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

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Thursday, April 25

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home dogs bringing huge profits for NHL bettors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Home underdogs have been a hot play for bettors over the last nine days in the NHL. The $100 bettor would be up more than $1,036 when taking the home underdog since April 16.

Home dogs are 12-5 since that date and went 5-0 Tuesday night before a 1-1 record Wednesday. The New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota Wild all cashed in for bettors Tuesday. Tampa Bay paid out as a +102 home pup versus Toronto Wednesday.

Thursday's schedule presents two opportunities for hockey bettors to continue to cash in on home underdogs. New Jersey is a small home pup hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina is a +129 home dog against the New York Rangers.

The Hurricanes came up big as +126 home underdogs in a 4-3 shootout win versus the New York Islanders Tuesday. The Devils also cashed in at plus money at home in their last outing, edging the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 as +115 underdogs Tuesday.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, April 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

NY Islanders 0 0th NY Islanders +119 500 POD # 3
Philadelphia 0 Under 6 500

Ottawa 0 0th Washington -117 500
Washington 0 Over 5 500

NY Rangers 0 0th Carolina +148 500
Carolina 0

Pittsburgh - 7:30 PM ET New Jersey +114 500
New Jersey - Over 5.5 500

Toronto - 7:30 PM ET Toronto -155 500
Florida - Over 5.5 500

Nashville - 7:30 PM ET Detroit -235 500
Detroit - Over 5 500

Tampa Bay - 7:30 PM ET Tampa Bay +207 500
Boston - Over 5.5 500

Montreal - 8:00 PM ET Montreal -107 500
Winnipeg - Under 5.5 500

Calgary - 8:00 PM ET Calgary +206 500 POD # 1
St. Louis - Under 5 500

Columbus - 8:30 PM ET Columbus +108 500 POD # 2
Dallas - Under 5 500

Anaheim - 10:00 PM ET Anaheim +157 500 POD # 4
Vancouver - Under 5 500
__________________

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Islanders (0-0) at Sabres (0-0)

Date: April 26, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


Though the New York Islanders have ensured the end of their playoff drought, they don't exactly appear to be heading into the postseason on a roll.

They'll get once more chance to pick up some momentum Friday night as they finish a five-game road trip against the Buffalo Sabres in both teams' regular-season finale.

New York has fared well recently in Buffalo, winning four of the last five meetings there, including a 4-0 victory Feb. 23.

The Islanders (24-17-6) played excellent hockey for most of the last month, going 11-1-2 from March 24-April 20 to punch their ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. But some may wonder if they're getting complacent with the last two games ending in defeats against non-playoff teams.

New York followed a shootout loss at Carolina on Tuesday with a 2-1 defeat at Philadelphia on Thursday. John Tavares was perhaps the lone positive for the Islanders, scoring his fourth goal in four games and 28th of the season.

Thursday was the first time since March 30 the Islanders failed to record a point.

"We came out flat again," forward Colin McDonald said. "It's just not good enough. We need to be better. It really doesn't matter that we clinched the playoffs. It doesn't really mean anything. We want to be going into the playoffs playing good hockey, so we have one game left to kind of correct it and head into the playoffs with a good feeling."

Though the Sabres (20-21-6) are already guaranteed to miss the playoffs for a second straight season, they've won four of six and are coming off Tuesday's 4-2 victory at Pittsburgh. Buffalo has accounted for two of the defeats by the Eastern Conference's top seed during the Penguins' current 22-3-0 run.

"Obviously we wanted to be in the playoffs, but that's not going to happen. But guys want to make sure they finish strong," coach Ron Rolston said.

The Sabres' power play has clicked well recently, scoring six times on its last 14 chances - a 42.9 percent success rate compared to 14.4 on the season.

Should Ryan Miller start in goal, it would be his 500th career appearance, and speculation has swirled that it could be his last with Buffalo. Miller has one year remaining on his contract but is one of the most enviable assets on a team that may be in rebuilding mode moving forward.

