Hockey Today - November 29

Thursday's NHL matchup betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS

N.Y. Islanders at N.Y. Rangers

The Rangers are 0-3-1 since winning their previous three games against the Islanders, losing all three meetings this season by one goal.

Toronto at Atlanta

The Thrashers have won their last four games against the Maple Leafs after losing 10 of 11 in the series. They beat Toronto 5-4 in a shootout on the road on Oct. 23 in the only meeting this season.

Nashville at Ottawa

These teams have not met at Scotiabank Place since a 4-2 Senators victory on March 6, 2004. The Predators beat the Senators 6-0 in Nashville on Dec. 14 in the only meeting last season.

Tampa Bay at Detroit

Detroit is 10-1-1-0 all-time at home against the Lightning, including a 1-1 tie in the last meeting in Detroit on March 8, 2004. The Red Wings (16-6-2) have outscored Tampa Bay (10-12-2) by a combined score of 47-21 on their home ice.

Boston at Florida

The Bruins have not defeated Florida since a 4-1 victory in Boston on Nov. 3, 2005.

Anaheim at Calgary

The Ducks, who haven't scored more than two goals in Calgary since a 6-4 loss on Feb. 1, 2004. Anaheim and Calgary (10-12-3) split four games in last season's series.

Columbus at Vancouver

Columbus (11-9-4) has lost five of its last seven meetings with the Canucks, including a 4-1 defeat on Oct. 21. The Blue Jackets are 3-8-1 all-time in Vancouver.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Atlanta Thrashers

- The fans at Philips Arena will be treated to a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Atlanta Thrashers when they take their seats on Thursday.

The Maple Leafs fell 4-3 to the Montreal Canadiens in a shootout Tuesday, at -110 odds. The final score was a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).

Darcy Tucker, Chad Kilger and Mats Sundin scored for the Maple Leafs.

Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec stopped 29 shots for the Thrashers in their 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.

The Pens won as -170 favorites as the teams played under the 6-goal total set by books.

Current streak:
Toronto has lost 4 straight games.
Atlanta has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Toronto: 8-11-6
Atlanta: 11-12-0

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-4-1
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Montreal are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

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

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Atlanta
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Toronto is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games when playing Toronto
Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

Next up:
Toronto home to Pittsburgh, Saturday, December 1
Atlanta at NY Islanders, Saturday, December 1

New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers

- The fans at Madison Square Garden will be treated to a game between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers when they take their seats on Thursday.

Rick DiPietro stopped 35 shots as the Islanders beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in a shootout on Wednesday night.

The Isles upset the Sens as +125 home underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by books.

The Rangers were edged 3-2 by the Stars last time out, as -155 favorites. The five goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).

Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan scored the Ranger goals, and Henrik Lundqvist made allowed three goals on just 18 shots in the loss.

Current streak:
New York has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
New York: 13-8-1
New York: 13-9-2

New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 1-8-1
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Ottawa are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Florida are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 2-2-2
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the NY Islanders last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 7 games when playing NY Rangers
NY Islanders are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Rangers last 7 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the NY Rangers last 11 games at home
NY Rangers are 17-5 SU in their last 22 games at home
NY Rangers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games

Next up:
NY Islanders home to Atlanta, Saturday, December 1
NY Rangers at Ottawa, Saturday, December 1

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings

- The fans at Joe Louis Arena will be treated to a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings when they take their seats on Thursday.

Nick Tarnasky scored the only goal for Tampa Bay in its 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.

The Hawks cashed as -125 favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.

The Red Wings scored twice in the third period and came away with a 5-3 victory over the Flames last time out, as -220 favorites. The eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).

Pavel Datsyuk scored a pair of goals, while singles came off the sticks of Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom and Valtteri Filppula.

Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 5 straight games.

Team records:
Tampa Bay: 10-12-2
Detroit: 16-6-2

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Chicago are 6-4
After a loss are 1-9

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Edmonton are 4-6
After playing Calgary are 4-6
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games
Tampa Bay is 3-14-2 SU in its last 19 games when playing Detroit
Tampa Bay is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Detroit is 7-0-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Detroit is 14-3-2 SU in its last 19 games when playing Tampa Bay
Detroit is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games

Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Boston, Saturday, December 1
Detroit home to Phoenix, Saturday, December 1

Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers

- The Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at BankAtlantic Center.

