Announcement

**Udog** · 04-04-2019, 08:42 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Some more very early NFL over/under win totals:

— Cincinnati 6, over -$115

— Cleveland 9, over +$120

— Dallas 8.5, 0ver -$135

— Denver 7, over -$115

— Detroit, 7

— Green Bay 9, 0ver -$125

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud……

13) Was looking at an old picture of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn tonight; the dugouts there were a lot closer to the area behind home plate than they are now. I’m guessing dugouts were also much smaller then than they are now.

Which reminded me of an old story back when the Astros played in the Astrodome; someone told Houston’s owner that he could charge more money for seats behind the dugout, so that season, the Astrodome had the longest dugouts in major league history. Go figure.

12) Brewers 1, Reds 0— Memo to the Milwaukee analytics geniuses: This one is simple. Every time Freddy Peralta pitches, Manny Pina catches. Every time.

In 15 games with Pina behind the plate, batters have hit .168 vs Peralta.
In three games with other catchers, batters have hit .245 against him.

11) Nationals 9, Phillies 8— Jake Noll walked with the bases loaded to force in the winning run, handing the Phils their first loss, but he was sent to the minor leagues after the game, because Howie Kendrick comes off the DL tomorrow.

10) Last time the Phillies started a season 4-0? How about 1915. Wow.

9) Nuggets 113, Spurs 85— I’ve thought about picking NBA games on this site, but there are a lot of reasons why I don’t want to. Players taking games off when they’re not hurt is a big one.

Gregg Popovich got thrown out of this game 1:03 after it started, so obviously, the game didn’t mean much to him. Since the Spurs clinched a playoff spot last week, Popovich has been ejected twice in the Spurs’ last three games.

8) Coaching carousel:
— Texas A&M hired Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams
— Fairfield hired Rutgers assistant Jay Young as its new coach.

7) Fred Hoiberg is the new basketball coach at Nebraska; he was born in Lincoln.

His grandfather Jerry Bush coached the Cornhuskers in the late 50’s. Hoiberg’s other grandfather was a Sociology professor at Nebraska.

6) There are two basketball Hall of Fames; there is the Naismith Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA which includes all of basketball, and there is the College Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City.

No idea what goes into the selection process for either, but this is odd:
— Jerry Tarkanian is in the Naismith HOF, but not the college basketball HOF.
— Eddie Sutton is in the college basketball HOF, but not the Naismith HOF.

5) Virginia coach Tony Bennett banked a $250K bonus when the Cavaliers won their Sweet 16 game, and another $250K when Virginia made it to the Final Four.

4) Fantasy baseball is funny sometimes; guy in our league cut Hunter Renfroe this week, and rightfully so, he had only started one game this season, but same night Renfroe got cut, he gets the start against Arizona and hits two homers off of Zack Greinke. Go figure.

3) Colorado Rockies signed P German Marquez to a five-year, $43M contract extension.

Cubs signed IF David Bote to a 5-year, $15M extension.

2) Average salary for an NFL referee this season is scheduled to be $205,000. Pretty good part-time job.

1) Advance planning: Chicago White Sox’ home opener for Thursday afternoon was postponed at roughly noon Wednesday; it’ll be played Friday instead.

Likewise, the Cardinals’ home opener with San Diego today was also moved to Friday.

**Udog** · 04-04-2019, 10:32 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, April 4

Ottawa @ Buffalo

Game 3-4
April 4, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa
10.923
Buffalo
8.840
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Buffalo
-190
6
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+165); Over

Tampa Bay @ Toronto

Game 7-8
April 4, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
11.252
Toronto
9.641
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-115
7
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-115); Over

NY Islanders @ Florida

Game 9-10
April 4, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
10.113
Florida
13.123
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-115
7
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(-105); Over

Detroit @ Pittsburgh

Game 1-2
April 4, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
10.763
Pittsburgh
12.241
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-305
6
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-305); Under

Montreal @ Washington

Game 5-6
April 4, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
13.442
Washington
12.101
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Montreal
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-150
6
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(+130); Under

New Jersey @ Carolina

Game 11-12
April 4, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
10.460
Carolina
12.038
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Carolina
-280
6
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(-280); Under

Philadelphia @ St. Louis

Game 15-16
April 4, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
8.899
St. Louis
10.772
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-210
6
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-210); Over

Vancouver @ Nashville

Game 17-18
April 4, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vancouver
12.021
Nashville
10.967
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-250
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver
(+210); Under

Boston @ Minnesota

Game 13-14
April 4, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
10.755
Minnesota
12.820
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-105); Under

Winnipeg @ Colorado

Game 21-22
April 4, 2019 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
9.133
Colorado
11.528
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-120
6
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-120); Over

San Jose @ Edmonton

Game 19-20
April 4, 2019 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
9.840
Edmonton
8.983
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-145
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-145); Over

Arizona @ Vegas

Game 23-24
April 4, 2019 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
11.403
Vegas
10.071
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vegas
-190
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+165); Under

