puck saturday

[Aces High]

ATLANTA THRASHERS (27-32-6-3) AT BOSTON BRUINS (32-16-13-7), 7 p.m. -------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Boston Bruins try to move up in the Eastern Conference standings tonight, as they welcome the Atlanta Thrashers to the FleetCenter.

Boston, with 84 points, is tied with Ottawa for fourth in the Eastern Conference -- two behind Northeast Division-leading Toronto. Both the B's and Senators are four points behind Tampa Bay and Philadelphia for the top spot in the conference.

On Thursday, Joe Thornton scored twice to lead the Bruins over the New York Rangers, 3-1. Newly-acquired Sergei Gonchar also lit the lamp in his Bruins debut as Boston won for the second time in three games.

The Bruins obtained Gonchar from the Washington Capitals Wednesday in exchange for young defenseman Shaone Morrisonn, and a first and second-round pick in this year's draft.

Also making his debut with the club was center Michael Nylander, who was plucked away from the Washington Capitals' fire sale. Nylander was had for second-round pick in the 2006 Entry Draft.

Felix Potvin had a relatively easy night, facing only 16 shots before losing a bid for his second straight shutout with 40.9 seconds remaining. Defenseman Jiri Slegr recorded two assists.

The Bruins, who are 10-3-1-1 in their last 15 home games, complete their two- game homestand tonight.

The Thrashers were handed a 3-2 overtime loss by Carolina on Friday, as Kevyn Adams scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway with less than a second remaining in the extra session.

Patrik Stefan and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre both scored for the Thrashers, who went 0-for-9 on the power play and had their three-game winning streak snapped. Pasi Nurminen finished with 31 saves.

Boston has won two straight and six of its last eight meetings with the Thrashers. Atlanta has also dropped three in a row and four of its last five in Beantown.

RECENT TRENDS
? ATL is 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
? Over is 9-4-1 in ATL?s last 14 overall.
? The last three meetings have played over.
? BOS is 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings.
? BOS is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games.
? Under is 13-5-3 in BOS? last 21 at home.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/3/2004 Bos. 5 Atl. 4 -0.5,-150/5 Bos./O
12/3/2003 Atl. 4 Bos. 6 0.5,-120/5.5 Bos./O
11/19/2003 Atl. 5 Bos. 4 0.5,-110/5.5 Atl./O
1/17/2003 Atl. 3 Bos. 1 0.5,100/6 Atl./U
12/28/2002 Atl. 0 Bos. 1 0.5,125/6 Bos./U
12/5/2002 Bos. 4 Atl. 3 -0.5,-240/6 Bos./O
10/26/2002 Bos. 4 Atl. 3 -1.5,110/6 Atl./O
3/8/2002 Atl. 0 Bos. 3 0,220/6 Bos./U
12/18/2001 Bos. 2 Atl. 3 -1.5,-120/6 Atl./U
12/4/2001 Atl. 2 Bos. 3 0,220/5.5 Bos./U

BUFFALO SABRES (29-30-6-1) AT TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (37-19-9-3), 7 p.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their quest for the top seed in the Eastern Conference tonight when they welcome the Buffalo Sabres to Air Canada Centre.

With 86 points, the Leafs are two behind Tampa Bay and Philadelphia for the conference lead.

On Thursday, Brian Leetch assisted on three power-play goals in his Toronto debut, leading the Maple Leafs to a 6-2 victory over the New York Islanders at ACC.

Bryan McCabe scored twice and added an assist for the Leafs, who have won three straight after losing three in a row. Gary Roberts, Mats Sundin and Robert Reichel each contributed a goal and an assist, while Darcy Tucker chipped in a goal.

Ed Belfour needed to make just 16 saves in the victory.

Leetch, acquired from the New York Rangers on Wednesday after the team failed to obtain Sergei Gonchar, set up a pair of power-play goals in the first period to give the Leafs a 2-0 lead.

The Maple Leafs play the fourth portion of a six-game homestand tonight, and will welcome Florida to town on Tuesday.

Buffalo, meanwhile, is grasping to slippery playoff hopes. With 65 points, the Sabres are tied with Florida for ninth in the East -- eight behind the NY Islanders for the final postseason spot.

