Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, Feb. 27
Montreal at Philadelphia (7 p.m. EST). Philadelphia center Danny Briere is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last 35 games following surgery on his abdomen and groin.
STARS
Thursday
— Martin Brodeur, Devils, made 24 saves in his return from elbow surgery to help New Jersey beat Colorado 4-0. Brodeur posted his 99th career shutout to move within four of Terry Sawchuk’s regular-season NHL mark of 103, and reached 545 victories to close within six of tying Patrick’s Roy’s record.
— Tim Thomas, Michael Ryder and Chuck Kobasew, Bruins. Thomas made 35 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, Ryder had two goals and an assist in his second game back after facial surgery, and Kobasew also scored twice in Boston’s 6-0 win over Anaheim.
— Steve Mason and Raffi Torres, Blue Jackets. Mason made 19 saves for his eighth shutout of the season, and Torres scored on a third-period breakaway against his former team in Columbus’ 1-0 victory in Edmonton.
— Chris Mason and T.J. Oshie, Blues. Mason made 41 saves, and Oshie scored the go-ahead goal in the third period in St. Louis’ 3-1 victory in Dallas.
— Alexander Semin, Capitals, scored one of Washington’s three power-play goals and assisted on both of the others in a 4-3 victory over Atlanta.
— Craig Anderson, Panthers, made 40 saves in Florida’s 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers.
SWAPS
Pittsburgh traded defenseman Ryan Whitney to Anaheim on Wednesday for left wing Chris Kunitz and junior prospect Eric Tangradi. White is in the second season of a six-year, $24 million contract. … Dallas acquired center Steve Begin from Montreal for defenseman Doug Janik.
SCOUTING
Adam Henrique scored his 26th and 27th goals of the season, and Andrew Engelage made 18 saves for his 42nd victory, leading the Windsor Spitfires to a 5-2 victory over visiting Kitchener on Thursday night in the Ontario Hockey League.
SPEAKING
“It was an exciting night to get out there and perform. I was really anxious all day, more nervous that I thought I was going to be. We pulled it off. It was nice to score early in the game. I didn’t get much work. It was a nice game to play.”—New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur after shutting out Colorado 4-0 on Thursday night in his first game since having elbow surgery in early November. Brodeur stopped 24 shots for his 99th career shutout.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Jaroslav Halak made 34 saves to earn the shutout, as the Canadiens upended the Canucks 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Montreal won as -120 home favorites as the game played under the 6-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Martin Biron made 34 saves for the shutout as the Flyers nipped the Kings 2-0 as -190 favorites on Wednesday. The Flyers won that game as a -190 favorite, but the team's played UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Jeff Carter scored his 36th of the season on the power play, and Simon Gagne added an empty net marker.
Current streak:
Montreal has won 2 straight games.
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Montreal: 32-22-7
Philadelphia: 33-17-9
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Vancouver are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Montreal is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Montreal
Philadelphia is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
Next up:
Montreal home to San Jose, Saturday, February 28
Philadelphia at New Jersey, Sunday, March 1
Los Angeles Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings
Erik Ersberg stopped 18 shots in the Kings 2-0 loss at Philadelphia last time out, as +170 road underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Henrik Zetterberg scored a power play marker and added a shorthanded goal to lift the Red Wings over the Sharks 4-1 on Wednesday, as -140 favorites. That game's five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Team records:
Los Angeles: 26-25-9
Detroit: 40-13-8
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 4-4-2
After a loss are 4-6
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing San Jose are 9-1
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Los Angeles is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
Detroit is 19-2 SU in its last 21 games when playing Los Angeles
Detroit is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit's last 9 games at home
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
Los Angeles at Chicago, Sunday, March 1
Detroit at Nashville, Saturday, February 28
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Petr Sykora scored at 17:32 of the third period as the Penguins shut down the Islanders 1-0 on Wednesday, as -250 favorites. The team's played UNDER the night's posted over/under (6).
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 21 shot to collect his third shutout in that win.
