Saturday 4/9/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lightning (46-30) at Canadiens (37-38)

Date: April 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The fact the Tampa Bay Lightning didn't win the Atlantic Division isn't necessarily surprising. Someone other than Montreal beating them out is in some ways.

The regular-season finale for both teams comes Saturday night at the Bell Centre, and for the Canadiens, it's the epilogue to a strange season that started with nearly three weeks of unbeaten hockey.

In the end, it was Florida winning the division rather than 2015 Stanley Cup finalist Tampa Bay (46-30-5) or once 9-0-0 Montreal (37-38-6).

The Lightning can live with it as they prepare for the first round on home ice next week against Detroit or Boston. The Canadiens may be numb to it since they've been out of the race for so long, recording an NHL-worst 62 points since the unbeaten start.

Three of those 28 wins since things went south have oddly come against the Lightning, including a 3-0 victory in Tampa Bay last week, and the Canadiens can complete their first non-lockout season sweep of their division foe since 1997-98.

Tampa Bay won all five regular-season meetings in 2014-15 before defeating Montreal 4-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Rather than eying a rematch with 2015 Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Carey Price in goal, the Canadiens spent Thursday's 4-2 win in Carolina celebrating the debut of Charlie Lindgren - a 22-year-old who played two weeks ago for St. Cloud State before signing as a free agent.

While it's not where the team expected to be, coach Michel Therrien acknowledged the storyline was special.

"This is what sport is all about," Therrien said. "You've got a kid that two weeks ago was in college and his first game in the NHL. Family was there tonight and he got the win, so this is a good moment."

Price could be considered this season's backhanded MVP the way Peyton Manning was during the Indianapolis Colts' 2-14 season without him in 2011. Price didn't play after going 10-2-0 through Nov. 25 due to an MCL sprain, and Montreal went 20-34-4 from there.

The team took another hit when P.K. Subban was carted off the ice March 11 with a neck injury, though that came with the postseason already an afterthought.

Ending the season with a far more modest winning streak might be fitting, but a loss could be more beneficial with Buffalo and Arizona still in position to pass the Canadiens and better their lottery chances.

Mike Condon will be in goal for the finale after allowing four goals in each of his last two starts. That was preceded by the shutout against the Lightning as part of a 2-0-0 season in the series for the rookie with a 1.44 goals-against average and .954 save percentage.

He could face Ben Bishop, who may finish the season with his best save percentage. He enters at .926 and his previous best was .924 in 2013-14. His 2.06 GAA is already locked in as his best, and both are top-three league marks.

The team can't match last season's franchise-best 50 wins, but another victory would break a tie with '13-14, '10-11 and '03-04 for second best. The only season among those the Lightning didn't progress to at least the conference finals was two seasons ago.

They've got Jonathan Drouin back for the playoffs, and the forward scored the winner in his first game in more than three months in Thursday's 4-2 victory over New Jersey.

Drouin started an injury-filled season by asking for a trade when he was sent to AHL Syracuse. When he didn't get it, the No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft went home. He didn't return until early March, then served a suspension for leaving his minor league assignment.

"It's been a weird season," Drouin said. "It feels great to be back up here playing hockey, the thing I wanted to do. You realize sitting at home is not what you want to do."

His next opponent will soon relate.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hurricanes (35-30) at Panthers (46-26)

Date: April 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The most successful regular season in team history won't mean much to the Florida Panthers if they don't make a deep playoff run, something they haven't accomplished in 20 years.

Other contenders could opt for resting their stars prior to the postseason, but the Panthers might consider otherwise in order to help build momentum.

The Atlantic Division champs look to head into the playoffs on a high note by winning a sixth straight meeting with the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Florida's division title marks its first since winning the Southeast in 2011-12, when New Jersey bounced it in the first round in seven games. The Panthers (46-26-9) expect a much better showing this postseason after recording 100 points for the first time while setting a team record for victories.

They haven't won a playoff series since losing to Colorado in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, and they'll have a tough time doing so this year, too, if they give efforts like Thursday's.

Jaromir Jagr scored, but Ottawa controlled much of the play in a 3-1 victory that snapped Florida's four-game winning streak. The 44-year-old Jagr probably could use a break, but resting him and others could contribute to another letdown against Carolina (35-30-16) with the playoffs on deck.

"We should be motivated no matter what. There is a huge difference if you give 100 percent or 95. You could see it," said Jagr, who has a team-high 65 points. "The body just remembers the last game, so we have to make sure we play the best hockey before going into the playoffs. Two bad games before the playoffs, I don't think would be very smart.'

Coach Gerard Gallant said he was surprised that the Panthers weren't more fired up after clinching home-ice advantage through the first two rounds with Tuesday's win over Montreal.

"I expect Saturday we'll play really well, our last fan appreciation game and a big game for us," Gallant said. "We talked about taking care of business and we accomplished what we wanted to do."

Roberto Luongo rested Thursday but could be back for a playoff tuneup. He made 24 saves in a 2-0 victory over the Hurricanes on Dec. 18 and has stopped 66 of 67 shots while winning his last three starts against them.

Carolina has been outscored 15-2 while dropping the last five meetings and has scored fewer than three goals in four of its last five. It is wrapping up a seventh straight season without a playoff berth by trying to draw positives from each contest.

The Hurricanes' 86 points are their most since 2010-11, and they were competing for a wild-card spot in the season's final weeks.

"We've made a lot of strides. We're one of the youngest, if not the youngest team in the league," center Jordan Staal said after assisting on rookie Noah Hanifin's goal in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Canadiens. "We've done a lot of learning and done a lot of good things. We're going to keep trying to get better, and these young guys are only going to get better."

Carolina has been shut out three times during its skid against the Panthers, and 21-year-old center Elias Lindholm scored its only goal against them this season in a 4-1 loss Oct. 13.

Cam Ward has lost his last three starts against Florida despite allowing one goal in each.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sabres (34-35) at Islanders (45-26)

Date: April 09, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The top priority for playoff-bound teams is finishing with the best seed and getting healthy for the postseason. For the New York Islanders, the latter just doesn't seem possible.

As the injuries continue to mount, the Islanders continue their push for third place in the Metropolitan Division on Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres.

Since a 1-4-1 stretch put a playoff spot in jeopardy, the Islanders have responded with six wins in seven games to tie the Rangers for third in the division.

They completed their first regular-season sweep of their intracity rivals with a 4-1 victory at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. John Tavares continued his torrid stretch with a goal and an assist, while Thomas Greiss stopped 36 shots for the Islanders, who have scored 13 times during a three-game win streak.

'Obviously there was significance in the positioning today, but I think we know we didn't play our best," said Tavares, who has five goals and 11 points in his last six games. "Our goaltender really won us that game today.'

While the Islanders (45-26-9) have two games remaining to one for the Rangers, they trail in the tiebreaker and could need to finish ahead of them to clinch third. That spot, however, doesn't seem so desirable with a matchup against the red-hot Penguins - winners of 14 of 15 - looming. Finishing with the first wild card would send them into the first round against Florida.

There was one huge piece of bad news to come out of Thursday's win, as forward Anders Lee became the latest addition to the Islanders' lengthy injury list. Lee, tied for fifth on the team with 15 goals, suffered a broken left fibula and is out indefinitely.

Lee joins No. 1 goaltender Jaroslav Halak (groin), defensemen Travis Hamonic (knee) and Brian Strait (upper body), center Mikhail Grabovski (concussion) and forwards Matt Martin (upper body) and Cal Clutterbuck (lower body) as injured Islanders.

There is hope Hamonic, who hasn't played this month, could return for the playoffs, while Martin, Clutterbuck and Strait may also be back.

Greiss has seen the bulk of the time in net with Halak sidelined, and has been very sharp lately. He's won four consecutive starts with a 1.71 goals-against average, but could get a rest in this one with New York facing Philadelphia on Sunday.

Chris Gibson would then make his second career start after he made 29 saves Tuesday in a 4-3 overtime victory at Washington in his first.

The Islanders' next home win would be No. 26 this season, their most since a 26-11-3 mark in 1984-85.

Although the Sabres (34-36-11) will finish out of the playoffs for a fifth straight year, they have made considerable progress from last season's league-low 54 points. Buffalo has already improved by 25 points and is headed for its best finish since 2011-12.

The Sabres had a season high-tying three-game win streak snapped in their home finale Friday, falling 4-1 to Columbus.

'Not the way wanted to finish,' captain Brian Gionta said. 'I think at times our starts, we're asleep at times.'

