NHL Betting Info. 3/5

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

NHL Knowledge

Hot teams
-- Minnesota won last three games, allowing five goals.
-- Predators won five of their last six games.
-- Colorado won three of last four at home.
-- Penguins won four of their last six games.
-- Anaheim won last 10 games, allowing 10 goals in last seven games.
-- Kings won five of their last six games.
-- Philadelphia won three of its last four games.
-- Tampa Bay won its laat eight games.
-- Washington won seven of its last nine games.
-- Boston won four of its last five.
-- San Jose won its last three games, outscoring foes 13-5.

Cold teams
-- Sabres lost four of their last six games.
-- Calgary lost its last seven games, scoring 15 goals.
-- Blue Jackets are 3-4 in their last seven games.
-- Winnipeg lost seven of last eight games.
-- Canadiens lost last three games, outscored 12-6.
-- Toronto lost eight of its last nine games.
-- Senators lost three of their last four.
-- Carolina lost three of its last four games.
-- Arizona lost its last seven games, scoring 13 goals.
-- Panthers lost three of last four games.
-- Canucks lost seven of their last nine games.

Series records
-- Minnesota won four of last five games with Buffalo.
-- Colorado won four of last five games with Nashville.
-- Penguins won nine of last ten games with Calgary.
-- Ducks won five of last six games with Los Angeles.
-- Flyers lost their last five games with Columbus.
-- Canadiens won eigh tof last ten games with Winnipeg.
-- Ottawa won four of its last six games with Toronto.
-- Lightning won seven of last eight games with Carolina.
-- Bruins lost their last five games with Washington.
-- Arizona won six of its last nine games with Florida.
-- Road team won last ten Vancouver-San Jose games.

Totals
-- Six of last eight Buffalo games stayed under total.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in last five Colorado games.
-- Seven of last ten Calgary games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Los Angeles games.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Columbus-Philadelphia games.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Montreal games.
-- Eight of last ten Ottawa-Toronto games went over.
-- Four of last five Carolina games stayed under.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in last five Washington-Boston games.
-- Last three Florida games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Vancouver-San Jose games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- Columbus is 6-9 if it played the night before.
-- Washington is 7-3 if it played the night before.

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (9) COLUMBUS@ (10) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS using money line in Road games in March games
The record is 13 Wins and 3 Losses for the last three seasons (+14.35 units)

NHL > (11) MONTREAL@ (12) WINNIPEG | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST WINNIPEG using money line in Home games second half of the season
The record is 2 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-11.4 units)

NHL > (13) OTTAWA@ (14) TORONTO | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in All games second half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 55 Losses for the last two seasons (-36.85 units)

NHL > (11) MONTREAL@ (12) WINNIPEG | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST MONTREAL using money line in Road games in non-conference games
The record is 1 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (-11.9 units)

NHL > (17) WASHINGTON@ (18) BOSTON | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using money line in Home games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 3 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-10.65 units)

NHL > (19) FLORIDA@ (20) ARIZONA | 2016-03-05 21:05:00 - 2016-03-05 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA using money line in All games after a division game
The record is 14 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+11.8 units)

NHL > (19) FLORIDA@ (20) ARIZONA | 2016-03-05 21:05:00 - 2016-03-05 21:05:00
Play AGAINST ARIZONA using money line in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 5 Wins and 22 Losses for the last two seasons (-17.5 units)

NHL > (21) VANCOUVER@ (22) SAN JOSE | 2016-03-05 22:05:00 - 2016-03-05 22:05:00
Play AGAINST SAN JOSE using money line in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 13 Wins and 23 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.1 units)

NHL > (17) WASHINGTON@ (18) BOSTON | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON using money line in all games
The record is 47 Wins and 16 Losses for the this season (+23.1 units)

NHL > (9) COLUMBUS@ (10) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHILADELPHIA using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 23 Wins and 45 Losses for the last two seasons (-30.25 units)

--------------------

NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (9) COLUMBUS@ (10) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play ON COLUMBUS in Road games in March games
The record is 13 Wins and 3 Losses for the last three seasons (+14.35 units)

