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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Atlanta Thrashers vs Philadelphia Flyers Live Streaming NHL Online

Atlanta Thrashers vs Philadelphia Flyers Live Streaming NHL Online on 7:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Atlanta Thrashers Ondrej Pavelec, who made 28 saves Tuesday in his first action in 10 days, was replaced by Chris Mason in Philadelphia on March 12 after giving up three goals on 12 shots. Atlanta, winner of six of seven in this series following 14 straight losses, could help itself by improving on the power play. Atlanta vs Philadelphia Live NHL Free Streaming. The Thrashers are 1 for 21 over the last seven games. Atlanta will likely need to win out and get some help to have a chance at its first postseason berth since 2007. The Thrashers scored four times in the third period as the Flyers blew a three-goal lead after two.

Philadelphia Flyers were 14-1-1 with two ties all-time at home versus the Thrashers prior to dropping the last three. Flyers rookie Sergei Bobrovsky is 1-0-1 with a 3.46 goals-against average against the Thrashers. His 27 saves helped Philadelphia end a four-game skid to Atlanta with a 5-2 road win Jan. 14. Flyers are 2 for 19 with the man advantage since Ville Leino had two power-play goals as part of his hat trick against the Thrashers on March 12. Free NHL Thrashers vs Flyers Live Webcast. Flyers’ current slide at the Wells Fargo Center began with a 5-4 overtime loss to Atlanta on March 12. The Thrashers scored four times in the third period as the Flyers blew a three-goal lead after two.

New York Rangers vs New York Islanders Live Streaming NHL Online

New York Rangers vs New York Islanders Live Streaming NHL Online on 7:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

New York Rangers have won eight of the last 10 meetings at Nassau Coliseum. Ninth-place Carolina won Wednesday to get within three points of the Rangers and Sabres. Marian Gaborik is scoreless in his last three games but has six goals and three assists against the Islanders this season, including a hat trick and the game-winning goal in a 6-5 victory Dec. 2. NY Rangers vs NY Islanders Live NHL Free Streaming. Rangers suffered a 1-0 loss Wednesday at Buffalo, dropping them into a tie with the Sabres for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference with five games remaining. They had gone 8-1-1 in their previous 10 games.

New York Islanders, who were eliminated from the postseason race Saturday, dropped their third straight Wednesday with a 3-2 loss at New Jersey. Rick DiPietro made 17 saves for the Islanders, who haven’t qualified for the postseason since 2006-07. They’ve battled through a stretch losing 20 of 21 games Oct. 23-Dec. 13, which led to Jack Capuano taking over as interim coach. Free NHL Rangers vs Islanders Live Webcast. They played without leading goal-scorer Michael Grabner, who sat out because of the impending birth of his child. Grabner, who leads all rookies with 31 goals and is third with 48 points, is unlikely to be with the team Thursday.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins Live Streaming NHL Online

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins Live Streaming NHL Online on 7:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Toronto Maple Leafs is in 10th place and several points behind Buffalo for the eighth spot. The Maple Leafs improved their slight chances of earning a playoff berth by beating the Sabres 4-3 on Tuesday, their fourth victory in five games. Toronto will likely need to win out to have any chance. Toronto vs Boston Live NHL Free Streaming. Mikhail Grabovski gave Toronto the lead in the second period and the Maple Leafs outshot the Sabres 14-8 in the third. It was the third time in five games they scored at least four goals. A loss to Buffalo would have virtually ended the Leafs’ hopes. Grabovski has three goals against the Bruins this season.

Boston Bruins have secured a playoff spot but have kept the pressure on as they look to improve their seeding. Boston has won four of five, giving up three total goals in the last five contests. The Bruins recorded their second shutout during that stretch with a 3-0 win over Chicago on Tuesday - both coming from Tim Thomas, who made 32 saves against the Blackhawks. Free NHL Maple Leafs vs Bruins Live Webcast. Boston is in third place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind Washington, and has a seven-point lead over Montreal in the Northeast. The Bruins need two points to secure their second division title in three seasons.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Live Streaming NHL Online

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Live Streaming NHL Online on 7:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Columbus Blue Jackets have won their last two visits to Washington, and they improved to 4-0-1 against Southeast opponents with Tuesday’s 3-2 shootout win over Florida. Columbus ended a four-game skid. Columbus forward R.J. Umberger will likely get a rude reception from Capitals fans Thursday. Columbus vs Washington Live NHL Free Streaming.Umberger was critical of Washington’s playing style before last season’s playoffs, when the Capitals were upset by Montreal in the first round. Ovechkin has gone four straight games versus the Blue Jackets without scoring after totaling four goals in his first two against them.

