Cnotes 2014 NHL Playoff Best Bets- News,Stats-Trends !

[CNOTES]

2014 Playoff Results

May 29, 2014

Betting Results

Conference Finals
Wager Results
Favorites-Underdogs 7-3
Home-Away 6-4
Puck-Line Favorites 4-3
Over-Under 6-2-2


Eastern Conference Finals

Key: A (Atlantic) M (Metropolitan) W (Wild Card)

(M2) N.Y. Rangers vs. (A3) Montreal
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 N.Y. Rangers (+105) at Montreal 7-2 Underdog Over (5)
2 N.Y. Rangers (-110) at Montreal 3-1 Favorite Under (5)
3 Montreal (+150) at N.Y. Rangers 3-2 (OT) Underdog Push (5)
4 Montreal at N.Y. Rangers (-175) 3-2 (OT) Favorite Push (5)
5 N.Y. Rangers at Montreal (-110) 7-4 Favorite Over (5)
6 Montreal at N.Y. Rangers - - -
7 N.Y. Rangers at Montreal - - -



Western Conference Finals

Key: C (Central) P (Pacific) W (Wild Card)

(C3) Chicago vs. (P3) Los Angeles
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Los Angeles at Chicago (-160) 3-1 Favorite Under (5)
2 Los Angeles (+135) at Chicago 6-2 Underdog Over (5)
3 Chicago at Los Angeles (-125) 4-3 Favorite Over (5)
4 Chicago at Los Angeles (-125) 5-2 Favorite Over (5)
5 Los Angeles at Chicago (-150) 5-4 (2OT) Favorite Over (5)
6 Chicago at Los Angeles - - -
7 Los Angeles at Chicago - - -

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday, May 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Montreal - 8:00 PM ET Montreal +155 500 *****

NY Rangers - Over 5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, May 30

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CHICAGO (56-26-0-17, 129 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (57-34-0-10, 124 pts.) - 5/30/2014, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 82-143 ATS (+251.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
CHICAGO is 28-29 ATS (-16.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 4-10 ATS (-8.8 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
CHICAGO is 8-19 ATS (-14.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO is 6-14 ATS (-10.3 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 12-8 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 12-8-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
10 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.2 Units)

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NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, May 30

Kings didn't score for last 48:46 of Game 5, after scoring 18 goals in previous nine periods, with five power play goals; they're 5-3 at home in playoffs, winning last three, can end series here; LA won five of last seven games overall. Chicago is just 2-6 on road in playoffs; four of the eight games went to OT- they're 11-5 in last 16 games vs Kings but lost three of last four games. Kings are 30-19 overall at home this year; over is 11-5-4 in Los Angeles playoff games this spring. Chicago is 26-23 on road overall this season.




NHL

Friday, May 30

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


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NHL

Friday, May 30

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Blackhawks at Kings: What bettors need to know
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Chicago Blackhawks at Los Angeles Kings (-127, 5)

After traveling a long and windy road to stave off elimination, the Chicago Blackhawks need to repeat the feat in Game 6 of the Western Conference final on Friday to keep alive their quest for back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. Veteran Michal Handzus burned his former team by scoring 2:04 into double overtime as Chicago snapped a three-game losing skid with a 5-4 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. "You see the momentum in this series, how it can shift," Patrick Kane said following his mammoth four-assist performance. "L.A.'s had a lot of it. I think it's our turn now to hold on to it and keep that momentum."

Chicago has struggled with packing momentum into a suitcase, winning just two of eight road games in the postseason. The Blackhawks dropped both contests at Staples Center in the series, losing a 4-3 decision in Game 3 before suffering a 5-2 setback two days later. "They're still do-or-die; we're still one win away from moving on," Los Angeles rookie Tanner Pearson said. "So I think it's going to be the same attitude going in. Hopefully, we come out with a victory."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, RDS

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: After securing just one point in the first four contests, Kane adapted well as coach Joel Quenneville shuffled up his line with his team facing elimination. The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner was paired with Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw in Game 5, and trio combined for nine points (one goal, eight assists). "I thought Saad and Shaw were effective (in Game 4) - Kane can add to the mix," Quenneville said. "They had a good couple of periods there, generated some zone time and chances and scored a nice goal."

