Thanks again Ryan….been a strange day trying to get ready for all those games tonight. Still say the Battle Of Pa could be interesting more because we do not know how the goalies will perform. Onward.
The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Coyotes 3, Penguins 0
Canucks 7, Canadiens 1
Predictions record: 0-2
My 3 stars from last night:
1. Henrik Sedin, VAN (2 Goals, 2 Assists)
Henrik had a big night with a pair of nice 2nd period goals in the Canucks’ rout of Montreal.
2. Ilya Bryzgalov, PHX (24 saves, SO)
He picked up a big shutout, but wasn’t pressured by the Penguins. ‘Bryz’ still had a great game.
3. Ryan Kesler, VAN (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
Kesler’s beautiful breakaway goal started the Vancouver onslaught, and he also picked up an assist. Easily his best game of the year thus far.
Dud of the Night:
Canadiens’ defense… The Habs’ back end was atrocious, allowing Vancouver to do anything they wanted to do. Bad shift changes, mental lapses, poor penalty-killing, weak breakout passes, etc. It was not a pretty game on the Montreal blue-line, and Carey Price was not at fault last night.
Check out the ‘3 Stars Standings’ on the right side of the page!
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Tonight’s Slate:
Islanders @ Senators, 7:00 ET
Rangers @ Capitals, 7:00
Penguins @ Flyers, 7:00
Ducks @ Bruins, 7:00
Coyotes @ Sabres, 7:00
Devils @ Lightning, 7:30
Blackhawks @ Red Wings, 7:30
Thrashers @ Blues, 8:00
Avalanche @ Predators, 8:00
Flames @ Oilers, 9:30
Blue Jackets @ Sharks, 10:30
Wild @ Kings, 10:30
Games of the Night:
Pittsburgh Penguins (2-1-0) @ Philadelphia Flyers (3-0-0)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
PIT- Sidney Crosby
Sid has stunning career numbers against Philly: 20 G, 46 Pts in 26 games.
PHI- Chris Pronger
This matchup was a big reason why Paul Holmgren traded for ‘Prongs’. Can he slow down Sid & ‘Geno??
Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (09/10 stats: 2-0, 2.41 GAA)
PHI- Ray Emery (09/10 stats: 3-0, 2.29 GAA)
Injury Report:
PIT- Max Talbot (shoulder, out), Ben Lovejoy (shoulder, out)
PHI- James van Riemsdyk (head, doubtful), Blair Betts (shoulder, out)
Game Thoughts:
The first chapter of this season’s ‘Battle of Pennsylvania’ won’t disappoint. Philly is 3-0, and looking to avenge the last two postseason defeats to the Pens. Pittsburgh sleepwalked through last night’s home game vs. Phoenix; they should be ready to rebound. Tonight’s game could turn into a shootout, and I think the guys in orange will come out on top (and send a statement).
Prediction: Flyers 4, Penguins 2
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Chicago Blackhawks (1-0-1) @ Detroit Red Wings (0-2-0)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
CHI- Dustin Byfuglien
With an array of injuries to Chicago’s depth, look for ‘Buff’ to step it up in the hard areas tonight.
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
The Hart finalist from last year has as many points this season as you do. That will change quickly.
Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Cristobal Huet (09/10 stats: 0-0-1, 2.78 GAA)
DET- Chris Osgood (09/10 stats: 0-1, 4.06 GAA)
Injury Report:
CHI- Marian Hossa (shoulder, out), Dave Bolland (back, doubtful), Adam Burish (knee, out), Ben Eager (upper body, doubtful), Troy Brouwer (lower body, questionable)
DET- Darren Helm (shoulder, out), Andreas Lilja (head, out)
Game Thoughts:
Welcome back to the States, gentlemen! Both traveled overseas last week, and the ‘Hawks managed to get a split… unlike Detroit. The Wings’ goaltending situation was exposed by St. Louis, and it could again tonight. But I have a feeling the Hawks’ injuries could take their toll, and the Wings will be rejuvenated by the home crowd. It should be a good game in a rematch of last year’s conference finals…
Prediction: Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 3
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Senators over Islanders
Capitals over Rangers
Bruins over Ducks
Sabres over Coyotes
Devils over Lightning
Blues over Thrashers
Predators over Avalanche
Oilers over Flames
Sharks over Blue Jackets
Kings over Wild
