What bettors need to know: Hockey night in Canada
By T.O. WHENHAM
Toronto Maple Leafs (24-26-12) at Ottawa Senators (23-28-9)
Head-to-head
This is the fourth of six meetings between these two once-proud franchises. Toronto has secured five of a possible six points against their provincial rivals - a testament to just how disappointing the Senators’ season has been. The home side has won all three games and each contest has gone under the total. Toronto has won six of the last eight in this rivalry.
Job security
With the trade deadline looming few players on either side can be certain they’re not on the trade block. The stress is showing in Ottawa. The club has just one win in its last five.
"We're obviously not where we want to be going forward," said Ottawa GM Brian Murray on Monday. "Our performance this year has not allowed us to say there are any untouchables."
Totally opposite
Both Ottawa and Toronto have been profitable for total bettors. Toronto has gone over 35 times in 59 games, while the Senators have gone under 34 times in 59 outings.
The spark of youth
Toronto had an unlikely hero on Thursday night against the Islanders. Tim Stapleton, playing in his first game, scored the winning goal in the shootout. It's a statement of just how bad the season is going for the Leafs that they had a rookie in his debut anchor their shootout order.
Minnesota Wild (30-24-5) at Edmonton Oilers (30-26-5)
Short rest for the Wild
Minnesota comes into this game off a Friday night visit to Calgary. Minnesota has previously played 11 games on no rest, and has won just four. The Wild have, however, been profitable on the moneyline in those games.
Goals in short supply
The Oilers have just 11 goals in their last five games and that’s inflated by a five-goal outburst against Tampa Bay. The Oilers are in the bottom half of the league in goal scoring and near the bottom in shots. Minnesota is only 25th in the league with 2.5 goals per game and the club has actually averaged less than that over the last 10 games.
Every game is a playoff game
The Oilers and Wild are in a dog fight for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
It's the biggest cliche this time of year, but it is true - every game is crucially important.
"We have to win these home games," said Oilers winger Robert Nilsson. "A couple of weeks ago, every team in this conference could have made the playoffs. Now a few are dropping off. If we can put up some wins, hopefully more will drop off."
Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Saturday, Feb. 28
Colorado at New York Rangers (7 p.m. EST). New York has lost two straight since John Tortorella took over as coach and 12 of 14 overall (2-8-4), a skid that cost Tom Renney his job.
STARS
Friday
— Mathieu Schneider, Canadiens, scored on a power play at 3:21 of overtime to give Montreal a 4-3 victory in Philadelphia.
— Mike Cammalleri, Flames, scored his 31st and 32nd goals of the season in Calgary’s 4-1 victory over Minnesota.
— Evgeni Malkin, Penguins, scored on a power play at 1:36 of overtime to give Pittsburgh a 5-4 victory in Chicago.
— Chris Osgood, Red Wings, made 30 saves in his return after a four-game break to help Detroit beat Los Angeles 2-1.
— Steve Bernier and Roberto Luongo, Canucks. Berner scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period, and Luongo made 20 saves in Vancouver’s 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay.
SUSPENDED
New York Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt was suspended five games by the NHL on Friday for elbowing Toronto’s Niklas Hagman in the head Thursday night. Hagman was injured and didn’t return. Officials gave Witt a major penalty and a game misconduct.
STATUS
Center Glen Metropolit and defenseman Ossi Vaananen were claimed off waivers Friday, a day after Philadelphia dropped them to clear salary cap space for Daniel Briere’s expected return. Metropolit was taken by Montreal, and helped the Canadiens beat the Flyers on Friday night. Vancouver took Vaananen. … Atlanta activated center Jim Slater (shoulder) from the injured list.
SCORING
Jonathan Toews scored three goals—all on power plays—for his first NHL hat trick in Chicago’ 5-4 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Friday night. He has a team-high 25 goals in 60 games, one more goal than he had in 64 games last season as a rookie.
STRICKEN
NHL executive Jim Gregory was in critical condition after having a heart attack in the league’s Toronto office. The 73-year-old Gregory, a Hockey Hall of Fame member and the league’s senior vice president of hockey operations, was stricken Thursday, according to the NHL’s Web site. He was in intensive care at St. Michael’s Hospital.
