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**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2011, 07:15 PM

Preview: Avalanche (3-5) at Stars (6-3)

Date: November 04, 2011 8:30 PM EDT

With the first month under new coach Glen Gulutzan a major success, the Dallas Stars are looking for similar results as their November schedule begins.

Facing the struggling Colorado Avalanche could help the Stars begin the month on a positive note.

Playing its first game in nearly a week, Dallas concludes a three-game homestand Friday night against an Avalanche club that may be glad to be skating outside Denver.

Hired in June to replace Marc Crawford, whose two seasons at the helm each resulted in last-place finishes, Gulutzan has the Stars (8-3-0) atop the Pacific Division and off to their best start since opening 11-2-0 in 2006.

"Looking at the first 10-game segment, if you'd asked any one of us at the start of the season if we'd take 7-3, we'd all sign up for that, and here we are at 8-3, that's a pretty good month," captain Brenden Morrow told the team's official website following Saturday's 3-1 victory over New Jersey. "We're pretty happy with our start."

While the Stars would like to increase their shot output - they rank near the bottom of the NHL with 26.6 per game - the club is 6-1-0 in games it has been outshot.

Kari Lehtonen, named the NHL's second star for October after going 8-1-0 with a 1.75 goals-against average, has been in net for six of those contests as the Stars have killed 32 of 36 penalties.

"You're going to get into these games where you get outshot, maybe out-chanced and you find a way to win," Gulutzan said.

However, slowing down the Avs' power-play unit could be a challenge. Colorado (7-5-0) has converted 35.7 percent of its chances in the last nine games, including 8 of 14 on the road.

The Avalanche, though, went 0 for 4 on Wednesday in a 4-1 home loss to Phoenix. They're 2-4-0 since a five-game winning streak and have totaled five goals in their five losses.

"It's hard to win hockey games when you're not scoring goals," said forward Milan Hejduk, who had three goals and an assist as Colorado and Dallas split four matchups in 2010-11. "We just have to keep playing the same way and eventually we'll start scoring goals."

The Avs are averaging a league-worst 1.2 goals on home ice - where they are 1-4-0 - but have scored 24 times while posting the league's best road record at 6-1-0.

Facing Lehtonen, 5-0-1 with a 2.14 GAA in six starts against Colorado, could slow down that production. He has a 1.82 GAA while winning five of six at home.

Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov, 4-0-0 with a 2.59 GAA on the road, has never started in Dallas. Backup Jean-Sebastien Giguere has made 19 starts there, going 5-12-2 with a 2.88 GAA.

Morrow notched a team-best three goals versus Colorado last season but has not scored in six straight games. Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro, who have combined for seven goals and 10 assists in 2011-12, each had four points in the final three meetings last season as Dallas went 2-0-1.

Avs center Ryan O'Reilly, who scored Wednesday and has a team-high nine points, has just one assist in eight games against Dallas.

The Stars conclude a stretch of five of six on the road Nov. 18 in Denver and play there again 10 days later.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2011, 07:16 PM

Preview: Capitals (4-2) at Hurricanes (5-4)

Date: November 04, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

Coach Bruce Boudreau showed in the Washington Capitals' last game that he's willing to try something different - even leaving his two-time league MVP on the bench late in a close contest.

After a spectacular end to a brief skid, the Capitals will try to keep heading in the right direction by continuing their recent dominance over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night.

With his team trailing Anaheim by one Tuesday, Boudreau called a timeout to talk over his plans for the final minute of regulation. Those plans didn't include Alex Ovechkin, as Washington send out its third line of Brooks Laich, Jason Chimera and Joel Ward - which had seven points on the night - supplemented by Nicklas Backstrom.

Ovechkin appeared to direct an expletive toward his coach following the decision, but Boudreau's hunch to sit his ineffective captain paid off. Backstrom scored the tying goal with 42 seconds left in regulation, and Ovechkin assisted on another Backstrom goal in overtime of a 5-4 victory that ended a two-game slide.

"It's one team,' said Ovechkin, who has five goals and five assists for Washington (8-2-0). "It doesn't matter how good you are or who you are. If we want to win, we have to be on the same page.

"It was frustrating. That kind of situation (ticks) me off, but it is what it is. It's good for the team. I have to respond from it."

Ovechkin will get that chance against a Hurricanes club that's gone 3-0-1 in its last four home games. Carolina (5-4-3) defeated Tampa Bay 4-2 at the RBC Center on Tuesday, getting by two goals apiece from Chad LaRose and Jeff Skinner.

