Friday's Best NHL Bets
Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres (-215, 5.5)
The Buffalo Sabres are hoping a home date against one of the NHL’s worst teams can get them back on track.
Buffalo has dropped back-to-back games and has lost eight of its last 12 heading into Friday night. The Sabres’ most recent defeat came at the hands of the red-hot Ottawa Senators, knocking off Buffalo 4-2 at home Wednesday. The Sens scored two goals in the final minute of the game to pull ahead, leaving the Sabres’ with their heads in their hands.
"To be 2-2 and lose at least a point is disappointing, especially against a team like that in our division," Sabres center Tim Connolly told the Buffalo News. "It's in our arena and there's a few minutes left, we've got to buckle down and at worst go to overtime and go from there."
Rebounding from that crushing loss will be tough – even with the Hurricanes coming to town. Carolina is winless on its current four-game road trip, losing to Edmonton and Calgary.
The Sabres are aiming for a repeat performance of their 5-1 victory over Carolina back in late November, when they played the role of spoiler and scored five unanswered goals in the third period.
Pick: Buffalo
Phoenix Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks (-185, 5.5)
The Blackhawks are stumbling and the finger pointing it starting to blow around in the Windy City.
Most of the blame for the team’s current slide is goaltender Cristobal Huet, who has a 2-3 record in his last five starts including dropping back-to-back starts versus the Blues and Hurricanes.
"We're not blaming the goaltending at all," coach Joel Quenneville told the Chicago Tribune. "We know the importance of it and we know it's a key position for us and we're going to rely on it as we go along here. The last two games, nullifying one of those goals would have led to wins in both of them."
Huet allowed three goals on just 19 shots against St. Louis Wednesday and watched four pucks whizz by on 24 shots in a loss to Carolina last weekend. Despite those poor showings and the return of fellow goaltender Antti Niemi, Chicago is sticking with Huet Friday night.
Wednesday’s 3-2 loss snapped a streak of four straight over finishes for Huet. He is posting a 2.33 GAA and boasts an over/under record of 7-4 in 2010.
Pick: Over
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Prudential Center.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 30 saves to earn the shutout, as the Maple Leafs upset the Devils 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Toronto won as +125 home underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Yann Danis stopped 23 shots in the Devils' 3-0 loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.
Toronto won as +125 home underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
New Jersey has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 18-28-11
New Jersey: 35-18-2
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing New Jersey are 6-4
After a win are 2-8
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 7-3
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing Toronto
New Jersey is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Jersey's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Jersey's last 9 games when playing at home against Toronto
Next up:
Toronto home to Ottawa, Saturday, February 6
New Jersey at NY Rangers, Saturday, February 6
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Washington Capitals
The Atlanta Thrashers and the Washington Capitals will meet on the ice at Verizon Center on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
Todd White rscored for Atlanta in its 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.
Tampa Bay won as +120 road underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 6-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Alex Ovechkin potted two goals and set up another as the Capitals defeated the Rangers 6-5 on Thursday. The Capitals won that game as -145 favorites, while the 11 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).
Nicklas Backstrom scored once and pocketed four assists for the Capitals, while Boyd Gordon, Mike Knuble and Tom Poti also scored in the win.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 2 straight games.
Washington has won 12 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 24-23-8
Washington: 39-12-6
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After a win are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Atlanta's last 24 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta home to Florida, Saturday, February 6
Washington home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, February 7
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres
The Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at HSBC Arena.
The Hurricanes fell 4-1 to the Flames last time out, as +145 underdogs. That game's five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Eric Staal scored the lone goal for the Hurricanes, and Cam Ward turned away 35 shots in a losing effort.
Andrej Sekera and Tim Connolly scored for the Sabres in their 4-2 loss to the Senators last time out. The Sabres were favored at -140 in that contest, while the teams played OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Current streak:
Carolina has lost 2 straight games.
Buffalo has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Carolina: 19-30-7
Buffalo: 32-16-7
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Calgary are 2-2-4
After a loss are 5-5
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Ottawa are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
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 6 of Carolina's last 8 games
Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina's last 9 games when playing Buffalo
Buffalo is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Carolina
Buffalo is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Buffalo is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Buffalo's last 9 games when playing Carolina
Next up:
Carolina at NY Islanders, Saturday, February 6
Buffalo at Columbus, Saturday, February 6
Calgary Flames vs. Florida Panthers
The Calgary Flames and the Florida Panthers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at BankAtlantic Center.
Curtis Glencross scored a hat trick to lead the Flames to a 4-1 victory over the Hurricanes on Wednesday. The Flames won the game as -165 favorites, while the five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Matt Stajan scored the other marker for the Flames, and Miikka Kiprusoff made 27 saves in the win.
Tomas Vokoun stopped 22 shots in the Panthers' 3-0 loss to the Ducks on Monday night.
