Tuesday's NHL matchup betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
Sidney Crosby posted one assist in each of two games this season versus the Flyers, but the Penguins (15-12-2) have lost both times.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have won six of their last eight games against the Lightning, including two straight at home.
Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers
The Flames are visiting Sunrise, Fla. for the first time since a 3-0 loss Nov. 9, 2002. Calgary won the following two meetings with Florida at home, including a 5-4 overtime victory Jan. 4.
Edmonton Oilers at St. Louis Blues
The Blues, who got two goals from Brad Boyes in a 4-3 win at Edmonton on Friday, will be looking for their fourth straight win overall against the Oilers (13-16-2) and fourth in a row when facing them at the Scottrade Center.
Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have played well lately against Minnesota, outscoring the Wild 8-2 during three straight wins in the series.
Hockey Today - Tuesday, Dec. 11
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD Tuesday, Dec. 11
Minnesota at San Jose (10:30 p.m. EST). San Jose is first in the Pacific Division despite a 4-6-0-2 record at home.
STARS Monday
-Alex Auld, Bruins, made 44 saves and Boston topped Buffalo 4-1.
-Chris Pronger, Ducks, scored a power-play goal with 1:45 left in overtime to give Anaheim a 4-3 win at Columbus.
-Chris Osgood, Red Wings, made 30 saves and Detroit held off Nashville 2-1.
-Chad Kilger, Maple Leafs, scored twice in Toronto's 6-1 rout of Tampa Bay.
-Brenden Morrow and Sergei Zubov, Stars. Morrow's overtime power-play goal off Zubov's third assist of the game lifted Dallas to a 5-4 victory over Edmonton.
BE-DEVILED
New Jersey had its 10-game point streak snapped after a 3-2 loss at Washington on Monday. The Devils lost for the second consecutive night after winning nine straight, including Sunday's 1-0 overtime loss to the New York Rangers.
OS-GOOD
Detroit goalie Chris Osgood improved to 14-1-1 on the season after making 30 saves in Monday night's 2-1 win over Nashville. The Red Wings have won seven straight to improve to an NHL-best 22-6-2.
DOMINATED IN DALLAS
Edmonton dropped to 3-17-1 at Dallas since 1996 after Monday night's 5-4 overtime loss.
RISING LEAFS
Toronto is 5-1-1 in its last seven games following a 6-1 rout of Tampa Bay on Monday night. The surge followed a 1-4-3 slump that sparked rumors of shake-ups and firings and fan outrage.
MEMORABLE MILESTONE
Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger played in his 900th NHL game Monday night and scored the overtime winner in a 5-4 victory at Columbus.
INJURIES
Vancouver's Roberto Luongo ruled himself out during warmups Monday night at Los Angeles because of a painful bruised rib and was replaced by Curtis Sanford, who made 27 saves in the 4-2 loss to the Kings. Sanford had won all three of his previous starts for the Canucks. ... Tampa Bay center Brad Richards left Monday night's game against Toronto with an apparent left leg injury. Richards was set to travel with the team to Montreal for the Lightning's game against the Canadiens. ... Boston's Marco Sturm was hit in the eye with the puck during the first period at Buffalo and didn't return. Coach Claude Julien said he shouldn't miss any time.
SPEAKING
''That's a guy who's toiled for most of his life (in) the low minors. To score the winning goal in an important game for us, that's a really cool thing,'' - Washington coach Bruce Boudreau on rookie Quentin Laing, who scored his first NHL goal in a 3-2 win over New Jersey on Monday night.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Tuesday when the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers meet at Wachovia Center.
Kris Letang scored the shootout winner on Saturday, as the Penguins got past the Canucks 2-1. The Penguins won the game as +130 underdogs, while the two goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Petr Sykora scored the lone goal in regulation for the Penguins, and Dany Sabourin stopped 35 shots to preserve the victory.
Philadelphia could not find any offense in Friday's 2-1 loss at Colorado, falling as 105 road underdogs. The three goals scored were UNDER the posted total of 6.
