Nashville Predators vs. Detroit Red Wings

- The Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings will meet on the ice at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday in a battle of division rivals.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

J.P. Dumont had the lone goal for Nashville in its 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

Los Angeles won as +180 road underdogs as the game played under the 6-goal total set by oddsmakers.

Pavel Datsyuk scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Red Wings past the Dallas Stars 5-3 on Thursday night.

Detroit won as -175 home favorites as the game played over the 5-goal total set by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
Nashville has lost 3 straight games.
Detroit has won 5 straight games.

Team records:
Nashville: 35-29-8
Detroit: 47-18-6

Nashville most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Nashville's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Nashville's last 12 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville

Next up:
Nashville home to Washington, Tuesday, March 18
Detroit at Columbus, Sunday, March 16

New Jersey Devils vs. Colorado Avalanche

- The New Jersey Devils and the Colorado Avalanche will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Pepsi Center.

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 as the Devils defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Thursday night.

New Jersey cashed as -115 road favorites as the teams played over the 5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.

Jaroslav Hlinka and Tyler Arnason each recorded a goal and an assist as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Thursday night.

Colorado won as -210 home favorites as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
Colorado has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
New Jersey: 41-24-6
Colorado: 39-27-6

New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-5-1
Before playing Buffalo are 9-1
After playing Minnesota are 3-4
After a win are 7-3

Colorado most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Edmonton are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New Jersey's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Jersey's last 8 games on the road
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
New Jersey is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Colorado is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Colorado is 6-1-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 8 games at home

Next up:
New Jersey home to NY Rangers, Wednesday, March 19
Colorado at Minnesota, Monday, March 17

New York Islanders vs. Montreal Canadiens

- The New York Islanders and the Montreal Canadiens will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Bell Centre.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

The Islanders were doubled 4-2 by the Panthers as +155 underdogs on Wednesday. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).

Bill Guerin and Blake Comeau potted the Islanders goals, while Rick DiPietro made 28 saves in the loss.

Carey Price stopped 21 shots for Montreal in its 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.

Ottawa won as +130 road underdogs as the teams played under the 6-goal total listed by sportbooks.

Current streak:
New York has lost 4 straight games.

Team records:
New York: 32-33-7
Montreal: 39-24-9

New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Florida are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

Montreal most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing St. Louis are 8-2
After playing Ottawa are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing Montreal
NY Islanders are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games on the road
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Montreal
Montreal is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Montreal is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games at home

Next up:
NY Islanders home to Toronto, Tuesday, March 18
Montreal home to St. Louis, Tuesday, March 18

Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

- The Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Air Canada Centre.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Derek Roy scored twice on Friday as the Sabres rolled to an easy 7-1 win over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.

The Sabres pulled out the victory as -120 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6.5).

The Maple Leafs swept a two-game set with the Flyers by winning 3-2 in Wednesday's finale. The Maple Leafs won the game as +135 underdogs, while the five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Ian White, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Pavel Kubina scored for the Maple Leafs. Vesa Toskala made 18 saves in the victory.

Current streak:
Toronto has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Buffalo: 33-28-11
Toronto: 32-30-10

Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Carolina are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Buffalo's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games on the road
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Buffalo is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games at home
Toronto is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing Buffalo

Next up:
Buffalo home to Tampa Bay, Wednesday, March 19
Toronto at NY Islanders, Tuesday, March 18

New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

- The New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at St. Pete Times Forum.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves in New York's 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Friday night.

The Panthers got the win as +110 home underdogs on that night, while the combined score fell UNDER the game's posted total (5.5).

Mike Smith stopped 35 shots to lead the Lightning to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

Tampa Bay cashed as +155 road underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
Tampa Bay has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
New York: 37-25-9
Tampa Bay: 28-35-8

New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-6-1
Before playing Florida are 7-3
After playing Florida are 6-4
After a loss are 8-2

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games
NY Rangers are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Tampa Bay's last 25 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games

Next up:
NY Rangers home to Pittsburgh, Tuesday, March 18
Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Wednesday, March 19

Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars

- The Vancouver Canucks and the Dallas Stars will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at American Airlines Center.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Roberto Luongo made 43 saves for Vancouver in its 2-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night.

Phoenix cashed as a -110 home pick 'em as the game played under the 5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.

Brenden Morrow, Jere Lehtinen, and Trevor Daley had the goals for Dallas in its 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

Detroit won as -175 home favorites as the game played over the 5-goal total set by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
Vancouver has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Vancouver: 35-26-10
Dallas: 42-26-5

Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Vancouver is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Vancouver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Vancouver is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing at home against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Dallas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Dallas is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home

Next up:
Vancouver home to Phoenix, Monday, March 17
Dallas home to Anaheim, Wednesday, March 19

Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild

- The Los Angeles Kings and the Minnesota Wild will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Xcel Energy Center.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Alexander Frolov potted two goals to lead the Kings to a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.

Los Angeles won as +180 road underdogs as the game played under the 6-goal total set by oddsmakers.

Brent Burns led Minnesota with a goal and an assist in its 4-3 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.

New Jersey cashed as -115 road favorites as the teams played over the 5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.

Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 5 straight games.

Team records:
Los Angeles: 28-38-6
Minnesota: 37-26-8

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Dallas are 4-6
After playing Nashville are 6-4
After a win are 1-9

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-5-1
Before playing Florida are 3-3-2
After playing New Jersey are 4-4-1
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Los Angeles's last 16 games when playing Minnesota
Los Angeles is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Minnesota's last 16 games when playing Los Angeles
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

Next up:
Los Angeles home to San Jose, Tuesday, March 18
Minnesota home to Colorado, Monday, March 17

St. Louis Blues vs. Anaheim Ducks

- The St. Louis Blues and the Anaheim Ducks will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Honda Center.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

David Backes scored the lone St. Louis goal in their 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Friday night.

The Sharks got the win as big -240 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the night's posted total (5).

The Ducks scored three times in the first period on Wednesday, and went on to defeat the Canucks 4-1. The Ducks won the game as -135 favorites, while the five goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).

Todd Marchant, Travis Moen, Rob Niedermayer and Doug Weight on the power play scored for the Ducks. Jonas Hiller stopped 30 shots for the victory.

Current streak:
St. Louis has lost 5 straight games.

Team records:
St. Louis: 29-31-11
Anaheim: 40-25-8

St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing San Jose are 4-6
After a loss are 1-9

Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Vancouver are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
St. Louis is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Anaheim
St. Louis is 1-7-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Anaheim is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games

Next up:
St. Louis at Montreal, Tuesday, March 18
Anaheim at Dallas, Wednesday, March 19

Edmonton Oilers vs. Phoenix Coyotes

- The Edmonton Oilers and the Phoenix Coyotes will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Jobing.com Arena.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Sam Gagner tallied the lone marker for Edmonton in its 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.

Colorado won as -210 home favorites as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.

Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 24 shots as the Coyotes shut out the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 on Thursday night.

Phoenix cashed as a -110 home pick 'em as the game played under the 5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
Phoenix has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Edmonton: 34-32-5
Phoenix: 36-30-5

Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-6-1
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Colorado are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Vancouver are 2-8
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Edmonton's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Edmonton's last 15 games when playing Phoenix
Edmonton is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Phoenix's last 15 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Phoenix's last 12 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 9 games
Phoenix is 3-6-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Edmonton

Next up:
Edmonton at San Jose, Sunday, March 16
Phoenix at Vancouver, Monday, March 17

Hockey Today

Buffalo at Toronto (7 p.m. EDT). The Sabres and Maple Leafs are both trying to catch Philadelphia for the final playoff spot in the East.

Sunday, March 16

Edmonton at San Jose (8 p.m. EDT). The Sharks try to extend their franchise-record winning streak to 12 games when they host the Oilers.

STARS

-Derek Roy, Sabres, had two goals and an assist to lead Buffalo past Carolina 7-1.

-Brooks Laich, Capitals, scored two goals to lead Washington to a 4-1 win over Atlanta.

