Sunday's best NHL bets
Covers.com
Vancouver at Chicago
After two disappointing home losses, the Vancouver Canucks might welcome a trip to Chicago. The Canucks look to get back on track while trying to continue their recent success over the Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon.
Vancouver (32-22-10) opens a brief two-game trip after falling 3-2 in overtime to Columbus on Friday. The Canucks blew a 2-0 third-period lead, two nights after giving away a late 2-1 advantage in a 3-2 shootout loss to Northwest Division rival Colorado.
Vancouver has a good chance to rebound Sunday as it tries for a fifth straight victory over the Blackhawks (30-28-6) and sixth in a row in Chicago. The Canucks, who won 3-2 in a shootout at home over the Blackhawks on Feb. 10, are 7-0-1 at the United Center since a 3-2 loss on Dec. 17, 2002.
Though Chicago lost 7-4 at Dallas on Thursday, it has won three in row at home, recording shutouts in its last two. The Blackhawks finished 7-4-2 in February.
Detroit at Buffalo
This is just isn't right. The Detroit Red Wings have now lost 10 of their last 11 games, which is bad enough, but it’s just not fair that Detroit economy, which is already decimated by the layoffs and cutbacks in the auto industry, is probably taking another hit from all the money lost by loyal backers of the Red Wings. Good thing the Pistons are winning.
The explanation is simple: without Lidstrom, Chelios, Rafalski, this just isn’t the same team. They’re still a good team, but they’re seriously thin at the blue line right now. But so is Buffalo after they dealt their best defenseman, Brian Campbell, at the trade deadline. Not surprisingly, they’ve allowed 10 goals in two games without him.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers
- Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Sunday when the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers meet at Madison Square Garden.
Mike Knuble scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Flyers to a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Philadelphia upset New York as +100 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Rangers got out to a three-goal lead and finished with a 4-2 win over the Hurricanes last time out, as -130 favorites. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brandon Dubinsky, Sean Avery, Chris Drury and Brendan Shanahan scored for the Rangers.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 3 straight games.
New York has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 33-25-7
New York: 33-24-8
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After playing NY Islanders are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
New York most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 7-3
After playing Carolina are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 9-4 SU in their last 13 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
Philadelphia is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
NY Rangers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
NY Rangers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
NY Rangers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the NY Rangers last 10 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia home to Buffalo, Tuesday, March 4
NY Rangers home to NY Islanders, Tuesday, March 4
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- The Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at United Center.
Ryan Shannon and Sami Salo scored in Vancouver's 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.
The Blue Jackets picked up the win as +160 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the posted total (5).
The Blackhawks fell 7-4 to the Stars last time out, as +190 underdogs on the road. The 11 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Rene Bourque scored twice for the Bruins, while Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd added the other markers.
Current streak:
Vancouver has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 32-22-10
Chicago: 30-28-6
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Columbus are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Vancouver is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games when playing Chicago
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Next up:
Vancouver at Colorado, Tuesday, March 4
Chicago at Minnesota, Tuesday, March 4
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- The Atlanta Thrashers and the Pittsburgh Penguins will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Mellon Arena.
Ilya Kovlachuk and Jim Slater had the markers for Atlanta in its 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
Boston won as -210 home favorites as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists for Pittsburgh in its 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Ottawa cashed as -190 home favorites as the teams played over the 6-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 6 straight games.
Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 29-31-6
Pittsburgh: 36-23-7
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-5-1
Before playing Ottawa are 3-7
After playing Ottawa are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Pittsburgh is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Pittsburgh is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
Pittsburgh is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta home to Carolina, Wednesday, March 5
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, Tuesday, March 4
Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders
- The Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Nassau Coliseum.
Nathan Horton and Steve Montador scored in Florida's 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Friday night.
The Wild had been listed as -125 favorites on the road in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Bill Guerin had the lone goal for New York in its 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Philadelphia upset New York as +100 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 28-31-8
New York: 31-28-7
Florida most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 2-4
After a loss are 4-6
New York most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-5-1
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Florida's last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing at home against Florida
NY Islanders are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Florida
NY Islanders are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games
NY Islanders are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home
Next up:
Florida at Boston, Tuesday, March 4
NY Islanders at NY Rangers, Tuesday, March 4
Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres
- The Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at HSBC Arena.
Henrik Zetterberg and Mikael Samuelsson scored in Detroit's 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Friday night.
The Sharks had been pegged as +120 underdogs in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the night's posted total (5).
Ryan Miller gave up six goals on 33 shots in Buffalo's 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night.
The Habs got the win as +105 road underdogs on that night, while the combined score went OVER the game's posted total (6).
Current streak:
Detroit has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 42-18-6
Buffalo: 31-25-9
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing San Jose are 8-2
After a loss are 2-8
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Montreal are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Detroit is 12-2-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
Next up:
Detroit home to St. Louis, Wednesday, March 5
Buffalo at Philadelphia, Tuesday, March 4
Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild
- The fans at Xcel Energy Center will be treated to a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Minnesota Wild when they take their seats on Sunday.
Mike Cammalleri and Rob Blake scored in Los Angeles' 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.
The Avs were winners as big -220 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
Niklas Backstrom made 32 saves for the Wild in their 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
The Wild had been listed as -125 favorites on the road in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 3 straight games.
Minnesota has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 26-36-4
Minnesota: 36-24-5
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 4-6
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 3-3-2
After playing Florida are 4-4-1
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Los Angeles's last 15 games when playing Minnesota
Los Angeles is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Los Angeles is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Minnesota's last 15 games when playing Los Angeles
Next up:
Los Angeles at St. Louis, Tuesday, March 4
Minnesota home to Chicago, Tuesday, March 4
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Edmonton Oilers
- The fans at Rexall Place will be treated to a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Edmonton Oilers when they take their seats on Sunday.
Jason Chimera scored in overtime on Friday night to give the Blue Jackets a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
The Blue Jackets picked up the win as +160 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the posted total (5).
The Oilers scored four times in the second period and went on to defeat the Kings 5-4 last time out, as -145 favorites. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ales Hemsky had a pair for the Oilers, while Andrew Cogliano, Robert Nilsson and Fernando Pisani added the other goals in the win.
Current streak:
Edmonton has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Columbus: 30-27-9
Edmonton: 30-30-5
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-5-1
Before playing Calgary are 1-9
After playing Vancouver are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus's last 10 games when playing Edmonton
Columbus is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Columbus is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games
Edmonton is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
Next up:
Columbus at Calgary, Tuesday, March 4
Edmonton home to Nashville, Tuesday, March 4