Hockey Today - Mar 6

New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders

- The division rival New York Rangers and New York Islanders are set to renew hostilities on Thursday when they meet at Nassau Coliseum.

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

Henrik Lundqvist stopped just 15 of 18 shots in the Rangers' 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.

The Islanders got the win as +170 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5).

Jeff Tambellini had the shootout winner on Tuesday night as the Islanders topped the New York Rangers by a final score of 4-3.

The Islanders got the win as +170 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5).

Team records:
New York: 34-24-9
New York: 32-29-7

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

New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing New Jersey are 5-5
After playing NY Rangers are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Rangers last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 6 games
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
NY Rangers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 7 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
NY Islanders are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Rangers
NY Islanders are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games at home

Next up:
NY Rangers home to Boston, Sunday, March 9
NY Islanders at Philadelphia, Saturday, March 8

Minnesota Wild vs. Carolina Hurricanes

- The Minnesota Wild and the Carolina Hurricanes will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at RBC Center.

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

The Wild were doubled 4-2 by the Blackhawks last time out, as -150 favorites at home. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5).

Pavol Demitra and Stephane Veilleux scored for the Wild.

Eric Staal had two goals and an assist to lead the Hurricanes over the Atlanta Thrashers 6-3 on Wednesday night.

Carolina won as -135 road favorites as the game played over the 6-goal total set by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
Carolina has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Minnesota: 37-25-5
Carolina: 35-29-5

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-4-2
Before playing Florida are 3-3-2
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

Carolina most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-3-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Carolina
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

Next up:
Minnesota at Atlanta, Friday, March 7
Carolina home to Buffalo, Saturday, March 8

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Florida Panthers

- The fans at BankAtlantic Center will be treated to a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Florida Panthers when they take their seats on Thursday.

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

Sidney Crosby had an assist in his return from injury on Tuesday as the Penguins knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-0.

The Pens got the win as -120 road favorites on that night, while the combined score fell UNDER the game's posted total (5.5).

Nathan Horton had the overtime winner on Tuesday night as the Panthers slipped past the Boston Bruins by a final score of 1-0.

The Panthers were winners as +140 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).

Current streak:
Pittsburgh has won 2 straight games.
Florida has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Pittsburgh: 38-23-7
Florida: 30-31-8

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 3-7
After playing Tampa Bay are 1-9
After a win are 5-5

Florida most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Florida
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Florida's last 11 games at home
Florida is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

Next up:
Pittsburgh at Washington, Sunday, March 9
Florida home to Atlanta, Saturday, March 8

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Philadelphia Flyers

- The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Philadelphia Flyers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Wachovia Center.

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

Mike Smith made 21 saves in Tampa Bay's 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.

The Pens got the win as -120 road favorites on that night, while the combined score fell UNDER the game's posted total (5.5).

Scottie Upshall and Steve Downie scored in Philadelphia's 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.

The Sabres got the win as +110 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).

Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 2 straight games.
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Tampa Bay: 26-33-7
Philadelphia: 33-26-8

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-5-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After playing Buffalo are 4-6
After a loss are 1-9

A few trends to consider:
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Tampa Bay is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Philadelphia is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games
Philadelphia is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing Tampa Bay

Next up:
Tampa Bay at New Jersey, Friday, March 7
Philadelphia home to NY Islanders, Saturday, March 8

Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche

- The fans at Pepsi Center will be treated to a game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Colorado Avalanche when they take their seats on Thursday.

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

Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 24 saves for Anaheim in its 3-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.

Chicago cashed as +135 home underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.

John-Michael Liles power play goal stood up as the winner and the Avalanche got past the Canucks 2-1 last time out, as -150 favorites. The three goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Paul Stastny scored the other goal for the Avalanche, who welcomed Peter Forsberg back to the lineup.

Current streak:
Colorado has won 4 straight games.

Team records:
Anaheim: 38-24-7
Colorado: 35-26-6

Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Montreal are 4-4-1
After playing Chicago are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Colorado most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 10-0
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Vancouver are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

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

Next up:
Anaheim home to Montreal, Sunday, March 9
Colorado home to Dallas, Saturday, March 8

Montreal Canadiens vs. Phoenix Coyotes

- The Montreal Canadiens and the Phoenix Coyotes will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Jobing.com Arena.

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

The Canadiens were defeated 6-4 by the Sharks last time out, as +120 road underdogs. The 10 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).

Tomas Plekanec scored two goals for the Canadiens, while Ryan O'Byrne and Maxim Lapierre added singles in the loss.