NHL > (11) MONTREAL@ (12) WINNIPEG | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST WINNIPEG in Home games second half of the season
The record is 2 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-11.4 units)

NHL > (13) OTTAWA@ (14) TORONTO | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in All games second half of the season
The record is 16 Wins and 55 Losses for the last two seasons (-36.85 units)

NHL > (11) MONTREAL@ (12) WINNIPEG | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST MONTREAL in Road games in non-conference games
The record is 1 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (-11.9 units)

NHL > (17) WASHINGTON@ (18) BOSTON | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON in Home games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 3 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-10.65 units)

NHL > (19) FLORIDA@ (20) ARIZONA | 2016-03-05 21:05:00 - 2016-03-05 21:05:00
Play ON ARIZONA in All games after a division game
The record is 14 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+11.8 units)

NHL > (19) FLORIDA@ (20) ARIZONA | 2016-03-05 21:05:00 - 2016-03-05 21:05:00
Play AGAINST ARIZONA in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 5 Wins and 22 Losses for the last two seasons (-17.5 units)

NHL > (21) VANCOUVER@ (22) SAN JOSE | 2016-03-05 22:05:00 - 2016-03-05 22:05:00
Play AGAINST SAN JOSE in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 13 Wins and 23 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.1 units)

NHL > (17) WASHINGTON@ (18) BOSTON | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON in all games
The record is 47 Wins and 16 Losses for the this season (+23.1 units)

NHL > (9) COLUMBUS@ (10) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHILADELPHIA in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 23 Wins and 45 Losses for the last two seasons (-30.25 units)

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NHL TOTALS

NHL > (11) MONTREAL@ (12) WINNIPEG | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play OVER MONTREAL on the totalin Road games second half of the season
The record is 10 Overs and 1 Unders for the this season (+9.65 units)

NHL > (1) MINNESOTA@ (2) BUFFALO | 2016-03-05 13:05:00 - 2016-03-05 13:05:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin Road games after a 3 game unbeaten streak
The record is 0 Overs and 8 Unders for the last two seasons (+8.2 units)

NHL > (13) OTTAWA@ (14) TORONTO | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play OVER TORONTO on the totalin Home games on Saturday games
The record is 26 Overs and 8 Unders for the last three seasons (+17.9 units)

NHL > (21) VANCOUVER@ (22) SAN JOSE | 2016-03-05 22:05:00 - 2016-03-05 22:05:00
Play OVER SAN JOSE on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 23 Overs and 8 Unders for the last two seasons (+14.75 units)

NHL > (7) ANAHEIM@ (8) LOS ANGELES | 2016-03-05 16:05:00 - 2016-03-05 16:05:00
Play OVER ANAHEIM on the totalin Road games second half of the season
The record is 9 Overs and 1 Unders for the this season (+8.3 units)

NHL > (15) CAROLINA@ (16) TAMPA BAY | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play UNDER CAROLINA on the totalin All games when playing with 3 or more days rest
The record is 4 Overs and 17 Unders for the last three seasons (+12.5 units)

NHL > (17) WASHINGTON@ (18) BOSTON | 2016-03-05 19:05:00 - 2016-03-05 19:05:00
Play OVER BOSTON on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 11 Overs and 2 Unders for the this season (+8.9 units)

