The Bum's NHL Regular and Stanley Cup Playoff's Best Bets !

[StarDust Bum]

Stanley Cup Matchup Props

April 2, 2013

Sportsbook.ag has offered up betting odds on Possible 2013 Stanley Cup Matchups.

How to read the Odds:
Bet $100 on Bruins vs Blackhawks 14/1 to win $1,400
Bet $100 on Bruins vs Blues 55/1 to win $5,500
Bet $100 on Bruins vs Canucks 35/1 to win $3,500

Bruins vs Blackhawks 14/1
Bruins vs Blues 55/1
Bruins vs Canucks 35/1
Bruins vs Coyotes 200/1
Bruins vs Ducks 23/1
Bruins vs Kings 35/1
Bruins vs Red Wings 40/1
Bruins vs Sharks 45/1
Bruins vs Wild 30/1

Canadiens vs Blackhawks 20/1
Canadiens vs Blues 75/1
Canadiens vs Canucks 45/1
Canadiens vs Coyotes 300/1
Canadiens vs Ducks 30/1
Canadiens vs Kings 45/1
Canadiens vs Red Wings 55/1
Canadiens vs Sharks 65/1
Canadiens vs Wild 40/1

Devils vs Blackhawks 55/1
Devils vs Blues 200/1
Devils vs Canucks 120/1
Devils vs Coyotes 400/1
Devils vs Ducks 80/1
Devils vs Kings 120/1
Devils vs Red Wings 150/1
Devils vs Sharks 150/1
Devils vs Wild 110/1

Flyers vs Blackhawks 130/1
Flyers vs Blues 400/1
Flyers vs Canucks 300/1
Flyers vs Coyotes 400/1
Flyers vs Ducks 200/1
Flyers vs Kings 300/1
Flyers vs Red Wings 350/1
Flyers vs Sharks 400/1
Flyers vs Wild 250/1

Hurricanes vs Blackhawks 70/1
Hurricanes vs Blues 250/1
Hurricanes vs Canucks 150/1
Hurricanes vs Coyotes 400/1
Hurricanes vs Ducks 110/1
Hurricanes vs Kings 150/1
Hurricanes vs Red Wings 200/1
Hurricanes vs Sharks 200/1
Hurricanes vs Wild 140/1

Maple Leafs vs Blackhawks 70/1
Maple Leafs vs Blues 250/1
Maple Leafs vs Canucks 150/1
Maple Leafs vs Coyotes 400/1
Maple Leafs vs Ducks 110/1
Maple Leafs vs Kings 150/1
Maple Leafs vs Red Wings 200/1
Maple Leafs vs Sharks 200/1
Maple Leafs vs Wild 140/1

Penguins vs Blackhawks 7/1
Penguins vs Blues 30/1
Penguins vs Canucks 19/1
Penguins vs Coyotes 120/1
Penguins vs Ducks 12/1
Penguins vs Kings 19/1
Penguins vs Red Wings 24/1
Penguins vs Sharks 25/1
Penguins vs Wild 16/1

Rangers vs Blackhawks 35/1
Rangers vs Blues 140/1
Rangers vs Canucks 80/1
Rangers vs Coyotes 400/1
Rangers vs Ducks 55/1
Rangers vs Kings 80/1
Rangers vs Red Wings 100/1
Rangers vs Sharks 120/1
Rangers vs Wild 75/1

Senators vs Blackhawks 70/1
Senators vs Blues 250/1
Senators vs Canucks 150/1
Senators vs Coyotes 400/1
Senators vs Ducks 110/1
Senators vs Kings 150/1
Senators vs Red Wings 200/1
Senators vs Sharks 200/1
Senators vs Wild 140/1

Field (Any Other Matchup) 18/1

[StarDust Bum]

Friday, April 19

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Dallas - 8:00 PM ET Dallas +152 500 POD # 1
St. Louis - Over 5 500

Nashville - 8:30 PM ET Nashville +240 500 POD # 2
Chicago - Under 5 500

Edmonton - 9:00 PM ET Colorado -119 500
Colorado - Over 5 500

Anaheim - 9:00 PM ET Anaheim -157 500
Calgary - Under 5.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Detroit at Vancouver
The Red Wings look to take advantage of a Vancouver team that is coming off a 5-1 loss to Dallas and is 0-6 in its last 6 games following a defeat of 3 or more goals. Detroit is the pick (+145) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+145). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Game 51-52: Florida at New Jersey (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 9.778; New Jersey 12.134
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 2 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-185); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-185); Under

