Tonight’s Slate:
Penguins @ Devils, 7:00 ET
Maple Leafs @ Islanders, 7:00
Sabres @ Capitals, 7:00
Hurricanes @ Thrashers, 7:30
Lightning @ Panthers, 7:30
Red Wings @ Predators, 8:00
Flyers @ Blackhawks, 8:30
Oilers @ Canucks, 10:00
Coyotes @ Kings, 10:30
Games of the Night:
Game #1: Detroit Red Wings (23-6-4) @ Nashville Predators (16-14-3)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
DET- Johan Franzen
The ‘Mule’ is due for a big game, and seems to score big goals against the Preds.
NSH- Shea Weber
This team is so much better when Weber is at the top of his game.
Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Ty Conklin (08-09 stats: 11-4-0, 2.53 GAA)
NSH- Dan Ellis (08-09 stats: 9-12-3, 2.75 GAA)
Injury Report:
DET- Darren McCarty (groin, out), Chris Osgood (groin, questionable)
NSH- Scott Nichol (concussion, out)
Last Ten Games:
Red Wings (8-2-0) … Predators (5-4-1)
Season Series:
1st Meeting
Game Thoughts:
This is the first game between the two rivals since last year’s playoffs. My heart says Nashville in a heartbeat, but it’s hard to go with them when Vern Fiddler has scored the only 2 goals in the last 3 games. Detroit is hot right now, and will take advantage of the Preds’ scoring woes. Nashville will keep it close throughout the game, but Babcock’s bunch will be too much tonight.
Prediction: Red Wings 3, Predators 1
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Game #2: Philadelphia Flyers (19-8-7) @ Chicago Blackhawks (18-6-7)
8:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
PHI- Jeff Carter
He’s one of the hottest players in the league, with 10 goals in the last 11 games.
CHI- Patrick Sharp
Sharp is due for a big night as he’s been off-and-on lately.
Projected Goaltenders:
PHI- Antero Niittymaki (December stats: 5-1-1, 2.78 GAA)
CHI- Cristobal Huet (08-09 stats: 8-5-3, 2.39 GAA)
Injury Report:
PHI- Scottie Upshall (knee, out), Daniel Briere (groin, out), Glen Metropolit (back, questionable), Ryan Parent (shoulder, out), Derian Hatcher (knee, out)
CHI- Adam Burish (toe, out), Aaron Johnson (ribs, out)
Last Ten Games:
Flyers (7-1-2) … Blackhawks (8-1-1)
Season Series:
1st Meeting
Game Thoughts:
This is by far the headline game of the night… two of the hottest teams in the NHL squaring off in the Windy City. In this matchup, I like the home team. If the game was in Philly, I’d pick the Fly-boys. But it’s in Chicago, and I think the ‘Hawks will continue their great success at the United Center (10-1-4 this year).
Prediction: Blackhawks 5, Flyers 3
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Devils over Penguins
Maple Leafs over Islanders
Capitals over Sabres
Hurricanes over Thrashers
Panthers over Lightning
Canucks over Oilers
Kings over Coyotes
