Saku Koivu out rest of regular season, playoffs status uncertain
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MONTREAL (AP) -Saku Koivu has a broken bone in his left foot and will miss the last three of the Canadiens' regular season games. His status for the playoffs is uncertain.
''He's someone with a lot of experience, he's a leader, he's our captain and he's played in big games internationally,'' Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau said. ''We'll definitely miss him the rest of the regular season. Hopefully, he'll be able to play once the playoffs come.''
Koivu was struck on the foot from Buffalo's Ales Kotalik early in the first period of a 4-3 win in Buffalo on Friday night. He limped off the ice immediately, but stayed on the bench and played his next shift about 4 minutes later.
He was able to finish the game and assisted on the overtime winner by Christopher Higgins.
Hockey Today
STARS
-Ilya Kovalchuk, Thrashers, scored two third-period goals as Atlanta blanked Tampa Bay 2-0.
-Chris Drury, Rangers, scored a power-play goal 1:46 into overtime, giving New York a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh.
SHUTOUTS
Atlanta's Kari Lehtonen stopped 36 shots for his fourth shutout of the season, 2-0 over Tampa Bay on Monday night.
STANDINGS
The Rangers' 2-1 overtime victory Monday night kept the Penguins from clinching their first division title in 10 years. Pittsburgh, with 100 points, is two ahead of the Canadiens in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins have two games remaining, Montreal has three, and New Jersey four.
SWINGS
Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr has scored three times in five games after netting three in the previous 24. Jagr went 32 games since his previous power-play goal, also against Pittsburgh on Jan. 14. Monday night marked the first one he scored at home, a 2-1 overtime victory.
STREAKING
Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk, who scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Tampa Bay on Monday night, tied his career high with 52 and finished with 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 15 games during March. He also has eight goals in the past seven games against the Lightning.
SIDELINED
Montreal captain Saku Koivu has a broken bone in his left foot and will miss the last three regular-season games. His status for the playoffs is uncertain.
SIGNING
Phoenix signed top draft pick Kyle Turris to an entry-level contract Monday. The 18-year-old center, the third overall selection in the 2007 draft, completed his freshman year at Wisconsin, where he was the leading scorer with 11 goals and 25 assists with 38 penalty minutes in 36 games.
SPEAKING
``It's embarrassing to me, for both teams. Don't talk to me about effort.'' - Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella after his team went 0-for-5 on the power play through the first two periods of a 2-0 loss to Atlanta on Monday night.
Florida Panthers vs. Atlanta Thrashers
- The Florida Panthers and the Atlanta Thrashers will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Philips Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Panthers were shut out 3-0 by the Capitals on Saturday, at EVEN odds. The three goals fell UNDER the night's posted over/under (5.5).
Tomas Vokoun stopped 30-of-33 shots in the loss.
Keri Lehtonen stopped 36 shots to earn the shutout as the Thrashers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Monday night.
Atlanta upset Tampa Bay as +145 road underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 36-34-9
Atlanta: 33-39-8
Florida most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Washington are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Florida's last 9 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 7 games
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 9 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games at home
Atlanta is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Florida
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Next up:
Florida at Carolina, Friday, April 4
Atlanta home to Tampa Bay, Saturday, April 5
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders
- Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Tuesday when the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders meet at Nassau Coliseum.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Jamie Langenbrunner scored the winner in the shootout to lift the Devils past the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 on Friday night.
New Jersey cashed as -145 home favorites as the teams played over the 5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Wade Dubielewicz stopped 51 shots in the Islanders 4-3 loss to the Flyers in a shootout on Saturday, as +145 underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Richard Park, Blake Comeau and Frans Nielson potted the Islander goals.
Current streak:
New York has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 43-28-7
New York: 34-37-8
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 9-1
After playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
New York most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-5-1
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New Jersey's last 10 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of New Jersey's last 12 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of New Jersey's last 16 games
New Jersey is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
NY Islanders are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 10 games when playing at home against New Jersey
Next up:
New Jersey home to Boston, Wednesday, April 2
NY Islanders home to NY Rangers, Thursday, April 3
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals
- The fans at Verizon Center will be treated to a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals when they take their seats on Tuesday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Hurricanes lost 2-1 to the Lightning last time out, as -130 favorites on the road. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Chad LaRose scored the lone goal for the Hurricanes.
Cristobal Huet stopped all 32 shots for the shutout on Saturday, as the Capitals blanked the Panthers 3-0. The Capitals won the game as -120 favorites, while the three goals fell UNDER the night's posted over/under (5.5).
Viktor Kozlov, Mike Green and Alexander Ovechkin scored for the Capitals.
