The Bum's National Hockey League March Rated Plays - Trends - News - Etc. !!

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Canadiens (33-32) at Senators (33-30)
Date: March 19, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The amount of games to make the playoffs are dwindling for both the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, and the Atlantic Division rivals have failed to generate any consistent momentum for a push ahead of Saturday night's critical game in Ontario's capital.

The Senators (33-30-8) were denied a third straight win after losing 3-1 at Buffalo on Friday. They conceded a pair of goals around Alex Chiasson's tally in the first 8:17 of the contest and failed to help themselves by playing short-handed for more than half of the final 7:03.

"We need more pride; need to battle a little hard," Chiasson told the team's official website. "We're fighting for our life, our playoff hope. Not the effort that's demanded of us. We should expect more from ourselves."

Ottawa's power play again sputtered, going 0 for 4 to extend its man-advantage drought to 21 chances over the last eight games. The Senators had killed all 11 penalties over the previous four games before yielding a power-play goal 2:07 into Friday night's defeat.

'Not good enough,' said goaltender Craig Anderson, echoing Chiasson's sentiments. 'Bottom line is we didn't get two points and that's what we needed.'

The Senators are seven points behind Detroit for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 10 games remaining.

While Ottawa was unable to extend its winning streak, Montreal (33-32-6) avoided a third straight loss by defeating Buffalo 3-2 in overtime Wednesday. Paul Byron's winning goal deflected off the stick of a Sabres defenseman to make sure Ben Scrivens' season-high 41 saves didn't go for naught.

"We played with a lot of emotion last game, which is an encouraging sign," forward Lars Eller said after practice Friday. "It's nice to see everyone not backing off."

Coach Michel Therrien rewarded Scrivens with another start, which will be his first against Ottawa since a 4-3 overtime loss Nov. 13, 2014, playing for Edmonton. Scrivens is 2-2-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average in five lifetime starts versus the Senators.

Montreal's postseason situation is as dire as Ottawa's, entering this game nine points behind Detroit. The Canadiens will be without P.K. Subban - second on the team with 51 points - for both their games this weekend as Therrien ruled his top defenseman out as he continues to recover from a neck injury suffered March 10.

The Habs' defense corps took another hit Friday when Mark Barberio was ruled out due to concussion-like symptoms.

Montreal has taken five of six possible points this season between the teams after a 3-1 victory in the most recent meeting Dec. 12. The Canadiens tied a franchise record with 27 first-period shots before chasing Anderson in the second.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau has scored three of Ottawa's four goals in the season series, one in each game, and the Senators are 0 for 7 on the power play versus the Habs.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sabres (28-33) at Maple Leafs (24-35)
Date: March 19, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Buffalo Sabres finally snapped their losing streak in Toronto earlier this month with help from star rookies Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel.

Reinhart also got the Sabres going in their latest victory and will try to deliver another in Saturday night's rematch with the Maple Leafs.

Buffalo (29-33-10) snapped a six-game skid at the Air Canada Centre by rallying for a 4-3 shootout victory March 7. Eichel started the comeback by scoring one of the Sabres' two goals in the third period and Reinhart had the only score of the shootout.

Reinhart scored his 20th goal in a 3-1 win against visiting Ottawa on Friday and registered an assist. He had one goal in his previous 12 games.

Reinhart and Eichel are the third Sabres rookie duo with 20-plus goals and first since Danny Gare and Peter McNab in 1974-75.

"They're going to be a huge part of our team moving forward and we're lucky to have both of them," defenseman Zach Bogosian said.

Buffalo, which hasn't won back-to-back games since Feb. 12 and 14, will try to send Toronto to a fourth consecutive defeat in the series. The Sabres have won each of this season's two meetings in shootouts.

The Maple Leafs (24-35-11) were denied a third straight victory and their third in a row at home Thursday with a 4-1 defeat to Florida. After allowing one goal in its previous two games, Toronto was bitten by a pair of unlucky bounces.

The Panthers' Jussi Jokinen was credited with goals when two passing attempts off Maple Leafs sticks got past Jonathan Bernier.

"Two goals that are pretty lucky," said defenseman Morgan Rielly, who scored his team's goal. "I don't think that they would argue that. But that's just the way the game goes. They played well. They played with speed and they generated those chances."

Garret Sparks is expected to end Bernier's run of three consecutive starts. He was in net earlier this month against the Sabres, one of 10 career starts.

Buffalo goaltender Robin Lehner is dealing with a nagging right ankle injury, an ailment that caused him to miss 39 games earlier this season. Nathan Lieuwen was called up in his absence and could get his sixth career start - and first since 2013-14 - on Saturday with Chad Johnson having played Friday.