"There's been a lot of could-be last games as a Sabre the last few years," said Miller, whose 2.87 goals-against average is his worst since becoming Buffalo's No. 1 netminder in 2005-06. "I'm just trying to enjoy the moment. I'll approach it the same way I've approached the other 499 - just put the pads on and try to do your best.

"I don't know which way it's going to go, so I'm not going to talk like I'm gone."

Miller stopped 41 shots as Buffalo won the season's first meeting, 3-2 on Feb. 9 on Long Island.

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date: April 26, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Wild looked like they were going to miss the postseason for the fifth straight year following a terrible start to April.

A clutch win over the defending Stanley Cup champions, though, has Minnesota on the verge of returning to the playoffs.

The Wild only need to beat Edmonton at home Friday night or win at Colorado on Saturday to secure a playoff berth, and the Oilers enter this matchup playing even worse than Minnesota this month.

The Wild (25-18-3) lost eight of their first 11 in April, including a couple at home when they dominated most of the night only to lose a critical contest.

On Tuesday, they were able to match Los Angeles' intensity.

The time on the scoreboard was ticking toward zero and the Wild were clinging to a one-goal lead the Kings weren't ready to give up on.

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov signaled to a teammate on the other side he was open, corralled a perfect through-the-slot pass at the far edge of the right circle and wound up for the potential tying shot. Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom lunged to block the puck with the middle of his right leg and smothered it in the crease with help from defenseman Ryan Suter with 11 seconds left.

Almost everyone in the arena exhaled, and the Wild won 2-1 to avoid a third straight loss.

"You just have to stick with it. We talked before: There's going to be ups and downs," captain Mikko Koivu said.

After signing Suter and Zach Parise to mega contracts last summer, this lockout-shortened season took on a playoffs-or-bust vibe. In January and March, the Wild's first postseason appearance since 2008 looked like a mere formality. In February and April, not so much.

They lost 6-1 at San Jose last Thursday and 4-1 at home to Calgary on Sunday, heightening the tension and pressure to the point where a team meeting was held before Monday's practice. The clear-the-air session apparently did some good.

"It's just every game we're trying to do the same things that we're supposed to do, and a lot of that is mental right now getting toward the end of the season," Koivu said. "Your mind has to be in it each and every shift. It's not about effort. It's about making the right plays."

They did that against the Kings.

"The last game could've unraveled us, too, and it didn't. That's how you respond," coach Mike Yeo said.

Minnesota hasn't come undone in its meetings with the Oilers (17-22-7) over the past few seasons. The Wild have won all three matchups this year, outscoring Edmonton 12-6, to improve to 13-2-0 in the series since the start of the 2010-11 season.

Matt Cullen has two goals and two assists against the Oilers this season, while Charlie Coyle and Kyle Brodziak have each scored twice. Backstrom has been in net for all three games, and he's 11-1-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average in his last 12 starts versus Edmonton.

That doesn't bode well for an Oilers team that has totaled two goals during a three-game skid. Edmonton lost 4-1 to Chicago at home on Wednesday night, dropping to 1-9-0 in its last 10.

"The individual errors are just killing us at the moment," said coach Ralph Krueger, whose team finishes the season Saturday with a visit from Vancouver. "We need to be very cognizant about the importance of reacting to this. The results are less important than the way we are playing and executing right now.

"We're being tested right now in the severest of ways with the losing month like this. We should all expect more from each other."

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date: April 26, 2013 8:30 PM EDT


Though the Chicago Blackhawks already secured their first Presidents' Trophy in 22 years, they expect to use the final two regular-season games as a chance to build more momentum heading into the playoffs.

The Blackhawks won't take it easy when they look to continue their home dominance over the Calgary Flames on Friday night.

Chicago (35-6-5) opened this shortened season by earning at least one point in an NHL-record 24 straight games, then remained consistent en route to earning the league's best record and Presidents' Trophy for the first time since 1990-91.

