A steaming pile of hot cakes sounds like a plan or even pancakes with syrup this morning.  Now Ryan brings us the Morning Skate once again.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Rangers 3, Devils 1

Penguins 2, Islanders 1 (SO)

Hurricanes 4, Senators 0

Wild 5, Sharks 3

Red Wings 7, Stars 3

Coyotes 6, Kings 3

Predictions record: 4-2

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Patrick Eaves, DET (3 Goals, 1 Assist)… Detroit’s scoring spree was engineered by Eaves’ hat trick and four points.

2. Cam Ward, CAR (37 Saves, Shutout)

3. Shane Doan, PHX (2 Goals)

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Blue Jackets @ Maple Leafs, 7:00 ET

Bruins @ Thrashers, 7:00

Canadiens @ Lightning, 7:30

Sharks @ Blackhawks, 8:30

Avalanche @ Oilers, 9:30

Flyers @ Kings, 10:30

Game of the Night:

San Jose Sharks @ Chicago Blackhawks

8:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Sharks (19-13-5) … Blackhawks (20-15-3)

Last Ten: Sharks (5-4-1) … Blackhawks (6-3-1)

Away/Home: Sharks (9-8-2) … Blackhawks (12-9-0)

Season Series: 2-0 Sharks

Players to watch:

SJ- Logan Couture

The Sharks need the red-hot rookie to step to the forefront once again.

CHI- Dave Bolland

Without Toews, will Bolland carry more of a responsibility in all situations?

Projected Goaltenders:

SJ- Antti Niemi (2010/11 stats: 7-9-2, 3.08 GAA)

CHI- Corey Crawford (2010/11 stats: 11-6-1, 2.30 GAA)

Injury Report:

SJ- Torrey Mitchell (lower body, doubtful)

CHI- Jonathan Toews (shoulder, out), Corey Crawford and Fernando Pisani (flu, questionable)

Game Thoughts:

The Blackhawks and Sharks renew their budding rivalry tonight in the Windy City.  The injury woes continue for the ‘Hawks as they’ll be without Toews for the next handful of games. San Jose is looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss last night in Minnesota.  After dropping the first two games of the season series, look for Chicago to respond in this one.

Prediction: Blackhawks 3, Sharks 2 (SO)

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Blue Jackets over Maple Leafs

Thrashers over Bruins

Lightning over Canadiens

Avalanche over Oilers

Flyers over Kings

Only two days until the Winter Classic!! You gettin’ pumped!?


The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Sabres 4, Penguins 3
Islanders 2, Blue Jackets 1 (SO)
Stars 5, Blackhawks 4
Predators 4, Blues 3
Coyotes 3, Canucks 2 (SO)
Ducks 4, Wild 2
Predictions record: 4-2

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Drew Stafford, BUF (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Sunday’s healthy scratch sparked Stafford, who tallied 3 points, including a goal via the penalty shot in the Sabres’ comeback win.
2. Bobby Ryan, ANA (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Ryan’s skill-set was on display last night with his big 3-point game.
3. Steve Ott, DAL (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Ott was everywhere for the Stars, and scored the game-winner in the 3rd.
Honorable Mention: P. Lalime, D. Roloson, S. Weber, P. Kane, J. LaBarbera
Dud of the Night:
Pittsburgh’s big letdown… The defending champs were up 3-0 in the 2nd period, and even chased Ryan Miller – the best goalie in the league right now. But Crosby and company couldn’t hold on to that lead, as Stafford and Lalime led Buffalo to a memorable comeback win. More proof that a 3-0 lead is the worst in hockey…
—

Tonight’s Slate:
Flyers @ Rangers, 7:00 ET
Penguins @ Devils, 7:00
Canadiens @ Lightning, 7:00
Thrashers @ Bruins, 7:00
Avalanche @ Senators, 7:00
Maple Leafs @ Oilers, 9:30
Kings @ Flames, 9:30
Capitals @ Sharks, 10:00

Games of the Night:
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New Jersey Devils
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Penguins (26-13-1) … Devils (27-9-1)
Last Ten: Penguins (6-4-0) … Devils (8-2-0)
Away/Home: Penguins (13-6-0) … Devils (14-6-0)
Season Series: 3-0 Devils

Players to watch:
PIT- Sergei Gonchar
Look for ‘Gonch’ to log big minutes and play a big role tonight.
NJ- Zach Parise
Parise broke out of his slump with 2 goals Monday… can he carryover that success?

Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (Last night @ BUF: 20 Saves, 4 GA)
NJ- Martin Brodeur (09/10 stats: 24-9-1, 2.15 GAA)

Injury Report:
PIT- None
NJ- Paul Martin (arm, out), Bryce Salvador (lower body, questionable), Dainius Zubrus (knee, out), P.L. Letoruneau-Leblond (upper body, out)

Game Thoughts:
After their collapse in Buffalo last night, the best thing the Pens can do is play right away and have amnesia. But they are facing the red-hot Devils. New Jersey has had the Pens’ number this season, and has played great at home lately. Look for Pittsburgh to make this a very good game (as expected), but I like the Devils with the extra day of rest.
Prediction: Devils 3, Penguins 2
—
Washington Capitals @ San Jose Sharks
10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Capitals (24-9-6) … Sharks (24-8-7)
Last Ten: Capitals (6-4-0) … Sharks (5-2-3)
Away/Home: Capitals (12-6-3) … Sharks (11-2-5)
Season Series: 1-0 Capitals

Players to watch:
WSH- Mike Green
Green is making a last-ditch effort to make Team Canada, with 6 points in the last 4 games.
SJ- Joe Pavelski
‘Joe Pa’ is an x-factor tonight; he usually plays better at home.

Projected Goaltenders:
WSH- Michal Neuvirth (09/10 stats: 3-2-0, 2.82 GAA)
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (09/10 stats: 21-5-7, 2.30 GAA)

Injury Report:
WSH- Semyon Varlamov (groin, doubtful), Tom Poti (undisclosed, questionable), Brian Pothier (ribs, out)
SJ- Brad Staubitz (face, out), Jody Shelley (soreness, out)

Game Thoughts:
Is tonight’s game in the Bay Area a Stanley Cup preview?? Probably not, but it’s fun to think about. Last year, their meeting at the Tank was a Sharks beat-down (7-2), but the Caps got them back this past October in D.C. San Jose is on a 5-game win streak, while Bruce Boudreau doesn’t know what to expect out of his goaltending. Because of that, I like Team Teal…
Prediction: Sharks 4, Capitals 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Flyers over Rangers
Canadiens over Lightning
Bruins over Thrashers
Avalanche over Senators
Maple Leafs over Oilers
Kings over Flames

You can follow the Red Light District on Twitter @RLDhockey!