ABOUT THE KINGS: Anze Kopitar recorded his league-leading 23rd point by notching an assist on Marian Gaborik's NHL-best 11th goal during the first period on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Slovenian has recorded at least one point in 16 of 19 games in the playoffs. As for Gaborik, his goal total trails only Hall-of-Famers Wayne Gretzky (15, 1993) and Luc Robitaille (12, 1991) for the most in franchise postseason history.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Home team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Over is 6-2-1 in Blackhawks last nine road games.

OVERTIME:

1. Chicago has scored just one power-play goal on the road in 24 opportunities during the postseason.

2. Kings C Jeff Carter notched an assist on Pearson's goal midway through the second period on Wednesday. Both players are riding six-game point streaks.

3. Kane's four-assist effort was the team's first in a playoff contest since Steve Larmer in 1990.

 

[CNOTES]

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

Date: May 30, 2014 9:00 PM EDT


EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - Drew Doughty had just played more than 39 minutes in a double-overtime playoff game, and he still couldn't sleep on the Kings' flight back to Los Angeles.

The Western Conference finals have ascended to a new level of tension after the Blackhawks dodged Los Angeles' first attempt to eliminate them. Chicago trimmed its series deficit to 3-2 in an extra-time thriller in Game 5, while the Kings got a sleepless trip home.

Los Angeles gets another chance to advance in Game 6 on Friday night. While the Kings have been incredible in elimination games this spring, Doughty realizes they can't sleep on the opportunity before them at Staples Center.

'We know we can't let it go to a Game 7,' Doughty said Thursday at the Kings' training complex. 'No matter what, this game has to be ours. It's so important for us to advance to the Stanley Cup Final that we win this game. If we give them this game, they're going to have so much more life, and they're going to be a different team. We need to take that and deal with it.'

Doughty's fellow Kings largely agreed with the star defenseman's pointed declarations as they recovered from their worst defensive performance in 16 games. Jonathan Quick and the NHL's best defensive team gave up five goals to the Blackhawks, who survived despite Corey Crawford's fourth straight unimpressive effort in Chicago's net.

Los Angeles, which blew a lead heading to the third period for the first time this spring, has mostly downplayed the notion of payback for last season's conference finals loss to Chicago. But Doughty thinks it should be on the Kings' minds before what might be the defining game of their season.

'They know how to win,' Doughty said. 'We also know that they took our Cup back from us last year, so now it's our turn. We want to eliminate this team. They eliminated us last year, and it's our turn to return the favor. We need to go into Staples believing that we can eliminate this team, and do just that.'

While Doughty attempts to keep the Kings focused on Game 6, the Blackhawks intend to remember what got them off the canvas in Game 5 after the previous seven periods of the series were largely dominated by Los Angeles.

Before Game 5, the Blackhawks curiously insisted all the pressure in the series rested on the Kings, not the team facing three straight elimination games. Whether the facile psychological ploy helped or not, the champions still seem to think Los Angeles is the team in trouble.

'We want to stay with the mentality that we're putting all the pressure on them,' Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said before the club's flight to the West Coast. 'It's going to be tough for them to close it out and win that fourth game against us.'

But the road has been tough on the Blackhawks, who are just 2-6 away from home in the postseason. Chicago was outscored 9-5 and beaten convincingly twice at Staples Center in this series, showing little of the offensive potency that got them to this point.

Coach Joel Quenneville made another round of lineup adjustments to spark his team, and the Blackhawks had immediate success teaming Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Andrew Shaw on a new line for Game 5. Kane, a ghost for much of the series, contributed four assists.

