Hockey Today - November 22
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Nov. 22
Colorado at Edmonton (9 p.m. EST). The Oilers opened a six-game homestand with a shootout victory against Vancouver on Tuesday night.
STARS Wednesday
- Rostislav Olesz, Panthers, had two goals and an assist as Florida beat Columbus 5-2.
-Ilya Kovalchuk, Thrashers, scored twice and added two assists to lead Atlanta to a 5-1 victory over Washington.
-Daniel Briere, Flyers, scored three goals in the third period of Philadelphia's 6-3 victory at Carolina.
-Steve Begin, Canadiens, scored twice in Montreal's 4-1 victory against the New York Islanders.
-Zach Parise, Devils, scored two power-play goals to lift New Jersey to a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh.
SHINING STAR
Mike Modano notched his 513th career goal on a power play to extend his record for U.S.-born NHL players, and the Dallas Stars ended Anaheim's four-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory over the Ducks on Wednesday night. The tying goal against the Ducks stretched Modano's career point total to 1,239.
STREAKING
Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves to lead the New York Rangers past the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Wednesday night. The Rangers have won five straight road games and six of seven overall.
HATS OFF
Daniel Briere scored three goals in the third period to lead Philadelphia past the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Wednesday night. Briere added an assist during his third career hat trick and first with the Flyers, helping them snap a two-game losing streak.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Chris Osgood needed to make only 12 saves for his 44th NHL shutout to help the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.
SLUMPING
The Penguins dropped their sixth in seven games and eighth in 10 after a 2-1 loss to the Devils on Wednesday night. ... The Washington Capitals dropped their fifth consecutive game, a 5-1 loss to Atlanta.
LOCKED UP
Defenseman Matt Carle agreed to a four-year, $13.75 million contract extension Wednesday with the San Jose Sharks, who locked up another key young player with a lengthy deal. Carle has been a regular on San Jose's blue line since signing a pro contract late in the 2005-06 season. He scored 42 points in 77 games last season, making the NHL's all-rookie team along with fellow Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
SPEAKING
''Good old Long Island came through for me once again. In all the seasons I've been a pro, I've had more goals on the road than at home, so this is new to me.'' - Christopher Higgins after leading Montreal to a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night. Higgins, a Long Island native, added a goal and assist.
Thursday's key NHL betting matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators
The Penguins and Senators are facing each other for the first time since Ottawa eliminated Pittsburgh in the opening round of last year's playoffs. Pittsburgh won the final three regular-season games between the teams last year, including two by shootout.
Detroit Red Wings at Nashville Predators
The Red Wings won their first contest with the Predators this season 3-2 in a shootout on Nov. 7, improving to 14-3-3 against Nashville since losing the previous three meetings.
Chicago Blackhawks at Calgary Flames
The Blackhawks and Flames have split four meetings in each of the last three seasons.
Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers
Colorado welcomes a visit to Edmonton, where it has won six of its last eight - including a 4-2 victory on Oct. 23.
Wild blueliner returns from 20-game drug suspension
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Wild defenseman Sean Hill played his first game for Minnesota on Wednesday night after completing a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL's drug policy.
During last season's playoffs, Hill - then with the New York Islanders - was suspended April 19 after an anabolic steroid was found in his system. He missed the last game of New York's postseason and was required to sit out the first 19 Wild games this season after he signed with the club as a free agent.
In 15 minutes, 14 seconds of ice time Wednesday, Hill had a team-leading five hits, blocked a shot, took one holding the stick penalty, and finished a plus-1.
''I felt good at times, but other times not so good. The timing was off at times, but it was like I expected,'' the 37-year-old Hill said. ''It's going to take me a little time, but hopefully hard work and some experience will get me through until I get up to where I feel really comfortable.''
The Wild said Hill acknowledged using a doctor-prescribed testosterone booster approved by the NHL, but he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid boldenone.
''We researched the situation and the substance Sean tested positive for and found that boldenone can be ingested inadvertently through health supplements and foods,'' the Wild said in a statement announcing Hill's signing on July 6. ''We believe Sean did not knowingly take any banned performance-enhancing substance.''