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

Preview: Minnesota at Buffalo
When: 1:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York
After defeating one struggling Eastern Conference representative, the Minnesota Wild look to continue their winning ways against another located toward the basement when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Captain Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund each scored on the power play as Minnesota posted its third straight win with a 2-1 victory over Toronto on Thursday.
“That’s all that matters – wins. We don’t care how we get them,” Koivu told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after the club improved to 7-3-0 under interim coach John Torchetti to cling to the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota’s potent power play has aided in that regard, as the team has scored at least once with the man advantage in 15 of the past 19 contests, including at least once in a franchise-best 11 consecutive road games. Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen scored in Thursday’s 6-3 victory over Calgary to end a 21-game goal drought dating to the team’s 3-2 win over Minnesota on Jan. 12. Evander Kane has had no such trouble as the 24-year-old has scored goals in 10 of his last 20 contests.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), MSG-B (Buffalo)
ABOUT THE WILD (30-25-10): Forward Jason Zucker is expected to return to the lineup for the first time since suffering a concussion in the outdoor game versus Chicago on Feb. 21. “I don’t think there was a whole lot of change (in his health),” Zucker told the team’s website after he was activated from injured reserve and was a full participant in Friday’s practice. “It was just making sure I got cleared in every way, and just made sure that my practices were getting better, and contact was getting better, and it felt good after all those skates and contact.”
ABOUT THE SABRES (26-31-8): Buffalo general manager Tim Murray didn’t pull any punches when addressing Matt Moulson’s difficult season during his weekly appearance on WGR-AM 550. “I see a player that maybe has neglected some things in the last couple years as far as how workouts are changing, how we as an organization are changing with our young players and even our players on the team,” Murray said of Moulson, who has one goal in his last 52 contests – including a 44-game drought. Moulson defended his summer workout regimen to the Buffalo News, but noted a lack of confidence has led to the less-than-desirable results.
OVERTIME
1. Minnesota D Ryan Suter has five assists in his last four games and scored and set up a goal in the first meeting with Buffalo.
2. Sabres G Robin Lehner, who shut out the Wild while playing with Ottawa, has yielded 14 goals in his last eight contests (3-3-2).
3. Former Sabre RW Jason Pominville is set to play in his 230th consecutive game for Minnesota.
PREDICTION: Wild 3, Sabres 1

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Preview: Calgary at Pittsburgh
When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Pittsburgh Penguins look to continue their torrid play at home on Saturday afternoon when they welcome the spiraling Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh improved to 12-2-2 in its last 16 at Consol Energy Center with a 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday to extend its lead to five points over Philadelphia for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Marc-Andre Fleury has been in net for all but three games of that run of good fortune, posting an 11-1-1 mark with a 1.99 goals-against average in his last 13 starts at home. If victorious on Saturday, the 31-year-old Quebec native will become the 20th goalie in NHL history to reach 350 wins. Fleury struggled mightily in his last meeting with the Flames, yielding three first-period goals as Calgary posted its first win in 10 opportunities with Pittsburgh in a 5-2 decision on Nov. 7. Losers of seven in a row (0-6-1), the Flames would love to see that sort of offense on Saturday as they have mustered just seven goals in the first three contests of their four-game road trip.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, RSN (Calgary), ROOT (Pittsburgh), NHL.TV
ABOUT THE FLAMES (26-34-4): Sean Monahan scored a goal and set up another in Calgary’s 6-3 setback to Buffalo on Thursday and did the same in the initial meeting with Pittsburgh. Mikael Backlund also tallied versus the Sabres and had three assists in the first encounter with the Penguins. Johnny Gaudreau has been held off the scoresheet in each of the last two contests since riding an eight-game point streak, but erupted for two goals and an assist in the first meeting with Pittsburgh.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (33-22-8): Sidney Crosby opened the scoring on Thursday for his 26th goal and 61st point of the season, with 20 and 41 being recorded at Consol Energy Center. The captain looks to continue his dominance versus Calgary, against which he collected three goals and five assists in four career home games. Phil Kessel, who scored in Pittsburgh’s first meeting with the Flames, also tallied on Thursday to reach the 20-goal plateau for the eighth straight season.
OVERTIME
1. Pittsburgh RW Patric Hornqvist has scored five goals in his last three games.
2. Calgary has scored 11 power-play goals in the last 13 contests.
3. The Penguins have outscored the Flames by a 13-4 margin en route to winning the last four home meetings.
PREDICTION: Penguins 5, Flames 2

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Preview: Nashville at Colorado

