fryday info

[Aces High]

WASHINGTON CAPITALS (20-36-8-2) AT NEW YORK RANGERS (21-32-7-5), 7 p.m. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - Two clubs that have been torn apart in recent weeks clash tonight when the New York Rangers welcome the Washington Capitals to Madison Square Garden.

The Capitals, after dealing Jaromir Jagr to the Rangers in January, have since unloaded Peter Bondra, Robert Lang, Sergei Gonchar and Michael Nylander. The Blueshirts, meanwhile, have dealt Alex Kovalev, Petr Nedved and franchise staple Brian Leetch this week.

New York enters the match with a four-game losing streak (0-3-0-1) intact. On Thursday the Rangers dropped a 3-1 contest in Boston, as Joe Thornton scored twice to lead the Bruins.

Mike Dunham allowed three goals on 29 shots for the Rangers, who have lost six of their last seven overall. Jagr scored the lone goal for the Rangers, who are headed for their seventh consecutive season without reaching the playoffs -- 15 points out of the final postseason spot.

The Rangers, who have dropped their last three at MSG, will host Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Washington, meanwhile, has lost its last two contests and is 1-4-1 in the last six. On Tuesday the Caps dropped a 1-0 decision to the visiting Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo made 29 saves to post his career-high seventh shutout of the season to back the Panthers.

Olaf Kolzig stopped 26 shots for the Capitals, who suffered their second straight defeat and lost for the fourth time in five games (1-4-0). They have allowed a power-play goal in five straight games.

Tonight's match will be the Caps' first since the Gonchar deal with Boston. Washington obtained promising defenseman Shaone Morrisonn and the Bruins' first and second round selections in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft in return.

The Capitals, 4-3-1 in their last eight road games, will begin a four-game homestand Saturday against Philadelphia. Washington defeated Jagr and the Rangers, 2-1, at MSG on January 28 and is 7-3-1 in the last 11 meetings.

RECENT TRENDS
? WASH is 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings.
? Caps are 1-5 ATS in their last six overall.
? Over is 5-1-1 in WASH?s last seven road games.
? Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
? NY is 2-9 ATS playing with zero days of rest.
? NY is 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/28/2004 NYR 1 Wash. 2 -0.5,-170/5.5 Wash./U
1/26/2003 Wash. 7 NYR 2 -0.5,-135/5.5 Wash./O
1/15/2003 Wash. 1 NYR 2 -0.5,-145/5.5 NYR/U
1/4/2003 NYR 2 Wash. 2 -0.5,120/5.5 Wash./U
10/23/2002 NYR 1 Wash. 2 -0.5,115/6 Wash./U
1/26/2002 NYR 6 Wash. 3 0,-120/6 NYR/O
12/4/2001 Wash. 5 NYR 2 0,-130/6 Wash./O
11/23/2001 Wash. 6 NYR 2 0,-120/5.5 Wash./O
10/10/2001 NYR 2 Wash. 5 0,-105/5.5 Wash./O
3/19/2001 NYR 6 Wash. 3 0,200/6 NYR/O

OTTAWA SENATORS (35-17-9-5) AT PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (34-16-12-6), 7 p.m. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference hits Philadelphia tonight when the Flyers welcome the Ottawa Senators to the Wachovia Center.

Philadelphia, holding 86 points, is tied with Tampa Bay and Toronto for the East lead -- two ahead of Ottawa and Boston.

The Flyers are coming off Wednesday's 5-2 victory over visiting Nashville. Kim Johnsson had two goals and an assist to lead the way. Tony Amonte chipped in a goal and a pair of assists, as the Flyers put the brakes on a three-game winless streak (1-1-1-1).

Alexei Zhamnov had a goal and an assist and Sami Kapanen added an empty-netter for Philadelphia, which has won six of its last eight at home. Zhamnov has three goals and four assists since coming to the Flyers via trade from Chicago.

Robert Esche was solid in net with 22 saves on 24 shots in his second start since returning from a knee injury.

Philadelphia, which is 21-7-2-3 on its ice this season, will visit Washington on Saturday.