On Wednesday, Miroslav Satan scored the go-ahead goal on a power play in the third period and Chris Drury added two tallies, as the Sabres skated past the Ottawa Senators, 4-3, at HSBC Arena.

Martin Biron stopped 31 shots for Buffalo, which snapped a four-game losing streak. Maxim Afinogenov added a goal for the Sabres, who are now 5-1-1 in their last seven home games. Satan, whose name has popped up in trade rumors, also chipped in two assists in the triumph.

Peter Bondra had a golden opportunity to get the equalizer for Ottawa with under a minute remaining. Biron, though, made a sprawling glove save at the doorstep to preserve the win.

The Sabres will host St. Louis on Sunday.

Buffalo is 2-0-1 against Toronto this season.

RECENT TRENDS
? BUF is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
? BUF is 1-4 ATS in their last five overall.
? Over is 8-1-1 in BUF?s last 10 overall.
? Over is 4-0-1 in the last five meetings.
? TOR is 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
? TOR is 20-13 ATS playing with one day of rest.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/14/2004 Tor. 4 Buf. 6 -0.5,-160/5 Buf./O
1/3/2004 Tor. 3 Buf. 3 -0.5,-180/5 Buf./O
10/30/2003 Buf. 5 Tor. 3 0.5,-150/5 Buf./O
3/22/2003 Tor. 3 Buf. 2 -0.5,-200/5 Tor./P
3/6/2003 Buf. 4 Tor. 2 0.5,-110/5 Buf./O
1/24/2003 Buf. 4 Tor. 0 0.5,-140/5 Buf./U
11/30/2002 Tor. 3 Buf. 1 -0.5,-170/5 Tor./U
11/15/2002 Buf. 2 Tor. 3 -0.5,125/5.5 Tor./U
3/23/2002 Tor. 2 Buf. 0 0,-165/5 Tor./U
3/2/2002 Tor. 3 Buf. 3 0,-160/5 P/O

NASHVILLE PREDATORS (33-24-8-2) AT OTTAWA SENATORS (35-18-9-5), 7 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Ottawa Senators try to get back on the winning track this evening, as they host the Nashville Predators at the Corel Centre.

The Senators were dealt a 5-3 setback in Philadelphia on Friday night in a key matchup. Alex Zhamnov posted a goal and an assist to lead Philadelphia in the physical battle between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

In the final two minutes there were five all-out brawls and one of the fights involved the two starting goaltenders. The game featured an NHL record 419 penalty minutes, breaking the mark of 406 set in February of 1981 between Minnesota and Boston.

The Flyers have 88 points and remained in a tie with Tampa Bay for the top spot in the East. Ottawa is four points back and locked in a tie for fourth with Boston. The Senators are also just two points behind Toronto for first place in the Northeast Division.

Chris Neil, Zdeno Chara and Peter Bondra netted goals for the Senators, who fell to 1-3-1 in their last five games.

The Senators open a five-game road trip in Washington on Tuesday night.

The Predators, meanwhile, are coming off a lopsided victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. Dan Hamhuis posted a goal and four assists, as Nashville used a club-record six power-play goals to keep the Penguins winless at home for the 16th straight game with a 9-4 victory at the Igloo.

Adam Hall scored twice and Steve Sullivan tallied a goal and two assists for Nashville, which has won six of its last nine games (6-2-1). David Legwand and Andrew Hutchinson each recorded a goal and an assist, while Marek Zidlicky, Martin Erat and Jordin Tootoo also scored for the Predators.

Tomas Vokoun allowed four goals on 24 shots in the victory.

The Preds, who are shooting for their first-ever playoff berth, bounced back from Wednesday's 5-2 loss in Philadelphia. Nashville, with 76 points, is sixth in the Western Conference -- three behind Dallas and two ahead of Calgary.

Sullivan now has seven goals and nine assists in nine games since being obtained from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Senators have won five of the last eight meetings with Nashville and the Predators have dropped two straight and three of the last four matchups in Canada's capital city.