Chad Johnson is likely to be in net against his former team. He's 10-2-1 with a 2.27 GAA in his past 13 starts.

The Islanders are 6-1-3 in the last 10 meetings with the Sabres, absorbing that lone regulation loss, 2-1, at Barclays Center on Nov. 1.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Capitals (55-17) at Blues (49-23)

Date: April 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The St. Louis Blues were 76 seconds away from falling out of contention for the top seed in the Western Conference before Vladimir Tarasenko decided not to let it happen.

The Washington Capitals secured the top spot in the East a long time ago, and that may have contributed to them entering their final two games looking to snap a season-high skid.

With plenty to gain in the regular season's final weekend, the Blues try for their fourth consecutive win over the visiting Capitals on Saturday night.

St. Louis (49-23-9) is riding an 8-1-0 stretch to keep the pressure on West-leading Dallas, which hosts Nashville in its final contest Saturday night. The teams have identical records, though the Stars have clinched the first tiebreaker.

The Blues' outside chance to finish atop the West, however, only exists because of Tarasenko's flurry Thursday at Chicago. He set a career high with his 38th goal to tie the game at 1 with 1:16 left, then delivered St. Louis' third straight victory 3:37 into overtime.

Tarasenko extended his point streak to seven and Brian Elliott made 24 saves to avoid his first loss in 13 starts.

'We want home ice the whole way,' Elliott said. 'Obviously, Washington is going to win that. But in our conference, in our division there, if we can get that home-ice advantage, that's a big thing. Especially if we get past the first couple of series.'

The Blues have won five of six at home.

If it ends up with the top seed, St. Louis would meet Minnesota in the first round. Otherwise, it will be a rematch of last year's first-round series against the Blackhawks, won in six games by Chicago.

The Blues defeated Washington 4-0 on March 26 for their third consecutive win in the series. Tarasenko was among four St. Louis players who scored, while Jake Allen made 32 saves.

Elliott, expected to start Saturday, has gone 11-0-0 with a 1.84 goals-against average in his last 13, matching a team record for consecutive wins.

Washington (55-17-8) is mired in its longest losing streak of the season at 0-2-1. It's dropped five of seven, a stretch that began with the defeat to the Blues.

Marcus Johansson snapped an 18-game goal drought with two and Andre Burakovsky added one as part of a three-goal Washington rally Thursday, but Pittsburgh won 4-3 in overtime for its eighth straight victory.

After leading the league with 3.30 goals per game through 57 contests, Washington is in the bottom third with 2.39 over its last 23.

'The work ethic wasn't there, the execution - nothing was,' goaltender Braden Holtby said. 'I don't know how we got to overtime, so it was a big challenge tonight going against the hottest team in the league, and hopefully, we realize that we're a lot better team than that and we need to work.'

Holtby made 31 saves but was denied in his second attempt to tie Martin Brodeur's single-season record of 48 wins. He sat out last month's game against the Blues, though he's won his two career starts against them with a 1.00 GAA.

Along with a motivated St. Louis team, the Capitals host an Anaheim club Sunday that could have a chance to win the Pacific Division.

"I think that's just what we need," Johansson said. "It's good for us to step it up a little bit and get into a little bit more of a playoff mode, I think, and try to come out with two big wins."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Predators (41-26) at Stars (49-23)

Date: April 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

While there may be other scenarios in which they can reach their goal, the Dallas Stars are only focused on taking care of their own business during a critical season finale.

The surging Stars look to lock up their first division title in 10 years and home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs on Saturday night against the visiting Nashville Predators, who are locked into the West's first wild-card spot.

Dallas (49-23-9) has played its way into a tie atop the conference while outscoring opponents 35-20 over an 8-2-0 stretch. The club had a chance to clinch its first division title since 2005-06 on Thursday with a home win over Colorado and a St. Louis regulation loss to Chicago.

The Stars did their part with a 4-2 victory, but the Blues beat the Blackhawks 2-1 in overtime.

Dallas and St. Louis have 107 points apiece, though the Blues would have to finish in front because the Stars own the tiebreaker based on regulation plus overtime wins (47-44). The only scenario the Stars are concerned with is the one where they take first place with a victory.

"We've got one more tough game and the game is going to mean a lot to us," coach Lindy Ruff told the team's official website. "It's an opportunity to win the (Central) division, win the conference. I think it's something that we've worked hard for all year long."

Jamie Benn has played a key role in the Stars' surge with five goals during a five-game home winning streak. The captain has nine goals and eight assists over his last 15 overall.

He also has six goals and four assists in his past five matchups with the Predators (41-26-14).

Dallas hopes to get Jason Spezza back from an illness. The team's third-leading scorer with 60 points, Spezza has two goals and two assists in his last three games against Nashville.

The Stars, who also have been without second-leading scorer Tyler Sequin for the last nine games, seek their fourth straight win and 26th in 35 all-time home meetings with the Predators. Benn led the way with two goals March 29 when host Dallas took a 3-1 season series lead with a 5-2 victory.

Though they're locked into a first-round matchup with Los Angeles or Anaheim, the Predators hope to keep playing well heading into the postseason. They bounced back from a four-game slide by beating Colorado 4-3 on Tuesday and Arizona 3-2 in OT on Thursday.

"We're making progress and we're playing ... one of the top teams in our division, so it will be a tough test for us," defenseman Shea Weber told the Predators' official website.

Weber is one power-play goal away from setting the franchise's single-season record with 15, but the Stars have killed 46 of 48 penalties over their last 16 games. He scored once with the man advantage and added two assists in a 5-3 home win over Dallas on March 1.

Filip Forsberg has a goal and an assist in each of the last two games, leaving him one goal shy of setting the team's single-season record. He has 33 to match Jason Arnott's total from 2008-09.

"Shea's been a force for the power play all year long with his shot. Filip's been a really strong player for us especially in the second half of the season," coach Peter Laviolette said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jets (34-39) at Kings (48-28)

Date: April 09, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Wayne Gretzky's 41 goals and 122 assists guided Los Angeles to a 102-point campaign and the Smythe Division title in his third season with the club. He never reached those numbers again, and the Kings haven't won their division since.

Two Stanley Cup championships help make the drought a little less significant, but the accomplishment of ending it isn't lost on this season's team.

Los Angeles has overcome a potentially damaging swoon and can clinch the Pacific with a win over the visiting Winnipeg Jets in Saturday night's regular-season finale.

Not since Gretzky won the ninth of his 10 Art Ross trophies in 1990-91 have the Kings (48-28-5) claimed a division crown, which marks the only one in franchise history. They won the Cup in 2012 and '14, but they got hot at playoff time after finishing third in the Pacific both seasons.

Los Angeles has won back-to-back games following a 2-6-0 stretch, including Thursday's 2-1 victory over Anaheim that broke a tie atop the division and put it in control of ending the Ducks' three-year Pacific reign. A victory would give it 103 points, its most since setting a franchise record with 105 in 1974-75.

"You don't want to be relying on other teams to beat other teams, and other teams to lose," defenseman Drew Doughty said. "We've relied on other teams before, and it didn't go so well for us. This year, we were really focused on determining our own destiny."

Anaheim has a game in hand, though, and still can win the division with two victories and a Kings loss of any kind. The Pacific champ will face Nashville in the first round, and the other will get to stay in California for the duration of a series with San Jose.

Finishing second could ease travel, but the Kings and Ducks could meet in the second round with the division winner getting home-ice advantage.

"We have a lot of work left to do, one massive game ahead of us, but home ice is very important," Doughty said. "The pride thing is important."

Los Angeles has held serve at home against Winnipeg, going 7-0-3 at Staples Center since the Jets entered the league as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999-2000. It won the first meeting Oct. 27, but the Jets scored three times in the third period for a 4-1 home victory in the last matchup March 24.

Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele had two assists apiece in that win, and they've helped last-place Winnipeg win a season-high three straight heading into this meeting.

Dustin Byfuglien scored with 9.9 seconds remaining to give the Jets (34-39-8) a 5-4 win at San Jose on Thursday after they trailed 3-1 in the second. Wheeler tied it with less than a minute left in the second, and Scheifele's second goal knotted it at 4-4 with 7:58 remaining in the third.

"It's too late in the year to do anything about (the standings) now, but it feels good," said Byfuglien, who also had three assists. "We can go into this last game on a high note and finish the year off right."

Wheeler has seven goals and seven assists during a 10-game point streak, and Scheifele has six goals and eight assists during a nine-game run.

"We have guys who love to compete and we get to do it one more time before next year," Wheeler said.

