What bettors need to know: Hockey Day In Canada
By T.O. WHENHAM
It's the CBC's annual Hockey Day in Canada, so NHL fans get to see three games featuring all six Canadian teams interspersed by countless sappy tales of hockey glory from rinks across the nation. It’s as Canadian as a maple donut.
Ottawa Senators (22-26-9) at Montreal Canadiens (30-22-7)
Head-to-Head
The Habs have won all three meetings with the Sens this season with the two most recent coming in shootouts.
Past meetings don't always mean much in the NHL, but these ones could be especially useless because so much has changed for both teams. Montreal has forgotten how to play and the Senators managed to get their coach fired.
The New Regime
A coaching change was desperately needed in Ottawa, even though coaching switches seem to happen with disturbing frequency there. It has been less than three weeks, but the early returns are positive - the team has played nine games and has five wins and 12 points.
More impressively, they are 4-1 on the road. There clearly seems to be less tension surrounding the team and the offensive players that had been missing in action are showing more signs of life.
It hasn't been perfect, though. The Sens have scored just two goals a game in their last two and have lost both. There were real concerns about whether Cory Clouston - a young coach with no NHL experience of any kind - would be able to command the respect of his team. So far, so good.
All's Not Well in Montreal
Things have fallen apart for the Habs in what was once a promising season. They have just three wins in their last 15 games and they have given up an average of 4.2 goals per game over that stretch. You can't win many games by doing that. The goaltending has been problematic to say the least. Carey Price has returned from injury, but he clearly isn't at his best. Backup Jaroslav Halak hasn't been dependable in weeks.
That's not the only drama in town. Forward Alexei Kovalev is just weeks past being named MVP of the All-Star game, but he's out of favor with his club. GM Bob Gainey 'suggested' that Kovalev take a couple of days away from the team to deal with his attitude and is listed as out indefinitely.
The Russian obviously wasn't impressed by the suggestion and has told media back home that he is done with Montreal and wants to be traded to a contender. It's all a serious distraction for a team that really doesn't need one right now.
The Sens are without a start of their own after captain Daniel Alfredsson broke his jaw two games ago. He missed Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the visiting Canucks and will be out at least a week.
Vancouver Canucks (29-21-8) at Toronto Maple Leafs (21-26-11)
Head-to-Head
These teams played back in November in one of Roberto Luongo's last games before his injury. Vancouver won 4-2 in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. Vesa Toskala was pulled in the second period after allowing four goals in nine shots.
Big Turnaround On The Coast
At the end of January things looked bleak for the Canucks. They had lost eight straight, new addition Mats Sundin was stuck in neutral, Roberto Luongo was rusty and coach Alain Vigneault was on the hot seat.
Times have changed.
Vancouver has won seven of eight and Luongo is 7-0 over the stretch. He's still not as sharp as he can be, but he has shown glimpses of brilliance in his last two games. Sundin has been much better, too, with nine points in the eight games. Seven of those nine points came in the first three games so he still hasn't found consistency, but the quality of his play is significantly improved.
Toronto is Still Toronto
You don't need to spend much time getting reacquainted with the Leafs. They've been in disarray all year and they still are. They don't have reliable goaltending, their defensive play is terrible and their offense is inconsistent. Abundant trade rumors have the team on edge and they are playing poorly - just one win in their last five.
Calgary Flames (34-18-6) at Edmonton Oilers (29-24-4)
Head-to-Head
Edmonton won back-to-back games against Calgary at the start of the season and Calgary responded with a win on New Year's Eve. Each team has scored 11 goals in the three games so the teams are well matched.
Calgary Rediscovers Form
The Flames started February by slipping into a four-game skid. That threatened their comfortable lead in the Northwest Division but they followed that up by securing 10 of their last 12 possible points.
Their earlier problems came from a collective scoring slump. Since then, Jarome Iginla finally broke a seven-game scoring drought, Daymond Langkow has goals in consecutive games after being shut out in 13 straight and Todd Bertuzzi is showing new signs of life.
Edmonton Happy To Be Home
If you wanted to sum up the Oilers in two words they would be “road weary”. They have played six of their last seven on the road and there have been several challenges - tough opponents in Detroit and San Jose and all six were key conference battles as the Oilers fight for a playoff spot.
The road games weren't perfect, but in their typical style Edmonton found a way to come out of them reasonably well at 3-2-1. This, despite the fact the Oilers are in the bottom third of the league defensively and only slightly better on offense.
Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Saturday, Feb. 21
Vancouver at Toronto (7 p.m. EST). Vancouver’s Mats Sundin returns to the Air Canada Centre for his first game in Toronto since leaving the Maple Leafs as a free agent. The game is part of CBC’s “Hockey Day in Canada” tripleheader, available in the United States on the NHL Network.
