Ryan gives us the Vitamin C we need to keep that hockey flu out of here so we can all enjoy some good hockey. Here is the AM Skate.
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Capitals 3, Hurricanes 2 (SO)
Thrashers 4, Bruins 1
Red Wings 4, Blue Jackets 2
Predictions record: 2-1
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Dustin Byfuglien, ATL (1 Goal, 3 Assists)… It was one of Byfuglien’s best performances of the year as he tallied four points.
2. Ondrej Pavelec, ATL (40 Saves, 1 GA)
3. Eric Staal, CAR (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
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If the playoffs started today…
Eastern Conference:
1) WSH vs. 8) BOS
2) PHI vs. 7) ATL
3) MTL vs. 6) NYR
4) PIT vs. 5) TB
Western Conference:
1) DET vs. 8) COL
2) VAN vs. 7) STL
3) DAL vs. 6) PHX
4) CBJ vs. 5) CHI
—
Tonight’s Slate:
Penguins @ Rangers, 7:00 ET
Stars @ Hurricanes, 7:30
Oilers @ Senators, 7:30
Wild @ Flames, 9:00
Kings @ Ducks, 10:00
Game of the Night:
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Penguins (15-8-2) … Rangers (14-10-1)
Last Ten: Penguins (8-1-1) … Rangers (7-3-0)
Away/Home: Penguins (8-3-1) … Rangers (5-6-1)
Season Series: 1-0 Rangers
Players to watch:
PIT- Kris Letang
‘Tanger has been a steady offensive force on the blueline for the Pens this year.
NYR- Ryan Callahan
Callahan burned the Pens in their last meeting, scoring the OT winger.
Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (2010/11 stats: 8-6-1, 2.57 GAA)
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (2010/11 stats: 9-8-1, 2.61 GAA)
Injury Report:
PIT- Jordan Staal (hand, out), Mike Comrie (undisclosed, questionable)
NYR- Marian Gaborik (flu, questionable), Derek Boogaard (shoulder, doubtful), Chris Drury (finger, out), Vinny Prospal (knee, out)
Game Thoughts:
These Atlantic Division rivals renew acquaintances tonight in New York in what promises to be a great contest. The Pens are red-hot, having won seven of eight and six straight. Meanwhile, the Rangers are coming off a pair of wins on the road where Lundqvist was unbeatable. It will be a close one, but I think Crosby and company get the job done at MSG.
Prediction: Penguins 3, Rangers 2 (OT)
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Hurricanes over Stars
Senators over Oilers
Flames over Wild
Kings over Ducks
