Carolina Hurricanes vs. Atlanta Thrashers
- The Carolina Hurricanes and the Atlanta Thrashers will meet on the ice at Philips Arena on Wednesday in a battle of division rivals.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Sergei Samsonov scored twice on Saturday night to lead the Hurricanes to an easy 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Canes got the win as -170 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the night's posted total (6).
The Thrashers lost to Pittsburgh 3-2 in a shootout as a +165 underdog last time out. The five goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Jim Slater and Slava Kozlov scored for Atlanta and Kari Lehtonen stopped 31-of-33 shots.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 7 straight games.
Team records:
Carolina: 34-29-5
Atlanta: 29-31-7
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Atlanta's last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina
Next up:
Carolina home to Minnesota, Thursday, March 6
Atlanta home to Minnesota, Friday, March 7
Washington Capitals vs. Buffalo Sabres
- The Washington Capitals and the Buffalo Sabres will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at HSBC Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Alexander Ovechkin scored a hat trick and finished with five points as the Capitals embarrassed the Bruins 10-2 last time out. The Capitals won the game as -140 favorites, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brooks Laich and Matt Bradley had a pair for the Capitals, while singles came from Matt Cooke, Niklas Backstrom and Donald Brashear. Backstrom finished with four points in the win.
Maxim Afinogenov had a three-point night on Tuesday to lead the Sabres to a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Sabres got the win as +110 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
Team records:
Washington: 31-28-8
Buffalo: 32-26-9
Washington most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing Boston are 4-6
After a win are 3-7
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 9-1
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games when playing Buffalo
Washington is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games
Buffalo is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
Next up:
Washington at Boston, Saturday, March 8
Buffalo at Carolina, Saturday, March 8
St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings
- Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Wednesday when the St. Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings meet at Joe Louis Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Manny Legace made 28 saves, and Ryan Johnson scored at 13:06 of the third period to give the Blues a 3-2 victory over the Kings last time out. The Blues won the game as -155 favorites at home, while the five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Andy McDonald and Keith Tkachuk scored the other goals in the win.
The Red Wings defeated Buffalo 4-2 as a -120 favorite last time out. The six goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Valtteri Fippula and Johan Franzen each had a goal and an assist for Detroit, while Dominik Hasek made 22 saves in the win.
Team records:
St. Louis: 29-27-10
Detroit: 43-18-6
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-6-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Buffalo are 6-6-1
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of St. Louis's last 9 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of St. Louis's last 19 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Detroit is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Detroit's last 19 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games
Next up:
St. Louis at Vancouver, Saturday, March 8
Detroit home to Nashville, Sunday, March 9
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Dallas Stars
- Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Wednesday when the Phoenix Coyotes and the Dallas Stars meet at American Airlines Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Shane Doan scored the only Phoenix goal in their 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday night.
The Flames had been listed at -105 on the road in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Mike Ribeiro had the lone Dallas goal in their 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
The Preds got the win as +165 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Team records:
Phoenix: 33-28-5
Dallas: 41-23-5
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Calgary are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Nashville are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Phoenix's last 10 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Phoenix's last 10 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Dallas's last 10 games when playing Phoenix
Dallas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Dallas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Next up:
Phoenix home to Montreal, Thursday, March 6
Dallas at Colorado, Saturday, March 8
Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- The Anaheim Ducks 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.
The Ducks won their sixth straight with a 3-1 victory over the struggling Senators on Monday, as -140 favorites. The four goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Corey Perry and Scott Niedermayer scored on the power play for Anaheim, while Todd Bertuzzi added the other marker. Ryan Getzlaf pocketed two assists in the win.
Patrick Lalime stopped 30 shots as the Blackhawks defeated the Wild 4-2 last time out, as +170 road underdogs. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5).
Jason Williams, Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien and Craig Adams scored in the win.
Current streak:
Anaheim has won 6 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Anaheim: 38-23-7
Chicago: 32-28-6
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 8-2
After playing Ottawa are 8-2
After a win are 9-1
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Chicago is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Next up:
Anaheim at Colorado, Thursday, March 6
Chicago home to San Jose, Friday, March 7
Ottawa Senators vs. San Jose Sharks
- The fans at HP Pavilion will be treated to a game between the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks 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.
The Senators were defeated 3-1 by the Ducks last time out, as +120 road underdogs. The four goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Christoph Schubert scored the lone goal for the Senators, while Martin Gerber made 27 saves in the loss.
