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  • NHL Betting Info. 3/5

    NHL Hockey Odds and Picks: Scouting the Week Ahead
    by Alan Matthews


    The NHL trade deadline is no different than those in Major League Baseball or the NBA: the rich get richer and the bad teams throw in the towel and accrue assets for the future. Can I tell you with certainty who will win the Stanley Cup after Monday's NHL trade deadline passed? I can't, but I can tell you which teams to bet against the rest of the season.


    But let's start with the winners from the deadline, and by winners I mean just for this season, which have to be the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche.


    The Caps are +315 favorites to win the Stanley Cup. They sent Brooks Laich, the team's longest-tenured player, to Toronto for forward Daniel Winnik. Laich used to be a good player but is breaking down and had just one goal and six assists this season, playing mostly on the fourth line. Winnik ranked second among NHL forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game last season (3:16) and set career highs in assists (25) and points (34). This year, he had four goals and 10 assists for the sorry Leafs. He's an upgrade even though Laich was hugely respected in the Caps' locker room.


    The Blackhawks, who are +625 second-favorites for a fourth title this decade and beat the visiting Capitals in a potential Finals preview on Sunday, probably are the most improved team. GM Stan Bowman was able to keep the team's top young players yet still able to bring back forward Andrew Ladd, a key member of the 2010 Cup team, as well as forwards Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise. They also swapped defensemen with the Kings: Rob Scuderi for Christian Ehrhoff. Ladd, acquired from Carolina, had 17 goals and 18 assists this season. He was a very popular player on that 2009-10 Hawks team but was part of the salary-cap purge after winning the Cup. Ladd will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and will cost too much to be re-signed. He had an assist Sunday in his Chicago debut. Weise had 14 goals and 12 assists in Montreal and Fleischmann 10 goals and 10 assists with the Habs. Both those guys will be free agents after the year as well.


    The Rangers, +1600 to win the Cup, got perhaps the biggest "name" in Eric Staal from the Hurricanes. Carolina's former captain had spent his entire 12-year career with the club. The four-time All-Star has 10 goals and 23 assists. He joins brother Marc on the Blueshirts. Staal will be a free agent after the season. Noticing a pattern here?


    The Panthers added some scoring punch in acquiring wingers Jiri Hudler from the Calgary Flames and Teddy Purcell from the Edmonton Oilers as well as defenseman Jakub Kindl from Detroit. Florida is +1500 for the Cup.


    Anaheim landed forward Brandon Pirri from Florida and winger Jamie McGinn from Buffalo. Pirri has only played in 101 games since the start of the 2014-15 season but he has scored 33 goals in those games. He's out with an ankle injury right now. The Ducks are +1400 for the Cup. Colorado (+5000) landed winger Mikkel Boedker from the Coyotes. After Ladd, he was arguably the top rental forward on the market. He had 13 goals and 26 assists with 18 of those points on the power play. The Avs are simply battling to get into the playoffs.


    Which teams are worse after the deadline? No question it's Arizona, Toronto, Calgary and Carolina. Those four all loaded up on young players and draft picks in their moves and that may well work out in the long term, but they are clearly in full tank mode the rest of this season. Bet against those clubs accordingly.


    This Week's Games To Watch


    Anaheim at Los Angeles, Saturday: The Ducks enter the week on an NHL-high eight-game winning streak and are two points behind the crosstown Kings in the Pacific Division. The Kings also made a move at the deadline, getting winger Kris Versteeg from Carolina. L.A. needed some forward depth because it has lost Marian Gaborik to injury. Gaborik will reportedly miss 10-12 weeks with a knee injury. Versteeg had 33 points (11 goals) with the Hurricanes and has plenty of postseason experience as well from his time in Chicago. The Kings moved Gaborik to long-term injured reserve to absorb Versteeg's salary. The Ducks lead the season series with the Kings 2-1 and beat visiting L.A. 4-2 on Sunday to snap the Kings' four-game winning streak. Corey Perry had his ninth career hat trick for the Ducks. The Kings haven't finished first in their division since the 1990-91 season, believe it or not. The Ducks trailed the Kings by 15 points on Jan. 2.

  • #2
    Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

    NHL notebook: Jets recall F Lipon with Ehlers out
    By The Sports Xchange


    The Winnipeg Jets recalled forward JC Lipon on an emergency basis Friday from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
    Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers is out indefinitely with an eye injury after being hit in the face by the puck during the game-ending play in overtime on Thursday night.
    The 20-year-old Ehlers, who has 13 goals and 31 points in his rookie season with Winnipeg, just missed giving his team a rare come-from-behind win on a two-on-one against the New York Islanders, only to back check on the ensuing rush and have Frans Nielsen's wild shot hit him in the face and land on Kyle Okposo's stick.
    Okposo briefly raised his hand in celebration after giving the Islanders a 4-3 victory but upon seeing Ehlers writhing in pain, he quickly waved to the Jets' bench to send their trainers on to the ice.
    Lipon was recalled for the second time this season. He played in two games with Winnipeg after joining the Jets on Jan. 17. Lipon has played 45 games for Manitoba this season, recording 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) and 87 penalty minutes.


