I swore to Ryan that our picks would be better…I think 2-0 on our locks and 5-0 worked. Let’s see what is on tap via the Morning Skate.
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Flames 6, Blue Jackets 2
Senators 4, Sabres 2
Lightning 5, Thrashers 2
Blues 4, Blackhawks 2
Canucks 5, Wild 1
Predictions record: 4-1
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Daniel Alfredsson, OTT (3 Goals)… Captain Alfie reached 1,000 points with his hat trick in Buffalo.
2. Rene Bourque, CGY (3 Goals, 1 Assist)
3. Steven Stamkos, TB (3 Goals, 1 Assist)
Close but no cigar: M. Malhotra, VAN; D. Perron, STL
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Tonight’s Slate:
Rangers @ Bruins, 7:00 ET
Canadiens @ Senators, 7:00
Sabres @ Devils, 7:00
Maple Leafs @ Flyers, 7:00
Thrashers @ Capitals, 7:00
Islanders @ Panthers, 7:00
Ducks @ Red Wings, 7:00
Penguins @ Blues, 8:00
Predators @ Stars, 8:00
Blue Jackets @ Blackhawks, 8:30
Kings @ Avalanche, 9:00
Hurricanes @ Coyotes, 9:00
Sharks @ Oilers, 10:00
Games of the Night:
Pittsburgh Penguins (5-3-0) @ St. Louis Blues (3-1-2)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: 1-0 Penguins
Players to watch:
PIT- Sidney Crosby
Sid is starting to heat up with 8 points in the last 3 games.
STL- Erik Johnson
With all the firepower from Pittsburgh, Johnson will need to have a solid two-way game.
Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (2010/11 stats: 1-3-0, 3.25 GAA)
STL- Jaroslav Halak (Last night vs. CHI: 23 Saves, 2 GA)
Injury Report:
PIT- Jordan Staal (foot, out), Zbynek Michalek and Arron Asham (shoulder, out), Brooks Orpik (groin, questionable)
STL- Cam Janssen (concussion, out)
Game Thoughts:
Pittsburgh heads to St. Louis tonight for a rare tilt between the two; Crosby and company picked up a big overtime win in Nashville on Thursday. Meanwhile, Davis Payne’s Blues took down the defending champs at home last night, 4-2. They’ll have a good chance if Halak is in net again. However, it may be tough for the Blues to slow down two high-powered attacks on back-to-back nights. I’ll take the Pens, who are 3-0 on the road thus far.
Prediction: Penguins 4, Blues 2
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Los Angeles Kings (4-2-0) @ Colorado Avalanche (4-3-0)
9:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
2009/10 Season Series: 3-1 Kings
Players to watch:
LA- Jack Johnson
Johnson must be better than he was in Phoenix in Doughty’s absence.
COL- Paul Stastny
Stastny has 18 points in 15 career games vs. Los Angeles.
Projected Goaltenders:
LA- Jonathan Quick (2010/11 stats: 3-1-0, 1.48 GAA)
COL- Craig Anderson (2010/11 stats: 3-3-0, 2.67 GAA)
Injury Report:
LA- Drew Doughty (upper body, out), Scott Parse (groin, out), Matt Greene (shoulder, doubtful)
COL- Adam Foote (head, questionable), David Jones (arm, questionable), Peter Mueller (concussion, out), David Koci (jaw, out)
Game Thoughts:
Los Angeles has high expectations this year and has played well in the first couple weeks. That said, the loss of Doughty is a huge hole left vacant on the blueline. Colorado has once again started to prove the doubters wrong with a few impressive victories in this young season. The Kings had Colorado’s number last season, but not tonight. I like Anderson and company to bounce back in this one.
Prediction: Avalanche 3, Kings 2
Lock of the Night:
Bruins over Rangers… If the B’s can shut down the Capitals in a home-and-home, what will they do to the offense-starved Blueshirts?
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Canadiens over Senators
Devils over Sabres
Flyers over Maple Leafs
Capitals over Thrashers
Panthers over Islanders
Red Wings over Ducks
Stars over Predators
Blackhawks over Blue Jackets
Hurricanes over Coyotes
Oilers over Sharks