SCOUTING
John Tavares reached the 50-goal plateau for the second time in his Ontario Hockey League career, scoring in overtime in the London Knights’ 2-1 home victory over Erie on Friday night. … Jason Bacashihua made 31 saves to help the Lake Erie Monsters (Avalanche) beat the visiting Toronto Marlies (Maple Leafs) 2-0 in the American Hockey League. Matt Hendricks and Mark McCutcheon scored for Lake Erie.
SPEAKING
“You know how they say, no friends on the ice. I just tried to compete tonight and just worry about the task at hand.”—Montreal newcomer Glen Metropolit on facing Philadelphia on Friday night, a day after the Flyers waived him to clear salary cap space for Daniel Briere’s expected return. Metropolit and the visiting Canadiens beat the Flyers 4-3 in overtime.
Florida Panthers vs. New Jersey Devils
The Panthers scored two goals in a minute in the third period and came away with a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Thursday, as +110 underdogs. The three goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
David Booth and Nathan Horton scored to lead the Panthers, and Craig Anderson made 40 saves to earn the win.
Martin Brodeur stopped 24 shots for the shutout on Thursday, as the Devils defeated the Avalanche 4-0. The Devils won the game as a -200 favorite, but the four goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise, Patrik Elias, and Travis Zajac scored in that win.
Team records:
Florida: 31-22-8
New Jersey: 39-19-3
Florida most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-5-1
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing NY Rangers are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Colorado are 3-3-1
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 7 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games on the road
Florida is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
New Jersey is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
New Jersey is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games
New Jersey is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
Next up:
Florida at Washington, Sunday, March 1
New Jersey home to Philadelphia, Sunday, March 1
Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins
Eric Fehr scored the game-winning goal and the Capitals came away with a 4-3 victory over the Thrashers on Thursday, as -300 favorites. The seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6.5).
Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich, and Mike Green also scored in that win.
Tim Thomas made 33 saves for the shutout, while Michael Ryder had a pair of goals with an assist as the Bruins shut down the Ducks 6-0 on Thursday. The Bruins won that game as a -200 favorite, and the six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Chuck Kobasew scored a pair, while Matt Hunwick and Byron Bitz also tallied in that win.
Current streak:
Boston has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 39-18-5
Boston: 42-12-8
Washington most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 9-1
After a win are 5-5
Boston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Anaheim are 8-8-1
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Washington's last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Washington
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Washington home to Florida, Sunday, March 1
Boston home to Philadelphia, Tuesday, March 3
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars
The Ducks were shut down 6-0 by the Bruins last time out, as +180 road underdogs. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jean-Sebastien Giguere was pulled after giving up three goals off eight shots in the loss.
The Stars fell 3-1 to the Blues last time out, as -155 favorites. The four goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jere Lehtinen scored the lone marker in the loss.
Current streak:
Dallas has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Anaheim: 30-28-5
Dallas: 29-24-7
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Chicago are 6-4
After playing Boston are 4-4-1
After a loss are 5-5
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games on the road
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Dallas is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Dallas is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games at home
Next up:
Anaheim at Chicago, Tuesday, March 3
Dallas home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 1
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Atlanta Thrashers
Jussi Jokinen scored the shootout winner to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 win over the Sabres on Thursday, as -145 favorites. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Anton Babchuk scored in regulation for the Hurricanes, and Cam Ward stopped 36 shots in the win.
Ilya Kovalchuk, Rich Peverley, and Todd White scored in the Thrashers 4-3 loss to the Capitals on Thursday. The Thrashers were +150 underdogs in that game, while the seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6.5).
Team records:
Carolina: 32-26-5
Atlanta: 22-34-6
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Buffalo are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Washington are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 6 games on the road
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Carolina is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Atlanta's last 11 games when playing Carolina
Atlanta is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
Next up:
Carolina at Washington, Tuesday, March 3
Atlanta home to Florida, Tuesday, March 3
Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Rangers
Andrew Raycroft made 28 saves in the Avs 4-0 loss to the Devils last time out, as +180 underdogs. The four goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5). That game's four goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
The Rangers were defeated 2-1 by the Panthers last time out, as -130 favorites at home. That game's three goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Markus Naslund scored the lone goal in the loss.
