Ryan once again provides us with the Morning Skate. I will be posting a short memorial in the next few hours. Please bear with us as the internet is being well…a bit touchy this morning.
The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Hurricanes 6, Maple Leafs 5 (SO)
Bruins 4, Thrashers 3 (SO)
Senators 6, Penguins 2
Blues 3, Coyotes 2 (OT)
Predators 3, Devils 2 (SO)
Blue Jackets 4, Stars 1
Blackhawks 7, Flames 1
Ducks 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
Predictions record: 5-1-2
My 3 stars from last night:
1. Kristian Huselius, CBJ (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
He was huge in the Jackets’ win in Dallas, and scored a shorthanded dagger with .3 seconds left in the first.
2. Tuomo Ruutu, CAR (4 Assists, SO Goal)
Not only did Ruutu rack up four assists, he scored a slick decisive shootout goal to get Carolina back in the win column.
3. Ryan Getzlaf, ANA (1 Goal, 2 Assists)
‘Getzy’ had three big points for the desperate Ducks, including the primary helper on Niedermayer’s OT goal.
Honorable Mention: J. Arnott, K. Versteeg, M. Ryder
Dud of the Night:
Toronto Maple Leafs… Toronto’s woes continued last night when they led 3-0 after one, and scored a go-ahead goal with 30 seconds left… only to lose 6-5 in a shootout.
Honorable Mention: Calgary’s disaster
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Tonight’s Slate:
Canadiens @ Capitals, 7:00 ET
Bruins @ Sabres, 7:00
Panthers @ Red Wings, 7:30
Islanders @ Wild, 8:00
Flyers @ Sharks, 10:00
Avalanche @ Canucks, 10:00
Games of the Night:
Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Bruins (9-8-4) … Sabres (12-5-1)
Last Ten: Bruins (4-3-3) … Sabres (6-4-0)
Away/Home: Bruins (3-3-2) … Sabres (5-2-0)
Season Series: 1-0 Bruins
Players to watch:
BOS- Michael Ryder
He’s someone that needs to get going for Boston, and scored 2 goals last night in Atlanta.
BUF- Derek Roy
In the last 7 games, Roy is starting to turn the corner, racking up 4 goals and 6 points.
Projected Goaltenders:
BOS- Tim Thomas (09/10 stats: 5-6-3, 2.33 GAA)
BUF- Ryan Miller (09/10 stats: 12-3-1, 1.97 GAA)
Injury Report:
BOS- Marc Savard (foot, questionable), Tim Thomas (undisclosed, probable)
BUF- Derek Roy (leg, questionable), Mike Grier (groin, doubtful), Toni Lydman (groin, out)
Game Thoughts:
This is a big game for the Sabres. The balance of power would shift with a Sabres win as Boston has struggled early on. And since the B’s won in a shootout in Atlanta last night, I really like Buffalo’s chances to send a statement tonight. I like the Sabres to win by at least 2 goals…
Prediction: Sabres 4, Bruins 1
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Philadelphia Flyers @ San Jose Sharks
10:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Flyers (12-5-1) … Sharks (14-5-4)
Last Ten: Flyers (7-3-0) … Sharks (6-1-3)
Away/Home: Flyers (4-2-0) … Sharks (6-0-2)
Season Series: 1-0 Sharks
Players to watch:
PHI- Jeff Carter
He hasn’t gone more than two games without a point this year, so he’s due.
SJ- Ryane Clowe
Clowe has turned it on with Heatley & Thornton, and has rid his early-season struggles.
Projected Goaltenders:
PHI- Ray Emery (09/10 stats: 11-4-1, 2.22 GAA)
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (09/10 stats: 12-3-4, 2.16 GAA)
Injury Report:
PHI- Simon Gagne (hernia, out), Arron Asham (oblique, out), O-K Tollefsen (concussion, questionable)
SJ- Devin Setoguchi (leg, questionable), Rob Blake (arm, out), Brad Staubitz (face, out), Torrey Mitchell (knee, out), Jody Shelley (soreness, questionable)
Game Thoughts:
Could you say that this is a mini-preview of what’s to come in June?? Maybe. The Sharks are coming off a less-than-stellar road trip, while the Flyers won a close game in Los Angeles on Wednesday. I smell a big win from Todd McLellan’s gang tonight… call it a gut feeling.
Prediction: Sharks 4, Flyers 2
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Capitals over Canadiens
Red Wings over Panthers
Wild over Islanders
Canucks over Avalanche
You can follow the Red Light District on Twitter @RLDhockey!