Joe Thornton scored twice and finished with four points on Monday, as the Sharks outlasted the Canadiens 6-4. The Sharks won the game as -140 favorites, while the 10 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).
Jonathan Cheechoo had a goal and two assists, while Patrick Marleau, Jody Shelley and Brian Campbell scored the other markers for the Sharks.
Current streak:
San Jose has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Ottawa: 37-24-6
San Jose: 37-21-8
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Anaheim are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Montreal are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
Ottawa is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose
Ottawa is 5-6-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing San Jose
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
San Jose is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 6 games
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Ottawa
Next up:
Ottawa at Los Angeles, Thursday, March 6
San Jose at Chicago, Friday, March 7
Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg make NHL returns
March 5, 2008
Welcome back, Sid and Pete.
Former MVPs Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg successfully returned to the NHL Tuesday night. Crosby, the reigning Hart Trophy winner, came off the injured list and helped the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Tampa Bay 2-0. Forsberg, the 2003 league most valuable player, made his season debut with Colorado in a 2-1 victory over Vancouver.
In a dazzling return after missing 6 1/2 weeks with a high ankle sprain, Crosby set up Maxime Talbot for the game's first goal with only 2:47 remaining. He created numerous scoring opportunities with his speed and stickhandling as the Penguins took over the Eastern Conference lead with about a month remaining in the regular season.
``It's good to get it over with and get that feel and get that timing back, but it's still not there,'' Crosby said. ``I had some great chances that I would have loved to put in. It didn't happen. Sometimes that's the way it goes. I'm a little rusty.''
Forsberg showed little rust despite being out for nearly a year mending a foot problem.
``I was just happy I was out there,'' Forsberg said. ``I felt OK, not bad, not good.
``It's been a long time since I played a real game. It's going to be a real struggle here in the beginning, the first couple of games. I hope people understand that.''
John-Michael Liles scored his first goal in nearly four months and the Avalanche won their fourth straight.
Elsewhere, it was: Florida 1, Boston 0; Calgary 1, Columbus 0; New Jersey 4, Toronto 1; the New York Islanders 4, the New York Rangers 3 in a shootout; Nashville 5, Edmonton 1; Chicago 4, Minnesota 2; Buffalo 5, Philadelphia 2; and St. Louis 3, Los Angeles 2.
Elsewhere, it was: Florida 1, Boston 0; Calgary 1, Columbus 0; New Jersey 4, Toronto 1; the New York Islanders 4, the New York Rangers 3 in a shootout; Nashville 5, Edmonton 1; Chicago 4, Minnesota 2; Buffalo 5, Philadelphia 2; and St. Louis 3, Los Angeles 2.
At Tampa, Fla., Marc-Andre Fleury made only his second start following his own extended injury layoff with an injured ankle and turned aside 35 shots in his first shutout since Nov. 24 and third of the season.
Evgeni Malkin, edging to within a point of the NHL scoring lead, scored into an empty net with 5 seconds remaining.
But it was Crosby's night. The reigning NHL scoring champion appeared as if he had been off only a few days rather than since Jan. 18 with a high ankle sprain.
``He's the best player in the league,'' Fleury said. ``Having him on our side is always a big help.''
``He's the best player in the league,'' Fleury said. ``Having him on our side is always a big help.''
Colorado coach Joel Quenneville didn't plan on playing Forsberg for nearly 20 minutes, but he just looked too good on the ice to limit his time.
``I thought he was very effective, very dangerous,'' Quenneville said. ``He's fun to watch.''
Not to be overshadowed in the numerous ovations for Forsberg by the fans was the play of Jose Theodore, who won his fourth straight game, his longest streak of the season. He made 26 saves.
Not to be overshadowed in the numerous ovations for Forsberg by the fans was the play of Jose Theodore, who won his fourth straight game, his longest streak of the season. He made 26 saves.
Craig Anderson followed his record-setting shutout two days ago with a 40-save win, and Nathan Horton scored 22 seconds into overtime.
Anderson stopped 53 shots in a 1-0 victory over the Islanders on Sunday, the most ever in a shutout since shots on goal started being kept in the 1955-56 season.
Since 1989-90, it's the most saves in consecutive shutouts; Dominik Hasek for Buffalo in December 1997 had 75 saves, according to Stats LLC.
