Saturday's Best NHL Bets
Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are riding a seven-game winning streak and unless cats and dogs start falling from the sky, Detroit will make its 19th consecutive postseason appearance.
"We just control our own destiny here," right wing Todd Bertuzzi said. "The dressing room's pretty confident, we're playing well and we're doing the right things. We're winning those games that are close, we're grinding them out.”
The Wings could move into a better playoff position with a victory against the Predators on Saturday. The team sits one point behind Nashville in the standings and would leapfrog them and take over fifth place with a win.
“That's a big game for us," coach Mike Babcock said. "We'd like to be in a position to go past them if we could."
Detroit has won three straight versus the Preds and could get the services of veteran Danny Cleary back on Saturday.
Pick: Red Wings
Atlanta Thrashers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Atlanta has tightened up its defense over the last two weeks while trying to squeeze into the playoff picture.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma anticipates an all-out effort from the Thrashers on Saturday.
"They're a desperate team," Bylsma said. "They're approaching this like a playoff game, and they have tough opponents going down the stretch. We're expecting that from that team a tenacious, high work ethic for 60 minutes."
Evgeni Malkin could return to the Pittsburgh lineup for the matchup but his minutes should be limited after missing the last five games. The Pens have averaged 3.0 goals per game without him on the ice.
The Thrashers have played to seven straight unders and none of those games eclipsed the 5-goal mark.
Pick: Under
Hockey Night In Canada Betting
By ARI BAUM-COHEN
Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs
The basics
Boston is 35-30-12 and in a three-way tie for sixth place in the East with 82 points. The Bruins have failed to make a playoff push since the Olympic break, going 8-8-1 since play resumed.
Toronto is in last place in the Eastern Conference at 29-36-13 but has been playing its best hockey since the Olympic break, posting a 10-5-2 record.
Boston has won eight of the last 10 meetings.
Boston tea party?
“Each guy has to talk to himself and ask himself how bad he really wants to be in the playoffs,” a frustrated David Krejci told reporters after Boston’s most recent loss.
The Bruins still must play two games in Washington and one against the Buffalo Sabres.
A win by the Leafs would not only deal a blow to their division rival’s playoff chances, but could also hurt the Bruins on draft day, as Boston has Toronto’s first-round pick this year.
Totally unpredictable
Sure, 12 of the last 15 meetings between these two teams have gone over, but Boston and Toronto are two of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL.
Since trading for Jean-Sebastian Giguere, Toronto has gone under the total in 15 of 22 games.
Boston is frequently seeing totals of five and the over-under is 1-5-0 in Tuukka Rask’s last six starts. Rask leads the NHL with a 1.99 goals against average and .930 save percentage.
Power outage
Toronto’s power play is just 5-for-77 (6.5 percent) over its last 18 games. The Leafs have still managed at least three goals seven times during that span.
Boston is 3-for-33 with the man advantage in its last 12 games. All three goals were scored in a 5-0 victory over the Calgary Flames.
“Everybody’s having a hard time scoring goals,” Michael Ryder told the Boston Globe. “We’re at the point right now where we can’t really think too much about it.”
The Bruins have scored one time in their last two games.
Edmonton Oilers at Phoenix Coyotes (-320, 5.5)
The basics
When they were Smythe Division rivals, Edmonton owned the Winnipeg Jets. Now, Phoenix is on its way to the postseason while Edmonton will finish last in the league.
Edmonton has a record 24-45-7. The Oilers trail the 29th-place Toronto Maple Leafs by 16 points.
The surprising Phoenix Coyotes are 47-25-6. They have set a new franchise record for wins and still have an outside shot to finish first in the Western Conference.
Roadhouse blues
Edmonton has won exactly one game on the road since a victory in St. Louis on December 11 (1-18-1).
The Coyotes have one of the best home records in the NHL at 27-10-2 and have won five in a row at the Jobing.com Arena.
“We're hard to play against because we work,” assistant coach Dave King told the Globe and Mail, “and in our game today, it's still an important aspect. Work can take away the edge a team may have in experience or skill.”
Overcoming the unders
The Coyotes have gone over the total in only 25 of 78 games this season (25-45-8) - the fewest number of times in the league.
It should be noted, however, that the over is 9-3-2 in Phoenix’s last 15 home games and 7-1-0 in Edmonton’s last eight road games.
Head-to-head, games have gone over the total in eight of the last 11 and 21 of the last 27 (21-5-1) contests.
Stemping up his game
Despite the big names moved around the NHL trade deadline, Phoenix’s acquisition of Lee Stempniak has paid the biggest dividend so far.
Stempniak has 13 goals in 14 games with the Coyotes and was named the NHL’s First Star of the Month for March.
"He's a guy that's come in and fit in very well with our team, really given us a boost, so it's great to see him get recognition like that,” Coyotes coach Dave Tippett told the Arizona Republic.
