Hockey Today - November 24

Saturday's NHL matchup betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Toronto Maple Leafs at Phoenix Coyotes

This will be the Maple Leafs' first visit to Phoenix since a 5-4 loss on Oct. 23, 2003.

Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens

The Sabres opened the home-and-home set with a 4-2 win over the Canadiens (12-7-3) on Friday night to even the season series at 2-2. Both of Buffalo's wins against Montreal have been at home and it now heads to Bell Centre, where it is has lost four straight.

Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators

The Senators look to win their fifth straight over Philadelphia after taking all four meetings between the teams last season.

Boston Bruins at New York Islanders

On Friday afternoon, the Bruins beat the Islanders 2-1 to improve to 2-5-2 against New York since 2005-06, but they have not beaten the Islanders twice in a row in a single season since winning three straight from Dec. 27, 2000-April 7, 2001.

Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals

Carolina has been unable to generate any consistency at Washington, alternating wins and losses in its last six visits, but hope to build off a stunning third-period rally to win its last game

Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets

Detroit's lone win in its last four road games was in Columbus.

Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche had won seven of the last eight meetings with Calgary before losing on Tuesday. The Flames have dropped their last five games in Colorado.

New Jersey Devils at Tampa Bay Lightning

Martin Brodeur made 21 saves in the Devils' 6-1 win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 31.

Atlanta Thrashers at Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh went 2-1-1 against Atlanta last season.

Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators

Minnesota went 3-1-0 against the Predators last season, winning both games in Nashville.

Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers

The Blackhawks have won just twice in their last 13 visits to Edmonton, losing their last three trips.

Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks

This is the first of two straight games at home against the Kings for San Jose.

Dallas' Lehtinen out indefinitely with abdominal strain
ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS -- Dallas Stars right wing Jere Lehtinen will be out indefinitely with an abdominal strain, but might not need surgery as the team originally thought, coach Dave Tippett said after Friday night's 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Earlier on Friday night, the club said Lehtinen would undergo surgery on Monday, but Tippett said that was ''premature.''

''We'll continue to look at it,'' Tippett said. ''We'll do some tests and see how it reacts over the next few days.''

Lehtinen, a native of Espoo, Finland, led the Stars with 26 goals last season. The 13-year NHL veteran has six goals and 13 assists in 21 games this season.

Alfredsson day-to-day, isn't expected to face Flyers
ASSOCIATED PRESS

OTTAWA -- 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.

Frolov to sit out at least two games

Black Friday apparently doesn't apply only to frantic post-Thanksgiving shopping excursions.

It's not enough that the Kings have won only once in their last seven games, have scored one time in three games and are facing two road games against Pacific Division power San Jose in the span of five days.

On Friday came news that leading scorer Alexander Frolov (four goals, 20 points) will sit out at least two games, possibly more, because of an injured right groin. Not the left groin, which has plagued him the last couple of months.

Now, it's the other side, courtesy of what Kings Coach Marc Crawford called a "freak accident" against the Ducks on Nov. 15 when Frolov stepped on a puck in the third period.

Frolov, who said there have been one or two games this season where he has been "completely healthy," has been attempting to nurse the injury by not practicing between games, but it became clear that approach needed to be shelved. For example, against Dallas and Phoenix, he played strong first periods and then the injury, and his effectiveness, became worse as the game went along.

"I'd have a couple of days off and it would get better," Frolov said. "You feel not that bad . . . and then it's getting worse and worse . . . Sometimes, it's better to take some games off and get back in the lineup."

Crawford is ready to do what it takes with Frolov's injury even if it means as much as a week or 10 days off. Still, on the slightly brighter side, Frolov said this injury was not as bad as his previous one.

With Scott Thornton suffering a bruised sternum Wednesday at Phoenix and "extremely doubtful" for tonight at San Jose and for Sunday against the Ducks, the Kings are suddenly vulnerable in terms of numbers at forward.

That could improve if enforcer Raitis Ivanans (broken cheekbone) and forward Kyle Calder (broken thumb) return to the lineup tonight. Crawford was "very optimistic" about Ivanans and said it would come down to a game-day decision for the both players, who practiced Friday.

Calder, in particular, could provide a significant boost to a faltering Kings' power play, which is 0 for 14 in the last three games. He will wear a cast on his left thumb under his glove.

"There are limitations to what I can and can't do," said Calder, who has three goals and six points in 13 games. "

TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30, FSN West

Radio -- 1150.

Site -- HP Pavilion.

Records -- Kings 8-12-1, Sharks 11-7-3.

Record vs. Sharks -- 1-1.

