Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, March 26
Calgary at Columbus (7 p.m. EDT). Columbus is sixth in the Western Conference in its bid to make the playoffs for the first time.
STARS
Wednesday
— Jason Pominville, Sabres, had a goal and two assists in a 2:07 span of the third period in Buffalo’s 5-3 comeback victory over Florida.
— Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins, made 31 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 15th overall in Pittsburgh’s 2-0 win over Calgary.
— Jonathan Toews and Andrew Ladd, Blackhawks. Toews scored his 30th goal and also connected in a shootout, and Ladd had two goals in Chicago’s 6-5 victory over San Jose.
— Corey Perry, Ducks, had two goals in Anaheim’s 7-2 win in Colorado.
— Rod Brind’Amour and Anton Babchuk, Hurricanes. Rod Brind’Amour tied it at 3:15 of third, and assisted on Babchuk’s power-play goal with 6:01 left in Carolina’s 2-1 victory over Ottawa.
— Marian Gaborik, Wild, had two goals and two assists in Minnesota’s 6-2 win over the New York Islanders.
STREAKS
Carolina beat Ottawa 2-1 on Wednesday night to match the club record with its ninth straight home victory. The Hurricanes have won five in a row overall. … Anaheim beat Colorado 7-2 for its season-high fifth straight victory.
SUSPENDED
Toronto goalie Martin Gerber was automatically suspended three games by the NHL on Wednesday for abusing referee Mike Leggo. After Washington’s Brooks Laich stuffed the puck under Gerber for the tying goal late in regulation Tuesday night, Gerber pushed Leggo and shot a puck in his direction. Toronto won 3-2 in a shootout.
SCOUTING
Taylor Hall had two goals and an assist to help the top-seeded Windsor Spitfires beat the Owen Sound Attack 6-3 on Wednesday night in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. The Spitfires swept the first-round series. … Mike Hoffman scored the first three goals of the game, Yannick Riendeau had two goals and an assist, and the Drummondville Voltigeurs beat the Lewiston Maineiacs 9-3 to sweep the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League first-round series.
SPEAKING
“Everybody’s been writing us off and telling us we have no character in this room and blah, blah, blah. This just shows everybody that we really want to win.”—Buffalo backup goalie Mikael Tellqvist after making 30 saves in the Sabres’ 5-3 comeback victory over Florida on Wednesday night.
New York Rangers vs. Atlanta Thrashers
Scott Gomez's marker stood up as the winner, as the Rangers trimmed the Wild 2-1 on Tuesday night.
New York cashed as -175 home favorites as the teams played under the 5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Rich Peverley recorded a pair of assists for Atlanta in its 6-3 loss to Montreal on Tuesday night.
Montreal cashed as -200 home favorites as the teams played over the 6-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Team records:
New York: 39-27-8
Atlanta: 30-38-6
New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 4-5
After a win are 4-6
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Montreal are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing Atlanta
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games on the road
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games at home
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Next up:
NY Rangers at Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 28
Atlanta home to Ottawa, Saturday, March 28
Florida Panthers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The Panthers gave up four goals in the third period in a 5-3 loss to the Sabres last time out, as +115 underdogs. That game's eight goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brett McLean, Richard Zednik, and Michael Frolik potted the Panthers goals.
Jeff Carter's power play goal in the third period was the winner, as the Flyers upended the Devils 4-2 on Monday night.
Philadelphia cashed as a -110 home pick 'em, as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 3 straight games.
Philadelphia has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 35-28-11
Philadelphia: 40-22-10
Florida most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 1-8-1
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Buffalo are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-3-2
Before playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After playing New Jersey are 9-1
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Florida's last 12 games when playing Philadelphia
Florida is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Philadelphia's last 12 games when playing Florida
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 12 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Florida at Dallas, Saturday, March 28
Philadelphia at NY Islanders, Saturday, March 28
Calgary Flames vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Flames were shut out 2-0 by the Penguins last time out, as +120 road underdogs. That game's two goals went UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Miikka Kiprusoff made 26 saves in the loss.
Jan Hejda scored for Columbus in its 2-1 overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.
