What bettors need to know: Wednesday hockey doubleheader
By DUSTIN NIELSON
Ottawa Senators at Atlanta Thrashers
We Meet Again
The Atlanta Thrashers and Ottawa Senators split of pair of games in December. The Senators picked up a 5-1 win on December 3rd before the Thrashers bounced back with a 4-1 victory on December 16th. Both games were in Ottawa. Rookie goaltender Ondrej Pavelic started both of those contests for the Thrashers but is the odd man out with Kari Lehtonen returning from injury.
Happy Captain Kovalchuk
Atlanta’s superstar forward Ilya Kovalchuk was named captain of Thrashers earlier this week. Kovalchuk is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The captaincy may entice him to sign a long term deal with the Thrashers.
“Today I’m happy and I hope I’m going to stay here for as long as I’m going to play. I love the city.” Kovalchuk told reporters.
Missing the Little Big Man
Thrashers second-year forward Bryan Little is questionable for Wednesday night. Little has been sidelined for close to a week with sore ribs. The injury to Little has opened up a spot at center for the Thrashers. Atlanta claimed Rich Peverley off waivers from Nashville this week and he is expected to play on Wednesday.
Elliot
Veteran goalie Martin Gerber has been relegated to the press box. The Senators have called up former Wisconsin Badgers star Brian Elliot. Despite losing 2-0 to the New York Rangers, Elliot looked good in his season debut.
Heatley
With just two goals in his last fifteen games Dany Heatley was demoted to the Senators second power-play unit for Tuesday night’s game against Carolina.
Washington at Pittsburgh
Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins
The Big Three
The three highest-scoring players in the NHL will come together in Washington. Evgeni Malkin leads both Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin in the race for the Art-Ross trophy. The two teams have met just once this season with the Penguins winning 4-3 in October. Malkin had three points and Sidney Crosby had two points in that game while Ovechkin was held off the score sheet.
Beat Up Blueline
The Washington blueline has taken a beating so far this year. Tom Poti and Brian Pothier both remain on the injury reserve list. John Erskine returned to the line up on Tuesday against the Oilers. Jeff Schultz remains day to day. Having Erksine back will help limit Crosby and Malkin in the offensive zone.
Penguins Not So Special Teams
With Crosby and Malkin as their main weapons there is no excuse for the Penguins power play to be so powerless. The Penguins are currently ranked 18th in the NHL with the man advantage. Their penalty kill is even worse at 23rd in the league.
"The power play got started and we have to get the penalty-killing going. We see how important it is to win the special teams. That's going to win you games,” said Maxim Talbot.
Mario Watching
The Pens disappointing season has fed speculation that coach Michel Therrien’s may lose his job. Owner Mario Lemieux watched practice from ice level on Monday. Lemieux has been known to take in practice, but never from the bench.
Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Jan. 15
Calgary at San Jose (10:30 p.m. EST). The Flames and Sharks meet in a matchup of first-place teams in the Western Conference. The Flames are 10-1-1 in their past 12 games and the Sharks are coming off a 7-1 rout of the Lightning.
STARS
Tuesday
— Erik Cole, Oilers, scored three goals to lead Edmonton past Washington, 5-2.
— Zdeno Chara, Bruins, scored a pair of power-play goals in a 3-1 win over Montreal.
— Joe Thornton, Sharks, had two goals and an assist in a 7-1 win over Tampa Bay.
RESOLVED: SCORING
Dany Heatley scored his first goal in nine games, Dean McAmmond ended a 21-game drought and Mike Fisher scored for the first time in 20 games to help Ottawa beat Carolina 5-1.
SNAPPED
Pittsburgh ended Philadelphia’s eight-game home winning streak with a 4-2 win, the Penguins’ second victory in their last nine games overall.
TURNABOUT
With the Rangers down 1-0, Chris Drury and Nigel Dawes scored 1:56 apart in the second period to give New York a 2-1 win over the rival Islanders, who lost their fifth straight. … New Jersey improved to 19-13-1 since Martin Brodeur, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, tore his biceps on Nov. 1. … Vancouver fell to 9-12-3 since star goalie Roberto Luongo injured his groin Nov. 22. The two-time Vezina Trophy finalist returned to practice Monday and could play on Thursday against Phoenix.
REELING
The Islanders, owners of the NHL’s worst record, have only two wins since Nov. 29 (2-15-2). … Toronto dropped its fourth straight, has five losses in six games and eight in 10 games. … The Canucks have one win in six games and have dropped five straight on home ice.
SURGING
San Jose is 20-0-2 at the Shark Tank this season. … The Blue Jackets have won seven of nine overall and eight of nine at home. … Coyotes captain Shane Doan had two assists and has 13 points in his past 12 games. … Calgary has won seven straight at home and is 10-1-1 in its past 12 games overall.
SPEAKING
“It’s hard to compare this one to a road game, but we’re pretty fortunate to be able to play our game with half the crowd cheering for us.”—Nigel Dawes of the New York Rangers, after a 2-1 win over the rival Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
Ottawa Senators vs. Atlanta Thrashers
Dany Heatley and Antoine Vermette each had a goal and an assist, as the Senators handled the Hurricanes 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Ottawa won as +105 home underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Todd White was the top scorer for Atlanta with one goal and two assists in an 8-4 loss to Florida on Saturday afternoon.