    ---The New York Rangers recalled goaltender Magnus Hellberg on an emergency basis from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.
    Rangers starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was not expected to dress Friday night against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center.
    Lundqvist was having neck spasms during the second period of a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
    Lundqvist was pulled after the second period against the Penguins. He allowed three goals in a span of 1:39 late in the second and did not return to the bench for the third period.
    Hellberg has appeared in 40 games with the Wolf Pack this season, posting a 22-16-2 record, 2.39 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and three shutouts.


    ---The Anaheim Ducks recalled center Chris Wagner from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL.
    Wagner has scored four goals with 26 penalty minutes in 37 games with the Ducks and Colorado Avalanche this season.
    The Ducks also reassigned right winger Stefan Noesen to their AHL affiliate. Noesen went scoreless in his Anaheim season debut in Arizona on Thursday night.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

      Preview: Wild (30-25) at Sabres (26-31)


      Date: March 05, 2016 1:00 PM EDT


      While the Buffalo Sabres have shown gradual progress during their latest rebuilding effort, the Minnesota Wild have gotten the short-term boost they were seeking.


      Back in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, the Wild hope to stay hot under interim coach John Torchetti on Saturday in Buffalo.


      After a miserable 1-11-2 stretch dropped the Wild out of the West's top eight and forced Mike Yeo's dismissal on Feb. 13, they've righted themselves with seven wins in 10 games with Torchetti in charge. The surge has pulled Minnesota (30-25-10) even with Colorado for the final wild-card spot while owning a game in hand on the Avalanche.


      The coaching change provided an immediate offensive spark, with the Wild scoring 21 goals in winning their first four under Torchetti. They've been more timely than plentiful during a three-game winning streak, extendedThursday with power-play goals by Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund in a 2-1 victory at Toronto.


      Minnesota has converted 25.6 percent (10 of 39) of its man-advantage chances during Torchetti's tenure and has recorded a power-play goal in a franchise-record 11 consecutive road games, going 13 of 39 over that stretch.


      'It's been a huge key for us the games we have won, especially on the road,' Granlund said. 'We've been able to score on the power play, and hopefully we can keep doing that. Right now, our confidence in the PP is up. I don't know if we are doing anything special.'


      Devan Dubnyk added 22 saves and has allowed just five goals over the streak. He may be rested in favor of Darcy Kuemper, though, with the Wild beginning a back-to-back ending Sunday against rival St. Louis.


      Kuemper is 1-3-1 with a 3.21 goals-against average over his past five outings and last started Feb. 26, registering 24 saves in a 3-2 loss at Washington.


      Either will be facing one of the NHL's lowest scoring teams, though Buffalo (26-31-8) produced plenty of offense to support Robin Lehner's latest solid effort in Thursday's 6-3 win over Calgary.


      Though 27th in the NHL with 153 goals, the Sabres have already matched their league-low total from last season. Their 60 points in coach Dan Bylsma's first season is their most since 2011-12.


      'I think we can be better,' said rookie center Jack Eichel, who recorded his 18th goal in the win. 'It's really good to see that we've taken a step forward. ... But I don't think we should be satisfied with that.'


      Evander Kane had a goal and an assist and has scored 10 times in his last 20 games after recording eight in his first 34.


      Lehner owns a 1.73 GAA and .947 save percentage through his past eight starts and had a 27-save shutout in his lone previous meeting with Minnesota, while with Ottawa on Jan. 14, 2014.


      Linus Ullmark made 28 saves as the Sabres halted a four-game series skid with a 3-2 win at Minnesota on Jan. 12. The Wild had outscored Buffalo 19-5 over the previous four matchups and rolled 7-0 in last season's visit to First Niagara Center.


      Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville had three assists in that game and enters this one with 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) over his last 10 outings.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

        Preview: Predators (32-21) at Avalanche (33-29)


        Date: March 05, 2016 3:00 PM EDT


        A franchise-record point streak has the Nashville Predators well-equipped to handle the rigors of a long late-season road trip.


        They'll open a five-game trek looking to extend that impressive run in Saturday's key matchup with the Colorado Avalanche.


        Though its season-high five-game win streak was halted, Nashville (32-21-12) earned a point in an 11th consecutive game with Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey. The Predators are 7-0-4 over the stretch and have moved six points clear of the Avalanche and Minnesota for the Western Conference's top wild-card spot.


        Nashville's 12-3-4 mark since Jan. 21 trails only Anaheim among West teams, with much of that success coming in visiting venues. The Predators are 8-0-1 in their last nine road games, winning the last four.


        They have come up empty in two prior 2015-16 meetings with Colorado (33-29-4), which got a crucial four-game homestand off to a desired start with Thursday's 3-2 victory over Florida. The Avalanche remained tied with resurgent Minnesota for the West's final playoff spot, though the Wild hold a game in hand.


        Colorado stopped a two-game skid behind a strong performance from Calvin Pickard, who recorded 24 of his 38 saves in the third period filling in for a slumping Semyon Varlamov. The backup goaltender is 3-1-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average over his last five appearances.


        'The thing that I like about him is his swagger,' coach Patrick Roy said. 'He seems very confident right now in front of the net. He looks big and he's moving well. I love that intensity that he's bringing, the compete level that he's bringing on the ice.'


