On the Ice - Tuesday
By Judd Hall
I know we’re just a quarter of the way through the regular season in the NHL, but it’s never too soon to jockey for playoff positioning…even in the early part of December. Tuesday has just four games on the agenda. Yet those four tilts will help shape the early standing in the Eastern Conference and Northwest Division.
New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers – 7:05 p.m. EDT
The Islanders weren’t expected to do much this season, but they were in the playoff mix just before Thanksgiving. New York has since faltered by dropping four of its last five matches. Most of the blame could be hurled at Joey MacDonald, who is the starting goaltender for this month as Rick DiPietro rehabs from knee surgery. But you should blame the special teams play right now as they’ve played an integral part in allowing seven power play goals in the last five matches.
Things aren’t much better for Philadelphia right now, but you’d be hard pressed to see that point of view. The Flyers have won two of their first three December matches to put themselves two points behind the Pens for second place in the Atlantic Division and six points out of the Rangers for first place. Philly has found itself on the right side of the column by five special team goals in 13 chances, while giving up three power play scores on 14 opportunities.
New York will be entering this contest after travelling from a road tilt with the Maple Leafs. Normally you would give that advantage to Philadelphia until you realize the Isles are 4-0 when playing on no rest this season. It is important to know that only one of those wins came off of a road match the previous evening.
Calgary Flames at Montreal Canadiens – 7:35 p.m. EDT
Calgary wasn’t expected to contend for much in the way of winning the Northwest Division. But the Flames find themselves sitting atop the division after rolling of seven wins in their last 10 games. A major reason for this is their improvements on offense (80 goals, ninth in NHL), defense (80 goals allowed, eighth in NHL) and special teams (11th on power play, seventh on penalty kill) from last year. Calgary netminder Miikka Kiprusoff is 5-1 in his last six starts with a goals against average 1.88.
They’ll be squaring off with one of the fastest squads in hockey, the Canadiens. Montreal isn’t getting as much love as it once was because they’ve only won five of its last 10 matches this season. And a 2-1 home loss in overtime to the Devils doesn’t help its causes either. To dismiss the Habs at the Bell Centre would be foolish as they are now 3-0-1 in this seven-game homestand.
Bettors should take notice of the fact that Montreal is four of the last seven head-to-head meetings with the Flames.
Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators – 8:05 p.m. EDT
The Canucks’ 5-4 shootout loss to Colorado last Sunday was pretty embarrassing for Cory Schneider in goal. Curtis Sanford appears to be the choice in goal for Vancouver after giving up six goals on 33 shots against the Red Wings on Dec. 4.
Nashville has welcomed the calendar changing over to December with three straight wins to help them stick in eighth place in the Western Conference. Dan Ellis looks like he’ll be in goal for the Predators on Tuesday night with Pekka Rinne getting the honors against St. Louis on Monday. That may end up hurting the Preds at the Sommet Center as Ellis is 1-3 with a 3.57 GAA for his career.
Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche – 9:35 p.m. EDT
The Kings snapped a three-game skid last Saturday night with a 3-0 home win over Columbus. It was the first time Los Angeles shut out an opponent at home since a 4-0 victory over the Coyotes on March 27 of last season.
Colorado was getting ready to put an ad on a milk carton to find its offense recently after scoring 10 goals in two games. But the scoring went dry again as they scored three lamp lighters at Nashville and at Dallas. Peter Budaj looks to be the starter for this contest, but it only moderately successful at the Pepsi Center as evidenced by a 5-4 mark with a 2.24 GAA.
Something else to consider is the home team is just 1-5 in the last six head-to-head scuffles between these Western Conference foes.
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Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Calgary at Montreal (7:30 p.m. EST). Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff made 31 saves for his third shutout of the season in the Flames’ 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
STARS
Monday
— B.J. Crombeen, Blues, scored his first career hat trick, including the game-winner with 3:43 to play, in St. Louis’ 6-3 victory over Nashville.