Tampa Bay cashed as +155 home underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Calgary: 42-25-6
Columbus: 38-28-7
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-6-1
After a loss are 7-3
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Tampa Bay are 3-5
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Calgary's last 8 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing Columbus
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Columbus
Calgary is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus's last 8 games when playing at home against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing Calgary
Columbus is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary
Columbus is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Calgary home to Minnesota, Saturday, March 28
Columbus at St. Louis, Saturday, March 28
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
Martin St. Louis tallied the winner in the extra frame to lift the Lightning past the Blue Jackets 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Tampa Bay cashed as +155 home underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Alex Tanguay had two goals and three assists to lead the Canadiens past the Thrashers 6-3 on Tuesday night.
Montreal cashed as -200 home favorites as the teams played over the 6-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 24-33-16
Montreal: 37-27-9
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Columbus are 4-4
After a win are 3-7
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Buffalo are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
Tampa Bay is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games at home
Montreal is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Montreal is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Tampa Bay at Washington, Friday, March 27
Montreal home to Buffalo, Saturday, March 28
San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators
The Sharks were defeated 6-5 by the Blackhawks in a shootout on Wednesday, as +105 road underdogs. That game's combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Devin Setoguchi had two goals for the Sharks, while Jamie McGinn, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton added singles in the loss.
Shea Weber was the goal scorer for Nashville in its 2-1 shootout loss to Anaheim on Tuesday night.
Anaheim won as +130 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Nashville has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
San Jose: 48-14-11
Nashville: 35-30-8
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Chicago are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Anaheim are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
San Jose is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Nashville
San Jose is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Nashville
San Jose is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Jose's last 10 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Nashville's last 10 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games at home
Nashville is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Nashville is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Jose
Next up:
San Jose home to Phoenix, Saturday, March 28
Nashville home to Los Angeles, Saturday, March 28
Los Angeles Kings vs. Dallas Stars
Jonathan Quick stopped 21 shots in the Kings' 2-0 loss to the Blues on Tuesday night.
St. Louis won as -170 home favorites as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Brendan Morrison and James Neal tallied for Dallas in its 5-2 loss to Vancouver on Tuesday night.
Vancouver cashed as +100 road underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 3 straight games.
Dallas has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 30-33-10
Dallas: 33-32-8
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Vancouver are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Los Angeles is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Dallas's last 17 games at home
Dallas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Los Angeles
Next up:
Los Angeles at Nashville, Saturday, March 28
Dallas home to Florida, Saturday, March 28
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues
Henrik Sedin had two goals and an assist to lead the Canucks past the Stars 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Vancouver cashed as +100 road underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Chris Mason made 22 saves to earn the shutout, as the Blues defeated the Kings 2-0 on Tuesday night.
St. Louis won as -170 home favorites as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
St. Louis has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 39-24-9
St. Louis: 34-30-9
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-7-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Vancouver's last 7 games
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of St. Louis's last 16 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Next up:
Vancouver at Colorado, Friday, March 27
St. Louis home to Columbus, Saturday, March 28
Edmonton Oilers vs. Phoenix Coyotes
Ales Kotalik and Denis Grebeshkov found the back of the net for Edmonton in its 3-2 loss to Detroit on Tuesday night.
Detroit won as -160 road favorites as the game played under the 6-goal total set by sportsbooks.
The Coyotes lost to Anaheim 6-2 as a +180 underdog on Sunday. The eight goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Shane Doan had a goal and an assist for Phoenix and Ilya Bryzgalov made 24 saves in the loss.
Current streak:
Edmonton has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 35-29-9
Phoenix: 30-36-7
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Chicago are 4-6
After playing Anaheim are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton's last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Edmonton is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Edmonton's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Phoenix's last 18 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
Phoenix is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games at home
Next up:
Edmonton at Anaheim, Friday, March 27
Phoenix at San Jose, Saturday, March 28
NY RANGERS (39-27-0-8, 86 pts.) at ATLANTA (30-38-0-6, 66 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 18-18 ATS (+38.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
ATLANTA is 13-31 ATS (-20.1 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 10-22 ATS (-17.0 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 9-6 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 9-6-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.0 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)
CALGARY (42-24-0-6, 90 pts.) at COLUMBUS (38-28-0-7, 83 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 38-35 ATS (+1.4 Units) in all games this season.
