NHL betting trends, odds and predictions for Saturday, April 15th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
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Boston snapped six-game skid vs Ottawa in Game 1, getting GW goal with 2:33 left; Bruins have still lost five of last six games in this building- four of last five series games stayed under total. Bruins won seven of last eight games overall, including last three road games. Under is 8-1 in their last nine games. Senators won three of last five games, three of last four at home. Under is 4-1 in their last five games. Teams combined to go 0-6 on power play (Bruins 0-4, Ottawa 0-2). Bruins were outshot 12-0 in 2nd period of Game 2, first time they went a whole period in a playoff game without a SOG since 1939.
Washington scored 5:15 into OT to beat the younger, underdog Leafs 3-2 in Game 1, after Toronto went ahead 2-0 in first 9:44 of game. Caps outshot Toronto 44-37. have now won eight of last nine games with Maple Leafs, who have now lost their last six games in this building (under 3-1-1 in last five). Toronto won three of last four road games; under is 3-1-1 in their last five games overall. Capitals won nine of their last 11 games, five of last six at home. Under is 4-0-1 in last five Maple Leaf games. Washington wad 1-3 on power play in Game 1; Toronto was 0-1.
Nashville posted its first-ever road playoff shutout with 1-0 Game 1 win, just their second win in seven playoff games in Chicago, which has now won three of last four games with Nashville (over 3-1-1); Predators are 2-4 in their last six games in Windy City. Overall, Nashville lost five of last eight games, three of last five on road. Under is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Blackhawks lost their last five games overall, with two OT losses; they’re 2-3 in last five home games. Under is 4-1-1 in their last five games, overall. Chicago won Stanley Cup three times in last seven years; they lost their first round series three of other four years.
Ducks won Game 1 3-2 over Calgary, outshooting Flames 41-32, scoring twice on power play. Anaheim won 10 of last 11 games vs Calgary, winning last 28 series games in the Pond- last time Flames won in Anaheim was a playoff game in 2006. Over is 5-3-1 in last nine series games. Flames lost four of last five games overall; they’re 2-5 in last seven road games. Ducks won five in row, nine of last 11 games; they won last seven home games. Over is 4-2-3 in their last nine games. Calgary is in playoffs for only second time in last eight years; they’re 1-4 in first round series since losing ’04 Cup Finals.
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Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators (-105, 5)
ABOUT THE BRUINS: Already missing injured defensemen Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo, Boston likely will be without blue-liner Colin Miller as well, making the decision to sign Charlie McAvoy look brilliant rather the desperation move it appeared to be. Fresh out of Boston University and with just four games of AHL experience on his resume, the 19-year-old McAvoy turned in an eye-opening NHL debut, playing 24-plus minutes while paired with captain Zdeno Chara. "There’s not much more you can say than he was phenomenal,” center Patrice Bergeron said of McAvoy, a first-round pick in 2016.
ABOUT THE SENATORS: While Boston's blue line is in tatters, Ottawa could be receiving a boost along its defense corps with the potential return of Marc Method, who has been sidelined since March 23 after his finger was slashed by Sidney Crosby. “I felt pretty good," Methot said after Friday's practice. "At this point, we’re going to have to wait until tomorrow morning and see what happens and discuss everything with the coaches and the trainers.” Bobby Ryan, who ended a 13-game goal drought in the regular-season finale, scored against Boston and recorded a game-high six shots on goal.
LINE HISTORY: The Senators opened this game as very slight home underdogs at +100 and while they're still pups the line has moved in their direction a bit to the current number of -105. Oddsmakers pegged the total for Game 2 at 5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Bruins - C N. Acciari (Questionable Saturday, upper body), D B. Carlo (Doubtful Saturday, upper body), C D. Krejci (Out Satuday, upper body), D C. Miller (Out Saturday, knee), D T. Krug (Out indefinitely, lower body).
Senators - D M. Methot (Questionable Saturday, Finger).
TRENDS:
* Bruins are 5-0 in their last five first round games.
* Senators are 1-6 in their last seven games playing on two days rest.
* Under is 5-0 in the Bruins last five games overall.
