Cnotes National Hockey League March Rated Plays - Trends - News - Etc. !!

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, March 20

Hot teams
-- Devils won three of their last five games.
-- Penguins won six of their last seven games. Washington won four of its last six games.
-- Colorado won four of its last five games. Oilers won last two games, 2-0/6-4.
-- Arizona won three of its last four games. Sharks won four of their last six.

Cold teams
-- Anaheim lost four of its last six games. Jets lost five of their last seven.
-- Columbus lost four of its last six games.
-- Calgary lost three of its last four road games. Montreal lost three of last four overall.
-- Chicago lost four of its last five games. Minnesota lost four of its last six games.

Series records
-- Ducks won their last nine games with Winnipeg.
-- Devils lost their last six games with Columbus.
-- Washington won five of its last seven games with Pittsburgh.
-- Canadiens won three of last four games with Calgary.
-- Blackhawks lost their last three games with Minnesota.
-- Colorado won five of its last seven games with Edmonton.
-- Coyotes won three of last four games with San Jose.

Totals
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Anaheim-Winnipeg games.
-- Six of last eight New Jersey games went over.
-- Under is 6-1-2 in last nine Washington-Pittsburgh games.
-- Four of last six Calgary games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Minnesota-Chicago games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Colorado games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Arizona-San Jose games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- Devils are 4-6 if they played night before. Columbus is 5-8 on road if it played night before.
-- Pittsburgh is 5-8 if it played night before, but won last three.
-- Montreal is 3-8 in last 11 games if it played night before.
-- Minnesota is 4-9 this season if it played the night before.
-- Arizona is 2-6 in last eight games if it played the night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Sunday, March 20

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3:00 PM
ANAHEIM vs. WINNIPEG
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Anaheim is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
Winnipeg is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
Winnipeg is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games at home

5:00 PM
COLUMBUS vs. NEW JERSEY
Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 7 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Columbus

6:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PITTSBURGH
Washington is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Pittsburgh's last 22 games when playing Washington

7:00 PM
CALGARY vs. MONTREAL
Calgary is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Montreal
Calgary is 4-9-2 SU in its last 15 games ,when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
Montreal is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games

8:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHICAGO
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games at home
Chicago is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home

9:30 PM
COLORADO vs. EDMONTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing Colorado
Edmonton is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games at home

10:00 PM
ARIZONA vs. SAN JOSE
Arizona is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Arizona's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing Arizona
San Jose is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

NHL

Sunday, March 20

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Capitals at Penguins
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sidney Crosby and the Penguins are red-hot heading into their matchup with Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals.

Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins (-120, 5.5)

Less than two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins were staring at the likelihood of facing the NHL-best Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. One five-game winning streak later and the surging Penguins have aspirations of a top-three seed in the Metropolitan Division as they prepare to host the Capitals on Sunday.

Pittsburgh continues to bolster its playoff positioning at the expense of its division rivals, improving to 13-3-1 in its last 17 versus Metropolitan foes with a 4-1 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday. The Penguins overtook the New York Islanders for third place in the division and are two points behind the second-place New York Rangers. Washington is on cruise control for the Presidents' Trophy and has won two in a row, including a 4-1 triumph over Nashville on Friday that represented its largest margin of victory since Jan. 19. The Capitals have won two of the three meetings this season, including a 4-1 victory at Pittsburgh on Dec. 14.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TVA

LINE HISTORY: The Penguins opened as slight -120 favorites, while the total opened at 5.5 goals.

INJURY REPORT:

Capitals - C M. Latta (Out Sunday, illness), D J. Carson (Out Sunday, lower body).

Penguins - LW S. Wilson (Out Sunday, upper body), C E. Malkin (Out Sunday, upper body), RW B. Bennett (Out Sunday, upper body).

GOALIE REPORT:

Captials - B. Holtby (43-8-4, 2.20 GAA, 0.923 save percentage).

Penguins - M. Fleury (31-16-6, 2.30 GAA, 0.922 save percentage).

WHAT SHARPS SAY:"Don’t look now but the Pens are playing solid hockey with three straight wins and four in their last five. Sidney Crosby has a 11-game point streak on the go, totaling 14 points in that stretch."

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (51-14-5): Coach Barry Trotz admitted there's no need to "reinvent the wheel" for his team, but he shuffled his lines last week and watched the second and third units each come up with a big game. “We’re very interchangeable parts here and our depth is one of our best attributes, and it’s going to carry us a long way in the playoffs,” forward Justin Williams said. “These are good barometer games for us, just to see where we are and ramp our game up for the fun times.” Evgeny Kuznetsov collected three assists Friday to extend his point streak to five games.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (39-24-8): A slow start to the season is a distant memory for captain Sidney Crosby, who set up a pair of goals Saturday to give him six tallies and 12 assists during his 11-game point streak. Nick Bonino, who inherited the unenviable task of stepping in for the injured Evgeni Malkin, collected a pair of assists against the Flyers after scoring a goal in the previous game versus Carolina. Phil Kessel, who is one assist shy of 300 for his career, has recorded a goal and an assist in three meetings versus Washington this season.

