Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Sunday, May 6, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continues Sunday as a pair of teams will be fighting for their playoff lives. The Bruins head to Tampa Bay for a must-win Game 5, while the Sharks host the Golden Knights down three games to two. We help you handicap this pair of games like a pro with our full betting preview.
Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning (-175, 6)
Lightning lead series 3-1
The Tampa Bay Lightning go after a fourth straight victory to close out the Eastern Conference semifinal series when they host the Boston Bruins for Game 5 on Sunday afternoon. Captain Steven Stamkos tied the contest in the third period and defenseman Dan Girardi tipped home the winner in overtime as the Lightning rallied for a 4-3 victory Friday to give themselves a chance to finish their second series in five games.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, TVA
SERIES PRICE (PER LV SUPERBOOK):
BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Lightning opened Game 5 as -169 home favorites and have moved up to -175 as of Saturday night. Which isn't surprising considering the Bolts are seeing 64 percent of wagers according to our Covers Consensus. The total hit the board at an even 6 with 58 percent of bets on the Over.
Check out the complete line history here and consensus data here.
INJURY REPORT:
Bruins - D Torey Krug (Questionable, lower body), D Brandon Carlo (Out, ankle), LW Anders Bjork (Out, shoulder).
Lightning - LW Adam Erne (Questionable, lower body).
GOALIE SHOWDOWN:
GP W L GAA SAVE % SO
Tukka Rask (Bruins) 11 5 6 2.96 .903 0
Andrei Vasilevskiy (Lightning) 9 7 2 2.33 .923 0
ABOUT THE BRUINS: The Bruins have not recorded an even-strength goal since Game 2 after scoring twice with the man advantage and once short-handed during the rally that gave them a 3-2 lead in the third period Friday. Right wing David Pastrnak had one of the power-play tallies for Boston and leads the team with 20 points in the playoffs. Defenseman Torey Krug, who has 12 points in 11 playoff games, suffered a left ankle injury after crashing into the boards feet first Friday and has been ruled out for the rest of the series. Left wing Brad Marchand had a pair of assists Friday and boasts 17 in the postseason, but has managed only seven shots on goal overall in the four games, but did land one lick.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Tampa Bay’s top line is beginning to produce after a slow start to the series as Nikita Kucherov scored on the power play and Steven Stamkos had a goal for the second straight contest. Defenseman Victor Hedman did not have a point in the first playoff series, but has recorded five assists in the last four games against Boston to become the franchise’s postseason leader in that category (36).
TRENDS:
* Bruins are 1-6 in their last seven games playing on one days rest.
* Lightning are 20-6 in their last 26 Conference Semifinals games.
* Over is 6-2-1 in Bruins last nine games playing on one days rest.
* Over is 4-1-1 in Lightning last six home games.
* Bruins are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Note: Not every online sportsbook is the same. Thinking of placing a bet? Check which top rated sports betting sites have been reviewed first.
Vegas Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks (-140, 5.5)
Golden Knights lead series 3-2
The Golden Knights can add another accomplishment to what is already the most successful inaugural season in NHL history when they visit the San Jose Sharks on Sunday with a chance to wrap up their Western Conference semifinal series. Vegas shrugged off a 4-0 loss to San Jose in Game 4 with a 5-3 victory in Game 5 on Friday to take a 3-2 series lead and will try to avoid a Game 7 at home Tuesday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, Sportsnet, TVA
SERIES PRICE (PER LV SUPERBOOK):
BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Sharks opened Game 6 as -135 home favorites and are up slightly to -140 as of Saturday night. San Jose is seeing a very slight edge in wagers at 52 percent according to the public in our Covers Consensus. The total opened at 5.5 with 61 percent of bets on the Over.
Check out the complete line history here and consensus data here.
INJURY REPORT:
Golden Knights - D Clayton Stoner (Out, abdominal).
Sharks - C Joe Thornton (Questionable, knee).
GOALIE SHOWDOWN:
GP W L GAA SAVE % SO
Marc Andre-Fleury (Golden Knight) 9 7 2 1.68 .946 3
Martin Jones (Sharks) 9 6 3 2.29 .926 2
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS: Alex Tuch has three goals and two assists in the series and shares the team postseason lead with four goals while Marchessault and Reilly Smith boast a team-best 10 playoff points apiece. William Karlsson (four goals, nine points) has been kept off the scoresheet for the last two games despite recording five shots on goal in each contest after recording three goals and four assists in the first three games of the series. Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 14 goals in the last four games with a save percentage of .925 versus San Jose after stopping 127 of 130 shots in the first round versus Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE SHARKS: Sharks goaltender Martin Jones was yanked after rookie Alex Tuch scored his second goal of Game 5 at 8:36 of the third period to make it 4-0 and must improve on his .886 save percentage in the series to send it back to Sin City. Tomas Hertl scored in each of the last three games - all at even strength, giving him a team-high six playoff goals. Logan Couture has five assists in the last two games and owns a club-most 12 postseason points.
TRENDS:
* Golden Knights are 10-2 in their last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Sharks are 10-2 in their last 12 when their opponent scores five goals or more in their previous game.