The Thrashers lost as +170 underdogs, while the final score went well OVER the day's posted total of 5.5.
Team records:
Ottawa: 14-21-6
Atlanta: 14-24-5
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Carolina are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 2-6-2
Before playing NY Rangers are 3-7
After playing Florida are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Ottawa's last 10 games on the road
Ottawa is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Ottawa is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Ottawa
Next up:
Ottawa home to Montreal, Saturday, January 17
Atlanta home to Toronto, Friday, January 16
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Mike Green lit up the lamp to go along with a helper for Washington in its 5-2 loss to Edmonton on Tuesday night.
Edmonton won as +200 road underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Sidney Crosby recorded two assists, as the Penguins upset the Flyers 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Pittsburgh won as +150 road underdogs as the game pushed the 6-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 27-14-3
Pittsburgh: 21-19-4
Washington most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-6-1
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing Edmonton are 3-3-1
After a loss are 5-5
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 0-10
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
Washington is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 15 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 20-4 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against Washington
Pittsburgh is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 15 games when playing Washington
Next up:
Washington home to Boston, Saturday, January 17
Pittsburgh home to Anaheim, Friday, January 16
Buffalo Sabres vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Sabres were peppered by shots in a 3-1 loss to the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena Saturday night.
Detroit won as a -265 home favorite while the final score played under the 5.5-goal total.
The Blackhawks defeated Nashville 3-1 as a -260 favorite on Sunday. The four goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Martin Havlat scored a goal and added an assist for Chicago, while Duncan Keith had a pair of assists in the win.
Team records:
Buffalo: 21-16-5
Chicago: 23-10-7
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 6-6-1
After a loss are 6-4
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Nashville are 8-2
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Buffalo is 7-2-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
Chicago is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Chicago's last 15 games at home
Next up:
Buffalo at Dallas, Thursday, January 15
Chicago home to NY Rangers, Friday, January 16
Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks
Pavel Datsyuk put up a goal and added two helpers for Detroit in its 5-4 overtime loss to Dallas on Monday night.
Dallas won as +165 home underdogs as the teams played over the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
The Ducks defeated New Jersey 4-3 as a -145 favorite on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Chris Kunitz scored a pair of goals for Anaheim, while Corey Perry had a pair of assists in the win.
Team records:
Detroit: 29-7-6
Anaheim: 22-17-5
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Pittsburgh are 3-7
After playing New Jersey are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Anaheim's last 11 games
Anaheim is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Detroit at Los Angeles, Thursday, January 15
Anaheim at Pittsburgh, Friday, January 16
OTTAWA (13-21-0-6, 32 pts.) at ATLANTA (14-24-0-5, 33 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 13-27 ATS (-15.2 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 3-14 ATS (+22.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
OTTAWA is 18-35 ATS (-36.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 60-60 ATS (-36.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
OTTAWA is 5-14 ATS (-14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ATLANTA is 30-56 ATS (-30.2 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 9-18 ATS (-14.3 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 3-9 ATS (-9.5 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 5-5 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-5-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.7 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
WASHINGTON (27-13-0-3, 57 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (20-19-0-4, 44 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 26-8 ATS (+13.4 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 73-59 ATS (+137.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 6-14 ATS (-8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-2 (+4.6 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-2-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.8 Units)
BUFFALO (21-16-0-5, 47 pts.) at CHICAGO (23-11-0-6, 52 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 0-7 ATS (-7.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
BUFFALO is 8-17 ATS (-13.6 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 25-16 ATS (+5.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 24-15 ATS (+44.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 14-3 ATS (+17.0 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 144-102 ATS (+23.8 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 2-0-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)
DETROIT (29-7-0-6, 64 pts.) at ANAHEIM (22-17-0-5, 49 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 73-71 ATS (-40.3 Units) in January games since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 142-134 ATS (+313.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 120-101 ATS (+7.2 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 9-7 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 9-7-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.7 Units)
OTTAWA vs. ATLANTA
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Ottawa is 1-16 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Ottawa
WASHINGTON vs. PITTSBURGH
Washington is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 15 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
BUFFALO vs. CHICAGO
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
DETROIT vs. ANAHEIM
Detroit is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Anaheim
Detroit is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Anaheim is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Anaheim is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
Hot teams
-- Sabres won four of their last five games. Blackhawks won seven of their last eight home games.
-- Red Wings won six of their last seven games.
Cold teams
-- Penguins lost seven of their last nine games. Washington lost its last three games, 3-0/5-4/5-2.
-- Ottawa lost eight of its last nine games. Thrashers lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Ducks are 1-5 in game following their last six wins.
Totals
-- Over is 4-0-1 in Washington's last five road games.
-- Three of last four Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Buffalo games.
-- Last three Anaheim games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Penguins are 4-3 if they played night before; Washington is 2-2.
-- Senators are 1-4 on road when they played the night before.
-- Sabres are 3-5 if they play again the next night.
Series Records
-- Penguins won ten of last thirteen against Washington.
-- Senators lost three of last four visits to Atlanta.
-- Sabres won last two games vs Chicago, 2-1/3-1.
-- Red Wings lost four of last five visits to Anaheim.