Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, March 20
Minnesota at New Jersey (7 p.m. EDT). Devils goalie Martin Brodeur makes his first start since breaking Patrick Roy’s NHL victory record Tuesday night in a 3-2 home win over Chicago. Brodeur has 552 regular-season victories.
STARS
Thursday
— Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green, Capitals. Ovechkin scored his NHL-leading 50th goal to become Washington’s first three-time 50-goal scorer, and Mike Green added his 26th and 27th goals—the most among NHL defenseman—in Washington’s 5-2 win in Tampa Bay.
— Sam Gagner, Oilers, had three goals and an assist in Edmonton’s 8-1 victory in Colorado.
— Roberto Luongo, Canucks, made 30 saves for his sixth shutout of the season and first in four months in Vancouver’s 3-0 home win over St. Louis.
— Drew Doughty and Dustin Brown, Kings. Doughty tied it with 1:36 remaining in regulation, and Brown scored with 34 seconds left in overtime in Los Angeles’ 3-2 victory in Boston.
— Brian Elliott and Jason Spezza, Senators. Elliott made 28 saves and set an Ottawa rookie record with his seventh straight victory, and Spezza scored goals 52 seconds apart in the first period in Ottawa’s 5-4 home win over Montreal.
— Tomas Vokoun and Stephen Weiss, Panthers. Vokoun made 37 saves, and Weiss had a short-handed goal and an assist in Florida’s 3-1 home win over Toronto.
— Jonathan Cheechoo and Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks. Cheechoo scored the winning shootout goal, and Nabokov made 25 saves in San Jose’s 3-2 win over Nashville.
SCORING
Alex Ovechkin scored his NHL-leading 50th goal to become Washington’s first three-time 50-goal scorer, and also had two assists in the Capitals’ 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday night. The 23-year-old Russian star has 213 goals in 315 career games. He had 52 goals in 2005-06, 46 in 2006-07 and 65 last season.
STATS
Vancouver beat St. Louis 3-0 on Thursday night to extend its franchise-record home winning streak to 11 games. The Canucks are 16-3-1 since ending a nine-game home losing streak. … Montreal has lost four straight to fall to 1-2-2 since general manager Bob Gainey took over behind the bench after firing Guy Carbonneau on March 9.
SHARK ATTACK
San Jose’s Brad Staubitz pounded on Nashville’s Jordin Tootoo during a brutal second-period fight Thursday night that sent Tootoo to the locker room with blood streaming from his broken nose. Staubitz landed at least five consecutive right hands to Tootoo’s face, leaving blood on the ice. Tootoo didn’t return until the third period in San Jose’s 3-2 shootout victory.
SCOUTING
Alex Stalock made 39 saves, and MacGregor Sharp and Matt Greer scored in Minnesota Duluth’s 2-1 victory over Minnesota on Thursday night in the WCHA Final Five in St. Paul, Minn. The Bulldogs will face North Dakota on Friday night in the semifinals.
SIGNING
Junior center Olivier Fortier signed a three-year contract with Montreal on Thursday. Fortier, the captain of the Rimouski Oceanic and the top defensive forward in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season, was drafted 65th overall in 2007. He has eight goals and 27 assists in 35 games this season.
SPEAKING
“I’ve got to take responsibility. I can’t be letting goals in. It’s a group effort but I’ve got to play better.”—Montreal goalie Carey Price after the struggling Canadiens’ 5-4 loss in Ottawa on Thursday night.
Minnesota Wild vs. New Jersey Devils
Marek Zidlicky potted the deciding goal in the shootout, as the Wild downed the Avalanche 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Minnesota won as -170 home favorites as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
The Devils were doubled 4-2 by the Hurricanes last time out, as +105 road underdogs. That game's six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Zach Parise and Brian Gionta scored in the loss.
Team records:
Minnesota: 33-29-8
New Jersey: 46-21-3
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a win are 3-7
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Carolina are 4-6
After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 1-5-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of New Jersey's last 13 games
Next up:
Minnesota home to Edmonton, Sunday, March 22
New Jersey at Boston, Sunday, March 22
New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Islanders defeated Chicago 4-2 as a +260 underdog on Sunday. The six goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Mark Streit had a pair of goals and notched an assist for the Islanders, while Blake Comeau and Kyle Okposo each had a pair of assists in the win.
The Hurricanes snapped the Devils four-game win streak with a 4-2 win last time out, as -125 favorites. That game's six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Anton Babchuk, Eric Staal, and Sergei Samsonov scored, while Cam Ward stopped 40 shots to earn the victory.
Team records:
New York: 24-38-8
Carolina: 37-28-7
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Chicago are 2-2-2
After a win are 4-6
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games
NY Islanders are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing Carolina
Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Carolina is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina's last 9 games
Next up:
NY Islanders at Ottawa, Saturday, March 21
Carolina home to Washington, Saturday, March 21
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres
Scott Hartnell and Joffrey Lupul tallied for the Flyers in their 3-2 loss to the Red Wings on Tuesday night.
The Red Wings pulled out the victory as -180 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (6).
Toni Lydman and Jason Pominville had the goals for Buffalo in their 4-2 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday night.
The Sens grabbed the victory as -125 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5.5).
Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.