Daniel Briere had a solo marker, and Martin Biron stopped 30 shots for the Flyers.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 15-12-2
Philadelphia: 15-10-2
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-5-1
Before playing Ottawa are 4-6
After playing Vancouver are 2-2-2
After a win are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-6-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 4-4-2
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Pittsburgh is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Ottawa, Thursday, December 13
Philadelphia home to Montreal, Thursday, December 13
Calgary Flames vs. Florida Panthers
- The Calgary Flames and the Florida Panthers will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at BankAtlantic Center.
The Flames edged Chicago 3-2 as a -125 favorite last time out. The five goals scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (5).
Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 35-of-37 shots for Calgary, while Owen Nolan, Cory Sarich and Daymond Langkow all scored in the win.
Florida's Tomas Vokoun stopped all 25 shots he faced in Friday's 3-0 win over the Islanders, coming in as -145 home favorites. The three goals scored were UNDER the posted total of 5.5.
Nathan Horton scored his eighth of the season on the power play, and Olli Jokinen sealed it with an empty-net goal for the Panthers.
Team records:
Calgary: 12-13-5
Florida: 13-15-1
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Chicago are 7-3
After a win are 2-8
Florida most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-5-1
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing NY Islanders are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 7 games when playing Florida
Calgary is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Calgary is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 7 games when playing Calgary
Florida is 1-3-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
Florida is 1-4-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Calgary
Next up:
Calgary at Tampa Bay, Thursday, December 13
Florida at St. Louis, Thursday, December 13
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
- The fans at Bell Centre will be treated to a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens when they take their seats on Tuesday.
The Lightning were routed 6-1 by the Maple Leafs last time out, as +115 underdogs. The seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Michel Ouellet scored the lone goal for the Lightning, and Johan Holmqvist was pulled after giving up four goals on 22 shots.
The Canadiens were crushed 5-1 by the Hurricanes last time out, as -140 favorites. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Andrei Kostitsyn scored the lone goal for the Canadiens, as they dropped their fourth game in five outings.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 13-14-3
Montreal: 14-11-4
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a loss are 2-8
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-5-1
Before playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After playing Carolina are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Montreal
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Montreal is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games
Montreal is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Calgary, Thursday, December 13
Montreal at Philadelphia, Thursday, December 13
Edmonton Oilers vs. St. Louis Blues
- The Edmonton Oilers and the St. Louis Blues will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Scottrade Center.
The Oilers were defeated 5-4 by the Stars last time out, as +170 underdogs. The Oilers were +170 underdogs, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/ujnder (5).
Sam Gagner, Dustin Penner, Tom Gilbert and Shawn Horcoff had the only goals.
The Blues lost to Colorado 9-5 as a +120 underdog last time out. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Jay McClement had a pair of goals for the Blues, while David Perron and Lee Stempniak each had a goal and an assist.
Current streak:
Edmonton has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 13-16-2
St. Louis: 16-10-1
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-6-1
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Dallas are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-4-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-4-1
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton's last 8 games on the road
Edmonton is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
St. Louis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Edmonton at Detroit, Thursday, December 13
St. Louis home to Florida, Thursday, December 13
Minnesota Wild vs. San Jose Sharks
- The Minnesota Wild and the San Jose Sharks will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at HP Pavilion.
Brian Rolston's third period goal held up as the winner on Saturday, as the Wild edged the Blue Jackets 2-1. The Wild won the game as a +120 underdog, and the three goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Aaron Voros had the other goal for the Wild, and Niklas Backstrom made 31 saves for the victory.
The Sharks were dumped 7-1 by the Sabres last time out, as -150 favorites. The eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Sandis Ozolinsh scored the lone goal for the Sharks, and Evgeni Nabokov allowed four goals off 25 shots, before being replaced in the loss.
Team records:
Minnesota: 16-11-2
San Jose: 15-9-4
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 2-2-2
After playing Columbus are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-2-1
Before playing Toronto are 2-2-3
After playing Buffalo are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Jose
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Jose's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Jose's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Anaheim, Friday, December 14
San Jose home to Vancouver, Thursday, December 13
Panthers' Murray out for season
Coach Jacques Martin said center Garth Murray had surgery on his right shoulder Monday and is expected to be out the rest of the season.