— Thomas Vanek, Sabres, scored his NHL-best 20th goal in Buffalo’s 4-3 victory at Pittsburgh.
— Stephen Weiss, Panthers, scored with 10 seconds left in overtime to lift Florida to a 4-3 victory at Ottawa.
— Jason Blake, Maple Leafs, had a goal and two assists in Toronto’s 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders.
STREAKS
Milan Lucic, Phil Kessel and Michael Ryder scored in the opening 10:46 and Boston beat Tampa Bay 5-3 Monday night for its fifth straight win and 14th in 16 games. The loss was the Lightning’s eighth straight. … Pittsburgh’s 4-3 loss to Buffalo marked the first time the Penguins lost consecutive games since Oct. 28-30.
TAKE THAT, DAD
B.J. Crombeen scored three goals, including the game-winner with 3:43 to play in St. Louis’ 6-3 victory over Nashville on Monday night. His father Mike played in the NHL for seven seasons, including five with the Blues, but never scored three times in a game. B.J. Crombeen had three career goals coming into the game, including two this season.
SNAPPED
Toronto’s 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Monday night snapped the Maple Leafs’ three-game losing streak.
STATS
Ruslan Fedotenko had two goals in Buffalo’s 4-3 victory at Pittsburgh, giving him 250 career points (130 goals, 120 assists). … Doug Weight had one assist in the Islanders’ 4-2 loss at Toronto, moving within six points of 1,000 for his career. … Brad Boyes scored his 100th career goal in St. Louis’ 6-3 victory over Nashville on Monday night. … Dennis Wideman’s assist on Milan Lucic’s goal in Boston’s 5-3 win over Tampa Bay was his 100th career point.
SPEAKING
“I don’t know if we’re a dumb team or we just don’t get it, or we don’t deserve to be in this league. I mean, we’re making the same mistakes we talk about, game in and game out.”—Lightning goaltender Mike Smith after Tampa Bay lost its eighth straight, 5-3 to Boston.
New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Bill Guerin and Mike Sillinger scored in the Islanders' 4-2 loss to the Maple Leafs on Monday night.
The Maple Leafs got the victory as -160 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the posted total (6).
The Flyers needed overtime to steal a 2-1 win over the Hurricanes 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:
New York has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 10-15-2
Philadelphia: 13-7-6
New York most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing New Jersey are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Carolina are 1-9
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the NY Islanders last 9 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
Next up:
NY Islanders at Pittsburgh, Thursday, December 11
Philadelphia home to Carolina, Thursday, December 11
Calgary Flames vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Flames defeated the Rangers 3-0 as a +100 underdog on Sunday. The three goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5)
Miikka Kiprusoff stopped all 31 shots he faced for Calgary, while Jarome Iginla scored his 14th goal of the season in the win.
A careless penalty late in the third period carried over to overtime and cost the Canadiens a 2-1 loss to the Devils at the Bell Centre Saturday.
New Jersey won as a +140 road underdog while the final played under the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Calgary has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Calgary: 16-10-1
Montreal: 15-6-5
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing NY Rangers are 2-2-3
After a win are 5-5
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing New Jersey are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Calgary's last 10 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Montreal's last 10 games when playing at home against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Montreal's last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal's last 9 games at home
Montreal is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games at home
Next up:
Calgary at Detroit, Wednesday, December 10
Montreal home to Tampa Bay, Thursday, December 11
Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators
The Canucks lost to Colorado 5-4 in a shootout as a -105 favorite on Sunday. The nine goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Steve Bernier scored a pair of goals for Vancouver, while Cory Schneider had 31 saves.
J.P. Dumont tallied his seventh of the year in Nashville's 6-3 loss to St. Louis on Monday night.
The Blues had been listed at -105 at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5.5).