Current streak:
Colorado has lost 3 straight games.
New York has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Colorado: 28-33-1
New York: 31-24-8
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing New Jersey are 4-4-1
After a loss are 2-8
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing Florida are 4-6
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Colorado is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
Colorado is 5-1-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Colorado's last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado
NY Rangers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games at home
Next up:
Colorado at NY Islanders, Monday, March 2
NY Rangers at NY Islanders, Thursday, March 5
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
Tim Stapleton scored the shootout winner to give the Maple Leafs a 5-4 victory over the Islanders on Thursday, as -125 favorites. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Ian White, Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina, and Nik Antropov scored in regulation.
The Senators were defeated 2-1 by the Sharks last time out, as +160 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mike Fisher scored the lone goal.
Current streak:
Toronto has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 24-26-12
Ottawa: 23-28-9
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing NY Islanders are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing San Jose are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Toronto's last 16 games
Ottawa is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ottawa's last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Ottawa is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Next up:
Toronto home to New Jersey, Tuesday, March 3
Ottawa home to Calgary, Tuesday, March 3
Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders
The Sabres lost 2-1 to the Hurricanes last time out, as +125 road underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Patrick Kaleta potted the only goal in the loss.
The Islanders fell 5-4 to the Maple Leafs in a shootout last time out, as +105 underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Dean McAmmond, Sean Bergenheim, Mark Streit, and Jon Sim scored for the Islanders.
Current streak:
Buffalo has lost 2 straight games.
New York has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Buffalo: 31-24-7
New York: 18-36-7
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Carolina are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games on the road
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the NY Islanders last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the NY Islanders last 19 games
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Buffalo
Next up:
Buffalo home to Montreal, Wednesday, March 4
NY Islanders home to Colorado, Monday, March 2
San Jose Sharks vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Sharks scored two power play goals in the second period and edged the Senators 2-1 on Thursday, as -180 favorites. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Milan Michalek, and Patrick Marleau scored for the Sharks, and Brian Boucher stopped 23 shots in the win.
Mathieu Schneider potted the overtime winner, leading the Canadiens to a 4-3 victory over the Flyers on Friday. The Canadiens won the game as a +135 underdog, while the seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Tomas Plekanec, Tom Kostopoulos, and Alexei Kovalev scored in regulation.
Current streak:
Montreal has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
San Jose: 42-9-9
Montreal: 33-22-7
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Ottawa are 4-4-2
After a win are 6-4
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
San Jose is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing San Jose
Montreal is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing at home against San Jose
Montreal is 2-2-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Jose
Next up:
San Jose home to Dallas, Tuesday, March 3
Montreal at Buffalo, Wednesday, March 4
Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators
Chris Osgood stopped 30 shots to help the Red Wings defeat the Kings 2-1 on Friday, as -300 favorites. That game's three goals went UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Derek Meech and Tomas Kopecky added the goals to lead the Red Wings.
The Predators had four different players score goals in helping them defeat the Coyotes 4-1 on Thursday, as -150 favorites. That game's five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Steve Sullivan, Jason Arnott, Joel Ward, and David Legwand scored in that win.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 2 straight games.
Nashville has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 41-13-8
Nashville: 30-28-4
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Phoenix are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
Detroit is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 7 games
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Nashville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Detroit at St. Louis, Tuesday, March 3
Nashville home to Edmonton, Tuesday, March 3
St. Louis Blues vs. Phoenix Coyotes
The Blues scored twice in the third period and ended up defeating the Stars 3-1 on Thursday, as -135 underdogs. The four goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jay McClement, T.J. Oshie, and Patrik Berglund tallied in that win.
The Coyotes lost 4-1 to the Predators last time out, as +130 underdogs. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Ed Jovanovski scored the only goal in the loss.
Current streak:
St. Louis has won 2 straight games.
Phoenix has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
St. Louis: 27-26-8
Phoenix: 27-30-5
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Dallas are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-3-1
Before playing Chicago are 4-6
After playing Nashville are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games at home
Phoenix is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing St. Louis
Phoenix is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Next up:
St. Louis home to Detroit, Tuesday, March 3
Phoenix at Boston, Thursday, March 5
Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers
The Wild fell 4-1 to the Flames last time out, as +145 road underdogs. The five goals went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (5).
