Two days until Christmas…are you ready? Here is Ryan with the Morning Skate.
THE MORNING SKATE
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Islanders 2, Lightning 1 (OT)
Penguins 5, Panthers 2
Red Wings 5, Canucks 4 (OT)
Blackhawks 4, Predators 1
Predictions record: 3-1
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Henrik Zetterberg, DET (2 Goals, 1 Assist)… Hank’s three points and OT winner helped Detroit get by a tough test against Vancouver.
2. Jack Skille, CHI (2 Goals)
3. John Tavares, NYI (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
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Tonight’s Slate:
Penguins @ Capitals, 7:00
Panthers @ Sabres, 7:00
Islanders @ Devils, 7:00
Lightning @ Rangers, 7:00
Thrashers @ Bruins, 7:00 ET
Canadiens @ Hurricanes, 7:00
Canucks @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Red Wings @ Blues, 8:00
Senators @ Predators, 8:00
Flames @ Stars, 8:30
Wild @ Avalanche, 9:00
Oilers @ Kings, 10:30
Coyotes @ Sharks, 10:30
Games of the Night:
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Washington Capitals
7:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Penguins (23-10-2) … Capitals (20-12-4)
Last Ten: Penguins (8-2-0) … Capitals (2-6-2)
Away/Home: Penguins (11-4-1) … Capitals (13-4-3)
Season Series (09/10): 4-0 Penguins
Players to watch:
PIT- Sidney Crosby
Sid’s point streak is still alive at 22 games and has 33 points in 19 games vs. Washington.
WSH- Alex Ovechkin
‘Ovie’ is goalless in seven games but always ramps it up for Pittsburgh.
Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (2010/11 stats: 15-7-1, 2.30 GAA)
WSH- Michal Neuvirth (2010/11 stats: 14-6-2, 2.59 GAA)
Injury Report:
PIT- Jordan Staal (hand, out), Mike Comrie (hip, out), Brent Johnson (lower body, doubtful)
WSH- Jeff Schultz (thumb, out), Boyd Gordon (lower body, out), Matt Bradley (finger, out), Matt Hendricks (undisclosed, probable), D.J. King (undisclosed, out), Tyler Sloan (groin, out)
Game Thoughts:
Tonight marks the first game between these two rivals, and it will all be captured on HBO’s cameras. The Pens and Caps square off in D.C. in what will surely be a great contest. Pittsburgh has won 17 of their last 22 games, while Washington is starting to get back on track after dropping eight straight. Although the Caps won all four head-to-head meetings last season, I think the Pens will steal two points in a thriller.
Prediction: Penguins 4, Capitals 3
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Atlanta Thrashers @ Boston Bruins
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Thrashers (19-12-5) … Bruins (17-11-4)
Last Ten: Thrashers (6-2-2) … Bruins (5-3-2)
Away/Home: Thrashers (9-5-3) … Bruins (8-6-3)
Season Series: 1-0 Thrashers
Players to watch:
ATL- Andrew Ladd
Captain Ladd’s point production hasn’t been as consistent in December and needs to turn it around.
BOS- David Krejci
Krejci has been solid this month, producing at a point-per-game rate.
Projected Goaltenders:
ATL- Ondrej Pavelec (2010/11 stats: 12-6-3, 1.82 GAA)
BOS- Tim Thomas (2010/11 stats: 15-4-3, 1.70 GAA)
Injury Report:
ATL- None
BOS- Mark Stuart (finger, out), Brad Marchand (undisclosed, questionable), Trent Whitfield (Achilles, out)
Game Thoughts:
The struggling Bruins will look to rebound from Monday’s shutout loss tonight against the upstart Thrashers. Atlanta took the first meeting on home-ice, so Boston will do their best to return the favor. Craig Ramsay’s club has not won in Beantown since the 2006/07 season, but the B’s haven’t been consistent at home. Despite that, I think the B’s take this one.
Prediction: Bruins 3, Thrashers 2
Lock of the Night:
Predators over Senators… Barry Trotz’s club has lost two straight, but is resilient. Look for them to win in Pekka Rinne’s return to the crease.
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Sabres over Panthers
Devils over Islanders
Rangers over Lightning
Hurricanes over Canadiens
Canucks over Blue Jackets
Blues over Red Wings
Stars over Flames
Wild over Avalanche
Kings over Oilers
Sharks over Coyotes
