Da Bum's 2014 NHL Playoff Best Bets- News,Stats-Trends !

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, May 21

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Los Angeles - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -150 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Chicago - Under 5 500 *****

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Montreal at NY Rangers
The Rangers head home tonight following a 3-1 win in Game 2 and come into the contest with a 4-0 record in their last 4 games after allowing 2 goals or less in the previous game. New York is the pick (-180) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-180). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

THURSDAY, MAY 22

Game 9-10: Montreal at NY Rangers (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.491; NY Rangers 13.482
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-180); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-180); Under




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, May 22

Rangers outscored Montreal 10-3 in first two series games; with Habs' goalie Price out for the series, it is up to unheralded Tokarski to stop NY team that has four power play goals in last two games, after going nine games without PP goal (0-36) earlier in playoffs. Canadiens won seven of last eleven series games, with losing side scoring zero or one goal in 10 of 11 games. Montreal is 8-5 in playoffs, winning four of six on road. Rangers are 4-3 at home in playoffs, just 27-23 for season; under is 6-3-1 in their last ten games.




NHL

Thursday, May 22

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

8:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. NY RANGERS
Montreal is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Montreal is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
NY Rangers are 6-12 SU in their last 18 games when playing Montreal
NY Rangers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games


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




NHL

Thursday, May 22

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Canadiens at Rangers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers (-172, 5)

Despite seeing his team in a precarious position, Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban dismissed Henrik Lundqvist as "getting a little bit lucky" after the New York Rangers seized a 2-0 advantage in the Eastern Conference final. Subban and the Canadiens will try their luck once again in Game 3 on Thursday as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden. "So I mean, is (Lundqvist) playing well? Yeah, but we’re doing a good job," Subban said. "Some of it is luck, as well. He’s getting a little bit lucky, but that’s what you need in the playoffs."

Call it what you will but the numbers speak for themselves. Lundqvist, who made 40 saves in a 3-1 triumph on Monday, has stopped 162 of 168 shots for a brilliant .964 save percentage and a 1.20 goals-against average during his team's five-game winning streak. Conversely, the Canadiens have endured some back luck since the beginning of the series, most notably Carey Price's knee injury that has sidelined him for the remainder of the conference final.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, RDS

LINE HISTORY: New York opened as low as -170 and jumped to -182 but is being dealt at most shops at -175. The total opened 5 (Over -120) and is steady at that price.

INJURY REPORT: Canadiens: A. Emelin (Ques/Undisclosed), C. Price (Out/Leg). Rangers: D. Brassard (Ques/Undisclosed)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS: Dustin Tokarski will receive another start on Thursday after yielding three goals on 30 shots in his postseason debut in Game 2. While Michel Therrien credited both Tokarski and the returning Alex Galchenyuk for their respective performances on Monday, the coach stopped short when asked about struggling Thomas Vanek. The Austrian, who was relegated to the fourth line in Wednesday's practice, has been held off the scoresheet in three straight games and registered one shot or fewer in nine of 13 contests in the postseason.

ABOUT THE RANGERS: Ryan McDonagh continues to rub salt in the wound of Montreal, which must bristle at the notion of trading away the defenseman to acquire an ineffective Scott Gomez as part of a seven-player deal in 2009. Back to the present, McDonagh collected a goal and three assists in Game 1 before recording one of each on Monday. Rick Nash ended his pronounced postseason slump by joining Martin St. Louis in scoring in each of the first two games of the conference final.

TRENDS:

* Under is 8-1-2 in the last 11 meetings.
* Under is 14-6-2 in the last 22 meetings in New York.
* Road team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.

CONSENSUS: 65 percent of bets are on Rangers while 61 percent are on Over 5.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, May 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Montreal - 8:00 PM ET Montreal +154 500 *****

NY Rangers - Over 5 500 ******

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Chicago at Los Angeles
The Blackhawks look to bounce back from their 6-2 loss in Game 2 as they head to LA tonight where they are 7-2 in their last 9 games versus the Kings. Chicago is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+110). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

SATURDAY, MAY 24

Game 11-12: Chicago at Los Angeles (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.875; Los Angeles 11.776
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+110); Over




NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, May 24

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

CHICAGO (55-24-0-17, 127 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (55-34-0-9, 119 pts.) - 5/24/2014, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 27-27 ATS (-14.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 8-13 ATS (-15.0 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
CHICAGO is 14-24 ATS (-17.1 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 9-19 ATS (-13.5 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 2-7 ATS (-7.4 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
CHICAGO is 8-17 ATS (-12.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO is 6-12 ATS (-8.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
LOS ANGELES is 21-31 ATS (-18.2 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 11-6 (+3.0 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 11-6-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.2 Units)

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




NHL

Saturday, May 24

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

8:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. LOS ANGELES
Chicago is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Los Angeles is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Los Angeles is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chicago

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Saturday, May 24


Bettors backing Chicago in Game 3

After a little break the NHL playoffs resume tonight with Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings and bettors are backing the Blackhawks to take a 2-1 series lead.

