Morning Skate is back…simulcasted from the Red Light District. Thanks Ryan.
The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Capitals 4, Bruins 1
Canadiens 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
Flames 5, Canucks 3
Avalanche 5, Sharks 2
Predictions record: 1-2-1
My 3 stars from last night:
1. Alexander Ovechkin, WSH (2 G, 1 A)
Ovie was in mid-season form last night, scoring twice and adding a helper.
2. Carey Price, MTL (43 saves, 3 GA)
Despite giving up 3 goals, Price was money when needed, and was the only reason why Montreal came away victorious in Toronto.
3. Craig Anderson, COL (38 saves, 2 GA)
Anderson had a stellar debut with the Avs, making 38 saves against San Jose.
Dud of the Night:
Dany Heatley, SJ… He was a -3 in the Sharks’ uninspiring loss in Colorado, and completely whiffed on an open net on a 5-on-3 in the 3rd. Not a great debut in teal.
—
Tonight’s Slate:
Panthers vs. Blackhawks, 12:00 ET (Helsinki, FIN)
Blues @ Red Wings, 3:00 (Stockholm, SWE)
Flyers @ Hurricanes, 7:00
Rangers @ Penguins, 7:30
Games of the Night:
St. Louis Blues @ Detroit Red Wings
3:00 ET… TV: TSN, VERSUS
Players to watch:
STL- T.J. Oshie
I’m interested to see how he’ll do after a stellar rookie season.
DET- Niklas Kronwall
Expect the Stockholm product to be playing in mid-season form.
Projected Goaltenders:
STL- Chris Mason (08-09 stats: 27-21-7, 2.41 GAA)
DET- Chris Osgood (08-09 stats: 26-9-8, 3.09 GAA)
Injury Report:
STL- D.J. King (thumb, out)
DET- Chris Osgood (flu, probable), Darren Helm (shoulder, doubtful), Andreas Lilja (head, out)
Game Thoughts:
This tilt is the 2nd half of the matinee double-header overseas. It’s the homecoming for the whole Red Wings team (it seems like). St. Louis will be looking to spoil the party, but I don’t see the Wings losing in a defacto home game.
Prediction: Red Wings 3, Blues 2
—
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
NYR- Vaclav Prospal
How will he fare in his first game with the Rangers??
PIT- Sidney Crosby
I doubt Sid will miss this one, and has torched New York in his career.
Projected Goaltenders:
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (08-09 stats: 38-25-7, 2.43 GAA)
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (08-09 stats: 35-18-7, 2.67 GAA)
Injury Report:
NYR- Marian Gaborik (groin, probable), Sean Avery (knee, out)
PIT- Sidney Crosby (groin, probable), Max Talbot (shoulder, out), Ben Lovejoy (shoulder, out)
Game Thoughts:
Pittsburgh will raise the championship banner tonight, and in most cases, it can cause the team to be in a bit of a lull to start. But the Rangers have a lot of new blood, so I think the Pens will get the win. As always, Lundqvist will keep the Blueshirts in the game.
Prediction: Penguins 2, Rangers 1
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Blackhawks over Panthers
Flyers over Hurricanes
