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**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:42 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Penguins (34-24) at Blue Jackets (28-31)

Date: March 11, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Sidney Crosby didn't get a chance to renew his rivalry with Brandon Dubinsky the last time the Pittsburgh Penguins met the Columbus Blue Jackets.

That should change this time while the Blue Jackets are also expected to give Sergei Bobrovsky his first start since Jan. 21 in Friday night's home meeting with the Penguins.

These teams last met Dec. 21 when Pittsburgh (34-24-8) won 5-2 at home, giving the club its first victory in five tries since Mike Sullivan took over as coach for Mike Johnston. It also ended the Blue Jackets' three-game win streak in this series that included a pair of 2-1 victories in November.

Columbus (28-31-8) has won a season-high four straight at home.

"Obviously they're a good team, they're playing well right now," Sullivan said. "They're beating a lot of good teams. They skate well, they're a physical team, they play a straight-ahead game."

Crosby sat out his first game of the season with a lower-body injury that kept him out of the Dec. 21 matchup. It came after the previous meeting Nov. 27 featured some controversy, with Dubinsky cross-checking Crosby in the head to draw a one-game suspension. Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella added some heat to the incident by accusing the Penguins of complaining to the league offices.

Dubinsky and Crosby also fought each other last season, resulting in just the sixth fighting major of Crosby's career. He said there is more of a rivalry between these teams since they met in the postseason two years ago.

"It's developed into one of the division rivalries and playoffs probably has a lot to do with that," Crosby said. "I think, just like I said, the fact that we've had close games and intense games over the years has probably built that up a bit over the years."

Columbus plans to start Bobrovsky, who has been out for an extended period of time with a groin injury. He is eager to get back onto the ice.

"I had a few practices with the team," Bobrovsky told the Blue Jackets' official website. "I didn't have any restrictions, so I feel like I can stretch, I can push hard and I don't feel anything, so I felt like my body is ready to go."

Bobrovsky has posted a 1.94 goals-against average in winning his last four regular-season starts against the Penguins.

His primary aim may be to contain Crosby, who has 10 points in a six-game streak. Crosby has 13 in an eight-game regular-season run at Columbus.

Evgeni Malkin has 17 points in 13 career regular-season games versus the Blue Jackets, with a two-goal effort in January. The Penguins have won four of seven since Malkin returned Feb. 27 after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury.

Pittsburgh is also getting closer to full strength since Beau Bennett, Ben Lovejoy and Eric Fehr are all nearing returns.

"They're difficult decisions but they're good problems to have when you have people playing well that you think have made contributions and you've got these guys coming off injury that have played well at the same time," Sullivan said.

The Penguins fell 2-1 at the New York Islanders on Tuesday in their last game while the Blue Jackets had a 5-3 victory over Detroit the same day in which Cam Atkinson scored twice and Dubinsky had two assists.

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:42 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Flyers (31-23) at Lightning (39-23)

Date: March 11, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

After ending Tampa Bay's franchise-record nine-game winning streak, the Philadelphia Flyers can continue their surge if they avoid a ninth straight road loss to the Lightning.

The Flyers also could send the Lightning to their worst losing streak since October on Friday night.

Philadelphia (31-23-11) completed a 5-1 homestand by scoring three times in the third period to beat Tampa Bay 4-2 on Monday.

"We're playing with confidence and we're sure of ourselves right now," forward Wayne Simmonds told the Flyers' official website. "It's a good way to be feeling going down the stretch here."

Simmonds has 10 points during a 7-2-1 stretch for Philadelphia, which is ninth in the Eastern Conference and very much within striking distance of both wild-card spots. The Flyers now face both Florida teams - both among the East's top six - on back-to-back nights as they hit the road for the first time since Feb. 23.

"This is going to be a great test for us going down (to Florida) for two really tough games," said Steve Mason, who has allowed two goals in two games after being benched in five straight. "That starts with a real tough game against the Lightning."

Mason made 16 saves Monday and had 29 in the teams' other meeting but let defenseman Jason Garrison score in overtime of a 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay (39-23-5) on Oct. 8.

The Flyers have totaled 14 goals during an 0-6-2 skid at Tampa, but the last two were decided by one goal each. A victory Friday would let Philadelphia win the season series for the first time since 2009-10.