At Sportsboook.ag, 70 percent of the cash and 73 percent of bets are on Chicago +105. The action has since pushed the Blackhawks to even money, while the Kings sit at -120.


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

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, May 24

Kings scored five third period goals, first two on power play, to even series 1-1; LA split its six home playoffs games- they've won three of last four games overall. Blackhawks beat Los Angeles 4-1 in LY's playoffs; they're won ten of last 13 games vs Kings, winning three of last four visits here. LA is 28-19 at home this season, 3-3 in playoffs; Chicago won nine of last twelve games since getting down 2-0 in first round to St Louis; they're 26-21 on road this year, 2-4 in playoffs- they scored four goals in last three playoff games.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blackhawks (46-21) at Kings (46-28)

Date: May 24, 2014 8:00 PM EDT


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Corey Crawford and Jonathan Quick both realize that even a Stanley Cup ring doesn't protect a goalie from criticism after a bad game.

Crawford and Quick also don't seem to care, and perhaps that's why they're still chasing a second championship.

The NHL's last two Cup-winning goalies meet again when the Los Angeles Kings host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night at Staples Center.

Crawford realizes he's under a spotlight after the Blackhawks allowed six goals in the final 22 minutes of Game 2 while the Kings dramatically evened the series. Crawford was in net for five of them, matching his worst goals-against total of the season.

But Crawford has shrugged off criticism for his entire career with the Blackhawks, and one bad playoff game isn't about to bother him. After two days off, he's confident the defending champions can get back on top of their formidable game on the road.

'We've said a million times, not everything is going to go your way all the time,' Crawford said Friday after practice at Staples Center. 'So we've got to keep playing hard, keep playing the way you can.'

Crawford acknowledged feeling personal disappointment 'maybe a little bit after the game, but there's things I could fix easily. There was a couple of mistakes in my game. You look over it with the goalie coach and try to adjust what I did wrong.'

The Blackhawks can't understand why doubt still exists about their goalie's credentials, but they realize it's out there. They're more focused on their own play in front of Crawford after Los Angeles embarrassed them.

'He comes back strong after every game,' said Patrick Kane, who beat out Crawford for the Conn Smythe Trophy last summer. 'He's a great goaltender. A lot of us in here feel he's the best in the league.'

He has also been accountable. When the Blackhawks gave away two late leads during overtime defeats in their first two playoff games against St. Louis last month, Crawford attempted to take the blame, and he bounced back with nine wins in his next 11 starts.

'I think every year, he has matured in different ways,' Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. 'I just think he's gotten better and better in how to approach a goal that he feels he could have had, (or) a tough loss. I think he has handled all situations. Whether it's a big win or coming off the last game, he moves forward in the proper fashion.'

Crawford's save percentage (.926) and goals-against average (2.11) in the current postseason are the best in the Western Conference. They're better than the numbers (.912 and 2.70) posted by Quick, who won the Jennings Trophy for Los Angeles despite an unusual regular season including a seven-week injury absence and an eventful trip to Sochi as the U.S. Olympic team's starting goalie.

Quick betrayed little frustration when the Kings gave up 17 goals in their first three playoff games this spring. He has been largely outstanding since then, which doesn't surprise his teammates.

'Good goalies just park it and move on to the next one,' Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell said.

Los Angeles played mostly solid defense in front of Quick in its first two games in Chicago, particularly against Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. Kane has just one goal in the last seven games - although it was his series-clinching overtime beauty against Minnesota - while Sharp has only two goals in 14 playoff games.

The Kings harbor no illusions about the Blackhawks' motivation after their last loss.

'We have no doubt that (Game 2) hasn't affected them,' Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. 'They're one of the strongest teams mentally in the league.'

