Cnotes 2015 NHL Playoff Thread News, Notes, Trends Etc. !!

[CNOTES]

See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities

Letdown spot

The Pittsburgh Penguins squeaked into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, finishing No. 8 in the Eastern Conference and lining up a date with the President Trophy winners, the New York Rangers, in the opening round. The Penguins run the risk of being “just happy to be there” as they head into Game 1 in Madison Square Garden Thursday.

Pittsburgh punched its postseason ticket with a 2-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres in the regular season finale – anything but a sure thing with the team stumbling into that game on a five-game losing skid. Now, after that close call, the Pens are set up for a letdown in Game 1 of this first-round series, especially after dropping three of their four meetings with the Blue Shirts this season.

Lookahead spot

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been counting down to the postseason since LeBron James announced he was on his way back home last summer. And for LeBron, the first round of the NBA Playoffs have been a formality. According to ESPN, James is a perfect 9-0 in opening round series for his career and is undefeated in each of those nine series openers. But while those career playoff stats are impressive, Cleveland could get caught looking past opening-round opponent Boston and to a conference semifinal showdown.

The Celtics have a young team and are outclassed when it comes to postseason experience. However, Boston enters its season finale with Milwaukee on a five-game winning streak, going 5-0 ATS, including two wins over the Cavs in that span – one with starters and one without. The Celtics are just young and dumb enough – 30-17 ATS as underdogs - to ride that confidence into this series, with heaping handfuls of points, and catch Cleveland with its guard down in Game 1.

Schedule spot

Spring in Chicago is a lot different than spring in San Diego. The change in temperature kick starts those famous Windy City gusts, which still have a leftover chill from winter. The San Diego Padres visit Wrigley Field for a weekend set, starting Friday, and they may want to pack their long-sleeve shirts. This will be the first time this season the Padres have left California.

Temperatures in Chicago are in the mid-40s while back home in San Diego, temps are peaking in the mid-70s. Friday’s forecast doesn’t look too bad with sun for this 2:20 p.m. ET start but things will cool off as the weekend goes on, with a chance of rain come Sunday. Last season, the Padres got to visit Chicago in July and avoided the cool spring weather.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, April 16


Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers

Game 9-10
April 16, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh Pengui
10.595
New York Rangers
12.136
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York Rangers
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York Rangers
-175
5
Dunkel Pick:
New York Rangers
(-175); Under

Detroit Red Wings @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Game 11-12
April 16, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit Red Wings
12.740
Tampa Bay Lightni
11.821
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit Red Wings
by 1
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay Lightni
-165
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit Red Wings
(-165); Over

Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues

Game 13-14
April 16, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota Wild
12.607
St. Louis Blues
11.521
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota Wild
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis Blues
-150
5
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota Wild
(+130); Under

Winnipeg Jets @ Anaheim Ducks

Game 15-16
April 16, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg Jets
11.788
Anaheim Ducks
13.185
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim Ducks
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim Ducks
-160
5
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim Ducks
(-160); Under




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, April 16

Thursday's games
Rangers lost Stanley Cup final LY; they won last three first round series- they won six of last seven games with Pittsburgh, with only loss in a shootout. Penguins lost last three visits here; four of last six series games stayed under total. Pittsburgh is 3-2 in first round series since winning Stanley Cup in 2009. Rangers won six of last seven games overall, with four of last five going over total; Penguins lost five of last six games overall, with only win vs lowly Buffalo; six of their last eight stayed under.

Tampa Bay is 1-3 in first round series since winning Stanley Cup in 2004; Lightning won seven of last nine games with Detroit- six of those nine stayed under the total. Red Wings are 3-2 in first round series since winning Cup in '08; they lost last four visits to Tampa, are 3-5 in last eight games overall. Tampa Bay won its last three games, allowing five goals; they won four of last five at home. Under is 3-1-1 in Lightning's last five games.

St Louis won seven of last ten games with Minnesota; Wild lost three of last four visits to St Louis. Since 2003, Blues are 1-4 in first round series, with only series win in '12. St Louis won five of its last six games overall, with three of last four staying under- they won three of last four home games. In its franchise history, Minnesota is 2-3 in first round series, winning second series LY; Wild won four of its last five road games, but lost four of last six games overall.

Anaheim is 2-3 in first round series since winning Stanley Cup in 2007; Ducks won last four games with Winnipeg, but Jets won three of last five visits here. Three of last four series games went over the total. Winnipeg is in playoffs for only second time since joining NHL in 2000 (in Atlanta); they lost in first round in '07. Winnipeg last had a playoff team in '96 (current Coyotes). Jets won four of last five games, with three of last four staying under total. Anaheim won five of its last seven games.




NHL

Thursday, April 16

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

7:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. NY RANGERS
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 6 games at home
NY Rangers are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games at home

7:30 PM
DETROIT vs. TAMPA BAY
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 9 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit

9:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. ST. LOUIS
Minnesota is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
St. Louis is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games

10:30 PM
WINNIPEG vs. ANAHEIM
Winnipeg is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games
Anaheim is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Winnipeg
Anaheim is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Thursday, April 16


Crashing Penguins face poor matchup in Rangers

The Pittsburgh Penguins are limping into the playoffs, with just one win in their past six games, and may be facing off against the last team they've wanted to see in the New York Rangers.

The Pens have dropped six of the last seven against the Broadway Blueshirts, while being outscored 26-11. The slumping Pittsburgh offense has only averaged 1.7 goals per game over their past 15 games.

The Penguins are currently +155 when they travel to Madison Square Garden Thursday.



NHL roundup: Isles stun Caps in series opener

WASHINGTON -- Center Brock Nelson, right winger Ryan Strome and left winger Josh Bailey all scored their first career playoff goals and goaltender Jaroslav Halak stopped 24 of 25 shots to lead the New York Islanders to a series-opening 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Nelson completed his night by slam dunking an empty-netter with 1:19 to play for his second of the game.

The Islanders are looking for their first playoff series victory since 1993 and started this one in convincing fashion, outshooting the Capitals 27-25 and controlling the play for long stretches.