* Under is 10-4-1 in Golden Knights last 15 road games.
* Over is 8-1-3 in Sharks last 12 Conference Semifinals games.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Preview: Bruins at Lightning
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The Tampa Bay Lightning go after a fourth straight victory to close out the Eastern Conference semifinal series when they host the Boston Bruins for Game 5 on Sunday afternoon. Captain Steven Stamkos tied the contest in the third period and defenseman Dan Girardi tipped home the winner in overtime as the Lightning rallied for a 4-3 victory Friday to give themselves a chance to finish their second series in five games.
“It’s going to be the hardest game in the series, it always is,” Tampa Bay right wing Ryan Callahan told reporters of the potential close-out matchup. “And especially against a group like that who’s been there before, and there’s a lot of veteran guys over there. It’s good it’s at home for us, but at the same time, it’s going to be a tough one.” The Bruins have not recorded an even-strength goal since Game 2 after scoring twice with the man advantage and once short-handed during the rally that gave them a 3-2 lead in the third period Friday. Right wing David Pastrnak had one of the power-play tallies for Boston and leads the team with 20 points in the playoffs while center Patrice Bergeron had two goals in Game 4 to give him five in the series. “Desperate hockey,” Bergeron said of the mindset for Sunday. “You know we’ve shown character all year. You know I’ve spoken about the resilience in this room, so it’s time to show it.”
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, TVA
ABOUT THE BRUINS: Defenseman Torey Krug, who has 12 points in 11 playoff games, suffered a left ankle injury after crashing into the boards feet first Friday and has been ruled out for the rest of the series, perhaps giving veteran blue liner Nick Holden a spot in the lineup. Left wing Brad Marchand had a pair of assists Friday and boasts eight points in the series (17 in the postseason), but has managed only seven shots on goal overall in the four games. Left wing Rick Nash, who has five goals and four assists in his last four playoff games at Tampa Bay, scored twice in Game 1 but has been held to one assist since.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Tampa Bay’s top line is beginning to produce after a slow start to the series as Nikita Kucherov scored on the power play and Stamkos had a goal for the second straight contest. “Our line has been talking a lot about wanting to have a better game,” Stamkos said of his unit that includes J.T. Miller. “Obviously, it’s not a matter of will. We knew eventually it was going to come.” Defenseman Victor Hedman did not have a point in the first playoff series, but has recorded five assists in the last four games against Boston to become the franchise’s postseason leader in that category (36).
OVERTIME
1. The Bruins are 4-for-9 on the power play, but have drawn seven fewer chances than the Lightning (4-for-16) in the first four games.
2. Kucherov’s power-play tally gave him 53 career playoff points, moving him ahead of Vincent Lecavalier (52) for second in franchise history.
3. Bergeron can pass Rick Middleton (111) for fifth in games played in the postseason Sunday and is tied in goals with C David Krejci and Wayne Cashman (31) for ninth.
PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Bruins 2
__________________
W/L Trends
Boston
Bruins are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. Atlantic.
Bruins are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Bruins are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
Bruins are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bruins are 2-6 in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Bruins are 2-7 in their last 9 road games.
Bruins are 2-8 in their last 10 Sunday games.
Bruins are 1-5 in their last 6 Conference Semifinals games.
Bruins are 1-6 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Tampa Bay
Lightning are 7-1 in their last 8 Sunday games.
Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Atlantic.
Lightning are 20-6 in their last 26 Conference Semifinals games.
Lightning are 37-14 in their last 51 home games.
Lightning are 39-15 in their last 54 games playing on 1 days rest.
Lightning are 12-5 in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Lightning are 40-18 in their last 58 vs. a team with a winning record.
Lightning are 69-32 in their last 101 overall.
Lightning are 43-21 in their last 64 vs. Eastern Conference.
OU Trends
Boston
Over is 6-2-1 in Bruins last 9 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 overall.
Under is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 Sunday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 8-3-1 in Bruins last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 9-4-1 in Bruins last 14 road games.
Tampa Bay
Under is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 Sunday games.
Over is 4-1-1 in Lightning last 6 home games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Lightning last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 23-8 in Lightning last 31 games following a win.
Over is 10-4-1 in Lightning last 15 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 23-10-3 in Lightning last 36 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 21-10-1 in Lightning last 32 games playing on 1 days rest.
Head to Head
Bruins are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Under is 5-2-2 in the last 9 meetings.
Bruins are 57-27-5 in the last 89 meetings.
Preview: Golden Knights at Sharks
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The Golden Knights can add another accomplishment to what is already the most successful inaugural season in NHL history when they visit the San Jose Sharks on Sunday with a chance to wrap up their Western Conference semifinal series. Vegas shrugged off a 4-0 loss to San Jose in Game 4 with a 5-3 victory in Game 5 on Friday to take a 3-2 series lead and will try to avoid a Game 7 at home Tuesday.