Marc-Andre Bergeron scored the only goal in the loss.
Dwayne Roloson made 31 saves in the Oilers 1-0 loss to the Blue Jackets, as -115 favorites on Thursday. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 30-25-5
Edmonton: 30-26-5
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Calgary are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Columbus are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Minnesota is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games when playing Edmonton
Minnesota is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Edmonton's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Edmonton's last 10 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Vancouver, Tuesday, March 3
Edmonton at Nashville, Tuesday, March 3
FLORIDA vs. NEW JERSEY
Florida is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
New Jersey is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games when playing Florida
WASHINGTON vs. BOSTON
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Washington is 6-13-2 SU in its last 21 games when playing Boston
Boston is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
ANAHEIM vs. DALLAS
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Dallas is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Anaheim
BUFFALO vs. NY ISLANDERS
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Buffalo
CAROLINA vs. ATLANTA
Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina
COLORADO vs. NY RANGERS
Colorado is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Colorado is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
NY Rangers are 1-5-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado
SAN JOSE vs. MONTREAL
San Jose is 2-5-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 6 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
Montreal is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
TORONTO vs. OTTAWA
Toronto is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Ottawa is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
DETROIT vs. NASHVILLE
Detroit is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Nashville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 7 games
ST. LOUIS vs. PHOENIX
St. Louis is 3-10-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games at home
MINNESOTA vs. EDMONTON
Minnesota is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Edmonton's last 7 games at home
Saturday's Puck Bucks
By Scott Rickenbach
Another Saturday night on the ice has rolled around and, as noted in the last few installments, we have changed things up a bit here on the other side of the All-Star Break. We now have gone with a bit of a different approach to this weekly article.
Here we take a quick look at all the Saturday Night NHL action with the key word being quick. This is short because it is intended to be a quick read. This is a sentence or two that pops into an NHL mind when looking at the Saturday Night card. The intent is to help you focus in on match-ups where you feel there might be enough value to put your hard earned money to work for you! Let's get to work:
Col @ NYR - New coach for the Blueshirts. Yet it's been tight losses so far since the coaching change. That is likely to change here as they take advantage of an Avalanche team that just got hammered 4-0 at New Jersey Thursday. The Avs just can't get over the hump. The Rangers will do just that Saturday. Tortorella has his team ready here.
SJS @ Mon - The Sharks are back on track after a 2-1 win Thursday at Ottawa. Their health on defense has greatly improved. However, the Canadiens are back on track too and won again at Philly last night. The Habs have won three straight.
Tor @ Ott - The Sens came up just short on Thursday but they faced a tough Sharks team that was off of a loss at Detroit the night before. The Senators have been playing better and the Leafs are still not a team we trust.
Car @ Atl - The Thrashers have some firepower on offense and they're catching the Canes off of a tight, shootout win over Buffalo. Definitely could be some value here with the home dog Thrashers. Atlanta has shown some life in recent games. It all started on their recent road trip to the West Coast.
Buf @ NYI - Both teams are off of a shootout loss and the Sabres have lost some momentum while goalie Ryan Miller and a key forward Thomas Vanek have been out. However, the Islanders still can not be trusted. They just don't have enough scoring punch.
Det @ Nas - The Red Wings are off of a tight home win over the Kings last night and on the rare occasion when they do stumble it tends to be on the road. Nashville has been playing some of their best hockey of the season and could be worth a look with the home ice edge as well.
Stl @ Phx - Tough to trust the Coyotes but they are in the better spot here at home. They're off of a loss at Nashville but are now back home where they've been much stronger this season. Also, they catch the Blues off of an upset of the Stars in Dallas. This is a big spot for the Coyotes and they should defend their home ice as they bounce back from their road woes.
Min @ Edm - The Wild had to face the Flames in Calgary last night and now face the Oilers in this back to back spot. The Wild are having trouble scoring goals and the Oilers are playing with more confidence than they displayed earlier this season. Edmonton could be worth a look here at a reasonable price considering the situational edges.