Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, Nov. 7
Dallas at Anaheim (10 p.m. EST). The visiting Stars (4-6-2) hope to make up some ground in the competitive Pacific Division against the high-flying Ducks, who have earned 17 of a possible 18 points in their previous nine games (8-0-1).
STARS
Thursday
— Chris Drury, Rangers, had two of New York’s three power-play goals and finished his hat trick with a short-handed score in a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
— Jarome Iginla, Flames, had two power-play goals to lead Calgary to a 7-6 victory over the Nashville Predators.
— Roberto Luongo, Canucks, made 28 saves to record his second straight shutout in Vancouver’s 1-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.
— Ryane Clowe, Sharks, followed up his two tying goals in the third period with the winning shootout goal in San Jose’s 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues.
— Blake Wheeler, Bruins, had his first three-goal game in the NHL to help Boston beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2. The rookie’s big night came hours after he changed his uniform number from 42 to 26.
— Alexander Semin, Capitals, scored twice in the final 3 minutes, getting the winner in Washington’s 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes with 10.9 seconds left.
— Miroslav Satan and Petr Sykora, Penguins, each had two goals to lead Pittsburgh to a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
— Slava Kozlov, Thrashers, scored twice in Atlanta’s 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.
— Niklas Backstrom, Wild, made 35 saves to lift Minnesota to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
STREAKING
Dany Heatley scored for the fifth straight game, leading Ottawa to a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Senators are 4-0-1 in their last five games following a four-game losing streak. Heatley, a two-time 50-goal scorer with Ottawa, got his team-leading ninth goal during a power play with 7:18 left in the first after Braydon Coburn was assessed a boarding major for driving Antoine Vermette into the boards with a check from behind in front of the Flyers’ bench.
STINGY
Roberto Luongo made 28 saves for his second straight shutout as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Phoenix Coyotes 1-0 on Thursday night. Luongo made his best stops early and late, a short-handed breakaway stop on Garth Murray in the opening minutes, and a dramatic glove save on Ed Jovanovski’s blast with 25.2 seconds left. It was Luongo’s third shutout in five games and league-leading fourth overall. He made 28 saves to blank Nashville on Tuesday and Los Angeles last Friday.
ON THE MEND
New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur had surgery on Thursday to repair his torn left biceps tendon. Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said the timetable for Brodeur’s return remains three to four months. Brodeur was injured making a second-period glove save on a shot that was going wide of the net Saturday against Atlanta.
HOLDING ON … BARELY
NHL scoring leader Evgeni Malkin set up three goals in the second period as the Pittsburgh Penguins opened a five-goal lead, then held on for 5-4 victory over the road-weary Edmonton Oilers. Sheldon Souray’s short-handed goal at 8:59 of the third got Edmonton within one but the Penguins tightened up after that to preserve their second successive victory.
OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMEN
Los Angeles defensemen Tom Preissing and Drew Doughty each had a big night as the Kings ended a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. Preissing scored on a power play and Doughty, the second overall pick in the draft, had his first two NHL assists.
MOVING ON UP
Slava Kozlov scored twice, and Tobias Enstrom had the deciding goal with 8:31 remaining to help the Atlanta Thrashers beat the New York Islanders 4-3 on Thursday night. The Thrashers, with only 10 points in 13 games this season, began the night as the worst team in the Eastern Conference, but the victory moved them a point ahead of the Islanders.
SPEAKING
“I told them I was going to change my number before every game. They said, `That’s not a good idea.’ I guess I’ll stick with the No. 26, it’s working for me.”—Boston rookie Blake Wheeler after he changed his uniform number from 42 to 26 then had his first three-goal game in the NHL, leading the Bruins’ 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Senators won their fourth game in five outings as they defeated the Flyers 4-1 on Thursday, as -140 favorites. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Anton Volchenkov, Dany Heatley, Jesse Winchester and Chris Neil into an empty net scored for the Senators.
The Hurricanes were defeated 3-2 by the Capitals last time out, as +135 road underdogs. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Scott Walker and Tuomo Ruutu scored for the Hurricanes, while Cam Ward stopped 30 shots in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Ottawa has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Ottawa: 6-5-2
Carolina: 7-4-2
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-3-1
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games on the road
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina
Ottawa is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 7 games at home
Carolina is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
Carolina is 6-15-3 SU in its last 24 games when playing Ottawa
Carolina is 2-9-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Ottawa
Next up:
Ottawa at Montreal, Tuesday, November 11
Carolina home to Atlanta, Sunday, November 9
Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Canadiens saved their best for last, scoring four third-period goals to down the Islanders 5-4 on Saturday night.
