Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Saturday, April 28, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
NHL – TRENDS OF THE DAY
All eight remaining teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs will take to the ice over the weekend. The Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning will have their opening game on Saturday, joining the San Jose Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights. Sunday will see the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals square off as well as the Winnipeg Jets at the Nashville Predators.
Lines provided by BetDSI Sportsbook.
Featured Game
Boston Bruins (+125) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-145)
The Boston Bruins are 1-4 in their last five games following a victory and are 1-6 in their last seven games on the road. The Bruins are 1-5 in their last six games against teams who have a winning percentage at home of greater than .600. However, Boston has won 11 of their last 16 conference semifinals games. Tampa Bay has won 17 of their last 22 conference semifinals games and they are 4-1 in their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents. The Lightning are 36-15 in their last 51 games at home.
Boston has gone over in five of their last seven games following a victory, but they have gone under in four of their last five on the road. They have also gone under in eight of their last 10 on the road when facing a team that has a winning percentage at home of greater than .600. Tampa Bay has gone under in three of their last four against a team with a winning percentage greater than .600 and have gone under in five of their last six games following a period of three days off.
Boston has won five of the last six meetings in Tampa Bay, but the home team has won four of the last five meetings overall. The total has gone under in four of the last five meetings between these two teams.
It’s a question of rust versus fatigue. Are the well-rested Lightning a little bit rusty after three days off or are the Bruins tired after a rugged seven-game series with Toronto? Both teams have trends going their way, but Boston’s struggle on the road is a big indicator here. Take Tampa Bay, 3-1.
Other Games to Watch
San Jose Sharks (+160) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (-185)
Vegas leads this series, 1-0, and they are now winners of five straight playoff games to begin their franchise history. San Jose has won four of their last five games against teams with a winning record and has won four of their last five overall, but that one loss against the Golden Knights. The Sharks are 1-4 in their last five games when their opponent has scored just two goals or last the previous night. Vegas has won eight straight games against teams with a winning record and are 5-0 in these playoffs. The Golden Knights are 31-11 in their last 42 games at home.
The home team has won four of the five meetings between these two teams, and San Jose has won just once in the five meetings. You go with a hot team, especially at home, so take the Golden Knights to win 4-2.
Pittsburgh Penguins (+100) vs. Washington Capitals (-120)
Pittsburgh leads this series, 1-0. Pittsburgh is 13-5 in their last 18 games following a victory and is 11-5 in their last 16 games playing on a weekend. Washington has won eight of their last 11 games against teams from the Metro Division, but they are 1-5 in their last six conference semifinals games.
The Penguins have been the nemesis of the Capitals the last decade, and it looks to be that this series is going to be no different. That victory in Game 1 really puts Pittsburgh in the driver seat and makes a win in Game 2 essential for Washington. For that reason, take the Capitals, 4-3.
Preview: Bruins at Lightning
Gracenote
Apr 27, 2018
The Tampa Bay Lightning will be a very well-rested team when they host the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Lightning wrapped up their first-round series April 21 by topping New Jersey in five games while the Bruins trailed by a goal going into the decisive Game 7 before rallying for a 7-4 victory over Toronto on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay will benefit from the break physically and mentally, and the players don’t expect any rust Saturday: “We’ve had a really good week of practicing,” Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan told reporters. “Our practices have been intense, upbeat. It shouldn’t be an issue.” The Bruins won the first three games in the season series before suffering a 4-0 defeat at Tampa Bay in the finale April 3 with a 33-shutout from Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had a dazzling .941 save percentage in the first-round series for the Lightning. David Pastrnak is third in the league in scoring during the playoffs with 13 points for Boston, which averaged four goals in the first round, and fellow right wing Nikita Kucherov led Tampa Bay with five goals and five assists against New Jersey. “They have had time to rest and if they had any injuries probably get a little healthier,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters. “. … But for us going into Saturday we are battle-tested and we have to bring that mentality into the next round.”
