Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, March 27
Toronto at Buffalo (7:30 p.m. EDT). Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller returns after missing 13 games because of a sprained left ankle.
STARS
Thursday
— Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius, Blue Jackets, each had four assists in Columbus’ 5-0 win over Calgary.
— Ilya Kovalchuk, Thrashers, had a goal and two assists to spark Atlanta to a come-from-behind 5-4 shootout win over the New York Rangers.
— Craig Anderson, Panthers, made 40 saves and Florida snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Philadelphia 4-2.
— Radek Bonk, Predators, scored a power-play goal and added an assist to lift Nashville over San Jose 3-2.
— Steve Mason, Blue Jackets, made 16 of his 33 saves in the third period for his franchise record and NHL-leading 10th shutout as Columbus beat Calgary 5-0.
SUPER SUB
Florida backup Craig Anderson got the start over Tomas Vokoun, who surrendered three goals on 20 shots in the Panthers’ 5-3 loss at Buffalo on Wednesday, and made 40 saves Thursday night to lead his club to a 4-2 win at Philadelphia.
SUPER ROOKIE
Blue Jackets rookie Steve Mason made 16 of his 33 saves in the third period for his franchise record 10th shutout as Columbus beat Calgary in a possible first-round playoff preview. Mason, who broke the mark set last season by Pascal Leclaire, leads the NHL in shutouts and has the most for a rookie since Tony Esposito had 15 for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1969-70 season.
SIDELINED
Dallas Stars defenseman Trevor Daley left Thursday night’s 1-0 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings less than three minutes in after hitting the boards headfirst. Daley was trying to take possession of the puck behind Dallas’ net when he was checked from behind by Kings forward Raitis Ivanans. Daley’s head struck the end boards and he was down for several minutes before being helped off the ice. He didn’t return to the game and was expected to be evaluated on Friday, said the Stars, who played with five defensemen in Daley’s absence.
SHUTDOWN
Johan Hedberg, who replaced injured Atlanta starter Kari Lehtonen, denied New York Rangers shooters Markus Naslund, Nik Antropov, Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan, Fredrik Sjostrom and Scott Gomez in the shootout to backstop the Thrashers’ 5-4 comeback victory over New York. The Thrashers trailed 4-1 in the second period before rallying to tie in the third.
SPEAKING
“I think we are fortunate enough to get a point, and we were very fortunate to get that.”—New York Rangers coach John Tortorella after his club blew a three-goal lead at Atlanta and lost to the Thrashers 5-4 in a shootout on Thursday night.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals
The Lightning forced overtime but lost 3-2 to the Canadiens last time out, as +230 underdogs. The game's combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (6).
David Koci and Lukas Krajicek tallied.
Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist for Washington in its 3-2 shootout loss to Toronto on Tuesday night.
Toronto won as +160 home underdogs as the game played under the 6.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 24-33-17
Washington: 45-23-7
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Montreal are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Tampa Bay's last 20 games when playing Washington
Tampa Bay is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Ottawa, Sunday, March 29
Washington home to NY Islanders, Wednesday, April 1
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres
Jeff Hamilton scored the deciding goal in the shootout, as the Maple Leafs clipped the Capitals 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Toronto won as +160 home underdogs as the game played under the 6.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Sabres scored four goals in the third period and rallied for a 5-3 win over the Panthers on Wednesday, as -135 favorites. That game's eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Craig Rivet, Jason Pominville, Clarke MacArthur, Tim Connolly, and Maxim Afinogenov scored in the victory.
Current streak:
Toronto has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 31-30-13
Buffalo: 35-30-8
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Washington are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Florida are 5-5
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto home to Boston, Saturday, March 28
Buffalo at Montreal, Saturday, March 28
New York Islanders vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Islanders fell 6-2 to the Wild last time out, as +100 underdogs. That game's eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5).
Bruno Gervais and Andy Hilbert scored in the loss.
Valtteri Filppula's third period marker proved to be the winner, as the Red Wings edged the Oilers 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Detroit won as -160 road favorites as the game played under the 6-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
New York has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 24-41-8
Detroit: 49-16-9
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Minnesota are 5-5-1
After a loss are 6-4
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Edmonton are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 9 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Detroit is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Detroit is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games at home
Detroit is 8-1-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing NY Islanders
Next up:
NY Islanders home to Philadelphia, Saturday, March 28
Detroit home to Nashville, Sunday, March 29
New Jersey Devils vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Brendan Shanahan and Jamie Langenbrunner scored for New Jersey in its 4-2 loss to Philadelphia on Monday night.
