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**StarDust Bum** · 10-25-2011, 05:42 PM

Preview: Devils (1-2) at Kings (3-1)

Date: October 25, 2011 10:30 PM EDT

Despite setting a team record for consecutive shutouts in the Los Angeles Kings' last game, Jonathan Quick won't get a chance to avenge his only defeat of the season.

With a heavy stretch of schedule coming up, coach Terry Murray will go with backup Jonathan Bernier as Los Angeles seeks a fifth straight win in a home matchup with the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.

Quick established a club mark with his third shutout in a row in a 1-0 victory over Dallas on Thursday, making 28 saves. With two days off, it seemed more than likely that he would get a shot at avenging a 2-1 shootout loss to New Jersey on Oct. 13 - his lone defeat in six games.

Murray, however, announced after practice Monday that Bernier would get the nod against the Devils. Starting Thursday, the Kings play three games in four nights.

``Well, I made the decision before the game (Saturday) and I'm not going to change that,' Murray told the team's official website. ``I've talked to Bernie about it, I've talked to Quicker about it, to let him know. I talked to him briefly about it. That's the way it is. That's the decision made.'

Bernier has appeared in one game this season, a 4-2 loss to Buffalo in Berlin on Oct. 8 in which he allowed four goals on 26 shots. Quick has given up five goals on 180 shots all season.

``He's very understanding that it's the early part of the year and there's a lot of games coming up that are huge games for us,' Murray told the team's website about Quick. ``He can't play all 82, although I say, `Why not?' sometimes.'

While the Kings (5-1-1) won't have their top goalie in net Tuesday, the Devils won't either. Martin Brodeur suffered a right shoulder injury in the Oct. 13 game and is not ready to return.

Bernier could benefit from Los Angeles' improving defense. The Kings haven't allowed more than 28 shots in the last three contests, doing so despite the absence of defenseman Drew Doughty, who is out with an upper-body injury.

Doughty is eligible to return from the injured list Tuesday, but it's uncertain if he'll play. Slava Voynov was called up when Doughty was hurt and has filled in well.

Besides Brodeur, the Devils (3-2-1) have other injury issues after losing another player over the weekend. Center Jacob Josefson broke his left clavicle in a 4-3 shootout loss to San Jose on Friday, and he's expected to miss extended time.

He joins teammate Travis Zajac (Achilles' surgery), who has yet to play this season.

New Jersey fell 4-1 at Pittsburgh on Saturday after giving up three goals in the third period. The Devils were outshot 16-5 in the final 20 minutes.

"We really didn't give ourselves a chance in the third period," said left wing Patrik Elias, whose short-handed goal in the third extended his point streak to five games.

Johan Hedberg, who has started all three games since Brodeur was injured, made 16 saves against Los Angeles. He is 2-6-0 with 3.72 goals-against average against the Kings.

The Devils had dropped three straight to the Kings before the Oct. 13 matchup. Elias has three goals and two assists in the last five meetings after scoring in the most recent game.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-25-2011, 05:45 PM

Preview: Penguins (5-2) at Islanders (3-3)

Date: October 25, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

Faced with overcoming yet another injury, the Pittsburgh Penguins don't seem too concerned about last year's rift with the New York Islanders.

Regrouping from back-to-back losses remains the focus of Islanders coach Jack Capuano.

Seeking a fourth consecutive victory, the Penguins look to continue their domination of the Islanders when the teams begin a home-and-home set Tuesday night at Nassau Coliseum.

Pittsburgh (6-2-2), already dealing with injuries to stars Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (sore right knee), is expected to be without Zbynek Michalek for four-to-six weeks after the defenseman broke a finger on his right hand during Saturday's 4-1 win over New Jersey.

Michalek had played a key role in the Penguins killing all but one of their opponents' 33 power-play opportunities this season.

" 'Z' is exceptional at it and excels (in the penalty kill position) but ... we are going to count on some other guys to step up and do that." coach Dan Bylsma told the team's official site.

While Malkin, who has missed the previous five games, is making the trip to New York, it's unknown if he will play when these teams renew last season's rivalry.

Nine days after Brent Johnson knocked down Rick DiPietro in a rare goalie fight, the Penguins and Islanders (3-3-0) combined for 65 penalties, 346 penalty minutes, 10 ejections, 15 fighting majors and 20 misconducts as New York recorded a rare victory in this series, 9-3 on Feb. 11.

Islanders forwards Trevor Gillies and Matt Martin were suspended for nine and four games, respectively, while the team was hit with a $100,000 fine.

Both Pittsburgh and New York, however, have moved on.

