Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 4/27/19
Round 2 continues to roll forward in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a pair of Game 2s on Saturday, April 27. Both of the home teams won the opening games of the series, so the Boston Bruins will be looking for a 2-0 series lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets as will the St. Louis Blues when they take on the Dallas Stars.
Featured Games
Columbus Blue Jackets (+130) vs. Boston Bruins(-155)
After sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, the Columbus Blue Jackets looked like they were going to earn their fifth straight victory when they grabbed a 2-1 lead with a pair of goals just 13 seconds apart in the third period. However, Charlie Coyle would tie the score with a little less than five minutes left in the game and would win it a little over five minutes into the overtime frame to give Boston the 3-2 victory.
Goaltending Matchup:
Despite taking the loss, Sergei Bobrovsky looked exceptional in the net. He allowed three goals on 37 shots, not a bad performance for a guy who’d sat for over a week before taking to the ice. Bobrovsky has a 2.16 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage through the first five games of the playoffs.
Tuukka Rask has got on a roll, allowing just seven goals in his last four games, including allowing just two on 22 shots by Columbus. Rask is playing his best hockey right now, posting a 2.25 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage through the first eight games in the playoffs for Boston.
Trends to Watch:
The Columbus Blue Jackets are…
7-1 in their last eight games on the road.
6-1 in their last seven games.
6-2 in their last eight games on a Saturday.
The Boston Bruins are…
4-1 in their last five games.
4-1 in their last five games against teams with a winning record.
1-4 in their last five conference semifinals games.
Stat Pack: (Playoff Numbers)
Blue Jackets:
Goals For: 4.20
Goals Against: 2.20
Power-Play: 35.7%
Penalty Killing: 90.0%
Bruins:
Goals For: 3.25
Goals Against: 2.38
Power-Play: 35.0%
Penalty Killing: 85.0%
Prediction
It was not a surprise that Columbus lost this game, considering that a lot of their momentum was lost because of the long layover. Now they have to regroup, regaining that mojo that allowed them to dominate Tampa Bay. Boston, on the other hand, is firing on all cylinders, primarily because Rask has been unbeatable in net his last four games. This should be another tight-checking game and considering that Columbus has lost four of the last five games in Boston, we don’t look for that to change here.
These two teams have gone over in nine of the last 11 meetings, but no one is expecting that here. The 3-2 final in Game 1 is likely to be the standard in the series for quite a while. We went slightly over in Game 1 and missed out; we won’t make that same mistake here. Take the Boston Bruins to win, 3-2.
Dallas Stars (+136) vs. St. Louis Blues (-150)
The St. Louis Blues jumped out to a 3-1 lead thanks to a pair of goals by Vladimir Tarasenko, then held on for a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of their series with the Dallas Stars. One of Tarasenko’s goals came on the power play, the first time in these playoffs that Dallas has given up a power-play goal. Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza each had a goal for the Stars.
Goaltending Matchup:
Ben Bishop allowed three of the 20 shots he faced to find the back of the net, quite a mediocre performance to say the least. It was only the second time in the playoffs that he has had a save percentage of less than .900 in a contest. However, it was the third time in these playoffs that he has allowed three goals in a game. Bishop has a 2.05 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage through the first seven games for the Stars.
Jordan Binningtonwas outstanding for St. Louis. He allowed two goals on 29 shots, the fourth straight game he has allowed two goals. Binnington now has a 2.54 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage through the first seven games in the playoffs.
Trends to Watch:
The Dallas Stars are…
9-4 in their last 13 games on the road.
2-5 in their last seven conference semifinals games.
6-2 in their last eight games on the road against teams with a winning record at home.
The St. Louis Blues are…
6-0 in their last six games at home against teams with a losing record on the road.
16-5 in their last 21 games at home.
9-3 in their last 12 games against Western Conference opponents.
Stat Pack: (Playoff Numbers)
Stars:
Goals For: 2.86
Goals Against: 2.14
Power-Play: 20.8%
Penalty Killing: 94.1%
Blues:
Goals For: 2.71
Goals Against: 2.57
Power-Play: 28.6%
Penalty Killing: 75.0%
Prediction
We predicted that Dallas would steal Game 1, but Binnington was having none of it. The lackluster performance by Bishop gave St. Louis a chance to jump out in front in this series, and they took advantage of it. If the trend holds true, Bishop should come back with a performance where he allowed just one goal. In his two previous starts where he allowed three goals, he responded with a single goal performance. We expect that trend to continue, so we take Dallas to win and even the series.
The total was set at five points over the last contest and we told you to avoid betting on that option because we expected the score to end 3-2. We were right, even though we thought it would be the Dallas Stars that had the advantage. The total is set at five for this contest as well, but we are not expecting the push here. We look for Ben Bishop to give up one goal as the Dallas Stars win, 3-1.999999
Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues Preview and Predictions 04-27-2019 in NHL
The Dallas Stars handed St. Louis a pair of three-goal losses during the regular season, but the playoffs are a different animal and the Blues have thrived under the glare of postseason pressure. After posting its fifth one-goal victory of the playoffs, St. Louis looks to hold serve in Saturday afternoon's Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series versus visiting Dallas.
Forward Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice and the Blues held on for a 3-2 victory to improve to 10-3 in their last 13 one-goal games in the postseason. "I don't want to talk about this," Tarasenko told reporters after his team's third consecutive 3-2 win. "I don't think it's right to talk about your moments in the game. It's just Game 1 and we have a win - it's the most exciting thing." Dallas, which won three in a row to bounce No. 2 seed and Central Division champion Nashville in six games in the first round, also was not putting too much stock into one game. "It's going to be tight-checking. It's going to be momentum swings back and forth," Stars forward Jason Spezza told reporters. "We did a lot of positive things. I think we have another level to go to. ... There was some stuff to build off for sure."
