Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Pittsburgh at N.Y. Rangers (7 p.m. EST). Sidney Crosby, with six goals and nine points in the last three games, leads the Penguins as they try to gain on the Atlantic Division-leading Rangers.
STARS
Tuesday
— Jeff Carter, Flyers, scored two goals—including his NHL-leading 18th this season—and added an assist in Philadelphia’s 4-3 overtime victory against Tampa Bay.
— Enver Lisin, Coyotes, scored twice in a four-minute span of the third period to lift Phoenix to a 4-2 win over Los Angeles.
— Mike Richards, Flyers, scored two goals, including the winner 2:05 into overtime as Philadelphia sent Tampa Bay to its fifth straight loss.
SEAN SAID IT
Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery went too far Tuesday and was suspended indefinitely by the NHL after he made disparaging remarks about Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who is currently dating Avery’s ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert. Avery was punished by commissioner Gary Bettman for using a crude term about his former girlfriends now dating other hockey players. Bettman acted within hours, in time to keep Avery out of the Dallas Stars’ game against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.
SHARKS START
The San Jose Sharks (21-3-1) matched the best start in NHL history through 25 games with a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. The Montreal Canadiens also had 43 points through 25 games in the 1943-44 season, going 20-2-3. The Sharks improved to 13-0-1 at home under rookie head coach Todd McLellan. They have earned a point in 23 straight regular-season games and are the only NHL team without a home loss in regulation. San Jose has won eight in a row overall and hasn’t lost since Nov. 11, when Nashville won in OT at the Shark Tank.
FLAME OUT
The Flames had two point streaks snapped in their 3-1 home loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. Calgary captain Jarome Iginla’s run ended at six games (2 goals, 6 assists), and LW Curtis Glencross was blanked for the first time in five games (3 goals, 4 assists) by Stars goalie Marty Turco, who made 36 saves.
BRAIN FREEZE
In an attempt to stop Tampa Bay’s Ryan Malone in the final seconds of regulation in a tie game Tuesday night, Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Hartnell threw his glove at the puck. Malone didn’t score on the breakaway, but got a chance to win in with a penalty shot with only 16.3 seconds left. His attempt also failed, and the Flyers went on to win 4-3 in overtime.
THRASHERS SURGE
Ron Hainsey scored twice as the Atlanta Thrashers netted three goals in less than a minute to erase a three-goal deficit at Montreal, but the Canadiens pulled out a 5-4 home victory Tuesday night. The Thrashers broke two franchise records for fastest goals. They scored three times within 59 seconds, including two goals seven seconds apart by Hainsey and Chris Thorburn.
STATS
Calgary killed all four penalties in Tuesday night’s 3-1 home loss to the Dallas Stars. The Flames haven’t allowed a power-play goal in their last 19 short-handed situations. … Marty Turco of the Stars made 36 saves Tuesday night and held the opposition to fewer than three goals for just the third time this season and second since Oct. 20.
SPEAKING
“Sean crossed that line. He won’t continue with us on the trip. We’ve always professed that there is nobody that’s ever bigger than our group or bigger than the team. Sean said something that just doesn’t paint our organization in a good light, and appropriate steps are being taken.”—Dallas Stars coach Dave Tippett after forward Sean Avery was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Tuesday for disparaging remarks toward Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
It was another classic night for Sidney Crosby as he lead the Penguins to a 4-1 win over the Devils at Mellon Arena Saturday.
Pittsburgh won as a -122 home favorite while the final score played under the total of 5.5 goals.
The Rangers lost to Florida 4-0 as a -230 favorite on Sunday. The four goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5).
Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves for the Rangers before being pulled.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 14-6-3
New York: 17-8-2
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing New Jersey are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing Florida are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
NY Rangers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of the NY Rangers last 14 games at home
NY Rangers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of the NY Rangers last 21 games when playing Pittsburgh
Next up:
Pittsburgh at Carolina, Thursday, December 4
NY Rangers at Montreal, Thursday, December 4
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Ottawa Senators
Ron Hainsey had two markers and an assist to lead Atlanta in its 5-4 loss to Montreal on Tuesday night.
Montreal won as -230 home favorites as the game played over the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Senators had their two-game run stopped by a 4-2 loss to the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum Saturday.
New York won as a +120 home underdog while the final scored played over the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 8-13-3
Ottawa: 8-10-4
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Montreal are 4-6
After a loss are 2-8
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing NY Islanders are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Ottawa
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Atlanta is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Ottawa's last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ottawa's last 6 games at home
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta at NY Islanders, Saturday, December 6
Ottawa home to Pittsburgh, Saturday, December 6
St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild
The Blues defeated Atlanta 4-2 as a +120 underdog on Sunday. The six goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Brad Boyes and Keith Tkachuk both found the back of the net for St. Louis in the win.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard lit up the lamp twice and had an assist for Minnesota in its 6-5 loss to Colorado on Monday night.
