Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Sunday, Dec. 7
Washington at Carolina (5 p.m. EST). The top two teams in the Southeast Division meet. Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals is third in the league in scoring with 34 points.
STARS
Friday
— Cory Schneider, Canucks, picked up his first career victory in place of injured goalie Roberto Luongo in a 2-1 victory over Minnesota.
— Michael Cammalleri, Flames, scored in overtime to give Calgary a 4-3 win over St. Louis.
— Mike Modano, Stars, scored in the fourth round of a shootout to give Dallas a 2-1 win over the Avalanche.
— Marc Pouliot, Oilers, scored a first-period goal and added another in a shootout to help Edmonton to a 5-4 win over the Kings.
AVERY’S MESS
Sean Avery drew a six-game ban Friday for a crude comment regarding his ex-girlfriends dating other hockey players. Avery, who has twice led the NHL in penalty minutes and is second this season, also agreed to be evaluated for anger management. This is Avery’s first league suspension. Stars owner Tom Hicks said he would have banished Avery if the NHL hadn’t.
AILING
Wild right wing Owen Nolan left Friday’s game against Vancouver with another lower-body injury. He joins Marian Gaborik, who has a similarly unspecified lower-body injury. … Calgary center Dustin Boyd missed his fourth consecutive game with an upper body injury.
SNAPPED
Marty Turco was perfect after giving up a goal in the first round of a shootout, helping Dallas to a 2-1 win over Colorado. The win snapped the Avalanche’s unbeaten streak in shootouts at eight—the third-longest streak since the tiebreaker system was implemented in 2005. … Vancouver snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over Minnesota.
FAMILIAR FOES
Edmonton’s Mathiu Garon was the third former Kings goalie to have started against them this season. Los Angeles beat St. Louis’ Manny Legace 4-0 on Oct. 24 and hung a 5-2 defeat on Chicago’s Cristobal Huet 5-2 on Nov. 29. Garon got the best of the Kings, though, making 32 saves and holding on in a shootout to give the Oilers a 5-4 victory.
SPEAKING
“We needed to be clear that this was the type of conduct that we did not view was acceptable and not representative of what our players do.”—NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, in handing down a six-game suspension to the Stars’ Sean Avery for crude comments regarding his ex-girlfriends.
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Capitals escaped with a 2-1 win over the Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre Saturday night.
Washington won as a +117 road underdog while the final score played under the 6-goal total.
The Hurricanes scored in the third period to force overtime, but lost 2-1 in the extra period to the Flyers at RBC Center Saturday night.
Philadelphia won as a +100 road underdog while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Washington has won 2 straight games.
Carolina has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 15-9-3
Carolina: 12-12-3
Washington most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 2-8
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games when playing on the road against Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Carolina
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina's last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
Carolina is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games when playing Washington
Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Next up:
Washington home to Boston, Wednesday, December 10
Carolina at Philadelphia, Thursday, December 11
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Coyotes scored late in the third period but couldn't avoid a 4-3 loss to the Blues 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.
The Blackhawks gave up a two-goal led in the third period to loss 5-4 to the Red Wings in a shootout at Joe Louis Arena Saturday.
Detroit won as a -180 home favorite while the final score played over the 5.5-goal total.
Team records:
Phoenix: 12-12-2
Chicago: 11-6-7
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Phoenix's last 11 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Phoenix is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Phoenix is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago's last 8 games at home
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chicago's last 11 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Next up:
Phoenix at Dallas, Wednesday, December 10
Chicago home to Ottawa, Wednesday, December 10
Calgary Flames vs. New York Rangers
Michael Cammalleri scored at 2:21 of overtime as the Flames snuck past the Blues 4-3 on Friday. The Flames won the game as -145 favorites, while the combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Rene Bourque, Jarome Iginla and David Moss also scored in that win.
The Rangers were crushed 6-2 by the Canadiens on Thursday, as +130 road underdogs. The eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Markus Naslund and Nigel Dawes answered in the loss.
Team records:
Calgary: 15-10-1
New York: 18-9-2
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
New York most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing Montreal are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games
Calgary is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the NY Rangers last 15 games at home
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Next up:
Calgary at Montreal, Tuesday, December 9
NY Rangers at Atlanta, Wednesday, December 10
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Anaheim Ducks
The Blue Jackets couldn't budge Jason LaBarbera, getting shutout 3-0 by the Kings at STAPLES Center Saturday night.
Los Angeles won as a -104 home favorite while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total.
The Ducks were doubled 4-2 by the Blackhawks last time out, as +115 underdogs. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Teemu Selanne and Chris Pronger answered for the Ducks.
Current streak:
Columbus has lost 2 straight games.
Anaheim has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Columbus: 11-12-3
Anaheim: 14-10-3
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Nashville are 5-5
After playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing St. Louis are 6-4
After playing Chicago are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Columbus is 3-7-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Anaheim's last 7 games
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games at home
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Columbus home to Nashville, Thursday, December 11
Anaheim home to St. Louis, Wednesday, December 10
Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Jason Jaffray scored the game-winning goal as the Canucks defeated the Wild 2-1 on Friday, as +145 underdogs. The three goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Kevin Bieksa scored the other marker on the power play.
The Avalanche were defeated 2-1 in a shootout by the Stars on Friday, as +120 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Marek Svatos scored on the power play for the Avalanche.
Current streak:
Colorado has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 15-10-2
Colorado: 12-13-1
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vancouver's last 8 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games
Vancouver is 3-9-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Colorado's last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 8 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Next up:
Vancouver at Nashville, Tuesday, December 9
Colorado home to Los Angeles, Tuesday, December 9
WASHINGTON (15-9-0-3, 33 pts.) at CAROLINA (12-12-0-3, 27 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 9-9 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 9-9-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)
PHOENIX (12-12-0-2, 26 pts.) at CHICAGO (11-7-0-6, 28 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 24-16 ATS (+45.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 105-102 ATS (+225.5 Units) in road games first half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 173-221 ATS (+432.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 90-119 ATS (-53.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-4 (+1.8 Units) against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-4-0 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.6 Units)
CALGARY (15-10-0-1, 31 pts.) at NY RANGERS (18-10-0-2, 38 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 20-6 ATS (+12.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 7-1 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games in December games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 4-13 ATS (-12.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 23-30 ATS (-15.3 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 1-0-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)
VANCOUVER (15-10-0-2, 32 pts.) at COLORADO (12-13-0-1, 25 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 93-100 ATS (-43.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.
COLORADO is 11-1 ATS (+9.4 Units) in home games on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 22-12 ATS (+34.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 12-5 (+7.0 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
COLORADO is 12-5-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
11 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.3 Units)
COLUMBUS (11-12-0-3, 25 pts.) at ANAHEIM (14-10-0-3, 31 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 4-22 ATS (+42.5 Units) in road games when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 28-27 ATS (+70.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 16-18 ATS (-17.7 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 1-6 ATS (-9.2 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
ANAHEIM is 5-10 ATS (-13.6 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 22-20 ATS (-18.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 10-14 ATS (-24.4 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
COLUMBUS is 3-6 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 6-3-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)
WASHINGTON vs. CAROLINA
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Carolina
Carolina is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Carolina is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
PHOENIX vs. CHICAGO
Phoenix is 5-7-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Phoenix's last 11 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Chicago is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games at home
CALGARY vs. NY RANGERS
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
COLUMBUS vs. ANAHEIM
Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games at home
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Columbus
VANCOUVER vs. COLORADO
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games
Colorado is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 8 games when playing at home against Vancouver