Ottawa Senators at Edmonton Oilers (-130, 5.5)

This is one of those rare HNIC games that makes you wonder if the NHL might consider the NFL’s theory on flex scheduling. One of the worst in the East travels to face one of the worst in the West.

Fisher Farewell

The Senators will be sellers as we near the trading deadline and they started early. Ottawa dealt Mike Fisher to Nashville Thursday so that, among other things, his wife, country music star Carrie Underwood, can continue her career in a city more suited to her genre. She lived there part-time anyhow. But now they can be one big, happy family in Tennessee.

Along the way, the Senators, who received two draft picks, lost a pretty good player. Fisher was tied for the team lead in goals (14). So, Ottawa journeys on in what’s become a lost season. But now that it’s clear players are fighting for their futures, perhaps they’ll show a little more jump.

Coaching change…sort of

Speaking of seasons to forget, Edmonton has lost five of six and 19 of 23. And while head coach Tom Renney’s job does not appear to be in jeopardy, he will not be with the team versus Ottawa.

Assistant Ralph Krueger coached Edmonton to a 4-1 loss versus Chicago Wednesday, and will lead them again against the Senators. Renney is tending to his father’s funeral.

Jumpin’ Jordan

As bad as the Oilers have been, you have to give credit to rookie Jordan Eberle, who is putting together a nice midseason run. He has five points in his last four games and has found the back of the net in the past two outings.

For someone who has played only 41 games on a poor team, his 28 points aren’t bad. And he’s only a minus-2 on a squad that has allowed 184 goals, the league's highest total through Thursday.

History

Not much to go on when you have teams from different conferences and fluctuating rosters. But Edmonton posted a 4-1 victory over Ottawa on Nov. 29. The Oilers were heavy underdogs (+181) and the game squeezed just under the 5.5 total. But Ottawa has been hitting overs lately. In fact, they've gone over in four straight and six of eight.

Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks (-193, 5.5)

A few weeks ago, this was a mismatch on paper. But a midwinter’s run has Calgary thinking playoffs, something that’s not easy when you live in the Western Conference.

New Year, new life

The Flames dropped a disheartening 6-0 decision to Minnesota on Jan. 19, which seems like a year ago. But they shook it off rather easily and have not looked back.

Entering Friday’s contest versus Anaheim, the Flames had at least one point in nine straight and responded from a 4-3 overtime HNIC loss to Los Angeles, with back-to-back wins over Chicago and Ottawa by a combined 8-3 count. If that’s not a team that wants in on the postseason, we don’t know what is.

Looking long term

Might the Canucks, comfortable as the No. 1 in the West, let their guard down a little? We’ll see. They have little to worry about day to day, and can clearly set their sights on a Stanley Cup run.

Bettors will see how little they like losing to an inferior team. Because Vancouver is coming off a surprising 4-3 loss to Anaheim Wednesday. The Ducks scored three goals in the first 24 minutes, forcing the Canucks into an unusual game of catch-up.

History

Despite the presence of Miikka Kiprusoff and Roberto Luongo in net, you have to think over in this series, at least this year. The teams have combined for 20 goals in three matchups and the Canucks have gone over the total in four straight overall. Vancouver has also won two of three in this rivalry.