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC, Sportsnet, TVA
ABOUT THE BRUINS: Pastrnak, left wing Brad Marchand (nine points), Torey Krug (eight points) and captain Zdeno Chara (plus-5 rating) were solid in the first round, but goalie Tuukka Rask (2.94 goals-against, .899 save percentage) must be better. “Some games he played really, really well,” Boston general manager Don Sweeney told reporters. “At the end of the day we have a lot of confidence in Tuukka, and I think going into the next series we’ll remain the same level of confidence that we can get the job done and he’ll be there for us.” Rookie left wing Jake DeBrusk matched Pastrnak with five goals to lead the Bruins in the first round.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Tampa Bay was much improved on the penalty kill in the first-round series, giving up three goals on 19 attempts (two when down two skaters), but face a Bruins team that was 7-for-22 with the man advantage against Toronto. Ryan McDonagh, who had four assists in the first round, and Anton Stralman have become the shutdown pair that will often face the Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Pastrnak line while Norris Trophy candidate Victor Hedman is averaging a team-high 26:24 of ice time. Left wing Alex Killorn recorded four goals in the first round after managing 15 in the regular season, which was eighth-best on the team.
OVERTIME
1. Boston F Sean Kuraly had four points and a plus-5 rating in the first round and owns four goals in 11 career playoff contests.
2. Kucherov boasts 52 points in 50 career playoff games, tied with Vincent Lecavalier for second on the franchise’s all-time postseason scoring list.
3. Bruins C David Krejci has 85 career playoff points and needs two to tie Cam Neely for seventh on the team’s all-time postseason scoring list.
PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Bruins 3
__________________
W/L Trends
Boston
Bruins are 13-3 in their last 16 games playing on 2 days rest.
Bruins are 11-3 in their last 14 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 37-16 in their last 53 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bruins are 22-10 in their last 32 vs. Atlantic.
Bruins are 11-5 in their last 16 Conference Semifinals games.
Bruins are 73-34 in their last 107 Saturday games.
Bruins are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win.
Bruins are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Bruins are 1-5 in their last 6 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Bruins are 1-6 in their last 7 road games.
Tampa Bay
Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Lightning are 17-5 in their last 22 Conference Semifinals games.
Lightning are 11-4 in their last 15 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Lightning are 36-15 in their last 51 home games.
Lightning are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. Atlantic.
Lightning are 40-18 in their last 58 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Lightning are 35-16 in their last 51 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 66-31 in their last 97 overall.
Lightning are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Lightning are 1-7 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
OU Trends
Boston
Over is 3-0-1 in Bruins last 4 Saturday games.
Over is 5-0-2 in Bruins last 7 games following a win.
Over is 3-0-1 in Bruins last 4 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Bruins last 5 road games.
Under is 8-2 in Bruins last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-2-2 in Bruins last 9 overall.
Over is 5-2-2 in Bruins last 9 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 5-2-2 in Bruins last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
Tampa Bay
Under is 3-0-1 in Lightning last 4 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 5-1 in Lightning last 6 Saturday games.
Over is 9-2 in Lightning last 11 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 21-7 in Lightning last 28 games following a win.
Over is 21-9-2 in Lightning last 32 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 9-4 in Lightning last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 11-5-1 in Lightning last 17 vs. Atlantic.
Head to Head
Under is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Bruins are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Bruins are 56-24-5 in the last 85 meetings.
Preview: Sharks at Golden Knights
Gracenote
Apr 27, 2018
The Vegas Golden Knights have experienced a string of firsts in their record-setting expansion season but jitters have not been among them. The bright lights of the postseason have done nothing to slow the Golden Knights, who look to take a 2-0 lead over visiting San Jose on Saturday in their Western Conference semifinal after thrashing the Sharks 7-0 in the series opener.
San Jose coach Peter DeBoer cited a "laundry list of issues" in the Game 1 beating, a list that got longer when Sharks forward Evander Kane received a one-game suspension Friday for cross-checking Vegas defenseman Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. "It's the first adversity we've faced in the playoffs. It's on us to respond now," DeBoer said. "You don't get extra points for winning by a touchdown like they did. We have to be better." The Golden Knights scored seven goals in the four-game sweep of Los Angeles in the first round but matched the total in the series opener, essentially delivering an early knockout punch by scoring four times in a span of just over seven minutes in the first period. "We did good things," said Golden Knights forward James Neal, who capped the scoring with a power-play tally. "For us, I think we have to look at them, they're going to be a hungry team, they're going to be a lot better. They'll be putting that one behind them pretty quick and looking to be a better hockey team so we gotta be ready."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS
ABOUT THE SHARKS: Kane was San Jose's big-ticket acquisition from Buffalo at the trade deadline and scored three times in the first-round sweep of Anaheim after netting nine goals in 17 regular-season games. He told reporters after Thursday's game that he was "not a dirty player" and said there "no intent" on his hit. The NHL Department of Player Safety disagreed in announcing his punishment, saying: "This cross-check occurs well after the whistle is blown and serves no purpose other than a strike to an opponent's head. This is not a hockey play." Martin Jones allowed four goals in four games versus the Ducks but was chased 3 1/2 minutes into the second period after surrendering five goals on 13 shots.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS: The early cushion certainly made his job easier, but Marc-Andre Fleury became the 14th goaltender in history -- and first in 14 years -- to record three shutouts in his team's first five playoff games, even taking time to join the T-Mobile Arena fans in the wave. "I try not to think too much," said Fleury, who has a staggering .982 save percentage and 0.54 goals-against average in the playoffs. "Just get out there and play my best, try to help these guys any way I can." While Vegas received goals from seven different players, its top line of Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson and Reilly Smith accounted for nine points, with Smith collecting six assists over a four-game point streak.
OVERTIME
1. Fleury earned his 13th career postseason shutout, tying Turk Broda for ninth in NHL history.
2. Sharks C Joe Thornton cented the No. 1 line at Friday's practice but will not play in Game 2.
3. Bellemare was not at practice Friday and will be evaluated Saturday to determine his availability.
PREDICTION: Golden Knights 4, Sharks 3
__________________
W/L Trends
San Jose
Sharks are 9-2 in their last 11 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Sharks are 21-6 in their last 27 vs. Pacific.
Sharks are 8-3 in their last 11 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Sharks are 8-3 in their last 11 Saturday games.
Sharks are 2-5 in their last 7 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Sharks are 4-15 in their last 19 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Sharks are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Vegas
Golden Knights are 5-0 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 8-0 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Golden Knights are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
Golden Knights are 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
Golden Knights are 11-2 in their last 13 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 9-3 in their last 12 Saturday games.
Golden Knights are 23-8 in their last 31 vs. Pacific.
Golden Knights are 31-11 in their last 42 home games.
Golden Knights are 27-10 in their last 37 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 28-12 in their last 40 games playing on 1 days rest.
Golden Knights are 38-17 in their last 55 vs. Western Conference.
OU Trends
San Jose
Over is 6-0 in Sharks last 6 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-0-3 in Sharks last 8 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 4-1 in Sharks last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-2 in Sharks last 10 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 9-3-1 in Sharks last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 3-1-1 in Sharks last 5 Saturday games.
Over is 13-5-1 in Sharks last 19 overall.
Over is 5-2-1 in Sharks last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 5-2-1 in Sharks last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Vegas
Under is 4-0 in Golden Knights last 4 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Golden Knights last 6 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-1 in Golden Knights last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 7-2-1 in Golden Knights last 10 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-2 in Golden Knights last 9 home games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Golden Knights last 5 overall.
Under is 3-1-1 in Golden Knights last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. Pacific.
Under is 3-1-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 8-3-1 in Golden Knights last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-2 in Golden Knights last 7 Saturday games.
Under is 10-4-1 in Golden Knights last 15 games following a win.
Head to Head
Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Sharks are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings.
NHL
Long Sheet
Saturday, April 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON (54-23-0-12, 120 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (58-24-0-5, 121 pts.) - 4/28/2018, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 37-42 ATS (-18.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 41-43 ATS (-25.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 41-46 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 59-29 ATS (+17.2 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 19-5 ATS (+13.3 Units) in the second round of the playoffs since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 228-233 ATS (+536.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 18-7 ATS (+10.0 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 9-4 (+5.3 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 9-4-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.3 Units)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAN JOSE (49-28-0-10, 108 pts.) at VEGAS (56-24-0-7, 119 pts.) - 4/28/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 37-39 ATS (-15.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 18-28 ATS (-14.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VEGAS is 57-31 ATS (+21.6 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 25-9 ATS (+13.3 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
VEGAS is 30-15 ATS (+13.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 9-3 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 25-9 ATS (+12.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
SAN JOSE is 19-9 ATS (+7.8 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
SAN JOSE is 216-228 ATS (+485.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 4-1 (+3.0 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 4-1-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)
NHL
Saturday, April 28
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston Bruins
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Boston
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
San Jose Sharks
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of San Jose's last 19 games
San Jose is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Jose is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Vegas
San Jose is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Vegas
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Vegas's last 23 games
Vegas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Vegas's last 9 games at home
Vegas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Jose
Vegas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose