Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, April 3
Tampa Bay at New Jersey (7 p.m. EDT). The Devils are coming off a 6-1 loss in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night that extended their losing streak to six games (0-5-1).
STARS
Thursday
— David Backes, Blues, scored a career-high four goals—including the go-ahead score with 4:07 left—in St. Louis’ 5-4 victory in Detroit.
— Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks, made 25 saves for his 40th victory of the season in San Jose’s 2-1 win in Edmonton.
— Miikka Kiprusoff, Flames, made 29 saves in Calgary’s 2-1 victory in Dallas.
— Chad LaRose, Hurricanes, scored twice in Carolina’s 4-2 win over the New York Rangers.
— Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry, Ducks. Ryan and Selanne each had two goals, and Perry also scored and had the lone shootout goal in Anaheim’s 6-5 victory in Vancouver.
— Jaroslav Halak, Canadiens, made 26 saves in Montreal’s 5-1 road win over the New York Islanders.
— Tim Thomas, Bruins, stopped 31 shots in Boston’s 2-1 victory over Ottawa.
— Al Montoya and Scottie Upshall, Coyotes. Montoya made 21 saves in his second career start, and Upshall scored with 5:54 remaining in Phoenix’s 2-1 victory over Los Angeles. Montoya shut out Colorado on Wednesday night in his NHL debut.
STREAKS
Carolina beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Thursday night for its club-record 10th straight home victory. The Hurricanes also extended their season-best winning streak to seven while surpassing the nine consecutive home-ice wins they had in 2005-06, when they went on to win the Stanley Cup. … Boston has won five in a row.
STATS
NHL-leading San Jose beat Edmonton 2-1 on Thursday night to improve to 51-15-11, matching the franchise victory record set in 2006-07. … Montreal is 4-0-1 in its last five and 5-3-3 since general manager Bob Gainey took over as coach. … Calgary and Vancouver clinched playoff spots Thursday night. … Anaheim has won eight of nine.
SIDELINED
Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier will miss the rest of the season because of a right wrist injury. He was set to have arthroscopic surgery Friday. … Colorado scoring leader Ryan Smyth broke his right hand Wednesday night against Phoenix and will miss the rest of the season.
SCOUTING
Boston University defensemen Matt Gilroy and forward Colin Wilson joined Northeastern goalie Brad Thiessen as finalists Thursday for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey’s top player. Gilroy and Wilson, the son of former NHL player Carey Wilson, have helped Boston University advance to the Frozen Four. The winner will be announced April 10 at the Frozen Four in Washington.
SALUTE
Port Huron Icehawks coach Stan Drulia was selected the International Hockey League coach of the year Thursday in voting by coaches and general managers. The Icehawks are second in the six-team league after reaching the Turner Cup final last season.
SPEAKING
“I don’t know what happened. One of those games where you kind of black out and then they’re patting you on the back.”—St. Louis’ David Backes after scoring a career-high four goals in the Blues’ 5-4 victory in Detroit on Thursday night.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils
Steven Stamkos lit up the lamp for Tampa Bay in its 3-1 loss to Boston on Tuesday night.
Boston cashed as -400 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Devils were pounded 6-1 by the Penguins last time out, as -155 favorites. The seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brian Gionta scored the lone goal in the loss.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 4 straight games.
New Jersey has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 24-36-17
New Jersey: 47-26-4
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
New Jersey is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games at home
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay at NY Islanders, Saturday, April 4
New Jersey at Buffalo, Saturday, April 4
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers took the opener of a home-and-home series 3-2 on Wednesday, as +180 underdogs. That game's five goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Jamal Myers, Lee Stempniak, and Ian White with the game-winner scored for the Maple Leafs.
Claude Giroux and Arron Asham replied for the Flyers, who were favored at -200.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 32-32-13
Philadelphia: 41-25-10
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Toronto's last 17 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing Toronto
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto
Next up:
Toronto home to Montreal, Saturday, April 4
Philadelphia at Ottawa, Saturday, April 4
Buffalo Sabres vs. Washington Capitals
Thomas Vanek scored both goals in the Sabres 3-2 loss in overtime to the Thrashers last time out, as -145 favorites. The five goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (6).