The Lightning had won a team-record nine straight before Monday's lackluster effort against the Flyers, and they followed with a 1-0 overtime loss to Boston one night later.

"That's not who we are as a team," forward Brian Boyle said of the performance at Philadelphia. "We don't show that very often if at all."

Boyle felt the effort was significantly better against the Bruins, one of the teams they're battling for the Atlantic Division lead.

"It's unfortunate we couldn't get two (points) tonight, but we had our chances," he said. "We competed pretty hard. We're still trying to work to get better before the playoffs start."

Tampa Bay fell to 12-2-1 at home in 2016 and now could lose three straight overall for the first time since a season-high 0-3-1 slide Oct. 24-31.

Ben Bishop, who sat out at Philadelphia, made 32 saves as his six-game winning streak ended Tuesday. He has a 1.42 goals-against average in those last seven starts and stopped 23 shots against the Flyers in October.

While Bishop has had a hand in Tampa Bay killing 67 of its last 73 penalties, the power play has failed to score in five straight games and is 4 for 51 in the last 16. The Lightning are 1 for 5 against the Flyers this season.

Steven Stamkos has not recorded a point in three consecutive games - his longest drought since Tampa's four-game skid in October - and didn't have any in the first two with the Flyers.

Philadelphia's Shayne Gostisbehere scored twice Monday. He recorded one point in the previous six that followed a 15-game point streak. His 14 goals - in 47 games - are a team record for a rookie defenseman.

'He's learning fast,' said captain Claude Giroux, who had two assists Monday. 'He listens. When a young player comes in and wants to get better and listens to the people around him, good things are going to happen.'

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:42 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Ducks (37-20) at Blues (39-20)

Date: March 11, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

It's no secret that the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks have used outstanding special teams as a major part of their success.

These are the league's top teams on the penalty kill and have also fared well on the power play heading into Friday night's matchup in St. Louis.

Anaheim (37-20-9) is at 86.6 percent on the penalty kill and St. Louis at 86.4. They are among the league's best with the man advantage as well, with the Ducks at 22.9 and Blues at 22.4.

St. Louis (39-20-9) showed how tough it can be on the penalty kill by limiting red-hot Chicago to 1 for 4 on the power play in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout victory. Jake Allen stopped the first seven shots he saw with the Blues a man down, and the only power-play goal St. Louis yielded came during a 5-minute penalty to Ryan Reaves.

'Our penalty killers did a heck of a job,' coach Ken Hitchcock said. 'That's a power play that's what, in the last 10 games, is 50 percent almost? Their numbers are incredible. The whole penalty kills, the two 2-minute penalties and the 5-minute penalty, I thought we did a great job.'

The league has rescinded Reaves' game misconduct from that contest.

David Backes and Troy Brouwer scored on the power play as St. Louis improved to 15 for 44 (34.1 percent) in its last 14 games.

The Blues continue to play without Alexander Steen, second on the club with 47 points. Steen has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury.

Anaheim has lost consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 21-22 after Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at Colorado in the opener of a two-game trip. It came two days after the Ducks' franchise-best 11-game win streak ended with a 2-1 shootout defeat to Washington.

The Ducks were shut out for the first time in 27 games Wednesday.

'We weren't prepared to play tonight. Simple as that,' center Ryan Getzlaf said. 'They played well and we didn't show up to play.'

Anaheim is 0 for 7 on the power play in its last two games after going 19 for 43 during the win streak.

Corey Perry has gone three straight games without a point after a three-game stretch in which he had eight that followed a four-game pointless run.

Ducks center Shawn Horcoff is eligible to return after serving a 20-game suspension for violating the terms of the NHL's performance-enhancing substances program. Horcoff has 10 points in 45 games.

Defenseman Sami Vatanen, third on the team with 37 points, suffered an upper-body injury Wednesday and did not return. He will be re-evaluated before this game.

These teams have split two meetings, with St. Louis winning 2-1 at home Oct. 29 and Anaheim responding with a 4-3 shootout win Jan. 8. The Blues are 0 for 9 on the power play in those games and the Ducks 2 for 9.

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:42 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Blackhawks (41-21) at Stars (40-20)

Date: March 11, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

An already dramatic Central Division race is about to get a little more exciting.

Sole possession of first place will be on the line when the Dallas Stars host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night, though the winner may not be able to stake that claim for long.