"In terms of what happened last year, we're certainly not going into this game with any kind of thought of repaid debts from last year," Bylsma said. "It's about this game and right now for us and where we are at in our 11th game and we have our sights set on different goals and where we want to be in the Atlantic Division.

"We're going back-to-back with the Islanders and as far as we are concerned, it's a chance to put some distance (between us) and win some games against a team that is in our division."

Capuano, whose Islanders suffered a 4-1 defeat to Tampa Bay on Thursday before falling 4-2 to Florida on Saturday, shares the same sentiment.

"For me, it's not even a rivalry, it's just another game because obviously the last two games we didn't play a full 60 minutes, so it doesn't matter who we are playing right now," he told the Islanders' official website.

Given its history in this series, New York can't like its chances of betting back on track Tuesday. The Penguins are 19-4-2 over their last 25 games against the Islanders.

Marc-Andre Fleury has shined during that stretch, going 8-0-2 with a 1.70 goals-against average.

The Islanders will also need to be wary of Jordan Staal, who continues to come up big for injury-ravaged Pittsburgh. Staal scored twice against the Devils and is tied for second on the team with eight points.

"Staalsy's a guy who flies under the radar with the superstars on this team," fellow forward Chris Kunitz said. "We know how good he is. He's proven it year after year. Right now, we're missing some guys, and he's going out and proving he can produce the numbers we believe he can always do."

James Neal leads the Penguins with eight goals and nine points. He has goals in three straight games, but has no points in four career contests against the Islanders.

New York's Al Montoya, 2-1-0 with a 1.35 GAA at home this season, made 35 saves in his only career appearance against Pittsburgh - a 4-3 shootout loss April 8.

Evgeni Nabokov went 8-1-0 with a 1.62 GAA and two shutouts versus the Penguins while with San Jose.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-25-2011, 05:46 PM

Preview: Senators (2-5) at Hurricanes (3-3)

Date: October 25, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

The Ottawa Senators are in the midst of their first winning stretch of the season. However, they won't have one of their top players available while trying to keep it going at a place where they have not won in almost four years.

Looking for a third consecutive victory, the Senators will be without star forward Daniel Alfredsson on Tuesday night when they hope to avoid an eighth straight road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ottawa lost five of its first six before posting back-to-back victories. Alfredsson has scored one of his three goals over the last two games but won't play Tuesday to rest a nagging hip pointer injury.

"If I take a few days off here, I should be back to normal and play Thursday (against Florida)," Alfredsson told the Senators' official website.

Without Alfredsson, the Senators (3-5-0) might have an even tougher time trying to win in Raleigh for the first time since Dec. 12, 2007. Ottawa has been outscored 28-9 during the seven-game skid there.

The Senators, however, should have some momentum after they scored twice in the final minute to beat Columbus 4-3 on Saturday. Jason Spezza tied it at the 19:24 mark and Milan Michalek netted the winner with 4.7 seconds left.

Spezza and Sergei Gonchar each added two assists while Michalek had one as the Senators scored four goals for the second straight game after totaling four while losing the previous three.

"It seems like we're playing better and better and finally we're starting to pick up some wins," Gonchar said.

Michalek, among the NHL leaders with six goals, has been held without a point in three games at Carolina.

Spezza, who has three goals and four assists in the last three games, has scored seven times and added 10 assists in 15 road contests against the Hurricanes.

Ottawa's Craig Anderson has a 4.06 goals-against average but has stopped 53 of 57 shots over the last two games. He is 2-0-2 with a 3.46 GAA versus Carolina.

The Hurricanes have been a streaky club, losing three straight out of the gate then winning three in a row before dropping the last two. Carolina (3-3-2) lost 5-3 to Winnipeg on Saturday to conclude a 2-1-1 trip.

"We've played six of our eight games on the road," coach Paul Maurice said. "We've played some good teams. I don't like (Saturday's) game. It taints the mood. But overall I've been happy with our start."

Jeff Skinner had a goal with two assists as Carolina blew an early two-goal lead to the Jets.

"We just have to focus," forward Jiri Tlusty told the Hurricanes' official website. "If the team sticks together and does all the things we plan to do, we're going to be a strong team to play against (Tuesday) night."

Skinner, who has three goals and six assists, had just two assists in four games versus Ottawa during his stellar 2010-11 rookie season.