"It was good to win in front of our crowd, knowing that for sure we're going to get another crack at it no matter what,'' the Golden Knights' David Perron told reporters after recording two assists Friday. "At the same time, we've got to try and find a way to close it next game." The Sharks scored three straight goals in the third period to make it 4-3 with 4:16 remaining Friday before Jonathan Marchessault's empty-netter sealed the verdict with 1:21 left, and hope to carry that momentum into Game 6. "It's not over yet," San Jose's Tomas Hertl told reporters. "We've got a home game now. We have to take it and start right away, and I believe we'll come back for Game 7." Sharks goaltender Martin Jones was yanked after rookie Alex Tuch scored his second goal of Game 5 at 8:36 of the third period to make it 4-0 and must improve on his .886 save percentage in the series to send it back to Sin City.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, Sportsnet, TVA
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS: Tuch has three goals and two assists in the series and shares the team postseason lead with four goals while Marchessault and Reilly Smith boast a team-best 10 playoff points apiece. William Karlsson (four goals, nine points) has been kept off the scoresheet for the last two games despite recording five shots on goal in each contest after recording three goals and four assists in the first three games of the series. Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 14 goals in the last four games with a save percentage of .925 versus San Jose after stopping 127 of 130 shots in the first round versus Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE SHARKS: Hertl scored in each of the last three games - all at even strength, giving him a team-high six playoff goals. Logan Couture has five assists in the last two games and owns a club-most 12 postseason points. Couture, Evander Kane and Marcus Sorensen each have four postseason goals with Couture scoring twice and Kane and Sorensen once apiece versus Vegas.
OVERTIME
1. D Luca Sbisa (plus-1, six hits, 17 minutes of ice time) and C Oscar Lindberg (plus-1, assist, four shots on goal) made their playoff debuts for the Golden Knights in Game 5 with Sbisa playing for the first time since Feb. 27.
2. San Jose D Brent Burns, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, has two goals and three assists but is a minus-4 in the series after finishing plus-2 in the first round and minus-16 during the regular season.
3. The Game 5 winner in a best-of-seven has won the series 78.9 percent of the time, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Golden Knights 2
__________________
W/L Trends
Vegas
Golden Knights are 11-1 in their last 12 Sunday games.
Golden Knights are 10-2 in their last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.
Golden Knights are 11-3 in their last 14 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 7-2 in their last 9 overall.
Golden Knights are 25-10 in their last 35 vs. Pacific.
Golden Knights are 40-19 in their last 59 vs. Western Conference.
Golden Knights are 35-17 in their last 52 games playing on 1 days rest.
Golden Knights are 2-5 in their last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
San Jose
Sharks are 10-2 in their last 12 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Sharks are 9-2 in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Sharks are 22-6 in their last 28 vs. Pacific.
Sharks are 8-3 in their last 11 home games.
Sharks are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Sharks are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
OU Trends
Vegas
Under is 3-0-1 in Golden Knights last 4 Sunday games.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. Pacific.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 10-4-1 in Golden Knights last 15 road games.
Under is 5-2 in Golden Knights last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 11-5-1 in Golden Knights last 17 games following a win.
San Jose
Over is 8-1-3 in Sharks last 12 Conference Semifinals games.
Over is 4-1 in Sharks last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Sharks last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1 in Sharks last 5 vs. Pacific.
Over is 4-1 in Sharks last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 12-4-1 in Sharks last 17 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 6-2 in Sharks last 8 home games.
Under is 13-5-1 in Sharks last 19 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 13-6-4 in Sharks last 23 Sunday games.
Head to Head
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
NHL
Sunday, May 6
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Trend Report
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Boston Bruins
Boston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Boston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Boston is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games at home
Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Boston
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Vegas is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games
Vegas is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vegas's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Vegas's last 15 games on the road
Vegas is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing San Jose
Vegas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vegas's last 5 games when playing San Jose
San Jose Sharks
San Jose is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
San Jose is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games
San Jose is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose's last 8 games at home
San Jose is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Vegas
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vegas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing Vegas
NHL
Long Sheet
Sunday, May 6
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BOSTON (55-25-0-13, 123 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (61-25-0-5, 127 pts.) - 5/6/2018, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 2-7 ATS (-9.6 Units) on Sunday games this season.
BOSTON is 38-44 ATS (-19.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 42-49 ATS (-17.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 62-30 ATS (+20.1 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 22-6 ATS (+15.5 Units) in the second round of the playoffs since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 231-234 ATS (+540.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 85-70 ATS (+157.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-7 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 10-7-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.3 Units, Under=-0.0 Units)
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VEGAS (58-26-0-7, 123 pts.) at SAN JOSE (51-29-0-11, 113 pts.) - 5/6/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 27-11 ATS (+38.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
SAN JOSE is 21-9 ATS (+10.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
SAN JOSE is 43-22 ATS (+13.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
VEGAS is 59-33 ATS (+19.1 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 13-7 ATS (+5.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
VEGAS is 11-1 ATS (+9.7 Units) on Sunday games this season.
VEGAS is 27-11 ATS (+12.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
VEGAS is 32-17 ATS (+13.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 181-151 ATS (-78.7 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 20-30 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 6-3 (+2.3 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 6-3-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.0 Units)