'We have our backs against the wall here and face elimination, but we're staying relaxed,' said Saad, who had three points. 'We've been through it before, and it definitely helps. We've had success on the road before, and L.A. is definitely tough, but we're not going to let that end the season. We can't make any excuses whether we're playing at home or away.'

The Kings spent much of the past month avoiding playoff elimination, already winning six games with their season in the balance, so they can appreciate the Blackhawks' resilience. Chicago produced a three-goal first period and a third-period tying goal before Michal Handzus' overtime winner capped one of the most entertaining NHL postseason games in recent history.

Back home for Game 6, the Kings want their own defining victory.

'I think for the fans, it was unbelievable to watch,' said Marian Gaborik, who scored his 11th goal of a spectacular postseason. 'But for us, it wasn't the type of game we want to play. You know, trade chances, trade odd-man rushes.

'I think we're going to have a lot of energy (in Game 6). If we win, we can be in the Stanley Cup Final. That itself should give you plenty of energy.'

 

[CNOTES]

2014 Playoff Results

May 30, 2014

Betting Results

Conference Finals
Wager Results
Favorites-Underdogs 8-3
Home-Away 7-4
Puck-Line Favorites 4-4
Over-Under 6-3-2


Eastern Conference Finals

Key: A (Atlantic) M (Metropolitan) W (Wild Card)

(M2) N.Y. Rangers vs. (A3) Montreal (Rangers win 4-2)
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 N.Y. Rangers (+105) at Montreal 7-2 Underdog Over (5)
2 N.Y. Rangers (-110) at Montreal 3-1 Favorite Under (5)
3 Montreal (+150) at N.Y. Rangers 3-2 (OT) Underdog Push (5)
4 Montreal at N.Y. Rangers (-175) 3-2 (OT) Favorite Push (5)
5 N.Y. Rangers at Montreal (-110) 7-4 Favorite Over (5)
6 Montreal at N.Y. Rangers (-165) 1-0 Favorite Under (5)


Western Conference Finals

Key: C (Central) P (Pacific) W (Wild Card)

(C3) Chicago vs. (P3) Los Angeles
Game Matchup Score Favorite-Underdog Over-Under
1 Los Angeles at Chicago (-160) 3-1 Favorite Under (5)
2 Los Angeles (+135) at Chicago 6-2 Underdog Over (5)
3 Chicago at Los Angeles (-125) 4-3 Favorite Over (5)
4 Chicago at Los Angeles (-125) 5-2 Favorite Over (5)
5 Los Angeles at Chicago (-150) 5-4 (2OT) Favorite Over (5)
6 Chicago at Los Angeles - - -
7 Los Angeles at Chicago - - -

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Friday, May 30


Rangers +110 to win Cup after eliminating Habs

The New York Rangers are now listed at +120 to hoist the Stanley Cup above their heads for the first time since 1994 after their 1-0 Game 6 victory that sent the Montreal Canadiens home for the season Thursday night.

The Rangers were the first team to book their ticket to the Cup Finals, but still aren't the favorite according to Sportsbook.ag.

The Los Angeles Kings are still listed as the favorites at win the Stanley Cup at +110. The Kings lead the Western Conference Final 3 games to 2 over the Chicago Blackhawks (+475 to win the Cup), with Game 6 to be played in Los Angeles Friday night.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Chicago at Los Angeles
The Blackhawks look to follow up their 5-4 win in Game 5 as they face a Kings team that is 1-5 in its last 6 games when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in the previous game. Chicago is the pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+115). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

FRIDAY, MAY 30

Game 23-24: Chicago at Los Angeles (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 13.559; Los Angeles 12.138
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+115); Over

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Friday, May 30

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 9:00 PM ET Los Angeles -127 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Los Angeles - Over 5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Saturday, May 31


Blackhawks force a Game 7 versus the Kings

There is no quit in this team.

The defending Stanley Cup champions proved that once again when they traveled to the hostile environs of Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday night and skated away with a scintillating 4-3 victory over the Kings in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals.