Winger Marcus Johansson scored the lone goal for the Capitals, who, like the Islanders, are returning to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

Canadiens 4, Senators 3

MONTREAL -- Right winger Brian Flynn scored a goal and added two assists to lead Montreal over Ottawa in Game 1 of their quarterfinal series.

Goaltender Carey Price stopped 30 shots for the Canadiens while netminder Andrew Hammond made 35 saves for the Senators.

Centers Torrey Mitchell, Tomas Plekanec and Lars Eller also scored for the Canadiens. Left winger Milan Michalek and centers Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad replied for Ottawa.

Blackhawks 4, Predators 3 (2OT)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Defenseman Duncan Keith ended it for Chicago with a slapper at 7:49 of the second overtime against Nashville for a 1-0 series lead.

Making his return from a 21-game absence with a fractured left collarbone, Chicago right winger Patrick Kane set up two power-play goals in the second period to help his team rally from an early three-goal deficit. Backup goalie Scott Darling stopped all 42 shots he faced in relief of Corey Crawford to earn the win for the Blackhawks. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, left winger Patrick Sharp and center Jonathan Toews scored in regulation for Chicago.

Nashville led 3-0 after one period and got 38 saves from goalie Pekka Rinne while center Colin Wilson scored twice, and left winger Viktor Stalberg once.

Flames 2, Canucks 1

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Defenseman Kris Russell scored with 29.6 seconds left in the third period to give Calgary a victory over at Vancouver in the opening game of their Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series.

Right winger David Jones also scored for the Flames who battled back from a 1-0, second-period deficit. Center Bo Horvat scored for the Canucks.

Calgary goalie Eddie Lack, making his first ever playoff start, stopped 28 shots. Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller, making his 27th playoff start, made 29 saves.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, April 16

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

PITTSBURGH (43-27-0-12, 98 pts.) at NY RANGERS (53-22-0-7, 113 pts.) - 4/16/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 43-39 ATS (-20.5 Units) in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 1-5 ATS (-8.5 Units) in April games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 20-25 ATS (-19.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
PITTSBURGH is 7-11 ATS (-13.1 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 9-21 ATS (-25.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
PITTSBURGH is 6-13 ATS (-9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 53-29 ATS (+19.6 Units) in all games this season.
NY RANGERS are 33-14 ATS (+12.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 23-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NY RANGERS are 127-125 ATS (-63.1 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 103-104 ATS (-39.6 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 109-115 ATS (-79.9 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 165-198 ATS (-160.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 10-10 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 10-10-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
10 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-1.9 Units)

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

DETROIT (43-25-0-14, 100 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (50-24-0-8, 108 pts.) - 4/16/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 83-86 ATS (-20.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 10-20 ATS (-18.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
TAMPA BAY is 14-1 ATS (+12.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents this season.
TAMPA BAY is 13-3 ATS (+8.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 175-188 ATS (+447.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 7-2 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 7-2-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.7 Units)

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

MINNESOTA (46-28-0-8, 100 pts.) at ST LOUIS (51-24-0-7, 109 pts.) - 4/16/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 17-10 ATS (+27.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
MINNESOTA is 16-7 ATS (+23.2 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 10-5 ATS (+16.4 Units) in road games vs. division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 10-3 ATS (+13.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 1-6 ATS (-8.6 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 9-3 (+5.3 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 9-3-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.4 Units)

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

WINNIPEG (43-26-0-13, 99 pts.) at ANAHEIM (51-24-0-7, 109 pts.) - 4/16/2015, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 51-31 ATS (+89.5 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 11-1 ATS (+9.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ANAHEIM is 216-205 ATS (+463.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
WINNIPEG is 43-39 ATS (+2.4 Units) in all games this season.
WINNIPEG is 44-37 ATS (+85.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 5-1 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 5-1-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

Odds on NBA first round playoff series

-- Chicago -$750 vs Milwaukee +$500

-- Cleveland -$3,500 vs Boston +$1,500

-- Toronto -$190 vs Washington +$165

-- Atlanta -$1,500 vs Brooklyn +$800

-- Houston -$330 vs Dallas +$265

-- San Antonio -$185 vs LA Clippers +$160

-- Golden State -$5,000 vs New Orleans +$1,800

-- Memphis -$165 vs Portland +$140

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here......

13) Cubs finally brought Kris Bryant up to big leagues; he stayed in minors for 12 days, meaning the Cubs keep him until club control for an extra year, which is a terrible rule. Its also against the rules for Cubs to do that, but they did it.

12) Odd thing is that Bryant never played a home game this year in AAA; his team won on road in Memphis/New Orleans. Wonder where all his stuff is? He has gone from spring training to AAA and now to the big leagues.

11) NHL has done an excellent job miking its players, showing locker room scenes after games, doing NFL Films-type stuff. Well done. Playoff hockey is first-class entertainment.

10) If you care about such things, there are 3,073 names on the Stanley Cup.

9) One last hockey note: the St Louis Blues made the Stanley Cup finals their first three years in existence (1968-70), went 0-12 in those three series but have not been back in the finals since.

League expanded from six to 12 teams in 1967; all six new teams were in the Western Conference, meaning one of the new teams would be in the finals every year. St Louis was the best of those teams, but their fans have had a very long wait to win a Stanley Cup.

8) There is a Senator from Oklahoma named James Lankford; I know nothing about the guy, but I'm hearing him on TV as I type this-- he has a tremendous voice. He could make a fortune doing voiceovers on commercials.

7) Adrian Peterson was re-instated by the NFL; next question is, will he stay on the Vikings, or get traded somewhere else (Dallas???)?

6) There are four NBA teams who finished in the top 10 this year, in efficency on both offense and defense: Spurs-Hawks-Warriors-Trailblazers.

5) High school athletes sign with the college head coach more than they do with the college itself; Dominic Green signed with Arizona State last fall, but he has re-opened his recruitment, with Herb Sendek getting fired. Green shoots it well, is considered a top 150 recruit.

