Super Star and Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby had a bit of a scare when his gold medal scoring glove and stick went missing after this year’s winter games.  Hockey Canada has been working around the clock to find the missing equipment worn by Crosby when he scored the winning goal in overtime against the United States.

There was some worry that the valued equipment had been stolen after the gold medal performance, but, as it turned out, they had just been misplaced in the excitement of Canada’s win.  The stick was found in Toronto as part of a shipment addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in St Petersburg.  The glove was discovered in Team Canada teammate Patrice Bergeron’s equipment bag.  The two players sat next to one another in the locker room, leading to Crosby’s glove accidentally ending up in Bergeron’s bag.

Both items were returned to a very grateful Crosby last Wednesday.  Reebok had placed a $10,000 reward on the missing stick.

The season is getting down to the nitty-gritty as teams continue to duke it out for a spot in the playoffs.  There are 10 other games set to start this Tuesday and BetUS is offering odds:

Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes
The Bruins are hanging onto that number eight spot in the East.  They’ve only won three of their games since the Olympic break, and are coming into this game on two consecutive losses.  Luckily, they’re facing the Hurricanes who are one of the worst team in the East right now.  That being said, Carolina did hand Pittsburgh a shocking 4-3 loss on Thursday, so they are capable of handling tough teams.  It will be interesting to see how these one plays out.

Puck Line
Bruins: +1 ½ -270
Hurricanes: -1 ½ +230

Buffalo Sabres v Atlanta Thrashers
This should be a pretty intense game as these two teams play each other hard.  The Sabres have defeated the Thrashers twice this season - both in overtime.  Watch for the Sabres to hang on to their lead in the Northeast, but it won’t be easy as it’s just their second in a five game road trip.  The Thrashers are hoping to make up some ground in the playoff run after dropping down to the 11th spot.

Puck Line
Sabres: -1 ½ +200
Thrashers: +1 ½ -240

Montreal Canadiens v New York Rangers
This is my pick of the week as these two teams share a distinct rivalry.  The Canadiens have dominated the Rangers this year, winning two of their three meetings.  This includes the most recent 6-0 shutout.  Both are hoping to continue their playoff bid.  Montreal is sitting at number six, while the Rangers are just outside the top 8.  They’re one point behind Boston and have won two in a row.  Can they break the Canadiens five game winning streak to gain some ground in the playoff run?

Puck Line
Canadiens: +1 ½ -240
Rangers: -1 ½ +200

Toronto Maple Leafs v Ottawa Senators
The Senators are beating down the Sabres door in the Northeast as they are just three points away from taking the lead in the division.  Though, they might have a tough time in this game as the Leafs have won the last three games between these two teams.  Plus, goalie Jonas Gustavsson isn’t letting much past that goal line.

Puck Line
Maple Leafs: -1 ½ -200
Senators: +1 ½ +165

Phoenix Coyotes v Tampa Bay Lightning
These two teams have met only once this season, which resulted in a 4-1 for Tampa Bay.  Though, things are looking a little different as the Coyotes are coming into this one on all the momentum of a five game winning streak.  They’re also sitting comfortably in the number three spot in the Western Conference.  And the Lightning?  Well, they’ve only managed to pick up two wins in their last 10 games.  Expect a win for Phoenix.

Puck Line
Coyotes: -1 ½ +240
Ligthning: +1 ½ -290

Washington Capitals v Florida Panthers
Can the Caps pull out a win without Ovechkin who has been banned for two games?  These two teams have met five times this season, and all five have resulted in wins for Washington.  Florida may be tougher competition this time around as their game has undoubtedly improved since the Olympic break.  Their playoff hopes have been renewed, as they are just six points off of the number eight spot.

Colorado Avalanche v St Louis Blues
The Blues are still holding onto hopes of a postseason.  They’re currently in the tenth spot with 73 points.  Colorado is sitting in the sixth spot, just a point behind LA.  They’ll be hoping for a sweep of the Blues this season as they’ve already handed St Louis three losses.  A win for the Avs seems imminent, as goalie Craig Anderson is unstoppable in the net.

Philadelphia Flyers v Nashville Predators
Philly has been hit and miss since the Olympic break, but they’ve picked up some pretty impressive wins.  This includes a 3-2 victory over Chicago on the 13th.  If players like Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne can continue to put away goals, they should do alright against Nashville, but don’t expect the Predators to just hand them a win.  Pekka Rinne has been a big asset in the net, and they’ll have the home ice advantage.

Moneyline
Flyers: -105
Predators: -115

Edmonton Oilers v Minnesota Wild
It’s hard to imagine the Oilers picking up a win in this game, but stranger things have happened (anyone see their shocking win over New Jersey this month??).  They’re sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with a paltry 48 points.  On the other side of the ice, a playoff run for the Wild isn’t completely out of the question.  They’re just six points off the eighth spot and going into this game after two consecutive wins.  My guess is, this will be their third.

San Jose Sharks v Dallas Stars
San Jose is still dominating in the west.  They’re comfortably atop the Pacific division and are two points ahead of the Blackhawks in the Western Conference.  Though, they’re coming into this one after a couple of disappointing losses.  Nevertheless, it seems like a win is in the cards for the Sharks as Dallas has had an even more disappointing three game losing streak and are just 1-5-1 since the Olympic break.

Puck Line
Sharks: -1 ½ +185
Stars: +1 ½ -225

New York Islanders v Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver is hot right now.  They’ve taken the lead in the Northwest division and are tied with Phoenix for the third position in the West.  They are coming into this game on a high after grabbing two consecutive wins since returning to the home ice after a 14 game road trip.  With the home ice advantage and nearly double the wins of New York, they should easily take a win in this one.

Puck Line
Islanders: +1 ½ -125
Canucks: -1 ½ +105

Check out these odds at BetUS before the games get started on Tuesday, March 16.

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