Ondrej Pavelec made 33 saves to beat the Kings in the last meeting and could be in goal for this one. He has a 2.20 goals-against average in six starts and one relief appearance in his career against them.

Jonathan Quick has allowed at least three goals in three of his last four starts against the Jets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Oilers (31-43) at Canucks (30-38)

Date: April 09, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Edmonton Oilers are in a familiar situation heading into their season finale Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks.

Edmonton is once again in position to earn the best chance for the top overall pick in the draft, a selection it has made four times in the last six years.

The Oilers (31-43-7) will have a 20 percent chance of winning the draft lottery if they finish with the fewest points in the NHL. They're tied with Toronto, which closes at New Jersey on Saturday.

Edmonton's odds for the No. 1 pick - likely to be Swiss center Auston Matthews - dip to 13.5 percent if the Maple Leafs finish with fewer points. If the teams end up tied, Toronto gets the better lottery odds because the Oilers have more regulation wins.

Edmonton took Taylor Hall with the top overall pick in 2010, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2011, Nail Yakupov in 2012 and Connor McDavid last year. However, that hasn't helped on the ice as the Oilers have gone 160-238-59 since drafting Hall - the worst record in the NHL over that span.

Perhaps that's why first-year coach Todd McLellan wants the Oilers to finish strong after they rolled to a 6-2 win over the Canucks (30-38-13) and snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday in the final game at Rexall Place.

"I think this is a test in regards to character and professionalism coming up," McLellan said after Friday's practice. "Because we passed it the other night doesn't mean we get a night off now in Vancouver. Our goal is to go there, perform and give each other our best and get a win. Then come home and review everything."

The former No. 1 picks shined against Vancouver, with McDavid and Hall each registering a goal and two assists and Yakupov adding a goal. Hall leads the team with 64 points while McDavid is third with 48 despite playing in 44 games.

'It was a really good effort from all fronts,' Hall said. 'We had some really good goaltending and the special teams that have been letting us down of late were there tonight, huge.

'It was a good way to finish it off here. It was a fun night with really good electricity in the building. We finished it off right.'

Vancouver will miss the playoffs after finishing second in the Pacific Division last season with 101 points. The Canucks followed Wednesday's drubbing in Edmonton with a 7-3 loss at Calgary the next night.

'Obviously change is going to happen,' said right wing Jannik Hansen, who's played his first nine seasons with Vancouver. 'This is the worst I've ever been a part of since I've been here. It hasn't been very fun.'

The Canucks limp into their finale with a 3-10-1 record in their last 14 games.

"I think it's been a problem this year; we have a few good games, and then we have a few bad games," forward Daniel Sedin told the team's official website. "I think our last 10-12 games we talked about being consistent each and every night, and I think we have been up until these last two games. This hasn't been good enough."

Edmonton has outscored Vancouver 11-5 in going 3-0-1 in the season series behind five points from McDavid.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Coyotes (35-38) at Sharks (45-30)

Date: April 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The San Jose Sharks are locked into their postseason seed and admittedly find motivation tough to come by as they struggle down the stretch.

The Arizona Coyotes are experiencing far worse troubles with no playoff silver lining on the other side.

A final tune-up for the Sharks comes Saturday night against their Pacific Division rival when the Coyotes try for just their eighth win at San Jose in over nine years.

There is no movement in the Western Conference left for San Jose (45-30-6), which enters this finale third in the Pacific. The Sharks are waiting to see which division for they'll play - Los Angeles or Anaheim - in the first round next week.

San Jose had offset a three-game skid with wins in four of five before posting a clunker at home against Winnipeg on Thursday, coughing up a 3-1 lead in a 5-4 loss.

"Obviously we want to win these games, but it can be tough at times to get up for the games," goaltender Martin Jones said.

More concerning than a single loss are the Sharks' continued woes at home, where they're 17-20-3 and have lost five of six. Neutral-zone turnovers contributed to the latest defeat, and a penalty kill that hadn't allowed a goal in 11 chances the previous four games gave up two on four Jets opportunities.

"Those are some big concerns for us going into the playoffs," forward Tommy Wingels told the team's official website. "Yeah, we're going to move on, but certainly there are things we can tighten up and work on."

A matchup against Arizona might help. The Sharks have won three of four meetings this season, taking both in San Jose. They are 12-3-3 in this series since Jan. 24, 2013, including a 6-0-3 run at home.

That home dominance over Arizona stretches back much further. San Jose holds a 20-2-5 record against the Coyotes at home since Jan. 18, 2007, and is riding a 10-game point streak there in the series.

Another would add to Arizona's struggles against playoff teams in the season's final week and a half. After losing at West-leading Dallas on March 31 and beating league-leading Washington last Saturday, the Coyotes dropped their opening three games on a season-ending four-game trip this week at St. Louis, Chicago and Nashville.

Arizona (35-38-8) fell 5-2 to the Blues on Monday and 6-2 to the Blackhawks a day later before wasting a two-goal lead in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Predators - a fifth straight road loss that dropped the Coyotes to 13-23-4 away from home.

Nashville forced overtime with 18.3 seconds left and then won it 20 seconds into the extra period, spoiling Mike Smith's 28-save performance.

Midway through the third, Smith seemed in great shape to pick up his fourth shutout but instead suffered his third loss in his last four starts.

"I don't think that was a very good hockey game at all," Smith told the team's official website. "I don't know what to say right now. ... It was a shiny game for most of that hockey game and obviously disappointing."

Smith will meet a streaking Joe Thornton on Saturday. The six-time All-Star extended his point streak to six games with a goal and an assist Thursday, taking over sole possession of 28th place on the all-time points list with 1,340.

Thornton has assists in each of the first four games of this series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jackets (32-40) at Sabres (34-35)

Date: April 08, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Dan Bylsma and John Tortorella have both hoisted the Stanley Cup as coaches and have expectations their players often have trouble meeting, leading to plenty of frustrating moments during their first seasons overseeing the rebuilding of fledgling clubs.

Buffalo's progression has been most noticeable lately, though, giving Bylsma plenty of hope for the future. Tortorella just witnessed one of Columbus' best performances since he took the job eight games into the season.

They'll meet in the NHL's only game Friday night as the Sabres look to sweep the season series from the visiting Blue Jackets by winning a season-high fourth straight.

Bylsma took over Pittsburgh with 25 games left in 2008-09 and guided the Sidney Crosby-led Penguins to the Stanley Cup months later. He recorded 100-point seasons in four of the next five, but he never came close to that postseason success again and was fired after last season.

Buffalo (34-35-11) hired Bylsma shortly after, trusting him to guide a young core that includes rookie Jack Eichel through a rough patch and into contention down the road. The Sabres have made strides and are riding their first three-game winning streak since Nov. 7-12 following Tuesday's 3-1 victory over New Jersey.

Eichel scored his 24th goal and assisted on Ryan O'Reilly's 21st in support of Chad Johnson, who made 18 saves.

"This shows how much we've grown," Johnson said. "Get rid of October with that learning curve as a group, with a new coach and new players. After that, we've showed we can be a good team."

Eichel and O'Reilly scored in Buffalo's 4-2 win over Columbus on Oct. 12, nine days before the Blue Jackets fired Todd Richards and hired the brash and demanding Tortorella.

Columbus (32-40-8) began the season with eight straight losses and dropped its first under Tortorella, but it also has shown some progress despite sitting at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division.

Tortorella won the Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004 and hasn't been shy about expressing his frustration with the inconsistency of the young Blue Jackets. They've won two of three, though, and dominated the third period of Wednesday's 5-1 win over Toronto.

Brandon Dubinsky, who also played four seasons under Tortorella with the New York Rangers from 2008-12, scored twice, and Brandon Saad added a goal and an assist.

Dubinsky's 17 goals are his most since a career-high 24 in 2010-11.

"If we're going to progress as a team, (Dubinsky) has to score," Tortorella said. "He's a guy that ends up with a lot of chances. He has more to give - he knows that - and if we're going to be a better team, he has to (score more)."

Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves and set a franchise record with his 97th victory since joining the club in 2013, when he won the Vezina Trophy in the lockout-shortened season.

"It's a great honor," Bobrovsky said. "I hope there are more to come."

Bobrovsky struggled against the Sabres back in October, though. He was out with an injury when Eichel finished with two assists in Buffalo's 4-0 victory Feb. 19.

