Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Friday 4/5/19
With only three games left in the regular season, there are only three games scheduled in the National Hockey League, including the Columbus Blue Jackets fighting to earn that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference when they take on the New York Rangers on Friday. In other action, the Dallas Stars visit the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings take on the Anaheim Ducks.
Featured Game
Columbus Blue Jackets (-220) vs. New York Rangers (+175)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are tied for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with the Montréal Canadiens as they enter this contest with 94 points (45-31-4). Columbus is 23-14-2 on the road this season and is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. The New York Rangers are eliminated from the playoffs with just 75 points (31-36-13). New York is 18-14-8 at home this season and are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games.
Goaltending Matchup:
Sergei Bobrovsky will be in goal for Columbus. Bobrovsky is 36-24-1 this season with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. He lost his last start, giving up four goals on 23 shots to the Boston Bruins, but had won seven of his previous eight decisions prior to that. Bobrovsky is 7-3-0 in his last 10 starts, allowing 16 total goals in that span with four shutouts.
Henrik Lundqvist will start for New York. Lundqvist is 18-23-7 this season with a 3.07 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. The New York goaltender has been in a terrible rut, losing his last six decisions while giving up 22 goals in that span.
Hot Trends:
The Columbus Blue Jackets are…
5-1 in their last six games.
8-2 in their last 10 games against teams with a losing record.
13-5 in their last 18 games against teams from the Metropolitan Division.
The New York Rangers are…
18-37 in their last 55 games.
2-6 in their last eight games at home.
1-4 in their last five games against teams from the Eastern Conference.
Stat Pack:
Blue Jackets:
Goals For: 3.10
Goals Against: 2.84
Power-Play: 15.5%
Penalty Killing: 85.0%
Rangers:
Goals For: 2.69
Goals Against: 3.27
Power-Play: 19.4%
Penalty Killing: 77.7%
Prediction
While is true that a team that has nothing to play for is really the most dangerous, Columbus simply has to win this game. They are in playoff mode right now, because a loss would almost eliminate them at this point. Expect the Blue Jackets to come out with an incredible sense of urgency to take this game. They have won four of the last five games in New York, and we expect that to be the trend here as well.
The total is set at 6.0 for this contest, and these two teams have gone over in 10 of the last 11 meetings in New York and 18 of the last 24 meetings overall. The trends for the Blue Jackets of late have been to go under, as they have gone under in 11 of their last 15 games, but the Rangers have been trending over of late thanks to the mediocre goaltending of Lundqvist. It makes sense to go with the over, so take Columbus to win 5-2.
Two Games to Watch
Dallas Stars (-107) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (-114)
The Dallas Stars have clinched a playoff berth, currently ranked seventh in the Western Conference with 91 points (42-31-7). Dallas is 19-17-4 on the road this season and is 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. The Chicago Blackhawks are eliminated from the playoffs with 82 points (35-33-12). Chicago is 18-14-8 at home and are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games.
Why Dallas Wins:
Stars are 7-1 in their last eight games on the road.
Stars are 4-1 in their last five games.
Blackhawks are 2-6 in their last eight games on Friday.
Road team has won the last four meetings between these two teams.
Stars are 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these two teams.
Anton Khudobin has won his last three starts.
Why Chicago Wins:
Blackhawks are 6-1 in their last seven games against teams with a losing record.
What About the Total?
Go under 6.0, because…
Khudobin has a 2.17 goals-against average over his last 10 starts.
Dallas has gone under in 17 of their last 26 games on the road.
Corey Crawford has a 2.16 goals-against average over his last 10 starts for Chicago.
Los Angeles Kings (+135) vs. Anaheim Ducks (-160)
Both the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks have been eliminated from the playoffs. Los Angeles has 69 points (30-41-9), while Anaheim has 78 points (34-37-10). Los Angeles is 14-20-6 on the road this season and are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. Anaheim is 18-14-8 at home this season and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
Why Los Angeles Wins:
Ducks are 15-31 in their last 46 games.
Why Anaheim Wins:
Ducks are 4-1 in their last five games at home.
Kings are 7-19 in their last 26 games.
Kings are 3-9 in their last 12 games on the road.
Home team has won four of the last five meetings between these two teams.
Jonathan Quick has given up 12 total goals in his last two losses.
John Gibson has won seven of his last eight starts for Anaheim.
What About the Total?
Go over 5.5, because…
Quick gave up seven goals in his last start.
Quick has given up 14 goals in the last 74 shots he faced.
Anaheim has gone over in five of their last six games.
In the Crease - Week 28
By Joe Williams
Detroit Rock City
The Detroit Red Wings have been eliminated for a long time, but they're certainly not throwing in the towel. They have won six in a row, and eight of the past nine outings. During their current six-game winning streak they have cashed some huge numbers, including +330 at Vegas on March 23 and +320 at San Jose on March 25. They also toppled Boston (+180) at home on March 31, 6-3, while also dealing Pittsburgh (+170) a costly loss for another solid payout for those who invested in the Red Wings. During the 6-0-0 run, they have cashed a healthy (+1235).
They'll play the second end of the home-and-home with the Penguins in the Steel City on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET, and they're a huge underdog (+275). Are you feeling them, or is the win streak finally going to end? The Red Wings have won just once in their past five trips to Pittsburgh, although the underdog is 5-2 in the past seven meetings, with the 'over' 5-1 in the past six meetings in Western Pennsylvania. The over is also 12-4 in the past 16 meetings overall in the series.