* Under is 6-0 in the Senators last six games playing on two days rest.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals (-250, 5.5)
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS: Toronto's youth was on display early as 19-year-old rookie Mitch Marner scored 1:35 into the game and defenseman Jake Gardner doubled the advantage eight minutes later. "I just think we didn't come with any nerves," Marner said of the Maple Leafs, who had nine players making their playoff debuts and their entire lineup having just 292 combined postseason appearances, as opposed to Washington boasting more than 1,000 spread across its lineup. "Just come in here and play a hockey game, and I think that was what we all did." Defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (upper body) will have to wait to make his playoff debut as his spirited argument to compete in Game 2 was denied by Babcock on Friday.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS: Captain Alex Ovechkin traditionally has the answer for most of the problems on the ice, but the three-time Hart Trophy winner was at a loss for his team's slow start out of the gate. "It's hard to say what was up there," Ovechkin told reporters. "Maybe we were a little bit nervous, maybe kind of feel the pressure a little bit. But when they score, all the bench said, 'Just calm down and let's play our way.' " Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie (team co-leaders with 33 goals) found it hard to do that against a tenacious Toronto defense as each mustered just one shot, although the latter set up Williams' first tally for his seventh point (five goals, two assists) in his last seven playoff games.
LINE HISTORY: The Capitals opened Game 2 as big -265 favorites, but thanks to the Leafs strong outting in Game 1, bettors have moved the line down to -250. As for the total, oddsmakers opened it at 5 and it been bet up to 5.5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Maple Leafs - D N. Zaitsev (Out Saturday, upper body), LW J. Leivo (Out indefinitely, undisclosed), RW N. Soshnikov (Out indefinitely, undisclosed).
Capitals - No injuries to report.
TRENDS:
* Maple Leafs are 1-8 in the last nine meetings.
* Home team is 21-8 in the last 29 meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in the Maple Leafs last five games overall.
* Under is 5-0-1 in the Capitals last six games overall.
Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks (-175, 5)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS: The Predators have a chance to take a commanding edge over an opponent that eliminated them in six games in a first-round series two years ago. The 29-save performance of Pekka Rinne was huge for obvious reasons, especially given the fact that Chicago piled up 18 goals in winning the last four matchups his season. "If you are going to make a deep playoff run, everyone is going to have to be great," Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "But your goalie is going to have to be your best player because there are going to be times where he is going to have to be the difference maker and tonight he was phenomenal." Nashville's top line delivered the lone goal, with Viktor Arvidsson converting on a pass from Filip Forsberg.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: Chicago is only 3-6 in playoff openers since Joel Quenneville took over behind the bench, a span in which it has three Stanley Cups. With Chicago going nearly 14 minutes without a shot on goal in the first period of Game 1, rookie Nick Schmaltz found himself on the bench for a brief time -- a move that could translate into Game 2. Fellow rookies Ryan Hartman and John Hayden both took turns on the line with captain Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik during Friday's practice while Schmaltz was moved to Marcus Kruger's line, which was missing Marian Hossa (rest). "I don’t know if I was nervous or what I was, but I just felt like I was just getting rid of the puck when I had it," Schmaltz said after practice.
LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened the Blackhawks as moderate -180 favorites for Game to, but the number has moved down slightly to the current number of -175. The total is on the board at 5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Predators - LW C. Wilson (Questionable Saturday, lower body), LW V. Fiddler (Questionable Ssasturday, upper body).
Blackhawks - LW A. Desjardins (Questionable Saturday, lower body), D M. Rozsival (Out indefinitely, face).
TRENDS:
* Predators are 8-2 in their last 10 games vs. Western Conference opponents.
* Blackhawks are 0-5 in their last five games overall.
* Under is 7-1-1 in the Predators last nine games overall.
* Under is 4-0 in the Blackhawks last four games overall.
Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks (-155, 5)
ABOUT THE FLAMES: Brian Elliott dragged a dismal 1-7-3 mark against the Ducks with a 3.20 goals-against average and .884 save percentage into the series, but the 32-year-old was done in by his mates - rather than his 38-save performance on Thursday. "It's tough when we give them everything," Elliott said. "Two power-play goals and a bad change, it's not like they really earned it that much. We kind of gave it to them. We clean things up (in Game 2) and we take care of business." Kris Versteeg has been all business this month as he set up goals by centers Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett on Thursday to increase his point total to 10 (two goals, eight assists) in his last eight games.
