NY Islanders at Buffalo

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THE STORY: The New York Islanders travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Tuesday for the fourth and final meeting. The Sabres will try to avoid a fourth consecutive home defeat to the Islanders. New York is playing the second game of a back-to-back after being blanked 6-0 by the Ottawa Senators on Monday. It is the ninth time the Islanders have been shut out this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (Islanders), MSG Buffalo (Sabres)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (25-26-8): The Islanders have alternated wins and losses in their last 10 games and have yet to win back-to-back contests this month. Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov missed his third straight game because of the flu on Monday and won’t make the trip to Buffalo. The Islanders will surely miss him as he has posted a 5-1-0 record with a 0.98 goals against average and two shutouts in his last six road starts.

ABOUT THE SABRES (25-27-7): Buffalo trails the Islanders by one point in the Eastern Conference standings and is playing the third of a four-game homestand. The Sabres disposed of the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 on Saturday to snap a four-game losing streak. Derek Roy netted two goals and has five points in three games, one more than his point total from his previous 19 contests. After Tuesday’s tilt with the Islanders, Buffalo hosts the Boston Bruins on Friday before embarking on a five-game road trip with stops in New York to play the Rangers, Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

OVERTIME:

1. The Islanders have the worst goals for/against differential in the Eastern Conference (minus-35). Only the Columbus Blue Jackets have a worse differential in the NHL (minus-59).

2. Buffalo captain Jason Pominville has six goals and four assists in his last eight contests.

3. Buffalo has played seven games this season against opponents who had played the day before while the Sabres had the day off. They’re 6-1-0 in those games.

PREDICTION: Sabres 3, Islanders 2. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$  

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New Jersey at Toronto

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THE STORY: Earlier this month, New Jersey Devils netminder Martin Brodeur said he would like to return for at least one more NHL season. The way the all-time wins leader has played in February, that seems like a no-brainer. Brodeur looks to continue his hot play Tuesday as he leads the Devils into Toronto for a date with the Maple Leafs. The 39-year-old is 6-1-0 with a 1.56 goals against average and .945 save percentage this month, and is a major reason for the Devils’ current three-game winning streak. The Maple Leafs have dropped five of six to slip into eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus 2 (Devils), Rogers Sportsnet Ontario (Maple Leafs)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (34-20-4): With Brodeur playing like he did during his prime, the Devils suddenly have home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in their sights. New Jersey enters Tuesday alone in fourth place in the East, a point ahead of the division-rival Philadelphia Flyers. New Jersey surged past the Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins with an 8-1-1 surge that has included victories over both Pennsylvania teams, and a pair of triumphs over the Atlantic-leading New York Rangers.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (29-24-6): It remains unclear what Toronto plans to do heading into Monday’s trade deadline, but it’s safe to say general manager Brian Burke expected to have at least one significant deal made by now. With his club fighting for its postseason life, ther may be even more pressure on Burke to make whatever deal he can to improve his sagging club over the final playoff push. Goaltending and defense have been a major concern of late, with Toronto surrendering 28 goals over its last seven games.

OVERTIME:

1. The teams have split a pair of meetings this season, with the road club winning both times.

2. Jonas Gustavsson will get the start in goal for the Maple Leafs. He is 3-1-0 with a 2.65 goals against average in five career games against New Jersey.

3. Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk has been sensational in February with five goals and 12 assists in nine games. That gives him 58 points in 53 games – two fewer than he had in 81 contests a season ago.

PREDICTION: Devils 4, Maple Leafs 2. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$   

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NY Rangers at Pittsburgh

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THE STORY: It wasn’t too long ago that a visit to the Pittsburgh Penguins spelled an automatic loss for the New York Rangers. That has changed in the past two seasons for the Rangers, who will be seeking their sixth consecutive victory in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Since the Penguins moved to Consol Energy Center, they have mustered only six goals in four losses to New York, which holds a nine-point cushion over Boston and New Jersey for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (Rangers), ROOT Sports (Penguins)

ABOUT THE RANGERS (38-14-5): New York won for the fifth time in six games as Derek Stepan scored 22 seconds into overtime in Sunday’s 3-2 home win over lowly Columbus. The Rangers arrive in Pittsburgh having allowed a league-low 116 goals and sporting the NHL’s best road record at 19-7-3. Artem Anisimov also scored against the Blue Jackets, giving him four goals in his last eight games. Anisimov has scored seven goals in 15 career games against Pittsburgh.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (33-21-5): Following a big win at Philadelphia, the Penguins laid an egg in a 6-2 loss the following day at Buffalo. Center Jordan Staal has scored a goal in three straight games and four of five since returning from injury. He has six points during that stretch. Evgeni Malkin continues to lead the league in scoring, but has gone without a goal for three straight games – his longest drought since a five-game span at the end of December.