Washington Capitals are three points ahead of Northeast Division leader Boston in the race for the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed. Washington trails East-leading Philadelphia by three points. Washington holds a six-point lead over Tampa Bay as it tries for its fourth straight division title. Free NHL Blue Jackets vs Capitals Live Webcast. The Capitals are one point shy of reaching 100 for the third straight campaign after amassing 121 to win the Presidents’ Trophy last season. Capitals can take another step toward winning the Southeast Division on Thursday night when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Ottawa Senators vs Florida Panthers Live Streaming NHL Online

Ottawa Senators vs Florida Panthers Live Streaming NHL Online on 7:30 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Ottawa Senators will try to sweep the season series from Florida for the first time since 2006-07. Ottawa, two points back of the Panthers, has won three straight road games in the series and has gone 15-3-0 in its last 18 at Sunrise. Ottawa vs Florida Live NHL Free Streaming. The Senators, last in the Eastern Conference, have five games left in a season that fell apart during a 1-13-4 slump from Dec. 29-Feb. 9. Ottawa, though, has managed to go 12-8-2 since while killing off 76 of 79 penalties. Ottawa Senators look to continue their improved late-season play Thursday night when they face the Florida Panthers in a matchup of teams eliminated from postseason contention.

The last time Florida lost seven in a row was an 0-6-1 stretch from Feb. 1-March 2, 2010. Vokoun, who suffered back tightness after regulation in a 2-1 shootout loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday, has gone 3-11-0 with a 3.36 GAA in 15 starts versus Ottawa. Backup Scott Clemmensen could make his second consecutive start for the Panthers, which could be a positive for Florida considering the way Tomas Vokoun has struggled against the Senators. Free NHL Senators vs Panthers Live Webcast. Former Panther Craig Anderson has been one of the major reasons for Ottawa’s turnaround, going 8-4-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average in 14 starts since being acquired from Colorado last month.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Live Streaming NHL Online

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Live Streaming NHL Online on 7:30 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury, who allowed three more goals Tuesday than he did while winning his previous three starts, has lost two of three at Tampa. Pittsburgh looks to bounce back with a third consecutive win over the Lightning after losing 5-3 at Tampa on Oct. 27. Pittsburgh vs Tampa Bay Live NHL Free Streaming. Chris Kunitz recorded his second career hat trick in January against the Lightning. Tyler Kennedy, who has three goals in five games, had one with an assist in that contest. Pittsburgh’s leading scorer Crosby hopes to return for the first round of the playoffs. That could be against Tampa Bay, fifth in the Eastern Conference and five points behind the fourth-place Penguins.

Tampa Bay’s nine goals in the last two games match its total during the previous four-game skid. Lightning star Steven Stamkos ranks among the league leaders with 44 goals, and he has one with three assists against the Penguins this season. He snapped a five-game point drought with an empty-netter and an assist as the Lightning moved closer to clinching their first playoff berth since 2007 with a 5-2 win over Ottawa on Tuesday. Free NHL Penguins vs Lightning Live Webcast. Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won two in a row following a four-game skid, see the value in this potential playoff preview even without Crosby.

Edmonton Oilers vs Minnesota Wild Live Streaming NHL Online

Edmonton Oilers vs Minnesota Wild Live Streaming NHL Online on 8:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Edmonton Oilers have scored four times during a six-game road skid. Edmonton Oilers have lost 10 in a row, their worst skid since a 13-game slide Dec. 31, 2009-Jan. 30, 2010. With leading scorers Sam Gagner, Taylor Hall and Alex Hemsky out for the rest of the season with injuries, Edmonton has managed a stunning 11 goals and gone 3 for 40 on the power play during its losing streak. Edmonton vs Minnesota Live NHL Free Streaming. Edmonton has totaled six goals in its four losses this season to Minnesota, which has gone 9-2-1 in the last 12 overall matchups.

Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom is 1-8-1 with a 3.85 GAA in his last 10 starts, but he could get the nod Thursday as he is 17-2-1 with a 1.73 GAA and four shutouts against Edmonton. All four of those shutouts came at home, where Backstrom is 13-0-0 with a 1.15 GAA versus the Oilers. He made 20 saves Feb. 22. Minnesota Wild, who hold a 22-4 scoring edge in the third period and overtime during that stretch, recorded three third-period goals in the last meeting, a 4-1 home win Feb. 22. Free NHL Oilers vs Wild Live Webcast. Wild look to improve their slim postseason chances Thursday night when they seek their fifth win in as many tries against the Oilers this season and 16th straight at home in the series.

Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche Live Streaming NHL Online

Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche Live Streaming NHL Online on 9:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Nashville Predators remain in the top eight in the West with five games left. The Predators, however, are wary of a matchup with the Western Conference’s second-worst team, especially since Avs star center Matt Duchene has 11 points in his last eight games. Trotz was disappointed with Nashville’s 0-for-5 effort on the power play Tuesday. The Predators have one of the league’s worst units at 14.8 percent and are 3 for 28 over their last 10 games - an 8-2-0 stretch. Predators vs Avalanche Live NHL Free Streaming. Nashville had a six-game win streak snapped with Tuesday’s 3-1 home loss to Vancouver.

