Thanks Ryan…another thing that got lost because of that power outage….YIKES!
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Avalanche 3, Devils 2
Maple Leafs 4, Rangers 3 (OT)
Penguins 3, Islanders 2 (OT)
Blackhawks 5, Blue Jackets 2
Canadiens 2, Sabres 1
Thrashers 5, Ducks 4 (SO)
Kings 4, Canucks 1
Predictions record: 4-4
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Anthony Stewart, ATL (3 Goals)… Stewart had a big night for the Thrashers, scoring a hat trick and both third period goals to force the game to overtime.
2. Phil Kessel, TOR (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
3. Craig Anderson, COL (41 Saves, 2 GA)
Close but no cigar: D. Brown, LA; P. Sharp, CHI; C. Price, MTL; C. Perry, ANA
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Tonight’s Slate:
Penguins @ Flyers, 6:00 ET
Senators @ Canadiens, 7:00
Avalanche @ Islanders, 7:00
Lightning @ Panthers, 7:00
Capitals @ Predators, 8:00
Blue Jackets @ Wild, 8:00
Blues @ Stars, 8:30
Sabres @ Blackhawks, 8:30
Red Wings @ Coyotes, 9:00
Oilers @ Flames, 10:00
Thrashers @ Sharks, 10:30
Games of the Night:
Pittsburgh Penguins (2-3-0) @ Philadelphia Flyers (2-1-1)
6:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks
2010/11 Season Series: 1-0 Flyers
Players to watch:
PIT- Evgeni Malkin
‘Geno has to wake up for this Penguins offense to start clicking like it should.
PHI- Jeff Carter
Carter has been up and down in the first three games; he needs to have a great game.
Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (2010/11 stats: 0-3-0, 3.41 GAA)
PHI- Sergei Bobrovsky (2010/11 stats: 2-0-0, 2.00 GAA)
Injury Report:
PIT- Jordan Staal (foot, out), Zbynek Michalek and Aaron Asham (shoulder, out), Brooks Orpik (groin, questionable)
PHI- Michael Leighton (back, out), Ian Laperriere (head, out), Matt Walker (groin, out)
Game Thoughts:
Last week the Flyers rained on the Penguins’ party as the opened the new arena, so you know Dan Bylsma’s club will be determined to avenge it. At the same time, the Pens played an overtime game last night and it’ll be a quick turnaround. Look for Philly to jump up early and hang on.
Prediction: Flyers 4, Penguins 3
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Washington Capitals (3-1-0) @ Nashville Predators (3-0-0)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: 1-0 Capitals
Players to watch:
WSH- John Carlson
Carlson could be a key player tonight as he’ll likely fill in for an injured Green on the power play.
NSH- Shea Weber
Captain Weber will need to continue to be dominant tonight against a high-powered Caps attack.
Projected Goaltenders:
WSH- Michal Neuvirth (2009/10 stats: 3-1-0, 2.22 GAA)
NSH- Anders Lindback (2010/11 stats: 2-0-0, 2.18 GAA)
Injury Report:
WSH- Mike Green (upper body, out), Tom Poti and Matt Bradley (upper body, questionable)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (knee, doubtful), Martin Erat (upper body, out), Matthew Lombardi (upper body, doubtful)
Game Thoughts:
The Capitals have had Nashville’s number in recent years, winning the last four meetings. They will be without Green tonight, though, and Varlamov could be rusty as well. Barry Trotz’s gang is coming in with a lot of steam and unbeaten. If they avoid a letdown from their back-to-back sweep, I’d go with the Preds in this one. But the Caps may eek out a ‘W’ with sheer firepower alone…
Prediction: Capitals 3, Predators 2 (OT)
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Detroit Red Wings (2-1-1) @ Phoenix Coyotes (1-1-0)
9:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: 2-0-2 Red Wings
Players to watch:
DET- Nicklas Lidstrom
The captain has 3 points in 4 games and usually owns the Coyotes.
PHX- Wojtek Wolski
Wolski was silent in Czech Republic… can he turn it on tonight?
Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Jimmy Howard (2010/11 stats: 1-0-1, 1.93 GAA)
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (2010/11 stats: 1-1-0, 2.50 GAA)
Injury Report:
DET- Johan Franzen (concussion, out), Brian Rafalski (knee, out), Justin Abdelkader (ribs, out), Kris Draper (groin, out), Jonathan Ericsson (back, questionable)
PHX- Derek Morris (groin, questionable)
Game Thoughts:
After Detroit bested Phoenix in a seven-game series last spring, you can bet your top dollar the ‘Yotes are motivated to win this one. The Wings are a bit battered with injuries (again), while Dave Tippett and company have had a week of rest since returning from Europe. It should be a good one, and I like the Coyotes in a shootout…
Prediction: Coyotes 2, Red Wings 1 (SO)
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Lock of the Night:
Sharks over Thrashers… Despite Antero Niittymaki being 17-0 against Atlanta, Todd McLellan has opted to go with Antti Niemi. Still, the Sharks are playing their home opener and the Thrashers went all the way to a shootout in Anaheim last night.
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Bruins over Devils
Canadiens over Senators
Avalanche over Islanders
Lightning over Panthers
Wild over Blue Jackets
Blues over Stars
Blackhawks over Sabres
Flames over Oilers