Buffalo has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 37-22-10
Buffalo: 34-28-8
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 5-5-1
After a loss are 7-3
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
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 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Philadelphia's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Buffalo is 14-3-1 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Buffalo is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 22
Buffalo at NY Rangers, Saturday, March 21
Detroit Red Wings vs. Atlanta Thrashers
Henrik Zetterberg had the game-winning goal on Tuesday night as the Red Wings topped the Flyers by a score of 3-2.
The Red Wings pulled out the victory as -180 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (6).
Bryan Little and Eric Boulton found the back of the net for Atlanta in its 6-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
Pittsburgh cashed as -260 home favorites as the teams played over the 6.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 47-15-9
Atlanta: 29-36-6
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Philadelphia are 9-1
After a win are 5-5
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Detroit is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Detroit
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Atlanta's last 15 games
Next up:
Detroit at Calgary, Monday, March 23
Atlanta at Tampa Bay, Saturday, March 21
Los Angeles Kings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Michal Handzus tallied the lone goal in the Kings 2-1 loss at Boston last time out, as +220 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Evgeni Malkin had two goals and three assists, as the Penguins skated past the Thrashers 6-2 on Tuesday night.
Pittsburgh cashed as -260 home favorites as the teams played over the 6.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 30-30-10
Pittsburgh: 38-26-8
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing Boston are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Los Angeles is 5-1-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Los Angeles is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Los Angeles is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
Los Angeles is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games at home
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Next up:
Los Angeles at Chicago, Sunday, March 22
Pittsburgh home to Philadelphia, Sunday, March 22
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Sam Gagner scored a hat trick and assisted on another, as the Oilers cruised to an 8-1 win over the Avalanche on Thursday. The Oilers won the game as a -110 pick'em, while the nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ethan Moreau, Shawn Horcoff, Fernando Pisani, Ales Kotalik, and Sheldon Souray added singles in the win.
The Blackhawks fell 4-3 in overtime to the Blue Jackets last time out, as +110 road underdogs. The seven goals made it OVER the night's posted over/under (5.5).
Dave Bolland, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews scored in that loss.
Current streak:
Edmonton has won 2 straight games.
Chicago has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 34-27-9
Chicago: 37-22-10
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Colorado are 8-2
After a win are 3-7
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Columbus are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Edmonton's last 9 games when playing Chicago
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
Edmonton is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Next up:
Edmonton at Minnesota, Sunday, March 22
Chicago home to Los Angeles, Sunday, March 22
St. Louis Blues vs. Calgary Flames
The Blues were shut down 3-0 by the Canucks last time out, as +160 road underdogs. That game's three goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Chris Mason stopped 18-of-21 shots in the loss.
The Flames fired 31 shots at Marty Turco and managed to pull out a 2-1 victory over the Stars on Wednesday, as -190 favorites. The game's three goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Eric Nystrom potted the winner, and Jamie Lundmark added the other marker in that win.
Current streak:
St. Louis has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
St. Louis: 32-30-9
Calgary: 41-23-6
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Vancouver are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Dallas are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of St. Louis's last 10 games when playing on the road against Calgary
St. Louis is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
St. Louis 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 St. Louis
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary's last 10 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Next up:
St. Louis home to Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 24
Calgary home to Detroit, Monday, March 23
MINNESOTA vs. NEW JERSEY
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 1-5-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
NY ISLANDERS vs. CAROLINA
NY Islanders are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina's last 9 games
Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
DETROIT vs. ATLANTA
Detroit is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Atlanta's last 15 games
LOS ANGELES vs. PITTSBURGH
Los Angeles is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Los Angeles is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
PHILADELPHIA vs. BUFFALO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Philadelphia's last 15 games on the road
Buffalo is 14-3-1 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
EDMONTON vs. CHICAGO
Edmonton is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
ST. LOUIS vs. CALGARY
St. Louis is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary's last 10 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Hot teams
-- Devils won eight of their last ten games.
-- Islanders won six of their last nine games.
-- Penguins won nine of their last twelve games.
-- Thrashers won six of their last seven games. Red Wings won four of their last five games.
Cold teams
-- Minnesota lost nine of its last twelve games.
-- Carolina lost three of its last four games.
-- Sabres lost four of their last five games. Flyers lost six of last nine.
-- Kings lost three of their last four games.
-- Colorado lost last three games, outscored 15-5. Edmonton is 1-4 in the game after its last five wins.
-- Flames lost four of their last six games. Blues lost three of last four.
Totals
-- Three of last four Minnesota games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-4 in islanders' last ten road games.
-- Five of last six Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Last six Pittsburgh games went over the total.
-- Over is 11-4 in Atlanta's last fifteen games.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Colorado home games.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Calgary games.
Back-to-Back
-- Islanders are 4-7 if they play again the next night.
-- Buffalo is 4-6 if it plays again the next night.
-- Kings are 3-7 if they played the night before.
-- Atlanta is 4-2 at home if they play again the next night.
-- Colorado is 1-6 if it played the night before.
-- Blues are 5-2 if they lost the night before.
Series Records
-- Devils won last two games vs Minnesota, 3-2so/4-3.
-- Carolina won six of last eight games against the Islanders.
-- Flyers won four of last five games against Buffalo.
-- Pittsburgh won last two games against the Kings, 4-3ot/4-2.
-- Thrashers won two of last three games against Detroit.
-- Road team won last four Edmonton-Colorado games.
-- Flames won their last six games against St Louis.