Team records:
Vancouver: 15-10-3
Nashville: 14-11-2
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-6-1
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games on the road
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Vancouver is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville's last 7 games at home
Nashville is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games at home
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Nashville is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vancouver
Next up:
Vancouver at Edmonton, Saturday, December 13
Nashville at Columbus, Thursday, December 11
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Kings rode a second-period surge to a 3-0 win over the Blue Jackets 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 Avalanche defeated Vancouver 5-4 in a shootout as a -115 favorite on Sunday. The nine goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Milan Hejduk had a goal and two assists and scored in the shootout for Colorado, while Paul Stastny had three assists in the win.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 11-11-4
Colorado: 13-13-1
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Columbus are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Vancouver are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Los Angeles's last 10 games when playing Colorado
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 9 games
Colorado is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Colorado's last 10 games when playing Los Angeles
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Los Angeles home to St. Louis, Thursday, December 11
Colorado home to Chicago, Friday, December 12
NY ISLANDERS (10-15-0-2, 22 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (13-7-0-6, 32 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 4-0 ATS (+4.0 Units) when playing on back-to-back days this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 72-73 ATS (+167.3 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 3-11 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games in December games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 17-31 ATS (-19.2 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 45-53 ATS (-56.1 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-32 ATS (-16.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 11-7 (+4.9 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 11-7-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.4 Units)
CALGARY (16-10-0-1, 33 pts.) at MONTREAL (16-6-0-5, 37 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 8-1 ATS (+9.0 Units) in road games in December games over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 14-18 ATS (-8.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 1-0-0 straight up against CALGARY 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 (15-10-0-3, 33 pts.) at NASHVILLE (14-11-0-2, 30 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 94-70 ATS (+168.0 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 10-5 ATS (+16.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
VANCOUVER is 10-5 ATS (+16.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 6-3 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 6-3-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
LOS ANGELES (11-11-0-4, 26 pts.) at COLORADO (13-13-0-1, 27 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 7-23 ATS (+35.7 Units) in road games after shutting out their opponent in their previous game since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 11-33 ATS (+54.4 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 12-26 ATS (+38.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 80-78 ATS (-84.8 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
COLORADO is 67-67 ATS (-68.1 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 6-4-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.9 Units)
NY ISLANDERS vs. PHILADELPHIA
NY Islanders are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the NY Islanders last 9 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
CALGARY vs. MONTREAL
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games on the road
Montreal is 4-5-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal's last 9 games when playing Calgary
VANCOUVER vs. NASHVILLE
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Nashville
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Nashville is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville's last 7 games at home
LOS ANGELES vs. COLORADO
Los Angeles is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Los Angeles's last 10 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games at home
NY Islanders at Philadelphia
NY Islanders: 0-8 SU when playing their 4th game in 7 days
Philadelphia: 12-1 SU after having won 4 of their last 5
Calgary at Montreal
Calgary: 8-1 SU AWAY in December
Montreal: 14-18 SU at home when the total is 5.5
Vancouver at Nashville
Vancouver: 7-20 SU after having lost 3 of their last 4
Nashville: 11-1 SU at home off a loss by 2+ goals to a division rival
Los Angeles at Colorado
Los Angeles: 0-11 SU AWAY off a shut out home win
Colorado: 36-14 SU as a home favorite
Hot teams
-- Flyers won eight of last eleven games, with four of last five going OT.
-- Flames won seven of their last nine games. Canadiens won three of their last four games.
-- Predators won four of their last six games.
-- Colorado won four of its last five home games.
Cold teams
-- Islanders lost five of their last six games.
-- Canucks lost five of their last six games.
-- Los Angeles lost three of its last four games.
Totals
-- Over is 7-0-1 in last eight Islander games.
-- Nine of last twelve Montreal games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Nashville games stayed under the total.
-- Six of Kings' last nine games went over the total.
Series Records
-- Flyers won six in row, 12 of last 14 games against the Islanders.
-- Canucks won their last four games against Nashville.
-- Avalanche won five of last six games against Los Angeles.