Brian Campbell had a pair of helpers for Chicago in its 5-3 loss to Nashville on Tuesday night.
Nashville won as +140 home underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 30-26-6
Chicago: 34-17-8
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing NY Islanders are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Nashville are 8-2
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 7-2-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Pittsburgh at Dallas, Sunday, March 1
Chicago home to Los Angeles, Sunday, March 1
Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames
Antti Miettinen found the back of the net for Minnesota in its 2-1 shootout loss to Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles upset Minnesota as +155 road underdogs as the game played under the 5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Jarome Iginla had two goals and two assists, as the Flames skated past the Blue Jackets 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Calgary cashed as -190 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Calgary has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 30-24-5
Calgary: 36-18-6
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Columbus are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Calgary
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Calgary is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Calgary is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
Next up:
Minnesota at Edmonton, Saturday, February 28
Calgary home to Tampa Bay, Sunday, March 1
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vancouver Canucks
Cory Murphy tallied twice for Tampa Bay in its 5-3 loss to Edmonton on Tuesday night.
Edmonton won as -230 home favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped 14 shots in the Canucks' 3-0 loss to Montreal on Tuesday night.
Montreal won as -120 home favorites as the game played under the 6-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 20-29-12
Vancouver: 30-22-8
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Edmonton are 5-5-1
After a loss are 4-6
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Montreal are 7-3
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 1-5-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay at Calgary, Sunday, March 1
Vancouver home to Columbus, Sunday, March 1
MONTREAL vs. PHILADELPHIA
Montreal is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Montreal
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Montreal
LOS ANGELES vs. DETROIT
Los Angeles is 1-11-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
PITTSBURGH vs. CHICAGO
Pittsburgh is 3-6-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
MINNESOTA vs. CALGARY
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Calgary
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Calgary is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
TAMPA BAY vs. VANCOUVER
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Vancouver is 4-1-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
Hot teams
-- Flyers won seven of their last nine games.
-- Red Wings won nine of their last twelve games.
-- Penguins won three of their last four games.
-- Flames won last three games, allowing five goals.
-- Canucks won eight of their last ten games.
Cold teams
-- Canadiens lost ten of their last eleven road games.
-- Los Angeles lost six of its last eight games.
-- Blackhawks lost four of their last five home games.
-- Minnesota lost four of its last six games.
-- Lightning lost four of their last five games.
Totals
-- Over is 6-1-2 in last nine Montreal games.
-- Over is 10-3 in Detroit's last thirteen games.
-- Three of last four Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Calgary games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Tampa Bay games.
Back-to-Back
-- Montreal is 2-6 if it plays again the next night.
-- Minnesota is 1-3 on road if it plays again the next night.
Series Records
-- Flyers won five of their last seven against Montreal.
-- Detroit is 13-2 in its last fifteen games against the Kings.
-- Flames won eight of last nine against Minnesota.
-- Home side won last two Tampa Bay-Vancouver games.
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE NHL
by: Tom Freese
As of this writing no team in the NHL Central Division has a losing record. Overall San Jose has the beat record in the NHL going 41-9-9 for 91 points. Joe Thornton and company are an amazing 26-2-3 at home this year. The best team in the Eastern Conference is the Boston. The Bruins are 41-12-8 and have outscored their opponents by a league best 68 goals. New Jersey is in first place in the NHL Atlantic Division with 79 points. The bigger news regarding the Devils is that they have Martin Brodeur is back in goal. Brodeur has played just 10 games this year due to an injury. Pittsburgh is in a state of flux as they are ahead of only the lowly Islanders in the Atlantic Division. This looks nothing like the team that went to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. The Pens made a coaching change to shake things up. I think there is more to it than that. The Rangers also made a coaching change. Despite having a winning record New York has been outscored by 20 goals on the year. We can't forget about the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. In the words of the great rock band The Talking Heads regarding the Red Wings "Same as it ever was." Detroit is way more reliable than the guy who delivers my morning newspaper. The Red Wings are in first place in the Central Division sporting a 40-13-8 record. They are the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Come Playoff time they will be a real tough out.