Lieuwen has never faced Toronto while Johnson has been in net for both matchups this season.

Evander Kane will try to provide support for whichever netminder starts by adding to his three goals and two assists in his last five games against Toronto.

Maple Leafs forward Brad Boyes had three goals and four assists in his past six games against his former team but is among a number of Maple Leafs who are dealing with injuries. Boyes has an ailing shoulder that's kept him out since March 7 against Buffalo, and leading goal scorer Leo Komarov has a lower-body injury.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Devils (34-30) at Blue Jackets (28-34)
Date: March 19, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

A stunning offensive outburst has the New Jersey Devils feeling better about their unlikely postseason chances, but getting there probably means solving an unexpected nemesis.

The last-place Columbus Blue Jackets go for their sixth straight win over the Devils when they open a weekend home-and-home set in Columbus on Saturday night.

New Jersey (34-30-7) followed Monday's 7-1 loss at Anaheim with a season-high goal total in Thursday's 7-4 win over Minnesota.

Devante Smith-Pelly scored his fifth and sixth goals since New Jersey acquired him from Montreal at the trade deadline, and Mike Sislo and Adam Henrique each added two.

Smith-Pelly has provided punch to the league's lowest-scoring team with six goals and three assists in seven games with the Devils. He had six each in 46 with the Canadiens.

He's helped New Jersey to three wins in four games, keeping it within six points of Detroit for the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot. The Devils had scored nine goals in five games before Thursday.

'There is no quit in this team,' Henrique said. 'Obviously there is still a shot. We'll just keep finding ways to keep putting points up.'

The Devils' final nine games aren't easy, and that includes the two matchups with Columbus (28-34-8). The Blue Jackets extended their series win streak to five with three regulation victories this season, the latest a 6-1 home rout Feb. 25.

Sergei Bobrovsky has won four straight over New Jersey after making 50 saves and allowing two goals in the first two wins. He's posted a 1.50 goals-against average in those four contests.

However, Bobrovsky has struggled this month since returning from a groin injury, losing all three of his starts with a 3.38 GAA. He hasn't won since Dec. 5 and has posted a 3.82 mark in his last five starts, allowing three goals on 22 shots in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Red Wings.

While the Devils are hitting their stride, the Blue Jackets are skidding with three straight defeats to fall to 1-3-0 on their five-game homestand. They averaged 3.5 goals during a 5-2-1 stretch but have followed with three total during their losing streak.

Coach John Tortorella mixed up his lines against Detroit, moving Boone Jenner to center on the top line between Brandon Saad and Cam Atkinson. Brandon Dubinsky rotated from center to wing on the second line with Alexander Wennberg and rookie Oliver Bjorkstrand.

Wennberg scored with one minute left Thursday as the Blue Jackets narrowly averted being shut out for the second straight time. They lost 4-0 to Tampa Bay on Sunday.

'I didn't think we played poorly, and I don't think we were lazy,' Tortorella said. 'On the other hand, I don't think we played that well. And I don't think we played that hard. We were kind of caught in between.'

Columbus will look for an offensive jolt against a struggling goaltender. New Jersey's Keith Kinkaid has allowed 10 goals in the last two games, getting pulled against the Ducks before benefiting from the Devils' offensive outburst against the Wild.

The Blue Jackets beat Kinkaid three times on 13 shots in February after he replaced No. 1 goalie Cory Schneider, who is sidelined with a sprained right knee.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Islanders (38-22) at Stars (42-21)
Date: March 19, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Tyler Seguin and reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn make up the league's highest-scoring duo for the Dallas Stars.


Only Benn will be able to help keep Dallas atop the Western Conference.

The Stars are forced to play at least the rest of the regular season without the injured Seguin, beginning with Saturday night's visit from the New York Islanders.

Benn ranks behind only Chicago's Patrick Kane with 80 points and is followed closely by Seguin, who has 33 goals and 40 assists. That production has helped the Stars (42-21-9) lead the West by two points over St. Louis and Los Angeles with 10 games to play, although the Kings have two in hand.

Benn scored in the second period Thursday against Tampa Bay, then assisted on Stephen Johns' tying goal in the third before scoring two minutes later in a 4-3 victory as Dallas snapped a 1-1-2 slump. His last goal marked his career-high 36th.

The victory was marred, though, when Seguin suffered a cut to his Achilles tendon during the final shift of the game. General manager Jim Nill addressed the media Friday and said Seguin underwent surgery that morning to stitch a 15 percent cut of the tendon.

Seguin will be out three to four weeks with the hope that he can return for the start of the playoffs.

"It's as good of a case scenario as it could be considering where he got cut," Nill said. "Another eighth of an inch and it could've severed the whole thing. It's really just time to heal now."