The native of Duluth, Minn., is known as a hard-nosed defender with a hard shot from the point. In 81 games with New York last season, Hill had one goal, 24 assists and was a plus-6. He was third in the NHL with 252 hits and sixth with 202 blocked shots.
Bruins assign defenseman Hunwick to Providence
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins assigned defenseman Matt Hunwick to Providence of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.
Hunwick was recalled by Boston twice this month, his first NHL appearances. He was to join Providence for a game against the Hartford Wolfpack on Wednesday night.
The 22-year-old has four assists in 11 games this season for Providence.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators
- The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday night when they battle at Scotiabank Place.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Evgeni Malkin had the lone goal for the Penguins in their 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.
The Devils upset the Pens as +125 underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley had markers for the Senators in their 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.
Sabres backers cashed in as +120 home underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by books.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 8-11-2
Ottawa: 16-4-0
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-6-1
Before playing Ottawa are 4-6
After playing New Jersey are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 8-2
After playing Buffalo are 6-4
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Ottawa
Pittsburgh is 3-6-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Ottawa
Ottawa is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Ottawa is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Atlanta, Saturday, November 24
Ottawa home to Philadelphia, Saturday, November 24
Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators
- The Detroit Red Wings and the Nashville Predators will meet on the ice at Sommet Center on Thursday in a battle of division rivals.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Chris Osgood had to stop only 12 shots as the Red Wings shut out the St. Louis Blues 3-0 on Wednesday night.
The Wings cashed in as -240 home favorites as the teams played under the 5-goal total set by books.
The Predators were defeated 2-1 by the Blues on Monday, as +115 underdogs. The three goals were well UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Radek Bonk scored the lone goal for the Predators, and Chris Mason made 22 saves in the loss.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 2 straight games.
Nashville has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 15-5-1
Nashville: 10-8-2
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 4-6
After playing St. Louis are 8-2
After a win are 9-1
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 1-7-2
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Detroit is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing Nashville
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Nashville's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Nashville's last 8 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Detroit at Columbus, Saturday, November 24
Nashville home to Minnesota, Saturday, November 24
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames
- The fans at Pengrowth Saddledome will be treated to a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Calgary Flames 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.
Partick Sharp's hat trick led the Blackhawks to a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
The Hawks upset the Wings as +220 road underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by books.
The Flames managed just 14 shots, but came away with a 4-1 win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. The Flames won the game as -130 favorites, while the five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Owen Nolan scored a pair, while Jarome Iginla and David Moss added singles for Calgary. Miikka Kiprusoff made 20 saves in the win.
Team records:
Chicago: 11-8-1
Calgary: 9-9-3
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Edmonton are 4-6
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago's last 10 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Calgary's last 10 games when playing at home against Chicago
Calgary is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Next up:
Chicago at Edmonton, Saturday, November 24
Calgary at Colorado, Saturday, November 24
Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers
- The Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers will meet on the ice at Rexall Place on Thursday in a battle of division rivals.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Avalanche were defeated 4-1 by the Flames on Tuesday night, as +110 underdogs. The five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Marek Svatos scored the lone goal for Colorado, and Jose Theodore took the loss in net.
Shawn Horcoff scored the shootout winner on Tuesday, as the Oilers defeated the Canucks 5-4. The Oilers won the game as +125 underdogs, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).
Tom Gilbert, Dustin Penner and Horcoff scored on the power play and Marty Reasoner tallied at even strength for Edmonton in that win.
Current streak:
Colorado has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Colorado: 11-8-1
Edmonton: 8-12-1
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-5-1
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Calgary are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-5-1
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Vancouver are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton's last 9 games at home
Next up:
Colorado home to Calgary, Saturday, November 24
Edmonton home to Chicago, Saturday, November 24
Capitals fire Hanlon, promote Bruce Boudreau from AHL
November 22, 2007
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -Glen Hanlon was fired as coach of the NHL-worst Washington Capitals on Thursday, with the team off to its slowest start in 26 years.
Hanlon, in his fourth season at the helm, was told of the decision a day after loud boos and chants of ``Fire Hanlon!'' echoed through the arena during a 5-1 home loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, Washington's fifth consecutive defeat.
He will be replaced on an interim basis by Bruce Boudreau, the coach of the Hershey Bears, Washington's American Hockey League affiliate.