4) UNLV is having a very good week; Stephen Zimmerman signed with the Rebels this week- he is a local 7-footer who played for Dave Rice's brother in high school at Bishop Gorman. Nigel Williams-Goss may also go to UNLV after transferring from Washington- he would be a tremendous get for the Rebels, and he has two years left in college.

I'm told that when local boosters were clamoring for Rice's head right after the season ended, Zimmerman's mom sent UNLV's AD an e-mail that said her son wouldn't play for the Rebels if Rice got fired. Take that, boosters.........

3) There will soon be a college basketball tournament in the Cayman Islands, much like the event in Atlantis every November. More basketball is good!!!!

2) Do you think these NFL prospects get tired of all these interviews they do with teams? They're only going to play for one team, but half the league has been picking their brains. Has to be tiring for a young person.

1) If NFL Network ever wants to do a great reality show, they should show us an inside peek at how the schedule is made up every year. This year's schedule hasn't been finished yet and it looks like it will be released later than usual.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, April 17

Friday's games
Canadiens scored four second period goals to win Game 1 4-3, in game with scoreless third period; two of three Senator goals came on power play (2-5, Montreal was 0-1). Ottawa won three of its last four games with Montreal; over is 7-1-1 in last nine series games. Senators won six of last eight games overall; five of those eight stayed under total. Sens won three of last five on road. Montreal won last four games overall, allowing ten goals; over is 5-0-2 in their last seven games.

Islanders scored three goals on 16 shots in periods 2-3 in 4-1 Game 1 win; they've lost six of last ten games overall, with over 4-2-1 in last seven. Both teams were 0-2 on power play in Game 1; Caps won faceoffs 39-23, but didn't score goal on 18 shots in periods 2-3. Caps won five of its last eight games with over 6-2-1 in last nine. Home side won four of last five series games; Isles lost four of last six visits here.

Chicago was down 3-0 after first period in Game 1, switched goalies, wound up winning 4-3 in double OT, its first win in last five games overall. Under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Nashville has now lost seven games in row overall, allowing 29 goals; they missed playoffs last two years- in their franchise history, they're 2-5 in first round series. Chicago won four of last five games with Nashville; six of last nine series games stayed under total.

Calgary scored with 0:30 left to win Game 1; they've lost last seven first round series- its last series win was in 1993. Flames won last three games with Vancouver 1-0/3-2/2-1 after losing previous eight series games; under is 4-1-1 in last six played here. Canucks won five of last eight games; they missed playoffs LY, haven't won playoff series since '10. Flames also won six of last eight games, with five of last six staying under.

Home teams are 4-4 in this round; over is 4-3-1.




NHL

Friday, April 17

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

7:00 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. WASHINGTON
NY Islanders are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 11 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Washington's last 11 games when playing at home against NY Islanders

7:00 PM
OTTAWA vs. MONTREAL
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Ottawa is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing at home against Ottawa

9:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. NASHVILLE
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 9 games when playing Nashville
Chicago is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Nashville is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
Nashville is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home

10:00 PM
CALGARY vs. VANCOUVER
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
Vancouver is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Calgary

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Friday, April 17

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Friday's NHL Playoff matchups
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens (,)
Canadiens lead series 1-0

As was the case when the clubs met two years ago in the postseason, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators didn't waste much time ratcheting up the vitriol in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Atlantic Division-champion Montreal dealt the first significant blow in more ways than one with a 4-3 victory in the series opener, and looks to extend the advantage when it hosts Ottawa in Game 2 on Friday.

Brian Flynn scored his first career playoff goal late in the second period and joined defenseman P.K. Subban with two assists to lead the Canadiens to victory on Wednesday. Subban, however, was involved in a slashing incident with Mark Stone nearly midway into the second period that caused a microfracture of the right wrist and some ligament damage to the promising Senators rookie, and resulted in the Montreal blue-liner receiving a game misconduct. Stone, who is listed as "very questionable" to play in the rest of the series by general manager Bryan Murray, ended the regular season on an impressive nine-game point streak (eight goals, five assists). The 22-year-old also had 26 tallies and set up 38 more to match Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau for the most points (64) by a rookie during the 2014-15 season.

TRENDS:

*Canadiens are 5-0 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
*Under is 4-1 in Senators last 5 road games.
*Over is 7-1-1 in the last 9 meetings.
*Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.


New York Islanders at Washington Capitals (,)
Islanders lead series 1-0

The New York Islanders will look to seize a 2-0 lead in a playoff series for the first time in 32 years when they visit the Washington Capitals on Friday in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. Brock Nelson scored twice to send New York to a 4-1 triumph over its Metropolitan Division rival on Wednesday, giving the club a series lead since it won Game 1 versus Ottawa in 2003.

For the Islanders to win the first two contests of a series for the first time since sweeping Edmonton in the Stanley Cup final in 1983, they'll need to continue to keep captain Alex Ovechkin in check. The Russian superstar led the league with 53 goals, but was kept off the scoresheet despite registering a team-leading eight shots. "I don't think our execution was there," Washington forward Brooks Laich said. "It starts with thinking quicker and moving quicker. I don't think we did that well in the first period. The result was that we looked like a slow team. It has to get better."

TRENDS:

*Islanders are 0-7 in their last 7 games following a win.
*Capitals are 1-5 in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
*Under is 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings in Washington.
*Over is 3-0-2 in Capitals last 5 vs. Metropolitan.


Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators (,)
Blackhawks lead series 1-0

There's a new Darling on the sports scene in the Windy City, but the Chicago Blackhawks will revert to an old and familiar formula when they visit the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. The Blackhawks erased a three-goal deficit en route to a 4-3 victory in double overtime on Wednesday as rookie Scott Darling stopped all 42 shots he faced after replacing an ineffective Corey Crawford.

Despite the brilliant performance by Darling in his postseason debut, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville called it an "easy decision" to go back to Crawford for Game 2. "It was kind of a no-brainer. It was probably a tougher situation to pull him out (Wednesday night)," Quenneville said. "He’s been our strength all year long. It was one period.” Nashville, which lost its final six games of the regular season, must regroup after bolting to a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes before giving up three goals in the second period. "Other than the second period, I thought we played a really good game," Nashville captain Shea Weber said. "It just didn't go our way, and now we've just got to move past it."

