Predators at Blue Jackets
By Judd Hall
People give the Red Wings a lot of grief for getting great records but compiling most of it against a lackluster Central Division. They can’t do that this year as all five teams from the Central are in the playoffs, if they were to start today. Two of those clubs will take on one another as the Preds head to Nationwide Arena to square off with the Blue Jackets.
Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets – 7:00 p.m. EDT
Just when you think that Nashville (38-30-8, 84 points) is out of the playoff chase, they come roaring back into the fold. The Predators have won three straight games, two of which came against the league’s best squads in San Jose and Detroit.
While people will give Pekka Rinne credit for helping the Preds getting to this point, he’s stopping 91 percent of the shots fired his way with a goals against average of 2.60 in their last three wins. The real star of Nashville’s recent success is a power play that has pulled in four special team goals in 11 chances.
As great as it is to see the Predators in this spot, we could see them fall at the worst time thanks to the injury bug. They were already without Wade Belak (lower body) for most of the season and Jason Arnott (concussion) for the immediate future. But now they’ll be without winger Martin Erat, who broke his leg in the win against Detroit last Sunday. That’s a loss of 17 goals and 33 assists in this playoff push.
Columbus (39-29-8, 86 points) announced something that they have never done in its short history, playoff tickets will go on sale on April 11. Pretty strange to write when you consider they were just swept out of a home-and-home with the Blues. The second of those defeats, a 5-2 setback as $1.65 home faves (risk $165 to win $100), was a particularly sloppy one for the Blue Jackets.
Steve Mason had a lousy night for the Jackets, fanning on a clearing pass that Brad Boyes quickly tucked into a wide open net to put St. Louis up for good. Mason wound up stopping 22 of 27 shots on goal.
The Blue Jackets are also heading into the contest with an injury to an important player. Defenseman Rostislav Klesla missed last Sunday’s game and will be out of the game on Tuesday due to an upper body injury. While he’s been off and on during the season (never played more than 11 games in a row), Klesla is a big body with a deadly slap shot that won’t be at Ken Hitchcock’s disposal against the Preds.
Columbus looks like it will be the strong play here as the home team had won eight of the last 10 meetings of these young franchises. Bettors of the puck line should note that the home club is 6-4 in that spot.
Nashville has seen the ‘under’ go 11-5 in its last 16 games on the road. The Blue Jackets are almost the exact opposite as they’ve watched the ‘over’ cash in at a 6-4 clip in their last 10 fixtures at Nationwide Arena.
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Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, March 31
Nashville at Columbus (7 p.m. EDT). The Blue Jackets are in position to earn the first playoff spot in franchise history.
STARS
Monday
— Petr Prucha, Coyotes, scored 53 seconds into overtime to lift Phoenix to a 6-5 win over Dallas.
— Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers, stopped 38 shots in New York’s 3-0 victory over New Jersey.
— Jonathan Cheechoo, Sharks, scored the tiebreaking goal in the second period in San Jose’s 2-1 victory at Calgary.
STRUGGLING
Dallas’ 6-5 overtime loss to Phoenix on Monday night was the Stars’ seventh straight defeat. Dallas is 4-12-2 since moving a season-best eight games over .500 on Feb. 19. … New Jersey’s 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers was the Devils’ season-high fifth straight (0-4-1). New Jersey is 1-5-1 since Martin Brodeur broke Patrick Roy’s NHL career record for wins by a goalie.
WINNING 50 AGAIN
Evgeni Nabokov made 28 saves, Dan Boyle and Jonathan Cheechoo scored goals, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 to reach 50 wins for the second time in franchise history.
SHUTOUTS
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist earned his 20th NHL shutout, stopping 38 shots in a 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday night. It was Lundqvist’s third shutout of the season, one year after he had 10.
SPEAKING
“I expect more from this group. There are periods of time when everything is great and then they get into a comfort zone. Don’t you want to finish second in your conference? Don’t you want home-ice advantage if you advance past the first round? Don’t you want to play with pride and have your game at the top of your level? You can’t turn a switch on. This group tried to turn a switch on last year. It didn’t work.”—Devils coach Brent Sutter, after a 3-0 loss to the Rangers on Monday night gave New Jersey a season-high five-game skid (0-4-1).
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins
The Lightning lost to Ottawa 3-0 as a +130 underdog on Sunday. The three goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Karri Ramo made 26 saves for Tampa Bay in the loss.
The Bruins defeated Philadelphia 4-3 as a +105 underdog on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Milan Lucic scored a pair of goals for Boston and David Krejci collected three assists in the win.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 3 straight games.
Boston has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 24-35-17
Boston: 48-17-10
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-3-2
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Ottawa are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
Boston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-4-1
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Tampa Bay is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing Boston
Tampa Bay is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Boston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay at New Jersey, Friday, April 3
Boston home to Ottawa, Thursday, April 2
Nashville Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Predators defeated Detroit 4-3 as a +260 underdog on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Steve Sullivan scored a goal for Nashville and picked up an assist on the game-winning goal by Ryan Suter.
The Blue Jackets lost to St. Louis 5-2 as a -165 favorite on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Rick Nash picked up a goal and an assist for Columbus and Fedor Tyutin also scored in the loss.
Current streak:
Nashville has won 3 straight games.
Columbus has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Nashville: 38-30-8
Columbus: 39-29-8
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Nashville are 6-4
After playing St. Louis are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Nashville is 17-3 SU in its last 20 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing on the road against Columbus
Nashville is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Nashville's last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
Columbus is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Columbus's last 9 games at home
Columbus is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Nashville
Next up:
Nashville at Chicago, Friday, April 3
Columbus at Nashville, Saturday, April 4
Ottawa Senators vs. Florida Panthers
The Senators defeated Tampa Bay 3-0 as a -150 favorite on Sunday. The three goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Brian Elliot stopped all 20 shots he faced for Ottawa, while Dany Heatley scored his 35th goal of the season in the win.