        Conversely, Varlamov's psyche appears a bit shaken after surrendering three first-period goals in Tuesday's 6-3 defeat at Minnesota and yielding four each in losing his previous two starts.


        Varlamov did have 34 saves in a 3-2 win in Nashville on Dec. 12, and 19 while backed by two power-play goals in a 5-3 home victory over the Predators on Jan. 8. The Avalanche are 3 of 11 and Nashville just 1 of 8 in man-advantage situations for the season series.


        The Predators had killed 20 of 22 penalties over their nine games preceding Thursday's loss, in which the Devils scored on all three power-play opportunities.


        'It's disappointing to lose that way," said center Mike Fisher, who skated in his 1,000th NHL game. "It wasn't our best, but we've just got to regroup and have a good game (Saturday) and forget about this one and just keep rolling here, keep our confidence high and forget about it.'


        Nashville has continued to get big production from its line of Mike Ribeiro, Filip Forsberg and Craig Smith, each of whom had a goal. Smith has seven points over a three-game goal streak and Forsberg has a league-leading 13 goals over a 13-game stretch, with seven coming in his past five.


        "That line was excellent, once again," coach Peter Laviolette said. "They are working extremely hard out there and because of that they are generating chances."


        Colorado's offense has received an immediate contribution from trade-deadline pickup Mikkel Boedker. The forward contributed a goal to Thursday's win after registering an assist in his first game since being acquired from Arizona on Monday.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

          Preview: Flames (26-34) at Penguins (33-22)


          Date: March 05, 2016 3:00 PM EDT


          Entering a game against just about any other team, it might be of note that Pittsburgh's made a trend of needing at least four goals to get a win. Given Calgary's last dozen efforts, opponents should just assume they'll get there.


          The now-last place Flames visit the Penguins Saturday needing a win to avoid a second straight season with an eight-game losing streak.


          The Penguins (33-22-8) have averaged 4.80 goals in their wins over a 5-3-0 span with at least four in each, which includes Thursday's 4-1 home win over the New York Rangers. They've gone 12-2-2 at home dating to Dec. 21 with 4.00 goals per game and at least four in 11 of the victories.


          Against the Rangers, the first three came in the final three minutes of the second period after falling behind 1-0 about a minute before that. Sidney Crosby started it with his 26th, followed by Evgeni Malkin's 25th and Patric Hornqvist's 17th before Phil Kessel added an empty netter in the third.


          "I think being down probably gave us a little bit of jump and urgency," Crosby told the team's official website. "Each game kind of tells its own story. ... Whether we got one in the past (against Henrik Lundqvist) or three tonight, I think we're confident we can score goals if we do the right things."


          Crosby has eight goals and four assists in nine career games against the Flames, but none of that came as Calgary (26-34-4) won the home meeting with the Penguins 5-2 on Nov. 7 to end a nine-game losing streak in the series. The Flames got two goals and an assist from Johnny Gaudreau and a goal and an assist from both Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett.


          Monahan has been impressive over the last month with seven goals and 10 assists in 17 games, but it's almost all gone to waste as the Flames have allowed 4.17 goals per game over the last 12, including a 6-3 loss in Buffalo on Thursday.


          Their six-game road skid has come entirely in regulation, but it's still a ways from a 0-11-0 away span from 2012-13. That's not making them feel any better about the seven-game overall losing streak or falling into the Western Conference cellar.


          "We say it every day. We don't want to lose," coach Bob Hartley told the team's official website. "We want to win games. We will do what's possible at the limit, to make sure that we go out there, we compete hard, we win games, we battle in games, and if it is to give extra responsibilities to some veterans or to some kids, we're there to get two points."


          For that to realistically happen, they're going to have to find a way to stay out of the penalty box. Over the last 12 games, the Calgary penalty kill has gone 36 of 54 (66.7 percent), though Pittsburgh's power play has gone 2 for 27 (7.4) over the same span.


          "We've been taking too many penalties and gave up a lot of momentum and they score on the power plays," defenseman Dougie Hamilton said. "I think we've been talking about it and nobody's really changed anything. So that's probably the frustrating thing about it."


          Calgary will start Joni Ortio in goal with the 24-year-old seeking his first win of the season, going 0-6-2 with a 3.34 goals-against average in nine games.


          He'll be opposed by Marc-Andre Fleury, who's won his last three starts with a 0.67 GAA. He's 7-2-0 with a 1.77 mark in 10 career games against the Flames.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

            Preview: Ducks (36-19) at Kings (38-21)


            Date: March 05, 2016 4:00 PM EDT


            The surging Anaheim Ducks have a chance to make franchise history and take over sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division for the first time this season.


            Standing in their way are the co-leading Los Angeles Kings, who are also faring well.


            The visiting Ducks can also secure a winning season series over the Kings with a club-record 11th consecutive victory Saturday.


            Anaheim (36-19-8) has recorded a pair of 4-2 victories over Los Angeles during a 17-1-1 stretch since a 3-2 home loss to the Kings on Jan. 17. Los Angeles' only defeat in its last six games came at Anaheim on Sunday.