STARS
Friday
— Ty Conklin and Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings. Conklin made 24 saves for his 11th straight home victory, and Zetterberg had a goal and two assists in Detroit’s 5-2 home win over Anaheim.
— Joe Corvo, Hurricanes, scored 5-on-3 goals 39 seconds apart in Carolina’s 4-1 home victory over Tampa Bay.
— Andrew Raycroft and Ryan Smyth, Avalanche. Raycroft made 28 saves, and Smyth had a goal and two assists in Colorado’s 4-1 victory in Washington.
SWAP
Ottawa acquired center Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli from the New York Islanders on Friday for center Dean McAmmond and a first-round draft pick. Comrie was part of Ottawa’s run to the 2007 Stanley Cup finals before leaving to sign with the Islanders as a free agent that summer.
STATS
Colorado coach Tony Granato reached 100 career victories Friday night in the Avalanche’s 4-1 win in Washington. Colorado won its third straight, and also ended Washington’s three-game winning streak and Alex Ovechkin’s 10-game points streak.
SCOUTING
John Tavares had two goals and an assist in the London Knights’ 6-3 home loss to the Ontario Hockey League-leading Windsor Spitfires on Friday night. Expected to be the top pick in the NHL draft, Tavares has 47 goals and 40 assists in 48 games this season for Oshawa and London.
SPEAKING
“We’re trying to be proactive. We’re forcing the situation. We’re challenging him to be the goalie he’s capable of being and get himself physically and mentally to the top of his game.”—Detroit coach Mike Babcock on struggling goalie Chris Osgood after the Red Wings scratched him Friday night against Anaheim. Babcock also said Osgood would sit out again Saturday night in Minnesota.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Sergei Gonchar scored the game-winning goal to lift the Penguins to a 5-4 victory over the Canadiens as -180 favorites on Thursday. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).
Evgeni Malkin potted a goal and an assist, while Miroslav Satan, Petr Sykora, and Max Talbot also scored in that win.
Mike Richards scored twice and pocketed three assists as the Flyers extended their win streak to three games by defeating the Sabres 6-3 on Thursday. The Flyers won the game as a -155 favorite, while the nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Glen Metropolit, Braydon Coburn, Mike Knuble, and Darroll Powe added singles in that win.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 28-25-6
Philadelphia: 31-16-9
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Montreal are 6-4
After a win are 2-8
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Buffalo are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Pittsburgh's last 22 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 13 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
Next up:
Pittsburgh at Washington, Sunday, February 22
Philadelphia at Washington, Tuesday, February 24
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Dallas Stars
Cristobal Huet stopped all 31 shots as the Blackhawks blanked the Panthers 4-0 on Thursday, as -120 favorites. The four goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ben Eager scored twice, while singles came from Andrew Ladd and Jonathan Toews.
The Stars scored twice in the first period and came away with a 4-2 win over the Oilers on Thursday, as -150 favorites. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Krys Barch, Raymond Sawada, Fabian Brunnstrom, and Jere Lehtinen tallied in the win, and Mike Ribeiro collected a pair of assists.
Current streak:
Chicago has won 3 straight games.
Dallas has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 33-15-8
Dallas: 29-21-7
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 1-7-2
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Florida are 4-4-4
After a win are 5-5
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Edmonton are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Chicago is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Dallas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Dallas is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Next up:
Chicago home to Minnesota, Sunday, February 22
Dallas home to San Jose, Monday, February 23
Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Senators were defeated 5-2 by the Canucks last time out, as +115 underdogs at home. The game's seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Dany Heatley and Mike Fisher scored in that loss.
The Canadiens fell 5-4 to the Penguins on Thursday, as +160 road underdogs. That game's nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (6).
Tomas Plekanec scored twice, while Andrei Kostitsyn and Mathieu Schneider also tallied in the loss.
Current streak:
Ottawa has lost 2 straight games.
Montreal has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Ottawa: 22-26-9
Montreal: 30-22-7
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing Vancouver are 6-6-1
After a loss are 4-6
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Vancouver are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Ottawa is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Ottawa's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing Montreal
Montreal is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal's last 7 games
Montreal is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing Ottawa
Next up:
Ottawa home to Carolina, Tuesday, February 24
Montreal home to Vancouver, Tuesday, February 24
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings
It took eight shooters apiece before Daniel Carcillo gave the Coyotes a 4-3 shootout victory over the Thrashers on Thursday, as -145 favorites. The combined score went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Joakim Lindstrom, Viktor Tikhonov, and Steven Goertzen scored in regulation.
