swihart Tuesday afternoon, and brought Sandy Leon back to the majors.

5) Cardinals’ 1B Paul Goldschmidt hit his 7th home run Monday night; he hit 7th home run last year on May 30. St Louis has a very potent lineup.

4) Columbus Blue Jackets have been in NHL for 19 years, had never won a playoff series, until they beat Tampa Bay 7-3 last night and swept the Lightning. Tampa Bay had 30 more points than the Blue Jackets this season, had the NHL’s best record.

This is a big reason why the NHL playoffs are better than the NBA’s version; #8-seeds can and often do win playoff series. Hardly ever happens in the NBA.

3) Temple/USC will start a home/home basketball series this fall, with the Owls visiting the Galen Center this year, with the Trojans coming to Philly in the fall of 2020.

USC poached grad transfer Daniel Otumi away from the Akron Zips; Otumi averaged 14.2 ppg LY and shot 37% behind the arc.

2) Most baseball strategy is fairly cut/dry, but one gray area that gets people’s blood boiling is when a game is tied going to bottom of 8th or 9th inning; does the visiting team use its closer with the game tied to keep the game alive, and then use a lesser pitcher to close the game if they get the lead later on, or do they hold the closer back for when they (hopefully) get the lead?

It is an interesting question; pitchers are so pampered these days, managers more and more see the big picture instead of just today’s game.

We’re a long way from 1980, when the A’s had there different starting pitchers throw 14-inning complete games, because the Oakland relievers back then weren’t very good.

1) NFL Draft is a week from tomorrow; I’m tired of mock drafts, which are nothing but fake news that we learn nothing from. The draft is a fascinating process, but having media people guess multiple times at what is going to happen is simply a waste of time.

NO ONE KNOWS what is going to happen; thats why it is so interesting.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Bruins (49-24) at Maple Leafs (46-28)
Date: April 17, 2019 7:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to take a commanding lead in their first-round playoff series when they host the Boston Bruins Wednesday night.

The Maple Leafs grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series on Monday with a 3-2 victory over the visiting Bruins.

"I thought it was a higher-level game (Monday) than the other games," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. "It was quicker, both teams were better. In the other two games I think one team was better each night."

But for the Bruins to keep the Maple Leafs from taking the big series lead, they are going to need to return to the forechecking and puck control in the Maple Leafs' zone that worked their win in this series.

"Very effective for us in Game 2," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Putting pucks behind the goal line and forcing (Toronto) to go 200 feet. I don't think we got burned by the stretch pass, per se, but we didn't establish enough forecheck to create second chances, get them fatigued in their zone, get them tired kicking pucks out. It was decent at times but not consistent enough for what I feel is a formula for us to have the most success."

"That's the biggest key to this series, the neutral zone, and it seemed they were coming with more speed (Monday)," Bruins left winger Jake DeBrusk said. "I thought we brought the speed in Game 2, and they brought the speed in (Games) 1 and 3 -- and those are the results."

The Maple Leafs' top line of John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman have controlled the Bruins first line of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. The Bruins will need improved play from that line.

"They've having a tougher time getting to the net and as a result I think they're trying real hard one-on-one to get there. I think they've got to use each other a little better. And get an old-fashioned goal, when there's a center lane, drive the puck to the net, get a second chance," Cassidy said. "They're pretty determined guys. They'll find their way."

Bergeron agreed the way Boston will stay in the series is to put the puck on net to create chances instead of staying on the perimeter.

"You know, that's where you're going to score your goals, right?" Bergeron said. "It's about keeping the puck in there and once you do have possession, it's about getting it to the net a little bit more. We can't stay on the outside. We have to find to find a way to create those chances."

Babcock gave credit to his group.

"Obviously, the priority against them is to play real good players, that's what we're doing as a five-man unit and you do everything you can to at least go 50 percent in the faceoff circle so they don't have the puck all the time," Babcock said. "We have good players too and John (Tavares) here now, we've got a veteran guy, he's been around a while and he's gotten better and better and better defensively this year and it shows."

The difference in Game 3 proved to be a pair of second-period power-play goals by Auston Matthews and Andreas Johnsson that gave Toronto a 3-1 lead. Charlie Coyle responded with a power-play goal before the second period ended.

It was the first goal of the series for Matthews, who also had an assist on Monday.

Although there were no goals in the first period, the Maple Leafs center said their fast start to the game was significant.

"Yeah that was big for us," Matthews said. "I think we just used our speed and got in their end and we just tried to play below their dots and did a good job tracking back and supporting our D and breaking out the puck clean. I thought that first seven, eight minutes was really strong for us."

The series returns to Boston for Game 5 on Friday.