Game 53-54: NY Islanders at Winnipeg (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 12.322; Winnipeg 10.807
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+105); Over

Game 55-56: Buffalo at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings:
Dunkel Line & Total:
Vegas Line & Total:
Dunkel Pick:

Game 57-58: Washington at Montreal (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.193; Montreal 10.865
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+130); Over

Game 59-60: Toronto at Ottawa (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 12.487; Ottawa 11.163
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+110); Under

Game 61-62: Philadelphia at Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 10.965; Carolina 10.659
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+100); Over

Game 63-64: Phoenix at Chicago (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 10.483; Chicago 12.926
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-200); 5
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-200); Over

Game 65-66: Detroit at Vancouver (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.027; Vancouver 10.651
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-165); 5
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+145); Under

Game 67-68: Pittsburgh at Boston (12:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.978; Boston 11.151
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
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[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 20

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FLORIDA (13-24-0-6, 32 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (16-17-0-10, 42 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 13-30 ATS (+52.4 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 13-30 ATS (+52.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
FLORIDA is 3-14 ATS (+21.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
FLORIDA is 2-12 ATS (+17.3 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
FLORIDA is 269-316 ATS (-100.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
FLORIDA is 131-168 ATS (-76.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 30-19 ATS (+50.0 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 71-33 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 27-12 ATS (+11.7 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 32-12 ATS (+16.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 25-18 ATS (+45.6 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 16-27 ATS (+16.0 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 4-9 ATS (-6.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
NEW JERSEY is 16-27 ATS (+44.2 Units) second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 9-8-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)

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NY ISLANDERS (23-16-0-5, 51 pts.) at WINNIPEG (23-19-0-2, 48 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 13-7 ATS (+21.7 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 7-3 ATS (+11.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 5-5 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 5-5-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

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WASHINGTON (24-18-0-2, 50 pts.) at MONTREAL (27-12-0-5, 59 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.7 Units) in April games this season.
WASHINGTON is 183-190 ATS (+404.7 Units) in road games second half of the season since 1996.
MONTREAL is 11-21 ATS (-16.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 8-2 (+5.8 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 8-2-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+7.3 Units)

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TORONTO (24-15-0-5, 53 pts.) at OTTAWA (23-14-0-6, 52 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 14-35 ATS (+58.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 3-15 ATS (+21.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 15-6 ATS (+6.5 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 22-14 ATS (+38.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 185-202 ATS (+432.0 Units) in road games second half of the season since 1996.
TORONTO is 91-89 ATS (+204.2 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
OTTAWA is 37-42 ATS (-38.4 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
OTTAWA is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 77-79 ATS (-37.8 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 9-7 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 9-7-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.3 Units)

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PHILADELPHIA (19-22-0-3, 41 pts.) at CAROLINA (17-23-0-3, 37 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 6-16 ATS (+24.8 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
CAROLINA is 50-75 ATS (-86.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 10-29 ATS (-19.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 23-37 ATS (+62.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 8-2 (+4.5 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 8-2-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.5 Units)

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PHOENIX (18-17-0-8, 44 pts.) at CHICAGO (33-5-0-4, 70 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 5-16 ATS (+24.2 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 0-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders this season.
CHICAGO is 33-9 ATS (+46.1 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 33-9 ATS (+18.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 19-3 ATS (+15.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHOENIX is 21-15 ATS (+37.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 115-131 ATS (-63.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 9-7 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 9-7-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

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DETROIT (20-16-0-7, 47 pts.) at VANCOUVER (24-13-0-7, 55 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 45-47 ATS (-19.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 2-9 ATS (-8.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
DETROIT is 10-18 ATS (-17.2 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 30-11 ATS (+11.0 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 204-188 ATS (-95.7 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 4-9 ATS (-9.1 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
VANCOUVER is 18-23 ATS (-17.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-4 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 6-4-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.4 Units)

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PITTSBURGH (33-10-0-0, 66 pts.) at BOSTON (26-11-0-5, 57 pts.) - 4/20/2013, 12:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-3 (+4.5 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-3-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.5 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, April 20

Hot teams
-- Islanders won ten of their last thirteen games. Winnipeg won its last five games, scoring a total of 23 goals.
-- Washington won eight of its last nine games.
-- Senators won last four games, allowing four goals.
-- Blackhawks won last seven games, outscoring foes 22-11.
-- Penguins won five in row, 20 of last 22 games.