A mere one point separates the Western Conference's top three teams entering this marquee matchup, with charging St. Louis gaining ground following Wednesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks. The Stars will host the Blues on Saturday night.

Both Chicago (41-21-6) and Dallas (40-20-8) have allowed the Blues to close the gap with uneven recent results. The Blackhawks are 3-3-1 over a seven-game stretch while the Stars were dealt an eighth loss in 11 with Tuesday's 4-3 overtime defeat at struggling Montreal.

"Tough game on the road and I think it is good to get a point, but we've got to find a way to win that game," center Jason Spezza told the Stars' official website. "Whether it is in overtime or the couple chances we had in the third, that is a game we should be winning."

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, couldn't protect a 1-0 lead after two periods against St. Louis, though they still managed to earn an important point when Artemi Panarin tied it with 1:17 left and goaltender Corey Crawford pulled for an extra skater.

'We're disappointed we gave up the lead,' coach Joel Quenneville said. 'And then you score with the goalie out you've got to be pretty happy on the road."

The Blues scored both their late goals on the power play, further exposing Chicago's primary recent weakness. The Blackhawks have killed just 61.1 percent of short-handed chances in 12 games since Feb. 9, the NHL's lowest mark over that span.

A defensive decline can also explain Dallas' drop-off, as it's surrendered a league-high 40 goals over 10 contests since Feb. 18. Already without defensemen John Klingberg and Jordie Benn due to lower-body injuries, the Stars had their backline further thinned when Jason Demers suffered a potentially long-term shoulder injury Tuesday.

Dallas also is dealing with slumps from its top two forwards. Tyler Seguin is a minus-seven over a season-high five-game streak without a point and Jamie Benn hasn't scored in a season-high seven straight.

Spezza has been producing of late, recording a goal in four straight and tallying seven in his last eight, and the Stars may have ex-Blackhawk Patrick Sharp (lower body) back from a three-game absence.

Chicago's Marian Hossa, sidelined nine games with a lower leg injury, also may play after returning to practice on Tuesday.

Crawford has allowed two goals or less in five consecutive starts and had 36 saves in a 5-1 win at Dallas on Feb. 6. He was removed after one period in a 4-2 home loss to the Stars five days later, though, with Patrick Eaves registering a hat trick during a four-goal opening frame.

The Stars won the teams' initial 2015-16 meeting 4-0 behind Antti Niemi's 20 saves. The former Blackhawk hasn't played since March 1, however, and has a 4.68 goals-against average over his last five starts.

Kari Lehtonen has worked Dallas' last three games, stopping 41 of 44 shots in wins over New Jersey and Ottawa prior to Tuesday's 24-save effort. He had a season-high 44 saves in the Feb. 11 win in Chicago.

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:43 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Coyotes (28-32) at Flames (28-34)

Date: March 11, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

If the Arizona Coyotes are to improve to 4-0 against the Calgary Flames this season, they'll need to end the longest road losing streak in franchise history.

The Coyotes look to avoid an 11th consecutive road defeat Friday night against the Flames, who are trying to win back-to-back home games for the first time in more than two months.

It appeared Arizona would prevent its road slide from reaching a club-record 10 games Wednesday, but the visitors failed to hold a 2-0 lead en route to a 3-2 overtime loss to Vancouver.

'It's certainly frustrating,' forward Alex Tanguay said. 'When you are up 2-0 on the road you have to make sure you play solid, you don't get lost, you play the position."

Losers of nine of 10 overall, the Coyotes (28-32-7) have totaled 18 non-shootout goals in the last 12 road games.

Tanguay has been one of the few offensive bright spots with two goals and three assists in three games since coming over from Colorado on Feb. 29. Tanguay, who spent five seasons over two stints with Calgary, assisted on Arizona's third power-play goal in 11 road contests Wednesday.

"He makes good plays," coach Dave Tippett told the Coyotes' official website. "There (are) plays that are there that some players make and some don't, and he has a knack of making good plays ... He's contributed since he's got here. That's good to see."

Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had a goal in each of the Coyotes' first three meetings with Calgary (28-34-5), but the team points leader could miss a second straight contest with an upper-body injury.

Louis Domingue has posted a 3.75 goals-against average during his 0-8-1 road losing streak but stopped 51 of 53 shots in the last two against the Flames.