The triumph was the Hawks' second consecutive in the series when facing elimination and tied the best-of-seven slate at 3-3 with Game 7 scheduled for Sunday night at the United Center.

Patrick Kane continued his amazing run of clutch goals with the game-winner late in the third period as the Hawks denied the Kings a date with the Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final and kept their own hopes alive of becoming the first team since the 1998 Red Wings to repeat as Cup champions.

 

[CNOTES]

Game 7 - Kings at Blackhawks

May 31, 2014

Chicago rallied for a 4-3 road win over Los Angeles on Friday, which helped the Blackhawks force a decisive seventh game in the Western Conference Finals.

The puck will drop at 8:05 p.m. ET on Sunday from the United Center and the oddsmakers have installed the Blackhawks as minus-150 favorites (Bet $100 to win $66) for Game 7 while the Kings are listed as plus-130 road underdogs (Bet $100 to win $130). The total is 5 goals, which has been shaded to the Over (-120).

Even though the Blackhawks won at the Staples Center on Friday, the home team has gone 4-2 in the first six games of this series. Los Angeles won 6-2 at Chicago in Game 2.

During the regular season, Chicago won all three matchups against Los Angeles, two of the wins coming at home.

In the playoffs, Chicago has gone 8-1 at home with the lone setback mentioned above. Puck-line bettors should note that five of the eight wins have come by two or more goals. The ‘over’ has gone 5-3-1.

Los Angeles has produced a 6-5 road mark in this year’s playoffs. Three of the five losses were by two or more goals. During this span, the Kings offense have been held to three goals or less only twice, which has helped the ‘over’ go 7-3-1.

Most would believe playing at home in a Game 7 would be an advantage for Anaheim on Friday but it’s certainly not 100 percent.

There have been 152 Game 7’s in the NHL Playoffs and the home squad owns a 94-58 (61.8%) record.

Statistically, those numbers seem decent for the home team but they haven't held up at all in this year’s playoffs. Bettors have watched six Game 7’s this postseason and the road team has produced a 5-1 (83%) record.

2014
Los Angeles Kings 6 at Anaheim Ducks 2
Montreal Canadiens 3 at Boston Bruins 1
New York Rangers 2 at Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Philadelphia Flyers 3 at New York Rangers 4
Minnesota Wild 5 at Colorado Avalanche 4
Los Angeles Kings 5 at San Jose Sharks 1

The ‘over’ has gone 4-2 in the six Game 7’s this postseason.

Los Angeles is 6-4 all-time in Game 7’s while Chicago has gone 8-5.

Recent Game 7 History

The Kings defeated both the Sharks and Ducks in a Game 7 matchup in this year's postseason, plus they knocked off San Jose in the 2013 playoffs.

Los Angeles

2014 – Los Angeles Kings 6 at Anaheim Ducks 2
2014 – Los Angeles Kings 4 at San Jose Sharks 3
2013 – San Jose Sharks 1 at Los Angeles Kings 2

Since Chicago became competitive again in 2008 and started making the playoffs on an annual basis, they haven't had much experience in Game 7 matchups. The Blackhawks have only played in two and they've gone 1-1 with both results coming in overtime.

Chicago

2012 – Chicago Blackhawks 2 vs. Detroit Red Wings 1 (OT)
2009 – Chicago Blackhawks 1 at Vancouver Canucks 2 (OT)

NHL Game 7 Playoff History (2011-2013)

As mentioned above, road teams have won 83 percent (5-1) of the Game 7’s in this year’s NHL Playoffs and that shouldn’t be surprising. In the previous three playoff campaigns, the road team has been competitive, going 6-10 in the previous 16 decisive battles. Five of the 16 went to an extra session but none of this year’s Game 7’s have seen overtime.

