Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, April 10
Columbus at St. Louis (8:30 p.m. EDT). St. Louis has 88 points and is tied with Nashville in the hunt for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.
STARS
Wednesday
— Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers, made 37 saves and New York beat Philadelphia 2-1 to clinch a playoff spot.
— Jason Pominville, Sabres, scored twice in Buffalo’s 5-1 victory against Carolina.
— Evgeni Malkin, Penguins, picked up two assists to lengthen his lead in the NHL scoring race to four points over Alexander Ovechkin and lead Pittsburgh to a 6-1 win against the New York Islanders.
— Jason Arnott, Predators, had a goal and an assist in regulation and scored in the shootout as Nashville beat Detroit 4-3.
— Brooks Laich, Capitals, scored two goals in Washington’s 4-2 victory against Tampa Bay.
— Al Montoya, Coyotes, made 40 saves in the rookie goalie’s third NHL victory, and last-place Phoenix prevented San Jose from clinching the Presidents’ Trophy with a 4-1 victory.
SMOOTH
Mike Ribeiro skated in backward and flipped a shot into the net off Peter Budaj to lift the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 shootout victory against Colorado.
STOPS
Roberto Luongo made 20 saves for his career-high eighth shutout of the season, leading Vancouver to a 1-0 victory against Los Angeles.
SECURED
The New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens locked up the final two playoff spots in the East, eliminating Florida and Buffalo. The Rangers beat Philadelphia 2-1 and Montreal earned a point in its 5-4 overtime loss in Boston. New York and Montreal each have 93 points and one game left. New York would earn the seventh seed with a win in its season finale Sunday at Philadelphia. The eighth seed faces Boston in the first round and the seventh draws Washington.
STAYING ALIVE
The Nashville Predators rallied from two goals down in the final seven minutes, then beat Detroit 4-3 in a shootout to pull into a tie with St. Louis for the final playoff spot in the West. The Predators and Blues each have 88 points, but Nashville has only one game left and St. Louis has two. Anaheim also has 88 points and two games left, and holds the seventh spot.
SETTING RECORDS
The New Jersey Devils set a franchise record with their 50th victory in a 3-2 shootout victory against the Ottawa Senators. … The Washington Capitals set a franchise record with 108 points and tied a team mark with 50 wins, matching the 1985-86 team, with a 4-2 victory against Tampa Bay.
STARTER
Carolina goalie Cam Ward made his 28th straight start, but allowed four of the 13 shots he faced to get past him before he was replaced by Michael Leighton midway through the second period of a 5-1 loss to Buffalo.
SIGNING OFF
Referee Don Koharski completed a 32-year on-ice NHL career in Thursday night’s game between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 53-year-old Koharski is expected to join NHL management to work with and recruit on-ice officials. Koharski was involved in an infamous moment during the 1988 playoffs when New Jersey coach Jim Schoenfeld waited for him after a game and told the ref to “have another doughnut.”
SAKIC
Joe Sakic might have played his last NHL game. The Colorado Avalanche captain, who has been recovering from surgery to repair a herniated disk since January, will not play in the team’s season finale on Sunday. The 39-year-old is in his 20th NHL season.
SCOUTING
Manitoba’s Cory Schneider won the Aldedge Bastien Memorial Award on Thursday as the American Hockey League’s goalie of the year. The Vancouver farmhand is 28-9-1 with a league-best 1.99 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. He was 2-4-1 with a 3.38 GAA in eight games this season for the Canucks.
SCHOOL DAYS
Miami University (Ohio) ended Bemidji State’s unlikely NCAA tournament run with a 4-1 victory in the Frozen Four in Washington. The RedHawks will play for the school’s first NCAA national championship of any kind on Saturday against Boston University, which beat Vermont 5-4 behind two goals by Hobey Baker Award finalist Colin Wilson.
SPEAKING
“It’s a been a roller coaster, but it’s always like that. It’s a long season. We’ve been through a lot. It’s a new experience to go through a coaching change.”—Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist after New York clinched a playoff spot by beating Philadelphia 2-1.
Nashville Predators vs. Minnesota Wild
Jason Arnott scored once and added the shootout winner to lead the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Red Wings on Thursday, as +175 underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Scott Nichol and Joel Ward added the other markers in that win.
Marian Gaborik had a goal and two assists to lead the Wild over the Stars 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Minnesota won as -200 home favorites as the teams played under the 5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Team records:
Nashville: 40-33-8
Minnesota: 38-33-9
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a win are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Nashville's last 9 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Nashville is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Nashville is 2-8-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing at home against Nashville
Next up:
Minnesota at Columbus, Saturday, April 11
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. St. Louis Blues
The Blue Jackets clinched their first-ever post-season berth with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Blackhawks on Wednesday, as +110 underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Fedor Tyutin potted the shootout winner, while Antoine Vermette, Jason Williams, and Rick Nash scored in regulation for the Blue Jackets. Steve Mason stopped 24 shots in picking up the victory.
B.J. Crombeen netted a pair of markers, as the Blues overcame the Coyotes 5-1 on Tuesday night.
St. Louis cashed as -135 road favorites as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Team records:
Columbus: 41-29-10
St. Louis: 39-31-10
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 5-5
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Columbus's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games
Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing Columbus
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
St. Louis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Columbus
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Next up:
Columbus home to Minnesota, Saturday, April 11
St. Louis at Colorado, Sunday, April 12
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
Jarome Iginla found the back of the net for Calgary in its 4-1 loss to Vancouver on Tuesday night.
Vancouver cashed as -160 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Fernando Pisani was the goal scorer for Edmonton in its 2-1 loss to Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles cashed as +160 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Calgary: 45-29-6
Edmonton: 37-34-9
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Vancouver are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Los Angeles are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Calgary's last 13 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Edmonton's last 13 games when playing at home against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Calgary
Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Edmonton is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Edmonton at Calgary, Saturday, April 11
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks
Mike Ribeiro scored the shootout winner to lift the Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Avalanche on Thursday at EVEN odds. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Fabian Brunnstrom and Steve Begin scored for the Stars, while Matt Climie stopped 25 shots in the win.
The Ducks lost to San Jose 3-2 as a -125 favorite on Sunday. The five goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Petteri Nokalainen and Corey Perry scored for Anaheim and Jonas Hiller made 23 saves in the loss.
Team records:
Dallas: 36-35-10
Anaheim: 41-33-6
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Los Angeles are 2-8
After playing Colorado are 7-3
After a win are 2-8
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Phoenix are 5-5
After playing San Jose are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Dallas is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Dallas is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
Anaheim is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Anaheim is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
Next up:
Anaheim at Phoenix, Saturday, April 11
NASHVILLE vs. MINNESOTA
Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Nashville is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Nashville
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville
COLUMBUS vs. ST. LOUIS
Columbus is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Columbus's last 8 games on the road
St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis's last 7 games
CALGARY vs. EDMONTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games
Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Calgary
DALLAS vs. ANAHEIM
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Anaheim is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games
Hot teams
-- Blues won seven of their last nine games.
-- Calgary is 6-1 in game following its last seven losses.
-- Ducks won nine of their last eleven games.
Cold teams
-- Minnesota is 0-7 in game following its last seven wins. Nashville lost four of its last six road games.
-- Columbus lost four of last six games, but are in playoffs for 1st time.
-- Oilers lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Dallas is 2-8 in game following its last ten wins.
Totals
-- Under is 11-1-2 in last fourteen Minnesota games.
-- Last three Columbus road games went over the total.
-- Under is 9-1-1 in last eleven Calgary games.
-- Five of last seven Anaheim games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Minnesota lost last five times they had game again the next night.
-- Blue Jackets are 8-4 last 12 times they played again the next night.
-- Flames won three of last four if they played again the next night.
-- Ducks won last three times they had a game again the next night.
Series Records
-- Nashville won last two games vs Minnesota, 2-0/1-0.
-- Bue Jackets lost their last six visits to St Louis.
-- Flames are 5-3 in last eight visits to Edmonton.
-- Stars won four of last five visits to Anaheim.
NASHVILLE (40-33-0-8, 88 pts.) at MINNESOTA (38-33-0-9, 85 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 17-9 ATS (+27.7 Units) in road games when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-4 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 7-4-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.7 Units)
COLUMBUS (41-29-0-10, 92 pts.) at ST LOUIS (39-31-0-10, 88 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 14-29 ATS (+50.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 11-20 ATS (-13.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
COLUMBUS is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 39-41 ATS (-13.0 Units) in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 25-18 ATS (+46.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 13-10 ATS (+23.4 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ST LOUIS is 12-7 ATS (+23.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
COLUMBUS is 41-39 ATS (+84.2 Units) in all games this season.
COLUMBUS is 24-19 ATS (+44.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
COLUMBUS is 9-4 ATS (+14.5 Units) on Friday nights this season.
COLUMBUS is 14-8 ATS (+22.6 Units) after a division game this season.
ST LOUIS is 7-26 ATS (+43.1 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 17-34 ATS (+58.3 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 13-8 (+6.3 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 13-8-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
13 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+7.7 Units)
CALGARY (45-29-0-6, 96 pts.) at EDMONTON (37-34-0-9, 83 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 36-34 ATS (-23.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 9-12 ATS (-11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 78-84 ATS (-68.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 45-41 ATS (+115.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 7-2 ATS (+4.9 Units) on Friday nights this season.
EDMONTON is 21-16 ATS (+42.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
EDMONTON is 120-107 ATS (+250.5 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
CALGARY is 45-35 ATS (+84.1 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
EDMONTON is 13-19 ATS (+32.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 9-11 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 11-9-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
14 of 19 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+7.8 Units)
DALLAS (36-35-0-10, 82 pts.) at ANAHEIM (41-33-0-6, 88 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 29-20 ATS (+51.3 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 18-15 ATS (+36.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DALLAS is 43-34 ATS (+80.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 4-10 ATS (-7.4 Units) on Friday nights this season.
ANAHEIM is 8-13 ATS (-7.7 Units) after a division game this season.
ANAHEIM is 28-27 ATS (-18.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 16-11 (+6.3 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 16-11-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
11 of 23 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.5 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)
NHL Betting Stats
When NASHVILLE team Played as Road team as a Underdog - Before a non division game - Playing in back to back games - Coming off a 1 game win; the Predators are 2-10 SU in this spot.
When CALGARY team played as a Road team - Vs Western conference opponent - After a conference game - Coming off vs. Northwest division opponent - Coming off a Road loss as an Underdog; The OVER is 12-1-1 for the Flames in this role.
When ANAHEIM team Played as Home team as a Favorite - After a division game - Coming off a 1 game loss - Coming off 1 under; The Ducks are 9-1-1 SU in this situation.
When ANY NHL Team Played as Home team as a Favorite - Vs Conference Opponent - After a division game - playing on Friday - Coming off a 1 game loss - Coming off a Home loss as a Favorite - Coming off 1 under; The Home Fave (ANA) is 31-7-2 (SU) in this spot.