Ottawa, meanwhile, is 1-2-1 in its last four games, including Wednesday's 4-3 loss in Buffalo in the back end of a home-and-home. The Sens had trounced the Sabres, 7-1, last Saturday.

In Wednesday's contest, Patrick Lalime stopped 23 shots for Ottawa, which is only 2-4-1 in its last seven road games. Daniel Alfredsson scored twice and Marian Hossa added a tally in the setback. Hossa extended his point streak to six games (3g, 4a).

Peter Bondra had a golden opportunity to get the equalizer for Ottawa with under a minute remaining. Sabres goalie Martin Biron, though, made a sprawling glove save at the doorstep to preserve the win. Bondra has two goals in seven games since being obtained from Washington.

Ottawa winger Martin Havlat missed his second straight game after being suspended for a high-sticking incident against the Flyers' Mark Recchi in a 1-1 tie last Thursday. Despite having missed a couple practices with an illness, the Czech forward is expected to be in the lineup tonight.

The Senators will host Nashville on Saturday before embarking on a five-game road trip Monday in Washington.

Ottawa is 1-0-1 against Philly this season, and 2-0-3 in the last five non- playoff meetings. The Sens have also eliminated the Flyers from the postseason in each of the last two years.

RECENT TRENDS
? OTT is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
? OTT is 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games.
? Over is 4-1 in OTT?s last five overall.
? PHI is 23-11 ATS playing with one day of rest.
? PHI is 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games.
? Over is 14-5-2 in PHI?s last 21 overall.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/26/2004 Ott. 1 Phi. 1 -0.5,-130/5 Phi./U
12/1/2003 Ott. 4 Phi. 1 -0.5,110/5 Ott./P
5/5/2003 Phi. 1 Ott. 5 -1.5,240/4.5 Ott./O
5/3/2003 Ott. 5 Phi. 2 -1.5,195/4.5 Ott./O
5/1/2003 Phi. 1 Ott. 0 -1.5,220/4.5 Ott./U
4/29/2003 Phi. 2 Ott. 3 -1.5,220/4.5 Ott./O
4/27/2003 Ott. 0 Phi. 2 -1.5,175/5 Phi./U
4/25/2003 Ott. 4 Phi. 2 -1.5,180/5 Ott./O
2/6/2003 Ott. 2 Phi. 2 -0.5,-110/5 Phi./U
12/23/2002 Ott. 2 Phi. 2 -0.5,-120/5 Phi./U

CAROLINA HURRICANES (20-28-13-4) AT ATLANTA THRASHERS (27-32-6-2), 7:30 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Atlanta Thrashers seek their fourth consecutive victory tonight when they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to Philips Arena.

After defeating New Jersey last Friday, the Thrashers proceeded to sweep the NY Rangers in a home-and-home. On Tuesday, Patrik Stefan registered his first three-point performance of the season with a trio of assists to lead the Thrashers past the Rangers, 4-3, at Madison Square Garden.

Dany Heatley, Ilya Kovalchuk, Daniel Tjarnqvist and Randy Robitaille scored the goals for the Thrashers, who completed a home-and-home sweep over New York after Sunday's 3-2 win. They now own a 7-0-1 mark in the last eight meetings with the Rangers.

Kovalchuk has seven goals in his last seven games, and is tied with Columbus' Rick Nash for the NHL lead at 36 tallies.

Pasi Nurminen stopped 26 shots to backstop the win for Atlanta, which mustered just 16 shots on the way its fifth win in the past seven games.

The Thrashers, who are 11 points behind the NY Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, will visit Boston on Saturday.

Carolina, meanwhile, is 0-1-1-1 in its last three games on the heels of a two- match win streak. On Tuesday the Canes dropped a 3-0 game versus Columbus. Marc Denis made 25 saves for his fourth shutout of the season to back the Blue Jackets.

Kevin Weekes stopped 14-of-17 shots for Carolina, which is 3-1-2-2 in its last eight games overall.