Anaheim cashed as -105 road underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Calgary: 28-21-8
Florida: 24-23-9
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Carolina are 5-5-2
After a win are 4-6
Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Anaheim are 4-4-1
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Calgary is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games at home
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Florida is 2-4-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Calgary
Next up:
Calgary at Tampa Bay, Saturday, February 6
Florida at Atlanta, Saturday, February 6
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Phoenix Coyotes and the Chicago Blackhawks will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at United Center.
Adrian Aucoin scored as the 19th shooter in the shootout to lift the Coyotes past the Predators 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Phoenix cashed as +125 road underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
The Blackhawks were upset 3-2 by the Blues last time out, as -260 favorites. That game's five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa scored for the Blackhawks.
Current streak:
Phoenix has won 5 straight games.
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 34-18-5
Chicago: 37-15-4
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
Before playing Chicago are 3-7
After playing Nashville are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing St. Louis are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Phoenix's last 12 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing Chicago
Phoenix is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Chicago is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Next up:
Phoenix at Dallas, Saturday, February 6
Chicago at St. Louis, Saturday, February 6
Hot Teams
-- Washington won their last 12 games, scoring 39 goals in last eight.
-- Panthers won five of their last six home games.
-- Coyotes won their last five games, allowing ten goals.
Cold Teams
-- Thrashers lost ten of their last twelve road games.
-- Devils lost four of their last five games. Maple Leafs lost six of their last seven games.
-- Sabres lost five of their last seven games. Carolina lost three of its last four road games.
-- Flames lost twelve of their last fifteen games.
-- Blackhawks lost last two games, are 3-4 in their last seven.
Totals
-- Six of last eight Atlanta road games went over the total.
-- Under is 9-3-1 in last thirteen New Jersey games. Six of last nine Toronto games went over.
-- Six of last nine Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Under is 13-4-1 in last eighteen Calgary games; last eight Florida games also stayed under.
-- Four of last five Chicago games went over the total.
Playing second of back-to-back nights
-- Washington is 2-3 when it won the night before.
Series Records
-- Washington won its last five games against the Thrashers.
-- Maple Leafs are 5-4 in last nine visits to New Jersey.
-- Hurricanes lost seven of last eight visits to Buffalo.
-- Flames won two of last three games against Florida.
-- Coyotes lost their last four visits to Chicago.
ATLANTA vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Washington
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
TORONTO vs. NEW JERSEY
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Jersey's last 10 games
CALGARY vs. FLORIDA
Calgary is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games
Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games at home
CAROLINA vs. BUFFALO
Carolina is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Carolina is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Buffalo
Buffalo is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Buffalo is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
PHOENIX vs. CHICAGO
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Chicago is 8-10-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Phoenix
ATLANTA (24-23-0-8, 56 pts.) at WASHINGTON (39-13-0-5, 83 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 11-6 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 11-6-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.1 Units)
TORONTO (18-29-0-10, 46 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (35-18-0-2, 72 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 18-39 ATS (+63.6 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 4-12 ATS (+16.1 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
NEW JERSEY is 34-20 ATS (+62.2 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 15-6 ATS (+7.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NEW JERSEY is 20-6 ATS (+11.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TORONTO is 263-260 ATS (+546.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
TORONTO is 21-19 ATS (+50.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 6-4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.4 Units)
CAROLINA (19-30-0-7, 45 pts.) at BUFFALO (32-17-0-6, 70 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 18-38 ATS (+63.8 Units) in all games this season.
CAROLINA is 2-18 ATS (+27.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
CAROLINA is 3-13 ATS (+18.0 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
CAROLINA is 4-17 ATS (+23.2 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
CAROLINA is 1-10 ATS (+12.1 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
BUFFALO is 160-111 ATS (+21.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
CAROLINA is 44-34 ATS (+7.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 21-17 ATS (+42.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 28-39 ATS (-19.6 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 5-4 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 5-4-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.7 Units)
CALGARY (28-21-0-8, 64 pts.) at FLORIDA (24-23-0-9, 57 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 5-12 ATS (-10.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
CALGARY is 5-12 ATS (-12.4 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 12-18 ATS (-16.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 108-124 ATS (+247.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
FLORIDA is 44-67 ATS (-37.9 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
FLORIDA is 116-118 ATS (-35.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
FLORIDA is 110-132 ATS (-53.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 1-1 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 1-1-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.1 Units)
PHOENIX (34-18-0-5, 73 pts.) at CHICAGO (37-15-0-4, 78 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 49-84 ATS (-39.2 Units) in February games since 1996.
CHICAGO is 14-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
CHICAGO is 68-52 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 34-23 ATS (+57.9 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 42-27 ATS (+75.2 Units) in road games on Friday nights since 1996.
CHICAGO is 36-53 ATS (-27.9 Units) in home games on Friday nights since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-2 (+5.3 Units) against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-2-0 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.6 Units)