When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
The Nashville Predators look to rebound from a morale-sapping defeat when they kick off a five-game road trip with a visit to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon. The Predators had their five-game winning streak halted by New Jersey on Thursday night after allowing a tying goal in the final minute of regulation before falling in overtime.
“It’s difficult to lose a game like that when you’ve got the lead late,” Nashville coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged. Despite the loss, the Predators extended their point streak to 11 games (7-0-4) and hold a six-point edge over Minnesota and Colorado for seventh place in the Western Conference. The Avalanche opened a four-game homestand with a 3-2 victory over Florida to remain even on points with the Wild, who have a game in hand. Colorado has won the last three in the series, including both matchups this season against the Predators.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, FSN Tennessee (Nashville), Altitude (Colorado), NHL.TV
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (32-21-12): Forward Filip Forsberg, in line to be the hero by scoring the go-ahead goal with 2:04 left in regulation Thursday, is on a tear with 13 tallies and 19 points over his last 13 games. The goal, part of a three-point night, established a career high with 27 for Forsberg, who realizes the Predators have no room to let up. “We can’t take anything for granted,” Forsberg told the Tennessean. “There’s only good teams in this league, so we’ve got to play our best game every single game basically for the rest of the year to make the playoffs here.”
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (33-29-4): Calvin Pickard appears to have supplanted Semyon Varlamov as the starting netminder, clearly earning the confidence of Colorado coach Patrick Roy following a 38-save performance in Thursday’s win over the Panthers. Pickard broke Roy’s franchise record for saves in a period with 24 in the third to improve to 3-1-1 in his last five games. “The thing that I like about him is his swagger,” Roy said. “He seems very confident right now in front of the net. … I love that intensity that he’s bringing, the compete level that he’s bringing on the ice.”
OVERTIME
1. Colorado has killed off 12 straight and 22-of-23 short-handed situations.
2. The Predators are a dismal 1-11 in games decided in overtime this season.
3. F Mikkel Boedker, acquired from Arizona on Monday, scored his first goal with the Avalanche in Thursday’s win.
PREDICTION: Avalanche 3, Predators 2

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Preview: Anaheim at Los Angeles
When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
The thought of Saturday afternoon’s contest between the visiting Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings deciding first place in the Pacific Division would have been laughable two months ago. Los Angeles owned a 15-point lead over Anaheim on Jan. 2, but the Ducks are 24-4-2 since Christmas – 11-1-2 on the road – and riding a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak which has moved them into a tie atop the division with the Kings.
“Obviously, I’m proud of the group from where we’ve come to where we are now,” Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler told reporters after Thursday’s 5-1 victory in Arizona. “We all believed in this room.” The Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf, the NHL’s First Star in February after recording six goals, 14 assists and a plus-13 rating in 14 games, is expected to play Saturday after missing Thursday’s contest with a lower-body injury. Los Angeles has won five of its last six games following Thursday’s 3-2 victory over Montreal, scoring more than two goals for the first time in nine games. “It’s going to be the biggest game of the year, and everybody knows that going in,” Los Angeles left wing Dwight King told reporters. “We know what’s on the line, so it’s going to be pretty much playoff hockey. …”
TV: 4 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket and FSN San Diego (Anaheim), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (36-19-8): Anaheim, which is 17-1-1 in its last 19 games, is averaging 3.8 goals during its winning streak and no one is hotter than Corey Perry. He has five goals and three assists in his last three contests, including a hat trick in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over the Kings, and a team-best 28 goals while his 49 points are second to Getzlaf (club-most 42 assists, 51 points). The Ducks have scored at least one power-play goal in every game during the winning streak and are an eye-popping 17-for-41 during that span with the unit rising to No. 3 in the NHL behind Washington and Chicago.
ABOUT THE KINGS (38-21-4): Milan Lucic had an assist versus Montreal to snap an eight-game pointless streak – his longest drought since a 19-game run during his 2007-08 rookie season with Boston. Right wing Kris Versteeg recorded two shots on goal and was a minus-1 in 10 minutes Thursday in his Los Angeles debut after he was acquired from Carolina on Sunday. Tyler Toffoli (team-high 24 goals) hasn’t scored in six games and only twice in his last 19 contests.
OVERTIME
1. Los Angeles has yielded an NHL-low 143 goals with Anaheim second at 144.
2. Ducks D Simon Despres missed the last two games because of the flu.
3. Kings D Drew Doughty is third in the NHL in time on ice at 28:21, trailing Ottawa D Erik Karlsson (29:07) and Minnesota D Ryan Suter (28:36).
PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Kings 2