The Hurricanes, 1-6-1 on Fridays this season, will host New Jersey on Saturday.

Carolina is 2-1 against Atlanta this season, and 16-3-4 in the all-time series.

RECENT TRENDS
? CAR is 4-2 ATS in their last six overall.
? Under is 6-2 in CAR?s last eight overall.
? The last six meetings have played over.
? ATL is 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings.
? ATL is 5-2 ATS in their last seven overall.
? Under is 12-3 in ATL?s last 15 home games.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/18/2004 Car. 2 Atl. 5 -0.5,-105/5 Atl./O
1/16/2004 Atl. 3 Car. 4 -0.5,-115/5 Car./O
11/13/2003 Car. 5 Atl. 1 -0.5,100/5 Car./O
3/26/2003 Atl. 5 Car. 1 -0.5,-120/5.5 Atl./O
1/7/2003 Atl. 3 Car. 3 0.5,120/5.5 Atl./O
12/27/2002 Car. 3 Atl. 5 -0.5,-180/5.5 Atl./O
12/20/2002 Atl. 2 Car. 3 0.5,125/5.5 Car./U
10/11/2002 Car. 5 Atl. 3 -1.5,130/5.5 Car./O
4/14/2002 Atl. 2 Car. 2 0,150/5.5 P/U
4/7/2002 Car. 1 Atl. 1 -1.5,-135/6 Atl./U

 

[Aces High]

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (34-20-11-1) AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (37-17-7-5), 7:30 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning seek their seventh consecutive victory tonight when they welcome the New Jersey Devils to the St. Pete Times Forum.

The Lightning, with 86 points, are part of a three-way jam-up atop the Eastern Conference with Toronto and Philadelphia. Ottawa and Boston, meanwhile, sit just two points back, while the Devils are six off the pace.

On Wednesday, Brad Richards finished with a goal and two assists to lead Tampa Bay to a 5-3 win over Chicago at the United Center. Vincent Lecavalier, Cory Sarich and Ruslan Fedotenko each finished with a goal and an assist for the Lightning, who moved to 10-0-1-2 in their last 13 games.

Nikolai Khabibulin made 27 saves to tie Daren Puppa for most career wins in franchise history (77) for Tampa Bay, which snapped a nine-game winless string against Chicago (1-7-2). Fredrik Modin also scored in the win.

Martin St. Louis and Cory Stillman each added two assists for the Lightning, who improved to 5-0-0 when scoring a shorthanded goal. St. Louis, who leads the league with 10 shorthanded points, owns a 13-game points streak (8g, 15a).

The Bolts will open a three-game road trip Saturday in Florida.

New Jersey, meanwhile, ended a three-game losing skid with Wednesday's 5-2 win at the Panthers. Scott Gomez scored a goal and assisted on four others for a five-point night.

Patrik Elias scored twice and added an assist for New Jersey, while Brian Gionta and Scott Niedermayer also found the back of the net. Martin Brodeur finished with 27 saves and improved to 21-2-3 in his last 26 games against the Panthers.

On the injury front, defenseman Brian Rafalski returned from a knee injury to notch three assists in the victory. He missed only one game with the ailment. Captain Scott Stevens remains out with post-concussion syndrome, and there is no timetable for his return to the lineup.

Jersey, which has lost four of its last six road games, will visit Carolina on Saturday.

Tampa Bay is 2-0 against New Jersey this season, and 3-0-2 in the last five non-playoff meetings.

RECENT TRENDS
? NJ is 2-4 ATS in their last six road games.
? Over is 6-3 in NJ?s last nine on the road.
? TB is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
? TB is 23-15 ATS playing with one day of rest.
? TB is 21-7 ATS in their last 28 overall.
? Over is 10-0-1 in TB?s last 11 home games.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/9/2004 NJ 1 TB 4 -0.5,-180/4.5 TB/O
10/18/2003 NJ 2 TB 3 -0.5,-125/5 TB/P
5/2/2003 NJ 2 TB 1 -1.5,160/4.5 TB/U
4/30/2003 TB 1 NJ 3 1.5,-260/4.5 NJ/U
4/28/2003 TB 4 NJ 3 1.5,-300/4.5 TB/O
4/26/2003 NJ 3 TB 2 -1.5,150/4.5 TB/O
4/24/2003 NJ 3 TB 0 -1.5,170/4.5 NJ/U
3/27/2003 TB 2 NJ 2 0.5,-140/5 TB/U
1/11/2003 TB 3 NJ 3 0.5,-135/5 TB/O
11/23/2002 NJ 1 TB 3 -0.5,-150/5.5 TB/U

