Thanks to Ryan and if you have not already…go congratulate Buddy on his 1000th post over at POTG.  Really I think he thanked almost everyone.  And now a wintry treat……

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Capitals 3, Flyers 2 (OT)

Blues 2, Rangers 0

Oilers 2, Blackhawks 1

Ducks 5, Predators 4

Predictions record: 3-1

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Ty Conklin, STL (27 Saves, Shutout)… Conklin shook off the rust to blank the Rangers and give the Blues their best start in team history.

2. Saku Koivu, ANA (2 Goals)

3. Nikolai Khabibulin, EDM (26 Saves, 1 GA)

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Tonight’s Slate:

Coyotes @ Red Wings, 7:30 ET

Game of the Night:

Phoenix Coyotes @ Detroit Red Wings

7:30 ET… TV: VERSUS

Records:

Overall: Coyotes (4-5-4) … Red Wings (8-3-1)

Last Ten: Coyotes (3-4-3) … Red Wings (6-3-1)

Away/Home: Coyotes (2-3-1) … Red Wings (4-1-1)

Season Series: Tied 1-1

Players to watch:

PHX- Wojtek Wolski

Will a two-point night vs. Pittsburgh kick-start something for Wolski?

DET- Pavel Datsyuk

The ‘Magician’ – as I like to call him – is on an eight-game point streak.

Projected Goaltenders:

PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (2010/11 stats: 4-2-4, 2.83 GAA)

DET- Jimmy Howard (2010/11 stats: 6-1-1, 2.33 GAA)

Injury Report:

PHX- Shane Doan (upper body, out), Ed Jovanovski (flu, questionable)

DET- Brian Rafalski (knee, out), Chris Osgood and Kris Draper (groin, out)

Game Thoughts:

In their last meeting, the Coyotes went into the Joe and handled Detroit to get the two points; I don’t see that happening here. The Wings are coming off a frustrating loss to Vancouver on Saturday, and Howard will be determined to have a bounce-back game. Also, Doan will be out of the lineup for Phoenix. I really like the Wings to win tonight…

Prediction: Red Wings 3, Coyotes 1 (also the Lock of the Night)

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Sausage Morning Links:

– NHL… A cool story on how Brent Sopel stays in contact with his family.

– Versus… Adrian Dater’s appreciation piece for Dino Ciccarelli.

Ryan brings the Morning Skate even on a holiday.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 3 (SO)
Capitals 5, Flyers 3
Rangers 6, Canadiens 2
Ducks 5, Flames 4
Predictions record: 3-0-1

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Ryan Callahan, NYR (2 Goals, 2 Assists)
Callahan was tremendous in the Rangers’ rally; the team really fed off his effort on the PK.
2. Brooks Laich, WSH (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Laich picked up 3 points in the Caps’ big win over Philly.
3. Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Along with Callahan, Dubinsky really sparked the team in the final two periods.
Dud of the Night:
Montreal Canadiens… The Rangers had scored a total of 5 goals in the last 5 games, and the Habs held a 2-0 lead after one. That should be a safe lead… especially against the offensively-challenged Blueshirts, right?? Then what the hell happened in the final 2 periods!?
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Today’s Slate:
Senators @ Bruins, 1:00 ET
Devils @ Islanders, 2:00
Lightning @ Hurricanes, 7:00
Blues @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Sabres @ Coyotes, 7:00
Thrashers @ Panthers, 7:30
Maple Leafs @ Predators, 8:00
Wild @ Stars, 8:00
Oilers @ Avalanche, 9:00
Flames @ Sharks, 10:00

Games of the Day:
New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders
2:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Devils (32-13-1) … Islanders (21-19-8)
Last Ten: Devils (6-4-0) … Islanders (7-2-1)
Away/Home: Devils (16-6-1) … Islanders (12-8-2)
Season Series: 2-0 Devils

Players to watch:
NJ- Zach Parise
Parise has solid career numbers vs. the Isles, and has played better on the road this year.
NYI- Josh Bailey
Bailey has really taken off the last couple weeks, as he recently had a 7-game point streak.

Projected Goaltenders:
NJ- Martin Brodeur (09/10 stats: 29-13-1, 2.14 GAA)
NYI- Dwayne Roloson (09/10 stats: 18-7-6, 2.70 GAA)

Injury Report:
NJ- Patrik Elias (upper body, out), Paul Martin (arm, out), David Clarkson (leg, out), Dainius Zubrus (knee, out)
NYI- Brendan Witt (calf, out), Radek Martinek (knee, out), Tim Jackman (face, out)

Game Thoughts:
Three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have guessed that this game would carry a lot of importance. But the Islanders’ recent surge has put them in the playoff mix (currently 8th). They’ve been playing really well lately. New Jersey hasn’t gone three straight games without a point this season, and I expect that to continue. Should be a great matinee affair… I like the Isles in a toss-up.
Prediction: Islanders 3, Devils 2 (SO)
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Buffalo Sabres @ Phoenix Coyotes
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Sabres (29-11-6) … Coyotes (28-16-5)
Last Ten: Sabres (7-0-3) … Coyotes (4-3-3)
Away/Home: Sabres (13-6-1) … Coyotes (18-7-2)
Season Series: 1-0 Sabres

Players to watch:
BUF- Tim Connolly
After a month-long slump, Connolly has an impressive 11-game point streak.
PHX- Radim Vrbata
Vrbata currently has a 4-game point streak, and 6 points in the last 6 games.

Projected Goaltenders:
BUF- Ryan Miller (09/10 stats: 26-8-4, 2.01 GAA)
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (09/10 stats: 25-12-4, 2.27 GAA)

Injury Report:
BUF- None
PHX- Kurt Sauer (headaches, out)

Game Thoughts:
Two of the more surprising teams of this season square off tonight in Phoenix! Buffalo won their previous meeting back in October, 2-1. Dave Tippett’s crew is coming off a pair of nice home wins, and could be due for a letdown. The Sabres are a good road team, and I don’t think they’ll fall into the ‘black hole’ of the desert.
Prediction: Sabres 3, Coyotes 1

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Bruins over Senators
Hurricanes over Lightning
Blues over Blue Jackets
Thrashers over Panthers
Predators over Maple Leafs
Stars over Wild
Avalanche over Oilers
Sharks over Flames

You can follow the Red Light District on Twitter @RLDhockey!