ATLANTA (34-32-0-12, 80 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (44-26-0-7, 95 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 15-29 ATS (+48.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
PITTSBURGH is 34-16 ATS (+6.8 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 61-22 ATS (+17.6 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 19-4 ATS (+12.2 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 30-14 ATS (+10.3 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 8-2 (+5.7 Units) against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 8-2-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.6 Units)
NASHVILLE (45-28-0-6, 96 pts.) at DETROIT (41-23-0-13, 95 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 44-34 ATS (+78.1 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 12-7 ATS (+20.7 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
NASHVILLE is 24-12 ATS (+36.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NASHVILLE is 17-11 ATS (+31.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
NASHVILLE is 135-93 ATS (+27.4 Units) on Saturday games since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a division game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 15-10-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
12 of 24 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.6 Units, Under=-1.5 Units)
OTTAWA (43-30-0-5, 91 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (32-36-0-9, 73 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 59-62 ATS (-33.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 6-17 ATS (+23.3 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 16-15 ATS (+36.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 10-7 ATS (+20.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 43-35 ATS (+4.4 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
OTTAWA is 22-15 ATS (+6.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 5-6 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 6-5-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.4 Units)
BUFFALO (43-25-0-9, 95 pts.) at MONTREAL (37-32-0-8, 82 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 31-42 ATS (-22.2 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 8-12 ATS (-9.5 Units) after a division game this season.
MONTREAL is 21-17 ATS (+38.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
BUFFALO is 162-113 ATS (+28.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
BUFFALO is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 205-142 ATS (+36.5 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
MONTREAL is 12-18 ATS (-16.1 Units) in home games on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 9-15 ATS (-13.8 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 11-8 (+2.9 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 11-8-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.6 Units)
WASHINGTON (50-16-0-11, 111 pts.) at COLUMBUS (32-33-0-13, 77 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 99-142 ATS (-56.9 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 45-28 ATS (+76.2 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 21-6 ATS (+14.2 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 47-17 ATS (+24.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 11-30 ATS (-34.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLUMBUS is 1-12 ATS (-14.1 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 5-15 ATS (-10.6 Units) after a division game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 3-1 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 3-1-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
NY RANGERS (34-32-0-10, 78 pts.) at FLORIDA (31-34-0-12, 74 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 34-42 ATS (-12.5 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 43-38 ATS (+4.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 64-98 ATS (+174.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
FLORIDA is 118-120 ATS (-34.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
FLORIDA is 115-138 ATS (-54.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 6-5 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 6-5-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.1 Units)
BOSTON (35-30-0-12, 82 pts.) at TORONTO (29-37-0-12, 70 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 35-42 ATS (-18.5 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 20-22 ATS (-12.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BOSTON is 15-23 ATS (-12.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
TORONTO is 64-45 ATS (-4.6 Units) in April games since 1996.
BOSTON is 48-36 ATS (+86.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 29-49 ATS (-30.7 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 84-100 ATS (-77.2 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
TORONTO is 14-23 ATS (-10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 13-6 (+6.2 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 13-6-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
14 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+8.9 Units)
NEW JERSEY (44-26-0-6, 94 pts.) at CAROLINA (33-35-0-10, 76 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 9-9 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 9-9-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.2 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
DALLAS (34-29-0-14, 82 pts.) at ST LOUIS (37-31-0-9, 83 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 3-11 ATS (+15.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ST LOUIS is 23-12 ATS (+9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 47-39 ATS (+91.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 35-24 ATS (+60.6 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 47-39 ATS (+93.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
ST LOUIS is 9-19 ATS (+28.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
ST LOUIS is 3-9 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games on Saturday games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 6-5 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 6-5-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.9 Units)
EDMONTON (24-45-0-7, 55 pts.) at PHOENIX (47-25-0-6, 100 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 23-51 ATS (+97.6 Units) in all games this season.
EDMONTON is 10-31 ATS (+58.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
EDMONTON is 1-16 ATS (+35.9 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 12-34 ATS (+63.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
PHOENIX is 47-31 ATS (+93.6 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 15-4 ATS (+19.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
PHOENIX is 23-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHOENIX is 12-4 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 22-14 ATS (+22.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 8-3 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 8-3-0 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.3 Units)
ANAHEIM (37-32-0-7, 81 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (44-27-0-6, 94 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 0-10 ATS (+14.9 Units) in road games vs. division opponents this season.
