Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, Jan. 16
New York Rangers at Chicago (8:30 p.m. EST). The Blackhawks are 14-2-4 at home. The Rangers are 2-0-1 on a five-game trip.
STARS
Thursday
— Jason Blake, Maple Leafs, had three goals and two assists to help Toronto beat Carolina 6-4.
— Tim Thomas, Bruins, made 40 saves in Boston’s 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders.
— Dion Phaneuf, Flames, broke a tie on a deflected shot with 3:57 to play in Calgary’s 3-2 victory in San Jose.
— Andrei Markov, Canadiens, had a goal and an assist in Montreal’s 3-2 home victory over Nashville.
— Ty Conklin, Red Wings, made 23 saves for his fifth shutout of the season in Detroit’s 4-0 victory in Los Angeles.
— Jason Pominville and Ryan Miller, Sabres. Pominville beat Marty Turco with a wrist shot in the sixth round of a shootout, and Miller made 21 saves and turned aside five of six attempts in the tiebreaker in Buffalo’s 5-4 win in Dallas.
— Joakim Lindstrom, Coyotes, scored twice in Phoenix’s 4-1 win over Vancouver.
— Niklas Backstrom, Wild, made 20 saves to improve to 10-0 against Edmonton in Minnesota’s 5-1 victory.
— Patrick Berglund, Blues, scored his 14th goal to take over the NHL rookie lead in St. Louis’ 5-2 victory over Colorado.
STOPPED
Calgary beat San Jose 3-2 on Thursday night for the Sharks’ first regulation home loss in 11 months. The Sharks hadn’t lost at home in regulation since last Feb. 14, a span of 31 games (28-0-3). The streak matched the second-longest in NHL history.
STATS
Mark Recchi had two assists in Tampa Bay’s 4-1 victory over Florida on Thursday night to tie Dale Hawerchuk for 17th place on the NHL’s career points list with 1,409. … Vancouver has lost six straight at home (0-5-1) to match the franchise record set in 1970-71, the Canucks’ first season in the NHL.
START
Roberto Luongo struggled in his return to the Vancouver Canucks, allowing a goal on the first shot he faced Thursday night in a 4-1 loss to Phoenix. Back after missing eight weeks because of a groin injury, Luongo made 27 saves.
SIGNINGS
Brendan Shanahan signed with New Jersey on Thursday. Shanahan, who will turn 40 on Jan. 23, reached a tentative deal last weekend. An unrestricted free agent, the three-time Stanley Cup champion last played for the Devils in 1991. … The New York Islanders brought back goalie Wade Dubielewicz, signing him after backup Joey MacDonald joined starter Rick DiPietro on the injured list.
SCOUTING
John Tavares missed the London Knights’ Ontario Hockey League game against Kitchener on Thursday night, a day after injuring his right shoulder in the Top Prospects Game. Tavares, expected to be a top pick in the NHL draft, was hurt on a hard check by Peterborough’s Zack Kassian.
STATUS
Ottawa goalie Martin Gerber accepted a two-week conditioning stint with Binghamton of the American Hockey League on Thursday. The 34-year-old Gerber is 4-9-1 with a 2.86 goals-against average and .899 save percentage this season.
SPEAKING
“There’s no plan to trade him. He’s not being traded today. He’s not being traded tomorrow or anytime soon.”—Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton reacting Thursday to trade rumors about Lightning star Vincent Lecavalier and the Montreal Canadiens.
New Jersey Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, and Dainius Zubrus all had a goal and an assist, as the Devils upset the Canucks 5-3 on Tuesday night.
New Jersey won as +140 road underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Kristian Huselius had a goal and two assists to lead the Blue Jackets past the Avalanche 4-3 on Tuesday night.
Columbus won as -140 home favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Columbus has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 25-15-3
Columbus: 21-18-4
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Vancouver are 6-6-1
After a win are 5-5
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Vancouver are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 10 games
Columbus is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Columbus's last 10 games at home
Columbus is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Columbus's last 21 games
Next up:
New Jersey at NY Islanders, Saturday, January 17
Columbus at Vancouver, Sunday, January 18
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Atlanta Thrashers
Jason Blake had a hat trick and pocketed two assists Thursday as the Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 6-4, as +155 underdogs. The 10 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).
Ian White, Niklas Hagman, and Tomas Kaberle scored the other goals for the Maple Leafs.
The Thrashers were defeated 3-2 by the Senators last time out, as -115 favorites at home. The game's five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Todd White and Chris Thorburn scored in the loss.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 17-21-6
Atlanta: 14-25-5
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Carolina are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 3-7
After playing Ottawa are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Toronto is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Toronto home to Carolina, Monday, January 19
Atlanta at Nashville, Saturday, January 17
Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Ducks gave up two goals in the third period and fell 4-3 to the Red Wings last time out, as +140 underdogs. The seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Steve Montador replied in the loss.
The Penguins struggles continued on Wednesday, as they fell 6-3 to the Capitals. The Penguins were a -110 pick'em in that game, while the nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).
Evgeni Malkin, Miroslav Satan, and Ryan Whitney scored for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby had two assists in the loss.
Team records:
Anaheim: 22-18-5
Pittsburgh: 21-20-4
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Washington are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games
Anaheim is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Anaheim's last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games at home
Pittsburgh is 6-2-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Pittsburgh is 3-7-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Anaheim
Next up:
Anaheim at Minnesota, Saturday, January 17
Pittsburgh home to NY Rangers, Sunday, January 18
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Florida Panthers
The Flyers were upset 4-1 by the Lightning last time out, as +135 underdogs. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Joffrey Lupul potted the only goal in the loss .
