Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, March 11
Boston at Columbus (7 p.m. EDT). The Bruins have a one-point lead over Detroit and San Jose in the overall standings as they head to Columbus, which is in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.
STARS
Tuesday
— Saku Koivu, Canadiens, scored twice, including a power-play goal 1:40 into overtime to lift Montreal to a 4-3 win over Edmonton.
— Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell, Flyers, each scored twice in Philadelphia’s 5-2 victory against Buffalo.
— Steve Mason, Blue Jackets, posted his NHL-best ninth shutout of the season, stopping 35 shots as Columbus beat Boston 2-0.
— David Perron, Blues, had two goals and St. Louis scored on three of its first eight shots in a 5-2 win over Dallas.
— Kari Lehtonen, Thrashers, made 35 saves and earned his third shutout of the season as Atlanta beat Colorado 3-0.
SEEKING THE RECORD
Martin Brodeur moved within two wins of tying Patrick Roy’s NHL career record, making 35 saves in the New Jersey Devils’ 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. Brodeur, a four-time Vezina Trophy winner, could tie Roy’s mark of 551 wins in his native Montreal on Saturday, provided he beats Phoenix at home on Thursday.
SAYING GOODBYE
Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Gary Roberts retired from the NHL on Tuesday after 21 seasons. Roberts had already planned to call it quits at the end of the season. A Stanley Cup winner with Calgary in 1989, Roberts had 438 goals, 471 assists and 2,560 penalty minutes in 1,224 career games with the Flames, Carolina, Toronto, Florida, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.
SUCCESSFUL DEBUT
Bob Gainey’s return behind the Montreal Canadiens bench was a success as his team beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday night. Gainey, the Canadiens general manager, took over as coach after firing Guy Carbonneau on Monday. It is Gainey’s second stint as Canadiens coach.
STREAKS
Evgeni Malkin scored Pittsburgh’s first goal and then decided the shootout for the Penguins, who rallied from two goals down in the third period and beat the Florida Panthers for their seventh consecutive victory. The winning streak is the Penguins’ longest since they won eight in a row from Dec. 23, 2007, through Jan. 10, 2008. … The Washington Capitals snapped a season-worst, four-game losing streak by beating Nashville 2-1 in overtime. The Predators dropped their second straight after winning six in a row. … Mikhail Grabovski’s first goal in 18 games gave Toronto a 3-2 overtime victory over the New York Islanders.
SAFE AT HOME
The New Jersey Devils tied a franchise record by winning their eighth straight at home, a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames.
SPEAKING
“I think for people around me, they feel it’s a great story. It’s still alive. I have a chance. One more game to go.”—Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who moved within two wins of Patrick Roy’s NHL record of 551 by beating the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Tuesday night. Brodeur would have a shot to tie the mark in his hometown of Montreal on Saturday if he beats Phoenix on Thursday.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Ottawa Senators
Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, and Ryan Malone had the Lightning goals in their 9-3 loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday night.
The Canes were winners as -155 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score went well OVER the night's posted total (5.5).
Dany Heatley's goal proved to be the winner, as the Senators clipped the Maple Leafs 2-1 on Monday night.
Ottawa cashed as -200 home favorites as the game played under the 6-goal total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 3 straight games.
Ottawa has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 21-32-13
Ottawa: 26-29-10
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Carolina are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6
Ottawa most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 2-8
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Tampa Bay is 6-17 SU in its last 23 games when playing Ottawa
Tampa Bay is 4-19 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Ottawa is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay at Toronto, Thursday, March 12
Ottawa at Boston, Thursday, March 12
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Cam Ward made 27 saves to earn the shutout, as the Hurricanes defeated the Rangers 3-0 on Monday night.
Carolina won as -140 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
The Blackhawks lost to Colorado 5-1 as a -240 favorite on Sunday. The six goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Jonathan Toews scored the Blackhawks' lone goal and Antti Niemi made 24 saves in the loss.
Current streak:
Carolina has won 4 straight games.
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Carolina: 36-27-5
Chicago: 36-19-9
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing NY Rangers are 8-2
After a win are 6-4
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Colorado are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 5 games on the road
Carolina is 7-0-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Chicago
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Chicago is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Next up:
Carolina at Dallas, Thursday, March 12
Chicago home to Columbus, Friday, March 13
Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks
Alexandre Burrows and Taylor Pyatt lit up the lamp for Vancouver in its 3-2 loss to Los Angeles on Monday night.
