Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, Jan. 28
N.Y. Rangers at Pittsburgh (7:30 p.m. EST). The Rangers are a point behind New Jersey in the Atlantic Division race. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, are 13 points off the division lead.
STARS
Tuesday
— Rick Nash, Blue Jackets, scored all three goals in Columbus’ 3-2 overtime victory against Detroit.
— Marty Turco, Stars, made 25 saves for the 35th shutout of his career as Dallas beat Atlanta 2-0.
— Michael Frolik, Panthers, had a goal and two assists in Florida’s 3-2 victory over Philadelphia.
— Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Wild, had two goals and an assist as Minnesota routed Toronto 6-1.
— Drew Stafford, Sabres, scored the first of his three goals 10 seconds into Buffalo’s 10-2 rout of Edmonton.
— Chris Kunitz and Corey Perry, Ducks, each scored twice to lead Anaheim to a 7-3 victory over Phoenix.
— Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks, stopped 31 shots for his 43rd career shutout and San Jose beat Colorado 3-0.
SCARE
The Washington Capitals got a scare in their 3-2 overtime loss to Boston when reigning MVP Alex Ovechkin crashed into the boards with 5:35 left in the second period after being hooked by Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. Ovechkin, who hit his right shoulder and head, missed the rest of the second but returned for the third period.
SUB
Backup Steve Valiquette made 33 saves to help the New York Rangers return from the All-Star break with a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. All-Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist is expected to play Wednesday night against Pittsburgh.
SO, YOU’RE BACK
Claude Lemieux received a hardy ovation in his return to Colorado with San Jose, not to mention a video tribute of his trademark big hits. Lemieux helped the team to a Stanley Cup title in 1996 and remains a fan favorite. The 43-year-old left the league after the 2003 playoffs with Dallas, but started a comeback with the Sharks’ minor-league affiliate nearly two months ago. He was recalled to San Jose last week.
SIZZLING
Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis of Tampa Bay, All-Star forwards from Quebec, have combined for 16 goals and 24 assists over the past 14 games.
SURPRISING
New Jersey Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen, who has been stellar filling in for the injured Martin Brodeur, earned his 20th victory in a 4-1 win over Ottawa. Clemmensen, who made 21 saves, returned to the Devils’ organization as a free agent during the offseason and came up from the minors to wrestle away the starting job from Kevin Weekes after Brodeur tore a biceps muscle in November.
SPEAKING
“We all went different directions, but we all worked out every day and we got prepared. We didn’t just sit around in a lawn chair or a hammock and drink beer. That would’ve been counterproductive.”—Rangers goaltender Steve Valiquette, who made 33 saves to help New York beat Carolina 3-2 on Tuesday night.
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Scott Gomez had a goal and an assist to lead the Rangers past the Hurricanes 3-2 on Tuesday night.
New York won as -160 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin tallied in the Penguins' 2-1 loss to Carolina on Tuesday night.
Carolina won as +135 road underdogs as the game played under the 6-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
New York has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 29-16-4
Pittsburgh: 23-21-4
New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing Carolina are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Carolina are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 5 games on the road
NY Rangers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the NY Rangers last 12 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Next up:
NY Rangers at Boston, Saturday, January 31
Pittsburgh at New Jersey, Friday, January 30
Buffalo Sabres vs. Calgary Flames
Drew Stafford finished with a hat trick, as the Sabres drilled the Oilers 10-2 on Tuesday night.
Buffalo won as +105 road underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Todd Bertuzzi scored the shootout winner last time out, as the Flames defeated the Blue Jackets 5-4. The Flames won the game as -210 favorites, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Michael Cammalleri scored twice, while Jarome Iginla and David Moss added singles in the win.
Team records:
Buffalo: 25-18-5
Calgary: 28-14-4
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Edmonton are 5-5-1
After a win are 5-5
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Columbus are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Buffalo's last 9 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Buffalo is 9-3-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
Calgary is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary's last 9 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Buffalo at Phoenix, Saturday, January 31
Calgary home to Nashville, Friday, January 30
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks
The Blackhawks were shut down 2-0 by the Blues last time out, as -270 favorites. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Cristobal Huet stopped 27 shots in the loss.
