Good morning world and welcome to another week.  Ryan brings us the Morning Skate again and there is afternoon hockey which is nice.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Capitals 3, Senators 1

Wild 4, Canucks 0

Flyers 3, Rangers 2

Blackhawks 6, Predators 3

Ducks 3, Oilers 2

Predictions record: 4-1

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Anton Khudobin, MIN (32 Saves, Shutout)… Khudobin’s 32-save shutout against Vancouver was a big one for the Wild.

2. Troy Brouwer, CHI (2 Goals)

3. Teemu Selanne, ANA (2 Goals)

Close but no cigar: D. Bolland, CHI; B. Boucher, PHI; J. Dumont, NSH; M. Neuvirth, WSH

—

If the playoffs started today…

Eastern Conference:

1) PHI vs. 8) ATL

2) TB vs. 7) MTL

3) BOS vs. 6) NYR

4) PIT vs. 5) WSH

Western Conference:

1) VAN vs. 8) COL

2) DET vs. 7) ANA

3) DAL vs. 6) CHI

4) PHX vs. 5) NSH

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Today’s Slate:

Hurricanes @ Bruins, 1:00 ET

Devils @ Islanders, 1:00

Sharks @ Coyotes, 4:00

Flames @ Canadiens, 7:30

Thrashers @ Panthers, 7:30

Kings @ Stars, 8:30

Game of the Night:

Los Angeles Kings @ Dallas Stars

8:30 ET… TV: VERSUS

Records:

Overall: Kings (24-19-1) … Stars (27-13-5)

Last Ten: Kings (3-7-0) … Stars (6-3-1)

Away/Home: Kings (9-11-0) … Stars (14-6-4)

Season Series: 2-0 Kings

Players to watch:

LA- Justin Williams

Williams has quietly been one of the Kings’ best producers this year.

DAL- Brad Richards

Richards has 22 points in 20 career games vs. Los Angeles.

Projected Goaltenders:

LA- Jonathan Quick (2010/11 stats: 19-12-1, 2.21 GAA)

DAL- Kari Lehtonen (2010/11 stats: 19-10-5, 2.54 GAA)

Injury Report:

LA- Wayne Simmonds (lower body, out), Scott Parse (hip, out)

DAL- Matt Niskanen (hand, doubtful), Toby Petersen (lower body, out)

Game Thoughts:

Pacific Division foes L.A. and Dallas will meet up for the third time this season. The sputtering Kings need to rebound from their terrible home-stand, while the Stars are trying to fend off the rest of the division. Terry Murray’s club has taken the first two matchups this year, and last five overall in Big D. With that said, I see the Stars coming out on top in this one…

Prediction: Stars 4, Kings 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Bruins over Hurricanes

Devils over Islanders

Sharks over Coyotes

Canadiens over Flames

Panthers over Thrashers

Back after a four day trip to the Pine Barrens err Jersey Shore and we come back with a vengeance with the AM Skate adjusted for those sleepy heads.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Blues 2, Bruins 1 (SO)

Sabres 3, Maple Leafs 2 (SO)

Senators 3, Canadiens 2

Flyers 2, Islanders 1

Hurricanes 3, Panthers 2

Blackhawks 5, Thrashers 4 (SO)

Wild 3, Blue Jackets 2

Avalanche 5, Stars 0

Penguins 4, Coyotes 3 (SO)

Kings 4, Predators 1

Canucks 6, Red Wings 4

Sharks 5, Lightning 2

Predictions record: 6-6

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Jonathan Toews, CHI (2 Goals, 2 Assists)… Captain Toews was everywhere last night for the ‘Hawks, having his biggest night of the year.

2. Manny Malhotra, VAN (2 Goals, 1 Assist)

3. Eric Staal, CAR (2 Goals)

Close but no cigar: P. Kane, CHI; J. Halak, STL; S. Bobrovsky, PHI; P. Budaj and K. Porter, COL; B. Burns, MIN; P. Marleau, SJ; B. Johnson, PIT; A. Kovalev, OTT; D. Roy, BUF; D. Brown, LA

Quick-hit observations:

– Though we didn’t get the much-anticipated Halak vs. Thomas duel, Rask filled in nicely as goals were hard to come by.

– To say Buffalo’s comeback win in Toronto was significant would be an understatement. You could see the relief when they won and snapped a five-game losing streak.

– Toews and Kane were terrific for the Blackhawks, combining for seven points and all of their goals.

– Pittsburgh’s comeback victory was also big huge, beating the ‘Yotes in a shootout.  However, what will they do with Marc-Andre Fleury??

– Nashville is struggling mightily, winning just twice in their last nine games.  Injuries to Ryan Suter, Matthew Lombardi and Martin Erat are starting to make a big impact.  Also, Pekka Rinne simply hasn’t been the same since his injury.

– If we didn’t know this already, we do now: Manny Malhotra and Raffi Torres are a huge upgrade over Kyle Wellwood and Steve Bernier for the Canucks.

– The streaking Flyers (winners of six straight) have won 17 of their last 18 over the Isles (losers of seven straight).

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Flyers @ Capitals, 7:00 ET

Blues @ Rangers, 7:00

Oilers @ Blackhawks, 7:00

Predators @ Ducks, 8:00

Game of the Night:

Philadelphia Flyers @ Washington Capitals

5:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Flyers (9-4-1) … Capitals (9-4-0)

Last Ten: Flyers (7-3-0) … Capitals (7-3-0)

Away/Home: Flyers (3-1-1) … Capitals (6-1-0)

Season Series (09/10): 3-1 Capitals

Players to watch:

PHI- Claude Giroux

Giroux has been excellent this year, leading the Flyers with 14 points.

WSH- Mike Green

Green is starting to sizzle, compiling 7 points in the last 4 games.

Projected Goaltenders:

PHI- Brian Boucher (2010/11 stats: 1-2-1, 2.26 GAA)

WSH- Michal Neuvirth (2010/11 stats: 8-3-0, 2.41 GAA)

Injury Report:

PHI- Michael Leighton (back, out), Ian Laperriere (head, out), Matt Walker (hip, out)

WSH- Semyon Varlamov (groin, out), Tom Poti (lower body, out)

Game Thoughts:

For the first time this season, the Flyers and Capitals will be going head-to-head. Both clubs are leading their division, sitting one-two in the Eastern Conference. When these two meet, it seems like it’s a crazy game of some sort. With the Flyers on the back half of back-to-backs, look for Washington to grab the two points here.

Prediction: Capitals 4, Flyers 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Rangers over Blues

Blackhawks over Oilers

Ducks over Predators

Thanks to Ryan and hang in there dude…the sickness is getting everyone.

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Stars 3, Red Wings 2 (SO)
Blackhawks 6, Blue Jackets 5
Avalanche 3, Devils 1
Kings 4, Bruins 3 (SO)
Sharks 4, Oilers 2
Senators 4, Canadiens 2
Islanders 3, Sabres 2 (SO)
Panthers 5, Lightning 2
Thrashers 5, Hurricanes 3
Coyotes 6, Wild 4
Blues 4, Rangers 1
Canucks 6, Penguins 2
Predictions record: 6-4-2

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Tomas Vokoun, FLA (47 Saves, 2 GA)
Vokoun’s big performance helped the ‘Cats sweep a key home-and-home with Tampa Bay.
2. Jonathan Toews, CHI (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Captain Toews led the way for the ‘Hawks in their wild game vs. Columbus.
3. Ed Jovanovski, PHX (4 Assists)
‘Jovo’ lifted Phoenix over Minnesota with 4 helpers.

—

Today’s Slate:
Blackhawks @ Red Wings, 12:30 ET
Flyers @ Capitals, 3:00
Canadiens @ Rangers, 7:00
Flames @ Ducks, 8:00

Games of the Day:
Chicago Blackhawks @ Detroit Red Wings
12:30 ET… TV: NBC

Records:
Overall: Blackhawks (33-11-4) … Red Wings (24-16-7)
Last Ten: Blackhawks (7-2-1) … Red Wings (6-2-2)
Away/Home: Blackhawks (12-6-3) … Red Wings (14-7-2)
Season Series: 2-1 Blackhawks

Players to watch:
CHI- Marian Hossa
Hossa is red-hot in January, with 10 points in 7 games.
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
I think Datsyuk really has to step up; he has just 1 point in the last 5 games.

Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Antti Niemi (09/10 stats: 11-3-1, 1.84 GAA)
DET- Jimmy Howard (09/10 stats: 17-10-3, 2.16 GAA)

Injury Report:
CHI- Dave Bolland (back, out), Adam Burish (knee, out)
DET- Johan Franzen and Niklas Kronwall (knee, out), Tomas Holmstrom (foot, out), Jason Williams (leg, out), Andreas Lilja (head, out)

Game Thoughts:
‘Game of the Week’ returns to NBC, and they did not go wrong with this matchup. The high-flying ‘Hawks look to take down Detroit once again at the Joe. Last month, Chicago picked up a pair of 3-0 wins over the Wings. I think Mike Babcock’s gang will play much better today, and will pick up 2 key points.
Prediction: Red Wings 3, Blackhawks 2
—
Philadelphia Flyers @ Washington Capitals
3:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Flyers (23-20-3) … Capitals (29-12-6)
Last Ten: Flyers (7-2-1) … Capitals (6-4-0)
Away/Home: Flyers (11-11-1) … Capitals (15-3-3)
Season Series: 2-0-1 Capitals

Players to watch:
PHI- Jeff Carter
He usually plays well vs. Washington, and needs to show his goal-scoring ability today.
WSH- Mike Knuble
Knuble needs to continue to score those dirty goals in the crease.

Projected Goaltenders:
PHI- Ray Emery (09/10 stats: 11-8-1, 2.83 GAA)
WSH- Jose Theodore (09/10 stats: 12-7-4, 2.88 GAA)

Injury Report:
PHI- Scott Hartnell (flu, probable), Darroll Powe (upper body, probable), Ryan Parent (back, out), Danny Syvret (shoulder, out)
WSH- Alexander Semin (wrist, probable), Brian Pothier (upper body, questionable), Semyon Varlamov (groin, out), John Erskine (undisclosed, questionable)

Game Thoughts:
As always when these two meet, it should be a high-intensity, high-scoring affair in D.C.! The Capitals have had a crazy week, and the Flyers are hoping to get back on the winning track. This game will come down to which goalie can stop more pucks that come their way. I’ll take the improving Theodore over the rusty Emery.
Prediction: Capitals 4, Flyers 3 (SO)

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Rangers over Canadiens
Ducks over Flames

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