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (35-19-8-4) AT DETROIT RED WINGS (38-17-9-2), 7:30 p.m. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - Two of the top teams in the Western Conference face off this evening, as the Vancouver Canucks head into Motown to battle the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings lead the Western Conference with 87 points and Vancouver is in fourth with 82. The Canucks are also just one point behind Colorado for first place in the Northwest Division.

Detroit has won three straight contests, including Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. Henrik Zetterberg and Mark Mowers both scored to lead Detroit to the win at Joe Louis Arena.

Manny Legace made 28 saves for the Red Wings.

Detroit, which improved to 6-1-1 in its last eight overall, has won all three meetings with Calgary this season and six of the last seven in the series.

On the injury front, Red Wings forward Kris Draper missed the game with a rotator cuff injury. He collided with goaltender Curtis Joseph during a pre- game skate Wednesday morning. Draper, who has surprisingly tallied 24 goals this season, is expected to miss roughly a month.

Detroit, which has won five consecutive home games, completes its four-game stand on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the Canucks and the Avalanche skated to a 5-5 tie in a key Northwest Division battle at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday.

Vancouver received goals from five different players. Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison each notched a goal and two assists, while linemate Todd Bertuzzi assisted on a trio of tallies.

The other three markers were all scored by defensemen, as Brent Sopel, Marek Malik and Mattias Ohlund lit the lamp for the Canucks, who saw a three-game win streak come to an end, but still remained unbeaten in four contests.

Dan Cloutier turned aside 29 shots between the pipes for Vancouver in the stalemate.

The Canucks play the middle test of a three-game road trip tonight and will complete the swing Saturday in Columbus.

Vancouver has won two straight and three of the last four meetings. However, the Red Wings are 18-6-4 in the previous 28 matchups and have just two losses in the last 13 meetings at Joe Louis Arena (10-2-1).

RECENT TRENDS
? VAN is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.
? VAN is 4-0 ATS in their last four overall.
? Over is 7-2 in VAN?s last nine road games.
? Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
? DET is 23-13 ATS playing with one day of rest.
? DET is 25-8 ATS at home this season.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/24/2004 Van. 4 Det. 2 -0.5,130/5 Van./O
11/3/2003 Van. 5 Det. 1 -0.5,-120/5.5 Van./O
10/16/2003 Det. 3 Van. 2 -0.5,-125/5.5 Det./U
2/18/2003 Det. 3 Van. 4 -0.5,-110/5.5 Van./O
1/24/2003 Van. 2 Det. 5 -0.5,130/5.5 Det./O
1/19/2003 Det. 1 Van. 4 -0.5,-125/5.5 Van./U
11/22/2002 Van. 4 Det. 1 0.5,-135/5.5 Van./U
4/27/2002 Van. 4 Det. 6 0,180/5.5 Det./O
4/25/2002 Det. 4 Van. 0 0,-300/5.5 Det./U
4/23/2002 Van. 2 Det. 4 0,170/5.5 Det./O

MIGHTY DUCKS OF ANAHEIM (24-26-9-8)AT CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (18-34-9-5),8:30 p.m. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim try to hold on to their fading playoff hopes this evening when they visit the lowly Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

The Mighty Ducks have 65 points and are in 11th place in the Western Conference. They are currently eight points behind Los Angeles for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

On Wednesday, Samuel Pahlsson recorded the first multi-goal game of his career with two tallies to lead Anaheim to a 2-0 win over Minnesota at the Pond.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped all 28 shots he faced, including 17 in the second period, to earn his third shutout of the season and the 19th of his career.