Cold teams
-- Florida lost its last six games, outscored 26-11. Devils lost ten of their last eleven.
-- Canadiens lost three of their last four games.
-- Toronto lost last two games, allowing five goals in each.
-- Hurricanes lost 16 of their last 18 games. Philly lost five of last seven.
-- Phoenix lost four of its last five games.
-- Vancouver lost three of last four games. Red Wings lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Bruins lost last three games, scoring five goals.

Totals
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight New Jersey games.
-- Four of last five Islander road games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Montreal games went over the total.
-- Last six Ottawa games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Philly games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in Chicago's last five home games.
-- Under is 4-0-2 in last six Detroit games.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Boston games.

Series records
-- Devils won three of last four games with Florida.
-- Islanders won four of last five games with Winnipeg.
-- Capitals won seven of last eight games with Montreal.
-- Maple Leafs won five of last six games with Ottawa.
-- Flyers won 14 of last 16 games with Carolina.
-- Blackhawks won three of last four games with Phoenix.
-- Red Wings beat Vancouver twice this season: 8-3/5-2.
-- Penguins won their last five games against Boston.

Back-to-backs
-- Chicago is 10-0 this season if they played the night before.
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[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Saturday, April 20

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Trend Report
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12:30 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Boston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh

1:00 PM
FLORIDA vs. NEW JERSEY
Florida is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 10 games on the road
New Jersey is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games at home

3:00 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. WINNIPEG
NY Islanders are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
NY Islanders are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Winnipeg is 8-13-2 SU in their last 23 games ,when playing at home against NY Islanders

7:00 PM
BUFFALO vs. PITTSBURGH
Buffalo is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Buffalo is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 11 games at home
Pittsburgh20-2-1 SU in its last 23 games

7:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. CAROLINA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing on the road against Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Carolina's last 9 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Carolina is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. OTTAWA
Toronto is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. MONTREAL
Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Montreal is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Montreal is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Washington

8:30 PM
PHOENIX vs. CHICAGO
Phoenix is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

10:00 PM
DETROIT vs. VANCOUVER
Detroit is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Vancouver is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Short Sheet

Saturday, April 20

Early Games

Florida at New Jersey, 1:05 ET NHL
Florida: 6-1 Over off BB losses by 2+ goals
New Jersey: 1-6 SU off BB road games

NY Islanders at Winnipeg, 3:05 ET
NY Islanders: 6-19 SU off BB wins
Winnipeg: 8-0 SU athome after scoring 4+ goals

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

04/19/13 1-*6-*1 14.29% -*2980 Detail
04/18/13 11-*9-*0 55.00% +*930 Detail
04/17/13 3-*3-*2 50.00% +*385 Detail
04/16/13 10-*5-*1 66.67% +*2590 Detail
04/15/13 10-*4-*0 71.43% +*3245 Detail
04/14/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*15 Detail
04/13/13 10-*11-*1 47.62% -*750 Detail
04/11/13 8-*8-*2 50.00% +*65 Detail
04/10/13 7-*2-*1 77.78% +*1940 Detail
04/09/13 8-*10-*0 44.44% -*1570 Detail
04/08/13 6-*4-*0 60.00% +*760 Detail
04/07/13 9-*6-*1 60.00% +*915 Detail
04/06/13 9-*8-*1 52.94% +*350 Detail
04/05/13 8-*4-*0 66.67% +*2270 Detail
04/04/13 11-*9-*0 55.00% +*975 Detail
04/03/13 7-*3-*0 70.00% +*1975 Detail
04/02/13 8-*5-*1 61.54% +*940 Detail
04/01/13 7-*8-*3 46.67% -*685 Detail

Totals 136-*108-*14 55.74% +11340


Saturday, April 20

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Florida 0 0th Florida +193 500 POD # 3
New Jersey 0 Over 5 500 POD # 2

NY Islanders - 3:00 PM ET NY Islanders +104 500 POD # 1
Winnipeg - Over 5.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, April 20

