Hockey Night In Canada betting preview
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (-110, 5.5)
The red-hot Montreal Canadiens look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they visit the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Habs' 7-1 run since the Olympic Break has helped Montreal solidify its playoff positioning. Going into Friday's action, the Canadiens owned a 7-point bulge over the ninth-place Thrashers and Rangers.
Toronto is also playing some pretty good hockey lately. The Leafs have won six of their last eight and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Senators and Devils.
Injury report
Ravaged by injuries all season, Montreal still isn't quite at full strength. Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron and leading goal-scorer Mike Cammalleri are still recovering from knee injuries and neither are expected back until next week.
Toronto remains without defensemen Mike Komisarek and Mike Van Ryn, both of whom are out for the season.
No bad Hab-its
The Leafs are hopelessly out of the playoff hunt, but Habs coach Jacques Martin still feels Toronto can be a dangerous opponent for his squad.
"I think it's important for our team to focus on one game at a time," Martin told reporters. "You know going down the stretch some of the tougher games you have are against teams that have been eliminated. They play loose."
Playing spoiler
The Leafs currently occupy the basement of the Eastern Conference, but they don't want to stay there. Toronto showed effort and hustle this week in earning victories over the Senators and Devils, two teams well ahead of them in the standings.
The Buds trailed Carolina by four points for 14th in the East going into Friday's action. The Panthers, Islanders and Lightning are also within reach.
"We don't want to be last in the conference," John Mitchell, who scored the shootout winner Thursday against the Devils, told the media. "We want to pass as many teams as possible."
Scoring spree
Scoring has been in vogue in recent meetings between the Leafs and Habs. The over is 17-6-3 in the last 26 clashes in Toronto and 25-9-4 in the last 38 matchups overall.
Oddsmakers have bumped the total up to six goals on the last eight Montreal-Toronto contests. The under has cashed in the last two meetings.
Detroit Red Wings at Vancouver Canucks (-145, 5.5)
The Detroit Red Wings continue their push for the playoffs with another crucial game in Vancouver against the host Canucks.
Going into Friday, Detroit had won six of eight games since the Olympic Break to move past the Flames into eighth spot in the West.
Vancouver has built a comfortable 5-point lead over the Avalanche in the Northwest Division. The Canucks are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Finally healthy
Detroit's strong play recently can be attributed to the return of several important players to its lineup. Forwards Tomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen have sparked the Red Wings' power play and Niklas Kronwall has played some of his best hockey in the last three games.
Franzen has six goals since returning February 9 and his presence has also rejuvenated Pavel Datsyuk (seven goals, five assists in that time).
"They are really clicking," Wings goalie Chris Osgood told reporters. "It's a give and take thing for both. They really complement each other."
Happy to be home
With the Olympics taking place in Vancouver, the Canucks were forced to play 14 consecutive road games before and after the break ? the longest road trip in NHL history. Vancouver went 8-5-1 during that stretch.
Since returning home, the Canucks have won three of four at GM Place, including a 3-2 win over the Sharks in their last outing.
?We were just excited to get back,? Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo told the press. ?It (had) been such a long time that we hadn?t played here and guys were just excited to play in front of the home fans.?
Can't breathe easy
Despite their improved play of late, the Red Wings realize their playoff positioning is still precarious at best.
The team enjoyed a three-day getaway in Kelowna, B.C. this week before visiting Edmonton Friday night where it hoped to avoid a letdown against the mediocre Oilers.
"We can't really think we are out of the woods," captain Nick Lidstrom told reporters. "We have to focus on what we need to do. We can't relax. Our lead (over Calgary) can turn in a hurry."
Trends
Vancouver games have been an offensive showcase of late. The over is 10-2 in the Canucks' last 12 overall and 10-2-1 in their last 13 against the West.
Detroit is also clicking offensively, going over in five of its last seven games.