"To have the start to the season that we had and to keep playing consistently is an amazing thing for our team,' said captain Jonathan Toews, who had a goal in Wednesday's 4-1 win at Edmonton. "We've shown a lot of character, we've definitely learned from our mistakes the last few years, and we've grown. I think everyone has matured as players in this locker room.

"We have to use that experience and use that confidence from being the No. 1 team all year and carry it into the playoffs.'

Though the Blackhawks will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, they understand there's plenty of work to be done. The 2008 Detroit Red Wings were the last Presidents' Trophy winner to raise the Stanley Cup. When Chicago recorded the most points in the NHL in 1991, it was upset in the first round by the Minnesota North Stars.

Coach Joel Quenneville and his players are aware of that history and expect to take the same businesslike approach they've had all season into Friday's contest and again Saturday at St. Louis, before shifting the focus to the playoffs.

"I congratulate the guys, they deserve what they got," said Quenneville, whose team is 17-3-3 at home and riding a seven-game point streak (5-0-2) at the United Center.

"Everybody had a hand in it, everybody contributed. It was a real, good team effort across the board. But I don't think we want to get too excited, we have some serious work to do still."

That work continues versus Calgary (19-24-4), which has been outscored 52-23 while dropping 12 straight regular season and playoff games at Chicago.

Toews has been held without a point in three straight games against the Flames, but teammate Patrick Kane has four goals and five assists in his last eight versus Calgary.

Chicago netminder Ray Emery earned victories in both 2013 meetings with the Flames, but is day to day after he apparently re-aggravated a lower-body injury Wednesday.

Corey Crawford, who stopped all 14 shots in relief, is 2-2-0 with a 3.26 goals-against average versus Calgary.

The Flames conclude their fourth straight season without a playoff appearance looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat. Finishing with a four-game trip, Calgary had won three in a row before losing 4-3 at Nashville on Tuesday and 4-1 to playoff-bound St. Louis on Thursday.

"There was a big difference in the two teams (Thursday)," defenseman Chris Butler told the Flames' official website. "You look at the way they played and the way we played and there's a reason why they are where they are in the standings and why we are where we are."

Sven Baertschi scored against the Blues to extend his point streak to seven games (three goals and six assists). The winger's three goals in 20 games this season match his total in five contests as a rookie in 2011-12.

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date: April 26, 2013 10:00 PM EDT


The Phoenix Coyotes are officially eliminated from playoff contention, but they still want to finish the season on a positive note.

Hosting the Western Conference-worst Colorado Avalanche could help the Coyotes do that.

Phoenix will try to win its fifth straight in this series and extend its home point streak over the Avs to 12 on Friday night in its final game at Jobing.com Arena this season.

With Minnesota defeating Los Angeles 2-1 on Tuesday, the Coyotes (20-18-8) were officially knocked out of playoff contention for the first time in four seasons. It was a disappointing result for a club that advanced to its first conference finals a year ago, but that didn't stop the Coyotes from giving their best on Wednesday when they defeated playoff-bound San Jose 2-1.

Captain Shane Doan picked up his first points in eight games by setting up first-period goals by Michael Stone and Keith Yandle.

"I know everybody's disappointed and that room is as disappointed as everybody else, but I know the leadership that Shane Doan has and he's not going to let this team back off," said coach Dave Tippett, whose team closes at Anaheim on Saturday.

"I wasn't worried about our commitment to playing hard tonight or whether we were going to go through the motions.'

Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith plans on giving it his all the final two games.

"... we don't like to be in the situation we're in, but there's two ways to look at it: go out there and feel sorry for yourself and just get through a game or you could show some pride and play like we did tonight," he said.

"It was a nice way to get a win.'

