Monday 2-19-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Monday, February 19

Trend Report

MIAMI @ NOTRE DAME
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Miami's last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Notre Dame's last 6 games at home
Notre Dame is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games at home

OAKLAND @ IUPUI
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oakland's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games
IUPUI is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of IUPUI's last 5 games

MARYLAND @ NORTHWESTERN
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Maryland's last 10 games
Maryland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Northwestern
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Northwestern's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Northwestern's last 6 games

CLEVELAND STATE @ WRIGHT STATE
Cleveland State is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Cleveland State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Wright State
Wright State is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Wright State's last 9 games at home

YOUNGSTOWN STATE @ NORTHERN KENTUCKY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Youngstown State's last 5 games when playing Northern Kentucky
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Youngstown State's last 6 games

DETROIT @ UIC
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing UIC
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of UIC's last 5 games when playing Detroit
UIC is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games

MINNESOTA @ WISCONSIN
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Wisconsin
Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota

OKLAHOMA @ KANSAS
Oklahoma is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Kansas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma's last 5 games when playing Kansas
Kansas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma
Kansas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Monday, February 19


Oakland @ IUPUI

Game 701-702
February 19, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
54.327
IUPUI
45.298
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 9
145
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
by 5 1/2
151
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-5 1/2); Under

Miami-FL @ Notre Dame

Game 703-704
February 19, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami-FL
63.187
Notre Dame
70.645
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Notre Dame
by 7 1/2
134
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Notre Dame
by 4
140 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Notre Dame
(-4); Under

Maryland @ Northwestern

Game 705-706
February 19, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Maryland
68.525
Northwestern
65.026
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Maryland
by 3 1/2
139
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Maryland
Pick
133
Dunkel Pick:
Maryland
Over

Youngstown St @ Northern Kentucky

Game 707-708
February 19, 2018 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Youngstown St
44.523
Northern Kentucky
57.683
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Northern Kentucky
by 13
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Northern Kentucky
by 17
153 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Youngstown St
(+17); Over

Cleveland State @ Wright State

Game 709-710
February 19, 2018 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland State
46.525
Wright State
56.741
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Wright State
by 10
144
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Wright State
by 14
136
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland State
(+14); Over

Detroit @ Illinois-Chicago

Game 711-712
February 19, 2018 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
46.737
Illinois-Chicago
55.612
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Illinois-Chicago
by 9
164
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Illinois-Chicago
by 10 1/2
157 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+10 1/2); Over

Minnesota @ Wisconsin

Game 713-714
February 19, 2018 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
56.735
Wisconsin
64.663
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Wisconsin
by 8
136
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Wisconsin
by 6 1/2
140 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Wisconsin
(-6 1/2); Under

Oklahoma @ Kansas

Game 715-716
February 19, 2018 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma
64.237
Kansas
74.783
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas
by 10 1/2
162
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas
by 8 1/2
167 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas
(-8 1/2); Under

Howard @ NC Central

Game 717-718
February 19, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Howard
35.562
NC Central
45.617
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NC Central
by 10
141
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NC Central
by 7
146 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NC Central
(-7); Under

Alcorn State @ Alabama State

Game 719-720
February 19, 2018 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Alcorn State
39.236
Alabama State
41.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Alabama State
by 2 1/2
138
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Alabama State
Pick
142
Dunkel Pick:
Alabama State
Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Monday, February 19

NCAAB Game of the Day: Oklahoma at Kansas betting preview and odds

Trae Young snapped a streak of 20 consecutive missed 3-pointers on Saturday and is averaging 23.6 points per game during the Sooners' current five-game losing skid.

No. 23 Oklahoma Sooners at No. 13 Kansas Jayhawks (-8.5, 166.5)

Before focusing on a Big 12 first-place showdown with Texas Tech next weekend, 13th-ranked Kansas must take care of business Monday when slumping No. 23 Oklahoma and Trae Young come calling. The Jayhawks escaped at home against West Virginia on Saturday and drew even atop the conference standings when Baylor knocked off the Red Raiders later that night.

