Ryan hits us up once again with a great Morning Skate…..revel in the beauty of it.
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Devils 1, Sabres 0 (OT)
Capitals 2, Islanders 1
Lightning 4, Canadiens 3 (OT)
Maple Leafs 4, Penguins 3
Predators 3, Blackhawks 2
Ducks 4, Canucks 3
Predictions record: 3-3
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Ryan Getzlaf, ANA (1 Goal, 3 Assists)… Captain Getzlaf put his stamp on last night’s game, contributing on all four of Anaheim’s goals in their first win of the year.
2. Martin Brodeur, NJ (24 Saves, Shutout)
3. Ryan Malone, TB (1 Goal, 2 Assists)
Close but no cigar: C. MacArthur, TOR; N. Backstrom & A. Ovechkin, WSH; B. Ryan, ANA; S. Stamkos, TB
Quick-hit Observations:
– New Jersey finally got off the schnide, beating Buffalo for their first win. It was likely the last time in the foreseen future that they skated with less than 20 players as Brian Rolston’s $5-plus million cap hit was placed on LTIR yesterday.
– What a win by the Lightning last night! Say what you will about the officiating, they showed a lot of intestinal fortitude by battling back and getting the win in overtime.
– Anaheim’s game-winning goal in the third period didn’t come without controversy; they had too many men on the ice right before Bobby Ryan scored.
– I said it Sunday and I’ll say it again… if you’re overlooking the Predators, you are making a huge mistake.
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Tonight’s Slate:
Lightning @ Flyers, 7:00 ET
Hurricanes @ Senators, 7:00
Blues @ Predators, 8:00
Oilers @ Wild, 8:30
Red Wings @ Stars, 8:30
Panthers @ Flames, 9:30
Games of the Night:
Tampa Bay Lightning (2-0-0) @ Philadelphia Flyers (2-0-1)
7:00 ET… TV: VERSUS, Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: 4-0 Flyers
Players to watch:
TB- Simon Gagne
Gagne will be making his return to Philly, where he spent the first ten years of his NHL career.
PHI- Claude Giroux
Giroux has been nothing short of stellar thus far, playing well on both ends of the rink.
Projected Goaltenders:
TB- Dan Ellis (2009/10 stats: 15-13-1, 2.69 GAA)
PHI- Brian Boucher (2010/11 stats: 0-0-1, 1.94 GAA)
Injury Report:
TB- Mattias Ohlund (knee, out)
PHI- Michael Leighton (back, out), Ian Laperriere (concussion, out)
Game Thoughts:
It’s safe to say the Lightning stole two points in Montreal last night. Will they be able to put together a similar (or better) effort to grab a win in Philadelphia tonight? The Flyers have started the season very well, racking up five of a possible six points. They took all four meetings from the Bolts last season, and will likely try to get to Dan Ellis, who could be rusty by making his first start tonight. Go with the Flyers in a tight one.
Prediction: Flyers 4, Lightning 3
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St. Louis Blues (2-0-0) @ Nashville Predators (2-0-0)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: 5-1 Predators
Players to watch:
STL- David Backes
The 6’3” power forward will be a key player tonight in front of Nashville’s net.
NSH- Steve Sullivan
‘Sully’ has started the season on the right foot, and usually plays well against the Blues.
Projected Goaltenders:
STL- Jaroslav Halak (2010/11 stats: 2-0-0, 0.99 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (2010/11 stats: 1-0-0, 1.41 GAA)
Injury Report:
STL- Cam Janssen (concussion, out), Vladimir Sobotka (shoulder, out)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (lower-body, questionable), Martin Erat (back, questionable), Sergei Kostitsyn (foot, out), Jamie Lundmark (groin, out)
Game Thoughts:
Here are the two teams a lot of people are overlooking in a very good Central Division. Everyone loves to talk about the Wings and ‘Hawks, but the Preds and Blues are emerging and aren’t going anywhere. When these two meet, it’s a 60-minute battle more times than not. If Rinne is able to go, I really like the Preds’ chances; he’s 7-2-1 in his career versus St. Louis.
Prediction: Predators 3, Blues 2 (SO)
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Senators over Hurricanes
Wild over Oilers
Stars over Red Wings
Panthers over Flames