Having Smith in net could help the Coyotes extend their 9-0-2 run at home against the Avs (15-24-7). After making a season-high 41 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory in Denver on Feb. 11, Smith returned from a six-game injury absence on April 6 to make 24 saves in a 4-0 home win. He is 8-1-1 with a 1.41 goals-against average against the Avs, and the Coyotes have won four straight at home in this series.

That doesn't bode well for an Avalanche team that's a league-worst 3-16-4 on the road. Colorado, loser of 16 of 17 outside Denver following Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at St. Louis, will miss the playoffs for a third straight season, but it will likely avoid finishing with the league's worst record. Florida would have to win its final two games and the Avs lose their last two in regulation in order for Colorado to have the best odds of securing the first overall pick in Monday's draft lottery.

Avs left wing Cody McLeod probably wishes this season wasn't coming to an end. Five of his eight goals have come in the last five games, and he has a chance to find the back of the net in a career-best three straight.

"I got bumped up to (Ryan) O'Reilly's line,' McLeod said, explaining his recent surge. "I guess you're going to get more chances playing with them, and I've just been going to the net and kind of getting rewarded.'

Doan, who has team bests with three goals and five points in the season series, has 12 points in his last 10 home games versus Colorado.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, April 26

Hot teams
-- Sabres are 7-4 in their last eleven games.
-- Blackhawks won eight of their last ten games.

Cold teams
-- Islanders lost last two games, after winning 11 of previous 14.
-- Oilers lost nine of their last ten games. Minnesota lost eight of last 12.
-- Flames lost their last two games 4-3/4-1.
-- Colorado lost 17 of its last 22 games. Coyotes are 3-5 in their last eight.

Totals
-- Four of last five Islander games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Edmonton games.
-- Last three Calgary-Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-0-2 in last nine Phoenix games.

Series records
-- Islanders lost three of last four games with Buffalo.
-- Minnesota won 13 of its last 15 games with Edmonton.
-- Blackhawks won five of last seven games with Calgary.
-- Coyotes won ten of last twelve games with Colorado.

Back-to-backs
-- Islanders are 1-5 if they played the night before.
-- Flames are 0-4 on the road if they played the night before.




NHL

Friday, April 26

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. BUFFALO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing Buffalo
NY Islanders are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Buffalo's last 12 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Buffalo is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. MINNESOTA
Edmonton is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
Edmonton is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing Edmonton

8:30 PM
CALGARY vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Calgary is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
Chicago is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games

10:00 PM
COLORADO vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games
Phoenix is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Colorado
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, April 26

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

NY ISLANDERS (24-16-0-6, 54 pts.) at BUFFALO (20-21-0-6, 46 pts.) - 4/26/2013, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 6-4 (+3.8 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 6-4-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.8 Units)

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

EDMONTON (17-22-0-7, 41 pts.) at MINNESOTA (25-18-0-3, 53 pts.) - 4/26/2013, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 13-2 (+10.7 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 13-2-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.4 Units)

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

CALGARY (19-23-0-4, 42 pts.) at CHICAGO (35-6-0-5, 75 pts.) - 4/26/2013, 8:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-4 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-4-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

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

COLORADO (15-24-0-7, 37 pts.) at PHOENIX (20-18-0-8, 48 pts.) - 4/26/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 15-31 ATS (+52.5 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 15-31 ATS (+52.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
COLORADO is 2-11 ATS (+17.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHOENIX is 15-7 ATS (+5.8 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 68-70 ATS (-51.5 Units) in home games 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 8-2 (+4.8 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 8-2-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

Friday, April 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

NY Islanders - 7:00 PM ET Buffalo -104 500
Buffalo - Under 5.5 500

Edmonton - 8:00 PM ET Edmonton +210 500 POD # 3
Minnesota - Over 5 500

Calgary - 8:30 PM ET Calgary +225 500 POD # 2
Chicago - Under 5.5 500

Colorado - 10:00 PM ET Colorado +147 500 POD # 1
Phoenix - Under 5.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date: April 27, 2013 3:00 PM EDT


The New York Rangers eliminated the New Jersey Devils from playoff contention in their last meeting nearly a week ago. While the Devils can't exact that kind of revenge Saturday, they do have the chance to play a role in whether the Rangers get a more favorable first-round matchup.