The Stars for now plan to move forward without making a call-up from the AHL after Patrick Sharp returned from a lower-body injury that kept him out the previous six. The offense certainly will take a hit with Seguin out, but Benn is more concerned about the Stars' defensive game.

Dallas has allowed 13 goals over its last three games and at least three in 11 of 14.

"We definitely want to get the goals against down," Benn said. "I thought our third period (Thursday) was our strongest, and we found a way to win."

New York (38-22-9) has outscored the Stars 26-18 while winning four of the last five meetings, including a 6-5 victory Jan. 3 when 12 Islanders recorded a point. Kyle Okposo and Cal Clutterbuck had two goals apiece.

The Islanders, though, are in the midst of a 1-2-2 stretch and will try to salvage the last of their three-game road trip. Ryan Pulock scored his first NHL goal and Brock Nelson added one in the third of Thursday's 4-2 loss to Nashville.

New York is clinging to a one-point lead over Pittsburgh for the Metropolitan Division's last automatic playoff berth.

'It's been the same theme for us," coach Jack Capuano said. "It's the common denominator that we try to make the sexy play and we don't want to get pucks to the net."

Mikhail Grabovski isn't likely to play after being sent back to New York because of an upper-body injury. He returned for Tuesday's shootout loss to the Penguins after missing the previous 10 but sat out against the Predators.

Thomas Greiss continues to get the work in net with Jaroslav Halak out for at least a few more weeks. He faced 41 shots in the first meeting with the Stars.

Antti Niemi could be in net for Dallas looking to snap out of his slump. He has a 4.72 goals-against average in his last six starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lightning (40-26) at Coyotes (31-32)
Date: March 19, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Lightning have had little success since their team-record winning streak ended two weeks ago.

Things might not get any easier Saturday night considering how well the Arizona Coyotes have played of late.

The Lightning can salvage a split of their four-game trip by avoiding a third straight loss and preventing the Coyotes from matching a season high with their fourth consecutive win.

Tampa Bay (40-26-5) held a two-point lead in the Atlantic Division after winning its ninth in a row March 5, but have dropped to third by going 1-4-1 since. The Lightning are four points behind first-place Florida and four up on Detroit.

"We understand where we're at and how things are going," goaltender Ben Bishop said. "It's about manning up now."

Bishop made 37 saves as the Lightning opened the trip with a 4-0 win over Columbus on Sunday, but fell 4-1 to lowly Toronto two days later. They led three times Thursday against Dallas, but failed to hold a 3-2 advantage and were outshot 17-4 in the third of a 4-3 loss.

"The guys in the room, they're going to hold themselves accountable," coach Jon Cooper told the NHL's official website. "We were doing everything right for two periods and then to come out and completely change the way they played, we got to do better.

"We got to be better, it's the bottom line."

Steven Stamkos, who recorded his second two-goal game of the trip, thinks the Lightning might be too eager for the postseason to begin.

"We played like a fragile team that was scared to lose and not hungry to close out a game," he said. "We can't let that fear of losing creep in at this time of the year. There's almost that feeling like we want the playoffs to get here, but there's still a lot of hockey left.

"We'll address that, nip that, and stay focused for these last 11 games of the season."

Stamkos opened the scoring as the Lightning won their third straight over Arizona, 2-1 on Feb. 23. Tampa Bay has won 13 of 17 in the series.

The Coyotes (31-32-7), though, have outscored opponents 11-2 during their three-game winning streak. Arizona won four in a row Jan. 4-12.

After missing 40 games with a lower body injury, Mike Smith delivered a stellar 44-save performance in last Saturday's 4-0 victory at Edmonton, then stopped 27 shots in a 3-1 victory over San Jose on Thursday.

"I knew what to expect more going into (Thursday's) game, but there were still some times where it was a little uncomfortable," the ex-Tampa Bay netminder said. "I definitely felt better than I did in Edmonton. It's a good sign ... It's a process. I know what to expect now."

Smith is 2-3-0 with a 3.90 goals-against average against his former club.

Shane Doan has a goal and three assists in three games for the Coyotes, who have gone 4 for 9 on the power play in the last four. They've killed all 12 penalties over the same stretch.

Stamkos converted on Tampa Bay's only power-play chance Thursday after it went 0 for 19 in the previous eight games.

It's uncertain if Arizona points leader Oliver Ekman-Larsson (upper body) will miss a fifth straight game.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blues (41-22) at Canucks (27-30)
Date: March 19, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

After conceding 11 goals in consecutive defeats, the St. Louis Blues are more than ready to welcome Brian Elliott back.