RECENT TRENDS
? NASH is 22-14 ATS playing with one day of rest.
? NASH is 6-3 ATS in their last nine overall.
? Over is 6-1-1 in NASH?s last eight road games.
? Under is 5-1-2 in the last eight meetings.
? OTT is 14-6 ATS in their last 20 home games.
? Over is 4-1 in OTT?s last five overall.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/22/2003 Ott. 4 Nash. 0 -0.5,-170/5 Ott./U
12/30/2002 Nash. 3 Ott. 2 0.5,120/5 Nash./P
12/6/2001 Nash. 4 Ott. 2 0,135/5 Nash./O
11/10/2001 Ott. 3 Nash. 2 0,-300/5 Ott./P
3/24/2001 Nash. 0 Ott. 4 0,165/5 Ott./U
11/11/1999 Ott. 1 Nash. 2 0,-280/5 Nash./U
12/1/1998 Nash. 1 Ott. 3 0.5,140/5.5 Ott./U
10/17/1998 Ott. 3 Nash. 1 -0.5,-200/5 Ott./U

 

[Aces High]

ST. LOUIS BLUES (29-26-9-2) AT NEW YORK ISLANDERS (30-24-10-3), 7 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The New York Islanders hope to pad their lead in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot tonight when they welcome the St. Louis Blues to Nassau Coliseum.

With 73 points, the Isles are eighth in the standings -- eight ahead of the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers in the chase. They sit five points behind the No. 7 Montreal Canadiens.

On Thursday the Islanders were burned by an old friend, as Brian Leetch assisted on three power-play goals in his Toronto debut, leading the Maple Leafs to a 6-2 victory over New York at Air Canada Centre.

Leetch, who was obtained from the Rangers on Wednesday, continued to burn his old rivals, as he now has 23 goals and 52 assists in 83 career games versus the Isles.

Trent Hunter and Mark Parrish scored late goals for the Islanders, who are winless in their last three (0-1-1-1) and are just 1-2-2-1 in their last six. Rick DiPietro stopped 18 shots in defeat.

The Islanders will visit the Blues on Tuesday to kick off a five-game road trip.

St. Louis, meanwhile, is on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture -- four behind the Los Angeles Kings. On Thursday, Chris Osgood made 31 saves, including one on a penalty shot, helping the Blues skate to a 1-1 tie with the Edmonton Oilers at the Savvis Center.

Alex Khavanov scored the lone goal for St. Louis, which is winless in its last seven games (0-4-2-1). The Blues haven't won since February 19 against Tampa Bay, which gave them a three-game winning streak at the time.

The Blues will visit Buffalo on Sunday to conclude a brief road trip.

St. Louis and New York will meet for the first time this season. They split two meetings last campaign.

RECENT TRENDS
? STL is 4-15 ATS in their last 19 road games.
? Under is 16-3-3 in STL?s last 22 on the road.
? Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
? NY is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
? NY is 1-5 ATS in their last six overall.
? NY ranks 8th in offense with 2.81 goals/gm.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/16/2003 StL. 2 NYI 3 -0.5,-160/5.5 NYI/U
11/2/2002 NYI 1 StL. 6 0.5,-140/5.5 StL./O
2/5/2002 NYI 4 StL. 3 0,105/5.5 NYI/O
3/20/2001 StL. 3 NYI 4 -1.5,-125/5.5 NYI/O
11/13/1999 NYI 3 StL. 5 0,145/5 StL./O
12/22/1998 NYI 3 StL. 3 0.5,-130/5 NYI/O
10/17/1998 StL. 0 NYI 1 -0.5,-150/5.5 NYI/U
1/22/1998 StL. 3 NYI 3 -0.5,-130/5 NYI/O
11/29/1997 NYI 4 StL. 2 0.5,150/5.5 NYI/O
4/3/1997 StL. 5 NYI 5 -0.5,-110/5.5 NYI/O

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (34-20-11-2) AT CAROLINA HURRICANES (21-28-13-4), 7 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The New Jersey Devils try to rebound from a dramatic setback in Tampa on Friday, as they head north to face the Carolina Hurricanes tonight.

Dave Andreychuk scored with 2:43 remaining in overtime to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to an improbable 3-2 win over the Devils at the St. Pete Times Forum. The goal came after Vincent Lecavalier tied the game with just 9.6 seconds to go in regulation.

John Madden and Jeff Friesen lit the lamp at the other end as the Devils lost for the fourth time in five games (1-3-0-1). Martin Brodeur allowed three goals on 22 shots in the loss.

The Devils have 81 points and are sixth in the Eastern Conference standings -- three behind Boston. New Jersey also dropped to seven points behind Philadelphia for the Atlantic Division lead.