A game after clinching a playoff spot with a late comeback, plenty will still be unsettled for the Rangers when they take on the Devils at Madison Square Garden in their season finale.

New York (25-18-4) guaranteed its up-and-down season would extend past this weekend with a 4-3 overtime victory over Carolina on Thursday. The Rangers blew a 2-0 lead and trailed before Brad Richards scored with 2:57 left in regulation on a shot that hit the boards behind the net and went in off goaltender Dan Ellis.

Captain Ryan Callahan then scored on New York's only shot of OT, settling off a celebration of his team's third straight playoff berth.

" ... now we're in the playoffs and that's all that matters," Callahan said. "It's a new season now. We take these last two weeks where we've been playing good hockey into the playoffs, and we'll be a dangerous team."

Due to the tightly bunched postseason picture, the Rangers might not have any idea of where they'll finish or who they'll play until the end of the weekend, as they could end up anywhere from sixth through eighth.

The only thing the Rangers can control is the result of their finale, and it might benefit them significantly to not let up. An eighth-place finish means a first-round matchup with high-powered Pittsburgh, which won the season series 4-1-0.

Though numerous scenarios abound, New York can guarantee avoiding the Penguins with a point against the Devils.

For that reason, Henrik Lundqvist could make his 14th straight start rather than getting a game off before the postseason.

"We have one more game and it can still change a lot of things here going into the playoffs, so let's focus on that game," said a smiling Lundqvist, 9-3-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average in the past 13. "I still think it's an important game for us and then we're gonna start thinking about what's ahead, but Saturday first."

Despite their poor season, the Devils may be motivated to defeat the Rangers after last Sunday, when a 4-1 loss to New York knocked the defending Eastern Conference champions from contention. New Jersey (19-18-10) has also been playing well, winning four of five.

The Devils beat Pittsburgh 3-2 on Thursday in their home finale, and they'll now try to avoid a third consecutive loss to the Rangers.

"It's too bad (Saturday's) game is not going to mean anything," said forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who has points in his last four overall and one goal and four assists in his past five versus New York. "It would have been more fun if the game meant something, but I think it's great for the league that (the Rangers) are in because they are a franchise with a lot of history.

"They have good players and deserve to be in. We're just going in there to try our best to win the last game."

One negative that came out of Thursday's game for New York was an apparent leg injury to forward Ryane Clowe, who had to be helped off the ice and did not return. His status is uncertain.

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date: April 27, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


The Tampa Bay Lightning have long been out of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos are still in a race of their own.

Either one could win the Art Ross Trophy in the season finale Saturday night when the Lightning try to extend their point streak over the league-worst Florida Panthers to nine.

The Lightning (18-25-4) will miss the playoffs for the second straight season despite a 6-1-0 start that was Tampa Bay's best since 2003-04. The club's fortunes went downhill quickly after that, eventually costing Guy Boucher his job late last month.

With everything that's gone wrong with the team of current coach Jon Cooper - Tampa Bay lost 2-0 to Boston on Thursday in its latest contest - the solid play of St. Louis and Stamkos has been a constant. With his seventh career hat trick in a 5-2 win over Toronto on Wednesday, St. Louis improved his league-best point total to 58.

Stamkos, who has 29 goals and trails Washington's Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead with 32, could prevent St. Louis from winning his first scoring title since 2004 - the only time a Lightning player has won the Art Ross Trophy. Stamkos is tied with injured Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby with 56 points, while Chicago's Patrick Kane and Ovechkin are also in the mix for the trophy.

Stamkos had an eight-game goal streak before being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 shootout home loss to Florida (14-27-6) on April 2. St. Louis' seven-game point streak in this series also ended that night as the Panthers' season-best third straight victory ended an 0-4-3 slide against Tampa Bay.