Los Angeles won as +120 home underdogs as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
The Ducks 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).
Todd Marchant and Scott Niedermayer scored for the Ducks in the loss.
Current streak:
Anaheim has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 34-23-8
Anaheim: 31-30-6
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-6-1
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 8-9-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Anaheim is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Anaheim is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vancouver
Next up:
Vancouver home to Los Angeles, Friday, March 13
Anaheim home to San Jose, Sunday, March 15
TAMPA BAY (21-32-0-13, 55 pts.) at OTTAWA (26-29-0-10, 62 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 21-45 ATS (+80.4 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 57-120 ATS (+217.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 1-7 ATS (-6.5 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.
TAMPA BAY is 26-54 ATS (-35.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 26-39 ATS (+70.1 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 18-24 ATS (-17.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 31-47 ATS (-54.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 96-90 ATS (-45.5 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak since 1996.
OTTAWA is 11-19 ATS (+35.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
OTTAWA is 11-17 ATS (-19.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 5-5 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 5-5-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)
CAROLINA (36-27-0-5, 77 pts.) at CHICAGO (36-20-0-8, 80 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 21-39 ATS (-23.3 Units) after shutting out their opponent in their previous game since 1996.
CHICAGO is 15-4 ATS (+10.4 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 35-31 ATS (+72.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 13-3 ATS (+9.0 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 1-0-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)
VANCOUVER (34-23-0-8, 76 pts.) at ANAHEIM (31-30-0-6, 68 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 31-38 ATS (-17.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 14-17 ATS (-12.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ANAHEIM is 148-141 ATS (+328.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 31-36 ATS (-27.8 Units) in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 7-8 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 8-7-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.1 Units)
TAMPA BAY vs. OTTAWA
Tampa Bay is 4-19 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing Tampa Bay
Ottawa is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
CAROLINA vs. CHICAGO
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Carolina is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Chicago is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina
Chicago is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
VANCOUVER vs. ANAHEIM
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Anaheim is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Hot teams
-- Senators won last three games, scoring 12 goals.
-- Hurricanes won seven of their last nine games.
-- Canucks won eight of their last ten games.
Cold teams
-- Lightning lost three in row, seven of last nine games.
-- Blackhawks lost five of their last seven games.
-- Anaheim lost three in row, seven of last ten games.
Totals
-- Four of last five Ottawa games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Carolina games went over the total.
-- Last three Anaheim games all stayed under the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Senators are 3-1 at home if they play again the next night.
-- Carolina is 3-2 on road if they play again the next night.
Series Records
-- Ottawa is 13-6 in last nineteen games against Tampa Bay.
-- Carolina won its last two games vs Chicago, 5-3/3-0.
-- Canucks won five of last games against Anaheim.
NHL HOCKEY PICKS
by Ron Raymond
Tampa Bay vs. Ottawa
The Senators are playing like they did the last 3 years and Clouston has pushed the right buttons with his talented players. If this stat doesn't keep you away from Tampa Bay, then I don't know what would incline you to bet on this Lightning squad. When TAMPA BAY team played as a Road team - Before a non division game - Coming off vs. Eastern Conference opponent - Coming off a Home loss as a Underdog; the Lightning are 1-27-2 since 1997 in this hockey spot.
Prediction: Ottawa 5 Tampa Bay 3
Carolina vs. Chicago
Ride the Cam Ward wave, he's been hot and reuniting Staal with Cole has paid dividends thus far. When CAROLINA team Played as Road team as an Underdog - During the month of March - Coming off vs. Atlantic division opponent; the Hurricanes are 8-5 SU in this underdog role. Furthermore, the Canes are 5-0 SU as a dog vs. Chicago.
Prediction: Carolina 3 Chicago 2
Vancouver vs. Anaheim
When you see the Ducks getting rid of quality players like Kunitz and Moen, you know the house is broke! Chemistry is the problem right now in Anaheim, too many new faces and guys are competing like they once use too at the Duck pond. Great price on Luongo and the Canucks here! When ANY NHL Team Played as Road team as a Favorite - Total is 5.5 - After a non division game - Before a conference game - Coming off vs Pacific division opponent - Scored 2 or less goals FOR in their last game - Coming off a Road loss as a Favorite; the Road Favorite (VAN) is 14-3-0 SU in this spot since 1996.
Prediction: Vancouver 3 Anaheim 2