Hurricanes' Walker suspended for 1 game
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TORONTO -- Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker was suspended for one game without pay Thursday for head-butting Ottawa's Mike Fisher during a fight.
Walker was assessed a match penalty for attempt to injure and a major penalty for fighting in the second period of Carolina's 6-0 loss to Ottawa on Wednesday night.
Walker will miss Friday night's game against Calgary. He will forfeit $13,368.98, with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Friday's key matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals
Buffalo has won five straight and 12 of the last 14 meetings against Washington. The Sabres are 2-0 in this season's series.
Calgary Flames at Carolina Hurricanes
The Flames are 3-1-0 with one tie in their last five overall meetings with the Hurricanes.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Atlanta Thrashers
The Thrashers had won four straight against the Maple Leafs before that streak ended on Nov. 29.
Minnesota Wild at Anaheim Ducks
The Wild have lost three of four in Anaheim, but won 2-0 there on Oct. 14 in the meeting between the teams this season.
Calgary Flames vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- The Calgary Flames and the Carolina Hurricanes will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at RBC Center.
Jarome Iginla and Kristian Huselius scored hat tricks Thursday, as the Flames outscored the Lightning 9-6 as +110 road underdogs. The combined 15 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Adrian Aucoin, Daymond Langkow and Owen Nolan had the other goals for the Flames, who won their third straight.
The Hurricanes were shut out 6-0 by the Senators last time out, as +105 home underdogs. The six goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Cam Ward stopped 20-of-26 shots in the loss for the Hurricanes.
Current streak:
Calgary has won 3 straight games.
Carolina has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Calgary: 14-13-5
Carolina: 16-13-3
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-4-1
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-4-1
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Ottawa are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 7 games when playing Carolina
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Calgary is 3-5-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 7 games when playing Calgary
Carolina is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Carolina is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
Next up:
Calgary at St. Louis, Sunday, December 16
Carolina at Philadelphia, Saturday, December 15
Buffalo Sabres vs. Washington Capitals
- The Buffalo Sabres and the Washington Capitals will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Verizon Center.
The Sabres stormed out to a three-goal lead, and went on to defeat the Islanders 5-3 on Wednesday. The Sabres won the game as -170 favorites, and the eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Nolan Pratt, Toni Lydman, Ales Kotalik, Derek Roy and Jochen Hecht tallied for the Sabres. Ryan Miller stopped 28-of-31 shots for the win.
Mike Green scored at 3:41 of overtime on Wednesday, giving the Capitals a 5-4 win over the Rangers at home. The Capitals won the game as +105 underdogs, while the nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).
Joe Motzko had a pair for the Capitals, while Alexander Ovechkin and Jeff Schultz had the other markers in the win.
Current streak:
Washington has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Buffalo: 14-14-1
Washington: 12-17-2
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing NY Islanders are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-7-1
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Buffalo is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Buffalo's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games at home
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Buffalo home to Chicago, Saturday, December 15
Washington at Tampa Bay, Saturday, December 15
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Atlanta Thrashers
- The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Atlanta Thrashers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Philips Arena.
The Maple Leafs erupted with four goals in the second period Monday, as they routed the Lightning 6-1. The Maple Leafs won the game as -135 favorites, while the seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Chad Kilger scored twice, while Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov tallied on the power play. Jason Blake and Matt Stajan added the other markers in the win.
The Thrashers were upended 5-3 by the Bruins last time out, as -145 home favorites. The eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mark Recchi scored a pair, while Ilya Kovalchuk had the other goal in the loss.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 13-12-6
Atlanta: 14-15-1
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-5-3
Before playing NY Rangers are 4-6
After playing Boston are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Toronto is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto at Montreal, Saturday, December 15
Atlanta at Ottawa, Saturday, December 15
Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks
- The Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Honda Center.
The Wild were defeated 4-1 by the Sharks last time out, as +150 underdogs. The five goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).
Steve Bernier scored twice for the Sharks, while Joe Pavelski and Mike Grier added singles in the win.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere allowed three goals on 20 shots, as the Ducks fell 3-2 to the Canucks last time out as -160 favorites. The five goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).
Chris Pronger and Mathieu Schneider scored for the Ducks, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 17 saves in the loss.
Team records:
Minnesota: 16-12-2
Anaheim: 15-14-4
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Florida are 2-2-2
After playing San Jose are 7-7-2
After a loss are 5-5
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Vancouver are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Minnesota is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Los Angeles, Saturday, December 15
Anaheim home to San Jose, Sunday, December 16
Stars look to catch Sharks
The focus switches to the Western Conference in the NHL this weekend as Anaheim welcomes Minnesota on Friday night, while Dallas and San Jose battle for first place in the Pacific Division on Saturday night.
Minnesota at Anaheim
The defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks host the Wild at Honda Center and speculation persists that this could be the first game back for Anaheim defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who has returned to the team after pondering retirement for the first part of this season. The Ducks are 15-14-4 and have missed Niedermayer greatly, especially on the power play where they rank a dismal 24th in the league. The Wild, 16-12-2, need to find a way to score goals as they currently rank second-worst in the Western Conference in that category.
Anaheim has won six of its last ten meetings with Minnesota, including a five-game series victory in last year’s playoffs. But the Wild shut out the Ducks 2-0 at Anaheim on October 14th. Minnesota has lost three of its last four games overall, including a 4-1 loss at San Jose on Tuesday. This will be the Wild's fourth game of a five-game trip.