2013
New York Rangers 5 at Washington Capitals 0
Toronto Maple Leafs 4 at Boston Bruins 5 (OT)
Detroit Red Wings 3 at Anaheim Ducks 2
Detroit Red Wings 1 at Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
San Jose Sharks 1 at Los Angeles Kings 2

2012
Ottawa Senators 1 at New York Rangers 2
Washington Capitals 2 at Boston Bruins 1 (OT)
New Jersey Devils 3 at Florida Panthers 2 (2OT)
Washington Capitals 1 at New York Rangers 2

2011
Buffalo Sabres 2 at Philadelphia Flyers 5
Montreal Canadiens 3 Boston Bruins 4 (OT)
Tampa Bay Lightning 1 at Pittsburgh Penguins 0
Chicago Blackhawks 1 at Vancouver Canucks 2 (OT)
Detroit Red Wings 2 at San Jose Sharks 3
Tampa Bay Lightning 0 at Boston Bruins 1
Boston Bruins 4 at Vancouver Canucks 0

 

[CNOTES]

Cup hinges on Game 7 for Chicago, Kings

May 31, 2014


CHICAGO (AP) - Jonathan Quick would rather be resting up than staring at yet another seventh game.

There's not much he can do about that now.

A wild and memorable Western Conference final between the Los Angeles Kings and Blackhawks comes down to a win-or-go-home Game 7 in Chicago on Sunday night.

''I guess we can get used to it,'' Quick, the Kings' goalie, said after a 4-3 loss in Game 6 on Friday night in Los Angeles. ''We don't want to be used to it. If you play Game 7s throughout the whole playoffs, it is going to be pretty tough on your body. Whatever. We're in this situation. Before the series if we were asked, `Would you want to go to Game 7 against Chicago?' and be put in that spot, a one-game thing, I think we would take it.''

It'll be the third Game 7 of the postseason for the Kings, who dropped the first three games in the opening round against San Jose and then went the distance with Anaheim. They blew a 3-1 series lead to Chicago, and now, it comes down to this.

The winner hosts the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday night.

While the Kings tried to put aside their frustration after missing out on two opportunities to clinch the series, the Blackhawks were breathing a little easier after taking Game 6.

''It's nice to see that resilience not only in this game but in this series so far,'' captain Jonathan Toews said. ''We're giving ourselves a heck of a chance going home for Game 7.''

The Blackhawks were just about out of it after dropping Game 4. Back-to-back losses in Los Angeles left them in a 3-1 hole and on the brink of elimination after knocking out the Kings in the conference finals last year on the way to the championship.

Instead, they jumped back into it with two thrilling victories.

There was that epic double-overtime victory in Game 5 at home with Michal Handzus scoring the winner, and Game 6 Friday was about as tense. The Blackhawks survived thanks to a late surge by Patrick Kane after the teams traded leads in the third period.

Chicago led 2-1 after Kane and Ben Smith scored in the second. But there were two big swings in the third.

The Kings looked like they were on their way up 3-2 after Drew Doughty beat a screened Corey Crawford with a wrist shot for his third goal in four games to tie it and fed Alec Martinez for a score.

Kane, whose career has been defined by big plays at the biggest moments, wouldn't let the Blackhawks fade. He set up Duncan Keith for the tying goal with 8:26 left and fired in the winner from a patch of ice near the painted Stanley Cup logo with 3:45 left.

So the series comes down to a Game 7, the third of the postseason for the Kings, who are 6-0 in elimination games this year. The Blackhawks have won nine of their past 11 elimination games.

''We know that we can still beat this Chicago Blackhawks team,'' Doughty said. ''But we also know it's not going to be easy either. They're going to have their best game in this Game 7, especially in their home rink.''

It would help if they contained Kane.

He has come up big in the past two games with seven points after being held to just one in the first four games. He had two goals and an assist Friday and four assists in Game 5, compared to just one assist through the first four games.

He's been able to find at least some open ice, something he wasn't able to do earlier in the series, and the Blackhawks are feeding off that.

''There's still not much room out there in this series,'' Kane said. ''Right now you have to take advantage of your opportunities when you do get space. Playing with two hard workers that work really hard to get the puck back, have made my life a lot better as far as getting the puck in good areas where I can make plays. I give the credit to Saader (Brandon Saad) and Shawsy (Andrew Shaw).''

