Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Dec. 8
Buffalo at Pittsburgh (7:30 p.m. EST). In a matchup of last season’s Winter Classic in New York, the Sabres travel to the Steel City to face the defending Eastern Conference champion Penguins.
STARS
Sunday
— Miikka Kiprusoff, Flames, made 31 saves for his third shutout of the season and 29th overall in Calgary’s 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers.
— Ben Eager and Andrew Ladd, Blackhawks. Eager scored twice, and Ladd had a goal and three assists for a career-high four points in Chicago’s 7-1 win over Phoenix.
— Eric Staal and Ray Whitney, Hurricanes. Staal broke a tie with 4:09 left, and Whitney scored twice in Carolina’s 3-1 win over Washington.
— Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks, scored twice in Anaheim’s 5-3 win over Columbus.
STATS
Chicago scored seven times during a span of 11 consecutive shots against Ilya Bryzgalov in the Blackhawks’ 7-1 victory over Phoenix on Sunday night. Chicago is 8-1-4. … Carolina beat Washington 3-1 for Paul Maurice’s first victory in three games in his second coaching stint with the Hurricanes. … Colorado beat Vancouver 5-4 in a shootout for its eighth straight victory over the Canucks.
STOPPED
Michael Leighton stopped Washington star Alexander Ovechkin on a penalty shot with 1.2 seconds left in the second period in Carolina’s 3-1 victory Sunday. The high-scoring Ovechkin is 0-for-5 on penalty shots in his career.
SCOUTING
Darryl Boyce scored on a penalty shot in overtime to help the Toronto Marlies (Maple Leafs) beat the Hamilton Bulldogs (Canadiens) 6-5 on Sunday night in the AHL. Boyce also scored in regulation for the Marlies, who were down 5-2 in the third period.
SPEAKING
“Score two, beat a guy up? If could do that every night I would.”— Chicago’s Ben Eager after he scored twice and fought Phoenix’s David Hale on Sunday night in the Blackhawks’ 7-1 victory over the Coyotes.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins
The Lightning allowed a third-period goal and lost 4-3 to the Sabres at St. Pete Times Forum Saturday.
Buffalo won as a -123 road favorite while the final score played over the total of 5.5 goals.
Bruins goaltender Manny Fernandez stopped 27 shots to shutout the Panthers 4-0 at BankAtlantic Center Saturday.
Boston won as a -125 road favorite while the final score finished under the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 7 straight games.
Boston has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 6-12-8
Boston: 18-4-4
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Buffalo are 5-5
After a loss are 1-9
Boston most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Florida are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Wednesday, December 10
Boston at Washington, Wednesday, December 10
Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Derek Roy pushed the Sabres to a 4-3 win over the Lightning at St. Pete Times Forum Saturday.
Buffalo won as a -123 road favorite while the final score played over the total of 5.5 goals.
The Penguins were the victims of some tricky bounces that led to a 3-2 loss to the Senators at Scotiabank Place Saturday afternoon.
Ottawa won set at -102 at home. The final score finished under the 5.5-goal total.
Team records:
Buffalo: 12-11-3
Pittsburgh: 15-7-4
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Ottawa are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Buffalo is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games at home
Next up:
Buffalo home to Tampa Bay, Wednesday, December 10
Pittsburgh at New Jersey, Wednesday, December 10
Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators
The Panthers couldn't crack Bruins goalie Manny Fernandez in a 4-0 loss at at BankAtlantic Center Saturday.
Boston won as a -125 road favorite while the final score finished under the 5.5-goal total.
Jason Spezza was in the right place at the right time for his three goals, leading the Senators to a 3-2 victory over the Penguins at Scotiabank Place Saturday afternoon.
Ottawa won set at -102 at home. The final score finished under the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Ottawa has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 11-12-3
Ottawa: 10-10-4
Florida most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Pittsburgh are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Florida's last 23 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Florida's last 23 games
Florida is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Ottawa's last 15 games
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Ottawa is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Florida
Next up:
Florida at Edmonton, Thursday, December 11
Ottawa at Chicago, Wednesday, December 10
New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Islanders scored early in the first period then gave up five unanswered goals to go down 5-1 to the Thrashers at Nassau Coliseum Saturday.
Atlanta won as a +115 road underdog while the final score played over the total of 5.5 goals.
The Maple Leafs gave up a third-period goal to lose 2-1 to the Capitals at Air Canada Centre Saturday night.
Washington won as a +117 road underdog while the final score played under the 6-goal total.
