fio1103
12-19-2006, 08:35 PM
By Rich Carlson
Inspin.com/WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Montreal Canadiens (19-8-5) at Buffalo Sabres (24-6-2), 7 p.m. ET
Current WagerWeb.com Odds: Spread Money Line Total Goals
Montreal +1 1/2 -200 +150 Over 6 1/2 +110
Buffalo -1 1/2 +170 -170 Under 6 1/2 -130
The Montreal Canadiens travel to HSBC Arena on Tuesday evening to try and stop the runaway train that is the Buffalo Sabres. Montreal has recorded a 19-8-5 record this season, which puts it in second place in the Northeast Division, while Buffalo has roared out to a 24-6-2 record and is in first place in the Northeast.
The Canadiens come into tonightʼs game on a three-game winning streak and are hoping to make up more ground on the first-place Sabres. Montreal possesses the leagueʼs best special teams unit, as it is ranked No. 1 on the power play (23.1% conversion rate) and No. 2 in penalty killing (89% success). Montrealʼs special teams have accounted for 11 of the Canadiensʼ 20 goals they have scored during their last 5 games. C Saku Koivu leads the team with 36 points (14 goals, 19 assists), while D Sheldon Souray is the Canadiensʼ only other double-digit goal scorer (12 goals, 17 assists). G Cristobal Huet has been rock solid between the pipes, posting a 13-3 record, 2.29 goals against average and a league-leading .932 save percentage.
The Sabres own one of the leagueʼs best records thanks to a dominating offensive unit. C Daniel Briere (38 points), RW Maxim Afinogenov (36 points) and LW Tomas Vanek (35 points) lead a Sabres attack that averages an NHL-best 3.78 goals per game. G Ryan Miller has a solid 17-4 record, 2.61 goals against average and .917 save percentage. With such a dominant offense in front of him, Miller doesnʼt have to be perfect every night in order for the Sabres to win.
Buffalo leads the season series 3 games to 1: (Oct. 6: Buffalo 5-4; Oct. 23: Buffalo 4-1; Nov. 24: Montreal 2-1; Dec. 9: Buffalo 3-2).
Injury report
Montreal: C Steve Begin (ribs) is listed as questionable for tonightʼs game.
Buffalo: C Tim Connolly (concussion) is on injured reserve and will be out indefinitely; D Henrik Tallinder (wrist) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late December.
Key betting information
Montreal is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games and has an 8-4-2 road record
Buffalo is 6-3-1 in its last 10 games and has a 10-3-2 home record
Montrealʼs No. 13-ranked offense (3.03 goals per game) vs. Buffaloʼs No. 16-ranked defense (2.88 goals allowed average)
Buffaloʼs No. 1-ranked offense (3.78 goals per game) vs. Montrealʼs No. 10-ranked defense (2.66 goals allowed average)
Montrealʼs No. 1-ranked power play (23.1% scored) vs. Buffaloʼs No. 12-ranked penalty-killing unit (83.3% success)
Buffaloʼs No. 16-ranked power play (16.9% scored) vs. Montrealʼs No. 2-ranked penalty-killing unit (89.0% success)
News & notes
The New York Rangers placed defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh on waivers. Ozolinsh was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks on March 9.
Bet on NHL hockey now at www.WagerWeb.com
WagerWeb Hockey (http://www.wagerweb.com/sportsbook/betting-odds/nhl-hockey.html)
Inspin.com/WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Montreal Canadiens (19-8-5) at Buffalo Sabres (24-6-2), 7 p.m. ET
Current WagerWeb.com Odds: Spread Money Line Total Goals
Montreal +1 1/2 -200 +150 Over 6 1/2 +110
Buffalo -1 1/2 +170 -170 Under 6 1/2 -130
The Montreal Canadiens travel to HSBC Arena on Tuesday evening to try and stop the runaway train that is the Buffalo Sabres. Montreal has recorded a 19-8-5 record this season, which puts it in second place in the Northeast Division, while Buffalo has roared out to a 24-6-2 record and is in first place in the Northeast.
The Canadiens come into tonightʼs game on a three-game winning streak and are hoping to make up more ground on the first-place Sabres. Montreal possesses the leagueʼs best special teams unit, as it is ranked No. 1 on the power play (23.1% conversion rate) and No. 2 in penalty killing (89% success). Montrealʼs special teams have accounted for 11 of the Canadiensʼ 20 goals they have scored during their last 5 games. C Saku Koivu leads the team with 36 points (14 goals, 19 assists), while D Sheldon Souray is the Canadiensʼ only other double-digit goal scorer (12 goals, 17 assists). G Cristobal Huet has been rock solid between the pipes, posting a 13-3 record, 2.29 goals against average and a league-leading .932 save percentage.
The Sabres own one of the leagueʼs best records thanks to a dominating offensive unit. C Daniel Briere (38 points), RW Maxim Afinogenov (36 points) and LW Tomas Vanek (35 points) lead a Sabres attack that averages an NHL-best 3.78 goals per game. G Ryan Miller has a solid 17-4 record, 2.61 goals against average and .917 save percentage. With such a dominant offense in front of him, Miller doesnʼt have to be perfect every night in order for the Sabres to win.
Buffalo leads the season series 3 games to 1: (Oct. 6: Buffalo 5-4; Oct. 23: Buffalo 4-1; Nov. 24: Montreal 2-1; Dec. 9: Buffalo 3-2).
Injury report
Montreal: C Steve Begin (ribs) is listed as questionable for tonightʼs game.
Buffalo: C Tim Connolly (concussion) is on injured reserve and will be out indefinitely; D Henrik Tallinder (wrist) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late December.
Key betting information
Montreal is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games and has an 8-4-2 road record
Buffalo is 6-3-1 in its last 10 games and has a 10-3-2 home record
Montrealʼs No. 13-ranked offense (3.03 goals per game) vs. Buffaloʼs No. 16-ranked defense (2.88 goals allowed average)
Buffaloʼs No. 1-ranked offense (3.78 goals per game) vs. Montrealʼs No. 10-ranked defense (2.66 goals allowed average)
Montrealʼs No. 1-ranked power play (23.1% scored) vs. Buffaloʼs No. 12-ranked penalty-killing unit (83.3% success)
Buffaloʼs No. 16-ranked power play (16.9% scored) vs. Montrealʼs No. 2-ranked penalty-killing unit (89.0% success)
News & notes
The New York Rangers placed defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh on waivers. Ozolinsh was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks on March 9.
Bet on NHL hockey now at www.WagerWeb.com
WagerWeb Hockey (http://www.wagerweb.com/sportsbook/betting-odds/nhl-hockey.html)