NHL Betting Info. 1/26

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Preview: Chicago at Carolina
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
The Chicago Blackhawks tasted the bitter pill of defeat at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes before embarking on a franchise-best 12-game winning streak. After mustering just three goals during their last three contests (1-2-0), the Blackhawks look to get back on track when they conclude their two-game season series with a visit to the Hurricanes on Tuesday.
Corey Crawford returned Chicago to its winning ways by recording a career-best and NHL-leading seventh shutout in a 2-0 victory over St. Louis on Sunday. “Winning’s the only thing that counts,” said the two-time Jennings Trophy recipient, whose 28 victories trail only Washington’s Braden Holtby (30) for the league lead. “I mean if we need a shutout, I battle hard and it’s a tight game, it definitely feels good … but what matters is the W.” Eddie Lack (35 saves) got the better of Crawford (25 saves) in Carolina’s 2-1 win on Dec. 27, but the former has been hot and cold in place of injured goaltender Cam Ward (concussion). Lack turned aside 33 shots in a 5-2 victory over Calgary on Sunday as the Hurricanes improved to 6-2-1 in their last nine games overall and 5-1-2 in their last eight at PNC Arena.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CSN Chicago, Sportsnet
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (33-15-4): Andrew Shaw tallied against the Blues and also had an assist in the first meeting with the Hurricanes. Artemi Panarin also scored versus St. Louis, notching his rookie-best 17th goal and 46th point. Linemate Patrick Kane had an assist on Panarin’s tally, but has been limited to just one goal and one assist in seven career meetings with Carolina.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (22-20-8): Kris Versteeg tallied twice versus the Flames to record his first multi-goal performance since netting a pair of tallies at Winnipeg on Jan. 21, 2012. Versteeg, who joined Joakim Nordstrom in being shuffled from Chicago in the offseason, had no qualms in jokingly calling out captain Jonathan Toews. “He’s just a big baby,” Versteeg told the Hurricanes’ website of Toews. “An overgrown baby.” The diapers may be off for Nordstrom, who has scored in back-to-back contests after notching just two points – both assists – in his previous 13 games.
OVERTIME
1. Carolina C Victor Rask, who scored in the first meeting versus Chicago, netted his career-high 12th goal on Sunday.
2. The Blackhawks recalled 2011 first-round pick F Mark McNeill from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Monday.
3. Both teams will skate into the All-Star break after this game.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Hurricanes 2

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Preview: Columbus at Montreal
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
The Montreal Canadiens’ dazzling 9-0-0 start to the season is just a distant memory as the proud Original Six franchise struggles to find answers. The Canadiens will try to produce some positives before the All-Star break when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday in the back end of a home-and-home series.
Montreal surrendered three third-period goals in a 5-2 loss at Columbus on Monday and has won just five times in 23 games since Dec. 1, most of that stretch with reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Carey Price (leg) on injured reserve. The Canadiens limited the Blue Jackets to six shots in the final 20 minutes, but Brandon Saad scored twice and Cam Atkinson completed his hat trick as Columbus earned points for the fourth time in six games (3-2-1). The Blue Jackets, who still have the lowest amount of points in the league (41), are 9-16-1 on the road – including a 2-1 loss at Montreal on Dec. 1. Columbus coach John Tortorella, who suffered two broken ribs in a collision at practice Friday, is not expected behind the bench for the third straight game.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Columbus), Sportsnet East, RDS (Montreal)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (18-27-5): Saad, who will be Columbus’ representative at the All-Star Game on Sunday, took over the team lead in goals (18) and points (34) with his effort on Monday. Scott Hartnell (33) is just behind Saad and Atkinson reached 30 points with his third career hat trick after managing one in his previous six contests. Brandon Dubinsky has posted three goals and three assists over the last six games while defenseman Seth Jones has notched five points in nine contests since being acquired from Nashville.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (24-21-4): Defenseman P.K. Subban continued his run with two points Monday, giving him eight over his last eight contests, while Alex Galchenyuk has gone scoreless in the same span. Captain Max Pacioretty leads the team with 19 goals and 36 points but was kept off the scoresheet Monday. Mike Condon was in net for Monday’s loss and Ben Scrivens could get the start Tuesday after going 0-3-0 with 11 goals allowed in three games since coming over from Edmonton in a trade.
OVERTIME
1. Canadiens D Andrei Markov registered his 406th assist Monday, tying Guy Lapointe for 10th place on the franchise list.
2. Columbus D Ryan Murray has recorded three points and a plus-4 rating over his last five contests.
3. Montreal LW Daniel Carr, who has scored five goals in 19 games, suffered a lower-body injury Monday.
PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Blue Jackets 2