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Preview: Montreal at Winnipeg
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
The season has not unfolded the way Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens envisioned, but last season’s Hart Trophy winner provided some glimmer of hope as they prepare to play Saturday at the Winnipeg Jets. Sidelined since Nov. 25 with a lower-body injury, Price told reporters Thursday his rehabilitation is progressing and he hopes to return to the ice before season’s end.
“Coming back this season has been my goal this entire process,” Price said in a meeting with reporters to discuss his selection to Team Canada’s World Cup team. The Canadiens are 13-25-4 since Price was injured and sit eight points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot after Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Los Angeles, and the Jets are similarly buried in the Western Conference. Winnipeg is one point ahead of last place in the conference following Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders, allowing the tying goal with 29 seconds remaining in regulation. “It sucks,” Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele told reporters after scoring twice in the defeat, the Jets’ seventh in their past eight games. “Tomorrow’s another work day and we know that we’ve got another game coming up.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SportsNet, TVA Sports (Montreal)
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (30-29-6): Montreal is 0-2-1 with one contest remaining on its four-game road trip and are struggling on the power play, going scoreless in its past 12 opportunities. Defenseman P.K. Subban finished with a goal and an assist Thursday, reaching the 50-point mark for the third season in a row, but goaltender Ben Scrivens allowed two goals in the first 3:33 to put Montreal in an early hole. The Canadiens have scored two goals or fewer seven times in their past nine games.
ABOUT THE JETS (26-32-5): Winnipeg looked like it would snap its recent home struggles when Scheifele gave the Jets a 3-2 advantage with 2:03 remaining in regulation last time out. Forward Blake Wheeler recorded his 40th assist of the season and leads the Jets in goals (18) and assists. Goaltender Michael Hutchinson lost for the third time in his past four starts, making 23 saves against the Islanders.
OVERTIME
1. Canadiens C David Desharnais recorded a goal and two assists to help beat the Jets 5-1 on Nov. 1 in Montreal.
2. Jets F Anthony Peluso left Thursday’s game after colliding with the net, suffering an upper-body injury.
3. Winnipeg has lost six in a row at home and are 2-10-1 on home ice since the start of January.
PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Jets 2

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Preview: Washington at Boston
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
After knocking off the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins look to upend this season’s odds-on favorite when the NHL-leading Washington Capitals pay a visit to TD Garden on Saturday. Brad Marchand continued his torrid stretch on Thursday by scoring his 18th goal in 22 games as Boston posted its fourth win in five outings with a 4-2 triumph over Chicago.
“We all felt we had a strong performance and a really good 60-minute effort (against Chicago), but we’re going to need that again against Washington, which is playing extremely well the whole season,” captain Zdeno Chara told the team’s website. “They have a lot of depth, speed and skill. We’ve got to be ready for the same performance and approach.” The Bruins reside within two points of first place in the Atlantic Division, but the Capitals have had their number with three shutout victories last season and a pair of triumphs in 2015-16. Speaking of numbers, Washington saw a familiar score on Friday as it played to a 3-2 result for the fifth straight time in a setback to the New York Rangers.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSMA (Washington) NESN (Boston)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (47-13-4): T.J. Oshie recorded his second goal and fifth point in three outings on Friday, but has been held off the scoresheet in each meeting with Boston this season. Braden Holtby has handcuffed Boston throughout his career (9-2-0, 1.57 goals-against average, three shutouts), but he is expected to take a seat in favor of Philipp Grubauer with Washington in the midst of back-to-back tilts. The 24-year-old German, who has yet to face the Bruins in his career, turned aside 27 shots in a 3-2 win over Toronto on Wednesday in just his fifth appearance since Feb. 2.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (36-23-6): Patrice Bergeron scored and set up a goal versus the Blackhawks and did the same in the last meeting with Washington – a 3-2 setback on Jan. 5. Another strong performance could be just what Claude Julien needs to move past Art Ross for first place on the franchise’s all-time coaching wins list. “The thing that comes to mind is humbling,” Julien told the team’s website after claiming his 387th victory with the club. “It really is humbling because he’s an icon, he’s a legend.”
OVERTIME
1. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who scored in a 4-1 win over Boston on Nov. 5, has recorded 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 38 meetings with the Bruins.
2. Boston has scored on the power play in each of the last two games after going 4-for-44 in the previous 15 contests.
3. Washington will attempt to score with the man advantage in its sixth straight game, with the last time it accomplished the feat coming during the 2013 season (Feb. 3-14).
PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Capitals 2