TRENDS:

* Under is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings in Pittsburgh.
* Penguins are 5-0 in their last five games overall.
* Under is 15-5-2 in the last 22 meetings.
* Capitals are 5-2 in the last seven meetings

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Sunday, March 20


Columbus @ New Jersey

Game 53-54
March 20, 2016 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
10.481
New Jersey
9.463
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
N/A

Washington @ Pittsburgh

Game 55-56
March 20, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
11.800
Pittsburgh
12.985
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
N/A

Calgary @ Montreal

Game 57-58
March 20, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
9.762
Montreal
11.307
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Montreal
by 1 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
N/A

Minnesota @ Chicago

Game 59-60
March 20, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
13.481
Chicago
12.299
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
N/A

Colorado @ Edmonton

Game 61-62
March 20, 2016 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
12.182
Edmonton
11.269
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Edmonton
-135
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(+115); Under

Arizona @ San Jose

Game 63-64
March 20, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
9.382
San Jose
12.777
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 3 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-230
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-230); Over

Anaheim @ Winnipeg

Game 51-52
March 20, 2016 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim
10.526
Winnipeg
12.178
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Winnipeg
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-170
5
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(+150); Over

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Short Sheet

Sunday, March 20

Anaheim at Winnipeg, 3:05 PM ET
Anaheim: 32-10 SU on Sunday games
Winnipeg: 4-9 in home games after a division game

Columbus at New Jersey, 5:05 PM ET
Columbus: 6-2 SU in road games after a blowout win by 3 goals or more
New Jersey: 15-39 SU revenging 2 consecutive losses to opponent as a favorite

Washington at Pittsubrgh, 6:05 PM ET
Washington: 23-11 SU in road games
Pittsburgh: 9-17 SU after scoring 4 goals or more in 2 straight games

Calgary at Montreal, 7:05 PM ET
Calgary: 31-25 SU after allowing 4 goals or more
Montreal: 1-9 SU after allowing 5 goals or more

Minnesota at Chicago, 8:35 PM ET
Minnesota: 5-15 SU as an underdog
Chicago: 8-0 SU after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7

Colorado at Edmonton, 9:35 PM ET
Colorado: 14-9 SU in a road game where where the total is 5.5
Edmonton: 9-19 SU at home off a home win where they shut out their opponent

Arizona at San Jose, 10:05 PM ET
Arizona: 15-10 SU vs. division opponents
San Jose: 1-6 SU in home games off an home win scoring 4 or more goals

 

[CNOTES]

Yesterday's Results: 2 - 3 - 2..........- 0.78
YTD: 32 - 38...........+ 4.02




SUNDAY, MARCH 20


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




ANA at WIN 03:00 PM

ANA -159


U 5.0




CLB at NJ 05:00 PM


CLB -113


O 5.5




WAS at PIT 06:00 PM


WAS -113


O 5.0




CAL at MON 07:00 PM


MON -110


U 5.5




MIN at CHI 08:30 PM


MIN +159


O 5.0




COL at EDM 09:30 PM


COL +118


O 5.5




ARI at SJ 10:00 PM


ARI +210


U 5.5

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Panthers (40-23) at Rangers (40-24)
Date: March 21, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers rank among the most efficient teams in the NHL as far as taking advantage of their shots, although there's no doubt they would like to increase their volume.


They'll complete their season series Monday night at Madison Square Garden after splitting their first two meetings.


These clubs are among the worst in shots per game, with New York (40-24-8) averaging 28.5 and Florida 28.4. That hasn't stopped them from ranking among the best in goals per game, with the Rangers and Panthers (40-23-9) both averaging 2.8.


Both teams have shooting percentages of 9.7 that place them within the NHL's best in that department.


The Rangers are back home after completing a 1-1-1 trip by allowing their most shots as they were outshot 52-26 in Saturday's 4-1 defeat to San Jose. They have one win in their last five games.


'It was ugly as it's ever been,' defenseman Marc Staal said. 'That type of game like this at this time of year is garbage. We have to be better. We're just trying to make plays that aren't there. We aren't making plays when we are there. We're fighting it all the way.'


Florida was outshot 30-26 in Saturday's 5-3 loss to Detroit after leading by two goals in the second period.


'We just didn't play well, didn't play hard, didn't compete enough,' coach Gerard Gallant said. 'Detroit wanted it more and they went out and got it.'


The Panthers will try to take advantage again of a Rangers' penalty kill that is one of the worst in the NHL at 77.3 percent. Florida is 3 for 10 on the power play in the season series, losing 5-4 in overtime on Nov. 21 and winning 3-0 on Jan. 2.


New York's Rick Nash had a hat trick in the first meeting before the second one marked the start of his current 14-game goal drought. Nash missed 20 games in the midst of that run due to a bone bruise, and has no points in five games since returning.


Eric Staal also hasn't been too effective with one goal and two assists in 10 games since being acquired Feb. 28 from Carolina.


New York seeks to avoid its first three-game home slide in the regular season since an 0-4-1 stretch Dec. 2-12, 2013.


Jussi Jokinen has 15 points in his last 13 games and Vincent Trocheck nine in his last seven for the Panthers, who start a three-game trip and play six of their final 10 on the road.


"We got a three-game road trip here and we'll be back home after that so it's gonna be a fun stretch," said center Nick Bjugstad, who has six points in a career-best five-game run.


The Panthers figure to start Roberto Luongo, who was Rangers coach Alain Vigneault's regular goaltender when both were with Vancouver. Luongo's 3.67 goals-against average in 12 regular-season games at MSG is his worst in any arena he has started in at least three times.