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 7:00 PM ET Montreal -142 500
Montreal - Under 5.5 500

Toronto - 7:00 PM ET Toronto +118 500 POD # 4
Ottawa - Over 5.5 500

Philadelphia - 7:00 PM ET Carolina -108 500
Carolina - Over 5.5 500

Phoenix - 8:30 PM ET Chicago -170 500
Chicago - Under 5 500

Detroit - 10:00 PM ET Detroit +135 500 POD # 5
Vancouver - Under 5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Panthers (0-0) at Bruins (0-0)

Date: April 21, 2013 12:30 PM EDT


The recent tragic events in Boston and the surrounding area won't be forgotten any time soon, but the Bruins are helping bring back a bit of normalcy by taking the ice and providing the city with some relief during the difficult time.

Now they're hoping to get themselves back on track.

Boston looks to avoid a fifth consecutive loss while winning for the fifth time in six meetings with the NHL-worst Florida Panthers on Sunday night at TD Garden.

After having two games postponed due to the bombings at Monday's Boston Marathon and the ensuing manhunt for the suspects, the Bruins were able to take the ice again Saturday after the second suspect was captured Friday.

"At least we could all breathe a little easier and sleep a little easier," coach Claude Julien said. "And now it's, hopefully, time to work ourselves into trying to get things back to normal again, but it will always leave a scar somewhere."

Boston began a stretch of six games in nine days to end the regular season by falling 3-2 to Pittsburgh, scoring two or fewer goals for the fourth consecutive game - all losses.

The Bruins (26-12-5), who haven't dropped five straight since a 10-game skid Jan. 16-Feb. 6, 2010, are still involved in a tight race with Montreal for the Northeast Division crown.

"We felt the same way as (Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Buffalo) with the ceremony and, again, with all the police and firemen and everything in the building," said Brad Marchand, who scored his team-best 17th goal Saturday. "It was a special time again, and we definitely built a lot of momentum off of that."

Boston seemingly has a prime opportunity to end its slide as reeling Florida visits after dropping its fifth straight, 6-2 at New Jersey on Saturday. The Bruins have won each of the first two meetings with the Panthers by 4-1 scores, as Daniel Paille had a goal and an assist Feb. 24 and Patrice Bergeron scored twice March 14.

Marchand has five goals and five assists in his last 10 games versus Florida (13-25-6), which has an NHL-worst 32 points and has been outscored 27-8 during its skid. Its minus-57 goal differential is by far the worst in the league.

Marcel Goc scored for the second time in three games Saturday and defenseman Brian Campbell ended a 12-game goal drought for the Panthers, who conclude a four-game road trip Sunday.

"As this season is working toward Game 48, our commitment to defense has waned and hasn't been strong enough," coach Kevin Dineen said. "We're too easy to play against, and hence we are giving up five or six goals every game on this road trip."

Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves Saturday but has a 5.87 goals-against average while dropping his last five starts. His only career outing versus Boston was in February when he stopped 28 shots.

Backup Scott Clemmensen, 3-7-2 with a 3.67 GAA this season, lost last month's matchup against the Bruins and could get the start with Florida playing for a second straight day.

Tuukka Rask made 21 saves for Boston while losing his third straight start Saturday, but he too may stay on the bench due to the games on back-to-back days. Anton Khudobin, 5-1-1 with a 1.92 GAA over his last seven starts, would get the nod.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Devils (0-0) at Rangers (0-0)

Date: April 21, 2013 3:00 PM EDT


The New York Rangers were pushed to the brink of playoff elimination the last time the New Jersey Devils were in town.

New York can knock the defending Eastern Conference champs out of the playoff picture for good when these Atlantic Division rivals meet on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Trying to reach the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since winning it all in 1994, the Rangers fell in six games to the Devils in the 2012 East finals. New Jersey took two of three on the road in that series, including a 3-2 Game 5 victory in its last game at MSG.

New York (23-17-4) can now exact a little bit of revenge on Sunday, as a win will eliminate the Devils (17-17-10) from postseason contention for just the second time since 1996.

The Rangers, though, are more concerned about punching their own playoff ticket. New York is three points behind the seventh-place New York Islanders and one in front of ninth-place Winnipeg with a game in hand on both.

