New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils
- The New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Prudential Center.
Rick DiPietro made 32 saves for the shutout in the Islanders 1-0 win over the Lightning on Thursday. The Islanders won the game as +100 underdogs, while the final score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Miroslav Satan scored the lone goal in helping the Islanders.
Martin Brodeur made 30 saves and helped the Devils hang on for a 3-2 win over the Sharks last time out. The Devils won the game as -145 favorites, while the five goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).
Sergei Brylin potted a goal and an assist, while Zach Parise and John Madden had the other markers in the win.
Current streak:
New York has won 6 straight games.
New Jersey has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 30-25-7
New Jersey: 35-21-5
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-4-1
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Buffalo are 9-1
After playing San Jose are 8-8-1
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
NY Islanders are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing New Jersey
NY Islanders are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 10 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New Jersey's last 10 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Next up:
NY Islanders home to Pittsburgh, Tuesday, February 26
New Jersey at Washington, Sunday, February 24
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- The Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Mellon Arena.
The Senators fell 3-1 to the Blue Jackets as -260 favorites last time out. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Cory Stillman and Andrej Meszaros scored in the loss.
The Penguins scored two late goals to come back and defeat the Canadiens 5-4 on Thursday, as +140 underdogs. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ryan Whitney, Jarkko Ruutu, Ryan Malone, Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar scored for the Penguins. Whitney and Malkin added a pair of assists in the victory.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Ottawa: 35-20-6
Pittsburgh: 35-21-5
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-4-1
Before playing Boston are 8-2
After playing Columbus are 3-3
After a loss are 4-6
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-4-1
Before playing Ottawa are 4-6
After playing Montreal are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Ottawa is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Ottawa
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Ottawa
Next up:
Ottawa home to Toronto, Monday, February 25
Pittsburgh home to San Jose, Sunday, February 24
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings
- The Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at STAPLES Center.
Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 38 shots for the shutout Wednesday, as the Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-0. The Blackhawks won the game as +105 underdogs, while the three goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Dave Bolland scored twice for the Blackhawks, and rookie scoring leader Patrick Kane potted the other marker.
Alexander Frolov scored three times and helped the Kings defeat the Blues 5-1 on Thursday. The Kings won the game as +100 underdogs, while the six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Patrick O'Sullivan scored once and added four assists for the Kings, while Anze Kopitar added the other goal in the win.
Team records:
Chicago: 28-26-6
Los Angeles: 26-34-3
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-5-2
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 4-6
After playing St. Louis are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chicago's last 13 games when playing Los Angeles
Chicago is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Chicago is 6-11-2 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Los Angeles's last 11 games at home
Los Angeles is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Los Angeles's last 13 games when playing Chicago
Next up:
Chicago at Anaheim, Sunday, February 24
Los Angeles at Edmonton, Thursday, February 28
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- The fans at RBC Center will be treated to a game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes when they take their seats on Saturday.
The Capitals fell 3-2 to the Islanders last time out in OT, as -155 favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich scored for the Capitals.
Scott Walker had a goal and two assists in helping the Hurricanes defeat the Thrashers 5-3 last time out, as -140 favorites. The eight goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Ray Whitney, Ryan Bayda, Sergei Samsonov and Keith Aucoin potted the other goals, and Cam Ward made 25 saves in the win.
Team records:
Washington: 28-26-7
Carolina: 31-28-5
Washington most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing NY Islanders are 5-5
After a loss are 9-1
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Carolina
Carolina is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Carolina is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Washington
Next up:
Washington home to New Jersey, Sunday, February 24
Carolina home to New Jersey, Tuesday, February 26
New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres
- The fans at HSBC Arena will be treated to a game between the New York Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres when they take their seats on Saturday.
The Rangers blew a five goal lead and lost 6-5 to the Canadiens last time out, as +105 underdogs on the road. The combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brendan Shanahan scored twice for the Rangers. Sean Avery, Brandon Dubinsky and Chris Drury added singles in the loss.