-Olli Jokinen, Panthers, scored the tiebreaking goal 7:12 into the third period to help Florida edge the New York Rangers 3-2.

ELEVENTH HEAVEN

San Jose scored four times in the first period and extended its franchise-record winning streak to 11 games with a 4-1 victory over St. Louis on Friday night. It is the longest winning streak in the NHL since New Jersey won its final 11 games of the 2005-06 season. The Sharks were 11 points behind Dallas last month, but have since moved three points ahead of the Stars and four in front of Anaheim, with two games in hand over both teams.

WAITING ANOTHER WEEK

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said after practice Friday he will miss another week to recover from a high-ankle sprain. If Crosby remains out of the lineup that long, he will miss three more games: home Sunday against Philadelphia, Tuesday night at the New York Rangers, and home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The Penguins are 12-6-4 without Crosby this season.

HERE COMES ALEX

Washington's Alexander Ovechkin scored his league-leading 57th goal and added an assist for his 99th point in a 4-1 win over Atlanta on Friday night. He is now three goals shy of Dennis Maruk's team record set in 1981-82.

SABRE DANCE

The Sabres outscored Carolina 15-2 over two meetings in Buffalo this season after a 7-1 rout on Friday night. The Sabres scored four goals on their first seven shots, snapping a four-game skid (0-2-2) and creeping within two points of eighth-place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

STRETCHED AND SNAPPED

Florida extended its winning streak to a season-high six and handed the New York Rangers their first regulation loss in more than a month with a 3-2 on Friday night. The winning streak is the third-longest in the Panthers' history. Florida won seven straight in the 1995-96 and 2005-06 seasons.

BACK ON TRACK

Chicago snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Columbus 6-3 on Friday night.

ANOTHER MAN DOWN

Carolina forward Ray Whitney will have ankle surgery on Saturday and could miss the rest of the regular season. Second on the team with 59 points (25 goals, 34 assists), Whitney has missed six games with a sore ankle, the result of an infection from earlier this season. The Southeast Division-leading Hurricanes are already missing captain Rod Brind'Amour, out indefinitely following reconstructive knee surgery last month.

SPEAKING

``I watch scores. That's all I do. It's a fun time of the year to be scoreboard watching. The biggest thing is when you don't play, you lose.'' - Washington coach Bruce Boudreau on his plans for Saturday with the Capitals on the fringe of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Caps beat Atlanta 4-1 on Friday to move within three points of eighth-place Philadelphia.

Penguins' Sidney Crosby says he'll be out another week because of ankle sprain
March 14, 2008

PITTSBURGH (AP) -The Pittsburgh Penguins will have to wait to know if Marian Hossa is the ideal linemate for Sidney Crosby.

Crosby said after practice Friday he will miss another week to recover from a high-ankle sprain.

``I'm just going to take a week here to give it more time to rest,'' Crosby said.

``It's just one of those nagging things. I know what's coming up in the future, and I want to make sure I give it the best possible chance to be strong.''

The Penguins have yet to gauge the full impact of their trading-deadline deal to acquire Hossa from the Atlanta Thrashers because either Hossa, Crosby or both have been hurt in every game since. Hossa has been slowed by a knee injury.

If Crosby remains out of the lineup that long, he will miss three more games: home Sunday against Philadelphia, Tuesday night at the New York Rangers, and home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

The Penguins are 12-6-4 without Crosby this season. He missed 21 games after hurting his right ankle in March, came back and played in three games, but then missed Wednesday's 7-3 home win against Buffalo because of ankle soreness.

Crosby said he would be in the lineup if the Penguins were in the playoffs.

In Hossa's first game with the Penguins, he played about 10 minutes before spraining his right knee in a knee-on-knee collision with Boston's Glen Murray on Feb. 28. Hossa has been out of the lineup since, but has been practicing and is expected to play Sunday against Philadelphia.

If Crosby returns in a week and if Hossa stays healthy, they could play on the same line for the first time on April 5 when the Penguins host division-leading New Jersey.

Forward Petr Sykora did not practice Friday because of a sore back. Forward Max Talbot, who missed the last game with a sore ankle, practiced and plans to play Sunday.