"There are no easy games here," coach John Tortorella said Saturday, a day after an 8-4 victory at Buffalo. "… we've got a game coming up 3 o'clock tomorrow against a Jersey team fighting just like we are."

The Devils, though, are in a more precarious position, needed to win their final four games just to have a chance of making the postseason.

"We're working hard. We're trying to change something,' goalie Martin Brodeur said after New Jersey won its second straight following a 10-game skid, 6-2 over the Panthers on Saturday. "We don't know if we'll be able to because it's not up to us. Our chances are really low, even if win all of our games. We're happy that we're still going to play for something tomorrow."

Brodeur will face a Rangers club that's scored 14 goals over the last two games - its most since netting the same amount on Jan. 17 and 19, 2010.

"We haven't changed anything in our game – some guys have made plays" Tortorella said.

Brad Richards hopes he keeps making plays for the Rangers after scoring four times in the last two games, once in Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Panthers and his first career hat trick on Friday.

"I don't even really want to talk about it,' said the veteran center, who has just 10 goals all season. "I don't want to jinx it. It's just, if it's back now, it's a great time to have it.'

The Devils have star forward Ilya Kovalchuk back, but it might be too late. After missing 11 games with a right shoulder injury, Kovalchuk logged a team-high 22:43 of ice time on Saturday as New Jersey had a season high in goals.

"After the first five minutes I got a couple of hits and I felt more comfortable," said Kovalchuk, who was held off the scoresheet.

Opposing teams haven't felt that way at MSG this month, with the Rangers winning all four by a combined 18-6 margin for their longest surge at home since a six-game stretch from Feb. 19-March 13, 2012.

Henrik Lundqvist has been in net in each of the Rangers' April home games, turning aside 109 of 115 shots. After making 19 saves in a 3-1 loss to New Jersey on Feb. 5, Lundqvist stopped 29 shots as New York ended a four-game skid in this series – including the postseason – with a 3-2 win on March 19.

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Preview: Hurricanes (0-0) at Lightning (0-0)

Date: April 21, 2013 6:00 PM EDT


Having been eliminated from playoff contention, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes are left to try to end this season as positively as they can. So far, both clubs are having some trouble accomplishing that modest goal.

The Lightning, though, have dominated this season's matchups with the Hurricanes and will go for their first series sweep Sunday night while trying to avoid a season high-tying sixth consecutive defeat.

Tampa Bay (17-23-4) is set to miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six years and is so far heading meekly into the end of the season. The Lightning are 1-5-2 since April 6 and 0-3-2 in their past five games.

They've struggled mightily at killing penalties lately, allowing opponents to score power-play goals in each of the last six games while going 9 for 27 with the man advantage.

Tampa Bay gave up the go-ahead goal while down a man with 47 seconds left in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Montreal, but coach Jon Cooper was pleased with his team's effort in the finale to a four-game trip.

"I haven't been here that long, but that was the best game we've played from start to finish" said Cooper, who is 3-5-3 since replacing Guy Boucher. " Unfortunately, we're on the negative end of the score. But if you can play consistently the way we did, we're going to win more games than we lose."

The Lightning might have a good chance at a better result against the Hurricanes. Tampa Bay has outscored its Southeast Division rivals 18-4 over this season's four meetings and routed them 5-0 in the most recent matchup April 4 in Carolina. The Lightning won 4-1 in the only meeting in Tampa Bay this season on March 16.

The Hurricanes (17-24-3) don't appear poised for a different result as they're 2-15-2 since March 13. They've been outscored 73-36 over that stretch, which has come while starting goaltender Cam Ward has been out with a knee injury.

Justin Peters made a career-high seventh consecutive start and stopped 33 shots in Saturday's 5-3 home loss to Philadelphia. The defense hasn't made things easy on Peters, as the Hurricanes are allowing an average of 33.3 shots in their last seven games.

"That's what we have to learn is to be mentally ready every night," coach Kirk Muller said. "We didn't have that tempo that we should."

Carolina has also been outscored 20-9 during a 0-4-1 skid on the road and will have to face two players who are chasing the NHL points lead. Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis are both three points behind injured leader Sidney Crosby.

Stamkos and St. Louis each have a team-best five points in this season's series. Both players have totaled one goal and four assists.

