NHL betting trends, odds and predictions for Thursday, April 20th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
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Road team won six of last nine New York-Montreal games (2-2 in this series); teams split last four games in this building. Rangers are 0-12 on power play in series (Montreal is 2-13); they’re 4-7 overall in last 11 games against the Canadiens. Under is 6-1 in New York’s last seven games. Habs won nine of last 12 games overall; under is 10-3-1 in their last 14 games. Rangers outhit Montreal 43-25 in Game 4; they’ve lost four of last five road games. Canadiens split their last four home games.
Blue Jackets averted sweep with Game 4 win; home team won seven of last eight Columbus-Pittsburgh games; Jackets lost last five visits to Steel City, by combined score of 20-8. Game 4 win was just second in last 11 games overall for Columbus- they were outscored 20-9 in losing five of last six road tilts (under 5-1). Penguins won seven of last ten games overall, winning last four at home- they allowed total of five goals in last four home games (under 4-0). Last two games in series ended 5-4; under is 7-5 in last 12 series games.
San Jose didn’t score in Games 2-3, then whacked Edmonton 7-0 in Game 4, evening series at 2-2. Sharks lost seven of last nine road games; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games overall. Teams split last four games played here- visitors are 5-3 in last eight series games, with Oilers winning five of last seven. Under is 5-2-1 in Sharks’ last eight games. Edmonton is in playoffs for first time since 2006, when they lost Cup final; they’ve lost four of last five first round series. San Jose lost Stanley Cup final LY; they’re 9-3 in last 12 first round series.
Nashville won Game 3 in OT to take 3-0 series lead; over is 3-1-3 in last seven series games. Nashville won six of its last eight home games, but lost three of last five home games with Chicago. Under is 7-1-3 in last 11 Nashville games. Blackhawks lost last seven games overall, have been shut out in three of their last five games- under is 4-1-4 in their last nine. Chicago lost six of its last seven road games. Chicago scored total of two goals in losing first three series games; need win here to take series back to Windy City.
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New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens (-150, 5)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (50-29-3-4, 41-39 O/U): Forward Rick Nash closed the regular season by scoring five times in his last eight games to finish with 23 goals and is carrying it over to the playoffs. Nash scored in Game 2 -- which New York lost in overtime -- and delivered the game-winning tally in Game 4, boosting his totals to seven goals and six assists in his last 13 playoff games. "I was trying to go to the net all night and trying to cause some chaos," Nash said after Tuesday's victory. "We let it all go and put it behind us. We had to. We couldn’t be going back to Montreal down 3-1.”
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (49-28-7-2, 30-41 O/U): Captain Max Pacioretty has scored at least 30 goals in four straight seasons and is still searching for his first of the series, managing only one assist through the four games. but Julien is not concerned. “This is a sport that has ups and downs,” Julien said. "At the end of the day, we look at the big picture and that’s what’s important. And Max Pacioretty, I think we’re pretty happy to have him here in Montreal.” On Tuesday, Julien shifted Alex Galchenyuk to a line with Artturi Lehkonen and Alexander Radulov, who has six points in the last three games.
LINE HISTORY: The Canadiens opened as -150 home favorites. The total opened at 4.5 and bumped up to 5 at most books overnight Wednesday/Thursday. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Rangers - No injuries to report.
Canadiens - D A. Emelin (Out Indefinitely, lower body).
TRENDS:
* Rangers are 1-6 in their last 7 games following a win.
* Canadiens are 12-3 in their last 15 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Under is 6-1 in Rangers last 7 overall.
* Under is 10-2-3 in Canadiens last 15 vs. Metropolitan.
