Ryan sets us off again on a busy Sunday with the Morning Skate and some NBC hockey.  Isn’t that nice?  Well Sunday afternoon hockey is always good.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Devils 3, Flyers 1

Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 1

Bruins 6, Avalanche 2

Capitals 4, Maple Leafs 1

Ducks 4, Canadiens 3 (SO)

Penguins 3, Hurricanes 2

Rangers 3, Thrashers 2 (SO)

Blue Jackets 5, Blues 2

Kings 4, Coyotes 3

Flames 4, Canucks 3 (SO)

Sharks 4, Wild 3

Predictions record: 4-7

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Corey Crawford, CHI (36 Saves, 1 GA)… Chicago’s young goaltender put forth another outstanding effort as the ‘Hawks got a big win in Detroit.

2. Alex Ovechkin, WSH (3 Goals)

3. Brad Marchand, BOS (2 Goals, 2 Assists)

Close but no cigar: M. Lucic and M. Recchi, BOS; D. Setoguchi, SJ; T. Kopecky, CHI; B. Holtby, WSH; M. Kiprusoff, CGY; J. Hiller, ANA; J. Hedberg, NJ; M. Fleury, PIT

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Today’s Slate:

Flyers @ Blackhawks, 12:30 ET

Panthers @ Devils, 3:00

Sabres @ Islanders, 3:00

Thrashers @ Lightning, 5:00

Predators @ Oilers, 8:00

Game of the Day:

Philadelphia Flyers @ Chicago Blackhawks

12:30 ET… TV: NBC

Records:

Overall: Flyers (31-12-5) … Blackhawks (26-18-4)

Last Ten: Flyers (8-2-0) … Blackhawks (6-3-1)

Away/Home: Flyers (16-5-3) … Blackhawks (16-11-0)

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

Players to watch:

PHI- Chris Pronger

In just his third game back, Pronger needs to be on his A-game today.

CHI- Brian Campbell

Campbell has been great for the ‘Hawks, boasting a +12 rating this month.

Projected Goaltenders:

PHI- Sergei Bobrovsky (2010/11 stats: 19-6-3, 2.49 GAA)

CHI- Corey Crawford (2010/11 stats: 16-8-2, 2.08 GAA)

Injury Report:

PHI- James van Riemsdyk (lower body, out), Ian Laperriere (head, out)

CHI- None

Game Thoughts:

This is the first meeting between the ‘Hawks and Flyers since last June when Patrick Kane won the Cup in Philly. Peter Laviolette’s club has displayed great consistency this year, while Joel Quenneville has played well since a shaky first half. Both are coming off a matinee yesterday, so there’s no advantage there. If Crawford goes again, I think I’ll go with the ‘Hawks in this finals rematch.

Prediction: Blackhawks 3, Flyers 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Devils over Panthers

Sabres over Islanders

Lightning over Thrashers

Predators over Oilers

I love it when a plan comes together or in this case a TGIF Morning Skate.  Thank Ryan again and away we go……

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Bruins 8, Lightning 1

Oilers 5, Maple Leafs 0

Canadiens 5, Devils 1

Rangers 6, Islanders 5

Penguins 3, Thrashers 2

Sharks 4, Senators 0

Stars 2, Capitals 1

Kings 3, Panthers 2

Predictions record: 5-3

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Marian Gaborik, NYR (3 Goals, 1 Assist)… Gabby’s hat trick propelled the Rangers to a win over their rival Islanders. His third was the game-winner.

2. Sidney Crosby, PIT (3 Goals)

3. Andrew Raycroft, DAL (37 Saves, 1 GA)

Close but no cigar: T. Hall and J. Eberle, EDM; D. Krejci and M. Ryder, BOS; A. Niemi and L. Couture, SJ; S. Avery, NYR

Quick-hit Observations:

– Dany Heatley’s return to Ottawa didn’t have any significant fireworks, but the fans definitely let him know how they felt. Countless ‘Heatley Sucks’ and ‘Trai-tor’ chants rained down, especially in the first. The fans’ disgust quickly turned to their own team as the Sens have now dropped seven of nine. Is Cory Clouston feeling the heat?

– Speaking of the Sens, when will they pull the plug on Pascal Leclaire? He has either been a sieve or injured in his time with the team. Brian Elliott has been the better goalie in the last year or so, but continues to start sporadically.

– Where do the Leafs go from here? A 5-0 home loss to the Oilers did not sit well with the fans, where chants of ‘Fire Wilson’ broke out in the third period.

– Is Taylor Hall starting to turn a corner? Five points in the last five games…

– The Habs responded very well after blowing a 3-1 third period to the Oilers last night. Their 5-1 win in New Jersey was basically decided in the first when the Habs scored twice in the first 1:38.

– What is there left to say about Sidney Crosby? Another home game, another hat trick. He and Stamkos are now tied with 21 goals.

– The hard-luck continues on Long Island. The one time the Isles score five goals, they surrender six – to their rival Blueshirts, no less. The Rangers and Isles will meet again tonight to finish the home-and-home.

– Washington should have gained at least a point in Dallas, but had a game-tying goal waved off with 7.6 seconds left. They were robbed as Karlis Skrastins crashed into Andrew Raycroft, not Ovechkin.

– Poor Mike Smith. Two of the goals he gave up were bloopers, coming out of the crease and looking horrible (see below).

– Is a comeback win over Florida the icebreaker for L.A.? They’ve struggled mightily over the last few weeks, but it was a big win with Detroit coming to town on Saturday.