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


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Maple Leafs at Bruins
Thu, Apr 11 Final 4 to 1

GAME 2
Maple Leafs at Bruins
Sat, Apr 13 Final 1 to 4

GAME 3
Bruins at Maple Leafs
Mon, Apr 15 Final 2 to 3

GAME 4
Bruins at Maple Leafs
Wed, Apr 17 - 7:00PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

B]Preview: Predators (47-29) at Stars (43-32)
Date: April 17, 2019 8:00 PM EDT[/B]

The Nashville Predators have made themselves at home in the Lone Star State, following up on a pair of regular-season wins in Dallas with another road victory in their Western Conference first-round series against the Stars.

Nashville, which owns a 2-1 series lead, will look to continue its good fortune in Dallas and push the Stars to the brink of elimination when the Central Division rivals play Game 4 on Wednesday.

Reigning Vezina Trophy recipient Pekka Rinne turned aside 40 shots -- including all seven he faced in an extended short-handed stretch during the second period -- to preserve a 3-2 win on Monday night.

"You don't want to go too far ahead of yourself," said the 36-year-old Rinne, who also made 36 saves in Nashville's 5-3 win in Dallas on Feb. 19.

"It's a slippery road in the playoffs. ... It's a huge win for us after going down in Game 1, but I don't want to talk about momentum or anything like that because it's such a dangerous thing. You lose that grip right away when you start thinking about it, so I think we have to prepare for Game 4 like it's Game 1 or Game 7."

Predators coach Peter Laviolette credited Rinne's resolve -- as well as his pad save on a point-blank chance from Stars captain Jamie Benn in the third period -- as reasons for Nashville taking the lead in a series that features three one-goal games.

"He was terrific all night," Laviolette said. "At that point, you're under fire a little bit, they start to grab the energy in the building. ... That save was big."

Mikael Granlund, who was acquired in a trade with Minnesota on Feb. 25, scored the go-ahead goal with 8:19 remaining in the third period to spoil the Stars' first home playoff game since May 11, 2016.

"You know, never get too high, never get too low," Dallas coach Jim Montgomery said. "It's 2-1. I think we've been the better team two out of three games. If we keep playing like that, usually the hockey gods get back on your side."

Mats Zuccarello has scored twice in this series after playing only two regular-season games with the Stars following a trade with the New York Rangers on Feb. 23. He broke his arm in his debut with Dallas the following night.

The Stars mustered 11 shots but failed to score on four opportunities with the man advantage in Game 3. They are just 1-for-13 on the power play in the series.

"Not good enough," Dallas defenseman John Klingberg said. "Obviously, we know we're not going to score every time; we have to build momentum, hopefully. Create some good energy for the team. Right now, our unit is struggling a little bit. The second unit is bringing a lot to the table. We have to be better there."

Tyler Seguin, who collected three goals and an assist in the season series versus Nashville, scored 8:15 into the third period in Game 3 and registered 11 shots on goal.

--Field Level Media


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


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Stars at Predators
Wed, Apr 10 Final 3 to 2

GAME 2
Stars at Predators
Sat, Apr 13 Final 1 to 2

GAME 3
Predators at Stars
Mon, Apr 15 Final 3 to 2

GAME 4
Predators at Stars
Wed, Apr 17 - 8:00PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Flames (50-25) at Avalanche (38-30)
Date: April 17, 2019 10:00 PM EDT

The age-old theory of playoff hockey says whether it's a loss in overtime or a one-sided beatdown, it's still just one loss.

What the Calgary Flames experienced in their Game 3 defeat on Monday night -- a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche -- appears to be more than just any old Stanley Cup playoff defeat. It was a much-needed kick in the pants.

"We've got to regroup here and stick together as a team, but we know that our compete level, number one, has to go way up," captain Mark Giordano told NHL.com. "We've got to be smarter with our decisions with the puck, our pinches, everything. Everything across the board. There wasn't much good, honestly, throughout the night. (We) made that team look and feel good all night. We need to come back, regroup, and we need to win this next one."

The Avalanche hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series, with Game 4 on Wednesday in Denver, and are riding high. Not only are they coming off a game in which they thoroughly dominated the Western Conference's regular season champs -- final shots were 56-29 in favor of the Avs -- but also were clicking so well even the newest member of the team got in the scoring spree.

Defenseman Cale Makar, the 2017 fourth overall draft pick who joined the team at the conclusion of his NCAA campaign with the University of Massachusetts, jumped into the fray and scored the game-winning goal.

"It's a cool moment," said Makar, who is from Calgary and became only the seventh player in NHL history to record a goal while making his NHL debut in the playoffs. "You've been working your whole life for this point, but obviously you're not done yet."