Two points behind Arizona, Calgary has earned one in three straight contests and ended an 0-1-2 home skid with Wednesday's 3-2 overtime victory over Nashville. Johnny Gaudreau scored twice in a 10-second span of the first period and assisted on Mikael Backlund's winner.

Calgary hasn't won two in a row at home since an 11-game run Nov. 5-Dec. 27. It last won two straight overall during a three-game winning streak Feb. 6-11.

"We have to play our hardest every single game," Gaudreau told the NHL's official website. "There are a lot of expectations in this locker room to finish the season out strong, get a good summer in and be ready for next year."

With 66 points in 66 games, Gaudreau has surpassed his 64 from last season's stellar rookie season. A league-high 48 of those points have come at home.

'I just love playing in front of our fans,' said Gaudreau, whose 26 goals are two more than last season. 'Whether we lose or win, they're proud of us. So for me, the best gift to give back to them in a losing season is work my hardest each night and show them some creativity and excitement.'

Though Gaudreau was shut out in a 4-1 loss at Arizona on Feb. 12, he has two goals and two assists in the last three at home against the Coyotes.

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:43 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

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 58 62 OVER
3/6 6 30.5 34 OVER
3/7 7 36 38 OVER
3/8 8 44.5 41 UNDER
3/9 6 32.5 32 UNDER
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 - - -

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:43 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

NHL

Hot teams
-- Columbus won four of last six games. Penguins are 4-0 in game following last four wins.
-- Philadelphia won five of its last six games.
-- St Louis won its last four games, scoring 16 goals.

Cold teams
-- Tampa Bay lost its last two games, after winning its previous eight.
-- Anaheim lost its last two games, scoring one goal, after winning 11 in a row.
-- Chicago lost three of its last four road games. Dallas lost five of its last seven games.
-- Arizona lost nine of its last ten games. Calgary lost eight of its last ten.

Series records
-- Blue Jackets won five of last seven games with Pittsburgh.
-- Flyers lost seven of last nine games with Tampa Bay.
-- Ducks won six of their last eight games with St Louis.
-- Dallas Stars won four of last five games with Chicago.
-- Coyotes won their last three games with Calgary.

Totals
-- Five of last six Columbus games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Flyer-Lightning games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Anaheim-St Louis games stayed under.
-- Five of last seven Dallas-Chicago games went over.
-- Eight of last ten Arizona-Calgary games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- None

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:53 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

PITTSBURGH (34-24-0-8, 76 pts.) at COLUMBUS (28-31-0-8, 64 pts.) - 3/11/2016, 7:05 PM

Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 78-75 ATS (-34.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 1-7 ATS (-7.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
PITTSBURGH is 37-42 ATS (-25.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 19-34 ATS (-32.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 24-27 ATS (-17.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 40-35 ATS (-0.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-5 ATS (+18.5 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 20-14 ATS (+36.6 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 25-18 ATS (+44.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 11-7-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.2 Units)

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PHILADELPHIA (31-23-0-11, 73 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (39-23-0-5, 83 pts.) - 3/11/2016, 7:35 PM

Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 0-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in road games in March games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 231-239 ATS (-85.3 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 21-8 ATS (+7.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-9 ATS (+24.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 18-12 ATS (+33.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 332-387 ATS (+836.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 6-2 (+3.5 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 6-2-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.9 Units)

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

ANAHEIM (37-20-0-9, 83 pts.) at ST LOUIS (39-20-0-9, 87 pts.) - 3/11/2016, 8:05 PM

Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 99-65 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 33-21 ATS (+54.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 22-8 ATS (+10.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 235-213 ATS (+462.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
ST LOUIS is 7-14 ATS (-14.3 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 6-2 (+4.9 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 6-2-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.7 Units)

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

CHICAGO (41-21-0-6, 88 pts.) at DALLAS (40-20-0-8, 88 pts.) - 3/11/2016, 8:35 PM

Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 37-24 ATS (+12.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 54-32 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-17 ATS (-17.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
DALLAS is 9-15 ATS (-14.2 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 8-5-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+4.8 Units)

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

ARIZONA (28-32-0-7, 63 pts.) at CALGARY (28-34-0-5, 61 pts.) - 3/11/2016, 9:05 PM

Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 20-55 ATS (+105.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 6-20 ATS (+32.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 15-6 ATS (+22.5 Units) after a division game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 7-6 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 7-6-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.1 Units)