Elliott will return from a 10-game absence from a lower-body injury Saturday night when the visiting Blues seek to hand the Vancouver Canucks a fourth straight defeat.

The goaltender was on a roll with a 1.99 goals-against average in winning five straight starts before leaving in the first period of a 6-3 defeat to San Jose on Feb. 22. St. Louis (41-22-9) went 6-4-0 in the games he missed with Jake Allen starting in his place.

"It's good to get the opportunity to get back in there," Elliott said. "I've been practicing well here for almost two weeks now, so it's good to get back in game action."

Allen won six straight starts between Feb. 28-March 12 before allowing nine of the team's 11 goals in losses by 7-4 to Calgary on Monday and 6-4 to Edmonton two days later. The Blues feel he may be getting fatigued by the heavy ice time.

"At the end of the day when you're traveling like this and you're playing this many games, you're gonna get worn down," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "It's funny, we've reached the edge on both guys when we were close to getting worn down with 'em and then the other guy came back in and helped us. Our timing has been perfect on it and it's time for Brian to start sharing some of the load for us here."

St. Louis, which has scored at least four goals in its last six road games, is two points behind Dallas for the Western Conference lead.

It looks like the Blues will see a face from their past in goal for the Canucks in Ryan Miller, who played 19 games for St. Louis in 2013-14. Miller has faced the Blues twice since he played for them, going 1-1-0 with a 2.55 GAA.

He figures to get the start since Jacob Markstrom made 23 saves in Friday's 2-0 loss at Edmonton. Vancouver (27-31-12) has totaled three goals in this losing streak, falling to the Oilers despite a 40-25 advantage in shots.

'I thought we had some really good chances to score, but with 40 shots, we should have created some more grade-A chances,' captain Henrik Sedin said.

Winger Radim Vrbata's status is uncertain after he left Friday with a lower-body injury.

Vancouver is 0 for 20 on the power play in its last six games and that figures to be welcome news for St. Louis. The Blues have allowed a power-play goal in a season-high five straight games, including four in six chances Wednesday.

"Well I can start with saying that we're just taking too many penalties," center Patrik Berglund said. "It's hard to kill off that many penalties. But also we're obviously in a slump, we're not doing the job we should do out there."

The Blues ended an 0-4-2 streak in this series by winning 4-3 on the road Oct. 16 in the season's lone matchup.

"They're a heavy team, they're waiting for us so that's gonna be a challenge for us coming home," Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (3) CAROLINA@ (4) MINNESOTA | 2016-03-19 14:05:00 - 2016-03-19 14:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in Home games second half of the season
The record is 3 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-13.8 units)

NHL > (11) BUFFALO@ (12) TORONTO | 2016-03-19 19:05:00 - 2016-03-19 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO using money line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 3 Wins and 20 Losses for the this season (-15.2 units)

NHL > (5) NY RANGERS@ (6) SAN JOSE | 2016-03-19 16:05:00 - 2016-03-19 16:05:00
Play AGAINST SAN JOSE using money line in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 13 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-28.45 units)

NHL > (11) BUFFALO@ (12) TORONTO | 2016-03-19 19:05:00 - 2016-03-19 19:05:00
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 7 Wins and 26 Losses for the last two seasons (-19 units)

NHL > (15) NY ISLANDERS@ (16) DALLAS | 2016-03-19 20:05:00 - 2016-03-19 20:05:00
Play AGAINST NY ISLANDERS using money line in Road games on Saturday games
The record is 6 Wins and 23 Losses for the last three seasons (-20 units)

NHL > (3) CAROLINA@ (4) MINNESOTA | 2016-03-19 14:05:00 - 2016-03-19 14:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in All games second half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 23 Losses for the this season (-17.3 units)

NHL > (21) BOSTON@ (22) LOS ANGELES | 2016-03-19 22:35:00 - 2016-03-19 22:35:00
Play AGAINST LOS ANGELES using money line in Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 66 Wins and 90 Losses for the since 1992 (-68.1 units)

NHL > (1) PITTSBURGH@ (2) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-19 13:05:00 - 2016-03-19 13:05:00
Play ON PHILADELPHIA using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 20 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (+12.65 units)

NHL > (1) PITTSBURGH@ (2) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-19 13:05:00 - 2016-03-19 13:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH using money line in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 23 Wins and 34 Losses for the last two seasons (-24.6 units)

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

NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (3) CAROLINA@ (4) MINNESOTA | 2016-03-19 14:05:00 - 2016-03-19 14:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA in Home games second half of the season
The record is 3 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-13.8 units)

NHL > (11) BUFFALO@ (12) TORONTO | 2016-03-19 19:05:00 - 2016-03-19 19:05:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 3 Wins and 20 Losses for the this season (-15.2 units)