COLUMBUS is 92-93 ATS (+218.1 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 21-16 ATS (+42.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLUMBUS is 19-16 ATS (+43.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 21-15 ATS (+3.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
CALGARY is 41-34 ATS (+75.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 24-12 ATS (+36.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 6-5-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.3 Units)
FLORIDA (35-27-0-11, 81 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (40-22-0-10, 90 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-41 ATS (-37.6 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 83-82 ATS (-15.9 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-35 ATS (-34.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-20 ATS (-17.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 48-54 ATS (-47.8 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 7-3 (+3.6 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 7-3-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.2 Units)
TAMPA BAY (24-33-0-16, 64 pts.) at MONTREAL (37-27-0-9, 83 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 24-49 ATS (+89.5 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 22-49 ATS (+81.8 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 12-8 ATS (+25.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 37-36 ATS (+91.2 Units) in all games this season.
MONTREAL is 33-40 ATS (-31.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 19-20 ATS (-12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MONTREAL is 16-21 ATS (-20.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 5-6 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 6-5-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)
SAN JOSE (48-14-0-10, 106 pts.) at NASHVILLE (35-30-0-8, 78 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 11-5 (+4.6 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 11-5-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.8 Units)
LOS ANGELES (30-33-0-10, 70 pts.) at DALLAS (33-32-0-8, 74 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 132-76 ATS (+17.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
DALLAS is 14-25 ATS (+41.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
DALLAS is 6-17 ATS (-14.4 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 3-8 ATS (-7.4 Units) in home games vs. division opponents this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 13-7 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 13-7-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
10 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.5 Units, Under=-1.3 Units)
VANCOUVER (39-24-0-9, 87 pts.) at ST LOUIS (34-30-0-9, 77 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 214-211 ATS (-73.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 36-40 ATS (-16.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 34-39 ATS (-31.8 Units) in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 20-16 ATS (+3.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
VANCOUVER is 24-16 ATS (+43.3 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 8-3 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 8-3-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)
EDMONTON (35-29-0-9, 79 pts.) at PHOENIX (30-36-0-7, 67 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 76-79 ATS (+167.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 21-17 ATS (+41.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 27-28 ATS (+70.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 43-36 ATS (+87.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 9-22 ATS (+31.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 120-148 ATS (-79.3 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 9-2 (+5.5 Units) against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 9-2-0 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.9 Units)
CALGARY vs. COLUMBUS
Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Calgary is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Columbus is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus's last 8 games when playing at home against Calgary
FLORIDA vs. PHILADELPHIA
Florida is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing at home against Florida
Philadelphia is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Florida
NY RANGERS vs. ATLANTA
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
NY Rangers are 3-11 SU in their last 14 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
TAMPA BAY vs. MONTREAL
Tampa Bay is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
Montreal is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games at home
SAN JOSE vs. NASHVILLE
San Jose is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Nashville
San Jose is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Nashville is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Nashville's last 10 games when playing San Jose
LOS ANGELES vs. DALLAS
Los Angeles is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
Dallas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
VANCOUVER vs. ST. LOUIS
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Vancouver's last 7 games
St. Louis is 17-7-1 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing at home against Vancouver
EDMONTON vs. PHOENIX
Edmonton is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Edmonton's last 18 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games at home
Phoenix is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Hot Teams
-- Flyers won last three games, allowing seven goals.
-- Rangers won four of their last five games.
-- Blue Jackets won six of their last eight games.
-- Sharks won five of their last seven games.
-- Blues are 9-5 in their last fourteen games. Canucks won five of their last six games.
Cold teams
-- Panthers lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Thrashers lost three of their last four games.
-- Flames lost six of their last nine games.
-- Canadiens lost five of their last six games. Lightning lost three of last four games- four of their last five went OT/SO.
-- Nashville lost last three games, all in OT/SO.
-- Kings lost six of their last seven games. Dallas lost its last four games, outscored 16-7.
-- Coyotes lost ten of their last twelve games. Oilers lost seven of their last eleven games.
Totals
-- Four of last five Florida games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Calgary games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Montreal games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-3 in San Jose's last ten road games.
-- Last four St Louis games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Dallas games went over the total; Kings' last four games stayed under.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Edmonton games.
Back-to-Back
-- Florida is 3-5 if it played the night before.
-- Flames are 2-7 if they played the night before.
-- Lightning are 2-8 if they play again the next night.
-- Sharks are 5-2 if they played the night before.