**TheGame** · 03-11-2016, 08:53 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

PITTSBURGH vs. COLUMBUS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing on the road against Columbus
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Columbus's last 13 games when playing Pittsburgh
Columbus is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh

PHILADELPHIA vs. TAMPA BAY
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games

ANAHEIM vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Anaheim is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games at home
St. Louis is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Anaheim

CHICAGO vs. DALLAS
Chicago is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Chicago is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
Dallas is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Chicago

ARIZONA vs. CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
Arizona is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Arizona
Calgary is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games

**Satch** · 03-11-2016, 09:12 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Pittsburgh at Columbus
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, March 11, 2016
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to make some noise in the Metropolitan, but they have been limited to a split of the first four contests of their pronounced stretch against division representatives. Pittsburgh, which is in the midst of playing seven of eight against Metro foes, looks to get back on track and even its season series against the Columbus Blue Jackets at two victories apiece on Friday when the clubs meet at Nationwide Arena.
Captain Sidney Crosby notched an assist in the Penguins’ 2-1 setback to the New York Islanders on Tuesday to extend his point streak to six games (three goals, seven assists). The loss was a tough one for Pittsburgh, which fell six points behind the third-place Islanders and is clinging to a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Columbus’ postseason aspirations nearly went up in smoke long ago, but the team improved to 5-2-1 in its last eight with a 5-3 victory over Detroit on Tuesday. Cam Atkinson scored twice versus the Red Wings and has four goals in his last four games overall, although he has just one tally in 13 career contests versus the Penguins.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Ohio (Columbus), NHL.TV
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (34-24-8): Forwards Carl Hagelin (illness), Eric Fehr (lower body) and Beau Bennett (upper body) all returned to practice on Thursday and coach Mike Sullivan told the team website that each member of the trio would be a game-time decision versus the Blue Jackets. “We’ll see how guys respond today after our practice,” Sullivan said. “I do suspect that there will be some lineup decisions to make.” Evgeni Malkin’s spot in the lineup obviously is secure, and the 2012 Hart Trophy winner has four goals and three assists in his last six contests overall and three tallies versus Columbus this season.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (28-31-8): Sergei Bobrovsky hopes his groin injury is a thing of the past as he is expected to make his first start since Jan. 21. “I had a few practices with the team,” the 2013 Vezina Trophy winner told the team’s official website. “I didn’t have any restrictions, so I feel like I can stretch, I can push hard and I don’t feel anything, so I felt like my body is ready to go.” Bobrovsky made 28 saves in a 2-1 win over the Penguins on Nov. 13 and turned aside 24 shots two weeks later in another 2-1 victory versus Pittsburgh.
OVERTIME
1. Columbus D Jack Johnson will miss his seventh straight contest with an upper-body injury.
2. Pittsburgh G Marc-Andre Fleury, who is one win shy of 350 for his career, has yielded two goals or fewer in his last six games versus Metropolitan Division representatives.
3. The Blue Jackets have scored seven power-play goals in their last eight contests, but are just 1-for-11 in three meetings with the Penguins.
PREDICTION: Penguins 3, Blue Jackets 2