Florida, though, has dropped a season-high five straight on the road since that matchup. The club clinched the worst record in the league with a 4-0 home loss to Toronto on Thursday.

"That stinks, when you're at the bottom of the pile,' coach Kevin Dineen said. "But that is the brutal reality of our situation and it's something we have to sit on for four months. ... I think it's going to be a long summer.'

The Panthers will have the best chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick when the draft lottery takes place Monday. Jonathan Huberdeau, the team's third overall pick in 2011, has been one of the few bright spots for Florida this season and has a chance to become the first Panther to win the Calder Trophy.

Huberdeau is tied for second on the club with 14 goals and is in a tight race for the rookie scoring title.

Lightning rookie center Alex Killorn has two goals and two assists in three games versus Florida.

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date: April 27, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


The Washington Capitals knocked the Boston Bruins out of last year's playoffs, and now they have a chance to put a dent in their chances for a Northeast Division title.

Washington looks to head into the postseason on a high note Saturday night when they host a Boston team seeking consistency down the stretch.

The Capitals (26-18-3) wrapped up their fifth Southeast Division championship in six years with Tuesday's 5-3 win over Winnipeg and will be the No. 3 seed when the Eastern Conference playoffs begin next week.

Coach Adam Oates didn't discount the fact his team may have played more relaxed in a 2-1 overtime loss to Ottawa on Thursday, though he's confident the players will be ready for the regular-season finale.

"You want to bring your 'A' game because the game is still very fast," Oates said. "You don't want anyone to get hurt because you're not checked into the game as much as you should be. You don't want to let your game slide."

Alex Ovechkin scored his NHL-leading 32nd goal and is in position to win his third Maurice Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer. He won his previous two in 2007-08 and 2008-09, the same seasons he was awarded the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP.

Though all that's left for the Capitals is who they will play in the postseason, Ovechkin is hoping for a strong finish.

"Right now I think everyone is trying to play safe to not get hurt," Ovechkin said. "But at the same time we have to play better."

Ovechkin had two goals and three assists in Washington's seven-game playoff victory over the Bruins in last year's playoffs, and a victory Saturday could hurt Boston's chances for its third straight Northeast title.

The Bruins (28-13-5) are tied with Montreal atop the division, though they have one game in hand and will finish their season Sunday at home against Ottawa in a game rescheduled from April 15 due to the Boston Marathon bombings.

They haven't played extremely well of late, having lost five of six prior to Thursday's 2-0 victory over Tampa Bay. Coach Claude Julien was pleased with the way his team responded following a 5-2 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday.

"I'm not looking for perfection," Julien said. "I'm looking for reaction."

Tuukka Rask made 30 saves for his fifth shutout of the season and second in as many starts.

``At the end of the day, a goaltender plays a big role in your success," Julien said. ``You need a guy to stand tall and be good, and you need a guy that goes into the playoffs with confidence and hopefully that's what Tuukka's creating here.'

Division title or not, Boston still is in good position to have home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

"We have a game Saturday and Sunday, and we can't take a step back right now," Rask said. "We have to move forward and keep going."

Boston led 3-0 after the first period, but Washington scored four unanswered goals - including Eric Fehr's tally in overtime - as the Capitals picked up the win March 5. Braden Holtby made 30 saves in his only regular-season career start versus the Bruins after ousting them in the first round last spring.

Milan Lucic had three assists in Boston's 4-1 win over Washington on March 16, ending the Capitals' three-game regular-season winning streak in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Flyers (0-0) at Senators (0-0)

Date: April 27, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


The Ottawa Senators could finish as high as fifth in the Eastern Conference or as low as eighth, but they're just happy being in the playoffs.

Having reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson back is nice, too.

Ottawa will try to avoid a season-high third straight home loss Saturday night against a Philadelphia Flyers team that's closing out a non-playoff season on a surge.