Jason Krog assisted on Pahlsson's first goal, as the Mighty Ducks won their second straight and improved to 6-2-1-1 in the last 10 games.

Anaheim opens its brief two-game road trip tonight before travelling to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, were handed a 5-3 setback by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center on Wednesday. Brad Richards finished with a goal and two assists to lead Tampa Bay.

Mark Bell, Kyle Calder and Tuomo Ruutu scored for the Blackhawks, who are winless in their last four (0-2-2). Adam Munro stopped 24 shots in his second NHL game.

On the injury front, the Blackhawks lost Calder for the season when he broke his left fibula late in the game.

The Blackhawks are not in the playoff race and currently reside in last place in the Western Conference with 50 points.

Chicago plays the middle test of its three-game homestand tonight and welcomes Edmonton on Sunday.

The Ducks are 5-1-2 in their last eight matchups with Chicago, but have lost in three of their previous five trips to the Windy City.

RECENT TRENDS
? ANA is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
? ANA is 5-16 ATS in their last 21 road games.
? Under is 14-4 in ANA?s last 18 on the road.
? ANA ranks 25th in offense with 2.22 goals/gm.
? CHI is 10-21 ATS playing with one day of rest.
? CHI ranks 26th in defense allowing 2.98 goals/gm.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
11/28/2003 Ana. 4 Chi. 3 -0.5,-170/4.5 Ana./O
11/2/2003 Chi. 3 Ana. 1 0.5,-140/4.5 Chi./U
10/26/2003 Ana. 1 Chi. 1 -0.5,-180/5 Chi./U
3/19/2003 Chi. 3 Ana. 4 0.5,-135/5 Ana./O
3/12/2003 Ana. 5 Chi. 2 -0.5,-170/5 Ana./O
12/6/2002 Chi. 3 Ana. 4 -0.5,-120/5 Ana./O
12/1/2002 Ana. 3 Chi. 2 -0.5,-130/5 Ana./P
3/15/2002 Ana. 1 Chi. 1 0,115/5 P/U
3/3/2002 Chi. 2 Ana. 1 0,-250/5 Chi./U
12/30/2001 Chi. 2 Ana. 1 0,-250/5 Chi./U

 

[Aces High]

CALGARY FLAMES (33-25-5-3) AT DALLAS STARS (33-22-11-0), 8:30 p.m. ------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - A pair of teams battling for playoff spots in the Western Conference meet tonight, as the Calgary Flames head into Big D to battle the Dallas Stars.

The Stars have 77 points and are fifth in the Western Conference -- one point ahead of Nashville. Meanwhile, the Flames are two points behind the Predators and just one ahead of Los Angeles in the tightly-contested race.

On Wednesday, Bill Guerin posted his third hat trick of the season, as Dallas skated to a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at American Airlines Center.

Guerin has 30 goals this season for the Stars, who have won seven in a row versus the Blue Jackets. Stu Barnes scored and Jason Arnott added three assists as Dallas extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1).

Ron Tugnutt needed to make just 15 saves for the win.

Guerin has been on a tear recently, posting six goals in his last three contests. He notched his sixth career hat trick just 25 seconds into the third period to give Dallas a 4-1 lead. He skated from behind the net, spun around and fired the puck through Marc Denis' pads from below the left circle.

The Stars, who are 9-0-3 in their last 12 at home, will finally complete their eight-game homestand Sunday against San Jose. The Stars can tie the franchise record for a home unbeaten streak tonight. The mark was set by the Minnesota North Stars during the 1990-91 season.

However, Calgary's playoff chase took a hit Wednesday, as Henrik Zetterberg and Mark Mowers both scored to lead Detroit to a 2-1 win over the Flames at Joe Louis Arena.

Jarome Iginla posted his 34th goal for the Flames, who had their two-game winning streak snapped and suffered their fourth straight loss in Detroit. Roman Turek stopped 20 shots before reportedly being placed on waivers by the team on Thursday.