After he was given Saturday night off, Cam Ward could be back in net for the Hurricanes. Ward has a 1.40 GAA during a personal five-game home winning streak against Ottawa.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-25-2011, 05:47 PM

Preview: Red Wings (4-1) at Blue Jackets (0-7)

Date: October 25, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

After suffering perhaps their most heartbreaking defeat, the winless Columbus Blue Jackets might have caught just the break they've needed.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard will miss the Detroit Red Wings' attempt to rebound from their first loss of the season Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus (0-7-1) extended its worst start in team history Saturday in particularly miserable fashion. Up 3-2 at Ottawa in the final minute, the Blue Jackets allowed a Jason Spezza goal with 36 seconds left and Milan Michalek's winner with 4.7 seconds remaining.

Suddenly, a seemingly surefire two points turned into none.

"We played well for 59 minutes and then they got to us at the end,' captain Rick Nash said. "It's tough. It seems like we're not getting any bounces. It seems like we're finding ways to lose games instead of finding ways to win games. That's the difference between good teams and bad teams right now."

The NHL's only winless team is trying to avoid becoming the first to drop nine straight to open a season since the Pittsburgh Penguins started 0-4-5 in 2005-06.

At least the Blue Jackets won't have to face the goaltender that helped beat them Friday.

Howard stopped 32 shots in a 5-2 victory to improve to 4-0 with a 1.72 goals-against average, but has left the team to be with his wife, Rachel, and first child. James Howard IV was born Sunday, and Joey MacDonald was recalled from Grand Rapids to take Howard's roster spot.

Ty Conklin is expected to start Tuesday after enduring a 7-1 drubbing against Washington - the NHL's lone unbeaten team - on Saturday. The seven goals allowed matched a career high for the journeyman.

"The difference in the game was in net," Conklin said. "I thought we created a lot of great chances and did a lot of great things. I just need to come up with some saves or start with a couple anyway.

Conklin, who played 11 games for Columbus during the 2006-07 season, was pulled from a start against the Blue Jackets on March 7 after giving up three goals in the first 10:10 of a 5-4 shootout win for St. Louis. He yielded four goals in a little more than 36 minutes during a relief effort in his most recent appearance at Nationwide on Nov. 10.

If Conklin can rebound from his miserable performance, the Red Wings (5-1-0) might have enough to continue their recent dominance in the series.

Detroit has outscored Columbus 61-30 while going 15-1-2 in the Central Division rivals' last 18 matchups, including a four-game playoff sweep in 2009. The Red Wings are also 5-0-2 in their last seven regular-season trips to Nationwide, outscoring the Blue Jackets 19-5.

There's every reason to believe that can continue with Detroit's power play back on track.

After going 0 for 16 through three games, the Red Wings are 5 of 12 with the man advantage in the last three games - including three goals in five attempts during the win over Columbus at Joe Louis Arena.

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, have allowed opponents to score on five of seven power plays over the past two games. Ottawa went 2 for 2, including Michalek's goal.

Columbus should pay especially close attention to Valtteri Filppula. He had a career-high four points - including a goal - Friday, and has five goals and five assists over the last seven matchups.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-25-2011, 05:49 PM

Preview: Sharks (2-3) at Predators (3-3)

Date: October 25, 2011 8:00 PM EDT

A strong start to a lengthy road trip has the San Jose Sharks back on track.

The Nashville Predators hope the beginning of a three-game homestand and the possible return of two key players will help them do the same.

The Sharks look for a third consecutive victory Tuesday night when they face the Predators, who are searching for their first home win of the season.

San Jose (3-3-0) totaled four goals while dropping three in a row before opening a six-game trip by scoring four goals in each of the first two contests, victories at New Jersey and Boston. Joe Pavelski had a goal with an assist and Massachusetts native Benn Ferriero scored the game-winner in Saturday's 4-2 triumph over the reigning Stanley Cup champion Bruins.

The Sharks hope to remain perfect on the trip when they try for a third consecutive victory over Nashville (3-3-1), which snapped a four-game skid with a 2-0 win at Calgary on Saturday.

"(The Sharks are) always good," forward Jerred Smithson told the Predators' official website. "They have a lot of skill and are a big team. They play physical if they want, but can also play the skill game. For us, we have to get our skating legs under us early, establish our forecheck, play tight defensively."

The Predators prevailed against Calgary thanks mostly to 33 saves from Pekka Rinne. His strong effort came one game after he was pulled for allowing four goals on 16 shots in the first period of Thursday's 5-1 loss at Vancouver.

"When you need a win, Pekks is always the guy who can stand up and give you a real good performance," Predators coach Barry Trotz said.

Rinne is 3-1-3 with a 2.48 goals-against average versus San Jose.