**Udog** · 04-04-2019, 10:36 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, April 4

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

DETROIT (32-38-0-10, 74 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (43-26-0-11, 97 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 95-107 ATS (-47.1 Units) in road games after a 3 game unbeaten streak since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 18-18 ATS (-7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-3 (+6.1 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-3-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.8 Units)

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

OTTAWA (29-45-0-6, 64 pts.) at BUFFALO (31-39-0-10, 72 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 297-281 ATS (+11.1 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
BUFFALO is 56-107 ATS (+182.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 10-30 ATS (+61.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
BUFFALO is 12-24 ATS (+42.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BUFFALO is 1-16 ATS (-15.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 7-5 (+2.3 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 7-5-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

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

MONTREAL (43-29-0-8, 94 pts.) at WASHINGTON (47-25-0-8, 102 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 13-32 ATS (+49.8 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 35-60 ATS (+96.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 24-52 ATS (+83.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 10-31 ATS (+48.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 113-74 ATS (+204.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 65-44 ATS (-0.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 25-7 ATS (+15.9 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 60-41 ATS (-5.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 36-25 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 14-11 ATS (+28.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-3 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-3-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.7 Units)

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

TAMPA BAY (60-16-0-4, 124 pts.) at TORONTO (46-27-0-7, 99 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 60-20 ATS (+22.7 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 27-10 ATS (+12.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more this season.
TAMPA BAY is 63-27 ATS (+16.6 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 21-3 ATS (+15.6 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
TAMPA BAY is 30-13 ATS (+10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 249-246 ATS (+518.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
TORONTO is 21-17 ATS (-7.7 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more this season.
TORONTO is 20-21 ATS (-2.1 Units) second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 7-4 (+2.2 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 7-4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.7 Units)

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

NY ISLANDERS (46-27-0-7, 99 pts.) at FLORIDA (36-32-0-12, 84 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 30-14 ATS (+13.1 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 46-34 ATS (+10.3 Units) in all games this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 8-1 ATS (+7.0 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 12-6 ATS (+5.9 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
FLORIDA is 182-204 ATS (+405.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
FLORIDA is 115-172 ATS (+299.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 6-2 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 6-2-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)

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

NEW JERSEY (30-40-0-10, 70 pts.) at CAROLINA (44-29-0-7, 95 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 9-28 ATS (+53.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CAROLINA is 28-14 ATS (+11.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
CAROLINA is 14-16 ATS (-7.2 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more this season.
CAROLINA is 21-33 ATS (-18.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 26-28 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 11-17 ATS (-19.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 8-3 (+6.8 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 8-3-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.9 Units)

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

BOSTON (48-23-0-9, 105 pts.) at MINNESOTA (37-34-0-9, 83 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 8:08 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-2 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 3-2-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.6 Units)

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

PHILADELPHIA (37-35-0-8, 82 pts.) at ST LOUIS (43-28-0-9, 95 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 8:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 278-198 ATS (+39.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 24-20 ATS (+49.5 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-19 ATS (+46.9 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 3-2 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 3-2-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.3 Units)

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

VANCOUVER (35-35-0-10, 80 pts.) at NASHVILLE (45-29-0-6, 96 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 8:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 160-142 ATS (+315.1 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 12-6 ATS (+19.1 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games this season.
VANCOUVER is 205-234 ATS (+521.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 55-49 ATS (-12.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 5-3 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 5-3-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.7 Units)

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

SAN JOSE (44-27-0-9, 97 pts.) at EDMONTON (34-37-0-9, 77 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 9:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 44-36 ATS (-14.8 Units) in all games this season.
SAN JOSE is 61-45 ATS (+111.9 Units) in road games in April games since 1996.
EDMONTON is 71-92 ATS (-95.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 11-16 ATS (+27.3 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more this season.
EDMONTON is 27-42 ATS (-17.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 4-11 ATS (-9.5 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 10-9-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+9.2 Units)

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

WINNIPEG (46-30-0-4, 96 pts.) at COLORADO (37-29-0-14, 88 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 9:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 14-3 ATS (+9.8 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
COLORADO is 37-43 ATS (-32.1 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 10-20 ATS (-11.8 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 7-6-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.1 Units)

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

ARIZONA (38-34-0-8, 84 pts.) at VEGAS (43-30-0-7, 93 pts.) - 4/4/2019, 10:08 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 6-2 (+1.8 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS 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=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

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

**Udog** · 04-04-2019, 10:52 AM

1Detroit -2 Pittsburgh
DETROIT is 14-12 ATS (13.7 Units) against good teams - outscoring their opponents by 0.3+ goals/game in the current season.

3Ottawa -4 Buffalo
BUFFALO is 1-16 ATS (-18 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season in the current season.

5Montreal -6 Washington
MONTREAL is 25-53 ATS (-33.3 Units) revenging a loss where opponent scored 4 or more goals in the last 3 seasons.