Murray was injured while fighting Ottawa's Chris Neil on Dec. 5.
Martin said Monday that Murray's injury was ''probably'' similar to the injury Panthers defenseman Noah Welch sustained Oct. 16.
Welch had season-ending surgery last month.
• Martin said he expects Brett McLean (broken hand) to be back within 10 days.
McLean broke his hand Nov. 9 against Atlanta.
OK BY ME
Former Panthers coach and general manager Mike Keenan isn't expected to get a warm welcome from fans at BankAtlantic Center when he returns as coach of Calgary.
But many of his former players said they don't have a problem with the man known as ``Iron Mike.''
Counting the injured Mike Van Ryn, seven players on the Florida roster played for Keenan when he was coach of the team.
''I think I got a better chance playing with him,'' defenseman Branislav Mezei said. ``He's hard on the ice, but he's respected. I like him as a coach.''
TUESDAY: FLAMES AT
PANTHERS
• When: 7:30 p.m.
• Where: BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise.
• TV/Radio: No TV; 790 The Ticket.
• The series: Calgary leads 9-6-3.
• The game: The Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Islanders 3-0 on Friday. . . . After this game, Florida goes on a four-game trip starting Thursday in St. Louis. . . . Florida's power-play is ranked second in the league with nearly a 24 percent success rate. At home, they have a 27 percent success rate.
miamiherald.com
Canucks recall goaltender Drew MacIntyre from Manitoba
ASSOCIATED PRESS
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The Vancouver Canucks recalled goaltender Drew MacIntyre from Manitoba in the AHL on Tuesday to replace injured Roberto Luongo.
A rib injury prevented Luongo from playing Monday night in Los Angeles. Luongo, runner-up for the Hart and Vezina Trophies last season, suffered the rib injury after a hard shot found a gap in his equipment Dec. 2 against Minnesota.
The 24-year-old MacIntyre has not played in the NHL. He is 11-4-1 with one shutout, a 2.28 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in the AHL.
Backup goalie Curtis Sanford, who had his first loss in four starts Monday, is expected to carry the load in Luongo's absence. Vancouver plays in Anaheim on Wednesday and in San Jose on Thursday.
Despite aggravating the rib again in Chicago on Wednesday, Luongo played against Pittsburgh on Saturday, but said it got worse during the game. He couldn't finish warm-ups on Monday.
Luongo is 13-10-3 with four shutouts and fifth in the NHL with a 2.12 goal-against average and .925 save percentage.
Hurricanes assign Andrew Ladd to AHL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes assigned left wing Andrew Ladd to the AHL affiliate in Albany on Tuesday.
Ladd will join Albany for a four-game conditioning assignment. The 21-year-old forward missed 16 games after injuring an ankle in the third game of the season and returned Nov. 16 at Atlanta.
''This is an important conditioning period for Andrew,'' general manager Jim Rutherford said. ''Since returning from his injury, he hasn't seen enough ice time to get back to where he was at the beginning of the season.''
Carolina announced goaltending coach Greg Stefan will coach the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers. Tom Barrasso was promoted to replace him.
Barrasso, an 18-year veteran who won the Stanley Cup twice with Pittsburgh in the 1990s, will coach the club's NHL-level goalies while serving as director of goalie development.
The following goalies have been confirmed by a source:
Martin Biron, Philadelphia Flyers - Biron is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Penguins, reports the Philly Burbs.
Marc Denis, Tampa Bay Lightning - Denis is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Canadiens, reports TSN.
Mathieu Garon, Edmonton Oilers - Garon is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Blues, reports TSN.
Hannu Toivonen, St. Louis Blues - Toivonen is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Oilers, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens - Price is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Lightning, reports the Montreal Gazette. He will also start Thursday.
The following goalies have not been predicted by any sources:
Dany Sabourin, Pittsburgh Penguins - Sabourin is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Flyers.
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames - Kiprusoff is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Panthers.