            'It's going to be the biggest game of the year, and everybody knows that going in,' said Los Angeles forward Dwight King, whose team currently holds the tiebreaker between the clubs. 'We know what's on the line, so it's going to be pretty much playoff hockey."


            After Thursday's 5-1 rout of Arizona matched the club mark for consecutive wins set in December 2013, the Ducks are obviously just as eager for this matchup.


            "It's going to be a good game," Anaheim goalie Frederik Andersen said. "Those are the ones you look forward to."


            The Ducks hope to have points leader Ryan Getzlaf available after he was scratched Thursday because of a lower-body injury. Including the playoffs, Getzlaf has four goals and 13 assists in his last 15 games against the Kings (38-21-4).


            Teammate Corey Perry recorded a hat trick and had an assist against Los Angeles on Sunday, then followed with two goals and two assists in the next two. Four of Perry's goals came on the power play, where Anaheim is a sizzling 17 for 41 during the winning streak.


            "It's been a big strength for us," said defenseman Cam Fowler, who has a point in four straight games. "We've been scoring at key moments, too, which is huge for our confidence. It's going to be big going forward."


            Los Angeles has killed 8 of 11 penalties in the last four games, yielding all three on Anaheim's five chances last weekend.


            Though Los Angeles has been successful of late, it's totaled 15 goals and gone 3 for 27 on the power play in the last nine. Following a three-day break from game action, the Kings scored more than two goals for the first time during that stretch in Thursday's 3-2 win over Montreal.


            "I think everybody's just gripping their sticks a little bit obviously and just focusing on scoring," King said. "Then having a little bit of a break, it's kind of refreshing; it helps too, those three days, and then (Thursday) throwing everything at the net we got rewarded."


            It didn't help Tyler Toffoli, who hasn't scored any of his team-leading and career-high 24 goals in the last six contests. He scored in each of the first two against Anaheim.


            Though Andersen has won six in a row and stopped 70 of 72 shots in his last three, there's a good chance John Gibson will make a fourth start against the Kings this season. Gibson, 4-1-0 against Los Angeles, posted a 2.34 goals-against average in the first three.


            Jonathan Quick has a 1.88 GAA during a 5-2-1 stretch in which the only time he's allowed more than two goals came Sunday at Anaheim. He has a 3.85 GAA in the three meetings this season.


            The teams conclude the season series at Los Angeles on April 7.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

              Preview: Blue Jackets (27-30) at Flyers (29-23)


              Date: March 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


              It's daunting enough that Philadelphia faces a five-point deficit for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, but trying to make up that ground without Jakub Voracek for the next week and a half presents another dilemma.


              A second consecutive loss to one of the worst teams in the league - and possibly being down another center - won't help the Flyers' chances either.


              Philadelphia heads into Saturday night's home matchup with the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets trying to recapture some of the scoring flare it showed in its first game without Voracek.


              After beating Calgary 5-3 on Monday behind Brayden Schenn's hat trick and four assists from Claude Giroux, the Flyers (29-23-11) were blanked for a fourth time this season Thursday in a 4-0 loss to Edmonton. It marked the first time since Oct. 8, 2011, that they went scoreless on at least seven power play chances.


              Voracek, whose 38 assists lead the club and 48 points rank second, sat out his second straight contest with a lower-body injury that will keep him out for at least the next five. Making matters worse, Schenn sat out the last six minutes against the Oilers after hitting his head on the ice during a scrum earlier in the third period.


              Schenn, who has six of his career-high 21 goals along with six assists over his last nine, will be a game-time decision against the Blue Jackets (27-30-8) as the club evaluates his injury.


              Philadelphia sits in ninth in the East and is trying to catch rival Pittsburgh for the last wild-card spot. It had a three-game winning streak snapped against Edmonton as Michal Neuvirth tied his season high for goals allowed.


              Neuvirth has a 2.83 goals-against average while making five consecutive starts despite usual No. 1 goaltender Steve Mason being healthy. Coach Dave Hakstol hasn't said if Neuvirth or Mason, who won the Calder Trophy with Columbus in 2008-09, will get the start against the Blue Jackets.


              Columbus has won both meetings this season - 4-1 on Dec. 5 and 3-2 in a shootout Dec. 19 - with Mason in net for both. He's 2-3-2 with a 3.00 GAA against his former team.


              "We've got a big job ahead of us here. We're going to need both guys to win games for us," Hakstol said following Friday's practice. "I think (Mason's) going to be ready to go whenever the call comes."


              The Blue Jackets possess plenty of offensive firepower as the only team in the NHL with four 20-goal scorers in Brandon Saad (24), Boone Jenner (23), Cam Atkinson (21) and former Flyer Scott Hartnell (21).


              The latter three all scored and Saad assisted on one of David Savard's two goals during Friday's 6-3 win over Edmonton. Columbus has scored at least six goals three times in a 4-1-1 stretch since Feb. 22.


              "We have to play the same way no matter what, and for the most part, we're doing that," defenseman Ryan Murray said. "We're getting better as far as situational play and making good decisions and I think we're growing."


              Hartnell has two goals and six assists during Columbus' five-game winning streak against his former team. The Flyers have lost their last seven trips to Columbus - the last three past regulation - since last winning there Dec. 13, 2005.