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Preview: Flames (0-0) at Wild (0-0)

Date: April 21, 2013 6:00 PM EDT


Still chasing their first playoff berth in five seasons, the Minnesota Wild picked a bad time to deliver one of their worst defensive performances of the season. They also have plenty of room for improvement on the offensive end as they return to St. Paul.

Minnesota will try to snap a season-worst four-game home losing streak on Sunday night against the Calgary Flames.

After finishing no better than third in the Northwest Division since their last postseason series in 2008, the Wild (24-17-3) are still in contention to end Vancouver's four-year run atop the division. Minnesota is a handful of points off the Canucks' pace, but it also could easily fall out of the top eight in the Western Conference.

The Wild fell to seventh on Thursday – two points ahead of the eighth seed – with a 6-1 loss to San Jose. It was the most goals allowed by the club all season.

"We didn't deserve anything today," goaltender Niklas Backstrom told the league's official website after getting pulled following five goals allowed. "…. We have to get back to playing our game. If we play the right way, we'll be fine.

"Sunday is the biggest day of the season for us. We have to make sure we get better by then."

The Wild, who open a three-game homestand before closing the season at Colorado on Saturday, can't get much worse at Xcel Energy Center, where they've scored three goals in four games this month. Minnesota's last five-game skid on home ice was from Feb. 28-March 17, 2012.

Hosting a Flames team finishing off a fourth straight non-playoff season is no guarantee the Wild can get back on track. Calgary (18-22-4) arrives following its fifth win in seven games, 3-1 over Anaheim in Friday's home finale, and seeking a season-high third straight victory. The star Friday was veteran goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who made 32 saves in what could have been his final game in Calgary.

"It's up to him (if he wants to retire), it's his decision and what he wants to do with his life but if it is his last games, then completely fitting," said Michael Cammalleri, who set up two goals. "He was awesome.'

Kiprusoff has been outstanding in his last five starts against the Wild – going 4-0-1 with a 1.77 goals-against average – but he has not been in net for any of the four matchups this season. If Kiprusoff doesn't make a third consecutive start, Joey MacDonald will be between the pipes as the Flames go for their first three-game winning streak since a five-game run from March 6-15, 2012.

MacDonald, who inked a one-year deal on Saturday, has started the last three games between these division rivals. He stopped 28 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss at Minnesota on Feb. 26 then made 23 saves in Monday's 4-3 home loss.

Minnesota newcomer Jason Pominville scored twice in that contest, giving him goals against every NHL team except for Buffalo, where he spent his entire career before being traded on April 3. No other Wild player has more than one goal against the Flames this season.

Jiri Hudler, Matt Stajan and Alex Tanguay, who is out for the season with a sprained MCL, each have found the back of the net twice to lead Calgary in the season series.

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Preview: Blue Jackets (0-0) at Sharks (0-0)

Date: April 21, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


The San Jose Sharks have the best home record in the league, making their fight for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs even more important.

Simply qualifying for the postseason would be an accomplishment for the Columbus Blue Jackets, though they haven't had much success in their trips to HP Pavilion.

San Jose looks to boost its chances for the conference's fourth seed while putting a damper on Columbus' playoff hopes when these teams meet Sunday night.

The Sharks (24-13-7) are an NHL-best 16-1-5 at home, with their only regulation loss coming to West-leading Chicago on Feb. 5. They've earned two points in nine of their last 10 home games after beating Minnesota 6-1 on Thursday.

San Jose, just 8-12-2 on the road, is tied with Los Angeles for the fourth seed in the West and the accompanying home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

"I think we're going in the right direction now," said forward Logan Couture, who had two goals and two assists Thursday. "You always want to be playing well going into the playoffs."

Martin Havlat scored twice and added an assist for the Sharks, who are 11-2-1 in their last 14 overall.

"We all feel comfortable," captain Joe Thornton said. "We all like where our game is. We can still improve in some things and we still got some games in the regular season to win. But, yeah, we keep getting better. It's a perfect time for that."

One of the defeats during San Jose's hot stretch came April 9 at Columbus. Marian Gaborik had a goal and an assist and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots to lead the Blue Jackets to a 4-0 win.

Columbus has hosted the last three meetings with the Sharks, outscoring them 16-5 while winning each one. San Jose, though, is 19-1-2 all-time at home versus the Blue Jackets, winning the last two by a combined 8-1 score.

