Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Dec. 29
New York Islanders at New York Rangers (7 p.m. EST). Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro was set to make his second start since returning from a two-month layoff after his second knee surgery in five months. On Friday night, DiPietro made 28 saves to help New York end a 10-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over Toronto.
STARS
Sunday
— Dustin Byfuglien, Blackhawks, had two goals and an assist in Chicago’s 4-1 victory in Minnesota.
— Michael Ryder, Bruins, broke a tie with 6:04 left in Boston’s 2-1 win in Atlanta.
— Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich, Capitals, each scored two goals to help Washington beat Toronto 4-1.
— Curtis Sanford, Canucks, made 18 saves for his fourth career shutout and first in nearly three years in Vancouver’s 3-0 win over Ottawa.
— Bobby Ryan, Ducks, scored on a power play with 7:11 to play in Anaheim’s 4-3 victory over St. Louis.
— Dwayne Roloson and Eric Cole, Oilers. Roloson made 28 saves, and Cole had a goal and two assists in Edmonton’s 5-2 win over Nashville.
STREAKS
Chicago beat Minnesota 4-1 on Sunday night for its franchise-record ninth straight victory. Chicago broke the team record of eight set in December 1971 and matched in January 1981. The Blackhawks tied San Jose for the longest run of the season. … Boston beat Atlanta 2-1 for its eighth straight win. The Bruins (27-5-4) tied San Jose (27-4-4) for the NHL lead with 58 points. … Ottawa has lost 12 straight road games.
STATS
Washington beat Toronto 4-1 on Sunday night to improve to 15-1-1 at home this season. Add in a six-game home winning streak at the end of last season, and the Capitals have won 21 of their past 23 games in Washington.
SALUTE
Washington retired Hall of Famer Mike Gartner’s No. 11 on Sunday night before its game against Toronto, another of his former NHL teams. Gartner, the fourth member of the Capitals to have his number retired, played 10 of his 19 NHL seasons in Washington.
SCOUTING
Minnesota freshman Jordan Schroeder had two goals and an assist to help the United States beat the Czech Republic 2-0 on Sunday in Ottawa in the world junior championship. Jamie Benn scored three goals, and John Tavares and Cody Hodgson each had two goals and two assists in Canada’s 15-0 win over Kazakhstan. The United States and Canada are both 2-0 in Pool A.
SPEAKING
“We’re kind of feeling like the Boston Celtics.”—Jonathan Toews after Chicago beat Minnesota 4-1 on Sunday night for its franchise-record ninth straight victory. The defending NBA champion Celtics had a recent 19-game winning streak.
New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers
The Islanders couldn't complete a third-period comeback, losing 4-3 in a shootout to the Sabres at HSBC Arena Saturday night.
Buffalo won as a -225 home favorite while the final score played under the six-goal total.
The Rangers were downed 4-2 by their divisional rivals the Devils at Madison Square Garden Saturday night.
New Jersey won as a +123 road underdog while the final score played over the 5-goal total.
Current streak:
New York has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 11-21-4
New York: 22-13-3
New York most recently:
When playing on Monday are 2-8
Before playing New Jersey are 5-5
After playing Buffalo are 6-4
After a loss are 1-9
New York most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing New Jersey are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
NY Islanders are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 9 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
NY Islanders are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of the NY Rangers last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Rangers last 9 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
NY Rangers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games at home
Next up:
NY Islanders home to Florida, Wednesday, December 31
NY Rangers at Washington, Saturday, January 3
Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers
The Canadiens got a third-period goal from Andrei Kostitsyn to defeat the Penguins 3-2 at Mellon Arena Saturday night.
Montreal won as a +111 road underdog while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total.
Florida couldn't slow down their state rivals, losing 6-4 to the Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum Saturday night.
Tampa Bay won as a -109 home favorite while the final score played over the 5-goal total.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Montreal: 19-9-6
Florida: 16-14-5
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
Florida most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-4-3
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 2-8
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal's last 8 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal's last 7 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 8 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 7 games when playing at home against Montreal
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Montreal at Tampa Bay, Tuesday, December 30
Florida at NY Islanders, Wednesday, December 31
San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars
The Sharks were shocked by the Blues, losing 3-2 in a shootout at the Scottrade Center Saturday night.
St. Louis won as a +210 home underdog while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total.
Veteran Mike Modano came up big for the Stars, scoring the overtime winner in a 4-3 victory over the Ducks at American Airlines Center Saturday.
Dallas won as a -130 home favorite while the final score played over the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Dallas has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
San Jose: 27-4-4
Dallas: 15-14-5
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Monday are 9-1
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing St. Louis are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Anaheim are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Jose's last 6 games
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Dallas's last 16 games at home
Next up:
San Jose at Minnesota, Wednesday, December 31
Dallas home to New Jersey, Wednesday, December 31
Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames
The Wild lost to Chicago 4-1 as a +110 underdog on Sunday. The five goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Cal Clutterbuck scored the Wild's lone goal and Niklas Backstrom made 28 saves in the loss.
The Flames got a hat trick from Rene Bourque to lead them to a 6-3 win over the Senators at the Pengrowth Saddledome Saturday.
Calgary won as a -184 home favorite while the final score played over the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Calgary has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 17-15-2
Calgary: 20-11-4
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Chicago are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Ottawa are 3-3-1
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Calgary
Minnesota is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
Calgary is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Calgary is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota home to San Jose, Wednesday, December 31
Calgary home to Edmonton, Wednesday, December 31
Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Predators lost to Edmonton 5-2 as a +110 underdog on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Martin Erat and Shea Weber scored for the Predators in the loss.
The Avalanche took a 4-3 win from their old rivals, the Red Wings, in a shootout at the Pepsi Center Saturday night.