TRENDS:

*Blackhawks are 5-0 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games
*Predators are 0-7 in their last 7 overall.
*Under is 11-2-3 in Blackhawks last 16 games following a win.
*Over is 6-1-3 in Predators last 10 overall.


Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks (,)
Flames lead series 1-0

After stealing home-ice advantage away from Vancouver in the opener, the Calgary Flames look to bring a 2-0 series lead back to Alberta when they visit the Canucks for Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round matchup on Friday. Calgary pulled out the victory in Game 1 with another of its patented third-period comebacks, as David Jones forged a tie eight minutes into the session and defenseman Kris Russell scored with 30 seconds remaining for the 2-1 triumph.

It was the 11th win of 2014-15 when trailing after 40 minutes for the Flames, who tied for the league lead with 99 goals in the final period during the regular season. Vancouver received its best efforts from a pair of players making their postseason debuts as rookie Bo Horvat scored the lone goal while Eddie Lack turned aside 28 shots. However, it wasn't enough to prevent the Canucks from falling to 0-7 at home in the playoffs since Game 5 of the 2011 Stanley Cup final against Boston. Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins has yet to announce whether Lack will be back in net for Game 2 or if he will turn to veteran Ryan Miller, who was not sharp in his return from a knee injury in the regular-season finale versus Edmonton.

TRENDS:

*Flames are 23-6 in their last 29 vs. Pacific.
*Canucks are 2-12 in their last 14 Conference Quarterfinals games.
*Under is 5-1 in Flames last 6 overall.
*Under is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Friday, April 17


NHL roundup: Datsyuk leads Wings to win in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning, which had the NHL's best home record in the regular season, opened the playoffs with a home loss Thursday night.

Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk scored twice to lead the Red Wings to a 3-2 win at Amalie Arena.

Detroit took a chance by starting Petr Mrazek, 23, in goal over veteran Jimmy Howard, 31, but Mrazek played superbly, making 44 saves.

Center Luke Glendening scored the other Detroit goal while center Brian Boyle and defenseman Nikita Nesterov scored for Tampa Bay.

Rangers 2, Penguins 1

NEW YORK -- Center Derick Brassard scored 27 seconds into the first period as the New York Rangers defeated Pittsburgh in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden.

Defenseman Ryan McDonagh also scored for the Rangers, who received 24 saves from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Right winger Blake Comeau scored for the Penguins. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury allowed two dubious goals but was otherwise solid in stopping 36 shots.

Wild 4, Blues 2

ST. LOUIS -- Left winger Jason Zucker and defenseman Matt Dumba scored to lead Minnesota over St. Louis in the first game of their opening-round playoff series.

After getting only 11 shots on goal through the first two periods, the Blues cut the lead to 2-1 at 7:12 of the third period when left winger Jaden Schwartz deflected a shot by defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk past goalie Devan Dubnyk.

The Wild sandwiched empty-net goals from center Mikael Granlund and right winger Jason Pominville around a short-handed goal by left winger Alexander Steen to close the scoring.

Ducks 4, Jets 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Anaheim got prolific performances from its top point producers to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Winnipeg at Honda Center.

Anaheim right winger Corey Perry contributed two goals and two assists, including the deciding goal that was awarded upon review. Defenseman Sami Vatanan and center Ryan Getlzaf added a goal and two assists each. Left winger Adam Lowry and right winger Drew Stafford scored for Winnipeg.

Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen turned aside 25 of 27 Winnipeg shots, while Jets netminder Ondrej Pavelec stopped 29 shots in defeat.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Friday, April 17


Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens

Game 17-18
April 17, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa Senators
12.361
Montreal Canadien
10.977
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa Senators
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal Canadien
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa Senators
(+120); Over

New York Islanders @ Washington Capitals

Game 19-20
April 17, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York Islander
13.983
Washington Capita
12.819
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York Islander
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington Capita
-150
5
Dunkel Pick:
New York Islander
(+130); Over

Chicago Blackhawks @ Nashville Predators

Game 21-22
April 17, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago *********
12.888
Nashville Predato
10.385
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago *********
by 2 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville Predato
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago *********
(-105);; Under

Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks

Game 23-24
April 17, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary Flames
13.182
Vancouver Canucks
12.204
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary Flames
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vancouver Canucks
-150
5
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary Flames
(+130); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, April 17

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

OTTAWA (43-27-0-13, 99 pts.) at MONTREAL (51-22-0-10, 112 pts.) - 4/17/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 51-32 ATS (+87.4 Units) in all games this season.
MONTREAL is 44-27 ATS (+8.6 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 17-7 ATS (+17.0 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
MONTREAL is 50-36 ATS (+2.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 29-23 ATS (+52.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 43-40 ATS (+2.7 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 28-19 ATS (+6.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 19-11 ATS (+30.2 Units) after a division game this season.
OTTAWA is 27-15 ATS (+43.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
OTTAWA is 21-19 ATS (+44.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
OTTAWA is 12-7 ATS (+20.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 11-8 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 11-8-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
12 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.9 Units)

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

NY ISLANDERS (48-28-0-7, 103 pts.) at WASHINGTON (45-27-0-11, 101 pts.) - 4/17/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 25-19 ATS (+46.8 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 9-2 ATS (+6.6 Units) on Friday nights this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 22-9 ATS (+10.3 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
WASHINGTON is 15-20 ATS (-16.2 Units) in home games in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 25-36 ATS (-29.1 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 6-6 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-6-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.4 Units)

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

CHICAGO (49-28-0-6, 104 pts.) at NASHVILLE (47-25-0-11, 105 pts.) - 4/17/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 24-22 ATS (-14.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
NASHVILLE is 186-147 ATS (+358.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
CHICAGO is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 0-5 ATS (-8.5 Units) in April games this season.
NASHVILLE is 7-14 ATS (-11.5 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
NASHVILLE is 1-7 ATS (-8.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
NASHVILLE is 7-15 ATS (-9.6 Units) 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 10-5 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 10-5-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)

