Ryan brings us The Morning Skate because it is just that damn good.  Remember to check out RLD Hockey Talk and the site as well ladies and gentlemen or just follow @RLDHockey for the latest.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Bruins 4, Penguins 2

Coyotes 4, Blues 3

Avalanche 5, Red Wings 4

Maple Leafs 3, Kings 2

Predictions record: 1-3

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Matt Duchene, COL (2 Goals, 1 Assist)… Duchene’s three points paced a key Avalanche win over rival Detroit.

2. Taylor Pyatt, PHX (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

3. Mark Recchi, BOS (GWG)

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Senators @ Bruins, 7:00 ET

Canucks @ Islanders, 7:00

Canadiens @ Rangers, 7:00

Flames @ Hurricanes, 7:00

Coyotes @ Blue Jackets, 7:00

Flyers @ Sabres, 7:30

Capitals @ Panthers, 7:30

Wild @ Predators, 8:00

Oilers @ Stars, 8:30

Maple Leafs @ Sharks, 10:30

Games of the Night:

Montreal Canadiens @ New York Rangers

7:00 ET… TV: TSN, Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Canadiens (23-16-3) … Rangers (25-15-3)

Last Ten: Canadiens (4-5-1) … Rangers (6-2-2)

Away/Home: Canadiens (9-11-0) … Rangers (10-8-2)

Season Series: 3-1 Canadiens

Players to watch:

MTL- Max Pacioretty

Can the young Pacioretty build off his two-point performance from Saturday?

NYR- Brandon Dubinsky

Dubinsky has unexpectedly been the Rangers’ most important offensive player this year.

Projected Goaltenders:

MTL- Alex Auld (2010/11 stats: 2-2-0, 1.91 GAA)

NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (2010/11 stats: 18-12-3, 2.33 GAA)

Injury Report:

MTL- Michael Cammalleri (illness, out), Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges (knee, out)

NYR- Ryan Callahan (hand, out), Alexander Frolov, Erik Christensen and Vinny Prospal (knee, out), Derek Boogaard (shoulder, out), Ryan McDonagh (foot, questionable)

Game Thoughts:

These two Original Six foes are not only facing off at MSG tonight, but are also battling it out in the Eastern Conference standings. Both are coming off successful weekends, including Montreal’s comeback over Boston on Saturday. They took three of four from the Rangers last year, but have historically struggled in New York. Look for this to be a low-scoring chess match, and I feel that favors the Blueshirts.

Prediction: Rangers 2, Canadiens 1 (SO)

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Minnesota Wild @ Nashville Predators

8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Wild (21-16-5) … Predators (22-13-6)

Last Ten: Wild (6-3-1) … Predators (5-5-0)

Away/Home: Wild (11-6-3) … Predators (9-4-5)

Season Series: Tied 1-1

Players to watch:

MIN- Cal Clutterbuck

The sandpaper forward has come up big lately for Minny.

NSH- Sergei Kostitsyn

Kostitsyn is currently on a five-game goal streak and six-game point streak.

Projected Goaltenders:

MIN- Jose Theodore (2010/11 stats: 8-6-2, 2.56 GAA)

NSH- Pekka Rinne (2010/11 stats: 12-10-4, 2.16 GAA)

Injury Report:

MIN- Niklas Backstrom (hip, doubtful), Marek Zidlicky (shoulder, out), Antti Miettinen (leg, probable), Guillaume Latendresse (hip, out), Josh Harding and James Sheppard (knee, out)

NSH- Martin Erat (upper body, out), Steve Sullivan (lower body, out), Cal O’Reilly (leg, out), Matthew Lombardi (concussion, out), Nick Spaling (upper body, probable)

Game Thoughts:

Coming into tonight’s game, these are two of the hottest in the West as we speak. Minnesota had won four straight before losing on Sunday, while the Preds swept the California trip to push their win streak to five. If there is one team that has given Barry Trotz fits over the years, it has been the Wild. However, if Rinne is on his game, I like the Preds in this one.

Prediction: Predators 3, Wild 1

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Bruins over Senators

Canucks over Islanders

Flames over Hurricanes

Blue Jackets over Coyotes

Flyers over Sabres

Capitals over Panthers

Stars over Oilers

Sharks over Maple Leafs

Finally we hit November, maybe it will bring even better tidings and hockey fun.  Ryan brings us the first AM Skate of the month….enjoy.

October Quick Look:

Morning Skate predictions record: 97-59 (62.2%)

RLD 3 Stars of the Month:

1. Tim Thomas, BOS (6-0, 0.50 GAA)

2. Steven Stamkos, TB (9 Goals, 10 Assists in 10 games)

3. Jonathan Quick, LA (7-1, 1.84 GAA)

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Blackhawks @ Rangers, 7:00 ET

Hurricanes @ Flyers, 7:00

Devils @ Canucks, 10:00

Game of the Night:

Chicago Blackhawks @ New York Rangers

7:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Blackhawks (7-5-1) … Rangers (5-4-1)

Last Ten: Blackhawks (6-4-0) … Rangers (5-4-1)

Away/Home: Blackhawks (3-1-1) … Rangers (1-3-1)

Season Series (09/10): 1-0 Blackhawks

Players to watch:

CHI- Duncan Keith

Keith has been hot lately, racking up 7 points in the last 3 games.

NYR- Ryan Callahan

Callahan’s two-way play has translated to 11 points in the early going.

Projected Goaltenders:

CHI- Marty Turco (2010/11 stats: 6-2-1, 2.63 GAA)

NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (2010/11 stats: 4-3-1, 2.76 GAA)

Injury Report:

CHI- Marian Hossa (upper body, out), Brian Campbell (knee, doubtful), Dave Bolland (ribs, questionable)

NYR- Marian Gaborik (shoulder, out), Chris Drury (finger, out), Vinny Prospal (knee, out)

Game Thoughts:

These two Original Six clubs face off for the first and only time this season tonight at the Garden. It will certainly be an interesting game. The Rangers are coming off a nice win in Toronto, but have struggled at home. Meanwhile, Chicago has been inconsistent over the last couple weeks. The ‘Hawks haven’t won in Manhattan since 2002, and this will be their fourth game in six days. If Lundqvist plays like he did on Saturday, they’ll get another win.

Prediction: Rangers 3, Blackhawks 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Flyers over Hurricanes

Canucks over Devils

That blasted Monday….thanks Ryan.

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Hurricanes 4, Senators 1
Lightning 4, Devils 2
Blue Jackets 2, Stars 0
Ducks 3, Blackhawks 1
Predictions record: 2-2

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Jonas Hiller, ANA (42 Saves, 1 GA)
If you looked at the shot count (43-11 CHI), Anaheim had no business winning. But Hiller stood on his head to get the big win.
2. Mathieu Garon, CBJ (26 Saves, Shutout)
Garon made some key saves in the Jackets’ shutout win over Dallas.
3. Steven Stamkos, TB (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Stamkos tallied two points Friday, and one yesterday in the Bolts’ win in New Jersey.
—

Tonight’s Slate:
Penguins @ Wild, 8:00 ET
Avalanche @ Flames, 10:00
Predators @ Canucks, 10:30
Sharks @ Kings, 10:30

Games of the Night:
Colorado Avalanche @ Calgary Flames
10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Avalanche (25-15-6) … Flames (26-14-5)
Last Ten: Avalanche (6-4-0) … Flames (6-3-1)
Away/Home: Avalanche (14-9-4) … Flames (12-8-2)
Season Series: 3-0 Avalanche

Players to watch:
COL- Brandon Yip
The rookie has been pretty impressive with 8 points in the last 8 games.
CGY- Rene Bourque
Bourque has goals in consecutive games, and has had some success this year vs. Colorado.

Projected Goaltenders:
COL- Craig Anderson (09/10 stats: 21-11-5, 2.69 GAA)
CGY- Miikka Kiprusoff (09/10 stats: 23-11-5, 2.16 GAA)

Injury Report:
COL- Adam Foote (ankle, doubtful), Brett Clark (cheek, out), Marek Svatos (groin, out), David Jones (knee, out), Ruslan Salei (back, out)
CGY- Craig Conroy (foot, out)

Game Thoughts:
Can the Flames finally solve the Avalanche?? Coming off an emotional win in Vancouver, Brent Sutter’s team could be prone to a letdown. The Avs have won all three meetings this year, each by a score of 3-2, with two coming in Calgary. The Flames’ start is crucial. If they come out flying, they should win. If not, they could lose their 4th in as many meetings to Colorado.
Prediction: Flames 3, Avalanche 1
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San Jose Sharks @ Los Angeles Kings
10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Sharks (28-10-7) … Kings (25-17-3)
Last Ten: Sharks (8-2-0) … Kings (4-6-0)
Away/Home: Sharks (14-6-2) … Kings (11-7-2)
Season Series: 3-0-1 Kings

Players to watch:
SJ- Joe Thornton
Jumbo Joe only has 3 points in the last 5 games… he’s due to have a big night.
LA- Drew Doughty
Doughty notched 4 assists the last time these two met.

Projected Goaltenders:
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (09/10 stats: 24-7-7, 2.36 GAA)
LA- Jonathan Quick (09/10 stats: 23-15-3, 2.60 GAA)

Injury Report:
SJ- Manny Malhotra (lower body, questionable)
LA- Justin Williams (leg, out), Davis Drewiskie (shoulder, out), Andrei Loktionov (shoulder, out)

Game Thoughts:
This is a tough game to get a handle of. San Jose hasn’t had much success against L.A. this year, while the Kings have sputtered lately at home. I think the Sharks win tonight because Todd McLellan and company are out to get these guys. L.A. isn’t playing their best hockey, which will cost ‘em here…
Prediction: Sharks 4, Kings 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Penguins over Wild
Canucks over Predators

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