Ryan went all turkeys out on this edition. Everything is covered even the dessert I swear.
To celebrate Thanksgiving (Eve), here is a deluxe version of the Morning Skate, covering all 14 games on tonight’s schedule!!
The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Canadiens 5, Blue Jackets 3
Predictions record: 0-1
My 3 stars from last night:
1. Marc-Andre Bergeron, MTL (2 Goals)
Bergeron was great last night, and scored the game-winner in the 3rd.
2. Antoine Vermette, CBJ (2 Goals)
I thought Vermette was really strong in a losing effort.
3. Carey Price, MTL (33 Saves, 3 GA)
Price was stellar most of the night, and kept the Habs in the game when losing.
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Tonight’s Slate:
Sabres @ Capitals, 7:00 ET
Flyers @ Islanders, 7:00
Maple Leafs @ Lightning, 7:00
Senators @ Devils, 7:00
Rangers @ Panthers, 7:30
Canadiens @ Penguins, 7:30
Thrashers @ Red Wings, 7:30
Bruins @ Wild, 8:00
Blues @ Stars, 8:00
Predators @ Avalanche, 9:00
Kings @ Oilers, 9:30
Coyotes @ Flames, 9:30
Hurricanes @ Ducks, 10:00
Blackhawks @ Sharks, 10:30
Tonight’s Premier Games:
Buffalo Sabres @ Washington Capitals
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Sabres (12-6-2) … Capitals (13-5-6)
Last Ten: Sabres (4-5-1) … Capitals (5-3-2)
Away/Home: Sabres (5-3-0) … Capitals (7-2-3)
Season Series: First meeting
Players to watch:
BUF- Tyler Myers
The big rookie has a tough assignment in his first game against Ovechkin.
WSH- Brendan Morrison
Washington’s #2 pivot has played beyond expectations, and has 8 points in the last 9 games.
Projected Goaltenders:
BUF- Ryan Miller (09/10 stats: 12-3-2, 1.97 GAA)
WSH- Semyon Varlamov (09/10 stats: 8-1-2, 2.55 GAA)
Injury Report:
BUF- Drew Stafford (lower body, questionable), Mike Grier (groin, out)
WSH- Alexander Semin (wrist, doubtful), Mike Knuble (finger, out), Tom Poti (upper body, doubtful), Milan Jurcina (lower body, probable), Shaone Morrisonn (head, questionable), Boyd Gordon (back, out), Quintin Laing (jaw, out)
Game Thoughts:
Two great, but slumping, teams face-off tonight in DC. The Sabres and Caps have both lost three in a row, looking to get back on track. Ryan Miller has been dominant in Washington, having never lost there in his career. Couple that with the Caps’ injuries, and I think Buffalo will come away with a close win.
Prediction: Sabres 3, Capitals 2 (SO)
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Chicago Blackhawks @ San Jose Sharks
10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Blackhawks (15-5-2) … Sharks (16-5-4)
Last Ten: Blackhawks (8-1-1) … Sharks (6-1-3)
Away/Home: Blackhawks (5-3-1) … Sharks (7-0-2)
Season Series: 1-0 Sharks
Players to watch:
CHI- Marian Hossa
Due to return from his shoulder injury, how will Hossa fare in his first game as a ‘Hawk?
SJ- Joe Thornton
Jumbo Joe is his dominant self again, and has tallied at least two points in each of the past three games.
Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Cristobal Huet (09/10 stats: 11-4-1, 2.16 GAA)
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (09/10 stats: 14-3-4, 2.19 GAA)
Injury Report:
CHI- Marian Hossa (shoulder, probable), Dave Bolland (back, out), Adam Burish (knee, out)
SJ- Devin Setoguchi (leg, out), Rob Blake (arm, out), Torrey Mitchell (knee, out), Brad Staubitz (face, questionable), Jody Shelley (soreness, questionable)
Game Thoughts:
This is the big showdown of the week! You have the high-flying ‘Hawks in one corner, a team that has won seven in a row, including a sweep of Western Canada. On the other side are the Sharks, owners of the league’s best record and a startling home record. San Jose has Chicago’s number at the Tank since the lockout, but most of the games have been close. In the end, I think Team Teal continues to win big games at home.
Prediction: Sharks 4, Blackhawks 3
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The rest of tonight’s action:
Philadelphia Flyers (12-8-1) @ New York Islanders (9-8-7)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
PHI- Jeff Carter
NYI- John Tavares
Projected Goaltenders:
PHI- Ray Emery (09/10 stats: 11-6-1, 2.57 GAA)
NYI- Dwayne Roloson (09/10 stats: 7-2-5, 2.86 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
Raise your hand if you thought the Flyers and Isles would both have 25 points at Thanksgiving… didn’t think so. Tavares & company have been playing well, but I think Philly rebounds.
Prediction: Flyers 4, Islanders 2
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Toronto Maple Leafs (4-11-7) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (9-5-7)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
TOR- Phil Kessel
TB- Martin St. Louis
Projected Goaltenders:
TOR- Jonas Gustavsson (09/10 stats: 3-4-5, 3.18 GAA)
TB- Antero Niittymaki (09/10 stats: 6-1-3, 2.02 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
Toronto has played better on the road than at home, while the Bolts have yet to lose a home game in regulation. I think the St. Louis/Stamkos line will light up the ‘Monster’ tonight.