Philadelphia cashed as a -110 home pick 'em, as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews scored in the shootout as the Blackhawks defeated the Sharks 6-5 on Wednesday, as -125 favorites. That game's combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Andrew Ladd collected a pair of goals for the Blackhawks, while Toews, Martin Havlat, and Dustin Byfuglien also scored in the win.
Current streak:
New Jersey has lost 2 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 47-23-3
Chicago: 39-22-11
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After a loss are 8-2
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing San Jose are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
New Jersey is 10-0-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing Chicago
New Jersey is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing at home against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games
Next up:
New Jersey home to Carolina, Saturday, March 28
Chicago home to Vancouver, Sunday, March 29
Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Canucks were doubled 4-2 by the Blues last time out as -130 favorites on the road. That game's six goals made it OVER the posted over/.under (5.5).
Taylor Pyatt and Alex Burrows replied in that loss.
The Avalanche were pounded 7-2 by the Ducks last time out, as +110 underdogs at home. That game's nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Milan Hejduk and Cody McLeod scored in the loss.
Current streak:
Colorado has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 39-25-9
Colorado: 31-41-2
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Anaheim are 8-2
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games when playing Colorado
Vancouver is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vancouver's last 9 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing Vancouver
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Vancouver at Chicago, Sunday, March 29
Colorado at Anaheim, Sunday, March 29
Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks
The Oilers fell 3-2 to the Coyotes last time out, as -135 favorites. That game's five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ales Kotalik and Ales Hemsky potted the Oilers goals.
Corey Perry scored twice and the Ducks pounded the Avalanche 7-2 on Wednesday, as -130 favorites. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Erik Christenesen, Teemu Selanne, Andrew Ebbett, Rob Niedermayer, and Petteri Nokelainen scored in that win.
Current streak:
Edmonton has lost 3 straight games.
Anaheim has won 5 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 35-30-9
Anaheim: 37-31-6
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Colorado are 8-2
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Edmonton is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Edmonton is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Edmonton is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Anaheim is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Edmonton
Anaheim is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Next up:
Edmonton home to Minnesota, Sunday, March 29
Anaheim home to Colorado, Sunday, March 29
TAMPA BAY vs. WASHINGTON
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington's last 10 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
NY ISLANDERS vs. DETROIT
NY Islanders are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Detroit is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games at home
TORONTO vs. BUFFALO
Toronto is 8-15-2 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Buffalo is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home
NEW JERSEY vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
New Jersey is 10-0-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
VANCOUVER vs. COLORADO
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vancouver's last 9 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing Vancouver
EDMONTON vs. ANAHEIM
Edmonton is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Anaheim is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Hot teams
-- Maple Leafs won four of their last five games.
-- Red Wings won five of their last six games.
-- Chicago won its last two games, 4-1/6-5so, after losing six of previous seven games.
-- Canucks won five of their last seven games.
-- Ducks won last five games, outscoring foes 22-10.
Cold teams
-- Lightning lost four of their last five games. Washington lost four of its last five home games.
-- Sabres lost six of their last eight games.
-- Islanders lost last three games, allowing 16 goals.
-- New Jersey lost three of its last four games.
-- Colorado lost last six games, having been outscored 30-10.
-- Edmonton lost its last three games, outscored by total of 9-4.
Totals
-- Three of last four Tampa Bay road games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Buffalo games all went over the total.
-- Five of last six Islander games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Chicago home games went over the total; under is 10-5-1 in New Jersey's last sixteen games.
-- Three of last four Colorado games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Anaheim home games went over the total; Oilers' last three games stayed under.
Back-to-Back
-- Lightning are 4-7 if they played the night before.
-- Buffalo is 4-7 if it plays again the next night.
-- Islanders are 4-7 if they play again the next night.
-- Devils are 8-5 if they play again the next night.
-- Canucks are 4-3 if they played night before, 2-0 if they lost.
-- Oilers are 0-4 if they lost the night before.
Series Records
-- Lightning lost eight of last nine games against Washington.
-- Sabres won six of last eight games against Toronto.
-- Avalanche won eight of last nine games against Vancouver.
-- Oilers are 4-3 in their last seven visits to Anaheim.