Vancouver has won 12 of its past 14 Saturday games and is 42-13 in its last 55 contests at home.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (-110, 5.5)
The red-hot Montreal Canadiens look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they visit the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Habs' 7-1 run since the Olympic Break has helped Montreal solidify its playoff positioning. Going into Friday's action, the Canadiens owned a 7-point bulge over the ninth-place Thrashers and Rangers.
Toronto is also playing some pretty good hockey lately. The Leafs have won six of their last eight and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Senators and Devils.
Injury report
Ravaged by injuries all season, Montreal still isn't quite at full strength. Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron and leading goal-scorer Mike Cammalleri are still recovering from knee injuries and neither are expected back until next week.
Toronto remains without defensemen Mike Komisarek and Mike Van Ryn, both of whom are out for the season.
No bad Hab-its
The Leafs are hopelessly out of the playoff hunt, but Habs coach Jacques Martin still feels Toronto can be a dangerous opponent for his squad.
"I think it's important for our team to focus on one game at a time," Martin told reporters. "You know going down the stretch some of the tougher games you have are against teams that have been eliminated. They play loose."
Playing spoiler
The Leafs currently occupy the basement of the Eastern Conference, but they don't want to stay there. Toronto showed effort and hustle this week in earning victories over the Senators and Devils, two teams well ahead of them in the standings.
The Buds trailed Carolina by four points for 14th in the East going into Friday's action. The Panthers, Islanders and Lightning are also within reach.
"We don't want to be last in the conference," John Mitchell, who scored the shootout winner Thursday against the Devils, told the media. "We want to pass as many teams as possible."
Scoring spree
Scoring has been in vogue in recent meetings between the Leafs and Habs. The over is 17-6-3 in the last 26 clashes in Toronto and 25-9-4 in the last 38 matchups overall.
Oddsmakers have bumped the total up to six goals on the last eight Montreal-Toronto contests. The under has cashed in the last two meetings.
Detroit Red Wings at Vancouver Canucks (-145, 5.5)
The Detroit Red Wings continue their push for the playoffs with another crucial game in Vancouver against the host Canucks.
Going into Friday, Detroit had won six of eight games since the Olympic Break to move past the Flames into eighth spot in the West.
Vancouver has built a comfortable 5-point lead over the Avalanche in the Northwest Division. The Canucks are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Finally healthy
Detroit's strong play recently can be attributed to the return of several important players to its lineup. Forwards Tomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen have sparked the Red Wings' power play and Niklas Kronwall has played some of his best hockey in the last three games.
Franzen has six goals since returning February 9 and his presence has also rejuvenated Pavel Datsyuk (seven goals, five assists in that time).
"They are really clicking," Wings goalie Chris Osgood told reporters. "It's a give and take thing for both. They really complement each other."
Happy to be home
With the Olympics taking place in Vancouver, the Canucks were forced to play 14 consecutive road games before and after the break ? the longest road trip in NHL history. Vancouver went 8-5-1 during that stretch.
Since returning home, the Canucks have won three of four at GM Place, including a 3-2 win over the Sharks in their last outing.
?We were just excited to get back,? Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo told the press. ?It (had) been such a long time that we hadn?t played here and guys were just excited to play in front of the home fans.?
Can't breathe easy
Despite their improved play of late, the Red Wings realize their playoff positioning is still precarious at best.
The team enjoyed a three-day getaway in Kelowna, B.C. this week before visiting Edmonton Friday night where it hoped to avoid a letdown against the mediocre Oilers.
"We can't really think we are out of the woods," captain Nick Lidstrom told reporters. "We have to focus on what we need to do. We can't relax. Our lead (over Calgary) can turn in a hurry."
Trends
Vancouver games have been an offensive showcase of late. The over is 10-2 in the Canucks' last 12 overall and 10-2-1 in their last 13 against the West.
Detroit is also clicking offensively, going over in five of its last seven games.
Vancouver has won 12 of its past 14 Saturday games and is 42-13 in its last 55 contests at home.
