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NHL
Thursday, November 19
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Pucking the trends: The best shootout goalies going
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Malkin the Magnificent
Evgeni Malkin returned on Saturday after missing seven games with a shoulder injury. In those seven games, the Penguins managed just 11 goals and posted a 2-5-0 record.
Pittsburgh has scored 11 goals and won both its games since Malkin’s return.
Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette observes that Malkin will be relied on to cure Pittsburgh’s recent power-play woes (1 for its last 36).
"He's a great player and gives us extra punch, extra force," said Penguins forward Ruslan Fedotenko. "He makes the players around him better and creates more opportunities offensively."
Beasts of the East (ATS)
The New York Islanders have exceeded expectations this year at 8-6-7.
But, as Dan Martin of the New York Post points out, the Isles’ record would be even better without their struggles in the extra frame. New York is 3-7 in games not ending in regulation.
The Islanders finally have a first line that can score with rookie sensation John Tavares Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo (currently out with H1N1).
"There's a level of expectation that we can win," coach Scott Gordon said. "There's the confidence that if we're playing our game, we're going to have success.”
Puckline players should know that New York is 17-4 against the spread.
Saving the Shootout
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Mathieu Garon picked up another shootout victory on Monday, improving his career shootout record to 18-4.
The Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline believes that Garon’s “attacking” style puts some shooters off balance.
"Love that," Blue Jackets center Antoine Vermette said. "We get pretty fired up on the bench watching him come so far out like that."
Other goalies performing well in the shootout include Johan Hedberg of Atlanta (13-3), Martin Brodeur (31-14), Anaheim’s Jonas Hller (8-3) and Montreal’s Jaroslav Halak (6-2).
Knowing how your team’s goalie fares in a shootout can help guide a bettor’s decision.
Power-Play Peculiarities
John Down of the Calgary Herald points out that Calgary has the second ranked power-play at home (30 percent) and the 26th ranked power-play on the road (12.9 percent).
“We just have to simplify the power play a little bit on the road, direct more pucks towards the net, win more battles around the net,” said Calgary Flames coach Brent Sutter.
The San Jose Sharks, on the other hand, have the league’s worst power-play at home at 10.3 percent, and the league’s best power-play on the road at 32.2 percent.
Have Calgary and San Jose’s power-play splits affected their chances of going over or under the total?
Calgary has a 6-3 O/U record at home and a 4-5 record on the road. San Jose has a 3-5 O/U record at home and a 7-7 record on the road.
On Schedule
Friday Nov. 20th, Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks
Colorado’s difficult schedule continues with a Western Canadian road trip. Colorado plays its third game in four nights against a Vancouver Canucks team that has been waiting at home since an 8-2 pasting of the Avalanche in Colorado last Saturday.
Saturday Nov. 21, Florida Panthers at New York Rangers
The Florida Panthers have a Wednesday game in Buffalo, a Friday date with the Wings at Joe Louis Arena and a Saturday night game at MSG. Other than a Tuesday matchup against the Washington Capitals, the Rangers have not played since last Saturday.
Sunday Nov. 22, Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks
Another team doing the Western Canadian swing this week is the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks play Calgary on Thursday, Edmonton on Friday and travel to Vancouver on Sunday to face the Canucks. Vancouver’s only other game this week is against Colorado on Friday.
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Thursday, November 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pucking the trends: The best shootout goalies going
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malkin the Magnificent
Evgeni Malkin returned on Saturday after missing seven games with a shoulder injury. In those seven games, the Penguins managed just 11 goals and posted a 2-5-0 record.
Pittsburgh has scored 11 goals and won both its games since Malkin’s return.
Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette observes that Malkin will be relied on to cure Pittsburgh’s recent power-play woes (1 for its last 36).
"He's a great player and gives us extra punch, extra force," said Penguins forward Ruslan Fedotenko. "He makes the players around him better and creates more opportunities offensively."
Beasts of the East (ATS)
The New York Islanders have exceeded expectations this year at 8-6-7.
But, as Dan Martin of the New York Post points out, the Isles’ record would be even better without their struggles in the extra frame. New York is 3-7 in games not ending in regulation.
The Islanders finally have a first line that can score with rookie sensation John Tavares Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo (currently out with H1N1).
"There's a level of expectation that we can win," coach Scott Gordon said. "There's the confidence that if we're playing our game, we're going to have success.”
Puckline players should know that New York is 17-4 against the spread.
Saving the Shootout
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Mathieu Garon picked up another shootout victory on Monday, improving his career shootout record to 18-4.
The Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline believes that Garon’s “attacking” style puts some shooters off balance.
"Love that," Blue Jackets center Antoine Vermette said. "We get pretty fired up on the bench watching him come so far out like that."
Other goalies performing well in the shootout include Johan Hedberg of Atlanta (13-3), Martin Brodeur (31-14), Anaheim’s Jonas Hller (8-3) and Montreal’s Jaroslav Halak (6-2).
Knowing how your team’s goalie fares in a shootout can help guide a bettor’s decision.
Power-Play Peculiarities
John Down of the Calgary Herald points out that Calgary has the second ranked power-play at home (30 percent) and the 26th ranked power-play on the road (12.9 percent).
“We just have to simplify the power play a little bit on the road, direct more pucks towards the net, win more battles around the net,” said Calgary Flames coach Brent Sutter.
The San Jose Sharks, on the other hand, have the league’s worst power-play at home at 10.3 percent, and the league’s best power-play on the road at 32.2 percent.
Have Calgary and San Jose’s power-play splits affected their chances of going over or under the total?
Calgary has a 6-3 O/U record at home and a 4-5 record on the road. San Jose has a 3-5 O/U record at home and a 7-7 record on the road.
On Schedule
Friday Nov. 20th, Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks
Colorado’s difficult schedule continues with a Western Canadian road trip. Colorado plays its third game in four nights against a Vancouver Canucks team that has been waiting at home since an 8-2 pasting of the Avalanche in Colorado last Saturday.
Saturday Nov. 21, Florida Panthers at New York Rangers
The Florida Panthers have a Wednesday game in Buffalo, a Friday date with the Wings at Joe Louis Arena and a Saturday night game at MSG. Other than a Tuesday matchup against the Washington Capitals, the Rangers have not played since last Saturday.
Sunday Nov. 22, Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks
Another team doing the Western Canadian swing this week is the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks play Calgary on Thursday, Edmonton on Friday and travel to Vancouver on Sunday to face the Canucks. Vancouver’s only other game this week is against Colorado on Friday.
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