Glen Murray scored twice and Marc Savard had four points in the Bruins 6-3 win over the Flyers on Monday. The Bruins won that game as +145 underdogs, and the nine goals sailed OVER the posted total of 3.5.

Glenn Metropolit, Peter Schaefer and Chuck Kobasew also scored in the win.

Stephen Weiss scored in the 11th round of the shootout to lift the Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

The Panthers cashed as +115 underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total set by books.

Current streak:
Florida has won 4 straight games.

Team records:
Boston: 12-8-2
Florida: 12-12-1

Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Ottawa are 3-7
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

Florida most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-2-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Washington are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Boston's last 18 games on the road
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games when playing Boston
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

Next up:
Boston at Tampa Bay, Saturday, December 1
Florida home to Washington, Saturday, December 1

Nashville Predators vs. Ottawa Senators

- The Nashville Predators and the Ottawa Senators will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Scotiabank Place.

Martin Gelinas, Martin Erat and Vernon Fiddler netted goals for the Preds in their 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.

The Wild won as +140 underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.

Andrej Meszaros had both Ottawa goals as the Sens outshot the Isles 37-22 in their 3-2 SO loss to the New York Islanders on Wednesday night.

The Isles upset the Sens as +125 home underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by books.

Current streak:
Ottawa has lost 4 straight games.

Team records:
Nashville: 11-9-2
Ottawa: 16-5-2

Nashville most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Boston are 8-2
After playing NY Islanders are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games on the road
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games
Nashville is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
Ottawa is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
Ottawa is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games

Next up:
Nashville at Montreal, Saturday, December 1
Ottawa home to NY Rangers, Saturday, December 1

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames

- The Anaheim Ducks and the Calgary Flames will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Pengrowth Saddledome.

The Ducks were shut out 4-0 by the Canucks last time out, as +120 underdogs. The final score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).

Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped 23-of-27 shots in a losing effort for the Ducks.

The Flames allowed two goals in the third period of Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Red Wings, as +185 underdogs. The eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).

Robyn Regehr, Dion Phaneuf and Alex Tanguay answered in the loss.

Current streak:
Calgary has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Anaheim: 11-10-4
Calgary: 10-12-3

Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Vancouver are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

Calgary most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Anaheim's last 9 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Calgary is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Calgary's last 9 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games at home

Next up:
Anaheim at Edmonton, Friday, November 30
Calgary home to Columbus, Saturday, December 1

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vancouver Canucks

- The fans at General Motors Place will be treated to a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Vancouver Canucks when they take their seats on Thursday.

The Blue Jackets were upended 3-1 by the Oilers last time out, as +110 underdogs. The four goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Ron Hainsey scored the only goal in a losing effort.

Roberto Luongo stopped all 26 shots, as the Canucks blanked the Ducks 4-0 last time out. The Canucks won the game as -140 favorites at home, and the final score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).

Ryan Kesler led the way with a pair of goals, while singles came from Markus Naslund and Matt Cooke. Luongo made 26 saves in the win.

Current streak:
Vancouver has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Columbus: 11-9-4
Vancouver: 13-9-2

Columbus most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Calgary are 1-9
After playing Edmonton are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-2-1
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Anaheim are 3-7
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 7 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Columbus's last 16 games on the road
Columbus is 7-16-2 SU in its last 25 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Columbus
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Vancouver is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Columbus
Vancouver is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games

Next up:
Columbus at Calgary, Saturday, December 1
Vancouver at Minnesota, Sunday, December 2

Avery out of Rangers lineup again; wrist surgery slated for Thursday
ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- Rangers forward Sean Avery will undergo surgery Thursday on his left wrist to repair injuries sustained in a fight and when he was struck by a puck.

There was no immediate announcement on how much time Avery will miss. The surgery is scheduled to take place shortly before the Rangers play the New York Islanders at home on Thursday.

''We don't really know at this point,'' Avery said Wednesday after practice. ''Hopefully it's only a week or two. I don't live in a reality world, though. We'll see.''

Avery fought Toronto's Darcy Tucker on Nov. 10, a bout first sparked during an altercation with the Maple Leafs forward during pregame warmups, and then was hit last week by a shot from teammate Brendan Shanahan when the Rangers played at Tampa Bay.

''It's a combination of it got hit and I hurt it in a fight,'' Avery said. ''Everything just kind of piled up. I knew something was wrong. I'd rather get it taken care of now and get back as quick as I can and help the guys.''

