Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, Feb. 17
New Jersey at Florida (7:30 p.m. EST). The Devils have won 13 of their last 15 games, the last two at home against conference leaders Boston and San Jose.
STARS
Monday
— Alex Auld, Senators, made 24 saves to lead Ottawa to its season-high fifth straight victory over Nashville.
— Ilya Kovalchuk, Thrashers, had two goals and an assist in Atlanta’s 7-6 shootout win at Los Angeles.
— Joey MacDonald, Islanders, stopped 35 shots in regulation and overtime and turned aside shots by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby in the shootout to lift New York past Pittsburgh 3-2.
— B.J. Crombeen, Blues, scored the go-ahead goal on a rebound with 5:14 to play, lifting St. Louis over the New York Rangers 2-1.
DISMAL DEBUT
Dan Bylsma stepped behind Pittsburgh’s bench Monday for the first time as an NHL head coach, less than 24 hours after taking over for the fired Michel Therrien. The result was not much better than many under the old regime as Pittsburgh was beaten by the New York Islanders 3-2 in a shootout.
STAR SNIPER
Dallas’ James Neal scored the only goal in the shootout to lead the Stars past the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 on Monday night. Neal improved to 6-for-9 in shootouts this season.
SOLID AULD
Alex Auld made 24 saves in Ottawa’s 2-0 win at Nashville on Monday night for his first shutout of the season and sixth of his career. After losing nine consecutive decisions, Auld has won two in a row.
STREAKS
Ottawa won its season-high fifth straight game, a 2-0 victory over Nashville on Monday night. Since replacing Craig Hartsburg as coach on Feb. 2, Cory Clouston has guided Ottawa to a 5-1-1 record. … Phoenix’s 3-1 loss to Edmonton was its sixth straight at home and ninth in 10 games since the All-Star break.
QUICK STRIKES
R.J. Umberger had both of Columbus’ goals in a span of 1:29 in the second period—the fastest goals ever by a Blue Jackets player—in a 3-2 shootout loss.
SHOOTOUT STARS
Erik Christensen scored in the fourth round of the tiebreaker, giving the Atlanta Thrashers a 7-6 win Monday night after they blew a three-goal lead. Atlanta is 4-0 in shootouts, and is the only team that hasn’t lost in that situation this season.
STATS
Ottawa’s last win in Nashville before a 2-0 victory Monday night was March 24, 2001. … Los Angeles defenseman Denis Gauthier ended a 123-game goal drought with his first since Dec. 31, 2005, in the Kings’ 7-6 shootout loss to Atlanta. … Nashville is 2-for-35 on the power play in its last 10 games.
ROAD WOES
Pittsburgh dropped to 1-7-2 on the road in 2009 after a 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Monday. … The New York Rangers are 0-6-1 in their last seven on the road after a 2-1 loss at St. Louis.
TOUGH TURCO
Marty Turco had 41 saves Monday night to lead the Dallas Stars past Columbus 3-2 in a shootout and improve to 14-1-2 in his career against the Blue Jackets. Dallas is 24-4-4 against Columbus since the Blue Jackets joined the league in 2000-01.
STEPPING IN
Atlanta backup goalie Johan Hedberg, starting for only the second time in 21 games since Dec. 30, made 39 saves in the Thrashers’ 7-6 shootout win at Los Angeles. He came in 0-6-0 lifetime against the Kings with a 3.85 goals-against average.
BACK AGAIN
The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers on Monday for two draft picks. Schneider began his 20-year career with Montreal and helped the Canadiens win their 24th Stanley Cup in 1993.
SPEAKING
“The second half of the game, I thought we just totally dominated. We didn’t give them anything in the third period, especially.”—St. Louis goalie Chris Mason, who made 19 saves in the Blues’ 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday. The Blues outshot the Rangers 14-4 in the third period.
Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Blake Wheeler and Zdeno Chara scored for Boston in their 3-2 loss to Nashville on Saturday night.
The Predators claimed the victory as +140 home underdogs in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
The Hurricanes defeated Buffalo 3-0 as a +150 underdog on Sunday. The three goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Cam Ward stopped all 36 shots he faced for Carolina, while Eric Staal scored and had two assists in the win.
Current streak:
Boston has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 39-10-8
Carolina: 28-24-5
Boston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Nashville are 2-2-3
After a loss are 5-5
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Buffalo are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Carolina
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina's last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Carolina's last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Carolina's last 10 games when playing Boston
Carolina is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Next up:
Boston at Florida, Saturday, February 21
Carolina at NY Islanders, Thursday, February 19
New Jersey Devils vs. Florida Panthers
The Devils defeated San Jose 6-5 as a +105 underdog on Sunday. The 11 goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
David Clarkson scored a pair of goals for New Jersey, while Brian Gionta and Brian Rolston each had a goal and two assists in the win.
The Panthers lost to Washington 4-2 as a +105 underdog on Sunday. The six goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Michael Frolik and Nathan Horton scored for Florida in the loss.
Current streak:
New Jersey has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 37-17-3
Florida: 28-20-8
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing San Jose are 8-8-1
After a win are 8-2
Florida most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Washington are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
New Jersey is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New Jersey is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games
New Jersey is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Florida
New Jersey is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing Florida
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Florida is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games
Next up:
New Jersey at Tampa Bay, Thursday, February 19
Florida home to Chicago, Thursday, February 19
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Martin Havlat had a pair of goals on Saturday night as the Blackhawks topped the Stars by a final score of 6-2.
The Blackhawks got the victory as -165 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5.5).
Ryan Malone had the lone Lightning goal in their 5-1 loss to the Capitals on Saturday night.
The Caps grabbed the victory as -200 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the night's posted total (6).
Team records:
Chicago: 31-15-8
Tampa Bay: 19-26-11
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-4-1
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Washington are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chicago's last 19 games when playing Tampa Bay
Chicago is 8-2-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Tampa Bay
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Tampa Bay's last 19 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games at home
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Next up:
Chicago at Florida, Thursday, February 19
Tampa Bay home to New Jersey, Thursday, February 19
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Buffalo lost to Carolina 3-0 as a -170 favorite on Sunday. The three goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Ryan Miller made 16 saves for Buffalo before getting pulled.
Jason Blake scored twice on Saturday night as the Maple Leafs rallied for a 6-2 win over the Penguins.
The Leafs pulled out the victory as +125 home underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6.5).
Team records:
Buffalo: 29-22-6
Toronto: 21-25-10
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Carolina are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Buffalo's last 8 games
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Buffalo is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Toronto's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
Toronto is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
Next up:
Buffalo at Philadelphia, Thursday, February 19
Toronto home to Columbus, Thursday, February 19
Ottawa Senators vs. Colorado Avalanche
Alex Auld made 24 saves to earn the shutout, as the Senators stifled the Predators 2-0 on Monday night.
Ottawa cashed as +120 road underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
The Avalanche defeated Detroit 6-5 in a shootout as a +300 underdog on Sunday. The 11 goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (6).
Ian Laperriere and Ben Guite each had a goal and an assist for Colorado in the win.
Current streak:
Ottawa has won 5 straight games.
Team records:
Ottawa: 22-25-8
Colorado: 26-30-1
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing Nashville are 7-7-1
After a win are 5-5
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Ottawa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Ottawa's last 12 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Ottawa's last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Colorado's last 12 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Colorado's last 20 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games
Colorado is 8-3-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Ottawa
Next up:
Ottawa home to Vancouver, Thursday, February 19
Colorado at Washington, Friday, February 20
Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames
The Canucks defeated Montreal 4-2 as a -175 favorite on Sunday. The six goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin both scored for Vancouver, while Alex Burrows had a pair of assists.
Matthew Lombardi led the way with two goals on Saturday night as the Flames rolled to a 7-5 win over the Coyotes.
The Flames pulled off the win as -145 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score went well OVER the night's posted total (5.5).
Current streak:
Calgary has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 27-21-8
Calgary: 33-18-5
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Montreal are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Phoenix are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 8 games
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing Vancouver
Calgary is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Calgary's last 11 games at home
Calgary is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
Next up:
Vancouver at Ottawa, Thursday, February 19
Calgary at Minnesota, Thursday, February 19
Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks
Sheldon Souray's power play goal in the third period proved to be the winner, as the Oilers defeated the Coyotes 3-1 on Monday night.
Edmonton cashed as a -110 home pick 'em, as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Sharks lost to New Jersey 6-5 as a -125 favorite on Sunday. The 11 goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Rob Blake and Patrick Marleau each had a goal and an assist for San Jose, while Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves in the loss.
Current streak:
Edmonton has won 3 straight games.
San Jose has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 29-23-4
San Jose: 37-8-9
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing New Jersey are 5-5-3
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Edmonton's last 7 games when playing San Jose
Edmonton is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Jose
Edmonton is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing Edmonton
San Jose is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose's last 7 games
Next up:
Edmonton at Dallas, Thursday, February 19
San Jose home to Los Angeles, Thursday, February 19
BOSTON vs. CAROLINA
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
Carolina is 4-7-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Carolina's last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
BUFFALO vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Buffalo's last 8 games
Buffalo is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
CHICAGO vs. TAMPA BAY
Chicago is 2-4-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 1-2-2 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
NEW JERSEY vs. FLORIDA
New Jersey is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing Florida
Florida is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games
OTTAWA vs. COLORADO
Ottawa is 6-2-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Colorado
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games
VANCOUVER vs. CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Calgary
Calgary is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
Calgary is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
EDMONTON vs. SAN JOSE
Edmonton is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Jose
San Jose is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing Edmonton
Hot teams
-- Blackhawks won five of their last seven games.
-- Florida is 7-3 since the All-Star break. Devils won last four games, and outscored opponents 14-7.
-- Senators won last five games, allowing total of eight goals.
-- Flames won three of their last four games. Canucks won five of their last six games.
-- Oilers won last three games, allowing five goals.
Cold teams
-- Bruins lost last four games, scoring seven goals. Carolina lost last two home games, 5-0/5-1.
-- Lightning lost six of their last eight games.
-- Sabres lost three of their last four games. Toronto is 1-6 in game after their last seven wins.
-- Avalanche lost four of their last five games.
-- Sharks lost five of their last six games.
Totals
-- Four of last five Boston road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 11-5-1 in last 17 Chicago games.
-- Seven of last eight Buffalo games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-4 in last dozen Florida games.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Colorado games.
-- Over is 8-3 in Calgary's last eleven home games.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Edmonton games.
Back-to-Back
-- Ottawa is 3-5 on road if they played the night before.
-- Oilers are 3-5 on road if they play again the next night.
Series Records
-- Bruins won four in row vs Carolina, outscoring them 16-7.
-- Chicago, Tampa Bay split their last two games.
-- Sabres won five of last seven against Toronto.
-- Devils are 10-4 in last fourteen games against Florida.
-- Canucks won six of last nine visits to Calgary.
-- Oilers won 19 of last 14 games against San Jose.