Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, Dec. 5
Vancouver at Minnesota (8 p.m. EST). Minnesota beat St. Louis 4-0 at home on Wednesday night to take the Northwest Division lead, a point ahead of Vancouver.
STARS
Thursday
— Patrik Elias, Devils, scored the tying goal with 1:30 left in regulation and added the winner at 2:46 of overtime in New Jersey’s 3-2 victory over Philadelphia.
— Martin Hanzal and Steven Reinprecht, Coyotes. Hanzal had his first three-goal game in the NHL, and Steven Reinprecht added a pair of third-period goals in Phoenix’s 6-2 victory over Toronto.
— Petr Sykora and Sidney Crosby, Penguins. Sykora scored two goals, and Crosby had four assists in Pittsburgh’s 5-2 victory over Carolina.
— Steve Begin and Maxim Lapierre, Canadiens, each had a goal and an assist to help Montreal celebrate its 99th birthday with a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers.
— Jiri Hudler and Dan Cleary, Red Wings, each scored twice in Detroit’s 6-5 victory over Vancouver.
— David Krejci and Pil Kessel, Bruins. Krejci scored the tiebreaking short-handed goal in the third period, and Kessel had two goals in Boston’s 3-1 win over Tampa Bay.
— Joe Thornton, Sharks, scored the go-ahead goal with 12:19 to play in NHL-leading San Jose’s ninth straight victory, 3-2 over Columbus.
— Donald Brashear, Capitals, scored his first goal of the season with 13:10 left to snap a tie in Washington’s 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders.
— Craig Anderson, Panthers, made 45 saves in Florida’s 2-1 win over Buffalo.
SUSPENDED
Dallas instigator Sean Avery, suspended indefinitely Tuesday for using a crude expression to describe former girlfriends dating other players, had a three-hour disciplinary hearing Thursday with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The NHL said it would make an announcement on Avery’s punishment Friday.
STATUS
Buffalo forward Patrick Kaleta was placed on injured reserve Thursday because of a head and neck injury. … Washington recalled AHL scoring leader Keith Aucoin from Hershey on Thursday. Aucoin had nine goals and 27 assists in 24 games for Hershey. From Norwich, he’s the only former NCAA Division III player in the NHL. … Carolina activated right wing Justin Williams (Achilles’ tendon).
START
Paul Maurice opened his second coaching stint with Carolina on Thursday night with a 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh. Carolina fired Peter Laviolette on Wednesday and replaced him with Maurice, the franchise’s coach from 1995 until he was fired in December 2003.
STUDIO
Barry Melrose, fired as Tampa Bay’s coach last month, will return to ESPN as an analyst Jan. 1. Melrose worked full-time at ESPN since 1996 before leaving in June to accept the Lightning job.
SCOUTING
Brampton center Cody Hodgson, drafted 10th overall by Vancouver this year, was honored Thursday as the Ontario Hockey League player of the month for November. He led the league with 13 goals, 27 points and a plus-15 rating in 13 games.
SPEAKING
“I just like to be in that position when the game is on the line.”— Patrik Elias after scoring the tying goal with 1:30 left in regulation and adding the winner at 2:46 of overtime in New Jersey’s 3-2 victory over Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild
The Canucks were defeated 6-5 by the Red Wings last time out, as +190 underdogs. The combined 11 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Taylor Pyatt, Kyle Wellwood, Mason Raymond, Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows scored for the Canucks.
Nicklas Backstrom stopped 22 shots for the shutout on Wednesday, as the Wild defeated the Blues 4-0. The Wild won that game as a -180 favorite, while the four goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Eric Belanger, Andrew Brunette, Marek Zidlicky and Antti Miettinen potted the goals for the Blues.
Current streak:
Vancouver has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 14-10-2
Minnesota: 15-8-1
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing St. Louis are 8-2
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
Next up:
Vancouver at Colorado, Sunday, December 7
Minnesota at Nashville, Saturday, December 6
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
The Avalanche lost 3-2 to the Predators last time out, as +115 underdogs. The five goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ryan Smyth and Wojtek Wolski scored for the Avalanche.
The Stars fell 5-2 to the Oilers last time out, as +125 underdogs. The seven goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mike Modano and Toby Peterson replied for the Stars.