``These last two games have just been terrific,'' Anderson said. ``As much as you want to say it's just one guy, it's been everybody. The little things you might not notice, I recognize, the coaches recognize, and the other guys recognize what guys are doing. We're making sure were getting the pucks out, we're making big blocks, we're making sure the puck doesn't get to the net, and a lot of the time I am seeing the shots, which is a credit to the guys in front of me.''
``These last two games have just been terrific,'' Anderson said. ``As much as you want to say it's just one guy, it's been everybody. The little things you might not notice, I recognize, the coaches recognize, and the other guys recognize what guys are doing. We're making sure were getting the pucks out, we're making big blocks, we're making sure the puck doesn't get to the net, and a lot of the time I am seeing the shots, which is a credit to the guys in front of me.''
Craig Conroy scored in the third period and Miikka Kiprusoff made 39 saves to get the host Flames into a tie for first place in the Northwest Division with Minnesota.
Conroy got the game's only goal at 5:49 of the third. Eric Nystrom's attempt glanced off the stick of Blue Jackets defenseman Aaron Rome and was scooped up by Conroy. The veteran center cut to the net, and while fending off defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, fired a backhander over the blocker of Pascal Leclaire.
It was the second shutout of the season and 26th of his career for Kiprusoff, who improved to 33-20-9. The two shutouts this year have come in his last five games.
It was the second shutout of the season and 26th of his career for Kiprusoff, who improved to 33-20-9. The two shutouts this year have come in his last five games.
At Toronto, Zach Parise scored twice and Martin Brodeur made 40 saves as the Devils snapped a three-game winless streak. David Clarkson and Brian Gionta also scored for the Devils.
The Devils remained fourth in the Eastern Conference, a point behind the conference-leading Penguins in the Atlantic Division.
Nik Antropov scored for the Maple Leafs, who had picked up nine of a possible 10 points in their last five games. Toronto remained six points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Vesa Toskala made his 19th consecutive start in goal for Toronto, but gave up four goals on 25 shots.
Vesa Toskala made his 19th consecutive start in goal for Toronto, but gave up four goals on 25 shots.
At New York, Jeff Tambellini scored in the sixth round of the shootout, and Wade Dubielewicz, subbing for the second straight game for Rick DiPietro, made 27 saves through overtime. He then turned aside five shooters in the tiebreaker.
DiPietro was away from the team following the death of his grandmother, and was expected to return to practice Wednesday.
Rangers forward Nigel Dawes and Islanders captain Bill Guerin were the only others to score in the shootout.
Rangers forward Nigel Dawes and Islanders captain Bill Guerin were the only others to score in the shootout.
Martin Erat scored his first career hat trick as the Predators beat the Oilers for the eighth straight time. J.P. Dumont and Ville Koistinen also scored for the Predators, while Tom Gilbert responded for Edmonton.
The victory moved Nashville into seventh place in the Western Conference.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Oilers and stopped their run of consecutive victories on home ice at seven, one short of the franchise record.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Oilers and stopped their run of consecutive victories on home ice at seven, one short of the franchise record.
Jason Williams had a goal and an assist as the Blackhawks snapped the Wild's three-game winning streak. Dustin Byfuglien, Duncan Keith and Craig Adams scored for Chicago, which got its eighth win in 11 games and first in Minnesota since March 29, 2002.
Pavol Demitra and Stephane Veilleux had goals for Minnesota, which had won three straight after losing its previous four.
Chicago rookie Jonathan Toews played despite needing 50 stitches under his nose and in his mouth after being hit by Vancouver's Matt Pettinger on Sunday. Toews started the game wearing a metal face cage, but switched to a glass shield after the first period.
Chicago rookie Jonathan Toews played despite needing 50 stitches under his nose and in his mouth after being hit by Vancouver's Matt Pettinger on Sunday. Toews started the game wearing a metal face cage, but switched to a glass shield after the first period.
At Philadelphia, Derek Roy and Jason Pominville scored 18 seconds apart early in the third period. Pominville and Maxim Afinogenov each had two goals for the Sabres, who pulled within one point of the Flyers for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Scottie Upshall and Steve Downie scored for Philadelphia, which lost in regulation for the first time in five games.
Scottie Upshall and Steve Downie scored for Philadelphia, which lost in regulation for the first time in five games.
At St. Louis, Ryan Johnson scored his fifth goal of the season and the Blues snapped a six-game skid.
St. Louis also got goals from Andy McDonald and Keith Tkachuk. Manny Legace stopped 31 shots for the victory.
The Kings got goals from Alexander Frolov and Dustin Brown.