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Preview: Ottawa at Toronto
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
The Ottawa Senators are trying to stay in the hunt for the final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference, but Saturday’s matchup at the Toronto Maple Leafs will feature a more prominent storyline. All eyes will be on Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who returns to Toronto for the first time since last month’s blockbuster trade.
Phaneuf spent parts of seven seasons with the Maple Leafs and served as the team captain since 2010-11 up until last month’s stunning nine-player deal between the provincial rivals. “I’m not sure, I’ll give you the honest answer,” Phaneuf told reporters Friday when asked what kind of reception he expected from fans at the Air Canada Centre. “We’ll see (Saturday) night how I’m received, but my focus is here and how we’ve got to get our game back to the level we’re capable of.” Ottawa has lost three of four (1-2-1) to drop to 5-5-1 since the acquisition of Phaneuf, but it has won both meetings with Toronto this season. The Maple Leafs, who have the fewest points in the league, will be attempting to halt a four-game losing streak.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBC, TVA Sports 2, NHL.TV
ABOUT THE SENATORS (30-28-4): Goaltender Craig Anderson sustained a knee injury in Tuesday’s shootout loss to St. Louis and has already ruled himself for the weekend games versus Toronto and Dallas, putting Andrew Hammond in line for his second straight start. Hammond, who last season became the second netminder in history to allow two goals or fewer in his first 12 career starts, is having a rough go in his second season. He is 0-4-1 in his last seven appearances, allowing at least three goals on five occasions, and is seeking his first win since Jan. 4.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (21-32-10): Toronto has scored only five goals during its four-game skid and has notched only two wins in its last 13 games (2-10-1). Following the trade of goaltender James Reimer to the San Jose Sharks, rookie Garrett Sparks has turned in two solid performances since his recall from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, but he has nothing to show for it as the Maple Leafs dropped 2-1 decisions to Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Forward Nazem Kadri has seven points in his last seven games overall and has tallied nine times in 17 games versus Ottawa.
OVERTIME
1. Senators captain Erik Karlsson has seven assists in the two matchups versus the Maple Leafs this season.
2. Toronto is 0-for-8 on the power play over its past four games.
3. Senators D Mark Borowiecki injured his right knee Thursday and is listed as week-to-week.
PREDICTION: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 2

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Preview: Columbus at Philadelphia
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Flyers attempt to keep alive their postseason hopes as they continue their season-high six-game homestand Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Philadelphia sits five points behind Metropolitan Division-rival Pittsburgh for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after a 4-0 loss to Edmonton on Thursday dropped it to 3-1-0 on its string of home games.
Captain Claude Giroux leads the Flyers with 54 points, collecting eight over his last five contests, but has scored one goal in 11 games. Columbus had no problems with the Oilers on Friday, rolling to a 6-3 home victory as 14 of its 18 skaters notched at least one point. The Blue Jackets have won three of their last four games and earned points in five of six (4-1-1) but are all but out of the playoff picture as they trail the Penguins by 12 points with 17 games remaining. Columbus won the first two contests of the four-game season series, posting a 4-1 triumph in Philadelphia on Dec. 5 in the first encounter.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Columbus), CSN Philadelphia
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (27-30-8): Defenseman David Savard is coming off his first career two-goal performance after scoring one over his first 47 games of the season. Boone Jenner has landed on the scoresheet in only four of his last 14 contests but recorded a two-point performance in three of them. Former Flyer Scott Hartnell, who has registered a team-leading 43 points, has notched a goal and an assist in two of his last three games.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (29-23-11): Philadelphia could be without Brayden Schenn, who will be a game-time decision after suffering an apparent head injury in Thursday’s loss. The 24-year-old, who is second on the team with a career-high 21 goals, and Edmonton’s Adam Pardy fell during a scrum in the third period, with Schenn – who had lost his helmet – hitting his head on the ice. Michal Neuvirth has been coach Dave Hakstol’s goaltender of choice lately, starting seven of the last eight games and each of the last five.
OVERTIME
1. Flyers LW Wayne Simmonds tops the club with 23 goals – six shy of his career high set in 2013-14.
2. Columbus G Cam Talbot is expected to make his 10th start in 11 contests after being rested Friday.
3. Philadelphia has scored a power-play goal in 10 of its last 12 home games.
PREDICTION: Flyers 3, Blue Jackets 2