Montreal stole that win as a -207 road favorite. The final score played over the total of 5.5 goals.
The Blue Jackets scored three unanswered goals in the third period to pull off a 5-4 win over the Oilers as a -110 pick'em on Wednesday. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Kristian Huselius, Derrick Brassard, R.J. Umberger, Fredrik Modin and Manny Maholtra scored for the Blue Jackets. Steve Mason earned his first career victory with a 22 save performance.
Current streak:
Montreal has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Montreal: 8-1-1
Columbus: 5-6-2
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing NY Islanders are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Calgary are 2-8
After playing Edmonton are 3-7
After a win are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
Montreal is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal's last 7 games when playing Columbus
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Columbus's last 7 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games at home
Columbus is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Montreal
Next up:
Montreal at Toronto, Saturday, November 8
Columbus home to Calgary, Saturday, November 8
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Buffalo Sabres
The Thrashers scored three times in the third period to come back and defeat the Islanders 4-3 as -145 favorites on Thursday. The seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Slava Kozlov scored twice for the Thrashers, while Jason Williams and Tobias Enstrom added the other goals.
Ryan Miller stopped 24 shots to earn the shutout to lead the Sabres past the Devils 2-0 on Monday night.
Buffalo won as +140 road underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Atlanta has won 2 straight games.
Buffalo has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 4-7-2
Buffalo: 8-2-2
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing NY Islanders are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Atlanta's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing Buffalo
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing Atlanta
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Buffalo is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Next up:
Atlanta at Carolina, Sunday, November 9
Buffalo at Boston, Saturday, November 8
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks
The Bruins added three insurance goals in the third period to down the Stars 5-1 at home Saturday night.
The Bruins won big as -147 home favorites while their extra effort in the final period bumped the final score past the total of 5.5 goals.
Ryan Getzlaf scored twice and added an assist Wednesday, as the Ducks defeated the Blues 5-2. The Ducks won that game as -180 favorites, while the seven goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Rob Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry had the other markers for the Ducks.
Current streak:
Dallas has lost 2 straight games.
Anaheim has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 4-6-2
Anaheim: 9-5-1
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Boston are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Florida are 3-7
After playing St. Louis are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Anaheim is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Anaheim is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas at San Jose, Saturday, November 8
Anaheim home to Florida, Sunday, November 9
Hot teams
-- Carolina is 4-1 this season in game following a loss. Senators won four of their last five games.
-- Canadiens won three in row, eight of last nine games.
-- Sabres won last two games, shutting out both Washington, Devils.
-- Ducks won eight of their last nine games.
Cold teams
-- Columbus is 0-5 in the game following a win.
-- Thrashers are 0-6 on the road this season.
-- Stars lost three of last four games, allowing 18 goals.
Series Records
-- Senators won seven of last ten games vs Carolina.
-- Road team won last two Montreal-Columbus games.
-- Home side won last six Atlanta-Buffalo games.
-- Dallas is 12-6 in last 18 games vs Anaheim; they ousted the Ducks in the playoffs last spring, in six games.
Totals
-- Five of last six Ottawa games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Columbus games all went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in Anaheim's last eight games.
