Ryan brings us the Morning Skate and later on in the day we have the Turkeys and much more as the fallout from last night’s show continues to spread.
Keith Ballard dinged up Malkin last night and now ye AM Skate…
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Lightning 4, Islanders 2
Bruins 3, Rangers 2
Penguins 3, Canucks 1
Capitals 4, Sabres 2
Hurricanes 7, Senators 1
Panthers 2, Thrashers 1
Red Wings 7, Blues 3
Wild 2, Ducks 1 (OT)
Avalanche 4, Sharks 3 (OT)
Coyotes 3, Flames 1
Blackhawks 5, Oilers 0
Blue Jackets 5, Kings 3
Predictions record: 7-5
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Eric Staal, CAR (3 Goals, 2 Assists)… Staal was at the center of another blowout win for Carolina.
2. Jonathan Toews, CHI (3 Goals)
3. Ilya Bryzgalov, PHX (39 Saves, 1 GA)
Close but no cigar: C. LaRose, CAR; D. Cleary, DET; T. Thomas, BOS; M. Neuvirth, WSH; T. Vokoun, FLA; R. Nash, CBJ; M. St. Louis, TB; C. Stewart, COL; M. Talbot, PIT
Wednesday GOW Recap:
Blues @ Red Wings
The Wings definitely imposed their will on the Blues last night. With the game knotted at three midway through the third period, Detroit blew the game open with four goals in a span of 3:14. Dan Cleary stayed hot with two goals (including the game-winner), extending his point streak to eight games.
St. Louis held in there for 50 minutes, but couldn’t match the Wings’ effort and determination late in regulation. When it looked like at least a point was possible, they dropped their fifth straight as Jaroslav Halak surrendered seven goals. Back to the drawing board for the brusied and battered Blues.
Quick-hit observations:
– Steven Stamkos continued his early-season success with two more points on Long Island. He is on pace for 136.7 points this season.
– Six of the eight November games involving the Hurricanes have featured a team scoring seven or more goals. Crazy!
– On the flip side, no team should have to do what Ottawa did on Wednesday. The whole team attended the funeral service of Luke Richardson’s daughter, then traveled to Raleigh on gameday. Tough loss in tough circumstances.
– The Coyotes have now won four in a row, a nice little streak that has resembled the team they were last year. Can they keep it up?
– Despite out-shooting the Avalanche 43-22, Joe Thornton and company blew a 3-1 third period lead and lost in overtime 4-3. San Jose’s road struggles continue…
– Chicago avenged their two home losses to the Oilers by beating them 5-0 in Edmonton last night… and it really wasn’t that close. It was essentially men against boys.
– The Kings finally lost a home game. Columbus beat them 5-3, pushing L.A.’s record at Staples Center to 8-1-0. Not bad!
– Low attendance numbers in Uniondale (8,025) and Atlanta (10,168) last night. After watching those games, those numbers may be a bit generous!
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Tonight’s Slate:
Panthers @ Bruins, 7:00 ET
Devils @ Maple Leafs, 7:00
Lightning @ Flyers, 7:00
Predators @ Canadiens, 7:30
Sharks @ Stars, 8:30
Game of the Night:
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Philadelphia Flyers
7:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Lightning (9-7-2) … Flyers (12-5-2)
Last Ten: Lightning (4-5-1) … Flyers (8-1-1)
Away/Home: Lightning (5-5-1) … Flyers (8-3-0)
Season Series: 1-0 Lightning
Players to watch:
TB- Martin St. Louis
St. Louis has been so consistent, but seemingly overshadowed by Stamkos.
PHI- Ville Leino
He should find the score-sheet tonight after going pointless in two straight.
Projected Goaltenders:
TB- Mike Smith (2010/11 stats: 4-3-0, 3.62 GAA)
PHI- Sergei Bobrovsky (2010/11 stats: 11-3-1, 2.07 GAA)
Injury Report:
TB- Vincent Lecavalier (hand, out), Simon Gagne (neck, out)
PHI- Dan Carcillo (knee, out), Michael Leighton (back, out), Ian Laperriere (head, out), Matt Walker (hip, out)
Game Thoughts:
Philadelphia was humbled in Montreal on Tuesday after a 9-0-1 stretch. They’ll look to get the offense back on track against a Tampa Bay club that won last night at the Islanders. I would expect the Flyers will try to pounce on the Bolts early, so Mike Smith will need to have his A-game. Go with Philly in this one handily.
Prediction: Flyers 5, Lightning 2
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Lock of the Night:
Bruins over Panthers… This is the night where Tuukka Rask gets his first win of the year. Both teams played last night and can’t see Florida going into Boston and winning this one.
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Maple Leafs over Devils
Canadiens over Predators
Sharks over Stars
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