NHL > (5) NY RANGERS@ (6) SAN JOSE | 2016-03-19 16:05:00 - 2016-03-19 16:05:00
Play AGAINST SAN JOSE in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 13 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-28.45 units)

NHL > (11) BUFFALO@ (12) TORONTO | 2016-03-19 19:05:00 - 2016-03-19 19:05:00
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 7 Wins and 26 Losses for the last two seasons (-19 units)

NHL > (15) NY ISLANDERS@ (16) DALLAS | 2016-03-19 20:05:00 - 2016-03-19 20:05:00
Play AGAINST NY ISLANDERS in Road games on Saturday games
The record is 6 Wins and 23 Losses for the last three seasons (-20 units)

NHL > (3) CAROLINA@ (4) MINNESOTA | 2016-03-19 14:05:00 - 2016-03-19 14:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA in All games second half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 23 Losses for the this season (-17.3 units)

NHL > (1) PITTSBURGH@ (2) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-19 13:05:00 - 2016-03-19 13:05:00
Play ON PHILADELPHIA in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 20 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (+12.65 units)

NHL > (1) PITTSBURGH@ (2) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-19 13:05:00 - 2016-03-19 13:05:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH in All games vs. division opponents
The record is 23 Wins and 34 Losses for the last two seasons (-24.6 units)

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

NHL TOTALS

NHL > (9) MONTREAL@ (10) OTTAWA | 2016-03-19 19:05:00 - 2016-03-19 19:05:00
Play OVER MONTREAL on the totalin Road games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 7 Overs and 0 Unders for the this season (+7.35 units)

NHL > (5) NY RANGERS@ (6) SAN JOSE | 2016-03-19 16:05:00 - 2016-03-19 16:05:00
Play OVER SAN JOSE on the totalin Home games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 11 Overs and 2 Unders for the this season (+9.15 units)

NHL > (11) BUFFALO@ (12) TORONTO | 2016-03-19 19:05:00 - 2016-03-19 19:05:00
Play OVER TORONTO on the totalin Home games after allowing 4 goals or more
The record is 23 Overs and 8 Unders for the last two seasons (+14.85 units)

NHL > (11) BUFFALO@ (12) TORONTO | 2016-03-19 19:05:00 - 2016-03-19 19:05:00
Play OVER TORONTO on the totalin Home games on Saturday games
The record is 26 Overs and 9 Unders for the last three seasons (+16.85 units)

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, March 19

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

PITTSBURGH (38-24-0-8, 84 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (34-23-0-12, 80 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 82-75 ATS (-30.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 41-42 ATS (-21.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 23-34 ATS (-28.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 20-25 ATS (-16.9 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 21-27 ATS (-19.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-14 ATS (+2.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-13 ATS (+33.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-14 ATS (+36.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 11-1 ATS (+9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 70-78 ATS (-66.5 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-52 ATS (+86.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 8-2 (+9.6 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 8-2-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)

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

CAROLINA (31-27-0-13, 75 pts.) at MINNESOTA (32-28-0-11, 75 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 2:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 19-49 ATS (+88.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 59-111 ATS (+195.4 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1996.
CAROLINA is 12-6 ATS (+18.7 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
MINNESOTA is 32-39 ATS (-11.6 Units) in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 12-23 ATS (-22.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 27-33 ATS (-11.3 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 12-17 ATS (-10.0 Units) in non-conference games this season.
MINNESOTA is 7-13 ATS (-13.7 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-21 ATS (-12.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-4 ATS (-6.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 5-0-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)

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

NY RANGERS (40-23-0-8, 88 pts.) at SAN JOSE (39-25-0-6, 84 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 11-19 ATS (-9.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
SAN JOSE is 23-13 ATS (+5.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
SAN JOSE is 14-7 ATS (+5.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 104-68 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 63-36 ATS (+14.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 23-12 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 18-9 ATS (+27.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 23-10 ATS (+33.1 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 19-10 ATS (+30.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 5-12 ATS (-11.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
SAN JOSE is 18-22 ATS (-21.1 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 151-131 ATS (-78.5 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 13-18 ATS (-17.8 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 86-85 ATS (-44.4 Units) in home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 3-2 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 3-2-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.6 Units)

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

NEW JERSEY (34-30-0-7, 75 pts.) at COLUMBUS (28-34-0-8, 64 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 40-38 ATS (-3.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 22-14 ATS (+37.5 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 37-20 ATS (+15.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 34-37 ATS (+79.4 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 18-18 ATS (+44.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
NEW JERSEY is 9-5 ATS (+15.8 Units) on Saturday games this season.
COLUMBUS is 6-19 ATS (+25.2 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 4-13 ATS (-10.9 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 13-20 ATS (-8.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 8-3 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 8-3-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