Ville Peltonen netted two goals, while six others scored one goal as Florida bombed Atlanta 8-4 on Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers won as -200 favorites, while the final score went well OVER the day's posted total of 5.5.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.
Florida has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 23-12-9
Florida: 20-16-6
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Philadelphia's last 10 games when playing Florida
Philadelphia is 18-6-1 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Florida
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Florida's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia home to Atlanta, Wednesday, January 21
Florida at Tampa Bay, Saturday, January 17
New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Nigel Dawes' power play goal in the second period was the winner, as the Rangers clipped the Islanders 2-1 on Tuesday night.
The Rangers cashed as -175 road favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist as the Blackhawks defeated the Sabres by a final score of 4-1 on Wednesday, as -190 favorites. The game's five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Patrick Sharp, Martin Havlat, and James Wisniewski also scored in the win.
Current streak:
New York has won 2 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 26-15-4
Chicago: 24-10-7
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing NY Islanders are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Buffalo are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 6 games
NY Rangers are 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
NY Rangers are 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Chicago is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
Chicago is 3-5-1 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Rangers
Next up:
NY Rangers at Pittsburgh, Sunday, January 18
Chicago at St. Louis, Saturday, January 17
Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Oilers were clipped 5-1 by the Wild last time out, as +125 underdogs. That game's six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5).
Liam Reddox scored the lone Oilers marker in the loss.
The Avalanche were defeated 5-2 by the Blue last time out, as a -110 pick'em. That game's seven goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Current streak:
Colorado has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 21-19-3
Colorado: 22-21-1
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Minnesota are 2-8
After a loss are 6-4
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Edmonton is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Colorado
Edmonton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Colorado's last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Colorado is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
Next up:
Edmonton home to Phoenix, Sunday, January 18
Colorado home to Calgary, Sunday, January 18
NEW JERSEY vs. COLUMBUS
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 8 games on the road
Columbus is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Columbus's last 10 games at home
ANAHEIM vs. PITTSBURGH
Anaheim is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 6-2-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing at home against Anaheim
PHILADELPHIA vs. FLORIDA
Philadelphia is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Florida
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Florida's last 9 games
TORONTO vs. ATLANTA
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
NY RANGERS vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 6 games
Chicago is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Chicago is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
EDMONTON vs. COLORADO
Edmonton is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Colorado
Edmonton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Hot teams
-- Columbus won three in row, seven of last nine games. Devils are 5-3 in their last eight road games.
-- Florida won its last three games, scoring 16 goals.
-- Blackhawks won eight of their last nine home games. Rangers won last two games, 2-0/2-1.
Cold teams
-- Ducks lost three of their last four games. Penguins lost eight of ten.
-- Eight of last ten Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Toronto lost four of its last five games.
-- Flyers lost four of last six games, scoring 12 goals.
-- Avalanche lost last two games, are 3-5 in last eight. Oilers are 2-3 in last five games, scoring just 11 goals.
Totals
-- Eight of last ten Columbus home games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Anaheim games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last nine Florida games went over the total.
-- Last four Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Edmonton road games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Devils are 2-3 on road if they play again the next night.
-- Ducks are 4-5 if they play again the next night.
-- Thrashers are 3-5 if they play again the next night.
-- Florida is 3-5 if it plays again the next night.
-- Chicago is 2-5 if it plays again the next night.
-- Colorado is 1-3 if it played the night before.
Series Records
-- Home side won last two Anaheim-Pittsburgh games.
-- Toronto won five of last six games against Atlanta.
-- Philadelphia lost six of last eight against the Panthers.
-- Colorado won three of last four games against the Oilers.
Televised NHL action
By SBGGlobal.com
Anaheim Ducks (22-18-5) at Pittsburgh Penguins (21-20-4)
SBG Opening Line: Penguins - 140 , Total 5.5 Over - 115
Things are going from bad to worse for last year’s Stanley Cup runner-ups, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have lost eight of their last ten games overall and could be without star center Sidney Crosby who is questionable on Friday. Crosby sat out Thursday’s practice and will be a game time decision on Friday. "We face adversity and it seems to be like that since the beginning of the year," head coach Michel Therrien said. "We can't feel sorry about ourselves."
SBG Global reports that early Hockey betting has the public taking Penguins at Home.
Anaheim is not playing much better than the Penguins of late. The Ducks have lost three of their last four games including Wednesday’s home defeat where they blew a third period lead in a 4-3 loss to Detroit. It was the first time this season the Ducks had lost a game after leading to start the third period. "We just found a way to lose," said goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, "Teams that play with confidence, they find a way to win. I think the Red Wings did that. We don't always do that. It's going to be up to us, the veterans especially, to step up and create something here." Giguere has won three of his four career starts against Pittsburgh and has a 1.50 GAA. Anaheim has won seven of its last 10 games against the Penguins.
Here are the Hockey betting stats for Friday’s game. The Ducks are 2-6-1 away from home since the start of December. The Ducks are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. the Eastern Conference. The Ducks are 2-6 in their last 8 Friday games. The Ducks are 1-4 in their last 5 road games. The Ducks are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings against Pittsburgh.
The Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 Friday games. The Penguins are 2-8 in their last 10 overall. The Penguins are 1-6 in their last 7 home games. The Penguins are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. the Western Conference. The home team is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.
The Over is 4-0 in the Ducks last 4 overall. The Over is 5-0 in the Ducks last 5 road games. The Under is 13-6-1 in the Ducks last 20 vs. the Eastern Conference.
SBG Global Current Line: Penguins - 140 , Total 5.5 Over - 115
The Under is 5-0-1 in the Penguins last 6 vs. the Pacific. The Over is 4-1 in the Penguins last 5 Friday games. The Over is 5-2-2 in the Penguins last 9 overall. The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Pittsburgh between the two teams.