OTTAWA (5-5-0-2, 12 pts.) at CAROLINA (7-3-0-2, 16 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 48-50 ATS (-32.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 5-3 (+0.4 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 5-3-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.8 Units)
MONTREAL (9-1-0-1, 19 pts.) at COLUMBUS (5-6-0-2, 12 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 21-10 ATS (+32.2 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 40-45 ATS (+100.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 17-10 ATS (+27.7 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 10-4 ATS (+14.7 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 8-23 ATS (-17.2 Units) in November games over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 6-18 ATS (+28.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 1-1 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 1-1-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)
ATLANTA (3-7-0-2, 8 pts.) at BUFFALO (8-2-0-2, 18 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 5-4 (+2.2 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-4-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.8 Units)
DALLAS (5-6-0-2, 12 pts.) at ANAHEIM (9-5-0-1, 19 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 24-14 ATS (+39.0 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 27-14 ATS (+12.3 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
DALLAS is 121-69 ATS (+29.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
DALLAS is 31-24 ATS (+55.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 20-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 8-11 ATS (-19.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 13-9 (+5.6 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 13-9-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
10 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.3 Units)
MONTREAL vs. COLUMBUS
Montreal is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games
Columbus is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Columbus's last 7 games when playing Montreal
OTTAWA vs. CAROLINA
Ottawa is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Carolina
Ottawa is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Carolina is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 7 games at home
ATLANTA vs. BUFFALO
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Atlanta's last 15 games on the road
Buffalo is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
DALLAS vs. ANAHEIM
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Anaheim is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games at home
Anaheim is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Friday's Best NHL Bets
By Covers.com
Atlanta vs. Buffalo (-250, 5.5)
Winning hockey games seems a lot easier when you have the hottest goalie in the league on your side. The Sabres are learning that the fun way following two straight shut out wins and a pair of great performances between the pipes from Ryan Miller.
Miller’s hot play helped Buffalo snap a three-game losing skid (with one shootout loss) and the club is now back looking like the hot team that started the season. The American puck stopper leads the league with a 1.62 goals against average and he has the No. 2 save percentage at .942.
Atlanta just broke a six-game losing slide in its most recent game, but that win came against lowly Florida.
Pick: Buffalo -1.5
Montreal vs. Columbus (+145, 5.5)
If Buffalo has the best goaltending situation right now, Columbus might have the worst. The Jackets are missing their No. 1 goalie, Pascal LeClair, due to an ankle injury and keeping the puck out of the net hasn’t been easy.
Columbus has allowed 11 goals in its past three games and over bettors have cashed in the club’s last four games. Helping over players is the fact that the Blue Jackets have realized they’re going to need to score some goals if they’re going to win games.
The CBJs have blasted 123 shots on goal over their past three games and they’ve racked up 11 goals in the process, which has led to a 1-2 record with one OT loss.
In an effort to try and reduce the goals against, Columbus has called up Steve Mason from Syracuse, who was named the top goaltending prospect by The Hockey News. Mason will make his first NHL regular season start either Friday night against Montreal or Saturday against Calgary.
Pick: Over
NHL Forecast November 7th
by Ron Raymond
Ottawa vs. Carolina
Ottawa is playing some inspiring hockey right now and it seems they've got the momentum building as a unit and they are finally buying into the Craig Hartsburgh system. Ottawa has always been a run and gun hockey team the last few seasons, but they've realize they don't have the defense they once had and the forwards are more involved in their defensive zone. Tough lost last night for Carolina and fatigue could be setting in, as this is their 3rd game in 4 nights and it's a back to back situation. When OTTAWA team played as a Road team - Vs Non Division Opponent - Last 5 years - Coming off a 2 game winning streak; The Sens are 11-4 SU in this role L5Y.
Prediction: Ottawa 4 Carolina 3
Montreal vs. Columbus
Columbus is coming off an exciting win over Edmonton and now they must re-focus and concentrate on the flying Canadiens. Montreal has not played in 5 days and they have the Leafs on deck. Halak could be the go to guy tonight and Carbonneau will most likely go with Price on Saturday against the Buds. Montreal in a close one!
Prediction: Montreal 3 Columbus 2
Atlanta vs. Buffalo
If there's one underdog on the card tonight that could cash in for bettors, it's the Atlanta Thrashers. Hedberg is anticipated to get the nod tonight and he's 8-2-1 vs. the Sabres and Buffalo has not looked like the dominant Sabres who started the season by going 6-1. Buffalo has been off 3 days, so rust could cost them early and they have their division rivals on deck, the Boston Bruins!
Prediction: Atlanta 6 Buffalo 4
Dallas vs. Anaheim
If there's one team Avery and Ott do not want to start their antics against, it's this Ducks team! In fact, this is Dallas first game since their 5-1 lost to Boston last weekend and that game was filled with the fireworks. Ducks are back on track and Turco is expected to get the nod tonight and he's been shaky in nearly every start. When ANAHEIM team played as a home team - Last 4 years - After a non division game - Coming off a Home win as a Favorite - Coming off 1 over; The Ducks are 9-1-1 the last 4 years.
Prediction: Anaheim 3 Dallas 1