Ryan is at the Winter Classic but here we will stick with the hockey at hand including some great WJC games today and tonight. Now here is the Morning Skate and a Happy New Year to Ryan and everyone at the Red Light District.
The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Blue Jackets 3, Maple Leafs 2
Thrashers 3, Bruins 2 (SO)
Lightning 4, Canadiens 1
Sharks 5, Blackhawks 3
Avalanche 4, Oilers 3 (SO)
Flyers 7, Kings 4
Predictions record: 5-1
My 3 stars of the night:
1. Steven Stamkos, TB (2 Goals, 2 Assists)… Stamkos was in on all four Tampa Bay goals as they cruised past sputtering Montreal.
2. Mike Richards, PHI (2 Goals, 2 Assists)
3. Kristian Huselius, CBJ (2 Goals)
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Tonight’s Slate:
Thrashers @ Devils, 5:00 ET
Canadiens @ Panthers, 5:00
Predators @ Wild, 6:00
Islanders @ Red Wings, 7:00
Senators @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Flyers @ Ducks, 8:00
Canucks @ Stars, 8:00
Coyotes @ Blues, 8:30
Avalanche @ Flames, 9:00
Games of the Night:
Vancouver Canucks @ Dallas Stars
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Records:
Overall: Canucks (22-8-5) … Stars (22-12-4)
Last Ten: Canucks (8-0-2) … Stars (5-3-2)
Away/Home: Canucks (9-5-3) … Stars (12-5-3)
Season Series (09/10): 3-1 Canucks
Players to watch:
VAN- Ryan Kesler
Kesler has been clutch for the Canucks with 19 points in December.
DAL- Brad Richards
There’s been no stopping Richards, who has been solid vs. Vancouver in his career.
Projected Goaltenders:
VAN- Cory Schneider (2010/11 stats: 5-0-2, 2.56 GAA)
DAL- Kari Lehtonen (2010/11 stats: 4-5-1, 3.17 GAA)
Injury Report:
VAN- Mason Raymond (thumb, out), Sami Salo (Achilles, out), Guillaume Desbiens (hand, out)
DAL- None
Game Thoughts:
A pair of division leaders faceoff tonight in Dallas. The Stars dropped a 7-3 decision to Detroit on Wednesday, so they’ll be looking to rebound. Vancouver drilled Philadelphia, 6-2, in their last game. Marc Crawford’s club is in the midst of a big litmus test week, while the Canucks will begin a six-game-in-nine-nights stretch. Go with the Stars here…
Prediction: Stars 3, Canucks 2
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Thrashers over Devils
Canadiens over Panthers
Predators over Wild
Red Wings over Islanders
Senators over Blue Jackets
Ducks over Flyers
Blues over Coyotes
Avalanche over Flames