OVERTIME:

1. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is 8-0-1 with three shutouts in his last nine games.

2. The Penguins have allowed a pair of first-period goals in five of their last seven games.

3. The teams have split two meetings this season, with each winning away from home. That continues a trend in the series in which the road team has won 11 of the last 13.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Penguins 1. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$   

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Philadelphia at Winnipeg

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THE STORY: The Winnipeg Jets will vie for a season sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers when the teams reconvene at MTS Centre on Tuesday. The Jets have won six straight and 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Flyers dating back to last season when the former club was known as the Atlanta Thrashers. Winnipeg has won three in a row and sits one point behind the Southeast Division-leading Florida Panthers. Philadelphia has dropped six of its last eight.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS Philadelphia (Flyers), TSN (Jets)

ABOUT THE FLYERS (32-19-7): Philadelphia is doing its best to retool its ailing defensive corps. After acquiring defenseman Nicklas Grossman from Dallas on Thursday, the Flyers added defenseman Pavel Kubina from Tampa Bay on Saturday. Of course, Philadelphia’s never-ending goaltending problems continue to rear their ugly heads. After signing Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year, $51 million deal in the off-season, the eccentric Russian was booed off the ice after yielding a pair of shorthanded goals in Saturday’s 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh.

ABOUT THE JETS (29-26-6): Right Wing Blake Wheeler has been a key cog in the Jets’ upward climb in the standings. Wheeler, who was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week on Monday, collected a goal and seven assists in his last three games – including a four-assist effort in Sunday’s 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Wheeler has five assists in three games versus the Flyers this season.

OVERTIME:

1. Winnipeg netted a pair of power-play goals Sunday. Prior to that, the Jets failed to score with the man advantage in their previous five contests.

2. Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk had an assist in his return Saturday after missing 15 games with a concussion. The second overall pick of the 2007 draft, van Riemsdyk had two goals and an assist in the team’s wild 9-8 loss to the Jets on Oct. 27.

3. Winnipeg left wing Evander Kane has three goals and three assists in his last three contests. The former first-round pick has scored a goal and set up two others in a pair of games versus the Flyers this season.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Flyers 2.  CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$   

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Dallas at Montreal

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THE STORY: A pair of former Montreal forwards have had a significant hand in the Dallas Stars’ fortunes this season. They’ll look to burn their former team Tuesday when the Stars visit the Canadiens in a matchup of teams on the outside of their respective playoff pictures. Canadiens-turned-Stars forwards Mike Ribeiro and Michael Ryder have each scored four game-winning goals for Dallas this season, more than any current Montreal player not named Max Pacioretty. The Stars come into this one sitting 10th in the Western Conference, while the Canadiens are 13th in the East.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RDS (Canadiens), FS Southwest (Stars)

ABOUT THE STARS (29-26-4): Ryder and Ribeiro will have to continue their strong play if the Stars have any chance of reaching the postseason. Star forward Jamie Benn has missed the last two games with a knee injury suffered Thursday against Calgary and won’t be in the lineup Tuesday. Veteran winger Brenden Morrow will join him on the sidelines, missing his ninth game with an upper-body ailment. Benn may return Thursday in Chicago, while the Stars hope Morrow will be back in early March.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (24-26-10): A slow start at home may ultimately be the club’s undoing in its quest to qualify for the Stanley Cup tournament. Montreal couldn’t get untracked at the Bell Centre in the opening month and a half and remains below .500 there, carrying an 11-13-8 mark into Tuesday’s contest. They have the fewest home victories in the Eastern Conference, and with 11 of their final 24 games being played in Montreal, they’re running out of time to make any significant improvement in their home fortunes.

OVERTIME:

1. The teams last met Dec. 21, 2010, when Dallas cruised to a 5-2 home victory. Their last meeting in Montreal came Jan. 14, 2010, a game Montreal won 5-3.

2. Dallas has been the worst team in the NHL when it comes to the second game of back-to-backs, going 0-9-2 in those situations. The Stars have three back-to-backs remaining.