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Tonight’s Slate:

Islanders @ Rangers, 7:00 ET

Avalanche @ Hurricanes, 7:00

Blue Jackets @ Sabres, 7:30

Flames @ Wild, 8:00

Canucks @ Blackhawks, 8:30

Red Wings @ Ducks, 10:00

Game of the Night:

Vancouver Canucks @ Chicago Blackhawks

8:30 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), TSN, Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Canucks (13-7-3) … Blackhawks (14-11-2)

Last Ten: Canucks (5-4-1) … Blackhawks (6-3-1)

Away/Home: Canucks (5-5-2) … Blackhawks (6-7-0)

Season Series: 2-0 Blackhawks

Players to watch:

VAN- Ryan Kesler

You assume the Sedins will show up, but Kesler is the one that has to have a great game.

CHI- Patrick Kane

Kane had three points on Tuesday and also had three points in Vancouver last month.

Projected Goaltenders:

VAN- Roberto Luongo (2010/11 stats: 10-7-2, 2.68 GAA)

CHI- Marty Turco (2010/11 stats: 9-6-1, 2.47 GAA)

Injury Report:

VAN- Sami Salo (Achilles, out), Guillaume Desbiens (hand, out), Ryan Parent (groin, out), Alexandre Bolduc (ankle, out)

CHI- Marian Hossa (lower body, out), Fernando Pisani (upper body, questionable)

Game Thoughts:

Tonight, these two playoff rivals will meet for the third time this season. Chicago has won each of the first two games, including a 7-1 win in Vancouver two weeks ago. Will the Canucks avenge that loss? Both teams are playing well coming in, and this makes up to be a pretty good contest. I like Vancouver if they can get on the board first…

Prediction: Canucks 3, Blackhawks 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Islanders over Rangers

Hurricanes over Avalanche

Blue Jackets over Sabres

Wild over Flames

Red Wings over Ducks

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Ryan did you pick New Jersey again? 😛 Just kidding….here is the Morning Skate…..

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Bruins 4, Lightning 1
Canucks 5, Devils 2
Panthers 6, Avalanche 5 (SO)
Wild 5, Predators 4 (OT)
Predictions record: 2-2

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Stephen Weiss, FLA (3 Goals, SO Goal)
Weiss lifted his team to victory, with a hat trick and the shootout winner.
2. Matt Duchene, COL (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
The rookie may have had his best game, though in a losing effort.
3. Jason Arnott, NSH (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Arnott did all he could to help the Preds win, notching three points on the night.
—

Tonight’s Slate:
Islanders @ Thrashers, 7:00 ET
Canadiens @ Sabres, 7:00
Maple Leafs @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Panthers @ Capitals, 7:00
Oilers @ Red Wings, 7:00
Canucks @ Flyers, 7:00
Avalanche @ Penguins, 7:30
Ducks @ Stars, 8:30
Flames @ Coyotes, 9:30
Senators @ Kings, 10:30
Blues @ Sharks, 10:30

Games of the Night:
Vancouver Canucks @ Philadelphia Flyers
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Canucks (15-12-0) … Flyers (13-10-1)
Last Ten: Canucks (5-5-0) … Flyers (4-6-0)
Away/Home: Canucks (5-8-0) … Flyers (8-4-1)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
VAN- Alex Burrows
He and the Sedins are showing the same chemistry from late last year.
PHI- Mike Richards
With the team’s recent struggles, Captain Richards needs to step up on and off the ice.

Projected Goaltenders:
VAN- Roberto Luongo (Last night @ NJ: 27 Saves, 2 GA)
PHI- Brian Boucher (09/10 stats: 2-3-0, 2.01 GAA)

Injury Report:
VAN- Pavol Demitra (shoulder, out), Michael Grabner (ankle, out), Alexandre Bolduc (shoulder, out)
PHI- Danny Briere (flu, probable), Simon Gagne (hernia, out), Blair Betts (shoulder, out), Darroll Powe (shoulder, out), Jared Ross (head, questionable), O-K Tollefsen (concussion, out)

Game Thoughts:
Vancouver is coming off a great win last night in New Jersey, 5-2. The top line is playing well again, and Luongo is rounding into form. But they’ll be facing a mad Flyers team, which may not be good news. They’ve lost 5 of 6, dropping to 9th in the conference standings. Back home, take the boys in orange.
Prediction: Flyers 4, Canucks 3
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Calgary Flames @ Phoenix Coyotes
9:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Flames (17-6-3) … Coyotes (15-11-1)
Last Ten: Flames (6-2-2) … Coyotes (5-4-1)
Away/Home: Flames (10-1-3) … Coyotes (8-5-0)
Season Series: 1-0 Flames

Players to watch:
CGY- Olli Jokinen
Is he finally starting to get in Calgary? He has picked up a point in 8 of the last 9 games.
PHX- Matthew Lombardi
He faces his former ‘mates, and has been inconsistent this season.

Projected Goaltenders:
CGY- Miikka Kiprusoff (09/10 stats: 15-5-3, 2.27 GAA)
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (09/10 stats: 14-8-1, 2.12 GAA)

Injury Report:
CGY- Rene Bourque (undisclosed, probable), Cory Sarich (undisclosed, questionable)
PHX- Ed Jovanovski (lower body, questionable), Peter Mueller (upper body, questionable), Kurt Sauer (headaches, out)

Game Thoughts:
The Flames are hot – literally! They’re the best road team in the league, and ripped through November so easy that a caveman could’ve done it. The desert has been kind to them, as they’ve won 6 of the last 7 in Phoenix. Dave Tippett’s crew has been playing good hockey of late, but don’t match up well with these guys.
Prediction: Flames 3, Coyotes 1

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Thrashers over Islanders
Sabres over Canadiens
Blue Jackets over Maple Leafs
Capitals over Panthers
Red Wings over Oilers
Penguins over Avalanche
Stars over Ducks
Kings over Senators
Sharks over Blues

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