**Satch** · 03-11-2016, 09:13 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, March 11, 2016
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
The Philadelphia Flyers enjoyed four days off before facing a critical six-game stretch that begins with a visit to the Sunshine State to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. The Flyers have won five of six, including a 4-2 triumph Monday against the Lightning, to move within three points of Pittsburgh for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with one game in hand.
After Philadelphia attempts to snap an eight-game losing streak at Tampa Bay, it visits Florida, hosts Detroit, goes to Chicago, hosts Pittsburgh and visits the New York Islanders in succession. “This is what players play for, to be in a meaningful position,” Flyers goaltender Steve Mason told reporters. “There are only a few weeks left in the regular season, and we’ve put ourselves in a position to kind of control our own fate, and that’s a fun spot to be in, for sure.” The Lightning have dropped two straight (0-1-1) after winning nine in a row and are comfortably in a playoff spot for now. Tampa Bay could also get top-four defensemen Braydon Coburn (lower body) and Anton Stralman (illness) back in the lineup.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
ABOUT THE FLYERS (31-23-11): Mason, who beat Tampa Bay on Monday with 16 saves as the Flyers held a 40-18 edge in shots, is expected in net Friday and Michal Neuvirth is likely to get the start at Florida on Saturday. Second-leading scorer Jakub Voracek (lower body), who has missed five games, could return next week and many have stepped up to pick up the slack. Captain Claude Giroux (team-best 57 points) has two goals and nine assists over the last seven games and Brayden Schenn boasts 16 points in the past 13 contests.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (39-23-5): Tampa Bay’s inconsistent power play is going through another rough stretch after an 0-for-4 effort in a 1-0 overtime loss to Boston on Tuesday, and is scoreless in 12 opportunities over the last five games. Captain Steven Stamkos has cooled off after a red-hot stretch, remaining one shy of his fifth season with at least 30 goals and is two points behind leading scorer Nikita Kucherov (54). Ben Bishop will likely be in net after going 6-1-0 in the last seven games and surrendering only 10 goals in that span.
OVERTIME
1. Tampa Bay LW Ondrej Palat has recorded four of his 11 goals in the past four games.
2. Philadelphia D Shayne Gostisbehere, a Florida native, scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season against the Lightning on Monday.
3. The Flyers have points in three straight games (2-0-1) after losing six in a row overall to Tampa Bay.
PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Flyers 2

**Satch** · 03-11-2016, 09:13 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Anaheim at St. Louis
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, March 11, 2016
Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri
The St. Louis Blues are making a strong push for first place in the ultra-competitive Central Division and go for their fifth consecutive victory when they host the surging Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. The Blues are coming off a huge victory, outlasting Chicago in a shootout to move within one point of the Blackhawks and division co-leader Dallas.
“We come out of here with two points, find another way to win and get one more day to get a few more healthy bodies back here,” St. Louis captain David Backes said. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Blues, who open a five-game road trip at Dallas on Saturday night. The Ducks, who trail first-place Los Angeles by one point in the Pacific Division, come to town having lost back-to-back outings following an 11-game winning streak. Anaheim had its 14-game point streak snapped in a 3-0 loss at Colorado on Wednesday – its first regulation defeat since Feb. 8.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN West (Anaheim), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (37-20-9): Anaheim’s players were not satisfied after being blanked for the first time since Jan. 6 and absorbing consecutive losses for the first time since Dec. 21-22. “We weren’t prepared to play tonight. Simple as that,” said captain Ryan Getzlaf, who has registered 29 points in 33 career games against the Blues. “We got to look at this game and rebound and play better against St. Louis.” The Ducks could be short-handed after defenseman Sami Vatanen exited Wednesday’s game and was forced to sit out Thursday’s practice due to an upper-body injury.
ABOUT THE BLUES (39-20-9): With second-leading scorer Alexander Steen missing the past seven games, Backes is helping pick up the scoring load with a pair of goals during a four-game point streak. Forward Troy Brouwer turned in a superb performance against the Blackhawks, scoring a goal to match his total from the previous 12 games combined while delivering a game-high nine hits. Starting goaltender Jake Allen lost his first three decisions since returning from an injury absence of more than six weeks, but has rattled off four consecutive victories to match his career best with 22 wins.
OVERTIME
1. Allen is 3-0-0 with a 0.97 goals-against average versus Anaheim.
2. The Ducks are 0-for-6 on the power play in the past two contests afer converting 19-of-43 during their winning streak.
3. The NHL rescinded a game misconduct penalty against Blues F Ryan Reaves for his hit on D Christian Ehrhoff in Wednesday’s game.
PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Blues 2

