Hockey Today - November 23
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD Friday, Nov. 23
N.Y. Rangers at Florida (7:30 p.m. EST). The Atlantic Division-leading Rangers have won five straight road games.
STARS
Thursday
- Ryan Malone, Penguins, scored twice with one assists as Pittsburgh posted a 6-5 shootout victory over Ottawa.
- Martin Erat, Predators, scored a goal and assisted on two others, including the game-winner, to lead Nashville over Detroit 3-2.
SHORT-HANDED
Chicago showed that it plays just fine down a man, defeating Calgary 2-1 Thursday night. The Blackhawks scored both of their goals short-handed, one from Jacob Dowell in his NHL debut and the other from Patrick Sharp, who recorded his fifth short-hander of the month.
IRREGULAR DEFEAT
Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa fell to Pittsburgh 6-5 in a shootout on Thursday night. The Senators, who haven't lost consecutive regulation regular-season games since Dec. 19-21, have dropped four of six (2-0-3-1) after getting off to an NHL-record 13-1-0 start.
FIRED
Washington fired coach Glen Hanlon on Thursday. Hanlon, in his fourth season at the helm, will be replaced on an interim basis by Bruce Boudreau, the coach of the Hershey Bears, Washington's American Hockey League affiliate. The Capitals, off to their slowest start in 26 years, have the NHL's worst record (6-14-1).
OBIT
Tom Johnson, who coached the Boston Bruins to their last Stanley Cup title in 1972, died Thursday. He was 79. The Hall of Fame defenseman was a player, coach and executive with the Bruins for more than three decades until he retired in 1998. Johnson also played 15 years for Montreal during the late 1940s and 1950s, winning six Stanley Cups and the 1959 Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman.
SPEAKING
''We salvaged the trip with one game. It was disappointing up to today's game with three tough losses and two really poor performances.'' - Colorado coach Joel Quenneville after the Avalanche beat Edmonton 3-2 on Thursday.
Friday's NHL matchup betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York Islanders at Boston Bruins
The Islanders (11-7-0) have earned at least one point in their last 12 meetings with the Bruins (10-7-2), going 7-0-2 with three ties and a 38-26 scoring advantage.
Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers beat the Capitals 3-2 in their previous meeting this season on Nov. 2.
New Jersey Devils at Atlanta Thrashers
Devils goalie Martin Brodeur is 14-6-4 with three ties and a 2.19 goals-against average in 27 starts against Atlanta, but he is 2-4-4 with a 3.34 GAA in the last 10 meetings.
Vancouver Canucks at St. Louis Blues
Roberto Luongo is 5-5-0 with a 2.15 GAA versus the Blues. He was in goal for each meeting last season as Vancouver went 3-1-0 against St. Louis.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes
The Lightning have won six straight against the division-leading Hurricanes, including four straight wins at the RBC Center.
Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres
Montreal lost 4-1 to Buffalo last Friday as Ryan Miller stopped 36 shots by the Canadiens and is 9-3-2 with a 2.31 GAA in 14 games against them in his career.
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
The Rangers have won 17 of their last 25 games against Florida.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild
Since the beginning of the 2005-06 season, Minnesota is 4-3-2 against Columbus.
Phoenix Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks
The Coyotes are 2-1-0 against the Ducks this season and look to win their third straight at Anaheim after losing 10 in a row there.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Dallas Stars
This is the first time the teams have faced each other since Dallas won 2-1 on Dec. 10, 2005 in Toronto. The last meeting in Dallas was in 2003.
Senators' Eaves sidelined by shoulder injury
ASSOCIATED PRESS
OTTAWA -- Ottawa Senators forward Patrick Eaves will be sidelined indefinitely after injuring a shoulder Wednesday night against Buffalo.
Eaves was hurt in a collision with Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell during the Senators a 4-2 loss at Buffalo.
Ottawa recalled center Alexander Nikulin from Binghamton of the American Hockey League on Saturday to take Eaves' spot.
The Senators were beaten 6-5 in a shootout by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
Minnesota Wild claim Todd Fedoruk off re-entry waivers
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Wild claimed left wing Todd Fedoruk off re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars.
The Stars and Wild will split his $875,000 salary for the rest of the season. Fedoruk is an unrestricted free agent July 1.
