Friday's Trends and Indexes - 2/15 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NHL

Friday, February 15

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
BOSTON vs. BUFFALO
Boston is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Buffalo is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games

7:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

7:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. WINNIPEG
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh

7:30 PM
ANAHEIM vs. DETROIT
Anaheim is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Anaheim is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Anaheim

8:30 PM
SAN JOSE vs. CHICAGO
San Jose is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing San Jose

9:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CALGARY
St. Louis is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games at home

10:00 PM
DALLAS vs. VANCOUVER
Dallas is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Vancouver
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Vancouver's last 15 games

10:30 PM
COLUMBUS vs. LOS ANGELES
Columbus is 5-10-1 SU in its last 16 games ,when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 9 games at home


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[Udog]

NHL

Friday, February 15

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Sharks at Blackhawks: What bettors need to know
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San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks (-145, 5.5)

Still in search of their first win this month, the San Jose Sharks will attempt to do something on Friday no team has been able to achieve thus far this season - defeat the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation. San Jose ran the table in January, beginning the abbreviated campaign with seven straight victories. The club's fortunes have changed completely in February as the Sharks have gone 0-3-3, scoring more than two goals only once during the winless streak while being shut out twice.

San Jose, which is 0-1-1 on its six-game road trip, would like nothing better than to be the first team to prevent Chicago from earning at least one point. The Blackhawks started the season with a six-game winning streak before falling in a shootout to the Wild in Minnesota on Jan. 30. They have gone 4-0-2 since, including a 3-2 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday in the opener of their seven-game homestand. Chicago is four away from setting the NHL record for most games without a regulation loss to start a season - a mark currently owned by the 2006-07 Ducks, who opened the campaign 12-0-4.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, CSN California (San Jose), CSN (Chicago)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (7-3-3): Matt Pelech's first stint with San Jose lasted just one game as the right wing was assigned to Worcester of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. Pelech, who appeared in five contests with the Calgary Flames during his only previous season in the NHL in 2008-09, had 11:23 of ice time while engaging in a fight against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday but was a healthy scratch for the 1-0 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators the following night. The Sharks are hoping to avenge a 5-3 home loss on Feb. 5 in which it squandered a pair of two-goal leads in the first period.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (10-0-3): Nearly everything is clicking for Chicago thus far this season. The one part of its game that needs work, however, is the power play. The Blackhawks rank 16th in the league at 18.2 percent after a 1-for-6 performance on Tuesday. They spent all but 1:20 of overtime with the man advantage but were unable to produce the winning goal. Patrick Kane had his five-game goal-scoring streak snapped against Anaheim but extended his point streak to seven contests with an assist. Kane, who is tied for second in the league in scoring with 20 points, has gotten his name on the scoresheet in all but one of Chicago's 13 games.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Under is 6-0 in Blackhawks’ last six home games.
* Under is 8-2 in Sharks’ last 10 overall.
* Blackhawks are 5-1 in their last six vs. Pacific foes.

OVERTIME:

1. San Jose returns to Chicago next Friday for the fifth game of its road trip.

2. The Blackhawks had played only twice at the United Center before hosting Anaheim on Tuesday.

3. The Sharks are 2-for-34 on the power play over their last eight contests.


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[Udog]

NHL

Friday, February 15

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Five injuries NHL bettors should pay attention to
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Now that we’re about 25 percent of the way through the NHL season, we’re starting to get to that point in the year where injuries are playing a key role in handicapping puck bets.

Here’s a look at a few injuries bettors should be aware of and why. (Statistics are as of before Friday, Feb. 15 games).

Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames goaltender – Knee sprain, hopeful return late February

The injury to the Flames’ workhorse netminder, who has played at least 70 games every year since the 2005-06 season, is huge. It thrusts 24-year-old Leland Irving into the starting role, who had just seven games of NHL experience coming into the season. He has an .895 save percentage with a 2.93 goals against average in five games. The Flames may need to start scoring to win, like they did Wednesday night (7-4 over Dallas).

Johan Franzen, Red Wings right wing – hip flexor, day-to-day but out Friday vs. Anaheim

They don’t call this guy "The Mule" for nothing and his recent injury is especially tough on Detroit, which is now down three right wingers (Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson). He doesn’t always end up on the scoreboard, but Franzen is a huge presence on Detroit’s power play and in the corners. It's no shock the Red Wings had a three-game winning streak snapped without him against St. Louis Wednesday.

Brooks Laich, Washington Capitals center – groin, hopes to return late February

Laich hasn’t played yet this season, but his absence is one quiet reason why the Caps are in the basement in the Southeast. He’s a physical, consistent two-way center who can also score 20 goals and it’s often his line’s shifts that change momentum when Washington plays flat – which it tends to do. With Alex Semin gone to Carolina, Laich's return won’t be too soon.

Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis Blues goaltender – groin, out indefinitely

The Blues are the kind of team that likes to win 2-1. Since Halak got hurt six games ago, they’ve given up at least three goals in every contest and a total of 28 (4.67 goals per game). They gone 7-0-2 over/under in their last nine games overall.

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators defenseman – Achilles, out for season

Obviously, it’s huge when you lose the reigning Norris Trophy winner, who had 10 points in 13 games for Ottawa. But this could be one of those injuries that oddsmakers and bettors tend to overvalue. A hot goalie can compensate for a lot and Craig Anderson could be the best in the league right now. The Sens are an under team this year with a 4-10 over/under record. When some of their injured forwards start returning, there could be some value here.


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[Udog]

NHL

Friday, February 15

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Around the rink: Friday's NHL betting news and notes
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Take a look at our quick-hitting betting notes for all eight games on the NHL schedule Friday.

Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres (+124, 5.5)

Probable goaltenders: Anton Khudobin (BOS), Ryan Miller (BUF)

Boston has collected nine of a possible 10 points on the road (4-0-1), including two in its last meeting with Buffalo - a 3-1 triumph on Sunday. The Sabres could benefit from some production on the power play. Buffalo is just 1-for-27 with the man advantage this month. The Sabres are 1-4 in their last five home games.

Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils (-138, 5)

Probable goaltenders: Ilya Bryzgalov (PHI), Martin Brodeur (NJ)

After a 2-6-0 start, the Flyers are 4-1-1 in their last six contests, including a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday in the second of a season-high six-game road trip. New Jersey has taken the last five straight meetings, including a 3-0 victory on Jan. 22, when Martin Brodeur made 24 saves en route to extending his NHL record for shutouts to 120. The under is 5-0 in the Flyers’ last five games against Atlantic opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Winnipeg Jets (+134, 5.5)

Probable goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT), Ondrej Pavelec (WPG)

Jets goaltender Al Montoya suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s loss and is week-to-week, meaning Ondrej Pavelec will be between the pipes after posting a 3.28 GAA and .886 save percentage thus far. Winnipeg’s penalty-killing is a league-worst 67.5 percent, but the Jets have killed 11 of 15 penalties at home. Winnipeg took the previous meeting by a score of 4-2 at home on Jan. 25 and the home team is 4-1 in the last five clashes.

Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings (-120, 5.5)

Probable goaltenders: Viktor Fasth (ANH), Jimmy Howard (DET)

Viktor Fasth improved to 6-0-0 in his first NHL season after turning aside 28 shots as Anaheim recorded a 3-2 triumph over Chicago on Tuesday. With Jonas Hiller nursing a lower-body injury, Fasth has been stellar and boasts a stingy 1.74 goals-against average. But the Red Wings are also solid in goal. Jimmy Howard is 7-2-1 with three shutouts in his career versus Anaheim. The under is 9-0 in the Ducks’ last nine games playing on two days rest.

San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks (-135, 5.5)

Probable goaltenders: Antti Niemi (SJ), Ray Emery (CHI)

San Jose ran the table in January, beginning the abbreviated campaign with seven straight victories. The club's fortunes have changed completely in February as the Sharks have gone 0-3-3, scoring more than two goals only once during the winless streak while being shut out twice. Chicago (10-0-3) is four games away from setting the NHL record for most games without a regulation loss to start a season - a mark currently owned by the 2006-07 Ducks, who opened the campaign 12-0-4. The under is 6-0 in the Blackhawks’ last six home games.

St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames (+107, 5.5)

Probable goaltenders: Jake Allen (STL), Leland Irving (CGY)

This game features two teams that are deadly with the man advantage, so scoring could be aplenty if the penalties begin to pile up. St. Louis has the best power play in the NHL this season, scoring on 34.7 percent of its opportunities and Calgary is tied for second in the league on the power play with a 27.5 percent conversion rate. The over is 7-0-2 in the Blues’ last nine games overall.

Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks (-184, 5)

Probable goaltenders: Kari Lehtonen (DAL), Cory Schneider (VAN)

Vancouver enters on a six-game winning streak and could be bolstered by the return of C Ryan Kesler (shoulder, wrist). The Canucks have displayed great scoring depth thus far as 14 different skaters have netted at least one goal. Stars netminder Kari Lehtonen is riding a personal five-game winning streak, allowing a total of eight goals in that span. The over is 9-1-1 in the last 11 meetings in Vancouver.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings (-188, 5)

Probable goaltenders: Steve Mason (CBJ), Jonathan Quick (LAK)

Coming off their biggest offensive output of the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets begin a six-game road trip Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. Columbus, which posted a 6-2 victory over the struggling San Jose Sharks on Monday, had scored a total of six goals over its previous three games. Los Angeles is returning home from a 2-3-0 road trip that concluded Monday with a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. The Blue Jackets are 4-1 in their last five Friday contests.


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[Udog]

NCAAB
Top 25 Short Sheet

Friday, February 15

Georgetown at Cincinnati, 9:00 ET ESPN
Georgetown: 7-1 ATS after 3 consecutive conference games
Cincinnati: 0-6 ATS in a home game where the total is 129.5 or less

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, February 15

Boston at Buffalo, 7:05 ET
Boston: 22-5 SU vs. division opponents
Buffalo: 8-19 SU after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game

Pittsburgh at Winnipeg, 7:05 ET CBC
Pittsburgh: 13-4 SU in road games revenging a same season loss vs opponent
Winnipeg: 22-10 UNDER in home games when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days

Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7:05 ET
Philadelphia: 21-27 SU after having won 2 of their last 3
New Jersey: 18-9 SU after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game

Anaheim at Detroit, 7:35 ET NHL
Anaheim: 9-3 SU second half of the season
Detroit: 6-13 ATS after losing their previous game in overtime

San Jose at Chicago, 8:35 ET
San Jose: 0-6 SU in February
Chicago: 7-1 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive unders

St. Louis at Calgary, 9:05 ET
St. Louis: 14-2 SU after winning their previous game in overtime
Calgary: 20-36 SU after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game

Dallas at Vancouver, 10:05 ET
Dallas: 6-1 SU after scoring 3 goals or more in 5 straight games
Vancouver: 15-22 SU in home games after having won 8 or more of their last 10

Columbus at Los Angeles, 10:35 ET
Columbus: 1-11 SU in road games after scoring 6 goals or more in their previous game
Los Angeles: 37-22 ATS after playing a road game