7Tampa Bay -8 Toronto
TAMPA BAY is 33-6 ATS (22.3 Units) against terrible defensive teams - allowing 3+ goals/game in the current season.

9Ny Islanders -10 Florida
NY ISLANDERS are 39-24 ATS (17.4 Units) against poor defensive teams - opponents average 29.5+ shots on goal in the current season.

11New Jersey -12 Carolina
NEW JERSEY is 4-24 ATS (-18.3 Units) in road games against good offensive teams - scoring 2.85+ goals/game in the current season.

13Boston -14 Minnesota
MINNESOTA is 3-13 ATS (-16.7 Units) in home games against good starting goalies - saving >= 91.5% of shots against in the current season.

15Philadelphia -16 St Louis
ST LOUIS are 14-2 ATS (13.3 Units) against good passing teams - averaging 5 or more assists per game in the 2nd half of the year in the current season.

17Vancouver -18 Nashville
NASHVILLE is 14-19 ATS (-6.9 Units) in home games off a road win in the last 3 seasons.

19San Jose -20 Edmonton
EDMONTON is 12-3 ATS (8.7 Units) revenging 2 straight losses where opponent scored 3 or more goals in the current season.

21Winnipeg -22 Colorado
COLORADO is 22-29 ATS (-16.6 Units) against poor defensive teams - allowing 2.85+ goals/game in the current season.

23Arizona -24 Vegas
VEGAS are 13-17 ATS (-9.8 Units) against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game in the 2nd half of the year in the current season.

**Udog** · 04-04-2019, 10:59 AM

In the Crease - Week 28
Joe Williams

Detroit Rock City

The Detroit Red Wings have been eliminated for a long time, but they're certainly not throwing in the towel. They have won six in a row, and eight of the past nine outings. During their current six-game winning streak they have cashed some huge numbers, including +330 at Vegas on March 23 and +320 at San Jose on March 25. They also toppled Boston (+180) at home on March 31, 6-3, while also dealing Pittsburgh (+170) a costly loss for another solid payout for those who invested in the Red Wings. During the 6-0-0 run, they have cashed a healthy (+1235).

They'll play the second end of the home-and-home with the Penguins in the Steel City on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET, and they're a huge underdog (+275). Are you feeling them, or is the win streak finally going to end? The Red Wings have won just once in their past five trips to Pittsburgh, although the underdog is 5-2 in the past seven meetings, with the 'over' 5-1 in the past six meetings in Western Pennsylvania. The over is also 12-4 in the past 16 meetings overall in the series.

Looking Ahead

Thursday, April 4

Montreal at Washington: The Canadiens are fighting for a wild-card spot, while the Capitals are still shooting for a division title. Both teams have something to play for, so this one should be one of the best games of the evening. The Habs are 6-2 in the past eight games overall, while going 5-2 in the past seven against Eastern Confernce teams. However, they're just 2-5 in the past seven road games, and 1-8 in the past nine away from home against teams with a winning home record. The Canadiens are just 2-6 in the past seven meetings, but the road team is 20-7 in the past 27 in this series, and the underdog is 22-9 in the past 31 battles overall.

Tampa Bay at Toronto: The Lightning head into this one with a 42-9 mark across their past 51 against the Eastern Conference, steamrolling all comers. They're also 39-16 in the past 55 games on the road, an area which will obviously handy once the postseason begins. Tampa Bay has won four of the past five in this series, and they're 4-1 in the past five trips to Toronto, too. The Leafs are a solid 41-20 in their past 61 at home.

Winnipeg at Colorado: The Jets have won just once in the past five games overall, but it seems the closer together the games are, the better they do. That will serve them well in the playoffs. In the past 27 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation, they're 21-6. They're also 17-6 in the past 23 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. Colorado has won five in a row at home, and they're 7-2 in the past nine overall. The Avalanche need just one point in the next two games to eliminate the Arizona Coyotes and punch their ticket to the postseason.

Friday, April 5

Dallas at Chicago: The Blackhawks won a hard fought game on Wednesday, topping the Blues 4-3 in a shootout behind Cam Ward in his first start in a month. It might be his final start in the NHL, unless he elects to return for another season. The Stars are into the postseason, clinching over the weekend, and they're 5-2 in the past seven meetings in this series. The road team has cashed in four straight meetings, with the 'over' going 20-7-1 in the past 28 meetings in the Windy City.

Los Angeles at Anaheim: The Kings and Ducks have nothing to play for but pride. Even if neither of these teams are going to the playoffs, this will be played like a playoff game most likely. These rivals do not like each other, so it should be entertaining. L.A. has won just seven of their past 26 games, and they're 3-9 in the past 12 as a road underdog. Anaheim isn't quitting, either. They beat the No. 1 seed Flames on Wednesday, moving to 32-1 in their past 33 regular-season home games against Calgary. In this series, the under is 4-1 in the past five meetings, the home team is 4-1 in the past five, and the favorite has cashed in nine of the past 11 in this series.

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.

Announcement

Thursday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 4/4

Thursday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 4/4

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment