Tonight’s Slate:
Lightning @ Bruins, 7:00 ET
Predators @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Blackhawks @ Canadiens, 7:30
Senators @ Panthers, 7:30
Canucks @ Wild, 8:00
Ducks @ Oilers, 9:30
Stars @ Kings, 10:30
Games of the Night:
Tampa Bay Lightning (24-35-17) @ Boston Bruins (48-17-10)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
TB- Steven Stamkos
BOS- Michael Ryder
Projected Goaltenders:
TB- Karri Ramo (08-09 stats: 4-8-6, 3.52 GAA)
BOS- Tim Thomas (08-09 stats: 32-11-7, 2.13 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Bruins
Game Thoughts:
Boston is looking to extend their lead on WSH & NJ for the East lead, and I’ll think they’ll beat the Lightning to do so.
Prediction: Bruins 5, Lightning 2
—
Nashville Predators (38-30-8) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (39-29-8)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
NSH- Shea Weber
CBJ- Fedor Tyutin
Projected Goaltenders:
NSH- Pekka Rinne (08-09 stats: 27-11-4, 2.26 GAA)
CBJ- Steve Mason (08-09 stats: 31-18-5, 2.24 GAA)
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Game Thoughts:
Columbus lost 2 games to the Blues this weekend… the Preds won twice in dramatic fashion. The Preds, with a win, can take the upper hand on the 6th seed with a regulation win. Keep this in mind… the Jackets have beaten the Preds twice at Nationwide Arena this year. Nashville usually dominates Columbus there. I like the Preds, though shorthanded.
Prediction: Predators 3, Blue Jackets 2
—
Chicago Blackhawks (40-23-11) @ Montreal Canadiens (38-27-10)
7:30 ET… TV: VERSUS, TSN
Players to watch:
CHI- Martin Havlat
MTL- Alexei Kovalev
Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Nikolai Khabibulin (08-09 stats: 20-8-6, 2.54 GAA)
MTL- Carey Price (08-09 stats: 22-14-9, 2.81 GAA)
Season Series: 1st Meeting
Game Thoughts:
I just think Montreal is going to make it hard on themselves to make the playoffs. This game is virtually a toss-up, and I have a gut feeling that Chicago will put out the win.
Prediction: Blackhawks 5, Canadiens 4 (OT)
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Ottawa Senators (33-32-10) @ Florida Panthers (37-28-11)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
OTT- Daniel Alfredsson
FLA- David Booth
Projected Goaltenders:
OTT- Brian Elliott (08-09 stats: 16-6-3, 2.64 GAA)
FLA- Tomas Vokoun (08-09 stats: 23-22-6, 2.49 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Panthers
Game Thoughts:
The Panthers must win this game for their playoff push. Ottawa is playing well, but I believe Vokoun & company will get the much-needed 2 points.
Prediction: Panthers 4, Senators 3
—
Vancouver Canucks (41-25-9) @ Minnesota Wild (36-32-8)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
VAN- The Sedins
MIN- Marian Gaborik
Projected Goaltenders:
VAN- Roberto Luongo (08-09 stats: 29-11-6, 2.38 GAA)
MIN- Niklas Backstrom (08-09 stats: 34-23-7, 2.36 GAA)
Season Series: 4-1 Canucks
Game Thoughts:
The Canucks can claim the division lead tonight with a win… Minnesota needs a win here to keep up with the others ahead of them. Vancouver won 4-0 in Chicago the other night, and I expect ‘em to come away victorious in a shootout.
Prediction: Canucks 2, Wild 1 (SO)
—
Anaheim Ducks (38-32-6) @ Edmonton Oilers (36-31-9)
9:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
ANA- Teemu Selanne
EDM- Ales Kotalik
Projected Goaltenders:
ANA- Jean-Sebastien Giguere (08-09 stats: 19-18-5, 3.13 GAA)
EDM- Dwayne Roloson (08-09 stats: 27-21-9, 2.77 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Oilers
Game Thoughts:
Last week, Edmonton went to Anaheim and won 5-3. Tonight, I expect the Ducks to return the favor. The Oilers have been terribly inconsistent at home this year, and that may continue tonight. Go with the Ducks in OT…
Prediction: Ducks 4, Oilers 3 (OT)
—
Dallas Stars (33-33-10) @ Los Angeles Kings (31-33-11)
10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
DAL- Loui Eriksson
LA- Anze Kopitar
Projected Goaltenders:
DAL- Marty Turco (08-09 stats: 32-30-9, 2.84 GAA)
LA- Jon Quick (08-09 stats: 18-15-2, 2.58 GAA)
Season Series: 4-1 Kings
Game Thoughts:
Los Angeles has had Dallas’ number this year, and will be playing at home finally. I like the Kings to dump the Stars tonight.
Prediction: Kings 3, Stars 2