Johnson won the first meeting and could be in net again for this one. He has a 2.13 goals-against average while winning five of his last seven starts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - April

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
4/1 5 25 36 OVER
4/2 11 58 57 UNDER
4/3 5 26 34 OVER
4/4 5 25.5 32 OVER
4/5 11 59.5 62 OVER
4/6 3 16.5 17 OVER
4/7 13 70.5 78 OVER
4/8 1 5.5 5 UNDER
4/9 15 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (21-58) at Pelicans (29-49)

Date: April 09, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

After winning their latest game, the Phoenix Suns need at least two more victories over their final three contests to avoid their first 60-loss season since they were an expansion franchise.

The Suns will try to earn the first of those Saturday night against the severely depleted New Orleans Pelicans.

Phoenix put a dent in Houston's playoff hopes with a 124-115 road victory Thursday. The Suns ended a seven-game skid with their best offensive performance of the season and outscored the Rockets 17-5 in the final 3:10.

Mirza Teletovic was one of their three players to top 20 points with a team-leading 26.

"We've had a lot of injuries. A lot of ups and downs this year. We've been through the ringer. The one thing that's never faltered is the effort and energy that we've put out in trying to get better and trying to make our organization one of the best," said forward P.J. Tucker, who had a career-high 24 points.

Phoenix has already endured its most defeats in one season since its inaugural 1968-69 squad went 16-66 but can still avoid the dubious distinction of being a 60-loss team.

The Suns (21-58) will get to face two other eliminated teams in that attempt, New Orleans and Sacramento. They will also take on a Clippers team that's locked in the Western Conference's No. 4 seed and could be resting at least some of its players for the postseason in Wednesday's season finale.

The Pelicans (30-49) are trying to avoid their first 50-loss season since going 27-55 in 2012-13 and got one step closer with a 110-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Alexis Ajinca had career highs of 28 points and 15 rebounds for New Orleans, which also earned its third consecutive home victory.

"We didn't talk about winning the last four or five games," coach Alvin Gentry said. "We talked about the three things that we had to do was play hard, share the basketball, and getting to the right spots and executing. We figured if we did those things, we would take anything that happens from there."

Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday are among New Orleans' notable missing players.

The Pelicans had all of those players on the court for a 104-88 loss in Phoenix on Dec. 18 that ended a three-game win streak in the series.

Phoenix won't have its leading scorers from any of its matchups against the Pelicans this season. Eric Bledsoe hasn't played since undergoing left knee surgery in December, and Brandon Knight is out for the rest of the way after undergoing a hernia procedure Thursday.

The Pelicans, who have won the last three matchups with the Suns in New Orleans, have won four in a row at home just once this season, from Jan. 15-23.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Celtics (46-32) at Hawks (47-32)

Date: April 09, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

It's a tight race for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference, and the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics can take a big step towards gaining it Saturday night.

These clubs enter with identical 47-32 records, and both are playing well with the Hawks winning 11 of their last 14 games and the visiting Celtics winners of four straight.

Atlanta and Boston are tied for the Eastern Conference's third-best record, with both currently in position for home-court advantage of the first round of the playoffs. Those positions are precarious, because Miami and Charlotte lurk one game behind them.

It means Saturday's winner will move very close to gaining that home advantage. This contest could also be a preview of a first-round series.

'You never know which team we can play in the playoffs, so as a team we're going to take it serious,' Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas said. 'We want to win every game and we've just got to be ready.'

Thomas is very close to his season average in averaging 22.0 points in three meetings against Atlanta, although Boston has lost twice. Jae Crowder is the only other Celtic averaging in double figures at 15.0.

The Hawks have enjoyed better balance in the season series with five players averaging at least 12 points, led by Paul Millsap's 19.7. What has been surprising is that Jeff Teague is not in that group, scoring only 9.3 per contest on 31.8 percent shooting.

Thomas is averaging 25.0 points in Boston's win streak, with 20 on 7-of-9 shooting in Friday's 124-109 victory over Milwaukee. He logged just under 25 minutes as the Celtics got plenty of rest as they try to improve the East's second-best mark in the second half of back-to-back games to 13-6.

The Hawks should be confident after beating one of the teams ahead of them in the standings with Thursday's 95-87 victory over Toronto. They limited the Raptors' high-scoring duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to a total of 32 points on 13-of-39 shooting.

'It was a total team effort,' guard Kyle Korver said. 'We're working on a few things on defense and some of that helped tonight. It really doesn't matter what your coverage is. I think guys were just really locked in and focused.'

Teague led the way with 23 points to match his average over the last five games, a span in which he's shooting 48.2 percent. Millsap had 13 points and 14 boards for his third straight double-double, matching a career best with his 30th.

Atlanta tries to cap this homestand with a 3-1 mark in its last regular-season game at Philips Arena. It has held every opponent on it to below 40.0 percent from the field, limiting Toronto to 38.1.

"Our defense kind of gave us a chance to win a tough game against a very good team," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It's a good win at home."

These teams lead the East in assist-to-turnover ratio, with Boston at 1.75 and Atlanta at 1.73.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Warriors (70-9) at Grizzlies (42-36)

Date: April 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Coach Steve Kerr may be apprehensive, believing his Golden State Warriors may need a mental and physical break before the playoffs start more than chasing the record for most wins in a season.

His young stars have no such doubts. With a once-in-a-lifetime chance to set a record with 73 wins by sweeping the final three games, they want to seize the opportunity beginning Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

'Everything is gravy at this point with coach Kerr,' forward Draymond Green said. 'All he wanted was the number one seed. For a lot of guys in the locker room, it's not gravy. We put ourselves in a position all year. ... To get this far and kind of just tank it and say never mind? Face it, we'll probably never get to this point again. That's why it's only been done one time. I think most guys in the locker room are all in.'

The Warriors (70-9) joined the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls as the only teams in NBA history to win 70 games in a season by beating San Antonio 112-101 on Thursday night to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

To break the mark of 72 that Michael Jordan and the Bulls set 20 years ago, the Warriors must sweep a weekend road trip to Memphis and San Antonio and then beat the Grizzlies again in the season finale next Wednesday night at home.

'With three games left and 73 still there, it's obviously a lot to play for,' star Stephen Curry said.

Kerr asked his players a few weeks ago if 73 wins was important to them. When most said yes, he made a pact with young stars like Curry, Green, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes that he would not force them to sit as long as they were honest about their health.

'I want to finish out these last three games,' said Thompson, averaging 18.7 points in six games since back-to-back 40-point efforts. 'I pride myself on playing every game. I'm still young in my career. I'm only 26. When I'm 36 I'll be looking to rest more.'

Kerr said he would discuss the choice again with his coaches and players Friday on the plane ride to Memphis. He has given time off recently to veterans like center Andrew Bogut and guard Shaun Livingston. Other players like sixth man Andre Iguodala and backup center Festus Ezeli have gotten time off because of injuries.

But no one on the young core has gotten a game off since Curry missed a game with a sprained ankle on March 1.

'I'm not sure they actually need a rest physically. But maybe a break mentally will do them some good,' Kerr said. 'On the other hand, I'm pretty sure we're not going to be in this position again next year. You can't keep winning at this level. It's a very unique situation.'

Kerr knows well what the Warriors have accomplished, having played all 82 games as a key reserve on the Bulls team that set the mark. He has noted the parallels of the toll the 82-game grind takes late in a season and knows that what his Warriors team is aiming to do is even harder than what Chicago did in breaking the mark of 69 wins set by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971-72.

'In `96 we had to get to 70,' Kerr said. 'We have to get to 73. When you're talking about an 82-game season, three games is huge. This is a monumental task if that's what we're calling it. Yes, I'm kind of confused with how we should approach it.'

Green and Curry have been the most vocal players about wanting the record, while some others like Iguodala and Bogut have downplayed its importance. Green made a point this week of telling his teammates that they should feel free to sit out a game if they feel like they need a rest and not feel as if they are letting teammates down.

'The goal is to win a championship, and nobody should sacrifice that for anything in this regular season,' Curry said. 'If you're able to play, and feel like you can go out there and give what you got, and continue to build momentum into the playoffs, then we'll do it. I think that's kind of the majority.'

Curry and the other starters might not have to play much to take care of Memphis. Golden State dominated both meetings in November back when the Grizzlies still had Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, winning 100-84 in Memphis following a 119-69 result in Oakland - the worst loss in Grizzlies' history.

With Gasol out for the season and likely the same for Conley, Memphis (42-37) has lost 11 of 14. The Grizzlies fell 103-93 in Dallas on Friday, one night after clinching a playoff spot when ninth-place Houston lost to Phoenix.