The Kings are just 3-3 at Staples Center in the postseason, and the Blackhawks could get a boost from a trip to a road arena where they always play in front of hundreds of red jersey-wearing fans. Game 3 won't decide the series, but two veteran playoff teams realize the stakes during Los Angeles' two home games over Memorial Day weekend.

'They're the defending Stanley Cup champions, and we're well aware of how good a team they are, but also how they're able to battle adversity,' Kings captain Dustin Brown said. 'If we had given up six unanswered goals, we know how we would want to respond to that.'

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, May 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 8:00 PM ET Los Angeles -121 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Los Angeles - Over 5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Saturday, May 24

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackhawks at Kings: What bettors need to know
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago Blackhawks at Los Angeles Kings (-121, 5)

By earning a split in the Windy City, the Los Angeles Kings wrested away home-ice advantage from the reigning Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks. The resilient Kings look to ride the momentum of their five-goal outburst in the third period when the teams reconvene at Staples Center for Game 3 of the Western Conference final on Saturday. Jeff Carter highlighted the offensive display by recording his second career playoff hat trick and adding an assist in Los Angeles' 6-2 triumph over Chicago on Wednesday.

The loss at United Center was the first this postseason for the Blackhawks, who have won three of their last four visits to Staples Center - including a split in last season's conference final. "We have to go out there and win a game in L.A., for sure," Ben Smith told the Chicago Sun-Times. "It's something we've done before (and being able to) draw from that experience is nice." Defenseman Nick Leddy, who scored on Wednesday, collected a goal and an assist as the Blackhawks posted a 5-3 triumph over the Kings in the teams' lone regular-season meeting in Los Angeles on Feb. 3.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, TSN, RDS

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: Despite Wednesday's lopsided final result, coach Joel Quenneville refused to hang his head at the team's predicament. "We've been in some tough sports," Quenneville said. "Look at last year - down 2-1 to Boston (in the Stanley Cup final), down 3-1 to Detroit (in the second round), down 2-0 to St. Louis (in this year's first round) and 2-2 in the Minnesota series - there's a lot of hockey left in this series." Chicago has scored a power-play goal in three of its last four contests, although it yielded a pair after killing off 44-of-48 short-handed situations entering Game 3.

ABOUT THE KINGS: Carter's young linemates also are enjoying strong series as Tyler Toffoli has scored in each contest while rookie Tanner Pearson has notched three assists. The trio combined on a backbreaking goal that gave Los Angeles a 4-2 lead as the Chicago players appeared uncertain if the puck had sailed into the netting. "I don't think they knew where it was," Pearson said. "So I saw it, I knew (Toffoli) would be in the slot somewhere, so I just passed it out there and fortunately he was there and put it in."

TRENDS:

* Blackhawks are 7-2 in the last nine meetings in Los Angeles.
* Blackhawks are 20-7 in the last 27 meetings.
* Home team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
* Under is 16-7-3 in the last 26 meetings.

OVERTIME:

1. Los Angeles' Dean Lombardi joined Montreal's Marc Bergevin and Anaheim's Bob Murray as finalists for the NHL General Manager of the Year Award, the league announced on Friday.

2. Chicago expects to see the return of C Andrew Shaw, who has been sidelined for the last seven games. He suffered a leg injury when he was on the receiving end of a check from Minnesota D Clayton Stoner during the second-round series.

3. The Kings dominated in the faceoff circle (43-of-70) in Game 2 as Cs Anze Kopitar and Jarret Stoll combined to win 29-of-43 draws.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Sunday, May 25

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

MONTREAL (55-32-0-9, 119 pts.) at NY RANGERS (55-37-0-7, 117 pts.) - 5/25/2014, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 55-41 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games this season.
MONTREAL is 17-11 ATS (+28.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
MONTREAL is 32-23 ATS (+7.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
MONTREAL is 28-20 ATS (+50.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MONTREAL is 18-14 ATS (+34.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 18-21 ATS (-8.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
NY RANGERS are 190-192 ATS (-102.5 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 1-12 ATS (-13.9 Units) when leading in a playoff series over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 0-4 ATS (-6.7 Units) in home games revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
NY RANGERS are 10-15 ATS (-11.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 8-5 (+3.6 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 8-5-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.2 Units)

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




NHL
Short Sheet

Sunday, May 25

Montreal at NY Rangers, 8:05 ET
Montreal: 15-11 SU as a road underdog
NY Rangers: 1-12 SU when leading in a playoff series




