New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- The division rival New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers are set to renew hostilities on Friday when they meet at Wachovia Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Nigel Dawes scored the shootout winner on Wednesday, as the Rangers got past the Devils 2-1. The Rangers won the game as +125 road underdogs, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Chris Drury scored in regulation for the Rangers, and Henrik Lundqvist faced just 18 shots in the win.
The Flyers managed to hold off the Thrashers for a 3-2 win last time out, as -220 favorites. The five goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Vaclav Prospal scored for the Flyers, and Joffrey Lupul collected a pair of assists in the win.
Current streak:
New York has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 39-26-9
Philadelphia: 36-28-10
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 5 games on the road
NY Rangers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
NY Rangers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Rangers last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Next up:
Philadelphia home to NY Islanders, Sunday, March 23
New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils
- The fans at Prudential Center will be treated to a game between the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils when they take their seats on Friday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Islanders lost 3-1 to the Maple Leafs as a -130 favorite at home on Tuesday. The four goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Rob Davison scored the lone Islanders goal shorthanded.
The Devils lost 2-1 to the Rangers in a shootout on Wednesday, as -145 favorites at home. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Dainius Zubrus had the Devils goal, and Martin Brodeur stopped 20 shots in the loss.
Current streak:
New York has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 32-35-7
New Jersey: 42-24-7
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a loss are 3-7
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-4-1
Before playing Buffalo are 9-1
After playing NY Rangers are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
NY Islanders are 6-1 SU in their last 7 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
The total has gone OVER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 11 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of New Jersey's last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New Jersey's last 11 games when playing NY Islanders
New Jersey is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Next up:
NY Islanders at Philadelphia, Sunday, March 23
New Jersey at Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 22
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres
- The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at HSBC Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Maple Leafs came back with three goals in the third period to defeat the Islanders 3-1 last time out, as +110 underdogs. The four goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Kyle Wellwood led the way with a goal and an assist, while Pavel Kubina and Alexei Ponikarovsky scored the other goals for the Leafs.
The Sabres scored six goals in the third period to come back and defeat the Lightning 7-4 on Wednesday as -200 favorites at home. The 11 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).
Thomas Vanek scored three goals, while Jason Pominville and Jochen Hecht scored twice each for the Sabres.
Current streak:
Buffalo has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 33-31-10
Buffalo: 35-28-11
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-5-1
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing NY Islanders are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Buffalo's last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Buffalo's last 10 games at home
Buffalo is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto
Buffalo is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto at Ottawa, Saturday, March 22
Buffalo home to Ottawa, Tuesday, March 25
Washington Capitals vs. Atlanta Thrashers
- The fans at Philips Arena will be treated to a game between the Washington Capitals and the Atlanta Thrashers when they take their seats on Friday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Capitals were shut out 5-0 by the Blackhawks last time out, as +110 underdogs. The five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Olaf Kolzig stopped 37-of-42 shots in a losing effort.
The Thrashers were defeated 5-3 by the Hurricanes last time out, as +150 underdogs. The eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).
Bryan Little, Steve McCarthy and Slava Kozlov tallied in the loss.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 36-31-8
Atlanta: 31-37-8
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-6-1
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing Chicago are 3-3-1
After a loss are 6-4
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Carolina are 7-3
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 12 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Atlanta's last 12 games when playing Washington
Atlanta is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Washington
Next up:
Washington at Carolina, Tuesday, March 25
Atlanta at Florida, Thursday, March 27
Minnesota Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks
- The fans at General Motors Place will be treated to a game between the Minnesota Wild and the Vancouver Canucks when they take their seats on Friday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Wild lost 4-3 to the Sharks in a shootout last time out, as +135 road underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5).
Marian Gaborik scored twice and Stephane Veilleux potted the other Wild goal. Niklas Backstrom made 30 saves in the loss.
Roberto Luongo made 33 saves to help the Canucks in a 4-1 win over the Oilers last time out, as -120 favorites. The five goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).
Daniel Sedin, Matt Pettinger, Taylor Pyatt and Trevor Linden scored for the Canucks.
Current streak:
Vancouver has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 39-26-9
Vancouver: 38-26-10
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Florida are 3-3-2
After playing San Jose are 8-2
After a loss are 3-7
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Edmonton are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Minnesota's last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Vancouver is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Vancouver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Calgary, Saturday, March 22
Vancouver at Calgary, Tuesday, March 25
Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks
- The Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at HP Pavilion.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Todd Bertuzzi scored at 19:32 of the third period to lift the Ducks to a 2-1 victory over the Stars last time out, as +110 underdogs. The three goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Scott Niedermayer had the other Ducks marker, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 20 saves in the win.