The slump has dropped Memphis into sixth in the West, one-half game behind Portland and a game ahead of the Mavericks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cavaliers (56-23) at Bulls (39-40)

Date: April 09, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

It's real simple for the Cleveland Cavaliers - win one of their final three games and clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference. For the Chicago Bulls, though, even winning their remaining three contests likely will not be enough to get them into the postseason.

These Central Division teams on the opposite ends of the playoff spectrum meet Saturday night at the United Center.

The Cavaliers (56-23) are three games ahead of Toronto with four to play, so beating Chicago, Atlanta or Detroit will give them home-court advantage until the NBA Finals.

"All of our guys are in the lineup (Saturday), so we obviously want to play well," James said after practice Friday. "Chicago is a team that has had a lot of ups and downs since the All-Star break but they always tend to play well against us."

James will be well-rested for this contest since he sat out Wednesday's 123-109 loss at Indiana, Cleveland's highest point total allowed since coach Tyronn Lue took over. With his superstar returning, Lue has already put the loss out of mind and is more concerned with keeping his team on point for the final week of the season.

"(We want to stay in) the rhythm we've been in the last five games, outside the Indiana game," Lue explained. "Staying in an offensive flow and our defense has been really good, just staying in that flow and rhythm from he last five or six games."

While there isn't much difference in record from predecessor David Blatt to Lue, who is 26-12 since taking over in mid-January, the defense may be a cause for concern. Cleveland has given up 100.7 points per game since he's taken over, slightly above its season mark of 98.1, but the Cavaliers are only 8-6 against the expected Eastern Conference playoff field since he's taken over. Additionally, every Eastern potential postseason opponent but Toronto has scored 100 points against them at least once since Lue replaced Blatt.

Backup point guard Mo Williams will miss this game after flying back to Cleveland to undergo an MRI for a sore knee that has limited him to 28 minutes the past three contests.

The Bulls (39-40) remained mathematically alive only because the Raptors defeated Indiana on Friday, but Chicago needs to defeat Cleveland, New Orleans and Philadelphia while hoping the Pacers lose to Brooklyn, New York and Milwaukee between now and Wednesday.

Coach Fred Hoiberg's team trudged back to the Windy City after back-to-back losses to close a three-game road swing, losing at Memphis on Tuesday and 106-98 at Miami on Thursday. The Bulls are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

'Obviously it's not the way that we wanted,' guard Jimmy Butler said. 'I think everybody thinks about it each and every day. It probably keeps everybody up late, I know it does for me. But we can't change it now. It is what it is.'

Chicago has dropped seven of its last 10, with the defensive identity it had under previous coach Tom Thibodeau a distant memory. Opponents have shot 46.4 percent and averaged 103.6 points in that span, and the Bulls have also given up six more points per game when combining fast-break points and second-chance points (27-21).

Cleveland didn't solve Chicago until the third and most recent meeting between the teams, a 106-95 win Feb. 18 in which James had 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. The Bulls limited the Cavaliers to 38.8 percent shooting in winning the first two games this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Timberwolves (27-52) at Trail Blazers (43-37)

Date: April 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The only number on the mind of the Portland Trail Blazers in the middle of April is their seed in the Western Conference, not their number on a ping-pong ball as many expected.

Seeking their first nine-game home winning streak in three years, the surging Blazers try to finish a sweep of a Minnesota club they've dominated in Portland over the last decade on Saturday night.

Portland won 120-115 against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, its sixth in seven games to clinch its sixth postseason berth in eight seasons. The franchise is seemingly well ahead of schedule considering it appeared to be entering a rebuilding phase after losing three of its top four scorers from 2014-15.

The Trail Blazers (43-37) looked destined for the draft lottery earlier on, starting 11-20.

"We came back from whatever our record was in December to put together a run and stayed with the process," coach Terry Stotts said. "It's been very rewarding."

They're the league's first team to reach the playoffs despite returning two or fewer players with 1,000-plus minutes from the previous season.

"Because there was so much doubt," point guard Damian Lillard said. "It wasn't just people saying they're not going to be a playoff team. People said we wouldn't win 20 games."

Lillard, the league's sixth-leading scorer at 25.0 points per game, was 2 for 13 in his worst shooting performance of the season Wednesday and has shot 32.1 percent over his last eight contests.

Portland has a half-game lead over Memphis for fifth-place in the West after trailing the Grizzlies by five games through March 4. The Blazers close out Wednesday against visiting Denver while the Grizzlies face a more difficult road, sandwiching two contests versus Golden State around a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Portland and Memphis split their season series, but the Trail Blazers' 28-22 conference record gives them the tiebreaker over the Grizzlies, who are 25-24 against the West.

Portland has also won 19 of 22 at home and is going for its first nine-game home win streak since Dec. 10, 2012-Jan. 10, 2013. It has averaged 13.3 made 3s in its last four at home while shooting 47.7 percent from beyond the arc.

The Trail Blazers haven't lost to the Timberwolves at home since 2012, winning 19 of the last 20 in Portland versus Minnesota, which is 14-26 on the road but has won five of eight as the visitor.

Portland won the first three matchups by a combined 14 points. A 96-93 home victory Jan. 31 came in spite of a 6-for-27 3-point performance.

The Timberwolves (27-52) are seeking their first three-game winning streak since Nov. 23-27. They followed Tuesday's overtime victory over NBA-leading Golden State with a 105-97 win at Sacramento on Thursday.

Five players scored 15 or more against the Kings and the team recorded 25 assists on 36 field goals.

"The win was nice. But the main thing for us is building for next season," said Zach LaVine, who scored 18. "We want to be in the playoffs next season, so right now we are playing hard and training ourselves for that."

Andrew Wiggins is shooting 53.4 percent over his last four games and has scored 30 or more three times in his last six, though he's struggled with his shot more against Portland than any other foe this season. Wiggins is 14 for 50 (28.0 percent) from the floor against the Trail Blazers, shooting a career-worst 3 of 18 at Portland in January.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Thunder (54-25) at Kings (31-48)

Date: April 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Though they already have a division title and the No. 3 seed locked up, the Oklahoma City Thunder can chase some impressive individual marks if they so desire.

In the final game at Sacramento's Sleep Train Arena, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are expected to return to action Saturday night when the Thunder seek their 25th win in 29 meetings with a Kings team that doesn't seem interested in playing its regulars.

Oklahoma City (54-25) has secured third place in the Western Conference because it owns the tiebreaker over the Los Angeles Clippers as the Northwest Division champs.

As a result, coach Billy Donovan opted to rest starters Durant, Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Andre Roberson in Wednesday's 120-115 road loss to Portland. Enes Kanter took advantage of his extended chance by putting up the first 30-point, 20-rebound game in Thunder history with 33 and 20 as Oklahoma City nearly came back from a 23-point hole.

'My thinking on holding everyone out is just to rest our guys,' Donovan explained. 'It was a great opportunity to get those guys some extra rest and have two days before going to Sacramento.'

Now Donovan is expected to have everyone available as the club attempts to split this four-game road swing. While the Thunder don't have anything to gain from a playoff perspective, Durant and Westbrook have something to play for from a personal standpoint.

Durant is on track to become the first player to average 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists since Michael Jordan in 1988-89. He's gone 62 straight games with at least 20 points, the longest such streak since Kobe Bryant's run of 63 from 2005-07.

Westbrook is one triple-double away from breaking Magic Johnson's mark of 17 for the most in a season since '85-86.

'Whenever you're mentioned in the same sentence as Magic, it's always great. That's something you never take for granted," said the All-Star point guard, who has eight triple-doubles in his last 16 games.

Westbrook has recorded one in two of the three meetings with the Kings, averaging 18.7 points, 13.3 assists and 10.7 rebounds in the season series.

Sacramento (31-48) will try to close out a 28-year run at Sleep Train Arena with a rare victory over the Thunder. The Kings have dropped nine of the past 11 home matchups after Durant scored 27 and Westbrook triple-doubled in Oklahoma City's 131-116 win Feb. 29.

The club will move into a downtown arena called the Golden 1 Center next season. Approximately 50 former players and coaches are expected to attend the final game at the venue which was long known as Arco Arena.

'This is more of a college atmosphere, college loyalty, and college love than most NBA cities," coach George Karl said. "Saturday will be a moment that the basketball fan will feel good about. Even me, though I've only been here for 15 months. It's historically a part of my career.'

After announcing previously that DeMarcus Cousins would only be rested in the remaining road games, Karl chose to sit the All-Star center and Rajon Rondo in Thursday's 105-97 home loss to Minnesota. Rudy Gay had 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting after sitting out two of the prior five contests.