NHL

Sunday, May 25

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

8:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. NY RANGERS
Montreal is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
Montreal is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games on the road
NY Rangers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
NY Rangers are 6-13 SU in their last 19 games when playing Montreal

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Montreal at NY Rangers
The Rangers look to bounce back from their 3-2 loss in Game 3 and come into today's contest with a 7-2 record in their last 9 games after scoring 2 goals or less in the previous game. New York is the pick (-175) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-175). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

SUNDAY, MAY 25

Game 13-14: Montreal at NY Rangers (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 12.239; NY Rangers 13.739
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-175); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-175); Under

[StarDust Bum]

OVERALL NHL PICKS:

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

05/24/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail
05/22/14 1-*0-*1 100.00% +*770 Detail
05/21/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1300 Detail
05/19/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*20 Detail
05/18/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1050 Detail
05/17/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*120 Detail
05/16/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*130 Detail
05/14/14 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1400 Detail
05/13/14 0-*4-*0 0.00% -*2395 Detail
05/12/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% 0 Detail
05/11/14 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1100 Detail
05/10/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% +*90 Detail
05/09/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*280 Detail
05/08/14 1-*2-*1 33.33% -*715 Detail
05/07/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*40 Detail
05/06/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% +*60 Detail
05/05/14 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1240 Detail
05/04/14 1-*2-*1 33.33% -*550 Detail
05/03/14 1-*2-*1 33.33% -*640 Detail
05/02/14 1-*2-*1 33.33% -*810 Detail
05/01/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1350 Detail

Totals 24-*37-*5 39.34% -*8520


Sunday, May 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Montreal - 8:00 PM ET Montreal +156 500 *****

NY Rangers - Over 5 500 *****

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Chicago at Los Angeles
The Kings look to go up 3-1 in the series against a Chicago team that is 7-19 in its last 26 road games. Los Angeles is the pick (-130) according to Dunkel, which has the Kings favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-130). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

MONDAY, MAY 26

Game 15-16: Chicago at Los Angeles (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.286; Los Angeles 13.411
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-130); Over




NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, May 26

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

CHICAGO (55-25-0-17, 127 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (56-34-0-9, 121 pts.) - 5/26/2014, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 82-142 ATS (+250.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
CHICAGO is 27-28 ATS (-16.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 4-9 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
CHICAGO is 8-18 ATS (-13.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO is 6-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 11-7 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 11-7-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.9 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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




NHL

Monday, May 26

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

9:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Los Angeles is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Chicago


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




NHL

Monday, May 26

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackhawks at Kings: What bettors need to know
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago Blackhawks at Los Angeles Kings (-128, 5)

Jeff Carter and rookie linemates Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson have made their presence known in the Western Conference final. Dubbed "That '70s line" in reference to the jersey numbers, the trio looks to continue its momentum and push the defending Stanley Cup champions to the brink of elimination when the Los Angeles Kings host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 on Monday. Carter followed up his four-point performance in Game 2 by collecting a goal and two assists as the Kings seized a 2-1 edge in the series with a 4-3 triumph on Saturday.

Carter has scored four goals and set up four others during the conference final, while the 22-year-old Toffoli's third tally in as many games snapped a tie late in the second period on Saturday. Although that line has produced seven goals and eight assists in the series, Chicago captain Jonathan Toews has been his team's primary weapon with three of the club's eight tallies. "There's no time for getting discouraged or getting frustrated," Toews said. "We know we're going to keep pushing for that next level."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN, RDS

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: Patrick Kane was a dominant fixture in last season's playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as a result. After scoring the series-clinching goal against Minnesota in the second round, Kane has been held off the scoresheet in each of the three contests against Los Angeles. Patrick Sharp, who had a team-leading 34 goals in the regular season, dented the scoresheet for the first time in four contests as he tallied with five seconds remaining in Game 3.

ABOUT THE KINGS: Pearson finished with an assist in Game 3 to join Toffoli in extending their respective point streaks to four games. "I think these guys just hate to lose," the 21-year-old Pearson said of the team. "From the experience of the older guys right down to us young guys, everyone wants to chip in and do their part. We don't want to let our teammates down." Winning in the faceoff circles has been a big part of Los Angeles' success, highlighted by Jarret Stoll's 40-for-63 effort in the series.

TRENDS:

* Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
* Home team is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
* Over is 5-2-1 in Blackhawks last eight road games.
* Kings are 4-1 in their last five overall.