Back after missing 31 games with a lacerated Achilles' tendon, Karlsson set up two goals - one of them Sergei Gonchar's winner - in a 2-1 overtime victory at Washington on Thursday. That helped the Senators (24-16-6) clinch a playoff berth and move into sixth in the East.

Should Ottawa finish in that spot, it would open against the Capitals. The Senators, though, could also overtake fifth-place Toronto or get passed by the New York Rangers and Islanders.

"This is what you fight for all year - to get into the playoffs,' captain Daniel Alfredsson said. "No matter who you play, it's going to be a tough series. Everybody poses different challenges, and I think we're the same way: We pose different challenges to other teams.'

The Senators are a much more dangerous team with Karlsson on the ice. Expected to be sidelined up to six months after Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke stepped on the back of his leg Feb. 13, the defenseman played a game-high 27-plus minutes Thursday as the Senators improved to 5-2-0 since a season-worst five-game losing streak. That slide ended with a 3-1 win at Philadelphia on April 11.

"I would have been happy if I sat in the stands and we would have won this game, as well, I think, and that's the main goal,' Karlsson said. "I'm going to have to work on my stuff, and as long as this team keeps winning, I'm going to be happy.'

The Flyers (22-22-3) appear to be playing mad after missing the postseason, winning three straight and five of six. They've outscored opponents 23-11 in the five victories.

"What's the point? There's no difference (if we win Saturday),' said Ilya Bryzgalov, who finished with 21 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Islanders on Thursday. "We are not going to make the playoffs. It doesn't matter whether you're two games below or two games above .500. It's pointless.

"Of course, it's nice to win the games, but at the end of the day it doesn't change anything.'

There could be a number of changes made in the offseason, though, as coach Peter Laviolette's return for a fifth season is in doubt. Veteran center Danny Briere could also be playing his last game in a Flyers sweater.

"It wouldn't be right for me to start commenting on that at this point,' Briere said. "I have a job to do. I have one more game to play."

Briere scored just his sixth goal of the season Thursday.

The Senators are seeking a 12th victory in Philadelphia's last 14 visits. Ottawa plays at Boston in Sunday's regular-season finale, a game rescheduled from April 15 due to the Boston Marathon bombings.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Red Wings (0-0) at Stars (0-0)

Date: April 27, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


The Detroit Red Wings find themselves in an unfamiliar situation as their bid to extend a 21-year playoff streak comes down to the regular-season finale.

It's a position the eliminated Dallas Stars definitely envy, though.

Detroit looks to clinch yet another Western Conference postseason berth by earning a point on the road Saturday night against a Dallas team hoping to play spoiler.

The Red Wings (23-16-8) were expected to have a difficult journey to the playoffs after seven-time Norris Trophy winner and longtime captain Nicklas Lidstrom, along with forward Tomas Holmstrom, retired during the offseason.

Veterans Pavel Datsyuk, new captain Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen have led Detroit as its top three scorers, but the club is clinging to one of the final playoff spots as the lockout-shortened season comes to a close.

The Red Wings helped their chances of extending the playoff streak by beating Nashville 5-2 on Thursday for their third straight win, as Datsyuk and Franzen scored and Zetterberg added two assists.

They will guarantee a postseason spot by earning at least one point versus Dallas.

``We just have to make sure we get in the playoffs and hope we keep playing well. That's the plan,' said center Valtteri Filppula, who scored his 100th goal Thursday. ``Now we'll just wait and see what happens.'

Zetterberg has seven assists during the winning streak and Datsyuk has two goals and three assists over the last two. If Detroit does qualify for the postseason, it will finish with its worst seed since the current playoff format was instituted in 1993-94.

"It's nice to get the two points, now just have to move on to the last game," Zetterberg said.

All Dallas has to play for is a chance to keep the Red Wings out of the playoffs, as it will miss the postseason for a fifth straight season.