Avery was bothered by the wrist during last season's playoffs and considered offseason surgery after the Rangers were eliminated by Buffalo in the second round, but decided against it.

''They're going to take a look at everything,'' he said. ''There's a fracture in the hand they're going to clean up a bit.''

It is the second time this season the Rangers will be without their top agitator and key catalyst. New York went 17-6-6 last season after he was acquired from Los Angeles in February.

''As much as we don't want him to miss a single game, the best thing we can do for him and our hockey club is to address that and take care of this thing quickly and have him not miss too much,'' Rangers coach Tom Renney said.

When Avery was sidelined with a separated shoulder earlier this season, the Rangers were 4-5-1. New York is 9-4-1 with him in the lineup.

''You get hurt at the start of the season, work pretty hard to get back, then this happens,'' Avery said. ''I guess it's better than getting hurt in April. That's the only way I can look at it.''

New York might get forward Ryan Callahan back on Thursday against the Islanders. The second-year right wing has missed 16 games since spraining a knee in New York's 1-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Oct. 23.

Draper suffers sprained knee; MRI to determine extent of injury

The Red Wings will be without Kris Draper indefinitely after he suffered a sprained left knee.

Draper drove himself to DMC hospital for an MRI exam after leaving with 1:20 left in the first period of the 5-3 victory over Calgary at Joe Louis Arena. Coach Mike Babcock did not have an update after the game, saying: "We're a little concerned right now, but we're hoping that things are going to be real good, and it won't be a big issue."

The last Red Wing to suffer a sprained knee, Johan Franzen, missed 10 games. Draper was injured when he got tangled with Owen Nolan along the boards; Draper's left leg buckled, and he dropped to the ice, where he lay for a few seconds until play was stopped.

That forced the Wings to shorten their bench.

"It hurts killing penalties," goalie Chris Osgood said. "Drapes is a reliable guy. We always know what he is going to do, and he can chip in with some goals."

Draper scored his sixth of the season to give his team a 2-1 lead before being injured.

MCCARTY SIGHTING: Former Wing and ex-Flame Darren McCarty attended the game; he declined an interview but said, "I'm good," and that he was commuting back and forth between Detroit and Calgary.

NOTEBOOK:Jiri Hudler lay on the ice for several seconds to recover after being leveled at center ice by 6-foot-3, 220-pound defenseman Dion Phaneuf, but Hudler said afterward everything was OK. "I feel pretty good ... awake," Hudler said. "I saw him at the last, last, last second, so, you know, he's a good hitter, but no big deal." Asked for his thoughts, Babcock said, "You shouldn't be skating out of the neutral zone with your head down." Andreas Lilja fought Phaneuf in retaliation. ...

Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom produced his 18th and 19th assists of the season in what was his 1,200th career game. Lidstrom, 37, has played more games in the first 15-plus seasons of his career than any other player in NHL history. He has missed 22 games, most of which were days off to rest. "It doesn't seem like I've been in the league that long," Lidstrom said. "A thousand games was a big stepping-stone for me, so 1,200, I'm just taking it in stride."

SECONDARY SCORING: Though Pavel Datsyuk's two goals highlighted Tuesday's victory, the Wings also got points from some of their secondary scorers, with Valtteri Filppula scoring his fourth goal of the season, and Mikael Samuelsson, Hudler and Niklas Kronwall all picking up assists.

"I thought Hudler had a strong effort here, and I thought Fill was good, like he has been, so to me, when your young guys are getting better and they have the kind of skill those guys have, you have a chance to be a better team as time goes on," Babcock said. "It's just a growth process."

The torrid production of the top line of Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom, together with the No. 1 defensive pairing of Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski, who have combined for 126 points, has camouflaged the fact that the other players' production has been come in spurts. "We haven't been scoring, and we've been playing good some good games and then back down again, so we have to play more consistent and be a force every game," Franzen said. "We're too much up and down right now."

freep.com

Blackhawks' Dowell sidelined with broken foot
November 29th, 2007

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward Jacob Dowell could be sidelined up to four weeks with a broken foot.

The 22-year-old Dowell, who was placed on the injured list by Chicago, has a short-handed goal in four games this season.

To take Dowell's spot on the roster, Chicago recalled forward Colin Fraser from its American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford.