Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, Nov. 25
St. Louis at Nashville (7 p.m. EST). The Blues have rebounded from a six-game losing streak with three wins in their last four games. The only loss came in a shootout against Montreal. ^STARS
Monday
— Mike Knuble, Flyers, scored two goals, including the tiebreaker with 5:08 left, and Philadelphia won its fifth straight with a 4-3 victory over Dallas.
— Teemu Selanne, Ducks, had a pair of power-play goals in a 4-1 win over Colorado.
— Cal Clutterbuck, Wild, scored his first two NHL goals to spark Minnesota’s sagging offense and lead the Wild past injury-depleted Washington 4-3.
— Curtis Sanford and Sami Salo, Canucks. Sanford made 32 saves in his first start since star goalie Roberto Luongo was injured, and Salo returned from the flu to set up the tying goal late in regulation and score the overtime winner as Vancouver beat Detroit 3-2 for its season-best fourth straight win.
WHOOPS
Canadiens defenseman Ryan O’Byrne put the puck in his own open net on a delayed penalty, sending Montreal’s game against the Islanders into overtime. Bill Guerin was credited with the tying goal on O’Byrne’s gaffe late in the third period and later scored the shootout clincher in New York’s 4-3 victory.
OPEN NET
Vancouver Canucks star goalie Roberto Luongo has a strained groin muscle and is expected to be sidelined at least a week—probably longer. “We don’t know. It’s the first time I’ve had an injury like this,” he said. A two-time Vezina Trophy finalist, Luongo was injured five minutes into Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Pittsburgh and didn’t put any weight on his left leg while being helped off the ice by teammates. The Vancouver captain was tied for second in the NHL in wins with an 11-5-2 record. He is 5-1-2 with a 95.9 save percentage this month and leads the league with five shutouts overall, including three in a row from Nov. 4-8.
COMEBACK KID
Claude Lemieux has signed a tryout contract with the San Jose Sharks in hopes of returning to the NHL after a five-year absence. The 43-year-old Lemieux is expected to report to the Sharks’ AHL affiliate in Worcester this week, San Jose spokesman Scott Emmert said. Lemieux won four Stanley Cup titles during 18 NHL seasons with five clubs while earning a reputation as one of hockey’s top agitators.
ON THE MEND
Vezina Trophy finalist Evgeni Nabokov will start for the NHL-leading San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night against Chicago after missing seven games with a lower-body injury. Nabokov felt ready to play for most of the past week, but coach Todd McLellan refused to rush his franchise goalie back into action before he was fully ready.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Another son of hockey great Patrick Roy is facing disciplinary action for his on-ice behavior. Frederick Roy was suspended 15 games by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for high-sticking during the Quebec Remparts’ game against the Montreal Juniors on Friday. During a timeout, Roy, a forward with the Remparts, struck Montreal defenseman Vincent Bourgeois in the mouth. Video of the incident has since been posted on YouTube. The suspension comes eight months after Roy’s brother, Jonathan, was suspended for seven games by the QMJHL for participating in an on-ice fight. Jonathan Roy, a goalie with the Remparts, attacked opposing goalie Bobby Nadeau during a game against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. He is facing criminal charges.
WELCOME BACK
Scott Gomez returned from a five-game absence due to a leg injury and scored into an empty net to seal the New York Rangers’ 4-1 win over Phoenix. Henrik Lundqvist was back in goal for the first time in five days and made 35 saves for his NHL-leading 13th win. Brandon Dubinsky scored his first goal in 14 games and Nikolai Zherdev had three assists, helping the Rangers tie Boston atop the Eastern Conference (32 points).
SURGING
Philadelphia’s Simon Gagne extended his points streak to eight games (three goals, 10 assists) with a pair of assists. … Vancouver is 8-0-2 since a 3-2 defeat against Detroit on Nov. 2. … The New York Islanders have won five of six.
SLUMPING
Phoenix dropped its sixth straight game, 4-1 to the New York Rangers. … Dallas has lost three straight and six of seven.
COSTLY CHECK
Los Angeles Kings forward John Zeiler was suspended three games without pay by the NHL for ramming Colorado defenseman Adam Foote into the boards Saturday night. Zeiler was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. He will miss games against Calgary, Edmonton and Chicago before being eligible to return Dec. 1 against Toronto. Zeiler will lose $8,770.17, with the money going to the Players Emergency Assistance Fund.
SWAP
St. Louis traded forward Lee Stempniak to Toronto for center Alexander Steen and defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues have needed a center since Andy McDonald broke his left leg on Nov. 16. Steen has two goals and two assists in 20 games this season. He has 50 goals and 76 assists in 253 career games.
SPEAKING
“I feel bad. I apologized to everyone in the room. The fans are eager for victories and they had a right to react the way they did.”—Montreal defenseman Ryan O’Byrne, who allowed the tying goal when he slid the puck into his own open net on a delayed penalty late in the third period of a 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders. O’Byrne, who didn’t play the rest of the game, was booed by the sellout crowd, which chanted his name in derision as the Canadiens filed off the bench before overtime.
St. Louis Blues vs. Nashville Predators
The Blues came out on top after a busy second period, winning 2-1 over the Wild at the Xcel Energy Center Saturday.
St. Louis won as a +192 road underdog while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total.
The Predators defeated Carolina 5-2 as a +125 underdog on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Shea Webber and Jason Arnott each had a pair of goals for Nashville, while Martin Erat had a pair of assists in the win.
Current streak:
St. Louis has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
St. Louis: 8-8-2
Nashville: 10-9-1
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 2-8
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Carolina are 8-8-1
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of St. Louis's last 12 games when playing on the road against Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 7 of St. Louis's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of St. Louis's last 25 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis's last 9 games
Nashville is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Nashville's last 12 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Nashville is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home
Next up:
St. Louis at Colorado, Wednesday, November 26
Nashville at Atlanta, Friday, November 28
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Thrashers were held to just 15 shots in their 2-0 loss to the Blue Jackets at Philips Arena Saturday night.
Columbus won as a -101 road favorite while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
The Maple Leafs gave up a three-goal lead to loss 5-4 in overtime to the Blackhawks at the Air Canada Centre Saturday night.
Chicago won as a -125 road favorite while the final score played over the total of six goals.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 3 straight games.
Toronto has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 7-10-2
Toronto: 7-8-5
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 1-9
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Columbus are 3-3-1
After a loss are 2-8
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 11 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Atlanta's last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home
Toronto is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games when playing Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta at Washington, Wednesday, November 26
Toronto at Ottawa, Thursday, November 27
Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames
The Kings couldn't grab a win at home, losing 4-3 in a shootout to the Avalanche at STAPLES Center Saturday night.
Colorado won as a +100 road underdog while the final played over the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
The Flames allowed three goal in the third period to lose 5-2 to the Red Wings at the Pengrowth Saddledome Saturday night.
Detroit won as a -135 road favorite while the final score played over the 5.5-goal total.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 8-8-3
Calgary: 11-9-1
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-5-1
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Los Angeles are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 8 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Los Angeles's last 11 games
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Calgary is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Los Angeles at Edmonton, Wednesday, November 26
Calgary at Vancouver, Thursday, November 27
Hot teams
-- Predators, Blues both won three of their last four games.
-- Flames won three of their last four home games.
Cold teams
-- Thrashers lost their last three games, scoring five goals.
-- Maple Leafs lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Kings lost three of their last four games.
Totals
-- Three of last four Nashville games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Atlanta-Toronto games.
-- Six of last nine Calgary games went over the total.
Series Records
-- Predators won five of their last six games against St Louis.
-- Leafs won three in row, eight of last twelve games against Atlanta.
-- Kings lost seven of last eight games against Calgary.
ST LOUIS (8-8-0-2, 18 pts.) at NASHVILLE (10-9-0-1, 21 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 23-12 ATS (+1.7 Units) in November games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 12-5 (+5.4 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 12-5-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.6 Units)
ATLANTA (7-10-0-2, 16 pts.) at TORONTO (7-8-0-5, 19 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 4-18 ATS (+25.3 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 10-19 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 6-16 ATS (+23.4 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-19 ATS (-13.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 74-85 ATS (-54.2 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
TORONTO is 32-46 ATS (+88.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 6-16 ATS (-16.7 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
TORONTO is 4-4-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.2 Units)
LOS ANGELES (8-8-0-3, 19 pts.) at CALGARY (11-9-0-1, 23 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 52-52 ATS (+124.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
CALGARY is 11-15 ATS (-8.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 7-2 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 7-2-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.4 Units)
St Louis at Nashville
St Louis: 15-32 SU when playing their 3rd game in 5 days
Nashville: 23-12 SU in November
Atlanta at Toronto
Atlanta: 4-18 SU after a non-conference game
Toronto: 97-77 SU after consecutive losses
Los Angeles at Calgary
Los Angeles: 11-8 SU AWAY when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
Calgary: 36-45 SU when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
ST. LOUIS vs. NASHVILLE
St. Louis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Nashville
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
ATLANTA vs. TORONTO
Atlanta is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 11 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 11 games
LOS ANGELES vs. CALGARY
Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games
Calgary is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Los Angeles