The Avalanche are halfway to completing an upset but trying to keep things in check.

"We're just trying to get to four wins," said Nathan MacKinnon, who scored twice in Monday's tilt. "We're being very aggressive, and guys were involved with a shooting mentality. We feel good, but at the same time, we got to move on. It's two wins now, but we need to regroup and get ready for a huge game Wednesday."

A huge game that the Flames, who have lost eight straight playoff road games dating back to 2015, know must be their best of the series.

"Everyone has to give a little more. Everybody. Me included," goalie Mike Smith said. "It's hard to win at this time of year and everyone needs to play a little outside their comfort zone to do what it takes to win."

The Flames must play a smarter game, too, limit the Colorado attack and avoid the flurry of foolish penalties that completely changed the momentum in Monday's clash.

First, Giordano said, would be believing they can turn the tables.

"Right now, they're feeling good about themselves and they're playing with a lot of confidence. There is no reason for us to be playing with any sort of fear of failure," he told Postmedia after Tuesday's practice. "Let's go out and have fun and play with confidence."

The Avalanche were without two regulars, as defenseman Samuel Girard missed his first game of the playoffs with an upper-body injury and forward Derick Brassard was out due to illness.

--Field Level Media


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


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Avalanche at Flames
Thu, Apr 11 Final 0 to 4

GAME 2
Avalanche at Flames
Sat, Apr 13 Final 3 to 2

GAME 3
Flames at Avalanche
Mon, Apr 15 Final 2 to 6

GAME 4
Flames at Avalanche
Wed, Apr 17 - 10:00PM EDT

[Udog]

[StarDust Bum]

45Boston -46 Toronto
TORONTO is 19-20 ATS (-16.2 Units) against poor defensive teams - opponents average 29.5+ shots on goal in the 2nd half of the year in the current season.

47Nashville -48 Dallas
NASHVILLE is 16-7 ATS (8.6 Units) in road games against excellent power play teams - scoring on > 19% of their chances in the current season.

49Calgary -50 Colorado
CALGARY is 23-34 ATS (-19.6 Units) against excellent power play teams- scoring on >17.5% of their chances in the 2nd half of the year over the last 2 seasons.




NHL
Dunkel

Wednesday, April 17


Boston @ Toronto

Game 45-46
April 17, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
10.590
Toronto
11.707
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-125
6
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-125); Over

Nashville @ Dallas

Game 47-48
April 17, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
11.245
Dallas
12.866
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Dallas
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(-115); Under

Calgary @ Colorado

Game 49-50
April 17, 2019 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
9.412
Colorado
10.878
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Calgary
-115
6
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-105); Under




NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 17

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

BOSTON (50-26-0-9, 109 pts.) at TORONTO (48-29-0-8, 104 pts.) - 4/17/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 5-11 ATS (-8.2 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
TORONTO is 21-8 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home games in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
TORONTO is 22-18 ATS (-7.6 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more this season.
TORONTO is 22-24 ATS (+46.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
TORONTO is 8-13 ATS (-14.8 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 13-9 (+5.5 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 13-9-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
11 of 20 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.6 Units)

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NASHVILLE (49-30-0-6, 104 pts.) at DALLAS (44-33-0-8, 96 pts.) - 4/17/2019, 8:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 13-7 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 11-6 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 11-6-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)

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CALGARY (51-26-0-8, 110 pts.) at COLORADO (40-31-0-14, 94 pts.) - 4/17/2019, 10:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 4-13 ATS (-10.9 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 21-13 ATS (+6.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more this season.
CALGARY is 18-11 ATS (+30.9 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 122-121 ATS (+273.6 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
COLORADO is 40-45 ATS (-59.4 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 11-20 ATS (-10.8 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 9-3 (+4.9 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 9-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)

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NHL

Wednesday, April 17

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Trend Report
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Boston Bruins
Boston is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is 4-15 ATS in its last 19 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 8 games
Toronto is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

Nashville Predators
Nashville is 6-17 ATS in its last 23 games
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Nashville's last 15 games
Nashville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Nashville's last 9 games on the road
Nashville is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Dallas
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Nashville is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Nashville's last 7 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas Stars
Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Dallas's last 21 games
Dallas is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games at home
Dallas is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Dallas's last 12 games at home
Dallas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Nashville
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
Dallas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville

Calgary Flames
Calgary is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Calgary is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games
Calgary is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary's last 11 games on the road
Calgary is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Colorado
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
Colorado is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Colorado's last 18 games
Colorado is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Colorado is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Calgary
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary

[StarDust Bum]

NHL Stanley Cup playoffs best bets and prop predictions: Leafs and Bruins struggling to score
Monty Andrews

The NHL betting upsets can continue Wednesday night. Two lower-seeded teams can take 3-1 leads in their respective best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff series, as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche look to put the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames on the brink of elimination. The Nashville Predators are also positioned to take a 3-1 stranglehold on their first-round series with the host Dallas Stars.

