Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Monday, March 19, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Nashville Predators vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 03-19-2018
18th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Nashville Predators, the first team to officially qualify for the postseason, continue the quest for their first Presidents' Trophy when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. Nashville, which owns a two-point lead over Tampa Bay in the race for first overall in the NHL, looks to complete a perfect three-game road trip after posting victories in Arizona and Colorado on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Filip Forsberg and Colton Sissons scored two goals apiece in the 4-2 triumph over the Avalanche as the Predators extended their point streak to a franchise record-tying 14 games (13-0-1). Forsberg snapped a five-game drought to reach the 20-goal plateau for the fourth consecutive season for Nashville, which hasn't lost in regulation since dropping a 3-1 decision to Detroit on Feb. 17. Buffalo is midway through a six-game homestand during which it is 1-1-1 after posting a 5-3 win over Chicago on Saturday. Jack Eichel notched an assist in his return from a high-ankle sprain that cost him 15 games as the Sabres moved one point ahead of Arizona, which sits in the league basement.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), MSG (Buffalo)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (47-14-10): Sissons' first two-goal performance of the season gave him nine tallies this campaign, eclipsing his previous high of eight set in 2016-17. Forsberg leads the team in power-play goals, as half of his tallies on the season have come with the man advantage. Nashville needs seven points over its final 11 games to break the franchise record of 110 set in 2006-07.
ABOUT THE SABRES (23-36-12): Right wing Kyle Okposo is expected to be in the lineup Monday after missing three games with a concussion. "I think we should expect to see Kyle, depending on today and how he handled the practice," coach Phil Housley told the team's website on Sunday. "All signs look like a go, but we'll evaluate that (on Monday)." Forward Zemgus Girgensons, who is two points away from 100 in the NHL but has recorded just one in his last 14 contests, suffered an undisclosed injury against the Blackhawks and is day-to-day.
OVERTIME
1. Eichel, who hadn't played since Feb. 10, is three assists shy of 100 for his career.
2. Nashville has earned at least one point in a franchise-record 14 straight road games (11-0-3).
3. Buffalo assigned RW Justin Bailey to Rochester of the American Hockey League on Sunday.
PREDICTION: Predators 5, Sabres 1
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 03-19-2018
19th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Columbus Blue Jackets look to extend their season-high winning streak to eight games when they visit the surging Boston Bruins on Monday to start a two-day, two-game road trip. The Blue Jackets have posted three one-goal victories during their run, including a 2-1 triumph over Ottawa on Saturday, as they sit one point ahead of New Jersey for the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and two behind third-place Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division.
"It's become that feeling that you can relax and just do your thing and don't worry about anything else," Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky told reporters after winning his fifth straight start while posting a .935 save percentage in that span. "You know that guys will do their job. We have a good atmosphere in the locker room." Blue Jackets All-Star defenseman Seth Jones (upper body) is day-to-day, while the Bruins could be without as many as five regulars due to injury after going 2-2-0 on their four-game road trip. Boston earned a big victory on Saturday as it blanked Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay 3-0 and sits four points behind the Lightning with two games in hand. "We've been talking about trying to get back to our identity in that way, playing a solid defense and finding our offense through that," Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask told reporters Saturday. "I think it was a great thing to show to ourselves that it works."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA, FS Ohio (Columbus), NESN (Boston)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (39-28-5): The newly constructed line of Boone Jenner, Thomas Vanek and Alexander Wennberg has been quite productive of late and combined for the tying goal on Saturday. "We feel comfortable together," Jenner, who has recorded four goals and two assists during his five-game point streak, told reporters. "Each game, we're talking a lot, communicating and seeing what we can do better. It's been fun playing with them." Artemi Panarin was kept off the scoresheet by the Senators but has notched 10 of his team-leading 63 points in the last seven games.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (45-17-8): David Backes (28 points in 50 games) suffered a laceration above his right knee on Saturday and is questionable to face Columbus, but Boston announced there is no structural damage. His absence would add him to an injured group that includes Patrice Bergeron (foot), Jake DeBrusk (upper body) and defensemen Charlie McAvoy (knee) and Zdeno Chara (upper body). Brad Marchand has recorded 15 of his team-leading 73 points in the last eight games while linemate David Pastrnak scored Saturday to give him 14 of his 69 points over the past nine contests.
OVERTIME
1. Jones has registered four goals and four assists over his last four games and needs one point to reach 50 for the first time in his career.
2. Boston signed United States Olympic star Ryan Donato to a two-year, entry-level contract on Sunday, and the Harvard product could be in the lineup as early as Monday.
3. The teams have split a pair of meetings this season, with the Bruins winning 7-2 at home on Dec. 18 in the last matchup.
PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Bruins 2
Florida Panthers vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview and Predictions 03-19-2018
19th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Florida Panthers gained some ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race during a 12-game stay in the Sunshine State by going 9-2-1, but they wrap up the month by spending most of their time on the road. Florida begins a string that features seven of its next eight contests away from home on Monday, when it visits the struggling Montreal Canadiens.
The Panthers sit five points out of the second wild-card spot in the East after Saturday's damaging 4-2 loss to Edmonton, but they have games in hand on every team ahead of them in the standings. "A lot of important hockey ahead of us here," Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo told reporters on Saturday. "Disappointed with (Saturday), but we've got some big games coming up on the road this week. So we've got to forget about it and just get back to what we do best." The Canadiens, who are playing out the string of a disappointing, injury-plagued season, have recorded just one victory in their last eight games (1-5-2) after suffering a 4-0 loss at Toronto on Saturday. Montreal is 29th in the league in scoring (2.5 goals) and has been shut out by Florida in each of the last two meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida, TSN2, RDS (Montreal)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (35-27-7): All-Star Aleksander Barkov (team-high 70 points) has cooled off a bit with just two assists in his last four games after stringing together an eight-game point streak. Vincent Trocheck has carried a lot of the offensive load lately with a six-game point streak during which he has collected four of his team-best 28 goals and five assists to move within four of Barkov for the club lead in points. Defenseman Keith Yandle has registered nine assists over his last eight contests while Nick Bjugstad has notched 11 points in his past nine games.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (26-34-12): Alex Galchenyuk has posted four assists in his last three contests to pull even for the team lead in points (44) with Brendan Gallagher, who has scored two of his club-best 26 goals in the last four games. Jonathan Drouin has registered four of his 37 points in the last four games while defenseman Jeff Petry has continued to add to his career high in points by notching three of his 35 over the last four contests. Montreal is 5-for-12 with the man advantage over its last five games but has allowed 13 power-play tallies over its last nine contests.
OVERTIME
1. Panthers captain Derek MacKenzie is slated to play in his 600th NHL contest on Monday.
2. Montreal LW Artturi Lehkonen has recorded four goals in his last five games but came up empty while registering seven shots on Saturday.
3. Florida D Alex Petrovic (lower body) has missed the last two games but could return to the lineup on Monday.
PREDICTION: Panthers 4, Canadiens 3
Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild Preview and Predictions 03-19-2018
18th March 2018 by Gracenote
Two teams battling for third place in their respective divisions face off Monday as the Minnesota Wild host the Los Angeles Kings. Minnesota, which is three points ahead of Colorado in the Central, is coming off road victories over Vegas and Arizona on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Devan Dubnyk made 30 saves en route to his 200th career win while Eric Staal netted his team-leading 38th tally to move closer to his third 40-goal season and first since 2008-09 while with Carolina. Los Angeles, which trails Anaheim by two points for third in the Pacific, is kicking off a four-game road trip after playing just one of its previous eight contests this month away from home. The Kings came up empty at Staples Center on Saturday as they were blanked 3-0 by New Jersey to finish 21-10-1 against the Eastern Conference this season. Los Angeles' fourth shutout loss of the campaign ended the six-game point streak of captain Anze Kopitar, who collected two goals and eight assists during the run and leads the team with 80 points.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
ABOUT THE KINGS (39-27-6): Kopitar is one point away from matching the career high he set in 2009-10 and one tally shy of his third 30-goal campaign. Defenseman Drew Doughty also saw his point streak come to an end Saturday as he had registered a goal and six assists over his previous four contests. Dustin Brown is having a strong bounce back season as he has reached the 20-goal mark for the first time since scoring 22 in 2011-12 and needs two points to hit 50 for the first time since that same campaign.
ABOUT THE WILD (41-24-7): Charlie Coyle has been wielding a hot stick for Minnesota as he carries a six-game point streak into Monday's contest. The 26-year-old center has collected three goals and four assists during the run and landed on the scoresheet in 10 of his last 14 games. Nino Niederreiter netted his 17th tally on Saturday, moving him closer to his fourth consecutive 20-goal season.
OVERTIME
1. Wild D Matt Dumba, who appeared in his 300th NHL game on Saturday, needs one goal to set a new career high of 12.
2. Doughty has logged at least 30 minutes of ice time on 11 occasions this season, including seven regulation contests.
3. Minnesota's Bruce Boudreau is one away from 500 career coaching victories.
PREDICTION: Wild 3, Kings 2
Calgary Flames vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview and Predictions 03-19-2018
19th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Calgary Flames are watching their playoff hopes disappear but hope to begin a mad rush toward a postseason berth when they visit the NHL-worst Arizona Coyotes on Monday. Calgary is sitting four points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference and six behind Anaheim for third place in the Pacific Division with nine games remaining after Sunday's 4-0 loss in Vegas.