The Capitals scored three goals in the third period and defeated the Islanders 5-3 on Wednesday, as -350 favorites. The eight goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Mike Green scored a pair,while Alexander Ovechkin, Keith Aucoiun, and Nicklas Backstrom.
Current streak:
Washington has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Buffalo: 37-30-9
Washington: 47-23-7
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing NY Islanders are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Buffalo's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games on the road
Buffalo is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Washington
Buffalo is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games at home
Washington is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Washington is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing Buffalo
Next up:
Buffalo home to New Jersey, Saturday, April 4
Washington home to Atlanta, Sunday, April 5
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Florida Panthers
The Thrashers played spoiler on Wednesday as they defeated the Sabres 3-2 in overtime. The Thrashers won the game as +125 underdogs, while the five goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Zach Bogosian, Slava Kozlov, and Ilya Kovalchuk potted the goals for the Thrashers. Johan Hedberg stopped 30 shots in preserving the win.
Michael Frolik had a goal and two assists, as the Panthers defeated the Senators 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Florida won as -150 home favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Atlanta has won 3 straight games.
Florida has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 33-38-6
Florida: 38-28-11
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Buffalo are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Ottawa are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 9 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Florida's last 9 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
Next up:
Atlanta at Washington, Sunday, April 5
Florida home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 5
Calgary Flames vs. Minnesota Wild
Miikka Kiprusoff made 29 saves to help the Flames upend the Stars 2-1 on Thursday. The Flames won that game as -130 favorites, while the three goals went UNDER the night's posted over/under (5.5).
Jarome Iginla and Craig Conroy tallied for the Flames, and Dion Phaneuf collected a pair of assists in that win.
Marian Gaborik was the goal scorer for Minnesota in its 2-1 overtime loss to Vancouver on Tuesday night.
Vancouver cashed as -125 road favorites as the game played under the 5-goal total posted by sportsbooks.
Team records:
Calgary: 44-27-6
Minnesota: 36-32-9
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Dallas are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Vancouver are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Calgary is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
Next up:
Calgary home to Los Angeles, Monday, April 6
Minnesota at Detroit, Sunday, April 5
Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Cal O'Reilly found the back of the net for Nashville in its 2-1 loss to Columbus on Tuesday night.
Columbus won as -160 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
The Blackhawks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 3-1 victory over the Blues on Wednesday, as -150 favorites. The four goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jonathan Toews, Samuel Pahlsson, and Colin Fraser scored in the win.
Team records:
Nashville: 38-31-8
Chicago: 41-24-11
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Columbus are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Nashville's last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Nashville home to Columbus, Saturday, April 4
Chicago at Columbus, Sunday, April 5
BUFFALO vs. WASHINGTON
Buffalo is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Washington is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing Buffalo
TAMPA BAY vs. NEW JERSEY
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games
TORONTO vs. PHILADELPHIA
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home
ATLANTA vs. FLORIDA
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Atlanta's last 14 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
CALGARY vs. MINNESOTA
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Calgary is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
NASHVILLE vs. CHICAGO
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Hot teams
-- Toronto won six of its last nine road games.
-- Sabres won three of their last four games. Washington won six of its last nine contests.
-- Florida won its last three games, scoring fifteen goals. Thrashers won four of last five games, with three wins in OT/SO.
-- Chicago won four of its last five home games.
Cold teams
-- Devils lost their last six games, outscored 22-7. Lightning lost four in a row, seven of last eight games.
-- Philadelphia lost three of its last four games.
-- Minnesota lost four of its last five games. Flames are 1-5 in the game following their last six wins.
-- Nashville lost three of its last four games.
Totals
-- Three of last four New Jersey games stayed under the total.
-- Four of Flyers' last five games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Calgary games.
-- Last four Chicago games stayed under the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Devils are 5-2 at home if they play again the next night.
-- Flyers are 6-4 if they play again the next night.
-- Sabres are 4-7 if they play again the next night.
-- Flames are 2-9 if they played the night before.
-- Nashville is 5-6 if it plays again the next night.
Series Records
-- Devils won six in row, nine of last ten against Tampa Bay.
-- Maple Leafs won four of last five against Philadelphia.
-- Sabres won five of last seven visits to Washington.
-- Florida won eight of last ten games against the Thrashers.
-- Flames won five in row, 10 of last 11 against Minnesota.
-- Predators won three of last four games against Chicago.