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Short Sheet

Sunday, June 1

Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:05 ET
LA Kings: 6-0 SU when facing elimination in a playoff series
Chicago: 2-7 SU after 2 straight games where both teams scored 3 goals or more




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, June 1

Since last season, Blackhawks are 13-0 in Games 5-7 of a playoff series; they're 12-5 in last 17 games against the Kings. Chicago scored twice in last 8:26 Friday to tie series, force Game 7 here; they're 37-13 at home this season, 8-1 in playoffs. Los Angeles lost eight of last ten visits here; they're 29-24 on road this season, 6-5 in playoffs. Over is 12-5-4 in Los Angeles playoff games this spring; last five games in this series went over. Overall in playoffs, over is 46-27-13 this season.




NHL

Sunday, June 1

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Los Angeles is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Los Angeles
Chicago is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games


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NHL

Sunday, June 1

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Game of the Day: Kings at Blackhawks
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Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks (-144, 5)

Series is tied 3-3

After being a virtual no-show in the first four contests, Patrick Kane has been all the rage as the Chicago Blackhawks staved off elimination on two separate occasions to send the Western Conference final to a decisive seventh game. The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner looks to continue his sizzling stretch as the defending Stanley Cup-champion Blackhawks host the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday night. Kane followed a four-point performance by scoring his second goal of the contest with 3:45 remaining in the third period to snap a tie as Chicago skated to a 4-3 road triumph in Game 6 on Friday.

"I'm sure it's fun for the fans to watch, but we know (the Kings are) a resilient group," Kane told the Chicago Sun-Times. "They've won two Game 7s on the road in the first two series. It's going to be a tough one." Should the Blackhawks emerge victorious on Sunday, they would vie for their third Stanley Cup title in five years when they face the Original Six-rival New York Rangers. If Los Angeles avoids suffering a third straight setback for the third time this postseason, the Kings would attempt to secure their second title in three years.

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

LINE HISTORY: Line opened at Blackhawks -144 and moved as high as -151 before falling back to the original line.

INJURY WATCH: Kings: D Robyn Regehr (Out - Knee) Blackhawks: G Nikolai Khabibulin (Out - Shoulder)

ABOUT THE KINGS: Drew Doughty has proven himself to be a winner in his career, collecting gold medals at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 2008 and a pair for Team Canada in the last two Olympic Games - as well as the Stanley Cup title in 2012. The 24-year-old defenseman has also been mammoth in this series, recording three goals and setting up four others in the last five games. "We had two chances to close out this series and we're not going to blow a third one," Doughty said.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: Jonathan Toews aptly has been nicknamed "Captain Serious" for his even-keel nature - regardless of the circumstance. "I don’t think anything motivates you like having your back against the wall, potentially walking into a game where your season might end," Toews said with little change in tone. "... We have a chance to stay alive and keep playing hockey for a little while longer." Chicago has done precisely that when series have extended past Game 4 over the last two years - posting a perfect 13-0 mark.

TRENDS:

*Blackhawks are 51-18 in their last 69 home games.
*Over is 4-1 in Kings last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
*Home team is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
*Kings are 1-7 in the last 8 meetings in Chicago.

CONSENSUS: 64 percent of users are backing the Blackhawks at -144.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Los Angeles at Chicago
The Blackhawks look to clinch the Western Conference title tonight against a Kings team that is 1-7 in its last 8 games at Chicago. Chicago is the pick (-150) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-150). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

SUNDAY, JUNE 1

Game 27-28: Los Angeles at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 12.138; Chicago 13.759
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-150); 5
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-150); Over




NHL
Long Sheet

Sunday, June 1

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LOS ANGELES (57-35-0-10, 124 pts.) at CHICAGO (57-26-0-17, 131 pts.) - 6/1/2014, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 13-8 (+3.4 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 13-8-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
11 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.2 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Sunday, June 1


Kings look to make it 3-0 in Game 7s

When the puck drops on Game 7 between the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks, the former will have the tough task of winning a third-straight Game 7 during this playoff run.