              Rookie Joonas Korpisalo has made four straight starts in net for the Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky, who hasn't played since Jan. 21 because of a lower-body injury but has been a full participant in practice, and Curtis McElhinney are potential options to complete the back-to-back set.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                Preview: Canadiens (30-29) at Jets (26-32)


                Date: March 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


                The Montreal Canadiens' fourth game in six nights came against a third straight physical opponent that they weren't able to match - and this one was well-rested.


                And no matter whom they play, they still can't find their scoring touch.


                Montreal concludes a four-game road trip against Western Conference opponents Saturday night when it faces another hard-hitting team in the Winnipeg Jets, who like the Canadiens have dropped three in a row.


                Montreal (30-29-6) managed a season-low 15 shots in a 3-2 loss to Los Angeles on Thursday, scoring two goals for the third straight time on the trip. Matchups with San Jose on Monday and Anaheim on Wednesday left the Canadiens drained, and the Kings - considered perhaps the most physical team in the league - came in off a three-day break.


                "They came out hard. These were three physical games. They were really physically demanding," forward Max Pacioretty told the team's official website. "Tonight, there was no space out there. You know why that team has had so much success both this year and in the past. They just take away your time and space. ... You're going along the boards against them and you know you're getting hit."


                The Canadiens' 2.12 non-shootout goals per game since Nov. 28 is among the three lowest marks in the league - a stretch in which the club has gone 12-25-4.


                Pacioretty leads the club with 23 goals but has scored in only three of the last 19 games.


                "Without looking for excuses, you can't forget that we've played four games in the last six nights and we were playing a team that hadn't played since Sunday," coach Michel Therrien said. "When you're playing a team like that and you've got the same energy level as they do, they're already tough to play against. They're the best defensive team in the league and I felt that the energy level just wasn't there for us."


                A matchup with Winnipeg (26-32-5) might be what the Canadiens need to get back on track offensively. Montreal has won 11 of the last 14 meetings against the Jets franchise, taking the first one this season 5-1 on Nov. 1.


                Winnipeg is 10th in the NHL with 25.56 hits per game - Los Angeles is first at 30.13 - but the Jets have gone 1-5-2 in their last eight, allowing 3.63 non-shootout goals in that span.


                They've given up at least four goals seven times in the past 14 games and are allowing 2.97 on the season - among the worst marks in the league.


                The New York Islanders' Kyle Okposo scored off a quirky rebound in overtime Thursday, converting when center Frans Nielsen blasted the puck toward the net and hit Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers in the face. Okposo got the rebound and shot it in past goaltender Michael Hutchinson for a 4-3 win.


                "We battled our hearts out," said center Mark Scheifele, who scored twice and has five goals and five assists in his last seven games. "When you play a game like that, create as many chances we did ... It's obviously tough that it didn't come out our way.


                "We can't get down on ourselves. It's going to (stink) tonight, we're going to feel bad about it tonight, but tomorrow's another work day and we know that we've got another game coming up."


                Winnipeg has dropped six in a row and 11 of 13 at home, though it won 5-2 in its most recent matchup with Montreal there March 26.


                Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has a goal and six assists in a seven-game point streak.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                  Preview: Senators (30-28) at Maple Leafs (21-32)


                  Date: March 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


                  By dealing Dion Phaneuf to Ottawa last month, the Toronto Maple Leafs took another step toward building a potential postseason contender down the road.


                  Though the Senators hoped the veteran defenseman would help them reach the playoffs this season, that remains a tall order.


                  Back in Toronto for the first time since the trade, Phaneuf can help the Senators remain perfect in this season series by handing the Maple Leafs a fifth straight defeat Saturday night.


                  Despite how fans and others around the NHL perceive the opinionated Phaneuf, Toronto general manager Lou Lamoriello had nothing but good things to say about the former Maple Leafs captain when he traded him to Ottawa (30-28-7) in a nine-player deal Feb. 9.


                  "I've been extremely impressed with Dion from day one," Lamoriello said at the time of the deal. "As I mentioned consistently, I came in with no preconceived notions so I really didn't know what to expect other than what there was as far as hearsay at different times. He has been impressive in every way whatsoever."


                  By shipping Phaneuf out, the Maple Leafs rid themselves of the remaining five years of his contract at a cap hit of $7 million per.


                  'This was a transaction that certainly wasn't for today,' Lamoriello said last month.


                  While there's a good chance Maple Leafs fans won't greet Phaneuf warmly, they should be somewhat pleased with the early return from one of the four players Toronto received in the deal. Forward Colin Greening has five points in 11 games since coming over from Ottawa, including a goal and an assist in the last two.


                  Last in the league and fresh off more veteran salary purging prior to Monday's trade deadline, the Maple Leafs (21-32-10) might resemble an AHL club more than a NHL team, but that's part of the plan. They've totaled five goals in four games but the last three were decided by one goal.


                  "There's lots to learn obviously and they're works in progress,' coach Mike Babcock told the Maple Leafs' official website. "But it's got to be a night-on every night."


                  Phaneuf will make sure his game is on Saturday as the Senators try to improve to 3-0 this season against Toronto, which yielded 10 non-shootout goals in the first two meetings.