Dallas at San Jose
It will be a meeting of offense versus defense when the Sharks welcome the Stars to H.P. Pavilion on Saturday night. San Jose has allowed the fewest goals in the Pacific, and Dallas has scored the most, so something has to give. Both teams are tied atop the Pacific Division with 38 points, but the Sharks (17-9-4) have played two fewer games than the Stars (17-11-4).
These two have met four times so far this season, with San Jose claiming three victories while the visiting team has won each game. Check BetJamaica for the latest odds on this game and all your weekend NHL action.
Hockey Today - Friday, December 14
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD Friday, Dec. 14
Minnesota at Anaheim (10 p.m. EST). Conn Smythe winner Scott Niedermayer could return from his season-long semiretirement for the Ducks when they face the Wild.
STARS Thursday
-Jarome Iginla and Kristian Huselius, Flames, had three goals each in Calgary's 9-6 victory at Tampa Bay.
-Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza, Senators, scored two goals apiece to lead Ottawa past Pittsburgh 4-1.
-Mike Ribeiro, Stars, had two goals and two assists and Dallas topped Los Angeles 4-1.
-Tomas Vokoun, Panthers, stopped 33 shots to help Florida edge St. Louis 1-0.
-Bill Guerin, Islanders, had a pair of goals and New York held off Phoenix 3-2.
-Jamie Langenbrunner, Devils, scored twice and New Jersey beat Boston 3-1.
-Mark Streit, Canadiens, scored two goals in Montreal's 4-1 victory at Philadelphia.
-Ales Hemsky, Oilers, scored the only goal of the shootout to lift Edmonton to a 4-3 win at Detroit.
DOZEN THANKS
Philadelphia signed scoring leader Mike Richards to a 12-year contract extension Thursday. While the team didn't disclose financial terms, The Canadian Press reported the deal was for $69 million. The 22-year-old forward has a career-high 14 goals this season and also has 20 assists. He's third in the NHL with three short-handed goals.
STRAIGHT SHOOTERS
Edmonton won its second shootout in as many games and improved to 9-1 in that round this season after posting a 4-3 win at Detroit on Thursday night. The Oilers also snapped the Red Wings' seven-game winning streak.
DETHRONING THE KINGS
Dallas is 11-1-1 in its last 13 games against Los Angeles after a 4-1 victory on Thursday night. The Stars, who have won seven straight at home against the Kings to tie the club's longest active home winning streak, own a 48-26 scoring advantage over those 13 matchups.
ONE-TWO PUNCH
Dany Heatley scored twice for the second night in a row and Jason Spezza, coming off a three-point night at Carolina on Wednesday, had two goals and two assists in Ottawa's 4-1 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Half of Spezza's eight goals this season have come in two games against the Penguins, and Heatley has 13 goals in 19 career games against them, plus seven assists.
OFFENSE APLENTY
Calgary and Tampa Bay faced each other for the first time since Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup finals and the Flames escaped with a 9-6 victory on Thursday night. The Lightning defeated the Flames 2-1 to win the Cup in the previous meeting.
SHARK BITES
San Jose has won six of its last seven games after beating Vancouver 5-2 on Thursday night.
ROAD WARRIORS
Florida has its first four-game road winning streak since February 2003 after edging St. Louis 1-0 on Thursday night.
ON THE MEND
Buffalo defenseman Teppo Numminen skated with his teammates Thursday for the first time since open heart surgery three months ago. The 39-year-old Numminen was cleared to practice after visiting the Cleveland Clinic on Monday and following up with team doctors on Wednesday. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff estimates it will be at least a month before Numminen is ready to return to the lineup.
SUSPENDED
The NHL suspended Carolina forward Scott Walker one game without pay Thursday for head-butting Ottawa's Mike Fisher during a fight on Wednesday night.
SPEAKING
''I think the ushers and the families were the only ones in the stands.'' - New Jersey defenseman Mike Mottau after Thursday night's game against the Bruins was played in front of a sparse crowd due to a major snowstorm that hit Boston. The Devils won 3-1.
Attack of flu leaves Wild thin for practice, games
The stomach flu has hit the Wild, which practiced without four ill players and then saw a fifth leave minutes in.
ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Newell Brown sat in the stands Thursday afternoon to watch the Wild's practice.
A few minutes later, Brown got up and left, something Wild coach Jacques Lemaire found funny.
"Their coaches said, 'Might as well go enjoy the sun,' once they saw our lineup," Lemaire said, laughing.
A stomach flu has hit the Wild, which practiced Thursday without Marian Gaborik, Eric Belanger, Nick Schultz and James Sheppard. Aaron Voros sprinted off minutes into practice.
With the bug circulating, the Wild could be short the maximum 18 skaters tonight. The Wild has the max 23 players on the roster, so the only way to call up reinforcements would be to place players on injured reserve. But then they'd have to miss a week.
The team doesn't even have the room to activate healthy Petteri Nummelin off injured reserve.
"I'll play 30 minutes -- I'm in good enough shape," said Brian Rolston, who skated on a line Thursday with ... assistant coach Mike Ramsey.
Players started getting sick Wednesday night. At midnight, the Wild moved five healthy players out of their sick roommates' rooms. By Thursday afternoon, every Wild player had his own room.
"We should be in quarantine," Rolston said.
startribune.com
Phoenix Coyotes recall C Perrault from AHL
December 14, 2007
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -The Phoenix Coyotes recalled center Joel Perrault on Friday from San Antonio of the AHL.
The 24-year-old Perrault led the Rampage with 14 goals and 27 points in 28 games.
Perrault appeared in 15 games with the Coyotes last season and also appeared in 11 games for the St. Louis Blues.
Perrault was drafted by Anaheim in the 5th round of the 2001 NHL draft.