"We're trying to take it one game at a time on this (three-game) homestand," LaRose said. "We're looking forward to Friday's game and we'll be ready to go."

The Hurricanes haven't been ready for the Capitals lately, losing six of seven matchups. Washington has won three in a row in Raleigh with Backstrom recording four goals and Ovechkin collecting a goal and five assists.

Backstrom had a pair of assists in the Caps' season-opening 4-3 overtime home victory over Carolina on Oct. 8, the second assist coming on Mike Green's goal in the extra period. Boudreau, though, said Thursday that Green will likely miss a fourth straight game because of an injured right ankle.

The status of right wing Troy Brouwer is also uncertain due to an ailing right shoulder.

Boudreau said he will likely start each of his goaltenders once during the two-game trip over back-to-back nights. Michal Neuvirth might get the nod Friday as he earned one of his four career shutouts in Raleigh last season, while Tomas Vokoun has allowed four goals in each of his last two matchups with the Hurricanes.

After sitting out the last game against Washington, Cam Ward may be in net for Carolina. He is 5-0-2 with a 1.82 goals-against average in his last seven starts.

Ward has a 2.16 GAA in his last five games versus the Capitals but is 1-3-1 over that span.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2011, 07:18 PM

Preview: Blackhawks (5-2) at Lightning (5-5)

Date: November 04, 2011 7:30 PM EDT

Tampa Bay's strong play at home of late has helped the team overcome a rough start.

The Lightning, however, could be in for a stiff challenge when they try for a fourth straight home victory Friday night against a Chicago Blackhawks club looking for a fourth consecutive win overall.

After opening the season with a 5-1 win at Carolina, Tampa Bay (5-5-2) dropped five straight games, including a 7-4 defeat to Florida in its home opener Oct. 17. Since that loss to the Panthers, however, the Lightning have outscored the New York Islanders, Buffalo and Winnipeg 8-1 during a three-game home winning streak.

Dwayne Roloson and Mathieu Garon recorded a shutout each in the last two victories. Tampa Bay has never posted three consecutive shutouts at home.

"We have a defense-first mentality," coach Guy Boucher told the Lightning's official website. "It's a mindset. The number one thing is competitiveness, who wants it most.

"We love to be home. The energy is great."

The Lightning hope to feed off that friendly energy as they try to bounce back after losing for the second time in three games, 4-2 at Carolina on Tuesday.

"We have done more than talked about this," Boucher said. "Except for the third period, we didn't earn anything."

Steven Stamkos had his six-game point streak snapped against the Hurricanes, but he has a point in each of his four home games this season. He's tallied four goals with an assist in two career home games versus Chicago.

Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron increased his team-leading point total to 13 with an assist Tuesday.

Roloson, who stopped 28 shots in a 1-0 win over the Jets on Saturday, made 27 saves versus Carolina. He has won his last three starts against the Blackhawks despite posting a 3.16 goals-against average over that span.

Garon, who hasn't played since being pulled from a 5-3 loss at Nashville on Oct. 27, has a 4.04 GAA while losing five straight starts versus Chicago.

For the first time since 2002-03, Tampa Bay faced the Blackhawks twice last season, winning both contests. Stamkos and Martin St. Louis each had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 home shootout victory over Chicago on March 9.

Chicago's Patrick Kane, who has three goals and six assists in five career games versus Tampa Bay, scored the lone goal in Thursday's shootout to help give the Blackhawks (8-2-2) a 3-2 win against the Panthers in the first leg of their Florida trip.

Kane added an assist during regulation while Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa scored as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games.

"I thought we could have played better the whole game, but the most important thing is that we got the two points," Kane said.

Corey Crawford stopped a season-high 41 shots Thursday and could be back in net for this contest. He posted a 1.93 GAA versus Tampa Bay in 2010-11 despite losing both games.

The Blackhawks hope to have star defenseman Duncan Keith back on the ice after he missed Thursday's game with a hand injury. Keith has a goal and three assists in six games against the Lightning.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2011, 07:20 PM

Preview: Flames (5-5) at Sabres (6-5)

Date: November 04, 2011 7:30 PM EDT

Buffalo has been unable to take advantage of an extended stretch of home games. A visit from the Calgary Flames might provide a good opportunity for the Sabres to conclude their homestand on a positive note.

The Sabres look to avoid a third consecutive loss by continuing their home dominance of the Flames on Friday night.

Buffalo (6-5-0) appeared to have some momentum after a 4-1-0 road trip, but instead has lost three of four on a five-game homestand, with each defeat decided by one goal.