The Thunder certainly hope Cousins and Rondo remain on the bench. Cousins has totaled 68 points and 31 boards in the last two meetings, while Rondo had a career high-tying sixth triple-double in Tuesday's loss to Portland with a season-high 27 points.

Sacramento loses its first-round pick to Chicago if it falls outside the top 10.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Saturday, April 9 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

I can't say I've ever been to a Sacramento Kings game at what is now called Sleep Train Arena, but I remember loving watching games on TV from there back in the early 2000s when the Kings were one of the NBA's best and most entertaining teams. You could hear the cowbells through your screen and it was a rabid fan base. Alas, the Kings could never reach the NBA Finals, usually running into the Los Angeles Lakers. Saturday will be the Kings' final game in that arena as they move to a new building, the Golden 1 Center, next season thanks largely to the efforts of former NBA All-Star and current city mayor Kevin Johnson -- it sure looked a couple of times like the Kings were going to move to Seattle or Kansas City, but Johnson got the financing in place. Kings players will wear retro baby blue jerseys and a retro court will be in use for the finale. Approximately 50 former players and coaches are expected to attend the game.


Suns at Pelicans (-3, 207)

Likely plenty of good seats available for this ugly game. Think I'd rather be in the French Quarter on a Saturday night than be forced to watch this in person. Phoenix pulled a surprise Thursday in winning 124-115 in Houston to end a seven-game losing streak and severely damaging Houston's playoff chances. The Suns were down 13 in the third quarter. They got 36 second-chance points to just eight by Houston. New Orleans hosted the Lakers on Friday night so it will be quite a drop in fans in the building on Saturday as I'm sure Friday's game was sold out to see Kobe Bryant one last time. New Orleans leads the season series with Phoenix 2-1 but all three were played before Christmas so those mean little now with how different both clubs are due to injury.

Key trends: The home team is 8-1 against the spread in the past nine meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in New Orleans' past six overall.

Early lean: Can I pass? Suns and under.

Celtics at Hawks (-5.5, 204)

This game is potentially huge for the No. 3 seed in the East. Boston hosted Milwaukee on Friday. Atlanta beat Toronto 95-87 on Thursday to win for the 16th time in 21 games and avoid a four-game season sweep. Kent Bazemore sat out with an injured right knee and is day-to-day. Thabo Sefolosha started in his place and had 10 points. Boston won the first meeting vs. the Hawks at home very early in the season but lost the past two, also back in 2015. Thus a Hawks win gives them the tiebreaker. Boston has dropped three in a row in Atlanta.

Key trends: Boston is 2-8 ATS in the past 10 road games. The under is 7-1 in its past eight overall. The under is 5-2 in Atlanta's past seven overall.

Early lean: Hawks and under.

Warriors at Grizzlies (+11, 211.5)

ESPN game and should have live betting at sportsbooks. Memphis was at Dallas on Friday. Golden State became the second team in NBA history with 70 wins thanks to a dominant 112-101 win over visiting San Antonio on Thursday to clinch the West's top seed officially. The Warriors avoided losing back-to-back games for the first time all season and have outscored the opposition by 14.6 points in the games following each of their nine losses. I will be very interested to see what Warriors coach Steve Kerr does here with some key players as Golden State has a another huge one in San Antonio on Sunday. Of course the Spurs are unbeaten at home. If the Spurs win that one, they could break the Warriors' all-time home regular-season winning streak early next season. Kerr has said he would talk to his guys early Friday about possibly resting but most said they want to go for 73 wins. Golden State has blown out Memphis twice this season, both in November. The Warriors have won four straight overall in the series.

Key trends: The Warriors are 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 7-1 in the past eight.

Early lean: Wait and see what Kerr does here. I like the Grizzlies as of now, though, because even if all the Warriors play, they will be looking toward Sunday.

Cavaliers at Bulls (TBA)

ABC game and should have live betting at sportsbooks. This looked like a great matchup on paper when the season started, but the Bulls are out of the playoffs (well, they will be on Friday night). Cleveland sat LeBron James on Wednesday and lost 123-109 in Indiana. Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with 26 points and six assists, while Kevin Love had 23 points and five rebounds. But the Cleveland defense was terrible. The Cavs' magic number to clinch the top seed in the East is one and they could clinch Friday if Toronto loses at home to Indiana. This is Cleveland's final regular-season road game. Chicago lost 106-98 in Miami on Thursday. The Bulls haven't missed the playoffs since 2007-08 but then won the 2008 lottery and the right to take Derrick Rose. Chicago won the first two meetings this season but lost the most recent on Feb. 18 in Cleveland.

Key trends: The road team is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 4-0 in the previous four.

Early lean: See who Cavs rest or not.

Timberwolves at Trail Blazers (-8.5, 218)

Minnesota won a second straight Thursday, 105-97 in Sacramento. I thought the Wolves might have a huge letdown after Tuesday's win in Golden State, but only if the Kings played all their regulars. They didn't. Gorgui Dieng had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns had his 50th double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Portland won a second straight Wednesday, 120-115 over Oklahoma City, which rested its key guys. Al-Farouq Aminu scored 27 points and C.J. McCollum 26 as Portland became the first team in NBA history to earn a playoff berth while returning a roster that had two or fewer players with 1,000 or more minutes from the previous season. Those players are Damian Lillard and Chris Kaman, who barely plays now. I certainly expected the Blazers to be a lottery team. Portland has won four straight in this series overall and eight in a row at home. Lillard is averaging 24.7 points vs. Minnesota in the three games this season.

Key trends: The Wolves have covered just one of their past eight in Portland. The over is 12-4 in the Blazers' past 16 vs. the West.

Early lean: Blazers and over.

Thunder at Kings (TBA)

I would hope George Karl plays all his regulars here since it's the home finale. I have to think management would make him. I'm assuming it's also Karl's final home game. Karl rested DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo on Thursday and the Kings predictably lost to Minnesota 105-97. Darren Collison had 19 points and six assists in the Kings' third straight loss. Oklahoma City sat Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka on Wednesday in Portland and of course lost. Enes Kanter had a career-high 33 points and 20 rebounds for the Thunder. Hard to know what Coach Billy Donovan does here. I tend to think he plays his guys here and then Monday in the regular-season home finale but rests them next Tuesday at San Antonio. Oklahoma City leads the season series 2-1 and won the most recent 131-116 in Sacramento.

Key trends: The Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their past seven in Sacramento. The under is 10-3 in the past 13 meetings.

Early lean: Wait on Donovan's call and Karl's. Actually think the Kings will play pretty hard here and have a decent shot at winning outright if all their guys go.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

A11 - Saturday Showdowns
By Anthony Stabile

Welcome to “Anthony’s Eleven,” your source for anything and everything leading up to Kentucky Derby 142 on May 7th at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

The biggest Kentucky Derby prep day of the season is here, as three 100 point races will be contested across the country this Saturday.

And, with my Derby picture getting completely muddled by the subpar performance of Mohaymen in his first defeat last Saturday in the G1 Xpressbet.com Florida Derby, a race won by the still undefeated Two-Year-Old Eclipse champ Nyquist, I have decided to suspend Anthony’s Eleven power rankings for this week to focus on the preps at hand.

And while these preps lack the drama of last weeks’ historic showdown, they certainly figure to help us separate contenders from pretenders as the Run for the Roses is now less than a month away. All three preps are G1 status, sport a $1 million purse and will be run at 1 1/8 miles.

The action start in New York at Aqueduct with the Wood Memorial as a field of eight are scheduled to go to post, led by the Chad Brown trained Shagaf.

Shagaf, undefeated in three lifetime starts, won a pair around one turn before stepping up in class and stretching out a bit in distance in the G3 Gotham going 1 1/16 miles last out. After saving ground on an inside biased track for most of the way, regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. guided him to the outside paths in the stretch and Shagaf grinded his way to victory.

Though the rail was the place to be on Gotham Day, I am of the belief that Shagaf wasn’t all that comfortable racing along the inside. It’s something he’ll have to deal with, at least a while, in this spot as he has drawn post 1.

Brown will also send out G3 Jerome winner Flexibility in here. As a juvenile, Flexibility finished second to Mohaymen in both the G2 Nashua and G2 Remsen, a race run over this course at this trip. He failed to fire in the G3 Withers last out over two months ago, though he was beaten just two lengths in a fourth place effort. Manny Franco rides from post 5.

Out in post 8, we have Outwork for the formidable Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez duo. Almost 10 months separated his debut maiden tally at Keeneland and an entry level allowance/optional claimer score at Tampa Bay, both sprints.