The Rangers will likely go with Henrik Lundqvist, who won six straight starts versus the Panthers before losing in January. His 1.91 GAA against Florida matches his second-lowest against any foe.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Flyers (34-24) at Islanders (38-23)
Date: March 21, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

While the New York Islanders hope an offensive turnaround boosts them into the Metropolitan Division's top three, the Philadelphia Flyers hope a return to their recent scoring surge would help steal their division foe's wild-card spot.


Two of the herd of teams fighting for playoff position in the Eastern Conference clash when the Flyers visit the Islanders on Monday night hoping to claw closer to the pack.


New York (38-23-9) has struggled to score during a 1-3-1 stretch, and back-to-back regulation losses at Nashville and Dallas dropped the Islanders to fourth place in their division.


The Islanders are in the league's top third offensively but have scored only seven goals in their last five games. They suffered their first shutout loss since a 4-0 setback at Philadelphia on Jan. 9 with Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Dallas, failing to connect on 27 shots to close a road trip 0-2-1.


New York has only seven power plays in its last six games, scoring on one of them. Frans Nielsen hasn't scored during that span, while John Tavares is without a goal the last four.


'There's no puck luck for our hockey team right now,' coach Jack Capuano said.


The Islanders have only played two home games since Feb. 19, winning both to extend a seven-game point streak at Barclays Center.


New York still holds the East's first wild card with 85 points and has 12 games left, while Philadelphia (34-24-12) is out of the playoffs in the ninth spot with 80.


The Flyers averaged 3.6 goals over a 10-2-2 stretch before producing a season-low 17 shots in Saturday's 4-1 home loss to Pittsburgh - snapping a six-game point streak and wasting an opportunity to gain on another playoff-hopeful team.


'It was a day where we couldn't find any energy and couldn't get ourselves going in the right direction,' coach Dave Hakstol said. 'It comes at a bad time and against the wrong team.'


Steve Mason made 31 saves after finding out he was starting 20 minutes before warmups when backup Michal Neuvirth was scratched after injuring himself stretching. The Flyers announced Sunday that Neuvirth will miss the final three weeks of the regular season with an unspecified lower-body injury.


He was 17-8-4 and ranked fifth in the league with a .925 save percentage, but Mason will shoulder the load down the stretch with rookie Anthony Stolarz as the backup. Stolarz could make his NHL debut Tuesday at Columbus.


Mason has started all three games in the season series and has seen mixed results. He stopped 33 of 35 shots in a 3-1 loss on Nov. 25, was pulled early after surrendering three goals on 10 shots in a 4-3 shootout defeat Dec. 8 and made 20 saves in the January meeting.


That victory marked just the second for Philadelphia in the last eight games in the series, which includes four straight losses in New York.


The Flyers are riding a 4-1-2 stretch on the road, where they play their next four.


The Islanders' Jaroslav Halak has made all three starts in the season series but has been out since earlier this month with a groin injury. Backup Thomas Greiss has started five of six games since, posting a .918 save percentage.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Kings (44-22) at Predators (36-23)
Date: March 21, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Though they've locked up a playoff spot at their earliest point in 10 years, the Los Angeles Kings insist they still have plenty to play for over the final 11 games.


As Anze Kopitar looks continue his strong play, the surging Kings hope to take a step toward clinching their first division title in 25 years Monday night when they try to wrap up their first season sweep of the Nashville Predators.


A year after becoming only the eighth team in league history to miss the postseason after winning the Stanley Cup, Los Angeles (44-22-5) has been motivated to get back and make a run at its third title in five seasons.


Tanner Pearson and Alec Martinez had goals Saturday when the Kings took a first step toward that goal by securing a playoff berth with a 2-1 home win over Boston.


'The goal is to clinch a playoff spot as early as you can,' said left wing Milan Lucic, who had an eight-game point streak end. "It's a great accomplishment. It's been a fun 71 games so far, and we've got to keep the foot on the gas pedal.'


Los Angeles will try to do just that with a chance to inch closer to only the second division crown in franchise history and its first since 1990-91. The club is also just two points behind Dallas in the race for the Western Conference's top seed.


Kopitar has played a leading role with six goals and 13 points over his last 10 games. The veteran center, who has 24 goals and a team-high 41 assists, did not play Feb. 20 when Pearson scored 1:18 into overtime to seal a 2-1 win at Nashville.


The Kings have totaled 26 goals over the past seven of a 11-2-1 stretch that began with that victory. Dustin Brown had a goal in three straight games before Saturday.


"Hopefully we keep playing that hard-nosed style of hockey, that playoff style of hockey,' Lucic added. 'Everybody's trying to get as many points as they can, finish as high up in the standings as possible and sharpen up their game.'


The Predators have a solid hold on the West's top wild-card spot, but they hope to catch Chicago for third place in the Central Division. They certainly didn't help their chances with Friday's 4-1 loss at Washington that ended a two-game winning streak.


'Our heart was in the right place,' coach Peter Laviolette said.


Filip Forsberg scored the only goal, while Shea Weber added his seventh assist in the past nine games and Roman Josi contributed his fourth in the last four.


Nashville (36-23-13) has totaled 18 goals over the past four of a 4-0-3 home stretch.


It could have a tough time continuing that trend with Jonathan Quick expected to start for Los Angeles. The All-Star is 10-3-2 with a .932 save percentage in his last 15 starts and stopped 64 of 68 shots to win both games in this season series.


Pekka Rinne has been equally good, going 9-1-2 with a .937 save percentage in his last 12 starts. Rinne, though, has an .876 mark over his last seven against the Kings.