                  Set to turn 31 next month, Phaneuf has a goal and six assists with a minus-2 rating while the Senators have gone 5-5-1 since the trade. He was a minus-3 in Thursday's 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay.


                  Sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference and seven points out of the final wild-card spot, Ottawa has dropped three of four after winning four in a row.


                  "I liked a lot of things (Thursday), but we've said all along it's about results," coach Dave Cameron said.


                  Goaltender Craig Anderson remains day to day with a lower body injury. It's uncertain how much time Ottawa defenseman Mark Borowiecki will miss after he suffered a knee injury Thursday.


                  Forward Mark Stone has recorded five goals and five assists during a seven-game point streak versus Toronto.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                    Preview: Hurricanes (29-26) at Lightning (38-22)


                    Date: March 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


                    Rolling along, the Tampa Bay Lightning are in position to make some franchise history.


                    They can sweep the season series from the visiting Carolina Hurricanes with a club-record ninth consecutive victory Saturday night.


                    Though Tampa Bay (38-22-4) has been unbeatable over the last two weeks, its surge goes back to early January. Winners in 19 of 24, the Lightning share the Atlantic Division lead with Florida and currently own the tiebreaker.


                    They matched the team mark set during their 2003-04 Stanley Cup-winning season with an eighth straight victory Thursday, 4-1 at Ottawa.


                    "We've put ourselves in a good spot for the rest of the way," defenseman Victor Hedman said. "We want to keep winning hockey games. We're on a good roll right now and that's got to keep going."


                    While Tampa Bay has scored at least four goals six times in the eight games, it has yielded only eight in the last seven while killing all 21 penalties. Ben Bishop has a 1.20 goals-against average and .962 save percentage while winning his last five starts - all on the road.


                    "I am playing pretty well right now, obviously," said Bishop, who leads the NHL with a career-low 2.04 GAA. "Right now things are going well but it's a long season and there are ups and downs. Right now it's an up, but you just try to enjoy it while it's there."


                    Bishop hasn't enjoyed things of late at home, where he's lost his last two starts and most recently allowed four goals against San Jose on Feb. 16. He has an .893 save percentage in his last four at Amalie Arena.


                    However, Bishop is 6-1-0 with a 1.72 GAA against Carolina and made 29 saves in a 4-2 road victory Feb. 21.


                    Steven Stamkos has a goal in both of Tampa Bay's games against the Hurricanes this season - two road wins - and seven during the eight-game winning streak.


                    Carolina (29-26-10) hasn't played since snapping a three-game slide with Tuesday's 3-1 victory over New Jersey. It was a needed win for a club that's 11th in the Eastern Conference, six points out of the final wild-card spot and still dealing with captain Eric Staal, Kris Versteeg and fellow veteran John Michael-Liles being traded prior to Monday's deadline.


                    "It's been quiet around our room a little bit, quieter than usual," coach Bill Peters told the Hurricanes' official website. "We'll snap out of it. A lot of good things (happened Tuesday)."


                    Carolina certainly received a jolt from forward Derek Ryan scoring in his NHL debut. The 29-year-old Ryan, called up from Charlotte of the AHL on Monday, played for Peters in Spokane of the WHL 10 years ago.


                    "Pretty unbelievable, no question," Ryan said. "Just an awesome, emotional day. Playing in my first NHL game and for that to happen is icing on the cake. I just can't really put it into words."


                    Eddie Lack made 29 saves in his first action since Feb. 18.


                    He could make a second straight start in place of Cam Ward, who has a 3.77 GAA while losing his last three. Ward yielded seven goals in two against the Lightning this season and has a 3.07 GAA during a five-game losing streak against them.


                    Lack is 0-3-0 with a 4.15 GAA against the Lightning but last faced them in October 2014.


                    Carolina's Jeff Skinner has a team-high 22 goals but two in the last 15 road games and none in his last 10 overall against Tampa Bay.


                    The Lightning have won 11 of the past 13 meetings.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                      Preview: Capitals (47-13) at Bruins (36-23)


                      Date: March 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


                      A win at home over the best team in the Western Conference should do wonders for a Boston Bruins club that has struggled on its own ice this season.


                      There's no telling how high their confidence would go with another home win - this time against the best team in the league.


                      With coach Claude Julien on the verge of history, the Bruins seek a third straight victory at TD Garden on Saturday night when they face the Washington Capitals.


                      Boston (36-23-6) is battling Tampa Bay and Florida for the top spot in the Atlantic Division despite a disappointing 15-16-3 home record. The Bruins probably won't mind starting a stretch of 10 of 13 on the road Monday against the Panthers, but first up is a meeting with the Capitals, who have a 16-point lead atop Metropolitan Division and almost as comfortable an advantage in the race for the Presidents' Trophy.


                      "We all know that (Saturday) night's going to be a game against one of the best teams in the league and we have to be ready for them," Boston captain Zdeno Chara told the team's official website.


                      After starting their four-game homestand with a loss to the Lightning, the Bruins rebounded with a win over Calgary before beating Chicago 4-2 on Thursday in perhaps their most impressive victory of the season. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand each had a goal and an assist to give Boston consecutive home wins for the first time since Dec. 16 and 20.


                      'There were a lot of reasons to get excited about this game tonight and it showed in our play," Julien said.


