Ward At Place Regulation

Hockey Betting Lines

Steve Mason got the start in net for the Blue Jackets and made 25 saves.

Leland Irving, the 26th overall pick of the 2006 draft, made his NHL debut and stopped 39 shots. Despite the shootout, nerves weren't an issue for the 23- year-old.

"After the first two shots the adrenaline took over," said Irving, who was beaten twice in the shootout. "I just tried to keep it simple and not try to overplay the puck. It's kind of a blur right now. It would have been nice to get the two points, but we'll go back and look at the video and see what we can work on."

While the Flames are hoping to avoid their longest losing streak of the campaign, the Blackhawks will try to stretch their current run of victories to a season-high five straight. They are 6-0-1 in December and sit a point back of the Wild for first place in the Western Conference.

"We didn't give them opportunities off our mistakes and we took advantage of their mistakes," Emery said after moving to 8-1-2 on the season with a 2.54 goals-against average.

Chicago upped its home record to 10-2-3 this year and played without winger Daniel Carcillo, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes are starting to see some success under new head coach Kirk Muller. They'll look to show the Florida Panthers just how much they've changed as the two club's battle tonight at BankAtlantic Center. The Hurricanes have posted a 2-1-1 record since a seven-game slide, one that saw the firing of Paul Maurice on Nov. 28. Muller made his debut the next night in a loss to the Panthers, the first of four setbacks in a row under the new coach.

Drayson Bowman scored twice and Tuomo Ruutu added a goal during a 4:45 span in the game that erased a two-goal deficit, and Jaroslav Spacek also lit the lamp. Cam Ward then made 33 saves to preserve the win, posting some key stops down the stretch.

Though Jeff Skinner and Joni Pitkanen remain out with concussions, Jay Harrison could return tonight for the first time in 11 games due to an upper- body injury.

comments

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•    Marcus Camby had 0 points and 20 rebounds tonight smh

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•    Ulg, seriously frustrated with the Department of Licensed Professional Regulation...

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•    On the coach ; yerrr budddyyyyyyy!

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•    Annnd I might need a place to stay doe

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•    #Playing Someone to love - Shayne Ward #bheq

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•    Im not a cougar! these kids r panthers.. Blahhh

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