New Jersey will have its chance against Philadelphia, as the Flyers head into the Meadowlands on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Carolina worked some overtime magic of its own on Friday evening, as it defeated the Atlanta Thrashers, 3-2, on Kevyn Adams' shorthanded goal with the less than a second remaining in the extra session.

Rod Brind'Amour and Jeff O'Neill also scored for the Hurricanes, who snapped a three-game winless streak (0-1-1-1). Kevin Weekes made 18 of his 32 saves in the third period.

Seconds after denying a 2-on-0 rush by the Hurricanes, Pasi Nurminen couldn't stop Adams on a breakaway as time expired

O'Neill scored the 198th goal of his career for Carolina, which improved to 4-1-2-2 in its last nine games overall. O'Neill could be in his final days with the Hurricanes, as his name has been mentioned in some possible deals before Tuesday's trade deadline.

The Devils have won four of the last five meetings with Carolina and two straight at the RBC Center.

RECENT TRENDS
? NJ is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
? NJ is 1-4 ATS in their last five overall.
? Over is 6-3-1 in NJ?s last 10 road games.
? Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
? CAR is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games.
? Under is 6-2-2 in CAR?s last 10 overall.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/14/2004 NJ 4 Car. 1 -0.5,-170/4.5 NJ/O
1/21/2004 NJ 1 Car. 2 -0.5,-180/4.5 Car./U
10/11/2003 Car. 1 NJ 2 0.5,100/5 NJ/U
1/18/2003 NJ 5 Car. 2 -0.5,-170/4.5 NJ/O
1/17/2003 Car. 1 NJ 2 0.5,-115/4.5 NJ/U
10/29/2002 NJ 1 Car. 2 -0.5,-150/5 Car./U
10/19/2002 Car. 3 NJ 1 0.5,-130/5 Car./U
4/27/2002 NJ 0 Car. 1 0,-240/4.5 Car./U
4/24/2002 Car. 3 NJ 2 0,135/4.5 Car./O
4/23/2002 NJ 3 Car. 1 0,-230/4.5 NJ/U

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (35-20-8-4) AT COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (20-35-8-4), 7 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Vancouver Canucks try to make their way back into the win column this evening, as they enter Nationwide Arena to battle the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Canucks were handed a 3-1 setback by the Western Conference-leading Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Nicklas Lidstrom registered a season-high three points on a goal and two assists to lead the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.

Mike Keane scored the lone goal for the Canucks, while Dan Cloutier made 24 saves, as Vancouver lost for the first time in five contests (3-1-1). The Canucks were coming off Wednesday's 5-5 tie in Colorado.

Vancouver has 82 points and is currently fourth in the Western Conference playoff race -- three ahead of Dallas. The Canucks are also three behind the Avalanche for the Northwest Division lead.

The Canucks complete their three-game road trip tonight and return to British Columbia for Monday's test against Colorado.

Columbus, meanwhile, was dealt a 4-2 setback by the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Wednesday.

Rick Nash scored twice to provide the scoring for Columbus, which had its three-game win streak stopped. Marc Denis was peppered with 36 shots and saved 32 of them in a losing effort.

Nash tied Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk for the league lead in goals this season with his 35th and 36th tallies of the campaign.

Despite its three-game win streak over the last week, Columbus has still dropped eight of its last 12 games.

The Blue Jackets, who have just 52 points this season, open a three-game homestand tonight and welcome Carolina to Columbus on Monday.

Vancouver is 9-3-2 all-time against the Blue Jackets, but just 3-2-1 in the last six meetings. The Canucks are also winless in their previous three trips to Columbus (0-2-1) and 3-2-2 all-time at Nationwide.