It was the seventh setback in 10 contests (3-6-1) for the Flames, who have made the playoffs only twice in the last eight seasons. Arizona had been on roll, earning points in 13 of 16 games (11-3-2) before dropping its last two contests. The Coyotes are wrapping up a five-game homestand during which they are 2-2-0 after Saturday's 3-1 setback against Minnesota. Arizona ranks last in the league but is just one point behind Buffalo and trails Vancouver by two in the West.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS Arizona
ABOUT THE FLAMES (35-28-10): Calgary could be without a key member of its blue line on Monday after TJ Brodie exited the loss to the Golden Knights in the second period with an upper-body injury suffered on a hit by Ryan Reaves. The 27-year-old defenseman appeared in all 82 contests last season and has yet to miss a game this campaign. Johnny Gaudreau, who leads the team with a career-best 81 points, registered three goals and five assists during a six-game streak before being blanked on Sunday.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (23-37-11): Clayton Keller is riding a point streak that reached four games Saturday as he scored his team-leading 20th goal. The 19-year-old center, who also tops the club in overall scoring (52 points), is two goals and two points away from matching the Coyotes' rookie records set in 2007-08 by Peter Mueller. Antti Raanta, who needs two wins to eclipse the career high of 16 he set last season with the New York Rangers, returned to action Saturday and made 30 saves after missing six contests with a lower-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Coyotes D Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one goal shy of 100 for his career.
2. Calgary is 10-9-3 against Pacific Division rivals this season, including a 2-0-0 mark versus the Coyotes.
3. Arizona F Zac Rinaldo returned to the lineup Saturday and received nearly 10 minutes of ice time after missing eight games with an upper-body injury.
PREDICTION: Flames 4, Coyotes 2
NHL
Monday, March 19
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Trend Report
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COLUMBUS @ BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing Boston
Columbus is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Columbus
NASHVILLE @ BUFFALO
Nashville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Nashville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home
FLORIDA @ MONTREAL
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 7 games on the road
Florida is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
Montreal is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Montreal is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Florida
LOS ANGELES @ MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
CALGARY @ ARIZONA
Calgary is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Arizona
Calgary is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Arizona's last 14 games when playing Calgary
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NHL
Long Sheet
Monday, March 19
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COLUMBUS (39-28-0-5, 83 pts.) at BOSTON (45-17-0-8, 98 pts.) - 3/19/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 46-25 ATS (+20.8 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 25-9 ATS (+9.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
COLUMBUS is 41-28 ATS (+12.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 23-7 ATS (+13.4 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 20-25 ATS (-28.9 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 48-57 ATS (-48.4 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-3 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-3-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.3 Units)
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NASHVILLE (47-14-0-10, 104 pts.) at BUFFALO (23-36-0-12, 58 pts.) - 3/19/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 43-86 ATS (+142.1 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
BUFFALO is 218-230 ATS (+503.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 47-25 ATS (+12.2 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 63-39 ATS (+12.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 10-4 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
NASHVILLE is 21-9 ATS (+8.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
BUFFALO is 23-49 ATS (-62.2 Units) in all games this season.
BUFFALO is 2-12 ATS (+14.9 Units) in home games in non-conference games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 2-2 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 2-2-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.0 Units)
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FLORIDA (35-27-0-7, 77 pts.) at MONTREAL (26-34-0-12, 64 pts.) - 3/19/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 179-208 ATS (-79.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.
MONTREAL is 26-47 ATS (-52.2 Units) in all games this season.
MONTREAL is 10-24 ATS (-21.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
MONTREAL is 21-32 ATS (-15.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 13-32 ATS (+48.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
MONTREAL is 9-27 ATS (+38.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MONTREAL is 3-15 ATS (+22.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 7-4 (+3.1 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 7-4-0 straight up against MONTREAL 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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LOS ANGELES (39-27-0-6, 84 pts.) at MINNESOTA (41-24-0-7, 89 pts.) - 3/19/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 37-42 ATS (-24.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 42-54 ATS (-26.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 12-22 ATS (-10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-5 ATS (+7.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 68-69 ATS (-43.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 9-17 ATS (-14.9 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-3 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 4-3-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.9 Units)
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CALGARY (35-28-0-10, 80 pts.) at ARIZONA (23-37-0-11, 57 pts.) - 3/19/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 33-51 ATS (-21.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 17-14 ATS (+35.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 15-9 ATS (+25.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
CALGARY is 9-3 ATS (+12.2 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
CALGARY is 117-114 ATS (+260.6 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
CALGARY is 110-110 ATS (+245.0 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
CALGARY is 11-4 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CALGARY is 14-5 ATS (+19.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 23-49 ATS (-47.1 Units) in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 7-5 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 7-5-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.1 Units)
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