Ryan told us we were late for breakfast but not brunch…here is the Morning Skate…..
Wednesday Game of the Week Recap:
Blackhawks 2, Canucks 1 (SO)
Considering the various troubles they’ve been going through, I thought Vancouver did what they needed to do. They weren’t going to instantly click offensively and score four or more against Chicago.
They kept the ‘Hawks within reach all game, and then tied the game 1-1 in the third. After a fast-paced overtime session, the Blackhawks’ skill showed off in the ‘skills competition’. However, they weren’t the most natural goals; two slipped through a sprawling Roberto Luongo (see video below).
It was a good point for the Canucks, if you ask me… considering it was a back half of a back-to-back, and the defense was battered with injuries. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks won their fourth in a row and improved their record to 5-2-1.
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The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Sabres 4, Thrashers 1
Blue Jackets 3, Ducks 1
Blackhawks 2, Canucks 1 (SO)
Kings 4, Hurricanes 3
Predictions record: 3-1
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Steve Mason, CBJ (31 Saves, 1 GA)… The Jackets were out-shot in every period, but Mason was up to the task getting his second win of the year.
2. Marty Turco, CHI (36 Saves, 1 GA)
3. Anze Kopitar, LA (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
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Tonight’s Slate:
Capitals @ Bruins, 7:00 ET
Rangers @ Maple Leafs, 7:00
Ducks @ Flyers, 7:00
Flames @ Red Wings, 7:30
Devils @ Canadiens, 7:30
Islanders @ Lightning, 7:30
Stars @ Panthers, 7:30
Penguins @ Predators, 8:00
Sharks @ Avalanche, 9:00
Wild @ Oilers, 9:30
Kings @ Coyotes, 10:00
Games of the Night:
Washington Capitals (4-2-0) @ Boston Bruins (3-1-0)
7:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks
2010/11 Season Series: 1-0 Bruins
Players to watch:
WSH- Alex Ovechkin
‘Ovie’ was held in check Tuesday vs. Boston. Can he bust loose tonight?
BOS- Milan Lucic
‘Looch’ had a Gordie Howe hat trick in their meeting Tuesday.
Projected Goaltenders:
WSH- Semyon Varlamov (2010/11 stats: 0-0-0, 1.31 GAA)
BOS- Tuukka Rask (2010/11 stats: 0-1-0, 4.01 GAA)
Injury Report:
WSH- Mike Green (upper body, doubtful), Michal Neuvirth (flu, doubtful), Matt Bradley (lower body, questionable)
BOS- Marc Savard (concussion, out), Marco Sturm (knee, out)
Game Thoughts:
Boston controlled Tuesday’s game in Washington, winning 3-1 behind the great play of Tim Thomas. They’ll finally be opening up at home, but the Caps will have revenge on their minds. They took both games in Boston last year, and I think Ovechkin will get a couple points in an overtime win tonight.
Prediction: Capitals 3, Bruins 2 (OT)
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Pittsburgh Penguins (4-3-0) @ Nashville Predators (3-0-2)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: 1-0 Predators
Players to watch:
PIT- Evgeni Malkin
‘Geno is starting to heat up with points in four straight.
NSH- Patric Hornqvist
‘Horny’ and his line-mates need to have a productive night.
Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (2010/11 stats: 0-3-0, 3.41 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (2010/11 stats: 1-0-1, 1.15 GAA)
Injury Report:
PIT- Jordan Staal (foot, out), Zbynek Michalek (shoulder, out), Brooks Orpik (groin, questionable), Arron Asham (shoulder, out)
NSH- Ryan Suter (lower body, out), Matthew Lombardi and Marcel Goc (upper body, out)
Game Thoughts:
Nashville welcomes Sidney Crosby and company to town for their only meeting this season. Both of these teams are a little banged up right now, but that hasn’t stopped from racking up points. The Pens have won three straight (with Brent Johnson in net), while the Preds have yet to lose in regulation. I think it will be a tight game, but the absence of Suter will be the difference tonight.
Prediction: Penguins 4, Predators 2
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Los Angeles Kings (4-1-0) @ Phoenix Coyotes (1-2-1)
10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: Tied 3-3
Players to watch:
LA- Dustin Brown
Captain Brown has 5 points and a plus-5 rating through five games.
PHX- Lee Stempniak
Someone like Stempniak will have to step up in Doan’s absence.
Projected Goaltenders:
LA- Jonathan Quick (2010/11 stats: 3-0-0, 0.97 GAA)
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (2010/11 stats: 1-1-1, 2.28 GAA)
Injury Report:
LA- Drew Doughty (upper body, questionable), Matt Greene (shoulder, out), Scott Parse (groin, out)
PHX- Ray Whitney (upper body, questionable), Ed Jovanovski (undisclosed, questionable), Martin Hanzal (upper body, questionable)
Game Thoughts:
This should be an interesting tilt in the desert tonight. The Kings come in after winning at home against Carolina last night, while the ‘Yotes are a little banged up and without their captain. This game will come down to goaltending. L.A. may be due for a loss… plus Bryzgalov has a good track record against them.
Prediction: Coyotes 2, Kings 1
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Maple Leafs over Rangers
Flyers over Ducks
Red Wings over Flames
Devils over Canadiens
Lightning over Islanders
Stars over Panthers
Avalanche over Sharks
Wild over Oilers