RECENT TRENDS
? VAN is 4-1 ATS in their last five overall.
? Over is 7-3 in VAN?s last 10 road games.
? Over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
? CLB is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
? CLB is 4-8 ATS in their last 12 overall.
? Over is 6-1 in CLB?s last seven overall.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
10/28/2003 Van. 6 Clmb. 3 -0.5,-200/5.5 Van./O
10/13/2003 Clmb. 3 Van. 2 0.5,100/5.5 Clmb./U
3/6/2003 Clmb. 5 Van. 4 0.5,110/6 Clmb./O
2/23/2003 Van. 7 Clmb. 2 -0.5,-180/6 Van./O
2/5/2003 Clmb. 4 Van. 4 0.5,-125/5.5 Clmb./O
1/10/2003 Van. 2 Clmb. 3 -0.5,-200/5.5 Clmb./U
3/28/2002 Van. 4 Clmb. 3 -1.5,110/5.5 Clmb./O
3/14/2002 Clmb. 1 Van. 5 0,140/5.5 Van./O
11/6/2001 Clmb. 2 Van. 3 0,125/5.5 Van./U
10/30/2001 Van. 3 Clmb. 1 0,-210/5.5 Van./U

 

[Aces High]

MIGHTY DUCKS OF ANAHEIM(25-26-9-8)AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (13-44-6-4),7:30 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim try to keep their push for the playoffs alive tonight when they face the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins at the Igloo.

The Mighty Ducks, last year's Western Conference champs, have 67 points after Friday's 5-2 victory in Chicago. Anaheim is tied with Edmonton for 10th place in the conference and is currently six behind Los Angeles for the eighth and final postseason berth in the West.

On Friday, Steve Rucchin finished with two goals and an assist to lead the Mighty Ducks to the triumph over the Blackhawks.

Petr Sykora registered a goal and an assist for the Mighty Ducks, who earned their third straight victory. Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 34 saves to post his league-leading eighth win since the All-Star break.

The Ducks complete their two-game road trip tonight and return home for Monday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh was dealt an embarrassing loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Dan Hamhuis posted a goal and four assists, as the Predators used a club-record six power-play goals to keep the Penguins winless at home for the 16th straight game with a 9-4 victory.

Milan Kraft, Josef Melichar, Landon Wilson and Dick Tarnstrom each registered a goal for Pittsburgh, which hasn't won at home since a 1-0 victory over Chicago on December 29.

On Tuesday, the Pens needed a late rally to tie the New York Islanders in order to stop their 14-game home losing skid. Pittsburgh is 0-15-1 in the last 16 home tilts.

Pittsburgh goaltender Andy Chiodo let in all nine goals against 32 shots in the losing effort.

The Penguins are last in the NHL's overall standings with 36 points -- 14 points behind the next closest teams.

The Pens close their three-game homestand tonight before heading to the Big Apple to face the Rangers on Sunday.

Anaheim has won three straight and is 6-1-1 in the last eight matchups with the Penguins. The Ducks have also been victorious in two of their previous three trips to the Steel City.
RECENT TRENDS
? ANA has won the last eight meetings ATS.
? ANA is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 overall.
? Under is 14-5 in ANA?s last 19 road games.
? PIT is 2-17 ATS in their last 19 home games.
? Over is 8-1-1 in PIT?s last 10 at home.
? PIT ranks 30th in defense allowing 3.91 goals/gm.


Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
12/15/2002 Ana. 5 Pit. 0 -0.5,-170/5.5 Ana./U
3/13/2002 Ana. 4 Pit. 2 0,-150/5 Ana./O
10/6/2001 Pit. 2 Ana. 4 0,-180/5.5 Ana./O
1/15/2001 Pit. 3 Ana. 2 -1.5,-115/6 Ana./U
1/29/2000 Pit. 1 Ana. 7 0,-180/5.5 Ana./O
10/27/1999 Ana. 2 Pit. 1 0,-145/5.5 Ana./U
1/18/1999 Ana. 5 Pit. 3 0.5,-140/5.5 Ana./O
12/1/1998 Pit. 4 Ana. 4 -0.5,-140/5.5 Ana./O
12/10/1997 Ana. 0 Pit. 3 0.5,-140/5 Pit./U
12/6/1997 Pit. 5 Ana. 2 -0.5,110/5.5 Pit./O

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (38-17-7-5) AT FLORIDA PANTHERS (24-27-14-3), 7:30 p.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning continue their drive for the top seed in the Eastern Conference tonight, as they head into Sunrise to battle the Florida Panthers.

On Friday, Dave Andreychuk scored with 2:43 remaining in overtime to lift the Lightning to an improbable 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The goal came after Vincent Lecavalier tied the game with just 9.6 seconds to go in regulation. Dimitry Afanasenkov tallied the other goal for the Lightning, winners of a franchise-best seven straight.