The 28-year-old Fedoruk had two assists and 33 penalty minutes in 11 games with the Stars this season. The 6-foot-2, 241-pounder was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers late in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He has 17 goals, 50 assists and 818 penalty minutes in 365 career NHL games.
New York Islanders vs. Boston Bruins
- The New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at TD Banknorth Garden.
Mike Comrie had a late third-period marker for the Isles in their 4-1 loss the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.
The Habs cashed as +105 underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total posted by sportsbooks.
The Bruins scored three times in the third period to come back and defeat the Maple Leafs 4-2 on Tuesday, as +140 underdogs. The six goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Chuck Kobasew scored twice, while Phil Kessel and P.J. Axelsson added singles for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask stopped 30 shots in his NHL debut.
Team records:
New York: 11-7-0
Boston: 10-7-2
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-3-1
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Montreal are 5-5-1
After a loss are 6-4
Boston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-3-2
Before playing Ottawa are 3-7
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games
NY Islanders are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Boston's last 25 games
Boston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Next up:
Boston at NY Islanders, Saturday, November 24
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- The fans at Wachovia Center will be treated to a game between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers when they take their seats on Friday.
Alexander Ovechkin had the lone goal for the Capitals in their 5-1 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers on Wednesday night.
The Thrashers cashed as +105 underdogs as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Daniel Briere had a hat trick in the final frame as the Flyers used four third-period goals to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.
The Flyers upset the Canes as +125 underdogs as the game played well over the 6-goal total listed by books.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 6-14-1
Philadelphia: 12-7-1
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a loss are 2-8
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-3-3
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Carolina are 2-8
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Philadelphia is 15-2-1 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
Next up:
Washington home to Carolina, Saturday, November 24
Philadelphia at Ottawa, Saturday, November 24
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Minnesota Wild
- The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Xcel Energy Center.
Rick Nash picked up a goal for the Blue Jackets in their 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night.
The Panthers upset the Blue Jackets as +130 underdogs as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Marian Gaborik had both markers for the Wild in their 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night.
The Canucks upset the Wild as +165 underdogs as the teams played over the 5-goal total set by books.
Current streak:
Columbus has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Columbus: 9-8-4
Minnesota: 11-8-2
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing Florida are 1-1-1
After a loss are 4-6
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-4-1
Before playing Florida are 2-2-2
After playing Vancouver are 6-4
After a loss 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 Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus's last 10 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games
Columbus is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
Minnesota is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games
Next up:
Columbus home to Detroit, Saturday, November 24
Minnesota at Nashville, Saturday, November 24
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Anaheim Ducks
- The Phoenix Coyotes and the Anaheim Ducks will meet on the ice at Honda Center on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
Mike York scored twice to lift the Coyotes to a 4-1 win over the Kings last time out, as -125 favorites. The five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Niko Kapanen and Shane Doan scored at even strength, and Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 28 shots for the win in net.
Corey Perry scored Anaheim's only goal in its 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night.
The Stars won as -130 favorites as the game played under the 5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Phoenix has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 9-10-0
Anaheim: 10-9-3
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-5-1
Before playing Chicago are 4-4-1
After playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Los Angeles are 9-1
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games
Phoenix is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Phoenix is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Anaheim is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Phoenix
Anaheim is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games at home
Next up:
Phoenix home to Toronto, Saturday, November 24
Anaheim home to Los Angeles, Sunday, November 25
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Friday when the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes meet at RBC Center.
Michel Ouellet had the only goal for the Lightning on their 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.
The Blueshirts upset the Bolts as +100 underdogs as the game played well under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Matt Cullen led the Hurricanes with a goal and two assists in their 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.
The Flyers upset the Canes as +125 underdogs as the game played well over the 6-goal total listed by books.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 10-9-2
Carolina: 12-7-3
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-2-1
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games
Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Carolina is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay home to New Jersey, Saturday, November 24
Carolina at Washington, Saturday, November 24
New Jersey Devils vs. Atlanta Thrashers
- The New Jersey Devils and the Atlanta Thrashers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Philips Arena.
Zach Parise scored two goals to lead the Devils to a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.
The Devils upset the Pens as +125 underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Ilya Kovalchuk had two goals and two assists to lead the Thrashers to a 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.