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC, TVA, Sportsnet
ABOUT THE STARS: Captain Jamie Benn gave Dallas hope with a late goal in the third period - his sixth tally against St. Louis this season - but the Stars were playing catch-up after Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop allowed a soft opening goal by Robby Fabbri. "It's going to be a chess match for the whole series. We had our pushes, they had theirs," Benn told reporters. "There are going to be momentum swings throughout the game, they got the first one. It's going to go back and forth throughout the series." Dallas' penalty kill was dented for the first time in the postseason after killing off all 15 power plays in the series versus Nashville.
ABOUT THE BLUES: While Tarasenko did not want to talk about his exploits, his teammates had plenty to say after the Russian standout converted on the power play before delivering what proved to be the game-winner with a power move down the right wing. "It's amazing how he can make something out of nothing," Blues center Ryan O'Reilly told reporters. "That's just him. He's just one of the few people in the game that can turn it on and make those amazing plays." Rookie netminder Jordan Binnington, who did not make his NHL start until Jan. 7, made 27 saves to record his 29th victory - the most among any NHL goaltender in the 2019 calendar year.
OVERTIME
1. Tarasenko has 26 goals in 51 career playoff games.
2. Stars D John Klingberg collected an assist in Game 1 to tie Benn for the team lead with seven points in the playoffs.
3. Blues D Alex Pietrangelo notched his team-high seventh point of the postseason with an assist Thursday.
PREDICTION: Stars 3, Blues 2
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 04-27-2019 in NHL
Following a rash of upsets in the opening round of the postseason, which saw all four division winners sent packing, the Boston Bruins could be considered the team to beat in the race to hoist the Stanley Cup. The Bruins look to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series when they host the eighth-seeded Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.
Two days after eliminating Toronto in a winner-take-all Game 7, Boston needed overtime to squeeze out a 3-2 victory over the Blue Jackets on Thursday night - its third win in four matchups this season. "You want to ride that same emotion going into that next series, but then again you realize that you need to bring the same intensity," Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask told reporters after Thursday's win. "So that's what we wanted to do, we wanted to play hard right off the bat." Conversely, Columbus was idle for eight days after dismantling Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay in a shocking four-game sweep and the layoff was apparent to both the coaching staff and players. "You can't simulate a playoff game, especially a second-round playoff game against a really good team like that," forward Brandon Dubinsky told reporters. "I figured we'd come out with a little rust. Obviously, we need to be sharper."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, TVA, Sportsnet
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS: Columbus erupted for 19 goals after spotting Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead in its playoff opener, but it has been limited to a combined five tallies in the last three meetings against the Bruins - with both goals Thursday coming in a span of 13 seconds. "I think we have the personnel to be able to score those (gritty) goals, but we have the personnel to be able to score those skill goals on the rushes and stuff like that," said Pierre-Luc Dubois, who was credited with a goal when a puck deflected off his body. "I think that's what's dangerous about our team." Sergei Bobrovsky made 34 saves in Game 1 but has surrendered 21 goals in his last five starts versus Boston.
ABOUT THE BRUINS: Charlie Coyle, who grew up less than 20 miles from Boston and was among the most under-the-radar acquisitions at the trade deadline, scored the tying goal late in the third before delivering the decisive tally in overtime for his team-high fifth strike of the playoffs. Another overlooked addition to the roster, Marcus Johansson, also played a huge role in Game 1 by setting up both goals by Coyle - including a perfect cross-ice pass in the extra session that led to a tap-in. One possible injury concern is No. 2 center David Krejci (upper body), who was hurt in the third period Thursday and is listed as day-to-day, with coach Bruce Cassidy saying he could be a game-time decision.
OVERTIME
1. Bruins F David Pastrnak, who had 38 goals in the regular season, has tallied in only one of the eight playoff games.
2. Blue Jackets D Seth Jones has five points during a three-game streak after collecting two assists Thursday.
3. Both teams were productive on the power play in the first round but they each failed on four chances Thursday.
PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Blue Jackets 2
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41Dallas -42 St Louis
DALLAS are 8-0 ATS (8 Units) in road games after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games in the current season.
43Columbus -44 Boston
COLUMBUS are 21-11 ATS (13.9 Units) in road games against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game in the current season.
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NHL
Long Sheet
Saturday, April 27
DALLAS (47-34-0-8, 102 pts.) at ST LOUIS (50-29-0-10, 110 pts.) - 4/27/2019, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 35-17 ATS (+8.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 29-18 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 17-6 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
DALLAS is 220-242 ATS (+513.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-7-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)
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COLUMBUS (51-31-0-5, 107 pts.) at BOSTON (54-27-0-9, 117 pts.) - 4/27/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 293-246 ATS (-151.3 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-4 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-4-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.4 Units)
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NHL
Saturday, April 27
Trend Report
Dallas Stars
Dallas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Dallas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Dallas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing St. Louis
Dallas is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Dallas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis Blues
St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
St. Louis is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
St. Louis is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of St. Louis's last 21 games at home
St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
St. Louis is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing Dallas
St. Louis is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Dallas
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Dallas
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Columbus is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Columbus's last 22 games
Columbus is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Columbus is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Columbus's last 16 games on the road
Columbus is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Columbus is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Columbus's last 11 games when playing Boston
Columbus is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Bruins
Boston is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Boston is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Columbus
Boston is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Boston's last 11 games when playing Columbus
Boston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Columbus
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against Columbus
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