Los Angeles had dropped five straight in this series before a 4-3 overtime home win Oct. 31. A third overtime matchup would favor the Kings, who have won 13 of 18 in such contests. Nashville has dropped 13 of 17 in extra time.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Flames (31-35) at Maple Leafs (25-35)
Date: March 21, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

It's likely too little and too late, but the Calgary Flames have proved effective in recent attempts to bolster their faint playoff hopes.


The eliminated Toronto Maple Leafs are also showing they're not content to just play out their remaining games.


Calgary will seek a sixth win in nine tries while Toronto will try to earn its fifth in seven games Monday night.


The Flames have earned at least one point in seven of their last eight, going 5-1-2, and they improved to 3-0-1 in their past four with a 4-1 victory in Montreal on Sunday.


Sean Monahan had two goals and an assist as Calgary (31-35-6) secured just its third set of back-to-back road victories this season, following a 4-2 win against Pittsburgh on March 5.


"Obviously, we're confident right now," said Monahan, who has five of his 26 goals and two assists in his last four games. "We know we're not in the spot where we want to be, but we want to show pride and character and dig deep here to end the season."


Even with their recent play, the Flames are 12 points behind Colorado in the Western Conference with 10 games remaining and two teams between them and the Avalanche.


Toronto (25-35-11) was officially eliminated from contention in the East on Saturday but topped visiting Buffalo 4-1.


The Maple Leafs pulled away with a trio of third-period goals, including Connor Carrick's second in three games. Toronto has won three of four at home, matching its win total from its previous 15 contests at Air Canada Centre.


"You want guys playing with energy. You want guys playing with confidence and making plays and trying to do things," Carrick said. "It's fun to be a part of when other guys are doing that."


Calgary edged Toronto 4-3 in the only other meeting this season Feb. 9. Dougie Hamilton tallied the Flames' final goal with 5:52 remaining in the second period and assisted on another.


Calgary has dropped its last three games in Toronto but is visiting for the first time since Dec. 9, 2014. The Flames are also 3-16-1 in their last 20 there, a stretch that began at the old Maple Leaf Gardens.


After giving Niklas Backstrom his first NHL start in 14 months, Calgary is expected to send out Jonas Hiller in net for this game. Hiller is 2-5-0 with a 3.91 goals-against average in seven lifetime starts against Toronto.


Only his 4.32 GAA in six appearances versus Anaheim, his former team, is worse.


The Leafs are expected to start Jonathan Bernier, who is 4-1-0 with a 1.60 GAA in five matchups with Calgary. Only his 1.42 GAA in nine games versus Minnesota is better.


Hamilton has two goals and four assists over his last four matchups with the Leafs. He tallied three assists for the second time in four contests Sunday.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, March 21


Los Angeles @ Nashville

Game 7-8
March 21, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
9.754
Nashville
12.261
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 2 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(-115); Over

Florida @ NY Rangers

Game 1-2
March 21, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Florida
13.407
NY Rangers
12.260
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
-140
5
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
(+120); Under

Philadelphia @ NY Islanders

Game 3-4
March 21, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
12.762
NY Islanders
11.626
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+125); Over

Calgary @ Toronto

Game 5-6
March 21, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
10.682
Toronto
12.191
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-130
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-130); Under




NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, March 21

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

FLORIDA (40-23-0-9, 89 pts.) at NY RANGERS (40-24-0-8, 88 pts.) - 3/21/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 104-69 ATS (+201.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 63-37 ATS (+3.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 37-20 ATS (+13.2 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 40-32 ATS (+4.9 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games after a division game this season.
NY RANGERS are 65-73 ATS (-43.2 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 92-126 ATS (-95.7 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 178-211 ATS (-143.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 7-1 (+6.0 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 7-1-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)

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

PHILADELPHIA (34-24-0-12, 80 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (38-23-0-9, 85 pts.) - 3/21/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-14 ATS (+20.4 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 16-3 ATS (+12.3 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 14-10 ATS (+27.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-14 ATS (+37.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-15 ATS (+37.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 74-114 ATS (-47.7 Units) in home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 6-5 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 6-5-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.0 Units)

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

CALGARY (31-35-0-6, 68 pts.) at TORONTO (25-35-0-11, 61 pts.) - 3/21/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 55-98 ATS (-48.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 20-59 ATS (-43.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 32-68 ATS (+117.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 116-130 ATS (-79.4 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
TORONTO is 22-43 ATS (+76.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 8-26 ATS (-20.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-2-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)

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

LOS ANGELES (44-22-0-5, 93 pts.) at NASHVILLE (36-23-0-13, 85 pts.) - 3/21/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 13-18 ATS (-13.3 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
NASHVILLE is 209-168 ATS (+398.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 183-161 ATS (+360.0 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 36-36 ATS (-16.0 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 6-12 ATS (-11.5 Units) in home games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 16-26 ATS (+43.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 5-3 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 5-3-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (1) FLORIDA@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-03-21 19:05:00 - 2016-03-21 19:05:00
Play ON FLORIDA using money line in Road games after a division game
The record is 8 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+9.55 units)


NHL > (3) PHILADELPHIA@ (4) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play ON PHILADELPHIA using money line in Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 11 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+11 units)


NHL > (5) CALGARY@ (6) TORONTO | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season
The record is 15 Wins and 41 Losses for the last three seasons (-27.4 units)


NHL > (3) PHILADELPHIA@ (4) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play ON NY ISLANDERS using money line in All games after playing 3 consecutive road games
The record is 16 Wins and 3 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.3 units)