OVERTIME:

1. Chicago C Andrew Shaw returned from a seven-game absence due to a leg injury on Saturday but lost all seven of his faceoffs.

2. Carter's offensive outburst has him at 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists), one shy of teammate Anze Kopitar (five goals, 15 assists) for the league lead.

3. The Blackhawks have yielded three power-play goals in their last two contests after allowing four in their previous 13.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blackhawks (46-21) at Kings (46-28)

Date: May 26, 2014 9:00 PM EDT


EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - Darryl Sutter is a hockey coach and a farmer, not always in that order. He is not the type of person to argue about etiquette and unwritten rules.

So while the Kings rested and the Blackhawks went through a light practice Sunday, Sutter and Joel Quenneville left the touchy-feely rhetoric to the coaches in the Eastern Conference finals.

With little separating Chicago and Los Angeles in a series headed to a key Game 4 on Monday night, both coaches believe the West is likely to be won with simple, straightforward execution and effort. The Kings have been slightly better at both in the first three games, but they're not comfortable or complacent.

'We're playing the Stanley Cup champion,' Sutter said. 'If you go into every game thinking it's an elimination game, that's a good way of doing it. That's what we'll do again, and when it's over, it'll be over, and we'll get ready for the next elimination game. It's not as complicated as it seems.'

When the Kings attempt to take a 3-1 series lead at Staples Center, they'll stick to their no-nonsense game plan against the powerful Blackhawks. At its core, the Kings require scoring and defense from all four lines, because Sutter won't mix his forwards or play matchup games against Chicago's top players.

The plan is working splendidly so far against the Blackhawks, who have managed just four 5-on-5 goals in the series' nine periods - just two in the Kings' two victories. Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Bryan Bickell haven't scored a goal against Los Angeles, while Patrick Sharp only got his first with 5 seconds left in Chicago's 4-3 loss in Game 3.

'L.A. is playing pretty well, and we know they have momentum,' said Kane, a minus-3 with no points in the conference finals. 'They're maybe the best team in the league, and have been the best team in the playoffs when they do have the momentum, so we've got to try to get it back from them and sustain it.'

The Blackhawks are trailing 2-1 for the fourth time in their last six playoff series, but the champions have won their last six consecutive playoff series. They see simple solutions to their latest deficit, starting with a commitment to gritty goals and penalty-free defense - but Kane also realizes he must step up soon.

Kane's only goal in the last eight games was his overtime series-clincher against Minnesota, and he has identified two goals for himself in Game 4.

'Demand the puck, and when I do get it, be confident with it,' Kane said. 'Just put it on yourself to play better for your teammates. Try to get the puck in better spots and let my instinct take over.'

The Kings have done a remarkable job limiting Kane, whose famed first step isn't much use when Los Angeles constantly shadows his moves and limits him largely to the perimeter of the offense. Much of the defensive work against Chicago's top line is done by Anze Kopitar, the Selke Trophy finalist and the playoffs' leading scorer with 20 points in 17 games despite managing just one goal in the last 10.

'Kopitar versus Toews, that's clearly a good matchup, but there's also times where it's dictated by what's just happened on the ice,' Sutter said. 'I believe our fourth line should be able to take three or four shifts a game against that line. If they can't, they shouldn't be in the lineup.'

Los Angeles' defensive success also is related to its shockingly effective offensive game in the postseason. The Kings were the lowest-scoring NHL team to make the playoffs this season, but they're the highest-scoring team in the playoffs after another four-goal performance in Game 3 led by dynamic center Jeff Carter, who has 10 points in four games.

The Kings put 18 shots on Corey Crawford in the third period of Game 3, forcing Chicago to play defense instead of trying to tie it. The Blackhawks been in too many tight spots to worry, but their leaders realize it's time to counter the Kings' successes.

'You can't think about what's going to happen in the series too much, but tomorrow is obviously a huge game,' Kane said. 'It gets us right back in the series if we can win it. ... We've had a good track record of coming back in series, so hopefully history can repeat itself and we can do it again, but it's not going to be easy.'

Although the Kings' regulars stayed off the ice Sunday, defenseman Robyn Regehr skated with the reserves. The veteran has missed Los Angeles' last nine games with a knee injury.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, May 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 9:00 PM ET Los Angeles -128 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Los Angeles - Over 5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday, May 27

Game Score Status Pick Amount

NY Rangers - 8:00 PM ET Montreal -106 500

Montreal - Under 5 500