Nikolai Khabibulin made 30 saves for the win, while Pavel Kubina recorded assists on the final two goals. Tampa Bay also set a franchise-record by earning a point in its 14th consecutive game (11-0-1-2).

The Lightning have 88 points and are currently locked in a tie with Philadelphia for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Both teams hold a two-point edge over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Tampa Bay, winners of four straight on the road, begin a three-game swing tonight. The trip also has stops in Detroit and Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Panthers are coming off Wednesday's loss to the Devils. Scott Gomez scored a goal and assisted on four others for a five-point night, as the New Jersey pounded Florida, 5-2, at the Office Depot Center.

Marcus Nilson and Juraj Kolnik scored for Florida, which lost for just the second time in its last nine (4-2-3).

Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo, coming off his fourth shutout in seven games after a 1-0 win at Washington on Tuesday, was torched for four goals on 26 shots in two periods before being pulled.

The Panthers, with 65 points, are tied with Buffalo for ninth place in the Eastern Conference -- eight behind the NY Islanders for the final playoff spot. Florida is also an unbelievable 23 points behind Tampa for first place in the Southeast Division.

The Panthers, 4-2-1 in their last seven home tilts, will travel to Toronto for Tuesday's game at the Air Canada Centre.

RECENT TRENDS
? TB is 22-7 ATS in their last 29 overall.
? Over is 18-3-2 in TB?s last 23 overall.
? Under is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
? FLA is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
? FLA is 1-6 ATS playing with two days of rest.
? FLA is 12-6 ATS in their last 18 home games.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/14/2004 TB 3 Fla. 2 -0.5,-170/5 TB/P
1/17/2004 Fla. 2 TB 1 0.5,-110/4.5 Fla./U
12/31/2003 TB 2 Fla. 2 -0.5,-140/4.5 Fla./U
11/11/2003 Fla. 4 TB 0 -0.5,-115/4.5 Fla./U
3/29/2003 TB 1 Fla. 1 -0.5,-220/5 Fla./U
2/27/2003 TB 3 Fla. 1 -0.5,-160/5 TB/U
2/8/2003 Fla. 4 TB 4 0.5,-140/5.5 Fla./O
10/28/2002 Fla. 1 TB 6 0.5,-130/5.5 TB/O
10/10/2002 Fla. 3 TB 4 -0.5,125/5 TB/O
4/14/2002 Fla. 2 TB 3 0,-130/5 TB/P

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (35-16-12-6) AT WASHINGTON CAPITALS (20-37-8-2), 8 p.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Flyers try to build on Friday's big win over Ottawa, as they head down I-95 to battle the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center tonight.

The Flyers handed the Senators a 5-3 setback in a key matchup at the Wachovia Center. Alex Zhamnov posted a goal and an assist to lead Philadelphia in the physical battle between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

In the final two minutes there were five all-out brawls and one of the fights involved the two starting goaltenders. The game featured an NHL record 419 penalty minutes, breaking the mark of 406 set in February of 1981 between Minnesota and Boston.

The Flyers have 88 points and remained in a tie with Tampa Bay for the top spot in the East. Ottawa is now four points back and locked in a tie for fourth with Boston.

Claude Lapointe, Mark Recchi, Danny Markov and Kim Johnsson also found the back of the net for the Flyers, who have won seven of their last nine at home. Tonight's test begins a two-game road trip for Philadelphia, which will also visit New Jersey on Tuesday.

Philadelphia winger Tony Amonte played in his 1,000th NHL game and was honored prior to Friday's contest.

It wasn't all good news for the Flyers, however, as they were dealt two more injuries to defenseman. Joni Pitkanen left the game with a concussion and Chris Therien suffered a sprained left shoulder. Neither players' status is certain for tonight's game.

Philadelphia was already without Marcus Ragnarsson and Eric Desjardins and was forced to use winger Sami Kapanen as a defenseman.

The Capitals were handed a 3-2 setback by the New York Rangers on Friday. Bobby Holik scored midway through the third period to lift the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Trent Whitfield and Kip Miller provided the offense for the Capitals, losers of three in a row and five of six. Sebastien Charpentier also stopped 19 shots in the loss while Jeff Halpern recorded two assists.