ABOUT THE DUCKS: The streaking Ducks will vie for their 29th consecutive home win and a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Flames on Saturday. Jakob Silfverberg scored and set up a goal Thursday to increase his playoff point total to six (one goal, five assists) in his last five contests. Fellow forward Rickard Rakell (team-leading 33 goals) also tallied to extend his point streak to three games, during which he has two goals and three assists. Ryan Kesler was held off the scoresheet for the third time in four contests but contributed in the series opener by winning 13 of 21 draws to help Anaheim seize a decided 49-29 edge in the faceoff circle.
LINE HISTORY: The Ducks opened Game 2 as fairly large -186 home favorites, but they have been faded all the way down to -155. Oddsmakers opened the total at a low 4.5, but the number was quickly bet up to 5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Flames - G C. Johnson (Questionable Saturday, leg).
Ducks - D K. Holzer (Questionable Saturday, personal), D C. Stoner (Questionable Satruday, abdominal), LW N. Ritchie (Eligible Saturday, suspension), D C. Fowler (Mid May, knee).
TRENDS:
* Flames are 0-28 in their last 28 games in Anaheim.
* Once again because it is so mind-boggling. The Flames are 0-28 in their last 28 games in Anaheim.
* Ducks are 5-0 in their last five games overall.
* Under is 3-0-3 in the Flames last six road games.
* Over is 4-1 in Ducks last 5 games after allowing two goals or less in their previous game.
BOSTON (45-31-0-7, 97 pts.) at OTTAWA (44-29-0-10, 98 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 44-39 ATS (-7.2 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 33-26 ATS (+6.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 34-25 ATS (+59.8 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 67-55 ATS (+131.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 20-14 ATS (+34.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 21-10 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 190-214 ATS (+460.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 10-4 (+10.4 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 10-4-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.5 Units)
TORONTO (40-27-0-16, 96 pts.) at WASHINGTON (56-19-0-8, 120 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 48-90 ATS (+155.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-26 ATS (+44.7 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 4-12 ATS (-8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
WASHINGTON is 56-27 ATS (+28.0 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 35-13 ATS (+12.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
TORONTO is 17-8 ATS (+25.2 Units) when trailing in a playoff series since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 8-2 (+5.9 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 8-2-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.0 Units)
NASHVILLE (42-29-0-12, 96 pts.) at CHICAGO (50-24-0-9, 109 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 90-89 ATS (-26.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 7-13 ATS (-9.5 Units) on Saturday games this season.
NASHVILLE is 10-19 ATS (-13.7 Units) after a division game this season.
CHICAGO is 20-9 ATS (+7.0 Units) after a division game this season.
CHICAGO is 433-420 ATS (+951.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 196-170 ATS (+371.6 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 22-15 ATS (+6.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 14-8 ATS (+22.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 0-5 ATS (-8.5 Units) in April games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 14-7 (+5.9 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 14-7-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.5 Units)
CALGARY (45-34-0-4, 94 pts.) at ANAHEIM (47-23-0-13, 107 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 19-7 ATS (+10.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ANAHEIM is 29-16 ATS (+8.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 16-4 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
ANAHEIM is 22-15 ATS (+1.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 25-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 45-38 ATS (+4.4 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 25-15 ATS (+40.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 17-4 (+12.3 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 17-4-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
13 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.6 Units)
BOSTON vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Ottawa is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
TORONTO vs. WASHINGTON
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
NASHVILLE vs. CHICAGO
Nashville is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Nashville
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
CALGARY vs. ANAHEIM
Calgary is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Calgary is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston at Ottawa
Boston: 8-14 SU after having won 6 or 7 of their last 8
Ottawa: 28-18 SU after allowing 2 goals or more in the third period last game
Toronto at Washington
Toronto: 19-47 SU after having lost 4 of their last 5
Washington: 35-10 SU in home games after playing a home game
Nashville at Chicago
Nashville: 0-6 SU off a road win against a division rival
Chicago: 10-1 SU after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games
Calgary at Anaheim
Calgary: 5-0 SU off a close road loss by 1 goal
Anaheim: 3-5 SU off 2 consecutive close home wins by 1 goal