                      The win was Julien's 387th with Boston, tying Art Ross for the most in franchise history.


                      "The fact that I've avoided being fired for the last nine years helped (me) get that many wins here," Julien said. "So I just feel fortunate, and most of all, I feel humbled by that achievement."


                      Marchand's two-point performance continued a stellar stretch for the forward. He leads all players with 18 goals and 24 points in 23 games since Jan. 15. Marchand, though, has just one point in his last nine games against the Capitals (47-13-4).


                      Tuukka Rask figures to be back in net for Boston after going 5-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average in his last six games. Rask, though, has a 3.05 GAA during a five-start losing streak versus Washington.


                      On the opposite end of that streak is Braden Holtby, who has been in net for all five of those wins with three shutouts and a .979 save percentage.


                      Holtby, however, could be rested after he made 20 saves in a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Friday, Washington's ninth straight one-goal game.


                      Backup Philipp Grubauer has stopped 66 of 69 shots in winning his last two starts.


                      The defeat was the third in six games for the Capitals, who have yet to lose two in a row in regulation this season. They gave up the first goal for the ninth time in 11 games.


                      'If we would've had a better start, who knows how that game would've wound up?' said T.J. Oshie, who scored the tying goal late in the second period.


                      Nicklas Backstrom has six assists in his last five games overall, and eight during a five-game point streak against Boston.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                        Preview: Panthers (36-20) at Coyotes (27-31)


                        Date: March 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT


                        Jaromir Jagr's steady production of late has him on the brink of passing Gordie Howe on the all-time scoring list. His Florida Panthers haven't proved as consistent since beating the Arizona Coyotes last month.


                        Jagr will seek his 1,851st point Saturday night while trying to lead the Panthers to another win over the scuffling Coyotes.


                        Jagr's eighth point in seven games, an assist Thursday in Colorado, moved him into a tie with Howe for third place. The Panthers' 44-year-old leading scorer is third with 743 goals, 58 behind Howe, and can tie Ray Bourque for ninth with 1,612 games Saturday.


                        "I always said if you want to be a good hockey player, you've got to know the history of hockey," Jagr told his team's official website. "You've got to appreciate those guys who were stars before you came in the league. I had a chance to meet almost everybody in the top 10 (in scoring), and I respect them so much."


                        The Panthers (36-20-8) lost 3-2 to the Avalanche and fell to 1-2-1 on a five-game trip. That stretch has dropped them into a tie atop the Atlantic Division with Tampa Bay, which has won eight in a row.


                        They beat the Coyotes 3-2 on Feb. 25 before starting their trip with Aleksander Barkov tallying a pair of goals. Jagr had an assist on his second score.


                        Florida has lost four of five in Arizona and scored one goal in regulation in each of the past four visits. In this matchup, the Panthers will take on a team that's lost a season-high seven in a row.


                        The Coyotes (27-31-6) have been outscored 11-1 in the past two losses, falling 5-1 to Anaheim on Thursday in their return from a five-game trip. Niklas Treutle gave up all the goals on 16 shots in his first NHL start and Louis Domingue was forced to make a 12th consecutive appearance.


                        "I'll take the responsibility. We put a young player in a position where he's not ready for," coach Dave Tippett told the team's official website. "It's obvious he's not ready for it, but Louis has played 11 straight (and) looked tired on the road. That's where we are. We have to give Louis a break."


                        Arizona's skid is its longest since an eight-gamer last March. The Coyotes also lost 10 in a row last season for their longest slump since relocating from Winnipeg in 1996-97.


                        It's unclear if the Coyotes will have second-leading scorer Max Domi to help stop the slide. He might get a one-game suspension because of his instigator penalty with less than five minutes to go in a hot-tempered third period Thursday.


                        Arizona has been outscored 29-12 during the skid even with Domi, one of the league's top rookie scorers with 43 points, on the ice.


                        Domi didn't register a point in last month's loss, but leading scorer Oliver Ekman-Larsson extended a six-game streak against Florida. He has three goals and three assists in that run.


                        Jussi Jokinen has two goals and six assists in a seven-game point streak against the Coyotes. He has seven assists in a season high-tying six-game overall run.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                          Preview: Canucks (24-27) at Sharks (35-22)


                          Date: March 05, 2016 10:00 PM EDT


                          The San Jose Sharks' third-period performances have keyed their modest win streak, with two of those efforts powering comebacks against the Vancouver Canucks.


                          The Sharks will try to make it three wins in a row over the slumping Canucks on Saturday night by avoiding a fifth straight home loss in the series.


                          San Jose (35-22-6) has outscored its past three opponents 9-0 in the final period, tallying two goals in the third in a 3-2 victory in Vancouver on Thursday. Brent Burns netted the tying score 43 seconds into the period and Patrick Marleau had the winner with 14:31 remaining.


                          "We have (rallied) a few times so we know we can do it, but obviously you don't want to be toying with it all that many times," Marleau said. "We know we are going to get our chances. It's just a matter of burying those chances and sticking with it."


                          The Sharks scored all of their goals in the third in a 4-1 victory in Vancouver on Sunday and have tallied 13 overall in their three-game run. They have been blanked in that period in each of their last four home games against the Canucks (24-27-12) while being outscored 13-7 overall since a 4-1 win Oct. 3, 2013.


