Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, Feb. 25
San Jose at Detroit (7:30 p.m. EST). The runaway leaders in the Western Conference have a showdown. It’s the second game of a four-game road trip for San Jose, which won at Dallas to open the trip.
STARS
Tuesday
— Byron Bitz, Bruins, scored his second and third NHL goals, leading Boston to a 6-1 win over Florida.
— Jaroslav Halak, Canadiens, earned his first shutout in more than 11 months, making 34 saves in Montreal’s 3-0 win over Vancouver.
— Dany Heatley, Senators, scored his 30th goal—the fifth time in his seven NHL seasons he’s reached the 30-goal mark—in Ottawa’s 4-2 victory over Carolina.
— Alex Auld, Senators, made 41 saves in Ottawa’s 4-2 victory over Carolina.
— Sheldon Souray, Oilers, scored twice to help Edmonton snap a three-game skid with a 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay.
— Jarome Iginla, Flames, scored twice and added two assists to lead Calgary to a 4-1 victory over Columbus.
MILESTONES
Montreal captain Saku Koivu tied Elmer Lach for 10th place on the Canadiens’ all-time scoring list with his 623rd point, an assist in a 3-0 win over Vancouver. … Shane Doan scored his 250th career goal for Phoenix in a 2-1 loss at St. Louis.
STREAKS
Todd Marchant, Ducks, snapped a 43-game goal drought with a short-handed score in a 3-2 win at Buffalo. … The Thrashers had two short-handed goals as they broke a four-game home losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Avalanche. … Philadelphia remains the only NHL team that hasn’t allowed a short-handed goal this season (58 games). … Washington has scored a first-period goal in 13 consecutive games. … The 5-3 loss at Edmonton was the fifth straight game the Lightning allowed more than 40 shots.
GOOD MONTH
The Blues improved to 6-2-4 in February and 26-26-8 overall with a 2-1 win over Phoenix, reaching the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 10.
WELL-TRAVELED PUCK
Local Space Shuttle Endeavour astronaut Steve Bowen dropped a ceremonial first puck that traveled on the Space Shuttle Discovery with fellow local astronaut Stephanie Wilson. The puck was then to go on display at the Boston Sports Museum, housed in the TD Banknorth Garden. The Bruins won the game 6-1 over Florida.
SCORING
Michael Ryder, returning from a seven-game absence after surgery to repair facial fractures and wearing a full shield, had his 20th goal and an assist for Boston in a 6-1 win over Florida. … J.P. Dumont, David Legwand, Joel Ward and Shea Weber had third-period goals as the Predators rallied past the Blackhawks 5-3.
BAD START
Patrick Lalime, subbing for injured Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, was beaten on the first shot just 70 seconds into a 3-2 loss to Anaheim. Teemu Selanne scored on a back-hander after waltzing in alone following defenseman Toni Lydman’s turnover.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Milan Hejduk had his 21st and 22nd goals for Colorado, which has lost two straight and six of nine after falling 4-3 at Atlanta. .. Cory Murphy scored twice for the Lightning, who have lost five of their last six overall and six in a row on the road after losing in Edmonton 5-3.
EXPECTING
Ducks LW Travis Moen returned to Anaheim on Monday to be with his wife, who is having their first child. … The Kings were without team captain Dustin Brown, who did not make the trip to Minnesota because his wife Nicole was expecting to give birth to the couple’s second child.
SPEAKING
“This is the luckiest one I’ve had in my career but we’ll take it right now. I thought someone else scored. I had no idea what happened.”—Blues forward David Perron, who was headed to the bench for a line change after a routine dump-in when the puck bounced past Phoenix Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov for the tying goal in a 2-1 victory.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Drew Doughty scored the winner in the shootout, as the Kings upended the Wild 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles upset Minnesota as +155 road underdogs as the game played under the 5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Jeff Carter's third period marker was the winner, as the Flyers upset the Capitals 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Philadelphia won as +140 road underdogs as the teams pushed the 6-goal total set by sportsbooks.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 26-24-9
Philadelphia: 32-17-9
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-5-1
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Los Angeles is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Los Angeles
Next up:
Los Angeles at Detroit, Friday, February 27
Philadelphia home to Montreal, Friday, February 27
San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings
Evgeni Nabokov stopped all 25 shots he faced to earn the shutout, as the Sharks clipped the Stars 1-0 on Monday night.