* Rangers are 5-14 in the last 19 meetings in Montreal.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins (-200, 5.5)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (51-26-7-2, 34-46 O/U): The Columbus Blue Jackets have endured plenty of twists and turns during their franchise-best season, and Cam Atkinson isn't interested in seeing the wild ride come to an end. "We have nothing to lose," the 27-year-old Atkinson told the Columbus Dispatch on the heels of Tuesday's 5-4 victory at Nationwide Arena that closed the Blue Jackets' deficit to 3-1 in the series. Rookie Markus Nutivaara stepped up in place of injured defenseman Zach Werenski on Tuesday, scoring a goal in the second period and setting up Boone Jenner for another in the third during his NHL postseason debut. "Of course I had butterflies, but I just wanted to enjoy ... enjoy every moment I could get out there," the 22-year-old Finn told the Columbus Dispatch. Coach John Tortorella was quick to praise Nutivaara by saying he "played to his strengths," a nice compliment considering the coach had passed up the youngster in the series in favor of Scott Harrington and the inexperienced Gabriel Carlsson.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (53-22-6-5, 49-32 O/U): Pittsburgh rookie Jake Guentzel continued his successful run by scoring on Wednesday to increase his point total to six (five goals, one assist) in the last three games while his goal total is the most in the first four career postseason contests since Montreal's Maurice "Rocket" Richard in 1944. While gladly accepting how his team finishes, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan repeatedly has taken issue with its sluggish starts in the series. The Penguins were outshot 16-3 in the first period of the opener, 12-7 in Game 2 and fell behind 3-1 and 2-0 on the scoreboard in the next two contests, much to the dismay of Sullivan. "It's about being ready from the drop of the puck. It's a mindset. It's not a wait-and-see approach," Sullivan said following Wednesday's practice. "We've got to be ready to dictate the terms from the very first puck drop."
LINE HISTORY: The Penguins opened as -200 favorites on home ice and the total opened at 5.5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Blue Jackets - D Z. Werenski (Out For Season, face), D R. Murray (Late April, hand), RW D. Clarkson (Out Indefinitely, back).
Penguins - D C. Ruhwedel (Questionable, upper body), G M. Murray (Questionable, lower body), LW C. Kunitz (Out Indefinitely, lower body), D K. Letang (Out For Season, neck), LW C. Hagelin (Late April, lower body).
TRENDS:
* Blue Jackets are 1-8 in their last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Penguins are 6-1 in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 8-1-1 in Blue Jackets last 10 road games.
* Under is 3-0-1 in Penguins last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Home team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators (-125, 5)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (50-25-9-1, 37-33 O/U): The Chicago Blackhawks have faced some unenviable positions en route to winning three Stanley Cup titles in a six-year span (2010-15). None of them matches the current predicament for the top-seeded Blackhawks, who will try to stave off elimination Thursday when they visit the Nashville Predators in Game 4. Chicago has managed two goals in the series, both coming in Game 3, extending a lengthy drought for captain Jonathan Toews, who has not scored in 12 consecutive postseason games dating to the 2015 Cup Final. “That’s something I’m obviously well aware of, and no better moment than a game like tomorrow,” Toews said after Wednesday's practice. "I’m just trying to stay patient and smart and do the right things. Obviously, no more waiting." Patrick Kane, who scored on the power play in Game 3, raised eyebrows when he told reporters that "All the pressure's on (Nashville) to win the next game."
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (44-29-8-4, 41-36 O/U): Predators coach Peter Laviolette certainly will not allow his team to become complacement with the commanding lead -- he was coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 when they overcame a 3-0 deficit versus Boston before advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals and losing to, coincidentally, Chicago. Nashville's Filip Forsberg knows what it's like to struggle in the postseason, scoring once in his last 13 playoff games a year ago, but he made his first two this season count with a pair of third-period goals to force overtime in Game 3. "He's a guy who wants to be on the ice when the game is on the line and he wants the puck when the game is on the line," goaltender Pekka Rinne said. "You want that kind of guy on the ice when the game is on the line. He is really elevating his game." Top-line center Ryan Johansen is having a huge series with one goal and four assists.
LINE HISTORY: The Predators opened as -135 moneyline favorites at home and that number came down slightly to -125. The total hit the board at 5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Blackhawks - LW A. Desjardins (Questionable, lower body), D M. Rozsival (Out Indefinitely, face).
Predators - LW C. Wilson (Questionable, lower body), LW V. Fiddler (Questionable, upper body).
TRENDS:
* Blackhawks are 0-7 in their last 7 overall.
* Predators are 14-3 in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Blackhawks last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 7-1-3 in Predators last 11 overall.
* Over is 5-0-4 in the last 9 meetings in Nashville.
San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers (-130, 5)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (48-31-6-1, 23-39 O/U): After being blanked in back-to-back games to fall behind in their Western Conference first-round playoff series, the San Jose Sharks turned the tables on the Edmonton Oilers to draw even. San Jose hopes to carry over the momentum when it visits Edmonton on Thursday for a pivotal Game 5. San Jose also received a big effort from its captain in Game 4 as Joe Pavelski scored his first two goals of the series, including one just 15 seconds into the contest, and added an assist. "We were just ready," Pavelski told reporters. "Everyone was ready. ... There weren't really any lapses in our game." Defenseman Brent Burns, who led the team in scoring during the regular season with a career-high 76 points, was another member of the team to break out, registering three assists for his first points of the series.