-- Canucks are 5-2 if they play again the next night.
-- Edmonton is 5-4 if it plays again the next night.
Series Records
-- Panthers won seven of last ten against the Flyers.
-- Rangers won four of last five games against Atlanta.
-- Flames lost five of last seven visits to Columbus.
-- Lightning won three of last four games against Montreal.
-- Sharks won nine of last ten games against Nashville.
-- Canucks won five of last six games against St Louis.
-- Kings won five of last seven games against Dallas.
-- Oilers won their last seven games against Phoenix.
NHL teams fading down the stretch
By ARI BAUM-COHEN
With approximately 10 games left in the regular season, the NHL playoff picture is far from settled.
In the Eastern Conference, Montreal and Florida will likely battle for the final playoff spot. In the Western Conference, two spots are available for Edmonton, Anaheim, Nashville, Minnesota, St. Louis and Dallas.
Pittsburgh, Carolina, the New York Rangers, Vancouver and Columbus are surging and have almost locked up playoff spots. Other teams are limping towards the finish line.
Will these struggling teams find a way to make the postseason?
Dallas Stars (33-32-8, 74 points, 12th in Western Conference)
Dallas was expected to make the playoffs this year. After early season struggles, injuries, and controversy the Stars quickly found themselves in the Western Conference basement.
Dallas played very well over the middle part of the season, including a 22-10-3 stretch. On February 19, the Stars were 29-21-7 and looked to have put their early season problems behind them.
Ultimately, Dallas could not overcome injuries to key players. Brenden Morrow, Brad Richards, Sergei Zubov and Jere Lehtinen have all missed significant time due to injury. The Stars have gone 4-11-1 in their last 16 games.
Dallas has nine games left, two games against teams currently in the playoffs. The Stars are four points behind Anaheim for the final playoff spot but will have to pass Nashville, St. Louis and Minnesota if they are to make the postseason.
The Stars are available at odds as high as +10000 to win the Stanley Cup. Considering their soft schedule, players that would return should they advance in the playoffs and Detroit’s questionable goaltending, the Stars are worth monitoring at this price if they can pick up a few consecutive wins.
Florida Panthers (35-27-11, 81 points, 9th in Eastern Conference)
This has been a season of highs and lows for the Panthers. They began the season 7-11-1, Tomas Vokoun was struggling and they lacked consistent scoring.
Under rookie head coach Pete DeBoer, Florida developed an identity as a hard-working, balanced team. At the trade deadline, Florida elected to keep highly coveted defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. After a win over the Atlanta Thrashers March 3, the Panthers were 33-23-8 and had a firm grip on a playoff spot.
A recent 1-3-3 slide, including a 1-2-2 home stand, has the Panthers on the outside of the playoff picture. Three of those losses involved blown third period leads.
Florida has nine games left, four against teams currently in the playoffs. It sits two points behind the Habs for the final playoff spot and does not have the tie-breaker. The Panthers will probably finish in ninth.
The Panthers are available at odds as high as +6600 to win the Stanley Cup. If Florida can finish the season strong and sneak into the playoffs, they are the type of team that can compete with any of the Eastern Conference playoff teams in a seven-game series.
Montreal Canadiens (37-27-9, 83 points, 8th in Eastern Conference)
The Canadiens entered this season with high hopes and higher expectations, looking to build on last year’s success. Montreal played well for the first half of the season, posting a 27-11-6 record over the first 44 games.
The Habs have had major problems on and off the ice during the second half of the season, going 10-16-3 in their last 29 games. Their prolonged slide has included many uninspired performances, most recently against the Leafs this past Saturday. Carey Price has played poorly since returning from injury and Jaroslav Halak has not been much better.
Off the ice, the Kostitsyn brothers and Roman Hamrlik were discovered to have close links to organized crime and Alexei Kovalev was told to stay home and “figure things out”. Later, Coach Guy Carbonneau was fired. Now, Habs owner George Gillette is considering selling the NHL’s most storied franchise.
Montreal has nine games left, four against teams currently in the playoffs. It will probably make the playoffs, largely due to a soft schedule and the struggles of the teams behind it.
The Habs are available at odds as high as +5000 to win the Stanley Cup. Look for Montreal to limp in to the playoffs and make a quick first round exit, similar to last year’s Ottawa Senators team.