                          Vancouver won two of its three road games last month but is 4-10-1 in its last 15 overall and dropped the final three of a five-game homestand. The Canucks have fallen 10 points back in the race for the Western Conference's final playoff spot while San Jose is within four of Pacific Division leaders Los Angeles and Anaheim.


                          "We have shown we can play against (tough competition) when we're focused and we're playing the way we want. There have been a few lapses here and there, and that's been hurting us the last few games," Vancouver forward Henrik Sedin said. "We are where we are in the standings. For us, we have to realize that we keep playing this way even if we're losing one goal games. These are games we learn from."


                          The Sharks could use some more consistency at home and are seeking back-to-back victories there for the first time since a season-best three-game run Jan. 9-16. San Jose has alternated wins and losses in eight contests on its own ice since then but earned one point in three defeats.


                          The Sharks have won four of five overall matchups with Vancouver, with Marleau and Tomas Hertl having scored a goal in each of the past two.


                          Hertl has six of his career-high 16 goals in the past 10 games while Marleau has two of his 19 in that same span.


                          The Canucks' Radim Vrbata, who has four goals in his last three games in San Jose, has been out since Feb. 21 because of a lower-body injury but has been practicing.


                          Vancouver goaltender Ryan Miller has a 3.78 goals-against average in three straight losses to San Jose after posting a 1.55 GAA in seven consecutive wins. Sharks counterpart Martin Jones made his first two starts against the Canucks in the past week, stopping 51 of 54 shots.


                          Vancouver is 6 for 19 on the power play in its last eight games but went 0 for 1 in each matchup with San Jose. The Sharks are 5 for 5 on the penalty kill in their last four contests.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                            Grand Salami - March


                            The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.


                            Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.


                            *The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.


                            NHL GRAND SALAMI
                            Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
                            3/1 8 48.5 49 OVER
                            3/2 3 16.5 17 OVER
                            3/3 12 65.5 69 OVER
                            3/4 3 15.5 20 OVER
                            3/5 11 - - -
                            3/6 6 - - -
                            3/7 7 - - -
                            3/8 8 - - -
                            3/9 6 - - -
                            3/10 6 - - -
                            3/11 5 - - -
                            3/12 12 - - -
                            3/13 3 - - -
                            3/14 6 - - -
                            3/15 8 - - -
                            3/16 6 - - -
                            3/17 8 - - -
                            3/18 6 - - -
                            3/19 11 - - -
                            3/20 7 - - -
                            3/21 4 - - -
                            3/22 10 - - -
                            3/23 2 - - -
                            3/24 11 - - -
                            3/25 3 - - -
                            3/26 14 - - -
                            3/27 3 - - -
                            3/28 8 - - -
                            3/29 9 - - -
                            3/30 3 - - -
                            3/31 10 - - -

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

                              NHL Betting Preview


                              Florida Panthers at Arizona Coyotes March 5, 9:00 EST


                              Every NHL season delivers a team or two that seem to come out of nowhere to have a great season. There are a couple of those teams this season, but it is arguably the Florida Panthers that have been the biggest surprise of all. Led by a seemingly ageless Jaromir Jagr, the Panthers have surged their way to the top of the Atlantic Division, which isn’t at all bad for a team that is rumored to be heading out of town at the earliest opportunity.


                              There is still a lot of hockey to be played this season, and this great performance will all be for nothing if Florida lets this slip. They have what appears to be a pretty tricky trip to the desert to face the Arizona Coyotes this weekend, and they need to pick up the win if they want to keep pace with the suddenly surging Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic.


                              Why bet on the Florida Panthers


                              This game will be the last of what has been a pretty brutal 5-game road trip for the Florida Panthers (36-20-8). They have gone just 1-2-1 through the first 4 games of this road swing, which takes their record in the last 10 games to a mediocre 4-4-2. The lead that the Panthers had at the top of the Atlantic has evaporated, as the Lightning have caught up with an 8-game win streak. It’s not all doom and gloom for the Panthers, though, as their 16-11-4 road record suggests that they are just in a bit of a rough patch as opposed to being on the brink of collapse. They had a 3-2 win over the Coyotes right before this road trip began, and another win here would be a nice way to end the trip. Florida are averaging 2.7 GPG, and are giving up 2.3 GPG.


                              Why bet on the Arizona Coyotes


                              It looked for a little while as though the Coyotes (27-31-6) were going to be another surprise team in the league this season, but their recent form has seen them all back to earth with a rather sickening thud. They have now lost 7 games in a row, and have seen their offense all but disappear without a trace. Right before this streak began, this was a team that still had designs on a playoff spot, but it’s fair to say that those dreams are now dead, as they currently sit 10 points back of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The Coyotes are a couple of games over .500 on home ice, so the Panthers are still going to have to tread carefully here. Arizona are averaging 2.6 GPG, and are giving up 3.2 GPG.


                              Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction


                              The Panthers may not be playing their best hockey of the season at the moment, but they should still be more than good enough to beat a very wounded looking Coyote.


                              Florida Panthers 5 Arizona Coyotes 3

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