The Stars (22-21-4) put up a fight down the stretch despite the team having traded Brenden Morrow, Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy prior to the deadline, but they've lost four straight to eliminate them from contention.

``It hasn't really sunk in yet, I don't think,' said Kari Lehtonen, who made 32 saves in a 3-1 defeat to Columbus on Thursday. ``It feels bad right now and I'm sure it feels even worse tomorrow.'

Defenseman Stephane Robidas was with the Stars for their last playoff appearance in 2008, when they lost in six games to Detroit in the conference finals.

"It's another tough one for me to swallow," Robidas said. "It's been a long time since I've had the chance to get in the playoffs. The good news, I guess you've got to look at the positives, a lot of guys fought until the end. A lot of people thought we were done after the deadline and we kind of made it until this game, we still had a chance to make it."

Lehtonen, who has a 3.00 goals-against average during Dallas' skid, made 39 saves in a 2-1 win over Detroit on Jan. 22 that ended a four-game skid in the series. Filppula scored twice and Zetterberg added a goal and an assist in the Red Wings' 4-1 victory Jan. 29.

Jimmy Howard has gone 4-1-1 with a 1.16 GAA in his last six starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Canadiens (0-0) at Maple Leafs (0-0)

Date: April 27, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


The Montreal Canadiens are still in contention for the Northeast Division title. Even if they can't secure it, they'll open their first playoff series in two years at home.

It could be against the Toronto Maple Leafs, whom they haven't met in the postseason since 1979.

Montreal will try to keep pace in the division race Saturday night when the host Maple Leafs try to lock up the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Canadiens (28-14-5) guaranteed they'll play at least one round in Montreal with a 4-2 victory over Winnipeg on Thursday.

"It's huge. Home ice is really big in the playoffs," captain Brian Gionta said.

Montreal would like to have a better chance for additional rounds to be played on its home ice as it seeks its first division title since 2007-08, which would give it the second seed. The Canadiens and Boston are tied atop the Northeast with 61 points, but the Bruins have a game in hand.

If the Canadiens lose in regulation Saturday and Boston picks up one point at Washington, Montreal will be the No. 4 seed.

That could set up a first-round matchup with Toronto (26-16-5), a storied rivalry during the Original Six days of the NHL that's been on hiatus. The Maple Leafs need one point to ensure they don't drop to the sixth spot.

"Can't wait. We've been away from the city for almost too long,' said center Nazem Kadri, who set up both of Phil Kessel's goals Thursday as Toronto capped a 2-1-0 trip with a 4-0 victory over Florida. "It was nice to get up here and kind of throw our feet up a little bit and get two points out of it, but I'm ready to go back and handle our business on Saturday.'

The Maple Leafs have been taking care of home ice, winning seven of nine there including a 5-1 victory over Montreal on April 13.

Toronto scored four times on its first five shots in that contest en route to ending a three-game home losing streak in the series.

That defeat began a 2-5-0 stretch for Montreal and falling behind early has become a disturbing trend. The Canadiens have trailed by at least two in the first period of each of their last five losses.

"Based on what happened the last game (April 13), we want to make sure we come out and have a strong start," Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban told the team's official website.

Montreal will need to tightly check Kessel, who has nine of his team-best 19 goals in the last nine contests. Kessel has posted team highs of five assists and seven points as Toronto has taken three of four from Montreal this season.

Kessel was joined Thursday on a line by Kadri for the first time due to Tyler Bozak getting the night off, but it could be a sign of things to come.

"I've always wanted to play with Phil just because he's a world-class player,' Kadri said. "I want to make myself better by playing with those types of guys. He really opens the ice out there for you."

Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty scored his team-leading 15th goal Thursday. He can match a career-high seven-game point streak and set a personal best with goals in four consecutive games Saturday.

Pacioretty scored twice in Montreal's first visit to Toronto this season, a 5-2 victory Feb. 27.