Saturday's Best NHL Bets
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
How do you make a pick between two teams that aren’t playing for anything – figure out which comes into the game with the most motivation.
Both of these non-playoff bound squads are 2-4 in their last six games and both are coming off upset wins on Thursday. The Panthers have won the last three in this series and are looking to finish the season on a high note.
"We only have a couple games left," said Nathan Horton. "We're trying to finish strong. It's tough to come to the rink. We're not where we want to be. It's tough playing these games, but that's our job."
In Tampa Bay’s last win, the Lightning surrendered a 3-0 lead but held on to win the game 4-3. Despite a budding star in 20-year-old Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay head coach Rick Tocchet knows this team has a long way to go.
"There was a lot of passion," Tocchet said after Thursday’s game. "I like the passion, but it was just undisciplined. We've got a lot of work to do."
Florida has outscored the Lightning 13-6 in their last three meetings.
Pick: Panthers
Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild
Mike Modano is arguably the greatest American-born hockey player to ever play the game. He could be lacing up the skates for the last time in his career on Saturday.
It’s fitting Modano might end his career where it started – in Minnesota. And Modano feels just as comfortable playing up north as he does in the South.
"The (Minnesota) fans have been great ever since we moved and every time we return, it's been a great reception," said Modano. "I'm guessing it's going to be just as tough as tonight to say goodbye to them."
The Wild may let Modano score a goal just for old time sake and you can bet the fans will be giving standing ovations at every break. Heck, they might even be rooting for Dallas.
Minnesota has dropped 8-of-12 and two straight at home. The Stars have won the last two in this series and will get another for their legendary member on Saturday.
Pick: Stars
Hockey Night in Canada Betting
By ARI BAUM-COHEN
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens
The basics
Hockey’s oldest rivalry faces off one final time this season.
The Maple Leafs, losers of three in a row (0-2-1) and five of six (1-3-2), are guaranteed to finish 29th overall and will give up either the first, second or third overall draft pick to the Boston Bruins.
Montreal, at 39-33-9, has won three of 10 (3-4-3) since a six-game winning streak. Montreal could still finish anywhere from sixth to ninth. A win or overtime loss will send the Habs to the postseason.
A homecoming?
According to Kevin McGrann of the Toronto Star, Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson adjusted his goaltending rotation to allow Montreal-born Jean-Sebastien Giguere to play against the Canadiens.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” Giguere told the Toronto Star. “I didn’t get to play there much in my career.
Giguere has only played in Montreal three times in his career, posting a 2-0-1 (tie) record.
Giguere is 0-3-2 on the road as a Maple Leaf and 0-12-5 on the road this season.
Talkin’ totals
After a string of eight consecutive games between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens went over the total, the last three contests have stayed under.
Toronto has had difficulty scoring goals lately, netting just two in its last three games.
The Canadiens have scored two or less goals in seven of their last 10 games.
If the Canadiens have not secured a postseason berth by game time, expect a playoff-type atmosphere at the Bell Centre.
Power outage
The Canadiens have one of the best power plays in the league at 22 percent but have gone just 3-for-29 (10.3 percent) in their last nine games.
“Your special teams can win you games and we're not doing that right now,” Montreal forward Brian Gionta told reporters during a loss a few weeks ago.
Toronto has the league’s worst penalty kill at 74.6 percent but has improved over the season. The Leafs are 35-for-39 (89.7 percent) in their last 12 games.
Toronto’s power play, however, is 0-for-20 and two for its last 51 (3.9 percent).
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks (-175, 5.5)
The basics
It once had potential to be the biggest game of the season for both teams, but Saturday night’s game will have no playoff implications.
The Flames (40-31-10) will finish no higher than ninth and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
Vancouver, at 48-28-5 has locked up the Northwest Division and will finish third overall.
Backhanded compliment
"I think the Sedin twins are maybe the two best players in the world on their backhand," said San Jose coach Todd McLellan.
Henrik Sedin leads NHL with 108 points. Daniel Sedin missed time with injury but is averaging 1.31 points per game.
It is the play of Henrik and brother Daniel that have led to the Canucks becoming the highest-scoring team in the Western Conference, scoring an average of 3.22 goals a game.
Home sweet home
Vancouver is averaging 3.53 goals per game at home this season and allowing only 2.08. The Canucks’ average home-winning margin of 1.45 goals is the best in the NHL and their 29 home wins are tied for the most in the league.
Since Saturday’s contest is a meaningless one, look for Vesa Toskala to get the start for the Flames.
Toskala’s overall goals against average is more than a full goal higher than starting goaltender and team MVP Miikka Kiprusoff.
Defenseless Canucks?
Calgary is one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, averaging 2.44 goals a game, but the Flames will likely be playing against a Canucks defense comprised mainly of Manitoba Moose players.