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

MONTREAL (33-32-0-6, 72 pts.) at OTTAWA (33-31-0-8, 74 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 10-8-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-1.2 Units)

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

BUFFALO (29-33-0-10, 68 pts.) at TORONTO (24-35-0-11, 59 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 263-228 ATS (+29.3 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
BUFFALO is 47-35 ATS (+90.6 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
BUFFALO is 17-13 ATS (+32.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TORONTO is 54-98 ATS (+200.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 19-59 ATS (-43.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 3-20 ATS (+31.2 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
TORONTO is 10-31 ATS (+48.1 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 31-68 ATS (+126.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 2-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
TORONTO is 13-39 ATS (+60.9 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 21-43 ATS (+74.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-26 ATS (-21.1 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
BUFFALO is 6-5 (+2.2 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 6-5-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.7 Units)

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

DETROIT (35-25-0-11, 81 pts.) at FLORIDA (40-22-0-9, 89 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 8-4 (+6.1 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 8-4-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

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

NY ISLANDERS (38-22-0-9, 85 pts.) at DALLAS (42-21-0-9, 93 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 16-23 ATS (-11.1 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 38-24 ATS (+12.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 96-107 ATS (+239.9 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
NY ISLANDERS are 19-8 ATS (+8.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
DALLAS is 14-19 ATS (-17.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
DALLAS is 7-12 ATS (-8.8 Units) on Saturday games this season.
DALLAS is 15-23 ATS (-17.0 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 19-26 ATS (-18.5 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY ISLANDERS is 4-1 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
NY ISLANDERS is 4-1-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.7 Units)

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

ST LOUIS (41-22-0-9, 91 pts.) at VANCOUVER (27-31-0-12, 66 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
VANCOUVER is 27-43 ATS (-29.9 Units) in all games this season.
VANCOUVER is 140-141 ATS (-32.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 224-218 ATS (-119.3 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 6-1 (+6.3 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 6-1-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)

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

TAMPA BAY (40-26-0-5, 85 pts.) at ARIZONA (31-32-0-7, 69 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 3-2 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 3-2-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.4 Units)

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

BOSTON (39-25-0-8, 86 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (43-22-0-5, 91 pts.) - 3/19/2016, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 3-2 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 3-2-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, March 19

Hot teams
-- Penguins, Flyers both won five of their last six games.
-- San Jose won seven of its last ten games.
-- Devils won three of their last four games.
-- Toronto won three of its last five games.
-- Florida won four of its last five games.
-- Arizona won its last three games, allowing two goals.
-- Los Angeles won five of its last six games.

Cold teams
-- Carolina lost its last three games (five of last six went OT/SO). Minnesota lost four of its last five games.
-- Rangers lost three of their last four games.
-- Columbus lost four of its last five games.
-- Senators, Canadiens both lost six of their last nine games.
-- Sabres are 4-6 in their last ten games.
-- Red Wings lost five of their last eight games.
-- Dallas Stars lost three of their last five games. Islanders lost four of last five.
-- Canucks lost last three games, outscored 10-3. St Louis lost its last two games, allowing 13 goals.
-- Lightning lost five of their last six games.
-- Boston lost three of its last four games.

Series records
-- Flyers won eight of last nine games with Pittsburgh.
-- Hurricanes lost their last five games with Minnesota.
-- Rangers won their last three games with San Jose.
-- Devils lost their last five games with Columbus.
-- Canadiens won three of last four games with Ottawa.
-- Sabres won four of last five games with Toronto.
-- Panthers won five of last seven games with Detroit.
-- Islanders won four of last five games with Dallas.
-- Canucks won six of last seven games with St Louis.
-- Lightning won six of last eight games with Arizona.
-- Boston-LA split last six games; Kings won last one, 9-2.

Totals
-- Over is 4-1-1 in Philly's last six games.
-- Over is 3-1 in Carolina's last four visits to Minnesota.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Ranger games.
-- Five of last seven New Jersey games went over.
-- Six of last seven Montreal-Ottawa ganes stayed under.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Buffalo-Toronto games.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Detroit games.
-- Seven of last eight Dallas Stars games went over.
-- Over is 7-0-1 in last eight St Louis games.
-- Six of last seven Tampa Bay-Arizona games went over.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in last five Boston games.

