Hockey Today
Calgary at Washington (7 p.m. EDT). The Flames are tied atop the Northwest Division thanks to a 7-1-2 run, while the Capitals are trying to get back into the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
STARS
-Dany Heatley, Senators, scored three goals and set up another, leading Ottawa over Boston 4-1.
-Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning, had a hat trick and Tampa Bay defeated the Islanders 8-4.
-Pavel Kubina, Maple Leafs, scored his second goal 4:04 into overtime as Toronto overcame a three-goal deficit for a 4-3 victory against Philadelphia.
-Andrew Cogliano, Oilers, scored in overtime for an NHL-record third consecutive game as Edmonton edged St. Louis 4-3.
SHUTOUTS
Carey Price made 38 saves for his second shutout as Montreal stopped New Jersey's three-game winning streak 4-0 Tuesday night, moving ahead of the Devils into first place in the Eastern Conference. The 20-year-rookie improved to 5-2 since taking over the No. 1 job when Cristobal Huet was sent to Washington at the trade deadline.
WINS
Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella moved past Bob Johnson to become the winningest American-born NHL coach with 235 following Tuesday night's 8-4 victory over the Islanders.
STANDINGS
Andrew Brunette scored two goals and Joe Sakic and rookie David Jones added a goal and an assist apiece as Colorado moved into a tie for first in the Northwest Division following a 5-2 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday night. The Avalanche, missing Peter Forsberg (groin) for a second straight game, have won seven of eight overall and 10 of 14 on the road. They are 8-1 against the Eastern Conference.
STREAKING
San Jose beat Nashville 2-1 Tuesday night for its franchise-record 10th straight win and moved atop the Pacific Division by sweeping the season series from the Predators 4-0. ... Detroit won its fourth straight and moved close to clinching the league's first playoff berth with a 3-1 victory over Chicago.
SLUMPS
Boston has won just once in six games following a 4-1 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday night. ... St. Louis' 4-3 overtime loss to Edmonton was its fourth straight defeat and 10th in 11 games.
SWINGS
Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro, who allowed only two goals in winning three previous games against Tampa Bay, gave up eight in an 8-4 loss Tuesday night.
SIGNING
Detroit signed right wing Dan Cleary to a $14 million, five-year contract Tuesday, keeping a player who matched his career high with 20 goals and has 40 points in 57 games. The 29-year-old Cleary has been out with a broken jaw since Feb. 9 and has 84 goals and 123 assists in 534 games for Chicago, Edmonton, Phoenix and Detroit.
SPEAKING
``I don't think there's any opportunity to feel complacent. One day you're in third, the next you're in eighth, and the ninth-place team is right there.'' - Colorado coach Joel Quenneville after a 5-2 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday night moved the Avalanche into a tie atop the Northwest Division.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- The fans at Wachovia Center will be treated to a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers when they take their seats on Wednesday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Pavel Kubina scored the overtime winner on Tuesday, as the Maple Leafs got past the Flyers 4-3 in OT. The Maple Leafs won the game as -125 favorites, and the combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mats Sundin, Jeremy Williams and Kubina scored for the Maple Leafs, and Tomas Kaberle pocketed a pair of assists in the win.
The Flyers blew a three-goal lead and fell 4-3 in overtime to the Maple Leafs last time out, as +105 road underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Scottie Upshall, Braydon Coburn and Daniel Briere scored for the Flyers.
Team records:
Toronto: 31-30-10
Philadelphia: 35-26-9
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Toronto is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Toronto's last 22 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
Philadelphia is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto home to Buffalo, Saturday, March 15
Philadelphia at Boston, Saturday, March 15
Calgary Flames vs. Washington Capitals
- The Calgary Flames and the Washington Capitals will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Verizon Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Jarome Iginla scored a goal and added two assists to help the Flames skate past the Blues 7-3 on Monday, as -190 favorites. The 10 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).
Alex Tanguay had two goals in the win, while Kristian Huselius, Matthew Lombardi, Marcus Nilson and Daymond Langkow scored the other Flames markers.
The Capitals lost to Pittsburgh 4-2 as a -110 favorite last time out. The six goals scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (6).