Update -- The Sharks are coming off a November mini-sabbatical -- a week off between games -- a lot like the Kings' break earlier this month. Their last action, Nov. 17, resulted in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Ducks.

www.latimes.com

Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche

- The Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche will meet on the ice at Pepsi Center on Saturday in a battle of division rivals.

The Flames were edged 2-1 by the Blackhawks last time out, as -160 favorites at home. The game's three goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Jarome Iginla netted the lone goal for the Flames, and Miikka Kiprusoff made 12-of-14 saves in the loss.

The Avalanche scored twice in the second period and held on to defeat the Oilers 3-2 on Thursday, as -140 favorites. The five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Karlis Skrastins, Milan Hejduk and Marek Svatos tallied for the Avalanche, and Paul Stastny collected a pair of assists.

Team records:
Calgary: 9-10-3
Colorado: 12-8-1

Calgary most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Chicago are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

Colorado most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Edmonton are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Calgary's last 12 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Calgary is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Calgary is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
Colorado is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
Colorado is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Colorado's last 11 games at home

Next up:
Calgary at St. Louis, Sunday, November 25
Colorado home to Edmonton, Wednesday, November 28

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Phoenix Coyotes

- The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Phoenix Coyotes will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Jobing.com Arena

Alexei Ponikarovsky had the lone Maple Leafs tally in their 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Friday.

The Stars were winners as -155 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).

Phoenix's Radim Vrbata struck in the shootout in Friday's 4-3 win at Anaheim, coming in as 175 road underdogs. The seven goals scored were OVER the posted total of 5.5.

Vrbata had two goals and an assist on the day, while Iyla Bryzgalov stopped 23 shots for the Coyotes.

Current streak:
Toronto has lost 2 straight games.
Phoenix has won 3 straight games.

Team records:
Toronto: 8-10-5
Phoenix: 10-10-0

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Dallas are 8-2
After a loss are 5-5

Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Chicago are 4-4-1
After playing Anaheim are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing Phoenix
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Phoenix's last 9 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Phoenix's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Phoenix's last 12 games when playing at home against Toronto

Next up:
Toronto home to Montreal, Tuesday, November 27
Phoenix at Minnesota, Wednesday, November 28

Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

- The fans at Nationwide Arena will be treated to a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets when they take their seats on Saturday.

The Red Wings fell 3-2 to the Predators last time out, as -130 favorites. The five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg tallied for the Red Wings, and Dominik Hasek made 26 saves in the win.

Columbus' Pascal Leclaire stopped all 32 shots he faced in Friday's 4-0 win at Minnesota, coming in as 145 road underdogs. The four runs scored were UNDER the posted total of -165.

Rick Nash and Mike Peca paced the attack with a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets.

Team records:
Detroit: 15-6-1
Columbus: 10-8-4

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Edmonton are 4-6
After playing Nashville are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

Columbus most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Columbus
Detroit is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Columbus
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Columbus
Detroit is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing Detroit
Columbus is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Columbus is 3-13-1 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Detroit

Next up:
Detroit home to Calgary, Tuesday, November 27
Columbus at Edmonton, Monday, November 26

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals

- The fans at Verizon Center will be treated to a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals when they take their seats on Saturday.

Glen Wesley scored the game winner on Friday as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning by a final score of 4-3.

The Canes were winners as -150 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).

Washington's Nicklas Backstrom scored his second goal of the season in overtime in Friday's 4-3 win at Philadelphia, coming in as 145 road underdogs. The seven goals scored were OVER the posted total of 5.5.

Backstrom had a goal and two assists, while Olaf Kolzig made 22 saves for the Capitals.

Team records:
Carolina: 13-7-3
Washington: 7-14-1

Carolina most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

Washington most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 2-8
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 7 games
Carolina is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Washington
Carolina is 8-13-2 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Carolina
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home

Next up:
Carolina home to Philadelphia, Wednesday, November 28
Washington home to Buffalo, Monday, November 26

Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders

- The fans at Nassau Coliseum will be treated to a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders when they take their seats on Saturday.

Boston's Glen Metropolit scored the game-winner at 12:41 of the third period of Friday's 2-1 win over the Islanders, coming in as -130 home favorites. The three goals scored were UNDER the posted total of 5.5.

Glen Murray added his fourth marker of the season, while Tim Thomas had 25 saves for the Bruins.

New York could not find their offense in Friday's 2-1 loss at Boston, falling as 110 road underdogs. The three goals scored were UNDER the posted total of 5.5.

Mike Sillinger a late goal, while Rick DiPietro made 23 stops for the Islanders.