The Panthers scored three times in the third period to earn a 6-3 victory over the Stars on Saturday, as +110 underdogs. The nine goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Cory Stillman, Stpehn Weiss, Nathan Horton, Kamil Kreps, Jay Bouwmeester, and Radek Dvorak scored for the Panthers. Craig Anderson made 32 saves in preserving the win.
Current streak:
Florida has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Ottawa: 33-32-10
Florida: 37-28-11
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
Florida most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 2-7-1
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Dallas are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Ottawa is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Florida
Ottawa is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Ottawa's last 8 games when playing on the road against Florida
Ottawa is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 8 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games when playing Ottawa
Florida is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Next up:
Ottawa at Boston, Thursday, April 2
Florida home to Atlanta, Friday, April 3
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Blackhawks lost to Vancouver 4-0 as a -135 favorite on Sunday. The four goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Nikolia Khabibulin made 19 saves for Chicago in the loss.
The Canadiens fell 4-3 to the Sabres in a shootout on Saturday, as -155 favorites at home. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Alexei Kovalev potted two goals for the Canadiens, and Chris Higgins had the other in regulation.
Team records:
Chicago: 40-23-11
Montreal: 38-27-10
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Vancouver are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-5-1
Before playing NY Islanders are 5-5
After playing Buffalo are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Chicago is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 6 games
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games at home
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Next up:
Chicago home to St. Louis, Wednesday, April 1
Montreal at NY Islanders, Thursday, April 2
Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild
The Canucks defeated Chicago 4-0 as a +115 underdog on Sunday. The four goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Roberto Luongo made 26 saves for Vancouver and Daniel Sedin had two goals and an assist in the win.
The Wild defeated Edmonton 3-2 as a +135 underdog on Sunday. The five goals scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (5).
Marian Gaborik recorded a goal and an assist for Minnesota, while Andrew Brunette and Martin Skoula also scored in the win.
Current streak:
Vancouver has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 41-25-9
Minnesota: 36-32-8
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Chicago are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Edmonton are 5-5
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Vancouver is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Vancouver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 10 games
Minnesota is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
Next up:
Vancouver home to Anaheim, Thursday, April 2
Minnesota home to Calgary, Friday, April 3
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers
The Ducks defeated Colorado 4-1 as a -270 favorite on Sunday. The five goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Bobby Ryan scored a pair of goals for Anaheim and Corey Perry had a goal and an assist in the win.
The Oilers lost to Minnesota 3-2 as a -155 favorite on Sunday. The five goals scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (5).
Fernando Pisani and Ales Kotalik scored for Edmonton and Dwayne Roloson made 18 saves in the win.
Team records:
Anaheim: 38-32-6
Edmonton: 36-31-9
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Vancouver are 6-4
After playing Colorado are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 2-6-2
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Edmonton is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Edmonton is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Anaheim
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Next up:
Anaheim at Vancouver, Thursday, April 2
Edmonton home to San Jose, Thursday, April 2
Dallas Stars vs. Los Angeles Kings
Mike Ribeiro had three helpers for Dallas in its 6-5 overtime loss to Phoenix on Monday night.
Phoenix cashed as -120 home favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Kings lost 4-3 in overtime to the Predators as +150 underdogs on Saturday. That game's seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brian Boyle, Matt Greene, and Jack Johnson scored in the loss.
Current streak:
Dallas has lost 7 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 33-33-10
Los Angeles: 31-33-11
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Phoenix are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing Nashville are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games at home
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas home to Calgary, Thursday, April 2
Los Angeles at Phoenix, Thursday, April 2
NASHVILLE vs. COLUMBUS
Nashville is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing on the road against Columbus
Columbus is 3-17 SU in its last 20 games when playing Nashville
Columbus is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Nashville
TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
Tampa Bay is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing Boston
Tampa Bay is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Boston's last 16 games
CHICAGO vs. MONTREAL
Chicago is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Montreal is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
OTTAWA vs. FLORIDA
Ottawa is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing Florida
Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home
VANCOUVER vs. MINNESOTA
Vancouver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Vancouver is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
Minnesota is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
ANAHEIM vs. EDMONTON
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Anaheim is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Anaheim
DALLAS vs. LOS ANGELES
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
Hot teams
-- Bruins won last three games, scoring fifteen goals.
-- Nashville won its last three games, all by a single goal.
-- Blackhawks won three of their last four games.
-- Ottawa won six of its last eight games. Panthers won their last two games, 4-2/6-3.
-- Vancouver won seven of its last nine games.
-- Ducks won six of their last seven games.
Cold teams
-- Lightning lost six of its last seven games.
-- Blue Jackets lost three of their last four games.
-- Canadiens lost six of their last eight games.
-- Minnesota lost eight of its last eleven games.
-- Edmonton lost four of its last five games.
-- Stars lost their last seven games, outscored 29-15. Los Angeles lost seven of its last nine games.
Totals
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Boston games.
-- Over is 6-3 in last nine Columbus home games.
-- Three of last four Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Last three Florida games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-0-2 in last seven Minnesota games.
-- Three of last four Anaheim road games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Dallas games went over the total; five of Kings' last six games stayed under.
Back-to-Back
-- Dallas Stars lost six of last eight if they played the night before.
Series Records
-- Lightning lost four of last five visits to Boston.
-- Nashville is 17-3 in last 20 games against the Blue Jackets.
-- Senators are 8-3 in last eleven games against Florida.
-- Canucks won four of last five games against Minnesota.
-- Ducks are 3-2 in last five visits to Edmonton.
-- Dallas lost six of last eight games against the Kings.