Regulars Willie Mitchell and Christian Ehrhoff are out of the lineup. Shane O’Brien and Aaron Rome suffered injuries during Vancouver’s last game.
"I think we have to get back to basics here," Henrik Sedin told reporters. "We have to play better.”
CAROLINA (35-36-0-10, 80 pts.) at BOSTON (37-30-0-13, 87 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-8-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.6 Units)
EDMONTON (26-46-0-8, 60 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (45-27-0-8, 98 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 25-53 ATS (+102.9 Units) in all games this season.
EDMONTON is 9-28 ATS (+51.3 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
EDMONTON is 11-32 ATS (+60.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
EDMONTON is 1-18 ATS (+40.6 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
LOS ANGELES is 45-35 ATS (+92.3 Units) in all games this season.
EDMONTON is 178-149 ATS (+22.1 Units) after a division game since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 105-128 ATS (+240.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 7-12 ATS (-10.7 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 6-5-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.8 Units)
BUFFALO (44-27-0-9, 97 pts.) at OTTAWA (44-31-0-6, 94 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 15-4 (+11.6 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 15-4-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
12 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.0 Units)
NY ISLANDERS (34-37-0-9, 77 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (46-27-0-7, 99 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 12-45 ATS (+89.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 3-20 ATS (+40.0 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 20-10 ATS (+4.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NEW JERSEY is 16-4 ATS (+11.0 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 12-3 ATS (+8.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 17-16 ATS (+41.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 11-8 ATS (+23.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NEW JERSEY is 11-15 ATS (-12.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
NEW JERSEY is 18-23 ATS (-12.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 10-9 (+5.6 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 10-9-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
9 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.6 Units, Under=-0.7 Units)
TORONTO (29-39-0-13, 71 pts.) at MONTREAL (39-33-0-9, 87 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 9-10 (+1.8 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 10-9-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
11 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.4 Units)
PITTSBURGH (46-27-0-7, 99 pts.) at ATLANTA (34-33-0-13, 81 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 8-1 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games after a division game this season.
ATLANTA is 15-31 ATS (+51.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 9-2 (+6.7 Units) against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 9-2-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.6 Units)
FLORIDA (32-36-0-12, 76 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (32-36-0-12, 76 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 115-139 ATS (-59.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.
FLORIDA is 1-10 ATS (+14.6 Units) in road games vs. division opponents this season.
TAMPA BAY is 56-104 ATS (-51.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 1-12 ATS (+14.1 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 27-48 ATS (+89.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 13-28 ATS (+42.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 21-43 ATS (+80.8 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 10-8 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 10-8-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.0 Units)
ST LOUIS (39-32-0-9, 87 pts.) at NASHVILLE (46-29-0-6, 98 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 45-35 ATS (+81.0 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 25-15 ATS (+41.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NASHVILLE is 25-14 ATS (+39.3 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 80-86 ATS (+177.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 17-14 ATS (+35.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
ST LOUIS is 49-40 ATS (+95.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 13-11 ATS (+30.3 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 12-8 ATS (+22.9 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 11-8 (+1.4 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 11-8-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.2 Units)
DALLAS (36-31-0-14, 86 pts.) at MINNESOTA (38-36-0-7, 83 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 8-3 (+5.8 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 8-3-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.4 Units)
CALGARY (40-31-0-10, 90 pts.) at VANCOUVER (48-28-0-5, 101 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 39-41 ATS (-11.1 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 17-24 ATS (-10.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
VANCOUVER is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
VANCOUVER is 15-4 ATS (+9.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
CALGARY is 17-8 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 21-33 ATS (-29.8 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 148-152 ATS (-71.7 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 78-92 ATS (-57.9 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 11-8 (+3.0 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 11-8-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
11 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.6 Units)
PHOENIX (50-25-0-6, 106 pts.) at SAN JOSE (50-20-0-11, 111 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 26-12 ATS (+6.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 83-55 ATS (-9.8 Units) in April games since 1996.