Colorado Avalanche are 1-8-1 at home since their last regulation victory at the Pepsi Center on Jan. 24. Colorado gave up two more power-play goals and has allowed 11 in 38 chances over its last 11 games. Colorado Avalanche do not have a regulation win since Feb. 22, going 2-12-1 since. They blew an early two-goal lead Monday in their third straight loss, 5-4 at Anaheim. Free NHL Nashville vs Colorado Live Webcast. Pekka Rinne has started all three meetings against Colorado, posting a 2.01 goals-against average. He’s 7-2-0 with a 1.99 GAA over his last nine starts. Duchene has two goals and an assist in the season series, but the Avalanche are 0 for 7 on the power play.

Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Live Streaming NHL Online

Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Live Streaming NHL Online on 10:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Los Angeles Kings have been even better lately, holding opponents to 1 for 41 on the power play this month. They haven’t given up a power-play goal in 12 consecutive road games. Kings have limited Henrik and Daniel Sedin to six points in the three meetings. The twins combined for 18 last year in the first round of the playoffs when the Canucks won in six games. LA Kings vs Vancouver Live NHL Free Streaming. Los Angeles Kings played without Kopitar for the first time in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at Edmonton. Jonathan Bernier made 32 saves for his third shutout of the season.

Vancouver Canucks have the best penalty kill in the league at 86.5 percent, limiting opponents to one goal in 17 chances on their road trip. Vancouver could clinch the best record in the NHL on Thursday, depending partly on the result of a game between East-leading Philadelphia and Atlanta. The Canucks are nine points ahead of the Flyers, who have five games left after Thursday. Free NHL Kings vs Canucks Live Webcast. Vancouver has clinched the top seed in the Western Conference after Tuesday’s 3-1 victory at Nashville. The Canucks completed a perfect four-game road trip in which they outscored opponents 12-4.

Dallas Stars vs San Jose Sharks Live Streaming NHL Online

Dallas Stars vs San Jose Sharks Live Streaming NHL Online on 10:30 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Dallas Stars were still held to fewer than three goals for the fourth time in six games. Brad Richards, second on the team with 25 goals, hasn’t scored during that span. Benn, who has nine goals and 16 points in 13 games this month, has been key to the Stars’ success against the Sharks with three goals and four assists in the five matchups. Dallas vs San Jose NHL Live Free Online. Making things even more difficult for Dallas is that it plays five of its final seven on the road, including matchups with the Kings and Anaheim on this five-game road trip.

When San Jose Sharks move closer toward a playoff spot, the Stars are trying to get back into the postseason picture after going 1-3-3 in their last seven to drop three points behind Chicago for the final playoff berth. Sharks improved to 8-2-3 in March, with one of those regulation losses coming to the Stars. Dallas won 3-2 in San Jose on March 5 before the Sharks picked up a 6-3 victory 10 days later in Dallas. Stars vs Sharks Live Webcast. San Jose Sharks are two points ahead of the second-place Coyotes, who have played two additional games. Third-place Los Angeles is three points back.

Boston Celtics vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Online

Boston Celtics vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Online on 8:00 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Boston Celtics have won six of the last eight meetings. Celtics have lost three of four and seven of 12, including a 107-100 defeat at Indiana on Monday. Boston gave up 42 points in the paint and failed to outrebound the opposition for a fourth consecutive game as it continues to play without injured big men Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal. Boston vs San Antonio Live Stream Free. Boston Celtics’ lead in the East is long gone and they’re not playing as if they can get it back. They were outscored 26-15 in the fourth quarter Monday and by an average of 26.3 to 15.7 in their last three losses.

San Antonio Spurs lost 105-103 in Boston on Jan. 5, the teams had the two best records in the NBA. While San Antonio has maintained the league’s top record despite its struggles, Boston has only the fifth-best mark and has fallen behind Chicago for the East lead. Spurs are at risk of losing five consecutive games for the first time since dropping their final six of the 1996-97 season. Celtics vs Spurs Live Webcast. San Antonio still leads the West but is struggling to hold off the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas. The Spurs had a seven-game lead over Los Angeles on March 21, but that margin has been cut in half because they’ve lost a season-high four in a row.

Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online

Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online on 10:30 pm EDT Thu March 31, 2011

Dallas, meanwhile, has plenty more than Nowitzki to count on versus Los Angeles. Jason Terry has averaged 21.7 points in his last three games in the series, while Shawn Marion has averaged 23.5 - nearly twice his season average - in the past two meetings. Dallas vs LA Lakers Live. Dallas is 2-0 in Los Angeles this season, however. The Mavericks held on to beat the Clippers 106-100 on Wednesday, their fifth straight win while improving to 3-0 on their six-game road trip. Talk then quickly shifted to the battle for the No. 2 seed.

Los Angeles Lakers could use another big game from Gasol, particularly considering Kobe Bryant’s recent struggles against the Mavericks. The 13-time All-Star has been held to 17.0 points per game while shooting 40.8 percent versus Dallas since the start of last season—his worst average against any opponent. Watch Mavericks v Los Angeles NBA Live Free. The Lakers currently have a half-game lead over the Mavericks for the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed, meaning Thursday’s game could go a long way in deciding which team would host a potential second-round Game 7 between two teams that haven’t met in the postseason since 1988.