Prediction: Lightning 4, Maple Leafs 2
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Ottawa Senators (12-6-3) @ New Jersey Devils (14-6-1)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
OTT- Mike Fisher
NJ- Zach Parise
Projected Goaltenders:
OTT- Brian Elliott (09/10 stats: 4-1-2, 2.91 GAA)
NJ- Martin Brodeur (09/10 stats: 12-6-1, 2.22 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
How will Elliott respond the being the starter for the time being?? With a loss. Brodeur has great numbers against the Sens, and will help his team snap a 3-game losing streak.
Prediction: Devils 3, Senators 2
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New York Rangers (12-10-1) @ Florida Panthers (10-9-3)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
NYR- Vinny Prospal
FLA- Stephen Weiss
Projected Goaltenders:
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (09/10 stats: 10-8-1, 2.64 GAA)
FLA- Tomas Vokoun (09/10 stats: 7-8-3, 2.72 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
We’ll see tonight if a 7-goal outburst against Columbus will help the Rangers’ scoring woes. I have a feeling it won’t, so I like the Panthers in a low-scoring affair.
Prediction: Panthers 3, Rangers 1
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Montreal Canadiens (12-11-1) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (16-8-0)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
MTL- Tomas Plekanec
PIT- Evgeni Malkin
Projected Goaltenders:
MTL- Jaroslav Halak (09/10 stats: 5-3-0, 2.62 GAA)
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (09/10 stats: 13-7-0, 2.59 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
Fleury has been terrible in November, but his team has turned it around a bit in the last few games. I think they’ll handle a Canadiens team coming off a hard-fought victory last night.
Prediction: Penguins 4, Canadiens 2
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Atlanta Thrashers (10-7-3) @ Detroit Red Wings (11-7-4)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
ATL- Zach Bogosian
DET- Henrik Zetterberg
Projected Goaltenders:
ATL- Ondrej Pavelec (09/10 stats: 6-5-3, 2.96 GAA)
DET- Chris Osgood (09/10 stats: 6-4-3, 2.73 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
Detroit owns Atlanta at the Joe (5-1 all-time). The Wings are coming off a tough loss, while Atlanta is treading water in the East. Go with Detroit…
Prediction: Red Wings 5, Thrashers 3
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Boston Bruins (11-8-4) @ Minnesota Wild (8-12-2)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
BOS- Marc Savard
MIN- Eric Belanger
Projected Goaltenders:
BOS- Tuukka Rask (09/10 stats: 6-2-1, 2.28 GAA)
MIN- Niklas Backstrom (09/10 stats: 8-9-2, 2.66 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
This is a tricky game to figure out. Boston is starting to find its feet with Savard and Lucic back in the lineup. The Wild have played better of late. I like Boston…
Prediction: Bruins 3, Wild 2 (SO)
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St. Louis Blues (8-9-4) @ Dallas Stars (11-6-6)
8:00 ET… TV: VERSUS
Players to watch:
STL- Erik Johnson
DAL- Loui Eriksson
Projected Goaltenders:
STL- Chris Mason (09/10 stats: 6-7-3, 2.28 GAA)
DAL- Marty Turco (09/10 stats: 5-3-1, 2.62 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
I’m sure VERSUS will get a ratings boost with this game tonight. Both teams are riding two-game winning streaks. My mind says Dallas, my guts says St. Louis.
Prediction: Stars 2, Blues 1 (OT)
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Nashville Predators (13-8-1) @ Colorado Avalanche (14-7-3)
9:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
NSH- Jason Arnott
COL- Milan Hejduk
Projected Goaltenders:
NSH- Pekka Rinne (09/10 stats: 10-4-0, 2.29 GAA)
COL- Craig Anderson (09/10 stats: 13-6-3, 2.59 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
This is a tough one-game road trip to Denver for the Predators. Although it’s hard to pick against them right now, I think they suffer from their usual ‘Wings hangover’.
Prediction: Avalanche 3, Predators 1
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Los Angeles Kings (13-9-2) @ Edmonton Oilers (10-11-3)
9:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
LA- Anze Kopitar
EDM- Sheldon Souray
Projected Goaltenders:
LA- Jonathan Quick (09/10 stats: 12-8-2, 2.79 GAA)
EDM- Jeff Deslauriers (09/10 stats: 3-2-1, 2.48 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
Los Angeles has won 4 of their last 6 games in Edmonton, including both last year. The Oilers play their best hockey at home, but the Kings are desperate.
Prediction: Kings 4, Oilers 3
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Phoenix Coyotes (13-10-1) @ Calgary Flames (13-6-3)
9:30 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
PHX- Radim Vrbata
CGY- Jarome Iginla
Projected Goaltenders:
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (09/10 stats: 12-7-1, 2.14 GAA)
CGY- Miikka Kiprusoff (09/10 stats: 12-5-3, 2.57 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
The Flames are sputtering at home, losing four of five. Phoenix has failed to win two straight games this month. They have a shot, but I still like Calgary to pull it out.
Prediction: Flames 4, Coyotes 2
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Carolina Hurricanes (5-13-5) @ Anaheim Ducks (8-11-3)
10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
CAR- Tuomo Ruutu
ANA- Corey Perry
Projected Goaltenders:
CAR- Manny Legace (09/10 stats: 2-3-3, 3.19 GAA)
ANA- J.S. Giguere (09/10 stats: 1-3-2, 3.13 GAA)
Game Thoughts:
This is another tricky East vs. West game to predict… I feel like anything can happen here. The ‘Canes have had success in Anaheim, but the Ducks have played better lately.
Prediction: Ducks 5, Hurricanes 3
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