**Satch** · 03-11-2016, 09:14 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Chicago at Dallas
When: 8:30 PM ET, Friday, March 11, 2016
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
The three-team tango atop the Central Division will continue on Friday when the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Dallas Stars with sole possession of first place on the line. The Stars will continue their five-game homestand against St. Louis, which moved to within one point of the top two clubs with a 3-2 shootout win over Chicago on Wednesday.
Veteran forward Jason Spezza scored his fourth goal in as many contests and seventh in his last eight on Tuesday, but Dallas suffered its eighth loss in 11 outings (3-5-3) with a 4-3 overtime setback to Montreal. Kari Lehtonen struggled against the Canadiens, but made a season-high 44 saves as the Stars posted a 4-2 win over the Blackhawks on Feb. 11 for their second win in three encounters with their division rival. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews set up a pair of goals in that contest and extended his current point streak to five games (three goals, two assists) on Wednesday by setting up a tally against the Blues. The 27-year-old is expected to compete on Friday despite suffering a mild hip-flexor injury in the loss.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Southwest (Dallas), NHL Network
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (41-21-6): Marian Hossa, who scored a short-handed goal in Chicago’s 5-1 win over Dallas on Feb. 6, is expected to take the morning skate on Friday to determine if he’ll return from a nine-game absence due to a lower-body injury. “You want to make sure you’re really ready to return and not have to think about, ‘What if? What if?’ Today was better and tomorrow’s another day, so we’ll see,” Hossa told CSNChicago.com. Rookie Artemi Panarin scored versus St. Louis for his fifth point (three goals, two assists) in four contests and set up two tallies against the Stars this season.
ABOUT THE STARS (40-20-8): Dallas’ depleted defense absorbed another hit as coach Lindy Ruff admitted that Jason Demers will miss at least six weeks with a shoulder injury. “I’m taking it week by week,” Demers told the Dallas Morning News on Thursday as his right arm rested in a sling. “I’m just going to do everything I can to get back. It’s just a question of where we are in the season. If there is a way, I’ll figure it out.” Fellow blue-liners John Klingberg and Jordie Benn are nursing lower-body injuries to boot, prompting the Stars to lean a bit on recently recalled rookie defenseman and Blackhawks prospect Stephen Johns in addition to former Chicago blue-liner Johnny Oduya.
OVERTIME
1. Dallas C Tyler Seguin has been held off the scoresheet in a season-high five straight games.
2. Chicago C Artem Anisimov has recorded one goal and three assists in his last 12 contests since posting those exact totals in his team’s win over the Stars on Feb. 6.
3. Dallas LW Patrick Sharp is nursing a lower-body injury and has been ruled out versus his former team.
PREDICTION: Stars 4, Blackhawks 3

**Satch** · 03-11-2016, 09:14 AM

Re: NHL Betting Info. 3/11

Preview: Arizona at Calgary
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, March 11, 2016
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
The Calgary Flames have not won back-to-back home games since an 11-game run that ended two days after Christmas, but they have a chance to break that drought when they host the bedraggled Arizona Coyotes on Friday night. Calgary won for only the third time in 14 games (3-11-2) by skating past Nashville 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday.
The Flames are just ahead of cellar-dwelling Edmonton and two points behind Arizona with 15 games left on the season. They will face another slumping club in the Coyotes, who have dropped nine of their last 10 overall (1-8-1). Arizona also set a franchise record with its 10th consecutive road loss, squandering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 overtime setback at Vancouver on Wednesday. The Coyotes have won all three matchups this season, permitting one goal in each game.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, Sportsnet West (Calgary)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (28-32-7): Defenseman Jarred Tinordi, acquired from Montreal in a three-team deal in mid-January, received a 20-game suspension Wednesday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Because the failed test occurred before the trade was made, it raised some suspicions, but the NHL released a statement on Thursday absolving Montreal of any wrongdoing. “… We would like to state that we have no reason to believe or conclude that the Canadiens acted inappropriately at any time in relation to this matter,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (28-34-5): Second-year forward Johnny Gaudreau scored twice in a 10-second span in Wednesday’s victory, giving him a career-high 26 goals and 66 points. The three-point night continued Gaudreau’s blistering pace at Scotiabank Saddledome – he has 23 goals and 25 assists for a league-high 48 points in 33 home games. “There aren’t too many guys like him in this league,” teammate Mikael Backlund said. “He’s definitely up there with (Chicago Blackhawks forward) Patrick Kane. He’s having a dominant year, but those two guys are so quick in tight with the stick too. It’s impressive to watch.”
OVERTIME
1. Calgary coach Bob Hartley, asked about injuries to C Sam Bennett and D TJ Brodie, calls both day-to-day but adds it could be a few days.
2. Coyotes D Oliver Ekman-Larsson remains day-to-day with a shoulder injury that kept him out of Wednesday’s game.
3. Flames G Joni Ortio, who has permitted two goals or fewer in six of his last seven starts, will be in net Friday.
PREDICTION: Flames 3, Coyotes 2

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NHL Betting Info. 3/11

NHL Betting Info. 3/11

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