Shane Doan and Peter Mueller each scored to lead the Coyotes past the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Phoenix won as +170 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total posted by sportsbooks.

Team records:
Montreal: 36-22-9
Phoenix: 34-28-5

Montreal most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Los Angeles are 8-2
After playing San Jose are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 1-8-1
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 3-7
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal's last 8 games on the road
Montreal is 5-0-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing at home against Montreal
Phoenix is 1-4-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Montreal
Phoenix is 0-3-2 SU in its last 5 games when playing Montreal

Next up:
Montreal at Los Angeles, Saturday, March 8
Phoenix home to Ottawa, Saturday, March 8

Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks

- The Nashville Predators and the Vancouver Canucks will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at General Motors Place.

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

Martin Erat scored a hat trick as the Predators easily skated to a 5-1 win over the Oilers last time out, at -110 odds. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).

J.P. Dumont and Ville Koistinen added the other markers in the victory.

The Canucks lost 2-1 to the Avalanche on Tuesday, as +130 underdogs. The three goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Ryan Shannon had the lone Canucks goal on the power play, and Roberto Luongo made 29 saves in the loss.

Current streak:
Nashville has won 2 straight games.
Vancouver has lost 4 straight games.

Team records:
Nashville: 34-25-8
Vancouver: 32-24-10

Nashville most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Edmonton are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-1-1
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Nashville's last 12 games
Nashville is 8-16-1 SU in its last 25 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
Vancouver is 9-3-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Nashville
Vancouver is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
Vancouver is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games at home

Next up:
Nashville at Calgary, Friday, March 7
Vancouver home to St. Louis, Saturday, March 8

Ottawa Senators vs. Los Angeles Kings

- The Ottawa Senators and the Los Angeles Kings will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at STAPLES Center.

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

Jason Spezza scored both Ottawa goals in its 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

San Jose cashed as -140 home favorites as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.

The Kings got beaten 3-2 by the Blues last time out, as +135 road underdogs on Tuesday. The five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Alexander Frolov and Dustin Brown potted the Kings markers. Erik Ersberg stopped 27 shots in the loss.

Current streak:
Ottawa has lost 2 straight games.
Los Angeles has lost 5 straight games.

Team records:
Ottawa: 37-24-7
Los Angeles: 26-37-5

Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing San Jose are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 4-6
After playing St. Louis are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Ottawa is 1-5-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Los Angeles
Ottawa is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Ottawa is 1-7-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 7-1-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Los Angeles's last 12 games at home
Los Angeles is 5-1-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 10 games

Next up:
Ottawa at Phoenix, Saturday, March 8
Los Angeles home to Montreal, Saturday, March 8

NHL Trends

Hot Teams
-- Leafs are 5-0 in game after their last five losses.
-- Carolina won five of its last six games. Minnesota won three of its last four games.
-- Rangers won six of their last nine games.
-- Panthers won last two games, both 1-0, after losing six of the previous seven games. Penguins won last two games, allowing two goals.
-- Canadiens won three of their last four games.
-- Ducks won six of their last seven games. Avalanche won four games in row, allowing seven goals.
-- Predators won last two games, 3-1/5-1.

Cold Teams
-- Bruins lost last two games, 10-2/1-0ot.
-- Lightning lost seven of their last eight games. Flyers are 3-12 in their last fifteen games.
-- Islanders lost their last three home games, scoring 3 goals.
-- Coyotes lost three of their last four home games.
-- Canucks lost last four games, scoring total of six goals.
-- Kings lost five in row, seven of last eight games. Senators lost five of their last six games.

Series Records
-- Bruins won five of last seven vs Toronto, losing last two in OT; Leafs are 3-6 in last nine trips to Boston.
-- Flyers lost nine of last eleven vs Tampa Bay.
-- Carolina lost 5-4 in Minnesota LY, in last series meeting.
-- Islanders won five of last six against the Rangers.
-- Penguins won their last five games against Florida.
-- Coyotes lost 5-2 in Montreal two years ago, in last meeting.
-- Ducks won last four games vs Colorado.
-- Canucks won three of last four against Nashville.
-- Kings lost 5-1 in Ottawa two years ago, in last meeting.

Totals
-- Under is 8-3-1 in last dozen Toronto-Boston games.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Philly-Tampa Bay games.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Carolina games; six of Minnesota's last seven games stayed under total.
-- Six of last seven Ranger games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Florida games stayed under the total.
-- Last eight Phoenix games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-1-1 in last eleven Colorado games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Nashville games.
-- Over is 7-3 in last ten Los Angeles games.