Here's the top trends to monitor and best bets for Wednesday's NHL Stanley Cup playoffs odds:

BOSTON BRUINS AT TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Moneyline Odds: Boston +105/Toronto -125
Over/Under: 6 goals
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Series: Toronto leads 2-1

Discipline has been the theme of this series – Nazem Kadri aside – as both teams come into Game 4 having incurred a playoff-low eight minor penalties apiece. And that's significant given the proficiency of the power plays. Five of the 15 total goals scored in the series have come with the man advantage. With both sides on their best behavior while also struggling to do much of anything 5-on-5, look for this trend to continue. We recommend going with the Under 6 goal option.

It's worth noting, that Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy threatened to break up his top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak following Monday's 3-2 loss to Toronto in Game 3. All three averaged in excess of 1.2 points per game during the regular season, and will almost certainly come out firing Wednesday. Look to Boston as a good bet to open the scoring in Game 4 (-115). We like the added urgency factor here, combined with positive regression on the Bruins' 6.1-percent shooting rate.


NASHVILLE PREDATORS AT DALLAS STARS

Moneyline Odds: Nashville -105/Dallas -115
Over/Under: 5 goals
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET, American Airlines Center, Dallas
Series: Nashville leads 2-1

Hey, what a surprise! The Predators and Stars aren't scoring any first-period goals. OK, so they do have one between them through the first three games of the series, but that won't come as a shock to those of you who frequent this space. These teams are two of the most defensively-stout units in the NHL over the opening 20 minutes, and considering the first-period Under 0.5 is paying out at an astronomical +260, it's absolutely worth banking on yet another barren opening stanza.


CALGARY FLAMES AT COLORADO AVALANCHE

Moneyline Odds: Calgary -115/Colorado -105
Over/Under: 6 goals
Start Time: 10 p.m. ET, Pepsi Center, Denver
Series: Colorado leads 2-1

Things are suddenly not looking so good for the Flames, who came in as the top seed in the Western Conference but were trounced 6-2 in Denver on Monday night. And there are two trends working squarely against them: Colorado has reeled off seven consecutive home victories (outscoring the opposition by a 29-13 margin over that span) while the Flames are 3-13 SU in their last 16 following a loss of three or more goals, including a 1-5 mark in 2018-19. We favor the Avs to stay hot at home as short home dogs.

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BOS at TOR 07:00 PM
TOR -120
U 6.0

NAS at DAL 08:00 PM
NAS +111
U 5.0

CAL at COL 10:00 PM
U 6.0

[StarDust Bum]

Bruins hold off Maple Leafs 6-4 to tie series
April 17, 2019
By The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) David Pastrnak scored twice in quick succession, Brad Marchand had a goal and two assists and the Boston Bruins held off the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday night to tie the first-round series 2-2.

Charlie McAvoy had a goal and an assist, Zdeno Chara and Joakim Nordstrom also scored and Tuukka Rask made 38 saves. Auston Matthews scored twice for Toronto. Zach Hyman and Travis Dermott also scored and Frederik Andersen stopped 25 shots.

Game 5 is Friday night in Boston.

After the Maple Leafs overcame a 2-0 deficit to tie it early in the second period, Pastrnak put Boston back in front at 3:16 when he redirected a pass from Marchand on a 2-on-1. The Bruins then got a power play when Matthews went off for roughing, and Marchand whipped a backhand pass to a wide-open Pastrnak, who snapped the puck short-side on Andersen for his second goal in 1:35.

Chara made it 5-2 at 5:39 of the third. At 42 years, 30 days, the Boston captain became the second-oldest defenseman in NHL history to score a playoff goal. Chris Chelios holds the record at 45 years, 86 days.

Matthews scored on the power play with 8:08 left, and Dermott made it 5-4 through traffic with 6:33 remaining. Nordstrom scored into an empty net with two seconds to go.

STARS 5, PREDATORS 1

DALLAS (AP) - Roope Hintz and Alexander Radulov scored power-play goals on Dallas' first two shots, and the Stars chased Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne with an early four-goal onslaught, beating the Predators and TO even series at two games each.

Hintz added his second career playoff goal in the second period, on John Klingberg's third assist of the game. Andrew Cogliano and Mats Zuccarello also scored, and Ben Bishop stopped 34 shots.

Roman Josi scored for the Predators.

Game 5 is Saturday in Nashville.

AVALANCE 3, FLAMES 2 OT