NHL betting news and notes: Sens in deep trouble
Return of the Rangers
The Blueshirts have playing well lately, going 4-0-2 in their last six games.
According to Chris Drury, New York’s 6-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 30 provided important lessons for his team.
“The biggest thing we realized is that losing little battles for the puck adds up to losing two points. We regrouped after that game (Philadelphia). We're more committed," Drury told the New York Post.
The Rangers will be aided by the return of Vinny Prospal, their second leading scorer.
"He'll help our power play," head coach John Tortorella told the New York Post. "We've missed him on the power play, his enthusiasm. He's played well for us."
Sens of frustration
While injuries are a factor behind Ottawa’s struggles, the real problem according to Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen, is previous GM John Muckler’s inability to draft players that will develop in NHL regulars.
As a result, Panzeri writes, Ottawa is playing with players like Erik Karlsson that belong in the AHL, and do not have depth to replace players out with injury.
“Unless you have a defenseman tree, we have no other defensemen,” The Ottawa Citizen quoted head coach Cory Clouston as saying.
Ottawa opened as a +142 underdog Tuesday night to the Atlanta Thrashers, a team that has lost 10 of its last 11 games.
Official misconduct?
History between a player and official has occasionally made headlines in the NBA, but rarely in the NHL.
On Monday night, Burrows was called for three penalties in the third period, including a diving penalty and an interference penalty with less than five minutes to play.
Following the game, Vancouver Canucks winger Alex Burrows accused referee Stephane Auger of targeting him as revenge for an incident on Dec. 8 in Nashville.
“It was personal," said an angry Burrows after the game. "It started in warm-up. Before the anthem, the ref came over and said I made him look bad in Nashville on the Smithson hit and he was going to get me back tonight.”
Feeling Ducky
The Anaheim Ducks are six points out of a playoff spot, but their fortunes are looking much better than they were a week ago.
The Ducks have won four games in a row and, as Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports, confidence in each other and in goaltender Jonas Hiller is the main reason for Anaheim’s current success.
“It’s certainly dramatic what a week can change as far as a team’s outlook goes,” winger Bobby Ryan told the Orange Country Register. “Confidence is high right now. When you play with confidence, it’s going to translate onto the ice.”
Jonas Hiller has been in top form over his last 12 games. He’s sporting a 2.11 goals against average and .936 save percentage over the streak.
Anaheim is +7500 to win the Stanley Cup at 5Dimes.com.
On schedule
Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings, Saturday Jan. 16:
The Bruins have a difficult road trip this week, with games in Anaheim on Wednesday, San Jose on Thursday and Los Angeles on Saturday.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Vancouver Canucks, Saturday Jan. 16:
Pittsburgh finishes off a five-game road trip with its third game in four nights. After back-to-back games against Calgary and Edmonton, the Penguins face the surging Canucks on Hockey Night in Canada.
Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings, Sunday Jan. 17:
Three games in four nights for the Blackhawks and they are all against division rivals. After a home-and-home with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday and Saturday, the Hawks travel to Detroit to face a Red Wings team that has won four of five.