The Kings were pushed to the limit by the San Jose Sharks in Round 1 and the Anaheim Ducks in Round 2, but were able to prevail in both instances, both of which were road games. Sunday evening's Game 7 - with a ticket to the Stanley Cup on the line - will be another road test for the Kings.

Current odds have the home Blackhawks as -144 faves with the Kings as +133 road dogs.

 

[CNOTES]

Sunday, June 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Los Angeles - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -144 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Chicago - Over 5 500 *****

 

[CNOTES]

Sun, Jun 1

Final OT

Los Angeles at Chicago

Teams ROT 1 2 3 OT T ML OU

LA 27 2 1 1 1 5 122

CHI 28 3 1 0 0 4 -132 5

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Monday, June 2


Kings stun Blackhawks in Game 7 overtime

Kings defenseman Matt Greene whipped the puck deep into the Blackhawks’ end of the ice early in overtime of Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday. Teammate Justin Williams hustled after it a nanosecond later and gained control behind the net.

Williams then slipped a pass to defenseman Alec Martinez, who closed quickly from the left point. Martinez snapped a shot toward the net. The puck skimmed past the outstretched stick of teammate Tyler Toffoli, struck Chicago’s Nick Leddy and settled into the net.

Suddenly, silence.

Well, almost. The only sounds in the mammoth United Center just then were the screams and shouts of the victorious Kings, who celebrated Martinez’s goal and a clinching 5-4 win over the Blackhawks that sent them to their second Stanley Cup Final appearance in three seasons.


Los Angeles Kings -155 faves in Stanley Cup Final

According to bet365.com, the Los Angeles Kings are -155 faves to win The Stanley Cup. NHL Futures has the Rangers listed as +135 to hoist Lord Stanley's Mug.

The Rangers, who have not been to the Cup Final since they last won in 1994, run into a scrappy Kings team that has already won three game sevens this post-season. The Kings brought the Cup back to the West Coast just two seasons ago.


Stanley Cup finals schedule

Stanley Cup finals schedule, including television coverage in the United States and Canada. All times EDT:

Game 1, Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m., New York Rangers at Los Angeles, NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 2, Saturday, June 7, 7 p.m., New York Rangers at Los Angeles, NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 3, Monday, June 9, 8 p.m., Los Angeles at New York Rangers, NBCSN, CBC, RDS

Game 4, Wednesday, June 11, 8 p.m., Los Angeles at New York Rangers, NBCSN, CBC, RDS

*Game 5, Friday, June 13, 8 p.m., New York Rangers at Los Angeles, NBC, CBC, RDS

*Game 6, Monday, June 16, 8 p.m., Los Angeles at New York Rangers, NBC, CBC, RDS

*Game 7, Wednesday, June 18, 8 p.m., New York Rangers at Los Angeles, NBC, CBC, RDS

*-if necessary

 

[CNOTES]

Stanley Cup Final Tips

June 2, 2014

Rangers vs. Kings

How they got here: New York was taken to the limit in the each of the first two rounds against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, while finishing off Montreal in six games of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Rangers rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the second round to stun the Penguins with three straight wins, as New York is headed to its first Stanley Cup Final since 1994.

The Kings were one loss away from elimination in the opening round after falling behind the Sharks, 3-0. Los Angeles stormed back with four straight wins to stun San Jose, 4-3, then needed seven games in the second round to knock out another California rival, beating the Ducks, 4-3. Again in the conference finals, the Kings held off the Blackhawks, 4-3, capped off by a victory in Game 7 on the road. Los Angeles is seeking its second championship in three seasons after beating New Jersey in 2012.

Season series recap: Back in October on New York’s lengthy opening road swing, the Rangers downed the Kings, 3-1 at Staples Center as +130 underdogs. On November 17, the Kings picked up revenge with a 1-0 victory as +105 ‘dogs at Madison Square Garden. Kings’ star goalie Jonathan Quick did not start that shutout, as since departed Ben Scrivens made 37 stops in the Los Angeles net.