The Flames, who have dropped four of their last six road games, complete a four-game swing Sunday in Colorado.

Dallas has won two straight and is 3-1-3 in the last seven meetings with Calgary. The Flames are also winless in their previous four trips to Big D (0-2-1).

RECENT TRENDS
? CAL is 6-3-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
? CAL is 19-11 ATS playing with one day of rest.
? CAL is 2-4 ATS in their last six road games.
? Under is 7-3 in CAL?s last 10 overall.
? DAL is 15-5 ATS in their last 20 overall.
? DAL ranks 3rd in defense allowing 2.18 goals/gm.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/17/2004 Cal. 2 Dal. 3 -0.5,120/4.5 Dal./O
10/29/2003 Dal. 4 Cal. 3 -1.5,125/5 Cal./O
3/27/2003 Cal. 2 Dal. 1 0.5,150/5 Cal./U
2/19/2003 Dal. 1 Cal. 1 -0.5,-240/5 Cal./U
1/29/2003 Dal. 4 Cal. 1 -0.5,-240/5 Dal./P
10/24/2002 Cal. 3 Dal. 3 0.5,-115/5.5 Cal./O
3/28/2002 Cal. 2 Dal. 2 0,115/5 P/U
12/14/2001 Dal. 3 Cal. 4 0,-220/5 Cal./O
11/29/2001 Cal. 0 Dal. 3 0,-110/5 Dal./U
10/13/2001 Dal. 3 Cal. 4 0,-300/5 Cal./O

SAN JOSE SHARKS (33-16-11-6) AT COLORADO AVALANCHE (33-16-12-5), 9 p.m. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - The Colorado Avalanche try to halt their five-game winless streak this evening when they welcome the San Jose Sharks to the Pepsi Center in a battle of division leaders.

Both teams have 83 points and are tied for second place in the Western Conference. The Sharks lead the Pacific Division by six points over Dallas, while the Avs hold just a one-point edge over Vancouver in the Northwest.

On Wednesday, Joe Sakic registered his 14th career hat trick and Alex Tanguay tied a career-high with five points, helping Colorado skate to a 5-5 tie with the Canucks in Denver.

Tanguay had a say in all five Avalanche goals, scoring twice and assisting on all three tallies by Sakic, who also added a helper. Milan Hejduk had two assists to round out the scoring for the team's top unit, which combined for 11 points although Colorado's winless skid increased to five games (0-2-2-1).

The Avs broke out with five goals after managing just 11 in their previous eight contests.

The Avalanche, winless in their last eight home games (0-4-3-1), complete a four-game stand Sunday against Calgary.

Also on Wednesday, Marco Sturm and Niko Dimitrakos ended the second period with consecutive goals to snap a tie and lead San Jose to a 4-3 win over Montreal at HP Pavilion.

Brad Stuart and Vincent Damphousse both finished with a goal and two assists for the Sharks, who earned their eighth straight home win and posted their third straight victory overall.

Evgeni Nabokov made 25 saves in the winning effort.

The Sharks, who have won three of their last five road games, complete a two- game trip in Dallas on Sunday.

The season series is tied at 1-1-1 this season, but Colorado is 7-1-1 in the last nine matchups. The Sharks have also won just three times in their previous 14 trips to Denver (3-7-4).

RECENT TRENDS
? SJ is 21-9 ATS playing with one day of rest.
? SJ is 7-2 ATS in their last nine overall.
? Over is 5-1-2 in SJ?s last eight overall.
? Under is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
? COL is 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings.
? COL has lost their last eight home games ATS.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/17/2004 Colo. 1 SJ 2 -0.5,-170/5 SJ/U
12/4/2003 SJ 2 Colo. 2 0.5,100/5 SJ/U
11/11/2003 SJ 3 Colo. 4 0.5,130/5.5 Colo./O
3/31/2003 Colo. 3 SJ 1 -0.5,-280/5 Colo./U
3/20/2003 Colo. 2 SJ 0 -0.5,-240/5 Colo./U
1/4/2003 SJ 1 Colo. 6 0.5,-145/5 Colo./O
10/19/2002 SJ 1 Colo. 3 0.5,-140/5 Colo./U
5/15/2002 Colo. 1 SJ 0 0,-200/5 Colo./U
5/13/2002 SJ 1 Colo. 2 0,110/5 Colo./U
5/11/2002 Colo. 3 SJ 5 0,-200/5 SJ/O