San Jose cashed as -165 road favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Red Wings had a two-game win streak snapped in a 5-2 loss to the Wild on Saturday, as -150 favorites. That game's seven goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Tomas Kopecky and Ville Leino scored in the loss.
Current streak:
San Jose has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
San Jose: 41-8-9
Detroit: 39-13-8
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-3-1
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing Detroit
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 6 games
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games at home
Detroit is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing San Jose
Next up:
San Jose at Ottawa, Thursday, February 26
Detroit home to Los Angeles, Friday, February 27
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Islanders stumped their neighbors, the Devils, winning 4-0 at Nassau Coliseum Saturday.
New York won as a +205 home underdog while the final score played under the 5-goal total.
The Penguins lost to Washington 5-2 as a +175 underdog on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (6).
Sergei Gonchar and Max Talbot scored for the Penguins in the loss.
Team records:
New York: 18-35-6
Pittsburgh: 29-26-6
New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Washington are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 8 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the NY Islanders last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of the NY Islanders last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Next up:
NY Islanders home to Toronto, Thursday, February 26
Pittsburgh at Chicago, Friday, February 27
New York Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Rangers lost to Toronto 3-2 in overtime as a -200 favorite on Sunday. The five goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Michal Rozsival had a goal and an assist for the Rangers, while Brandon Dubinsky collected a pair of assists in the loss.
The Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers 3-2 in overtime as a +170 underdog on Sunday. The five goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Niklas Hagman scored in overtime for Toronto, while Pavel Kubina and Lee Stempniak each recorded three assists in the win.
Current streak:
New York has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 31-23-7
Toronto: 22-26-12
New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing NY Rangers are 3-7
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the NY Rangers last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the NY Rangers last 19 games
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 14 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Next up:
NY Rangers home to Florida, Thursday, February 26
Toronto at NY Islanders, Thursday, February 26
LOS ANGELES (25-24-0-9, 59 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (31-17-0-9, 71 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 5-1 ATS (+6.5 Units) in road games in February games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 23-38 ATS (+64.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 6 or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-9 ATS (-7.6 Units) in home games in February games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-40 ATS (-37.8 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 46-62 ATS (+123.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 11-20 ATS (-18.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 2-1 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 2-1-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)
NY RANGERS (31-23-0-7, 69 pts.) at TORONTO (22-26-0-12, 56 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 78-75 ATS (-20.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 2-8 ATS (-8.2 Units) in February games this season.
NY RANGERS are 13-17 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 45-44 ATS (-2.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 23-18 ATS (+46.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 19-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-14 ATS (+22.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 2-11 ATS (+16.2 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-5 (+3.6 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 6-5-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.5 Units)
NY ISLANDERS (18-35-0-6, 42 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (29-26-0-6, 64 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 33-11 ATS (+16.8 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 23-10 ATS (+10.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 33-12 ATS (+14.6 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 24-8 ATS (+10.5 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 23-3 ATS (+17.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 29-32 ATS (+75.2 Units) in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 12-8 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 12-8-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)
SAN JOSE (41-8-0-9, 91 pts.) at DETROIT (39-13-0-8, 86 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 25-25 ATS (-20.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 12-13 ATS (-19.1 Units) in February games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 9-8 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 9-8-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)
LOS ANGELES vs. PHILADELPHIA
Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Los Angeles is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
NY ISLANDERS vs. PITTSBURGH
NY Islanders are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the NY Islanders last 17 games
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
NY RANGERS vs. TORONTO
NY Rangers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the NY Rangers last 19 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
SAN JOSE vs. DETROIT
San Jose is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Jose is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games
Hot teams
-- Flyers won six of their last eight games.
-- Penguins won five of their last six home games.
-- Red Wings won six of their last seven home games. Sharks won their last four games, allowing a total of five goals.
Cold teams
-- Kings lost five of their last seven games.
-- Islanders lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Toronto lost five of last seven games; their last three all went into OT. Rangers lost ten of last twelve games, fired their coach Monday.
Totals
-- Four of last five Los Angeles games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Pittsburgh games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Detroit games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Ranger games stayed under the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Kings are 3-6 if they played the night before.
-- Islanders are 2-7 if they play again the next night.
-- Sharks are 4-3 if they play again the next night.
-- Rangers are 6-4 if they play again the next night.
Series Records
-- Home team won last two LA-Philadelphia games.
-- Pittsburgh won eight of last eleven against the Islanders.
-- Sharks won their last four games against Detroit.
-- Rangers won four of last six visits to Toronto.