The Thrashers cashed as +105 underdogs as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
New Jersey has won 2 straight games.
Atlanta has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 9-10-2
Atlanta: 11-10-0
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-4-1
Before playing Buffalo are 9-1
After playing Pittsburgh are 7-3
After a win are 3-7
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-1-2
Before playing NY Rangers are 3-7
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New Jersey's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against New Jersey
Atlanta is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing New Jersey
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
New Jersey at Tampa Bay, Saturday, November 24
Atlanta at Pittsburgh, Saturday, November 24
New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
- The New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at BankAtlantic Center.
Henrik Lundqvist stopped 33 shots as the Rangers knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The Blueshirts upset the Bolts as +100 underdogs as the game played well under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Rostislav Olesz had a goal and an assist as the Panthers took one on the road, 5-2 from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.
The Panthers upset the Blue Jackets as +130 underdogs as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Florida has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 13-8-1
Florida: 10-12-1
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-7-1
Before playing Florida are 7-3
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Columbus are 3-3
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
NY Rangers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
NY Rangers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of the NY Rangers last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 7 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 7 games when playing NY Rangers
Florida is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
Florida is 3-6-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Florida is 5-14-1 SU in their last 20 games when playing NY Rangers
Next up:
NY Rangers home to Dallas, Sunday, November 25
Florida at Washington, Wednesday, November 28
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
- The Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at HSBC Arena.
Steve Begin potted two goals to lead the Canadiens to a 4-1 road payday over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night.
The Habs cashed as +105 underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total posted by sportsbooks.
Derek Roy and Drew Stafford each had a goal and an assist as the Sabres upset the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Wednesday night.
Sabres backers cashed in as +120 home underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by books.
Current streak:
Buffalo has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Montreal: 12-6-3
Buffalo: 8-10-1
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Buffalo are 7-3
After playing NY Islanders are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-3-1
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Ottawa are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games on the road
Montreal is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Buffalo
Montreal is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal's last 10 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Buffalo's last 7 games
Buffalo is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Buffalo's last 10 games when playing at home against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Buffalo at Montreal, Saturday, November 24
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Dallas Stars
- The fans at American Airlines Center will be treated to a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Dallas Stars when they take their seats on Friday.
The Maple Leafs were doubled 4-2 by the Bruins last time out, as -160 favorites. The six goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Bryan McCabe on the power play and Mats Sundin scored for the Maple Leafs, while Vesa Toskala made 21 saves in the loss.
The Dallas Stars used a strong defensive effort to defeat the Ducks 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The Stars won as -130 favorites as the game played under the 5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Dallas has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 8-9-5
Dallas: 10-7-4
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Boston are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Anaheim are 8-2
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Toronto is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Dallas is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games
Next up:
Toronto at Phoenix, Saturday, November 24
Dallas at NY Rangers, Sunday, November 25
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues
- The fans at Scottrade Center will be treated to a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the St. Louis Blues when they take their seats on Friday.
Markus Naslund's hat trick led the Canucks to a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.
The Canucks upset the Wild as +165 underdogs as the teams played over the 5-goal total set by books.
Manny Legace stopped 35 shots for the Blues in their 3-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night.
The Wings cashed in as -240 home favorites as the teams played under the 5-goal total set by books.
Team records:
Vancouver: 11-8-2
St. Louis: 11-8-0
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-5-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-4-1
After playing Detroit are 2-8
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Vancouver's last 9 games when playing St. Louis
Vancouver is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing at home against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of St. Louis's last 9 games when playing Vancouver
St. Louis is 16-5-1 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Next up:
Vancouver home to Chicago, Sunday, November 25
St. Louis home to Calgary, Sunday, November 25
Senators Alfredsson day-to-day with groin injury, isn't expected to face Flyers
November 23, 2007
OTTAWA (AP) -Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson has a groin injury and isn't expected to play Saturday against Philadelphia.
Ottawa's top scorer was injured during Thursday's shootout loss to Pittsburgh. He had three assists in the game, but wasn't able to take a shootout attempt.
Senators coach John Paddock says his captain is day-to-day, but ``I don't think that day-to-day includes playing tomorrow.''
Ottawa has dropped two straight games for the first time this season.
Alfredsson leads the Senators with 16 goals and 30 points.