NHL > (5) CALGARY@ (6) TORONTO | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in All games second half of the season
The record is 20 Wins and 59 Losses for the last two seasons (-34.8 units)

NHL > (1) FLORIDA@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-03-21 19:05:00 - 2016-03-21 19:05:00
Play AGAINST NY RANGERS using money line in Home games after allowing 4 goals or more
The record is 90 Wins and 116 Losses for the since 1992 (-76 units)


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


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (1) FLORIDA@ (2) NY RANGERS | 2016-03-21 19:05:00 - 2016-03-21 19:05:00
Play ON FLORIDA in Road games after a division game
The record is 8 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+9.55 units)


NHL > (3) PHILADELPHIA@ (4) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play ON PHILADELPHIA in Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 11 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+11 units)


NHL > (5) CALGARY@ (6) TORONTO | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in All games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season
The record is 15 Wins and 41 Losses for the last three seasons (-27.4 units)


NHL > (3) PHILADELPHIA@ (4) NY ISLANDERS | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play ON NY ISLANDERS in All games after playing 3 consecutive road games
The record is 16 Wins and 3 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.3 units)


NHL > (5) CALGARY@ (6) TORONTO | 2016-03-21 19:35:00 - 2016-03-21 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in All games second half of the season
The record is 20 Wins and 59 Losses for the last two seasons (-34.8 units)


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


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (7) LOS ANGELES@ (8) NASHVILLE | 2016-03-21 20:05:00 - 2016-03-21 20:05:00
Play OVER NASHVILLE on the totalin Home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game
The record is 10 Overs and 1 Unders for the last two seasons (+9.4 units)


NHL > (7) LOS ANGELES@ (8) NASHVILLE | 2016-03-21 20:05:00 - 2016-03-21 20:05:00
Play OVER NASHVILLE on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 23 Overs and 8 Unders for the last two seasons (+14.65 units)

 

[CNOTES]

B]Yesterday's Results: 2 - 1 + 1.77
YTD: 34 - 39...........+ 5.79[/B]


MONDAY, MARCH 21


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


FLA at NYR 07:00 PM


FLA +129


O 5.0




CAL at TOR 07:30 PM


TOR -113


U 5.5




PHI at NYI 07:30 PM


NYI -125


U 5.0




LA at NAS 08:00 PM


LA +109


U 5.0

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Sabres (29-34) at Hurricanes (31-27)
Date: March 22, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Though the Carolina Hurricanes have earned at least a point in all but one of their eight games this month, they've won only three times and remain a long shot to make the playoffs.


Following another missed opportunity, the Hurricanes try to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat and season sweep by the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.


Carolina (31-27-14) has gone past regulation six times in going 3-1-4 and playing all but one game on the road this month. The Hurricanes opened their recent five-game trip with a 3-2 overtime win over Boston on March 10, then lost the next four while going to OT two more times and then a shootout against Minnesota on Saturday.


'We've got to make one more play,' coach Bill Peters said after the 3-2 loss to the Wild. "It's that tight around the league no matter who you play and where you play. Everyone is competing very hard, and everyone is desperate for points."


The Hurricanes are seven points out of the final wild-card spot and need to pass three teams to capture it. Entering Monday, Carolina leads the league in losses after regulation.


"This time of year, it's getting to playoff-type hockey," center Jordan Staal said. "Guys don't want to give up anything crazy and teams make you work for your goals.


"It's also just kind of the way we play. We've been playing solid defensively, making sure no one gets in behind us and making them work for goals. It becomes a tight match sometimes."


Carolina has managed seven goals during the 0-1-3 skid and is 0 for 9 on the power play in three games since going 1 for 3 in a 3-2 overtime loss at Buffalo (29-34-10) on March 12. The Hurricanes, who dropped five straight Nov. 10-20, were last swept in a season series by the Sabres in 2006-07.


Rookie Jack Eichel has scored three of his team-leading 22 goals against Carolina, highlighted by the OT tally earlier this month.


Buffalo sandwiched two wins around an overtime loss before putting forth a lackadaisical effort in Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Toronto. After Brian Gionta opened the scoring early in the first period, the Sabres seemed to sag while totaling 21 shots and allowing three third-period goals.


"We've got to find a way to grind things out when we're not feeling our best," Gionta told the Sabres' official website. "We didn't look like a team that had much energy but you get out to an early lead, you've got to find ways to play under those circumstances."


Buffalo hasn't scored on the power play in five road games in which it's had a chance with the man advantage. It's 1 for 31 in the last 10 road contests.


Carolina has killed off all five Buffalo penalties this season, and 42 of 46 in its last 19 games overall.


Staal scored Saturday for the second time in three games.


Buffalo's Robin Lehner has dropped four straight starts, yielding three goals in each of the last three.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Red Wings (36-25) at Lightning (41-26)
Date: March 22, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

With Niklas Kronwall back and Dylan Larkin enjoying a historic rookie season, the Detroit Red Wings are feeling good about extending their run of consecutive playoff berths.


That might not happen, though, unless they can change their recent road fortunes against Tampa Bay.


The Red Wings look to win their third straight and end a five-game slide at Amalie Arena on Tuesday night when the Lightning continue a pursuit of their first division title in 12 years.


Detroit (36-25-11) looked like it might be falling out of the postseason chase after dropping nine of 14 in a stretch that ended with a 4-3 loss at Philadelphia on March 15. The club has since regrouped, winning its last two and moving ahead of the Flyers for the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot with Saturday's 5-3 victory at Florida.