Current streak:
Washington has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Carolina: 42-31-6
Washington: 40-31-8
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
Washington most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing Florida are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Carolina is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 12 games at home
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Washington's last 24 games
Next up:
Carolina home to Tampa Bay, Wednesday, April 2
Washington home to Tampa Bay, Thursday, April 3
Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators
- If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Tuesday when the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators meet at Scotiabank Place.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Canadiens were doubled 4-2 by the Maple Leafs last time out, as -125 favorites on the road. The six goals went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Mathieu Dandenault and Tom Kostopoulos scored for the Canadiens.
The Senators were shut out 4-0 by the Bruins last time out, as -125 favorites on the road. The four goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Martin Gerber stopped 27-of-31 shots in the loss.
Current streak:
Ottawa has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Montreal: 44-25-10
Ottawa: 42-29-8
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Toronto are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Montreal's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal's last 8 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games when playing Montreal
Ottawa is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Montreal
Next up:
Montreal home to Buffalo, Thursday, April 3
Ottawa at Toronto, Thursday, April 3
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- The fans at Air Canada Centre will be treated to a game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs when they take their seats on Tuesday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Sabres defeated Boston 2-1 in overtime as a -170 favorite last time out. The three goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Andrej Sekera scored in overtime for Buffalo, while Ryan Miller made 17 saves in the win.
Jiri Tlusty scored two third period goals and added an assist on Saturday, as the Maple Leafs shocked the Canadiens 4-2. The Maple Leafs won the game as +105 underdogs, while the six goals went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Anton Stralman also had a pair for the Maple Leafs, while Nik Antropov collected a pair of assists in the win.
Team records:
Buffalo: 37-30-12
Toronto: 36-33-10
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Montreal are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Buffalo's last 9 games
Buffalo is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Buffalo is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing Buffalo
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Toronto is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Next up:
Buffalo at Montreal, Thursday, April 3
Toronto home to Ottawa, Thursday, April 3
Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues
- The Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Scottrade Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Predators lost to Detroit 1-0 in overtime as a +165 underdog last time out. The one goal scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Dan Ellis made 35 saves for Nashville in the loss.
The Blues got three goals back in the third, but fell short in a 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks on Saturday. The Blues were listed by oddsmakers at EVEN, while the seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Keith Tkachuk, Brad Boyes and Paul Kariya netted the Blues goals.
Team records:
Nashville: 39-31-9
St. Louis: 31-35-12
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Chicago are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Nashville is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Nashville's last 18 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of St. Louis's last 18 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis's last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
Next up:
St. Louis at Nashville, Thursday, April 3
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
- The Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Rexall Place.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Flames lost to Vancouver 6-2 as a +125 underdog last time out. The eight goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5).
David Moss and Matthew Lombardi scored for Calgary and Miikka Kiprusoff made nine saves before getting pulled in the loss.
Dwayne Roloson made 31 saves to lead the Oilers over the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Saturday night.
Edmonton won as +185 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Calgary has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Calgary: 40-29-10
Edmonton: 40-34-6
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Vancouver are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Calgary are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary's last 10 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Calgary's last 25 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Calgary's last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Edmonton's last 9 games at home
Edmonton is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Edmonton's last 10 games when playing at home against Calgary
Edmonton is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
Next up:
Calgary at Minnesota, Thursday, April 3
Edmonton at Vancouver, Thursday, April 3
Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks
- The Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at General Motors Place.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Avalanche lost to Minnesota 3-2 in overtime as a +110 underdog on Sunday. The five goals scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (5).
Jeff Finger and Ruslan Salei scored for Colorado and Jose Theodore stopped 17 of the 20 shots he faced in the loss.
The Canucks defeated Calgary 6-2 as a -145 favorite last time out. The eight goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5).
Trevor Linden scored a pair of goals for Vancouver, while Kevin Bieksa and Henrik Sedin each had two assists in the win.
Team records:
Colorado: 42-31-7
Vancouver: 39-30-10
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-5-1
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Calgary are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 9 games on the road
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Colorado
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Colorado home to Minnesota, Sunday, April 6
Vancouver home to Edmonton, Thursday, April 3
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks
- The Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks will meet on the ice at HP Pavilion on Tuesday in a battle of division rivals.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Kevin Dallman and Mike Cammalleri scored in the Kings' 7-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday afternoon.
The Stars were winners as -150 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the day's posted total (5.5).
Current streak:
San Jose has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 31-41-7
San Jose: 48-21-10
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Los Angeles's last 13 games
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
San Jose is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games
San Jose is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
San Jose is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Los Angeles
Next up:
San Jose at Los Angeles, Thursday, April 3