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

Preview: Carolina at Tampa Bay
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a team meeting immediately after a sloppy 6-5 shootout victory over Winnipeg on Feb. 18. The Lightning ironed out plenty of things in those few minutes, responding to allow just eight goals in seven contests since, and can set a franchise record with their ninth straight victory when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Tampa Bay has matched its previous mark of eight in a row – including six on the road – set from Feb. 23-March 6, 2004 during its Stanley Cup championship season to take over first place in the Atlantic Division. “It feels like we have been on the road for a month,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who has scored in seven of his last eight games, told reporters. “It will be nice to be home in front of our fans and hopefully make some history.” Carolina will try to spoil the party after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory at New Jersey on Tuesday. The Hurricanes, who trail Pittsburgh by six points for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, have been depleted by the trades of captain Eric Staal and defenseman John-Michael Liles as well as several key injuries.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Carolinas, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (29-26-10): Derek Ryan, a 29-year-old center, made his NHL debut Tuesday and scored a goal as Carolina used several reinforcements with Andrej Nestrasil (fractured vertebra), Jay McClement (upper body) and defenseman Justin Faulk (lower body), sidelined. The Hurricanes intend to use Elias Lindholm (31 points) at center more down the stretch after the trade of Staal. Jordan Staal still is with the team and leads the way with 39 points but has been kept off the scoresheet over the last four games.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (38-22-4): Ben Bishop has played a big part in Tampa Bay’s hot streak, allowing a total of six tallies in five consecutive victories while taking over the league lead in goals-against average (2.04). “This is probably the best I’ve seen (Bishop),” Stamkos told reporters. “And that’s saying a lot, considering he’s been one of the top goalies in the league for a while now.” Bishop is 6-1-0 lifetime against the Hurricanes while backup Andrei Vasilevskiy, who beat Carolina on Nov. 1, is 9-1-0 in his last 10 games overall.
OVERTIME
1. Tampa Bay D Victor Hedman was a plus-3 in the 4-1 victory at Ottawa on Thursday and is tied with LW J.T. Brown for the team lead at plus-16.
2. Carolina G Eddie Lack turned aside 29 of the 30 shots he faced to beat New Jersey and has posted a .927 save percentage in his last four contests.
3. The Lightning have won seven of the last eight meetings and RW Ryan Callahan has scored three of his 10 goals in a pair of victories over the Hurricanes this season.
PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Hurricanes 1