Rinne may need to have another big night for the Predators to avoid dropping three straight home games to open a season for the first time since 2002-03. Nashville could also get a boost from the possible season debuts of forward Mike Fisher (shoulder) and defenseman Francis Bouillon (concussion).

"We can be a lot of better and we will be," Trotz said. "Some of that poise and trust isn't quite there, but that will come."

Fisher had eight goals and 11 assists in 39 regular season and playoff games last season after the Predators acquired him from Ottawa.

A concussion limited Bouillon to 44 games last season after he skated in all but one in 2009-10.

Sharks forward Ryane Clowe has a goal and two assists in his last two games, and one goal with five assists in eight career contests against the Predators. Pavelski, meanwhile, has one goal and one assist in each of his last two games but has been held without a point in three straight versus Nashville.

Since missing the season's first week to have a cyst removed, San Jose's Antti Niemi is 2-1-0 with a 2.63 GAA. Niemi, who made 37 saves against the Bruins, has stopped 53 of 56 shots while winning his last two starts versus Nashville.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-25-2011, 06:00 PM

Preview: Ducks (3-3) at Blackhawks (4-1)

Date: October 25, 2011 8:30 PM EDT

Having cooled off after a strong start, the Anaheim Ducks are hoping to regain their groove during the start to a lengthy road trip.

That might not be easy against a Chicago Blackhawks team that's seeking to redeem itself Tuesday night after a lackluster finish to its most recent game.

Anaheim has suffered back-to-back losses since winning four in a row, and a poor start to the second period led to a 5-4 defeat to Phoenix on Sunday.

The Ducks (4-3-0) gave up three goals in a span of 3:09 during that frame to spoil a breakout performance from Ryan Getzlaf. The Anaheim captain scored twice after failing to do so in his first six games, but Jonas Hiller gave up a season-worst five goals before being pulled.

"We're not sharp right now with the puck," coach Randy Carlyle said. "Passes are going at people's feet and bouncing off people's sticks. We just have to find a way to get back to where we were."

Hiller fared better in his most recent matchup with Anaheim's first opponent on its seven-game trek. He outdueled Corey Crawford during a 2-1 home victory Jan. 2 after giving up a combined seven goals in the previous two meetings.

Hiller is 6-3-1 with a 2.13 goals-against average against the Blackhawks and will face a team that's again among the league's best offenses.

"We start with Chicago, which is going to be a huge game especially after two tough losses," defenseman Kurtis Foster said. "If we can get a win in Chicago, it will be good for the morale and confidence of this team."

Chicago (4-1-2) is second in the Western Conference with 24 goals and had four while rallying from a 3-1 deficit to Colorado on Saturday. The Blackhawks, though, gave up the tying score with 1:48 left in regulation en route to a 5-4 shootout defeat.

"It was nice to tie it and take the lead, but it's tough to give one away especially when you're up that late," forward Patrick Kane said.

Chicago gave up a pair of third-period goals to Corey Perry during a 2-1 defeat to Anaheim at the United Center on March 26. Perry has six goals and two assists while leading the Ducks to a 4-1-1 mark in their last six against the Blackhawks.

He's scored five of those goals over his past three visits to the United Center, and the Ducks are 2-0-1 in those games.

Chicago forward Marian Hossa is seeking to match a career high by scoring a goal in his fifth straight game. He has five goals and an assist in his last six against Anaheim.

Crawford is 3-3-0 with a 1.66 GAA in six starts versus the Ducks, allowing two goals or fewer in each of his last four matchups. The loss to Colorado marked the first time he had given up more than two goals this season.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-25-2011, 06:03 PM

Tuesday, October 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Pittsburgh - 7:00 PM ET NY Islanders +115 500
NY Islanders - Over 5 500

Ottawa - 7:00 PM ET Ottawa +163 500
Carolina - Over 5.5 500

Detroit - 7:00 PM ET Detroit -182 500
Columbus - Over 5.5 500

Tampa Bay - 7:30 PM ET Buffalo -174 500
Buffalo - Over 5.5 500

San Jose - 8:00 PM ET San Jose -132 500
Nashville - Under 5 500

Anaheim - 8:30 PM ET Chicago -185 500
Chicago - Under 5.5 500

Vancouver - 9:30 PM ET Edmonton +126 500
Edmonton - Over 5.5 500

Dallas - 10:00 PM ET Dallas -103 500
Phoenix - Under 5 500

New Jersey - 10:30 PM ET New Jersey +174 500
Los Angeles - Under 5 500

**Kaptain** · 10-25-2011, 08:37 PM

get em BUM

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The Bum's Tuesday's NHL Best Bets !

The Bum's Tuesday's NHL Best Bets !

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