"We need to continue to build," goaltender Jimmy Howard said. "It's another step in the right direction.'


Kronwall provided a lift with two assists after he had missed the previous three games with a sprained right knee. The Red Wings are 11-4-1 in their last 16 games in which the defenseman has played.


"Well, first of all, he's an elite leader," coach Jeff Blashill told the team's official website. "Nik's a big part of our team, has been for a long time."


Pavel Datsyuk led the way Saturday with two goals, while Larkin added a goal and an assist. Larkin has team bests of 21 goals and 43 points, leaving him just shy of becoming the first Detroit rookie to finish with at least 44 since current teammate Henrik Zetterberg in 2002-03.


Larkin had an assist in a 3-1 home win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 13 and scored the late go-ahead goal in a 2-1 home victory over the Lightning on Nov. 3. Though they split four games at Amalie in last year's postseason meeting, Detroit couldn't snap its regular-season skid there in a 3-1 loss Feb. 3.


Another road defeat in this series could prove costly, as the Flyers have games in hand on the Red Wings as they push for the playoffs and attempt to end the Red Wings' drive for a 24th straight postseason appearance.


The Lightning (41-26-5) are looking to move another step closer to overtaking Florida atop the Atlantic Division. They haven't won a division title since celebrating the second of back-to-back crowns in 2003-04 - when they went on to win the Stanley Cup.


Tampa Bay, 1-4-1 in six before Saturday's 2-0 win at Arizona, opens a six-game homestand looking to avoid its first three-game slide at Amalie since Oct. 29-Nov. 10. Ben Bishop shined with 32 saves against the Coyotes, moving into first place on the team's all-time shutouts list.


Bishop is expected to get a chance to continue his bid for the Vezina Trophy after going 8-2-1 with a 1.55 goals-against average over his last 11 starts. He's posted a 1.69 GAA in winning eight of 12 career games against Detroit, though he broke a three-game losing streak in the series Feb. 3.


"He's absolutely one of the best goalies in the league, no doubt," defenseman Anton Stralman told the team's official website. "I think that's pretty obvious the last couple of years."


Nikita Kucherov has scored in his last two games overall and also has two goals over his past two against Detroit. Ondrej Palat is having a strong March with six goals in nine games

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Ducks (40-22) at Canadiens (33-34)
Date: March 22, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Anaheim Ducks appear to be getting back on track after a brief slump, but their rough start to the season makes such stretches all the more damaging as they try to complete their resurgence and win the Pacific Division.


They'll try for their third straight victory and fourth in five games Tuesday night when they visit the Montreal Canadiens, whose fast start is an increasingly distant memory in a lost season.


Anaheim (40-22-9) has rebounded from an 0-2-1 skid that followed its 18-1-1 stretch, but even that short slide has left the Ducks struggling to keep pace with surging Los Angeles in the race for the Pacific title. Their 1-7-2 start has left little margin for error as the regular season winds down, and they're also trying to hold off San Jose, one point behind them, for the second spot.


"Expectations were high at the start of the season," defenseman Kevin Bieksa told the team's official website. "We wanted to be at the top of the division the whole year, and we weren't. We had to claw our way back. When you start losing a bunch of games, it starts to snowball. It feels like you're never going to get it back together, but we stayed positive. We didn't turn on each other."


Jakob Silfverberg scored in overtime in Sunday's 3-2 victory over Winnipeg to open a five-game trip that could go a long way toward deciding the division race. The effort hardly impressed coach Bruce Boudreau, though.


'We weren't very good,' he said. 'We gave up way too many chances. ... if we want to be successful in the last 11 games and beyond, we got to play better.'


Anaheim, which avoided a third straight road loss and is 13-3-2 in its last 18 away from home, killed off all three Jets power plays, making it seven straight games and 20 short-handed situations without allowing a goal - improving its league-best percentage to 87.3.


The Ducks defeated Montreal 3-2 in a shootout March 2, their third straight win in the series. They're 8-1-2 in the last 11 matchups.


Jamie McGinn scored in that game, his first with Anaheim after being acquired from Buffalo on Feb. 29. McGinn has five goals in 10 games with the Ducks, including one in each of the last three.


While Anaheim has scored 15 goals during its 3-1-0 stretch, the Canadiens have been outscored 19-6 in a 1-4-0 span, the latest rough patch in a bizarre season.


Since opening 19-4-3, Montreal (33-34-6) has averaged 2.09 goals, tied for the worst mark in the league. It will face an Anaheim club that's second in the NHL with 2.25 allowed per game.


The Canadiens dropped their second straight Sunday, 4-1 to Calgary for their third consecutive home loss. Montreal had surrendered 10 straight goals before rookie Michael McCarron's first career tally in the third period.


Rookie Mike Condon continued to struggle, making 31 saves to give him a 3.40 goals-against average in a 1-5-1 stretch. He ranks toward the bottom of the league with a .904 save percentage and has seemed clearly overwhelmed by having to replace injured star Carey Price, who's likely out for the season.


"This is the most that he's played in his career, even I'm talking about college hockey," coach Michel Therrien said. "We didn't plan this, obviously, at the beginning of the year, but that's a reality."


Condon stopped 33 shots against Anaheim earlier this month, while John Gibson picked up the win for the Ducks with 25 saves.