Kansas closed out West Virginia with a 19-3 run as Udoka Azubuike scored 21 points and Devonte' Graham contributed 15 points while the defense stepped to the challenge as the Jayhawks put themselves in a position to challenge for a 14th consecutive regular-season championship. "It keeps us in a position to play for something," Kansas coach Bill Self told reporters afterward. "It was big for our guys' confidence, probably." The Sooners dropped their fifth straight game Saturday, 76-66 to Texas, shooting a season-low 30.8 percent with Young continuing to struggle. The 6-2 guard scored 26 points but shot 7-of-21 from the field and is 18-for-58 over his last three games, including 4-of-27 from the arc.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE HISTORY: The first place Jayhawks opened as 8.5-point home favorites and that number has yet to move. The total hit betting boards at 167 and has been dropped slightly to 166.5.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (16-10 SU, 8-17 ATS, 16-9 O/U): Young (29.0 points, 9.2 assists), who added seven assists and five rebounds against Texas, snapped a streak of 20 consecutive missed 3-pointers on Saturday and is averaging 23.6 points per game during the losing skid. "I'm getting guarded like nobody else in the country is being guarded, scouted on like no one else in the country," Young told reporters after the game. “It's a lot tougher for me to score now than it was in the beginning.” Christian James (12.3 points) was held to 11 points after scoring at least 20 in his previous two games and Brady Manek (11.0 points) connected on 3-of-13 after entering the game shooting 61.7 percent at home.

ABOUT KANSAS (21-6 SU, 13-12-1 ATS, 11-15 O/U): Azubuike (14.1 points, 7.0 rebounds) made 7-of-8 shots from the field against West Virginia to lift his shooting percentage to 76.9, and the 7-foot sophomore sank 7-of-10 from the free-throw line to raise his season percentage to 44.7. Azubuike is shooting 78 percent from the field in conference play and 86 percent over his last six games. Lagerald Vick (12.8 points) has scored 29 points in his last two games after after reaching double figures in four of his previous 12 contests.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Sooners are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
* Jayhawks are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 4-0 in Sooners last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Under is 8-2 in Jayhawks last 10 vs. Big 12.
* Underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

TIP-IN BETTING TIDBITS:

- Kansas is 146-67 all-time against Oklahoma, but the Sooners got 26 points on just nine field-goal attempts from Young on Jan. 23 to post an 85-80 victory.

- Graham has played 40 minutes in 10 straight games.

- Kansas has won at least 10 league games in 24 consecutive seasons.

CONSENSUS: Consensus numbers show 65 percent of contest players like the road underdog Sooners to cover the spread.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Monday, February 19

Minnesota is 5-3 in its last eight games with the Islanders, splitting their last four visits here. Seven of last nine series games went over. Wild split its last ten games but won three of last four road games- this is their first road game in 13 days. Three of last four Minnesota games stayed under total. Islanders won 3-0/3-0 in last two games; they’re 3-4 in last seven home games. New York’s last four games stayed under.

Washington won seven of last nine games with Buffalo; under is 2-0-2 in last four series games. Caps won three of last five visits to western New York. Washington lost three of its last four games overall- they split last six road games. Nine of last ten Washington games went over total. Sabres lost three of last four games overall, six of last eight at home. Six of their last seven games went over.

Bruins won three of last four games with Calgary; they split last four visits to the Saddledome. Five of last seven series games went over total. Boston won six of last eight games overall, four of last five on road. Bruins’ last five games went over total. Flames split their last six games but lost three of last four home games. Seven of last ten Calgary games went over the total.

Nashville won six of last eight games with Ottawa, which lost its last three visits to Music City. Four of last five series games went over total. Ottawa won six of its last nine games but was outscored 16-7 in losing its last three road games. Five of their last six games went over total. Predators lost four of their last six games overall- they split their last six home games.

Kings won five of last six games with Chicago; they lost three of last five visits to the Windy City. Under is 3-0-1 in last four series games. Los Angeles lost three of its last four games, all on the road. Five of their last seven games went over total. Blackhawks lost eight of their last nine games, losing three of last four at home. Three of their last four games went over.