Like Shagaf, he stepped up in class and tried two turns for the first time in a graded stakes, the G2 Tampa Bay Derby. He went straight to the top from an inside post and momentarily looked like he’d take them gate-to-wire but got rundown in the final stages by his more experienced stablemate, Destin. It’s worth noting that Velazquez chose this one over Destin last out AND over Zulu, who will talk about later in the Bluegrass, on Saturday.

One who has gotten lots of attention and fanfare the past few months is the Linda Rice trained Matt King Coal. After finishing third in his debut on turf and second in a maiden special weight event that was rained off the turf, Matt King Coal went gate to wire in a maiden race at Belmont before a four month layoff.

He returned in early March at Aqueduct with an impressive gate-to-wire score in an allowance optional claimer going 1 1/16 miles. He’ll be making his stakes debut from post 6 with regular rider Jose Ortiz, arguable the best gate rider in the land.

Adventist has closed nicely to finish third in both the Withers and Gotham and should appreciate the added distance. Kendrick Carmouche rides for Leah Gyarmati from post 2. Dalmore ships in from California off of a maiden tally for Keith Desormeaux in the seventh start of his career. Junior Alvarado rides from post 7.

Tale of S’avall, fifth in the G1 Champagne and Tampa Bay Derby in his first start in over five months, is reunited with Cornelio Velasquez from post 4 for trainer Barclay Tagg. The maiden Trojan Nation rounds out the field as he ships in from Santa Anita for Patrick Gallagher with Aaron Gryder aboard from post 3.

Down in Lexington, Kentucky a field of 14 with two also eligible was drawn this past Tuesday for the Blue Grass. Pletcher and Dale Romans each send out multiple runners and four of them figure to take a bulk of the wagering action despite the size of the field. Romans send out Brody’s Cause and Cherry Wine while Pletcher has longshot Cards of Stone, Donegal Moon and the 5-2 morning line favorite, Zulu.

After winning the first two starts of his career, a maiden special weight and allowance/optional claimer over wet tracks at Gulfstream, Zulu tasted defeat for the first time in the G2 Fountain of Youth when Mohaymen ran by him in the stretch. Zulu was up close throughout and actually grabbed the lead on the turn but was no match for his then-undefeated rival. Javier Castellano will ride for the first time from post 4.

Donegal Moon breaks from post 2 and gets the services of West Coast rider Martin Garcia, who should have this guy in the game early. Donegal Moon owns a win and second place finish from two starts over this strip and exits a dominant performance in an entry level allowance contest at Parx, a race he won by over 13 lengths while earning one of the highest speed figures across the board by a sophomore this year. Cards of Stone exits a blowout victory against fellow New York breds at Aqueduct and has won two of four overall. Paco Lopez rides from post 11.

Brody’s Cause returns to the scene of his biggest score having won the G1 Breeders’ Futurity in the mud at Keeneland with his big late run. He came with a similar rally in the G! Breeders’ Cup Juvenile four weeks later but finished almost three lengths behind Nyquist and Swipe in third. In his lone start this year, Brody’s Cause failed to fire in the Tampa Bay Derby, beating just two horses in a seventh place finish as the 2-1 favorite. Luis Saez rides for the first time from post 6.

Saez gets the mount on one Romans runner because Corey Lanerie is staying aboard Cherry Wine. Winless in his first four starts, Cherry Wine broke his maiden at the end of 2015 and won an allowance/optional claimer at the start of 2016 by daylight at Churchill and Gulfstream, respectively, before finishing a hard charging fourth in the G2 Rebel at Oaklawn last out after some traffic trouble in his stakes debut. He’ll break from post 3.

Chad Brown ships My Man Sam in from New York off of a runner-up finish to Matt King Coal. He broke his maiden at second asking in his first start around two turns and gets Julien Leparoux in the saddle from post 14.

Star Hill broke his maiden two back for Rusty Arnold before finishing third behind the Pletcher pair in the Tampa Bay Derby. Emasiel Jaramillo rides from post 13. Laoban finished third in the G3 Sham and second last out in the Gotham despite still being in search of his first victory for Eric Guillot. Jose Lezcano rides for the first time from post 7.

Zapperini scratched out of the G2 Louisiana Derby two weeks ago to await this for Greg Foley coming off of a fifth place finish in the G2 Risen Star down at the Fair Grounds. Francisco Torres rides from post 12. American Dubai set the pace before tiring to third with a solid performance in the G3 Southwest before failing to fire in the Rebel last out. Chris Landeros rides for Rodney Richards from post 10.

Lookin for a Kiss makes his first start for Mike Tomlinson off a second place finish at Tampa. This will be his first start around two turns and against stakes company. Tyler Gaffalione rides from the rail. Crescent Drive adds blinkers in his second start since being moved to Tom Amoss. This will be his conventional dirt and graded stakes debut having made his first four starts on turf and synthetic surfaces. Jimmy Graham rides from post 5. Goats Town will be looking for his maiden score for D Wayne Lukas from post 9 with Robby Albarado up.

Mike Maker has three entered in the Blue Grass. Twizz will be stretching out and stepping up in class big time in class of a maiden score when making his second start with blinkers. Mitch Murrill rides from post 8. Pinson and Hint of Roses are both on the AE list and would need some help getting into the field. Pinson broke his maiden last out at Fair Grounds and would be ridden by Joe Bravo while Hint of Roses would be looking for his maiden win with Florent Geroux aboard.

Out in California, the first five finishers from the G2 San Felipe will duke it out once more as they’re joined by five others for the Santa Anita Derby.

Danzing Candy made it three in a row when Mike Smith put him right on the lead in the San Felipe, taking them gate-to-wire while avoiding some strange happenings behind him, in his stakes debut for trainer Cliff Sise, Jr. He’ll break from post 3.

Mor Spirit came with his usual, late, grinding move in the San Felipe, only to fall a couple of length short as the 8-5 favorite. He’s never been worse than second in six starts for Bob Baffert, including wins in the G1 Los Alamitos Futurity and G3 Robert Lewis. Gary Stevens rides from post 4.

Exaggerator had an interesting journey before a third place finish last out for Keith Desormeaux. He was forced outward at the break then moved up along the inside under Kent Desormeaux before getting bumped on the far turn and drifting in through the stretch. He won the G3 Delta Jackpot to end last season before finishing second to Nyquist in the G2 San Vicente to start this season. He’ll break from post 2.

Gary Sherlock will remove the blinkers from his charge, Uncle Lino, for the first time in his career. He was laying second to the winner in the early going last out before tiring and bumping with Exaggerator. He’ll break from post 10 with Fernando Perez.

Smokey Image veered out at the start of the San Felipe and never appeared comfortable in what would be the first loss in his seven race career. He had won five consecutive minor stakes going into his last for trainer Carla Gaines. He’ll break from post 5.

A rematch of the San Pedro is featured in here as well as the one-two finishers, Iron Rob and Denman’s Call, will try to stretch out in here. Iron Rob won his second consecutive start, and third of his previous four, with a virtual gate-to-wire score under Stewart Elliott for George Papaprodromou. This will be hit first start on dirt around two turns. He’ll break from post 6.

Doug O’Neill gets leading rider Rafael Bejarano to pilot Denman’s Call from post 1 off of that runner-up finish last out at 2-5. He was third in the San Vicente two back after breaking his maiden at first asking.

Dressed in Hermes is a three time stakes winner on turf who was fourth in the Lewis two starts back for trainer Janet Armstrong. Flaven Prat rides from post 7. Rare Candy is winless in three dirt starts but has been gelded since his last start for trainer David Hofmans. He’ll break from post 8 with Joe Talamo. Diplodocus rounds out the field from post 9 for Richard Baltas with Tyler Baze aboard seeking his first dirt win as well.

Prep Play of the Day

At Keeneland, play $20 win on My Man Sam. Play a $1 tri part wheel Donegal Moon, Zulu and My Man Sam with Donegal Moon, Zulu and My Man Sam with ALL. Total cost is $92. Good luck!!!!

Bankroll: $224.50

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Saturday 4/9 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


20-CENT PICK 5: 1,3,4/1,3,6/6/6,8,9/7,8 = $10.80

EARLY PICK 4: 6,8,9/7,8/1,3,4,6/6,8 = $48

LATE PICK 4: 6,8/3,4/1,3,4,7/1,2,4 = $48

FINAL WOODBINE MEET STATS: 334 - 1058 / $1749.10 BEST BETS: 54 - 99 / $196.20

SPOT PLAYS: 22 - 98 / $225.20

Best Bet: MUSICAL RHYTHM (3rd)

Spot Play: ELECTRIC WESTERN (6th)


Race 1

(1) SOUTHWIND GEISHA was a sharp winner last week and she raced great at Mohawk last year. She is peaking now and is capable of producing an explosive burst down the Mohawk stretch; top call. (3) ROCK HER WORLD looks like she was privately sold since her sharp win on April 1. She's the one to beat. (4) POP GOES THE WEASEL has raced well in every WEG start and is sure to be a factor again here.