The Sabres, 2-4-0 at First Niagara Center this season after going 21-16-4 there in 2010-11, gave up all three goals in the first period Wednesday against Philadelphia for its second consecutive 3-2 loss.

"It's things we talked about throughout the first part of the week, about being better with the puck, and we weren't,' said Sabres captain Jason Pominville, who has three goals and three assists on the homestand. "The message is there, we have to go out and do it.'

The Sabres have executed much better while going 7-0-0 with a tie at home versus Calgary since a 3-1 loss March 15, 1996. Buffalo has won each of the last two meetings in western New York in a shootout, the most recent 2-1 on Nov. 13, 2009.

Ryan Miller has allowed three total goals while earning the wins in both of the last two home matchups versus Calgary, but will need to be better Friday after he was pulled in the first period against the Flyers for allowing three goals on 11 shots.

The Sabres are grateful that leading scorer Thomas Vanek will be on the ice after he missed about 20 minutes Wednesday to receive stitches for a gash above his right eye. Vanek has eight goals and eight assists this season.

Though the Flames have struggled in Buffalo, they beat the Sabres 5-2 at home in the teams' most recent meeting Dec. 27.

Calgary (5-5-1) opened its three-game road trip Thursday with a 4-1 victory at Detroit. Jarome Iginla had two goals and an assist as the Flames won for the third time in four games.

Iginla doubled his previous goal total for the season, scoring for the first time since Oct. 20.

"It feels good, for sure,' he said. "To see that first one go in on the power play - it's been a little while.'

Iginla scored against the Sabres last season, but has gone without a point in his last three games at Buffalo.

The Flames allowed their first power-play goal in 14 chances on the road this season when Detroit's Dan Cleary scored in the second period Thursday.

Miikka Kiprusoff stopped the Red Wings' other 28 shots to earn the win. He is 3-1-2 with a 1.79 lifetime goals-against average versus the Sabres.

Buffalo will be without forward Patrick Kaleta, who was suspended four games by the NHL after he went head-first into a crowd of players during Wednesday's loss and struck Philadelphia's Jakub Voracek in the chest and face. Kaleta has one goal in 11 games this season.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2011, 07:21 PM

Preview: Canadiens (4-5) at Senators (4-6)

Date: November 04, 2011 7:30 PM EDT

The Montreal Canadiens are feeling good following back-to-back wins over the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Ottawa Senators are hoping to regroup after their longest winning streak in more than a year was snapped in Boston their last time out.

Seeking a fourth consecutive victory, the visiting Canadiens try for a fifth win in seven games over the Senators on Friday night.

With one victory in its first eight games, Montreal (4-5-2) found itself in the midst of its worst start in 70 years. The Canadiens, however, seem to have turned things around with three straight wins - including a home-and-home sweep of the Bruins.

Carey Price has been instrumental in the resurgence. After making 29 saves in last Thursday's 2-1 win at Boston, Price stopped 26 shots in Saturday's 4-2 victory.

"I think our guys are pretty confident again," Price said. "I think that's all it took was just a couple of wins. Now the guys are all excited to go to the rink again. When you're losing, it's not fun. Everything's gloom and doom so winning solves everything."

Ottawa (7-6-0) couldn't produce the same kind of results against Boston, failing to extend its six-game winning streak with a 5-3 loss Tuesday.

Left wing Nick Foligno recorded a career-best three points, but after defenseman Jared Cowen tied the game at 3-all with 14:56 remaining, Craig Anderson surrendered two goals in a 37-second stretch just over two minutes later.

Anderson turned away 36 of 41 shots, allowing at least five goals for the third time this season.

"Cat's got nine lives," Anderson said. "We used up a few of those in the previous couple games but we're learning still, we just gotta learn how to play - we get the point. When you're not feeling great and get the game (tied) 3-3, you gotta find a way to shut the other team down and just get a point."

Despite the loss, coach Paul MacLean remains confident in Ottawa's ability to get back on track.

"Our team (had) been at a real good level for six games, and we took a little dip. Now it's incumbent on us to get ready to play Friday night and get ourselves back to that level, or beyond," MacLean said.

The Senators, who have won four straight at home while converting 5 of 12 power-play opportunities, could have difficulty continuing that success against Montreal. The Canadiens have killed all but one of their opponents' 12 chances with the man advantage over the last three games.

"That's something that we take pride in," Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban said. "Special teams is the difference in every hockey game. We have a lot of guys that are dedicated to blocking shots and being in the lanes and getting the pucks out.