3. Ryder has 10 points in his last 11 outings, while Ribeiro has nine points over that span.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Stars 2.  CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$    

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Anaheim at Tampa Bay

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THE STORY: The Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning are both in the process of making improbable runs to the playoffs as they meet Tuesday. The Ducks are 15-2-4 since Jan. 6 and have a point in nine straight games (6-0-3), climbing to within five points of eighth place in the West. The Lightning are 9-3-2 since Jan. 17 and were six points out of eighth and seven out of the Southeast Division lead through Sunday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Ducks), SunSports (Lightning)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (25-24-10): Teemu Selanne just keeps making plays. Selanne, 41, became the oldest player to score 20 goals in a season since Johnny Bucyk in 1976-77 on Sunday and he has scored at least 20 in 17 seasons. Selanne leads the team with 53 points and is a plus-7, third best on the team. Corey Perry has played a big part in the 4-0-2 road trip, which ends in Carolina on Thursday, scoring seven goals in the last seven games. Goaltender Jonas Hiller has started 18 straight games, going 12-2-4 with a .935 save percentage. His defense has helped out in that stretch, averaging only 26.7 shots against.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (26-26-6): Despite the trades of unrestricted free agents Dominic Moore and Pavel Kubina, the Lightning have won the last two games and crept back into the playoff chase. The next four games are critical, with a three-game road trip to Winnipeg, Pittsburgh and New Jersey looming after the battle with Anaheim. Tampa Bay plays 10 of the next 12 at home after that. Steven Stamkos continues to lead the way, scoring his 40th goal for the third straight season Saturday. Captain Vincent Lecavalier suffered an upper-body injury Saturday and is questionable to play.

OVERTIME:

1. Anaheim has won the last three against Tampa Bay – two in overtime and one in a shootout – and six of the last seven.

2. Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin played more than 30 minutes for the seventh time this season Sunday.

3. Tampa Bay defenseman Matt Gilroy and Anaheim center Nick Bonino played together on Boston University’s 2009 NCAA championship team.

PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Ducks 3 (OT). CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$   

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Vancouver at Nashville

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THE STORY: Vancouver and Nashville played a hard-fought six games in the Western Conference semifinals a season ago. The teams have continued that trend the last two meetings this season, splitting the tilts by a combined two goals. They will meet for a fourth and final time in the regular season when the Predators host the Canucks on Tuesday. “We’ve played them a couple times already and we know what they’re capable of doing,” Predators defenseman Roman Josi said.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, RS Pacific (Canucks), FS Tennessee (Predators)

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (38-15-6): Vancouver, two points behind conference-leading Detroit, is unbeaten in regulation in its past 13 games (10-0-3) and will be eyeing a fifth straight win overall. Having Henrik and Daniel Sedin certainly helps. The twins, who are the highest scoring teammate duo in the West, combined for 12 points as the Canucks earned a pair of wins over Toronto and Edmonton during the weekend. The Sedins have also combined for 12 points in three games this season against the Predators.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (34-19-6): Nashville is attempting to catch St. Louis for the fourth spot out West. The Predators’ strong play at home is certainly helping. Nashville is 7-0-1 its last eight home games, the lone setback being a 4-3 shootout loss to Vancouver. The Predators have been particularly steady on the power play, ranking second in the NHL at a 21.5 percent clip. Defenseman Hal Gill, acquired Friday from Montreal, will make his home debut. He has a goal and seven assists this season.

OVERTIME:

1. Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo is 5-0-0 with a 1.71 goals against average in his past five outings against Nashville.

2. Martin Erat leads the Predators in scoring with 42 points, but the right winger is pointless his last four games.

3. Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne has allowed 12 goals in three starts this season against the Canucks.

PREDICTION: Canucks 4, Predators 3 (SO). CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$    

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Los Angeles at Phoenix

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THE STORY: Failing to score has been a reoccurring issue this season for the Los Angeles Kings. Their recent rut has dropped them out the top eight spots in the Western Conference. The Kings get an opportunity to make up some ground on one of the teams they’re chasing when they travel to face the streaking Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday. Los Angeles is 3-1-1 in five meetings this season, but Phoenix is unbeaten in five straight at home.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS West (Kings), FS Arizona Plus (Coyotes)

ABOUT THE KINGS (27-21-11): It’s easy to see why the Kings have only two wins in their past eight games. They have managed three goals in the six losses, including shutouts their two previous games. “The last couple years, we’ve been battling for a playoff spot,” captain Dustin Brown said. “As frustrating as these last two games have been, offensively, we’ve got to refocus.” Goaltender Jonathan Quick has done his part against the Coyotes, stopping 42 of 43 shots in the last two meetings.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (29-21-9): While the Kings are headed in the wrong direction, the Coyotes are on an uptick, going 7-0-1 in February. Phoenix has grabbed 17 of a possible 20 points coming in, the main reason the club has jumped to seventh in the West – two points in front of Calgary and Los Angeles. Forward Radim Vrbata has been red-hot. He has five goals and four assists the past eight games, including four game-winners, en route to a career-best 28 tallies.