Gibson has gone 5-2-1 with a 1.91 GAA over his last nine starts. He has won both career starts against Montreal with a 1.44 mark.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Capitals (51-15) at Senators (34-31)
Date: March 22, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Washington Capitals are on the verge of clinching the Metropolitan Division title and the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but their latest effort proved they're hardly a polished product and still have some issues on the road.


Looking to bounce back from one of their worst defeats of 2015-16, the Capitals can avoid a fourth straight road loss by sweeping the season series from the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.


Washington (51-15-5) had a chance to nail down the division with a third straight victory Sunday, but instead yielded its highest goal total of the season in a 6-2 loss at Pittsburgh. Though the defeat was ugly and gave the Capitals their longest road slide of 2015-16, perhaps most concerning within the dressing room was the timing of the performance.


"You can talk all you want about how many points you've accumulated during the regular season, but once you get to the playoffs, that's all out the window," defenseman Brooks Orpik told the team's official website. "We better start playing a little bit better."


Washington allowed the first two goals before tying it in the second. However, Braden Holtby yielded five goals on 26 shots before he was pulled. He had given up one goal in two straight and three of his previous four starts.


Though the Capitals killed six of seven penalties against the Penguins, they've allowed 15 goals during the 0-2-1 road skid.


"We got exactly what we deserved," coach Barry Trotz said. "I'm not going to file it. I'm not going to let guys off the hook. There's no excuse for the sloppy play, the lack of execution when the heat was on."


In the midst of a 4-0-1 stretch against Ottawa (34-31-8), the Capitals appear to have a good opportunity to get back on track by sweeping this season series for the first time since 2007-08. Holtby and backup Philipp Grubauer have combined to stop 58 of 60 shots in two meetings this season.


Alex Ovechkin has two of his league-leading 42 goals in the last 11 games, but scored twice in a 7-1 home rout of the Senators on Jan. 10. Nicklas Backstrom and Jason Chimera each had three assists.


Ottawa has totaled eight goals in the last five against Washington, but has scored 13 times to win three of its past four games overall. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Curtis Lazar and Alex Chiasson recorded short-handed goals in Saturday's 5-0 victory over Montreal.


The Senators rank 29th in the NHL in penalty killing at 75.4 percent, but lead the league with 15 short-handed goals. Pageau's six short-handed scores are also the most in the NHL.


"Any time you get one short-handed goal, you look at it as a bonus," coach Dave Cameron told the league's official website. "To get three is kind of the exception."


Seven points out of the final wild-card spot and needing to pass four teams to capture it, Ottawa has actually been better of late with the disadvantage by killing 17 of 18 penalties in six games.


"Regardless of where we are in the standings right now, I think we're a high-character group," said Andrew Hammond, who made 30 saves Saturday.


Hammond allowed all nine goals on 61 shots in the last two against Washington.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Canucks (27-32) at Jets (29-37)
Date: March 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The effects of the Vancouver Canucks' rough season might finally be taking their toll on one of the Sedin brothers.


After questioning the work ethic of his teammates in their most recent contest, Daniel Sedin expects a more spirited performance Tuesday night as the visiting Canucks try to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat and season sweep by the lowly Winnipeg Jets.


Vancouver's skid began with a 5-2 home loss to Winnipeg (29-37-6) last Monday. The Canucks (27-32-12) lost 3-1 to Colorado two nights later and were shut out in their next two games.


After they were outshot 50-19 in Saturday's 3-0 loss to St. Louis, the usually mild-mannered Sedin couldn't hold back.


"The effort should always be there," said Sedin, who has combined with brother Henrik for two points in four games. "It doesn't matter where you are in the standings or what kind of team you are. That's not good enough.


"This is too tough a league to go out there and hope. You've got to work for your chances, you've got to work for your teammates. Once we realize that, we can be a good team. You need all (the guys)."


A loser of 12 of 17, the Western Conference's lowest-scoring team has averaged 2.1 goals in 22 games and is 0 for 23 on the power play in the last seven. The only time the Canucks were blanked in three straight games was Jan. 7-10, 1984.


Injuries and a poor record have Vancouver turning to youth in the final weeks of the season, but Daniel Sedin wouldn't allow that to be an excuse for the Canucks' level of play.


"If they don't have confidence it's because they don't work hard," he said. "That's the way I look at it. The effort has to be there every night. That's all we can ask for right now."


Vancouver, which lost five in a row Nov. 27-Dec. 5, totaled three goals in the first two games against the Jets. It fell 4-1 at Winnipeg on Nov. 18.


The Jets, however, have been outscored 11-3 in going 0-2-1 since winning at Vancouver last week. Winnipeg lost for the 15th time in 19 home games, 3-2 in overtime to Anaheim on Sunday.


"We owe it to the fans," coach Paul Maurice told the NHL's official website. "This is not where we want to be. We want to put in a good effort out there, we want to play right and make it an exciting game."


Points leader Blake Wheeler snapped a 10-game goal drought with his 19th but the Jets didn't convert any of their three power-play chances and are 1 for 28 in the last nine.


Wheeler has two goals and three assists during a five-game point streak against Vancouver.


The Sedins had four goals and 10 assists in a combined four-game point streak against Winnipeg before both were shut out in last week's meeting.


Michael Hutchinson made 26 saves in that matchup with the Canucks and 30 on Sunday.


Vancouver's Ryan Miller has posted a 3.30 goals-against average while losing all four career starts at Winnipeg.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Stars (43-21) at Blackhawks (42-24)
Date: March 22, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks are running out of chances to catch the Dallas Stars in the Central Division, and the same goes for the Western Conference's top spot.