MONTREAL CANADIENS (34-26-6-2) AT PHOENIX COYOTES (20-26-15-5), 9 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sports Network) - Newly-acquired winger Alexei Kovalev will make his debut for the Canadiens this evening, as Montreal heads into Glendale Arena to face the Phoenix Coyotes.

Kovalev, who was acquired by the Canadiens from the New York Rangers on Tuesday for Jozef Balej and a second-round pick in the 2004 Draft, watched Wednesday's contest against San Jose from the press box. Kovalev had 13 goals and 29 assists for the Rangers this season

The Canadiens were handed a 4-3 setback by the Sharks at HP Pavilion on Wednesday night. Marco Sturm and Niko Dimitrakos ended the second period with consecutive goals to snap a tie and lead San Jose to the win.

Yanic Perreault posted a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, who had a five- game winning streak snapped. Andrei Markov and Mike Ribeiro also added goals for Montreal.

Jose Theodore stopped 25 shots for the Canadiens, who have 76 points and are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

The Habs, who have dropped five of their last seven road games, play the third test of a four-game swing Saturday in Los Angeles.

The Coyotes continued their recent slide on Tuesday night, as they were handed a 5-4 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Ryan Smyth notched his second goal of the game midway through overtime to lift the Oilers.

Chris Gratton posted a goal and two assists for the Coyotes, who are now winless in six straight (0-3-1-2). They also remained without a victory under new head coach Rick Bowness, who has been behind the bench for the last four.

Mike Sillinger, Tyson Nash and Daymond Langkow each posted a goal in the loss while Brian Boucher made 22 saves. Sillinger, though, was traded to St. Louis on Thursday in a deal that brought goaltender Brent Johnson to the desert.

Montreal is unbeaten in the last six meetings with the Coyotes (3-0-3) and 2-1-2 in its previous five trips to Phoenix.

RECENT TRENDS
? MTL is 7-1-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
? MTL is 5-1 ATS in their last six overall.
? Over is 8-1-1 in their last 10 road games.
? Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
? PHO is 4-17 ATS in their last 21 home games.
? Over is 17-4-2 in PHO?s last 23 overall.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
12/7/2002 Pho. 2 Mtl. 4 -0.5,-105/5 Mtl./O
12/8/2001 Mtl. 3 Pho. 3 0,-145/5 P/O
3/10/2001 Pho. 3 Mtl. 3 0,-220/5.5 P/O
1/13/2001 Mtl. 5 Pho. 2 0,-130/5 Mtl./O
2/22/2000 Mtl. 1 Pho. 0 0,-110/5.5 Mtl./U
12/14/1998 Mtl. 2 Pho. 2 0.5,140/5 Mtl./U
12/9/1998 Pho. 4 Mtl. 2 -1.5,-110/5 Pho./O
11/13/1997 Pho. 2 Mtl. 5 -0.5,110/5.5 Mtl./O
11/5/1997 Mtl. 4 Pho. 2 -0.5,-120/5.5 Mtl./O
11/3/1996 Pho. 4 Mtl. 4 -0.5,-140/6.5 Mtl./O

 

[Vicc Inzagio]

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thanks for the info Ace, enjoy the Phily game buddy !!


vicc

 

[Vicc Inzagio]

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:toast: :drinky: :weed:


vicc

 

[the mugs]

Aces! Where ya been pal?

If you get some time, either have Jack send me your e-mail addy or have him send mine to you.

Haven't seen you much lately. I hope all is well.

mugs

 

[trademaster]

long time no cee ace

hope lifes treating u good

any news with JR returing??? more players need to be like him...meaning more NHL players NEED a personality