OVERTIME:

1. Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith is unbeaten in his last seven starts while posting a minuscule 0.99 goals against average.

2. The Kings average 2.03 goals, last in the NHL.

PREDICTION: Coyotes 3, Kings 2 (OT). CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$     

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Georgetown at Seton Hall

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THE STORY: Expect a display of physical basketball when No. 8 Georgetown travels to Seton Hall in the 94th meeting between the Big East rivals. Georgetown allows only 58.7 points and 38.4 percent from the field, while Seton Hall allows 63.2 points and 43.2 percent from the floor. The Hoyas have won two straight and are tied for fourth place in the Big East; coach John Thompson’s team is trying to earn a two-round bye for finishing among the top four. Seton Hall is trying to claw its way into the top eight and earn a first-round tournament bye; the Pirates are currently half a game behind West Virginia. Georgetown has dominated the recent series, winning six of the last seven meetings, including 80-75 a year ago.

TV: 7 p.m. ET. SNY (New Jersey, New York), MASN (Washington), Big East Network, ESPN3

ABOUT GEORGETOWN (20-5, 10-4 Big East): Hollis Thompson is coming off a double-double and is averaging 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds; he had 14 points against the Pirates last season. He’s combined with Jason Clark (14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds) to provide an effective one-two offensive punch. Henry Sims averages 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds and is known for his steady play; he had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists against Providence. Otto Porter, who averages a team-best 6.8 rebounds off the bench, played only 17 minutes against Providence.

ABOUT SETON HALL (18-9, 7-8 Big East): Herb Pope, coming off his 15th double-double of the season, will need to make his big presence felt, especially on defense. Pope is averaging 15.4 points and 10.6 rebounds; he had 16 points and nine rebounds against the Hoyas last year. Jordan Theodore, who had 17 points against Georgetown last year, leads the Pirates with 15.7 points. Fuquan Edwin averages 12.9 points and 6.6 rebounds and continues to prove his worth on defense, where he’s considered one of the best with a league-leading 3.0 steals.

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1. Seton Hall, which is 1-2 against ranked opponents, beat UConn and lost to Syracuse and Marquette.

2. Neither team turns the ball over that often, both averaging 12.6 turnovers.

3. It’s been seven games since Georgetown has produced a 20-point scorer.

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Kansas St. at Missouri

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THE STORY: Kansas State picked up a much-needed win at Baylor over the weekend to improve its NCAA Tournament hopes, and a follow-up victory at No. 3 Missouri would improve the Wildcats’ seed even more. That’s a tall task, though, considering the first-place Tigers are rolling with a six-game winning streak and haven’t lost at home all season. One of Missouri’s two losses came back on Jan. 7 at Kansas State, so the Tigers will likely have revenge on their minds in the rematch. Missouri is in the running for its first No. 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1994.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (18-8, 7-7 Big 12): Before their trip to Baylor, the Wildcats were reeling, having lost two in a row and four of their past six to place themselves squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. But the 57-56 win over the Bears changed all that, and it continued a recent trend of strong defensive play for Kansas State, which has allowed less than 60 points in four of the past five games. The Wildcats have plenty of depth inside, which they’ll have to use to get Missouri big man Ricardo Ratliffe in foul trouble. Ratliffe and Mizzou reserve Steve Moore are the only contributors listed taller than 6-foot-6.

ABOUT MISSOURI (25-2, 12-2 Big 12): In the Tigers’ first meeting with Kansas State, they fell behind 44-25 at halftime en route to a 75-59 loss. Ratliffe was limited to 14 minutes because of foul trouble and scored only two points on one field-goal attempt, so he’ll have to control himself this time around. Michael Dixon scored 16 points in that game, and the backup point guard has turned into one of the best reserves in the country. He’s scored at least 13 points in his last six games while shooting a scorching 65.5 percent from the field.

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1. Missouri leads the Big 12 in scoring (79.9), while Kansas State is sixth (71.1).

2. In the Tigers’ seven league home games, they’ve won by double digits six times.

3. Kansas State has won seven games against Top 10 opponents in coach Frank Martin’s four-plus seasons, including two this year.

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