Columbus (21-17-7) had a five-game winning snapped with Thursday's 2-1 defeat at Los Angeles, its first loss in four stops on its six-game road trip. Despite the defeat, the Blue Jackets are locked in a tight battle with Detroit and Dallas for the West's final playoff berth.

The franchise's only postseason appearance came in 2008-09.

"We were just a little bit lacking on the execution (Thursday)," said defenseman Dalton Prout, who scored his first NHL goal. "We're going to leave it all on the table in these last three games."

The Blue Jackets, though, will have to overcome the loss of winger Matt Calvert, who suffered a broken finger while taking a shot to the hand in the third period Thursday. Coach Todd Richards said Calvert, who has nine goals and seven assists, will be out "for a while."

"It's a big blow losing him," Richards said.

Columbus still has Bobrovsky, who has emerged as a surprising Vezina Trophy candidate while posting a 2.03 goals-against average that ranks among the league's best. He's 5-1-0 with a 1.62 GAA over a six-game stretch that began with the latest win over San Jose.

Antti Niemi was pulled in the most recent meeting with Columbus after giving up four goals on 26 shots through two-plus periods. Niemi, 4-1-0 with a 1.36 GAA since that contest, is 4-2-0 with a 3.07 GAA in his career versus the Blue Jackets.

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Preview: Blues (0-0) at Avalanche (0-0)

Date: April 21, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


The St. Louis Blues carried a three-game losing streak into April with their postseason fate uncertain as they clung to the Western Conference's final playoff spot.

Thanks to a rejuvenated Brian Elliot in net, home-ice advantage in the first round is within reach.

St. Louis seeks a fourth consecutive victory Sunday night versus the last-place Colorado Avalanche, who have won the last seven meetings in Denver.

The Blues (26-16-2) had lost four of five heading into the month and were three points behind Detroit for seventh place in the Western Conference. Prior to a 4-2 loss to Los Angeles on March 28, they sent Elliott, who hadn't played since March 5, on a conditioning assignment in the AHL.

His performances since have been a major reason St. Louis has climbed to sixth place, one point behind Los Angeles and San Jose for the fourth seed and home-ice advantage in the first round of the postseason.

Elliott was 3-6-1 with a 3.65 goals-against average before being sent down, but he's gone 8-1-0 with a 1.01 GAA upon his return while the Blues have won nine of 11 in April.

``That seems so in the past,' said Elliott, who was an All-Star and led the league with a 1.56 GAA last season. ``Right now, I'm just happy to look forward.'

Elliott made 21 saves in Friday's 2-1 win over Dallas after backstopping St. Louis to a pair of 2-1 shootout wins over Vancouver and Phoenix in the previous two contests.

``For someone to swallow their pride and go down and get your game organized, that's a great story,' coach Ken Hitchcock said. ``To me, it's like a baseball pitcher going down to Triple-A, finding it, and then returning to have a heck of a season.'

Elliott is 2-1-0 with a 1.65 GAA in his last three starts versus the Avalanche, though Hitchcock would like to see the offense step up a bit more with the playoffs approaching.

St. Louis has totaled nine non-shootout goals over its last eight games, scoring two or fewer in each. Its scoring woes also were evident in the first meeting with Colorado, as David Jones scored in overtime to give the Avalanche a 1-0 victory Feb. 20.

That marked one of the few bright moments in an otherwise disappointing season for Colorado (14-23-7), which fell 4-1 to Edmonton on Friday. P.A. Parenteau's first-period goal tied the game, but the Avalanche couldn't build off the momentum.

``After we tied it up, it should have been the other way around. We should have been excited, we should have been in the game and we were flat," said Parenteau, who had his team-leading 17th goal. "Story of our year, really. Happened too many times this year. I wish I had the answer. It's tough right now. It's not fun. We've been playing some better hockey, but no life.'

Colorado, though, has played extremely well when St. Louis is in town. The last four wins in the streak at the Pepsi Center over the Blues have been by one goal.

Semyon Varlamov made 20 saves Friday after Jean-Sebastien Giguere started the previous five games, and it's unclear who will be in net for this contest. Varlamov is 4-0-1 with a 1.53 GAA in his career against St. Louis, while Giguere is 2-2-1 with a 3.04 GAA in his last five appearances versus the Blues.