Las Vegas is 3-0 vs Anaheim this season, winning 4-1/4-3SO/4-2 (over 1-1-1); the shootout game was only one of the three played in Vegas. Ducks won four of last six games overall, three of last four on road. Last five Anaheim games stayed under. Las Vegas won its last three games, all at home, scoring 15 goals; six of their last eight games went over the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Monday, February 19

Trend Report

MINNESOTA @ NY ISLANDERS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Islanders's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Islanders's last 5 games

WASHINGTON @ BUFFALO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home
Buffalo is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games

BOSTON @ CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games

OTTAWA @ NASHVILLE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing on the road against Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Ottawa's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing at home against Ottawa
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Ottawa

LOS ANGELES @ CHICAGO
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
Los Angeles is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Chicago's last 17 games at home
Chicago is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

ANAHEIM @ VEGAS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Anaheim's last 14 games on the road
Vegas is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Vegas is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, February 19


Minnesota @ NY Islanders

Game 1-2
February 19, 2018 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
9.733
NY Islanders
12.735
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-125
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(+105); Over

Washington @ Buffalo

Game 3-4
February 19, 2018 @ 3:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
11.264
Buffalo
10.212
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
N/A

Boston @ Calgary

Game 5-6
February 19, 2018 @ 4:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
12.278
Calgary
10.717
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
N/A

Ottawa @ Nashville

Game 7-8
February 19, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa
11.737
Nashville
10.120
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-240
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+200); Over

Los Angeles @ Chicago

Game 9-10
February 19, 2018 @ 8:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
11.646
Chicago
10.208
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-115); Over

Anaheim @ Vegas

Game 11-12
February 19, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim
12.314
Vegas
11.232
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vegas
-175
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(+155); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, February 19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (31-20-0-7, 69 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (29-25-0-6, 64 pts.) - 2/19/2018, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 58-64 ATS (-31.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 13-5 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a division game this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 9-3 ATS (+5.6 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 3-2 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 3-2-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.2 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (33-18-0-7, 73 pts.) at BUFFALO (17-31-0-11, 45 pts.) - 2/19/2018, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 215-225 ATS (+493.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 157-90 ATS (+17.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 61-48 ATS (+111.2 Units) in road games in February games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 18-6 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 19-6 ATS (+9.7 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 12-1 ATS (+10.4 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 17-42 ATS (-46.2 Units) in all games this season.
BUFFALO is 7-17 ATS (+30.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-2 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-2-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON (35-13-0-8, 78 pts.) at CALGARY (30-21-0-8, 68 pts.) - 2/19/2018, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 40-31 ATS (+73.0 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 14-6 ATS (+6.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
BOSTON is 23-12 ATS (+10.3 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-2 (+0.4 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 3-2-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.6 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTTAWA (21-27-0-9, 51 pts.) at NASHVILLE (34-14-0-9, 77 pts.) - 2/19/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 257-206 ATS (+37.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 204-174 ATS (+386.9 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
OTTAWA is 44-41 ATS (+92.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 22-17 ATS (+43.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 10-5 ATS (+16.8 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 13-9 ATS (+25.2 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 45-42 ATS (+98.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 28-30 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 4-1 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 4-1-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOS ANGELES (31-22-0-5, 67 pts.) at CHICAGO (25-26-0-8, 58 pts.) - 2/19/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 29-35 ATS (-21.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 198-240 ATS (-77.9 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 20-9 ATS (+8.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CHICAGO is 25-34 ATS (-15.2 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 1-8 ATS (-10.7 Units) in February games this season.
CHICAGO is 3-9 ATS (-6.3 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 9-20 ATS (+33.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
CHICAGO is 8-19 ATS (-15.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 5-2 (+3.1 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 5-2-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANAHEIM (29-20-0-11, 69 pts.) at VEGAS (39-15-0-4, 82 pts.) - 2/19/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VEGAS is 39-19 ATS (+15.9 Units) in all games this season.
VEGAS is 9-1 ATS (+8.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
VEGAS is 14-2 ATS (+11.2 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
VEGAS is 16-8 ATS (+7.3 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
VEGAS is 8-1 ATS (+6.8 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games this season.
ANAHEIM is 542-434 ATS (+38.3 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 45-29 ATS (+10.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 433-436 ATS (+895.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 40-25 ATS (+12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 3-0 (+3.5 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 3-0-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.1 Units)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL Betting Cheat Sheet and Odds: Islanders playing well and out for revenge
Monty Andrews

The Islanders have allowed the most goals in the NHL by a wide margin, but are coming off back-to-back 3-0 shutout victories over the Rangers and Hurricanes.

This week we take a look at the Vegas Golden Knights who are the NHL's best moneyline wager this season and the second favorites in the futures market. Also, the Islanders travel to Toronto to take on the Leafs in what could be a potential revenge play. Monty Andrews dangles at the hash and goes bar down to give NHL bettors a breakdown of what to watch for this week on the ice.