Race 2

(1) BOOMBOOM BALLYKEEL is the best he has ever been in his career right now and should be able to work out a good trip in this short field; slight nod. (3) NICKLE BAG moved too late last week. He is capable of getting back on track with a more aggressive steer. (6) NIRVANA SEELSTER is likely to set the pace again. He will be extra-dangerous if he can steal a breather.

Race 3

(6) MUSICAL RHYTHM returns to action and faces much easier than he beat on March 7 here in the Don Mills Series. It's hard to imagine him losing in any leg if he stays flat. (8) HILLSONATOR hasn't missed the exacta in 9 starts this year and looks next best. (1) GRANA PADANNO likes Mohawk and should take a minor share here.

Race 4

(8) RISE UP NOW faces much easier here and should be tough in this class. (9) SHADOW PLAY was an impressive winner first time on the circuit on April 2 and must be considered a threat right back here. (6) PROVEN DESIRE is capable of launching a dangerous late assault but needs to be kept close enough turning home.

Race 5

(7) ADVERSITY took his life's mark here last year and drops to a level where he should be very dangerous. (8) SLIP INTO GLIDE also drops to face his easiest competition this year and looks like the other one you need on Pick 4/5 tickets. (6) DOMITIAN HALL has been racing well for Vanderkemp and can take a share racing close up here.

Race 6

(1) ELECTRIC WESTERN comes off two starts where he had the dreadful Woodbine 1-hole now draws the rail at Mohawk where it is a more favorable spot. He can take this group off a covered trip at a price. (3) NEWBIE made two moves to win last week and has to be considered in his current sharp form (6) IMKEEPNTHISGUY goes for three straight here and is another to consider for multi-race wagers in a contentious dash.

Race 7

(6) SHIPPEN OUT goes for Puddy off the claim and finds a field loaded with early speed. He is one of several closers with a good shot here. (8) BETTER ART steps up off a big win and will likely look for cover here and close late. (1) CASIMIR OVERDRIVE is another that can take advantage of the expected slowing late pace.

Race 8

(3) THE CATAMOUNT KID was an unlucky loser last week and is coming into the Youthful final ready to produce a top performance. Notice his 1:52 1/5 mark taken here last year when he was two. He has more speed to offer. (4) FLAHERTY was asked for nothing from an outer post last week after winning a leg of the first round. He is sure to be sent hard this time. (1) EASY LOVER HANOVER has an impressive win streak going but this will be his toughest test to date.

Race 9

(3) SOMEWHERE FANCY comes in off a monster qualifier on a heavy track rated four seconds slow. He is capable of producing big speed when ready and might be a good price here; slight nod in a tough race. (7) WAZZUP WAZZUP drops from the top class and will no doubt be sent by Waples for position early. (4) IDOLE DUHARAS was 2nd to a classy veteran last time and that one goes in the top class tonight. He is tough to leave out because he is so consistent.

Race 10

(1) TRACK MASTER D takes a big class plunge here and will be tough to beat in the finale. (4) UFDRAGONS ROCKET has raced well in the top class at Flamboro and can likely transfer that good form vs. these. (2) BILBO HANOVER returns for Brealey who is quite capable of getting one to fire off the bench; using. (5) CHAMPAGNE PHIL has a better chance to share here starting from the middle of the gate. (3) SING FOR ME GEORGE was expected to do better last time. Perhaps the change in venue will perk him up a bit here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Meadowlands: Saturday 4/9 Analysis
By Derick Giwner

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

MEET STATS: 145 - 489 / $856.40 (-$121.60) BEST BETS: 20 - 37 / $81.80 (+$7.80)

Best Bet: MEL MARA (6th)

Spot Play: PEDRO’S DREAM (3rd)


Race 1

(7) CAMWISER has done well at this level with a couple of wins in his last four starts. Veteran switches barns but shouldn’t miss a beat with Zeron taking over the lines. (4) MEDOLAND JATE has been racing well with Lasix added. (6) ABSOLUTELY MICHAEL has been racing okay. In this field that makes him a contender.

Race 2

(3) SHAVING MUG drops in for a claiming tag tonight and should be handled aggressively. (5) AMPED UP had no shot from off the pace last time at Freehold. He’s another one I’m expecting to be showing early zest. (4) UF FAST FEELIN scored at first asking for new connections and remains at the same level; obvious player.

Race 3

(4) PEDRO’S DREAM was on my radar last week but didn’t gain late in the mile. Six-year-old picks up David Miller this time around and deserves another shot on that angle alone. (5) NATHAN FEELSGOOD is another that disappointed a week ago. I’m going to use him once again on some tickets because I know he can beat this field on a halfway decent night. (3) FOR A BETTOR TIME returns to the Meadowlands at a reduced level.

Race 4

(5) CITY PIE has raced well at this level on numerous occasions and doesn’t exactly face a group of killers on Saturday. (8) MOONLIGHT RANSOM takes a meaningful drop down the class ladder and could be firing fast off the gate. (2) SOUTHWIND INDY could make some noise if he reverts back to his 3-19 performance. (4) RELENTLESS DREAMER is always a closing threat in a bad field like this one.

Race 5

(3) WESTERN FAME raced well in his return qualifier, closing in 26 2/5 for the win. Lightly raced son of Western Ideal gets a narrow call. (2) IDEAL SON took some air and held well in his career debut. If he can build off that effort, he’ll be tough. (1) COMBAT was under consistent late urging in the stretch a week ago and seemed to get the idea that he needed to go on late in the mile; still learning. (7) DUKE OF DELRAY has displayed speed and raced well here in the past.

Race 6

(1) MEL MARA wasn’t going far last time after sitting behind pedestrian fractions. He should dispatch of this field as the odds-on chalk. (7) NITRO SEELSTER ships in sharp and has the early zip to make his presence felt. (6) SIR SAM’S Z TAM raced deceptively well behind some top horses last out.

Race 7

(6) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE didn’t exactly light the world on fire at Yonkers in Levy action. Fast son of Always A Virgin looked good qualifying here and is eligible for a wake-up on the switch to the big track. (2) MCARDLES LIGHTNING has reached the top of the condition ladder after three straight wins. Four-year-old continues to show upside and might me this good. (3) DOVUTO HANOVER wired a good bunch last time and remains a threat. (7) JK ENDOFANERA has tons of class, but taking into account the outside draw, I’ll wait one start.

Race 8

This mini-final should be a competitive race. (7) GRATIAS DEO beat up on easier foes last time and should have picked up some confidence along the way. Butenschoen trainee raced well here last year as well. (5) GOOD SIDE also won a preliminary leg last week and shows some fast miles in his 19 wins. (6) ROCKIN ROBERT flashed speed at both ends of the mile last Saturday. (1) RESTLESS NATIVE makes his second start since February 13 and should be tighter.

Race 9

(2) STRATOCASTER drops down and has proven to be versatile. (5) AVENUE HANOVER doesn’t race that often but has 21 wins in 89 career starts. (4) PIECE OF THE ROCK should get first shot at the lead and if his outside competition gets too comfortable, he could steal the race.

Race 10

(3) PRINCE PALANI returns to the level of his last win and doesn’t exactly face a strong group tonight. (1) CITY HALL came up with a huge mile here last year and seems to be in good enough form to come up big. (8) STARSKY’S DREAM N drops for a barn that is having a good meet.

Race 11

(7) WELL BRED qualified well with a strong final quarter versus a stacked field of quality Open types. Four-year-old makes his Ron Burke barn debut and could be very tough as the likely favorite against a lackluster group. (3) ASTOR comes off a decent effort. (5) BOBJACKS ANGLE A is off a win and could be dangerous if the pace gets hot.

Race 12

(7) DRAGON EDDY raced okay last time considering he hadn’t been out since October. Four-year-old set a 1:50 mark as a sophomore and raced well in his rookie year as well. (4) TWINCREEKS JESSE was used up early a week ago and could be dangerous if able to conserve his energy. (8) DAVID THE SAINT enjoyed the switch to the Big M and seems dangerous again. (3) DR C’S Z TAM could sneak into the number with a smooth trip.