Colorado cashed as +155 road underdogs as the teams played over the 5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Team records:
St. Louis: 10-10-2
Minnesota: 14-8-1
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-3-1
After playing Atlanta are 1-1-3
After a win are 5-5
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Minnesota is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing St. Louis
Next up:
St. Louis home to Calgary, Friday, December 5
Minnesota home to Vancouver, Friday, December 5
Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Chris Kunitz found the back of the net for Anaheim in its 2-1 loss to Detroit on Monday night.
Detroit won as -200 home favorites as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Chicago allowed three goals in the third period to lose 5-2 to the Kings at STAPLES Center Saturday afternoon.
Los Angeles won as a -105 home favorite while the busy final period pushed the final score over the 5.5-goal total.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Anaheim: 14-9-3
Chicago: 10-6-6
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Columbus are 4-6
After playing Detroit are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Los Angeles are 1-9
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 5 games
Anaheim is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing Chicago
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chicago's last 13 games
Chicago is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
Next up:
Anaheim home to Columbus, Sunday, December 7
Chicago at Detroit, Saturday, December 6
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
Fabian Brunnstrom's marker stood up as the winner, as the Stars stymied the Flames 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Dallas won as +140 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
The Oilers lost to Dallas 4-3 as a +125 underdog on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Kyle Brodziak scored a pair of goals for Edmonton and Sheldon Souray had three assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Dallas has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 9-11-4
Edmonton: 10-11-2
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-5-1
Before playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After playing Calgary are 7-3
After a win are 2-8
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Dallas are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Edmonton
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Edmonton's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Edmonton is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Next up:
Dallas home to Colorado, Friday, December 5
Edmonton at Los Angeles, Friday, December 5
PITTSBURGH (14-6-0-3, 31 pts.) at NY RANGERS (17-9-0-2, 36 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 28-9 ATS (+16.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 75-50 ATS (+15.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 31-18 ATS (+11.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 69-81 ATS (-55.7 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 11-17 ATS (-12.5 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 12-10 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 12-10-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
13 of 20 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.4 Units)
ATLANTA (8-12-0-3, 19 pts.) at OTTAWA (8-10-0-4, 20 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 8-14 ATS (+22.7 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 10-15 ATS (-13.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 8-14 ATS (+8.0 Units) first half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 15-22 ATS (-21.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 0-4 ATS (-6.5 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
OTTAWA is 2-9 ATS (-13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
OTTAWA is 2-9 ATS (-11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-4 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 4-4-0 straight up against ATLANTA 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=-0.3 Units)
ST LOUIS (10-10-0-2, 22 pts.) at MINNESOTA (14-8-0-1, 29 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 48-26 ATS (+7.7 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
ST LOUIS is 59-48 ATS (+111.2 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 15-25 ATS (-16.3 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-3 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 6-3-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.5 Units)
ANAHEIM (14-9-0-3, 31 pts.) at CHICAGO (10-7-0-5, 25 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 26-10 ATS (+12.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 7-2 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 7-2-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)
DALLAS (9-11-0-4, 22 pts.) at EDMONTON (10-11-0-2, 22 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 2-10 ATS (-9.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
DALLAS is 2-10 ATS (-9.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.
EDMONTON is 51-54 ATS (-29.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 48-25 ATS (+16.6 Units) in road games in December games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 8-1 (+6.7 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 8-1-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.9 Units)
ATLANTA vs. OTTAWA
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Ottawa is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games at home
PITTSBURGH vs. NY RANGERS
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Pittsburgh's last 21 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of the NY Rangers last 14 games at home
NY Rangers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games
ST. LOUIS vs. MINNESOTA
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
St. Louis is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Minnesota is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Minnesota is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing St. Louis
ANAHEIM vs. CHICAGO
Anaheim is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
DALLAS vs. EDMONTON
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
Edmonton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Hot teams
-- Rangers won three of their last four games. Penguins won nine of their last twelve games (3-3 in last six).
-- Minnesota is 5-1 in game after its last six losses. Blues won four of their last six games.
-- Ducks won four of their last five games.
-- Dallas Stars won three of their last four games.
Cold teams
-- Thrashers lost four in row, seven of their last eight games. Senators lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Chicago lost last three games, scoring total of four goals.
-- Oilers lost six of their last seven games.
Totals
-- Under is 10-2-2 in Rangers' last fourteen home games.
-- Last five Atlanta games all went over the total.
-- Last five Minnesota games all went over the total.
-- Last six Anaheim games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games went over the total.
Series Records
-- Penguins lost seven of last eight visits to Madison Square Garden.
-- Thrashers lost four of last five visits to Ottawa.
-- Blues lost five of last six visits to Minnesota.
-- Ducks are 11-2 in last thirteen games against Chicago.
-- Stars won their last seven games against Edmonton.
Wednesday's best NHL bets
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers (-125, 5.5)
With six goals in his last three games - and coming off his second career hat trick - Sidney Crosby and the Penguins will try to put an end to their recent struggles at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday when they meet the Atlantic Division-leading New York Rangers.
Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with 39 points and he's produced at least one in all but two of Pittsburgh's 23 games. Crosby, who led the league with 120 points in 2006-07 and was second in points per game (1.36) last season, had 16 through 14 games to start 2008-09, but he'd only scored three goals.
Over his last nine games, however, Crosby has caught fire. He has 10 goals and eight assists as the Penguins (14-6-3) have gone 6-2-1, and he's coming off one of the best games of his career. Crosby had his second NHL hat trick - his first at home - and added an assist in Pittsburgh's 4-1 win over New Jersey on Saturday.
"We try to make some plays the other teams don't expect," Crosby said of his part-time linemate. "It's hard to focus on one of us when both of us are out there, so, hopefully, we create some space for each other."
The Penguins have lost six straight at MSG and are 2-7-3 in their last 12 games there, including a 3-2 shootout loss on Oct. 25.
It should be no surprise if Pittsburgh and New York end up in another shootout. The Penguins have played in five, going 3-2, while the Rangers have seen seven games end that way, going an impressive 6-1.
New York won a pair of shootouts during a two-game trip to Florida last week, topping the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Wednesday and the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Friday. The Rangers, though, couldn't muster any offense Sunday when they completed a home-and-home series against the Panthers and were shut out for the first time this season, 4-0.
Henrik Lundqvist, who leads the Eastern Conference with 15 wins, was pulled after Florida's third goal. He's allowed at least three goals in three of his last five starts after not giving up more than two in his previous 12 games.
Pick: Penguins
Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks (-140, 5.5)
The Ducks' Jonas Hiller could again be in net Wednesday as Anaheim (14-9-3) takes on the Blackhawks at the United Center.
Hiller has appeared in three straight games as No. 1 goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere left for his native Montreal last week on a personal matter, then had to depart Monday's game in Detroit due to groin cramps.
Hiller has gone 2-1-1 with a 0.87 goals-against average in that span. He earned his second shutout in four starts with a 1-0 victory over the Blackhawks on Friday and followed it up with a 4-1 win at Carolina on Sunday.
Strengthening Hiller's chances of starting Wednesday is his career record against Chicago. Last week's shutout improved him to 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA versus the Blackhawks. Giguere, though, is 9-2-0 with a 2.29 GAA in his last 11 starts against Chicago.
While the Ducks, 4-1-0 in their last five, have been able to count on Hiller, the Blackhawks haven't gotten similarly dependable play out of their backup goalie. With Nikolai Khabibulin out indefinitely with an undisclosed lower-body injury, the Blackhawks (10-6-6) will have to again go with slumping Cristobal Huet as they try to break a three-game losing streak.
Huet came in when Khabibulin was injured in the second period Nov. 26 at San Jose, and he's gone 0-2-1 with a 3.01 GAA since, pushing his losing streak to four games.
Patrick Kane, who leads the Blackhawks with 28 points, recorded a goal and an assist Saturday and has a point in 16 of 22 games this season. Some of Chicago's other key offensive players, however, haven't been nearly as productive.
Jonathan Toews, who finished second to Kane in last season's Calder Trophy voting, hasn't recorded a point in three of his last four games and has no goals in seven of eight. Kris Versteeg and Martin Havlat have each gone pointless in their last three contests.
Anaheim has won 13 of the last 15 meetings with Chicago and six of seven at the United Center.
Pick: Ducks
Source: Laviolette out as Hurricanes coach
December 3, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -A person familiar with the decision says Peter Laviolette is out as coach of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The team scheduled a news conference Wednesday to announce a coaching change, and the person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that the announcement was Laviolette's dismissal.
The person requested anonymity because the official announcement had not yet been made.
Laviolette in 2005-06 led the team to its only Stanley Cup, and last month he became the winningest American-born coach in NHL history.
But the Hurricanes - the only team in the league's modern history to miss the playoffs two straight years after winning it all - lost four of five during the past 1 1/2 weeks to prompt the move.
NHL Forecast for Wednesday, Dec 3rd
by Ron Raymond
Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers
The Rangers are 4-10 SU the last 2 years when they scored 0 goals for in their last game and Crosby is just starting to heat up. When NY RANGERS team played as a home team - Before a non division game - playing on Wednesday - Coming off a 1 game loss; The Rangers are 2-7-1 SU in this spot.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 4 NY Rangers 3
Atlanta vs. Ottawa
Tough to back a team whos 3-9 SU on the road this season and playing their 3rd game in 4 nights vs. an Ottawa team ready to break loose offensively. On a managerial note, Ottawa needs to get rid of their coach, as these players have no emotion on the ice and they always say a team reflects their leader. In fact, now would be a great time for Ottawa to go and get John Tortorella, Pat Burns or Pat Quinn to inject some life in this Ottawa team. When OTTAWA team played as a home team - Last 2 years - After a non division game - Coming off a 1 game loss; The Sens are 11-5 SU in this role the L2Y.
Prediction: Ottawa 5 Atlanta 2