Vegas is the Best Bet

No one could have predicted that the Vegas Golden Knights would be the top team in the NHL as of the middle of February - but that's where we are as the sensational expansion team continues to defy the odds. The Golden Knights look to continue their home-ice dominance Monday night as they entertain the Anaheim Ducks; Vegas is an incredible 22-4-2 at T-Mobile Arena, and has already beaten the Ducks in each of their first three meetings this season. The Golden Knights were a popular preseason novelty futures bet but are now going off at +700 on Bet365 to claim the Stanley Cup, the second-best odds in the league.

Battle of East Powers

Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference face off Tuesday night in the U.S. capital as the Washington Capitals entertain the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Capitals are trying to fend off the Pittsburgh Penguins atop the Metropolitan Division, and continue to be led by the scoring exploits of NHL goals leader Alex Ovechkin. Washington enters the week a sizzling 20-4-2 SU in games in which Ovechkin scores. The Capitals also have the edge in their head-to-head series with the conference-leading Lightning, having earned three of a possible four points through their first two encounters.

Armed for Vengeance?

The New York Islanders appear to have figured out this whole goal prevention thing - and they'll look to put their new skill on display Thursday night in the second of three meetings this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The visiting Islanders have allowed the most goals in the NHL by a wide margin, but are coming off back-to-back 3-0 shutout victories over the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Isles will be looking to rebound from having been shut out themselves, dropping a 5-0 decision to the Maple Leafs in their first meeting of the season back on Jan. 31.

If you're in the market for a online sportsbook, check out in-depth reviews of the best books and sign-up bonuses at OddsShark.com.

Player News

* The St. Louis Blues are reportedly in serious talks with Ottawa about acquiring Mike Hoffman and Derick Brassard from the Senators. The Blues enter the week in a battle with Dallas for third place in the Central, and are +1,800 to win the Cup.

* The Calgary Flames have locked up a key part of their forward corps, signing winger Mikael Backlund to a six-year extension worth an average of $5.35 million per season. The Flames are 18-5-2 SU when Backlund records a point this season.

* Nashville Predators general manager David Poile says he isn't close to make a deal ahead of the trade deadline. The defending Western Conference champions are installed at +900 to win the title, the fourth-best odds in the league entering the week.

Injury Updates

* The Colorado Avalanche welcomed leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon back to the lineup Sunday after he had missed the previous eight games with an upper-body injury. The Avalanche struggled in his absence, going 4-4-0 SU and 4-4 O/U.

* The Florida Panthers also welcomed back a familiar face, as Roberto Luongo returned to the crease after a 27-game absence due to a lower-body injury. The Panthers are 7-7-2 SU in Luongo's appearances following Saturday's 6-3 win over Calgary.

* There could be real problems in goal for the Philadelphia Flyers after Michal Neuvirth left Sunday's game against the Rangers with a lower-body injury. The Flyers are already without No. 1 option Brian Elliott, who is out several weeks with a core muscle injury.

Stanley Cup Futures

* It's a two-team battle for the best Stanley Cup odds among Canadian franchises. The Maple Leafs continue to lead the way at +1,000 on Bet365, with the Winnipeg Jets a close second at +1,100 entering the week. Calgary is third at +2,800.

* The Penguins' recent hot streak has them skyrocketing up the odds list, now installed at +1,100 to win their third consecutive title. Pittsburgh is vying to become the first team since the New York Islanders in the early 80s to win three straight Stanley Cups.

Over/Under Trends

* The Metropolitan Division has been a dream for over bettors - at least when it comes to the top teams. Washington, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the Islanders all have at least 31 overs as of Sunday afternoon.

* The overs have been king league-wide over the previous seven days, with 27 of 45 games going above the total in that span as of Sunday afternoon. That surge makes it 446 overs on the season through Saturday's games, compared with 436 unders.

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Mikey Money

NCAA Basketball OAKLAND GOLDEN GRIZZLIES ‑5.5

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Mikey Sports

NCAA Basketball MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS +7

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Monster Sports Picks

NCAA Basketball MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS/WISCONSIN BADGERS u140

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MVP Lock Club

NCAA Basketball NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH ‑4.5

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Picks 2 Play

NCAA Basketball OAKLAND GOLDEN GRIZZLIES ‑5.5

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Pinnacle Sports Picks

NCAA Basketball MARYLAND TERRAPINS ‑1

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Power Play Wins

NCAA Basketball KANSAS JAYHAWKS ‑8.5