Back-to-backs
-- Ottawa is 2-8 if it played the night before.
-- Buffalo lost six of last nine if it played night before.
-- Vancouver is 5-7 if it played the night before.
-- Boston is 5-4 in it played the night before.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL

Saturday, March 19

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

1:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. PHILADELPHIA
Pittsburgh is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh

2:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. MINNESOTA
Carolina is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games at home

4:00 PM
NY RANGERS vs. SAN JOSE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Rangers last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
San Jose is 4-10-1 SU in their last 15 games ,when playing NY Rangers

7:00 PM
BUFFALO vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Buffalo is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Buffalo

7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. FLORIDA
Detroit is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Detroit is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Florida's last 13 games when playing at home against Detroit
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Montreal is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ottawa's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Ottawa's last 7 games when playing Montreal

7:00 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. COLUMBUS
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of New Jersey's last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games on the road
Columbus is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Columbus is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey

8:00 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games at home

10:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. VANCOUVER
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of St. Louis's last 19 games when playing Vancouver
St. Louis is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Vancouver
Vancouver is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Vancouver's last 15 games when playing at home against St. Louis

10:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. ARIZONA
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Arizona's last 11 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

10:30 PM
BOSTON vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
Los Angeles is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Boston

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, March 19


St. Louis @ Vancouver

Game 17-18
March 19, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
12.319
Vancouver
11.308
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-185
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-185); Over

Tampa Bay @ Arizona

Game 19-20
March 19, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
11.012
Arizona
9.561
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
N/A

Boston @ Los Angeles

Game 21-22
March 19, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
12.897
Los Angeles
11.412
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
N/A

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia

Game 1-2
March 19, 2016 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
12.897
Philadelphia
11.771
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-110
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-110); Over

Carolina @ Minnesota

Game 3-4
March 19, 2016 @ 2:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
12.319
Minnesota
11.228
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-175
5
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(+155); Under

NY Rangers @ San Jose

Game 5-6
March 19, 2016 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Rangers
10.786
San Jose
13.381
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 2 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-130); Under

New Jersey @ Columbus

Game 7-8
March 19, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
10.170
Columbus
12.230
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
-150
5
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(-150); Over

Montreal @ Ottawa

Game 9-10
March 19, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
9.332
Ottawa
10.542
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 1
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Ottawa
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
N/A

Buffalo @ Toronto

Game 11-12
March 19, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Buffalo
8.846
Toronto
10.402
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-110
5
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-110); Over

Detroit @ Florida

Game 13-14
March 19, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
13.664
Florida
12.212
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
N/A

NY Islanders @ Dallas

Game 15-16
March 19, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
12.933
Dallas
11.415
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Islanders
by 1 1/2
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-140
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Islanders
(+120); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Yesterday's Results: 1 - 3 ....- 1.63
YTD: 30 - 36...........+ 4.80


SATURDAY, MARCH 19

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CAR at MIN 02:00 PM

CAR +149

U 5.0


NYR at SJ 04:00 PM

NYR +121

O 5.0

[StarDust Bum]

Yesterday's Results: 1 - 3 ....- 1.63
YTD: 30 - 36...........+ 4.80


SATURDAY, MARCH 19

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CAR at MIN 02:00 PM

CAR +149

U 5.0


NYR at SJ 04:00 PM

NYR +121

O 5.0



SATURDAY, MARCH 19

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


BUF at TOR 07:00 PM

BUF +105

U 5.0


NJ at CLB 07:00 PM

CLB -149

U 5.0


DET at FLA 07:00 PM

DET +122

U 5.5


MON at OTT 07:00 PM

MON +121

U 5.5


NYI at DAL 08:00 PM

NYI +108

O 5.5


TB at ARI 10:00 PM

ARI +152

O 5.0


STL at VAN 10:00 PM

VAN +157

O 5.0


BOS at LA 10:30 PM

LA -169

O 5.0

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Ducks (39-22) at Jets (29-37)
Date: March 20, 2016 3:00 PM EDT

The Anaheim Ducks' inconsistent play at the offensive end has made for some frustrating times recently, but at least they've been able to count on some solid goaltending - no matter who's in net.

That's bad news for a Winnipeg Jets team struggling to score lately.

Anaheim begins a five-game road trip through Canada looking to beat the Jets for the 10th straight time Sunday.

The Ducks (39-22-9) have dropped four of their last six, scoring two or fewer goals in each defeat. They've been efficient offensively in each victory, though, beating New Jersey 7-1 on Monday before a 4-0 win over Boston on Friday.

Coach Bruce Boudreau tinkered with his lines against the Bruins and put Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf together. Both assisted on Jamie McGinn's goal in the first before Getzlaf added another assist on Hampus Lindholm's third-period tally.

"It's always good to go on the road trip feeling good with a win, especially one that's going to be as tough as this one," Boudreau said. "If you go in and you'd lost two in a row, then all of a sudden it's a different mindset. But we have a better mindset going into Winnipeg."