Ales Kotalik scored twice to help the Sabres cruise past the Maple Leafs 5-1 last time out, as +100 road underdogs. The six goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Brian Campbell, Jaroslav Spacek and Derek Roy scored the other goals for the Sabres. Ryan Miller made 34 saves in the win.
Current streak:
Buffalo has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 30-24-8
Buffalo: 30-23-8
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-7-1
Before playing Florida are 7-3
After playing Montreal are 2-8
After a loss are 6-4
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-2-1
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 7 games when playing Buffalo
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Buffalo
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Buffalo is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing NY Rangers
Next up:
NY Rangers home to Florida, Sunday, February 24
Buffalo home to Philadelphia, Monday, February 25
Florida Panthers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- The fans at Wachovia Center will be treated to a game between the Florida Panthers and the Philadelphia Flyers when they take their seats on Saturday.
The Panthers fell 5-4 to the Bruins in a shootout on Thursday, as -130 favorites at home. The combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jay Bouwmeester, Steve Montador, Rostislav Olesz and Kamil Kreps tallied in the loss for the Panthers. Tomas Vokoun stopped 44 saves in the loss.
The Flyers fell 3-1 to the Sharks last time out, as -120 favorites at home. The four goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mike Knuble scored the lone goal for the Flyers, while Martin Biron made 37 saves in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 3 straight games.
Philadelphia has lost 9 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 27-29-7
Philadelphia: 30-25-6
Florida most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-4-3
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After playing San Jose are 5-5-1
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Florida's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing at home against Florida
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Florida
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Florida at NY Rangers, Sunday, February 24
Philadelphia at Buffalo, Monday, February 25
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- The Atlanta Thrashers and the Toronto Maple Leafs will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Air Canada Centre.
The Thrashers fell 5-3 to the Hurricanes last time out, as +120 underdogs. The eight goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Eric Perrin, Mark Recchi and Todd White scored in the loss for the Thrashers.
The Maple Leafs were crushed 5-1 by the Sabres last time out as -120 favorites. The six goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Pavel Kubina scored the lone Maple Leafs goal.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 29-29-4
Toronto: 25-28-9
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-1-1
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Carolina are 8-2
After a loss are 3-7
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Buffalo are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta's last 10 games when playing Toronto
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta at Montreal, Tuesday, February 26
Toronto at Ottawa, Monday, February 25
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Montreal Canadiens
- The fans at Bell Centre will be treated to a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Montreal Canadiens when they take their seats on Saturday.
The Blue Jackets scored twice in the shootout, and pulled off a 3-2 upset over the Senators on Thursday. The Blue Jackets won the game as +220 underdogs, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Rick Nash and Sergei Fedorov scored in regulation, while Pascal Leclaire made 27 saves for the victory.
The Canadiens lost 5-4 to the visiting Penguins last time out, as -160 favorites at home. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Saku Koivu, Christopher Higgins, Michael Ryder and Roman Hamrlik scored for the Canadiens.
Team records:
Columbus: 28-26-9
Montreal: 33-20-9
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Ottawa are 3-3
After a win are 4-6
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Atlanta are 8-2
After playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games on the road
Columbus is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
Columbus is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing Columbus
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games at home
Montreal is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
Next up:
Columbus home to San Jose, Wednesday, February 27
Montreal home to Atlanta, Tuesday, February 26
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- The Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at St. Pete Times Forum.
Marco Sturm scored a goal and added the shootout winner in the Bruins 5-4 win over the Panthers on Thursday. The Bruins won the game as +110 underdogs, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Dennis Wideman, Zdeno Chara and Phil Kessel scored the other markers for the Bruins.
The Lightning were shutout 1-0 by the Islanders last time out, as -120 favorites on the road. The final score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Karri Ramo stopped 27-of-28 shots in the loss.
Current streak:
Boston has won 2 straight games.