PHOENIX is 50-31 ATS (+18.7 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 18-14 ATS (+37.8 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 23-14 ATS (+8.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
PHOENIX is 12-6 ATS (+18.4 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
PHOENIX is 25-14 ATS (+9.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 26-21 ATS (+51.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 64-67 ATS (+154.2 Units) in road games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 51-40 ATS (-15.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 23-22 ATS (-25.1 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 8-11 (+1.8 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 11-8-0 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.5 Units)
CAROLINA vs. BOSTON
Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Carolina's last 9 games
Boston is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
EDMONTON vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Edmonton's last 10 games on the road
Edmonton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Los Angeles is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Edmonton
BUFFALO vs. OTTAWA
Buffalo is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing at home against Buffalo
NY ISLANDERS vs. NEW JERSEY
NY Islanders are 2-12 SU in their last 14 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games
New Jersey is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
PITTSBURGH vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 13 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home
TORONTO vs. MONTREAL
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Toronto's last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Montreal's last 11 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games at home
FLORIDA vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Florida's last 9 games when playing Tampa Bay
Florida is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games when playing Florida
DALLAS vs. MINNESOTA
Dallas is 6-18 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Dallas is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing at home against Dallas
ST. LOUIS vs. NASHVILLE
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of St. Louis's last 17 games when playing on the road against Nashville
St. Louis is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Nashville is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Nashville is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
CALGARY vs. VANCOUVER
Calgary is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 5 games
Vancouver is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
PHOENIX vs. SAN JOSE
Phoenix is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing San Jose
Phoenix is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
San Jose is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
CAROLINA at BOSTON
CAROLINA: N/A
BOSTON: N/A
EDMONTON at LOS ANGELES
EDMONTON: 4-2 SU off a home division win
LOS ANGELES: 0-7 SU at home off a 1 goal loss
BUFFALO at OTTAWA
BUFFALO: N/A
OTTAWA: N/A
NY ISLANDERS at NEW JERSEY
NY ISLANDERS: 3-20 SU Away vs. division opponents
NEW JERSEY: 12-3 SU after 3+ consecutive unders
TORONTO at MONTREAL
TORONTO: N/A
MONTREAL: N/A
PITTSBURGH at ATLANTA
PITTSBURGH: 8-1 SU Away after a division game
ATLANTA: 2-15 SU playing with triple revenge
FLORIDA at TAMPA BAY
FLORIDA: 25-17 SU after having lost 6 or 7 of their last 8
TAMPA BAY: 1-12 SU after playing 3 consecutive home games
ST LOUIS at NASHVILLE
ST LOUIS: 14-7 SU Away after one or more consecutive overs
NASHVILLE: 3-6 SU after a loss by 3+ goals
DALLAS at MINNESOTA
DALLAS: N/A
MINNESOTA: N/A
CALGARY at VANCOUVER
CALGARY: 8-14 SU after 4+ consecutive unders
VANCOUVER: 12-1 SU at home after playing a road game
PHOENIX at SAN JOSE
PHOENIX: 11-4 SU playing with double revenge
SAN JOSE: 14-16 SU in April
Hot Teams
-- Carolina won three of its last four road games.
-- Senators won seven of their last nine games.
-- Predators won ten of their last fourteen games. Blues won six of their last eight games.
-- San Jose won seven of its last nine games. Coyotes won last three games: 3-2/5-3/3-2.
Cold Teams
-- Bruins are 1-7 in game following their last eight wins.
-- Edmonton lost its last ten road games. Kings lost six of their last nine games overall.
-- Sabres lost three of their last four games.
-- New Jersey lost last three home games, scoring four goals.
-- Montreal lost seven of its last ten games. Toronto lost five of six.
-- Penguins lost five of their last seven road games. Thrashers lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Panthers lost six of their last eight games. Tampa Bay lost six of its last eight home games.
-- Dallas is 1-7 in game following its last eight wins. Minnesota lost four of its last five games.
-- Calgary lost last three games, outscored 8-3. Canucks lost three of last four games.
Totals
-- Last seven Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Edmonton road games went over the total. Six of last eight Los Angeles games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Buffalo road games stayed under the total. Four of last five Ottawa games went over total.
-- Four of last five Islander games went over total. Last five New Jersey games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last eleven Montreal games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Atlanta games stayed under the total. Four of last five Pittsburgh games went over.
-- Seven of last nine Florida games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last eleven Nashville games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last ten Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last nine Calgary games stayed under the total. Five of last six Vancouver games went over.
-- Four of last five Phoenix games stayed under the total. Five of the last seven San Jose games went over.
Playing second of back-to-back nights
-- Thrashers are 5-2 at home if they played on road last night.
-- St Louis is 2-7 if it won the night before.
Series Records
-- Bruins won seven of last eight games against Carolina.
-- Visitor won last seven LA-Edmonton games; Oilers won their last four visits to Staples Center.
-- Senators won last nine games against Buffalo.
-- Islanders lost last five visits to New Jersey.
-- Canadiens won four of last five visits to Toronto.
-- Penguins won last eight games against Atlanta.
-- Panthers are 6-5 in last eleven visits to Tampa Bay.
-- St Louis lost four of last five visits to Nashville.
-- Home side won last six Dallas-Minnesota games; Stars lost last three visits to Minnesota.
-- Flames lost six of last nine visits to Vancouver.
-- Sharks won last three games against Phoenix, allowing four goals.