"When it comes down to it - that's what wins championships."

Price, who has a 1.33 goals-against average while starting each game during the three-game win streak, is 4-0-0 with a 1.57 GAA and two shutouts over his last five appearances in Ottawa.

Price likely won't need to worry about facing Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, who has missed the last two contests after sustaining a concussion Saturday.

Center Jason Spezza, who ranks first on the Senators with 15 points, has 15 goals and 16 assists in 20 home meetings with Montreal - leading the Senators to 13 wins.

Anderson went 3-0-0 with a 1.99 GAA against Montreal over the previous two seasons.

The Canadiens are 4-1-1 in the last six meetings after going 1-6-1 in the previous eight.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2011, 07:23 PM

Preview: Canucks (5-6) at Blues (4-6)

Date: November 04, 2011 8:00 PM EDT

While the Vancouver Canucks don't appear to be going totally away from Roberto Luongo at this point, the St. Louis Blues may be moving away from Jaroslav Halak.

Luongo will likely be in goal for the visiting Canucks on Friday night while the Blues could go with Brian Elliott over a struggling Halak.

Both Luongo and Halak entered the season as clear No. 1 goaltenders for their respective teams, but neither has fared well. Luongo has a 3.20 goals-against average while Halak has been worse at 3.58.

Vancouver (6-6-1) rested Luongo for Thursday's 5-1 loss at Minnesota based on his 3-9-1 career record with one tie and a 3.56 GAA at the Xcel Energy Center. Cory Schneider took his place and performed valiantly in the defeat, making 40 saves for the Canucks.

"We lost 5-1 and our best player by far was our goaltender. That about can sum it up right there," coach Alain Vigneault said.

Schneider also lost his previous start, a 3-0 home loss to St. Louis (5-6-0) on Oct. 26. Elliott made 32 saves for his 10th career shutout and first with the Blues.

While Elliott suffered his first loss in his following start last Friday at Calgary, Halak fell to 1-5-0 after Sunday's 4-2 defeat at Edmonton.

"The feeling in the locker room is that this game is on us, not on our goalie," St. Louis defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. "We hung him out to dry."

The Blues, who have played a league-low three home games thus far, play six of their next seven at the Scottrade Center.

"We had a tough October as far as scheduling goes and it was a wearying traveling schedule," Shattenkirk said. "I think we would like to have a different result in the record category but I think we made some good progress as a team and I think as we go home here, we'll hopefully gain a little momentum and play well in front of our crowd."

St. Louis must show improvement on special teams. The Blues have converted an NHL-worst 8.3 percent of their power plays, and their penalty kill is among the league's worst at 72.2 percent.

Vancouver went 0 for 5 on the power play Thursday and was outshot 45-25. The Canucks failed to record their first three-game win streak of 2011-12, and fell to 1-1 on their six-game road trip.

"I think everyone's surprised. This has got to be one of the worst performances I've been a part of in this jersey," defenseman Kevin Bieksa said. "It was the defense, the goalies, the forwards, everybody, coaches, everyone was involved in this one. We all take the blame for it."

The Canucks played without fellow defenseman Sami Salo, who was out with a sore groin and replaced by Andrew Alberts.

Defenseman Aaron Rome could see his first action since his vicious hit on Nathan Horton in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final at Boston. Rome has been out with a broken hand, but Vigneault indicated that he will return sometime on this trip.

The Blues are looking for inspiration from the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. Ace Chris Carpenter skated with the team in practice Thursday and retired manager Tony La Russa will drop the ceremonial first puck Friday.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2011, 07:35 PM

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record
11/03/11 10-*8-*0 55.56% +*1005 Detail
11/02/11 2-*4-*0 33.33% -*1080 Detail
11/01/11 6-*4-*0 60.00% +*1270 Detail
Totals 18-*16-*0 52.94% +1195

Friday, November 4

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 7:00 PM ET Carolina +115 500
Carolina - Over 5.5 500

Calgary - 7:30 PM ET Calgary +160 500
Buffalo - Under 5.5 500

Montreal - 7:30 PM ET Ottawa +101 500
Ottawa - Over 5.5 500

Chicago - 7:30 PM ET Tampa Bay -122 500
Tampa Bay - Under 5.5 500

Vancouver - 8:00 PM ET St. Louis +101 500
St. Louis - Over 5.5 500

Colorado - 8:30 PM ET Colorado +109 500
Dallas - Over 5.5 500

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