Tampa Bay has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 31-23-6
Tampa Bay: 25-29-7
Boston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-3-1
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Florida are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing NY Islanders are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 12 games when playing at home against Boston
Next up:
Boston home to Ottawa, Tuesday, February 26
Tampa Bay home to Minnesota, Wednesday, February 27
Dallas Stars vs. Nashville Predators
- The Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Sommet Center.
Jere Lehtinen scored twice on Friday night to lead the Stars to a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
The Stars were winners as -200 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5).
The Predators fell 3-2 to the Canucks in a shootout on Thursday, as -125 favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Jason Arnott and Marek Zidlicky scored on the power play in the loss.
Team records:
Dallas: 38-22-5
Nashville: 32-23-8
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Edmonton are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Vancouver are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Dallas is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Dallas's last 10 games on the road
Dallas is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Nashville's last 8 games
Nashville is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
Nashville is 4-10-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas at St. Louis, Tuesday, February 26
Nashville at Buffalo, Wednesday, February 27
Detroit Red Wings vs. Vancouver Canucks
- The fans at General Motors Place will be treated to a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Vancouver Canucks when they take their seats on Saturday.
Chris Osgood allowed one goal on 26 shots in Detroit's 1-0 loss to the Calgary Flames on Friday night.
The Flames had been listed at -105 at home in that contest, while the combined score fell well UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Mason Raymond scored in regulation and potted the shootout winner in the Canucks 3-2 win over the Predators on Thursday. The Canucks won the game as +105 underdogs, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Alexander Edler had the other marker for the Canucks. Roberto Luongo made 49 saves in the win.
Current streak:
Vancouver has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 42-16-5
Vancouver: 31-22-8
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-5-1
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Calgary are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Nashville are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vancouver
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games at home
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Vancouver is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games at home
Vancouver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Detroit at Edmonton, Tuesday, February 26
Vancouver home to Colorado, Wednesday, February 27
Ducks' Carter out 4-6 weeks because of broken wrist
The rookie was injured Wednesday night against Colorado.
The Ducks will be without center Ryan Carter for four to six weeks after the rookie underwent successful surgery Friday to remove bone chips from his broken right wrist.
Carter went on injured reserve Thursday after getting hurt during a check by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jeff Finger in the first period of Wednesday night's 3-2 shootout victory.
Carter did manage to make light of the freak nature of the injury, which occurred when he got his right arm caught in a camera hole in the plexiglass surrounding the Honda Center rink.
"Turned out to be a bad idea," he joked.
Carter said he knew immediately that something was wrong after he was checked into the glass.
"At first, I thought it got pinched on the wall," he said. "When I came off the ice, I saw that it was broken.
"I was just afraid to take my glove off and see my arm going like this," he added, making a motion of his bone going in different directions. "I did and it looked fine."
Carter said the impact of the collision pushed his wrist all the way through the hole, knocking off the plexiglass cover that slides over the hole.
----
Because of injuries to Carter, Todd Marchant and Doug Weight, the Ducks recalled center Andrew Ebbett from their minor-league team in Portland, Maine.
They didn't ease the 25-year-old into his first NHL game. Ebbett was put on a line with Chris Kunitz and Teemu Selanne as his parents, Brian and Colleen, watched after making the trip from their home in Vernon, Canada.
Signed as a free agent last May 16, Ebbett has shown the ability to score at the American Hockey League level. Following a four-year career at Michigan, Ebbett had 26 goals and 65 points in his first pro season with Binghamton (N.Y.), the Ottawa Senators' AHL affiliate, in 2006-07.
Ebbett was leading the Portland Pirates in scoring with 54 points, including 13 goals.
"I was just hoping," said Ebbett, who got the call Thursday morning. "I've been playing pretty well down there. It was something where I wanted to at least get a shot before the end of the season."
Carlyle said he has never understood teams that bring up offensive players and put them in a checking role.
"You take your best offensive player from your American Hockey League team and have him come and play on your fourth line or your energy line?" he said. "To me, that's crazy. When you bring young guys up, you try to give them an opportunity to have success."
latimes.com