Jeremy Roenick scored once in regulation, and added the shootout winner in the Sharks 4-3 win over the Wild on Wednesday. The Sharks won that game as -155 favorites, while the combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5).
Curtis Brown and Joe Pavelski had the other Sharks goals, and Evgeni Nabakov stopped 21 shots in the win.
Current streak:
Anaheim has won 3 straight games.
San Jose has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Anaheim: 42-25-8
San Jose: 44-21-9
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-5-1
Before playing Phoenix are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Jose
Anaheim is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Jose's last 10 games when playing Anaheim
San Jose is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Next up:
Anaheim at Phoenix, Saturday, March 22
San Jose at Phoenix, Tuesday, March 25
Hockey Today
Toronto at Buffalo (7:30 p.m., EDT). The Sabres have won three straight to move within a point of Philadelphia for the final playoff spot in the East.
STARS
-Alex Kovalev, Canadiens, had two goals and an assist to lead Montreal to a 4-2 win at Boston.
-Sergei Samsonov and Eric Staal, Hurricanes, scored in the shootout to help Carolina beat Florida 2-1.
-Johan Franzen, Red Wings, broke a tie in the third period and sent Detroit to a 6-3 victory over Nashville.
-Patrick O'Sullivan, Kings, scored the only goal in the shootout to give Los Angeles a 6-5 victory over Phoenix.
HAB-ITUAL WINNERS
Montreal has won all seven meetings this season against Boston, and tied a franchise record for the most consecutive wins against the Bruins after a 4-2 win on Thursday night. That mark was set in the 1944-45 season. Alexei Kovalev scored twice and has seven goals and four assists against Boston this season, while teammate Mark Streit has 10 assists.
ALL BUNCHED UP
Calgary beat Colorado 2-1 in a pivotal Northwest Division clash on Thursday night. The Flames moved two points ahead of the Avalanche and into a tie for sixth place in the Western Conference with Vancouver, which won 4-1 in Edmonton on Thursday. The Flames and Canucks moved to within one point of Northwest Division-leading Minnesota, which will play the Canucks on Friday and Calgary on Saturday.
BLOWING IT OPEN
Carolina won for the 10th time in 13 games and increased its lead in the Southeast Division to seven points over idle Washington with Thursday night's 2-1 shootout victory over Florida. The Hurricanes are 5-2 against the Panthers this season and 18-4-1 during the past three.
SOUR 16
Tampa Bay gave up two goals 16 seconds apart for the second straight game Thursday night, this time in a 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh. It also happened while the Lightning allowed six third-period goals to Buffalo in a 7-4 defeat on Wednesday.
MOVING ON UP
Detroit's Dominik Hasek earned his 385th NHL victory with 26 saves in Thursday night's 6-3 win at Nashville, tying him for 10th place with Mike Vernon on the career list.
SNAPPED
Florida's team-record tying, seven-game winning streak was halted with a 2-1 shootout loss to Carolina on Thursday night. The Panthers still collected their 79th point, moving them four behind seventh-place Boston and three in back of eighth-place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. ... Pittsburgh ended an eight-game home losing streak against Tampa Bay and won for the fourth time in five games overall with its 4-2 victory. The Penguins hadn't beat the Lightning at Mellon Arena since Nov. 2, 2002 - a span of eight games.
FORGETTABLE TRIP
St. Louis fell to 1-6-1 on its season-high, nine-game road trip after losing at Ottawa 3-2 on Thursday night. The run ends Sunday in Chicago.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Alexander Radulov snapped an 11-game goalless drought with a pair of tallies in Nashville's 6-3 loss to Detroit on Thursday night. The Predators lost their franchise record-tying sixth consecutive home game.
GRIEVANCE
Teppo Numminen filed a grievance against the Buffalo Sabres for suspending him without pay after the veteran defenseman failed a preseason physical because he required open-heart surgery. Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said the team was within its rights to suspend Numminen, because he was physically unable to play in an NHL game, even though he first began practicing with the team on a non-contact basis in December.
SEASON OVER
Minnesota defenseman Kurtis Foster will miss the rest of the season, including the playoffs, after crashing hard into the boards Wednesday night during a race to the puck with San Jose rookie Torrey Mitchell. Foster had surgery Thursday to repair a displaced fracture in his femur, and a stabilizing rod was put into his leg. ... Columbus center Dan Fritsche will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his hand Wednesday night at Detroit.
SPEAKING
``I want to win hockey games. I don't care what I look like.'' - Jarkko Ruutu on scoring while taking a stick to the face from Tampa Bay defenseman Dan Boyle that required 10 to 15 stitches to fix during Pittsburgh's 4-2 win on Thursday night.