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

Preview: Florida at Arizona

When: 9:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
The Florida Panthers will attempt to finish a disappointing road trip with a victory when they visit the slumping Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. The Panthers suffered a 3-2 defeat at Colorado on Thursday to lose for the third time over the first four games of the trek (1-2-1) and fall behind Tampa Bay for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Florida could have the recently acquired Teddy Purcell in the lineup for the first time and fellow newcomer Jiri Hudler hopes to have his visa issues cleared up in time to play as well. Jaromir Jagr has collected eight points in his last seven games to lead the Panthers (48) and raise his career total to 1,850 – tying him with Gordie Howe for third place on the all-time list. The Coyotes were in the hunt for a playoff spot three weeks ago but have lost seven straight to fall 10 points out of the second wild-card berth and managed eight goals in their last six contests. “I don’t think we’re skating or working hard enough,” Arizona center Martin Hanzal told reporters after Thursday’s 5-1 loss to Anaheim. “Everyone should look in the mirror and start competing because (you) can’t win a hockey game if you play like that.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Florida, FSN Arizona
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (36-20-8): Hudler was able to play in Winnipeg without visa issues holding him back and defenseman Jakub Kindl, acquired from Detroit last weekend, made his debut Thursday while Purcell did not arrive in time to be in the lineup. The Panthers also could get Jonathan Huberdeau (40 points) back from a concussion that has kept him out the last five games. Veteran Jussi Jokinen has notched seven assists during a six-game streak and Aleksander Barkov has recorded five points in as many contests.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (27-31-6): Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one tally shy of his second straight 20-goal season and leads a struggling offense with a career-high 48 points. Rookie Max Domi, who will serve a one-game suspension for instigating a fight in his last game, is next with 43 points while captain Shane Doan tops the Coyotes with 23 goals. Louis Domingue (12-14-4, .909 save percentage), who had made 11 consecutive starts, was rested Thursday as rookie Niklas Treutle made the first of his NHL career but should return to face Florida.
OVERTIME
1. Arizona has allowed six power-play goals over its last four contests and nine in an eight-game span.
2. Florida G Roberto Luongo (52,556:37) can pass Tony Esposito (52,585:00) for seventh place on the all-time list for minutes played by a goaltender with his next appearance.
3. The Panthers defeated the Coyotes at home 3-2 on Feb. 25 but have lost their last two trips to Arizona.
PREDICTION: Panthers 4, Coyotes 3

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Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/5

Preview: Vancouver at San Jose
When: 10:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Where: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
Familiarity is breeding success for the San Jose Sharks, who will look to knock off the Vancouver Canucks for the third time in seven days when the Pacific Division rivals complete a home-and-home series Saturday night in northern California. San Jose posted its NHL-leading 23rd road victory with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in Vancouver on Thursday night.
The Sharks also netted four third-period goals in a 4-1 at Vancouver on Sunday and has outscored opponents 9-0 over the final 20 minutes during their three-game winning streak. “We have done it a few times now, so we know we can do it,” said forward Patrick Marleau, who had the decisive tally in Thursday’s win. “You don’t want to be toying with it that many times. We play a certain way we know we are going to get our chances. It’s just a matter of burying those chances and sticking with it.” While San Jose is four points behind division co-leaders Los Angeles and Anaheim, the skidding Canucks are 10 points out of the final playoff slot in the Western Conference. Vancouver has dropped three in a row and seven of nine (2-7-0).
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CBC, RSN (Vancouver), CSN California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (24-27-12): Rookie forward Jake Virtanen had a quiet start to his NHL career by scoring twice in his first 28 games, but he is coming on with four tallies over the past 10 games, including a goal and an assist in Thursday’s loss. “I’m feeling confident each and every game,” Virtanen said. “We’re going to have to find that group confidence as well.” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said the team is in negotiations with 6-foot-8, 230-pound defenseman Nikita Tryamkin, a third-round draft pick in 2014 who just finished his season in the Kontinental Hockey League.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (35-22-6): Goaltender James Reimer, who was acquired along with forward Jeremy Morin from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, will make his debut for San Jose after Martin Jones had started the past 10 games. “It’s the trade deadline, so anything can happen,” said Reimer, who was 11-12-7 with a 2.49 goals-against average for Toronto. “It was a little surprised when I got moved. Not shocked, but surprised. I was real excited when I heard I was coming here.” Tomas Hertl has scored in each of the last two wins versus Vancouver and has six goals in his last 10 games.
OVERTIME
1. Sharks F Joe Thornton has amassed 44 points over his last 33 games.
2. The Canucks have won four in a row at San Jose, part of a trend that has seen the away team prevail in the last 10 matchups.
3. San Jose has killed off all five short-handed situations over the past four games.
PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Canucks 2