If they aren't careful, there will be plenty of opportunities to fall in the opposite direction.


The Blackhawks hope to remain within reach of the Stars, who will go for their fourth win in the season series Tuesday night at the United Center while continuing life without Tyler Seguin.


Chicago is mired in a 1-3-2 stretch, though it picked up points in Friday's 4-0 win at Winnipeg and Sunday's 3-2 shootout loss to Minnesota - its third straight defeat at home.


Still, the Blackhawks (42-24-7) are struggling while it seems the rest of the West contenders are making a move. Their 91 points trail Dallas (43-21-9) by four, but they also sit behind Los Angeles and St. Louis while Anaheim, San Jose and Nashville lurk close behind.


Backup Scott Darling has played well in net with Corey Crawford slow to return from an upper-body injury. Darling has a 1.64 goals-against average and .945 save percentage in three straight starts, which included his second career shutout against the Jets and a 32-save effort against the Wild.


"It's good for me to get a little momentum going," Darling said. "It's good going forward that I'll have this experience."


When asked if Crawford, who allowed nine goals in two starts before his injury, will return against Dallas, coach Joel Quenneville said, "We'll see."


Darling played in two games against Dallas this season, relieving an ineffective Crawford each time. While Crawford holds a 4.58 GAA and an .879 save percentage in four starts against the Stars, Darling allowed one goal on 25 shots in his appearances.


Not surprisingly, the Stars won three of four meetings, giving them victories in five of the last six overall.


Dallas is 5-1-2 following a 1-5-2 stretch. The NHL's top-scoring team, though, will be without Seguin for three to four weeks after surgery to repair a small cut of his left Achilles tendon. He hopes to be back for the start of the playoffs - which the Stars could clinch a spot into Tuesday.


Seguin's 33 goals rank second on the team to Jamie Benn's 36.


Seguin suffered the injury late in Thursday's 4-3 win over Tampa Bay, the same game former Chicago forward Patrick Sharp returned from a six-game absence because of a lower-body injury.


Equally concerning to the injury issues had been the defensive end of the ice after the Stars surrendered five goals in each of their previous two games - the sixth time they had allowed at least that many in 13 contests.


However, Kari Lehtonen has played well in net the last two, leading some to believe he has earned the postseason starting job over Antti Niemi.


Lehtonen improved to 21-9-2 by making 27 saves in Saturday's 3-0 win over the New York Islanders for his second shutout. He has started seven of the last eight games, winning five.


'I'm not establishing anybody as No. 1,' coach Lindy Ruff said. 'But I like the way (Lehtonen's) playing, and the reason he has been playing is because his game has been better than Antti's.'


Dallas will face a Chicago power play that ranks in the top five of the league with a 22.3 percentage but is in an 0-for-17 slump over the last five.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Oilers (29-39) at Coyotes (31-34)
Date: March 22, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Though the playoffs appear to be a longshot, Mike Smith isn't willing to give up the fight.


The veteran goaltender has been solid since returning from an extended absence, but his effort won't matter unless the Arizona Coyotes can find a way to put the puck in the net.


With Smith expected to get a chance to extend his dominance in this series, the Coyotes will go after their 24th win in the past 29 meetings with the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.


Arizona (31-34-7) would need an unlikely turn of events to secure its first postseason berth since reaching the Western Conference finals in 2011-12. After going 9-18-3 in its last 30, the club has fallen 11 points back of the final wild-card spot with 10 games remaining.


The Coyotes received a nice bump when Smith returned for the first time since undergoing core muscle surgery in December. They won the last two of a three-game winning streak with Smith between the pipes before he got the night off in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Tampa Bay.


Smith then had 33 saves Sunday when Arizona was blanked for the second straight game in a 3-0 loss at San Jose. The 10th-year pro has stopped 104 of 107 shots in his three games back.


"For the rest of the season I'll keep pushing forward," Smith told the team's official website. "We're definitely doing some good things but we've got to find ways to win these games."


The Coyotes will have to find a way to avoid getting shut out in three straight for the first time since March 2013 to get that done. It doesn't help that Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who has a team-high 49 points, is uncertain to play after missing six games with a shoulder injury.


Arizona, however, might not need much scoring as Smith looks to extend a 14-game streak (12-0-1) with at least one point earned against the Oilers that's tied for the league's second-longest active run for a goalie versus any opponent. He owns a 2.14 goals-against average over that span after finishing with 44 saves in a 4-0 win at Edmonton on March 12.


Arizona is 3-0-1 in the season series and 23-1-4 in 28 meetings since January 2010.


The Coyotes have totaled seven goals in two games against Cam Talbot this season. Edmonton's goalie, though, has posted a 1.66 GAA in winning seven of his past nine starts and has allowed three goals with a .978 save percentage over a four-game road winning streak.


Talbot is likely to get the nod after Laurent Brossoit had 22 saves in Sunday's 3-2 home loss to Colorado that snapped a two-game winning streak. Matt Hendricks and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored, while star rookie Connor McDavid had his fifth assist in four games.


Edmonton (29-39-7), which has won seven of 12, is trying to avoid finishing at the bottom of the conference with a one-point edge over Winnipeg.


'We may not be a playoff team, but we have playoff fans,' coach Todd McLellan said. 'At some point, we have to reward them.'


McLellan's club will have to contain Max Domi, who has four goals and two assists in the season series. Ekman-Larsson has four goals and seven points over his last six meetings.