The Kings were doubled 4-2 by the Sharks last time out, as +300 road underdogs. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Michal Handzus and Alexander Frolov scored in a losing effort.
Team records:
Phoenix: 26-28-5
Los Angeles: 25-23-9
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-5-1
Before playing Chicago are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 4-4-2
After a win are 3-7
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing San Jose are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Phoenix is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Phoenix's last 14 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Los Angeles's last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Los Angeles's last 14 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Los Angeles's last 13 games
Next up:
Phoenix at St. Louis, Tuesday, February 24
Los Angeles at Minnesota, Tuesday, February 24
Atlanta Thrashers vs. San Jose Sharks
The Thrashers were defeated 4-3 by the Coyotes in a shootout last time out, as +125 underdogs. The combined score went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Erik Christensen, Bryan Little, and Ilya Kovalchuk replied in the loss.
The Sharks won their second straight with a 4-2 doubling of the Kings on Thursday, as -350 favorites. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Lukas Kaspar, Patrick Marleau, Marc-Edouard, and Milan Michalek potted the goals in that win.
Current streak:
San Jose has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 21-32-6
San Jose: 39-8-9
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Phoenix are 1-9
After a loss are 5-5
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
Atlanta is 1-7-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing San Jose
Atlanta is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games at home
San Jose is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games at home
San Jose is 4-0-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta home to Colorado, Tuesday, February 24
San Jose at Dallas, Monday, February 23
New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres
Henrik Lundqvist stopped 25 shots, and the Rangers snapped a three-game winless streak by defeating their cross-town rival Islanders 3-1 on Wednesday. The Rangers won the game as a -240 favorite, while the four goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Nigel Dawes, Scott Gomez on the power play, and Fredrik Sjostrom into an empty net scored in that win.
The Sabres were doubled 6-3 by the Flyers last time out, as +135 road underdogs. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jaroslav Spacek scored twice for the Sabres, and Derek Roy added the other marker in the loss.
Team records:
New York: 31-22-6
Buffalo: 30-23-6
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing NY Islanders are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the NY Rangers last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the NY Rangers last 11 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the NY Rangers last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Buffalo's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Buffalo's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Buffalo is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
NY Rangers home to Toronto, Sunday, February 22
Buffalo home to Anaheim, Tuesday, February 24
Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers
Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci had a goal and an assist apiece, as the Bruins defeated the Hurricanes 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Boston won as -160 road favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
The Panthers were shut down 4-0 by the Blackhawks on Thursday, as +100 underdogs. The four goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Tomas Vokoun made 38 saves in a losing effort.
Team records:
Boston: 40-10-8
Florida: 29-21-8
Boston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Carolina are 8-2
After a win are 7-3
Florida most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-6-1
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Chicago are 4-4-1
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Florida
Boston is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Boston's last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
Florida is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 8 games when playing Boston
Next up:
Boston at Tampa Bay, Sunday, February 22
Florida at Boston, Tuesday, February 24
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders
Patrik Elias potted the shootout winner to give the Devils a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Lightning on Thursday, as -200 favorites. The game's combined score went UNDEr the posted over/under (5.5).
Brian Rolston and Zach Parise scored power play markers. Kevin Weekes stopped 39 shots in earning the win.
Mark Streit and Jon Sim tallied in the Islanders 6-2 loss to the Hurricanes last time out, as +135 underdogs. The eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Current streak:
New York has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 38-18-3
New York: 17-35-6
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Tampa Bay are 8-2
After a win are 7-3
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Carolina are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
New Jersey is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
New Jersey is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New Jersey's last 12 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the NY Islanders last 12 games when playing at home against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the NY Islanders last 17 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of the NY Islanders last 16 games
Next up:
New Jersey home to Colorado, Thursday, February 26
NY Islanders at Pittsburgh, Wednesday, February 25
Vancouver Canucks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Canucks scored three goals in the first period and went on to defeat the Senators 5-2 on Thursday, as -135 favorites. The seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Alex Burrows, Henrik Sedin, Kevin Bieksa, Daniel Sedin, and Pavol Demitra scored in that win.
The Maple Leafs lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Blue Jackets last time outm as a -110 pick'em. The combined scored made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Nik Antropov scored a pair, and Jamal Mayers added the other goal in the loss.
Current streak:
Vancouver has won 3 straight games.
