Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Thursday, April 26, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Preview: Penguins at Capitals
Gracenote
Apr 25, 2018
The term "three-peat" is in play for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, as the former hopes to travel a path to a third consecutive Stanley Cup while the latter is bidding to prevent being a speed bump on the route for the third straight year. The Penguins make what has become a familiar march to Washington on Thursday to play the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series versus the Capitals.
Pittsburgh eliminated Washington in six games in the 2016 conference semifinals and seven in the same round in 2017 to improved to 9-1 in postseason series between the Metropolitan Division rivals. "We've seen them a lot the past couple of years. Both teams know each other well, I think both teams know what to expect," said superstar captain Sidney Crosby, who collected 13 points (six goals, seven assists) as the Penguins began their 12th straight postseason berth by dispatching Keystone State rival Philadelphia in six games. Alex Ovechkin, who recorded five points (three goals, two assists) to help Washington split a four-game regular-season series versus Pittsburgh, made good on a guarantee as the Capitals set up another meeting with the Penguins after winning four straight to eliminate Columbus in six games. "I don't know. One day, it has to happen," the three-time Hart Trophy recipient said of upending Pittsburgh to advance to the conference final. "If we want to get success, we have to beat Pittsburgh and move forward."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS
ABOUT THE PENGUINS: Forwards Evgeni Malkin (lower body) and Carl Hagelin (upper body) have been ruled out of the series opener despite skating with the team on Wednesday following injuries sustained in Games 5 and 6, respectively versus the Flyers. Riley Sheahan and Dominik Simon replaced those two forwards and skated with Phil Kessel during Wednesday's practice while Jake Guentzel filled in for Malkin on the team's top power-play unit. "We've played together a little bit this year," Kessel said of Sheahan. "Whenever you get a chance to play with someone for an extended stretch it helps. I was able to play with him for 20 games or so. You build a little chemistry. He's a good player."
ABOUT THE CAPITALS: Braden Holtby started Game 3 of the first-round series against the Blue Jackets and returned to his Vezina Trophy-winning form by winning four straight games for the first time in his playoff career. The 28-year-old Saskatchewan native turned aside 137 of 147 shots in the series to set up a date versus Pittsburgh, against which he struggled this season (1-2-0, 3.60 goals-against average, .897 save percentage). Evgeny Kuznetsov collected four points in the season series with the Penguins and has six (two goals, four assists) in the final three games of the first-round series.
OVERTIME
1. Washington matched a franchise record by scoring nine power-play goals in a series while killing off the last 16 short-handed opportunities in the first round.
2. Guentzel scored five goals and set up four others during his four-game point streak, but was limited to just two assists in four games versus the Capitals this season.
3. Washington D John Carlson recorded eight power-play points (one goal, seven assists) in the first round.
PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Capitals 2
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W/L Trends
Pittsburgh
Penguins are 5-0 in their last 5 road games.
Penguins are 6-1 in their last 7 Thursday games.
Penguins are 24-8 in their last 32 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Penguins are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
Penguins are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Penguins are 40-17 in their last 57 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Penguins are 49-22 in their last 71 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Penguins are 68-31 in their last 99 vs. Metropolitan.
Penguins are 2-9 in their last 11 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Washington
Capitals are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Metropolitan.
Capitals are 4-0 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Capitals are 16-5 in their last 21 overall.
Capitals are 11-4 in their last 15 games following a win.
Capitals are 91-38 in their last 129 home games.
Capitals are 75-32 in their last 107 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Capitals are 16-7 in their last 23 games playing on 2 days rest.
Capitals are 51-24 in their last 75 vs. a team with a winning record.
Capitals are 68-33 in their last 101 vs. Eastern Conference.
Capitals are 5-11 in their last 16 Conference Semifinals games.
Capitals are 2-6 in their last 8 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
OU Trends
Pittsburgh
Over is 4-0-1 in Penguins last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Penguins last 4 Thursday games.
Under is 3-0-2 in Penguins last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1-1 in Penguins last 7 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 13-3-1 in Penguins last 17 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Penguins last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 6-2-3 in Penguins last 11 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 19-7-3 in Penguins last 29 overall.