Current streak:
New York has lost 2 straight games.
Toronto has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 10-14-2
Toronto: 9-12-6
New York most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing New Jersey are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Washington are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the NY Islanders last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing Toronto
NY Islanders are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Toronto is 11-2-1 SU in their last 14 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Toronto's last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Next up:
NY Islanders at Philadelphia, Tuesday, December 9
Toronto at Buffalo, Friday, December 12
Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues
The Predators needed just one goal to down the Wild at the Sommet Center Saturday night.
Nashville won as a -127 home favorite while the final score played under the total of 5.5 goals.
The Blues came out on top of a furious second period, winning 4-3 over the Coyotes at the Scottrade Center Saturday night.
St. Louis won as a +105 home underdog while the final score played over the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Nashville has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Nashville: 14-10-2
St. Louis: 11-11-3
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Nashville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Nashville is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Nashville's last 22 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of St. Louis's last 22 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games at home
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
Next up:
Nashville home to Vancouver, Tuesday, December 9
St. Louis at Anaheim, Wednesday, December 10
TAMPA BAY (6-12-0-8, 20 pts.) at BOSTON (18-3-0-5, 41 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 6-20 ATS (+27.9 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 53-109 ATS (+194.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 6-20 ATS (+27.9 Units) first half of the season this season.
TAMPA BAY is 4-13 ATS (+19.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
TAMPA BAY is 2-10 ATS (+13.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
TAMPA BAY is 9-23 ATS (+32.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 1-12 ATS (+16.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 1-12 ATS (+16.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 18-8 ATS (+28.0 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 18-8 ATS (+6.4 Units) first half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 23-11 ATS (+36.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-13 ATS (+36.4 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 20-10 ATS (+9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 107-105 ATS (-70.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-2 (+5.5 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-2-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)
FLORIDA (11-13-0-3, 25 pts.) at OTTAWA (10-10-0-4, 24 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 201-228 ATS (-75.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
OTTAWA is 53-57 ATS (+114.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 12-15 ATS (-11.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 3-9 ATS (-8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
OTTAWA is 3-9 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 8-2 (+4.6 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 8-2-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.8 Units)
BUFFALO (12-11-0-3, 27 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (15-7-0-4, 34 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 51-57 ATS (-35.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 76-52 ATS (+11.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 20-5 ATS (+12.6 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-3 (+5.6 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-3-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.1 Units)
NY ISLANDERS (10-14-0-2, 22 pts.) at TORONTO (9-12-0-6, 24 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 62-56 ATS (+136.6 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
TORONTO is 11-21 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 9-16 ATS (-7.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 6-17 ATS (-18.2 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
NY ISLANDERS is 5-3 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 5-3-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)
NASHVILLE (14-10-0-2, 30 pts.) at ST LOUIS (11-11-0-3, 25 pts.) - 12/8/2008, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 0-7 ATS (-9.0 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 54-50 ATS (+120.6 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
ST LOUIS is 10-21 ATS (+38.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 12-6 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 12-6-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
12 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.6 Units)
TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
Tampa Bay is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Boston
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
BUFFALO vs. PITTSBURGH
Buffalo is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Buffalo is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
FLORIDA vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Florida's last 23 games
Florida is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Ottawa is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Florida
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Florida
NY ISLANDERS vs. TORONTO
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the NY Islanders last 8 games
Toronto is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
NASHVILLE vs. ST. LOUIS
Nashville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of St. Louis's last 22 games when playing Nashville
Hot teams
-- Bruins won four in row, 16 of last 19 games.
-- Panthers won three of their last four games. Senators won four of their last five games.
-- Penguins are 5-0 in the game after their last five losses.
-- Predators won four of their last five games.
Cold teams
-- Lightning lost six in a row, 13 of last 15 games.
-- Sabres lost ten of their last fourteen games.
-- Islanders lost four of their last five games. Maple Leafs lost three in a row, eight of last ten games.
-- Blues lost seven of their last ten home games.
Totals
-- Five of last six Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 13-5-1 in last nineteen Florida games.
-- Three of last four Buffalo games stayed under the total.
-- Last seven Islander games all went over the total.
-- Under is 7-3 in Nashville's last ten games.
Series Records
-- Bruins won ten of last thirteen games against the Lightning.
-- Senators won eight of last ten games against Florida.
-- Penguins won seven of last nine against Buffalo.
-- Islanders won five of their last seven games against Toronto.
-- Blues are 2-0 vs Nashville this season, winning 5-2/1-0so.