ABOUT THE OILERS (49-27-5-5, 33-44 O/U): Edmonton continued its steady march to the penalty box as it technically was short-handed eight times, including a five-minute major during which San Jose cashed in once, to increase its series total to 22. The Oilers dodged a huge bullet, however, as Leon Draisaitl escaped with only a fine from the league for spearing San Jose's Chris Tierney in Game 4 - an infraction that resulted in the major penalty and a game misconduct. Captain Connor McDavid has gone two games without a point, his longest drought since being kept off the scoresheet in back-to-back contests on Jan. 31 and Feb. 2. The reigning Art Ross Trophy winner ended the regular season with a 14-game point streak and extended it over the first two games of the series. Defenseman Kris Russell, who topped the NHL during the regular season with 213 blocked shots, increased his playoff-leading total to 22 with a game-high six in Game 4.
LINE HISTORY: The Oilers opened as -120 home favorites for Game 5 and that number was up to -130 by Wednesday night. The total hit the board at 5. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Sharks - No injuries to report.
Oilers - D A. Ference (Out For Season, hip), RW T. Pitlick (Out For Season, knee).
TRENDS:
* Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Oilers are 10-1 in their last 11 home games.
* Under is 1-0-7 in Sharks last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Over is 4-0-1 in Oilers last 5 Thursday games.
* Sharks are 15-7 in the last 22 meetings in Edmonton.
NY RANGERS (50-29-0-7, 107 pts.) at MONTREAL (49-28-0-9, 107 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 15-29 ATS (+44.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 15-9 ATS (+25.0 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 9-4 (+5.1 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 9-4-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.7 Units)
COLUMBUS (51-26-0-9, 111 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (53-22-0-11, 117 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 9-24 ATS (+42.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 74-43 ATS (+19.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 50-25 ATS (+13.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 28-9 ATS (+12.6 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 35-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 21-7 ATS (+10.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 51-35 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games this season.
COLUMBUS is 18-9 ATS (+7.3 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 8-8 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 8-8-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.3 Units)
CHICAGO (50-25-0-10, 110 pts.) at NASHVILLE (44-29-0-12, 100 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 0-7 ATS (-9.8 Units) in April games this season.
NASHVILLE is 22-6 ATS (+12.3 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 24-15 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 16-8 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 433-422 ATS (+876.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 12-19 ATS (-12.0 Units) after a division game this season.
NASHVILLE is 5-12 ATS (+18.6 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 14-9 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 14-9-0 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)
SAN JOSE (48-31-0-7, 103 pts.) at EDMONTON (49-27-0-10, 108 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 39-23 ATS (+14.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in road games in April games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 16-7 ATS (+8.2 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 27-21 ATS (+54.4 Units) in road games in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 22-14 ATS (+37.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 9-9 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 9-9-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.5 Units)
COLUMBUS vs. PITTSBURGH
Columbus is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Columbus is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Columbus
NY RANGERS vs. MONTREAL
NY Rangers are 5-14 SU in their last 19 games when playing on the road against Montreal
NY Rangers are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing Montreal
Montreal is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
Montreal is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
CHICAGO vs. NASHVILLE
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Chicago is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 7 games at home
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
SAN JOSE vs. EDMONTON
San Jose is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
San Jose is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against San Jose
Edmonton is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
NY Rangers at Montreal
New York: 12-2 SU after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games
Montreal: 9-18 SU after 2 straight games where 4 or fewer total goals were scored
Columbus at Pittsburgh
Columbus: 14-6 SU after playing 2 consecutive home games
Pittsburgh: 9-13 SU in home games revenging a loss where opponent scored 4 or more goals
Chicago at Nashville
Chicago: 10-1 SU revenging 2 straight losses where opponent scored 3 or more goals
Nashville: 5-12 SU after a 3 game unbeaten streak
San Jose at Edmonton
San Jose: 11-2 SU in road games after 2 consecutive division games
Edmonton: 6-11 SU after a blowout loss by 4 goals or more in their previous game