Ryan brings us the Black Friday version of the Morning Skate. Need more caffeine please….
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Oilers 3, Avalanche 2
Predictions record: 0-1
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Taylor Hall, EDM (1 Goal, 1 Assist)… Hall picked up his first career game-winner with his snap-shot with 28 seconds remaining.
2. Martin Gerber, EDM (35 Saves, 2 GA)
3. Matt Duchene, COL (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
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Today’s Slate:
Hurricanes @ Bruins, 12:00 ET
Devils @ Islanders, 1:00
Flames @ Flyers, 1:00
Senators @ Penguins, 1:00
Predators @ Wild, 2:00
Blackhawks @ Ducks, 4:00
Lightning @ Capitals, 5:00
Red Wings @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Maple Leafs @ Sabres, 7:30
Canadiens @ Thrashers, 7:30
Rangers @ Panthers, 7:30
Blues @ Stars, 8:30
Sharks @ Canucks, 10:00
Games of the Day:
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Washington Capitals
5:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Lightning (13-7-2) … Capitals (15-6-2)
Last Ten: Lightning (6-4-0) … Capitals (6-2-2)
Away/Home: Lightning (7-5-1) … Capitals (10-1-1)
Season Series: 1-0 Capitals
Players to watch:
TB- Steven Stamkos
‘Stammer’ is currently on pace for over 78 goals and 141 points.
WSH- Alex Ovechkin
Is AO back on track after his three-point game in Carolina?
Projected Goaltenders:
TB- Mike Smith (2010/11 stats: 8-3-0, 3.15 GAA)
WSH- Semyon Varlamov (2010/11 stats: 1-1-0, 2.57 GAA)
Injury Report:
TB- Vincent Lecavalier (hand, out), Simon Gagne (neck, doubtful), Matt Smaby (ankle, out)
WSH- Mike Green (undisclosed, questionable), Mike Knuble (face, questionable), Michal Neuvirth (lower body, questionable), Tyler Sloan (undisclosed, out), Tom Poti (groin, out)
Game Thoughts:
When the Bolts visited the Capitals earlier this month, they were humbled in a 6-3 loss. They come in with a five-game winning streak and the offense is hitting on all cylinders. Ovechkin’s gang got back to their winning ways on Wednesday after two straight losses. Look for Tampa Bay to keep it close, but the Caps still prevails.
Prediction: Capitals 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
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Detroit Red Wings @ Columbus Blue Jackets
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Red Wings (13-4-2) … Blue Jackets (14-6-0)
Last Ten: Red Wings (7-2-1) … Blue Jackets (8-2-0)
Away/Home: Red Wings (4-3-0) … Blue Jackets (6-5-0)
Season Series (09/10): 5-0-1 Red Wings
Players to watch:
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
Datsyuk is off to fast start and has 55 points in 43 career games vs. Columbus.
CBJ- Jakub Voracek
Voracek has been solid in November with 11 points in 10 games.
Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Jimmy Howard (2010/11 stats: 11-2-2, 2.62 GAA)
CBJ- Steve Mason (2010/11 stats: 8-5-0, 2.94 GAA)
Injury Report:
DET- Chris Osgood and Kris Draper (groin, out)
CBJ- Marc Methot (upper body, questionable), Kristian Huselius (ankle, out), Ethan Moreau (hand, out)
Game Thoughts:
Detroit and the red-hot Jackets are deadlocked atop the Central Division standings, which makes this game pretty enticing. The Wings were embarrassed in Atlanta, so you know they’ll put forth a better effort. Meanwhile, everything is going right for Columbus. Despite the buzz surrounding the Jackets, I like the Wings to send a statement tonight.
Prediction: Red Wings 4, Blue Jackets 2
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San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks
10:00 ET… TV: TSN, Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Sharks (10-6-4) … Canucks (11-7-3)
Last Ten: Sharks (5-2-3) … Canucks (5-4-1)
Away/Home: Sharks (3-3-2) … Canucks (7-2-1)
Season Series (09/10): 3-1 Sharks
Players to watch:
SJ- Logan Couture
The rookie has been solid on the Sharks’ second line this year.
VAN- Alex Burrows
On Wednesday, Burrows may have had his best game since returning from his shoulder injury.
Projected Goaltenders:
SJ- Antero Niittymaki (2010/11 stats: 7-2-3, 2.07 GAA)
VAN- Roberto Luongo (2010/11 stats: 8-7-2, 2.82 GAA)
Injury Report:
SJ- Jason Demers (upper body, questionable)
VAN- Sami Salo (Achilles, out), Ryan Parent (groin, out), Guillaume Desbiens (hand, out), Alexandre Bolduc (ankle, out)
Game Thoughts:
Considered two powers in the Western Conference coming into the year, the Canucks and Sharks haven’t been consistent in the first quarter. However, both are coming off big wins two nights ago. San Jose has struggled on the road, dropping five straight. Vancouver is looking to build on Wednesday’s win. This should be a good one… I like the ‘Nucks.
Prediction: Canucks 4, Sharks 2
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Hurricanes over Bruins
Devils over Islanders
Flyers over Flames
Penguins over Senators
Predators over Wild
Blackhawks over Ducks
Sabres over Maple Leafs
Thrashers over Canadiens
Rangers over Panthers
Blues over Stars