Looking Ahead
Thursday, April 4
Montreal at Washington: The Canadiens are fighting for a wild-card spot, while the Capitals are still shooting for a division title. Both teams have something to play for, so this one should be one of the best games of the evening. The Habs are 6-2 in the past eight games overall, while going 5-2 in the past seven against Eastern Confernce teams. However, they're just 2-5 in the past seven road games, and 1-8 in the past nine away from home against teams with a winning home record. The Canadiens are just 2-6 in the past seven meetings, but the road team is 20-7 in the past 27 in this series, and the underdog is 22-9 in the past 31 battles overall.
Tampa Bay at Toronto: The Lightning head into this one with a 42-9 mark across their past 51 against the Eastern Conference, steamrolling all comers. They're also 39-16 in the past 55 games on the road, an area which will obviously handy once the postseason begins. Tampa Bay has won four of the past five in this series, and they're 4-1 in the past five trips to Toronto, too. The Leafs are a solid 41-20 in their past 61 at home.
Winnipeg at Colorado: The Jets have won just once in the past five games overall, but it seems the closer together the games are, the better they do. That will serve them well in the playoffs. In the past 27 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation, they're 21-6. They're also 17-6 in the past 23 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. Colorado has won five in a row at home, and they're 7-2 in the past nine overall. The Avalanche need just one point in the next two games to eliminate the Arizona Coyotes and punch their ticket to the postseason.
Friday, April 5
Dallas at Chicago: The Blackhawks won a hard fought game on Wednesday, topping the Blues 4-3 in a shootout behind Cam Ward in his first start in a month. It might be his final start in the NHL, unless he elects to return for another season. The Stars are into the postseason, clinching over the weekend, and they're 5-2 in the past seven meetings in this series. The road team has cashed in four straight meetings, with the 'over' going 20-7-1 in the past 28 meetings in the Windy City.
Los Angeles at Anaheim: The Kings and Ducks have nothing to play for but pride. Even if neither of these teams are going to the playoffs, this will be played like a playoff game most likely. These rivals do not like each other, so it should be entertaining. L.A. has won just seven of their past 26 games, and they're 3-9 in the past 12 as a road underdog. Anaheim isn't quitting, either. They beat the No. 1 seed Flames on Wednesday, moving to 32-1 in their past 33 regular-season home games against Calgary. In this series, the under is 4-1 in the past five meetings, the home team is 4-1 in the past five, and the favorite has cashed in nine of the past 11 in this series.
Saturday, April 6
Toronto at Montreal: The Maple Leafs could potentially knock their Original Six rivals out of the postseason depending on how things shake down over the next couple of days. That should make Saturday's battle very interesting. The Habs haven't had a lot of success against the Leafs lately, with Toronto going 7-0 in the past seven meetings, and the favorite cashing in each of the past five in the series.
Carolina at Philadelphia: The Hurricanes could be playing for their playoff lives on Saturday, or they might simply be jockeying for the seventh seed just to avoid the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs. Either way, this will be an important game. They just beat Philly 5-2 as home favorites on March 30 behind Petr Mrazek, who has won 10 of his past 12 entering play on Thursday. They'll be looking to complete the season sweep against the Flyers, including a home-and-home win on Dec. 31 and Jan. 3. Mrazek won the last game in Philly on Jan. 3 by a 5-3 margin.
Colorado at San Jose: The Avalanche might have already clinched a playoff spot by the time the puck drops, but depending on what happens in the Dallas game on Friday night, the Avalanche could potentially be playing for the first wild-card, and a chance to avoid the Calgary Flames. The Sharks have been sick lately, and not in a good way. They're limping into the playoffs and need a momentum builder. They have won four meetings in a row at home against the Avalanche since Dec. 28, 2016, and the over is an impressive 7-1-1 in the past nine in this series. The home team is also 7-2 in the past nine meetings, with the favorite 3-0 in the past three.
Friday, 5 April 2019 • 05:38 PM
27 DALLAS @ 28 CHICAGO
Play under DALLAS on the total in All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 0 Overs and 9 this season (+9.05 units)
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Friday, 5 April 2019 • 07:08 PM
29 LOS ANGELES @ 30 ANAHEIM
Play under LOS ANGELES on the total in All games on Friday nights
The record is 1 Overs and 12 for the last three seasons (+11.2 units)
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NHL
Long Sheet
Friday, April 5
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COLUMBUS (45-31-0-4, 94 pts.) at NY RANGERS (31-36-0-13, 75 pts.) - 4/5/2019, 7:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 5-15 ATS (+20.1 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 33-15 ATS (+14.2 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 16-6 ATS (+8.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NY RANGERS are 95-117 ATS (-40.6 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 25-39 ATS (-31.9 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 151-150 ATS (-74.1 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 30-61 ATS (+96.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 120-154 ATS (-98.2 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 211-250 ATS (-141.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 8-4 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 8-4-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.9 Units)
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DALLAS (42-31-0-7, 91 pts.) at CHICAGO (35-33-0-12, 82 pts.) - 4/5/2019, 8:38 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 26-37 ATS (-14.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 25-41 ATS (-25.6 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 31-44 ATS (-22.3 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 2-11 ATS (-13.1 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 65-75 ATS (-42.1 Units) in home games on Friday nights since 1996.
CHICAGO is 15-33 ATS (-18.7 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-5 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-5-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.7 Units)
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LOS ANGELES (30-41-0-9, 69 pts.) at ANAHEIM (34-37-0-10, 78 pts.) - 4/5/2019, 10:08 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 41-23 ATS (+16.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 572-470 ATS (+41.4 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 71-57 ATS (+3.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 75-67 ATS (+151.7 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 23-36 ATS (-18.3 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 7-6 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 7-6-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.6 Units)
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