The Flyers have won three straight and nine of the last 11 meetings with the Capitals. They have also been victorious in three of their previous five trips to D.C.

RECENT TRENDS
? PHI is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
? PHI is 5-10 ATS playing with zero days of rest.
? PHI is 16-8 ATS in their last 24 overall.
? Under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings.
? WASH is 1-6 ATS in their last seven overall.
? Under is 6-1 in PHI?s last seven at home.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/4/2004 Phi. 5 Wash. 1 -0.5,-220/5.5 Phi./O
1/25/2004 Wash. 1 Phi. 4 0.5,100/5 Phi./P
11/6/2003 Phi. 4 Wash. 2 -0.5,-160/5 Phi./O
3/10/2003 Wash. 2 Phi. 1 0.5,-140/5 Wash./U
11/9/2002 Wash. 4 Phi. 1 0.5,-125/5.5 Wash./U
11/2/2002 Phi. 2 Wash. 1 -0.5,-160/5.5 Phi./U
10/19/2002 Phi. 3 Wash. 1 -0.5,-115/5.5 Phi./U
12/26/2001 Wash. 1 Phi. 4 0,-105/5.5 Phi./U
11/15/2001 Phi. 5 Wash. 0 0,-240/5.5 Phi./U
10/30/2001 Wash. 0 Phi. 3 0,-110/5.5 Phi./U

 

[Aces High]

MONTREAL CANADIENS (35-26-6-2) AT LOS ANGELES KINGS (25-18-16-7), 10:30 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Montreal Canadiens continue their four-game road trip tonight, as they head into Los Angeles to battle the Kings at the Staples Center.

The Habs posted a 4-3 win over the Coyotes on Friday in the second test of their swing. Saku Koivu and Richard Zednik each scored a goal and assisted on another to lead Montreal at Glendale Arena.

Pierre Dagenais and Jim Dowd tallied Montreal's other two markers, as the Canadiens won for the sixth time in the last seven games (6-1-0). Andrei Markov recorded two helpers and Jose Theodore stopped 21 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the win.

Alexei Kovalev did not have a memorable debut for the Canadiens, as he left midway through the first period with a separated shoulder after getting checked into the boards. Kovalev, who was acquired from the New York Rangers this week, will be out indefinitely.

The Canadiens have 78 points and are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference -- three behind New Jersey and five ahead of the Islanders.

Montreal, which has lost five of its last seven road games, completes its trip in Anaheim on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Kings skated to a 1-1 tie with the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. Jason Wiemer scored with 2:17 remaining in the third period to lift Minnesota to the result.

Cristobal Huet started in goal for the eighth straight time and posted 31 saves for Los Angeles. Luc Robitaille notched his 18th goal of the season to account for the LA goal. The Kings are 3-1-2 in their last six and unbeaten in seven of their last eight at home (4-1-3).

LA, with 73 points, is four ahead of the slumping St. Louis Blues for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Kings, unbeaten in their last four games as host (3-0-1), complete their three-game homestand on Tuesday against Phoenix.

LA has won two straight over Montreal at home and three of the last five matchups overall.

RECENT TRENDS
? MTL is 6-3 ATS in the last nine meetings.
? MTL is 6-1 ATS in their last seven overall.
? Over is 9-1-1 in MTL?s last 11 road games.
? Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
? LA is 4-2 ATS in their last six overall.
? Under is 4-1 in LA?s last five overall.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
3/8/2003 LA 2 Mtl. 1 -0.5,-120/5 LA/U
11/9/2002 Mtl. 3 LA 1 -0.5,-110/5.5 Mtl./U
12/22/2001 Mtl. 2 LA 1 0,-130/5 Mtl./U
3/6/2001 LA 4 Mtl. 3 0,-220/5.5 LA/O
12/11/1999 Mtl. 2 LA 4 0,120/5 LA/O
11/20/1999 LA 3 Mtl. 5 0,-240/5 Mtl./O
11/30/1998 Mtl. 3 LA 1 -0.5,-110/5.5 Mtl./U
12/3/1997 Mtl. 2 LA 0 -0.5,-125/5.5 Mtl./U
11/8/1997 LA 1 Mtl. 4 -0.5,120/5.5 Mtl./U
11/7/1996 LA 4 Mtl. 1 -0.5,-110/7 LA/U