Ryan Getzlaf assisted on three goals, as the Ducks outgunned the Coyotes 7-3 on Tuesday night.
Anaheim cashed as +105 road underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 25-12-8
Anaheim: 24-21-5
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing St. Louis are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Phoenix are 6-4
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago's last 8 games on the road
Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Chicago is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games
Anaheim is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago
Anaheim is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games at home
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Chicago at Los Angeles, Thursday, January 29
Anaheim at Colorado, Saturday, January 31
Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks
Radek Bonk potted the only goal for Nashville in its 3-1 loss to New Jersey on Monday night.
New Jersey won as a -110 road pick 'em, as the game played under the 5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Taylor Pyatt found the back of the net for Vancouver in its 2-1 overtime loss to San Jose on Tuesday night.
San Jose won as -230 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Nashville has lost 3 straight games.
Vancouver has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
Nashville: 20-23-3
Vancouver: 22-19-7
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 3-3-2
After a loss are 4-6
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing San Jose are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville's last 8 games on the road
Nashville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing at home against Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games at home
Vancouver is 11-3-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Nashville
Next up:
Nashville at Calgary, Friday, January 30
Vancouver home to Minnesota, Saturday, January 31
NY RANGERS (28-16-0-4, 60 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (23-21-0-4, 50 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 13-12 (+1.8 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 13-12-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
16 of 23 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+8.4 Units)
BUFFALO (24-18-0-5, 53 pts.) at CALGARY (28-14-0-4, 60 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 13-3 ATS (+9.0 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
CALGARY is 17-9 ATS (+26.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 1-0-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)
CHICAGO (25-13-0-7, 57 pts.) at ANAHEIM (23-21-0-5, 51 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 1-5 ATS (-8.5 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
CHICAGO is 179-223 ATS (-76.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 11-26 ATS (+37.1 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 143-136 ATS (+317.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 96-100 ATS (+229.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 7-3 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 7-3-0 straight up against CHICAGO 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=-0.4 Units)
NASHVILLE (20-23-0-3, 43 pts.) at VANCOUVER (22-19-0-7, 51 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 55-53 ATS (+125.0 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 10-18 ATS (-10.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 7-14 ATS (+21.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
VANCOUVER is 2-8 ATS (-10.2 Units) in January games this season.
VANCOUVER is 2-8 ATS (-9.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
VANCOUVER is 4-11 ATS (-9.7 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 8-3 (+4.4 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 8-3-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)
NY RANGERS vs. PITTSBURGH
NY Rangers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
BUFFALO vs. CALGARY
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Buffalo is 9-3-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Calgary
Calgary is 3-9-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
CHICAGO vs. ANAHEIM
Chicago is 4-17-2 SU in its last 23 games when playing Anaheim
Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games at home
NASHVILLE vs. VANCOUVER
Nashville is 3-11-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
Vancouver is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Hot teams
-- Rangers won five of their last six games.
-- Sabres won four of their last five games. Flames are 12-4 in their last sixteen games.
Cold teams
-- Penguins lost ten of their last fourteen games.
-- Chicago lost three of last four games, scoring just five goals. Anaheim is 1-7 in game after its last eight wins.
-- Predators lost last three games, outscored 13-5. Canucks lost their last six games, giving up 27 goals.
Totals
-- Under is 5-1-1 in Rangers' last seven games.
-- Six of last eight Calgary games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Anaheim games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Nashville games stayed under the total; five of the last seven Vancouver games went over.
Back-to-Back
-- Rangers are 6-2 if they played the night before.
-- Sabres are 3-6 when they played the night before.
-- Anaheim is 5-6 when it played the night before, 1-2 at home.
Series Records
-- Rangers won three of four this season against the Penguins.
-- Anaheim won 11 of their last 14 games against Chicago.
-- Canucks won last six games against Nashville, allowing eight goals.