LOS ANGELES is 44-33 ATS (+85.0 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 14-7 ATS (+4.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ANAHEIM is 21-15 ATS (+5.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 25-23 ATS (+51.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 105-126 ATS (+238.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 55-73 ATS (-26.6 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 10-8-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
9 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)
ATLANTA vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Atlanta's last 12 games when playing Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
NASHVILLE vs. DETROIT
Nashville is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
OTTAWA vs. NY ISLANDERS
Ottawa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Ottawa's last 6 games on the road
NY Islanders are 5-17-3 SU in their last 25 games ,when playing at home against Ottawa
NY Islanders are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
BOSTON vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Boston's last 15 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Toronto's last 15 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
BUFFALO vs. MONTREAL
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Buffalo is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal's last 8 games
Montreal is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
NEW JERSEY vs. CAROLINA
New Jersey is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina's last 6 games
Carolina is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against New Jersey
NY RANGERS vs. FLORIDA
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games
Florida is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
WASHINGTON vs. COLUMBUS
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Columbus
Columbus is 3-6-1 SU in its last 10 games ,when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
DALLAS vs. ST. LOUIS
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 15 of St. Louis's last 20 games when playing at home against Dallas
St. Louis is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Dallas
EDMONTON vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Edmonton's last 24 games when playing Phoenix
Edmonton is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Phoenix's last 22 games
ANAHEIM vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Anaheim is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games at home
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
ATLANTA at PITTSBURGH
ATLANTA: 0-8 SU when playing their 3rd road game in 5 days
PITTSBURGH: 7-0 SU off a home loss by 2+ goals
NASHVILLE at DETROIT
NASHVILLE: 14-7 SU after a division game
DETROIT: 3-4 SU off 2+ consecutive home wins
OTTAWA at NY ISLANDERS
OTTAWA: 7-1 SU after a 5 game unbeaten streak
NY ISLANDERS: 92-132 SU at home when the total is 5.5
BUFFALO at MONTREAL
BUFFALO: 6-0 SU Away when the total is 5 or less
MONTREAL: 6-17 SU at home playing with triple revenge
WASHINGTON at COLUMBUS
WASHINGTON: 20-6 SU after having lost 3 of their last 4
COLUMBUS: 1-12 SU in April
NY RANGERS at FLORIDA
NY RANGERS: 9-3 SU after scoring 5+ goals
FLORIDA: 3-12 SU as a home underdog of +100 to +200
BOSTON at TORONTO
BOSTON: 7-2 SU Away when playing 6+ games
TORONTO: 1-7 SU off a home division win
NEW JERSEY at CAROLINA
NEW JERSEY: N/A
CAROLINA: N/A
DALLAS at ST LOUIS
DALLAS: 30-16 SU revenging BB losses as a favorite
ST LOUIS: 3-9 SU at home on Saturday
EDMONTON at PHOENIX
EDMONTON: 1-17 SU Away in second half of the season
PHOENIX: 15-4 SU at home when the total is 5.5
ANAHEIM at LOS ANGELES
ANAHEIM: 10-4 SU Away when playing their 8th game in 14 days
LOS ANGELES: 14-42 SU after a win by 4+ goals
Hot Teams
-- Thrashers won three of their last four road games.
-- Red Wings won their last seven games, allowing 14 goals. Predators won nine of their last twelve games.
-- Ottawa won last six games, outscoring foes 20-9. Islanders won three of their last four games.
-- Sabres won seven of their last nine games.
-- Blue Jackets are 4-1 in game after their last five losses.
-- Rangers won four of their last five games.
-- Toronto won six of its last nine games.
-- Carolina is 8-2 in game following its last ten losses.
-- Dallas. St Louis both won three of last four games.
-- Ducks won last three games, allowing five goals. Kings won three of their last four home games.
Cold Teams
-- Penguins are 4-7 in their last eleven games.
-- Canadiens lost five of their last seven games.
-- Washington lsot three of its last four games.
-- Panthers lost four of their last five games.
-- Bruins are 5-1 in game following their last six losses.
-- Devils lost six of their last eight games.
-- Oilers lost last four games, allowing 16 goals. Coyotes lost four of last five games.
Totals
-- Last seven Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last nine Nashville games stayed under the total. Three of last four Detroit home games went over the total.
-- Six of last eigbt Islander games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Montreal games stayed under the total. Four of last five Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Over is 11-5 in last sixteen Columbus games.
-- Five of last six Florida games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Carolina games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Last three Coyote home games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Anaheim games stayed under the total.
Playing second of back-to-back nights
-- Canadiens are 4-2 if they won the night before.
-- Rangers are 7-4 if they played the night before.
-- Devils lost last six times they played the night before.
-- Dallas is 2-6 on road if it played the night before.
-- Edmonton is 1-7 if it played the night before.
-- Anaheim is 2-12 if they played the night before.
Series Records
-- Penguins won last seven games against Atlanta.
-- Red Wings won last four games against Nashville.
-- Ottawa won last three games against the Islanders.
-- Sabres won five of last six games against Montreal.
-- Blue Jackets won last two games against Washington.
-- Rangers are 3-5 in last eight visits to Miami.
-- Boston won eight of last ten against Maple Leafs, but lost last two visits to Toronto.
-- Devils won three of last four games against Carolina.
-- Blues won five of their last seven games against Dallas.
-- Coyotes won three of last four games against Edmonton.
-- Kings won five of their last six games against Anaheim.