Record vs. opposite conference:
Rangers: 14-13-1
Kings: 21-8-3

Recent Stanley Cup Final history: The Western Conference champion has hoisted the Cup in five of the past seven championship rounds, including each of the last two seasons (Chicago 2013 and Los Angeles 2012). The last four-game sweep came in 1998 when the Red Wings finished off the Capitals. Each of the last five Stanley Cup Finals have gone at least six games, with the Final in 2009 and 2011 going the distance.

Series price:
Los Angeles: -165
New York: +140

Exact Game Odds courtesy of Sportsbook.ag:

Rangers in 4: 12/1
Rangers in 5: 6/1
Rangers in 6: 9/2
Rangers in 7: 5/1

Kings in 4: 10/1
Kings in 5: 7/2
Kings in 6: 4/1
Kings in 7: 3/1

 

[CNOTES]

Three big betting trends for the NHL Stanley Cup final

Moneyline favorites are a perfect 7-0 SU in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final since 2007.

The Stanley Cup final not only marks the final journey for two teams looking to become NHL champions, it also represents the final game action for bettors before the start of the three-month offseason.

Bettors will note several interesting trends - not only those involving the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers, but those relating to previous Stanley Cup championships. And if past history in either case continues in this year's title showdown, following the trends could pay handsomely.

Here are three trends going into this year's Stanley Cup final:

Favorites Dominate Game 1

The favored team has been automatic since 2007 when it comes to setting the tone, going a perfect 7-0 SU in Game 1. The favorites ranged from a narrow -107, the moneyline the Kings cashed in on with their 2-1 win over New Jersey in the 2012 Stanley Cup opener, to the -188 pricetag the Vancouver Canucks converted in their 1-0 triumph over Boston in the 2011 championship curtain raiser. The Under has also been a strong play in Game 1, with Chicago's 4-3 overtime win over Boston in last year's Stanley Cup opener representing just the second Over in the past seven Game 1s.

Unders Lead the Way

The trend of fewer goals being scored later in the postseason really takes hold in the final, where the Under has been the predominant play for the better part of the previous seven Stanley Cup series. Teams have amassed a 15-24-4 O/U mark in those contests, with the Boston Bruins-Vancouver Canucks seven-game thriller in 2010 (5-1-0 O/U) serving as the only outlier in that time. The Under has been a particularly strong play over the previous two Stanley Cup finals, coming through in eight of the 12 games.

Kings of the Overs

Los Angeles has had a wild ride to the final - rallying from a 3-0 first-round deficit against San Jose and needing Game 7 victories to win each of its first three series. But the most amazing development in the Kings' quest to win a second Stanley Cup may be the extent to which it has bucked its incredible regular-season O/U trend.

Los Angeles had the best Under mark in the league at 22-41 O/U - thanks in large part to the league's best goals-against total - but has turned that on its face in the postseason, going 13-5-3 O/U entering the final. That includes six straight Overs to end its conference final win over Chicago.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

NY Rangers at Los Angeles
The Kings advanced to the Stanley Cup final with a 6-5 win over the Blackhawks in overtime and face a New York team that is 5-0 in its last 5 games when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in the previous game. New York is the pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: New York (+130). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4

Game 51-52: NY Rangers at Los Angeles (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 13.397; Los Angeles 12.489
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-150); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+130); Under




NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, June 4

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NY RANGERS (57-38-0-7, 121 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (58-35-0-10, 126 pts.) - 6/4/2014, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 24-15 ATS (+8.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
NY RANGERS are 19-11 ATS (+7.2 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 12-4 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NY RANGERS are 10-3 ATS (+13.4 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 2-1 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 2-1-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

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NHL

Wednesday, June 4

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
NY RANGERS vs. LOS ANGELES
NY Rangers are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games