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

CALGARY (46-30-0-7, 99 pts.) at VANCOUVER (48-30-0-5, 101 pts.) - 4/17/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 20-14 ATS (+1.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CALGARY is 46-37 ATS (+84.4 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 11-8 ATS (+22.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
CALGARY is 25-19 ATS (+5.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
CALGARY is 23-7 ATS (+15.6 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CALGARY is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) after a division game this season.
VANCOUVER is 36-44 ATS (-34.2 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 40-49 ATS (-24.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 115-110 ATS (-65.5 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 11-4 (+5.4 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 11-4-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.6 Units)

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




NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, April 17

Ottawa at Montreal, 7:05 ET
Ottawa: 5-18 SU in the 2nd game of a playoff series
Montreal: 8-1 SU off a close win by 1 goal over a division rival

NY Islanders at Washington, 7:05 ET
NY Islanders: 22-9 SU vs. division opponents
Washington: 15-27 against the money line (-25.8 Units) in home games off a home loss against a division rival

Chicago at Nashville, 9:35 ET
Chicago: 13-2 SU off a close win by 1 goal over a division rival
Nashville: 1-7 against the money line (-9.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses

Calgary at Vancouver, 10:05 ET
Calgary: 22-10 against the money line (+13.8 Units) when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
Vancouver: 4-12 against the money line (-10.4 Units) after playing 4 consecutive home games

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Friday, April 17


Offense expected from Canadiens-Senators in Game 2

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators played some sloppy hockey in Game 1 on Wednesday, but that only helped to continue a trend of these two teams going over. In the past nine contests between the Habs and Sens the teams have a 7-1-1 over/under record.

Those nine contests have seen the Canadiens and the Sens average 3.7 goals per game each. On 12 occasions either the Habs or the Sens tallied four or more goals, 67 percent, in the past nine.

The Canadiens have been going over in the Bell Centre lately, as the past five games in Montreal have a 4-0-1 O/U mark.

The total is currently five for Game 2 Friday.


Two months since Islanders won consecutive games

The New York Islanders will look to end a run of inconsistency when they look to take Game 2 against the Washington Capitals Friday. The Isles have not recorded back-to-back wins since Feb. 27, going 0-7 after their victories since then.

The positive for the Islanders during that span has been how close those losses have been, with six being decided by one goal and four L's coming in a shootout.

New York is currently +125 for Game 2 against the Washington Capitals.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

-- Bronx 5, Tampa Bay 4-- ARod hit two HRs in front of 15,752 in the Trop; when are the Rays moving to Montreal?

-- Red Sox 3, Orioles 2-- Umpire Jordan Baker tossed Oriole starter Jimenez in the 4th inning, before he allowed a hit and before he warned either side. Not good.

-- Mets 4, Marlins 1-- Colon is 3-0; Mets have won six in a row.

-- Arizona 9, Giants 0-- SF is off to its worst start since 1951

-- Nationals 7, Phillies 2-- Phils are 0-10-1 in first five innings of a game.

-- In seven of eight games played in AL parks last night, the winning run scored after the sixth inning; lot of interesting games.

**********

Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind.........

13) Since 2010, only two big leaguers batted cleanup in their MLB debut; Jose Abreu and Kris Bryant. Must be a Chicago thing. Bryant had a rough debut but there aren't too many guys like James Shields pitching in AAA.

12) CB Bucknor is generally regarded as the worst ump in the major leagues; he had the plate in the Arizona-SF game Thursday- both sets of announcers let him have it during the game.

When the Arizona play-by-play guy read the umpires' names before the game, analyst Bob Brenly let out a very loud groan, nothing else. Tremendous.

11) That said, I'll take Bucknor over Angel Hernandez any day of the week, where the A's are concerned. Oakland got hosed bigtime on a force play at second base last night and replay failed to overturn it.

Hernandez didn't umpire last night, so pretty good chance he was in New York sticking it to the A's while reviewing replays. He and Bob Melvin do not get along at all. I don't trust the freaking guy. Which leads me to......

10) ....MLB needs to be more transparent as to who is reviewing replays.

9) Get well soon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; he had quadruple bypass surgery on Thursday, is expected to make a full recovery. I firmly believe he is the greatest basketball player ever-- he hardly ever lost in high school or college. When he was a freshman at UCLA, freshman team beat the varsity by 20 and the varsity had won the national championship the year before.

8) NBA must be doing pretty well: salary cap projections for the net three years, with caveat that the labor agreement runs out after the 2017 season, so this may be posturing on the owners' part:
2016: $67.1M....2017: $89M......2018: $108M

7) Three NBA teams are getting new arenas built right now: Golden State, Sacramento and Milwaukee. How are two northern California teams getting new arenas but the A's can't get a new ballpark built? This is one problem I cannot blame on Angel Hernandez.

6) They're having problems with the new artificial turf at Rogers Centre in Toronto, where the Blue Jays play; it is too thick, too heavy. In batting practice some balls that were hit in the gaps stopped before they rolled to the fence.

5) Saints WR Marques Colston owns part of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena League; their game in New Orleans next week was pushed back to Sunday because the NBA's Pelicans have a home playoff game on Saturday.

4) Rick Pitino lost one of his assistant coaches to Cal, so he brought back 69-year old Ralph Willard, whose son Kevin is the coach at Seton Hall.

3) Kansas State must've had a fun season this past year; five players have already either transferred or been thrown off the team, just since the season ended. They've got six new kids coming in, but even with that, they're going to have a thin roster.

2) Good rule of thumb these days might be: act as if you're being videotaped, because chances are, you just might be. This goes double for anyone in the public eye. Maybe it should go triple, or tenfold.

1) How long now before a reality TV show will be set in the pay booth of a tow truck company?

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 18

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

MINNESOTA (47-28-0-8, 102 pts.) at ST LOUIS (51-25-0-7, 109 pts.) - 4/18/2015, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 18-10 ATS (+28.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
MINNESOTA is 17-7 ATS (+24.2 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 11-5 ATS (+17.3 Units) in road games vs. division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-8 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 9-4 (+3.9 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 9-4-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.4 Units)

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

DETROIT (44-25-0-14, 102 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (50-25-0-8, 108 pts.) - 4/18/2015, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 11-20 ATS (-16.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
DETROIT is 87-94 ATS (-57.6 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 21-7 ATS (+12.0 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 7-3 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 7-3-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.7 Units)

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

PITTSBURGH (43-28-0-12, 98 pts.) at NY RANGERS (54-22-0-7, 115 pts.) - 4/18/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 43-40 ATS (-21.6 Units) in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 1-6 ATS (-9.2 Units) in April games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 20-26 ATS (-20.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
PITTSBURGH is 9-22 ATS (-26.1 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
PITTSBURGH is 6-14 ATS (-9.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 54-29 ATS (+21.7 Units) in all games this season.
NY RANGERS are 34-14 ATS (+13.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 24-7 ATS (+13.6 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NY RANGERS are 128-125 ATS (-62.2 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 166-198 ATS (-112.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 11-10 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 11-10-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
10 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.5 Units, Under=-0.9 Units)

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

WINNIPEG (43-27-0-13, 99 pts.) at ANAHEIM (52-24-0-7, 111 pts.) - 4/18/2015, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 52-31 ATS (+90.6 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 12-1 ATS (+10.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ANAHEIM is 20-6 ATS (+11.2 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 33-14 ATS (+17.2 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 20-8 ATS (+8.1 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
ANAHEIM is 54-37 ATS (+1.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 217-205 ATS (+464.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
WINNIPEG is 11-5 ATS (+16.3 Units) on Saturday games this season.
WINNIPEG is 44-38 ATS (+87.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
WINNIPEG is 33-24 ATS (+57.9 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 6-1 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 6-1-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)

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




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, April 18

Rangers won seven of last eight games with Pittsburgh, with only loss in a shootout. Penguins lost last four visits here; five of last seven series games stayed under total. Penguins lost six of last seven games overall, with only win vs lowly Buffalo; seven of their last nine stayed under. Rangers won seven of last eight games overall, with four of last six going over total; they scored 0:28 into Game 1, outshot Pitt 38-25, were just 1-5 on power play (Penguins were 0-1).

Tampa Bay outshot Detroit 46-14 in Game 1, but on seven power plays, Wings actually outscored them 1-0, scoring a shorthanded goal. Lightning won seven of last ten games with Detroit- seven of those ten stayed under the total. Red Wings lost four of last five visits to Tampa, are 4-5 in last nine games overall. Tampa Bay won three of its last four games, allowing eight goals; they won four of last six at home. Under is 4-1-1 in Lightning's last six games.

Minnesota scored two empty net goals late in Game 1; they held Blues to only 21 shots in 4-2 win, four in second period. St Louis won seven of last 11 games with Minnesota; Wild lost three of last five visits to St Louis. St Louis won five of its last seven games overall. Wild won five of its last six road games, but lost four of last seven games overall. Significant pressure on Blues to win here and not go to Minnesota down 2-0, given their recent sordid playoff history.

Anaheim won last four games with Winnipeg, scoring twice in first 2:00 of a period in 4-2 Game 1 win; Jets split last six visits here. Four of last five series games went over the total. Winnipeg won four of last six games; they were 0-3 on power play in Game 1, got beat 40-24 in faceoffs. Anaheim won six of its last eight games; they scored three third period goals in Game 1, after being down 2-1 after two periods. Two of four Anaheim goals came on power play (2-3).

Home teams are 8-4 in this round; over is 6-3-3.




NHL

Saturday, April 18

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

3:00 PM
DETROIT vs. TAMPA BAY
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games when playing Detroit
Tampa Bay is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Detroit

3:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. ST. LOUIS
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Minnesota is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
St. Louis is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing Minnesota

8:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. NY RANGERS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 9 of the NY Rangers last 13 games

10:30 PM
WINNIPEG vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing at home against Winnipeg
Anaheim is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, April 18


Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers

Game 29-30
April 18, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh Pengui
12.136
New York Rangers
10.025
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh Pengui
by 2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York Rangers
-185
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh Pengui
(+165); Over

Winnipeg Jets @ Anaheim Ducks

Game 31-32
April 18, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg Jets
12.996
Anaheim Ducks
11.387
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg Jets
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim Ducks
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg Jets
(+125); Over

Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues

Game 25-26
April 18, 2015 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota Wild
10.037
St. Louis Blues
12.664
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis Blues
by 2 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis Blues
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis Blues
(-145); Under

Detroit Red Wings @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Game 27-28
April 18, 2015 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit Red Wings
9.184
Tampa Bay Lightni
12.740
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay Lightni
by 3 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay Lightni
-175
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay Lightni
(-175); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NHL player Stoll arrested in Las Vegas


April 18, 2015


LAS VEGAS (AP) - Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll was arrested Friday for suspected cocaine possession at the MGM Grand Hotel's Wet Republic pool complex.


Las Vegas police Lt. Michael Mauntel said Stoll is being held at the Clark County Detention Center.


Stoll is the boyfriend of Erin Andrews, the ''Dancing with the Stars'' co-host and Fox Sports reporter. Stoll also was engaged to actress and model Rachel Hunter, singer Rod Stewart's former wife.


The 32-year-old Stoll is an unrestricted free agent after struggling this season. He had six goals and 11 assists in 73 games, his seventh with Los Angeles after five with Edmonton.


The center helped the Kings win Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014. Los Angeles missed the playoffs this season.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

-- Toronto Raptors are now 0-7 in Game 1's in first round series.

-- Edmonton Oilers won NHL Draft Lottery, will have first pick in draft for fourth time in last six years. When are they going to become good?

-- Adam Jones has used the same bat in batting practice for four years.

-- 80-year old John Amironte has sung national anthem at NY Ranger games for 35 years; he is "retiring", will be missed. Saturday was his last game.

-- Alabama has 11 tight ends listed on its spring football roster. Eleven.

-- Nashville Sounds, AAA team of the A's has a scoreboard that is shaped like a guitar, seeing as Nashville is Music City.

**********

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday.........

13) FOX Sports hired Pete Rose as a studio analyst for baseball telecasts, a rare burst of sanity in an increasingly insane world. Rose still makes over $1M a year signing autographs, mostly in Las Vegas-- someday baseball will wise up and induct him into Cooperstown, where he belongs.

12) Wizards 93, Raptors 86 OT-- Teams conbined to go 12-50 from arc in this brickfest, only road win of the four games Saturday. Toronto's subs outscored Washington's 48-27, but Raptor starters were combined -30 in an OT game.

11) Warriors 106, Pelicans 99-- Golden State was up 18 at half, won despite getting only three baskets (3-12, 12 points) from bench. Tyreke Evans got hurt for New Orleans, played only 12 minutes.

10) Bulls 103, Bucks 91-- In NBA playoffs, coaches have lot more time to prepare, making it more like college ball; Thibodeau vs Kidd is a big mismatch as far as tactics go. More importantly, Chicago has better players.

9) Rockets 118, Mavericks 108-- I'm guessing Mark Cuban won't like the 32-14 edge Houston had on foul line, but they also had 29 fast break points and hit 10-25 3-pointers. Funny that Stoudemire/Prigioni are in this series; at least some of this year's Knicks made the playoffs.

8) When Marlins pitcher Mat Latos was five years old, he went to the Marlins' first-ever home game, in Joe Robbie Stadium.

7) Purdue center AJ Hammond is coming back to school next year, a big boost for the Boilermakers, who might be a top 25 team now.

6) Royals/A's aren't getting along well this weekend, after Alcides Escobar was injured Friday night on a play at second base, when Brett Lawrie slid hard into the bag. KC was upset because Lawrie actually tried hard on the play, instead of giving up the way lot of guys do.

Benches emptied both nights, nothing happened, because it is baseball after all, but Yordano Ventura drilled Lawrie last night and was ejected- he was mad because Josh Reddick hit a homer off him that might still be going, the batter before Lawrie got plunked.

5) Hanley Ramirez hit a ball in batting practice Friday that took a chunk out of the Green Monster; he chipped a piece of the wall off.

4) They put 99,391 people into the big Horseshoe for the spring football game at Ohio State yesterday. Cardale Jones threw a ball 74 yards, which is really far to throw a football. Imagine 99,000 people going to a glorified scrimmage?

3) Stephen Collier is Ohio State's 4th-string QB; QBs ALWAYS wear the different colored jersey in practice, so no one hits him, right? Collier was the only OSU QB who wasn't wearing one, so it was OK to drill the guy!!!. If I'm Collier, who must be pretty good to even be on Ohio State's roster, I'm taking a look at transferring to a school where they might care if I got hurt.

2) Buffalo Sabres lost out on prize draft prospect Connor McDavid (he played for the Erie Otters in juniors, just a great nickname), but they'll likely land Jack Eichel from Boston U-- he actually wants to play in Buffalo, so good for them.

1) A's pitcher Jesse Hahn and Mets' pitcher Matt Harvey went to high school together in Connecticut; must've had a pretty good baseball team.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

-- I don't like coaches' interviews after first/third quarters in NBA games, even less so during playoff games. No one says anything, it just annoys the coaches.

-- I like 2-hour baseball games a lot less than 3-hour games.

-- A's are 0-5 in games decided by 1 or 2 runs; their six wins are by a combined score of 47-1. I'd rather this happen now than just be winning close games.

-- Darrell Waltrip called the contending drivers "a bunch of hungry hounds" during the Bristol NASCAR race last night; he makes races more fun to listen to.

-- Home teams are 14-6 so far in Stanley Cup playoffs; over is 10-6-4.

-- Mark Cuban can criticize college ball all he wants, but no way is the NBA game more fun to watch- they have better players, but not a better game.

**********

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend........

13) NFL has a way of grabbing headlines year-round; when word came out late on Sunday that the Eagles signed Tim Tebow, it was almost like the Interweb was going to implode. Lot of fuss about a guy who isn't every good, so much so thats its been almost 600 days since he was on an NFL roster.

12) I'm not going to criticize Chip Kelly for what he's doing, mainly because I have no bleeping idea what he's trying to do, but I'm glad he traded Nick Foles to my Rams. Maybe Tebow is a nothing-to-lose attempt to find a diamond in the rough, but Tebow brings a media circus with him and who wants that?

11) Eagles have to be the team on HBO's Hard Knocks, right?

10) The poor bastard who does the NFL schedule may have had to make a few more edits when the Tebow news hit; that can't be an easy job and its already late coming out this year.

9) First eight NBA playoff games, Clippers were only team to shoot higher than than 50% from floor. Five teams shot under 40%. Houston's 29 transition points were most by any team.

8) Three of the four years the Spurs won the NBA title, they lost their first playoff game, but they also haven't repeated.

7) Mariners 11, Rangers 10-- Not often a team scores seven runs in an inning and loses; Texas pulled it off here. Nelson Cruz already has eight homers.

6) Mets 7, Marlins 6-- New York is 10-3 with best record in NL but they lost catcher D'Arnaud and lefty reliever Blevins with broken bones Sunday.

5) Rumors out of Miami have the Marlins looking for another manager already in wake of their terrible 3-10 start- what they need is a new owner. Jeffrey Loria was in New York for the weekend series and didn't look too happy.

4) Milwaukee Brewers are 2-10, with a minus-35 run differential and leadoff hitter Carlos Gomez is on the DL- they play the struggling Reds this week with both teams starving for wins.

3) Golfer Jim Furyk made $1.062M when he won at Hilton Head Sunday, his first Tour win since 2010-- he has now made over $3.8M in his career, just in this one tournament in South Carolina.

2) Good God I hope the Atlanta Hawks win the NBA title; here is the shot distribution for their five starters Sunday: 11-12-12-12-12.

They're a team!!!! No ball hogging, fallaway 25-footers. Just good basketball.