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Preview: Buffalo at Ottawa
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
The Buffalo Sabres look to avoid heading into the All-Star break on a four-game losing streak when they visit the Atlantic Division-rival Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Buffalo won four of five contests prior to its current skid, which reached three games with Monday’s 6-3 setback against the Rangers in New York.
The Sabres were able to take a positive out of the defeat, however, as Zemgus Girgensons returned from a four-game injury absence and scored two goals after recording only three over his first 40 contests. Ottawa is wrapping up a three-game homestand against teams from the State of New York that saw it lose to the Islanders before posting a shutout versus the Rangers. Mike Hoffman has tallied in two of his last three games to raise his team-leading total to 22 goals and is coming off his first multi-point performance since notching three on Dec. 14 against Los Angeles. The Senators and Sabres have not met since Oct. 8, when Kyle Turris scored twice in Ottawa’s 3-1 road triumph.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; MSG Buffalo, Bell TV (Buffalo); TSN5, RDS2 (Ottawa)
ABOUT THE SABRES (19-26-4): Brian Gionta’s chances of recording his first 20-goal season since 2010-11 are not looking good, even though the 37-year-old ended a five-game drought Monday. The veteran has netted only six tallies in 46 contests, with three coming over his last 21 games. Rookie Jack Eichel notched a pair of assists against the Rangers for his second two-point effort in four contests and pulled within eight points of Ryan O’Reilly (40) for the team lead.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (23-20-6): Ottawa are last in the league on the penalty kill at 75.6 percent, but it continues to help make up for its deficiencies by turning on the offense. The Senators have scored an NHL-high 10 short-handed goals, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau accounting for five – also tops in the league. Bobby Ryan has been a force of late, tallying in four of the five games during his point streak.
OVERTIME
1. Sabres G Robin Lehner is expected to start against his former team after Chad Johnson got the call versus the Rangers.
2. Turris, who is mired in a 15-game goal-scoring drought, has missed the last three contests with a lower-body injury.
3. Buffalo D Josh Gorges has been sidelined for two contests with an upper-body injury and is day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Senators 3, Sabres 2

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Preview: Toronto at Florida
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
The surprising Florida Panthers will head into the All-Star break atop the Atlantic Division as they close out their first half of the season against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Florida has won nine of its last 10 games at home, capped by impressive victories over Chicago and Tampa Bay on Friday and Saturday night.
The Panthers outscored the Blackhawks and Lightning by a combined 9-2 margin to become the first team since the 1990-91 season to defeat the reigning Stanley Cup finalists on consecutive nights. “We know we can beat any team in the league,” Florida forward Jonathan Huberdeau said. “We know what we’re capable of and we showed it this weekend.” The Maple Leafs posted a pair of impressive victories over Anaheim and St. Louis to start the new year and extend their winning streak to three games, but they have won only once in their last eight contests (1-5-2). Toronto’s offense continues to stagger, producing a total of 10 goals during the its recent skid.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN4 (Toronto), FSN Florida
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (17-20-9): Toronto is coming off a 3-2 shootout loss versus Montreal that left Mike Babcock fuming about the team’s compete level and calling the fourth line of Rich Clune, Byron Froese and Daniel Winnik his best “by a mile” early in the contest. “They’re allowed to be the hardest-working line,” Babcock said. “They’re not allowed to be the best line.” Leo Komarov, who leads the Maple Leafs in goals (16) and points (31), has tallied only once in 14 games while second-leading scorer Tyler Bozak is mired in a 12-game drought.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (28-15-5): Roberto Luongo is riding a home winning streak of seven games, which included a pair of shutouts and a total of six goals allowed in the last six wins at BB&T Center. Huberdeau, who managed only four goals in his first 39 games, has matched that total in the past nine contests to move one point past Jaromir Jagr for the team scoring lead. “He’s always getting chances all year long. He just wasn’t putting them in the back of the net,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “He’s playing with confidence, is bigger, stronger and just a good player.”
OVERTIME
1. Panthers sign C Aleksander Barkov, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft, agreed to a six-year, $35.4 million contract extension Monday.
2. The Maple Leafs are 0-for-21 on the power play over the past seven games.
3. Luongo is 18-7-0 with a 2.26 goals-against average versus Toronto.
PREDICTION: Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 2

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Preview: Arizona at Winnipeg
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Where: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Winnipeg Jets remain in search of the first victory on their six-game homestand, which continues Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes. Winnipeg has lost the first three contests of its string at MTS Centre, including a 3-1 setback against New Jersey on Saturday, and has scored one goal in each of its last four contests overall.
Drew Stafford ranks second on the club with 14 tallies but has gone five games without one since a two-goal effort at Nashville on Jan. 5 that included his team-high fifth game-winner. Arizona has posted back-to-back one-goal victories after scoring a total of four tallies during a four-game slide (0-3-1). Anders Lindback could be in net in place of Louis Domingue, who has started each of the Coyotes’ last four games – allowing fewer than three goals in each. Winnipeg and Arizona split the first two contests of their three-game season series, with each team winning at home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET; FSN Arizona, TSN3 (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (24-19-5): Antoine Vermette scored Arizona’s lone goal Monday, which was the team’s first short-hander of the season – leaving Detroit as the only team without one. Tobias Rieder has collected nine points in his last 10 games after setting up Vermette’s goal for his seventh assist in that span. The 23-year-old German is fourth on the team with 30 points – four behind co-leaders Mikkel Boedker and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson – after notching 21 in 72 games as a rookie last season.
ABOUT THE JETS (21-24-3): Injuries could keep two of Winnipeg’s top three scorers out of the lineup. Mathieu Perreault, who is third on the club with 31 points, definitely will miss the game because of a lower-body injury while Bryan Little, who is second with 38 points and first with 15 goals, left Monday’s practice early with an undisclosed ailment and is questionable. There is good news, however, as Mark Scheifele is expected to return to action after missing seven contests with a lower-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. The Jets have managed one goal in seven of their last 10 contests (1-5-1).
2. Arizona captain Shane Doan needs four points to tie Dale Hawerchuk (929) for first place on the franchise list.
3. Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd is mired in a 12-game goal-scoring drought.
PREDICTION: Jets 3, Coyotes 1