Over is 19-7-2 in Penguins last 28 games following a win.
Over is 21-8-2 in Penguins last 31 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Over is 5-2 in Penguins last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 36-17-4 in Penguins last 57 vs. Eastern Conference.
Washington
Over is 5-0 in Capitals last 5 home games.
Over is 3-0-1 in Capitals last 4 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Capitals last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 7-2 in Capitals last 9 overall.
Under is 3-1-1 in Capitals last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-2 in Capitals last 8 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 19-7-1 in Capitals last 27 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 13-5 in Capitals last 18 Thursday games.
Over is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 20-8-2 in Capitals last 30 games following a win.
Over is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 15-6-6 in Capitals last 27 Conference Semifinals games.
Head to Head
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
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Preview: Sharks at Golden Knights
Gracenote
Apr 25, 2018
Only two teams swept their first-round postseason series, but one of those streaks will end Thursday night when the expansion Vegas Golden Knights host the San Jose Sharks in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal. Vegas allowed three goals to Los Angeles in its half of the Pacific Division derby while San Jose manhandled Anaheim, outscoring the Ducks 16-4.
The Golden Knights rely on a raucous crowd at T-Mobile Arena and were dominant against Pacific opponents, finishing 20-6-3 in division play and winning three of four matchups (3-0-1) against the Sharks that included three one-goal decisions. "I think they’re a lot like us," Vegas defenseman Nate Schmidt said of San Jose. "A very balanced, quick team that can play a lot of different ways. They can play a heavy game or a fast game. All of our games have been really good games. No team dominated the other." The Sharks were the most impressive team in the first round of the playoffs, opening with two wins in Anaheim before rolling up eight goals in Game 3, and expect to handle the atmosphere at T-Mobile better than they did in the regular season. "We might have taken them for granted the first time," defenseman Justin Braun said. "I think a couple times there you kind of get used to the mindset. It's a little different. At this time of your season you have it dialed in and not looking at the bright lights as much."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS
ABOUT THE SHARKS: San Jose will be able to counter Vegas' four lines thanks to the trade-deadline acquisition of forward Evander Kane, who had nine goals in 17 regular-season games with the Sharks before scoring three times in the first round on the top line with captain Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi. Logan Couture scored a team-high 34 goals during the regular season and has 74 points in 90 career postseason games, including a playoff-high 30 in leading San Jose to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016. Goaltender Martin Jones was outstanding against Anaheim but posted a 1-2-0 mark with a 3.32 goals-against average and .899 save percentage versus Vegas.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS: Marc-Andre Fleury had plenty of playoff experience as part of three Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Pittsburgh Penguins and was unflappable against the Kings with four one-goal victories, including a pair of 1-0 shutouts and a 2-1 overtime win. Vegas managed only seven goals against Los Angeles but featured four players with at least 25 goals during the regular season, led by William Karlsson, who pumped in a team-high 43 tallies and scored four times to go with an assist in the four matchups against San Jose. Reilly Smith had a team-high three points in the first round after missing the last two meetings versus the Sharks.
OVERTIME
1. Sharks F Joe Thornton (knee), sidelined since Jan. 23, could return in the series but has been ruled out for Game 1.
2. Golden Knights F James Neal, a 25-goal scorer during the regular season, has 14 tallies and 10 assists in 31 games versus San Jose.
3. Pavelski had three goals and five points during the season series against Vegas.
PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Golden Knights 2
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W/L Trends
San Jose
Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Western Conference.
Sharks are 7-1 in their last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sharks are 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Sharks are 10-2 in their last 12 games following a win.
Sharks are 5-1 in their last 6 Thursday games.
Sharks are 21-5 in their last 26 vs. Pacific.
Sharks are 20-8 in their last 28 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sharks are 4-14 in their last 18 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Vegas
Golden Knights are 4-0 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 7-0 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Golden Knights are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
Golden Knights are 12-1 in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Golden Knights are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a win.
Golden Knights are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Golden Knights are 21-7 in their last 28 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 22-8 in their last 30 vs. Pacific.
