Thanks again Ryan for the Morning Skate…with election day like impact and less mudslinging.
The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Flyers 6, Lightning 2
Islanders 3, Oilers 1
Kings 5, Coyotes 3
Predictions record: 2-1
My 3 stars from last night:
1. Jeff Carter, PHI (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Carter’s 3 points launched the Flyers’ blowout win over Tampa.
2. Ryan Smyth, LA (2 Goals, 2 Assists)
Smyth was a huge factor in the Kings’ comeback win in Phoenix.
3. Brendan Witt, NYI (2 Goals)
Witt was actually a few feet away from netting a hat trick!
Dud of the Night:
Mike Smith… Smith had another shoddy outing, giving up 5 goals on 18 shots. He didn’t get much help, but he’s still been very inconsistent all year and yesterday was a typical bad day for Smith.
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Tonight’s Slate:
Bruins @ Red Wings, 7:00 ET
Lightning @ Maple Leafs, 7:30
Thrashers @ Canadiens, 7:30
Rangers @ Canucks, 10:00
Penguins @ Ducks, 10:00
Games of the Night:
Boston Bruins (6-6-1) @ Detroit Red Wings (5-4-3)
7:00 ET… TV: VERSUS, TSN
Players to watch:
BOS- Blake Wheeler
His size and skill could be an x-factor tonight.
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
Datsyuk has started to get in his groove the last 3 games (6 points).
Projected Goaltenders:
BOS- Tim Thomas (09/10 stats: 4-5, 2.66 GAA)
DET- Chris Osgood (09/10 stats: 4-2-2, 3.10 GAA)
Injury Report:
BOS- Marc Savard (foot, out), Milan Lucic (finger, out), Byron Bitz (groin, questionable)
DET- Johan Franzen (knee, out), Valterri Filppula (wrist, out), Niklas Kronwall, Brian Rafalski, Jonathan Ericsson (flu, questionable), Brad May (eye, out), Andreas Lilja (head, out)
Game Thoughts:
This Original Six matchup should be a good ratings boost for Versus. The B’s and Wings have been early-season disappointments, but both are capable of turning it around. If Detroit’s three defensemen can’t go because of the flu, I like Boston’s chances. But the Wings went 0-2 against them last year, so I think they’ll avenge those losses tonight.
Prediction: Red Wings 4, Bruins 3
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New York Rangers (9-5-1) @ Vancouver Canucks (8-7-0)
10:00 ET… TV: TSN, Local Networks
Players to watch:
NYR- Matt Gilroy
The rookie d-man has been solid for the Rangers, and both of his goals have come on the road.
VAN- Henrik Sedin
Henrik is in a bit of a cold spell, with just 1 point in the last 3 games.
Projected Goaltenders:
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (09/10 stats: 8-4-1, 2.48 GAA)
VAN- Andrew Raycroft (09/10 stats: 2-1, 1.66 GAA)
Injury Report:
NYR- Enver Lisin (foot, doubtful)
VAN- Roberto Luongo (rib, out), Daniel Sedin (foot, out), Pavol Demitra (shoulder, out), Michael Grabner (ankle, out), Kyle Wellwood (toe, out), Ryan Johnson (concussion, out), Jannik Hansen (hand, out), Alexandre Bolduc (shoulder, out)
Game Thoughts:
It’s been a long time since the Rangers won in Vancouver… October 1, 1997 to be exact. Can they stop that skid tonight?? The Canucks picked up a nice win over Colorado on Sunday, but lost rising star Michael Grabner to injury. Alain Vigneault’s club is hurting right now, and I think with Gaborik in the lineup the Rangers will eek out a ‘W’.
Prediction: Rangers 3, Canucks 2 (OT)
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Maple Leafs over Lightning
Thrashers over Canadiens
Penguins over Ducks
You can follow the Red Light District on Twitter @RLDhockey!