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Preview: Nashville at Vancouver
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
The Nashville Predators have finally gotten acclimated to life on the road, winning the first two contests of their four-game trek as they approach the finish line of a stretch of 11 of 14 contests away from Music City. After posting identical 4-1 victories to begin their current road trip through Canada, the Predators look to continue their good fortune against the host Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.
Defenseman Mattias Ekholm has Nashville off on a good note after scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Edmonton on Saturday. “It was a greasy road win for us, a good road win for us, and we deserved the two points,” Ekholm said. Bo Horvat netted his seventh goal in 10 outings on Saturday, but Vancouver dropped a 5-4 decision to Pittsburgh to conclude a 10-day road trip with a 3-2-1 mark. “I think if we would’ve gotten this game it would’ve been a great road trip,” Horvat said. “It’s unfortunate, but we have to take the positives out of it and move on.”
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Tennessee (Nashville), Sportsnet (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (22-18-8): Filip Forsberg collected a goal and an assist against the Oilers to reach the 100-point plateau in his young career. The 21-year-old Swede has scored three times and set up another in four career meetings with Vancouver while his 14 tallies this season trail only James Neal (17) on the team. Neal recorded two goals and three assists in his previous four games before being held off the scoresheet against Edmonton.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (20-18-11): Forward Brandon Sutter is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last 33 games with a sports hernia. “Jumping right into the fire,” the 26-year-old Sutter said as he will join All-Star Daniel Sedin and Jannik Hansen on the top line. Sutter’s return comes at an opportune time as captain Henrik Sedin – a fellow center – is sidelined with an upper-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Nashville All-Star G Pekka Rinne has allowed two goals in the last two games (2-0-0) after permitting 18 in his previous five (0-4-1).
2. Vancouver is 0-for-6 on the power play in the last five games after scoring with the man advantage in each of the previous five.
3. The Predators have scored a power-play goal in five of their last six contests and killed off all 12 short-handed opportunities in the last four.

PREDICTION: Canucks 3, Predators 1

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Preview: Colorado at San Jose
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Where: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
The San Jose Sharks own the worst home record in the Western Conference, but they have shown signs of turning things around as they prepare to host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night. While the Sharks at 9-12-2 at the SAP Center, they are riding a six-game point streak (4-0-2) at home and a nine-game point string overall (7-0-2).
San Jose is coming off a 3-2 loss to Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles, a game in which it allowed the tying goal with 12.2 seconds to play, but the mood in the locker room remains upbeat. “We feel we can play against anybody, and that’s a good feeling to have,” San Jose center Joe Thornton said. “We have a great feeling in this locker room. We feel we have our home game in control now. It took us a while, but we feel confident at home, and our road record speaks for itself.” Colorado has ripped off four consecutive victories and will be looking to match a season-high winning streak. The Avalanche and Sharks have a split a pair of meetings this season, with Colorado avenging a 4-3 home defeat with a 6-3 win at San Jose on Dec. 28.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (26-21-3): Goaltender Semyon Varlamov on Monday was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week after winning all four starts while allowing one goal in each, but backup Calvin Pickard will be in net against San Jose. Pickard played well in back-to-back starts on Jan. 14-16, blanking New Jersey for his first career shutout and dropping a 2-1 decision to Columbus. Forward Jack Skille, who had to exit Saturday’s win over Dallas with a back injury after crashing hard into the boards, is expected to play Tuesday, coach Patrick Roy said at Monday’s practice.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (25-18-4): Thornton is closing in on a major milestone, needing two points to become the 33rd player in history – and second with the franchise – to reach 1,300 for his career. Thornton has two goals and 10 assists during a nine-game point streak and has collected at least one point in 17 of his last 18 games. “Ever since Tomas (Hertl) got with our line, I think he added a little extra boost to us,” Thornton said. But (captain Joe Pavelski’s) been playing real good, Tomas has been playing real good, and we’re just working hard for one another. That’s very important for success.”
OVERTIME
1. Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon had a hat trick in the last meeting between the teams.
2. Thornton has 14 goals and 54 points in 47 games against the Avalanche.
3. Colorado is 1-for-18 on the power play in the last 18 games, but has killed off its last 19-of-21 short-handed situations while scoring three times.
PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Avalanche 3