Toronto has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 29-21-8
Toronto: 21-26-11
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Ottawa are 5-5-2
After a win are 5-5
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Columbus are 2-4
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Vancouver's last 10 games
Vancouver is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games on the road
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games when playing Vancouver
Toronto is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games at home
Next up:
Vancouver at Montreal, Tuesday, February 24
Toronto at NY Rangers, Sunday, February 22
Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Ducks were clipped 5-2 by the Red Wings on Friday, as +250 road underdogs. The seven goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan tallied, and Jean-Sebastian Giguere stopped 29-of-34 shots in a losing effort.
Rick Nash scored once in regulation and added the shootout winner to lift the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 victory over the Maple Leafs last time out, as a -110 pick'em. The combined scored made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
R.J. Umberger and Kristian Huselius potted the other markers in that win.
Current streak:
Anaheim has lost 3 straight games.
Columbus has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Anaheim: 28-27-5
Columbus: 30-23-6
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Buffalo are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Calgary are 2-8
After playing Toronto are 1-5
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Anaheim is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Columbus
Anaheim is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games on the road
Columbus is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games at home
Columbus is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Next up:
Anaheim at Buffalo, Tuesday, February 24
Columbus at Calgary, Tuesday, February 24
Detroit Red Wings vs. Minnesota Wild
Henrik Zetterberg scored once and added two assists to lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Ducks on Friday, as -300 favorites. The seven goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Daniel Cleary, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, and Kris Draper also scored in that win.
The Wild fell 3-2 to the Flames in overtime on Thursday, as a -110 pick'em. The five goals went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).
Dan Fritsche and Colton Gillies scored in the loss.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 2 straight games.
Minnesota has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 39-12-8
Minnesota: 28-24-4
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-3-1
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Anaheim are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Calgary are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games
Detroit is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
Minnesota is 1-7-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit
Next up:
Detroit home to San Jose, Wednesday, February 25
Minnesota at Chicago, Sunday, February 22
Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues
Keith Tkachuk scored at 2:52 of overtime to lift the Blues to a 2-1 win over the Predators on Thursday, as +120 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the night's posted over/under (5.5).
Andy McDonald scored the other marker in regulation for the Blues, and Chris Mason stopped 28 shots in that win.
Steve Sullivan scored the lone marker for the Predators, who were favored at -140.
Current streak:
Nashville has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Nashville: 27-28-4
St. Louis: 25-26-7
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing St. Louis are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Nashville are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Nashville's last 23 games
Nashville is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of St. Louis's last 8 games at home
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville
Next up:
Nashville home to Chicago, Tuesday, February 24
St. Louis home to Phoenix, Tuesday, February 24
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
Adrian Aucoin scored the overtime winner to lift the Flames to a 3-2 win over the Wild on Thursday, as a -110 pick'em. The five goals went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).
Rene Bourque and Dustin Boyd scored in regulation for the Flames, and Miikka Kiprusoff made 25 saves in the win.
The Oilers were doubled 4-2 by the Stars last time out, as +130 underdogs. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Liam Reddox and Shawn Horcoff scored for the Oilers.
Current streak:
Edmonton has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Calgary: 34-18-6
Edmonton: 29-25-4
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Dallas are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Calgary's last 12 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Edmonton's last 12 games when playing at home against Calgary
Next up:
Calgary home to Columbus, Tuesday, February 24
Edmonton home to Tampa Bay, Tuesday, February 24
PITTSBURGH vs. PHILADELPHIA
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Pittsburgh's last 22 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
CHICAGO vs. DALLAS
Chicago is 2-10-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 16-7-1 SU in its last 24 games when playing Chicago
Dallas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chicago
OTTAWA vs. MONTREAL
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Ottawa is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Montreal is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal's last 7 games
ATLANTA vs. SAN JOSE
Atlanta is 1-7-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing San Jose
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose's last 6 games
PHOENIX vs. LOS ANGELES
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Phoenix is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Los Angeles's last 14 games at home
ANAHEIM vs. COLUMBUS
Anaheim is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Columbus
Columbus is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Columbus is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
BOSTON vs. FLORIDA
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Florida
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Florida is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Boston
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
NEW JERSEY vs. NY ISLANDERS
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games
NY Islanders are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the NY Islanders last 17 games when playing New Jersey
NY RANGERS vs. BUFFALO
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Buffalo
NY Rangers are 8-15 SU in their last 23 games when playing Buffalo
Buffalo is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Buffalo's last 7 games at home
VANCOUVER vs. TORONTO
Vancouver is 8-13-4 SU in its last 25 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Vancouver's last 11 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
DETROIT vs. MINNESOTA
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Detroit is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-7-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
NASHVILLE vs. ST. LOUIS
Nashville is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games on the road
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
St. Louis is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing Nashville
CALGARY vs. EDMONTON
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Calgary's last 12 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Edmonton's last 12 games when playing at home against Calgary