1) In his NBA career, Lebron James is 22-7 in playoff series.
In his NBA career, Carmelo Anthony is 22-41 in playoff games.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Short Sheet

Monday, April 20

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - Best of 7 - Game 3 - Series Tied 1-1

NY Rangers at Pittsburgh, 7:05 ET
New York: 16-5 SU off a close home loss by 1 goal
Pittsburgh: 9-17 SU after playing a game where 7 or more total goals were scored

Western Conference Quarterfinals - Best of 7 - Game 3 - Series Tied 1-1

St Louis at Minnesota, 8:05 ET
St Louis: 31-11 SU after playing a home game
Minnesota: 1-7 SU in home games after allowing 4 goals or more

Western Conference Quarterfinals - Best of 7 - Game 3 - ANA Leads 2-0

Anaheim at Winnipeg, 9:05 ET
Anaheim: 25-16 SU in road games
Winnipeg: 20-22 SU after playing a road game




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 20

Rangers won seven of last nine games with Pittsburgh, winning three of last four visits here. Penguins lost six of last eight games overall, seven of their last ten stayed under. Rangers won seven of last nine games overall, with five of last seven going over total. Pittsburgh held Rangers to just three shots on goal in first period Saturday, after being outshot 13-5 in first period of Game 1. Rangers are just 2-12 on power play in series, Pens are 2-5. Would expect a more physical game tonight.

St Louis won eight of last 12 games with Minnesota; Blues won six of their last eight games overall- they're 3-2 in last five visits here. Over is 3-0-1 in last four series games. Wild lost five of last eight games overall- they had only one power play (0-1) in Game 2, after scoring half their goals (2-4) with man advantage in Game 1. Minnesota actually lost its last three home games- this is their first home game in two weeks. Blues have 77-56 faceoff advantage so far in series.

Anaheim is first team ever to win first two games of series at home, when they trailed both games in third period- they won last five games with Winnipeg, scoring with 0:21 left to break Jets' hearts in Game 2 on Saturday, but this is first home playoff game in Winnipeg since 1996, so fans ill be riled up. Four of last six series games went over the total. Winnipeg is 0-7 on power play in series. Ducks won seven of their last nine games; they've outscored Jets 5-0 in third period.

Home teams are 14-6 in this round; over is 10-6-4.

2015 NHL playoffs

Montreal vs Ottawa
Mtl 4-3, -$140, O5
Mtl 3-2 OT, -$140, N5
Mtl 2-1 OT, +$110, U5

Tampa Bay vs Detroit
Det 3-2, +$155, U5.5
TB 5-1, -$200, U5.5

NY Rangers vs Pittsburgh
NYR 2-1, -$180, U5
Pitt 4-3, +$175, O5

Washington vs NY Islanders
NYI 4-1, +125, N5
Wash 4-3, -$135, O5.5
NYI 2-1 OT, -$140, U5.5

St Louis vs Minnesota
Minn 4-2, +$125, O5
StL 4-1, -$140, N5

Nashville vs Chicago
Chi 4-3 OT, +$105, O5
Nash 6-2, -$120, O5
Chi 4-2, -$160, O5

Anaheim vs Winnipeg
Ana 4-2, -$150, O5
Ana 2-1, -$150, U5

Vancouver vs Calgary
Cal 2-1, +$135, U5
Van 4-1, -$155, N5
Cal 4-2, -$115, O5




NHL

Monday, April 20

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

7:00 PM
NY RANGERS vs. PITTSBURGH
NY Rangers are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 10 games
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games

8:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. MINNESOTA
St. Louis is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Minnesota
St. Louis is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing St. Louis
Minnesota is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against St. Louis

9:00 PM
ANAHEIM vs. WINNIPEG
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing Winnipeg
Anaheim is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Winnipeg is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 5 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Monday, April 20


NHL roundup: Blackhawks take series lead vs. Predators

CHICAGO -- Left winger Brandon Saad scored the tiebreaking goal to lift the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-2 win against the Nashville Predators on Sunday afternoon.

Center Jonathan Toews added a goal and an assist for Chicago, which seized a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference quarterfinal. Blackhawks center Andrew Desjardins and defenseman Brent Seabrook also scored.

Center Mike Ribeiro and defenseman Mattias Ekholm scored for Nashville

Chicago rookie goaltender Scott Darling made 35 saves to win his first career playoff start. Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne turned aside 26 shots in the loss.

Islanders 2, Capitals 1 (OT)

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Center John Tavares scored 15 seconds into overtime as the New York Islanders edged Washington in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at Nassau Coliseum.

Right winger Kyle Okposo scored for the Islanders while goalie Jaroslav Halak made 24 saves.

Center Nicklas Backstrom scored late in the third period for the Capitals while goaltender Braden Holtby, who missed Game 2 with the stomach flu, recorded 40 saves.

Canadiens 2, Senators 1 (OT)

OTTAWA -- Montreal took a commanding 3-0 series lead over Ottawa when winger Dale Weise scored his second of the night at 8:47 of overtime at Canadian Tire Centre.

Weise's snap shot from the left wing circle went behind Senators goalie Craig Anderson on the short side, the only glitch in an otherwise exceptional 47-save effort.

Winger Clarke MacArthur scored the Senators' goal

Game 4 of the series is Wednesday night in Ottawa.

Flames 4, Canucks 2

CALGARY, Alberta -- Rookie center Sam Bennett scored his first NHL goal and Jonas Hiller made 23 saves as Calgary beat Vancouver in Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Left winger Brandon Bollig, defenseman T.J. Brodie and center Sean Monahan also scored for the Flames, while the Canucks got their goals from center Shawn Matthias and right winger Jannik Hansen in what has been a bitter series so far between the Canadian rivals.

Canucks goalie Eddie Lack made 23 saves as the Flames take a 2-1 series lead.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Monday, April 20


Over wagers have slight edge early in playoffs

Over bets have gone 10-6 with four pushes through the first five days of the NHL postseason.

Leading the way is the series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators. Each of the opening three games have gone over the closing total.

The NHL playoffs resume with three games on the board Monday.