Colorado won as a +148 home underdog while the final score played over the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Colorado has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Nashville: 17-15-3
Colorado: 18-16-1
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Edmonton are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-3-1
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Nashville's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games at home
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Colorado's last 9 games
Next up:
Nashville home to Vancouver, Thursday, January 1
Colorado at Phoenix, Wednesday, December 31
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Los Angeles Kings
Goaltender Steve Mason stopped 20 shots to lead the Blue Jackets to a 3-0 win over the Flyers at Nationwide Arena Saturday.
Columbus won as a +107 home underdogs while the final score played under the 5.5-point total.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick was solid between the posts, leading the Kings to a 4-0 victory over the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena Saturday night.
Los Angeles won as a +135 road underdog while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total.
Team records:
Columbus: 15-16-4
Los Angeles: 15-15-6
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Anaheim are 4-6
After playing Philadelphia are 2-2-1
After a win are 4-6
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Phoenix are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 7 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games at home
Los Angeles is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Columbus
Next up:
Columbus at Anaheim, Wednesday, December 31
Los Angeles home to Philadelphia, Saturday, January 3
NY ISLANDERS vs. NY RANGERS
NY Islanders are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games
NY Islanders are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road
NY Rangers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Rangers last 9 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
MONTREAL vs. FLORIDA
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal's last 8 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal's last 7 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home
SAN JOSE vs. DALLAS
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
MINNESOTA vs. CALGARY
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Calgary
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Calgary is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games at home
NASHVILLE vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing Colorado
Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Colorado's last 9 games
COLUMBUS vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
Columbus is 2-6-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 8 games
Hot teams
-- Canadiens won three of their last four games.
-- Stars won four of their last five games.
-- Flames won four of their last five games.
-- Colorado won six of its last seven home games.
Cold teams
-- Islanders lost eleven of their last twelve games. Rangers lost their last three games, 3-2/5-4ot/4-2.
-- Panthers lost four of their last six games.
-- Sharks lost last three road games, outscored 11-3.
-- Minnesota lost eight of its last ten games.
-- Predators lost six of their last nine games.
-- Blue Jackets lost three of their last four games. Kings lost five of last seven games, but allowed only two goals in last three (both wins were shutouts).
Totals
-- Under is 3-1-1 in Islanders' last five games.
-- Seven of last nine Montreal games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Dallas games went over the total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in Calgary's last five games.
-- Six of last nine Colorado games went over the total.
-- Under is 11-1 in last twelve Blue Jacket games.
Series Records
-- Islanders won their last three visits to Madison Square Garden.
-- Canadiens won last three games vs Florida, 5-1/2-1ot/3-1.
-- Sharks won four of their last five games vs Dallas.
-- Flames won six of last seven games against Minnesota.
-- Predators won five of last seven games against Colorado.
-- Kings won last three games vs Columbus, 3-2/3-0/3-0.
NHL FORECAST FOR MONDAY - DEC 29TH
by Ron Raymond
NY Islanders vs. NY Rangers
The Islanders have won 3 in a row at MSG and 4 of their last 5 in this building, but with the Rangers losing on Saturday to the Devils; make the Rangers the play today. When NY RANGERS team played as a home team - Vs Conference Opponent - Total is 5.5 - Coming off a Home loss as a Favorite; The Rangers are 16-4-0 ATS in this spot.
Prediction: NY Rangers 4 NY Islanders 2
Montreal vs. Florida
The Panthers have won 4 of the last 7 games against the Habs and they seem to always play Montreal tough. Nice letdown spot for Montreal after their 3-2 win over Pittsburgh. Remember, Montreal is very inconsistent after a win this season, as they are 9-9 SU after a win. When FLORIDA team played as a home team - Last 2 years - 3 games in 4 nights; The Panthers are 10-6 SU in this spot the L2Y.
Prediction: Florida 3 Montreal 2
San Jose vs. Dallas
It was impossible for the Sharks to keep up that winning pace and I expect them to hit a bit of a losing streak the next few weeks. Plus, dont look now, but the Stars are now 9-5 in their last 14 and are more reunited as a team. When DALLAS team played as a home team - Before a non division game - After a conference game - Allowed 3 goals AGAINST in their last game; The Stars are 19-8-2 SU in this role since 96.
Prediction: Dallas 4 San Jose 2
Minnesota vs. Calgary
Minnesota just isnt the same team as last year and they have major problems scoring goals. When CALGARY team played as a home team - Last 4 years - After a non division game - Coming off a 2 game winning streak; The Flames are 12-3 SU in this role. When ANY NHL Team Played as Home team as a Favorite - With 1 day off - During the month of December - Total is 5.0 - Coming off vs Eastern Conference opponent - Coming off a Home win as a Favorite - Coming off a 3 goal win; The Home Fave (CAL) is 23-5-3 SU in this role since ?96.
Prediction: Calgary 3 Minnesota 1
Nashville vs. Colorado
Great letdown spot for Colorado after their shootout win over Detroit and Nashville coming off a lost gives us some good dog value. When NASHVILLE team played as a Road team - Last 5 years - Coming off a Road loss as a Underdog - Coming off a 3 goal loss; The Preds are 6-4 SU in this role the L5Y.
Prediction: Nashville 4 Colorado 2
Columbus vs. LA Kings
Columbus coming off a big 3-0 home win over the Flyers and Kings have a hot goalie coming off a 4-0 shutout over Phoenix. Lets take a chance on the Kings. When LOS ANGELES team Played as Home team as a Favorite - Before a non conference game - Coming off a 1 game win; The Kings are 8-4-2 SU in this spot.
Prediction: LA Kings 2 Columbus 1