Frederik Andersen got the start in net after John Gibson said he was feeling ill shortly before faceoff. Andersen made 38 saves in his fifth career shutout and is 15-1-1 with a 1.80 goals-against average in 16 starts and two relief efforts since Jan. 13.

Gibson ranks among the league leaders with a 2.07 GAA, giving Anaheim a solid tandem in net that has allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of the last 14. Boudreau said there's a good chance both will get starts in the playoffs.

'It doesn't happen too often, but I don't think too often you have goalies as equal as we have,' Boudreau said. "Both goalies are pushing each other to be better every night. When that happens, you're going to be successful."

Andersen was in net exclusively in last year's playoffs as the Ducks came within a victory of reaching the Stanley Cup Final. That run included a first-round sweep of the Jets, giving Andersen a 2.45 GAA while winning all eight of his career starts against Winnipeg.

Gibson made 19 saves to beat the Jets (29-37-5) in the first meeting Jan. 3, when Rickard Rakell and Kevin Bieksa had a goal and an assist apiece in a 4-1 victory. It's unclear who will be in goal for this matchup as the Ducks try to avoid a third straight road loss.

They'll face five Canadian teams all outside the playoff picture during this trip that begins at Winnipeg, which has struggled to score in back-to-back defeats. It lost 4-1 at Calgary on Wednesday before Friday's 4-0 home loss to Chicago.

The Jets have gone 4-13-1 in their last 18 at home. Ondrej Pavelec made 32 saves in the opener of a four-game homestand.

'I don't think we played that bad,' Pavelec said. 'We had some chances, we couldn't score. But 4-0 is 4-0, right? So, you can't really be happy about it."

The Jets have scored fewer than three goals in five of their last seven and have been outscored by 15 during their nine-game skid against the Ducks.

"You've got to put the puck in the net to win hockey games," defenseman Tyler Myers said. "It's tough to chase the game and that's what we ended up doing."

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blue Jackets (28-34) at Devils (34-30)
Date: March 20, 2016 5:00 PM EDT

The New Jersey Devils' faint playoff hopes took another hit when they couldn't solve their recent woes against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Devils, though, will get another chance to break the Blue Jackets' dominance in the series Sunday while extending Columbus' road losing streak.

New Jersey's deficit in the Eastern Conference playoff race can be attributed in part to its performance against the lowly Blue Jackets. The Devils suffered their sixth consecutive loss to Columbus when they gave up three goals in the third period Saturday.

"The good thing about hockey is you play a lot of games," said New Jersey forward Kyle Palmieri, who had two goals and an assist. "We're fortunate we have them (Sunday) in our own building. It's time to get some redemption and salvage something from the series this season."

New Jersey rallied from an early 3-0 deficit but Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his first two NHL goals to lead Columbus to a 6-3 win.

"I was just trying to play hard and get pucks to the net. I was lucky to get a good bounce in the third period," said Bjorkstrand, who was playing his second game. "I've got to rest up and get ready for (Sunday)."

With Detroit's 5-3 victory against Florida, New Jersey (34-31-7) fell eight points behind the Red Wings for the East's final playoff spot with 10 games remaining.

"It's more the challenge of trying to beat (the Blue Jackets), that's the focus right now," Devils coach John Hynes said. "I don't necessarily believe in bad matchups. We have to do a better job collectively to beat them."

The Blue Jackets (29-34-8) snapped a three-game losing streak Saturday and scored a combined three goals in those games. They have scored two goals in a string of three consecutive road defeats and will seek to end that by earning their fourth straight win in New Jersey.

Columbus has collected two of those victories this season, giving up one goal in each. Its four overall wins in this season's series are its most, topping its three in 2013-14.

With Sergei Bobrovsky starting Saturday, the Blue Jackets will likely send out Joonas Korpisalo in their attempt to send the Devils to their sixth loss in eight home games.

Korpisalo stopped 25 shots in his only matchup against the Devils on Feb. 25, a 6-1 rout in Columbus. Nick Foligno registered his second career hat trick in that game but has not scored one in nine subsequent contests.

Foligno has six goals and five assists in his last 11 matchups with the Devils. Matt Calvert has six points in his past three and scored the deciding goal in Columbus' most recent visit to New Jersey, a 2-1 victory Nov. 25.

With Cory Schneider still likely out because of his ailing knee, it's unclear if Yann Danis or Keith Kinkaid will get the task of trying again to stop the Blue Jackets.

Danis replaced Kinkaid in the second period Saturday but hasn't started an NHL game since March 18, 2010, during his first stint with the Devils.