Alexander Semin scored his 21st goal of the season for Washington and Alexander Ovechkin had two assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Calgary: 36-23-10
Washington: 32-30-8
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
Washington most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 1-8-1
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Calgary's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Washington is 4-0-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games
Washington is 6-1-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Calgary
Next up:
Calgary at Atlanta, Thursday, March 13
Washington home to Atlanta, Friday, March 14
New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers
- The New York Islanders and the Florida Panthers will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at BankAtlantic Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Islanders were doubled 8-4 by the Lightning last time out, at EVEN odds. The 12 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko Ben Walter and Mike Comrie had the Islanders goals.
Brett McLean netted two goals as the Panthers defeated the Atlanta Thrashers 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night.
Florida cashed as -190 home favorites as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
New York has lost 3 straight games.
Florida has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 32-32-7
Florida: 32-31-8
New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
Florida most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
NY Islanders are 7-11-6 SU in their last 24 games when playing on the road against Florida
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Florida
NY Islanders are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Florida is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Florida's last 13 games at home
Next up:
NY Islanders at Montreal, Saturday, March 15
Florida home to NY Rangers, Friday, March 14
Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- The Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Mellon Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Sabres were defeated 3-2 in a shootout by the Rangers last time out, as -120 favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek tallied for the Sabres.
The Penguins defeated Washington 4-2 as a -110 favorite last time out. The six goals scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (6).
Sidney Crosby scored a pair of goals for Pittsburgh, while Evgeni Malkin had three assists in the win.
Current streak:
Buffalo has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Buffalo: 32-27-11
Pittsburgh: 39-24-7
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing NY Rangers are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Ottawa are 3-7
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Buffalo's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing Buffalo
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Next up:
Buffalo home to Carolina, Friday, March 14
Pittsburgh home to Philadelphia, Sunday, March 16
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- The Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Blackhawks will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at United Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Scott Walker scored the winner in overtime to lift the Hurricanes past the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Saturday night.
Carolina won as -135 home favorites as the teams played over the 6.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Blackhawks were dumped 3-1 by the Red Wings last time out, as +210 underdogs. The four goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Rene Bourque scored the only goal for the Blackhawks.
Current streak:
Carolina has won 4 straight games.
Chicago has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Carolina: 37-29-5
Chicago: 33-30-7
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-3-1
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Buffalo are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Carolina is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Carolina is 6-0-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chicago
Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Carolina
Chicago is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
Next up:
Carolina at Buffalo, Friday, March 14
Chicago at Columbus, Friday, March 14
Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks
- The fans at Honda Center will be treated to a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks when they take their seats on Wednesday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Ryan Kesler scored two goals in leading the Canucks to a 2-1 overtime victory over the Kings last time out, as -160 favorites. The three goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Alex Burrows pocketed two assists, and Roberto Luongo stopped 19-of-20 shots in the win.
The Ducks were upset 3-2 by the Coyotes last time out, as -145 favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Todd Marchant and Ryan Getzlaf scored for the Ducks with Jean-Sebastien Giguere making 37 saves in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Vancouver has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 35-24-10
Anaheim: 39-25-8
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing St. Louis are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Vancouver's last 15 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Vancouver is 8-9-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Vancouver is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Anaheim
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games at home
Anaheim is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
Anaheim is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Vancouver
Next up:
Vancouver at Phoenix, Thursday, March 13
Anaheim home to St. Louis, Saturday, March 15
Today's NHL analysis
Hot Teams
-- Flyers won three of last four home games. Maple Leafs won eight of their last twelve games.
-- Flames won three of their last four games.
-- Penguins won three of their last four games.
-- Panthers won last four games, allowing total of four goals.
-- Carolina won four in row, seven of last eight games.
-- Canucks won last three games, allowing five goals.
Cold Teams
-- Capitols lost six of their last nine home games.
-- Sabres lost three in row, five of last six games.
-- Lightning lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Chicago lost last three games: 3-2/6-5/3-1.
-- Ducks lost three of their last four games.
Series Records
-- Leafs won seven of last nine against Philadelphia.
-- Caps won 4-3 in Calgary LY, in last series meeting.
-- Penguins won five of last six games vs Buffalo.
-- Florida won its last four games against the Islanders.
-- Blackhawks lost 5-3 in Raleigh two years ago, in last meeting.
-- Canucks are 3-0 vs Anaheim this season: 4-0/3-2/2-1.
Totals
-- Under is 6-3-2 in last eleven Toronto games.
-- Seven of last eight Calgary games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-2 in last eight Florida games.
-- Over is 7-3-1 in last eleven Carolina games.
-- Under is 5-0-1 in last six Anaheim games.