Current streak:
Boston has won 2 straight games.
New York has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Boston: 11-7-2
New York: 11-8-0

Boston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-6-1
Before playing Ottawa are 3-7
After playing NY Islanders are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Boston's last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Boston's last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games at home
NY Islanders are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
NY Islanders are 4-0-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

Next up:
Boston at Philadelphia, Monday, November 26
NY Islanders home to Dallas, Monday, November 26

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens

- Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Saturday when the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens meet at Bell Centre.

Thomas Vanek had the winner on Friday as the Sabres doubled up on the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 4-2.

The Sabres won as -130 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the posted total (5.5).

Chris Higgins and Tomas Plekanec scored for Montreal in their 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

The Sabres won as -130 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the posted total (5.5).

Current streak:
Buffalo has won 3 straight games.

Team records:
Buffalo: 9-10-1
Montreal: 12-7-3

Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Montreal are 8-2
After a win are 5-5

Montreal most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 7-3
After playing Buffalo are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Buffalo's last 8 games
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Montreal is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games

Next up:
Buffalo at Washington, Monday, November 26
Montreal at Toronto, Tuesday, November 27

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ottawa Senators

- The Philadelphia Flyers and the Ottawa Senators will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Scotiabank Place.

Philadelphia fought back from a 3-0 deficit on Friday, but fell 4-3 in overtime to Washington as -165 home favorites. The seven goals scored were OVER the posted total of 5.5.

Mike Richards led the way with a goal and an assist, and Martin Biron stopped 31 shots for the Flyers.

The Senators lost 6-5 to the Penguins last time out, as -210 favorites. The combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).

Jason Spezza had two goals for Ottawa with singles coming off the sticks of Chris Phillips, Dany Heatley and Christoph Schubert.

Current streak:
Ottawa has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Philadelphia: 12-7-2
Ottawa: 16-4-1

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Washington are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3

Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-2-1
Before playing Boston are 8-2
After playing Pittsburgh are 8-2
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Philadelphia's last 15 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Philadelphia is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Ottawa
Ottawa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Ottawa is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
Ottawa is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games
Ottawa is 5-1-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

Next up:
Philadelphia home to Boston, Monday, November 26
Ottawa at NY Islanders, Wednesday, November 28

New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

- The fans at St. Pete Times Forum will be treated to a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning when they take their seats on Saturday.

Martin Brodeur made 22 saves for the shutout on Friday as the Devils topped the Atlanta Thrashers by a score of 3-0.

The Devils picked up the win as +105 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).

Vincent Lecavalier scored his 15th goal of the year in Tampa Bay's 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday.

The Canes were winners as -150 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).

Current streak:
New Jersey has won 3 straight games.
Tampa Bay has lost 3 straight games.

Team records:
New Jersey: 10-10-2
Tampa Bay: 10-10-2

New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Buffalo are 9-1
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

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

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of New Jersey's last 11 games
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games at home
Tampa Bay is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey

Next up:
New Jersey home to Dallas, Wednesday, November 28
Tampa Bay at Chicago, Wednesday, November 28

Atlanta Thrashers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

- The fans at Mellon Arena will be treated to a game between the Atlanta Thrashers and the Pittsburgh Penguins when they take their seats on Saturday.

Johan Hedberg made 24 saves in Atlanta's 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

The Devils picked up the win as +105 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).

Jarkko Ruutu scored the shootout winner on Thursday, as the Penguins got past the Senators 6-5. The Penguins won the game as +180 road underdogs, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).

Ryan Malone had two goals and assist to lead the Pens, while Evgeni Malkin, Tyler Kennedy and Sergei Gonchar added singles in the win.

Team records:
Atlanta: 11-11-0
Pittsburgh: 9-11-2

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 3-7
After playing New Jersey are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Ottawa are 4-6
After playing Ottawa are 3-7
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
Pittsburgh is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Pittsburgh is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Atlanta
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta

Next up:
Atlanta home to Toronto, Thursday, November 29
Pittsburgh home to Dallas, Friday, November 30

Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators

- The Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Sommet Center.

Minnesota outshot Columbus 32-29 on Friday, but fell 4-0 as -165 home favorites. The four runs scored were UNDER the posted total of -165.

Brian Rolston managed seven shots on net, and Niklas Backstrom made 25 saves for the Wild.

Radek Bonk scored a third period power play marker to lift the Predators to a 3-2 win over the Red Wings last time out. The Predators won the game as +120 underdogs, and the five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Jason Arnott and Martin Erat scored the other Predators goals, and J.P. Dumont collected a pair of assists in the win.

Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Minnesota: 11-9-2
Nashville: 11-8-2

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 2-2-2
After playing Columbus are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Nashville most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Nashville
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games
Nashville is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

Next up:
Minnesota home to Phoenix, Wednesday, November 28
Nashville at Ottawa, Thursday, November 29