Team records:
Colorado: 12-13-0
Dallas: 9-12-4
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Nashville are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Edmonton are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Colorado's last 16 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Colorado's last 8 games when playing Dallas
Colorado is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Dallas
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Dallas's last 16 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Dallas's last 10 games at home
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
Next up:
Colorado home to Vancouver, Sunday, December 7
Dallas home to Phoenix, Wednesday, December 10
Calgary Flames vs. St. Louis Blues
David Moss potted the lone goal for Calgary in its 3-1 loss to Dallas on Tuesday night.
Dallas won as +140 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
The Blues were shut down 4-0 by the Wild last time out, as +160 road underdogs. The four goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5).
Chris Mason stopped 34 shots in a losing effort for the Blues.
Team records:
Calgary: 14-10-1
St. Louis: 10-11-2
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Calgary is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing St. Louis
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Calgary is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Calgary
St. Louis is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
Next up:
Calgary at NY Rangers, Sunday, December 7
St. Louis home to Phoenix, Saturday, December 6
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Mathieu Garon made 23 saves on Wednesday, as the Oilers defeated the Stars 5-2. The Oilers won that game as -145 favorites, while the seven goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Shawn Horcoff, Lubomir Visnovsky, Marc Pouliot, Ales Hemsky and Andrew Cogliano potted the goals.
Alexander Frolov and Oscar Moller found the back of the net for Los Angeles in its 4-2 loss to Phoenix on Tuesday night.
Phoenix won as -150 home favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 11-11-2
Los Angeles: 10-11-3
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Phoenix are 7-3
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton's last 9 games on the road
Edmonton is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 7 games
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Los Angeles is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Los Angeles is 8-14-3 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Next up:
Edmonton at San Jose, Saturday, December 6
Los Angeles home to Columbus, Saturday, December 6
VANCOUVER (14-10-0-2, 30 pts.) at MINNESOTA (15-8-0-1, 31 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 82-73 ATS (+163.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 34-22 ATS (+59.2 Units) in road games on Friday nights since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 93-70 ATS (+166.9 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 112-119 ATS (+267.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 19-10 ATS (+30.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 10-8-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.6 Units)
CALGARY (14-10-0-1, 29 pts.) at ST LOUIS (10-11-0-2, 22 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 6-1 ATS (+7.1 Units) in road games in December games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 7-1 (+6.2 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 7-1-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)
COLORADO (12-13-0-0, 24 pts.) at DALLAS (10-12-0-4, 24 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 24-12 ATS (+8.4 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 123-70 ATS (+15.0 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
DALLAS is 2-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
DALLAS is 2-11 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 6-3 (+3.1 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 6-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.8 Units)
EDMONTON (11-11-0-2, 24 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (10-11-0-3, 23 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 52-54 ATS (+116.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 12-6 ATS (+19.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 27-26 ATS (+60.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 11-25 ATS (+37.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 5-4 (+2.3 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 5-4-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)
VANCOUVER vs. MINNESOTA
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
CALGARY vs. ST. LOUIS
Calgary is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
St. Louis is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing Calgary
COLORADO vs. DALLAS
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 8 games when playing Colorado
EDMONTON vs. LOS ANGELES
Edmonton is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Los Angeles is 8-14-3 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Hot teams
-- Minnesota won three of its last four games.
-- Flames won three of their last four games.
Cold teams
-- Canucks lost last four games, 4-3/3-1/3-2/6-5.
-- Blues lost three of last four games, scoring seven goals.
-- Avalanche lost three of their last four road games. Stars lost six of last eight road games.
-- Los Angeles lost six of its last nine games. Oilers lost six of last eight.
Totals
-- Five of last six Minnesota games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Calgary road games went over the total.
-- Under is 10-3 in Colorado's last thriteen games; four of last five Dallas games went over. .
-- Four of last five Edmonton games went over the total.
Series Records
-- Canucks are 2-0 vs Minnesota this season, 2-0/3-2.
-- Blues lost ten of last eleven games against Calgary.
-- Avalanche lost their last four visits to Dallas: 5-4/7-5/6-1/3-0.
-- Kings won 2-1 in Edmonton nine days ago, first meeting of season.
Vancouver at Minnesota
Vancouver: 31-21 SU AWAY on Friday
Minnesota: 6-17 SU at home after scoring 4+ goals in 2 straight
Calgary at St Louis
Calgary: 6-1 SU AWAY in December
St Louis: 7-23 SU away off a shutout
Colorado at Dallas
Colorado: 31-11 SU AWAY off a road loss by 1 goal
Dallas: 3-7 SU at home
Edmonton at Los Angeles
Edmonton: 5-0 SU revenging a 1 goal loss
Los Angeles: 9-17 SU as a favorite