Golden Knights are 30-11 in their last 41 home games.
Golden Knights are 26-10 in their last 36 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 24-11 in their last 35 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 37-17 in their last 54 vs. Western Conference.
OU Trends
San Jose
Over is 5-0 in Sharks last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-0-3 in Sharks last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
Over is 9-2-1 in Sharks last 12 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1-1 in Sharks last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-1 in Sharks last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 3-1-1 in Sharks last 5 road games.
Over is 12-4-2 in Sharks last 18 games following a win.
Under is 3-1-1 in Sharks last 5 vs. Pacific.
Under is 5-2 in Sharks last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Over is 12-5-1 in Sharks last 18 overall.
Vegas
Under is 3-0-1 in Golden Knights last 4 overall.
Under is 3-0-1 in Golden Knights last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-0-1 in Golden Knights last 4 vs. Pacific.
Under is 3-0-1 in Golden Knights last 4 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 4-0-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 7-1-1 in Golden Knights last 9 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-1 in Golden Knights last 8 home games.
Under is 7-1-1 in Golden Knights last 9 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 9-2 in Golden Knights last 11 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 10-3-1 in Golden Knights last 14 games following a win.
Under is 7-3-1 in Golden Knights last 11 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Head to Head
No trends available.
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NHL
Long Sheet
Thursday, April 26
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SAN JOSE (49-27-0-10, 108 pts.) at VEGAS (55-24-0-7, 117 pts.) - 4/26/2018, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 18-27 ATS (-13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VEGAS is 56-31 ATS (+19.9 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
VEGAS is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 42-24 ATS (+16.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 9-2 ATS (+11.2 Units) in road games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 25-8 ATS (+13.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
SAN JOSE is 22-10 ATS (+8.1 Units) after a division game this season.
SAN JOSE is 216-227 ATS (+483.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 3-1 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 3-1-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)
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PITTSBURGH (51-31-0-6, 108 pts.) at WASHINGTON (53-26-0-9, 115 pts.) - 4/26/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 15-17 ATS (-11.5 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
WASHINGTON is 54-35 ATS (+4.3 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 71-38 ATS (+12.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 33-11 ATS (+12.7 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 30-17 ATS (+4.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 24-9 ATS (+11.6 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 119-68 ATS (+17.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 23-7 ATS (+12.7 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 50-26 ATS (+13.6 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 27-9 ATS (+12.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
PITTSBURGH is 68-42 ATS (+14.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 8-12 ATS (-13.9 Units) in home games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 15-11 (+5.5 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 15-11-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
11 of 22 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.6 Units, Under=-1.8 Units)
NHL
Thursday, April 26
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Trend Report
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Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Pittsburgh's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Washington
Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington Capitals
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 9 games
Washington is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Washington is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
San Jose Sharks
San Jose is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
San Jose is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 12 of San Jose's last 18 games
San Jose is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
Vegas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Vegas's last 22 games
Vegas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Vegas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Vegas's last 8 games at home
NHL(87) PITTSBURGH @ (88) WASHINGTON | 04/26/2018 - 7:05 PM
Play OVER PITTSBURGH on the total in All games after a division game
The record is 22 Overs and 9 Unders this season (+12.00 units)
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NHL(81) SAN JOSE @ (82) VEGAS | 04/26/2018 - 10:05 PM
Play OVER SAN JOSE using the puck line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 25 Overs and 8 Unders this season (+15.40 units)
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NHL(81) SAN JOSE @ (82) VEGAS | 04/26/2018 - 10:05 PM
Play ON SAN JOSE using the money line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 25 Wins and 8 Losses this season (+15.40 units)
__________________
NHL(81) SAN JOSE @ (82) VEGAS | 04/26/2018 - 10:05 PM
Play OVER VEGAS using the puck line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 29 Overs and 15 Unders this season (+14.40 units)
__________________
NHL(81) SAN JOSE @ (82) VEGAS | 04/26/2018 - 10:05 PM
Play ON VEGAS using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 29 Wins and 15 Losses this season (+14.40 units)